01x11 - In the Blink of an Eye | SECRET TRACK | celestial

[bunniefuu]

Hmm? Hmm

All these houseplants

just look the same to me.

What? Surely not.

Cactus I want a cactus!

Why are you complaining?

You're the one who wanted some greenery

in the classroom for summer, Nene.

Whistle, whistle.

Say, Yamabuki-kun.

What's this one called?

That's a Ficus benghalensis.

Native to India's Bengal region,

it's also known as a banyan.

It's known for being long-living.

It's resilient and easy to raise,

so it's perfect for beginners.

But beware of the sap.

Gross! He's a plant otaku!

It causes allergic reactions,

so wear gloves when handling it.

Cactus

Cactus Cactus Cactus

Hey.

Cactus!

This one's pretty cute, no?

Cactus

That's a pachira.

It's known for its five-leaf stems

and its rapid growth.

Cactus Cactus

Cactus

During spring and summer in particular,

it'll grow a lot while you look away.

Cactus! Cactus!

Cactus

We came to this faraway store

just to buy this one plant?

We picked it because

the five leaves represent us!

More like because it was cheap, right?

I wanted a cactus

Sure is hot, though.

Summer's almost here, after all.

Ugh, I don't want to get sunburned.

I enjoyed the mini-concert the other day.

I really do love singing my own songs.

I want to pull off a street

performance the same way,

but I'm too scared to try.

Heck

I still haven't managed to write a song.

What do I do? Summer break's almost here.

Rikka still hasn't brought me a new song.

Her trauma is deeper than I thought.

I should probably explore other options.

What can yours truly do?

Pretty much anything, that's what!

What the heck?

What's that sound?

Someone's doing a street performance.

I've never heard this song before.

Sorry, go on without me!

Huh?

What's going on, Rikka-chan?

Bathroom break?

I-I'm gonna be this tree's mommy?!

I've heard that hypnosis

can help one overcome trauma.

I'll ask my big sis to coach me.

It really is Aiko. I could tell

by the way she played.

So she's still doing this, huh?

I can't be seen because it'd be awkward,

but I want to stay and listen some more.

Thank you.

The next song will be my last.

Say, missy.

Nobody's even listening.

What's the point in continuing?

Uh-oh

Shut your trap, moron!

I'm doing this because I want to!

Say what?

You're sh*t at this, so just quit!

Well, you've got sh*t for ears, as*h*le!

I'm not gonna put up with

anyone who insults my music!

You're never gonna make it anywhere! Pah!

Shut it, fool!

Never show me your face again,

you old fart!

Anyway, here's my last song.

I didn't write this song by myself.

I wrote it with a friend of mine

a long time ago.

We did music together

back in middle school.

We were so excited

when we finished the song,

thinking we made a masterpiece,

and we sent it to a record label.

We actually got a response, too.

Which one of you sang the chorus?

We only need the girl with that voice.

But I was still happy,

because our music had been acknowledged.

That's why I entrusted

everything to my friend.

I told her she'd better make it!

She'd better become the number one

artist in Japan with our music!

But what did that idiot do?

She had a setback or two

and ran away from the record label!

Quit chickening out and running

to covers of idol songs, you moron!

What kind of middle-schooler brat

gives up after one failure?!

So I have to keep singing this song.

After all, her talent is the real deal.

Even if she wasn't

Japan's number one artist,

she could still be number one

in someone's heart.

So it's fine as long

as somebody understands.

If you come to like this song,

please remember it.

"The Calm of Night."

As the sun sank into the sea

We let out a deep sigh

And the oceans responded to us

With a big white wave

And dragged the wind away with it

Keep watching this 5-yen coin,

and what do you know

You'll find that even a lemon

can taste sweet like sugar

Ooh, I'm starting to believe!

Okay, go ahead and eat that lemon slice.

Sour!

Breathe in breathe out.

My tongue

It didn't work at all.

I was hoping to remove

Rikka's trauma this way!

Rikka's starting her mini-concert.

It's been a while since her last one!

Hello, everyone.

Thanks for coming

even though it's so hot.

Let's get right to it.

Here's the first song.

Wait, what's the title?

Wonder what she's gonna perform.

As the sun sank into the sea

What is that song?

Wait, is it an original?

We let out a deep sigh

And the oceans responded to us

What is this song?

With a big white wave

Aw, I wanted the usual stuff.

And dragged the wind away with it

This doesn't feel like her.

I don't know, I think I like this better.

After we saw it off

We made a promise for no reason

Yeah

The calm takes over the night

When the calm takes over the night

We feel like there's nobody else

in the world but us

The sea blends into the sky

When the sea quietly blends into the sky

I know it's just the two of us

But I still whisper to you

When did she write a song like this?

