Original subtitles

A dancer once said

that love sometimes takes an unexpected shape

and suddenly appears before you.

Hidden longings.

Passion without words.

Graceful and serene.

At times, fierce and wild.

With a subtle game of give and take.

To whom do we whisper our love?

How do we feel when our hands are joined?

Okay!

Maybe dance itself is the vessel we need.

A perfect way to nurture our love.

The steps are perfect.

The form, flawless.

But this man's dance… is missing something crucial.

A year ago,

I found out what it was.

The 31st All Japan Dance Championships,

Latin American division champions,

Shinya Suzuki and Aki Tajima.

And now, the ballroom division champions,

Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami.

Sugiki-sensei!

Please give a big round of applause

to our "Emperor of Dance," who won…

I hate this guy.

Just seeing him pisses me off for no reason.

And now, our two magnificent champion pairs

will perform an honor dance.

Champions, please.

Bravo, bravo!

In competitive dance, there are two different styles.

Ballroom dance, which Shinya Sugiki specializes in.

The waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow foxtrot, and quickstep.

They compete in all five dances.

I specialize in the other styles, Latin American.

Cha-cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.

We compete in all five.

♪ Something broke in me that day ♪

♪ So away ♪

♪ Get back at you ♪

♪ Stood here dying on my feet ♪

♪ Feeling cold ♪

♪ Feeling weak ♪

♪ And it seems right ♪

♪ I only meet you in the moonlight ♪

♪ I know the Devil's inside… ♪

The dancers of these two styles never compete against each other,

with one exception.

10 Dance.

The World Cup of Dance is where dancers

who have mastered both ballroom and Latin compete in all ten dances.

You need to have the stamina to dance 40 songs in one day,

with completely different rhythms and steps.

Mentally, you've gotta stay focused for hours.

Both your body and mind are pushed to the limit.

It may look glamorous, but it's basically a triathlon.

That's the exception.

10 Dance.

- Top form! - Bravo!

You were incredible.

It's been a while since you competed in Japan.

Does it feel good to perform for a home audience?

Yes, it's very good to be back home.

And Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami wanted to show a new side of ourselves.

He wins as soon as he comes back. I knew he would.

Shinya Suzuki hardly compares.

- Thank you. - Shinya Suzuki and Shinya Sugiki.

Congratulations.

Only a two-letter difference in their names,

but Latin and ballroom are totally different styles.

And they're in

completely different classes.

- Let's go. - Yes, sir.

Hello?

What?

What do you mean Shinya Sugiki invited us to the 10 Dance?

When?

- Just now. - What?

I said no.

You said no?

Wait, but it means that Shinya Sugiki is offering to teach us himself, right?

- You care? - Huh?

What's the big deal?

- Doesn't matter. - What do you mean it doesn't matter?

Do you know what the 10 Dance takes?

Know how many dances you do in a day?

Five ballroom, five Latin, and you've gotta dance 'em four times.

First round, second round, semis, and finals.

That's 40 songs.

We usually only dance 20 songs at most.

That's double what we do. Double.

But, you know, even if it's just practice,

I'd love to be led by Shinya Sugiki at least once.

I don't care.

I mean, I'm always playing the role of a slut who gets dumped by a man,

or a cheating woman, or something like that.

Oh, really? You're the one who said you can't pull off a princess.

No, I didn't.

Whatever. We're the national champions, and they're the world champions.

- Second. - That's it.

We took second in the World Championships.

I've never been first at the World Championships.

I know why you're always second place in the world.

Asians can't be number one--

I wonder when they'll finally see you for who you are.

A champion who could compete at the Worlds,

and yet gives it up time and again.

I'm just a little fish who likes being number one.

I'm good.

A little fish who's king of his little pond.

I guess I was wrong about you.

You have the perfect style and physique, but that's all.

What is it?

- You wanna fight? - I thought you had a fighting spirit.

But I see you're not even a rival.

You running away?

All right, I'll do it.

You're not gonna break on me, are ya?

Sure you can handle it?

Don't ditch when I get serious.

Do your worst.

I'll lead you all the way to the final.

Latino.

What did he say? Huh?

Hey, Shinya!

