I'm always searching for it
Always seeking it out
A miss. Kelp filling again.
Today's is all kelp.
Why, Akane?
I said a million times that I want mayonnaise and tuna!
- I like kelp. - You heard her.
You lost to Aoi.
A million times said, and you still lost.
Shut up.
Come on, let's practice.
But I'm still eating!
Hurry up and finish!
My "Akane Special” is going to roar.
That's a terrible name.
Me too.
I want to play, too.
You want me to teach you the guitar?
Then what do you want to play?
What, seriously?
Do you admire me or something, Aoi?
No!
Really?
Come to think of it, it'd be cool if a woman played the bass.
All right, Ao! When you get bigger, you'll play bass in our band.
Hey! Then what'|| I do?
Good for you, Aoi.
Abo, you can be the chorus?
Or how about a dancer?
Listen, Banha.
Come on, we're going to practice, right?
What should we start with?
Akane?
The usual!
All right!
Again?
Here we go, Michinko!
Yeah, yeah.
Wait a second.
Oh, come on!
- Banha, plug in the mic! - Huh?
All right, here we go!
If you go there...
It's said that all your dreams will come true
Everyone wants to go there
But it's a far away world
That country's name ls Gandhara
It's a utopia that's out there somewhere
How could I even get there?
Someone please tell me
ls just so far away...
They were in an accident...
For both of them to go...
I heard the other person wasn't watching the road.
It's such a shame, leaving two daughters behind.
Akane is a third-year student, isn't she?
What will she do?
Aoi, be a good girl and obey your sister.
From now on, the two of you will have to work hard.
I can't go there.
Why? What do you mean?
We made a promise to both go to a vocational school in Tokyo!
Akane!
Don't bully Akane, you dummy!
Aoi.
Don't take Akane away from me, you dummy!
Fatso!
Fat? My body fat is 7%!
- Shut up, you pig! - Hey, Aoi.
Monkey! Gorilla! Don't take Akane away!
Akane and I will always be together!
I'm still looking for it
FROM: AKANE LET'S GO HOME.
OCTOBER 28TH
I'm searching for it
The place where all dreams come true.
Her Blue Sky
I'm going to Tokyo.
I understand the place you want to go, but it's not for college, right?
Employment?
I'll work part-time while rising to fame in a band.
A band... Who are the members?
Just me.
I'll check off "employment.” Okay, next. Ohtaki, come in.
Okay.
Is she in a mood?
- Hurry it up, Oht-- - Oh, I'm going to become a bride!
- I don't know who the person is, but-- - Okay, "Employment.”
Okay, next.
Hey, let's talk a little bit more about my future!
City Hall gets busy near the end of the year.
I probably can't pick you up next month.
It takes about an hour to walk to school from our house!
Well, it's a nice season.
You get to admire the autumn leaves while hiking up the mountain.
I hate mountains.
When you're living in a basin, it's like being surrounded by walls.
We're being held captive in a gigantic prison.
There it is! Your puberty lyrics.
Okay, whatever.
Anyway, I'm going to leave this place.
Huh?
Hello!
Oh!
Welcome home, Akane and Aoi.
What are you doing?
Tonight's meeting.
Masamichi invited too many people
so I was just borrowing some cushions and tables from Mrs. Yamaguchi.
- This should be plenty now. - Yes, I think so.
-I'll help you. Come on, Aoi! - Oh, that's okay.
Sorry. And you were on your way home, too.
Not at all. I'll be at the meeting, too, so...
Oh, Akane, would you like to eat a pear?
Sure, I'd love one!
You have a wonderful big sister.
Be grateful, Aoi.
When people tell me to "be grateful” all the time, it makes me want to rebel instead.
FIRST CITY OF MUSIC FESTIVAL INFORMATION MEETING
Yeah, the miso potato cart should have different kinds of flavors.
Like miso mixed with yuzu, or mixed with seven spices.
But will people actually come to something like this?
Why are you being so pessimistic?
In this area, the city has been stealing all of the tourists, even with sightseeing.
From here on out, we need to plant our own flag.
Yeah! We have to catch a big wave, or it'll be our loss.
After all, the Tourism Bureau's very own Masamichi put up funds for us.
Exactly!
Even at City Hall, it's rumored that he's moving around quite a lot of this.
Don't spread false rumors, Akane!
What, so it's not true?
I bet there's plenty of funds.
Look, you have to understand.
In addition to bringing in a singer and band from outside, we the locals should...
Why don't you participate, Ao?
If it's used for a town renewal project, then it's not music anymore.
That's not enjoying the sound.
Instead of music to your ears, it's music that bores to tears.
You may think you said something clever, but you didn't.
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Anyway, this town will be reborn through music!
Aoi! Tsugu!
Dad.
Uh, so are you going to practice again at the hall today?
Yeah.
Just wrap it up by 9:00 p.m.
The low tone of your bass reverbs a bit, and it sounds creepy.
I have a soundproof room at my house.
You don't want a big brother?
Come on, Dad, slow your roll.
I won't let her marry anyone who's been divorced.
I'm a victim! My wife cheated on me! I'm a divorcee with a halo!
Doesn't matter.
Hey, Aoi!
Do you remember Shinno?
Oh. Vaguely.
Why?
Oh, if you don't remember, that's okay.
My hit points that keep going down
It's probably my fault anyway
Anyway, this is a difficult place to live in
I don't agree with it either.
11 stinks like blue cheese...
Don't talk about that here.
So we can talk about it if it's not here?
I'd rather not but...
it would be better than here.
Wrong.
Here. You have to hold it down tight.
Oh, hey Ao, I just noticed you have a mole in the white of your eye.
Same with me!
A mole in the eyeball is a sign we're going to become big shots.
We're both eyeball stars.
