03x07 - An Impenetrable Wall

[bunniefuu]

RAGE

All right, what should we order?

Is offal stew okay?

I've never had it.

Seriously?

Is it good?

Yeah, I like it.

Then I guess I'll give it a try.

Okay, now all we need is
something light and refreshing.

Hey.

Yeah?

You mentioned you used to be in a band.
You were on bass, right?

Yeah, but only for a little while.

Do you still play?

Yeah, sometimes. I have it back home.

Is that so?

I'd love to watch the next time you play.

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

ARE YOU FREE?

RAMEN TAIGA

She said she wanted to see you play?

What do you think it means?

It just sounds
like she wants to go to your place.

So that was it, then?

Yeah, absolutely.

Here you go, one miso ramen.

So, what do you want?

She's a nice girl, right?

She is.

OUTSKIRTS

Who here can play an instrument?

An instrument?

I play the recorder.

-Castanets.
-Triangle.

Who here can play an instrument?

What does he want us to say?

Don't know.

I can play the piano if that helps.

Dammit.

Wha...

What is this?

Did you really buy these without talking
to me, your accounting manager?

What's done is done!

You girls actually pull it off.

Only the look.

What's all this about?

Do you know "Rockstock"?

"Rockstock"?

It's that kind of famous,
outdoor rock fest, right?

That's the one.

Yesterday, I got an official offer
from the organizer asking us to perform.

It seems a spot has suddenly opened up.

You're just there as a filler,
but I see it as our golden opportunity.

For OTM Girls to take a leap forward,

we need a selling point
that others don't have.

If an underground idol group performed
as a band in a rock festival,

don't you think it would create a buzz?

Only if we can actually play.

Then see to it that you can.

Like it's that easy. It takes years to--

Starting today, we will begin preparing
for OTM Girls' rebirth as a band.

Commit yourself to learning
your designated instrument.

Heart and soul.

We'd be better off practicing
how to dodge stones from the audience.

"A chord consists of multiple notes
played at the same time."

That's what it says.

Right.

First, put your middle finger here.

Like this?

And your ring finger here.

Um, er... here?

Then put your pinky here.

That's impossible!

My fingers are k*lling me.
What chord is this?

It's G, one of the easier chords.

How? Was something overlooked
in the design process?

Do you want to try playing?

Sure.

I think it worked.

No, I don't think it did.

We always get bullied
into doing what Mr. Hyodo wants.

We're used to it.

I see.

Although, when he said
he was making you the vocalist,

I was having none of it.

Don't take it seriously,
I was only joking.

You must really hate
that I'm the vocalist.

Of course I do.

But we had no choice this time.

I'm sorry.

Hey.

You think you can live a happy life
without hurting anyone, don't you?

During a performance,

there's you and there's the audience.

You become one with the atmosphere

and there's a moment when you feel
this thrill from head to toe.

You've felt it several times now, right?

I can see it when I'm behind you.

So many people are drawn to your talent

and you happily give them what they want.

That's enough.

Yeah.

So, stop apologizing.

It's annoying, you know?

Are you busy these days?

Yeah, well, the usual.

I see.

Have you talked to Retsuko recently?

A bit at the office.

And?

She's up to the usual.

I see.

So she's still performing
as an underground idol, per usual?

What?

She's become rather popular, hasn't she?
I hope she's enjoying it.

Wait, you knew?

Of course, I'm her friend.

Oh my, so you knew all along.

It seems she's started making money
so she can pay off her debts.

Exactly. She's paying off her debts...

Debts?

What?

Was I not supposed to say that?

We're going undercover at a concert.

Huh? What's this all of a sudden?

How can you remain calm
knowing she is in debt?

There was a time
when she did seem to be struggling.

Why didn't she come to me?

I bet she didn't want you to worry.

Do you have time today?
We should strategize.

I can't today.

I'm sorry.

I have a prior engagement.

Wait, you're meeting someone here?

Oh well, I guess I have no other choice.

Just 15 minutes of your time.

Why are you still here?

More importantly,
why the fancy private room?

Who's coming? A woman? It is, isn't it?

Are you even listening to me?

Sorry I'm late.

Huh?

This is the C chord.

This is D.

This is E.

This next one is the problem.

F.

The impregnable wall that stands before
all amateur guitarists.

It's said this is where many challengers
fall to their knees in defeat.

First, use your index finger to press down
strings one through six simultaneously.

That is the first wall.

Then, from this preposterous position,

your remaining fingers go
here, here, and here.

That is the second wall.

If we were playing Twister,
it would look like this.

Not even close.

I bet Inui is a nice girl.

You should definitely date her.

Hey, are you listening?

I'm listening.
You've told me that four times already.

I have, have I?

An A-list celebrity.

An unremarkable employee.

When did you two hit it off?
You guys have nothing in common.

We do, actually.

Do tell.

We were both turned down by Retsy.

No way. You were dating?

Goodness, no!
I just made my feelings known.

Aw, come on.

No wonder you flew
all the way to Hokkaido.

Now that's genuine love.

Hm, I see it now.

But Haida...

I'm not so sure
she's the girl you think she is.

She's pretty complicated.

Tadano, you know.

Um, well, perhaps.

She doesn't let people at work see it.

Inui, was it? She seems genuine.

I think she'd be good for you.

It's hard, isn't it?

Ta-da.

What's that?

I'm currently working
on a matchmaking app.

Retsuko is registered, of course.

Care to see if you're compatible?

Nope. I'm good.

What do you mean?
Geez, you're so difficult!

Really, I'm good.

Why not?

I'm not into that kind of stuff.

Just try it.

I said I'm good.

-But why not?
-You made that, Director Gori?

Hm?

That's amazing! May I see it as well?

You're interested?

I am.

I'm so happy!

So, where do I press?

What you have to do...

Ouch.

I'm hungry.

What are you doing?

I gave you access rights to ENI-O
and renewed the algorithm.

Now it will use
an AI analysis of users' history

as a base to match up couples.

Incredible!

But isn't it expensive to use ENI-O?

You let me tinker around,
so you don't have to pay.

Really?

I can help with server management too,
if you want.

Running costs can be quite expensive.

Yes, please!

It's useless.

It really is best to learn from someone
who knows what they're doing.

Do I know anyone
who can play an instrument?

An instrumentalist...

Hello?

Inui? Is this a good time?

-Can we talk?
-Yeah, it's all right.

What's going on?

So...

You said something
the other day, remember?

Hm? What did I say?

That you want to see me play bass?

Ah!

I think I did say that.

Um, so I was thinking...

Wanna come over sometime?