1. It's been a year
since my first competition,Copy !req
2. and now I'm at my second Meikoh Cup.Copy !req
3. Yes! A double flip, double toe loop,
and double loop.Copy !req
4. It's like she was born
with that combo in her!Copy !req
5. Inori Yuitsuka's score is 58.19.Copy !req
6. She is currently in first place.Copy !req
7. Awesome!Copy !req
8. Right on!Copy !req
9. We will now commence
the award ceremonyCopy !req
10. for the Level Five Women's Free Skate.Copy !req
11. In first place, from Lux Higashiyama FSC,
Inori Yuitsuka.Copy !req
12. Thank you.Copy !req
13. I entered the sixth grade
and I passed my fifth Badge Test.Copy !req
14. Only one more level to go
and then I can compete against Hikaru.Copy !req
15. Inori's really amazing, isn't she?Copy !req
16. That asshole.Copy !req
17. Hey, get out of Nagoya,
you shit-for-brains.Copy !req
18. Leave Hikaru alone.Copy !req
19. You know Hikaru doesn't even need you,
to become an Olympian, right?Copy !req
20. How dare you call yourself a coach!Copy !req
21. You don't even come to meets.Copy !req
22. So what's your deal?
What are you getting out of coaching?Copy !req
23. It's obvious that you don't
even wanna be here.Copy !req
24. You don't even love skating
like my dad does.Copy !req
25. Hey! Don't ignore me!Copy !req
26. You're in Hikaru's way, you bastard!Copy !req
27. After you all but ran from skating!Copy !req
28. Do you need me to spell it out for you?Copy !req
29. You're reading Hikaru entirely wrong,Copy !req
30. which makes you
the biggest thing in her way.Copy !req
31. A triple combo
and a flying camel spin.Copy !req
32. It took a lot of intense training to jam
all that in the last half of her program,Copy !req
33. but she really pushed herself.Copy !req
34. I'm honored to have gotten a front-row
seat to all of Inori's progress this year.Copy !req
35. I can't wait to see it all
again in the documentary!Copy !req
36. She only has one Badge Test to go.Copy !req
37. Once she reaches level six, she'll be able
to compete in Novice A at the All-Japans.Copy !req
38. But getting to that next level
is gonna be one heck of a challenge.Copy !req
39. Even athletes who started
at the right time hit a wall at level six,Copy !req
40. and a lot of them give up.
That wall is the Axel.Copy !req
41. Toe loop. Salchow. Loop. Flip. Lutz.Copy !req
42. Those are hard enough,
but the final boss of jumps is the Axel.Copy !req
43. Lots of skaters quit
because they can't master the double.Copy !req
44. I don't understand
why I'm still not landing it.Copy !req
45. The first five jumps start backwards,Copy !req
46. but the Axel requires you
to be facing forward at takeoff,Copy !req
47. meaning you have to add
an extra half rotationCopy !req
48. to the spins you're already doing
in order to land it.Copy !req
49. - You wanna take a little break?
- Yes.Copy !req
50. For the athlete, though,Copy !req
51. the extra half rotation takes about
the same power as a full rotation.Copy !req
52. Something occurred to me
while I was practicing just now.Copy !req
53. About the double Axel?Copy !req
54. Instead of two-and-a-half rotations,
it's more like three minus some.Copy !req
55. Sounds about right.Copy !req
56. Which is why an Axel will always feel
so much harder than other jumps.Copy !req
57. Even when they all count as doubles.Copy !req
58. And I do feel like my approach
is faster than it was before.Copy !req
59. It is.
But the higher your speed,Copy !req
60. the greater your centrifugal force.Copy !req
61. What's that mean?Copy !req
62. Let's see. You know how
when you get going on a teacup rideCopy !req
63. and it feels like you're getting pushed
to the outside of the cup?Copy !req
64. - Oh, yeah.
- And yet, if you stay in the center...Copy !req
65. Then you don't get pushed anywhere!Copy !req
66. Bingo! Sharp as always!Copy !req
67. To execute faster rotations,Copy !req
68. it's more important to focus on your axis
rather than your velocity.Copy !req
69. Okay! I wanna try that!Copy !req
70. Look at her. She's so strong.Copy !req
71. - Tsukasa!
