Original subtitles

[jazzy keyboard music playing]

[cheering and applause]

[phone buzzing]

[man singing "Time After Time"]

Hello?

-♪ You're callin' to me… ♪ -Yeah.

♪ I can't hear what you say… ♪

-Yeah. -♪ Then you say… ♪

-Uh-huh, go ahead. -♪ "Go slow" ♪

-♪ I fall behind… ♪ -Uh…

I'm not looking to team up with anyone. Sorry.

I don't like the idea of playing with the same band forever.

♪ You can look And you will find me… ♪

-[improvising jazzy accompaniment] -♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you I'll be waitin' ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you're lost, you can look And you will find me ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

[Naoki] ♪ If you fall, I will catch you I'll be waitin' ♪

♪ Time after time… ♪

[crowd cheering]

[man] Hey, come on everyone.

Let's go!

One, two, three, four!

This guy's nice!

-♪ If you're lost, you can look ♪ -[Naoki] ♪ Lost, look ♪

-♪ And you will find me… ♪ -[Naoki vocalizing]

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you ♪

-[man] ♪ I'll be waitin', yeah, yeah ♪ -♪ If you fall, I will catch you ♪

[both] ♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you're lost, you can look And you will find me ♪

[man] ♪ Time after time ♪

-♪ Time after time ♪ -[man] ♪ If you fall, I will catch you ♪

-♪ I will be waiting, yeah ♪ -[Naoki] ♪ I will be waiting ♪

[man] ♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

-♪ Time after time ♪ -♪ Time after time ♪

-[both] ♪ Time after time ♪ -[Naoki improvising]

-[cheering and applause] -[man] Oh-ho-ho!

-[Naoki] Thank you. -That was amazing.

-See you around. -Thank you, thank you. See you.

-Everyone, one more time! One more time! -[cheering]

[Sho] Oh my God!

Sorry, excuse me.

Hey, wait up!

[panting]

Ahh… sorry.

Hey, um…

I play lead guitar.

This must seem crazy.

And I know it's coming out of nowhere.

Wanna form a band together?

I'm sorry.

[Sho] What?

It's not really my thing.

I apologize.

W… Hang on.

[car horn blares]

[sighs]

Rejected.

[bright music playing]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[rock music playing]

-[music fades] -[Naoki] No.

[Akane] Morning, everyone.

Your playing lacks any kind of direction or reason.

Stop that.

[Sho sighs] Help me out.

Why not tell me what you're looking for, and I can play it your way next time?

Did you forget who you are?

You've played the guitar for years now. Aren't you embarrassed to ask that?

[Sho] Embarrassment aside,

you're burned out and it makes it hard to work together.

[Genji] Oh. Sensei.

I think you need to take a break.

-Just 30 minutes. -No, I'm fine.

The whole session will be for nothing if we stop it now.

-[button clicks] -Play it again.

-[man] Right, we're going for another one. -[Sho] Okay.

-[music playing] -[Genji sighs]

Hey, Genji. Sensei hasn't been eating at all?

[Genji] He hasn't. It's probably the exhaustion and nerves.

He started throwing up last night.

-[music stops] -He can't keep any food down.

[Naoki] Do it again.

-I can't believe this. -[music starts]

After they canceled, I reached out to venues to book a new show.

All of them said no to us.

I know he's putting everything into this,

but if he keeps pushing himself, he's gonna fall apart.

You're off again.

That's not the sound I need.

[sighs]

How far off are we talkin'?

About as far away as the space between us.

Where does that put me in comparison to where you are?

I'm being clear.

Is something so simple that hard to understand, Sho?

Are you focusing?

Don't put your hate for me into the song anymore. You're ruining your sound!

Your love for it has to shine through.

It sounds like a set of notes now. You have to make it your own!

I've been trying to do that all session.

[sighs]

The song's so amazing, and your writing is genius.

You're on another level.

I need you to stop saying that! It gets in your way!

My work has nothing to do with this now! It doesn't matter what I've done!

You know you're the heart of this song.

