Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 73 - Green Light]

Flashback: Some band members hold out an envelope with the words ‘assistant’s reward’ to Natsu. “Here. This is today’s reward. You’re really such a big help to us! Your drumbeats and our band match up really well together! How about quitting as an assistant and officially becoming our drummer?”

Taking the envelope, Natsu says that he’ll think about it if they pay him 1000 yen as his salary. The band leader laughs and exclaims, “You brat, you’re really not cute! Forget it. If something’s up, we’ll call you again.”

Smiling Natsu thanks them and yoroshiku. He watches as the band leader huddles the other two and exclaims that they go for a drink. “This time, don’t think about going home before daybreak, you guys!” The others laugh and call him stupid.

After glancing at them, Natsu takes his leave. He thinks, “That lead singer always couldn’t control his tone. It’s really a waste for such a good voice. The drum made too many mistakes but is amazing in some areas...

...If the bassist can play a bit better, the level can be a bit more balance--... *looks at the envelope* -forget it, it doesn’t have anything to do with me anymore. In order to get some money, I play some drums. I’ll do whatever they want me to do...

...Crossing each other once, passing through a meeting point and then, it’s over. Our relationship is just that. And, that is good since it obviously suits my sense of [social] distance the most.” End flashback.

While brushing his teeth, Natsu thinks, “...in the end, what am I doing...” Yawning Michi enters the washroom and greets Natsu a good morning. He asks if he slept well. Smiling Natsu says that thanks to him, he [Natsu] slept soundly. Michi says that’s great since he [Michi] wasn’t able to sleep well. Aghast Natsu looks at Michi as he washes his face.

Meanwhile, Sane and Takezou are looking uneasy over something. Sane asks him if he SEES THAT...and is that sleeping? Takezou wonders out loud if that kind of sleeping is alright...and by the way, why is he sleeping there. They are looking at Atsumu sleeping in prone fetal position at the corner of the room.

Sane suggests that they first wake him— Then, Atsumu’s phone alarm rings at 6am. He suddenly stands upright which made Sane [and/or Takezou] scream in fright. While Atsumu stands still, Sane tries to call out to him. Wide-eyed Atsumu quickly turns to them and timidly says, that’s right, he is in training camp. “Good morning everyone.”

While clinging on to Takezou, Sane says that it isn’t good for the heart if he [Atsumu] is like that... Natsu looks at Chika and Kouta who are still sound asleep. Sane comments that they’re sleeping too soundly. Hitting Chika’s head, Sane tries to wake him up.

While fixing his futon, Natsu says that it seems those two went out last night. “Is there a nearby place here where one can hang out at night? *Sane and Takezou knowingly look at each other* Then, I’ll go out first.” As he goes out, Michi says that he’s quick.

Natsu laughs and says that the weather is nice and he wants to take a stroll. After Natsu left, Takezou says that he doesn’t know if Chika and the others are getting along well with Natsu. Sane says that he heard that the battle in the fourth part is exceptionally difficult. The two looks at sleeping Chika and Kouta. “In short, let these two sleep some more.” “Ya.”

When Natsu enters the other building, he sees Akira playing the koto. Akira hears him enter. Smiling Natsu greets her a good morning and says that she’s really early. Akira greets him back. Natsu says that it is the first time he heard hear play so seriously. “The sound is totally different.”

Akira laughs and says is that so? Natsu says that she just played the fourth part, right? Akira smiles and says yes. “It is because everyone couldn’t play it quite well so I want to see if there is some way to do it...” Sitting down, Natsu tells her that it isn’t easy being a teacher.

Akira says that it’s very interesting. He asks if that’s for real because this teaching others is something he definitely couldn’t do. Akira tells him that she thinks that it really suits him. “Yesterday, you’re teaching tempo to everyone. Teaching it with complete accuracy and it is simply easy to understand.”

Putting his hand on his face, Natsu says that is because she is an EXPERT. “If it is me, those three won’t understand a word I say.” After looking surprised, Akira smiles. This made Natsu ask what is it. Akira says that it is nothing. “I’m sorry. I’m thinking that adhesive bandage is really cute.”

Natsu notices that she is looking at his finger. Aghast Natsu tries to explain. Akira says that Michi gave it to him and then, Chika was the one who helped stick it on, right? This surprises Natsu.

Looking straight at him, Akira says, “...if they are a bunch of kids who cannot make sense of what they’ve heard, do you think that it is possible for them to make a koto club that is on the verge of being abolished, to make it as a Nationals’ finalist?” Natsu somewhat looks surprised.

They were interrupted by Satowa and Hiro who came in. Hiro greets the two and exclaims that they’re quite early. She asks Natsu, “What is it? Did you finally understand the benefit of morning practice?”

