Original subtitles

Sensei? Should we move onto the next phrase?

Ah! No, you can't! Keep it right there.

I'm, uh… I'm finding it, it's coming.

The lyrics.

[in Japanese] ♪ Love is vague ♪

♪ Love is vague ♪

♪ You can't even see it ♪

♪ The reason the two of us were born ♪

♪ We entrust to the sound ♪

So?

Mm-hmm. I dig it. You?

-Yeah. -Let's go!

[Sho chuckles]

Oh, there we go. Good energy, Akane!

Thanks.

-[Sho] Sure. -[door opens]

It's about time we get going, Mr. Fujitani.

You know how the rep from Music Time can be a real stickler about punctuality.

After this, we've got a promo and a full recording session.

I guess we'll somehow find the time to get all that done.

You've got this, Gen. We appreciate you.

-Oh? -[Gen] Yeah, yeah.

-Are we twinning? -[Gen chuckles]

But seriously, I think it's better if you ease up on the schedule a bit.

Give yourself space.

Are you even listening to me?

[door closes]

Sho, you and Genji have some past? What's the story there?

Yeah, he was a roadie when I first got my start in the industry.

So…

even though it's his first time managing, I know I can trust him.

Naoki's gonna have a lot on his plate

until Genji really learns the ropes, I guess.

[Sho] Goes to show how much work Miyako really put in, doesn't it?

[click]

Right then, I'm out too.

-[Kazushi] Wait, this is-- -[Akane] Ah, see ya.

I'm gonna stay a bit longer, keep practicing.

That's the spirit, Akane.

She gets it.

[Kazushi] Have a good one.

[dreamy music playing]

Sensei.

Sensei.

When I think of you…

Akane.

Hidden inside of me…

there is this reverberating sound.

I know that I…

that I was born to let it out.

My music.

Music is the only thing I live for.

'Cause I can't live without it.

I'm sorry.

[sighs]

[sobbing softly]

[Akane] I'm totally fine.

I am all good.

Because I also

have my music.

[bright music playing]

[siren blaring]

[reporter] A female pedestrian was severely injured

after suffering a stab wound at around 4:00 p.m. in the Ōta Ward.

-[woman] Thanks for your patience. Here. -Aah! Thank you so much!

[gentle music playing]

Here, for keeping you so late.

Come on. You know I was practicing too.

[Akane] Itadakimasu.

Mmm. It's good.

Do you know why? Why Miyako quit so suddenly?

[Kazushi] Knowing her, I'm sure she'll be fine.

[Akane] Yeah. I think you're right about that.

Oh. Ow!

Oh, my blister tore again.

Hey! Ow! What did you do that for?

You're overdoing it.

And everyone can see through it.

Huh? See through what?

Your hair's a dead giveaway.

Huh? Oh, no. Does it look bad?

You know that's not what I'm saying.

It's obvious that something happened between you two.

I was afraid you would ask.

Actually…

and I think it might surprise you, but…

Sensei rejected me.

-Course he did. -Of course he did!

To be fair, I didn't actually say it, and I'm already, like, totally fine, so…

-Huh? -I warned you this would happen, didn't I?

What?

It's just…

it's a little unsubstantiated, isn't it?

Hmm?

Unsub what?

-Kazushi, you like big words, don't you? -Huh? Nah, you're just too basic.

-[man 1] I know! Toya's such a badass. -[man 2] Right? OVER CHROME is the best.

-[man 1] I know! -[man 2] I'll stan those two till I die.

-[Akane] They do look cool. -[man 1] For life, bro.

[Kazushi] Huh?

[train rushing by]

-Oh, no. Tell me it's not… -[train approaching]

[Akane] What's the matter?

They have the same release date.

As we do.

[phone buzzes]

-Oh. -Hmm?

TOYA SHINZAKI NEW MESSAGE

What? Why is his number in your phone?

TOYA SHINZAKI NEW MESSAGE

NEW SONG OC_NO29.WAV

[Akane] "New song."

[pop music playing]

[Toya, in Japanese] ♪ The reluctant waning moon ♪

♪ Drifts above Blotting out the crescent ♪

♪ A shaking, shaking ♪

♪ Quivering voice ♪

♪ Sang out in full vibrato ♪

♪ The frustrations And struggles of my past ♪

♪ Surely made me who I am ♪

♪ I vowed to this formless love ♪

[song stops]

[rock music playing quietly]

So… are we really thinking Toya Shinzaki plagiarized Naoki's song?