Eyeball stars!
What's with that name? No one would get it.
What? It's cool!
It's cool!
Dankichi Nitobe is the one who performed in the New Year's TV song contest, right?
Yeah, I kind of remember.
He rode in a weird, flashy portable shrine.
Oh, I saw that one, too.
To go with this event, we're going to have him write a song about the area.
He'll use the phrase "fireworks go boom-boom" in the lyrics
and when he sings it, real fireworks will go boom-boom-boom!
Fireworks? Wow.
So that means you really did move a lot of this.
This will be... my opus. Th-The opus I'm staking my life on.
So I'm counting on your help with this event, Akane.
I already cleared it with the Civic Life Bureau.
So I've heard. Good luck, Ms. Aioi.
Wait!
Nakamura, the meeting's going to start!
I'll give you the details later!
Wait a second, Michinko!
Well, we're not very busy right now anyway, so give it your best!
You do know that Michinko likes you, right?
Well...
You shouldn't do anything to lead him on.
He's an old friend and we work at the same place.
Even if I know he has feelings for me,
there are things that mustn't be said.
AIOI AKANE AND AOI
Being an adult is so boring.
That aside...
Why don't you think about it once more?
College.
You can study and still be in a band.
We've already been through this.
You promised to stop bugging me about it.
Don't break your promise.
Okay, I'm going to go practice.
Stop that!
Where the hell did that come from?
And your rhythm and timing are gross!
Who are you?
Hey.
We re both Eyeball stars.
Shin... no?
You know me? Hey, that's my school's uniform.
Maybe you're one of my fans?
You wanna shake hands?
Uh...
Huh? Wh...
So you are Shinno...
Of course I am! And who are you?
Akane!
Hey, wait! Hey!
I said, hold on!
Hey, what is this?
Wh-What the hell is this?
Hey, let me out of here!
A-Akane!
Huh? Are you done practicing already?
I'm making your favorite for tonight, minced meat--
Sh-Shinno is...
Sorry!
So what about Shinno?
Um... Right! I was practicing and suddenly thought of him.
I was wondering how he's doing. That's all, really.
I haven't heard from him in ages.
I don't even know if he's alive or dead.
I see. So there was that possibility, too.
In fact, that's the only possibility!
After all, he hasn't changed one bit
Aoi?
Hey, you left your front door open.
That's careless.
Michinko?
Wait, what are you two doing?
- What're we doing? - Making din--
This is no time for that!
I need help with the event!
Yes, I heard, but...
Huh? I didn't tell you about today?
Today?
Never mind! We need to get moving!
When he gets here, hold this up high, with all the gusto you can muster!
So this is what you were working on last night?
Hey, don't spill any miso on it!
- Sheesh. I shouldn't even be here. - But why is he coming today?
The event is a week from now, right?
The thing is...
Mr. Nitobe is the authority on local songs, right?
He said something like not being able to sing about the soul of the land
unless he first samples the local food and mingles with the people.
And City Hall is paying for that, huh?
That's definitely what you call sponging off someone, right?
Tsugu?
What the...
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting.
One lone man, Dankichi Nitobe,
has crossed fields from afar and traversed mountains to bring you the gift of a smile.
- A f-feint? - Is that Dan?
- The real one? - What's he doing here?
Akane?
Here I am, this handsome man
Get your smart phones out and say cheese!
If I was able to meet you... 1-is that...
If I was able to meet you...
Come on, Tsugu! Hold it up high!
Then my happiness points have doubled, boom!
A little tiresome, a little painful (But still!)
But after all that's said and done, you still get hungry
Another helping of your smile, there's nothing better
Okay everyone, together now, say cheese!
Hey, Ao!
Jeez.
Mom, Dad, and all of my ancestors, please give me strength!
Man.
Ao, the taxi driver gave me an invoice. What do ...
Hey.
So that "Shinno" person was really in there?
Yeah.
I thought he was a ghost,
but I saw the real Shinno at the station, so what did I see here?
A lookalike?
I don't understand it, but he was definitely Shinno, too.
I don't get it, but something really weird is going on!
Well?
Nobody's here.
That can't be...
Why did you run away from me?
- Ao? L-Let go of her! - Whoa.
Huh? Who's this kid? He looks just like Michinko.
What are you?
I said, I'm Shinno!
Who the hell are you?
Ao, for now, run away.
Ao?
Aoi Aioi.
Eyeball star number two.
That day, Akane told me she wasn't going to Tokyo.
I felt like I couldn't go home.
For some reason, I was here and thought about a lot of things.
And the next thing I knew...
it was morning?
Why is that a question?
I don't get it either.
But I felt sluggish, so I was zoning out there when this awful cacophony woke me up.
Cacophony?
I swear, it feels like I just got up, so when you tell me it's 13 years later, it's confusing.
I see. You're like Rip Van Winkle.
Is that even...
Oh well. If time has passed, there's nothing I can do about it.
You're quick to accept a weird situation.
Nah, I'm accepting it thanks to you.
You're obviously a miniature Michinko.
He's happy-go-lucky.
At least we know he's not a ghost. He has a physical form.
I-I see. But then...
Maybe a living spirit...
Living spirit?
You've heard of it, right?
When you have strong feelings towards someone,
a spirit spawned from those feelings leaves your body without you realizing it.
I've heard about that! The spirit puts a deadly curse on that person!
It's because Akane turned Shinno down, so...
Maybe you were born from those unresolved feelings.
What are you talking about?
Unresolved feelings or whatever, I haven't given up.
After thinking about it, I made up my mind.
First I'll go to Tokyo and become a big musician!
Then I'll come back for Akane with all this fanfare!
He's so excessively positive.
So why did this have to happen?
Akane must be 31 by now, right?
