Light and Shadow (Japanese: 光と影 Hikari to Kage) is the forty-sixth chapter of the Medalist manga.
Characters[]
(flashback)
(mentioned)
Story[]
Hikaru Kamisaki practices during public ice time at Howa Sportsland, drawing a crowd of spectators. When ice repair time starts, greets and thanks them before taking a break. Rioh, protective of her, expresses concern over her engaging with the audience, but Hikaru finds it odd that he treats her supporters as if they were overly zealous idol fans. Rioh maintains his stance, arguing that Hikaru is clueless of her own charm.
He then brings up Inori, who placed 4th in her first JGP event. Rioh states that it's unlikely for her to make it to the finals, advising Hikaru not to expect too much from their promise. However, Hikaru expresses confidence that Inori will rise to the occasion.
Meanwhile, one of the assistant coaches at Meikoh Wind, Shoya Kijita, is surprised to learn over the phone that Hikaru is transferring out and moving to Tokyo, something that Rioh has yet to be told. A flashback reveals that Hikaru was inspired to switch clubs after hearing from Shou Takamine that Jun Yodaka frequently moved between clubs throughout his career.
At home, Hikaru tells Shion Sonidori that she's leaving everything in her room to her, but Rioh returns in the middle of their conversation. Later, outside Howa Sportsland, he asks Hikaru if she's leaving Meikoh. Hikaru cheerfully confirm this, but Rioh is upset and struggles with the idea of separation. He asks if they aren't family, to which Hikaru responds not really. In desperation, Rioh blurts out "then just marry me!" Realizing his slip, Rioh crouches in embarrassment, while Hikaru reacts with disbelief and makes it clear that such a thing is out of the question.
Nevertheless, Rioh refuses to back down, declaring that he'll stop Hikaru from moving even if his parents allowed it. Hikaru then challenges his reasoning, asking if he wants them to stay together because he likes her, before delivering the shocking statement that she's been putting up an act around him for the past six years. She explains that after being taken into the Sonidori household, she imitated Rioh's mother's personality, and kept him in the dark about Jun Yodaka to better get along with him. She tells Rioh that his beloved Hikaru never existed, and that he doesn't need to like her anymore.
However, Rioh rises, declaring that he won't give up on her over something so shallow, and rather found her attempt cute. He grabs Hikaru's hand, questioning if she truly understood which parts of her were an act and which weren't. He declares that he never thought Hikaru and his mother were alike, and proceeds to list numerous examples of her personality that couldn't have been just an act.
The exchange is interrupted by Riina Kojoh, who reminds them practice is about to start. Even after the first period however, the club members observe that they still haven't made up. Seeing this, Riina advises Hikaru to clear up any regrets that may become a weakness before moving forward and joining a new flock.
Later, Hikaru approaches Rioh on the ice and takes his hand, suggesting they try some ice dancing, which she learned from Coach Shou. She shares a saying that your name points at where you need to go in life, musing that it seems to be true: Her name, "Hikaru," means "light," so she can only terrify others by leaving behind shadows. However, Rioh counters, telling her that he always thought the name fit her well as someone who always shines so brightly. He expresses his desire to become someone who could stand next to her without becoming a shadow, which is why he always wanted to stay by her side. To this, Hikaru smiles, and says "Thank you."
Later, Hikaru officially announces her decision to transfer to her clubmates. Yotsuha breaks down in tears, and Rioh reassures Hikaru that it's good she didn't leave without a word. Yuna Yagi approaches Hikaru, thanking her for being her clubmate. She expresses regret that this is how she regains her No. 2 spot but promises to keep chasing after her, even from a different club.
Eventually, it comes time to bid farewell at the train station. Eva tells Hikaru that she's welcome to call anytime, and when she hesitates, Eva embraces her, telling her that she, too, is her daughter, whom they love and take pride in.
As the train departs, Hikaru recalls memories from living with the Sonidori family, and finds herself tearing up uncontrollably. It is only through this separation that she truly realizes how precious those days were, the emotions she learned to feel, and how grateful she is for their kindness. Yet, at the same time, she is determined to uncover the reason behind Jun Yodaka's insistence on sacrifices, even knowing Tsukasa's perspective.
Hikaru's upcoming events are the All-Japan Novice and the All-Japan Junior competitions. At the Junior event, she will face off against Inori for the second time. Confident that Inori is growing stronger with the support of those around her, Hikaru reflects on the meaning of her name, "prayer," and how Inori draws strength from the prayers of others. Hikaru, too, vows to embody her own name, not as a light that casts shadows, but as a light of hope, and a wolf that defies fate.
At the Novice All-Japans a month later, Hikaru is introduced as a skater from Starfox FSC.