-How can you say that? -Enough!

I'm telling you to do this on your own!

[sighs]

I want you to break it into pieces. That's why I gave it to you.

I can't tell you what to do. I'm begging you to do this on your own.

Have fun destroying it.

[Sho sighs]

[sighs]

I know what you're saying. That's not the problem, okay?

[sighs]

Will you just try to hear me out first?

What?

I heard what you said and I don't agree.

All of us here know this song is your creation.

And the fact you made it is the reason I love it so much.

I refuse to just ignore your work

and toss it aside like it's just another song.

That's why I won't compromise.

I needed you to understand why.

All right?

Hmm.

-[clicks button] -I have one question. [sniffs]

Can you love something like that?

And then destroy it anyway because of that love?

I could.

You want me to show you that, Naoki?

[clicks button]

Mm-hmm.

Now do it. I wanna hear that.

[silence]

[man] All right. Starting from the same punch.

[Sho] Not yet.

[silence]

[sighs]

[sighs]

Now I'm ready. From the top.

-[button clicks] -[Naoki] Okay, let's roll.

-[button clicks] -[music starts]

[playing aggressively]

[music fades]

Okay.

-That'll be the take we use. -[button clicks]

I appreciate your work.

[Sho sighs]

Get the door, Akane.

Huh? Oh.

-[Naoki groaning] -[Sho] What now?

Seclusion, food, or the hospital for an IV bag?

Before I can think about any of that, Sho, take me to the toilet.

-I need to throw up again. -First, eat.

-You'll only throw up acid. -Sho, hang on.

[Sho] Yeah?

After all that playing, you have to be tired. I'll take care of Sensei.

-You can go rest. -That's why I got it.

[Genji] What?

It was my fault it took so long, so I should take care of Naoki.

[grunts]

[footsteps approaching]

[suspenseful music playing]

You've taken this to far, Isagi.

[chuckles]

So you've returned, Naoki.

[sighs]

Naoki, listen. I've always been on your side.

If you did the tour, something bad could've happened.

Don't you see that?

I'm begging you, okay?

You and I can build this together. It's your last chance!

My answer's no.

What I create and what you do, it's now entirely different.

Don't say that.

My heart believes that you know we're still connected!

I know for a fact we share the same soul!

That's the reason why…

[sighs]

…I feel so damn alone.

[breathing shakily]

I'm so alone.

The studio, it feels cold and stale.

[gasps]

I keep thinking that if only we were back together…

What you create isn't my music. That's where you're wrong.

It's your own unique sound.

[Naoki sighs]

I'm sad about it too.

But we can't control it.

[music intensifying]

So let me hear the music you create alone.

[grunts]

[gasping]

[music fades]

[delicate music playing]

[music fades]

Hi, Akane.

Uh, I barged in. I'm sorry.

I don't mind if you keep talking.

You can say whatever, it's fine.

Huh? Why?

[Kazushi] The sound of your voice…

It helps me write.

I want to talk.

The other day…

Listen…

[delicate music playing]

Huh?

[Naoki groans]

-[both] Whoa! -[Naoki sighs]

I can't believe it.

I dreamed of a new concept on accident. It's a killer new sound.

[Akane] Huh?

Oh. Kazushi, I'm glad you're here.

[Kazushi groans] Will you stop it already?

You're getting all these new sounds when it's unnecessary.

Every sound is necessary, that's what I think.

I'll play it!

-Just a rough version, so I remember it. -[tambourine jingles]

-[horn squeaks] -Hey, look.

I'd rather not be treated like your human external hard drive. It's annoying.

You pick up all the nuances of the sound, so it's better than a recording.

[groans] You're such a pain in the neck.

Hurry up. I don't have much time. You ready?

[Akane] Oh, welcome back.

[Naoki] Sho?

-[tambourine jangles] -[piano keys clash]

-Hey! -[Kazushi] Take it easy.

Tell me why! [breathing shakily]

Ah.

So you found out.

[punching]

[Kazushi] Hey!

