01x05 - Feeling

[bunniefuu]

[Iori] There's no need to be so nervous.

You know what a dance battle is?

We face off against each other like this

and the DJ picks a track.

Of course, we don't know

what song it will be.

Once we each take a round,

the DJ switches out the song.

We repeat this for two or three rounds.

Usually, there are three judges

who sit right about here.

They vote on the best performer.

The dancer with the majority vote wins.

Since there is no one to judge today,

we can be our own judges

or not pick a winner at all.

Okay?

[Kabo] D-Dance battle? Here?

[Iori] Don't worry, Kabo.

[gasps]

On sees the feeling you have.

WANDANCE

What is "feeling"? Hmm…

This is just my interpretation of it.

The same song can feel different

or stir different emotions

in each person, right?

One person may go, "Hmm" about a song,

while someone else might go,

"This song is crazy good!"

A song can make you feel nostalgic,

really happy, or fire you up to compete.

It's different for each person, right?

[gasps]

And when people get too excited,

they forget how to talk.

They naturally start to express themselves

using their body rather than words.

And this might sound strange…

but I think this is what dance is about.

I think this way

because "feeling" isn't just about

how someone feels in the moment.

A person's everyday life,

their upbringing,

things they keep repressed,

their anxieties and fears,

discriminations they've faced.

All these things are reflected

in the music

and are brought forward by it.

Can you really tell just by watching us?

Well, I'm just repeating

what the others have said.

-I think both of you have great talent.

-[Aoi, Wanda grunt]

[On] And Kabo may not have the skills

to bring them out completely yet,

but maybe, eventually…

[Kabo] President…

No, On sees the feeling I've got?

U-U-Um…

[Iori] Hmm?

If I win,

w-w-will you come

to the dance club again?

[gasps]

Sure.

You pick the song and the genre.

And I'll go first.

I've been waiting for someone like you.

[chuckles]

[Kabo breathes shakily]

["All or None" playing]

What is up with him?

At first glance he's just flailing around.

It's hard to tell

how he's riding the music.

But looking closely, he's expressing

all the intricate sounds using his steps.

His body is keeping the beat without fail.

It's as if each part of his body responds

to the music on its own.

His relaxed and confident approach,

his style is really different

to Wanda and On's.

This is Iori.

[laughs]

There's a dance battle going on

in the empty classroom over there.

For real?

[student]

So, dancers actually battle it out?

-That's funny.

-Are they at it?

Whoa, they're battling.

[Iori] The beats he chooses to pick up.

The depth of his timing.

He really listens to the music.

He's a natural, all right.

[Aoi] What is Iori like?

Well, he's a super nerd.

He's always talking about anime.

[Aoi] Wow, didn't expect that.

I'd have to say

he's a very contemporary dancer.

Nowadays, you can easily go online and

watch the world's best dancers perform.

And there are tips and tricks

from top dancers at your fingertips too.

60-SECOND DANCE

Even with just these resources

people with a natural knack for it

can get really good.

[On] That's why the level of the younger

dancers is pushed higher and higher.

Even a Japanese high schooler

can win global competitions now.

Iori has that self-taught talent

and incredible feeling.

When it comes to dance battles,

he may be the best in the prefecture.

Even better than you?

Huh? That we'd have to see.

["Not Competing" playing]

That's sick!

Iori was my classmate in my first year.

He was an odd guy who kept to himself.

I thought he was kind of mysterious.

But when he dances, oh, boy is he cool!

-Oh! He's k*lling it.

-This is seriously crazy.

-Is it that first-year's turn now?

-Go, go, go!

[music distorts, fades]

[Kabo] Huh? The sound is…

[breathing deeply]

[music resumes]

[gasps]

[groans]

Like, he's just moving wildly.

[Kabo]

If these people watching were judges,

then at this rate,

I'd lose a hundred to nothing.

Oh, no, I'm rushing.

On the next sound… On that sound, I'll…

-Right here! [grunts]

-[music stops]

-[music resumes, stops]

-I messed up. It wasn't the right loop.

[student 1] How do I say this?

I can tell his moves are flashy, but…

[student 2] Yeah.

[student 3]

After watching Iori dance all out, it's…

[student 4] Is this even a dance?

[school bell rings]

-Your dance was the best, Iori.

-Oh.

-[student 3] Fist bump.

-[Iori] Thanks.

-Let's grab a bite sometime. See ya.

-'Kay.

The audience dispersed

before we could ask for their vote.

What do you say?

Bu… Bu… Bu…

H-Hey.

H-H-How was my dancing?

How can I… [grunting]

How can I learn to dance like you?

Uh, um…

[gasps]

[Iori] You did good.

[breathes shakily]

[Aoi] I think I've improved.

Yes. Aoi, you've improved tons.

Really? I hope I don't drag you down.

It's not about dragging anyone down.

Aoi, you are the star.

[grunts] The star? Me?

Yeah.

No way. The stars are people

like you and On, obviously.

You're right. I'm the star,

but so are you.

Hmm… [chuckles]

SOME SORT OF STEP WITH FOO

ADD A TWIRL?

Hmm…

[Iori] To be honest,

his last round was awful.

It was a dance for show,

to gain attention from the audience.

There was no regard

for the beat whatsoever.

But his first round…

now, that was solid.

His movements sprung out of the music.

It wasn't dance for show.

It was the exact kind of dance I like.

If Kabo had kept up that style

for his next two rounds,

I wouldn't have minded losing.

I guess you can be as attractive as he is

and still lack confidence.

Yeah, he's got my attention.

Is he who she meant

by "kinda interesting"?

