Medalist — Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Medalist shifts the spotlight in a way that feels both surprising and completely earned, giving readers a deeper look at the personalities orbiting Inori and Tsukasa rather than just the duo themselves. After the emotional high of the Meitetsu Cup, this installment slows the pace down to explore what skating means to different kids at different stages of their journey, and it pays off beautifully. The standout here is Mika, whose prickly confidence has made her easy to misunderstand until now. This chapter peels back that tough exterior to reveal a nine-year-old wrestling with pride, loneliness, and a desperate desire to be seen as capable. She pushes people away not because she does not care, but because she cares too much and is terrified of disappointing them. It is a painfully relatable portrait of a young athlete, and it reframes her earlier attitude entirely. You cannot help but root for her to find a healthier way to connect with her friends and with the ice itself. Inori, affectionately stuck in her awkward Kuroda era flashbacks, provides the perfect contrast. Where Mika overthinks and self-criticizes, Inori skates with pure, unguarded joy. Seeing her unpolished but earnest early days is a reminder of how far she has come in such a short time under Tsukasa, and how much of her strength comes from simply loving to move. Plot-wise, little actually happens on the ice, but emotionally everything moves forward. Friendships are tested, small kindnesses land with huge weight, and the idea that regret can exist even in childhood gives the story a bittersweet edge. The art shines in the quiet moments, lingering facial expressions, hesitant glances, and soft body language that say more than dialogue ever could. It is a warm, character-driven breather that deepens the world and leaves you even more invested in every skater on the rink.