OGASAWARA DANCE STUDIO
One, two, three.
And natural turn.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Why is Tatara-kun in a group lesson?
He insists he wants to do couple practice.
He should just invite Chinatsu-chan.
Seems like he's been asking her every day, but getting turned down each time.
Are couple practices this tiring?
That depends on the person.
I kinda feel like I won't ever be able to get paired up.
Even a girl like Hiyama-san can lead that good,
but I'm a guy and I can't?
Oh, yes! Tatara-kun, there's something I want to show you.
Huh?
There's two girls dancing together along with the normal couples!
I think Chinatsu-chan was probably doing this.
How come they're both girls?
Well, it's because more girls want to start dancing when they're young,
so there's not enough boys.
These pairs can't enter the regular adult competitions though.
All my friends from my junior days quit after not being able to pair up too.
The reason why Chinatsu-chan's so good at leading and not following
may be because she's been leading a lot in the past.
Ahhh! I'm gonna be late!!
Thank you very much!
I wonder what's with Tatara-kun?
It looks like he started a part-time job. He wants to pay for his own lessons.
Really...
What an adult.
HEAT 14- COUPLED
I need this. I don't need this.
Oh, my heel covers are worn out.
I need to replace them.
Wait, I'm not gonna dance anymore! Who cares!
You still haven't packed everything?
You don't need dance shoes anymore. Give them all to Komoto-san.
Their younger girl started dancing too, so I'm sure they'll need it.
But maybe I'll wanna dance sometime...
Quit changing your mind.
You're the one who wanted to quit, so that's why we left the dance studio.
What? You wanna go again?
No!
I'm gonna hang out with my friends and be normal in high school!
Hey? This song...
I could use this in the Samba.
Today, I am here at...
Whatcha do that for, Sis?!
What's the matter, Chinatsu?
If I knew I was gonna feel like this,
I shouldn't have casually went to that studio...
STORE HOURS
Hi, come on in!
-This appetizer's for table No. 2, okay? -Yes, sir!
You ready? Should we call the waiter?
May I have your order?
Can I wash that?
The restrooms are that way.
H-He's sure considerate...
Is there something to do...?
No, no! You can relax.
He's standing so sharply.
What's he looking at?
You have such great posture. Do you do some kind of sport?
Y-Yes...
Hey, Akira. Don't mess with Tatara-kun.
Sorry, Dad.
Oh, this is my house.
That reminds me, Tatara-kun is a freshman same as you.
Oh, so we're the same age.
Hey. Tatara-kun, what kind of sport do you do?
U-Um...
C-Competitive dance...
Ha, I knew it! You've got a different aura than most people!
I do competitive dance too!
You too?!
Yeah, since the juniors.
This year, I'm entering the Grand Prix with a new partner.
Wow!
But we're having a hard time matching up our moves.
Yeah, I know! I know!
At my recent couple practice too...
Hello?
Huh?
Ah!
Chinatsu, come on in!
How come you're here?!
Huh? You two know each other?
She's that ex-partner from earlier.
Ah, from your junior days!
I brought some hand-me-downs for your little sister.
Thank you for your consideration of the poor.
Though, we may not use it.
What?
She may give up...
What's up with these two's vibe?
Just like you, Chinatsu.
Scary.
By the way, is it true you got harassed by some old man at a matchmaking?
That's none of your business!
The guy I'm paired with now sucks more than you.
You! How could you say that about your...
Hey, I'm just complimenting you.
Your lead was seriously good.
Oh, but the person to lead you can't be a poor leader.
Since you suck at following, Chinatsu.
You never gave me the partner's role, so you can't talk.
Well, I'm more feminine and shorter than you.
Oh yeah,
come cheer for us at September's Grand Prix in Sendai.
We're planning on making the semifinals to aim for Mikasa's seed!
Really. You aim for the Mikasa?
The partner who always relied on me to lead her like a dog on a leash?
I'm not gonna go cheer for you.
'Cause I'll be entering the Grand Prix with Tatara.
Huhhhh?
Who says?!
We'll shove you guys aside and enter the Mikasa Cup!
Tatara... see you at the studio tomorrow.
Dear Hanaoka-san. It looks like I'm a guy who gets carried away easily.
With no reason to decline this sudden offer,
I became coupled with Hiyama-san.
COUPLE REGISTRATION
A leader who can't lead, and a partner who's bad at following...
It's the worst combination.
Okay, gimme a smile!
In two weeks, we'll be entering a novice match.
Hey, they got together.
So that... I can stand on the same floor as you.
COMPETING!!
KINSHICHO STATION
Let's do our best to work as one today!
Okay, Chi-chan!
I gotta hurry and get up to the Grand Prix so I can see Aki's sorry face.
Once I'm a D-class, I'll be another step closer to my promise with Hanaoka-san.
This is the place.
Huh?
The comp's on the 8th floor here?
The competitors' age range is pretty wide, huh?
Well, since the B, C, D-classes are all held together.
Here! This is our number today.
There's two of the same digits as the Tenpei Cup!
It must be a good sign!
Oh, so this is the floor?
There's a bunch of super sharp old men out there...
Well, the B-classes are pretty good.
Pretty good?!