I mean, what else could it be?

It's inconceivable they would come up with the same melody at the same time.

I agree with you, but would he really do that?

♪ Push you to the limit… ♪

-[Momoko] Here you are. -[Sho] Oh, thanks so much.

Wow. Sho and Kazushi here in my shop, so cool!

[giggles] I'm a little starstruck.

Mom, you're embarrassing me.

Oh, stop it. They're your bandmates and they look after you,

so greeting them is just a common courtesy.

-[chuckles] -Yeah. It's very nice to meet you.

-We're happy to have her in the band. -Wonderful.

-[Kazushi] Lovely to meet you, ma'am. -Thank you so much.

-Oh, please enjoy. -Oh, thanks so much.

[Kazushi] Thank you.

[sighs]

♪ Hold me tight, waitin' for the moment… ♪

Let's not bring this up with Naoki, okay?

Huh? Why not?

If he finds out about this, he'll scrap the song.

-We can't let that happen. -We better get it recorded.

Agreed. We didn't do anything wrong, anyway.

We just keep our song on track and we can deal with the fallout later.

♪ To the limit ♪

♪ Pray to each… ♪

["Unbalance" by SAKUU playing on speakers]

[grunting]

[grunts]

Oh. Yukino.

How was it? Naoki's cabin in the woods?

[grunts]

Have you been keeping something from me?

If you have, now's the time to say it.

[sighs]

Why would I?

Why would you?

You and I,

we're not equals.

[tense music playing]

-Huh? -And just so we're clear.

Your opinions are not worth anything to me.

[gasping]

Ah!

[Isagi] It's a shame, you know.

We've already blown through all of Naoki's stuff.

We used every last song he left behind.

[Yukino gasps]

-[Isagi] Do you get it now? -[gasps]

[gasps]

[shudders]

Without me,

you're burned.

You'll never have a hit again.

[chuckles]

Something… you best not forget.

[music fades]

[heavy rock music playing]

[crowd] Toya! Mahiro!

TOYA & MAHIRO CARVE ME

[tires screech]

-[clamoring] -Toya! Toya! Toya!

[sounds fade]

-Ouch! What-- -You've had your look.

Now let us through, huh?

[all screaming] Toya! Toya!

[all continue] Toya! Toya!

-[clamoring] -[cameras clicking]

Nice. That's great fan service, buddy.

They don't know how hard it would be, actually being in love with you.

Do you think their lives would be easier with you?

They would be in for it either way.

And they'd like it. Our songs are like their sustenance.

LET ME DO IT!

THANKS SO MUCH, TOYA

AKANE SAIJO VOICE FILE SENT

READ: NEW SONG OC_NO.WAV

[sighs] Why does she get to me?

-[sighs heavily] -So…

Huh?

Who's this nuisance?

Who's this girl that's getting in the way of all your work?

You're jealous of someone, huh?

[clamoring continues]

[music fades]

-[Akane] Good morning. Morning. -[both] Good morning.

[Sho] So then there's nothing we can do to change your mind?

[Naoki] No.

[Akane] Huh? What's going on?

[Kazushi] Today's session has been canceled.

The song from before? It's off the album, I guess.

[Akane] What? Why?

You can ask him yourself.

Sensei.

This is because you heard Toya's new song, isn't it?

Yeah, mm-hmm.

It's easier to let it go than kick up a fuss.

[Akane] But why?

So OVER CHROME has the same melody. Why do we have to scrap the song we wrote?

It's all good. We'll make up other songs.

[Kazushi] It's things like that, you know.

Just because everything you spit out is gold, you can say stuff like that.

[Naoki] But Kazushi, don't you know?

I already have a new song bouncing around in here.

There are countless, waiting to come out.

That's why I don't feel the need to be stuck on that one song.

[gentle music playing]

So that's it.

[music stops]

[Genji] Sensei.

The press is waiting.

I'm sorry. But I've made up my mind.

[poignant music playing]

[panting]

-[running footsteps] -[Akane panting]

[music fades]

[scoffs] So you left me on read and ran all the way here?

