Original subtitles

So, about the joint practice session next week.

Three other schools will be participating.

Lilac goes straight from middle to high school so they have lots of experienced talent.

Last year, they came first in Kyoto for both recitation and announcing.

In recitation, they even got to the final round at nationals.

Wow...

For your information, I placed third in Kyoto.

You're amazing too, Mizuki-senpai.

Chizuru High is a huge club with about thirty members.

Last year, two of their second-years placed for recitation and announcing respectively.

Yeah, their president has like the hottest voice ever.

You know, the older brother of Toga's friend we met the other day.

Oh, the friend on the track team?

Otowa High is a force to be reckoned with for their video productions.

They got pretty far last year at nationals in the original TV drama category.

Learning alongside students from other schools is a valuable opportunity.

I hope you all get a lot out of it.

Okay!

We're here!

It's too bad Toga decided not to come.

Well, I don't think he necessarily had to come.

He's not competing in PA or recitation, after all.

No fair.

Hey, Kichijoji!

It's been ages. How have you been?

She your girlfriend?

Don't be rude to our guest instructors.

These two are announcers on MYK TV, here to provide instruction this year.

I'm Manaka Hayashi.

And I'm Monaka Hayashi.

Thank you for today.

I always watch you both on TV.

Thanks.

We competed against Kichijoji back in high school.

It might not be obvious in person, but Kichijoji is a really excellent teacher.

Are you sure?

Some advisors don't know a thing about broadcasting, you know.

Kichijoji's the one who organized this event, too.

I guess you sometimes do your job as an advisor, huh?

Compliments won't get you any points, mind you.

Anyway, you students should get going to your classrooms.

All right.

Recitation people go here.

Announcing is a floor above.

Right. See you later.

Good luck.

Natsue?

See you.

Natsue.

What?

Umm, can we eat lunch together later?

If you want.

Yay!

Come on, that's not something to celebrate over.

Let's go, Akiyama.

Okay!

'Scuse us!

Mizuki!

Aww, there there.

It's been forever! How were you?

Just great!

Glad to see you're doing well too, Pokoko.

Come on, treat your senpai with more respect.

"Senpai"?

Are you a first-year at Sumomogaoka?!

Uh, yes!

Erm...

I'm Pokoko Botanboko!

Sounds like a tongue-twister, doesn't it?

Miss Botanboko came first in Kyoto last year for the recitation category.

The one who got to the final round at nationals?

Oh, right!

Let me introduce our members to you, Mizuki!

Uhhh...

Come with me!

Jeez, do I have to?

You too, Ryoko. Come on!

Coming.

I chose Ten Nights of Dreams, of course!

Ooh, okay!

You're just as tall as ever, Hakoyama.

Uh, okay.

Hi, sorry! Can I sit next to you?

Oh! Yes, of course.

Thanks.

I'm a first-year at Lilac, Xiangling.

I'm a first-year at Sumomogaoka, Hana Haruyama.

It's nice to meet you.

I lived in China until halfway into middle school.

So my Japanese isn't perfect.

Nice to meet you.

Really, I'm glad you're so easy to talk to.

E-Excuse me.

Can I sit here?

Of course!

Thanks.

I'm a first-year at Otowa High School, Misaki Kumori.

I'm Xiangling, from Lilac.

I'm Hana Haruyama, from Sumomogaoka.

Nice meeting you.

Oh, Miss Haruyama?

Hmm?

In the broadcasting club at Sumomogaoka, is Nats—

All right everyone, take your seats please!

We're starting the workshop now.

I'm Manaka Hayashi, in charge of recitations.

I know you all must be worried about your own material,

but today I'll be offering guidance using the same material for everyone.

For any material, you need to think about the same basic things.

Where you place stress, word inflection, and how to split up words.

For example,

if you split it here the case is black.

If you split it here it means the cello is black.

The same sentence can take on different meanings depending on where you split it up,

so you have to really think about where you pause for breaths.

Let's try practicing with these points in mind.

Hmm, reading this on the fly is pretty hard.

I can't really sight-read proper inflection yet, either.

Did you both join the broadcasting club from high school?

