"Jugemu"?
You mean that one with the long name, like a tongue-twister?
Right.
That's what I'll perform at the Karaku Cup.
In that case, wouldn't practicing to talk fast be better than reading up on it?
That's what you'd think, right?
But lately, I'm starting to get it.
The key to "Jugemu"!
SEVENTH STORY KARAKU CUP
NOGIKUNIYA HALL
Twenty-eight.
KARAKU CUP PRESS PASS
Kashio-senpai, doesn't this mean there'll be at least 28 press companies here?
Of course.
Though I hear there'll be even more tomorrow.
What, even more of them?
What do you think?
Today's just the preliminary round.
They're going to choose the final eight
from the 30 who passed the document screening.
Issho Arakawa and the other judges won't be coming till tomorrow.
Still, isn't that a lot of media coverage?
All this for a student oriented event.
Not like it's Koshien or anything.
Nope.
It's Koshien, all right.
The head judge, Issho Arakawa,
now has the strong support of the entertainment industry.
All you need is Master Issho's stamp of approval and the jobs'll start coming in.
In fact, his apprentice, Kaisei Arakawa, reaped those same benefits,
and now he's the top rising star.
Well, since Kaisei's the real deal,
he probably would've succeeded even without his master.
In other words, this year's Karaku Cup is no run-of-the-mill event.
It's also an audition for the next generation's stars!
Doesn't that give you goosebumps? It does, right?
Of course you've got goosebumps!
You're so tiring.
Yeah, but I'll bet that guy is the frontrunner this year.
With his free-spirited imagination and witty elocution,
he won back-to-back Karaku Cups, last year and the year before.
The prodigy of student Rakugo...
Karashi Nerimaya.
He looks like a flirt.
Seems like he's entering
even though he got accepted by tons of big-name companies.
Just where do you get that kind of info?
Yeah, I know the type.
The kind of person who can do anything just like that.
So I guess he's going to win again this year, huh?
You'd think, right?
This year, aside from Rakugo club people,
a lot of up-and-coming actors and a voice actress
wanting to be endorsed by Master Issho will be competing.
And she's the leader of that pack.
Hikaru Koragi.
What? The one who plays Lady Saruel?
Hikaru Koragi plays Saruel on Eden's Nova,
and she's like, the hottest voice actress right now!
Oh wow, Hikaru's going to win this for sure!
Of course, she plays Lady Saruel,
but ignoring the fans who like her for her appearance,
she's good at playing different roles!
And she can show emotion with just a breath.
She's one of the best actors out there!
So she wouldn't lose to some young newbie.
Too long! Too fast! Shut up!
Anyway, those two should be the frontrunners for the Karaku Cup.
Holy crap!
Are all voice actresses these days that pretty?
Whoa!
Are you okay?
You might lose to her.
No way.
Adding your voice to pictures is nothing like talking on stage.
I'd never lose on my own turf!
Ms. Koragi, that young man is the defending champion.
Oh, really? Maybe I should've glared at him.
What?
I'm only kidding. I'd never do such a thing.
She gives good fan service, too. I can get behind her!
Cut the crap and get ready for the interviews.
Oh, yeah?
Who are you going to interview?
- I'm so nervous. - Me, too.
Excuse me.
You're Ms. Hikaru Koragi, aren't you?
I'm a huge fan of yours!
Um, could you like, shake my hand?
If a handshake will do.
Shake hands with one and it'll never end.
Please be sparing with the fan service, or...
- Oh, whatever. - Hey!
Thank you very much!
Is that the voice actress?
What, she's famous?
Who knows?
- She's probably just a hit with otakus. - I can hear you.
Hey.
- Your obi is a little crooked. - Huh?
Well, it's hard to tie it yourself, huh?
I'll fix it for you.
Th-Thank you.
She's wearing a man's outfit, but this girl sure is dexterous.
Good morning!
I'm Kaisei Arakawa, and I'll be your emcee today.
I'm looking forward to working with you all.
W-We look forward to working with you!
Jeez, his flair is next-level.
Is he really younger than me?
I'd heard that multiple production companies have been courting him.