He's right.

I've got Latin blood coursing through my veins.

Somewhere deep down, it drives me.

It feeds my dancing, my burning passion…

Hey, wake up.

I said wake up!

Good morning.

- Put some clothes on. - It's too early.

Wanna catch a cold? Here, which one's yours? This?

- Thank you. - Morning. Here, put some clothes on.

- Mm, thanks. - Come on, let's go!

Jeez.

What a mess.

Put on some fucking clothes!

All right! Let's go!

Hurry!

Hey, buddy.

What the hell is going on with you?

Are you gonna do it or not?

You are going to do it, right?

And sure, you'd be taking a chance,

but they say the true champion is the one who can win the 10 Dance.

If you teach them the Latin dances

and Sugiki teaches us ballroom in return…

then I think we can compete at the Worlds.

It's not that.

It's not about the Worlds or any of that crap.

Hmm?

It's those eyes of his, staring at me.

Drives me nuts!

You don't have to shout like that.

Come on! Hurry up!

Faster!

I said hurry up!

- You know where it is? - Yeah.

You know, I bet Fusako Yagami is a total bitch.

She seems really scary, almost dangerous.

- Dangerous, huh? - I'm scared!

Come on.

Wow.

This is amazing.

Good evening.

You're more than 30 minutes late.

Get your partner into a skirt. Hurry.

We're sorry.

- I'll show you the dressing room. - Oh.

Come in.

Whoa, it's huge.

Use anything you like.

Ah, thanks.

Wow.

Okay.

- I can take your coat. - Oh, that would be great.

Thanks.

So think they'll be able to get along?

I wouldn't worry.

"I really need Mr. Suzuki for Latin."

He kept whining and going on about that.

You're saying he whines all the time too?

Why don't we check your hold while we're waiting?

Okay.

How familiar are you with ballroom dancing?

- I am a professional. - I see.

Then you'll take the lead, and I'll follow.

Lower your sense of contact.

From the stomach down to the knees.

One, two, three.

One, two, natural turn.

The waltz was originally a courtship dance,

but the hold is like wearing handcuffs.

Graceful on the surface, but with restraint and control.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

What is it? Something wrong?

He rubbed his dick on me.

I'm so sorry about this.

It's fine.

Shall we get started, then?

Yes.

- In ballroom, you're D Class? - Yes.

Take my contact.

- Let it sink into your body. - Okay.

What do you wanna do?

Do we stop or continue?

One, two, three. One, two, three.

You can quit if you want.

Running spin turn.

One, two, three.

One… Good.

One, two, and three.

One, two, spin, turn.

One, two, three.

One, whisk.

One, two, three.

- Stretch your arm out, like this. - Two, three, four.

Your shoulder blades move with your pelvis.

Hockey stick. Two, three, four.

Two, three, New York.

- Catch it inside. - Two, three, four.

- Shoulder turn. - Two, and three, and four.

Both arms?

- Two, three, four. - Yes, like an undulation.

Two, and three, and four.

Two, three, four.

- Pelvis moves too. - Two, and three, and four.

Okay, that's enough.

How was it?

- Terrible. - The same for the left.

Your hip movement is so fake.

Look.

Watch how my body moves.

Four.

Two, and three, and four.

See that?

It's not just in the hips.

When you do it, your body's not undulating.

Three and four.

Feel the weight moving.

You've gotta feel it

from the spine

through the shoulder blades…

into the arm movements.

Two, three, four.

Two, three, four.

Two, and three, and four.

See this? It's sweat.

- Yes. - Do you get it?

Yes, I understand.

Your hip movement is amazing.

It's my job to shake my hips.

- Think you can do it? - Got it?

- Just copy what I do. - Right.

Come here. Put your hands right here.

- Shorten it. - On your hips.

- Make it smaller. - A little smaller?

That's right.

A bit more. Yeah, like that.

Two, and three, and four.

- Now squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. - Two, three, four.

- Move less. - That's it.

Two, three, and four.

Mm-hmm.

- Two, three, four. - That's it. That's it.

Two, three, four.

- Two, three, four. - Two, three, four.

Two, and three, and four. Aki, keep counting.

