Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 87 - Silent Thunder]

Tsukaji is sleeping in the office with the newspaper on his head. Ring. Ring. He grabs his cellphone and answers, “Yes, hello, this is Tsukaji of Hogaku Days- *removes newspaper from head and stands up* It’s you, Miyako. What is it? *Miyako says something* --Ha!? Oh oh, is this for real!

...Of course we’ll accept. It shouldn’t be a bad thing for the school. Is that so? I understand. If there is any progress, then give me a call again. Thanks!” Komaki asks what had happened that made him so happy.

Tsukaji exclaims that it is Tokize High! Komaki says ah, the one with a lot of boys. Tsukaji asks if that is all she remembers... “Beginners + genius Houdzuki Satowa. And, the coach is Doujima Akira. It is the Tokize who is set to go to the Nationals...

...My niece is a TV director. She said that she is going to do a documentary program about students. Before, I went out to drink with her and told her about Tokize. Afterwards, she’ll use this plan.”

Komaki says ah so those kids are going to be on TV. Tsukaji says that it seems that they still haven’t given their response. “Apart from being broadcast in different parts of the country, it seems that it will also be stream live [on the internet] so ya...

...This time, it will be interesting. For nearly five years, Ichiei dominated the Nationals. This slowly caused the mood for the Nationals to become passive. ‘Anyway, the champion is Ichiei again.’ ‘It cannot be help, after all, they are the elite.’

...Of course, there will be a school that is determined to beat Ichiei. But, I hope that it can once again make everyone excited...! Even though there is a genius but the other are beginners. That kind of school has snatch away the ticket to the Nationals from Himesaka, the former absolute king.

...They accomplished something that others have already considered as something impossible. If this incident is clearly announced to the whole country, it can bring about enthusiasm [for the Nationals]! It will make the mood lively! – Tokize is detonator to make the Nationals worth watching.”

After a pause, Komaki says, “You mean that you’re taking advantage of them, right. Tokize and also Himesaka.” This slightly startles Tsukaji. He denies it and asks how can she say that. “It’s quite unpleasant to hear! *Komaki says but that is what it is* I...I only want to boost the entire morale...

*Komaki says ya ya* Ah...let me say it from the start. As long as the youngsters spark off their fighting spirit, then, the whole koto world-- Even the whole Hogaku [traditional Japanese music] world will-- Hey, are you listening, Komaki!”

At the Japanese-style room, Chika and his group are practicing. He suddenly shouts for everyone to stop, it is already messed up! Kouta apologizes and says that it is him again.

Natsu tells Kouta and Atsumu that in these two bars, the beat is faster. “Senpai, your rhythm [/pace] is unsteady whereas the more Atsumu plays, the quicker he goes. *Atsumu mutters he does* Atsumu, you always don’t listen to the surrounding koto music.” This made Atsumu flustered.

Covering his face, Kouta apologizes that he has again... “Obviously, the rhythm here is the easiest...” Natsu says maintaining a definite rhythm while changing the beat is a very difficult thing. Kouta asks is that so? Natsu says but...in short, let’s play again from the same part...

Chika tells him what is it, if he has something to say then say it. Natsu says that is isn’t a particularly important thing. Chika exclaims that it’s anti-climactic that it makes him mad. Natsu relents and says that he thinks that they couldn’t get into a good rhythm because they think too much.

Kouta is puzzled. Natsu explains that when Kouta and Atsumu normally walk, isn’t it very normal? “It isn’t at all [wondering] which foot should walk faster or perhaps slower. The basic pace in walking is fixed. Honestly, in reality, a human heart also uses a fixed pace to beat. So, the so-called ‘fixed rhythm’ is involuntary. Earlier on, it is already something one possesses--”

He notices the three others are looking surprised at him. Excited Chika exclaims that Natsu is so amazing! Natsu sweatdrops and goes, ha. Chika shouts what he is ha-ing for. “It turns out that you were always thinking of that kind of thing. Are you for real!”

Kouta exclaims that it’s super amazing that he feels like he is having goosebumps! “It’s because it is like one has an inner metronome!” Excited Atsumu says that it feels like after feeling it, the emotion with the rhythm becomes good!

Kouta exclaims that is because it is part of the body! Chika laughs and says that it’s so awesome. “It turns out that there is that kind of way of thinking. Amazing. This is quite interesting... *realizes something* Ah, hey, let me ask you, let me ask you! Natsu, what do you think is considered to be a ‘koto sound that has charm’.” Natsu asks why he is asking this all of a sudden.