I thought that… it'd be better in person.

-[panting] -[laughs]

Oh, man, you're down bad for me. [chuckles]

That track that you sent me. It sounds just like TENBLANK's song.

It doesn't sound exactly like it, but it's the same melody.

[Toya] Oh, really?

Why are they so alike?

Did you actually steal Naoki's song?

You think I'm that low?

Now he's decided that we're going to scrap the song.

But I don't wanna do that. I don't wanna give up on Sensei's song.

'Cause I know… that this song, it means a lot to Naoki.

And?

[Akane] So, please…

would you consider changing your song instead?

Huh?

Toya, I'm begging you.

[laughing]

[tense music playing]

Huh?

That's what you ran all the way here to say?

-[Akane] Yes. -[laughs]

I see.

Just because the melodies are the same, he's not going to release the song.

[Akane] That's right.

Bastard.

-[Akane gasps] -Come on.

And how's our genius doin' tonight, huh?

You're interrupting an interview!

Yo, tell me. How's that little song you wrote?

Why don't you sing it for me, huh? Come on.

What's that? You don't wanna?

I want a song, Naoki!

That so?

Then…

lend me Akane, will you?

[Akane] What?

Akane is mine now, Naoki.

Well, then, come on in.

[tense music continues]

Hey.

[Mahiro] Is this the girl?

-[music fades] -The one who's been slowin' you down?

Hold on, I bet you'll think this is funny.

[chuckles]

I'll find it funny if she somehow gets you back to work now.

The new single I wrote?

Well, she says Naoki wrote a new song and the melody is identical.

And they drop on the same day.

[Mahiro sighs]

This could not have gone worse.

[Akane] Huh?

[Mahiro] In my opinion, you should pull the release.

[laughs] There is no way!

Um, so you really didn't know anything about the melodies?

[Mahiro sighs] And we put so much damn work into it.

I would have insisted we do a different song if I'd known.

-[Toya slurps] -So then how?

All right, enough already, Akane.

Go on and play us this damn song of yours. It's only fair.

-[Akane] What? -[Mahiro] I agree.

It's a good idea. Honestly, we want to hear it.

You have all these instruments to choose from. Please, take your pick.

[suspenseful music playing]

But I would need the band for that.

-Especially for that song. -[snorts]

You know…

you might be one of the most stubborn people I've met.

It reminds me of him and I hate it.

[loud crashing]

[music stops]

Apologies for barging in like that.

Uh…

but would you please return Akane to me?

[grunts]

Come on. Let's go, Akane.

[Akane] Oh, okay.

[Toya] You really came all the way here just to collect her?

That's right.

[Toya] What the hell is wrong with you, huh? You got brain rot?

Hmm? Brain rot?

Right out your ears. No more games.

What do you mean, you won't release the song?

[tense music playing]

You wanna just hand me the victory?

Such a coward.

So that's what's got you so upset.

It's infuriating. You've always been like this.

You don't understand what's important.

What is it I don't understand?

You underestimate my talent!

Oh.

Let's battle.

Only this time for real.

[chuckles] You're like a little bug waiting to get crushed.

And I will end you.

[Naoki] Hmm.

I'm okay. Let's do it.

The crowd will choose who's best in a battle of the bands.

What?

And the winner gets to release their song.

Hey! Wait a second.

Here we go again.

[laughs]

Simple and straightforward.

Whoever's better wins.

Go on, play! Let's hear your song on this piano, huh?

[Naoki] Oh.

So you had it all this time. The piano.

[chuckles]

When Toya was nine years old, his fingers were crushed by the cover.

Wait. Have you known each other since you were little kids?

Come on, you don't know?

Naoki's my older brother. Different moms, though.

Huh?

It's true. We're half-brothers.

What?

It makes sense Toya's melody is the same as in our song.

I was taught that tune by Toya's mother.

It was very special to her.

[Akane] So that's what happened.

Man, I didn't think I'd put my fingers on this piano again.

Just get on with it and let's hear the song, Naoki!

[Naoki] I can, but I'm out of practice.

[Toya tuts]

[Naoki] Hmm. Okay.

I'll play it only once.

I mean it.

This is it.

This is the last time I'll play this song in my life.

[tender ballad playing]

So much… sorrow.

[music intensifies]

[thinks] Is he… a god of music?