Wait, so 31... Then... 30...
Hey, Akane isn't married, is she?
- No. - All right!
Wait, I shouldn't be happy about that.
I have to hurry and get...
Do you want to see her?
- Are you an idiot? I can't see her like this! - Idiot? What a jerk.
Weren't you listening to me?
I have to become a big musician first.
I don't know if he's big or not, but he did become a musician, right?
Oh, true, your 31-year-old self did become a musician, in a way.
That's awesome!
I'll be right back!
- Hey! - See you!
Wow, so this must be fate, huh?
I was surprised, too.
I thought you would be our best choice to create a local song for us,
so I was gathering footage in preparation to ask you,
and I was surprised to see my old buddy in the backup band!
Right, Shinno?
That hurt.
For Shinnosuke, this will be a triumphant homecoming performance.
I'LL have to give him a guitar solo so he can shine.
Nice! Let me do a solo, too!
You guys, that's still mostly raw.
Your sax doesn't have enough soul in it.
Excuse me, another plate of this firm kind of meat.
So you told Aoi that Shinno was coming back?
Did you say something, Akane?
No.
What's this?
Are you two together?
Well, I'll leave that to your imagination.
Hey, Michinko.
The booze is tasting bad now!
- More of the expensive stuff, please! - And more meat!
So he can't leave here?
More like a bound spirit than a living spirit?
He knew that and still flung himself.
So my wish does come true.
At that time, I thought of something.
Hurry and graduate high school, go to Tokyo, race to the future,
and then hurry and come back for Akane.
I was hoping that day would hurry up and come.
So even if I am a living spirit, it's definitely not because of some grudge.
Anyway, I don't understand, but I understand one thing.
If the future me and Akane get together, everything will fall into place, right?
Then this living spirit me will go whoosh! Right back into the real me's body.
I'm counting on you, eyeball star.
Was he always like that?
Probably.
Back then, he seemed a little more mature to me, though.
What are you going to do?
Are you going to do what he said, and help the two of them get together?
That may not be a bad idea.
Really?
It's better than having Akane...
stay here and be bound to me forever.
Come on, let's go to the next place! An after-party!
S-Sure, just a second.
Hey, Shinnosuke, if you're going to puke, do it in the can.
That was some tasty meat.
- Let's go somewhere with fish. - Nah, he's no good.
- You guys eat a lot. - I guess it can't be helped.
I haven't been drinking, so I'll drive him back.
Masamichi, I'd like to go to a place that has girls, wherever the local beauties hang out.
Uh, sure!
Gandhara?
You're awake?
My dream came true, in a way, right?
Yes, it did.
You're mocking me.
I'm just surprised that you turned out to be a morose drunk, Shinno.
You're single, so...
have you been waiting for me?
Have I been waiting?
I think...
No, I don't think so.
Here we are.
- Walk properly, and I'll get you some water. - Have a drink with me, Ms. Aioi.
Don't say silly things.
Hey.
Ow!
The hell?
Don't put on airs at your age.
Are you being serious?
Why not? You have nothing to lose.
Is that the kind of thing to say after a 13 year reunion?
Don't disappoint me.
I didn't want to come either.
I didn't want to come like this, as I am now.
I'm back!
Aoi?
Welcome back. You're home early.
I can only take so much wining and dining.
I'm just going to go to bed without taking a bath.
Hey, why don't we sleep in the same room tonight?
It'll be fun! We haven't done that in a long time.
Hey.
Tell me about Shinnosuke Kanamuro.
He's just a drunk.
Not now. How he used to be.
It's been so long that I've forgotten.
I have a bad memory.
But all these years, you haven't had a boyfriend.
I have. Here and there.
No way! You never showed any sign of it! Why didn't you ever say anything?
What? You really are attached to me, huh, Aoi?
Excuse me?
Whatever!
Delicious!
But are you sure it's okay for me to eat your lunch?
I'll go to the convenience store later.
Yeah?
Then...
So you get hungry, too, huh?
I wouldn't say hungry, but... I can eat.
The toughest thing is the boredom.
You've got a guitar. If you're bored...
The strings are rusty.
Want me to buy you new ones? Nickel, right?
Nah.
That's okay.
Instead, would you get me a copy of Jump?
It doesn't feel right, not reading KochiKame.
That series is over.
There's no way KochiKame can be over!
If Ryo goes, then what does "eternal” mean?
Don't ask me.
For real?
Who did Ryo end up with?
This guy has no sense of tension.
Huh? This isn't Tsugu, but Michinko?
This is what he used to look like?
No wonder Shinno called Tsugu a 'miniature.”
Akane...
They were both in the same class.
Oh, wow.
CONQUER THE WORLD
Akane is...
She wrote something that I would write.
Akane Aioi The frog at the bottom of a well doesn't know the vastness of the sea, but it does know the blueness of the sky
'But it does know the blueness of the sky."
Aioi!
Hey, would you reconsider?
If you joined our band...
Joining a band that sucks more than me would just be a waste of time.
What was that, you ugly rag?
That girl's got a nasty tongue.
What a waste.
The lone woman in a boy band just sounds way too good.
But I guess you can afford to pass up that opportunity.
After all, you're going to Tokyo because there are older guys there, right?
Ugh.
It's rumored that you always get picked up and dropped off by a guy in a car.
Come on, introduce me to your boyfriend's friends!
Even if it doesn't work out, I wouldn't blame you.
All right, do you want to come with me now?
Next, about the budget for the stage--
Before that, what's this "budget for Mr. Nitobe to learn to love the locale"?
Oh, that's, well...
That's...
for something like this.
Yes, shaved ice is a local specialty.
RECEIPT
Wait, 18,000 yen for shaved ice?
He said that unless he tries all of the flavors, he can't understand the shop owner's spirit.