- Uh, whatcha need?Copy !req
72. - Nothing! It's lunch time! Let's go!
- Okay...Copy !req
73. Nice to meet you.Copy !req
74. Shinichiro Sonidori.Copy !req
75. And this here is my son Rioh.Copy !req
76. Surprise!Copy !req
77. He asked to meet,
so I wanted to bring you along too,Copy !req
78. 'cause I know you were a huge fan.Copy !req
79. The Olympian. The silver medalist.Copy !req
80. Yes.Copy !req
81. Though I'm here today
as a parent, not a skater,Copy !req
82. and I hope that you can understand.Copy !req
83. Yes, sir! Of course, sir! I'm so sorry!Copy !req
84. Let me properly introduce you.
This is our assistant coach, Mr. Aki...Copy !req
85. Aka...Copy !req
86. - Oh... I'm Tsukasa Akeuraji.
- That's it.Copy !req
87. All these years and she still can't
figure out how to say my last name.Copy !req
88. So, uh, what is it
that brings you out here today?Copy !req
89. Right. My son has been concerned
with his progress at MeikohCopy !req
90. so he's interested in training
with you at Lux Higashiyama.Copy !req
91. I told him he could for a week or two.Copy !req
92. What I actually want is to transfer there
permanently. But Dad says I can't.Copy !req
93. Sounds like there's a story in there.Copy !req
94. Why is it that you wanna come to Lux?Copy !req
95. Mostly just 'cause Sota's there.Copy !req
96. - Oh, are you buddies then?
- Yay!Copy !req
97. You haven't gotten to skate together
since you were beginners,Copy !req
98. so I'm sure you miss him these days!Copy !req
99. I guess, but it doesn't really matter
what club I join.Copy !req
100. Long as I can get away from
that crabby old fart at Meikoh.Copy !req
101. Rioh!Copy !req
102. "Old fart"?Copy !req
103. He's obviously not talking about his dad.Copy !req
104. Does he mean... Jun Yodaka?Copy !req
105. I remember seeing that
Sonidori is listed as Hikaru's coach,Copy !req
106. so... something's definitely weird here.Copy !req
107. Currently, all the other boys
in my club are seniors.Copy !req
108. There's no one Rioh's age.Copy !req
109. So for the sake of his motivation,Copy !req
110. I thought it would be best if he skate
with you for a while, Coach Takamine.Copy !req
111. Well, that's not a problem at all,
we would love to have him.Copy !req
112. But would you mind if he works
with Tsukasa instead?Copy !req
113. - Huh?
- He's a little green.Copy !req
114. It's only his first year coaching.Copy !req
115. But he's already proven himself
a great asset to the club.Copy !req
116. During his probation period,
he took his very first student from PrelimCopy !req
117. all the way up to level five like that.Copy !req
118. If you want to see
Rioh transform even a little,Copy !req
119. Coach Tsukasa is the man for the job.Copy !req
120. - Right?
- Hey...Copy !req
121. That's all right by me.Copy !req
122. If he comes with your recommendation,
Coach, I couldn't ask for more.Copy !req
123. So if you're on board...Copy !req
124. Oh, gosh! It would be my honor.Copy !req
125. Not him.Copy !req
126. Uh?Copy !req
127. I only want to be trained
by the head coach. 'Kay?Copy !req
128. Rioh! Don't be rude!Copy !req
129. Hmm, well, if he doesn't want Tsukasa,
that's that!Copy !req
130. I don't actually care. Do whatever.Copy !req
131. It's not like I have Dad's
or Hikaru's talent anyway.Copy !req
132. - Coach Akeuraji.
