Smile Down the Runway (ランウェイで笑って)

You want to start your own brand?

Then prove yourself to me.

Fifty-two inquiries.

When I participated in the Geika Festival,

while a student,

I received 52 inquiries from buyers.

That record has stood for the past 40 years.

If that's what Grandmother really thinks...

If you can break that record,

do what you want.

"Smile Down the Runway"

"Episode 12: This Is My Story"

Is it just me or do those clothes look strange?

So cool!

Ah... What? How so?

Ichika, do you think it's cool?

It looks powerful!

It's like a robot!

I definitely didn't see it like that.

Yeah... I don't get it at all.

Oh?

There seems to be more people now.

Perhaps... it's because Toh Ayano's up next.

I see...

What? Who are you?

Hi there!

It's a pleasure to meet you.

"Satomi Ichihara"

Miss Satomi Ichihara...

Wait, what? You're a b-buyer...?!

Oh, it's just a privately run select shop.

Wow...

At least half of the people who just arrived are most likely buyers.

There's a lot of hype around Mr. Toh Ayano, you know?

These people... They're all...

Huh?

Oh, but anyway! Mr. Tsumura. Would you like to sell me a few of your designs?

What?

Your show really caught my attention.

Let's settle the details another day.

Do you have a card on you?

Oh, no, I don't!

You should have some ready!

You never know when these things happen.

All right then.

-Don't forget to contact me!

--Please wait... Oh... --Don't forget to contact me!

Did I just...

...sell some of my clothes...?

We are mere slaves to designs.

We use our eyes to see the colors, our skin to feel the quality...

Our memory to store techniques, to give it our heart.

The very clothes we produce by dedicating our body and soul, are us.

Everyone, open your eyes.

Now, let's go.

Wow!

What?

A plain T-shirt?

A T-shirt with the logo of the brand.

A huge money-maker if it's a hit among young people.

It's geared towards the buyers.

The theme is harmony.

The same as mine.

But he started off featuring a universal style.

A hit or a miss, it all depends on the designs that follow.

It's an unbelievably risky arrangement.

But the expectation we have for Toh Ayano

only intensifies the anticipation for the next outfit.

--Ah! Two designs at once! --Wow...!

An everyday design juxtaposed with an eccentric design!

Harmony between the ordinary and unordinary!

So this is Toh's theme.

Wow...

A brilliant haute couture line that showcases his abilities,

and a ready-to-wear line that lends itself to everyday wear and mass production.

There's harmony between them.

He'd be an instant asset, I gotta say.

Three years ago, I received eight. Two years ago, I received 22.

Last year I received 31. I wasn't even close.

I wasn't even close... Not at all...

It's been an unattainable goal.

And this year is my final chance.

Wow...

Superior design skills...

Wow...

He's got tremendous technique...

Wow...!

The results will be in momentarily.

-Participants, please gather in the back.

--Oh, I have to go. --Participants, please gather in the back.

Ikuto.

Huh?

Ikuto...

You did an amazing job.

Yes.

Thank you.

How adorable! This year's Geika Festival was just adorable!

There were so many clothes I wanted to wear!

Yeah, that was impressive. Who are you voting for?

That's a secret.

Hey, maybe I should give him my card.

"Say, want to come work for us?"

Are you serious?

I'm only kidding.

No way. Ms. Mai is scary.

So, what should I do?

I'm going to pass.

What? That tiny model was the same one from the Hazime Yanagida show?

Yes, that's her.

She may be a short person,

but as a model, she has so much presence.

Don't you think she has a powerful aura?

Hey, you're hyping her up quite a bit.

MODE JAPAN is strict about their models, but...

Huh?

Are you going to Paris if you get first place?

Do you think I even have a chance? Did you see Mr. Ayano's show...?

There's no way...

What? Then are you giving up becoming a designer?

That's why I'm concerned!

Oh... I hope Ms. Igarashi will forgive me...

Huh? Are you serious?

You looking down at me like that is really pissing me off right now. Crouch down, darn it!

Listen to me!

Don't move!

--Hey. --Ah...

What...?

Um... Thank you so much for coming to see my show!

You're also wearing my suit...

There's nothing to talk about now. Come to me when you get your results.

Oh? Hey, high schooler!

Oh... Mr. Ryunosuke.

Hey, so what are you planning to do after high school?

What?

I don't know about your financial situation,

but I'm sure you'd be able to get a scholarship, easy.

Come to Geika, so I can crush you.

Since when were you guys friends?

Oh...

Miss Kizaki.

Hey, what did you think of my designs?

What? Oh, um...

They were really wonderful.

Okay.

Thanks.

What? You're friends with him, too?

Shut up.

We will now announce the results.

Participants, please gather at the staging area.

Let's go.

Yes!

How did you do?

Toh, did you get 53 inquiries?

I don't know, I haven't counted yet. Do you want to count?

How silly. Limiting yourself like this.

You should live more freely.

It's time to announce the results!

Huh?

Hey... Is this mic okay...?

It's time to announce the results!

Thanks to everyone, this year's Geika Festival was a success!

Those who ranked #1-10 will be called up to the runway.

Those who ranked #11 and below will stay here.

Those who are called, proceed to the stage with your model to receive your critique and trophy.

I'd like to take this moment to say this...

The ranking does not reflect the quality of the clothes.

But since this is a contest,

we judged them by originality, construction, and presentation.

And this is only an evaluation from an artistic perspective we've been cultivating.

It's not meant to reject what you thought as wonderful and amazing.

Please enjoy what you felt was #1, what you felt was fashionable.

Now, let's move forward with the ceremony.

There's someone I want to beat.

There's someone I don't want to lose to.

There's someone I want approval from.

Our first-place winner is...!

Our first-place winner is...!

Kokoro Hasegawa!

Ah!

All right!

Take that!