And I can see why they'd want him.
His aura isn't just about his looks.
No wonder he's got the most momentum of all the up-and-coming Rakugokas.
That's...
Kaisei Arakawa!
Hey, there you are!
Seriously, I was taken aback!
You're looking at the list of participants again.
Is it bugging you that much?
Well, why wouldn't it bug me?
I mean, the favorite to win it all in Kaisei's eyes...
Who knew that you'd be competing in this tournament?
I'm happy to see you again...
...is an unknown female high school student!
...Akane.
Long time no see!
What's up with the boxing stance?
Because last time, you threw your arms around me!
That's because you performed so well, I couldn't help myself.
That's not gonna cut it!
Who's that? A college student?
Nah, I don't think so.
Don't tell me she's in high school?
They seem so close.
Not only that, but it looks like he's acknowledged her talent?
Who is this girl?
But you know what?
After what you told me that day, and if you're entering this competition,
means you've reconsidered taking me up on my invitation to train under my master,
or you crave attention from the industry.
I have no interest in either.
There's something I'd like to ask Issho Arakawa.
That's why I'm here! No other reason.
You're talking about the sit-down with the winner?
Then, losing's not an option, huh?
Of course not.
For my part, it's not like I've been playing around since that day.
I have no intention of losing, no matter who I'm up against.
THE VENUE IS NOW OPEN PLEASE COME THIS WAY TO SIGN IN
Are you looking for somebody?
Well, Akane asked me to do something for her.
But all she sent me was this terrible sketch.
What the hell?
Hey, that person...
Excuse me, are you Iwashimizu-sensei?
Uh, yes.
I'm Guriko Arakawa, Akane's elder fellow apprentice.
She asked me to show you around today.
If you have any questions, please ask me anything.
Oh.
GLASSES, KINDA MAD IWA-SENSEI
She actually has her features down.
That's right!
Even if it were true, he's the kind of guy who'd let someone swipe his wife.
Are you coming, too?
My elder fellow apprentices will be there, so I'll let them know.
I don't know how this happened.
Not bad, is it? Listening to amateurs' Rakugo once in a while?
That was Chusuke Chuotei's "The Pocket Book."
I wonder what kind of "Jugemu" she'll be doing?
You didn't ask her?
No.
But the other day, when I saw her, she told me.
That she'd finally turned Jugemu into words.
And now, let's move on to the next participant.
Let's see what you're made of.
A third year at Ryokugyoku High School.
This is Akane!
AKANE
I'm finally starting to understand.
Talking fast isn't the key to "Jugemu."
So, in a world where lies and falsehoods abound,
the preciousness of children is a universal truth.
At least, that's what they say.
They also say that you'll never understand that preciousness
until you've had your own child to cherish.
Since time immemorial, whenever a child is born,
it's always been the father's job to name them.
Listen, dear. What are we going to do?
It's been nearly seven days since the baby was born.
Oh, yeah. What about it?
Don't be silly.
The seventh night is the Oshichiya naming ceremony.
Oshichiya!
Well, I didn't know that.
- Why don't you go to the temple... - No signs of nervousness.
This venue's capacity is 600 people, max.
There are nearly 400 here today.
Even though she's facing way more people than she did at the Rakugo Café...
No, that's not true. If the monks at the temple...
"I haven't been playing around."
Looks like she's put in the work to back up those words.
Well, he grew up healthy and strong,
and he couldn't have been more rambunctious, and getting into fights.
Compared to the other students, it's as clear as day.
That girl stands head and shoulders above others of her generation.
Even so, winning with "Jugemu" is still a harsh ask.
Though it looks like
she figured something out thanks to Koguma Ani-san's advice.
...paipo-paipo-paipo no shuringan, shuringan no gurindai
Gurindai no ponpoko-na no ponpoko-pi no chokyumei-no-chosuke
hit me on the head, and gave me this big lump!
How will she change her enunciation?
