Start again.
From the top.
Come on, I only messed up one chord.
If you want to use that excuse,
do it after you manage to play through the entire song.
By practicing ten hours a day?
You need that kind of determination, at the very least.
Otherwise we won't make it in time for the festival.
What's wrong?
Giving up already?
Once again...
Once again, what?
From the top, once again.
Please!
How long will this last, I wonder?
October has ended, and this is a weekday less than two weeks before the festival.
Time: dead of night.
Touma
Place: Touma residence.
And my partner...
Are you messing with me?
UTW PRESENTS
Kodoku na furi wo shiteru no
Are you pretending to be lonely?
Naze darou
I wonder why
Ki ni natte ita
I couldn't stop thinking about it
Kizukeba itsunomanika
Before I knew it
Dare yori hikarete ita
I was head over heels for you
Dou sureba
What can I do
Kono kokoro wa
To have my feelings
Kagami ni utsuru no
Mirrored back to me?
Todokanai koi wo shiteitemo
My love for you may be beyond my reach
Utsushidasu hi ga kuru kana
But will it still be mirrored someday?
Boyaketa kotae ga miehajimeru made wa
Until the fog around the answer begins to clear
Ima mo kono koi wa
This love of mine
Ugokidasenai
Cannot truly begin
Several Hours Earlier
Time: after school.
Place: Music Room Two.
And in front of us: a new member.
So yeah, this is Touma Kazusa, and she'll be joining the LMA starting today.
Are you...
Play nice, guys.
...serious?
Enough of that already.
I look forward to working with you, Touma-san.
And thank you!
Well, a promise is a promise.
Oh, right.
We're all fellow members of the LMA now,
so just call me Setsuna, okay?
Sure.
Let's do this, Setsuna-chan—
Yeah.
First Ogiso joined, then Touma.
Now we can seriously get back to business—
Listen to yourself.
What can the four of us possibly do?
Yeah, I know.
Over here!
We need a bassist and a drummer, right?
Sorry I'm late!
Got anyone in mind, then?
Well, uh... you see...
Prez.
Huh? Me?
I mean, I don't have any friends who play in bands.
Well, the thing is,
it was only recently that all of my band-playing friends quit the LMA.
Looks like we'll have to make do with programming those instruments.
Yeah.
It's a painful decision, but one that must be made.
Got that, Haruki?
Yeah.
When do you need the programming done by, Touma?
What are you talking about, Kitahara?
You have no time to waste on that.
But I've always been the one in charge of programming.
Who taught you how to do it?
Well...
Excellent.
Prez.
You need to get to work right away.
Full-time programming duty...
I'm the backup?
H-Hey, Touma...
I'm going to start practicing,
so don't disturb me.
Wasn't that kind of uncalled for?
The way things currently stand, we have to send someone backstage.
And I don't mind being that person.
Right, but how will you break the news to that princess over there?
How will you convince her to sing without your guitar playing?
Forgive me, Takeya.
Ogiso, let's put this together.
Okay!
By the way, Touma-san.
Just call me Setsuna—
Enough with the idle talk.
Also, Kitahara.
You're in no position to be pitying others right now.
Solo practice...
I'd just be a nuisance with my current skills?
Soba ni iru yo
Right by our side
Futari aenakute mo
I pretend to be strong
Heiki da nante
And say I'll be all right
Hey, Touma.
What?
How was Ogiso's singing?
She's pretty good for someone who hasn't had any formal lessons.
In fact, your typical layman would probably think she's a professional.
I know, right?
That's the queen of solo karaoke for you!
She'd be quite alone in that kingdom of hers.
But that means our biggest bottleneck is...
Bit late for that realization.
I guess.
Focus on practicing for now.
Imagine you've got a uni entrance exam two weeks from now,
and give it your all.
I've already been accepted into Houjou University, though.
I was a fool for trying to motivate someone like you.
Oh, I'm sorry!
And here I'm in danger of not graduating at all.
This is why I can't stand nerdy class reps.
B-But you've been practicing the piano every day, right? Studies work the same way.
They're not the same!
I quickly lose my touch if I don't play the piano ten hours a day.
Oh...
Though I guess it simply means I don't have the talent.
Bye.
Hey, Touma.
What?
Just you wait.
I'll be good enough to practice with you guys in no time!
So let's play White Album together again. All three of us.
Can you?
Doesn't matter if I can or not.
I'll just do it!
You sure you'll manage on your own?
I can't make any guarantees,
but I'll do it.
Well then,
see you tomo—
T-Touma?
Stop making promises you can't keep,
you fool.
Too bad.
Damn it!
It's always that one chord!
That's what happens when you fall into a rut.
How about a little break?
Sounds good.
Still, your place is amazing.
Touma Youko's the one who's amazing.
Not me.
Houjou might be a school for rich kids,
but you're probably the only one with a music studio at home.
