Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 79 - Diverging Path (Sequel)]

[Free Talk: Evertiy of baidu translated the Jap raws to Chinese. S/he mentioned about being a beginner so there might be some mistakes. The wordings are a bit vague/confusing at times but I tried my best to understand it. Actually, it is more on the music parts.]

At the club, Takezou says that until now, it was personal practice in separate rooms. “Then, it is practicing with the same division [/teammates] and finally, the whole ensemble. But for now, let each club member practice the ensemble on their own for 2-3 times until Michi comes back.”

Kouta exclaims that if it is like that, it feels that Michi is practicing the whole time. Michi apologizes since they are conforming to his situation. Sane assures him that it is okay since it is only now when they can play as an ensemble, and the goal that day had become clearer. Kouta exclaims in agreement. Michi looks slightly tense.

At home, while trying to change her clothes, Michi tells Hana not to cry. Hana screams that she doesn’t want him to change her clothes, she wants mama. Michi comments that she usually likes him.

Covering his ears, Akitaka [I think or it’s Momo] covers his ears and complains that Hana is so noisy. Holding a blocks toy model, Momo shouts to Michi to look at what he made. Aghast Michi exclaims if he has to do that now.

Covering his nose, Akitaka complains that Hana stinks, did she poop. While Michi tries to get a diaper, Momo keeps on waving his toy and hits Akitaka’s head with it. This made Akitaka tackle Momo. Michi exclaims what had happened when he just looked away for a second.

Wearing an apron, An calls out to Michi that food is ready so come and feed Hana. While washing the dishes, she calls out to the two boys to stop fighting and quickly go eat. Hana complains about her hair that Michi is shocked that he has to be the one who’ll tie up her hair.

Removing her apron, An says that she’ll be late. “Sorry, but I’ll wash it up after I come back!” To Michi’s shock, Hana is feeding herself and spilling the food all over herself. He can only tell her that it’s hot, and about putting on a bib.

And, at the side, he sees Akitaka chasing after Momo. Michi becomes totally aghast and exhausted as he walks to school. He wonders if his mother has always been doing that kind of thing and afterwards, she’ll go off to work...

He recalls his mother apologizing and saying that right now is a crucial time for his club. Michi thinks that she was more worried about him than herself. He takes out a note from his pocket where he wrote, ‘To be able to play my own koto sound [that I’m responsible for]’. Then, he looks determined.

In school, Sane, together with Chika and the others, ask Michi if he isn’t going to eat lunch. Michi apologizes and says that he already ate lunch [bento] earlier. “I’ll go practice. Time is limited so I’ll use all of my noon time.” Sane says is that so. As Chika quietly watches Michi leave, Kouta says that they should also quickly go.

During club activity, they all start to practice. Just when Takezou tells Michi that it ought to be better that they practice the ensemble. Looking at his cellphone, Michi nervously says, oh, it is already time.

Hiro asks him if he wants to do this important part and if it is okay, start from there. Michi apologizes. He looks at the music sheet and says that first, he’ll enter here then afterwards Sane and Kouta will come in. “And then, ah...but my playing in latter part is much worse...”

Michi pause and tells Hiro, “Sorry, it is better to play the whole first...” Hiro laughs and says is that so. Leaving the room, Michi says that he’ll leave for now. Someone says otsukaresama and see him tomorrow.

Outside the club room, aghast Michi thinks that time is actually quite little already. “The parts that I play bad hasn’t improved even for a little bit. The problem is still the same as before. In a second, I already used up the time. Being like this... for at least two months...?”

Satowa calls out to him and gives him a small music player. She tells him that this is his solo part. “Yesterday, I played and recorded it. If you can, go and listen to it, okay. While on the road, during class breaks, listen and think what’s different. That is because, as much as possible, I played it without timbre.”

Michi is puzzled. Satowa explains, “Because this part is your part so you go and decide what kind of timbre you want to play with it, okay? If there are more ensemble playing then I’ll also record the others for you.”

Moved Michi thinks, that’s right, my part... Michi thanks Satowa. He wonders how come he became so weak so quickly. “I have to put in all of my strength and do what I must do to be able to squarely enter the stage and play alongside with everyone else.”

So, he does the grocery shopping. He learns to cook while telling the two boys to quit fighting. He brings Hana to school. At night, he is studying while everyone is asleep.

During practice, Atsumu suddenly plucked the string too loudly. Kouta tells him that he is still using too much strength. He asks if that is a thick-string koto. Atsumu says yes, it is. Kouta says that it is so amazing because his fingers are slender.

Sporting some eyebags, Michi thinks that it is no good. “My sound is basically too weak. Like this, it will be covered up by Atsumu’s sound.” He recalls that whether or not it is there, his sound doesn’t make a huge difference.

Then, he stops playing. He thinks that it is the same place. “Am I always making a mistake in the same place? When basically there isn’t much time. I don’t have time for practice...

