ELEVENTH STORY ANSWER
Wh-Whoa.
Where the hell did that come from?
This kid...
Everyone who took part in today's test is hereby expelled.
For the past six years,
Master Issho has never answered anyone regarding that expulsion incident.
Would it be possible to be left alone with her?
What? Oh, uh, yes.
Members of the press, I'm very sorry, but we need you to leave the room now.
MEETING ROOM
Excuse us.
Now, then.
Did Shiguma tell you to ask me that?
Why would that startle you?
Did you think I was so feeble that I couldn't tell whose apprentice you were?
I should have known.
But this has nothing to do with my master.
I'm asking you because I want to know.
Why do you want to know such a thing?
My dad is Shinta Arakawa.
The Rakugoka that you expelled.
Is that so?
Were you there that day?
Of course.
And what did you think, watching his performance?
What did I think?
Those cheers said it all.
Without a doubt, that was a Shin'uchi's art!
Really?
Can you say that with absolute conviction?
W-Well, since I am a Rakugoka...
my only skill is to blurt out random things.
His Makura was a little stiff.
But you couldn't blame him for that, you know.
Since his whole life depended on that performance.
Besides, that's why I was able to cheer him on as I watched!
Me, and the audience, too!
That's what led to all those cheers.
Then let me ask you this.
Being cheered on by the audience.
Is that a Shin'uchi's art?
If your audience can sense that you're nervous, and sympathizes with you,
and moreover, starts cheering you on.
Is that a performance by someone who's reached the pinnacle of his art?
This is true not only for Rakugo, but for music and other entertainment, too.
Support is gained after you've displayed your art.
If such support precedes your art, that's proof of your immaturity.
Shin'uchi is the highest rank attainable by a Rakugoka who's mastered his art.
Do you think that someone whose weakness is evident onstage
is worthy of such a rank?
I, for one, am in despair.
The days when Rakugo took the media by storm are long gone.
There aren't many people who can name ten or more Rakugoka.
As for people who've actually gone to see Rakugo, there are even less.
In an age that sees us flooded with diverse forms of entertainment,
it's harder to draw people into a single art form
than it ever was before, and it's not even close.
In order for the Rakugo culture to evolve into something bigger,
what do you think a Rakugoka must be able to provide?
What?
Wow! It's like magic!
Art that can captivate an audience.
That's right.
Only a knockout performance that's been honed to perfection
can thrill an audience, and generate that kind of excitement and fervor.
On the other hand, by passing someone who's not ready at all,
the art form's quality will drop, and the culture will decline.
Therefore, a Shin'uchi of the Arakawa School is expected to provide
powerful art that can make the masses look twice.
It's not a summit that can be reached by someone
who doesn't even believe in his own art.
That's quite a harsh way of putting it.
Naturally.
A Rakugoka is not only an artist,
but also someone who's been entrusted with a traditional art form.
They protect the art they've inherited from their predecessors, perfect it,
and pass it on to the next generation.
This is the duty of Rakugoka living in the here and now.
Those who would weaken Rakugo are not needed at Arakawa.
So that was the reason why!
So harsh.
It's definitely harsh, but I totally get what he's saying.
So he's protecting both that strictness and the culture,
out of his pride as Rakugo's leading authority?
Even still, he's terrifying as hell.
It may have been to preserve the culture,
but what a ruthless decision to make regarding his own school's apprentices.
He's truly a demon who lives for his art.
I see.
I'm so glad.
That you're someone with a vision. With conviction.
That it wasn't a whim or purely a performance, no flimsy excuse like that.
Is that right?
But the thing I'm most glad about...
is that it doesn't stop me...
from believing in Dad's art.
I will prove you wrong.
With the art that you discarded!
Thank you very much.
If you'll excuse me...
I'm glad, too.
That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
Oh.
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.
What competition?
I'm not even in the same league as her!
Well, well.
Are you by any chance the type who hates to lose?
I like that!
Master Ikken Arakawa.
Do you have a minute?
Listen, Shohei.
Which Rakugoka is famous for the classics?
Aside from Issho Arakawa.
Let's see.
There's a lot to choose from, but I'd have to say...
Haja-Kensho, Master Enso Sanmeitei, I guess?
But why?
Huh? Hey, Karashi?
What were you thinking?
Eavesdropping like that!
I'm so sorry. Really, I am.
Being careful about what I say takes so much effort.
Thank you for your hard work.
Kaisei.
Why didn't you tell me about that girl?