Natsu stands up and laughs. “How can that be. I saw sensei all alone by herself so I tried to flirt with her for a while, that’s all.” This shocks the two. While Hiro angry tries to shoo Natsu away, Satowa goes to Akira to protect her.

Akira tells them that Natsu is joking. “Momoya-kun, if it’s okay, let’s start today’s practice at the fourth part. Before the training ends, I want to take advantage of this current opportunity to check up a bit the koto sound of you four since the time to practice with you is quite limited.”

Natsu smiles back and says, no problem, of course, it is okay. He thinks that honestly speaking he no longer wants to hear the chaotic tempo of that 8 bars over and over again...

...Before, no matter how bad the sound the others play, it is no longer my concern what happen to them afterwards as long as the performance is over. But... *scene of him saying that he’ll join* Honestly, I really regret those words that I’ve said that day.”

Soon, everyone is busy setting up their koto. Suzuka asks if they are going to start practice from the fourth part. Hiro says isn’t it because someone wrote a callous and ruthless musical score.

“I still couldn’t understand. Why did you add in Momoya-kun in the fourth part? If you were to choose someone else, then they can also properly practice outside of training camp. Like that, it can lighten up the burden on those three.”

Suzuka asks if her so-called ‘properly practice’ refers to the length of practice. Hiro hesitantly says yes, it is... Suzuka asks, “From how you look at it, Momoya-kun didn’t at all ‘properly’ practice?” Hiro and the others look at Suzuka. Hiro looks away and says, no...that isn’t what she meant.

To her surprise, Suzuka says that she simply doesn’t quite like that guy. “However, I believe that it isn’t necessary to force oneself to get along with an incompatible person...

...It is also not necessary to make oneself understand and like the other person. But, there are some things wherein you won’t understand if you don’t get in contact with. For them, it is the same.”

Akira tells them that today, they’ll practice with the same beat as yesterday. “We’ll start in a slow pace.” Natsu sighs and thinks, the same beat huh... Akira tells Kouta to start. Natsu thinks, they repeated this practice so many times already yesterday.

“No matter how I hated it but I already know how this will turn out. At the first bar’s third beat, the moment when the sixth koto [Atsumu] joins in, the fifth koto [Kouta] gets drawn away. Afterwards, wait until the fourth koto [Chika] joins, the fifth koto [Kouta] would totally not be able to find the beat, and afterwards, it is simply--”

Then, he and Akira looks surprised over Kouta and Chika. Natsu snaps out of it when Akira calls out to Atsumu that he’s too fast there. Atsumu apologizes. Natsu thinks that just now, he can play it...? Akira nervously thinks that these kids are really amazing... She tells everyone that they do it again one more time.

Focusing back on his koto, Natsu thinks, no, that should be just a coincidence. “Yesterday, he couldn’t even play it well even for a little bit. It is simply by chance that they contact with each other, right--”

And, as they play, Natsu looks surprised. “--...how can it be. The moment I wished for, sound has arrived... *finds himself stepping on gems that are laid out like a path on the water*...

...Even if the moment is still not quite considered perfect, and there are still places wherein it is played wrong but those moments yesterday when it won’t come out, it did today. How can it be possible, they just slept and now, they can play it well? Why--...”

And he remembers the empty futons last night. He looks slightly flustered as he bit his lip. Chika and Kouta continue to concentrate on playing. Atsumu is puzzled. “How come I feel... that compared to yesterday, I can play it better today...?”

Akira calls out to him and says that just now, he isn’t supposed to play in that part. Atsumu says is that so, sorry... He thinks that even if he still plays it wrong but today, it seems that it had become clearer than yesterday, the places where he should be playing.

As his heart beats quickly, he thinks that the sound is linking up together bit by bit-- the sound path that I cannot possibly see when I’m playing all by myself. *sees the gem path where the others are walking* Amazing. *blushes really red* So amazing. It turns out that the melody should be like this. Finally hearing it like a music. Mine has also already become presentable.”

Atsumu plucks the string fast. Chika thinks that Atsumu’s koto sound had become particularly enthusiastic. Kouta thinks, ya, he knows. “The feeling of the world is becoming bigger makes one very happy.” Akira glances at Natsu who had a slight gentle smile. This made Akira smile.

Hiro, who is watching them, looks surprised. She looks slightly flustered as she goes back to practice. Satowa sees that. She smiles and also goes back to practice. Everyone else are happy about this.

After they finish playing, Akira says good and it seems that everyone has already more or less feel how it should be played. Flustered and excited Kouta laughs and says that it turns out that the melody is like that. With the same reaction, Chika says, wha--so cool--...

Shaking his fist, Kouta excitedly exclaims that like this, even if right now the tempo is very slow and there are still a lot of mistakes but it would definitely be more bright [pleasurable] when they can totally play it well, right!!?