If you're gonna use the time to chat, then we might as well practice more.
It's already...
You're right.
All right. Break time's over.
You want to keep going?
Yeah, until I manage to play through the entire song.
I've always made it through things by working hard.
Well then, Touma.
From the top, please.
Okay.
Crap, I fell asleep.
Where's Touma?
You're kidding me.
When did the sun rise?
Kitahara!
Wait a minute, Touma!
I just realized I have quite a lot of problems on my hands.
Mind if I ask you a few questions?
How about looking the other way first?!
I can't believe this.
Ever since I let you tempt me into joining the LMA,
I've been drawing the short straw again and again!
Oh, you don't have to worry about that.
Your bad luck's balanced out by my incredibly good fortune.
Shut up!
You okay?
You seem sleepy.
I spent all night practicing.
Before I knew it, it was morning.
Oh? Someone's motivated all of a sudden.
And he still manages to stay awake in class.
That's Haruki for you.
I actually wish I could go to sleep and not care, like she does.
Anyway, I didn't get the chance to shower,
so don't get too close—
Wow, it's true.
Your hair's a mess.
Uh, like I said...
I can tell you're doing your best, Kitahara-kun.
S-Seriously, he'd better do his best.
He's the only old LMA member left, after all.
Sorry, Takeya.
It feels like I stole your spotlight.
Don't worry about it.
Touma made the right call.
Like hell I could butt in on the three of you.
Though...
You've really changed, Setsuna.
You think so?
Yeah, you're probably right.
I feel so comfortable around you guys.
Like, I'm free to do whatever I want.
That's nice to hear.
Your change from goddess to average girl is really affecting your odds to win the Miss Houjou Prep contest, though.
I really wish I'd gotten to know you all much sooner.
I only met Io this year, too.
Setsuna...
It's not too late yet.
Iizuka-kun...
I'm sure we can have a lot more fun from now on.
Yeah, that's true.
I hope you're right.
This feels so awkward.
I know, right?
Ogiso Setsuna's third straight victory...
is in danger.
Zenbu umete shimaou
Of this white album
Five minute break.
You seem sleepy.
A bit.
Come to think of it, Kitahara-kun seemed sleepy, too.
You're both working really hard.
No, it was just me.
I'll tell him not to sleep until he can play the song.
Wow, you're strict.
What wonderful love for your student.
I just can't stand people who suck at playing instruments.
He's all that's stopping us from sounding great.
But Kitahara-kun already went home today because you're so strict.
He's practicing by himself, so where he does it doesn't matter.
I won't complain if he manages to pull it off.
Hey, Touma-san.
At this rate, when do you think we'll be able to perform together?
This weekend.
Really?
Wow, we're nearly there!
I see.
I can't wait.
Feel free to hold high hopes.
You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Okay!
Wake up already, Kitahara.
R-Right.
What time is it?
Half past eight.
Thanks.
Too sweet!
What?
Sweet! This is really good!
I see...
We're holding a training camp starting today, right?
A certain somebody's been staying over since last week, though.
We're supposed to meet at Iwazuchou at ten, right?
Make sure you take all your stuff with you when you leave.
Yeah, yeah. I get it.
Let me go freshen up.
Does he really get it?
This is amazing!
Does she come from a rich family or something?!
Oh, right. She does.
What a huge house, huh?
Hey, Haruki!
Huh?
Don't just waltz in there!
O-Oh, right. Sorry.
Wh-What the hell is this?
Why would a perfectly normal house have a room like this?!
Careful not to trip over those cords.
Is this your piano room?
It was built by the previous owner.
I'm just using it.
Does that mean a musician used to live here?
Looks like it, but I don't know for sure.
Anyway, start setting up.
All right.
Come on, Takeya. Help me out here.
Oh, okay.
I'll help too!
But really, holding a training camp together like this
gets you all excited for the festival, doesn't it?
W-Well, yeah.
Back in junior high, we'd all sleep over at school and stuff!
Yeah, same here!
Staying the night wasn't allowed,
so it was all about how you hid from the teacher on patrol!
Totally!
Meanwhile, I was in charge of finding rule breakers like that and sending them home.
You're kidding me.
He did it... right?
Yeah.
He did it, all right.
You did it!
You did it, Kitahara-kun!
This is amazing!
Touma-san was right.
You really can do things if you put your mind to them!
Way to go, Haruki.
Well, I did practice ten hours a day.
Good job on the programming too, Prez.
It just needs some fine tuning, which I can do by myself later.
Thanks.
Now then, we need to decide on our next song.
We're moving on to the next one already?
Which song should we choose?
Hey, Haruki.
White Album's pretty subdued,
Did she just...
Didn't I already tell you?
so the next one should be an uptempo song that'll get the crowd on their feet.
She's actually really helpful,
understanding,
Yeah, good idea.
and a very cool girl.
Do you have any songs that you like or want to perform?