Yeah.

That's right.

I've been in the broadcasting club since middle school,

but I've been in a slump recently.

A "slump"?

I feel like my reading was a lot better in middle school, somehow.

Oh, that wasn't the best thing to talk about right off the bat. Sorry!

No need to apologize.

Let's work at it together so we can all improve!

Thanks.

But honestly, this passage. The Japanese is weird.

Kenji Miyazawa's work is kind of unusual.

The rhythm of the sentences is hard—

"The next evening,"

"Gauche again returned home lugging his black cello case."

"Cat, didn't you learn your lesson?"

"So Gauche yelled, when all of a sudden a sound tumbled from a hole in the ceiling"

"and a single gray bird came down."

"As it landed on the floor, he saw it was a cuckoo."

"A bird this time? And what do you want?"

"Gauche asked."

"I want you to teach me music,"

"...the cuckoo replied with a straight face."

Aww! Thank you for listening!

Pokoko's as impressive as ever.

We've gotta show 'em what we got, too.

Botanboko-senpai really is amazing.

Even though we're reading the same passage, what makes hers so different from mine?

Our advisor says it's how meticulously she breaks things down.

Her reading is original but still mindful of its listeners, apparently.

That's complicated advice.

"The next evening,"

"Gauche again returned home lugging his black cello case."

"Cat, didn't you learn your lesson?"

"So Gauche yelled, when—"

You there, were you ever in the drama club?

N-No...

No? I thought you might be, given the way you read.

The way I read?

Yes. I'm guessing you're the type who gets fully immersed in roles.

But recitation shouldn't get overpowered by acting,

and what you can't cover up by powering through ends up sticking out.

Oh, I'm sorry!

I was just thinking about how your reading could get even better.

You still have some technical things you need to work on,

but if you keep learning I think your recitations will be superb.

After all, you have such a lovely voice.

A-All right!

Anyway, good luck.

Some technical things to work on, huh?

Your reading is tiring to listen to, Hana.

Huh?!

Really? But you have a great voice.

A great voice is different from great reading.

I mean, I have a sweet voice too!

True, you do have a lovely voice.

You were supposed to call me out!

And what are you smiling for?

Well, I just feel like we're friends now.

I've never made friends from another school, so I'm glad.

I'm glad, too!

Same.

Hey, let's exchange contact info.

Sure.

Great idea!

Oh... this?

It's my good luck charm!

Hana!

Can I join you for lunch?

Sure. But I'm meeting a friend so is it okay if it's the three of us?

Of course. Thanks!

Hey, there's something I wanted to ask you.

Okay.

Haruyama.

You think it's okay, making me wait like...

Anne!

You came?

I bumped into Misakki the other day...

I have this childhood friend.

Does that mean, your childhood friend "Misakki"...

Congratulations on graduating!

I thought you would be going to Lilac, Anne.

I decided not to because it has an affiliated middle school.

Wasn't going to Otowa High with me an option?

No.

Why not?

Well...

Hey, even after we graduate we can still hang out, right?

Why would you ask that?

I just hope we can stay friends forever, Anne.

I'm sure we'll see each other at tournaments.

As long as we both stay in broadcasting.

Yeah...

I'll keep working on my recitations.

I mean, I only made it to nationals for the NHK Cup because I was with you.

That's not true.

It was the result of your efforts.

You're amazing, you know.

Thanks...

Anne, are you enjoying life in high school?

It's fine.

Are you spotting Hana's reading every day like you used to do with me?

No.

I see!

When did the two of you meet?

We've been together since we were little!

Anne said she was joining the broadcasting club, so I tagged along.

Huh...

And why did you want to join the broadcasting club, Natsue?

I just... felt like it.

Anne was looking for a club that dominates!

"A club that dominates"?

Yes! Our middle school is a regular champion at broadcasting.

So out of all the clubs, Anne chose the one that was outperforming the rest.

Will you stop talking for me?

Th-That sure sounds like Natsue.

Anne really is amazing, you know!

The second year of middle school, she chose a passage for me,

and that's why I made it to nationals!

Because you were capable.

No, it was a fluke!