I hope he gets diarrhea.
Nagatoro.
River boating, huh?
Miso-marinated pork and soba with walnut dipping sauce for lunch.
How much does this guy eat?
Akane!
What is it?
I guess you're mad, right?
It would be strange if I weren't mad, right?
Like I said last night, it really was just a coincidence
that I found him as I was about to make an offer to Mr. Nitobe.
But if things haven't been brought to a head,
you would've always been tied down by Shinnosuke.
That's enough.
Do you doubt my autonomy that much?
I'm a human being, too, you know.
Even the life I've lived has always been chosen with my decisions alone.
I've never been influenced by anyone.
Does your boyfriend work, Aioi?
Does he have any friends who are students?
I mean, I like the idea of a working adult, but I really want to go to a university cafeteria
I can't get through to her, but she's positive to a fault
with a college boyfriend at least once.
She reminds me of Michinko.
Is he here?
Huh?
Is that your friend? Hello!
Oh, h-hello.
See? Not a man.
What?
Downed by a deer?
A deer?
Yes. The bassist, Mr. Ito, and the drummer, Mr. Kodama, got food poisoning.
It was super delicious.
I have no regrets.
You should!
You were told to cook it thoroughly!
If I'd waited, this guy would've eaten it!
That's you!
Wow, they're like real rock musicians!
Anyway, you'll both have to fast for a week, until the inflammation subsides.
Would they be able to make the performance?
But you'll get plenty of nutrients through an IV drip.
Well, at least we have a sound generator, so in a worst-case scenario, it doesn't have to be live.
I'm afraid not, my friend. I'm afraid not.
Mr. Nitobe?
Sound is a living thing.
It's a form of life.
If the sound isn't live, I cannot sing the heart of enka.
The one thing Dankichi Nitobe never does is sing to recorded music.
B-But...
Trying to find people who can take their places on such short notice...
You need a drummer and a bassist, right?
Yeah, that's right.
We've got them!
A drummer...
...and a bassist.
Are you serious?
The stands-ins are a high school girl and an employee of City Hall?
It sounds like fun.
It won't work.
But Mr. Nitobe loves the idea.
He's at City Hall right now, explaining it.
Mr. Nitobe went there himself? Why is this happening?
I don't want to be part of a brat's playtime.
I'm a professional.
Even though you told me I was an eyeball star.
Why don't you watch me and then decide whether it's "playtime"?
Hey, Aoi.
Good idea!
By all means, show us what you've got.
Michinko.
If you go there...
It's said that all your dreams will come true
Everyone wants to go there
But it's a far away world Oh, they're actually good.
But it's a far away world
Yeah, I'm impressed. But why "Gandhara"?
That country's name is Gandhara
It's a utopia that's out there somewhere
Wow, so cool!
How could I even get there?
Someone please tell me
Gandhara, Gandhara, they say it was in India
I feel love in their performance.
Gandhara, Gandhara, the country of love, Gandhara
Awesome!
That's awesome, Ao!
At your age, performing as a member of a professional backup band?
Well, it just kind of worked out that way.
Isn't that what you want?
If you're near the real one, that gives Akane more chances to talk to the real one, too.
Yeah, the chance to get those two together would be there!
But...
will I really be able to do it?
Performing with professionals...
You can do it.
Just like me, you're an eyeball star.
All right, let's practice. You brought the score, right?
Oh, yeah!
Hey!
Aoi, are you in here?
What's wrong?
N-Nothing.
Is anything wrong for you, Akane?
Um... Sorry.
Getting you mixed up in this.
When [ imagined you standing on a big stage, I couldn't help it.
Oh, I... don't mind.
Well, I'm kind of looking forward to it.
I see.
Oh, here're some sweets. For you too, Tsugu.
Well, don't stay up too late.
I don't think she suspected anything.
Yeah.
You scared me!
She's become an old woman.
Well...
An incredibly cute old woman.
An old woman cuter and more beautiful than any model or pinup idol.
Um... Are you okay?
What do you mean?
Akane must have had a hard time all these years.
For me, it happened yesterday, but Akane's been alone all this time.
I want Akane to become happy as fast as possible.
Shinno...
Still, I bet now that I'm an old man, I've gotten really good with the guitar.
Well, yeah.
Really?
Want me to record it for you? You playing.
With this.
You can do that?
Man, smartphones these days!
That game was incredible, too. Let me borrow that for the night.
Forget about it.
Want to borrow mine?
It's okay?
I don't mind if it's just one night.
Besides, the only people who call me are Akane and Tsugu.
Um, the password is--
Hey! That's personal information!
Thank you, Ao!
Your sister really raised you right!
Hey! Don't touch my head so easily!
Hey.
Are you really going to record it?
Why?
If he sees his present self, he might get disappointed.
-I don't know. - I do!
Shinno may be a dummy,
but he's somewhat kind and would never make fun of someone! And also...
What?
Nothing.
So what are you doing here?
You're going to record Shinnosuke, right?
You can leave that to me! I'm good at it!
I can also do odd jobs. Like a manager?
She was already here when I arrived.
Well, it's good to have more resources, right?
You really understand, huh, little guy.
There you are.
Rehearsal is about to start, so please get ready.
Okay.
All right, great job!
- Shinnosuke is so cool! - I'LL do an equipment check, so please stand by!
What is this?
Is this your idea of a joke, Aoi?
You're playing bass, right?
So why are you trying to stand out?
S-Sorry.
Sheesh.
Women aren't fit to play bass in the first place.
All right, Ao! When you get bigger, you'll play bass in our band.
Your hands and body are small, so you can't maintain the rhythm.
Okay, okay! But we're amateurs and this is our first time, so there's going to be...
Amateurs trying to stand with the professionals are the real problems here.