- Two, three, four. - Three, four.

Two, three, four.

Two, three, four.

If the waltz is an elegant courtship…

Two, three, four.

…then Latin dance is raw eroticism.

…three, four.

Arouse them, seduce them.

Don't stop till you make 'em wet.

Two, three, four.

You're not sexy, guy.

- Two, three, four. - Four.

Two, and three, and four.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Sorry. Suzuki can be a little rough around the edges.

Don't worry.

So you two together?

Well, there was something there at one point, I guess.

But now, I just want to go further as dance partners.

How about you and Mr. Sugiki?

There's love in your dancing.

Mr. Sugiki took me as a partner when I was nothing.

He's brought me so far.

I trust him with everything

and just follow his lead.

I've never felt loved by him at all,

and I don't think I need to.

We still have some time before the first train.

You can rest a little longer.

Do you do this every day?

I can't stand it.

I won't be second again.

I'm not the type to try to make an audience boo judges' decisions.

I recall

you said you liked being number one, didn't you?

I also like being at the top of the pack.

- I'm only at the top of my turf, right? - Are you going to go all in?

Doesn't it look like it?

You be the judge of that.

God, it felt like the wind had gone right through me.

It stirred my soul.

It felt like

that hot wind of Havana.

My soul is still in Havana.

It's the kingdom of sun, music, and dance.

Doesn't matter how small the world may be,

I sure as hell can't see Havana from here.

…four.

- Two, three, four. - Two, three, four.

- Two, and three, and four. - Two, three, four.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

- Face right. - One, two, three.

One, full count.

One, two, three.

One.

Okay, one more time.

Just a minute.

- Can I put some music on? - You're not ready.

- Let me put some music. - I said no, you're not ready for it yet.

This thing's not even working.

My method is to drill the counts into your body,

without even the slightest distraction.

- God, I want music. - Okay, let's go.

All right.

Two, three.

One, two, three.

One, two, and three.

One, two, three.

What?

Your lead is uncomfortable.

- Your holds are self-centered… - Hold on.

-…and unreliable. - Hey.

- Quit complaining. Move the way I steer. - If I give in, I feel like I'm in danger.

What is it?

You're waltzing like you're a servant.

What does that mean?

The waltz is danced by ladies and gentlemen.

It looks very elegant, but it's also relentless.

The woman must dance in those high heels, twisting her waist for hours on end.

The pain is pure torture.

And in such a state,

she will not yield to a rough and vulgar man.

- What the hell? - You should try being the woman for once.

Lower your shoulder blades and turn out your arms.

That part is the same as the man's.

Now, keep your hips there, but rotate only your chest to the left.

Your shoulders to the right.

Stretch your neck. Stretch it away from your right.

Up to the left. That's it.

Now, get up on your toes.

Higher.

Hold it right there. Stay.

Your stance is beautiful.

Without me, just standing is hard, isn't it?

During hardship, the gentleman offers his hand to support his partner.

That's how it works in ballroom dance.

"Move the way I steer you," right?

Natural turn.

Running spin turn.

Chassé roll.

Left whisk.

Standing spin.

Syncopated running finish.

Throwaway.

Oversway.

How was that?

Did you feel like a princess?

Let's go get something to eat.

Hmm?

What's that?

- Thank you. - This is coronation chicken.

Served at Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953.

Mmm.

The apricots you just tasted

were arranged to resemble scattered jewels.

Britain was victorious, but they were still rationing at the time,

and this dish astonished guests from around the world.

Elbows off the table. That's how a dog eats.

I'm eating like this 'cause it's good.

You get it, right?

It's good.

Tastes like curry.

More wine. Mm.

You shouldn't hold the glass while it's being poured.

When you're at a banquet, you don't hold it by the bowl

but lower on the stem, like this.

I got it.

Hmm?

What does any of this have to do with ballroom dancing?

I know how to eat, man.

Imagine this scenario.

You manage to beat every other 10 dancer and rise to the top of the world.

After your honor dance,

you get an invitation from someone who loved your performance.

This is not a wrap party at a dance school.

Big-time sponsors and patrons the envy of all dancers

will be waiting for you.

I get it now.

