Beacon (Japanese: 狼煙 Noroshi) is the twenty-second chapter of the Medalist manga.
Characters[]
(mentioned)
(mentioned)
Story[]
Shinichiro introduces Tsukasa to Jun, unaware of their history. Remaining silent, Jun lights a cigarette, which surprises Tsukasa as he's known for his stringent conditioning. Tsukasa tries to leave as the air grows awkward, but Shinichiro invites him to join he and Jun at the rink, having reserved late-night ice time.
At the rink, Jun immediately takes off on the ice, while Tsukasa, unused to single skating shoes, stumbles and falls. Watching Jun skate up close, Tsukasa is utterly stunned. Shinichiro explains that Jun has actually improved since his athlete days, and that he wanted to let Tsukasa see him in action. He reveals that Jun struggled with severe withdrawal after retiring from competition and only became Hikaru's coach when offered a teaching position that included private ice time. Shinichiro admits to keeping the secret not just for Hikaru's sake, but to protect Jun's skating as well.
Tsukasa attempts a jump but falls, but seeing that even Jun is still polishing his techniques, he is inspired to do the same. Shinichiro watches in awe as Tsukasa continues, rapidly improving. Too seeing this, Jun takes a break to speak with Shinichiro, inquiring about Tsukasa's background and learning that he started skating late and only skated competitively for two seasons. Shinichiro remarks on his talent, but Jun responds that if he cannot prove it in his limited time, it is the same as having no talent at all.
Suddenly taking Shinichiro's phone, Jun approaches Tsukasa and asks him to attempt a backflip. Demonstrating it first, he then films Tsukasa as he successfully replicates the move. Afterwards, he tells Tsukasa to start auditioning for ice shows again with the recording, confident that with Shinichiro's backing, he will find work.
Taken aback, Tsukasa thanks Jun, but insists that he has already given up on that path. Jun points out that he is an exceptional rarity, having a rare ability to quickly correct his own mistakes, as demonstrated earlier. However, he then clarifies that he did not mean it as a praise, asserting that abandoning such potential to take on backstage work is not something to be commended.
Tsukasa reminds Jun of his promise to devote everything to bring fulfill Inori's dream, asserting that this is how he chooses to use his potential. Jun acknowledges that Tsukasa might become a good coach but insists that Inori's dream is unattainable — by having Hikaru follow the same path as his, she is destined to win gold in every event she competes in, just as he once did.
Tsukasa challenges this notion, saying that there are no absolutes on the ice, but Jun initially laughs but then retracts his statement, instead daring Tsukasa to prove it at the All-Japans. Though Tsukasa knows how little time they have, today's competition has shown him that miracles are possible, so he accepts the challenge.