Original subtitles

[piano and percussion playing pensive music]

[in Japanese] ♪ There are no wrong notes ♪

♪ You never say anything ♪

♪ Even though you always ask "Why?" ♪

[phone buzzes]

MESSAGE NAOKI - DONE

Looks like he made a song.

Guess you're not gonna listen to it.

[sighs]

Well, I'm guessing that they're at Naoki's place in the mountains right now.

Shouldn't we go and get 'em?

[Sho] I'm done caring.

Well, I can go alone then.

Because I do still care.

[sighs]

[Sho] Well… I thought you were going?

Thought it through again, I guess.

[poignant music playing]

As a member of the band, the best thing I can do now

is to make sure that the member having the toughest time is supported, right?

The toughest, huh? Who's that?

[birdsong]

[poignant music continues]

Sensei!

Sensei! Sensei!

Sensei!

Sensei!

[gasping]

Sensei!

Sensei!

[bright music playing]

-[man 1] Did you get the orders out? -[man 2] Yeah, yeah.

[man 3] Make sure I get it before the meeting.

-Yes, this is Uto. -[man 4] Good idea.

[Uto] Thank you.

[dramatic music playing]

We're honored that Ishikawa Pharmaceutical would offer to sponsor the show.

Uh-huh.

You told them to come end of the day?

[woman] Yes, and we hope that he'll also see it as a beneficial career move.

[upbeat pop music playing]

[music stops]

I like the sound of this one, Ichidai.

Uh… You think?

[chuckles]

[Naoki grunts]

[sighs] Hmm.

[lively music playing]

[tracks stop and start]

[isolates synth track]

[music stops]

[Naoki] But let's change up the synth.

[adjusts mix]

[adjusts mix]

[music stops]

Got any '80s distorted guitar here or…

-[chuckles] This'll do. -[click]

[music starts]

[music stops and starts]

[music stops]

Okay. What do you think now?

[music plays with new keyboard track]

[classical piano playing]

[pop track fades]

He's so impressive, isn't he?

-He's got talent. -[laughter]

-[clapping] -[man 1] There's a spill there.

[woman laughing loudly]

[plays clashing notes]

-[man 1] What? Wait. -[woman] He's looking right at us.

Hey.

-Tell me what's so funny over there, huh? -[man 1] What? Nothing's funny.

-Why are you laughing at me, huh? -[man 2] Mr. Isagi--

[Isagi] Let me go!

[tense, discordant music playing]

Listen, about the new song.

[grunting]

Whoa, dude. Get it together.

Oh, leave him be. Let's go. [giggles]

[tense, discordant music continues]

That new song.

We're not gonna put his name on it.

[sighs]

You release it as my song that I wrote.

[somber piano music playing]

[man 1] This is an announcement from the event organizers.

Unfortunately, due to inclement weather,

we are forced to cancel today's live concert.

-[man 2] Come on, you gotta be kidding me! -[man 1] We thank everyone who came.

-Please be careful as you leave the event. -Naoki. Naoki, you have to listen!

I promise, it's a method to get your music out there.

It's fine. I'm not faulting you.

[Isagi] Then why are you trying to leave me?

Don't look at me like that.

Don't look down on me 'cause I did what I had to!

Listen, Naoki. If you leave now, I will never forgive you.

Because you're meant to spread your wings at my side!

-Mr. Isagi, please control yourself! -Let go!

Let go of… [gasps]

[Naoki] It's gonna be okay, Ichidai.

I was a burden on you, and now you're free.

[music fades]

[thunder rumbling]

But wait!

[poignant piano music playing]

[thunder echoing]

-[splashing echoes] -[high-pitched ringing]

[Isagi] Hey!

You're not going anywhere!

-[gasping] -[running footsteps]

[music fades]

[Uto] What happened?

[Isagi panting]

Uh…

Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you.

[sighs]

It's almost done. [sighs]

-[Uto] Huh? -[sighs]

Before long… [sighs]

…the shadowy nightmare of that day ends.

[sighs shakily]

[doctor] He is stable for now, but

I think it's best we keep him for observation.

Sure.

His music making will be difficult moving forward.

Will he die for his music? Or give it up and live?

[poignant piano music playing]

[Akane] I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

[Sho] You understand what you did, right?

[Akane] I was being stupid and selfish.

I'm sorry.

Selfish and stupid, huh?

