Give me a proper hold or else our number's gonna get wrinkled!
Alright, it's done!
We're counting on you, No. 130!
The DanceSport Grand Prix in Shizuoka
is the second Standard competition site held within the Grand Prix series.
It is also a comp that affects the points acquired for the JDSF annual rankings.
The Grand Prix Standard is comprised of a total of four dances for each round.
We will now begin the Grand Prix Standard 1st Qualifying Round.
Everyone has the body of a good dancer.
I can tell because I've been watching everybody.
The higher level dancers work out their bodies completely differently.
This is the Grand Prix all right.
The Waltz, 1st heat.
I wonder where the Hyodo and Akagi pairs are?
Huh? Didn't you hear from Gaju-san?
They're entering a match in Germany.
What?
The top national rankers sure have a different priority of competitions.
Then what...
What did I come all the way to Shizuoka for?!
The Waltz, 3rd heat.
C'mon! Tatara, let's go!
Wait, I'm not ready yet!!
HEAT 16- FOUR-LEGGED
W-What's going on?!
Hyodo-kun and them aren't here, but Kugimiya-san and Akira-san are here.
Crap. The rhythm isn't getting into my head at all...
Oh yeah, the waltz!
In this style, I need to be careful of...
Don't just simply dance in long strides!
Step in swiftly, but draw your leg in gently!
Make your swings move like a pendulum!
Dynamically!
Draw in your leg quietly with precision.
Beautifully!
Ugh, we didn't match up!
After all those couple practices, we still can't sync our senses or timings.
Just when I feel like I'm grasping something...
Oh, crap!
This close exchange...
I have a bad feeling!
When Akira-san gets involved,
Chi-chan becomes...
Huh?
Chi-chan?
Hey, hey! Chinatsu! Tatara-kun!
Why are you guys in the Grand Prix?
Didn't you just become a D-class last month?
Oh, I bet you entered the wrong section!
Chinatsu can be really scatterbrained sometimes!
Um, Akira-san, that's because--
So what if a D-class is in the main match?
I came because Tatara wanted to enter.
The Tango, 3rd heat.
I couldn't see Hyodo-kun and them,
but that may have been a good thing.
I was able to notice that Chi-chan was focusing on me.
Each dance style has their own character.
It is an important technique to be able to put yourself into the music.
Eat up the rhythm.
And get into your Tango!
Honestly, I get sick of how everyone around me is so good...
Oh, if I were only...
as good as him!!
Get outta the way!
You masses there!!
Hey, isn't No. 117 Masami Kugimiya?
What?
You're right!
I thought he retired after his injury!
-Kugimiya! -No. 117!!
The Grand Prix is a scary place.
It makes me realize my level.
This lag!
It's really bad in the Tango!
No...!
Chi-chan's the one struggling.
She has to bear with my poor dancing skills!
No. 130 looks kinda different than the others.
Like how?
I dunno, their silhouettes look kinda different...
Let's change the hold.
Tatara-kun, stretch your elbow out further away.
Chinatsu-chan, you arch back more.
Pull your head back far, outside of the hold.
I'm surprised that partner could stay standing in such a posture.
With this match...
what should we gain?
Hey, Tatara-kun. The hold is something created from the support of both sides.
So if Chinatsu-chan ever looks like she's about to fall,
make sure to support her in that case.
Oh... the next count.
We'll match up.
Huh? Something's odd.
It's heavy...
Was my body... always this heavy?
Chi-chan's...
disappeared?!
What is this?
It feels strange...
But...
it feels sorta good...
Hey...
My concentration cut off for a sec.
Tsk.
What the heck was that just now?
I feel like something special... has happened...
Tatara...
Tatara!
Huh?
-I can't believe you! What were you doing? -I'm sorry!
You were that zoned out you forgot to dance?
Chi-chan, I'm really sorry!
If you do this again, I won't forgive you!
Thank you for taking the Shinkansen today.
Of course Chi-chan would get angry.
What am I doing?
I have two legs, right?
That four-legged illusion...
What was that?
We apologize!!
We wanted to enter the Grand Prix in Shizuoka so badly that we went!
You don't need to report it, I already know most of it.
In my position, why wouldn't any info reach me from the competition committee?
So you entered not knowing your place and withdrew?
What do you think competitions are?
I don't intend on teaching competitors who have no will to fight.
In DanceSport competitions, only the 1st place couple is called the winner.
You know that, right?
I will have you two win in the next match.
Which competition you'll enter will be decided by me.
And...
Do you two have time all of next week?
Yes...
Then let's continue lessons...
in Karuizawa!
They're both sleeping really comfortably back there.
You better not fall asleep too.
Y-Yes...
Their vacation home is huge too!
Hyodo-kun?
Fujita-kun?
Long time no see.
Hanaoka-san...
Hey!
Tatara's here!
Gaju-kun! Why's everyone all here?!
Aren't you Mako Akagi?!
I can't believe I'm meeting you here!
I'm Tatara Fujita's partner, Chinatsu Hiyama.
Hey Mako, Tatara's gonna stay for a week too!
Mako-chan, long time no see.
Tatara-san!
When did you come back from Germany?
Yesterday! We came straight here after we landed.
We were all gonna review the match.
Then was everyone in Germany for two weeks?
Before the comp, we were at a training camp in Italy.
