Study time.
Do you really want to help her?
What do you think? Think about it, it's not fair.
They don't have the right to treat her like that.
Maybe, but they don't care.
It's enough that they have it in for you.
Still... she gave me a look. She wanted help.
We were just there at the right time, nothing more.
I can't do anything for you, if you get involved in this.
You're good to become their next target.
What about that girl, then?
Not my problem.
Either she handles it, or she drops out of school.
Unless a teacher steps in.
And we abandon her?
You're so stubborn.
You really know how to get on my nerves. Yeah, I'm fed up.
You're not the only one!
I see where you're coming from.
But it's cowardly.
They can't get away with this.
I won't tolerate it.
Was it a dream?
Is today the day I have to go to the agency?
Great, an oversleeping.
ROCK NEVER DIES
We haven't reached half of the target set.
No surprise.
The video was a flop.
No wonder we aren't gaining subscribers.
Where do you think it's going wrong?
Well, the problem is that you've never
had as much visibility as you do now.
Your name is quite often searched on the Net.
Logically, that should bring you views.
But that's not the case.
It's my fault.
An agent must know how to promote their clients.
All my apologies.
I'm not blaming you...
In the age of self-promotion, it's
up to agencies to evolve and adapt.
What's the point for an artist to stay, if they see no advantage in it?
Well said.
Give me a little time. I'll get things back on track.
- I had never seen her like that. - She was acting weird, it's true.
Hey, where's Momoka?
She left after a "Sorry, see you later."
Seriously?
We were supposed to rehearse.
- Forget it for today. - I agree.
- Momoka pointed out the problem. - It was obvious.
- What? - How slow you are.
- What do you mean? - You heard Miura.
Our name sells, but not our music. Do you see the logic?
Something's wrong with our compositions.
Miura knew what conclusion Momoka would draw.
She wanted to spare her that.
But why?
Well, to avoid causing Momoka pain.
Stop, you have to be patient a bit, that's all!
It's a hit in the making! Everyone loves it.
Even Miura and Nakata!
No one would struggle if it were easy to achieve success.
But...
You know, during his lifetime, Van Gogh only sold one painting.
Wait...
Basically, people follow the trend.
They consume anything as long as it's well marketed.
But they won't get involved if others aren't doing it.
It's not...
Isn't it true, you think?
Take let's plays, would you click on
one with 5,000 views or one with a million?
Stop. You're embarrassing me.
I hope so.
THE NEXT DAY
"It's a lost cause."
"They're playing it too cool, it annoys me."
"They should just leave."
Go to hell!
You talk without even listening to our music!
We won't let you win! And we're not doing this for you!
Breathe, breathe...
Diamond Dust, on the other hand,
sold all his tickets for our duel.
No surprise...
A subscription request?
From Hina?
It's a verified account.
Hi.
You're silly, I totally got you.
It's been a while.
You don't need to keep a low profile?
I'm far from being famous enough.
You still eat these, huh.
Yes. We always bought them after school!
I can pay.
No, I'll take it this time.
- So what do you want from me? - Nothing.
I just wanted to clear up any misunderstanding.
Like what?
I didn't become their new singer on purpose.
I told you about the auditions.
Damn. That was after we stopped
talking and you left school, actually.
So what, you came to gloat?
That I wouldn't have gone through anything if I'd listened to you?
That things wouldn't have escalated if I had followed your advice?
Exactly.
That's what I'd like to say to you.
- It's not selling, huh? - None of your business.
I think it is, quite the opposite.
We're playing together, right.
Not at all!
You know, your agent, Miura, paid us a little visit.
For a little help.
Seriously?
She wanted us to play the two days
since we can sell out tickets in no time.
On your side, you’re only filling the room to 30% of its capacity.
We’re available on that date, it all depends on what we decide.
But I wanted to know what you think about it.
So?
I don't care.
Should I understand that we should abstain?
Or that you feel indebted?
Do you hear?
They call it success. It’s important.
Essential, even.
What if you finally accepted reality?
You were wrong. And I was right.
Admit that you should have listened to me.
Weren’t you ready to settle things?
Accept your failure and I'll come to your rescue.
I’m out of here.
Your money!
That was great, really!
- Hello? - Sorry for the trouble.
Don’t worry.
Is there a problem?
Well, I already mentioned it to the girls...
DD would like us to play both days.
So we face the same audience.
I imagine it's Miura who mentioned it to you.
- Yes, does that surprise you? - Not at all.
What do you think, Nina?
And you, then?
Well...
I'm in favor, it seems more fair to me.
Okay, but if we choose this option, it's DD
who will bring the majority of the audience.
That would be like admitting our defeat, wouldn't it?
So, you're against this idea?
Yes, absolutely.
Here we go.
Listen, I understand you...
I don't want to. No way!
We've struggled too much to get here!
Momoka is right.
And we're here to prove to the world that her music has an impact!
That's always been our driving force!
Except that reality will always catch up with us.
We're barely filling 30% of the venue.
It's worse than at the beginning.
So what?
Are you going to take responsibility for it later?
Do you have any idea of the money invested?
- The money? - And I'm not just talking about the venue.
Merchandise and advertising, it's far from being free.
We have to find a way to cover the losses.
It's all my fault.
Sorry.
So we also have to bow down to DD?
That's not what we're saying.
Yes, we're simply accepting an arrangement.
We're bowing down!
Do you think they made a step towards us?
What do you mean?
It's obvious.
Miura crawled at their feet.
She begged them to play with us.
Really?
And where did you get that from?
From Hina.
She wanted me to acknowledge her victory.
In exchange, she'd help us.
But I refuse.
Because I
know I'm right!
Nina...
You don't have the right to give up!
No right to deny who I was!
Money, responsibility, popularity...
I'm not stupid!
