Event 1: JGP Bangkok SP (Japanese: JGP第1戦バンコクSP JGP Dai Issen Bankoku SP) is the forty-second chapter of the Medalist manga.
Characters[]
Story[]
Inori arrives in Bangkok for the JGP Thailand event alongside Iruka Okazaki, Suzaku Hiyodori, Hayato Kamomeda, and their respective coaches. Miho is also present, having carefully studied lifestyle differences between Thailand and Japan to minimize unnecessary stress for the athletes. To avoid risks from unfamiliar food before their competitions, the athletes stick to Japanese cuisine. However, Suzaku already feels nauseated by the smell of Thai food in the mall's food court.
Inori offers Suzaku some candy. Touched by her kindness, he grabs Inori's hands and thanks her fervently. Iruka, possessive of Inori, is displeased and quickly shoos Suzaku away before sitting down with Inori to feed her. Unexpectedly, Inori asks Iruka how to win the event, seeking her perspective as she fears the coaches might withhold harsher details. Iruka comments on how Inori appears hung up on people's kindness around her, before asking if she has mastered her Triple Lutz, but Inori insists on keeping her cards hidden until open practice. Nonetheless, Iruka advises her that in the Junior SP, having stronger cards alone isn't enough to secure a victory.
The athletes are introduced to the competition venue located on the fifth floor of the mall, where skaters from various countries are gathered. Inori observes as Iruka practices her jumps, continuing to be impressed.
The next morning, Hayato Kamomeda is fatigued from a sleepless night, whereas Inori is well-rested and energetic. However, much to her dismay, she draws the first position in the skating order for the first time in her career. Tsukasa encourages Inori, stating that skating first in a competition is valuable experience.
During practice time, Ploy Superbund, a Thai skater also new to Junior, struggles to find space on the rink among the larger, faster skaters. However, when she sees Inori skating and jumping with such confidence despite being even smaller than her, she is inspired not to fall behind. After practice time, Inori begins her program. Her music is a soundtrack from a movie named Kung Fu Narcissus.