So this is another lesson for me?

Okay, guy.

I have a lesson for you.

So, you like it?

Yes.

It's the real taste of Cuba.

Drink.

Come on, drink!

Break!

Take a break!

He's boring!

- Let's get him drinking! - So you're the "Emperor," huh?

It's fantastic!

- Salud! - Salud!

Salud!

- Salud. - Salud.

Hey, Sugiki, let's go!

- Huh? - Come on!

- Smile! - What?

Just smile, man!

Fake it if you have to!

Just smile!

Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!

Don't think about it! Don't…

Don't count with this. Make some noise!

Latin is about making your body the instrument.

At around the same time Queen Elizabeth II

was serving coronation chicken,

Castro was starting his revolution in Cuba.

That's probably how big the difference was between us as well.

SUZUKI DANCE SCHOOL

It's almost like a wave…

…right through his fingertips.

While holding his hand, I can…

I feel his emotions, you know?

You get it?

Like superiority.

Possessiveness.

The urge to control.

And sometimes I can feel gentleness.

Expectation.

I don't even know how to explain it properly.

I mean, it's like I can feel everything he's feeling.

You know?

You sound like you're in love.

Huh?

Don't be stupid.

- Look. - Hmm?

Sugiki.

Hey, what's up?

Are you there?

You there? Can't hear you.

This is the UK's Best Dance Championships…

The UK's Best?

…Professional Latin semifinal.

The paso doble.

You're in the UK?

Didn't I tell you? That night we went out,

I thought I mentioned I was leaving the next day.

- No, you didn't. - All right.

It's a competition I enter every year. You must've known.

That's not the point.

I'm next. Gotta go.

Wait, hold on. Hold on.

Yes?

Just come back soon.

What did he say?

This year's Open, we're gonna move up two in the rankings.

Huh?

And keep the All-Japan Champion title.

Then…

in 10 Dance…

we'll beat Sugiki.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we now come to the Professional Ballroom semifinal.

Twelve couples have been recalled.

Please welcome them to the floor.

All present and correct.

Your first dance, the slow waltz.

There's Ms. Martha.

She's the president of the WDL, isn't she?

She's a mentor devoted to fostering Asian dancers.

Sugiki's her prize student.

He's indispensable in their Asian market strategy.

I thought they were extraordinary. They seem to be flourishing,

although I wonder… perhaps a different combination.

What is with that ridiculously exaggerated hold

you seem to insist on doing?

All you are doing is placing a strain on Fusako.

There is absolutely no unity in your dancing.

It's best to retire at the height of your glory.

Have you ever imagined what it would be like

when the audience grows tired of you?

Martha.

Alberto Boemer has been crowned World Latin Champion 11 years in a row.

I haven't even been champion once.

Dance is neither about technique nor stamina.

Love is what makes it whole, but

I don't feel any love in the way you dance.

Hm.

Watch your frame. Make the adjustment.

Yes, beautiful.

That's it.

Very nice.

Stretch your arms even more.

Yes, very nice.

Yes, that's good. Good work today.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

When did you get back?

- Thank you for coming. - See you next time.

Thank you.

Let's try it with music today.

Two, three. One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Careful. Two, three.

One, full count.

Two, three. One.

- Can I ask you something? - Hmm?

Did you grow up in Martha Milton's house?

Yes.

My mother was with me, too, at first.

It felt like I had two mothers.

One day,

Martha took me to the Blackpool Tower.

I saw a large framed photograph there.

Martha and a man who was as dour as the Grim Reaper.

They looked like they were ascending into the heavens.

Do you want to dance like this?

Then,

Shinya,

become a man.

Become the kind of man admired by all.

The finest gentleman.

So you admired him and wanted to be just like him?

No.

I think I wanted to take his place, to be beautiful and terrifying.

Until I was consumed by fear.

Cuba, what's it really like?

- Cuba? - Yes.

It's music.

Dance.

Love.

Romance and the sea.

Cubans fall in love so easily. Then they marry.

My mom was like that.

Every time we moved to a new place, it happened.

Is the sky blue?

It's so blue.

The beaches are always empty, so when you fall in love,

you go to the beach.

