PARK EAST ENTRANCE
Long time no see, Yoichi Fujitani!
I've been waiting for you.
Hey! Don't you ignore me! What is wrong with you?
Listen to me! I'm going to beat you this time.
It is time I finally settled this long-standing feud.
You may not have realized,
but I'm not the same man I was.
You'll show me!
You mean "I'll show you."
Golden Week finally starts tomorrow.
Now, I don't think anybody here is actually thinking about having a nice, relaxing break.
What? We're not getting a break?
Of course not.
How could we waste a whole day where you don't even have to go to school?
Since you'll finally be able to focus on practice,
-I've decided to take a new initiative. -What is it?
Combined practice.
I will gather other Olympic hopefuls from around Japan to practice with us.
Normally, Fujitani would be the only one from MDC who could participate,
but you all were allowed to join too
because we'll be the ones hosting.
Good luck.
Just like a flying bird spreading its wings Over the blue ocean
Searching for a dream I've yet to have Fly about through trial and error
The sun rises and falls again
I want to change that mundane reality
The smell of boundless summer Even in my hands
I'm sad without you here
And the sun is lonely too Being in the middle of you
Having learned the sad lie
A map of the future appearing in the sky A future that changes without you
I tried to forget you by hiding behind my laughter
A view that cannot be seen from here A view that can only be seen from here
Open up the canvas of my heart
And paint with the true colors only you can see
Hey, do you know who these great divers are?
Do you?
You could say that.
Probably divers who are going to enter the Asian qualifiers this fall.
Of course, our Yoichi is one of them.
How do you know all this anyway?
I've got my own sources.
After all, athletes these days need information in order to compete.
You know you followed us here.
You can't do 10 meters yet, Sacchin.
I keep forgetting because of your punky attitude,
but you're still in grade school.
Until the end of the year.
Watch out, because I'm going to overtake you soon.
Isn't it exciting that divers on Yoichi's level are going to come here from all over Japan?
I mean, we're going to practice together,
but it'll be more like them showing us how outclassed we are.
But you know what they say about the 50 meter sprint:
You run a better time if you race with someone fast.
So if we practice with great divers,
I bet we'll get better too!
If that's all it took to be better,
then that would've happened already.
I mean, we've dove with Yoichi all this time, after all.
You've got a point.
But I'm still looking forward to it.
I can't believe we get to practice with such amazing people.
You're never not positive, are you?
-What? -It's nothing.
Man, I am getting so excited.
-See you later, Tomo! -See you tomorrow!
I'm home.
CHIKUWA
-You're back. -Yeah.
So...
-You're practicing during Golden Week too? -Yeah.
We're having a combined practice with divers from other swimming clubs.
Every day?
You're not even going to have one day off?
Well, good luck.
What? You're not going to make a comment?
Why would I do that?
Morning!
You're here early.
Yeah. Is it just you?
Oh, Okitsu's here too.
I wonder how long he's going to be like that?
You're telling me.
He's a stubborn one for sure.
But he's got the power to draw you in.
Something about that style.
Alright, gather up.
Here are the members you'll be practicing with starting today.
-Uh, um- -I'm here from the Fukushima Rainbow.
My name's Toshihiko Tsuji. Nice to meet you.
Yo! I'm from Splash Osaka.
The name's Jiro Hirayama.
And I'm the brave soldier from the Ibaraki Spirits.
I'm Atsuhiko Yamada.
Wow, everyone has such strong personalities.
I've imposed a challenge on myself for this practice.
And that is...
Yoichi Fujitani, I am taking you down!
What? He's leading off with a take down notice?
You hear me, Yoichi Fujitani?
I see you're still stupid.
I wonder how long you'll be able to keep up that attitude of yours?
For eternity.
Why you...!
You're going to bow to my greatness one of these days.
How about you start us off, Yamada?
Be happy to.
So pink! It's too bright and vivid!
Ibaraki Spirits' Akihiko Yamada.
His nickname is Pinky.
That fits him perfectly.
Burn this image in your mind.
I will send you to hell with my diving.
Alright, and we'll send one more person up there.
Um...
Who were you again?
I'm Matsuno from MareTokushima.
The pink is so bright.
He may be stupid, but he's a good diver.
That's really nice form.
He used to take classical ballet.
You can see his focus extend to his fingertips.
He has a good sense of rhythm too.
He has strength and flexibility,
and nice proportions.
Everything he has is better than me.
Actually, you might even argue that he has more raw talent than Japan's best diver, Kenichiro Teramoto.
Then why does someone like that want to take you down so badly, Yoichi?
Because he can't beat me in competitions.
That's right. He even loses competitions he's guaranteed to win.
Even in the last one...
I remember him now!
He choked under the pressure thinking about winning too much.
He's way too conscious of Fujitani.
So whether he's winning or losing,
his nerves end up causing him to self-destruct.
As long as he's under Fujitani's curse,
he'll never be able to win, right?
Don't ask me.
That's true.
People call him Fire Jiro.
Fire?
If I told you his nickname comes from his intense drive
to always attempt dives with high degrees of difficulty,
I'd be lying because he's never pulled off a big move successfully.
He keeps failing and failing, hitting the water hard.
By the end of a competition, his body is bright red like fire.
And that's where his nickname Fire Jiro actually comes from.
What about him?
What's his name again?
Oh, I remember. MareTokushima's Matsuno.
If I'm remembering right, he dominated in high school last year,
and came in second behind Teramoto, the guy most likely to make the Olympics.
His stable performance is his strong point, but...
There is nothing good or bad.
