Ride Back (RIDEBACK -ライドバック-)

Next movement.

That girl...

She's Yuki Ogata's daughter.

Ah, that's her.

She's going to win awards.

And this is her first lead?

Rin!

The world changes...

just like scenes on a stage.

In the year 2025, the entire world came under the rule

of a resistance group called the GGP or,

the Global Government Plan.

They opposed the existing superstate,

an ant fighting an elephant...

The GGP deployed fantastic new weaponry,

and defying all odds, claimed a truly historic victory.

But these soldiers, the heroes of this war,

were never seen by the public...

The value of their deeds was downplayed in the media...

And before long,...

it was as if they never existed.

In those first days,...

the air of change was palpable...

The increasing military presence,...

The public retaliations...

and their escalation...

When the gray sky was the only constant.

Revolution...

A new world order...

But through all of it,...

for all of these changes...

It wasn't my world.

I was simply living the way my mother taught me...

Doing my best to enjoy the life of peace granted by ballet.

This is my world...

This light,...

this feeling...

The only time I'm even aware of my own existence...

is when I'm up on this stage.

Then the curtain suddenly fell...

And the world...

changed.

One, two,...

three!

Check it out...!

It's like a cherry blossom blizzard!

Wow, aren't you excited?

Well, why shouldn't I be?!

It's the first day of our brand new life!

And we're roommates, it's like a dream!

You can't tell me you're not a little excited.

I guess I am...

Eight-minute walk to the train...

Convenience store down the street...

Our own bathroom...!

And the room is like, sixteen square meters!

That might sound big,

but there's gonna be two beds and two desks in there...

Oh, yeah...

that's kinda small then...

And we don't have AC!

The summer's gonna suck!

It's all good.

Plenty of people have done it before us.

We're gonna be okay here.

But hot.

Beautiful!

Order has been restored to this great nation

due to the efforts of your parents...

And as well by the aid in reconstruction provided

by the GGP.

When you young men and women complete your studies here...

And take your first real steps into the world...

I hope you will continue the example set

by those who came before you...

Uh-huh...

Yeah, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom here.

Ah, around here, they've mostly fallen.

So, how's everything else going with you...?

How's Kenji?

Oh, I think you saw him the last time I did...

He still hasn't come home yet?

Well, he is a teenager...

I suppose it's not terribly "cool" to hang around

with an old lady and her dog...

This house...

it's just too big for only two people...

I'm out and about during the day,...

But come dinnertime it's just Peron and me...

It gets lonely...

With Kenji about to graduate from high school...

I'll have to start considering what to do next...

But Enough about me...

How are you doing?

Do you have any regrets...?

It would be all right if you did.

No...

What's done is done.

Grandma...?

I'm sorry, dear...

I shouldn't've even brought it up.

It's good to hear your voice, though.

I imagine you'll be quite busy,

but don't forget to call home every now and then.

I won't...!

Well, I better go.

Love you!

And I you.

Rin...!

Shower's all yours now!

Oh...!

Thanks...

Are you alright?

Yeah, I'm fine...

Kinda beat from all the first day chaos, you know?

Well, go ahead and hop in the shower.

That oughtta help a bit.

'Kay...

By the way, Shouko...

Since the two of us are roommates now,

you have to promise to look after me.

Fine, I promise, but of course,

that means you're gonna hafta take care of me, too.

Why are you so serious today, you goof?

The carrier is here to take part in an event celebrating

the anniversary of the UN ratification

of GGP's worldwide sovereignty...

Protesters...

You're...

Rin Ogata, aren't you?

Oh, my god!

You are her...!

Freshman, in the Fine Arts Department, I'm Suzuri Uchida!

I um,...

I was sure it was you!

The fact that I'm talking to you in person,

it's like I'm dreaming!

My mom is such a big fan...!

I've been to every one of your performances with her!

She is gonna totally freak!

D'you remember...?

Two years ago?

At the Third National Theatre...?

My heart was pounding...

Your grand jeté is still burned into the backs

of my eye-lids...!

What powerful leaps!

I get chills just thinking about it!

And now, seeing you up close,

you really look just like your mother...!

Prima ballerina, Yuki Ogata's spitting image!

Talent like hers...

only comes around every hundred yea-- no, hundred millennia!

But then...

the earthquake six years ago...

When I saw the news...

I couldn't stop crying for days!

For crying out loud, would you shut your mouth...

Hey, Shouko!

What's up...?

You on lunch...?

How are things?

Are you taking French for your foreign language credit...?

I don't know...

Rin! Hey!

I'm Kamiyama...?

We met last year,

but I only made it to the second audition...

I totally had a feeling you might end up

in the Drama Department here...

Is it true you quit ballet?

I, um...

Rin...

Are you through?

You should...

Probably get going...

You still have all those forms from orientation...

Right?

Uh...

Sorry...

I have to...

Um...

Go now!

Call ya in a bit!

Hey...! Megumi...

Get over here!

Be right there...!

Cool, see you later, then.

Uh, yeah, cool...!

Sorry to pry...

But what you guys were just saying...?

Rin didn't really...

quit ballet, right?!

Because...

that would...

just be...!

She tore a ligament?