Original subtitles

[bright, jangly music playing]

[clicking tongue]

[metal jangling]

Doesn't it make you mad?

[Toya] No way.

It's just annoying, that's all.

[clicks tongue]

[Naoki] Nice to meet you guys.

We're TENBLANK.

TENBLANK…

[Naoki] On drums, Akane Saijo.

On bass and vocals,

Naoki Fujitani.

[playing "MATRIX"]

[in Japanese] ♪ Lifeless words Never reach anyone's heart ♪

♪ I don't want to sing Tainted by modern thought ♪

♪ Money, glory, status, and fame ♪

♪ They never made much sense to me ♪

♪ The answer I'm searching for Isn't something so corrupt ♪

♪ MATRIX, who am I? I'll never be anyone ♪

♪ I'm putting an end to my soliloquy ♪

♪ I'm taking sense and senselessness To another level ♪

♪ My heart's beating out of my chest ♪

♪ Life is smoldering Life is growing dull ♪

♪ I pour the essence of my sobbing soul ♪

♪ Into this endless stream of words ♪

♪ Even in these tenuous times ♪

♪ Where truth and lies are muddled Everywhere you look ♪

♪ You've gotta let Your impulses burst free ♪

[cheering and applause]

Just as I thought. Their drummer's the weakest link.

[man] Yeah! That was dope!

They're gonna have to do better than that one.

[yawns]

[slow heartbeat]

[cheering fades]

[sounds return]

-[sounds fade] -[heartbeat speeding up]

[breathing heavily]

[sounds return]

-[cheering fades] -[breathing heavily]

[heartbeat pounding]

[sounds return]

[playing "Crystalline Echo"]

[in Japanese] ♪ Am I still dreaming? ♪

♪ I'm sure I felt it ♪

-♪ Is there even any point… ♪ -[sound fading]

-[heartbeat] -[gasping]

She's getting stuck in her head.

♪ …in separating dreams from reality? ♪

♪ In a distant melody ♪

-♪ Far beyond our comprehension… ♪ -[gasping]

-[sounds fade] -[loud heartbeat]

[heartbeat speeding up]

[Naoki] Akane.

[sounds return]

Don't hold back. Let go.

Let go!

♪ …the raindrops celebrate this life ♪

♪ No matter what else happens ♪

♪ The moon will be found by the sun ♪

♪ I could never bring myself to tell you ♪

♪ It's the same for you and me ♪

♪ The way you held your umbrella… ♪

There she goes.

♪ Taught me everything about kindness ♪

♪ I hung my head and cried ♪

♪ Afraid you'd see through my imitation ♪

♪ No matter how many times We were broken apart ♪

♪ A song was found in our love ♪

♪ The magic that brings back to life ♪

♪ The sad melody that lost its way… ♪

[loud cheering]

♪ The moon will be found by the sun… ♪

This is boring.

♪ I could never bring myself to tell you ♪

♪ It's the same for you and me ♪

♪ The way your shoulders shook ♪

♪ Taught me everything about regret ♪

♪ I lost sight of what was right ♪

♪ And in a daze pulled you close ♪

[cheering]

So good!

What do you think of Naoki Fujitani?

I didn't think I'd like it that much.

[Isagi] Yeah.

The kid's brilliant.

-[cheering] -[woman] You wanna ruin his career?

Nah. I'll allow him to spread his wings.

For now.

He'll come back.

Back to me again.

[bright, emotional piano music playing]

[music fades]

[birdsong]

[lively guitar music playing]

Good morning, everyone.

-Oh! -Oh! Oh, oh, sorry. Are you okay? My bad.

-Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay. -Oh, good.

Kazushi!

Sho Takaoka's around every day now.

I hope I can get used to all of this.

[music fades]

-Huh? -It's your mug.

You're sure?

The way things are going, you'll need one.

Thank you, Kazushi.

I was kinda rude… the other day.

-[clattering] -Huh?

-Huh? -[loud banging]

-[Naoki] Rotation, rotation. -[light music playing]

[Naoki] Localization, lodestone.