- Oh, yes, sir.Copy !req
133. No, no. Please.Copy !req
134. I apologize that my failings as
an instructor now fall to you to remedy.Copy !req
135. Forgive me. I hope
Rioh will flourish under you.Copy !req
136. An Olympic silver medalist
is bowing to me.Copy !req
137. So starting today, we'll be doing
group lessons for a little while!Copy !req
138. Say hello to Rioh Sonidori.Copy !req
139. He...Copy !req
140. I wasn't talking to you, you ugly shrimp!Copy !req
141. He'll be at training camp
with you next week, too!Copy !req
142. Sota!Copy !req
143. Rioh! What's up? Why are you here?Copy !req
144. I got sick of Meikoh so I'm gonna be
practicing with you guys for a while.Copy !req
145. What? That's awesome!
Hey, you got your Switch?Copy !req
146. I do, but let's hurry up
and get out on the ice!Copy !req
147. Sota, this is great!Copy !req
148. You'll definitely jump better if you keep
your hands closer to your chest.Copy !req
149. His dad's right, he does look happy
to be skating with another boy his age.Copy !req
150. He's having fun.Copy !req
151. You know, Rioh said
he's in level five, too.Copy !req
152. Is he really?Copy !req
153. You slow yourself down, otherwise.Copy !req
154. Yeah, I'll give it a shot.Copy !req
155. - So, Rioh.
- Hey, Inori.Copy !req
156. A little birdie told me
we're both in level five.Copy !req
157. - We should be friend—
- Uh, who are you?Copy !req
158. Inori Yuitsuka.Copy !req
159. Wow!Copy !req
160. A beautiful double Axel
with a smooth extension on the landing.Copy !req
161. The elegance of that check pose
makes me thinkCopy !req
162. he definitely got
his dad's flexible ankles.Copy !req
163. How can you tell?Copy !req
164. Well, I watched him a lot.Copy !req
165. I was kinda obsessed with him
in middle school.Copy !req
166. But they are different. Coach Sonidori's
rotations rely on a higher jumpCopy !req
167. with a super precise axis,Copy !req
168. whereas Rioh's all about range.Copy !req
169. Either way, that was clean,
though I bet Rioh could get a tighter spinCopy !req
170. if he works on establishing his axis
just a little earlier.Copy !req
171. That was amazing, Rioh.
You can do a double Axel.Copy !req
172. It's whatever.Copy !req
173. Huh?Copy !req
174. If I can't do a triple at this point,
I'm wasting my time.Copy !req
175. What? Why do you need a triple?Copy !req
176. Part of the men's level six Badge Test
is doing a triple-double combination,Copy !req
177. and if you can't do it,
they don't pass you.Copy !req
178. Really? Is that true?Copy !req
179. Don't act like we're the same just because
we're both in level five right now.Copy !req
180. Men's skating is harder than women's,Copy !req
181. and we're allowed to compete
in Novice A from level four.Copy !req
182. I see. I didn't know.Copy !req
183. Well, in that case, I take it the next big
milestone for you is passing level six.Copy !req
184. Hmm?Copy !req
185. Then we still have the same goal.Copy !req
186. Rioh! That really was
a beautiful jump earlier.Copy !req
187. Yeah, yeah. "It's just like
Shinichiro Sonidori's," I know.Copy !req
188. - I've heard that a million times...
- No,Copy !req
189. it's a totally different jump
from your dad's!Copy !req
190. Wha—Copy !req
191. When it comes to your dad, he's got
a high jump with a really tall vertical.Copy !req
192. But you luxuriate in a long jump
and cover a ton of distance,Copy !req
193. which is awesome.Copy !req
194. I was also really impressed how smoothly
you can adjust your stance in midair.Copy !req
195. That must have taken a lot
of trial and error to figure out,Copy !req
196. and it really paid off!Copy !req
197. And on top of that, all the angles
in your check pose are great!Copy !req
198. That commitment to detail is a beaut.Copy !req
199. It's not enough to explain your skills
in terms that are purely physical!Copy !req
200. I just know you're gonna become
an incredible athlete!Copy !req
201. This grown-ass adult is
complimenting me so much.Copy !req
202. I'm so happy.Copy !req
203. But... ... I don't feel like
I can fully accept any of this.Copy !req
204. - Like... what if someone sees...
- It takes a lot of effort...Copy !req
205. how it's affecting me?Copy !req
206. You're reading Hikaru entirely wrong.Copy !req
207. You're the biggest thing in her way.Copy !req
208. - "Incredible athlete"...
