Ep. 109: Hanazono's Burning I Love You!

109

Hanazono trains intensively with the Inokumas for the upcoming Shoujiki college cup. Ebitendo’s coach replaces a starter with the improved Hanazono, who defeats Yoshida in practice, realizing his progress under Jigoro and Yawara. He messages Fujiko about entering the Shoujiko cup, promising to reveal himself if he wins. At the championships, Ebitendo loses as a team, but Hanazono advances individually in the 98kg+ category. Jigoro teaches him a secret technique called “I-love-you!” Fujiko, initially worried and ignoring messages, sees a newspaper article by Matsuda confirming Hanazono’s victory under “Coach X.” She rushes to the arena, paralleling a previous silent bus scene, to witness his success firsthand.