But they're better than the Tenpei Cup dancers...
There's 12 pairs entering the novice match...
That means we just need to get in 2nd place to become a D-class!
What did she just say?
The C-class Standard, Waltz competition will now begin.
Hey, Chi-cha--
Don't look this way, you idiot! I'm changing!
Why don't competitions ever have separate changing rooms?!
Is that you, Chinatsu?
Aki?!
Wow, Akira-san! You look much different than usual!
You guys were entering today too? What a coincidence!
-What class? -Novice.
You don't need to answer!
Chinatsu, isn't this...
W-What?
...your debut wearing a dress in an official comp?
Don't hide it and lemme see!
You're the last person I wanna show!
Oh...
how cute...
Leave me alone!
Komoto-san, we must go.
Sorry, we're in the next heat.
We will now begin the B-class Standard competition.
B-class?!
That leader's the man who stood out in the Tango earlier.
The guy I'm paired with now sucks more than you.
That's what she said, but...
She's such a rotten woman...
We will now begin the Novice semifinals.
The first dance is the Waltz.
Should we get something to eat?
Yes, let's go.
So this is a novice match.
The competitors are mostly older too, so I'm a little relieved...
Hold!
We're gonna move more dynamically today.
Ready... Get set...
Go!
Her steps are bigger than I thought?!
And we practiced so much on our steps and timings these past two weeks!
Make the timing to draw in faster so that the spin is compact!
So fast!
C'mon! How hard could a simple routine like this be to get down?!
It's 'cause you're asking for too much!
If our moves aren't perfectly synchronized,
there'd be no unity as a couple whatsoever!
That is true...
but you're not trying to synchronize at all, are you?!
On top of that,
her dress is heavier than I imagined,
and it's swinging me around!
Mine-san.
That girl from No. 312 is my ex-partner.
What's with that couple?
Did they even properly rehearse? Their balance is how should I say...
Like there's two men, huh?
That girl has her own proper way of dancing set inside her mind already,
so she doesn't listen to any guy below her level.
Hey, Chinatsu.
You know what I think?
Isn't the best revenge to your ex...
to become happy with a new partner?
So to become more successful than your ex, right?
I'm truly happy to be winning over you right now.
Go, No. 312!
I'll be waiting for you at the Grand Prix!
She's moving freely on her own.
This is as if...
I can't keep up with these moves!
What?
She used her pelvis...
to push me back by force.
You...
can't call this leading or following.
You can't even call this a couple!
Hey, I'm sorry!
The floor was big, so my moves became bigger!
And we rehearsed everything before the dance too.
Well, it's not possible to dance exactly how you practiced in a comp anyway.
That doesn't mean you can freely move about...
Tatara, you're good at following, so back me up.
It's not like I need you to lead me or anything.
Hey, what's wrong?
Hey, Tatara!
I'm scared to take a look at the semifinal's results.
Huh?
We passed!
And in 1st place...
but tied with three other couples?!
I see.
There's only two dances in a novice match, so there's not much difference in score.
Ch... Chi-chan, we made the finals...
She's fixing her makeup without even checking the results.
That pisses me off.
Chi-chan, you piss me off.
We will soon begin the Novice final round.
I'll follow you for the finals!
That's what she says, but she'll just move on her own.
Then I might as well...
Huh?
How come they're not moving?
Does Tatara-kun not want to dance with Chinatsu anymore...?
Hey...
Why aren't you moving?!
Tatara...
He was waiting for me to move?!
Well, it's not possible to dance exactly how you practiced in a comp anyway.
Yes, you're completely right.
There's no way Chi-chan would follow someone like me.
The only time that actually went smoothly...
was that one moment.
I hate to do this...
but I'm gonna adjust to her.
I can move just as how I imagine it like when I'm shadowing?
What is this? It feels strange!
Basically, we just have to make this look like we're both dancing, right?
C'mon, gimme that step!
Go on and step out big!
That means...
I have to step in this much!
Like this!
Why is Chinatsu able to dance so smoothly?
Rather... she's dancing more dynamically than usual.
The leader just endlessly follows the partner.
That doesn't sound right as a dance couple,
but at our current state, this is the best option we have!
What the heck was that start? I thought you gave up on me!
There was no choice!
Even if I moved, it seemed like I would just mess up your pace.
There's not a lot of guys like you out there.
Don't worry. I'm sure we've won.
Are you sure?
What's with that look?!
The Novice, Standard 1st place winners have been decided.
We will have the 1st place winners perform the Waltz honor dance.
In 1st place are...
Entry No. 316,
Masami Kugimiya & Tamie Idogawa.
Aren't you Tatara Fujita?
What a coincidence to see you here.
Is this...
Hyodo-kun's mom?
I came to cheer for my students today.
The ones who are doing the honor dance.
What?
You're his partner?
Nice to meet you.
Y-Yes.
You have a beautiful neck.
You're skinny but big-boned with a strong center, and you have a wide back.
You have a good dancer's body.
Tatara-kun, weren't you surprised to have danced so well yourself?
Thanks to this girl's large hold and movements.
So are you doing this on purpose?
You make the girl do all the work.
What a sly dog.
Next episode- "Taking the Reins"