No one disturbs you there.

It's just the two of you under the palm trees.

Hm.

♪ Kiss me ♪

♪ Kiss me deeply ♪

♪ As if tonight were ♪

♪ Our very last ♪

♪ Kiss me ♪

♪ Kiss me deeply ♪

♪ For I'm afraid I might lose you ♪

♪ Once it's passed ♪

♪ Kiss me ♪

♪ Kiss me deeply ♪

♪ As if tonight were ♪

♪ Our very last ♪

♪ Kiss me ♪

♪ Kiss me deeply ♪

♪ For I'm afraid I might lose you ♪

♪ Once it's passed… ♪

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick.

Hold it there.

Breathe in.

- Right here. - Okay.

Like that.

Quick.

That's it.

I just need a drink of water. Sorry.

That's it.

Very good.

A little more open.

That's it.

Very good.

You know, Shinya's been crazy about Mr. Sugiki for a while too.

Yeah?

A few years ago, he happened to see a video.

He said, "He's the perfect dancer."

But then he said, "It looks like he's in pain," which is weird.

Keep going like that. Okay.

Quick, quick.

Use your leg for support.

I think you wore a black dress? You were dancing the tango, right?

I don't think that was me.

- Quick, quick. - Huh?

I've never worn a black dress in a competition.

And again.

Shall we continue?

Hm.

Support it.

Wide, wide. Quick, quick.

Walk, walk.

Position.

Neck.

Quick.

Don't rush. Don't rush. Don't rush.

Slow.

Frame, frame. Keep your frame.

Don't break it.

Rotation. Rotation.

Together. Do it together. Don't try to dance on your own!

Take a break.

- Aki, why don't you get some water? - Okay.

What's different between our leads?

Mm… well…

With Mr. Sugiki,

I know exactly where I should be.

No matter what the movement is, it never varies.

And… the balance between force and gentleness,

it makes my body want to follow his lead.

And, then, with you,

it's more like, "I'm having fun, so you must be, too."

Sometimes that works for me, and sometimes it doesn't.

Hmm?

Fusako said that when she and Mr. Sugiki entered their first competition,

he said to her…

"Ms. Yagami."

- "Now that you're…" - Now that you're my partner…

I will make you dance more beautifully than anyone.

Every dancer in the world will say,

"Fusako Yagami is beautiful."

"I want to be Fusako Yagami."

That will be my ultimate joy.

Jeez.

I wish someone would say that to me.

You know, have that kind of caring?

- You don't have it. - Caring?

- Caring. - No way.

- You should try it sometime. - It's sentimental crap.

Oh, hey. By the way…

…that video you sent over to me the other day?

Yeah?

That wasn't Fusako dancing.

You sure?

She told me she never wore black while competing.

Or something like that.

Havana salad and a… beer?

- Hey! - Hey.

I don't know what's going on.

I can't dance anymore.

He's the one in control.

I thought I was the one using him, but

I'm the one being used.

Keeps throwing me off my game and keeping me on edge.

I mean, what am I to him?

Sounds like love.

What are you talking about?

Do you want him?

Seriously, do you?

Guys can be attracted to other guys, right?

Ah, come on!

If you're cool with someone else stealing him, back off.

Let someone else take a shot.

♪ Love me And kiss me ♪

♪ If not, forget about me ♪

♪ No one knows what the future holds ♪

♪ We have to live in the moment ♪

♪ Please smile and accept me ♪

♪ Because we only live once ♪

♪ No one knows what the future holds ♪

♪ We have to live in the moment… ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ In a one-horse-open sleigh ♪

♪ O'er the fields we go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on bobtails ring ♪

♪ Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is to ride and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

You gonna die if you don't dance?

Will you?

Here.

Thank you. Cheers.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

About three years ago, when you were at the Worlds…

who was the woman in the black dress you were dancing with?

It wasn't Fusako.

She told Aki it wasn't.

I'm sure she'd rather forget.

No.

Maybe she really can't remember

what happened.

What you saw, Mr. Suzuki, was the World Championships in England.

We hadn't been dancing together for very long.

The audience really seemed to be fixated on my new partner.

That day, the atmosphere was so tense.

