Level 1 Badge Test (Japanese: 1級バッジテスト Ikkyuu Bajji Tesuto) is the seventh chapter of the Medalist manga.
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Story[]
At the Kago household, Tsukasa wakes from a dream about Jun Yodaka and loudly declares his ambition to be the world's greatest coach, waking Yoh in the process.
At the rink, Tsukasa briefs Inori on her next competition, the West Japan Championship, where she needs to improve her score by about 8 points. Therefore, her program must include two different types of double jumps. Inori suddenly grows smug, claiming she has recently landed a double jump on her own. She tries to show Tsukasa but struggles to repeat the jump. Tsukasa remains optimistic, noting her improved form, but Inori grows gloomy, fixated on her fail and swearing that she wasn't lying.
They continue practicing the double jump, with Tsukasa utilizing a tablet to help correct Inori's form. However, she falls repeatedly, unable to land the jump. Tsukasa suggests switching gears and practicing for the Badge Test, but Inori doesn't want to stop, feeling desperate to catch up to her peers.
Seeing that she's too hard on herself, Tsukasa assures her that there's no need to rush and that efforts put in now facing challenges will benefit her in the long run even without immediate results. His words lift Inori's spirits, while Tsukasa himself also worries that his coaching might not keep up with Inori's rapid improvement. However, he realizes his advice for Inori applies to himself as well.
The day of the Level 1 Badge Test arrives. Inori is somewhere outside digging for worms, while at rinkside, a little girl collides with Tsukasa, seemingly absorbed in her own cuteness. Hitomi recognizes the girl as Suzu Kamoto, who won second place in last year's All-Japans Novice B, placing right behind Hikaru Kamisaki.
Another coach soon follows, looking for another one of his students. Outside, Inori notices a girl sitting alone, surrounded and covered by pigeons. Inori notices the girl tearing up and rushes over to help, only to be overwhelmed by the pigeons' aggression herself until both Tsukasa and the other coach come to their rescue.
Back at the rink, the coach introduces himself as Yudai Jakuzure of Kyoto's Rengecha FSC, and the pigeon girl as Ema Yamato, who is also here for the Level 1 test. Ema thanks Inori for her "valiant" fight against the pigeons while Suzu protests to Yudai over being carried like a doll, frequently mentioning her own cuteness. Yudai plays along with her, only to resume carrying her the same way afterwards, impressing Tsukasa with his skill in handling young children.
When the Level 1 test starts, Ema performs a single-rotation jump, executed so effortlessly that it reminds Inori of Hikaru. Both Inori and Ema are able to pass the Level 1 test while Suzu passes Level 7. When Tsukasa boldly asks Yudai for jump-coaching advice, Hitomi panics, believing a coach from a prestigious club wouldn't share secrets. However, Yudai surprisingly agrees, valuing knowledge-sharing and empathizing with Tsukasa's passion for his student, feeling the same way about Ema.
The next morning, Yudai and Tsukasa observe Inori skating together, with Yudai impressed upon learning how recently she started. When they begin discussing jumps, Tsukasa explains Inori's current problem, that her legs lag behind the rest of her body in her double jumps, and gives a highly thorough explanation of why it's happening and how he thinks she could mitigate it. To his surprise, Yudai simply tells him to roll with it, having nothing more to add as Tsukasa has already covered it all, and slightly perplexed about why his input was even needed.
Tsukasa admits that he's worried about correctly coaching singles as he's only had professional training in ice dance, on top of starting late. To help him boost his confidence, Yudai instructs Ema to perform a Double Salchow, asking Tsukasa to analyze it. He once again does so in great detail, pointing out issues with utilizing her full momentum on push-off, suggesting she could improve by keeping her head up before the windup.
Yudai is impressed with his analysis, admitting that he cannot diagnose an issue to such an extent with just one look. He points out that his experience in ice dance, which requires constant awareness of a partner's position, is likely what gives him a keen eye. He voices his belief that Tsukasa's biggest issue is a lack of self-confidence.
When it comes time to bid farewell, Inori tells Suzu that she'll work hard to be her rival as well. Yudai reminds her not to focus solely on Suzu, since by the time Inori reaches Level 7, Ema will be there too, and they'll face each other for the first time at the upcoming West Japan Championship. Tsukasa suggests they both bring their A-games, but Yudai confidently declares that they won't even need their A-game to win.
Inspired to believe in himself, Tsukasa resumes training with Inori, channeling her deep desire to overcome things she can't do. Eventually, Inori successfully lands a Double Loop.
The day of the West Japan Championship arrives. In front of the Kinoshita Academy Kyoto Ice Arena, Coach Yudai arrives to greet Tsukasa, Inori, and Nozomi. He is wearing a classy suit, which makes Tsukasa worry whether he should've dressed formally too, but Yudai explains that it's just his own style. They head inside and are greeted with a massive crowd.