[gasps] Lodestone!

Build for three beats.

Right there.

That locks everything into place.

[grunts] Ah.

If I use that instead, I have to arrange…

[Kazushi] Did he say he was working on a new song?

-[Sho] Beats me. Not that I remember. -[Naoki] …power…

[Akane] Sensei has three sides to himself, huh?

[Sho] Mmm. You're onto something.

He wears a mask for music, a mask for filming, and…

one that's human.

One that's human?

[guitar plays scattered notes]

All right. Please, everybody, listen up.

[Kazushi] What's with the "everybody"?

It took some time, but we have an official date for the release of our single.

Oh!

That means the ones who were fighting it can't stop it.

We're also past the point of no return together as a group.

We're in this together, so let's do this.

Let's focus up. The recording happens in three days.

-[playing guitar] -[all] What?

Hey, come on. You're joking. That's way too soon.

Did you choose a song already?

The song we did at the Yaon, with a new arrangement.

You're just starting now? Is there time to finish it?

[Naoki] I'll do my best!

[Kazushi] Um, I'm sure that will work for you.

Remember, she's got school and we don't.

[Akane] No. I'll be fine.

[Sho] That's what you say now,

but it's your first time recording with Sensei.

[Akane] Huh?

[poignant music playing]

[Naoki] I'm sorry.

You have school and all that.

I think your life could turn out different because we're working together.

-[girl 1] I love her. -[girl 2] I know, right?

-[girl 1] So unreal! -[girl 2] Next song'll be even better.

-[girl 1] We listen as soon as it drops. -[Akane] Whoa! It's Yukino Sakurai.

[Naoki] She's got a great voice.

Yeah. And her songwriting is really good too.

Her producer was Ichidai Isagi, right?

Sensei?

[chuckles] I can see you up there like her in no time.

Really? [chuckles]

[rock music playing]

[Naoki] No.

[track restarts]

Hey, no. Sorry.

Start over. Something's off.

[track restarts]

-[Naoki] No, that's not it. Again. -[Kai] That's our time.

I'm sure Ms. Saijo's worn out too.

I can keep going. Please let me go on.

I can play it again. Tell me what needs to be fixed. It's okay.

-I just-- -All right.

I need you to show us the Akane I know. In the session.

[paper rustling]

[footsteps approaching]

[Kazushi] Here.

[Akane] Huh?

I got one during the session.

[Akane] Thank you.

Sensei says I need to show the Akane he knows.

I wonder what she's like.

I know that's what he said, but don't take it so seriously.

You know how he is. That mind of his is full of his music.

Other than that, he's not a good person.

What do you mean, Kazushi? Are you saying you hate him?

It's different than like or hate.

[poignant music playing]

We're rivals.

Rivals?

Till now, I always made music on my own.

I made tracks digitally and uploaded them online.

That was good enough for me. I liked it.

No unnecessary noise getting in the way.

Joining a band really wasn't my style.

Then one day, he asked if I wanted to collaborate.

Think about it. That means, if he asked you,

Sensei appreciated your sound, isn't that right?

But he can do everything by himself. He doesn't need anyone.

He's good at bass and guitar.

He might even outdo me on the keyboard.

That jerk doesn't need to start a band. I don't understand why he's doing it.

Even so, I needed to show he wasn't the only one with talent.

I swore that I'd show him, no matter what.

That's why I'm here.

So.

This is your chance to show him too, Akane.

What are you… This is a pep talk, right?

What?

Whatever. I was just telling you the truth. That's what I think.

I like you, Kazushi. You're really kind.

Whoa. I can't deal with you.

That stupid positivity of yours. It's so annoying.

[chuckles]

[music fades]

[Kai] We'll never make the deadline like this.

We need to update the schedule again.

[woman] TENBLANK. There you are.

-[inspiring music playing] -[Akane] Yukino Sakurai.

It really is you.

I saw you guys play.

What a talented, handsome singer.

It's so unfair, I love it.

[music fades]

[Isagi] I took her with me to your gig at the Yaon.