Nothing about me is special. I'm so boring.
I'm like air... Nobody sees me.
He's negative, and doesn't leave an impression.
What is Tsuji like?
He used to be a gymnast.
He dedicates his training to mastering the standards.
For example, he would replace a pike for a tuck without adding rotations,
and polish the move to perfection, limiting any chances for mistakes.
Is everyone trying to make it to the Olympics?
Of course they are.
Pull your body in tighter.
Bring your shins up to your chest.
Do it again.
Who is she?
That's our new coach.
We can see that.
You had a good coach join.
I'm scared you're not going to give us a chance to catch up to you, Fujitani.
You don't sound like you're joking.
Who was that?
That's our new guy.
That's not what we're asking for.
-I get it. -What?
-What are you challenging? -Challenging?
You're challenging yourself to protect something, right?
Or is it to break something down?
-It's nothing. -I've got my reasons too.
I think that diving is about hitting big moves!
-I don't care. -Don't you agree?
I see your splashes haven't gotten better.
-I'm done for the day. -Why?
There are too many people.
Does that mean it's too hard to practice together...
Or should I say, you're too scared?
If you want to stand on the same starting line as them, you're going to need a clean entry.
Whatever.
Don't lump me in with them.
Pinky is challenging Fujitani again.
And of course, he loses again.
Is he always like that?
Yeah, mostly.
Pinky wanted to at least beat Fujitani out of the pool, so...
He challenged him to foot races,
who could stay in the sauna longer,
weight lifting,
arm wrestling,
and thumb wrestling too.
I think he has lost sight of what he's fighting for.
But he can never win.
-Not even once. -Really?
I think Pinky cares more about beating Fujitani
than winning any meet.
Why does he care so much about Yoichi?
YOICHI FUJITANI
It's probably because he was the first obstacle he had to overcome.
He has been like that since grade school.
He has never beaten Fujitani.
Not even once.
Not in the water or on land.
Wait! This isn't over, Yoichi Fujitani!
But Fujitani isn't much better.
He could've let him win at least once on land.
But he never does.
Why's that?
Because Fujitani always strives for perfection with everything he does.
And he never lets his emotions get the best of him.
That was perfect.
I'm Matsuno with Tokushima.
Oh, are you trying to make me feel better?
Because I'm so plain?
No, not at all!
It was a perfect performance without any mistakes.
Well, my performance is basically about limiting mistakes.
While Fujitani and Pinky's performances
are about adding impressive moves for the judges.
But I don't have that.
That's why I can never go up in the rankings.
I'll forever be second place.
What's wrong with second place?
No, just try to imagine it.
Would you be happy if the person you had feelings for told you that she liked you the second most?
Well, that...
That's what being forever second place means.
I see.
Fujitani is amazing.
Alright, you're up next, Sakai.
Three-and-a-half, okay?
You need to bring it in tighter.
You have to focus all the way down your fingertips.
-Yes, ma'am. -That was almost there.
You're right.
Hey... Are you going for a three-and-a-half?
Yes, but I haven't been able to do it yet.
-Did that coach tell you to do it? -Yes.
Trying a three-and-a-half in junior high.
That's really impressive.
I see that you're the same type as Fujitani...
Oh, I'm nothing like that!
He's got promise.
Really? He's got Fujitani's seal of approval, huh?
Yoichi Fujitani!
The next time I see you,
will be at the qualifiers for the Beijing camp.
That is where you'll meet your end.
You got that?
Some space, please.
Ah, well. I shall be the one in Beijing, shaking hands with pandas.
Pandas are cute, aren't they? I want to shake hands with one too.
My soul is burning up like a great ball of fire!
Well, I look forward--
Thanks for coming today, Yamada, Hirayama, Tsuji. And...
-It's Matsuno. -Sorry, sorry.
It's not your fault.
I'm so quiet and nobody ever notices me...
You've gotten better.
-Are you able to tell? -Yes!
You're just one step away.
-You can do it. -Yes, ma'am.
Please teach us how to do a three-and-a-half too.
It's too hard for you two.
-That's blatant favoritism! -Yeah.
I feel the same way.
Should we protest?
Oh, you're both out early.
Combined practice was fun, wasn't it?
Everyone was so amazing.
Is something wrong?
Hey.
Do you know what's pissing me off about you?
What are you mad about?
That right there!
Those puppy dog eyes are what's pissing me off!
Those eyes that just scream
that you love diving so much, you can't even help it.
"So let's all just do our best!"
That's a fairy tale.
I hope you don't think athletes are all happy and supportive people.
That's just a lie. A big fat lie.
Everyone's selfish and greedy.
They aren't satisfied unless they're number one.
That's why everyone jealously looks at each other like rivals.
Everyone has these feelings inside them!
Come on, that's enough, Ryo.
It's always the idiot who says it's all about friendship who wins in the manga and movies.
I thought...
I thought I really enjoyed diving.
That's why I couldn't understand Ryo's sudden outburst...
I couldn't understand what I did wrong.
I didn't understand anything.
The diving that I had loved so much...
...was now causing me so much pain.
Searching for a small light
Wanting to touch tomorrow's warmth
Because I chose not to shed any tears
Because that is what I vowed
Even if I hit an invisible wall
Or get lost in days without answers
Let's walk forward with confidence
Because we're still unfinished
Inside the hands reaching up to the sky
There is a faint sign of hope
The tomorrow that was fading away
We will change into certainty
So run, cut through the wind
Shout out, as long as your voice rings true
One day I'm sure we'll be able
to reach a new world