01x03 - Be Right There

[bunniefuu]

It's Melancholy Monday once more.

Aren't you glad your cold's gone?

Yeah, I guess.

Or do you prefer it wasn't,

so you don't have to go to school?

No, I do not.

How come? You always say

you want to stay home.

I hate going to school, but spending

just one day away is enough

for the likes of me to fade

from everyone's mind.

You're such a pain in the a*s.

Mum says breakfast is ready.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm well aware that I'm a total

pain in the a*s, so much so that

I'm just about done with myself.

Hang on.

I'm in a band and holding down

a part-time job at a venue.

Doesn't that mean

I'm no longer an introvert?

Alright,

I'll take my guitar with me again.

Surely someone will approach me this time!

Welp, figures that it wouldn't be

easy without any action on my end.

Backwimps' songs are

finally on music services.

I've been looping them all day

so they're still playing in my head.

Seriously?

Band talk up ahead!

Whoa, what's up Gotoh-san?

Never thought you'd talk to us.

I always operated on the premise

that others will break the ice.

Now I have no idea

how to strike up a conversation.

I forgot.

That was fast!

Lunchtime!

It's for the best.

Even if I had started on the right foot.

So you wormed your way into

our conversation after listening in?

Never knew you were such a creep.

Things would've gone south, like this.

I'll live humbly.

No more getting carried away.

Thanks for the food.

I have to say, this is a nice

quiet spot for lunch.

I'm so glad I found this place.

The classroom is

no place to eat by yourself.

Plus, once I'm famous

and on Sound Station…

What were you like in high school?

Back then, I had no friends and always

ate lunch in one of those odd spaces

filled with tables and cleaning tools.

The contrast would make

a great topic. Yeah, right!

-Our last karaoke session was so fun!

-People's senses tingling!

Kita-chan has an amazing voice.

I heard she was once

a guitarist in a band.

-Talk about musically gifted.

-Band! Come to think of it.

Nijika-chan wants to recruit

someone on both guitar and vocals.

I've been away from work

because of that cold.

It's time I pulled

my own weight for the band

by helping them find the right person.

KESSOKU BAND IS RECRUITING

How can I bring myself

to talk to a complete stranger?

Hey, Kita-chan!

Sup!

-Sorry, but I have a favor to ask!

-Who were they talking about?

What is it?

-Gosh, she's cute!

-Lend us a hand at basketball next week.

-Sure.

-She's a keeper!

She has the looks, does sports, is popular

and above all, even plays the guitar.

Do I have what it takes to recruit her?

Not to mention my identity…

My identity is falling apart!!

IDENTITY

Splat.

What was that sound?

I liked dark, cramped spaces

So I'd bury my face deep in my hood

My eyes resented the heartless world

But yearned for love

I liked being soaked by the rain

Because my face looked better clouded over

I pretended to be afraid of the storm

While waiting for the sky to burst

Strum through the light's distortion

I want to make thunder roar

Drum beyond the pain

What can I do?

This fierce pounding is out of control

Strum in a harmonizing quartet

I want to cause a revolution

Drum in a lamenting forte

What can I do?

My savage nature is beyond wild

I managed to drag myself

all the way to her classroom.

But I'm still not ready.

Aren't you Gotoh-san from Class 2?

She knows my name.

Are you looking for someone?

I, uh, gah!

Say it, Hitori!

Our band's looking for

a guitarist who also does vocals.

Ask if she's interested!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

A GUITARIST AND VOCALIS

Ba! Gui! Vo!

She's communicating via beatboxing!

Umm…

Boom shaka laka waka.

-I'm so sorry!

-Hang on!

That's twice I've disgraced

myself, and the day still isn't over.

I present my new song: "Double Disgrace",

Bocchi acoustic version.

New depressing day, new trauma

All this crappy baggage I never asked for

Quietly sobbing every time I look back

This life is nothing

But crying, never smiling

I sure would like to laugh it off someday

-Someone give me amnesia.

-Wow, that was amazing!

Kita-san!? When did she get here?

I wondered what was up

when you took off like that.

That was inspiring!

You're really good with the guitar!

I, ah…

Your performance was so, like, magnetic.

I'm being heaped with praise!

She's a good person!

Are you in a band?

Uh, yes, sorta.

What else can you play? Let's hear it.

That extrovert aura

is too bright, I'm going blind!

Oh, right, weren't you looking

for someone in my class?

Now's my chance!

So like, our band needs

a guitarist who's also a vocalist.

And, umm,

I heard that you knew how to play.

Is that so?

Huh?

I'm sorry Gotoh-san, but I can't join you.

Well, err, uhh.

I may be from Gloomsville,

but the others are the cheeriest bunch!

It's not you.

We have barbecues on the weekends!

Biannual sports competitions!

Our after-parties are in a limousine!

There's never a dull moment!

I'd rather not be in a band of partygoers.