Then is there another first year…

who's even better?

[Kabo] My dance battle against Iori

wasn't a complete disaster.

In my first round,

I was flowing with the music.

-[upbeat music playing]

-I felt the same way during the audition.

I didn't even try to plan out my moves

or think about my steps.

I thought I've felt this way before.

And it's when I'm able to talk

without stuttering.

Recently, I noticed I can talk smoothly

when I'm not self-conscious

about my stutter.

I even forget all about stutters.

Moments when I can talk normal

and when I can dance,

they're very similar.

[music stops]

Maybe that's it.

I should aim to flow

with the music no matter what.

[laughing] It's fine, it's fine.

Huh? Kabo.

H-Hi.

-What's up?

-Hmm?

You came all the way

to the third year's classroom.

Who are you looking for?

[Kabo] H-Hi.

Me? Aw, no way.

-You've been requested.

-[giggling]

[Kabo] What's with this vibe?

[gasps]

[On] This is Kabo.

He's a first year in the dance club.

Oh, my gosh, he's adorable.

You're huge! How tall are you?

He's the rising star of my dance club.

We gotta mark the occasion.

Do you know the Boing Boing dance?

[gasps]

I-I-I'm just here t-to t-talk to O-On.

Look, he's hiding from us.

Oh, are you an introvert?

[On] Come on, don't tease him.

Then you do it, On.

[On groans]

SEND A NICE MESSAGE

[upbeat music playing]

[gasps]

I gotta turn in my future plans sheet too.

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT FUTURE PLANS

SURVEY SHEE

FUTURE PLANS SURVEY SHEE

[Kabo] Future plans?

NATIONAL STANDARDIZED

HIGH SCHOOL EXAM

Um… Uh, I accidentally took a glance.

[On] Oh, at my plans sheet?

I want to become a director.

So, I figured first I should study things

other than dance

like theater and videography.

Director? So, like backstage?

Not a dancer?

I first took an interest in dance

when I was in first grade.

I watched the music video

for Ne-Yo's "Because of You."

Ne-Yo sang as he counted the beats

by bobbing his head.

When I watched it I thought,

"Oh, this is it.

I want to spend my life

bobbing my head to music."

That's what inspired me.

[Kabo]

W-What sort of first grader were you?

What you want to do

doesn't always stay the same, does it?

Well, after a couple of other experiences,

I decided I want to create works

that uplift the audience

through sight and sound.

And that's why I want to be a director.

Like, when I listen to music,

I have these images that pop up

in my head.

So, to me each contest

is a great chance to practice.

Oh, wait. Wasn't there a reason

you came to see me?

Uh, this might be a weird question

but w-whenever I think of this

certain person, I-I can really dance.

But doesn't that mean

that I actually can't dance on my own?

W-W-Was there someone like that for you?

-Ne-Yo.

-Ah.

[chuckles]

Whether it's dancing,

playing an instrument or painting,

I think it's okay to imitate someone

when you're starting out.

It's normal to rely on them

for emotional support.

One of these days,

you'll find yourself not needing

that person to dance anymore.

And maybe that's when

your dance truly becomes your own.

[gasps, sighs]

[Wanda] Then you come over here.

-Ta-ta-boom.

-[panting]

-[Wanda] Kabo.

-Huh?

Hey, you've gotta keep your eyes on me.

-[g*nsh*t]

-Ugh.

[panting]

[gasps] Here, have some water, Kabo.

-Okay, on your feet.

-[Kabo grunts]

[panting]

What the…

Wanda is really drilling it today.

[Wanda] You see, recently I found a way

to dance without getting tired.

You want to stay relaxed

except for the moments

when you're making moves.

This way, you don't get too tired.

Hmm?

Um, how do I put it into words?

Bang, bang, bang, bang.

Like you're bouncing around.

And then when you aren't bouncing, you're

using the momentum from it to stand.

Does that make sense?

[laughs]

[groans] I'm so bad at Japanese.

[Kabo] I don't really get

what she was trying to say

but Wanda catches on to concepts

that are steps ahead.

If I don't improve too, then the skill gap

between us will only widen.

[Wanda] Oh?

I didn't bring an umbrella.

Oh, well. I can get wet.

[Kabo] Just like that?

Uh…

You don't mind sharing? Thanks!

[Kabo] O-On l-likes Ne-Yo, y'know?

The R & B singer.

Really?

T-That's w-why she t-took up dancing.

W-What g-got you interested in dance?

[Wanda] Hmm. Why did I start?

Ah, sorry.

Hmm, I've gotta say, I like MJ.

[Kabo] MJ?

I want to be a dancer like MJ.

[gasps]

[Wanda] Do you like MJ?

[Kabo] Yeah. I love his songs.

B-But I've never seen him dance.

[Wanda] I can lend you a DVD.

Oh. Mind if we make a quick detour

at the convenience store?

The DVD isn't actually mine,

but the convenience store manager's.

I worked a part-time job

for a bit over the spring break.

Oh, that your boyfriend?

What a handsome young man.

Can we lend your DVD to Kabo?

Please, by all means.

I want you to spread MJ's appeal.

You'll come back

for summer break, won't you?

MANAGER - TAKEDA

Your boyfriend can join

and earn a little spending money.

[stammers]

[grunts] Welcome.

Thank you, boss.

[chuckles]

[Kabo] Sorry.

And hot coffee, right?

[Kabo] But I'm just not cut out

for customer service.

Has the rain let up?

[Wanda] Uh…

[gasps]

Ah.

-Ah…

-[Kabo] She noticed.

Kabo, you have big hands.

[chuckles]