Smile Down the Runway (ランウェイで笑って)

"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...