November 12, 2019

Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 85 - Sleeping Lion]

At Ichiei High, Imari is sitting on a bench while reading a publication. On it, the results for the 7th Fukuyama Traditional Music Competition. She is in third place for the piece ‘Nakazora Kinuta’ [literally means hollow anvil].

She stares at the words ‘third place’ then immediately crumples the paper and throws it in the trash bin. And, she goes into the school building. In the clubroom, Lucas is smiling at Miran who is playing frantically on her koto. Tougo is setting up his koto. Kio is looking at his cellphone.

Miran suddenly struck the string hard which surprised Lucas. Miran accuses Lucas of distracting her since he is smiling nonstop. “Are you mocking me?” Surprised Lucas denies it. “I really like this. A nice day of listening to Miran’s koto.” This surprised her. She scowls and looks tense.
Just then, Imari comes in. Kio greets her a good morning and congratulates her for winning third place in the Fukuyama competition. Imari says that it is nothing but simply something to pass the time.

Kio says that it is only to pass the time yet she was able to get third place. “In the end, it’s quite outstanding, FORMER girl genius.” Imari glares at him and says, ha? Tougo tries to intervene when their club adviser, Kifune arrives and greets everyone a good morning.

Everyone immediately looks alert as they greet him back. Kifune says that even if it is a bit rushed but today, he wants to discuss with them regarding the Nationals this August. “---before that, I have a question that I want to ask you guys. Do you think we’ll win...the Nationals?”
Miran sys that they’ll win. Kio says that perhaps, one should say is they cannot not win this. “If we, whose goals are to become professional performers, are to lose to students playing koto as a club, that is a really such a grave humiliation.”

Imari says it is kind of humiliating for her if they just participate in this competition [and not win?]. Lucas just sadly smiles. Kifune says ah, is that so. He tells them that they are going to the AV prep room because there is a performance that he wants them to watch and listen to.

Soon, they are watching Tokize’s performance. Imari looks at Satowa’s playing. Tougo says that Houdzuki Satowa is in Tokize High... Kio says that previous report about their performance was praised a lot that honestly speaking, he originally thought that it is just an overhype topic to flatter...
“...the playing is really good. They didn’t simply depend on the Houdzuki’s ojousama. The other music parts are also very good in supporting her koto sound. It is really astonishing.”

Tougo looks at Imari who recalls the time when young Satowa won the first prize in a competition. Miran scowls and bites her lips upon seeing Satowa’s playing. She recalled Lucas hugging Satowa and declaring her as his goddess and he is her super fan. Miran looks at Lucas and is surprised to see him crying.
Wiping his tears, Lucas says that it is really amazing, so wonderful. “The musical tone of valuing and deeply understanding each other. Mutually improving each person’s musical layer while harmonizing their music. It is indeed the embodiment of mutual affection.” This shocks Miran.

She quickly stands up and shouts, what about it. “I despise that kind of hypocritical show of affection [/false friendship]. I--” Kifune calls out to her and tells her to sit down. Miran timidly obeys.
Kifune tells them that they [Ichiei] are very outstanding. “Other schools probably don’t have a line-up of students like them who are outstandingly strong. And now, their mutual ‘ego’ is going towards its biggest limiting collision which resulted in that performance that is filled with strength.

...It is very charismatic and I really like it. –but after listening to their [Tokize] performance, my heart has this desire. I want your musical world to have more depth, be more extensive. I want to hear your performance that has evolved. *the members look in anticipation*

--Thus, the piece for the Nationals. I want to once again hear you guys play ‘Ajara’ [/Frolic].” Miran exclaims yes! Imari wants to protest. To everyone’s surprise, Kifune continues to say, “But, this time, the solo won’t be Miran, rather, it will be Lucas. *Miran goes huh and Lucas looks wide-eyed* Miran will be in charge of Lucas’ third koto. You two will switch musical parts.”

While Miran is going into a shock, Kifune smiles and says that they are going to interpret a completely new ‘Ajara’.
Meanwhile, at Tokize club room, Akira says okay, they’ll first play up to this part. Sane exclaims that in the end, they still cannot play well the last few parts.

Covering his face, Kouta exclaims the same with the 4th music part’s ensemble, after continuing ahead to play it, it will become all messed up. Natsu muses out loud that is saying that continuing the solo part is a bit messy and it doesn’t sound too connected... Then, he is surprised by what he saying.

Sane agrees with him. “It is because the melody sounds really good that we unknowingly relied a bit too much on it. But looking at it like this, doesn’t it feel a bit boring?” Chika says that they have to put in a lot of spirit into it. Sane says it’s the same for him [Chika].
Kouta looks at slightly tense Natsu and tells him that if he has any idea then don’t hesitate to tell them. “It’s alright because Momoyan is comparatively familiar with music and we won’t be easily crushed by some words.”