It happened during the last dance of the semifinals.

- We were dancing the quickstep.

♪ Don't let me snooze I was born to wear these shoes… ♪

Are you okay?

Are you all right?

It's not unusual for dancers to fall,

but I'd never been associated with such a bad fall before.

♪ Wake me up to dance, dance ♪

That was when it started.

She began to unravel.

Years earlier, at a different competition,

she was dancing with another partner,

and a similar thing happened.

She began to suffer from post-traumatic stress.

I knew she was going through that,

but I still got her in that dress and made her compete in the final.

How did I make her dance, you ask?

I yelled at and berated her relentlessly.

Even as her body froze, her face still reacted to my words,

and her feet did exactly as I commanded.

Your frame, it's loose.

Right side up.

Keep it. I said keep it. Your frame is loose.

It's too loose!

You're heavy!

Lift your body up. Higher.

Keep it.

Keep it.

I kept pushing her until the end of the competition.

And then,

to my shame,

I found myself liking her in that state.

That's the kind of man I am, I suppose.

Not a gentleman.

More of a Grim Reaper.

Why did I ask him about it?

I have caused Ms. Yagami so much pain.

Please keep this between us, okay?

Was it a confession I wanted?

Did I wanna hear him reveal weakness?

Lame, man.

I'll stop if you want.

Before I knew it, my body was moving on its own.

All I could do was give in to it.

Surrender to the gods of dance.

Hang onto that persona of yours.

You can be the Grim Reaper.

I'll be the angel who defeats the Grim Reaper of Blackpool.

When I beat you,

you'll finally be free of all that suffering.

I really admire you, you know.

Let's go overseas together next time.

We'll enter as two pairs in the World Championship at Blackpool.

I will unveil you to the world.

It'll be your debut.

How are you?

That's Martha, the president of the WDL.

And he's a former world champion who won the Carl Alan Award.

That's the tournament director, and that's a big-shot businessman

who got a medal for his contributions to the dance world.

- Hello. - Hi.

Hello, Nino.

Fabio, good to see you.

- Fusako. - Hi.

- Oh, hi, Catherine. - Nice to see you.

Let me introduce you.

This is our choreographer, Nino, and our designer, Fabio.

And this is our hair and makeup artist, Catherine.

They're my European tour team.

Absolutely. Yes.

Hi, guys.

So you're the other Shinya?

- Very nice to meet you. A real pleasure. - Nice to meet you.

So cute.

And that's Aki, I think.

Yes.

- Hi. - Hi.

- Very nice to meet you. - Enjoy yourself.

- Let's go. - Thank you.

- See you soon. - Hi.

Alberto!

Alberto!

So nice to see you!

That's Alberto, the Latin champion.

Excuse me.

Shinya.

He's the ballroom world champion.

Giulio.

It's been a while.

Happy to see you made it.

And that's Giulio's partner,

the queen of the dance world, Liana.

She's also Mr. Sugiki's ex-girlfriend.

I'm here to tell you something.

Liana and I

are getting married after the competition.

Thank you for coming over here to tell me.

I have your blessing?

Of course.

Congratulations.

It's okay, Sugiki.

I'll make sure you see no one but me.

Mr. Moretti.

Nice to meet you.

My name is Shinya Suzuki,

and I plan on taking first place in ballroom

at the next world championship.

I've been a fan for a long time.

Make sure you remember my face.

Sugiki, you coming?

Yes.

Yeah?

How are you feeling?

Here's the schedule for tomorrow.

I want to try more than Latin.

I wanted to give ballroom a shot.

Look, we've been over this.

Keep the fact that you also do ballroom secret till 10 Dance.

Hmm?

You just wanna settle things with Giulio, right?

Just do as you're told, okay?

You like pushing people around.

Fusako.

And me?

Could be you're the fool in the scenario.

That's why your girl was stolen from you.

Just focus on the competition for now.

Understood?

I've decided to stop dancing with you…

and pair up with Giulio instead.

I need to choose the path that will make me a champion.

And if I stay with you,

I will never become a world champion.

I'm sure of it.

How could she be so sure

that I could never win?

If it is true, why do I keep striving?