Ah, in the calm of night

What's more, she did it all on her own,

without yours truly's help?

Rikka!

When did you write that original song?

It's really good!

It seems I've underestimated you!

You've grown a lot when I wasn't looking!

Seriously.

You haven't given me

enough attention lately.

Uh

For this song, I stopped caring

about appealing to everyone.

I wrote it for someone special to me—

my best friend,

and one more throw-in.

I'm a throw-in, huh?

WHILE YOU LOOK AWAY

We have a date and time

for the street performance!

I've secured a venue, too.

Now we just need your songs.

Now, rock my inner ear

with the power of your new songs!

Shut up!

Rikka's working on a song right now.

My bad.

And Bucky, your regular voice

is already loud enough.

Didn't you say you were done?

There's still one left.

I'm planning to put five songs on the CD

I'm selling at the performance.

But I just can't finish the last song.

Considering how you couldn't write

at all before, this is good progress.

You're doing well.

Hey! Don't throw

my praise out the window!

Rikka ain't an easy lass.

Oh, I finished the draft for my CD cover.

Show us! Show us!

What do you think?

Do you hate rabbits?

That's a peace sign, not a rabbit.

So, what does this mean?

Well

This is a symbol for defiance.

I'll make sure it spreads

to all corners of Japan.

Huh

Wow. Now even I'm starting to get nervous.

We'll all come watch your show, okay?

Oh, about that

For this show,

I'd like to do it without your help.

Huh?

Having you there would make me

happy and help me relax,

but if I got too used to that,

there'd be no point to this show.

I see.

That's a shame, but I guess

it's for your own good.

Okay, gotcha.

But we'll be at the next show, okay?

By the way

How'd you suddenly make progress

after being stuck for so long?

Did you find a song-writing trick

or something?

Trick? Hmm

All this time, I'd been trying to write

songs that'd appeal to lots of people.

Songs I wouldn't be ashamed of,

songs that would actually sell.

That's what I was trying to do,

but it just didn't go well.

When I tried writing them while picturing

the person I'm dedicating them to,

the lyrics and melodies

came naturally to me.

Come to think of it, I wasn't making

music to send some kind of message.

I was making music because I wanted

this person to listen to my songs.

But my pen stopped moving

while writing this last song.

Why?

If I want to say something,

maybe I should tell them directly

instead of using my music.

I see. She's reached an impasse.

As a producer, I should resolve this

and have her write the best song ever.

Rikka.

Is there anything I can do for you?

I can get you anything you desire,

be it a place, a situation, or people.

Ugh, you sound like a scrub

who got rich.

Anything? Really?

Of course! For yours truly,

impossible is nothing!

In that case

Yamabuki-kun, over here.

I did say I could get you anything

But why ask to chat with me

by the beach at night?

I used to write songs

at midnight just like this.

I thought being here might help.

Have a little chat with me.

Come sit next to me.

About what you said earlier today

"Making music for just one person."

That's a good way to go about it.

For example, Beethoven supposedly

dedicated "Für Elise" to someone he loved,

and it's still beloved

200 years later.

It's amazing that you discovered

this method all on your own.

Great job, Rikka.

So

Who are you dedicating those songs to?

Huh? I'm too embarrassed to say.

Let's just say it's someone I once

distanced myself from out of awkwardness,

and now I need to work up the courage

to tell them how I feel, maybe?

I see.

She must be talking about

her friend, that Aiko girl.

They did have a falling out

over musical styles.

And?

What are you trying to tell

this person through your music?

You want me to tell you here?

I won't know unless you tell me.

"I love you."

That's rather direct, but she wants

to convey her love for her friend, huh?

What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?

Not really.

Hey, Rikka.

Can I take a look at your lyrics?

What?!

Or I won't know anything.

Yeah, but

How's getting embarrassed going to help?

Here.

Okay.

I see.

Hmm, are you being evasive on purpose?

These lyrics are pretty abstract

and avoid expressing anything directly.

They won't get the message.

What exactly do you love about them?

Huh?!

Er

Well, uh they were a good listener

to me late at night

and encouraged me to pursue my dream.

I really enjoyed talking to them,

and they gave me hope.

What else? Give me more.

Urk

Th-They're kind

Yes, and?

They have a pleasant voice.

Keep going!

But the biggest thing

is that they waited for me all this time

after I ran away from them.

What a thoughtful person!

See? You've got all these things to say.

Why not use your lyrics to do it?

It feels like cheating to use music

to express what I couldn't say directly.

If I express my feelings that way,

it might disappoint them.

I feel like they'd want to hear what

they really want to hear directly from me.

Rikka.

What?

You

Little Miss Want-It-All!

Huh?

You are blessed with a gift!

You can express yourself

in a way most people can't!