Sane agrees and says that Natsu just go use his music to viciously give them a heavy blow. Michi tells him to tell them the parts that they don’t play well. Chika says when Natsu tells them, say it in a way that is a bit easier to understand.

Kouta says that Chika is so... Sane says that it cannot be helped since Chika is an idiot. Chika angrily says, ha?! Natsu notices smiling Takezou looking at him. Natsu then says, yes.
This made Atsumu smile that someone asks what is he smiling for. Atsumu says ah, nothing, he just feels happy. The girls watch them and smile over this. Michi’s cellphone rings. He says that time’s up. Michi gets ready to pack up but Akira tells him to leave the koto since she’ll still use it later on.

Looking slightly apprehensive, Michi says ah, is that so. This made Sane asks what’s up. Looking at Chika, Michi says it’s nothing...right now, he is using Chika’s koto at home.

“After playing that koto, it feels... Ah- indeed, each koto is really cherishingly manufactured. ...that is what I thought so this made me use the same cherished feeling in playing it. After playing it, it made me have feelings of gratitude that forms...kind of! *blushes* Geez, what am I saying.”
Crying Sane says that Michi finally overcome numerous challenges and had become a man... Michi asks is that so. Crying Kouta says yes, super cool, spring has arrived. Michi says, really. Then, he notices Chika smiling at him.

Akira thanks him for treating the koto seriously and she is very happy. This made Michi smile. As he walks through the hallway, Michi thinks that as he goes out of the clubroom, the koto continues to make sound.

“In some instances, it still deeply attracts me. But what’s more important is, it’s really great that it didn’t end during the time when I still don’t understand it. *scenes of everyone helping him out and telling him things* It’s really great that I’ve become aware of it.” He recalls Suzuka telling him, “Keep on walking on, proudly and decisively.”
Back in the clubroom, Satowa says that she has a suggestion. “In a week, probably two times, after club activity, I won’t go to the music store. Instead, I’ll go to Sakai’s place, how about it... The more opportunity to be able to play perform [as an ensemble] together [on the spot], the better it is. If it doesn’t trouble Sakai...”

Akira agrees since Michi needs a coordinating music part and if it is Satowa, she can surely play it. Hiro asks Satowa what about the koto. Satowa asks if she can leave it at Michi’s place. “If it’s a hindrance, then I’ll just bring it with me every time.”  

Akira says that it would be such a burden to Satowa... She stops and exclaims, how about leaving this issue up to her. Kouta asks if she’ll go to Michi’s place. Akira says no, it is a bit difficult due to the distance[?...out of the way?] “But I have a good idea...!”

This excites Kouta and Sane. Akira tells Satowa to please concentrate on practicing. Satowa asks if it is okay. Akira exclaims no problem! “We have more or less two months before the Nationals. Starting right now, we’ll put in all our effort to sprint ahead!” Everyone exclaims in agreement with a scene of smiling determined Michi.
Comment: This is a nice contrast between the two groups regarding what they have and what the other doesn’t have. At the first part, it really makes me think that Kifune is the one holding the Ichiei club together or else, they’ll lash out at each other. ^^;

Apparently, their two female players have issues with Satowa. Imari is most likely the talk of the town until Satowa appeared when they were young. And, ever since then, she isn’t the one on top. Tougo seems to know her history about this. Kio tends to rub things in.

Even if Miran doesn’t want to admit it but she is apparently jealous of Satowa partly due to Lucas. In a way, she has some sort of love-hate thing with him. ^^; She doesn’t like the attention he gives her and isn’t quite sure how to react to his praises. But once Satowa goes in the picture, she’ll get all jumpy and agitated since he isn’t focused on her anymore.

It is interesting that of all the performances that Kifune watched, he is most troubled with Tokize as a competitor. Does that mean Tokize is really a threat? I wonder about his question to the group about winning. He doesn’t seem pleased with the others answers of ‘must win or else, it’s a shame’.

Of all their reactions to the Tokize performance, it is only Lucas who had the ‘correct’ reaction like that of the audience before. And, that makes me think that what Kifune is doing something very risky. It is the Nationals and he is going to do an experiment. In the long term view, this is really good for Ichiei as performers. They would have to go out of their usual routine and broaden their horizon. That is, if they pull it off.

What if they couldn’t? So, that’s the limit of their performance/music ability? The shame that they’ll have to deal with of being defeated. But then, perhaps, blame the club adviser for it? It is indeed a life-changing thing music-wise and in terms of their relationship with each other.

Things are so far going smoothly with Tokize. Natsu is becoming more vocal with his opinions and it helps that everyone say that it is okay for him to be like that. They won’t hold him against it just like with Akira before especially if it can help their performance.

