Three minutes...
Just 180 seconds...
We have to take everything we've learned and pour it into that brief little window.
And that is what it means to be a figure skater.
We practice everything tens, hundreds, thousands of times over.
The jumps, the spins, the steps...
We spend weeks and months on the same tiny movements.
Learning to execute them flawlessly, to ensure success.
And yet,
cruel reality can still come crashing down around us.
A single moment of doubt or the slightest hesitation
can cause mistakes like that one.
But, there's no time to dwell on it.
No time for regret.
In the little time remaining,
you have to rise once again, lift yourself up and affirm
that you belong there in the spotlight.
And here, within our sphere
there shines a star whose heart never wavers,
whose pull seems to make the whole figure skating galaxy revolve around her.
She shines more brilliantly, more radiantly
and more powerfully than anyone else.
It's the kind of brilliance that stops you dead in your tracks,
makes you hesitant to even reach out towards it.
But that's precisely what I'm here to do.
To prove I can become the brightest star of all.
THE ATHLETE'S PLEDGE
Shoot. Okay.
Maybe just one more time from the top. Let's see.
Oh, uh, Tsukasa, what are you still doing awake?
Uh, I'm just working.
Yikes! You're looking a little bloodshot.
I'm fine.
I'm doing one more look over the current routine
to see if there's any way we can get Inori a higher score.
Oh, dear.
That's a bit obsessive.
Of course, I don't know much about skating,
but when you're over-prepared, even small mistakes can make you panic.
Maybe it's about time you took a little break from all this?
I know, but I can't help it.
The data from previous meets is just so fascinating.
All of the big clubs have their own style,
and different strategies for earning high scores.
It gets me all fired up.
You did so much for me, Mrs. Kago.
I'm sorry I couldn't make it work.
I'm sorry I couldn't give anything back.
I remember this program.
She was amazing.
This jump alone gave her so many points, and her step sequence was fantastic.
All right. Well, some of us are off tomorrow,
and those folks are going to bed.
Good luck out there.
Yeah! Thank you, Mr. Kago.
Have a good night.
- Huh? Oh, good. You're here! - Huh?
Good morning, Coaches.
- Good morning to you too. - Good morning to you too.
- Coach Tsukasa, Coach Hitomi. - Huh?
I think today is gonna be a great day.
I think so too.
You're gonna crush it.
Yes, let's make sure she wins today, okay, Coach?
We're all counting on you to lead her to victory, hmm?
- Honey, leave him alone! - Dad, leave him alone!
You can't bother Coach Tsukasa like that!
Exciting that Inori made it all the way to the Chubu Block Tournament, isn't it?
Yeah, but we can't rest easy yet.
For a lot of the elite clubs, making it here is like the bare minimum.
Today we're competing against athletes who are totally at home here,
who see this as a given.
We've got 15 people hoping to advance to
the Novice division at the All-Japans,
and there are only five available spots.
Inori's got her work cut out for her trying to break into the Novice ranks.
Keeping our spirits up is gonna be a real challenge.
This is the kind of thing that really tests a coach.
Gotta lock in.
Hard to believe he used to be so hesitant.
He's grown into a wonderful teacher.
- But, you know, I think my biggest regret... - Hmm?
...is not getting to see Inori at the opening ceremony!
I wanna be there!
COACHES DON'T USUALLY ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY
FIGURE SKATING CHUBU BLOCK TOURNAMENT
JAPAN SKATING FEDERATION
Here it is.
CHUBU BLOCK TOURNAMENT OPENING CEREMONY
The Chubu Block Tournament...
I always dreamed I'd make it to a place like this!
Thank you, Coach Tsukasa! Thank you, Coach Hitomi!
Thank you, Mom and Dad!
I wonder if Hikaru's here!
I haven't seen anyone I know yet,
but I'm pretty sure Sota and Rioh are supposed to be here too.
I think those are the other Novice A skaters.
I guess I should go sit with them.
You gotta watch that one. It's super funny.
- Really? - But I feel kinda awkward butting in.
Wait. No!
I can't stand here shaking in my boots!
I'm a Novice now too, just like them!
I gotta pep up! Cheery and bright! Yeah!
You got this!
Just like Coach Tsukasa!
- Listen up, all you shiny-sparkly girls! - Huh?
I am Novice A Inori Yuitsuka!
I'm here now and I'm ready to flex it! Where's my seat?
Flex it!
I have no clue what this girl is on about.
Flex!
Um, we don't actually have assigned seats or anything,
so you can sit wherever you want to.
- That's perfect! - Uh...
And I love your ribbons! Ten billion flex points!
Super cute, well done!
EEK...
Oh, geez, um... Thanks, I guess.
I sense some kind of kindred spirit in this place.
A kindred what now?
This is your fourth time competing?
That's right.