What's there to debate?!

There's no hierarchy in self-expression!

It's not the method—it's the strength

of feeling that moves the heart.

Not using a gift you have goes against

the Yamabukis' way of life!

I'm an Inohana, though? Let's say

Let's say someone used a song

to express their feelings to you.

Would you be happy?

Yes.

Very happy.

I see.

Then I guess I'll leave

this song off the CD.

What? I thought I just

got rid of your worries!

It's because this last song is meant

to express something very dear to me.

Once I can call myself an artist—

once I feel I have the right to use

music as a means of expression—

only then will I release it to the world.

Are you going to save it

for a Budokan concert?

Nothing that grand.

If this street performance goes well

and I manage to sell 50 copies of my CD,

then

I'll sing it to the person dear to me.

I'm performing here?

Indeed. This park is known as

a mecca for street performances.

Celestial, the latest-and-hottest

band right now,

performed here

until last year too, I hear.

So the audience will have

pretty high standards.

But if you can pick up fans here,

you'll surely make a name for yourself.

I made fliers and distributed them.

You need to make a good first

impression to win the audience over.

I secured you a spot with

plenty of space and visibility.

I'm getting a sharp pain in my chest.

This brings back memories.

I was nervous the first time, too.

But

It's a different kind of pain now.

Back then, I knew nothing

and was full of wide-eyed hope,

but now I'm just scared.

Scared they'll look at me

with those eyes again.

What now?

I probably can't do this.

Maybe I should just call it off,

or something

Rikka.

Wh-What?

Do you find my eyes scary?

N-Not really?

Right? Aren't they lovely?

Don't put words in my mouth.

Listen, Rikka.

If you're having a hard time during

the show and can't keep your head up,

just look into my eyes.

O-Okay.

Great.

It's a good thing I came prepared.

Even if you lose sight of me

among a sea of spectators,

you'll be able to see me wave these!

I'd die of cringe, so don't you dare.

What? You'd use the word "cringe"

to describe yours truly?!

You're helping me loosen up, huh? Thanks.

I'll give it a shot.

Yeah, do your best.

We'll watch over you the whole time.

500 YEN PER CD

INOHANA RIKKA

Here I go with my first song,

"Flickering Days."

As we looked up the open blue sky

What do you wanna do now?

In bright white letters

We wrote about our purpose,

we wrote about our future

And painted it with our dreams

With each passing "See you tomorrow"

Her voice lacks its usual oomph,

and she's not in the right rhythm.

I suppose it's not that easy

to get rid of her anxiety.

Our hearts grew closer

As we have good times and bad

With no audience, her

mental state will only worsen.

We walk in awkward strides

You need to stay calm, Rikka.

We hold hands tight,

and our words reach each other

I knew it wouldn't work.

Nobody's stopping.

And gently push us forward

Nobody's listening to my song.

The round postbox, the usual crosswalk

I thought you'd be up for it.

That teary face, the shining smile

They're all de—

Maybe I expected too much of you.

Sorry, Aiko. I just can't

Rikka.

H-Huh? We got lost and wound up here

Your acting's way too awkward!

C-Come on!

We don't want to miss our train!

Imagine we're always in the front row.

Right, I'd forgotten.

Screw trying to sing for lots of people.

I'll just sing for the people

I want to hear my song.

Here's my second song,

"ask for the moon."

I wrote this song for my three

fellow broadcasting club members.

So they're the only people

I need to sing for.

I believe these hands, my voice

Will get to where I want them to go

380,000 kilometers

From an impossible distance

I made the right call by asking

for their help.

BROADCASTING ROOM (TEMP)

You steal my heart away

What? She's lying?

And shine a light on my solitude

Yes. She said not to come because she

didn't want to be overly reliant on you,

Whether it was coincidence

or a magic spell

but that's not all.

She doesn't want you to see her fail.

The clouds give way to a ray of hope

She's scared that you might look at her

with disappointment in your eyes.

We'd never look at her

that way, you dumbass!

Is it possible or impossible

Yeah, never!

Will it come true or not

Why get mad at me?

What can we do, then?

Nobody knows

You don't have to watch her show up close.

That's why I hope, that's why I journey

Just be there for Rikka.

Using my dreams as footholds

She's getting better and better.

Keep it up and reel them in!

I know your voice can reach them, Rikka!

Wanting to touch the waxing

and waning moon

I reached out

Even if it was a small,

insignificant step

I traveled my universe

Believing I'll get there someday

That girl has a lovely voice.

Even if I must walk down

a path never trodden before

Want to stay and listen?

Even if I'm dreaming too big,

hoping for too much

My hand traverses

a 60-centimeter universe

And gets closer to

the bright side of the moon

Watch me

See?