It's borderline manslaughter.

Sho, isn't that taking it too far?

No, it is.

Listening to his nonsense, letting him write through the night.

All the while knowing he could die.

[Akane] Then…

I'm leaving.

TENBLANK's better without me.

Akane, no.

-I think-- -[Sho] I'm leaving too.

Huh?

[music fades]

TENBLANK's time is over.

[solemn ambient music playing]

[gasps]

[sobs]

Oh, God. I'm so sorry.

Akane!

Hold on, Akane!

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Kazushi] Akane!

Akane!

-Come on, wait! -[sobs]

I'm sorry, but I'm not ready to be consoled.

Akane, come on. Wait, will ya?

[sighs] I'm furious.

Furious with myself!

I'm such an idiot!

[gasps]

You're so kind, Kazushi.

You've always made me feel better and for that…

you have my deepest appreciation.

I got to be a part of this band. I got to play in TENBLANK.

Maybe one day I'll see you.

-[sniffles] -Wait a sec.

[Akane sniffles]

[sobbing]

[Kai] Lately, I've been working in live show production.

[Sho] Hmm.

[Kai] That's how I heard about all of TENBLANK's recent issues.

I figured Genji would know, so I asked him about it.

[light pop music playing in bar]

You gonna have a drink?

No, I'll pass. I drove, after all.

Ah, go on. Just say you hired a driver.

Or you could even use parking fees as an excuse.

The pick in your mouth is a poor replacement for a cigarette.

You know that Kazushi hates tobacco

and you don't want to make Naoki any sicker.

The truth is, you're really a smoker who's barely holding it together.

Or doing your best to, anyway.

What are you trying to say?

Okay, then.

Will you let me come back and be the manager of the band again?

I'm willing to apologize.

I know I can make it work for you guys.

[sighs]

You're like a kid.

[sighs]

Well, something tells me adults aren't exactly invited

to the TENBLANK children's show.

You know, aren't you the one acting like a kid?

-Sulking around like a teenager. -What?

You thought you understood Naoki better than anyone else.

Now that's Akane, and it's getting to you.

[scoffs]

[sighs]

You'll regret it if you run instead of facing it.

Trust me on this one. I know.

[wistful piano music playing]

[steady rainfall]

NAOKI FUJITANI DONE

NEW A 1 ITEM

[Naoki] The way you play guitar isn't just crazy, it's almost cruel.

Come on. Hold up, Longlegs.

[Sho] You can ask all day and night. It's still no.

[Naoki] How do I say this? Your guitar kind of pisses me off.

Can I say that I hate it, even?

But that's not true, 'cause I love it.

I can't ignore it, but I don't want it to go away.

The only way out of this is together.

[Sho sighs heavily]

Huh?

Once I realized that…

I could write this new song.

I'll have you know,

this is the first time I've written a song for a specific guitarist.

You wrote it… for me?

Go on.

Come on now, I'm not gonna--

-And why not? -I know your talent better than anyone!

-[rock music playing through headphones] -[Sho] Hey! Wh… what the hell?!

[wistful music fades]

[rock music continues]

[music fades]

[optimistic pop music playing]

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ There's a song I could hear ♪

♪ Since before I was born ♪

♪ Though it had everything ♪

♪ It had no shape or form… ♪

[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.

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ Nameless emotions ♪

♪ Coalesced to make me ♪

-♪ If that's true… ♪ -[no audible dialogue]

♪ Then there's nothing to fear ♪

♪ There are no wrong notes ♪

♪ With just that unwavering truth ♪

♪ I thought I could live In this cruel world ♪

♪ Tell me why you never ♪

♪ Say anything, even though ♪

♪ You always ask "Why?" ♪

-Tell me why! -My work has nothing to do with the sound!

-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!

I won't be continuing on.

[Naoki] You're saying TENBLANK's days are officially over?

That's the end.

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ …break through the stillness ♪

♪ Today, too The city breathes out fresh sounds ♪

♪ Merging as one ♪

♪ Among the countless melodies ♪

♪ I heard your voice cut through ♪

[song ends]

What?

What are you doing out here?

Well, I could see you in your car, Sho.

[Sho] Oh, get in! Hurry!

What happened with the hospital?

You must be soaking. Here.

Hey, come on.

-[Naoki chuckles] -[Sho] Come on, dry yourself off.

Let me get the heat on.