And, also…

To be honest with you,

I don't know how to play the guitar.

The thing about

how I used to be in a band,

I actually got in by lying, because

there was someone I admired.

The result was me not understanding

a thing, and running away.

-Nothing at all?

-Yeah.

I thought all you had to do

was strum this part.

Turns out this baton wasn't just for show.

There's just too much

for a beginner to grasp.

Major chord? Minor?

Sounds like baseball terms.

This is a whole other

dimension level of bad!

Did you get someone to teach you?

No, I'm pretty much self taught.

No way! Really? Incredible!

Not at all.

Here's an idea! How about you

show me the ropes? Be my teacher!

I'm sure I'll be able to do it if I have

someone as good as you as my guide!

Aw, shucks.

I'll learn how to play guitar

and then apologize to the band I left.

So, when can we start? After school?

I have to work at a live house then.

I can wait till you're finished!

Is there a studio nearby?

We can do it there!

Okay.

-You big dummy! Why can't you say no?

-Really? Thanks!

Can we start today?

Sure.

Oh sh*t. Oh sh*t, sh*t, shitty, sh*t!

I'll have to get the girls

to pretend to be party animals!

Oh hey, it's Bocchi-chan.

Sorry! Could you and Ryo-san

get your jig on at work today,

with an energy drink in one hand

and EDM on full blast?

-The heck is she on about?

-Beats me.

You work at Shimokitazawa, huh…

Ah, have you been here before?

My previous band was from the area.

The members live here.

You don't say.

How will you lead the way from behind me?

Pardon me, I'm still not used

to this place. It's embarrassing.

You're making me embarrassed!

We're almost there. It's called Starry.

Nijika-chan and Ryo-san should already be…

Sorry! I'd like to call it off.

What? But why?

I'm sorry. I can't say why,

but I absolutely cannot go there.

Don't mention that I was ever here--

Bocchi-chan!

I didn't get it, but I bought

a bunch of energy drinks.

It's the runaway guitarist!

Runaway guitarist?

What are you doing here, Kita-chan?

Well, I…

What's this?

I made a terrible mistake that day.

Please forgive me, I'll do anything!

I'm all yours to make a total mess of!

Enough with the misleading statements!

What?

You don't know how to play the guitar?

Yes.

So that's why you were

so against practicing together.

She's in an awkward situation.

If only I knew the right thing to say.

You had us worried when

you took off without a word.

-Nice one, Ryo-san!

-You were concerned!

I thought you died and I had been

praying for your soul every day.

-Amen.

-Don't write her off like that.

Um, aren't you mad at me?

It's partly our fault for not noticing.

Besides, we managed to

get through that day just fine.

You may be fine with it, but I'm not!

Please let me make it up to you somehow!

We don't exactly have anything in mind.

How about she lend us a hand for the day?

Seems like we'll have our hands full.

That won't be good enough.

It sure will be. Thanks!

If you say so.

I'm so glad they sorted things out.

Come over here and get dressed.

Dressed?

Why does the manager have those clothes?

Now that's what I call a good temp.

No kidding! She's already doing great.

She sure is!

I even had time to get some shut eye.

I'm docking your pay.

Sniff, sniff.

Kita-san, you smell nice.

Do I? Thank you!

-Might be my shampoo, it's my favorite.

-She hasn't called me by my name yet!

You're so sociable. Want to try

manning the reception? I can show you.

Okay!

She's getting duties

that I haven't even done!

Drinks cost 500 yen!

Which band are you here for?

Would you like to take a flyer?

You're a natural at this.

I love engaging with other people.

Ryo usually does this, but she shows

as much emotion as a dead fish.

It can be scary.

But that's what makes her great!

Bocchi, what are you doing there?

I've lost my place in this world.

My next song is:

"Elegy of a Useless Part-Timer,

Outshone" by the New Kid in a Day.

It was brief

but thank you for the valuable experience.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING! ILLUST: AKI HAMAJI

Bocchi-chan, Bocchi-chan!

Show Kita-chan how to

work the drinks counter.

Okay!

This is where I redeem myself!

Oh, heck no! I can't do it

with those eyes on me!

SPILL

You okay? I got the gist of it

so you can take it easy.

Sorry for being so full of myself.

Thank goodness it wasn't a serious burn.

Thank you.

What's this, her fingers are…

What made you join a band?

Cuz it's a hobby for indoorsy people

that's flashy and cool.

Plus, you could be

the center of attention.

My motives are all so shallow!

It's… because I want to spread

world peace. Yeah, that.

What a conscientious goal.

TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM 5 PM

Here's your soda!

KESSOKU BAND IS RECRUITING

Could it be that the person you admire is…

Yes, it's Ryo-senpai.

There you go.

My motive is shallow, unlike yours.

I saw her playing on the street

and instantly fell for her.

Ryo-san was in another band?