You of all people should be able to tell whose apprentice she is.
I thought you'd enjoy it more that way.
Your "thoughtfulness" was misguided.
No matter who I'm facing, I'm only interested in the art, and nothing else.
Needless to say, that goes for you, too.
I lost to you today, but I'm going to catch up before you know it.
So brace yourself, all right?
I'm well aware of that.
Be that as it may...
Damn him.
Pursuing "Shiguma's Art."
Still pursuing an illusion, eh?
Is she up to the task, I wonder?
She looks so dejected, even though she won.
It would be overstepping to ask her about her conversation with Master Issho,
but whatever he said to her must've been quite harsh.
Even though she blew away the audience like that...
Rakugo is certainly a harsh world.
Um...
I understand that you need to report to your master at his house,
but why am I here, too?
Well, he insists on meeting you.
What? Meet me? Your master?
If you're looking for the master, he's out.
He says it's work.
He should be back soon, though.
Who is that man?
The apprentice with the longest career at the Shiguma School.
He's Koguma Ani-san, Kyoji Ani-san, and my elder fellow apprentice.
Maikeru Arakawa Ani-san!
Hey, I heard!
You competed in a Rakugo tournament for students?
How callous is that?
Not saying a word about it to me?
- I'm so sor-- - It's not that I want you to apologize.
I'm just saying that there's something you need to do first.
Something I need to do?
Cheers!
Good job at the Karaku Cup!
W-Wait, is this what you meant about "something I need to do"?
What else would it be?
Student event or not, being told to win with "Jugemu" is a daunting task.
And Master Issho and Master Ikken were among the judges, right?
The conditions couldn't be harsher, but you did great.
How can we not reward you for that?
But Ani-san, you didn't even lift a finger.
Oh, wow, the beer tastes even better today!
It's no use trying to make sense of it.
He just wants an excuse to drink.
Oh, so that's what it is.
Hey, hey, Teddy Bear.
That's a mean way of putting it, don't you think?
Teddy Bear?
That's right!
"Koguma" means "Little Bear" so, "Teddy Bear"!
How cute is that?
Ohhhh, so cute!
Ani-san! How many times have I asked you to drop that nickname?
Then how about Guma-Guma?
Isn't that a mouthful?
Just call me by my name, please.
Uh, am I intruding, maybe?
No, no, not at all.
Well, well, well.
I'm the one who summoned you here, and yet how rude of me.
You're not intruding in the least.
I'm blessed to have the chance to be with such a lovely lady.
Hey, Ani-san!
What do you think you're doing? She's a teacher!
Every woman should have the same right to fall in love with me, right?
Right?
You don't seem too happy.
Kyoji Ani-san!
I heard you won the tournament.
Congratulations.
Here.
The master at Umi was thrilled, too.
AKANE, CONGRATULATIONS! COME ON OVER ANYTIME! -MIKU
Miku-chan.
I don't know what happened.
And you might not be in the mood right now,
but you have people in your life who are happy to see you succeed.
I don't think it gets any better than that.
I think it's okay to forget what's eating you, just for now, don't you?
Ani-san.
- Kyoji Ani-san! Here you go! - Right.
Thanks, my throat's pretty parched.
Kyoji Ani-san!
Hey, what did you give him?
Huh? What do you mean?
Isn't Kyoji Ani-san's drink of choice that orange-colored liquor?
Ani-san can't handle alcohol!
Huh? Really? He can't?
Seriously, how could I do that?
I lacked that celebratory feeling!
Kyoji Ani-san?
Time for "Kappore"! Let's do the "Kappore" dance together!
Kyoji Ani-san?
He drank some alcohol, huh?
That's Kyoji when he's hammered.
Is that right?
- Akane? Akane, watch me! - Nice Kyo-chin! I'll play the shamisen!
Akane! This is called "Kappore," and it's one of the dances you do at performances!
- Come on! Kappo... - Hey, Kyoji Ani-san, you're stumbling.
M-Master.
You kids...
What's going on here, exactly?
If you're going to dance, put your heart into it!
Don't you dare slack off!
Are you serious?!
Of course.
If you call yourself an artist, you have to give it all you've got,
whether you're having fun yourself or entertaining others.
Do you play anything, or dance, Akaneru?
Akaneru?
No, nothing.
Singing and dancing, instruments and stunts.
There are things you can do because of your artistic range.
You can't master Rakugo just by practicing the stories.