And you, Michinko.
You're following the bass, and that messes the rest of us up.
If the drummer can't keep the rhythm, he's got no business being here.
Shin!
There you are!
- This place is so big! - Hi, Eiko!
- Hi! - We're here, Shin!
Why?
It seems they've come to pick you up.
Mr. Nitobe is already on his way.
Professionals really do things differently.
Uh, well...
Come on, Shin. Let's go!
You're a real grouch when you're drunk, Shinnosuke.
- Come on, Dan is waiting. - Wow, he's the wild type.
That's all for today, I guess.
Yeah.
What are you doing?
I sent the recording to Aioi's phone.
Y-You... rotten old man!
He saw it.
What the hell is wrong with this seedy old man?
And he's going to a hostess bar?
I can't let him have Akane at this rate.
I have to rehabilitate him before getting them together.
But still...
I really did become a professional, huh?
Damn it, that bastard...
Acting like he's too cool, when he's even got an outie.
An outie?
Yeah. Here, want to see?
No need.
Well, since it's come to this, it's your turn, Ao.
Do a brilliant performance that will crush his pride to smithereens.
Will...
Will I be able to do that?
Of course you can do it!
If it's you, you can definitely do it.
Right, eyeball star?
Yeah.
Yeah!
All right! Then let's get practicing.
Do you have a metronome?
I have an app. It's on that phone.
Smartphone again? This really is amazing.
Huh.
If "Shinno" returned to that 'Shinnosuke,”
what would happen to this "Shinno"?
With a bass, no matter how sloppy things get,
you have to beat out the rhythm correctly and support everyone.
While listening to everyone else's sound, you need to keep your own pace.
Okay.
What?
Shinnosuke isn't here?
Why? The performance is right around the corner!
Well, we didn't have a rehearsal scheduled for today anyway.
Besides, he said practicing together with amateurs will dull his own skill.
That jerk!
I'm sick of him belittling us!
He's completely different from Shinno. What happened to make him like this?
Shinno?
Yeah, that's what we used to call Shinnosuke.
Wrong! Shinno isn't Shinnosuke at all!
Mr. Nakamura!
I opened it for you.
Thanks! Come on, Aoi. Let's practice.
If us, the rhythm group, doesn't have the rhythm locked down, there's no point.
I know!
Shinno and Shinnosuke, huh?
It didn't matter which one, but if he's not here, I'm going home.
That guitar solo was great.
I know, right?
Can you do it?
Nah, that's beyond me.
I found you!
All right.
One more time.
Hey, you okay?
You've been playing for a while now.
And you were practicing with Michinko before coming here, right?
I'm fine.
It's almost 9:00 p.m., right?
At a time like this, Michinko will allow it.
You don't need to study?
Don't worry about it.
It's not like I'm going to go to college.
I see. So what are you going to do?
Go to Tokyo and be in a band.
Someone who'll follow in my footsteps and they're right here!
Don't praise me so straightforwardly like that.
I'm not doing it for a logical reason.
You're not?
I want to leave this town...
so Akane can live however way she wants to.
Because of me, I'm sure she's had to hold back
from doing all kinds of things she's been wanting to do.
If I stay here, Akane will be chained to this place forever.
Besides, there isn't anything I want to do especially,
so I don't want her to waste money on me.
I don't want to be a burden on her any more.
You're blaming yourself too much.
- Nobody thinks it's your faul-- - Everyone is thinking that.
The neighborhood housewives and our relatives, too.
Ao...
It's the truth.
That's why I'm leaving.
You're incredible.
You know...
I've been thinking about why I'm here.
A living spirit?
I don't think it's because of any lingering attachments.
But the truth is that some part of me might be afraid to leave this town.
In that respect, you're incredible.
You're full of doubts,
but you thought it through and made up your mind to leave this place.
I got you back for doing that to me.
You got me back?
The bassist has to support everyone!
That's right!
Now that's my band's future bassist!
Wait, what? This is the future?
Then...
You remembered?
Remembered? I promised you.
Isn't that why you're playing the bass?
Do it to me, too.
What? Ruffle your hair?
My forehead. Flick it. Please.
Well, if you want.
As hard as you can!
Okay!
Ouch!
Okay, see you tomorrow!
Hey!
Ao?!
What the heck am I doing?
I have to get Akane and Shinnosuke together.
For Akane's sake...
and Shinno's sake, too.
- Morning! - Good morning.
FRIDAY THE FIRST
Listen to this!
I heard Chika was with a man yesterday!
What, really?
Yeah! An older guy, and he looked pretty cool.
You mean an old geezer?
But I heard he was pretty hot.
Maybe he's rich?
Morning, Aioi...
Huh? What?
That hurts! Let go of me!
The guy you were with yesterday was...
It was Shinnosuke.
You're the worst.
Wait, so as I suspected, you have a crush on Shinnosuke?
Of course I don't!
But Shinno...
Jeez.
Look, I wouldn't make a move on my friend's man.
Shinno is different from Shinnosuke, right?
That's right.
And you like that "Shinno."
Yeah, I do like him!
Th-This isn't like you.
I do like him! Is that bad?
No, nobody said it was bad.
What are you doing? Hey...
It is bad...
It's totally wrong.
A-Aioi?
Oh no.
Did I forget to lock the door this morning?
Um... A-Aoi?
You scared me.
Sheesh, if you"re going to get home before me, text or call.
I kept trying to reach you, but it wouldn't go through.
Why?
Shinno.
Why didn't you go with Shinnosuke?
What's this, all of a sudden?
If you'd gone with him,
I'm sure he wouldn't have turned out to be that jerk!
He may have stayed the same old Shinno!
Uh, what are you talking about?
I don't want to become like you, Akane!
