Original subtitles

[dynamic music playing]

One, two…

[all] Let's go!

[crowd cheering]

[playing "MATRIX"]

[in Japanese] ♪ 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 ♪

[woman] So here we are. TENBLANK's first national tour.

As you know, I also had the opportunity to cover your concerts.

I was surprised by how much the shows take out of you all.

I mean literal cuts and abrasions.

For some reason, I had this image of TENBLANK as more level and cerebral.

Funny, our manager used to say we were an intellectual band in the beginning.

Now when he sees me, he just calls me a crazy fool.

[cheering]

[interviewer] And what do you think of TENBLANK now?

Did the band come out as expected? Or entirely different?

Hmm. Honestly, it's a dream.

In that the band always defies expectation.

-Every time we play, the dream comes true. -[interviewer] Ultimately…

Can we keep this going?

[interviewer] …it's like you're willing to give it all on stage, hold nothing back.

What would I hold back for?

Holding back would be impossible.

[in English] ♪ Stay here, 'cause nowhere is better ♪

[in Japanese] ♪ I missed the sounds That meant the most ♪

♪ A rhythm that's ours alone Is beating eternally ♪

♪ Like a concert, the beat never stops ♪

[in English] ♪ Chasing blurry lines ♪

[crowd] ♪ You know you are beautiful ♪

♪ Just us breaking all the rules ♪

♪ With you, there's no waste of time ♪

[in Japanese] ♪ You know ♪

♪ The reason we exist will never fade ♪

♪ It's right here, forever ♪

[in English] ♪ Yeah, we're chasing blurry lines ♪

[in Japanese] ♪ I realized Wherever my happiness was ♪

♪ You were always standing by its side ♪

♪ And right by your tears ♪

♪ I vow to sing for the rest of my life ♪

♪ No matter how many Millennia it takes ♪

♪ I'll wait ♪

♪ There's no such thing As right or wrong ♪

♪ Nothing is impossible ♪

♪ Listen, it's not about Winning or losing ♪

♪ There's no such thing as success or failure ♪

♪ Let's just be as we are ♪

[crowd] ♪ You and me ♪

[in English] ♪ You are You are beautiful ♪

♪ Chasing blurry lines ♪

[crowd] ♪ You are, you are beautiful ♪

♪ Chasing blurry lines ♪

[song ends]

[man] We love you, TENBLANK!

[loud cheering and applause]

[audience members] Encore!

[bright music playing]

-[Eiko] Hello, can you hear me? -[Akane] Yep. Hi there.

Oh! She's on, she's on.

How's the tour going?

Every day is a battle, but I'm having so much fun.

[chuckles] How are you guys?

-[Momoko] Hi, Akane! -Hello!

[Momoko] There's something we wanna show you!

Hmm?

[Eiko] And…

-Ta-da! -[cheering and laughing]

[Momoko] Everyone came to support you!

[laughs]

Oh! They love TENBLANK. They're all fans!

-[all cheer] Yay! -[Akane] Aw, thank you!

-[woman 1] Whoo! -[woman 2] Akane!

[man] I love you, Akane!

Aha.

So that's what you're so eager to share.

Huh? What?

I can see.

You got yourself a boyfriend?

Bingo.

One of our regulars, Takahashi! Yay!

-[Takahashi] Yay! -[Eiko chuckles]

Another prayer answered, yeah!

-A prayer? -Yeah, Eiko wrote it on an ema tablet.

Indeed I did. I went to Hikawa Shrine,

where prayers written on sacred ema tablets are answered.

Oh, really?

[Eiko] You should go. It's close to where you are.

Close to where I am now?

You know, you could invite Naoki to the shrine

and make a date out of it.

-[Eiko] That's not a bad idea! -It's not like that with Sensei.

I told you, okay?

[playing virtuosic guitar solo]

[pop music playing on speakers]

[Sho] And? What part do you wanna change?

[Naoki] More like, you know, the kind of sound that makes you want to faint.

[Sho] That signature Takaoka sound?

-[Akane] Thanks. -[Naoki] Precisely.

-[Sho] Shouldn't be hard. -[Naoki] What are you doing?

Since we're touring all over the place,

I thought we should try all the local specialties and treats.