Kouta says that he also wanted to hear Natsu’s thoughts. “Actually, this is an issue since we were in first year.” Atsumu says so that’s how it is. Chika says that even if he still doesn’t know whether or not this is necessary for ‘Ai’ but he doesn’t want for it to be always like this wherein he doesn’t know it clearly. “What do you think?”

After thinking for a while, Natsu says, “Charm... perhaps, it is silence. *this puzzles the three* ...it means... the moment when sound disappears and the time when the next sound is about to be played. The part of the music which are on the music sheets that has no notations [/symbols], the space between the notes. That is place where I can mostly feel the charm.” Chika looks surprised.

At the koto club room, Hiro asks Takezou and Satowa if just now, that part they played isn’t considered bad. Takezou agrees. Satowa thinks but there is always something lacking... “Still hasn’t hit it... this kind of feeling...” She says that in short, since yesterday, they still haven’t determined the piece’s purpose...

“The impression this ‘Ai’ piece gives vary greatly based on what people think its purpose is... This time, the teachers don’t seem inclined to tell us anything about the part regarding the piece’s purpose. We must properly think about it or else, the whole piece sounds very vague.”

Hiro says, ah, really~ “Can we really catch up like this? Just the fingering part is far from perfect, still distant...” Satowa tells her that they must catch up. This made Hiro teary-eyed as she calls out Satowa’s name.

Takezou is tense after listening to the two girls. He recalls Suzuka saying that he wants to hear them use one’s own respective analysis to... Takezou clenches his fist.

At the broadcasting prep room, Sane and Michi are busy practicing. After that, Sane falls on the floor and exclaims that they have failed again, darn it. “It is really bad. As long as I’m a bit late in that last part, it will break off... I totally don’t know where I am... Once the beat becomes fast, the more difficult it is to finish playing at a stretch.”

Michi says but then, it has been a long time since they practiced in separate rooms. “This is really good. It’s very easy to concentrate.” Sane sits up and agrees with him. “But- what to do with the solo. The purpose of the piece before was first thought of ahead in time by either sensei or Houdzuki-san... Doesn’t it feel very difficult to think of it by oneself?”

Michi says that didn’t he originally play guitar so for him, he should be okay. Sane calls him stupid, one can play it as long as one has this loftiness wherein one doesn’t even have to think-

Michi says is that so. “...but, this time, after I got hold of the revised music sheet, I should say, no wonder it is Suzuka... Obviously, the fingering had become easier but the koto sound and feeling has become more dazzling than before...

...besides, it is only the solo part that hasn’t been changed at all. *determined* So, I’ll absolutely going to play the solo well in order to make Suzuka think, ‘it is really great that I gave this solo to him’.” This made Sane smile and says, ya.

Later on, Chika and his group are returning to the koto club room. Kouta is saying that it feels that today’s practice is particularly fruitful. “I got to hear a lot of Momoyan’s music theories. Right, Chika. *Chika is lost in thought* Chika? Chi-ka-”

Chika snaps out of it and just agrees with him. Kouta asks why he is lost in thought. Chika says that it is nothing... Kouta says, “By the way, I recall that you play drums, Momoyan? Since when did you start?” Natsu says that is around the time when he’s in grade four.

Kouta says that’s so amazing. “What’s the turning point?” Natsu thinks for a while then smiles to say, “It is my birthday so my father gave me drums.” Kouta and Chika look somewhat surprised. Sparkling Atsumu says is that so, such a high class gift. Smiling Natsu says is that so?

When they enter the room, Suzuka says that everyone is here. “Put the koto aside first then gather around, okay.” Chika asks what’s up. Takezou says that it seems that Suzuka has something to tell them. Chika says is that so.

He and Satowa exchange glances but to his shock, she looked away. Chika wonders what did he do again. He recalls how he pulled away his hand and wonders if it is that.

Just when he is calling out to Satowa, Suzuka says that there is a request. “There is an invitation for them to participate in a TV program.” Everyone looks surprised and says, ‘...huh...’ Scratching his head, Suzuka says that it is Kanagawa TV’s documentary program on students. “They want to film you guys.” They say, ha...tele...tele...vision?

Suzuka casually says “Ya, I’ve declined it but the vice-principal is always bugging me to go and ask your opinion.” The trio shouts for him not to refuse on his own and what is he doing!

Sane shakes Suzuka and shouts that he wants to go, of course he wants to go, they’ll be on TV! Kouta exclaims if this is for real, their time has arrived! Michi exclaims if it is all of them, it’s all of them, right! “Time has finally caught up with them!”

Hiro exclaims if this is for real! Takezou asks why them. Suzuka says that it seems that there was a report about them before. “The reporter from Hogaku Days helped introduce you guys~” Michi thanks Hogaku Days for that. “Wonderful, commendable, is this for real!”

