"Smile Down the Runway"
"Operation in progress"
"Episode 8: The Designer's Capacity" No... Please... Mother...
It's okay.
It's going to be okay.
You're unbelievable! What took you so long?!
This is terrible...
I found this on her wrinkled bed.
I was alone when I found it.
"Dear Ikuto, Honoka, Aoi and Ichika" I was alone when I found it.
What was I supposed to do?!
Honoka.
She kept it from us in order to protect us.
I can't bear this! I can't believe she would do such thing!
Are you okay?
Yup.
Did you talk to Ichika and Aoi?
Not yet.
Then, could you tell Aoi secretly?
Don't let Ichika find out.
I'm sure they're worried sick. Could you let them know everything's all right?
Okay.
She wasn't doing well at all...
Mommy, what are you doing?
I'm using your old clothes to make Honoka's skirt.
I want to do it, too!
Not yet. It's still too dangerous for you.
She was repeatedly hospitalized...
You've already surpassed Mommy with your skills, Ikuto.
Wh-What?
Honoka won't even bother with me.
Why did I believe her when she said she was okay?
Don't worry. Mommy's with you.
Mommy's here for all of you.
I'm trying not to dwell on the past.
But I kept getting hospitalized.
I thought it would only be one time. But I kept relapsing...
I started losing hope.
I'm so sorry. The savings your father left for you...
I ended up using it all.
But that's not going to stop me from being positive.
Sure, I didn't have the luck or the energy...
But Honoka got into her dream school, Aoi has her volleyball, and Ichika loves pre-school...
It's truly amazing.
But let me tell you, Ikuto.
I don't even want to think about if you hadn't been there.
Mother... I want to be a fashion designer.
Ah...
I know... I know, Ikuto.
Ikuto... Thank you for all that you have endured.
I'm sorry.
If there is still more for you to endure...
No matter how positive I've been, I would regret that.
I have every intention to recover... But... Just in case...
If something happens to me, there will be some money for you.
Use half of the money for yourself, Ikuto.
Use it for yourself, okay?
Why... Why would you think you'd disappear like this?
"Paris/Moscow"
No response from Ikuto, after all...
He must be really busy.
I better do my best, too.
"Hayasaka General Hospital"
The operation was successful. Her post-operative progress is satisfactory as well.
However...
She is susceptible to relapse if she pushes herself too much.
We advised her to have the operation much earlier.
But she was adamant about waiting another two months.
Two months...?
So when is that Geika Festival happening?
In two months!
How exciting.
It was my fault...
If her recovery goes well, she can be released in a month.
Thank you very much.
And... We've been consulting with your mother for a few months regarding the bill.
Oh.
The entire balance for her treatment is due upon her release.
I see... Mother... You had nothing left in your savings...
460,000 yen by next month...?
I'm way behind.
Oh?
"Inbox" "Miss Chiyuki"
"I'm off to Paris!"
It's okay.
I'll take care of it.
Oh...
Then, here's your next task.
Oh! Right away!
Ah, it must be him.
Mr. Ayano. I'm sorry for barging in like this.
Um...
Oh. Sorry, you two. Could you give us a minute?
We need to stop everything for him?
Please, Kanami.
O-Oh...
I'm sorry...
So? What's going on?
O-Oh... Um... Well, I...
If you don't have anything to say, could you go back to helping Yusuke and them like usual?
Things are really busy at the moment.
Please let me quit.
Why?
Oh... Well...
Ikuto.
I don't know why you're hesitant to tell me. But I'm your employer.
I have the right to ask, at least.
Actually...
I see. Your mother...
You want to quit to take up multiple part-time jobs because you need the money.
Yes.
Well if that's the case, I didn't need to be so worried.
I can definitely help you out with that.
Ikuto.
Welcome to my team.
What...?
Not as a part-timer, but as an official team member who works for my brand
which will be number one at the Geika Festival.
What? Hold on a minute.
Mr. Ayano, were you even listening to me?
Yeah, I heard you.
You're thinking, "How could I work here when I decided to quit Hajime's," right?
But why?
It's not worth worrying about that kind of thing.
I'm only seeing your potential as a patternmaker.
With you on board, Ikuto, this year's Geika Festival--
Please, I really don't understand.
I'm entering the finals myself. If I join your team, Mr. Ayano...
Huh? What are you saying?
What?
You're going to fill up your days working at part-time jobs, right?
Consider your time... the materials... When will you have time to make anything?
You have to be realistic.
Um...
Don't think you know better than someone who
devotes their mind and body 24 hours a day to their craft.
I can't just give up like this.
"Use it for yourself." I can't just give up like this.
I'll sacrifice sleep and take apart old clothes to prepare something for the finals.
Ikuto.
For you to think you have that kind of talent?
It's laughable.
Since we're on this, let me set you straight with the truth.
Ikuto, your talent as a designer
is average or even below average.
You don't have the capacity to make a living as a designer.
Take this chance to give up and aim to be a patternmaker.
Or...
"Post-Graduation Plans Ikuto Tsumura First Choice: Find employment." Continue living in extreme poverty
by sacrificing even more things to cling onto the designer path.
Is that the life you desire?
Ikuto, I mean well.
Just join my team.
Then, I'll cover your mother's medical expenses.
I promise.
Okay?
What does he know? What does he know? What does he know?
I'm so frustrated!
For me, it doesn't matter if I have the talent or not...
I just want to do the things I enjoy!