Wow, that's so cool.
Oh, how was Shizuoka by the way?
Tatara screwed up, so we're in a fight right now.
Hey, Tatara.
I heard you had a full score in Shizuoka's Grand Prix.
Huh?
You didn't know?
What's that about?
The results are on the site. Here!
If ya didn't withdraw, ya could've maybe passed the first round.
But why...?
Idiot, it's the leader's skills.
I don't remember dancing that well at all...
M-My dance felt really strange.
I grew extra legs, my body felt heavy, and I didn't know what was happening...
Ah, ya get that a lot. That type of feeling.
Huh?!
I got so excited when I found out the connection was like a yo-yo.
Oh, my insights on counterbalance changed after doing the Argentine Tango.
Wait, what are you two talking about?!
U-Um...
But it was really nice when I felt unity from that weight.
The partner's body was like an extension of my own body...
I had four legs and my body moved more freely than dancing by myself.
That's what you're saying, right Fujita?
What I was worrying about had been...
something very normal to dancers.
My worries earlier were just
from my mind being confused by something beyond my understanding.
So... that did feel good.
My head finally caught up to my body.
This is dancing,
so my mind just needs to trust what my body accepts.
You gotta win in the next comp?
Yeah...
If we make the finals, we'll be judged on the couple's unity too, so I'm worried.
Since Tatara's dancing also changes based on his mood.
I've been paired with Kiyoharu for a long time,
but sometimes he gives leads I can't understand.
I'm always desperately trying to follow.
The woman's strengths kind of lies in
how much you can express yourself within a man's hold.
Pursuing unity between a couple
must be an endless challenge in dance.
Right...?
Chi-chan, let's practice! Hyodo-kun said we can use the studio...
Oh!
You guys get along.
Don't go and open the girls' room without even knocking, you idiot!
I-I'm sorry!
-How can you be so laid-back? -Huh?
Why are the two top amateur pairs here?!
It's embarrassing and scary to have our lessons watched!
You were blending in though.
I'm nervous of course!
Honestly, I'm still scared of Coach Marisa's lessons, okay?
The happy couple there.
Can we have a talk?
Yes...
I'm going to tell you the match you will be in.
The Tokyo Metropolitan DanceSport Tournament held on August 25th.
An A-class match.
I will have you win that.
An A-class match?!
It's a comp usually held in spring, but it's been delayed this year.
It's not a comp subject to the rankings anymore, so the level should be lower now.
Um... Coach?
You said A-class, but we just became a D-class...
Leader-san.
What level do you think's needed to obtain a full score in Round 1 of the Grand Prix?
At least a B-class and up.
Which means,
you two would be competitors worthy of entering an A-class match now.
If you can win this tournament,
I will allow you to enter the Grand Prix.
Gosh, I'm sorry! I'll shut it off!
Go ahead and answer, my talk's finished.
Ugh, this damn woman...
Hello? What do ya want?!
Um, Coach Marisa...
I'm entering that A-class match too.
Doesn't that count Fujita-kun out?
Oh, really? You should've told me sooner.
Then I could be 2nd?
How mean, Kugimiya-kun.
How could you get in the way of Tatara-kun's victory?
Just when I was getting Tatara-kun motivated.
You ruined everything.
I dunno what's going on, but sorry, Fujita-kun.
Tatara...
Akira and them are also entering the A-class match of that tournament.
We gotta definitely win, so I can see that woman's sorry face.
Winning...? I dunno if we'll even be able to dance normally.
They got pretty good couple balance.
Their hold got better.
Chinatsu-chan has a large silhouette, so she really stands out.
I feel people's eyes on me.
I wonder how we look to everyone.
Probably still not matched up?
Tatara-kun, don't you think the Tango basics are dull?
Uh, yes?
That's right. Everyone will grow bored in the finals...
Let's put in a few special variations!
What?!
Thank you for the food!
Mako-chan, eat lots and grow bigger.
Kugimiya-kun should gain some weight too.
Are those two still practicing?
They said they were struggling with the new variations.
Well, they do need to win the next comp.
C'mon, it'll be impossible to win a match Kugimiya-san's in.
Yeah...
You're right...
Wait a sec, isn't your timing different than before?
Well, because you stopped...
Next is an Outside Partner and we reverse...
Don't order me around!
Why is Tatara guiding me through the figure?
I'm not exactly a slow learner...
It looks like Fujita-kun's got it down first.
Oh my... the happy couple is in trouble.
There's only two weeks 'til the match. Why now?
Because Tatara-kun won't ever start taking the reins over Chinatsu-chan.
But I'm sure their stress levels are nearing their limits now.
So, Kiyoharu. What do you think is their problem?
Not interested.
Tell me.
They aren't catching each other's balance.
Their energies are different.
And the tempo flowing through their bodies are different to begin with.
If you know that much, why aren't you giving them any advice?
Stop it!
Don't lead so weird, I can stand on my own!
There's no time to be saying that! The comp's around the corner!
If you can't get the timings right, I'll cover for you!
What're you implying?!
Yeah, I know I suck at following! More than a guy like you!
I'm sorry...
Chi-chan, wait! I'll do whatever you want!
Will you just rely on me a little more? Then it'll get...
I can't 'cause I don't understand you!!
Chi-chan...
What...
am I supposed to do?
Next episode- "Performer"