Are you curious?
No way.
It just gets on my nerves.
Nice to meet you guys.
We're TENBLANK.
TENBLANK…
On drums,
Akane Saijo.
On bass and vocals,
Naoki Fujitani.
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
I see. The drummer is the weak spot.
This isn't gonna cut it.
Am I still dreaming?
I'm sure I felt it
Is there even any point…
She's not in her groove.
…in separating dreams from reality?
In a distant melody
Far beyond our comprehension…
Akane.
Unleash yourself more. More!
…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
Now she's got it.
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
The moon will be found by the sun
So damn 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
Awesome!
What do you think of Naoki Fujitani?
Surprisingly good.
Yeah, he's so brilliant.
Are you gonna crush him?
No, I'll let him spread his wings.
For now.
He'll come back.
To me.
Good morning.
Whoa!
Oh sorry, my bad. You okay?
Yes, I'm fine.
Oh, good.
Kazushi!
Everyday life with Sho Takaoka in it.
I've got a bunch of stuff I need to get used to soon.
- Huh? - Use it.
Are you sure?
You need one from now on, right?
Thanks.
I was a bit too harsh the other day.
- What? - Huh?
Rotation, localization, lodestone…
Lodestone!
Step into three beats…
now!
This locks it in.
Oh, but if that's the case…
Did he mention working on a song?
Beats me. Not that I recall.
It's like Sensei has three sides.
You might be right.
He's got a music mask, a filming mask,
and a human mask.
Human mask?
All right, so everyone…
What's with the "everyone"?
It took a while, but the single release is officially set.
Wow.
This means no one can complain about it now.
In other words, there's no turning back for us either.
So let's do this, everyone.
Which means the recording is in three days.
- What? - What?
Hey, wait. This is way too sudden.
What about the actual song?
I thought I'd arrange the song we performed at the Yaon.
Starting now? Will you make it in time?
I'll do my best!
Um, it might be fine for you,
but Akane's got school too, you know.
No, I'll be fine.
Oh yeah, it's your first time recording with Sensei.
Huh?
Sorry.
School and all that.
Your life might change because of this.
- Oh my gosh! - Let's listen to the next song too.
Definitely. It's gonna be on repeat.
Oh, it's Yukino Sakurai.
She's got a great voice.
Yes, and her songs are really good too.
Wasn't the producer Ichidai Isagi?
Sensei?
You'll be up there like her in no time.
Really?
No.
Hey, sorry.
Something's off.
No, that's not it. Again.
Time's up, Naoki.
Ms. Saijo is at her limit too.
I'm fine. I can still play!
Please tell me more. What needs to be fixed, what's wrong.
- I'll-- - Okay, then.
Then bring me the Akane I know.
Right here.
Here.
Huh?
While I was at it.
Thanks.
What is the "me" that he's looking for?
You don't have to take what he says so seriously.
His head is so full of his own music. He's a terrible person otherwise.
Kazushi, do you not like Sensei?
It's not about liking him.
He's my enemy.
Enemy?
I've always made music on my own.
I compose using programmed tracks and release them online.
I enjoyed doing it.
No unnecessary noise to worry about.
So a band really isn't for me.
But then, he invited me.
That means Sensei appreciated your sound, right?
But that guy can do everything by himself.
He plays not just bass, but guitar too.
He might even be better than me on keyboard.
So I don't get why he'd even form a band.
But
somehow I wanted to beat him.
I swore I'd beat him no matter what.
That's why I'm here.
So…
why not take him down too, Akane?
Are you trying to cheer me up?
What?
I mean, I was just saying whatever I wanted about myself.
Kazushi, you're really kind.
Ugh, I really can't deal with that dumb positivity of yours.
At this rate, we won't make it.
We need to go over the schedule again.
There you are, TENBLANK.
Yukino Sakurai.
So it really is you.
I saw you, TENBLANK.
A talented and good-looking guy?
It's so unfair. I love it.
I took her along to your gig at the Yaon.
A rare chance to witness history in the making firsthand.
TENBLANK is about to completely shake up the rock scene from the ground up.
It's been a while, Mr. Isagi.
What was your name again?
I'm Kai from BEAT Corporation.
I'm in charge of the production and management for TENBLANK.
Just leave producing to him.
He knows how to handle it on his own.
Right?
Are you also recording at this studio today?
Yeah.
We're working on Yukino's album.
But the title track isn't quite clicking.
So we thought featuring Naoki Fujitani from TENBLANK would be a great idea.
I haven't heard anything about that.
Yeah.
That's because I haven't asked you yet.
But I'm sure you'll accept the offer.
I know Naoki Fujitani like the back of my hand.
Excuse me, but we're out of time.
I'll be in touch again.
See ya.
You can't get involved with Isagi. It'll happen again--
Miyako.
Thanks, as always.
I'll be fine.
- Do it again. - Yes.
That's not it.
I don't want that sound.
Okay.
- Do it again. - Yes.
- Again from the fill four bars ago. - Okay.
Good morning.
Oh, morning.
You didn't go home?
So you came, huh?
Naoki!
Huh?
Did I wander off somewhere?
At least you managed to stop short of Mars.
Sensei.
Let's stop with this already.
This isn't working.
Even if we keep the song as it is,
won't the sound naturally evolve just by playing together?
You're thrown off because you're trying to redo something that was already complete.
Why can't you understand something so simple?
I don't want to.
What are you whining about?
If you fall apart now, it'll all be for nothing!
But I don't want to sing it as it is!
If I can't be satisfied with it myself,
how could anyone else like it?