Just frustrated... Frustrated!
I'm fed up!
- Nina? - Are you okay?
Nothing broken?
Why am I so weak, huh?
They did this to you?
I warned you. I can't help you.
What could I have possibly done to you?
You have this knack for making me uncomfortable every time we talk.
Your supposed sense of justice does more harm than good.
You make me feel like the bad guy.
- And you haven't talked since then. - That's right.
Well, that story doesn't surprise me coming from you.
And that girl, the one you gave a hard time to?
It's super ironic,
but she targeted me with her former bullies.
To then find me in private and ask me to apologize.
They would let it go and I wouldn't
have to be their punching bag anymore.
Unbelievable.
She was shaking all over.
She was scared of them.
Except you helped her. She owes you, right?
Is that why you dropped out of high school?
Yes.
Because you knew you were right.
But you were wrong! Wrong on all accounts!
Tomo...
For what outcome? It was that Hina who got it right!
Only...
Yes...
that's also what makes you so charming.
I love your voice.
And I'm sure Rupa, Momoka, and Subaru do too.
Tomo!
- Hands off! - Come on!
I really hate this!
We have our answer.
Miura worked hard to secure this agreement.
We'll have to explain ourselves.
I can't believe it...
But well, it was a more than predictable turning point.
We're talking about Nina.
Yes, that's true.
It's not nice.
- You refuse? - Yes, our apologies.
They want a duel worthy of the name, you know.
We're aware of that.
But it would give the impression that they're coming to our rescue.
Maybe, but as for the audience...
Request for
withdrawal.
It's our
decision.
We know how much it can come across as a whim and impact the agency's finances.
Let us know the expenses incurred.
I can't tell you when, but we will reimburse you.
Please.
I beg you. Why this choice?
I received a message.
From Hina from DD, in person.
Your investment touches me.
You went out of your way to make this project possible.
And I am sincerely sorry to have to decline this offer.
Forgive my selfishness.
I knew it would go against your principles.
- Miura... - I haven't been a good agent.
But let it be clear.
Money is our concern, not yours.
It's your personality that made me want to collaborate.
Withdrawal request Let
me at least fix my mistake.
You're leaving?
Yes.
- For another agency? - No, we're going solo.
Was there a problem?
None.
It's our own decision.
Nothing more.
- He doesn't agree? - I think it's reckless.
Come back to see me in 10 years, if you make it.
I'll work for free.
Great, thanks a lot, Nakata!
A good bowl of beef.
You want to get drunk.
Of course not.
Yeah, right...
This is where we met.
That's true.
Beni-Shoga, right?
How about we make a vow?
This name has sentimental value.
And a vow too.
What, like a promise?
The promise to always stay together and never give up.
- No choice but to eat here. - Works for me.
Just one drink.
Momoka!
You know, I love this city.
I love my life here, where I'm
free to laugh and cry with my friends.
Kawasaki, huh?
Yes!
Beaten out of sight.
It's like losing match after match at a championship.
And a miracle, huh?
You're dreaming. This isn't a B movie.
You like that?
I only watch The Investigations of Granny!
Are you provoking me?
Well, we expected it.
We knew everything would be against us, that we'd struggle.
What irony!
You were by far the most lost.
Alright, fine.
Well, here's another thing proving you right.
Momoka.
By the way, with DD's concert yesterday, we got a lot of comments.
You told me not to read them.
It seems that way.
Let's see.
"I like it.
"Why do people spit on them?
"We don’t care about music, it’s not numbers.
"Nothing is ever lost."
You see, they could go on their way, and yet.
We touch people, then.
It seems so.
Anyway, your progress on the guitar is simply amazing.
What a surprise.
Are you sure I should play?
You spent so much time practicing in the park.
Go for it.
Thanks, girls.
It's about time.
Okay.
Look up
Hina Up?
To the left
Hina To the left?
TOGENASHI TOGEARI
I got you - She’s annoying.
.. - She’s funny.
It’s like she doesn’t want you to give up.
What do you mean?
She went to great lengths to make
you apologize knowing you wouldn’t.
Yes, you’re kind of like the boss of a game.
The prissiest person in the universe.
Beating you means finishing the game, but she wants more.
It doesn't help me at all.
It's a compliment.
You know I'm right.
It's time, girls.
LEFT STAGE NO SMOKING
Uh... you already know,
but we're facing Diamond Dust.
We kind of know the result...
Thanks for coming today!
Ouch.
You know, we've wracked our brains a lot.
We really wanted to win.
Not to bow out.
And we put all our heart into this festival.
I want to talk about myself.
Is it OK, Rupa?
When I was in high school, I tried to help a girl.
Leaving the classroom, I was happy to have made that decision.
I felt proud, at peace with myself.
Except that made me the new target,
and I had to drop out of school.
But not once did I regret going.
Not once did I think that I could have avoided this.
That's when I realized that I didn't even have any regrets.
Momoka's song gave me the strength I
was missing, and Hina knew that perfectly.
Ah, but yes.
Hina was a fan as well. Of DD's music.
It wasn't just my song. It belongs to her too.
I thank you once again for coming.
You are the rebels who go against the tide.
And I love nonconformists like you.
I will scream. Scream that we won't give up.
That we were right!
Be witnesses to our birth!
We all live similar lives
And if you can't find your place
Fly with audacity
Destinies intertwined in resonance I'm tired of wandering
I will devote my days to singing by your side
Neither light nor draft like a solitary prison
Pain and suffering Scars in excess
Even my clipped wings
In the deepest darkness I will keep singing
I had flown away to better disappear
But now I want to stay
I picked a budding flower Watching for its bloom
The one who wanted nothingness is just a memory
I am happy to live
Because fate put you in my path And thus blooms our flower of destiny
Three, two, one...
Thank you very much!