Dance is neither about technique nor stamina.

Love is what makes it whole.

Love won't make me win.

Thank you.

- Go on in. Upstairs and to the right. - Straight up the stairs.

Enjoy yourselves.

Thank you.

♪ Tension rising ♪

♪ Breath is tight ♪

♪ You pull me close, I hold you… ♪

The World Championships are just that.

Over 200 of the world's top pairs come to compete.

One by one, they're eliminated, like some blood sport.

Those who survive, the chosen few,

go at it tooth and nail for the ultimate titles

of ballroom and Latin world champions.

You look beautiful.

Thanks. You too.

You know, Mr. Sugiki was seriously thinking of retiring

not too long ago.

After he and Liana broke up,

he couldn't find a partner who was at his level.

The ones he did find couldn't keep up with his strict training.

The only option he had

was picking me, the dropout.

He thinks the only way he can win the title

is by pushing himself to the breaking point.

I just want… to see what we can accomplish together.

Our next competition is the Professional Latin final.

Please welcome our finalists to the floor.

Your first dance, the cha-cha-cha.

♪ When marimba rhythms Start to play ♪

♪ Dance with me ♪

♪ Make me sway ♪

♪ Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore ♪

♪ Hold me close ♪

♪ Sway me more ♪

♪ Like a flower bending in the breeze ♪

♪ Bend with me ♪

♪ Sway with ease ♪

♪ When we dance you have a way with me… ♪

The finest dancers

tell stories with their bodies.

They can show the strength and stoicism of an ancient tree,

or they can show lightness and air

as if wings had magically sprouted from their ankles.

Wow, number 23. Who is that?

His name's Shinya Suzuki, apparently.

- Shinya Suzuki? - Have you ever heard of this guy?

No, never. Must be an amateur.

- I guess. - He's really good.

The story his body was telling was pure inspiration.

Suddenly,

I could see a way forward.

♪ I can hear the sound of violins ♪

♪ Long before ♪

Oh God, I didn't know anyone could dance like that.

Who is that? Is that the Japanese guy?

Wow.

This is not a dance competition. It's like a brawl.

The judge will likely take marks off, but it sure is captivating.

We come now to the result of the 73rd World Championship,

ballroom division.

Into first place,

Giulio Moretti and Liana Javalanka.

Into second place,

Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami.

Third, Dusan Novak and Valeria Orlova.

I remember when he and Liana danced together

before he paired up with Fusako.

Their tango was so… …passionate.

Uh, I mean, it was obvious that Shinya was crazy about Liana.

But when he proposed to her, something got in the way.

So I hear.

Giulio and Shinya's attack is very similar.

Their ability is evenly matched,

or perhaps maybe there's just the narrowest of margins between them.

But the one who gets to stand at the top of the podium is who?

- Giulio. - Giulio.

Shinya doesn't have what it takes to overcome that slight margin.

- I'm sorry, Nino. - No. I don't agree, Fabio. No, no, no.

Everyone is here to see his obsessive determination.

I know.

And everyone comes here to see him valiantly struggle…

…just to end up losing again.

Yes.

The only person here who thinks he has a chance of winning

is probably Shinya himself.

What the hell are you saying?

- Excuse me? - Don't just say that.

Do something about it!

That "slight margin" you mentioned,

you mean Sugiki's actually a better dancer, right?

- So help him win! - Easy, calm down. Come on, Shinya, please.

You guys have the power to do that, don't you?

No, I… I don't know.

- I'm telling you, let him fucking win! - Hey. Whoa, whoa!

- Calm down. - Hey, hey, hey, hey.

- Easy. - Sorry…

- That's bullshit! - I'm sorry.

- But there's nothing we can do. - I… I'm so sorry. So sorry.

Ladies and gentlemen,

next we have a very special honor dance.

Please welcome to the floor

Liana and Shinya.

- Swapping partners? - A switch!

- Shinya and Liana? That's fantastic! - That's fantastic!

- Shinya! - Shinya!

This is a total charade, but look at him.

Mm.

Sugiki plays the part of the perfect gentleman.

- You know, even I wanna be like him. - I know what you mean.

He's the ideal lover that everyone wants to be.

