In an audition, they have you walk for ten meters in front of the designer.
I auditioned dozens of places,
but they wouldn't even let me walk two steps...
"If you're a model, an elementary schooler would be a top model in France."
There's no demand for the model Chiyuki Fujito.
You're ruining the balance so could you step out?
The crew of a shoot...
--With that height, you can't go to Paris.
--Even my dad... --With that height, you can't go to Paris.
--Chiyuki, it's impossible.
--Even the person I look up to, they all gave up on me... --Chiyuki, it's impossible.
So then, why...?
Why do you always...
Miss Chiyuki!
...appear when I need you...?
Would you like to be in my show?
Jeez...
I guess if you're going to twist my arm.
Your words always save me.
Miss Chiyuki?
Seriously, what is with you?
You throw me off.
Ah...
I went to Paris knowing it was a long shot...
So I shouldn't be so upset.
But I had this encounter with an amazing model a while ago...
She models unwillingly, but her aura was so powerful.
I felt jealous.
I've been dragging it ever since...
Oh...
What?
It's just... You never complain, Miss Chiyuki.
Huh?
I'm not telling you anything anymore.
Huh? Oh... I didn't mean anything weird.
It just adds to your charm.
But why?!
"Smile Down the Runway"
"Dressmaking Room"
"1) Complete design 2) Establish production schedule 3) Create a pattern 4) Create a sample"
"2) Establish production schedule 3) Create a pattern 4) Create a sample" This is the timeline leading up to the show.
"Episode 9: Rivals" "Wind" is the theme for my show.
How does that relate to "wa"?
"Wa" "Ring" "Spiral" "Typhoon" "Wind" It's purely from abstract ideas... But as long as it associates somehow, it's allowed.
"Wa" "Ring" "Spiral" "Typhoon" "Wind" I see.
You're going to make a total of ten outfits...
Hey, Ikuto. Since this is a show, I wouldn't be the only model, right?
Huh?
What are you going to do about the other models?
I was inspired by you to come up with "wind" as the theme, Miss Chiyuki.
Huh...?
For typhoons, the smaller the atmospheric pressure in the center,
the stronger the wind blows.
Smaller...?
Are you referring to my height?!
Please...
You push on like a typhoon, despite what others think.
You encourage others like a wind at their back, and comfort them like a warm breeze.
Right? Doesn't it sound just like you?
You're the star of my show, Miss Chiyuki.
I'd like to hear your opinion on it, too.
Gather only the top-notch models...
...so I can outshine them.
Yes!
I'm stepping out.
Oh?
You're free to go after you're done with that.
Oh... Thank you very much.
So... Whatever happened with Mr. Yanagida?
Oh...
Well... I haven't been able to contact him...
What? Things are that bad between you guys?
I thought things were okay thanks to my colleague, but...
Tell me more about your colleague.
I'm curious since you mention them sometimes.
Oh...
She loves to make clothes, but people are really against it.
But she's worked really hard.
She's improved so much, she even made it to the finals.
She achieved results by working hard.
It's amazing, isn't it? She's probably hard at work right now.
She knows she won't be recognized unless she puts her all into it.
Ah...
Hey, Ikuto... So I...
More than anything, I want to prove people wrong.
People like my dad, and a lady named Shizuku...
Ikuto, is there anyone like that for you?
Now that you mention it...
Then, let's show them!
Together!
Oh... Ah...
Yes!
Ah... How did we end up here?
It's best not to let quarrels drag on.
Ikuto! Stand on this side.
P-Please don't make me...
Come on, look sharp!
I'm not mentally prepared yet!
Huh? Ah...
Mr. Ikuto... And...
Miss Kokoro! I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. And...
Ah!
This is Miss Chiyuki Fujito. She'll be modeling for my show.
Ikuto.
It's her.
The amazing model I told you about before...
What?
Sorry for barging in like this. Is Mr. Yanagida here?
Ah... H-He's actually gone right now.
I'm headed to a shoot right now, too...
I see. Then, you have to go.
Let's come again, Ikuto.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Ikuto.
Huh?
I'm happy that you came by. I'll give you a call later.