KAWAGOE HIKAWA SHRINE

What's the Hikawa Shrine?

Oh! It's for tourists.

[guitar riff playing]

Hmm.

Hmm. That's not right either. That's too trashy sounding.

-That's not it. -[Sho] So what kind of sound?

Hmm. A sound that's so cool it kills me, if you please.

I have already played that for you plenty of times.

[Genji] Ah, there's something comforting

about the fact that you guys keep talking about music like that.

[Kazushi] We just don't have anything else to talk about, that's all.

[Naoki] Huh? Is that really what you think of us, Kazushi? Come on.

We talk about all kinds of fun things. Don't we, Akane?

Oh, uh, yeah. We do.

We talk about instruments.

Still sounds like music to me. [chuckles]

Well, it's not like we've spent that much time together outside the studio.

We gotta change all that. We all get along so well, right?

This year, we gotta spend Christmas together as TENBLANK.

We'll get a big tree and sing carols together.

-Full circle back to music. -Yeah, I'll pass. Thanks.

You should spend the holidays with the ones who really matter to you.

[Naoki] Huh? Gen, is there someone you like more than us?

[Genji] I'd better find one before Christmas.

-[chuckles] -[Naoki] Okay.

[Sho] Why are you laughing?

-It's a mission. -[Sho] You don't seem serious.

-[Genji] I'm serious. -[Sho] Really?

-[Genji] Yeah. -[Akane] Hey.

I was thinking we could all go to a shrine together.

-[Sho] Hmm? -My friend said there's one close to here.

-Let's all go! -I will pass.

[Genji] Don't take time to think it over.

[Sho] I've got plans already, so I won't make it,

but Gen here will go instead, right?

Oh, but I'm booked for a meeting already. Sorry.

[Naoki] Well, then.

Looks like it's just the two of us, Akane.

Huh? The two of us?

[woman 1] That's her.

[woman 2] Do you think it's okay?

-[woman 1] Let's go together. I'll ask. -[woman 2] Okay.

[woman 1] Um, excuse me.

Are you Akane?

Oh, uh, yes.

-Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! -Oh!

You know… I think that your drumming is so great!

I love TENBLANK!

[woman 2] And, uh, we're gonna be at the concert tomorrow!

We'll be cheering for you!

[gasps] Thank you so much!

-[woman 2] No, thank you. -[woman 1] Thank you, Akane!

-Sorry to bother you. -[Akane] Not at all.

-Thanks again. -[woman 1] It was her! She was so nice!

[woman 2] No one will believe us!

[Naoki] Akane.

Yeah?

Don't you know you'll be recognized right away?

Let's go.

[gentle music playing]

[Akane] But, Sensei, won't you get recognized?

[Kazushi] Where are we going again?

[Akane] Huh? Oh, Kazushi. What's the matter?

Nothing's the matter.

I, uh… I just changed my mind.

Hey. Isn't that Naoki's?

Mm-hmm.

Huh? Wait.

Aren't these corrective lenses?

Huh? Wait, Kazushi!

I don't buy it. What's the matter?

Come on!

Wow, look at that! It's huge! [laughs]

Aw, those kimonos are so cute.

[gentle music continues]

These look good.

[Kazushi] How did you end up wearing my glasses, Naoki?

[Naoki] Glasses are pretty amazing, aren't they?

I can see so clearly.

What kind of shrine is it?

So according to my friend,

prayers you write here on sacred ema tablets get answered.

Tablets, really? I've never written on one of those.

[Akane] Then we should definitely do that.

[Naoki chuckles]

[Akane] So, what do you think you will pray for, Sensei?

[birds chirping]

[Akane] Wow. It's so big!

KAWAGOE HIKAWA SHRINE

MAY THE TOUR BE SUPER DUPER SUCCESSFUL! AKANE

[Akane] What?

[Kazushi chuckles]

Nothing.

There you go.

-All done? -[Kazushi] What do you want?

-[Akane] Why are you hiding it? -Why'd you wanna see it?

-You wrote something weird? Let me see. -Of course I didn't.

FOR NAOKI TO PUT HIS MUG BACK IN ITS PLACE

SHO SHOULD STOP SPOILING NAOKI SAKAMOTO

These don't look like wishes to me.

