Proof of Earnestness (Japanese: 本気の証明 Honki no Shoumei) is the fiftieth chapter of the Medalist manga.
Characters[]
Story[]
Finding Inori crying alone, Hikaru ponders how she could smile earlier as if nothing had happened, realizing that she was doing it for the adults.
Inori finally speaks, admitting that she did not want Hikaru to see her like this — viewing Hikaru as her rival, declaring many times that she'd waited for her and that she wouldn't lose, yet smiling despite losing the chance to fight on the ice. Still in tears, she confesses that she doesn't mind being ridiculed for her failure, but what she cannot stand is people thinking she's not taking things seriously.
Yet, Hikaru feels no disappointment whatsoever. She realizes that she loves Inori not because she was like Jun Yodaka, but because she pushes forward despite all shadows and obstacles in her path. She felt happy, because Inori's determination and passion made her not alone in this world.
Inori then apologizes for acting out at the summer camp, admitting that she's been deluding herself into thinking she's Hikaru's rival. Now that she has lost her chance at an important medal, she fears she can no longer prove her earnestness. However, Hikaru cannot allow Inori to let go of her drive. Taking Inori's hand, she declares that in tomorrow's free skate, she will skate for her. She swears to deliver a performance so brilliant that it will reignite a love for skating that will never fade.
The next day, at the free skate event, Inori's mother-daughter fans from the Meikoh Cup sit in the audience. The girl, disappointed by Inori's absence, wonders aloud if she was never a genius after all. However, the mother tells her not to say such things, reminding her that Inori's family and those who love her are around. Inori, on her way to join the audience, sneezes. When Tsukasa asks if she's cold, she berates herself, speculating that someone must be questioning if she can even represent in next month's Grand Prix Final after failing to qualify. Tsukasa, however, dismisses her overthinking and wraps her in his massive down jacket. Sitting down, they turn around to find the mother and daughter displaying banners of support for Inori.
Dahlia Karasuba's score is announced. She earns 124.37 in her free skate, bringing her total score to 191.17, placing her in first. With Hikaru up next, Reilly Foxx expresses sincere support for the challenge she has taken on. Her music remains the same as her previous All-Japan performance, La Cage Aux Oiseaux from the movie Ballet in the Miniature Garden.[Note 1] However, this time, instead of the "pianist" pose, she starts in a kneeling position. In a moment of introspection, Hikaru acknowledges that she no longer longs to see the world that Jun Yodaka once saw — today, she is taking her leave from the "miniature garden."
Notes[]
- ↑ There is a continuity error regarding the title of the song. In Chapter 31, La Cage Aux Oiseaux was the name of the movie, while the name of the song was not specified.