She loves to make clothes, but people are really against it.
But she's worked really hard.
I'm serious about making clothes as a professional!
Miss Chiyuki...?
Sorry, Ikuto. I'm going after her.
M-Miss Chiyuki?!
Oh...
I'm so frustrated...
If you're serious...
If you're serious, resist now!
Get in.
Hey!
Ah.
May I go talk to her for a moment?
I absolutely won't let you get mixed up in this.
Your dressmaking skills will never surpass your talent as a model.
How about this?
Why don't you give her one shot as a designer?
Shut it, low-level model.
What you're saying is not even worth considering.
Ikuto Tsumura, you decided to play designer with that?
Seems like you're no longer in need of money.
What?
What? I only suggested that he ask Hasegawa to model for his show.
--What? --What?
How could you?!
The offer still stands.
Use Hasegawa as your model.
That shorty will only burden you.
You might as well put your all into it. You risked your mother's health for this show.
Now I'm mad.
If you think talent is everything...
Then, what if she has talent as a designer?
You won't have a problem if she quits modeling, right?
If she uses a burden like me as a model and achieves results,
she'd be a genius, right?
Ikuto.
Got it?
--Absolutely! Let's show them!
--But... I just know my manager won't approve of me. --Absolutely! Let's show them!
--But... I just know my manager won't approve of me. --I get to be in the finals...
--But... I just know my manager won't approve of me. --I'm so glad I didn't give up
and was able to challenge myself!
Together!
More than anything, I want to prove people wrong.
Yes.
I'm the model for Kokoro Hasegawa's show.
Ah...
Thanks, Ikuto.
We're now...
...officially rivals.
Miss Hasegawa, prepare for the worst.
What?
Mr. Ikuto... Um...
So... If I succeed, will you recognize me?
You expect me to participate in this reckless gamble?
If you don't achieve results, you'll quit school and focus on modeling.
Is that right, Hasegawa?
Ah...
I'll only approve if Kokoro Hasegawa wins the finals.
Get to the top, even if that means defeating your friend.
Show me your resolve.
Yes... I will.
What should I do...?
I was planning for Miss Chiyuki so now I've got nothing...
Oh...
Ikuto, you better not be thinking of losing on purpose.
I want a real fight with you.
You're my number one rival, Ikuto.
So don't hold back.
Yes.
I'm not holding back.
I always wanted Miss Kokoro...
Mr. Ikuto! I...
...and Miss Chiyuki...
...to get the rewards they deserve.
Smile Down the Runway.
Those pants have many parts to be sewn. Don't let them fray.
Yes!
Put the padding on the shoulder to emphasize the waist!
--Yes! --His demands are impossible.
If he knows how to make it, he should tell us in the first place.
That's our duty as patternmakers.
Ah.
Plus, don't you guys feel it? How your skills are elevated?
Ah!
If you understand, get your hands moving!
One more... I need to design one more winning outfit.
Toh.
Let's go home.
Grandmother.
I'd like to work a little longer.
You can go home without me.
There's no need to be so flustered.
There's no need to kill yourself trying to surpass my record.
If you want to become independent, you can do that whenever you want.
Thank you, Grandmother.
But that's not what I want.
No matter where I go, I'll always be the world's top designer's grandchild.
I can't go out in the world with mediocre skills and disrespect your name.
I would never forgive myself.
You still call me "the world's top designer."
That you are.
And I want to surpass you.
"Hayasaka General Hospital"
What are you writing?
Oh...? A will.
That's not funny at all, Mother!
I have it prepared so I won't have any regrets.
Enough!
Well, the operation went well and I'm recovering just fine.
I'll be 100% cured! I'll never have to be hospitalized again.
I can tell, as always...
Ikuto, did something happen?
Oh...
Nope... Nothing at all.
When Mr. Ayano told me I have no talent...
...I felt broken.
When I was asked to sell my design...
...I wanted, more than ever, to become a designer.
I felt excited when I was asked if there was anyone I wanted to prove wrong.
But my goal is not worth ruining Miss Kokoro's future.
Hey Ikuto, will you read that will?
Right now, I'm just so happy that I get to even be part of the show.