Complaints, more like.

Seems to me asking for your wishes to be just granted is pretty selfish.

That's very you, Kazushi.

Uh, none for me?

Not enough room.

Huh? Is that a joke or what?

-[Kazushi chuckles] -Go on, say it!

What annoys you about me?

[Kazushi] I'm sure you can figure it out.

[Akane] I can figure it out?

Oh. When did you buy coffee, Sensei?

[Naoki] Hold on. I'm not doing this right, am I?

I think the correct order was to take the lid off first, right?

Don't worry about it, Sensei.

You can just pour the milk in from the lid.

Is that so?

-So, what do I do? -[chuckles]

-Here, let me see it for a second. -[Naoki] Hmm.

[Akane] Okay.

-There. -Ooh.

-You're so clever. -[chuckles]

Here.

-Mmm. -Everything okay?

Nature calls.

[sighs]

MAY THE TOUR BE SUPER DUPER SUCCESSFUL!

MAY I STAY BY SENSEI'S SIDE FOREVER AKANE

[poignant music playing]

LOVE KNOT CHARM

[Akane] Kazushi.

[Kazushi] What's with you?

[Akane] Wait!

I, uh…

I don't really know how to say it.

I think maybe you think…

Maybe you see me as…

as your rival.

Huh?

I think you like him too, right?

I'm such a moron.

I'm… I'm so sorry. I didn't notice. Well, not until now.

And I even went so far as to ask for your advice about him.

Uh, I'm really… I'm sorry. That must've been hard.

[scoffs]

[sighs]

You know, you're right.

You are a moron.

I'm sorry.

I'd hoped you'd given up. Forgotten about Naoki.

I don't think it'll happen. That much I know.

If you don't think it'll happen, then why?

'Cause maybe it's not pointless.

Putting that love out there.

And I don't want you to think I'm lying to myself either.

This love…

I want to feel it fully and treasure these special moments.

Of course it had to be now, right?

[shutter whirring]

Akane.

[Akane] Huh?

It's gotta be a tabloid.

[Akane] Huh?

[lively music playing]

-Let's go. -Okay.

[quirky music playing]

[Akane] Did we lose him?

[sighs]

Oh! Sensei. We left him!

[Yukino, in Japanese] ♪ Every time I'm walking home alone ♪

♪ I crave a sound that moves my heart ♪

♪ I wanna forget Those bad vibes from LINE ♪

♪ I tuck away my phone with a sigh ♪

♪ I don't like the way This familiar town ♪

♪ Looks right now, no ♪

♪ Isanai, invite me one more time ♪

♪ I won't forget again ♪

♪ That day I touched the light… ♪

[man] You had us worried, you know,

when you told us you'd be changing her sound up for the new song.

But her stream count just keeps on growing.

[chuckles] I know.

[man] You just draw the hits out of her like rabbits out of a hat.

So long as she's got you, Isagi, Yukino Sakurai is set in this industry.

♪ La-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ La, la-la-la-la, la-la la-la-la-la ♪

♪ La, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ La-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ La, la-la-la-la , la, la, la ♪

[music stops]

[man] Cut!

Okay. All right, everybody. Let's take a break.

Yukino, would you like some water?

[Yukino] I can't do it after all.

-It's Naoki's songs or nothing. -["Chasing Blurry Lines" playing]

[sighs] Really?

Too bad you think that.

Naoki told me himself he won't write any more songs for you.

And so my hand has been forced.

Poor little you gets your new songs this way now.

Sweet deal, isn't it?

[suspenseful music playing]

Says he who's empty inside.

You couldn't even make a song if you tried.

-♪ Chasing blurry lines… ♪ -Huh?

[recording stops playing]

Naoki and I share a singular musical soul.

And when he returns to me, the music will flow freely once more.

Our overwhelmingly unmatchable genius!

TENBLANK, please! That's not Naoki's real sound.

Furthermore, he sucks without me.

♪ Chasing blurry lines… ♪

[Yukino] You're crazy.

[suspenseful music intensifies]

[dialing phone]

[music fades]

Yes, it has been a while, doctor.

[gentle music playing]

[Kazushi] We were looking for you, you know?

Oh, if it isn't Kazushi.