- What?Copy !req
209. Do you realize how many boys my age
have already blown way past level six?Copy !req
210. With my pedigree, I should
have managed it a long time ago.Copy !req
211. Oh. I don't think—Copy !req
212. Yeah, obviously you didn't think
that one through!Copy !req
213. Don't get all excited
just 'cause he praised you a little.Copy !req
214. It's not like it means anything.Copy !req
215. The only reason he can act that positive
is because he doesn't know what I know.Copy !req
216. Hikaru?Copy !req
217. See?Copy !req
218. Yes, sir.Copy !req
219. Then learn it.Copy !req
220. Yes, sir!Copy !req
221. Jun Yodaka. Hikaru Kamisaki.Copy !req
222. Once I had seen
that kind of inhuman talent,Copy !req
223. I knew I'd never be optimistic
about my future again.Copy !req
224. I'm not gonna be pleased with myself
just because I learnedCopy !req
225. - a couple of tricks.
- Rioh?Copy !req
226. Rioh!Copy !req
227. What's the matter?Copy !req
228. Nothing. My lesson's over
so I'm going home.Copy !req
229. Now?Copy !req
230. So, your coach. Who is that guy? Spill it.Copy !req
231. Oh! He's, uh... Coach Aki... I mean Ake...Copy !req
232. That's Coach Tsukasa!Copy !req
233. What all has he done?Copy !req
234. Uh, he used to ice dance.Copy !req
235. Wow, that's it?Copy !req
236. Awful.Copy !req
237. So this random dude with no real career
is gonna teach me a bunch of bad habits?Copy !req
238. He won't!Copy !req
239. Maybe I don't get what you mean,
but don't worry!Copy !req
240. I've been working with him for a while
and his skating's really pretty.Copy !req
241. - Coach Tsuk—
- Yeah, well, I bet any coachCopy !req
242. would look that way
to someone as crappy as you are, so...Copy !req
243. You don't know what you're talking about.Copy !req
244. Okay, so fill me in.Copy !req
245. Have you seen him jump? Can he do an Axel?Copy !req
246. I'm not sure, but...Copy !req
247. That's what I thought.Copy !req
248. You only get one athletic career.Copy !req
249. Putting your fate in the hands of someone
with no achievements is a huge gamble.Copy !req
250. Seriously. If you're going for the top,
you should switch coaches now.Copy !req
251. See ya.Copy !req
252. I'm gonna win!Copy !req
253. I will. Just wait.Copy !req
254. Great! Then just try us!Copy !req
255. I can win just fine! I'm gonna beat Hikaru
whether Jun Yodaka is teaching her or not!Copy !req
256. What?Copy !req
257. We'll show you all!Copy !req
258. Congratulations on passing
level seven, Hikaru.Copy !req
259. Is it true you passed them all
on your first try?Copy !req
260. What? You're a genius!Copy !req
261. You don't stand a chance!Copy !req
262. - Yes, I do!
- You're gonna fail!Copy !req
263. I'm gonna win!Copy !req
264. I'm gonna land that double Axel
and compete at the All-Japans in Novice A.Copy !req
265. You hear me?Copy !req
266. And I'll beat Hikaru!Copy !req
267. What the hell?Copy !req
268. You're crazy. You obviously don't know
what you're up against.Copy !req
269. Being level six or landing a double Axel
is the bare minimum you—Copy !req
270. I can do it!Copy !req
271. What is wrong with her?Copy !req
272. Has she never seen Hikaru perform?Copy !req
273. It's not like you can win
with determination alone.Copy !req
274. She's deluding herself!Copy !req
275. I just don't get it.
How can she talk like that?Copy !req
276. And how does she actually believe it?Copy !req
277. I wish
I could be that confident.Copy !req
278. Hmm? Inori? What's going on?Copy !req
279. Your dad is your coach, right?Copy !req
280. And he was on the podium with Mr. Yodaka
a whole lot back in the day,Copy !req
281. - in the Olympics...
