Smile Down the Runway (ランウェイで笑って)

"Smile Down the Runway"

Winter of my senior year in junior high...

...I stopped growing.

I found myself looking down at my legs more often.

Keep your head up.

Chiyuki.

What does a model need the most?

Height.

No.

I'm sorry!

I'm late...

Chiyuki, what's most important...

"Episode 7: Aura"

"Episode 7: Aura" ...is your aura.

So Chiyuki, keep your head up!

Put your soul into your eyes.

Nice to meet you. I'm Chiyuki Fujito of Mille Neige.

Oh...

Excuse me.

This short model will bring the quality down.

Please send her home.

What?

Who's responsible for calling in this model?

Excuse me, what is the arrangement for this shoot?

I brought my own heels, ranging from 12 to 15 cm.

As long as our feet aren't visible, it should be okay.

I did ask for any model who's available.

Will you please let us off the hook this time?

Oh...

This is the arrangement for today.

O-Oh...

"Everyone except Kokoro Hasegawa covers their face."

It really could've been anybody...

Then, I'll just have to put in my all however I can.

My face is hidden, but whatever's visible can still be stunning.

And...

Excuse me, do you know how you'll pose today?

Solidify the plan.

I'll be the best supporting model.

Excuse me.

Oh! W-Were... you talking to me?

O-Oh...

If you're unmotivated, just leave.

What...?

We're merely props for this girl with our faces covered?

You gotta be kidding me.

That's right...

She's not my only rival here...

Then... Do you know the two places where aura comes from?

The first is through your figure, posture, gestures, and height.

Ms. Hasegawa is not ready yet, but could we get everyone else to start rehearsal?

Where's... the second place?

How could the main model be absent for the rehearsal?

Doesn't she have any sense of responsibility?

The second... is here.

It flows out from your sense of confidence.

So Chiyuki...

You'll always run into frustrating and hard times when you challenge yourself.

Bullying and unfair behavior are to be expected.

Feeling relieved by putting down others,

justifying yourself through that toxic behavior won't foster confidence.

Aura won't come out from a model like that.

Ah...

Hey, actually. The tiny girl in the far right.

You're ruining the balance so could you step out?

What...?

Hmm... This is a problem.

Does anyone have black gloves?

Could it be retouched?

Well... There are too many deep ones, so I'll take two versions, just in case.

I have... the gloves.

What a relief! Ms. Hasegawa's left hand is covered with cuts.

Somewhere in my heart, I was still thinking...

...I could fight as long as I'm on the same stage.

Um... I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble...

Don't worry about it.

Being mindful of not getting cuts is the basic of basics.

Act like you're serious!

There are plenty of models who want to stand in your position.

Those who want to but can't... So...

Why... Why...?!

Chiyuki.

Putting others down won't foster confidence.

I'm Chiyuki Fujito of Mille Neige. I'd like to give you my card.

I'm capable and will put in my all for any kind of work. I'd appreciate your consideration.

Well, she's a tough one.

Okay... Time to leave.

Amazing models do exist...

Ms. Igarashi... Will you please stop doing this?

Don't worry about it. The talented will always win against those who aren't.

I don't like it.

I don't like causing others to suffer because of me.

Please!

Please let me quit modeling!

What?

You're telling me you can't handle the fact that others get dismissed because of you?

That's not... what I meant...

Are you saying it's my fault?

That you felt sorry for me?

You gotta be kidding me! You have no right to feel pity for me!

It's not my business to know how you feel about modeling.

But I'm serious about it!

But you...

You have no idea what it means to be prepared!

Oh... No...

I was able to hold it together earlier...

Um...

I'm not crying!

What...?

I'm not crying... I'm not crying!

Hasegawa, we're going back to the office.

Oh...

I'm serious about it!

Ms. Igarashi... Please let me quit modeling!

H-Hey! Are you serious? Were you even listening to me? The nerves you've got.

I'm serious about making clothes as a professional!

What...?

No.

Being in a place where your talents thrive is the key to happiness.

I'll tell you again. Your body is a treasure to the modeling world.

To spoil it in the fashion design industry...

I won't allow it.

Smile Down the Runway.

If you're not fit for it, you've got three choices.

Give up.

Go at it fair and square to face defeat.

Or cling to it and force your dream to come true doing whatever it takes.

That's how I got it.

I'm happy.

I get to walk for my dream brand, Lale Faun. Of course I'm happy.

Or so I thought.

So? How is that model of yours?

She begged me to let her quit again today.

I see.

What...? Shizuku...?

Hey, it's been a while.

But why... Ah!

Miwako!

Sorry, sorry. I thought it might be good for you guys

to talk since you're both managers who are former models.

Talk...? I have nothing to talk about with her.

Is that how you treat your former colleague? Oh, I'd like a Macallan on the rocks, please.

Sounds like you're managing a great model.

Kokoro Hasegawa... Was it?

Yeah. As long as she's there, we'll stay afloat with ease.

Impressive.

I'd be worried if I were you.

How could Mille Neige afford to look after such a tiny model?

What? Are you really concerned for me?

No.

Maybe... Chiyuki working really hard in an industry unfit for her

reminds you of your past self?

She's not just unfit... She's done!

I chose to pursue my dream no matter what it took, and wasn't happy at the end.

After all, I had to find a place where I could thrive by my talent alone.

Just like you.

Huh...?

Do you still resent me for quitting Bon Rouge?

No... You made the right choice.

Huh?

Right now... Kokoro Hasegawa is faced with the same choice.

It's impossible for her to become a designer.

We can only do what we're able to do.

You better tell that tiny model to prepare for the worst, too.

To prepare for the worst, huh?

That's what I thought I did.

Igarashi. Let me correct you. Chiyuki isn't done.

Just wait... You'll see.