We all started out at different clubs,
but we became friends after we did the Nagano camp together.
That girl is from Toyohashi. She can jump a ton of triples.
She's from Ishikawa. She came second in the last Meikoh Cup.
Last year's Chubu Block winner is somewhere around here too.
I see...
I had convinced myself that just becoming a Novice
meant I would be on the same level as you girls.
But nope...
Way to flex those amazing careers, ladies!
She's gonna have an aneurysm.
Try not to let all the experience in the room fool you though.
We're no match for Hikaru.
- Hey. - Huh?
Can you not? At least, not before the event starts.
Sorry, Yuna...
- Whoa. - Huh?
Have any of you looked at the entry list?
Hikaru's not on it.
Huh?
Good! Passed with flying colors.
I would expect nothing less from a student of Jun's.
Thank you very much.
Well, you're already a Cinderella.
What further magic could you and your coach possibly expect from me?
Why come all the way to Russia?
I'm a skater who's pretty good at ballet, but I don't want that to be the ceiling.
Instead...
I want to experience the world's highest standards of ballet.
Oh...
From now on, I don't wanna be Cinderella.
I want to cast the magic.
Hikaru was once an orphan,
but she was adopted into our family by a remarkable twist of fate.
She possesses a keen ability to draw people in
and seize hold of good fortune.
Well, that's something I'll have to decide for myself.
All right. Where is she?
Well, she's right behind you, sir.
Her eyes flickered and shone like she was some kind of wild beast.
And I knew in that moment, no matter what I did,
it was only a matter of time before the world found this little girl
and dragged her out into the light.
And then she'd walk the same path I took.
- Wait. Really? - Yeah.
I heard that Hikaru was chosen as a seeded skater
back during the Nagano summer camp.
So her spot at the All-Japans is guaranteed,
even if she doesn't compete here at all!
That's amazing!
Though, seeded skaters usually come to the Chubu Block anyway,
just to get the extra experience.
Skipping it is actually pretty rare.
Now I think about it...
Yeah, at the All-Japans!
And that's a promise, Inori!
Not the Block meet, the All-Japans.
So, Hikaru already believed that I'd qualify at this event.
Aw. What's with the elementary kids?
Huh?
They're normally way more excited.
Oh, wow. I've seen them on TV.
They're the designated skaters of the Chubu region!
The figure skating federation selects around 20 athletes every year to develop.
They become the backbone of Japan's powerhouse skating scene.
They're divided into three rankings.
There's Junior Skater A, Junior Skater B...
SKATER A - IRUKA OKAZAKI SKATER B - MARIKA KURIONE
...and at the very peak, standing head and shoulders above the rest
are the Top Skaters.
That's Riina Kojoh! She was at the last Olympics!
- Um, Riina... - Yuna, Yotsuha, what's up?
Why do you girls look so glum?
Huh?
How do I get into the Olympics, Miss Kojoh?
Uh...
Inori, watch it! You can't just ask that!
Huh?
What? Huh?
You brat.
Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?
Or are you trolling?
You think someone is just gonna tell you how to make the Olympics?
You've gotta be kidding me.
Ugh... After all the work we put in...
Iruka...
It's not my fault no one ever teaches little twerps like this their place.
Iruka.
Whatever.
Of course.
We're in an Olympic year.
And this is the first event to help decide who skates for Team Japan.
That was so thoughtless of me.
I'm so sorry!
- Oh, goodness! You're sweating. - Huh?
If you're feeling unwell, you're welcome to come sit on my lap and recover!
Huh? Um...
That's okay. I'm fine! I promise!
Sorry she gave you such a hard time.
Let's rewind a little.
I suppose you're asking what kind of training is necessary
to get to the Olympics, right?
Huh? Um, yes.
That's a hard question to answer.
No one really knows for sure if their training is going to pay off
until they actually get up there to compete.
Understood!
But...
There is at least one surefire way to make sure you get chosen for Team Japan.
Huh?
And that is to wait for an Olympic year
and take home the gold medal at the All-Japans Championship!
Four years ago,
I had only just worked my way into the Seniors.
I had no real record to speak of.
And yet, with that gold medal from the All-Japans,
I proved it wasn't too early for me, and I got to make my Olympic debut!
So this year, I hereby vow I, Riina Kojoh, will take the gold again,
and skate for Team Japan in the Olympic games for the second time in my career!
Then so will I.
If that's how I gotta do it,
then I'll become a gold medalist at the All-Japans too!
Someday, I'm sure!
It's so exciting, isn't it?
The moment you commit yourself to a goal.
But don't wait for "someday". That's not good enough.
I think you'll have to prove it today.
In fact... Actually, does everyone know this?
The elements required for Novice A
are tougher than what they ask of us in the Junior and Senior divisions.
A loop, a flip, and a Lutz
are all 100% mandatory to include in your programs.
