But do we have an audience, at least?
Our merch is great, though.
You shouldn't have given us such a ridiculous name.
Yeah, maybe.
We have tons of silicone bracelets!
Who wants a Toge-Toge towel?
We're doing better than we did back in Shin-Kawasaki.
You sure about that?
Relax, the Polaroids are selling like hotcakes.
Is that good for you?
Hug!
I'll never wash again!
It's your brain that's washed, yeah!
Not wrong.
Ridiculous.
Good evening.
I'll leave you my contact details, if you're interested.
SHIOMI MIURA
"Golden Archer"?
- That's right. - It rings a bell.
It's an agency!
Exactly!
WANDERVOGEL You
want to sign us?
Yes, that's the purpose of my visit.
Oh, really.
You can look up our name, we're a well-established agency.
- Do you know them? - Pretty much, yeah.
They're quite popular with my peers.
They produce several groups.
Okay, but these kinds of setups...
Actually, I used to be a big fan of Diamond Dust.
It's just that I don't like the direction they've taken.
They've lost the sparkle that made them unique.
I love Momoka's music.
I want you to be able to compose what you want!
And that's possible with this group!
Absolutely!
Sit back down.
OK.
When DD reached a wider audience, I was
made to understand that my compositions
weren't really in line with the times.
I see.
And frankly, they weren't wrong.
Besides, the fans went along with it.
But now, these four think they can overshadow them.
They think my songs can compete with
theirs, and I don't intend to prove them wrong.
Right?
Momoka.
Understood.
What?
You're participating in that festival, right?
Making a mark, huh...
SHIOMI MIURA GOLDEN ARCHER
Let's say that if we make some noise, the
agency will find us a label more easily.
And by building a solid fan base, we won't have to compromise our music.
This festival, it will be a bit like an audition.
- Nina. - Yes?
Could you think about the lyrics of this song?
Me?
I'm curious to see what my compositions can inspire in you.
OK.
Honestly, I don't feel it.
- Is she confident about it? - I think it's good.
They are on the same wavelength.
So, those lyrics?
I'm not making any progress.
Weren't you the one who had an idea in mind?
Guilty.
Then put it on paper.
You can't understand.
Words are a door to the outside world.
When we say them,
what’s inside us materializes and belongs to us more.
Do you know who you're facing?
How many songs have I written, in your opinion?
But ouch...
I think I understand broadly.
Let's get to work.
Already?
What?
Nothing.
Hello...
What's the matter?
No... Impossible...
Hurry up...
Hello.
Tell me, does a certain
Iseri work here part-time?
She's not here today.
- What a pity. - Do you want to see her?
I imagine you’re Rupa.
MOM IS HERE! YEAH
You could have warned me, seriously.
Dad?
Nina?
And so, you showed up at my place.
I have to say, we feel super good here.
You don’t even know why they came.
And if you started by talking to them?
Are you listening to me?
Nina?
We are really polar opposites.
It's a bit like your grandmother and you.
We don't see things the same way.
They blather on about nonsensical things.
Maybe, but...
The priority is the lyrics.
The festival is fast approaching.
The future of the band is at stake. In short, I can't handle this on top of everything else.
It looks more like you're trying to escape.
Anyway, are you sleeping here tonight?
THE NEXT
DAY Hello?
Stop harassing me.
You shouldn't have disappeared.
That wasn't my intention.
They keep calling me and asking if I know where you are.
Recipient: Muneo Iseri Sender:
Nina Iseri And you told them?
What did you expect when you sent your letter?
Of course they were going to show up.
But why?
They weren't going to just let it go!
Own up a bit and tell them the truth to their faces.
Nina? She hung up.
What?
They changed the locks?
It's my apartment, right!
I want the new keys!
Why is everyone losing it, in the end?
Lower your voice!
But...
Here, for you.
We've lightened your schedule.
See it as a gift from both of us.
TOKYO -
KUMAMOTO Why?
Tomo might have already told you.
The day of the accident, I was supposed to call my family.
But, my shift was longer than expected.
I put it off until the next day, thinking I had time.
I will never have that time again.
We have much less time and fewer opportunities than we think.
Sorry for bringing it all back to myself.
Do you think they're worried?
Until now, they were ignoring me.
I don't need sound effects.
Wow.
So that's your weakness.
It has nothing to do with weakness.
Then go see them.
You're starting too?
I think you're just lost.
Deep down, it's not the exams
or the bullying that haunts you.
It's the fact that your father remained deaf to your distress.
That's not true.
Then there's no reason to avoid him.
You're right.
Then go. And don't come back until you've talked to him.
See you soon.
I have arrived...
The train heading to Suizenji and Hikarinomori...
TATSUTAGUCHI STATION
Let's get motivated.
Three, two, one...
Ouch!
Nasty!
Nina!
We looked everywhere for you.
Girls Band Cry.
Family
precepts A band?
And you hope to make a living from it?
Apparently.