Where'd Akane go?

I told her to go on ahead.

[Naoki] Hmm.

[Kazushi] What are you doing out here?

[Naoki] I feel like I can still improve on that arrangement from earlier.

But if so, then I have to use colors,

but it's not yellow, 'cause then it'd be a sunflower, and that…

And yet, I also want it to feel

like that feeling when you bump a scab and it's still healing, that feeling.

Ah, I'm done for.

Why is everything so weird now?

So in other words, what you're trying to say is it hasn't been coming together?

You're wrong. I'm just hungry is all.

Oh, come on.

[scoffs]

[sighs]

If it were up to me,

I would take out almost all of the supporting instruments' volume.

I'd bring the vocals directly to the front and create "loud silence."

Like in Japanese classical music.

[Naoki] Oh.

I hate you, Kazushi. You know that?

Huh. How do you cook up these arrangements I'd never be able to think of?

'Cause I'm not you. Wouldn't it be even worse if we thought the same way?

And if that's inadequate, come up with something else.

It's not inadequate.

But it makes me uncomfortable.

Something like this, it… makes me want to stomp on it.

What?

'Cause it's lovely.

[gentle piano music playing]

Do I detect some jealousy?

That's not it.

I'm running on fumes.

[sighs]

-Here. -[Naoki sighs]

Mmm.

Mmm.

You've become a very caring person, my dear Kazushi.

Hmm.

So, if I play it like Kazushi.

Yeah, there it is.

Gently, like this.

There, I can hear it.

How can I be so in love with TENBLANK and the sound we've created?

If I tried to conjure that endless noise all on my own, I'd be crushed to powder.

Come on, crushed to powder?

Yeah, but you'd be fine.

[sighs]

[humming]

Even you must have something

that you care about even more than music.

Be nice if I did.

Then, if you don't…

[music fades]

…let me date Akane.

[insects chirping]

[silence]

[man on megaphone] The doors will open in approximately 20 minutes.

We're finally here!

-TENBLANK! -We appreciate your patience.

The doors will open in approximately 20 minutes.

Your patience is greatly appreciated.

[rock music playing]

-♪ Stay here 'cause nowhere is… ♪ -Sorry, hold on a sec. Hold on.

-[Naoki] Hmm? -Can we stop for a sec?

Can I change guitars?

-To who and why? -To Midori.

Oh, I hate that one. She sounds so trashy and basic.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Taishi, pass me Midori.

-Akane. -Yeah?

-[Naoki] I think Unit 1 works better. -Make sure to check the metronome.

[Akane] Course.

[Naoki] If these were ladies in a lineup, who'd you take home? Sho!

-[Sho] Don't judge a book by its cover. -[woman] Uh, did, uh…

Did you guys have a fight or something? [chuckles]

-Of course not. -[woman] Right, how silly of me.

[Naoki] Let's take it from the top.

-[woman] Right. -[Sho] Here we go.

[door opens]

You know that this is your fault?

It's not fair!

You know that without your songs, I can't really sing!

This is on you, Naoki. You have to let me sing!

How can you be so cavalier about my career?

Take me seriously! [sobbing]

-[Genji] Yukino. -[Yukino] If they're not your songs--

-[Genji] Let's converse another time. -I agree. You're embarrassing yourself.

[Yukino] I don't give a damn!

But, Yukino, you know it's against the rules.

[gasps]

If you don't leave right now, I'll never speak to you again.

Let's talk business at our place of business, okay?

See you later.

[breathing shakily]

It's just work to you. [gasps]

You don't get it.

This is life.

For me too, Yukino.

It's not.

[takes hand]

It's okay. Let's go.

[Yukino] I'm sorry.

[gasps] I'm so sorry.

I know I shouldn't behave like this.

[sobs] That's the worst thing I could've done.

I just keep screwing up.

I understand.

I'm sure it's not easy.

[withdraws hand]

Thank you.

[sighs] You know, Akane.

I won't lie, I…

I hope the end of TENBLANK comes as soon as possible.

[Akane] Huh?

[delicate music playing]

I love your sound.

And Akane, I like you too.

[gasps]

But now I hate it.

Mm-mm. No.

Hate's not it either.

I'm still a fan of all your songs.