Are you saying my son
Jugemu jugemu goko-no-surikirezu kaijari-suigyo no suigyomatsu
ungyomatsu furaimatsu kuu-neru tokoro ni sumu tokoro
Yaburakoji no burakoji paipo-paipo-paipo no shuringan, shuringan no gurindai
Gurindai no ponpoko-na no ponpoko-pi no chokyumei-no-chosuke
hit you on the head and gave you a lump?
Hey, honey! Did you hear that?
Our son Jugemu jugemu goko-no-surikirezu...
So fast!
No, her wordplay's sharper than it was in the park.
But, she's totally ignoring Ani-san's advice?
She's got some guts.
...hit Maa-chan on the head.
Yes, it's so you can win.
But you're staking the prelims on your enunciation alone.
Jugemu jugemu goko-no-surikirezu kaijari-suigyo no suigyomatsu furai...
Even faster now!
Not only that, but she's even taking less breaths now.
That gives more momentum to her words.
Still, with those long lines...
I'm going to win the Karaku Cup with only "Jugemu."
To do that, I'm winning today on my enunciation, and nothing else!
Well, his name was so long, the lump healed up!
Wasn't that incredible? And she's a high school kid!
That was insane. She's like a pro, huh?
As a pro, what did you think of Ms. Osaki's Rakugo?
Huh? Oh. Well, I'd say it wasn't half bad.
No, it wasn't! That's what I thought, too.
I've seen her practicing with jump ropes a lot lately.
That must've been her way of building up her lung power.
She's actually passionate, huh?
Great job, Ms. Osaki.
I think victory's within reach!
Oh, not a chance. Not by a long shot.
What? But wasn't she crazy good?
Oh, I'll give you that.
But you know what, that's like an incredibly talented singer
singing a children's song, don't you think?
Would we start getting emotional if we heard a kid's song now?
I mean, the supply and demand don't mesh.
From a marketing standpoint, that was the worst possible choice.
Way too naïve.
In the first place, people who just mimic ancient stories are no threat to me.
I mean, she's free to go ahead and add some luster to my legend, you know?
Good job. Have some, if you'd like.
What? Are you sure?
- Yes. To thank you for my obi. - Thanks!
My throat is so parched!
I looked her up online, but there was nothing on this girl.
She's cute and she's talented.
An unknown high school girl, younger than me,
who's drawn the attention of Kaisei Arakawa.
She's bursting with elements that social media sheep would love.
But now I know for sure who my competition is.
To surpass her in every way.
That...
is the minimum condition for me to take the spotlight at the Karaku Cup.
The Karaku Cup preliminary round
is a cutthroat battle like nothing we've ever seen before.
And the participants who are drawing the most attention are
the winner of the previous tournament, Karashi Nerimaya,
the popular voice actress, Hikaru Koragi,
and...
despite being an unknown high school student,
her soaring talent kept the audience riveted.
Akane.
The eight participants, including these three,
have advanced to the final round, where Master Issho Arakawa awaits them.
The final round is going to be wild.
Ms. Osaki, congratulations on advancing past the Karaku Cup preliminary round!
Thanks!
That said, it's still just the prelims.
The final round is tomorrow.
Don't let this go to your head.
Please get some rest and rejuvenate yourself tonight.
Right!
She sounds like a coach.
Hey, where did Koguma Ani-san go?
- He left already. - He left?
"Just because I say something to her,
doesn't mean that anything will change, right?"
And such.
Is that right?
Yes, but he didn't leave until after he'd seen you advance to the final round.
He may seem cold and aloof,
but I think he's looking out for you, Ms. Osaki.
Even the fact that he left must be his way of hiding his embarrassment.
He should be more honest about it.
You're one to talk.
Still, I'm impressed that you delivered such long lines so fast.
Huh? Well,
I memorized "Jugemu" back when I was four or five.
You were doing Rakugo at that age?
Actually, it was more like a kind of tongue-twister.
My dad taught it to me.
Is that right? Will he be coming tomorrow?
Oh, no, he won't be coming.
He's on a business trip, so he's not even in Tokyo.
All right, why don't we call it a day now?
I bet she's exhausted.
You're right.
See ya.
Don't get too worked up, now.
Thanks!
Hey, my sensu!