You listened, didn't ya?

All right, Sho.

I've thought it out and…

I think in this world, I can make you happy.

Am I right?

Huh?

So, for the rest of my life…

Sho, you're the only guitarist I want.

[optimistic music playing]

This a proposal, or…

[laughs]

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ What is this feeling inside me? ♪

♪ I might use it all up ♪

♪ Before I even understand it ♪

A break from the rain.

[Sho] Yeah.

Since we're out here, how do you feel about me singing on that corner?

-Wanna hear the full chorus? -Here?

I wonder if my music can make you cry again.

Moved to tears, maybe once, but that's all I'm giving.

Huh? I will draw those tears out. I won't stop singing till you cry like a baby.

-Sounds like a TV show. -[chuckles]

[laughs]

-Prime time. -Friday at nine.

Will you, though? Sing till I'm in tears again?

That I will.

Okay.

Then I'll never cry again.

[music fades]

[silence]

New B?

[silence]

[gentle piano music playing]

[Naoki] Huh.

That's not meant for you.

I'm not letting anyone listen to that.

Nobody?

There's someone you'd like to hear it.

[doorbell rings]

[woman] Yes?

-Afternoon. I'm from Vermilion. -Coming.

I have your curry delivery here.

[both] Merry Christmas!

[chuckles] Merry Christmas.

-[child 1] Yay, curry! -Thank you. Say thank you!

-[children] Thank you so much. -[Akane] Thank you.

It looks delicious. Did she wish you a Merry Christmas too?

-[children] Yeah! -[mother] How fun!

And we get to have this tasty curry. Let's dig in!

[Akane] I finished up those deliveries.

Oh, thanks! Good to be back!

-[Momoko] Welcome back. -[Eiko] Nice to have you back, Akane.

[Akane] Another order came in for the Christmas special?

[Eiko] You can call it a night. I'll take care of it all.

That's my line. Come on, shouldn't you two be on a date?

Akane, he's here every day, isn't he?

-[both] Right? -We're fine.

But on Christmas, that's what you do.

And by that logic, don't you have somewhere to go, Akane?

-[Momoko] Hmm. -What are you saying?

Your order.

Make this delivery

to Naoki Fujitani.

[Akane] Not you too, Momoko.

It's over. I quit TENBLANK.

Hey, Akane.

You're not drumming anymore.

You've given up music and TENBLANK.

Ask yourself, are you really okay

with giving that all away?

-[door opens] -[shop bell rings]

[door closes]

[music fades]

[Kazushi] So you're not coming back?

[Akane] I can't.

If I rejoin the band,

Sensei and I could go running off again.

Taking away the one thing that he cares about above all

might not kill his body, but it will kill his spirit.

We literally took his music away 'cause…

our egos told us we wanted him to live.

If even for just a little longer.

But you understood that from the start. Didn't you, Akane?

Right?

And that's why you two ran off.

-[Akane] Yeah, but-- -Here.

Catch.

Huh?

He's written a new song.

You should listen.

-No, I can't! -I love you, Akane!

Or so I thought.

Sorry.

What?

[gentle music playing]

[Kazushi] We're about the same age.

We kept getting closer, and so…

I've never had any experience with love.

So I…

I was confused.

The sound you're doing, I don't like it.

What?

Whatever, I was just telling you the truth.

That's what I think.

[Akane] What was that song?

This one's not for the band, is it?

[laughs] I knew it!

It's got your name just written all over it!

It's really good. Can I hear it once again?

-Pretty please! -Forget it.

I feel like I can't breathe.

[Akane] Kazushi.

Let's set the record straight.

'Cause I…

I love your drumming, Akane.

[Kazushi] It's 'cause you're scared.

This new song. It's a new sound, one that came from somewhere outside.

It's a sound that came from thinking about…

about Akane.

And that's why you're afraid to share it with us.

Hmm.

It's a hurtful sound too, though.

Do you really think I can't handle getting hurt?

Even if it's from you?

You're usually all unwavering conviction,

but then you go and hit the brakes at the strangest things!

[sighs heavily]

See, I…

I want to carry you with our sound.

So you can't…

you can't just vanish on us, okay?

[music fades]

[phone buzzing]

INCOMING CALL NAOKI

[sighs heavily]

[buzzing continues]

INCOMING CALL NAOKI

What? You actually answered? Why did you answer?