So true. So true.

That was a wonderful debut.

Where is Ms. Tajima?

- I don't know. - I see.

Didn't that bug you today?

Ah.

No, not at all.

Liana and I were done a long time ago.

You haven't moved on though.

I can't stand that kinda thing.

Being deceived.

Betrayed.

I can't forgive that.

So you think I'm still in love with Liana?

That I've never even looked at another woman?

That I've remained totally devoted to her?

Is that what you saw?

Well?

If the audience saw a reunion between two lovers,

then tonight's show was a success.

No one was watching Giulio's performance after that, were they?

What do you mean?

What?

What the hell are you saying?

You're really okay with it?

I'm asking if that's really good enough…

…for you!

You said you wouldn't settle for anything but first place.

What's wrong?

What is it?

I can't be with you anymore.

If we go any further, it could destroy me.

What the fuck?

- That's not it. - No, stop! You're my enemy now.

That's not true.

In the end…

you and I can never become one.

Shit.

Shinya.

Shinya.

I realized something.

I think I can do more for you.

We can do more. I just know it.

And even if it's just you…

…you can go far!

You could go as far as you want.

Let's go.

Huh?

What?

The yellow is very nice.

Isn't is amazing?

This and…

Ah!

Hmm, no, no, no.

Red.

I wanna see you in red.

- So you're gonna go with that? - Yeah. Isn't it cool?

Now, do we want it parted to this side? Or to that side?

Neater and more polished.

So I want to show you the beginning of Alemana.

We're going to do four to six.

Let's do sliding doors. Just the beginning.

This is the first time a dance competition in Japan

has gotten this much media attention, isn't it?

Yeah, seems so.

It's too bad Giulio and Alberto aren't here though.

They backed out. Said they had a show to do.

I say first place will go to Shinya.

He'll place third at best.

What?

Well, why do you think the federation put up the money

and brought in so many foreign dancers?

They're going to want some kind of payback, you know?

That's the dance world for ya, huh?

Mr. Sugiki is the guest, right?

So, he's here.

I won't ever see him again

outside of competition.

When I saw him in Blackpool, it…

it wasn't just dancing.

The crowd and the other dancers…

they were blown away by it.

I wanna move the audience like that every time.

Five-minute call for the finalists!

Can I get everyone to come together, please?

All finalists, please come this way.

The next event will be the Professional Latin American final.

So close, and yet so far.

Dance is neither about technique nor stamina.

Love is what makes it whole.

And once again,

here are the 2026 Asian Cup ballroom champions,

Leonardo Fontana and Sofia Rossi!

And the 2026 Asian Cup Latin champions,

Alessandro Leon and Annamaria Valentini!

Please give our champions another big round of applause.

They will be back later to perform an honor dance for us.

And now, we have a demonstration by our special guests,

the UK ballroom champions,

Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami.

Will you do me the honor?

♪ If I were a carpenter ♪

♪ I'd build a world of love ♪

♪ Where we would always be ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ If I were the captain of… ♪

The first dance is the waltz.

A beautiful slow waltz.

The tango.

An exciting tango!

♪ Only in New York ♪

♪ On Fifth Avenue… ♪

The slow foxtrot.

An elegant slow foxtrot.

♪ Dripping with pearls ♪

♪ Oh, what a view… ♪

♪ The subway crawls From the street with walls ♪

♪ To Harlem, where music plays ♪

♪ We go, take off, take off Runway clear… ♪

♪ Click, step, ready, shoot that beer ♪

♪ Slide to the side… ♪

The quick step!

The fourth dance is the quick step!

♪ Let's go ♪

♪ When marimba rhythms start to play ♪

♪ Dance with me ♪

The cha-cha-cha.

Feel the rhythm of the cha-cha-cha.

♪ Hugs the shore ♪

♪ Hold me close ♪

♪ Sway me more ♪

The samba!

Shake your body to the samba!

The rumba.

A dance for love, the rumba.

The paso doble.

Feel the passion!

The paso doble.

The jive!

Let's swing together.

Here comes the jive!

The Viennese waltz.

The last dance is the Viennese waltz.

I'll see you at the 10 Dance.

10 Dance.