Sakura Dogase/Synopsis

## Synopsis

At a gymnastics competition, two competitors, Mitsuki and Shuichiro, converse and the former carelessly remarks that being a strong club does not necessarily mean every member of the club are good. Sakura, on his way to his clubmates, happen to pass by behind them and overhears. Sakura tells his clubmates to not slack off and show the others how strong their club is, before glaring at Mitsu and Shu. Sakura adds that they don't know the grueling process their representatives underwent. He further adds that since the two are in the same group as their club, they have the perfect chance to show them off. In a counter, Mitsu notes Shu aims for the nationals, causing the latter to shut the former up. Sakura, however, states that it's natural for an athlete to aim for victory, baffling Shu. He further angrily adds that people not taking pride on their goals are trash and tells Shu to be serious before going away.

Sakura watches Shu and Mitsu's performances and muses how Shu has improved from the past year, being able to perform a high-difficulty routine. He wonders about Mitsu's ability. Sakura notes how Mitsu's routine has low difficulty but Mitsu's execution can compete. He remarks that Mitsu's gymnastics is an eyesore and angrily questions why he won't turn when he is able to jump so high.

Before the start of the final event, Yoshino calls out Sakura and proudly tells him he hasn't made any mistake. Sakura's companion berates Yoshino, reminding him that he's in the middle of a competition. Sakura walks toward Yoshino, who confidently claims he's already got the competition. Sakura, however, reprimands him and tells him to try falling at the horizontal bar and see for himself how rankings easily change. He asks whether Yoshino would like to end up like Shu, who is visibly highly frustrated. Mitsu and Shu hear the conversation. Sakura adds that none is more miserable than losing because of one's own mistake, sending Shu to tremble in frustration. Before going back to his seat, Sakura declares that failing means all of one's efforts will go to waste.

Mitsu retorts and iterates that even if he fails, Shu's hard work remains unchanged and that there's a next time. Sakura quickly negates him. He explains that in gymnastics, one only gets one chance to prove what they can do and people only look at the results. Mitsuki counters that rather than people, Sakura himself only look at results. Mitsuki adds that he does not care if Sakura care only about results but thinks that it's not right for him to force his belief onto others. Sakura angrily tells Mitsu to not preach as if he knows better. He adds that Shu lost to himself and he threw away all the effort he has made. But Mitsu stands firm that he believes Sakura is mistaken, angering Sakura further. Sakura grabs Mitsu by his jersey and chides him for even being lower than Shu, and not in competition with them. He adds that Mitsu is not even trying to fight so he can't possibly understand how them real athletes feel, making Mitsu momentarily speechless. Sakura states that people not trying to win are an eyesore before turning his back. Mitsuki then states that if he just has to win, then he'll win, surprising them.

Mitsu wins the competition, however Sakura states he won't budge on his belief that results are everything. Mitsu says that he doesn't understand as he was able to discover something more important than results. Mitsu asks Sakura if he has not obtained anything other than winning results. In response, Sakura invites him to watch his competition to show him what he has obtained.

Mitsu and Shu watch Sakura. Shu states that watching Sakura kills one's confidence and remarks that so long as they do gymnastics, they will forever be watching Sakura from behind. Mitsu wonders to himself why even though their gymnastics are different, Sakura's is infinitely closer to what he aims for. Mitsu further wonders how Sakura has much freedom in his movements.