...Everyone are gradually making progress. Compared to the others, I was originally going to put in more practice. No good, I don’t have excess time to think of other things. I definitely have to concentrate. Concentrate--”

He is interrupted by Hiro who asked if he is alright. “You look awful...? Isn’t it better to take a break...” Michi says no, it’s alright. “Time is limited. How can I take a break?”

Hiro insists that it isn’t good for him to be like that. Michi assures her that he is alright. Natsu is quietly observing them before going back to practice.

At the faculty room, looking surprised worried, Akira says that kind of thing happened right now. Suzuka says yes, merely resting [not playing full time] for a week and the situation has...

Akira asks if Michi is okay. Suzuka says that he thinks that Michi is already putting in his utmost effort. “In this situation, he cannot even take a bit of leisure time. –afterwards, please use your ear to directly confirm and determine it.”

In the club, Akira looks stunned. While she listens to everyone playing, she thinks that in just a week’s time, it has... “It has already brought about a gap...?”

Then, to Michi’s aghast, he made a mistake. He looks at Sane and becomes extremely nervous. Akira shouts stop and in short, up to here first!! “...until today, it has already been a week since I’ve seen you guys. I will concentrate on personal practice. First, let’s start with Michi-kun--...”

After a pause, Michi says that in the end, it is him... “Right now, I’m dragging everyone behind...ya...?” Chika and others look surprised. Sane exclaims what is he saying, they’re not saying that.

Kouta agrees with him. “You are already putting a lot of effort even if it you just have a few practice!” Michi looks slightly relieved until Natsu says, “—but, you still don’t play well.” Michi looks at Natsu.

Natsu continues, “Senpai, during this time, you are always making a mistake at the same part. *Kouta asks what he is saying...* I’m simply stating a fact, that’s all. If you’re doing your best, how come you’re always play badly. You’re dragging everyone down...

...If you’re conscious of it, then give up that strange stubbornness. Isn’t it for the good if you allow the music sheet to be changed into something somewhat simple?”

Michi looks stunned. Irked Sane grabs Natsu’s collar and shouts Momoya, you... Takezou and Kouta call out to Sane. Everyone else look tense. Natsu calmly says, “Simply with superficial encouragement, will it change anything?”

Everyone look stunned. Michi says that’s enough. “Thanks. Ah, that’s right... *smiles* It is as Momoya said. This strange stubbornness of mine, everyone, don’t mind me---...”

He bites lip. Atsumu is wide-eyed. Michi continues, “...ah, in short, this is it for today, I’ll be going ahead.” Someone tells him to wait. Chika holds his shoulder and calls his name... Without turning to face him, Michi says, “...sorry.”

This surprises Chika that he lets go of him. Michi walks away. Trembling and on the verge of tears, Atsumu asks Natsu, why... “Why... Why do you have to say it that way...

Sa...Sakai-senpai is obviously putting in a lot of effort to... The other senpai-s also... Everyone... It wasn’t easy to show a smile... How come... *Natsu looks at him* Momoya-kun, the one who least participate in the club--”

Chika interrupts, “Yoshinaga, that’s enough.” Everyone looks tense and quiet. Chika looks at his hand and clenches his fist. Takezou sees this then he becomes flustered and worried. There is a scene of slouching Michi walking home.

Comment: And, they are in a really difficult situation. Determination to do one’s best isn’t helping them overcome this obstacle. Michi couldn’t catch up to the others. Actually, his health might be affected later on if he keeps this up. Aside from lack of sleep, he is under too much stress that in the end, it is affecting his playing. Maybe one reason why he couldn’t properly concentrate and kept making the same mistake?

In a way, I think that if they weren’t able to come up with a ‘win-win’ situation, their performance in the Nationals will be affected. Michi won’t be happy in playing an easier part. It might also affect their score because I’m thinking that the judges would notice that one of the Tokize group got a slightly easy part.

I think everyone already start to notice that Michi isn’t playing well but as a friend, they hope that everything will turn out well perhaps, turn a blind ear/eye to reality. Hoping against hope because after all, everything ended up okay before.

I think Natsu has changed. Before, he probably wouldn’t even dare say anything to offend a senpai. He probably won’t care how they’ll perform in the Nationals. Now, he bluntly tells Michi and everyone the fact that is already staring in front of them. In a way, he can probably say that since he isn’t exactly ‘in’ the group.

For him to say that, it seems like he wants the group to go for the most practical and logical way to still somehow win the Nationals rather than what they are currently doing. Still, the truth hurts and life is unfair as Atsumu is implying.

I think Chika made the right decision to stop Atsumu before they start to have a rift with Natsu. With things like this, it will be quite difficult to practice well so they better resolve it quickly before it starts to affect everything. Scans from 诺大王 of baidu.

Quote of the day:

Going through tough times does not necessarily always mean you’ll be having it easy any time soon, it might also mean tougher times are ahead. ~ Author Unknown