[tense, discordant music playing]

How often do you get to see history in the making with your own eyes?

TENBLANK, right? You're gonna reinvent the rock scene from the ground up.

[Kai] Long time no see, Mr. Isagi.

Your name, uh… What was it again?

Miyako Kai with BEAT Corporation.

I manage and produce TENBLANK. Nice to see you again.

Might wanna let him take care of producing the music.

The man can do it on his own.

Right?

You're recording something today in the studio?

Yeah. Yukino's album sessions are today.

However, her title track isn't really quite there yet.

[chuckles] We thought maybe it could feature Naoki on a song.

The lead singer of TENBLANK, isn't that great?

That's the first I've heard of it.

[Isagi] Yeah.

That's because I haven't asked you yet.

And I'm sure I'm right.

That you'll graciously accept.

'Cause when it comes to Naoki,

both of us know just how your mind works.

[Kai] Excuse me… but we have to go now.

[Isagi] I'll be in touch soon.

[Yukino] Bye-bye.

[Kai] Absolutely not.

-If you work with Isagi again, the same-- -Kai.

Thanks for looking out for me,

but I'll be okay.

[drumming]

[unsettling music playing]

-Do it again. -[Akane] Yeah.

That's wrong.

Not those sounds.

Right.

-Do it again. -[Akane] Yes.

Hmm. Once more from the fill four bars ago.

[Akane] Yeah.

[unsettling music continues]

[drumming playing through headphones]

[unsettling music continues]

-[music fades] -[elevator chimes]

[sighs]

Good morning.

Oh, morning.

You stayed here all night?

[sighs] You're here to see it.

[keyboard playing intense, fast rock music]

[Kai] Naoki!

[Naoki continues playing]

[grunts]

Huh?

Where did I wander off to?

You managed to stop short of Mars, I guess.

[Akane] Sensei.

I've had enough of all this.

It's not working.

[Naoki panting]

Even if the song stayed like it was,

whenever you play a song in studio, the sound is gonna change, right?

You're getting hung up on this idea

and forcing us to fix a song that we already had down.

It's so simple. Why can't you understand that?

[Naoki] I never will.

[Kazushi] Whining about it won't change anything.

If you fall apart now, all the work will be for nothing!

[Naoki] I don't wanna sing it as it is!

[panting]

[swallows]

If I'm not happy with the composition of the song,

how could anyone else like it?

This is ours. TENBLANK's first single.

Is anyone gonna love it?

[Sho] I hear you, Sensei.

But there's one thing you don't get.

When you continuously delay recording,

all that stress it causes falls on everybody else.

Look at these two.

These kids are working nonstop and haven't complained once.

They're both worried about you.

Even if you push through and bury all these feelings about it,

and in the end, you decide that we definitely need a new composition,

then you should do it as a matter of pride.

Just know…

[sighs]

…if you keep the song exactly as it is,

you're not letting anybody down.

[Naoki sighs]

[Sho] Okay?

There's a right version of it.

I know I can work it out.

I just need time to find it. I'm really sorry.

[sighs]

[Sho sighs]

[piano music playing through earbuds]

[Isagi] I was called to you by your sound.

-[horn blares] -[piano music continues]

[clapping]

I like that song, Ichidai. It's great.

[exhales] Oh, yeah?

[echoing] Naoki! Listen to me, Naoki!

[thunder rumbles]

You're not going anywhere!

[Akane, muffled] Sensei.

Sensei!

[music stops]

You'll catch a cold out here. You should come inside now.

[sighs] Yeah, you're right.

I probably just want to stay out here to avoid seeing someone.

[Akane] Is it Mr. Isagi?

I was the one who turned him into a jerk.

What?

[horn blares]

I'm sorry, Akane.

I haven't been thinking about how everyone else is feeling.

I apologize.

Uh, well… I'm okay. Don't worry about it.

Honestly. It's my fault my drumming's no good.

At this point,

the rest of us, struggling as we're waiting on you…

Well, it's routine now.

It's just a part of it all.

