Smile Down the Runway (ランウェイで笑って)

"Trains are currently delayed due to an accident at Ogikubo Station."

"Trains are currently delayed due to an accident at Ogikubo Station." I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to drag you into this.

Don't worry about it.

I'll wait with you until the trains resume service.

Thank you very much.

Oh... Hello?

Sorry, the trains are delayed.

But I'll be home soon.

Yup... I'm fine. Thanks.

My little sister was worried about me.

You have a younger sister?

Yes. I have three siblings.

What? I have three siblings, too!

Wow... I've never met anyone else with three siblings before!

I feel very relieved now.

I just started school and I still have a lot to learn.

I was worried about interning for Mr. Yanagida.

I'm not confident about my skills and experience with people.

But now I have one less thing to worry about!

Miss Kokoro, are you aiming to become both a model and a designer?

Huh?

Shoot, what am I saying?

That must be a very sensitive topic for her...

My dream... was to become a model...

But... I got really nervous at my first fashion show.

Then, the brand's designer walked up to me...

Move your legs and walk normally as if you were walking around town.

Let my clothes lead you down the runway.

Yes...

Her words were so inspiring...

She influenced me to dream about becoming a designer.

That's why I enrolled at Geika.

That's amazing. That designer seems great, too.

May I ask who it was?

Oh. She's actually quite famous.

She was at the exhibition, too. Her name is Mai Ayano.

Wait... The top designer...?!

Miss Kokoro's first fashion show

was for the top designer of Japan?!

She's my inspiration.

Miss Kokoro... She must be a truly talented model.

"Smile Down the Runway"

"Geika Fashion School"

"Geika Fashion School" "Episode 5: Individual Styles"

"Episode 5: Individual Styles" Welcome to the Geika Festival information session.

Welcome to the Geika Festival information session.

Let's get right into it, shall we?

I'd like to start by announcing this year's grand prize.

The winner will receive support to launch their own brand

and the opportunity to study abroad in Paris!

Wow.

That pretty much covers everything.

The preliminaries will start next week.

That's all for today!

Paris... If I win... Even I could...

Oh, Ikuto!

Huh?

So, tell me about your helper, Kokoro.

What do you mean?

She's not the strongest player, is she?

What?

But let me tell you. That girl's got potential.

She masters everything she learns by the next day.

I see...

Take care of Kokoro for me, okay?

Just come with me.

-You're done playing school.

--I'm sorry... I'm sorry...! --You're done playing school.

Huh?

Quit acting like a brat!

Miss Kokoro?!

I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

-Don't think you can just apologize.

--What are you doing?! --Don't think you can just apologize.

--What are you doing?! --Huh?

Who the heck are you?

That's what I want to know. Who are you?!

That one...

I manage that model right there.

The manager...?!

Like I said, Hasegawa.

This month... You have until this month to quit this school.

--What?! --What?!

You can't make her quit!

This is none of your business, kid.

That one... She's the hope of our agency.

She's 181 cm tall and her inside leg measures 93 cm.

She's our agency's treasured model.

We can't afford to let her escape into a fantasy.

It's impossible.

You'll never be a designer.

You're just pretending that you want to be a designer

because you don't want to model anymore.

It's disrespectful to those who are actually pursuing to become designers.

I'm... serious...

What...? If you have something to say, tell me now.

I'm... sorry...

Miss Kokoro...

Huh?

Huh? What's this...?!

Oh... Huh?

Is that it...?

I'm sorry you had to come all this way.

Oh, it's no big deal.

Did you happen to read what I wrote inside?

Oh! I'm sorry... I...

Um...

When I first started at the model agency...

...I was scared of the other models.

"When I look at you, all my efforts seem pointless."

"Be happy you don't have to work hard."

They said those things to me at my first show.

I dreaded changing in front of everyone.

My mind would draw a blank when I sensed everyone's eyes on me.

I was scared.

That's why...

I couldn't deny it.

You'll never be a designer.

You're just pretending that you want to be a designer.

It's disrespectful to those who are actually pursuing to become designers.

Oh... Huh?

What my manager said was right.

If I liked being a model, maybe I wouldn't want to be a designer.

I'm sorry.

Miss Kokoro.

Oh... Huh?

Ah!

But let me tell you. That girl's got potential.

She masters everything she learns by the next day.

Learn how to handle the Georgette.

A busy month ahead. Set aside time to make clothes.

-Get used to draping!

--I don't understand the pattern of the dress I wore at today's shoot! I need to study more. --Get used to draping!

--I take too much time ironing pleats. --My stitches aren't stable on soft fabrics.

--Study up on page 104 in the "Fashion Design" textbook. --The collar needs to open more beautifully or else the outfit doesn't work.

--How can I make the drape look more beautiful? --Don't be intimidated by Mr. Ayano.

"I want to be a designer."

"I want to be a designer." I want to be a designer.

Disrespectful...? Not at all.

Mr. Ikuto...?

Miss Kokoro!

Huh?

Let's participate in the Geika Festival's fashion show!

What...?

We'll show your manager how talented you are and that you're serious about it!

I'm sorry... I have a hard time following--

Aren't you frustrated?!

Being treated like that?!

Um... I can't find the words right now...

If you want to do something, you should!

If you want to be recognized, you have to take that first step yourself.

That's right. I learned that from someone I respect.

Am I capable... of it...?

Absolutely! Let's show them!

Oh...!

I'll do it.

I'll participate in the Geika Festival, too!

"Hayasaka General Hospital"

"Hayasaka General Hospital" Wow, you're going to be in a show, Ikuto?

I'm impressed!

I'll be rooting for you.

Thanks.

Huh?

Your face... You look tired.

Maybe you're working too hard.

I wouldn't say that.

Is it tough?

Not at all.

Are you having fun?

Yup.

It's really fun.

That's my boy!

Now off you go. You don't want to be late.

You're right. I have to go now.

All right. You can do this!

I'll see you later!

Ms. Tsumura, it's time for your screening.

"Geika Fashion School"

Today's the day. It's the Geika Festival preliminaries.

Miss Kokoro, where's your test room?

I'm in Practice Room B.

I'm in Room E. We'll be in separate rooms.

Let's promise to do our best today!

Yes!

Oh?

Don't get too carried away now.

It's the fitter from Tokyo Fashion Week...

Oh... It's you again.

Kaoru, do you know him?

No... Not really.

But...

He gets on my nerves.

I'll take him down a peg or two.

What? Thought you weren't that invested in the preliminaries.

She glared at me.

But actually...

There's so much tension in this room.

Huh?