I don't have money...
What do you expect from a high schooler?!
I didn't choose to be born poor.
I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth like you, Mr. Ayano!
You have no right to tell me anything!
Just as I thought. I knew I'd run into you if I waited around the school.
Huh?
You're...
What do you want?
I know you're struggling with money.
Let's make a deal.
Smile Down the Runway.
"Geika Fashion School"
I don't understand what you're saying.
You know exactly what I'm saying.
I conducted an investigation since Hasegawa's been acting strange lately.
And it all leads to you.
What...? An investigation...?
From your mother's condition to your family situation...
I even know how much influence you have on Hasegawa.
You need the money, right?
In exchange for this money, convince Hasegawa to give up on becoming a designer.
Ugh!
Why...?
Why does everyone...
...try to take advantage of what's most valuable to me in such selfish ways?
Don't sweat it. You need it, right?
I'm in a position where I'm responsible for Hasegawa's future.
I don't irresponsibly encourage her to gamble with her life like you do.
Irresponsibly...?!
You're only saying that because you don't know how hard Miss Kokoro's working!
If hard work...
If this is a world where hard work pays off... Why isn't the tiny model a star yet?
Hasegawa will listen to you.
I'm coming to you with complete faith.
With this money...
...you can cover your mother's medical expenses and still have enough for the festival.
And this isn't a bad thing for Hasegawa, either.
I can't do that!
Ikuto Tsumura.
Just tell her this and everyone's happy.
"Will you appear in my show as a model?"
Contact me anytime.
"Bon Rouge Manager Yu Igarashi"
I'm looking forward to seeing you and Hasegawa's show.
Mr. Ikuto's quilting...?
Ugh...
I-I'm so sorry!
Bob's quitting.
H-He's quitting?
What is he quitting?
Here.
Here...? You must be kidding...
You are... aren't you?
But why?
Not my business.
Oh, no... I need to call him...
But how could I be of help?
He's the one who always helps me...
For someone as strong as him to quit...
...it must be something serious.
But...
May I please call him right now?
I don't care if you do, but you're on the clock. Keep quiet.
Ah...
Mr. Ikuto...
And... will you give me Mr. Ayano's number?
He might know something.
Hey, Big One. Are you deaf?
I'll keep quiet!
I'll keep quiet, so...
Please don't let him quit!
There must be...
There must be a reason for it...!
Please!
Oh...
Mr. Ikuto... Where are you...?
Mr. Ikuto...
I was only given two months.
I took up as many jobs as possible.
Even Honoka got a job.
Aoi's helping out with the chores.
We're all working hard for our living expenses and little savings.
Only three weeks until the Geika Festival...
I can't think of a design...
For you to think you have that kind of talent? It's laughable.
Ikuto, the bath's all yours.
Okay.
Oh...
Cheer up a bit, will you? You're already under so much pressure. Don't make it any worse.
Take a bath to refresh yourself.
Leave me alone!
I'm exhausted. I need my quiet.
Sorry to bother you.
Ikuto, go take a bath.
I'm the worst...!
I'm sorry.
They wouldn't even let me walk two steps...
"Inbox" "Miss Kokoro"
No... I can't get Miss Kokoro involved in this. I can't respond to her now.
Hey... I should be happy earning money making clothes.
There's nothing wrong with becoming a patternmaker.
All right. I should go apologize to Mr. Ayano and thank him.
Huh?
Hello, do you have an appointment?
U-Um... I was called in by President Fujito.
Sorry for calling you in so abruptly.
P-Please... It's been a while...
Don't be so rigid. Just relax. Here, have a seat.
May I ask... why you called me in today?
Actually, Chiyuki's returning from Paris today.
Huh? Oh...
Oh...
Not one place gave her a chance, and she ran out of funds.
Chiyuki talks about you a lot, Tsumura.
You'll be able to cheer her up.
I'd be grateful if you could talk to her.
Ah...
I'm not sure if I'm in the right mindset for that...
Ah... Why don't we relocate?
President Fujito. There's something I need to apologize to you about.
Is it about you quitting Yanagida's?
Ah... I'm sorry...
It was you who introduced me to him...
Well, there was always a high turnover at Yanagida's.
Ah.
It's not like that.
Mr. Yanagida didn't do anything wrong.
It's because I...
I don't have anything...
I have to apologize to you, too, Tsumura.
I had you wait for so long.
Huh...?
What? That's...
Tsumura. I don't know all the details, but I heard you were struggling financially.
According to Yanagida.
But how did Mr. Yanagida know...?
I have a message for you from him.
--Hello Mr. Ayano. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm calling about Mr. Ikuto.
--"Thank Hasegawa." --Hello Mr. Ayano. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm calling about Mr. Ikuto.
Why...?
Tsumura...
Do you remember when we first met?
Yes...
Will you let me fulfill that promise we made?
What...?
I'd like to buy the design for the outfit you made for Chiyuki.
I've got two million yen for you.
That's too much... I can't accept it.
Top designers get tens and hundreds of millions for their designs.
I'd say this is a fair assessment.
President... Fujito...
Do you think...
...I could become... a fashion designer...?
In my opinion, I'd be surprised if you didn't.
Tsumura... Could I rely on you to talk to Chiyuki?
Miss Chiyuki!
Um!
Would you like to be in my show?
Jeez... I guess if you're going to twist my arm.
Next, "Rivals."
"See you next time!!"