And those are hard!
And that's a special rule that only exists for Novice A.
They instituted that rule in order to help foster young skaters to compete overseas.
Meaning, every Novice in this room
has the potential to be a national team member in a few years.
Your talent and skill are already being analyzed and developed.
So if you really are serious about competing in the Olympics soon,
then you gotta prove it right here, right now.
Show everyone at this tournament that you've already got it in you.
Show them that you're worthy, that you can shine the brightest of us all.
She's right.
Just by being here, I'm already on the road to the Olympics.
Got it!
We swear!
The skaters of Japan are grateful.
Grateful to devote ourselves every day to the sport we love.
We are grateful for the opportunity
to reach new heights every day.
And to our coaches, and all those who support us...
We pledge to deliver only our very best performance.
I gotta win here. I gotta make it through!
Hikaru is out there waiting for me.
Wow! So this is the ice rink, huh?
It's cold in here. Feels like the vegetable drawer.
Where's Tsukasa? I don't see him.
And now, we'll decide the skating order.
When your name is called, please step up to the front.
First up, Inori Yuitsuka.
Present!
Step forward.
I really don't wanna go first. I want time to prepare.
Come on, group 2. Come on, group 2.
Inori Yuitsuka, number 14. Group 2.
Thank goodness!
Rinna Sarukawa...
...number 1. Group 1.
No way. First again?
And so, the order for the Chubu Block Novice A
was decided.
I haven't seen that boy anywhere at all.
You really think we're going to? He's gonna be busy coaching, right?
Maybe.
Should you have asked him before we came?
Nah. This place ain't that big. We're sure to bump into him.
Really? Learn to think ahead.
Ah!
I told you I'd hold that while you weren't drinking.
Oh, goodness.
I'll get this cleaned up, okay? You go and clean your skirt.
Okay.
Where's that pack of tissues?
Gotta hurry!
Huh?
Ah.
I'm so sorry, sir!
Round and round and round she goes, where she stops, nobody knows!
You came sailing in so fast, I thought you were a carousel horse.
Sorry, kiddo.
Huh?
You didn't twist your ankle on the steps, did you?
Nope! I'm okay! And you caught me just perfectly!
- Good. Are you competing today? - Uh, yeah.
Actually, you might be able to help me find somebody.
Do you know a young man by the name of Mr. Akeuraji?
Coach Tsukasa?
He used to ice dance, although I'm not sure if that's helpful.
I don't know what club he's with.
He even knows about his ice dancing background.
Could this old man... Could he be...
A Coach Tsukasa fanboy?
Guess I'll take that as a no. His name is pretty hard to remember.
- Wait. No, I do know him. - Oh?
Coach Ak... Aki...
Well, we all call him Coach Tsukasa, but he works at Lux Higashiyama!
In fact, he's my coach!
- Uh... - I guess
that makes you Inori, doesn't it?
Huh? Uh, yeah! Inori Yuitsuka!
- Well, how about that? You don't say. - Huh?
You know what? I was actually really hoping to meet you.
I'm really glad to have the chance.
Thanks.
- Uh... - Hmm?
- Ah. Hey there, Tsukasa. - Huh?
Hello?
It's really you!
That's a good reaction.
No offense or anything,
but seeing your face out of context feels wrong.
I'm so nervous, I thought my brain was malfunctioning.
You look like you just saw someone famous.
Are you really that stunned that I'm here?
Coach Tsukasa, he was looking for you. Is this nice man your dad?
Got it in one.
No, he's not!
Please don't lie to my students. They'll believe you!
So, what are you doing here?
I didn't realize that you were interested in watching skating stuff.
Well, I just wanted to see you on the job, Tsukasa.
Since, you know? I never did get to see you skate.
I figured that this might be the next best thing.
Ah! Shoot, the time!
Inori, you gotta change!
Okay!
I've wanted to watch live skating for a long time.
Huh?
Even though I don't understand anything about the rules.
I'd watch with Meiko whenever it was on TV,
and she would try to explain it to me.
But once she passed, you know...
I was just lost without her.
But then last night, I saw much this lights you up.
You're pursuing a new dream.
And I thought, "How great!"
Like, "Maybe it's time for me to shift gears too.
I can still learn!"
I'm glad you're so passionate, Tsukasa.
It helped me move forward.
Huh?
Hey, come on, Coach.
Save those tears for when your girl's up there on the podium later, all right?
Yeah, sorry.
Thank you very much.
Just so you know, even though you can't see me at work,
everything I do is for Inori.
And it all comes down to her performance.
So please watch her out there, and give her your support.
Just like you've always supported me. All right?
Yep. Can do.
Also, hey. You wanna finish this Danish?
I mean, yeah.
Here we go.
Our day of battling over the five qualifying seats for the All-Japans.
This high-stakes game of musical chairs
is about to begin.