TENBLANK's music can even make me cry, you know?

But now it just feels like resentment.

[sighs]

Don't waste your kindness on me, girl.

If you're this nice to me now, then…

[sighs]

…you might just come to regret it later.

I'm warning you.

I won't ever give up until I get all of Naoki's music.

And I will also get Naoki. Heart and body and soul.

Whatever the cost.

Whatever I have to do.

Yukino.

You can't own anyone's soul like that.

Or their sound.

That really hurts coming from you, Akane.

[music fades]

[phone buzzing]

Yup, Genji here.

Huh? What are you talking about?

[man on megaphone] Please accept our apologies.

[clamoring]

[tense, nervy piano music playing]

[man] Today's performance has been canceled.

-[woman 1] We have no idea. -[Genji] Who told you that?

[woman 2] Who gave us the order? The higher-ups did.

[Sho] Hey, Gen!

The venue's been canceled. What does that mean?

What about the concert? There's a crowd out there waiting to come in.

Well, it looks like the company that owns the venue wants us out.

What's worse, it's not just here.

-What? -Huh?

I'm afraid all the remaining venues on the tour have canceled too.

-All of 'em? -What? But the tour has barely started.

Not to mention the shows were sold out. Why cancel now?

They won't book us, not a single one.

And the organizers are too busy trying to handle ticket reimbursements to help out.

No way.

There are so many people out there who are… waiting for us.

[Naoki sighs]

[Sho] Gen, is there really nothing we can do?

[Kazushi] So we're just supposed to pack up our stuff?

[Genji] Look, I really don't know how it came to this.

[man] We would like to inform you that today's

TENBLANK ARENA TOUR ZERO Saitama performance has been canceled.

[tense music continues]

TENBLANK'S NATIONAL ARENA TOUR ZERO SUDDENLY CANCELED

[chuckles]

TENBLANK'S NATIONAL TOUR SUDDENLY CANCELED

[music fades]

[footsteps approaching]

You've taken this too far, Isagi.

-[music fades] -[chuckles]

So you've returned, Naoki.

[phone buzzes]

NAOKI - TENBLANK NEW MESSAGE

IT'S BECAUSE OF ME SORRY FOR GETTING YOU INVOLVED

[gentle music playing]

I'M GOING TO LIVE STREAM NOW, OKAY?

[gasps]

[sighs]

[music fades]

[in English] ♪ Lived a hell of a life Always been in the spotlight ♪

♪ But I'm afraid of the dark… ♪

He's singing this for us. I believe it.

-♪ Never loved, never lost… ♪ -Just for us.

♪ Never paid, don't know the cost ♪

♪ Took its toll and left a mark ♪

♪ But pull away the curtain ♪

♪ And blow the smoke away ♪

♪ Three cheers ♪

♪ Let's hear it for your king ♪

♪ I did it on my own, alone ♪

♪ Yeah, I have everything ♪

♪ What goes up Has to come back down ♪

♪ Heavy is the crown That's pulling me into the ground ♪

♪ I'm right where I deserve to be ♪

♪ Lucky me ♪

♪ Sang songs of love But was deprived ♪

♪ Of any love in my own life ♪

♪ So I dressed up in the lie ♪

♪ I played it off, wore it well ♪

♪ Masked the pain, no one could tell ♪

♪ Figured it was paradise ♪

♪ But pull away the curtain ♪

♪ And blow the smoke away ♪

♪ Three cheers ♪

♪ Let's hear it for your king ♪

♪ I did it on my own, alone ♪

♪ Yeah, I have lots of things ♪

♪ What goes up Has to come back down ♪

♪ Heavy is the crown That's pulling me into the ground ♪

♪ I'm right where I deserve to be ♪

♪ Lucky me ♪

♪ Three cheers ♪

♪ Let's hear it for your king ♪

♪ I did it on my own, alone ♪

♪ And I lost everything ♪

♪ Oh, I'm right where I deserve to be ♪

♪ Lucky me ♪

[silence]

[Kazushi] Akane.

[delicate music playing]

Can I bother you

for just a minute?

[Akane] Huh?

I feel like I can't breathe.

'Cause I'm so in love with you.

[music fades]

[gentle, heartfelt music playing]