Well, you have a lot to learn, huh?
Right!
We're gonna dance like there's no tomorrow, Akane!
You got it!
Yo! Oitona!
Yoi yoi!
In the dark open sea
I can see...
The white sails
Those are the mandarin orange boats From the Kii Province
Make sure you keep up with us!
Right!
Yes, the mandarin orange boats
Just as I thought, the world of the Rakugoka is a harsh one.
The mandarin orange boats,
I can see them
Those are the mandarin orange boats From the Kii Province
Still, that's what makes it...
such a wonderful world, as well.
Iyo!
That expulsion incident from six years ago
was the wedge driven into the current Rakugo industry by Issho Arakawa.
The young girl following in the footsteps of her father, who was expelled that day
wins the Karaku Cup out of nowhere in a stunning debut, huh?
There's no way I can write an article from something I overheard.
But...
Let's hope the hype keeps building up...
...and maybe a super rookie carrying the hopes
of the Rakugo industry could arrive on the scene.
Even if it's from the outfield, I'll do all I can to build up the hype!
Ani-san! I just want to set an example
of what a good elder fellow apprentice should be!
Yeah, yeah, that's for sure!
- I just want Akane to understand! - Ani-san, watch out!
- Damn it to hell! - Hell yeah!
Falling-down drunk.
Yes, they are.
- Master? - Hm?
Oh, so you're still here.
I hear you won the Karaku Cup.
Good job.
Issho Arakawa told me.
The reason why Dad got expelled.
Did he?
Akane, have a seat here.
Why don't we talk a bit?
Right.
Now, then, where should I begin?
Master, did you know why Dad was expelled?
No.
But I'm sure it was based on how he judged his Rakugo.
That man has always been stubborn, egocentric, arrogant, and yet...
He was honest about one thing only. Rakugo.
Well, not that I can accept the way he issued those expulsions,
no matter what his reasons were.
I'm sure you already know this yourself,
but when a Rakugoka is expelled by his master, he normally retires.
But...
EXPELLED
It's not unheard of for someone, after being expelled,
to be allowed to train at a different school,
and then continue his career as a Rakugoka.
Though normally, that should never happen.
ARAKAWA
It’s a fact that post-expulsion, some have joined other schools,
and even became Shin'uchis.
Then even Dad could've...
Yes. He had the chance to continue on as a Rakugoka.
But Shinta...
True, there was no avoiding expulsion.
But there are also many masters who are eager to take you in.
There's a way for you to continue your career
at another school, without having to retire.
Don't say sad things like that.
To train under someone is like entering into a father-son relationship.
For me, before being considered a Rakugoka,
I want to be the apprentice of Shiguma Arakawa.
Forgive me for being such an incompetent apprentice.
I don't get it.
I don't care if he was with another school or whatever.
I wanted him to go on being a Rakugoka.
Or at least that's what I would've said before I started training under you.
But now...
I think I can kind of understand Dad's feelings about this.
I'm glad I got to hear about it now.
And besides, that's so like Dad, you know.
Because I always knew how much Dad looked up to you, Master.
And remember how he used to say,
"I'm going to take over Shiguma's Art."
At home, there were tons of books written about you.
I know he respected your art, as well.
I totally get that.
And it's because I understand, I also have the will to become stronger.
- Master. - Hm?
I look forward to your continued guidance and support.
You still have a long way to go before you can become a Shin'uchi.
That's great.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
NEXT EPISODE GRADUATION
Akane Small Talk!
Maikeru Ani-san, I see that you can play the shamisen.
I should learn how to play it too, right?
Well, it's not an absolute must for Rakugo.
But by mastering these performing arts,
such as singing, dancing, and playing instruments,
you can expand the range of your art in all kinds of ways.
Right!
For example, the story called "The Lesson Master."
Since this Rakugo tale features a vocal instructor,
you can't perform it unless you can sing, right?
Oh, I've seen that one before!
It was Kaisei... Ani-san's performance.
Even if there's no direct link to the story,
it will help you understand the perspective
of the people who lived back then.
Perspective?
If they're in a good mood, they'll sing a "Nagauta" or "Todoitsu,"
and if they're upbeat after a few drinks, they'll do the "Kappore" dance.
Because that's daily life in the Rakugo world!
I see.
All right! I'm going to master every single one of them!
Good for you, Akaneru!
To celebrate your resolve, let me show you my ultimate art!
It's... show time!
Wow.
He can probably survive even if he quits Rakugo!