Michi has found a deeper feeling regarding playing the koto and about himself which will definitely help him in achieving his goal. It makes me think that his part will immensely contribute to the piece unlike before. As for Akira’s plan, I wonder who she’ll send to Michi’s place to help him play? I seriously doubt it is the grandmother, so it is her brother?  Scans by 夕遠SEKI of baidu

Word of the day:
Whatever you sow in the way of kindness and joy, you’ll regain many times over. To give is to gain. ‘But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6’ ~ Mottos for Success by M.S. Fontaine

23 comments:

  1. KAtwelcome back i'mglad you are feeling better now, i too had some stomach issues for a month now so i fully understand how draining it can be i'm glad they solved the problem for you and i hope i can get a better diagnostic/solution soon

    I'm glad people can finall see how tokoiseis indeed incredible and it is not only sotawa who is carrying the team , somhow it looks to me like miran either likes lucas or just hate human relations in general , is ajara the one they did for the festival or to qualify for the final ? either way i don't think this will set well with miran but at the same time ifthey played the same thing in a new way that would fasinate the judges whom i'm sure must've seen some of the performances of all the teams lol i just reached the ending of the summary and seems you have same idea as me regarding lucas and miran
    glad nasu is finally fitting in while i really think tha mitsu is finally understanding the music aspect of playing the koto rather than just following the musical notes or whatever the piece of paper with thenotes is called( I have no music experience ) it will be interesting if akira's brother steped in that would be awesome and maybe this way he can see for the last time if koto is for him or not or at least maybe continue as a hobby instead of stopping it allat once. so excited for next chapter

    thank you very much for the summary, take care of your health and we meet next time with the last chapter of this year (the year sure flied !)

    emmahoshi

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    1. my laptop is old and had some problem with spacing the words i hope my comment is still readable

      emmahoshi

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    2. Thank you, emmahoshi ^-^ Hope you get better, too ^^

      Yup ^^ Haha...maybe in some way, she is both. She doesn't know how to deal with Lucas. =P

      Ajara is the piece Tokize heard them play during that performance earlier after summer camp. They will use it for their Nationals performance with Lucas and Miran's part switched. Yup...and in a way, a very risky move just based on Miran's initial reaction.

      Yup ^^

      Thanks for reading and indeed ^^

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  2. OMG! Thank you so much for your existence and efforts!!! TT^TT <3 <3 <3

    Everything about this series is so wholesome. I always wondered who were the first place winners of nationals. Maybe it is just me only, but they are a group that I did not expect at all, especially Miran as their "star-ish" player. It makes sense, since they are not meant to be like "typical" high school students.

    For Akira's plan for Michi, I have bets on her brother (the genius ofc!). I would be extremely surprised if she didn't ask him. I feel like if the brother accepts her proposition, it would heal his relationship towards the koto too. The raw vulnerability and love from the Tokize koto club does wonders to all the characters that ever crossed paths with them. I'm thinking there's a deeper darker backstory why Keishi left the koto completely which we will find out soon (I'm hoping at least).

    applesx

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    1. Thanks for reading, applesx ^-^

      True.

      Yup ^^

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  3. Thank you so much :)

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  4. Thank you for this chapter as well! I like seeing the difference between the two groups. They want to win because it is expected and to be the best. They don't really want to win for winning. That might be their downfall too. Also, I feel like they are a group of individuals and do not have that true harmony as Tokize. Them switching parts is risky, but may be one that gives them an edge. Making me nervous for our leads. Lucas may be a better player than Mirei. Mirei is all about being the best and has the skills, but music is not about that. It may be hard to tell but when going against a team that is all about having fun and putting their emotions, it becomes more obvious. I wonder how this will turn out.

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    1. Thanks for reading, fish.cake ^-^

      True, I agree. I guess in a way, their adviser opted for 'long term lesson/improvement' rather than just 'winning' it.

      Ya, how will it all turn out...

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  5. Hi here Gaby from Ecuador wow thank you so much for every chapter and more I really like to read
    So nice this blogspot
    Take care and thank you for the word of the day too
    Glad to know how is going with everyone :)

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  6. Where is Chika and Satowa romance aaaa

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  7. Thank you for the summary. I've only discovered this blog today and read all the untranslated chapters.

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  8. Thank you for your summary, take care of your health. I will wait for the next chapter ;)

    -Daniel

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  9. I just discovered this blog and im thankful i did thank you for sharing this magnificent manga with us. UvU

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  10. Thanks for all the effort! As a reader from Brazil, not having this manga available in my language was already a big challenge. When I got to Chapter 79 I thought there were no more chapters available until I found your blog. Thank you! :)

    - Couto

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  11. Thank you Kat 😆 Chapter 86 is already out 🎉

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    1. You're welcome ^-^

      Yes, it is already summarized. ^^

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