Denying myself what I want to do and then regretting it...
No!
And then having everything end here...
I refuse to do it!
This isn't what I want to be saying!
Akane, you're...
I really am...
really an idiot!
An idiot, huh?
Hey, Aoi?
Oh, it's open.
Aoi! Are you in here?
She doesn't want to become like me, huh?
Kelp again.
I think I'm just a good-for-nothing type of person.
Yeah. You sent a text demanding that an elementary school student pick up your bass,
and then barges into his room and lounges around as if it's your place
is a good-for-nothing in my book.
But that Shinnosuke is a thousand times worse than me!
Ao, your panties.
I made up my mind!
Ao, calm down.
Michinko!
I'm going to help you get together with my sister.
Dad, it's late.
A-Aoi, you said you were dead set against anyone who's been divorced!
I'll retract that statement.
I'd rather she be with you than be taken away by that Shinnosuke.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't need your help.
The deciding factor in asking Mr. Nitobe to do this was because of Shinno.
I figured you can't move forward without clearing the deck first.
That's the age we're at, me and Akane both.
That's cold!
Hey, what was that for, Aoi?
It's foul.
Adults and your wooly belly, too!
It's all foul!
Ao...
Hey, Tsugu, get me a towel, would you, please?
Tsugu!
FIRST CITY OF MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where should I put this?
Oh, I'll take it.
Sorry. You shouldn't have to spend your Saturday doing this.
Not at all! I'm not in a club, so I have plenty of free time.
I'll help you all I can until the show starts in two days.
Aioi!
Hey!
Ignoring me again.
Hello.
The lighting director was looking for you so he could confirm your positions.
Oh, roger.
I guess he was also looking for Shin... I mean Mr. Kanamuro.
Oh, that's okay. I'll show him where Shinnosuke's going to stand.
What? But...
This is his hometown, right?
I suppose it's complicated for him.
Complicated?
I've always worked behind the scenes, but he actually made a solo debut a while back.
But it was with just one song and then that was it.
Huh.
Yama.
Motoyama.
What's up?
Aren't you going to help prepare for the festival today?
Yeah, I will.
I thought I'd tell you first.
I like Ao.
A first love thing.
What are you blushing for?
I-I'm not blushing...
You're a precocious runt, aren't you?
Well, for now I am.
But by the time I get a full-time job,
the less than ten year age gap between us won't mean much.
Y-Yeah. True.
Since Ao's not great with academics, I'll have to pick up the slack there.
I intend to become a man of value.
I see.
You're amazing.
The only thing is, now I've got a rival.
Really?
Yeah.
So how do you feel about Ao?
H-Hey! Wait a second!
Tsugu, think calmly now.
That's what I should say to you.
Well, I, uh...
Look, in my experience, Akane just shot me down.
Until then, Aoi was just a little kid.
Anyway!
I'm the living spirit of "Shinnosuke," so in this form...
Even if she did fall in love with me, it wouldn't amount to anything.
Yeah. I agree.
That's why...
Hey, come on.
How long are you going to ignore me?
Stay away from me, Jezebel.
Now that's an extreme label.
Didn't I already tell you that nothing happened?
You can't expect me to believe that!
A scoundrel plus a Jezebel equals an illicit sexual rela--
Look, I was surprised myself, too.
He was always totally serious.
What a wuss.
Where's the prince who'll take me away from all this?
Ohtaki, where's the sign-in sheet I asked you to take care of?
Sorry! I left it on top of the cart by the entrance!
If you go there...
It's said that...
all your dreams will...
Why did you stop?
Keep playing.
I had a feeling that when I moved to Tokyo, all my dreams would come true.
But they didn't.
But your dream came true.
You play guitar for a living.
It's not like I wanted to be in the backup band for an enka singer.
Still...
I'm not complaining.
I'm grateful to Mr. Nitobe.
I'm satisfied to at least be involved with music.
But I don't know if it was necessary to leave, considering all the things I gave up.
Then, can I request a different song?
"Her Blue Sky."
Why do you...
I bought it.
Your solo debut song.
But that's my dark past.
I like that song about as much as I like "Gandhara."
I didn't like it at all
Horror movies and caramel-flavored kisses
I couldn't fall in love with it at all
Even still, all I can do now while I scream ls search for your face
Dankichi Nitobe style!
There's a hole in my heart that's a trap door
It's so dark in here that I can't see
- What is that? Sing normally! - Next, math teacher Saito style!
There's really no reason behind it
Akane...
And...
the person who can make Akane laugh like that..
It can only be...
Shinno, after all.
Okay, thank you very much.
Ugh, my stomach hurts.
Sheesh, you were supposed to sing normally.
You know, it's still nice being with you like this.
It's like I can relax.
I'm thinking about coming back.
It's not like there's a future ahead of me with this current job.
No!
How can I put it? It's like everyone else got a solid job and is settling down.
Maybe I'm at the age where I should be doing the same thing.
No! Then "Shinno” will disappear!
What are you talking about?
In this day and age, 30 or so is still a youngster, right?
It's too early to settle down.
For me, there's something that I can only do here.
I haven't given up yet on a lot of other things.
Yep. It's from here on and out.
I see.
That's right.
Yeah. You're right.
Are you going back?
Yeah. I'd better get going.
See you later.
So that's how Akane cries.
I didn't know.
The last time she cried..
How long has it been since I saw her cry?
Akane, can you get me the--
Jeez.
"Strategy"?
Hey, Aoi!
- Are you okay? - Yummy!
Come on, Aoi, if you have nothing to do, then help me a little.
No way!
You're good at making deep-fried food
so the ingredients shout with joy when a talented person uses them for cooking.
I suppose.
What was this "burden” that I was talking about?
I always had the feeling that Akane could do anything.
