"Smile Down the Runway"
Winter of my senior year in junior high...
...I stopped growing.
I found myself looking down at my legs more often.
Keep your head up.
Chiyuki.
What does a model need the most?
Height.
No.
I'm sorry!
I'm late...
Chiyuki, what's most important...
"Episode 7: Aura"
...is your aura.
So Chiyuki, keep your head up!
Put your soul into your eyes.
Nice to meet you. I'm Chiyuki Fujito of Mille Neige.
Oh...
Excuse me.
This short model will bring the quality down.
Please send her home.
What?
Who's responsible for calling in this model?
Excuse me, what is the arrangement for this shoot?
I brought my own heels, ranging from 12 to 15 cm.
As long as our feet aren't visible, it should be okay.
I did ask for any model who's available.
Will you please let us off the hook this time?
Oh...
This is the arrangement for today.
O-Oh...
"Everyone except Kokoro Hasegawa covers their face."
It really could've been anybody...
Then, I'll just have to put in my all however I can.
My face is hidden, but whatever's visible can still be stunning.
And...
Excuse me, do you know how you'll pose today?
Solidify the plan.
I'll be the best supporting model.
Excuse me.
Oh! W-Were... you talking to me?
O-Oh...
If you're unmotivated, just leave.
What...?
We're merely props for this girl with our faces covered?
You gotta be kidding me.
That's right...
She's not my only rival here...
Then... Do you know the two places where aura comes from?
The first is through your figure, posture, gestures, and height.
Ms. Hasegawa is not ready yet, but could we get everyone else to start rehearsal?
Where's... the second place?
How could the main model be absent for the rehearsal?
Doesn't she have any sense of responsibility?
The second... is here.
It flows out from your sense of confidence.
So Chiyuki...
You'll always run into frustrating and hard times when you challenge yourself.
Bullying and unfair behavior are to be expected.
Feeling relieved by putting down others,
justifying yourself through that toxic behavior won't foster confidence.
Aura won't come out from a model like that.
Ah...
Hey, actually. The tiny girl in the far right.
You're ruining the balance so could you step out?
What...?
Hmm... This is a problem.
Does anyone have black gloves?
Could it be retouched?
Well... There are too many deep ones, so I'll take two versions, just in case.
I have... the gloves.
What a relief! Ms. Hasegawa's left hand is covered with cuts.
Somewhere in my heart, I was still thinking...
...I could fight as long as I'm on the same stage.
Um... I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble...
Don't worry about it.
Being mindful of not getting cuts is the basic of basics.
Act like you're serious!
There are plenty of models who want to stand in your position.
Those who want to but can't... So...
Why... Why...?!
Chiyuki.
Putting others down won't foster confidence.
I'm Chiyuki Fujito of Mille Neige. I'd like to give you my card.
I'm capable and will put in my all for any kind of work. I'd appreciate your consideration.
Well, she's a tough one.
Okay... Time to leave.
Amazing models do exist...
Ms. Igarashi... Will you please stop doing this?
Don't worry about it. The talented will always win against those who aren't.
I don't like it.
I don't like causing others to suffer because of me.
Please!
Please let me quit modeling!
What?
You're telling me you can't handle the fact that others get dismissed because of you?
That's not... what I meant...
Are you saying it's my fault?
That you felt sorry for me?
You gotta be kidding me! You have no right to feel pity for me!
It's not my business to know how you feel about modeling.
But I'm serious about it!
But you...
You have no idea what it means to be prepared!
Oh... No...
I was able to hold it together earlier...
Um...
I'm not crying!
What...?
I'm not crying... I'm not crying!
Hasegawa, we're going back to the office.
Oh...
I'm serious about it!
Ms. Igarashi... Please let me quit modeling!
H-Hey! Are you serious? Were you even listening to me? The nerves you've got.
I'm serious about making clothes as a professional!
What...?
No.
Being in a place where your talents thrive is the key to happiness.
I'll tell you again. Your body is a treasure to the modeling world.
To spoil it in the fashion design industry...
I won't allow it.
Smile Down the Runway.
If you're not fit for it, you've got three choices.
Give up.
Go at it fair and square to face defeat.
Or cling to it and force your dream to come true doing whatever it takes.
That's how I got it.
I'm happy.
I get to walk for my dream brand, Lale Faun. Of course I'm happy.
Or so I thought.
So? How is that model of yours?
She begged me to let her quit again today.
I see.
What...? Shizuku...?
Hey, it's been a while.
But why... Ah!
Miwako!
Sorry, sorry. I thought it might be good for you guys
to talk since you're both managers who are former models.
Talk...? I have nothing to talk about with her.
Is that how you treat your former colleague? Oh, I'd like a Macallan on the rocks, please.
Sounds like you're managing a great model.
Kokoro Hasegawa... Was it?
Yeah. As long as she's there, we'll stay afloat with ease.
Impressive.
I'd be worried if I were you.
How could Mille Neige afford to look after such a tiny model?
What? Are you really concerned for me?
No.
Maybe... Chiyuki working really hard in an industry unfit for her
reminds you of your past self?
She's not just unfit... She's done!
I chose to pursue my dream no matter what it took, and wasn't happy at the end.
After all, I had to find a place where I could thrive by my talent alone.
Just like you.
Huh...?
Do you still resent me for quitting Bon Rouge?
No... You made the right choice.
Huh?
Right now... Kokoro Hasegawa is faced with the same choice.
It's impossible for her to become a designer.
We can only do what we're able to do.
You better tell that tiny model to prepare for the worst, too.
To prepare for the worst, huh?
That's what I thought I did.
Igarashi. Let me correct you. Chiyuki isn't done.
Just wait... You'll see.
She'll show you.