[clattering]

[Sho panting unsteadily]

[Kazushi] What's going on?

I won't be continuing on.

-What? -Why, though?

There's no way I'll play by your side.

You're saying TENBLANK's days are officially over?

-That's the end? -Then you quit.

-[Naoki] No way. I'll never quit. -I'm not joking around!

If you keep playing, you'll drop dead! Do you not understand that, Naoki? Huh?

[sniffles]

Can you tell me using your guitar?

We can understand each other way better than us talking like this.

[Sho trembling]

[Kazushi] Hey…

[footsteps receding]

[door closes]

[Akane] Sensei.

What did he mean?

I'm sorry.

You're probably pretty confused right now.

I'll probably start crying if I talk about it.

[items thudding, clattering]

[Sho sighs]

[Akane] Tell us what's going on!

Don't treat us like children. We deserve to know the truth.

[Sho sighs]

[sniffles]

[sighs shakily]

[emotional music playing]

Naoki better slow down.

If he doesn't, it won't be long until he dies.

[scoffs]

[Isagi] After the accident, they found it.

[doctor] The CT scan has revealed a tumor in his brain.

He must have been experiencing symptoms

like dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision.

[Isagi] After he disappeared from my life,

I thought he got treatment and medical care.

I'm shocked that he didn't.

In the state that he's in,

it's extremely dangerous for his health to play music the way he does.

Let alone perform with a band.

If he keeps pushing too hard like this,

he's going… to die.

We have to force him to stop now.

To quit creating his songs.

Take his songs away?

[Sho] You've all seen it.

He throws everything into the band till he's drained.

To write one song, he won't sleep or eat.

If it's for him and his health,

then I'm quitting TENBLANK.

[music fades]

[Sho clicks tongue]

I won't let him keep making music in his condition.

So for now,

he'll keep to his room, all right?

[Isagi] What?

[man] Well, I heard back about the performers.

There were a few artists who said that it wouldn't work with their schedules.

I'm so sorry.

Is that really the best you can do?

[foreboding music playing]

We'll drop them.

Anyone who doesn't play the festival is off the roster.

Destroy their careers.

Uh, understood.

[Yukino chuckling]

[gasps]

Ah! Look who's here!

[giggling]

[music fades]

What the hell do you think you're doing?

-What? You said to come over, didn't you? -[sighs]

The music festival's back after three years.

-[Yukino sighs] -You're performing.

[Yukino] The festival? You're doing that again?

-[Isagi] I'm making history. -[Yukino sighs]

[Isagi] I'll show them something they've never seen before.

[solemn music playing]

Oh. You're making history already.

You'll go down as a rotten sleaze.

[laughing]

That genius Naoki Fujitani you love so much is done for.

He and his band will never perform again.

And it's from poor Naoki's illness.

TENBLANK's done. They have to quit.

They're done?

TENBLANK is nothing but yesterday's news.

After the success of this festival, nothing will ever tarnish my legacy.

[music fades]

[Yukino] ♪ 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 ♪

Naoki believes music has a soul.

Well, I believe it does too.

[pensive music playing]

[sighs shakily]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[music fades]

[Kazushi] Why are you still here?

[Akane] I just…

I didn't notice anything wrong.

Why didn't I? [trembles]

Akane, you're not the only one.

[sighs shakily]

[Kazushi] Naoki should quit.

TENBLANK shouldn't play ever again.

We have to logically think this through.

If we do another performance again and Naoki collapses--

Don't you think I know?

I know that he could, but…

I know for sure.

[sighs]

[sniffles]

[sighs] Sorry, okay?

I'll be fine, really.

[sniffles]

Don't worry about me.

[sniffles]

[Kazushi sighs]

It's okay.

Stay here as long as you like.

[poignant music playing]

[Akane sobbing]

I am freezing here.

[Akane sniffles]

You can't collapse now too. That would just be so sad.

[Akane sniffles]

The truth.

There was a while there when I didn't care I was alone.

Then this happened,

and for an entire year, I was around music.

Every single day.