But she only looked perfect..
For my sake.
WHAT A BIG SUCCESS IN SATISFYING AOI!
It's because she's been trying so hard...
and I..
What am I doing?
Oh. It's just you, Ao.
What happened to using our password? Jeez, you scared me.
I like you, Shinno.
Listen... I'm flattered.
But think about it really hard.
- I'm a living spir-- - Shut up!
I mean, your voice is so kind.
Someone with that kind of voice generally says comforting and compassionate things.
Even if you didn't mean to comfort me,
your voice is wonderful and warm and it kind of makes me sad, so I don't want to hear it.
For now, let me get all of my feelings out.
I like you, Shinno.
Not "Shinnosuke," but you, the "Shinno" who's right here.
I want to be with you forever.
Rather than have you return to "Shinnosuke,"
I want you to stay here!
Ao...
But...
I also love Akane!
And Akane...
still loves "Shinnosuke."
When I think about Akane's happiness...
But then you would...
I don't know what I should do anymore.
Tell me, what should I do?
Don't touch me!
If you touch me, it'll only make me like you even more!
Th-Then... what should I do?
You don't know either?
How could I know?
Then...
Never mind!
Hey, wait! I said wait!
Please!
Please...
Wait...
I... can't run after you.
Even if I want to run after you, it's impossible.
All I can do is see you off from here.
I don't have any idea either, of what would happen if I return to my original self.
But only being able to watch as you run off crying like a brat is...
I'm not crying.
I'm not crying!
It's the rain!
Hey, why am I here?
Why?
CONCERT HALL
Morning.
Morning. Um...
About yesterday... I'm sorry.
Oh, there's no need to apologize!
- I was totally bothering you about it, too. - But...
Well, uh--
It's not here!
PERFORMERS WAITING ROOM It's not here!
Are you missing something, Mr. Nitobe?
My pendant! The one I'm always wearing is gone!
Pendant? Oh! That gaudy looking one.
That's the source of my energy.
All the feelings I've received from people all across this land are sealed inside of it.
Without it, I won't be able to sing the local heart.
I won't be able to sing the heart of enka!
That phrase sounds really familiar to me.
Mr. Nitobe, it wasn't in the car either.
Mr. Nitobe.
Well, when was the last time you saw it?
The last time?
In that case, um...
Oh, the Wado Ruins.
Oh, there it is!
Could that be Mitsumine Shrine?
You're having too much fun.
I mean, in every photo, you have your arms around women"s s shoulders.
That's the rapport I have with locals.
So these pictures are from yesterday.
Oh, this one.
From this photo on, you're not wearing the pendant.
Oh yeah.
Then...
The last place he had it on it was...
There!
Yes, this tunnel!
Charming, isn't it?
There was a fence, but I just went through it like this...
That's it!
Yes, it did have this sort of survival instinct feeling to it.
Then I'll go look for it there.
Huh? Are you sure?
In the meantime, please prepare for rehearsal, Mr. Nitobe.
B-Be careful, Akane!
Akane!
Aoi?
Is something wrong?
No.
Be careful.
I will. And you do your best at rehearsal.
All right. While having faith that my pendant will return to me,
let's do what we've set out to do.
Let's make the most of the feelings from the good people here.
There's no more time to relax!
I can't believe he has the gall to say that.
And where's Shinnosuke?
Oh, he said he had somewhere to stop by, so he'll meet up with us after.
Oof...
Sheesh, why did he have to come this far?
Shaking?
- I'm sure I felt a tremor before. - Yes, this is Nakamura.
Really?
- Yes... Yes... - A bulletin hasn't come out yet.
Yes, understood. Okay.
What's wrong?
There's been a landslide near Hino.
I have to go back and issue a warning as someone from the Tourism Bureau.
A landslide?
What?!
Oh, it apparently happened in the mountains,
so we don't have any confirmed damage at the moment.
- Oh. - That must've been the earthquake I felt!
- That's a small mercy. - It has been raining a lot lately.
Hino? The tunnel where Akane went is in Hino!
- I-Is Akane all right? - Ao!
Calm down. Use your phone.
Aioi.
No good. It's not going through!
Hey, you're overthinking it.
Negativity doesn't do any good.
Be positive and act positively!
You have no right to say that.
Anyway, I'm going to City Hall.
As soon as I find out anything, I'll let you know, so wait here!
Sorry, Mr. Nitobe, but you should wait here, too.
Certainly. Please be careful.
Tsugu, take care of everyone else!
Right.
Ao...
Hey. Aioi?
Yes, so can you send a car... Huh?
H-Hey! Ao!
Where are you going?
Why is my high school self here?
I see.
So...
Have you come to pick up the Akane Special?
How did you...
The treasured guitar
that Akane went with you to buy, after saving enough money from a part-time job.
Looks like it's been abandoned here for years, though.
Lame. Just because your dream didn't come true, that's no reason to sulk.
What does a kid know?
I don't even want to know about some grimy old man.
You...
Shin...
Shin... nosuke?
Why?
Is something wrong, Ao?
That's right! Shinno, Akane is...
A landslide?
And Akane got--
I don't know yet, but...
Michinko is looking into it now.
I'm sure she's okay.
But I can't reach her and I've been having bad feelings.
Come on, don't spook me.
Well, for now, let's wait for Michinko's news.
How can you be so calm about it?
Why are you just standing there?
Why?
Hurry up and go search for Akane!
Why aren't you doing anything?
- Even if I go right now-- - If you don't...
H-Hey...
If you don't go, who will?
Don't disappoint me.
Shinno...
Weren't you supposed to become a big musician and then come back to take Akane?
Instead you're a member of a backup band.
And to an enka singer?
Unbelievable!
- Shut up. - Lame! Lame! Lame!