What? Am I not supposed to?

No, I didn't think you were…

[Naoki sighs]

Anyway, it's fine.

The thing is, I called you today because I actually have a favor to ask.

[inhales shakily] I can't.

Yeah… I figured you might have to refuse,

so I've got a little trick up my sleeve.

A trick?

Oh, it's snowing.

[emotional music playing]

Huh?

Wait, where are you right now?

Well, I can see Tokyo Tower.

-Tokyo Tower? -Yeah.

And also a Christmas tree. It's a big one.

And it's beautiful.

Oh, tell me that you're not outside!

Go get warm somewhere. You gotta get out of the cold.

You know why I love this weather?

The snow and the air make sound feel close.

[inhales shakily]

[sighs]

But anyway, let's not forget, I've got a trick.

Back then,

I made a song to persuade Sho to join the band.

And what a song it was.

Like Brahms and Clara Schumann. That level, right?

[man] Hello. Take a flyer.

[Naoki] I was able to convince him.

I'm not saying it was the song that did it, but…

we made a song together in the mountain house, you and I.

[upbeat pop music playing]

I watched you sleeping there on the floor

and the notes just flowed right out of me.

And then I wrote another song.

Now it was my first time making music like this.

So it's gonna take some courage, but… will you let me sing it?

Why are you doing this? I can't.

-Oh! -[man] Watch where you're going!

Excuse me.

[Naoki] Here it goes!

[in Japanese] ♪ I thought I heard a familiar song ♪

♪ But it was just The sound of your laugh ♪

♪ I tried to brush it off As merely chance ♪

♪ But then your sound Filled the spaces within me… ♪

[Akane] Sensei. I just can't stop

making these mistakes.

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ As eternity Looked upon us with pitying eyes ♪

♪ You smiled in such a mysterious way ♪

♪ You calmly rearrange the order ♪

♪ Of things that are important to me ♪

♪ There's a song in this world That only we can hear… ♪

GOD, THANK YOU FOR TENBLANK

♪ I'll do anything to share this life ♪

♪ And keep that melody going ♪

♪ I get worried when I can't hear… ♪

[Akane] It could take a moment.

Or an eternity.

But this sound will rise above it all.

Transcend space and time.

To land square within my heart.

This is the sound

that expresses…

the love he has for me.

♪ As eternity looked upon us With pitying eyes ♪

♪ You smiled in such a mysterious way ♪

♪ You calmly rearrange the order ♪

♪ Of things that are important to me ♪

[music fades]

Akane?

[gasps] Or is it Santa Claus?

I lied to you. I'm sorry.

I said…

I said that I couldn't fall in love.

I want every last part of you.

The Akane who's normal.

The playing hard on the drums Akane.

Hold nothing back, okay?

I want all of you.

I feel the same.

[inhales shakily] When I think about you…

[sniffles]

…I get dazed.

All my feelings get confused.

Am I feeling love? Or is it admiration?

Or maybe even fear?

And I might feel it all at once.

So I guess you could say there's nothing separating us.

And I don't ever want us to separate.

Oh.

The song. We forgot it.

I'll continue singing.

[in Japanese] ♪ Instead of embracing ♪

♪ We quietly cried our hearts out ♪

♪ No one taught me how to live ♪

♪ Even if I'm mocked ♪

♪ For being clumsy ♪

♪ This is the life I chose ♪

[delicate music playing]

[Akane] I want to feel this feeling.

Sensei's heart, inseparable.

Until the end of time.

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ I get worried when I can't hear ♪

♪ The clamor of your life ♪

♪ I realized I'll never go back To the way I was ♪

♪ Before I knew you… ♪

[Sho] Kazushi. You doing okay?

[song continues on speakers]

[Kazushi sighs shakily]

Does it look like I'm doing okay?

It's too good. I feel like I'm losing it.

He beat me at every turn.

[sighs]

-Oh, get out of my face! -[chuckles]

[Sho] It's times like these…

[Kazushi sniffles]

…when you least expect it,

you can do fantastic work.

So let's get to it.

[Kazushi sobbing]

[sniffles and sighs]

-Okay. Enough! -[Sho chuckles]

[song continues playing]

[Sho] Hey.

Here.

[Kazushi] I made some sheet music for each of our parts.

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ The moment I touched it, it slipped away ♪

♪ Even if that's what ♪

♪ It means to live ♪

♪ I don't want To go along with that anymore ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh… ♪

[Sho] Welcome back!