I think that's enough.

Let's go, Akane.

Ye… yeah.

[door closes]

You know somethin'? I really hate you.

[Naoki] You do? Well, I'm sorry.

You know that your music…

it makes people unhappy.

[calm, dreamy music playing]

[Mahiro] But let me tell you this.

If you use your music to make Toya suffer or deliberately try to make him unhappy,

then that's just hubris and you know it.

You're right.

Naoki, your Sensei.

Well, I think he must really like you.

[Akane] What?

Later.

[sighs]

[young Toya screams]

[clashing notes play]

[sighs]

[door opens]

[train horn blares]

[warning bell ringing]

-[brakes screech] -[train engine whooshes]

[Akane] Sensei!

Sensei?

[clashing notes play]

-[Akane] Sensei? -You're not going anywhere!

[Akane] Sensei.

[jumble of noises]

Sensei!

[warning bell continues ringing]

[sounds fade]

[Naoki] Oh.

Sorry I ran off like that.

I'm not very good at being told I'm hated, so I ran away.

[warning bell continues ringing]

I don't think anyone is very good at being told that someone hates them.

Yeah? Everyone else seems to be able to tolerate it.

And so I think I'm especially vulnerable to it.

All the same.

It comforts me to see that someone has Toya's back.

I wasn't ready.

[warning bell stops]

I just didn't understand how to work well with someone I liked.

It made me forget how to put one foot in front of the other.

I did things I regret.

[gentle music playing]

[Akane] He says music is the only thing that he lives for.

I wondered how that could be. Why?

Always apologizing and enduring.

Trapped in his own thoughts.

Making decisions.

And being so kind.

Sensei!

I thought to myself, "He's not a god."

I need to tell him.

[upbeat song in Japanese playing]

Well, you see…

Sensei, I love you!

Uh…

But it's not just me.

Because Sho feels the same too.

And Kazushi as well.

Everybody in TENBLANK loves you so much.

No matter if someone says they hate you.

No matter who you might make unhappy.

'Cause you see, this is the first time

I've felt so passionate about making music.

This isn't coming out how I wanted.

[sighs]

You'd be successful on your own, sure.

But with all of us as a band, we can be even bigger!

I think that we can do anything!

[laughs]

Okay, all right.

A team like the Avengers.

[warning bell ringing]

Oh!

The gates are closing!

Sensei, when you played,

it was such a sorrowful sound.

Yeah. Sadly, it does have that effect.

Though halfway through, it changed moods.

Light and sweet. The sound was sparkling.

When I was playing that song,

it changed 'cause I switched to your sound.

[Akane] Hmm?

[Naoki] It was your rhythm.

It was Sho's riffs too.

And Kazushi's arrangements.

I let our sounds move my fingers.

And it was beautiful.

That rendition. That was TENBLANK's sound.

[song stops]

DREAM MUSIC STUDIO PRE-SURVEY

[tense music playing]

[sobbing]

Yukino, what's the matter?

Ever since you came back from the mountains,

you've been acting strangely.

-[Yukino sobs] -Did something happen there?

[Yukino] My songs.

[gasps]

Every last one of them

were written by Naoki Fujitani.

[sniffles]

He made me sing them, all of them under his own name.

-Isagi did this. -[phone buzzing]

CALLING ICHIDAI ISAGI

[Yukino gasps] But I can't go against him.

If I do, he'll kick me out of the industry.

CALLING ICHIDAI ISAGI

[gasps]

[Isagi] Yukino?

Yes?

I'm already working on getting you a new song.

So don't go running off on me

like Naoki did.

[excited chatter]

[vibrant music playing]

[woman] Ticket check is just up ahead.

Please come through. You just can't block the line.

KUMA TOYA, LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR SHOW!

[reporter on radio] …that area.

A pedestrian was brutally stabbed while walking last night.

[man] Sorry to bother.

Toya's really running behind.

[Mahiro] I mean, it is a pretty special day.

He's probably a little too fired up.

Okay, I'll come back later. Excuse me.

[music intensifying]

[music fades]

[sighs]

[yawns]

[woman] Toya.

Hey, what's your problem?

[silence]

[disturbing music playing]

[music intensifying]

[silence]

[dramatic piano music playing]

[music fades]

[calm piano music playing]