I mean, nobody else can do what you do.

We can't imagine what you're going through.

We can't do this without you.

Huh.

Hmm.

[wistful music playing]

Akane, listen.

I've done a lot of awful things to others, and I never forgot what I did.

Even though that's true, I know one thing.

Despite all the hurt I've caused, I still feel content.

There are people who are still in pain because of what I've done.

And it's hard to face that.

But the music I create makes a lot of people happy.

More than those I've hurt.

It evens out, right?

And I want you to know…

I'd do anything to make you happy, Akane.

I swear I won't let you down, okay?

[emotional music swells]

[music ebbs]

[Sho] I heard Ichidai Isagi was at the studio today.

[Akane] Uh, yeah.

I guess he just so happened to be recording at the same place.

Yeah, "just so happened."

I wish we could have kept Sensei away from him.

[Akane] A new mask came out today.

[Sho] Huh?

[Akane] Naoki.

[Sho chuckles softly]

He's got a lot of masks he wears,

but at his core, I think he's always the same.

Sho Takaoka gave you a ride home? Are you serious?

[Akane] Yeah.

Why aren't you flipping out?

Is the Akane Saijo I know still in there?

[emotional music continues]

[Akane] Naoki told me he was content. But I don't think so.

He looked lonely.

He's giving everything he has. All of it.

He's pushing his limits, and it feels like one wrong move could break him.

Hmm. He does look like he's burning the candle at both ends.

Like one day, he could just disappear.

Don't say that!

[trembles] I think I'm scared.

I've never been afraid of drumming.

You're in uncharted territory.

In situations like this, there's only one thing to do.

Play those drums with all your heart!

[emotional music swells]

[sighs]

[gasps]

[music fades]

[sighs shakily]

[playing Sonatine, No. 2, "Mouvement de Menuet" by Ravel]

Yo, Little Miss Ambition.

Um…

Thank you for the Yaon. We really appreciate it.

Yeah, whatever. Thank you is right.

So, is OVER CHROME recording here?

Play along.

Do I have to? Or--

[Toya] Are you deaf?

[plays dissonant chord]

Do you have a thing with Naoki?

What? What are you saying?

When I heard you playing just like Naoki, I figured you two hooked up once at least.

-What? I only wanna create music together! -Only what?

Remember when you talked tough the other night, Little Miss Ambition?

You challenged OVER CHROME and then you forgot your own sound so easily?

That's so crazy.

I have my own sound?

[Naoki] I need you to show us the Akane I know.

In the session.

[Toya] I tried to warn you before.

If you and Naoki work together, there are only two ways this will end up.

You'll destroy his sound, or he'll destroy you instead.

I'd just give up now.

I won't give up on this!

[tuts]

[sighs]

Join in if you're good enough.

Look out, though. I'll kill you if you start sounding like Naoki again.

[playing aggressively]

Hey!

That sucks!

That's offbeat, you're amateur.

I'm hungry, buy me food.

Why would I do that?

[footsteps receding]

[server] Your ramen. Thank you for your patience.

-[Akane] Thank you so much. -[server] Of course.

-[Akane] Itadakimasu. -[Toya] You're unbelievable.

-What? I'm footing the bill. -[slurps]

If you don't put onions in ramen, you shouldn't be allowed to eat it.

[sighs]

Let's see.

Itadakimasu.

[Toya slurps]

[slurps] Mmm! It's so good!

Do you know why he quit?

Why Naoki quit playing music?

Huh?

I didn't hear about him quitting before?

This jerk, he stole his song when they were playing together.

[chuckles]

After that, the guy who stole the song,

karma caught up,

and his musical talent and reputation

were completely destroyed.

Serves the jerk right.

A genius's sound makes people uneasy.

Weird. Kai told me the same thing.

Don't ever put me on her level again.

No way.

Hey! Uh, where are you going?

RAMEN SHOP TORAICHI

[Toya, mouth full] I see you, genius.

[Akane] Oh.

What a coincidence to run into you here.

Interesting, right?

Is it true you're collaborating with Ichidai?