The constant noise and the huge personalities.

After a while, it was everyday life, right?

And the next thing I knew…

TENBLANK is like… the one thing that felt solid.

Same here.

[breathing shakily]

The four of us.

I wish we could get on stage together again.

Mmm.

The songs Sensei creates.

It's heartbreaking to think we won't hear those.

But…

I couldn't take losing him.

I couldn't go on.

[music fades]

Hey.

Remember that one day?

When it all started?

[pensive music resumes]

-Hey, Sho. You're sure it's what you want? -Yeah.

Doing session work is a waste of your talent.

Sorry. I appreciate the offer, I do.

[man] Hmm.

Okay, I got an idea.

-Hear me out, all right? -Hmm?

Black or red? You choose.

Huh?

If you guess the color of the socks I have on, I'll let it go.

On the other hand, if you're wrong, then I'll count you in. You're joining Z-OUT.

[scoffs]

So, choose.

They're red.

[Naoki] I choose red too!

[panting]

-You're… Naoki Fujitani. -If it's red, let's do it.

-We'll form a band together. -Whoa, whoa!

-What? That came out of nowhere. -You'll play lead guitar.

We'll have a band together.

-I've got work. -[mimics drumroll]

-Dah! -[Sho sighs]

Dah!

[both] Huh?

I was trying a dirty trick. I'll give up, I guess.

Hey, stop! Hang on, Rage!

[Naoki sighs]

[Sho gasps]

God, that was so self-centered.

-[Naoki chuckles] -[Sho sighs]

[Naoki] Play with me at the festival.

[Sho] I don't want to. I'm not joining your band.

So stop coming back and asking.

[Naoki] But you were the one who asked me first, remember?

[Sho] That was crazy.

[pensive music continues]

The devil made me do it.

[Naoki] Hmm.

[Sho exhales heavily]

I wanna keep working as a session musician.

There's no turning back.

Why the hell did you change your mind all of a sudden?

-[sighs] -Hey.

Can I bum a cigarette from you? I'll pay you back.

[Sho] So, you're a smoker?

[Naoki] No, I'm not.

I just admire certain things, like the unknown.

It's interesting.

I've tried to work on music with others and it never worked out.

I really don't want to have that failure following me around.

That's why I want to try working together.

[Sho clears throat]

Working with Naoki Fujitani,

when so many others are dying to form a band with you, right?

-It's only you as of now. -Huh?

[sighs] You asked me to join a band and no one else has, so…

you're the only one on Earth.

And that's the truth, Sho.

That's how it went.

[sighs]

I asked to form a band. Isn't that right, Sensei?

[laughs]

[Sho breathing shakily]

Sho Takaoka, the biggest moron in the world.

[music fades]

[intense ambient music playing]

[ethereal music playing]

[music intensifying]

[music begins fading]

[music fades]

[sighs]

[poignant music playing]

KAWAGOE HIKAWA SHRINE

[Akane] Please, gods.

Save Sensei.

Whatever you want.

I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Even if…

Even if it means taking music away from him.

MAY SENSEI'S ILLNESS BE CURED

If it keeps him alive,

then so be it.

[music fades]

GOD, THANK YOU FOR LEADING ME TO TENBLANK

[dramatic, emotional music playing]

[gasps]

[grunts]

[soft scraping]

[thud]

[music fades]

Ah.

Akane, you're here.

Sensei.

I know who you are.

You're someone who'd die without their music.

You need to perform.

That's the reason you chose us, right?

Sensei.

Use the sound I create.

Use my sounds, all of them I have.

They're all yours now, all right?

[dramatic music resumes]

Hey, Naoki!

[motorcycle engine revving]

Is that Naoki?

Wait! Akane!

[Akane] I hear the sound of him living.

It's so close to me now.

Every single sound I have,

I'll dedicate them all to him.

From now on, I won't hesitate anymore.

This sound.

This warmth.

Moving closer to finding the answer he's risking his life for.

So I'll run.

[music fades]

[quiet, emotional music playing]