Did I leave it in the dressing room?
All right, see you!
So Ms. Osaki's been exposed to Rakugo since she was a child.
If she wins, she'll get to speak with Master Issho Arakawa,
and he might help her to succeed as a Rakugoka.
I usually don't like to do this,
but you shouldn't be the only one who doesn't know.
The thing is...
There it is. Thank goodness!
Come on, now!
I've gotta tournament I gotta win today and tomorrow, no matter what!
And I wanna focus!
To keep going in this line of work, I gotta be more popular.
Right! If I'm not on my toes, no work will come my way.
And that's because...
I-Isn't that your fault, Mother?
Wh-What's she doing here?
I made sure everyone had left before I called.
Yes. All right, I'm hanging up now.
I'm hanging up. Bye now.
Did she hear my dialect?
No, hard to tell.
Stay calm. Act like nothing happened.
Is something the matter?
What was that rapid-fire chattering just now?
I like it! Was that a dialect? Where are you from?
Damn it all.
Oh, wow.
So you're from Fukuoka?
Fukuoka's great, huh?
The way you end your sentences is so cute!
Thanks.
Oh, please stop already.
I wanted to give off the aura of a city woman.
You're a voice actress, right, Hikaru?
I think it's awesome that you can do Rakugo, too.
Well, I could say the same about you, Akane.
Oh, but my dad was a Rakugoka, so...
Oh?
So you learned Rakugo from your father?
No, it's more like I learned by watching my dad.
I'm actually learning from Dad's master.
Master.
So you're being trained by a professional?
Right.
I really had to push hard to get permission to enter this tournament,
so tomorrow I have to make sure my Rakugo lives up to my master's name.
I see.
Well, I'm heading home now.
Sorry I interrupted your phone call.
No, no. See you.
She's young, pretty, and talented.
She's drawn the attention of Kaisei Arakawa,
and she's training under a professional.
A second-generation Rakugoka high school student.
She knows that she's better than others,
which is why she has the confidence to win with "Jugemu."
I see.
What is this?
She's super annoying!
She's the one person I won't lose to!
It's all right. You did your best.
Let's go home, okay?
It really is a student event, huh?
There's a passion that you don't see at the theaters.
Why do you always show up out of the blue?
Just a coincidence!
Your "Jugemu" was awesome today, too.
I think it was a good enough warm-up.
Huh? Wait, why...
Was I right?
I had a feeling, but it's worth tricking people into confessing.
This guy...
But hey, if that was you going for the kill,
I'd just have to write you off.
You can write me off, and it wouldn't make me sad in the least.
Wow, that's tough!
But I guess it's just as tough for you.
I mean, it's "Jugemu."
I told you before, didn't I?
That you'd catch up to me in no time.
If that's still your goal, then it won't be enough to win this tournament.
You need to blow my master away.
I don't need you to tell me that.
Is that right? Then it's all good.
See you.
I'll be looking forward to your performance tomorrow.
Easier said than done.
Akane, do you...
have what it takes to rip off my master's mask?
- Whatever it takes, I have to win! - Winning won't be enough.
I'll be fine.
Don't let this go to your head.
It hasn't gone to my head.
I'm going to win tomorrow!
I have to win.
Or I won't be able to grasp anything.
Look at all these photographers!
Well, in a sense, the main character will be showing up today.
Here he is!
Master Issho has arrived.
Thank you for coming!
Hello.
Well, well.
So early in the morning...
Just look at this huge turnout!
KARAKU CUP - FINAL ROUND BEGINS
NEXT EPISODE WHAT THEY WANT
Akane Small Talk!
I just can't seem to fold it right.
Hey, want me to show you how to fold a kimono neatly?
Huh? Uh, yes.
Let me see.
If you fold a kimono along its original folds and stitches,
you can fold it straight and neat.
After you've folded the hemline,
then you bring both sides of the collar together, then fold the sleeves.
And now you just make it compact.
There, it's done!
See? If you do it this way, you can fold it neatly, right?
You're right! Thanks!
Here. Now you try it yourself!
- What? - All right, good work today! Good luck!
So annoying.