[poignant music playing]

[Toya] Where's your pride?

You're ready to sell out the first chance you get?

[Naoki] I have my own vision, and I'm willing to make things work.

[Toya] Skipping right over the agency and Miyako.

He's leeching off Naoki Fujitani's massive connections.

That guy's a joke, right?

There's no way I can avoid it,

but my name holds a lot of weight, I guess.

Since that's the way it's going,

I figure I should dirty my hands and use it.

[Toya] Listen to you, talkin' a big game.

Lookin' like you're half dead already.

You might think you're okay,

but you're grinding yourself into the ground.

Hah! Look at this guy.

Why not go until you end up dead for real?

If your sound means more to you than your health,

why not write as many masterpieces as you can, then drop dead?

They'll remember you then.

"The legendary genius, Naoki."

[stirring music playing]

Sorta like John Lennon?

I guess there's something to that.

[music intensifies]

-[tires screech] -[music stops]

[high-pitched ringing]

[Naoki] Akane?

Uh… [gasps]

Sorry. I forgot that I have to get home early.

Excuse me. I gotta go.

I'm sorry.

[poignant music playing]

[Akane panting]

[crosswalk bleeping]

[Naoki panting] Akane!

[gasps] Wait a second!

[sighs]

This.

[sighs] Here.

[panting] Give it a listen.

I rerecorded the bass. Got Kazushi to help out. He programmed it.

Akane?

I have to ask.

Do I not have what it takes to play your music?

The way I play already…

can I ever make you the sound you want?

I want to know, Akane. Let's pretend.

Just imagine that tomorrow, I died in a fluke accident somehow.

TENBLANK couldn't go on.

Uh…

Would you keep drumming, or would you give it all up?

[bleeping]

Forget about it. Just hypothetical.

I'll see you tomorrow.

[siren blaring]

[whistle blows]

[friend] He does look like he's burning the candle at both ends.

Like one day, he could just disappear.

-[siren continues] -[whistle blowing]

[man] Please step aside.

[siren and whistle getting louder]

[silence]

[emotional song in Japanese playing]

[horn blares]

-[music stops] -[splash echoes]

[both grunt]

-Akane? -I'd still play!

[emotional song resumes]

Even if you disappeared and TENBLANK wasn't around anymore.

Even if this was all gone.

I'll find my sound and I'll play the drums.

Even so.

Don't disappear like John Lennon did, okay?

[song stops]

["Crystalline Echo" playing]

[poignant music playing]

[Naoki] Hmm.

Yeah, that'll be the one.

[Kazushi sighs]

[birdsong]

-[shop bell rings] -I'm off.

[friend] Have a good day.

-Hmm. -[phone buzzes]

NEW MESSAGE FROM NAOKI

FRESHLY MADE CRYSTALLINE ECHO.MP3

[music fades]

["Crystalline Echo" playing]

[in Japanese] ♪ Am I still dreaming? ♪

♪ I'm sure I felt it ♪

♪ Is there even a point ♪

♪ To separating dreams from reality? ♪

♪ In a distant melody ♪

♪ Far beyond our comprehension ♪

♪ The raindrops celebrate this life ♪

♪ No matter what else happens ♪

♪ The moon will be found by the sun ♪

♪ I could never bring myself to tell you ♪

♪ It's the same for you and me ♪

♪ The way you held your umbrella ♪

♪ Taught me everything about kindness ♪

♪ I hung my head and cried ♪

♪ Afraid you'd see through my imitation ♪

♪ No matter how many times We were broken apart ♪

♪ A song was found in our love ♪

♪ The magic brings back to life ♪

♪ The sad melody that lost its way ♪

♪ No matter what else happens ♪

♪ The moon will be found by the sun ♪

♪ I could never bring myself to tell you ♪

♪ It's the same for you and me ♪

♪ The way your shoulders shook ♪

♪ Taught me everything about regret ♪

♪ I lost sight of what was right ♪

♪ And in a daze pulled you close ♪

[pensive instrumental music playing]

[music fades]