And we're back.

[Naoki, in Japanese] ♪ … as it came closer ♪

♪ There's something only I can do ♪

♪ That eternity can't ♪

♪ There is a sound I want to let ring ♪

♪ There's someone I want to hear it now ♪

♪ There's a heartbeat I want to make tremble ♪

[Akane] We're home.

[music fades]

[sighs]

At long last.

[running footsteps]

[panting] Mr. Isagi, we have a problem! It's Yukino!

[Yukino] I got the tea! I know you all might not believe it, but get this!

[giggles]

But it's true. All of my hit songs up till now, every one,

were not written by Ichidai.

No, Naoki Fujitani wrote them all.

[squeals and laughs]

Crazy, right? The industry dark side exposed!

-Actually, Isagi's just a talentless hack! -[gasps] Wait!

The only thing he's good at is lying and business deals.

-Really, that's all he's got. -[tense music playing]

I'll be honest, I tried.

I tried to make it work at first.

It was… impossible. I couldn't.

Not after I met artists who were serious about their creations.

There was simply no way to avoid it.

I wasn't honest about the art that I say that I love.

But now the truth is out there.

-What is she saying? Shut her down! -[woman] Okay.

[Yukino giggling]

[phone ringing]

[gasping and laughing]

Someone from the agency's calling me!

I can't! I'm gonna ignore it.

[giggling]

[phone continues ringing]

"If you say that, won't you get in trouble?"

"Won't you be chased out of the industry?"

-[gasps] -[Yukino giggling]

Probably!

Good news is,

if I have to leave the industry,

then I'm gonna be here to live stream the end of Isagi too.

[giggling maniacally]

All right, that oughta do it!

The last boss is defeated. It's over!

-Damn that girl! -Buh-bye! Thanks for watching, everyone!

-Good night! -Shut up! Shut the hell up!

Shut up!

LIVE VIDEO ENDED 112,867 VIEWERS

[sighs]

That was great. [sighs]

[gasping unsteadily]

[sighs]

-[car horns blare] -[wind gusts]

-[crowd murmuring] -[man 1] This is ridiculous.

[shouts of protest]

-[woman 1] Hey! -[man 1] Whatever! Two hours…

Please don't cancel. The contract-- Please, listen!

-Damn it! -Yes, I'll check in with Isagi now.

Mr. Isagi, there are some reporters--

Get them outta here! Don't tell me you still can't find her?

We can't get in touch with Yukino. Or Natsume either.

Shit.

[man 1] What's going on?

[man 2] Please be patient.

[woman 1] I want a refund.

-[tense music playing] -[man 3] This is ridiculous!

[man 4] Let's do this!

[shouts of protest continue]

[man 5] Come on!

Hold on, hold on, hold on! Z-OUT's not gonna play either?

[man 6] What's going on?

"As true lovers of the art form of music,

sadly, it would be against our standards

to perform at a festival organized by a desecrater of the art."

"We offer sincerest apologies to our many fans and friends."

Yo!

-Yeah! -How long are we gonna wait for a show?

[clamoring]

-[woman 2] Seriously? Don't blame them. -[woman 3] It took an hour to get here.

-[man 7] Come on. -[woman 3] This is stupid.

[man 8] It's a contract!

The audience has started to leave.

[winces]

[Takamura] Mr. Isagi!

[man] Clear out! Make way! Coming through!

-Come on, make space for the buses. -[Isagi] Huh?

TENBLANK?

[optimistic music playing]

[Genji] I expected nothing less, Miyako.

Even though it's the day of the festival,

you were able to get so many people out in no time at all.

[Kai] I suppose that's the kind of influence TENBLANK has.

I made the announcement, and the rest is inertia.

Miyako.

You asked me before if you could come back and manage the band.

I'm guessing that hasn't changed?

[Kai] Actually,

I don't think I want the same thing anymore.

What?

I'm not going to return.

That's because I know that if I play it smart, I can steal them from you.

[both laugh]

If that's how we're gonna play, then get ready. Let's see what you got.

[Kai chuckles]

[woman singing in Japanese]

It begins here.

TENBLANK's legendary rise.

[car horn honks]

[crowd cheering]

[music swells]

[music fades]

[intense, emotional music resumes]

[song fades]

[delicate piano music playing]