Blushing Hiro squeals and says wait, wait, she has to go to the beauty parlor. “Houdzuki-chan, do you want to go with me?” Satowa says that she doesn’t quite want to be in front of the camera... Hiro says, oh... Atsumu is quite excited since it is amazing that he can unexpectedly be on TV!

Natsu just goes ah... don’t count him in. This made the trio shout, hey, hey, hey! Sane asks if he is serious when it isn’t easy to arrive at this stage... Natsu says that it seems to be very troublesome and besides, he isn’t interested.

Kouta says that it is quite likely of Natsu to say that. Sane asks Chika that he definitely wants to be on TV, right? Chika says that it doesn’t matter to him. Sane tells him to quit lying when he obviously super really want to go. Kouta whispers, ‘right, really want to go!’ Michi asks him what he is thinking.

Chika asks Suzuka what’s good about going on TV. Sane says, popularity. Kouta says will become an influential figure. Michi says everyone will be very happy. Chika says that he isn’t asking them. The trio calls him meanie, heartless, cold-blooded guy.

Suzuka says, about that, he’s asking about what’s the benefit. “One can objectively examine oneself from a new point of view. Even if you’ll also see what kind of person the interviewer is, but whether it is good or bad, interacting with a different people can widen one’s horizon or perhaps, one will discover a viewpoint on something that one doesn’t previously know.”

Chika recalls Natsu telling him about ‘charm being silence’ earlier. Then, Chika declares then, he’ll go. This surprises Takezou and Satowa. Natsu seems slightly surprised.

Suzuka says ya, he earlier guessed that is what they’ll say. “Right now, it seems that they are stuck on the side of performing so perhaps, with this pretext, it isn’t bad for a change of mood.”

Kouta happily hugs Chika and exclaims that’s great. Pushing him away, Chika tells him not to stick to him. Suzuka calls out to Natsu that if he’s the only one who doesn’t go then the vice-principal will probably keep on harping on him about it and he’ll be extremely annoying. “So, can you go with them?”

Natsu says it’s really amazing how he’s asking him. He sighs and says okay. This made the trio happy that they glomp Natsu. Sane exclaims like that, everyone will go and have a public appearance on TV! Kouta asks what about Akira.

Someone shouts of course, she’ll also go. “Ya, so it is decided-! Isn’t it great, Yoshirin.” Atsumu says yes. Takezou and Hiro smile at each other. Satowa notices Chika is in deep thought.

That night, Takegi looks out at the lights-lit city from the window. On the phone, he says, “—what, really, it’s decided. Great, when? Okay, I’ll also go for the interview. I’ll write a report that will be put in the magazine and the webpage’s news to make a lot of people notice them. *Miyako says something*...

...Silly, if it’s a separate interview, it will only be a burden to the students. *Miyako says something* Oh... yes, yes, that’s right. In short, I’ll also go. *excited* Before the start of the Nationals, I will make the name Tokize echo throughout the whole country...!”

Comment: We’ll be taking a break from all the practice. They are now in a dead end. They don’t know how to interpret the piece based on its purpose. I guess that is indeed more difficult than the fingering and how to play. After all, how they are going to interpret it is vital for their success especially since it is their forte.

From the looks of things, that is how the TV appearance might possible help them. Well, that seems to be Chika’s goal. It seems that he is figuring out something from what Natsu had said. That is a probably hint of evolution of his playing once he figured things out.

I’m not quite sure what Natsu meant. Charm seems to be everything that isn’t played and written down in the music sheet? We also got a mention about Natsu’s father. Chika and Kouta seem to notice something is up when Natsu smiled like that again. Will we know more about his background? Is it connected to Chika? Perhaps, it depends on how in-depth the interview will be.

Somehow, I wonder if there is more pressure to win because of this TV exposure. Tsukaji is indeed just trying to spice things up for the Nationals. He doesn’t even think that Tokize can win. Ah yes, the TV appearance will reveal that they have two new members which I thought was their trump card. I’m not sure if that is good or bad since their rivals will most likely watch it, too.

Well, whether they win or not, they will be famous throughout the country. The only one who potentially might have a problem with that later on is Chika in regards with his old gang and his father. Yet, perhaps, with this, Chika can clear his name. If we’re lucky, perhaps, some romance progress for either or both couple might be thrown in in the next arc. ^^ Scans by 夕遠SEKI

Word of the day:

Enthusiasm is the baking powder of life. Without it, you’re flat; with it, you rise. ‘I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. Psalm 9:1’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.