I feel like I've been dunked in a swamp of puke!
- To think I'll become somebody like you in-- - I said shut up!
- Stop it! - Even so...
I'm out there doing something every day!
Yeah, you've become uselessly better at the guitar.
With all your playing, you could make a living anywhere!
This world is all about connections and luck!
Just because you're good, doesn't mean you'll make it.
You don't know anything, you brat.
Yeah, that's right, I don't know anything!
Because I couldn't leave here...
What?
Shinno...
That day, when Akane told me she wasn't going to Tokyo...
I was really shocked.
Going to Tokyo, forming a band, performing at venues one after the other,
making a major debut, having fun every day...
That was my dream, but...
but it was all under the assumption that Akane would be with me.
I said I'd become a big musician and then come back for her,
but really, nobody knows what could happen.
At that point, somewhere in my head, I thought that I didn't want to go anywhere.
I wanted to just stay here forever.
That's what I thought.
But...
you left!
You moved forward!
Come on, make me believe it.
I'm you, right?
Then make me believe it!
I'm sure there are all kinds of things that won't work out, but still, in the future...
That it may be okay for me to become you.
Make me believe that!
I...
Forget it!
Shin!
What are you doing?
I'm going!
I said I'm going!
You can stay here and whine forever like the old man you are!
Why?
I've been frozen in time, but my feelings for Akane have never changed!
No one can lose to me on that, not even you!
A-Ao?
Me too!
When it comes to feelings for Akane, I won't lose either!
Didn't you tell me not to touch you, Ao?
Shut up!
Ow...
There.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
What the hell is this?
Well, we're going to go.
What are you going to do, old man?
Wh-What am I going to do?
I...
Let's go, Ao!
Huh? Wh...
Hey! You...
You think you can say whatever you want?
Wait! Shinno!
You're too fast!
Hey!
Come on, come on!
Here I come, Akane!
He's flying? What the hell!
Where did that come from?
This is awesome! How am I doing this?
That's what I want to know!
Aren't there any taxis around here? Damn countryside!
So, when I saw that photo, I figured out a lot of things.
Like what?
At that time, he had to seal things inside so that he could move forward.
But now, he's decided to confront it once more
not to let the same feelings that are inside me to be a regret.
Look, we can't let any cars go further until it's confirmed that the area is safe.
- You can go back to the nearest station-- - It's fine!
Here, keep the change.
Hey!
Only cars can't get through, right?
- Then-- - Hey, are you Shinno?
It's me! Abo.
- Long time no see! When'd you-- - Sorry!
I'm in a hurry! I don't have time to talk!
Hey, wait! Where are you off to in such a hurry?
Gandhara!
So that's why I was there.
Regrets...
I know of one.
When you can't support the feelings of the person you love,
you'll feel regret for the longest time.
I know that because I couldn't support Akane.
Ao?
So that's why I'm going to help you and Shinnosuke.
Wha...
What was that for?
Well...
For newborn babies, they say if you blow a puff of air there, the baby will stop crying.
How weird.
Shut up.
The sky is so blue.
I thought I couldn't wait to get out of here, but it's so beautiful.
Yeah.
It is.
Found it.
Good grief. All that trouble over this.
In the middle of this emergency...
I swear, you have nerves of steel.
Shinno?
There you are!
Where's the other me?
Where's Akane?
I see.
It's preposterous, huh?
It's very you, Shinno.
You believe me?
After all, you're here, in front of me.
It's scary how nothing fazes you.
But I'm glad.
It's dark in here.
If it were bright, you can see how old I've gotten.
You'd be disappointed, Shinno.
Sorry. I've already seen how you look now.
What? When? Where?
In the hall.
When you went to check on Ao and when you brought rice balls.
Really?
They were kelp again.
The rice balls. I kept telling you I wanted mayonnaise and tuna,
but you always made them with Ao's favorite kelp.
Sorry about that.
But you know...
I understand now.
"The frog at the bottom of a well doesn't know the vastness of the sea,"
"but it does know the blueness of the sky."
You liked that expression.
Shinno?
Mayo and tuna can't beat kelp, huh?
Once you know how blue the sky is...
She's gotten cute, hasn't she?
I don't know about that.
She's gotten bigger, sure, but she's surly, tactless, and not very smart.
But she's as straightforward as an arrow.
Yeah. Straightforward and dumb.
That's where she reminds me a lot of you.
I'm glad.
Hup!
Your little sister, Ao, is the most precious thing in the world to you.
I'm glad I fell in love with you.
You can't!
It could collapse again at any moment, so unless you can fly...
Let go of me! Akane is still...
What are you two doing?
Akane! Thank g--
Aoi!
Whoa! Akane, you're heavy.
What, that's mean.
Wait, you're okay?
It was nothing! You're such a worrywart.
What are you talking about?
We were all worried about you!
I'm sorry, Aoi. Sorry to make you worry!
Jeez! You should be sorry!
Huh? You're going home by yourself?
- Yeah. - What?
Why? We can all fit in here.
No, four people is a tight squeeze in your car, Akane.
I'll catch a taxi on the way back.
- In that case, I'll... - Nah.
You three go.
Aoi?
See you, Shinno.
Yeah.
Thanks...
eyeball star.
Huh?
Is he...
sleeping?
It's fine, isn't it? He worked hard.
Hey, I...
He said I moved forward.
But I'm still only midway through all of it.
I remembered that I'm only midway through.
So I don't want to give up either.
Yeah.
And I'm not giving up on you either.
The three of us, huh?
I see. Aoi is about the same age I was back then.
Next time maybe I'll try making rice balls with mayo and tuna inside.
Hey, what does that...
Huh?
I'm not crying!
I'm not...
crying...
Stupid Shinno.
The sky...
is stupidly blue.