Her band was scouted by an agency.
Just a little more, and their career will take off.
But well, it remains to be verified.
- That's true. - Well...
You set sail to study and then you
start this project without telling us?
She had mentioned it to me.
Did you think about your poor mother?
Here we go again. As if you ever think about her.
When I left, you told me to do what I wanted.
And I told you that I fully intended to.
No.
I told you to go to university.
Do you realize everything we've let you get away with?
You wanted to quit school, we helped you.
You wanted to go to Tokyo, we arranged for it.
I managed on my own.
Don't rewrite history!
It was me who decided to leave!
You owe your studio to your mother.
Who are your guarantors, remind me?
You're still a minor, I should point out. Do you know what that means?
That an adult is always responsible for you.
So, I have to obey you?
Pretend I was never harassed?
Nina...
No, I can't.
I made this whole journey hoping to
open a dialogue, to make myself understood.
But it's starting off badly, very badly.
I've had enough.
I want you to come with me somewhere tomorrow.
Tell me.
Where are we going, like this?
You'll find out soon enough.
Without me.
I don't ever want to see that high school again.
I've already notified them.
Me too, I want to clear things up.
Thank you for coming in this heat.
LETTER OF APOLOGY
It's nothing.
Can you explain?
You must have been very hot too.
- Let's start. - Fine.
We conducted our investigation, and the student admitted to the facts.
I wanted to apologize to you for our lack of discernment.
And that's it? The school bears no responsibility?
That's not what I'm saying.
It's just that it would be wrong to talk about harassment.
I'm not the best person to talk about it,
but the teaching staff knows perfectly well...
Stop.
Well...
That's enough.
We're within our rights. You're the victim.
I'm worried about Nina.
Imagine if she doesn't come back... What do we do?
Relax, it'll be fine.
Tomo!
Are you okay?
It's going to be okay.
Trust him.
Here you are again.
Oh yes.
Are you staying for dinner?
- You're leaving already? - Yes.
You're really going to go for it, then?
Yeah.
Do you like it that much?
It's this song
that gave me the courage that I was missing.
They kept telling me to grit my teeth, that it was common sense.
Letter of introspection
Of course, I thought it was the only solution.
Music helped me hold on.
If I proved I was right, I wouldn't have to hold back anymore.
I would no longer have to torture my mind and have nothing left but to take the big leap.
But no way of knowing
if I was going to sink into hell or pierce through the blue sky.
And this song allowed me to fly.
I no longer have a place to land, nor the desire to touch down.
You know,
back then, I really wanted to end my life.
Maybe I don't have wings,
and maybe I'm convincing myself that I know how to fly,
but I am at peace with myself.
I can say it with my head held high. Here it is, the real me.
Okay.
But eat before taking off.
Here you go, lotus root curry.
Did you miss it?
- Are we eating here? - Why not?
You know we have rules.
Don't worry about that.
Since you left, the atmosphere has become weird.
You should know that dad started drinking beer, even though he can't handle alcohol.
He was really wasted.
"What do I do, huh?"
I swear.
He's worried about you.
He may be a distinguished researcher,
But he still needs advice.
By the way, this round trip,
mom gave it to your friends in secret.
You didn't know, right?
You know... Our family cares about you.
Our parents are clumsy, but they love you.
Keep that in mind.
Bon appétit.
I'm glad you're still alive.
I love you too, Nina.
It stings.
Has his curry always been this spicy?
Family precepts
Nina 10 years old
Everything is so white Everything is so slow
All the answers are empty of substance
Do you like this song?
Yes.
I see.
You don't like it?
Of course not.
It's not bad.
Not bad at all.
Dad.
Sorry for being so selfish and not listening to you.
Try to slow down on the cigarettes.
I’m going. I’m leaving.
Goodbye.
Nina!
Wait.
What?
What's going on?
Be careful.
I promise.
Nina!
Don't forget your keys.
My keys?
Why?
Thank dad.
Dad!
I'm going to sing a song that I wrote the lyrics for.
Come listen to it.
I promise.
Great.
Nina.
I'm going!
And thanks for the branch!
Take care of yourself!
They have a knack for annoying me, getting on my nerves...
but I love them.
Goodbye. I'll come back soon.
Thank you for choosing our company.
For the connection...
VOID AND CATHARSIS
Miss? Miss!
Sorry!
Oh, I recognize you.
Did you sleep well?
Yes!
I'm back.
Nina.
And our gifts?
You're here.
Why?
Well, Momoka was sure you would come back.
And if that wasn't the case, she would
have dragged us all the way to Kumamoto.
She was ready to drive herself.
And it would have been Rupa's time to shine.
You were up for it, huh.
And there she goes, whining.
These are really tears, right?
But no, she's not crying at all.
What do you think, Rupa?
I don't really know.
Thanks, girls.
I'm back.
Welcome back!
So, did you make any progress?
Yes, I wrote the lyrics of the century.
To be continued: "The Center of the World".