- Yeah. What's your point?Copy !req
282. My point... is that
even if you do have Coach Sonidori,Copy !req
283. I'm gonna land a triple-double
combination before you!Copy !req
284. I'm gonna prove to you
just how great Coach Tsukasa is!Copy !req
285. That's not good.Copy !req
286. Hey, hey! You two better not be fighting!Copy !req
287. Coach Tsukasa.Copy !req
288. What's the problem here?Copy !req
289. I, um... It's nothing! Don't worry about it!
It's none of your business, okay?Copy !req
290. I heard my name a little too much
for that to be the case!Copy !req
291. I said
it's none of your business!Copy !req
292. Inori, wait!Copy !req
293. Not the changing room.Copy !req
294. Rioh.Copy !req
295. Oh. This is so awkward.Copy !req
296. What do you want?Copy !req
297. Nothing. Let's just talk
for a second before you leave.Copy !req
298. Is this about the argument?
'Cause if it is...Copy !req
299. Well, that too, I guess.Copy !req
300. But, mostly,Copy !req
301. I just want to get to know you better.Copy !req
302. For starters, why don't you tell me
why it is you started skating?Copy !req
303. Huh? My dad is an Olympian, so
he literally forced me to start, why else?Copy !req
304. Can I go? 'Cause talking to you
is, like, super irritating.Copy !req
305. I'll still come to practice,
but for real, leave me alone.Copy !req
306. Coach Tsukasa!Copy !req
307. Listen! I wanna pass level six
this summer no matter what!Copy !req
308. And I wanna learn a triple-double comboCopy !req
309. so I can compete
at the All-Japans in Novice A!Copy !req
310. So, please help me make that happen!Copy !req
311. Goodbye!Copy !req
312. W-wait, Inori! Your books!Copy !req
313. Oof, I'm sorry.Copy !req
314. Now let's talk about
what you were saying earlier...Copy !req
315. Do you think
that'll be too difficult?Copy !req
316. Well, considering
our current pace,Copy !req
317. nailing the double Axel for your next exam
is gonna be work enough.Copy !req
318. I'm not so sure it would be wise to try
to cram a triple double in there too.Copy !req
319. And what if I start
practicing even harder?Copy !req
320. I understand how you feel, I do.Copy !req
321. But you're already at max capacity
when it comes to training.Copy !req
322. If you push it any further,
you'll risk shin splints again.Copy !req
323. Yeah, I don't want that.Copy !req
324. Now, we could change up
our practice methods,Copy !req
325. maybe speed up your progression
a little bit that way.Copy !req
326. But, I gotta tell ya, you're already
progressing at an incredibly fast rate.Copy !req
327. Prelims to level five
in a single year is pretty insane.Copy !req
328. Will you tell me what
you and Rioh were fighting about?Copy !req
329. 'Cause if he said something
that hurt your feelings, Inori,Copy !req
330. we can figure it out together.Copy !req
331. Tensions are rising on the rink
as people gear up for nationals.Copy !req
332. Maybe it's just the atmosphere
that's getting to her.Copy !req
333. But I mean... She's obviously got
something bottled up in there.Copy !req
334. What! What were they talking about?Copy !req
335. - Um... I... Well, I...
- Hmm?Copy !req
336. I'm taller than I was last year!
I grew four whole centimeters!Copy !req
337. Not only that, but I passed my endurance
test at school with flying colors.Copy !req
338. And they said that for stuff
like running and mat exercises,Copy !req
339. I'm in the top five of all the kids
in my entire grade level!Copy !req
340. I went from the girl who can't do anythingCopy !req
341. to the girl who's good at sports!Copy !req
342. I'm a totally different person
than I was a year ago.Copy !req
343. I'm trying to tell you I'm better at stuff
now, whether I'm on the ice or not!Copy !req
344. Watch this!Copy !req
345. A double Axel? Inori, you...Copy !req
346. See? I can do it on land.Copy !req
347. And I'm gonna prove to you
that I can do a triple-double combo, too!Copy !req
348. That was incredible!Copy !req
349. Inori, that was a straight-up double Axel!Copy !req
350. Two and a half rotations,
how'd you do that?Copy !req
351. I finally got it down just the other day.Copy !req
352. But I still can't do it on ice, obviously.Copy !req
353. I can't believe this.Copy !req
354. I thought she couldn't do it because
she didn't have the muscle tone yet,Copy !req
355. but if she can do it on land,
she's more than capable.Copy !req
356. So it's technique.
We can do so much more with this.Copy !req
357. I take it back. Let's do
a mini-intensive at training camp.Copy !req
358. Intensive?Copy !req
359. Yeah. Let's do it. All-Japans Novice.Copy !req
360. The same stage as Hikaru Kamisaki.Copy !req