Ogata Rina?
Her music should be a good match for Setsuna-chan's vocals.
Plus, it's only natural since our first song is by Morikawa Yuki.
Sure, I like Rina.
I know how to sing every song she's released.
Well, Touma?
Do we go with Rina?
The vocalist's opinion takes priority when it comes to choosing songs.
No objections, then?
I've always been a bigger fan of Rina's than Yuki's, anyway.
Oh, so you listen to pop too?
Anyway, we need to choose a song.
Rina has released more than a hundred songs.
Picking one won't be easy.
Oh!
If we're going with Rina, then I have a song I'd like to perform.
Sure.
Which one?
Well, since we're opening with White Album,
what about the song that came out the same year and won first prize at the music festival...
Do you mean...
Sound of Destiny.
Released the same year as White Album,
it beat out every other song to win "Best Single" at the music festival.
It's Ogata Rina's most famous song.
It firmly cemented her as a star
and is still one of the most popular songs for fans far and wide.
It's a good song, but...
So cool!
Yeah, this guitar solo is wicked cool.
Are you seriously gonna try and play this?
Huh? Is it difficult?
It's impossible for me, at least.
Likewise.
Oh...
I see.
Okay.
But you'd look amazing if you could pull this off.
It's so good! So awesome!
I'd love to be able to play this too, but...
U-Uh, Ogiso?
Touma-san.
He can do it, right?
Kitahara-kun can learn to play this in a week, right?
L-Like I said, I can't do it—
Yeah, should be fine.
See—
Wait, what?!
You can do it, Kitahara.
Touma?
Hey, you don't believe that at all, do you?
Anyway,
I think I can have the second song programmed by Monday.
I'll have to work all day and night though, of course.
Sorry I keep asking you for the impossible.
It was Haruki's idea to begin with.
You don't need to apologize.
All right.
That said, I do have some suggestions on how you can make it up to me...
If you can promise me your ideas won't make me want to kick you,
then I don't mind hearing you out.
I was just kidding.
See you next week, then!
Oops, I nearly forgot.
Give this a read.
What kind of joke is it this time?
If you can,
I'd like you to make his real dream come true.
October 2007
See?
It's not impossible, right?
Is there anything you can't do?
Well, I did spend a lot of time playing every instrument here.
Now you give it a try.
O-Okay.
Yeah, not happening!
No problem.
You still have one week.
Don't you mean only one week?
No.
If you practice ten hours a day, you have seventy hours in total.
And if you practice twenty-four hours a day, uh...
One hundred and sixty-eight hours.
And well, that's impossible.
I'm just telling you to be that enthusiastic about it!
There are some things that enthusiasm alone can't achieve!
But this isn't one of those things.
Don't worry.
You can do it, Kitahara.
T-Touma...
I'll make you capable of playing it.
I'm going to turn you into a really cool guy.
Now where's my toiletry set?
There it is.
Wasurerarenai mujaki na koe
I can't forget those innocent voices
Wasurerarenai mujaki na koe
I can't forget those innocent voices
Ima mo iroasezu ni
They're still fresh in my mind
Ima mo iroasezu ni
They're still fresh in my mind
Tanoshii hibi ga kakushite ita
Those enjoyable days we spent
Tanoshii hibi ga kakushite ita
Those enjoyable days we spent
Chiisana omoi wo
Hid from me the tiny flame in my heart
Chiisana omoi wo
Hid from me the tiny flame in my heart
Demo ne kono shiawase
But I never once believed
Demo ne kono shiawase
But I never once believed
Utagai mo shinaide
That the happiness would come to an end
Utagai mo shinaide
That the happiness would come to an end
Sayonara nante kotoba no imi wo
So I never learned the meaning
Sayonara nante kotoba no imi wo
So I never learned the meaning
Narawanakatta
Of the word "goodbye"
Narawanakatta
Of the word "goodbye"
The dream has long since ended
Mou yume janakute
The dream has long since ended
Mou yume janakute
And this world
Sou kono sekai ni
And this world
Sou kono sekai ni
No longer shows any traces
Ano toki no you ni sunao ni
No longer shows any traces
Ano toki no you ni sunao ni
Of the days I spent crying my heart out
Tada naite naita hibi wa doko ni mo nai
Of the days I spent crying my heart out
Tada naite naita hibi wa doko ni mo nai
Hey, please tell me
Nee bokutachi ni wa
Hey, please tell me
Nee bokutachi ni wa
Did the answer lie somewhere beyond our reach?
Tadoritsukenai basho ni kotae ga atta no kana
Did the answer lie somewhere beyond our reach?
Tadoritsukenai basho ni kotae ga atta no kana
If I had never met you
Kimi to deawanakereba
If I had never met you
Kimi to deawanakereba
I wouldn't have known this pain
Tsurakunai noni
I wouldn't have known this pain
Tsurakunai noni