Imitating his reaction, Atsumu exclaims, yes, what he said is really true. Natsu thinks that they simply saw a bit of the shape [/outline of the piece] and they’re so noisy like this already... Looking at Natsu, Chika asks what does he think.

Natsu sighs and says that this is a lot better than yesterday. “Unlike that flying [/jumping all over the place]-like tempo before, right now, it can be considered pleasant listen at--... *suddenly realizes what he is saying and thinks that this is bad* Ah, no...”

Chika and Kouta look at each other and then, they start laughing. Natsu looks surprised by this. They were interrupted by Isaki who calls out to everyone, Otsukare [good work], and right now, they can eat lunch-!!! Chika says that she is still here. Isaki angrily asks ha, she is always here making onigiri!?

Natsu wonders why they can even smile when someone obviously said that tempo is like flying... Someone says, “It should be, they are very happy to see you carelessly showing out your true appearance.” Natsu looks at Suzuka.

Suzuka smiles and says, “Regarding that thing last time, it looks like there’s no need to wait until tomorrow for the answer, right?” Natsu recalls telling Suzuka that it is more effective to change members, and Suzuka agreed to do it if his opinion didn’t change after the end of the training.

As he watches Suzuka leave, Natsu thinks that this person’s personality is really rotten. He looks at the others who are eating the onigiri. Pointing at the onigiri with 3 circular black nori on it, Sane asks Isaki what is that.

Isaki says that it is Chika’s favorite, panda onijiri. Kouta says that Chika is already eating it. And it seems like Natsu has somewhat become part of the group.

That night, holding a notebook, flustered and excited Taishin calls out to Suzuka. “I’ve already read it!!! ‘Ai’s music sheet!!! *sees that Suzuka had just came out of the bathroom* Ah, so...sorry, talking about this when you just finished taking a bath.”

Suzuka says that it is alright and did he already finish reading what he gave him yesterday. Taishin says of course. “It is really amazing how the classical style is blended in with the modern piece [/song].” Suzuka thanks him and he also listened to his [Taishin] suggestion.

Blushing really red, Taishin says not really, that’s so embarrassing, no, no. [<- being modest] “...but, I’m really happy if my knowledge can make the piece become one step further in becoming perfect. *Suzuka looks at him* Ah...by the way, I heard something just now. It’s this...”

He gives Suzuka a flyer about a Nagano music festival. Suzuka asks, Nagano music festival? Taishin says yes, it just so happened that it will start tomorrow. “There are also some koto performances so I was looking at it... Look at the list of performers.”

Suzuka is surprised to read ‘Ichiei High School’. Suzuka says isn’t Ichiei... Taishin says yes, in the past five years, they’re the high school who always won first place in the Nationals. Takinami-sensei, have you heard Ichiei play before?” Suzuka says he has seen the videotaped tournament performance.

Taishin says, “Then, let me suggest that it is better for you guys to listen at least once to their live performance. I also have only listened once to their live performance. *scene of Satowa and Hiro chatting in bed*...

Honestly speaking, Ichiei’s performance--... *guys are having a pillow fight while Natsu sits at the side* is on a different level.” Then, there is a scene of some students ferociously playing koto.

Comment: And so, Chika and Kouta had succeeded in what they planned to do that night. They can now play it better and make Natsu show his true side. Good job for them.

It seems that Natsu is also puzzled over how he is reacting with this group on contrary to how he used to with the other groups. Perhaps, it is some sort of gut feel that is making him do things which makes him wonder, why did he say/do that.

Perhaps, a natural attraction or there is something with this group that catches his unconscious attention. Earlier, the group isn’t ‘showing’ what he wanted/longing for so he would easily dismiss it as the ‘usual’ group. Chika and Kouta proved him wrong. And perhaps, since they aren’t angry when he says his real opinion, he would be more at ease with being himself.

Suzuka must have sensed this possibility and perhaps, Natsu’s longing for something...like a certain sound like he did so he grouped them together even if they are incompatible and don’t exactly like each other. Of course, the others benefit from Natsu’s good timing sense.

Because of how it worked out, it must have also sink in to Hiro what Suzuka and Isaki was telling her. So things are okay with the practice of the members. Before the training ends, it is time to meet with the main competitor. Five-time National champion. Wow. Actually, one has to have a really high confidence to come out with high fighting spirits after hearing that kind of performance.

I mean, if the level is really different, it has a possibility of dampening one’s spirits and think, can we actually defeat that kind of group with our performance? Still, it is better to know what one is up against and do what one can to surpass in order to become number one. Scans by 二次元秘店汉化組

Quote of the day:

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us. ~ Wilma Rudolph