She's got that otherworldly vibe to her

on top of her androgynous looks.

Everything about her makes me swoon.

Swoon?

Above all,

instruments go so well with her.

I get what you mean.

I always feel like the guitar

is holding me instead.

It's like the instrument

is the star, right?

I wonder what that's called?

It's like we've gotten closer.

One Cassis Orange, please.

Sure, coming right up.

That didn't last.

Sorry for always getting ahead of myself.

Since I first heard her

I've been following her.

She left her last band pretty abruptly.

Really.

After that, I saw that Kessoku Band

were recruiting and jumped the g*n.

Incredible initiative.

Extroverts are something else.

Doesn't a band feel like a second family?

Family?

We're closer than our own family,

chasing the same dream.

It's an undefinable relationship

that's beyond friends or lovers.

I never joined any school clubs, so I

always wanted to experience it for myself.

I get where she's coming from

since I always admired it too.

Yes, I joined Kessoku Band

so I could be her daughter!

To be closer than just friends!

More intimately!

Is it me, or is Kita-san

setting off alarm bells?

That's precisely why I'll

never join a band again.

I already irresponsibly ran away once.

I'm not qualified for this.

Good work. You can go now.

Great job everyone!

Good job.

Thank you for today.

Good luck with the band.

I'll be rooting for you!

Bye.

Hold on!

Bocchi-chan!

Are you alright, Gotoh-san?

Were you still trying to recruit me?

Sorry, but as I said earlier,

I can't join you.

I've run away once and

can't even play the guitar.

I tried to hide in a garbage

bin before we went on stage.

Also…

We're lifting you up now.

Ready, steady, there we go.

Kita-san's left hand.

Her fingertips were hard with calluses.

Which means…

You only get those from

practicing the guitar a fair bit.

We would love to have

a grand time with you by our side.

How could you be so nice to me?

Cause we wouldn't have met

Bocchi-chan if you hadn't run away.

I always wanted to form a band

so I can relate to those moments

you feel down, yet

can't stop yearning for it.

So do I!

Pardon me. I didn't mean to be so loud.

I'm sure Ryo would love

to have you back too!

We can split the studio fee

and quota four ways.

You can be a lot more honest than that!

It's a chance for me

to let her mooch off me!

Sounds like an unhealthy

relationship is developing.

There's still the matter of me

not knowing how to play.

We've got you covered!

Bocchi will teach you!

What?

Really?

Yes!

How could I say no here?

Thank you.

I'll do my best to be a worthy guitarist.

Oh, but you should quit

the party animal act.

I hear you're clubbing every night.

Where did that come from?

It's great that everything is

back to how it should be.

It wasn't the most elegant method

but I'm glad I managed to stop her.

I did great!

I'll be heading home now.

Bocchi-chan, wait!

You can't go after being today's MVP!

You brought the band back together.

Thank you Gotoh-san.

Oh, it was nothing much…

PRAISE ME

Your attempt at being

humble isn't working.

She's like an open book.

But you know, all that practice and

I still can't seem to play the guitar.

It keeps making this boomy,

low-pitch sound.

Isn't that the sound of the bass?

I'm not that ignorant.

Bass guitars have only four strings,

right?

See? Six strings.

Some have six strings.

That's a contrabass guitar.

Kita-san!

I took a two-year advance

on my allowance from my dad for this.

Kita-chan!

And so, Kessoku Band

officially gained all its members.

I've had it!

I'm giving up the guitar.

sh**t, are we disbanding already?

Is this faulty? Another bass?

It's the right one this time.

I'm sorry for whining so much.

Especially when you're spending time

after school and during lunch with me.

Well, I…

Ryo-senpai even lent me her guitar.

I have to make your efforts pay off!

Aren't you glad that Ryo-san

bought your contrabass?

Yeah, but once I handed it to her…

I'm now officially broke and will have

to survive on a diet of grass.

She was joking, right?

I somehow doubt it.

Not again!

I can't seem to hold it down.

The F chord is so hard!

This takes me back.

I used to be like that too.

Oh, hey there, Ryo.

You two are early.

She really meant what she said!

Eating weeds, what a rock star!

The tune that plays when my loneliness

And the pedal are stepped on

Tracks down my cheeks over and over again

The pounding of my loneliness

Is joined by the rhythm of the snare drum

To create a solid pulse

Someone, please remove

The distortion on my heart

And take a look inside me

Nobody can get inside my heart

But it's the kind of night

When I hope someone will

Distortion it's Motion

Once it starts, there's no stopping it

Limits can be overwritten with experience

Isn't that right?

Distortion is always like that

My heart takes off

Outpacing my left brain

Toward where you are

An escort to the next note

Distortion on my day-to-day anguish

The chord I play when I'm alone at night

Is it the same for you?

I spent all those days

Chasing my ideal image

Play an F chord with distortion

So loud that

The needle swings off the scale

Tune in next week!