I just happened to do well on the actual day.

Wh-What did you read?

The Moon Over the Mountain.

I was planning on reading from a different book,

but Anne told me if I want to win, I should do as she says.

That, I've heard before.

Actually, I still have that passage from The Moon Over the Mountain on me.

Oh! I'd love to see it!

Hold on.

Here it is.

I made notes on all the advice Anne gave me.

This really takes me back.

All the memories are rushing back.

Do you still remember how to read this though it's been so long?

Somewhat.

Maybe I'll read it for old time's sake.

Really?! Read it, read it!

"By the light of the fading moon they made their way over some grass in the woods,"

"when sure enough, a fearsome tiger leapt out of a thicket."

"The tiger looked about to pounce on Yuan Can,"

"but instead turned abruptly and retreated back into hiding."

"From the thicket came a human voice,"

"muttering repeatedly that it had been a close call."

"It was a voice that Yuan—"

Stop it!

Since when do you suck this bad?

Lately... I've been faltering a little.

You can't be serious.

How could you have lost everything that was good about your reading?

It's like you're not even trying.

Natsue, that seems a bit...

I'm going back to the classroom.

Anne... wait!

No!

Why?

Why does Anne keep avoiding me?

Miss Kumori, are you okay?

Does Anne just not like me anymore?

Uh, Natsue seemed kind of cross today but she's actually really nice,

so if you have a proper talk with her I'm sure she'll understand.

I know better than anyone how nice Anne is.

I mean, we were always together.

To me, Anne...

I hate this.

I don't want the bond between us to just become a memory.

It's gone!

The phone charm she gave me!

Your good luck charm?

Let's go look for it!

Is love just gone from this world, never to return?

Huh?

Ahhh, the tournament's coming up and I'm so nervous!

Jeez, will you calm down?

You'll miss out on enjoying the class trip.

Then here, for good luck.

Matching charms.

If you put this on, it'll help you feel a little better, right?

Hello? Natsue, help!

Natsue, help!

Haruyama?! What's wrong?

You see...

You actually had me worried.

Why would you be so confusing on the phone?!

But Miss Kumori wouldn't let me go.

Jeez, will you stop sniveling?

You're causing trouble for Haruyama.

This is all your fault, though!

Me?

You keep distancing yourself from me.

You basically abandoned me!

But then you get mad at me because now I suck?!

It's like I always told you, I only got better because of you, Anne!

Don't turn your back on me just because I'm changing.

Look at me for who I am now!

"By the light of the fading moon they made their way over some grass in the woods,"

"when sure enough, a fearsome tiger leapt out of a thicket."

"The tiger looked about to pounce on Yuan Can,"

"but instead turned abruptly and retreated back into hiding."

"From the thicket came a human voice,"

"muttering repeatedly that it had been a close call."

"That voice. Is that you, Li Zheng my friend?"

"After some time, a low voice growled back."

"Indeed it is I, Li Zheng of Longxi."

"Yuan Can forgot about being afraid."

"He dismounted his horse and approached the thicket of grass,"

"greeting his old friend that it had been too long."

"Then he asked why Li Zheng wasn't coming out of the thicket."

"I am no longer what I once was."

"How can I reveal myself to you, my friend, when I am ashamed of what I have become?"

I realize now.

The only reason I made it to nationals in middle school was because of your guidance.

I didn't get worse at reading in high school.

It's just that with you gone, I lost the crutch I had always leaned on.

You got results at that tournament because you had the aptitude.

No, you're wrong.

I'm glad I realize that now.

From here on, I'm going to get better.

As good as you are.

Hey!

This one's yours, right?

Don't go losing it. I mean, I still have mine on me.

Anne...

But really, it sounds like you caused a huge hassle for Haruyama.

You'd better apologize.

Umm...

N-No need to apologize!

We're friends already.

Hana! Thank you!

Sure, Miss Kumori.

Oh, hey.

You can call me by my first name, okay?

What? Are you sure?

Of course!

M-Misaki.

Hana!

Misaki.

Hana.

S-Same for me...

Huh?

N-Never mind!

Come on! Let's hurry back!