Shallow Motives (Japanese: 浅い動機 Asai Douki) is the thirtieth chapter of the Medalist manga.
Characters[]
Story[]
Rinna Sarukawa earns a score of 80.07 while Inori warms up outside. Returning indoors, Inori watches a TV streaming the event.
Momoko Kokonoi of Sendai Square FSC is seen performing a 2A2A + 1Eu1Eu + 3S3S, identical to the one Inori executed at the block meet. She finishes with a score of 85.88. Moé Hiraniya of Starfox FSC attempts Inori's Quad Salchow but only manages a single. Reilly Foxx, however, does not mind at all, as she used to suddenly pull off new jumps without practice frequently in her skating career. She advises Moé to cherish the "maybe I can do it" feeling.
Tsukasa suggests that Inori resume warm-up and leave him to watch the tournament and strategize. Finding Inori tensed up, Suzu Kamoto offers her special massage, giving Inori the same "cute face" as her own. She then reminds Inori of their promise a year ago, getting all fired up about their "figure skaing/cutesy girl battle."
When Suzu's turn comes up, Chokaku Kamegaya tells her to go with the exact program she performed in open practice. Koichi and Yoh are also in the audience, with Yoh now deeply addicted to figure skating, able to explain the performances to her father. Yudai, sitting next to them alongside Ema, is impressed with Yoh's knowledge of the sport.
A flashback reveals a conversation following the Kinki Block Tournament: Suzu expresses regret to Ema for not being able to compete in the All-Japan Championships together, but then asserts that she cannot shoulder Ema's frustrations, because she has made the choice to skate solely for herself.
As Suzu's program begins, Koichi is immediately captivated by her expressiveness and further impressed by her speed. Yudai explains to him that this is what makes her special — her performance, jumps, and skating are all balanced and high-level.
Another flashback follows: Suzu is frustrated after placing second in both of her Novice B championships, lamenting that it's "not cute" not to be standing in the center of the podium, and demanding Coach Kamegaya to make her the best in Japan. Chokaku acknowledges that all Suzu wants is to give the peace sign in the middle of the podium, but despite having the shallowest motive in all of Japan, she has worked harder than anyone else in the club. He promises to make her the best skater in the world but requires a promise in return: that she not be burdened by anyone's emotions or dreams — because with jumps, the lighter the better.
Suzu's first element is a Triple Axel. The rules dictate that every skater must include an Axel, which holds back skaters like Inori, who are forced to insert a low-scoring Double Axel. However, with a Triple Axel, Suzu is able to break free of such a shackle. The remainder of her program features a number of impressive elements, culminating in a flawless run.
| Order | Element | Base Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3A<3A< | 6.40 |
| 2 | 3Lz3Lz + 3Lo3Lo | 10.80 |
| 3 | 3Lo3Lo | 4.90 |
| 4 | CCoSp4CCoSp4 | 3.50 |
| 5 | ? | ? |
| 6 | ? | ? |
| 7 | 3F3F | 5.30 |
| 8 | 3F3F + 3T3T + 2T2T | 10.80 |
| 9 | StSq2StSq2 | 2.60 |
| 10 | LSp4LSp4 | 2.70 |
Koichi is thrilled by Suzu's opening Triple Axel, but Yudai observes that she under-rotated the jump, which will cost her some points. Nevertheless, she scores 110.55, placing in first and establishing a 20-point lead. Amidst the thunderous applause, Suzu spots Ema in the audience, and happily flashes her a peace sign.
With Group 1 finished, the skaters in Group 2 are introduced: Ito Nedefuji, Kiyoka Kosuzume, Hikaru Kamisaki, Yuna Yagi, Ran Ogumo, and Miku Ahiru.