Sometimes her aura can be surprisingly great.
I've made up my mind.
Wherever she chooses to go, I'll be with her.
What if the defeat shatters her in the end?
I'll comfort her... Forever and ever...
Hey Ikuto, which do you prefer? Making or designing clothes?
Huh? Why the sudden question?
I'm only asking because our conversation stopped. You're welcome.
Right... I'm sorry.
Jeez.
Miss Chiyuki?
Did something happen?
Oh.
You seem a little down today.
What? Do you think you're clever? Are you hitting on me right now?
Well, I'm going to Paris over summer break, so I might be a little nervous about it.
Um!
Ikuto.
You're starting a new job tomorrow too, right?
We're both putting ourselves out there. So let's do our best!
I have a feeling Paris wasn't the reason for her low spirits.
Hello there.
Huh? Miss Kokoro...?
Hello...?
Ah! I-I'm so sorry!
H-Hello!
Did they announce the task yet?
Oh. Yes. We're to make the clothes from the design we're given that day.
That's a patternmaker's job.
Yes. I'm cramming practice in right now.
Which do you prefer? Making or designing clothes?
I like doing both...
But...
I completed the task!
All right. Let Big One handle the final check.
You'll handle another task.
Yes!
Big One! Pay attention!
Oh... Y-Yes!
I wonder what kind of design will be assigned for the second round...
Pleats... Flares...
I can't stop thinking about it.
Hey! What's taking you so long?
Ah. I-I'm sorry. I'm done.
Leave, now.
What...?
What task did I assign you?
I told you to do a final check on the finished coat.
So why are there two marking pins left in the coat?
Even a child could handle this task. But you failed.
Please, Mr. Yanagida...
Shut it! Just hurry up and leave!
You're a nuisance!
I'm... really sorry...
Miss Kokoro...
No...
You can't leave... Miss Kokoro!
Mr... Ikuto...
I'm sorry... For messing up...
I'm sorry... I'm sorry...
It's okay... It's all okay.
Let's go apologize
to Mr. Yanagida.
No. I'm done with her.
You're so stubborn!
Why aren't you even willing to listen?
Shut it! You keep causing all the drama!
Well, I'm not going to back off. She's apologizing this much!
That's a cheap apology! Think you can get away with everything by bowing down like that?
No! If the boss demands us to quit,
there's no other way for us to prove our sincerity.
It'll never happen again... I swear. I'll never let that happen ever again...
Please let me work here!
Please...
Raise your head up. It's an eye sore.
If you're incompetent, just focus on two things.
Improving your skills and putting your all into the tasks you can handle.
And one more thing... Pass the second round no matter what.
Or else I'll be humiliated for hiring you.
Oh... Yes!
We're here.
We're in this building?!
Yup, my studio's in the basement level.
Come on in.
Wow... Amazing.
If you're going to be working here, I'll have to explain a couple things.
Do you remember what my goal was from before?
Oh... How you want to be approved by your grandmother to launch your own brand?
Everyone tells me senselessly...
The utmost success will be to succeed Mai Ayano's world famous brand.
Huh?
So why don't I want to succeed Aphro I Dite? It's rather simple.
Mai Ayano's designs aren't the designs I want to create.
That's all.
I'm also putting in my all into this year's Geika Festival.
It's the prime opportunity to get approval from my grandmother.
Opportunity?
The Geika Festival fashion show may double as a market at times.
Fifty-two inquiries.
She received 52 inquiries for her designs when she participated in the show as a student.
What...?
I'm going to surpass her.
That's how she'll approve of me.
This year is my last chance to break that 40-year-old record.
That's why I want to go at it with the best formation possible.
Did you know you can have a team for the finals?
Oh... Huh...?
That said, Ikuto...
Why don't you join my team?
As a patternmaker.
What?
Oh... Um...
Please... I'm only kidding.
What?
You're a kind guy, Ikuto. For really considering it.
Phew, what a relief.
I was thinking hard for a way to say no.
I was mistaken...
I thought as long as you could make clothes, maybe you wouldn't need to be a designer at all.
Th-That's not true at all.
I really do want to become a designer.
That's good to hear.
Well, I'm off to the second round right now.
That's all for today.
What?
You, too, Mr. Ayano?
Oh yeah, can I ask you something?
That girl... She wasn't going to participate in the festival initially, right?
"Geika Fashion School" That girl... She wasn't going to participate in the festival initially, right?
"Geika Fashion School" But now she's working hard every day to pass the preliminaries.
"Second Round"
She must have a reason for it.
If Kokoro gets to the finals,
will you be able to fight against her?
Miss Kokoro and I are rivals... While that's true...
Miss Kokoro!
Mr. Ikuto!
You finished the second round!
Um...
I passed it!
Ah!
I passed the second round!
I can't believe... I actually did it!
Congratulations!
I get to be in the finals...
I'm so glad I didn't give up and was able to challenge myself!
Thank you so much!
Yes... Miss Kokoro deserves it.
That's why I'll...
Everyone, congratulations on making the finals!
Now it's time to reveal the theme.
The theme for the finals is, once and for all, the Japanese letter, "wa."
"Wa" The theme for the finals is, once and for all, the Japanese letter, "wa."
"Wa" Anything associated with "wa" is fine by me!
Just promise me you'll make it your very own collection, okay?
"Wa"...
Excuse me, how should we arrange for runway models?
You may use models arranged by the school,
or you may arrange one yourself, if you wish.
Then... I can ask Miss Chiyuki!
Ikuto... Pick up...!
--Mother's...
--Her vitals are down. She's in a critical condition. --Mother's...
Prepare for an emergency operation.
Mother's...!
Next, "The Designer's Capacity."
"See you next time!!"