This TENBLANK song of ours…
Who's gonna love it?
There's just one thing
that I want you to understand, Sensei.
The longer you delay the work, the more the fallout lands on us.
And yet…
the two young ones are working hard without a single complaint.
They're even worried about you.
All those sentiments aside,
if you do truly believe it's definitely worth doing,
then see it through with pride.
But…
even if you kept the song as is…
no one's gonna blame you.
I…
I want to sing it properly.
I know I can make it.
Please give me some time.
I'm sorry.
I'm interested in your sound.
This song is nice, Ichidai.
You think so?
Naoki!
Listen to me, Naoki!
I said to wait!
Sensei.
Sensei!
If you stay out here, you'll catch a cold.
Yeah, you're right.
Maybe it's because I met someone I didn't want to.
Do you mean Mr. Isagi?
I'm the one who turned him into scum.
Huh?
I'm sorry.
I haven't been considerate enough to everyone, huh?
I'm so sorry.
Um, I mean, I'm totally fine.
If anything, it's my fault for being bad at drums.
And besides,
people struggling because of you…
It's almost routine at this point.
It's just the norm.
But
other people can't take on your struggles.
No one else can take your place.
Yeah.
I…
I've done a lot of terrible things to others, and I'm aware of it.
But if there's one thing I'm sure of,
it's that despite all of that, I'm still happy.
There are, of course, people who become unhappy because of me.
Still, the music I create
can make at least the same number of people happy, if not more.
So that makes it okay, right?
And, of course, I…
I'm going to make you happy too, Akane.
I promise I'll make you happy.
I heard Ichidai Isagi showed up.
Oh, yes.
It seems he was recording at the same studio as us by chance.
By chance, huh?
I'd have preferred to keep him away.
I saw another side of him again.
Huh?
Naoki.
He may have many different sides,
but there's just one of him at his core.
You mean Sho Takaoka gave you a ride?
Yes, he did.
Why aren't you thrilled?
Are you really the Akane Saijo I know?
Even though Naoki said he was happy, he looked lonely.
He was pushing himself to the edge.
One wrong step could've made everything fall apart.
Well,
I guess he does give off that kind of image.
Like he could just disappear all of a sudden.
Stop it.
For the first time, I felt scared of music.
In times like this,
all you can do is keep playing the drums like crazy.
Hey, Miss Ambition.
Thank you for having us at the Yaon.
Yeah, that's right. You should thank us.
Is OVER CHROME also recording?
Hit them.
Hit them?
I said hit them!
Do you have a thing for Naoki?
Huh? Where did that come from?
You were playing just like Naoki,
so I thought you two had done it at least once.
- What?! I just purely want to play-- - Purely?
You didn't forget all that tough talk, right, Miss Ambition?
You picked a fight with us and forgot your own sound? Give me a break.
My own sound…
Then bring me the Akane I know.
Right here.
That's why I warned you.
Getting close to Naoki
means you'll either destroy his sound or destroy yourself.
Give up already.
I won't give up!
If you can keep up, then play.
But if you start sounding like Naoki, I'll kill you.
Hey!
You suck!
Now you're offbeat.
I'm hungry. Buy me food.
Why should I?
Here's your ramen. Thanks for waiting.
- Thank you. - Here.
- Thanks for the meal. - Unbelievable.
What's the big deal? I'm paying for it--
Not putting onions in the ramen here is blasphemy.
There.
Here we go.
It's so good!
Do you know why Naoki quit music once?
Huh?
Sensei quit music before?
Some guy he used to play with stole his song.
But in the end, the one who stole it
had his own artistic sense and musicality completely destroyed.
Serves him right.
The sound of a genius makes ordinary people unhappy.
Ms. Kai said the same thing.
Don't put me on the same level as that woman.
Well, well?
Huh?
Hey, where are you going?!
Hey, Genius.
Oh.
I guess coincidences do happen.
How interesting.
So, you're teaming up with Ichidai Isagi?
Where's your pride?
So you'll do anything just to sell?
I have my own vision and just want to make it work.
Bypassing the agency and Miyako,
and now riding on Naoki Fujitani's big connections.
What a joke.
No matter what I do, my name will never be wiped clean.
Then I might as well get my hands dirty and use every bit of it.
Look who's talking tough,
with that half-dead look on your face.
You think you're handling it, but aren't you just wearing yourself down?
That's right.
Why not just go and die for real?
If your sound means that much to you,
just write as many masterpieces as you can and then die already.
Then you'll definitely get to be
a "legendary genius."
Like John Lennon?
That's one way to do it.
Akane?
I have something to do, so I'm heading home.
Sorry. I'm really sorry!
Akane!
Wait a second!
This…
Here.
Give this a listen.
I re-recorded the bass and got Kazushi to program parts.
Akane?
I…
Should I not play your sound?
The way I'm playing now…
will I not be able to create the sound you want?
Akane, let's say…
What if,
by some mistake, I died tomorrow…
and TENBLANK disappeared?
Huh?
Would you never play the drums again?
Sorry, it was just a hypothetical.
See you tomorrow.
I guess he does give off that kind of image.
Like he could just disappear all of a sudden.
- Akane. - I'll play!
Even if you're gone and TENBLANK disappears,
I'll find my own sound and play it!
But…
just don't disappear like John Lennon.
Yeah, we'll go with this.
I'm going now!
Have a good day.
NEW MESSAGE FROM NAOKI
FRESHLY MADE "CRYSTALLINE ECHO.MP3"
Am I still dreaming?
I'm sure I felt it
Is there even any point
In 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
Subtitle translation by: Emily Noguchi