Smile Down the Runway (ランウェイで笑って)

Runway models.

They're the lucky individuals

who own the spotlight at fashion shows.

I'm Chiyuki Fujito.

This is my story.

The story of how I became a top model!

And...

What?

Another growth spurt, Chiyuki?

Yep, I'm 158 centimeters!

Wow!

That's pretty tall for a fourth grader!

How tall should I be in order to walk Paris Fashion Week?

Well, at least 175 centimeters.

Just 175, huh?

So if I'm 158 now...

No sweat! Just 17? I've got it!

Shizuku works at Mille Niege, my dad's agency.

She was the first of his models to walk Paris Fashion Week.

I'm completely obsessed

with this yearly celebration of fashion.

And to get there, you have to be a top model!

I wanna do Fashion Week, too!

Then you need to grow a little more, okay?

The president must be so proud.

How cool is it that his daughter

has what it takes to represent his brand?

She'll be 178 centimeters in no time flat!

It's all about height when you're a runway model.

-- -- Chiyuki!

Hey, Dad!

Hi there. I've got a little job for you.

Fashion Week?

Of course not.

Aww...

Okay, but it's gonna happen really soon though!

I know it!

Yeah. It will.

But believe it or not,

I never grew another centimeter after that.

Shizuku! Can't I still do Fashion Week?

Dad! I really want to go to Paris!

Chiyuki, listen to me.

You can't go to Paris-- not at your height.

And honestly, if you keep this up...

Who said it was impossible?!

...I'll fire you. That's a promise.

So two years ago,

I ended up getting fired by my own father.

Oh, come on, Chiyuki.

Have you forgotten what I told you at the last audition?

And the one before that? And even the one before that?

"Fashion Week, here we come!"

Ugh. No, I said, "Don't come back."

You've got a heck of a lot of nerve

showing up again like this.

Oh, yeah?

Well, you're only here because you want to

retire early with a halfway stable income.

What?!

You're so fired! Get out!

Hang on. Let's give her a chance.

Fine. Okay.

So what's with this look?

Well, it's the outfit you wore to Paris Fashion Week.

If I rock it, I pass, right?

The heels, seriously?

I'm sorry, but there's nothing more pathetic

than wearing heels in order to fake your height.

There are plenty of models out there

who don't have to cheat to look good.

Runway models aren't there to showcase themselves.

They showcase the clothes.

That's why you need the height. Those specific proportions.

We're not one of those big agencies that can pull strings.

I'm afraid there's no hope.

You'll never have the height you need.

It's... impossible.

Just give up.

Chiyuki.

Thought this might... help.

I compiled a bunch of audition paperwork

for several of the other agencies.

You've obviously got the looks.

There's no reason they wouldn't take--

Takahashi?

Thank you. But, hey, don't worry.

Please tell Shizuku that I'll be back.

My dream isn't simply to walk the runway

at Paris Fashion Week.

You know me. I won't give up.

If you haven't submitted

your post-graduation plans, give them to the teacher's assistant.

Please collect them all, Fujito.

Get them to me after class.

Will do!

Whoa!

Looks like you've got a glamorous future ahead!

I love it! Your father'll be proud!

Do you think you might even take over

as president some day?

Are you kidding? No, thank you very much!

Why not?

I mean, you're already a model, aren't you?

Yeah, you're right.

I'll be a hypermodel!

Wow!

Miss Fujito?

What is it?

I'm sorry, is this a bad time?

I didn't mean to interrupt.

It's just, the post-graduation plans that I submitted.

Oh. Who're you?

Chiyuki! Come on, this guy's in our class!

Sorry, but what was your name?

Hey.

Ikuto. Ikuto Tsumura.

Oh! The bean sprouts guy!

Bean sprouts?

Don't tell me you don't remember.

Everyone teased him for bringing bean sprouts

with rice for lunch on sports day.

How does everyone know about that?

Oh, are you poor?

Wow, Chiyuki, rude much?

So? What's up?

Right, about that.

I wanted to rewrite my plan, if that's okay.

I'll bring it right back!

Sure. That sounds fine.

Thank you so much. Sorry for the trouble.

Hey, could we stop by the library?

Sure thing!

-- One! One! One... -- Two! Two! Two...

He said he'd be right back!

Hey, about that Tsumura guy.

Tsumura? Who is that?

From this morning?

The guy with the unfortunate bob?

Oh, right.

Any clue where he could be?

Hmm. Let me think.

Oh!

This must be it.

Never knew we had a crafty-club.

Excuse me!

Miss Fujito?

Your plans?

Oh, right! I'm sorry!

He didn't even change anything.

So sorry! Please forgive me! I'm the worst.

Hey! That's Paris Fashion Week!

Why do you have this?

Why? Well, 'cause my advisor lent it to me.

And it's the one that featured Shizuku!

She's so beautiful.

Tsumura, what were you doing watching this?

Oh. I'm trying to recreate that same outfit.

Hmm.

Hm?

How so?

I'm working with what we have!

There's no money to buy fabric,

so I'm just recycling old clothes that were donated.

Hmm. This guy's pretty interesting.

Hey, so...

Yes?

Do you think that I could pull off this outfit?

What? I mean, you're a model, Miss Fujito.

You'll look good in anything.

I know, right?

So vain!

Do you have anything better for me?

For you?

Let's see. Possibly.

I'll go check in the closet.

Whoa. Did you really make all this stuff?

Yeah, I did, since I am the only club member.

Miss Fujito, what do you think of this one?

Are you actually trying to piss me off?

I'm gonna need you to explain

what the heck made you choose this one!

Oh, I mean no offense!

I guess it's due to the fact that

you always seem to speak your mind,

and in a lot of ways, you're way more manly than I--

Well? Finish that thought.

But let's see.

Hmm?

For you, it's important to find the right balance.

The balance between femininity and strength.

So maybe if we cut the sleeves, then lengthen it.

Seriously? Did he really call me manly?

But look at this.

You can tell he took it apart

and sewed it back together more than once.

He didn't let a lack of fabric keep him from trying.

Making clothes must be his passion.

You should do this.

Huh?