It lists everything I want to do before I die.
Ah!
You were only six years old when you started to sew.
You designed the café's apron at seven.
You also said you wanted to become a designer at seven.
You stopped saying that at 15.
And you started to say you wanted to become a designer again...
...this year.
Hey, Ikuto.
"Go see Ikuto's fashion show."
Your family's going to come support you.
You can do it... Ikuto!
The Geika Festival... Will you be fully recovered by then?
Don't underestimate me. I'll skip my way over there.
Ah...
I can't lose.
I need to give it my all.
All right.
First, I need to come up with a new theme.
I can't think of any designs with the Miss Chiyuki-inspired "wind" theme.
It needs to be associated with the Japanese letter "wa."
The equal sign is called "wa"!
Those look like pants!
I got it!
The theme is harmony, "chowa," and I'll feature pants that harmonize men's and women's styles.
Am I able to treat Miss Chiyuki and Miss Kokoro as rivals...?
All right. It's done.
It's done, but...
I'm pretty sure I need to...
Whoa! It's already time to go to Geika. I need to submit my model request form.
I feel... uneasy.
I saw a glimpse of his face earlier...
What if I run into him...?
I knew it!
Oh, no... But he did help me out... So I should thank him at least...
Um... M-Mr. Ayano!
M-Mr. Ayano!
Hey, Ikuto. Sorry, I didn't notice you.
What's the matter?
Oh... Um. Something seems different about you.
Is it because I'm not a patternmaker anymore?
Well... Who knows?
I think I know why I keep seeing his face recently...
I fully intend to prove you wrong, Mr. Ayano.
Okay.
Good luck, then.
Toh Ayano, wait up!
Not you again...
I'm swallowing my pride and begging you.
Let me be in your team!
Like I told you before, I don't need you.
But why? I'm a lot more skilled than most...
Could you keep it down?
I'm on edge right now.
Hey... What are you looking at?
Ah.
Ah... Well... Um...
Would you like to join my team?
You mocking me?!
Who would ever join your team?!
You don't have to be that harsh.
I only work under those who are more advanced, and annoying, than me.
Ah...
I absorb their technique, aesthetics... Everything about them.
Then... I crush them!
You never defeated me.
Now leave before I get really mad.
Please... Will you please help me out?
A-Ah...
What? Why are you so desperate?
There's someone I want to crush.
I fully intend to prove you wrong, Mr. Ayano.
Please.
Well, it's not a bad idea to use you as a punching bag to relieve my stress.
You're about to be schooled. You better not complain.
Ah...
Yes!
I focused my designs around pants.
That's why I wanted your help-- since you major in men's clothing.
Pants, sure. There are many types out there.
But they all originate...
...from slacks.
Suit pants with a pleat down the middle.
His drawing is amazing.
You can assume all modern men's fashion originates from the suit.
Will you teach me how to make slacks?
Women's designs incorporate curves, while men's designs incorporate straight lines.
It's a totally different approach.
Oh, man... I want to redo all my designs.
Mr. Ryunosuke, you won't be joining my team, right?
Oh...
Then...
Since I'm on my own, I don't even need to draw a design!
Thanks to you, Mr. Ryunosuke,
it's going to be fun finding "harmony" between men's and women's clothing.
Harmony?
Yes, that's my theme.
That's... The same as Toh Ayano's.
What?
What are you going to do?
Oh...
I won't change it. It's a head-on fight!
And now, it's the end of summer.
"Rehearsal" "Geika Festival"
Tomorrow's the Geika Festival.
Tonight...
...I can't sleep!
I think this will look cuter if I layer the fabric here.
I'm low on the red rayon fabric.
Should I go buy more?
Yes please!
I want elegant volume in the shoulders.
We can't take off the #120 thread and satin so make it work with just a pattern.
Bring outfits #6, #7, and #9 to me, then go help with the others!
This feeling of being pressed with a deadline... It's so familiar.
I was able to arrange for the lighting, sound, and fitters.
All of this...
It's everything Mr. Yanagida taught me.
All right!
I made it!
Next, "Must Not Lose."
"See you next time!!"