Shirone's Lesson (Japanese: 白猫のレッスン Shironeko no Ressun, lit. "White Cat's Lesson") is the fifteenth chapter of the Medalist manga.
Characters[]
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Story[]
Inori and Ryoka change into ballet outfit for today's special lesson. The truck driver is introduced as Kohaku Shirone, a ballet teacher. Inori learns that both Rioh and Ryoka have experience in ballet, while she struggles to keep up during the lesson. Ryoka expresses resentment towards ballet, finding it boring. Kohaku loses confidence when he hears this, and drags Tsukasa in to discuss the lesson plan. However, when Tsukasa explains that the lesson is meant to teach them the importance of stances, Kohaku immediately understands and resumes the session.
Kohaku then demonstrates a triple-twist jump with a precise landing, maintaining his ballet stance throughout. He explains that through ballet training, controlling one's stance becomes second nature, which will pay off when dancing on the ice. Hearing this, Inori is immediately energized and eager to train.
Back on the ice, Inori and her coaches strategize on where to incorporate her new Double Axel into her program. Inori successfully lands the jump while skating to music, meaning she is ready for her Level 6 Badge Test. Meanwhile, Ryoka, who gave up on ballet training early on, decides to prove that she made the right choice, managing to execute a Triple Salchow successfully.
Rioh, too, finally manages a 3T3T + 2T2T combo, which also happens to be his first successful triple. Riled up, Ryoka also attempts a 3S3S + 2T2T and nails it on her first try. Unwilling to be left behind, Inori tries a triple-double combo as well. She fails to land it on her first try, but eventually succeeds too.
By the end of the day, all the skaters are thoroughly exhausted, but Hitomi surprises them with a barbecue dinner. Rioh, having landed the triple-double combo first, declares that "his" Coach Tsukasa is awesome. Inori protests, insisting Coach Tsukasa belongs to her.
Hitomi hands out fireworks for the students to set off, while Inori attempts to show Tsukasa some worms, hoping to convince him of their cuteness. Tsukasa tells Inori that soon, she will no longer be "behind" and will be directly competing with the girls who started at age five. Inori admits that she feels a bit lonely, realizing that the feeling of inadequacy, which had driven her to work hard, will soon disappear. She acknowledges that she will have to say goodbye and thanks to the version of herself she once hated.
Tsukasa reassures her that she was never bad to begin with, acknowledging her hard work and dedication. Inori reflects on how much she has come to enjoy her new life where she is chasing her dream every day, trusting in herself to keep going regardless of setbacks.
One month later, Inori arrives at Howa Sportsland for her Level 6 Badge Test. There, she encounters Hikaru again, wearing a frilly dress and shining even brighter than before. Inori tells her that she's finally ready to compete against her and apologizes for taking so long, and they promise to meet again at the All-Japans.
Inside, Inori and Tsukasa also meet Rioh and Shinichiro Sonidori. Shinichiro deeply bows before Tsukasa, thanking him for taking care of Rioh, which draws gossip from the onlookers. Inori passes her element test and advances to the Short Program test alongside Rioh, who is now on his sixth attempt. They both pass with flawless performances, leaving the final Free Skate test. Inori's program consists of an opening Double Axel, followed by six jumps and three spins, all of which must be executed without fail.
After her performance, it comes time for the results to be announced. A wave of nervous anticipation washes over Inori, but Rioh nudges her and reassures her that she did well, his demeanor in stark contrast to their very first encounter. The examiner delivers the results — both Rioh and Inori have earned Level 6. With this milestone achieved, Inori's next challenge awaits at the All-Japan Novice A Qualifiers Chubu Block Tournament.