I never dreamed before
I'm gonna knock the door
into the world of perfect free
(You ain't no lonely!)
You're gonna say I'm lying
I'm gonna get the chance
I thought a chance is far from me
(You ain't no lonely!)
I was made to hit in America
(I was made to hit in America)
I was made to hit in America
You are the sun, you are the star
(To me, forever)
You are the sun, you are the star
(To me, forever)
I was made to hit in America
(I was made to hit in America)
I was made to hit in America
(I was made to hit in America)
I was made to hit in America
Tanaka-kun!
Huh?
Tanaka-kun, I heard you're going perform at Grateful Sound?
That's so awesome! There's going to be famous people there, right?
Chiba-senpai and Sakurai-kun's going to be there too.
Umm, ah...
Hey, you! Stop acting like you're all that!
Yeah, just 'cause you were in some stupid movie...You really piss us off!
Jim's movie isn't stupid!
Chiba's out sick today.
Hey!
What are you kids doing out here?!
Yikes!
Let me treat you.
Okay, strawberry milk, please.
During the second semester those guys are gonna get beaten up by Chiba-kun.
I'd rather not let the guys know about today.
Huh? But why?
I'd rather not cause any more problems for the band now.
I see.
Thanks.
It's a month away from Grateful Sound...
"Live 22 'Performance Eve Festival'"
It's a month away from Grateful Sound...
"Live 22 'Performance Eve Festival'"
Everyone's on pins and needles.
"Live 22 'Performance Eve Festival'"
That one...or this...
Which one's better?
Let's see...I think the simple one's better.
Yeah? Okay...
Can you tell they're really into it?
Yeah.
I think they were really inspired by your demo tape.
You think so?
Your song has real potential.
Hey, Koyuki! It's your song, so I'm counting on you to come up with the lyrics.
We're going to blow them away at Grateful Sound.
Saku...
Lyrics?
What have I gotten myself into?
It's been two weeks already, and I've got nothing.
Only ten more days until Grateful Sound...
That feeling...
If only I can remember it...
Hey!
Koyuki-kun!
Say, Momoko-sensei and I have decided to go on a trip together,
I'm wondering if I should get circumcised.
To do it or not to do it... I feel almost like Hamlet right now!
Ouch! Ouch, ouch! What are you doing, Koyuki-kun?! Stop!
I see? Writing lyrics, huh?
I feel like I'm being crushed by all this pressure.
Can you let me listen to your song?
Sure.
Here.
Aww, you should take it easy.
They say Paul McCartney heard the lyrics for "Yesterday" in a dream.
A dream?
That night, I dreamt this dream...
"'Happy Sangokushi' Premiere Press Conference"
...Tanaka-san?
"'Happy Sangokushi' Premiere Press Conference"
I hope people can learn
"'Happy Sangokushi' Premiere Press Conference"
from the rhythm of my acting.
"'Happy Sangokushi' Premiere Press Conference"
Please teach me kindly.
Mmm...Let's see...I think it'll be good if you keep observing me.
Yukio! Telephone!
Who is it, in the middle of the night?
Koyuki-kun, what should I do about the circumcision?
Hmph!
To the east on the highway,
"Fishing Hole"
To the east on the highway,
"Fishing Hole"
The man riding on a snake.
"Fishing Hole"
...about ten miles long...
These are some highbrow lyrics...
...Not!! This is straight out of Jim Morrison!
Um...I'm trying my best...
Hey, don't push him so hard.
For us to compete at Grateful Sound,
each and every one of us has to do better.
If he can't cut it, then he should leave the band.
Koyuki-kun!
Hey, you seem kind of down today.
You seem pretty chipper today, Saito-san.
This...I gave it a shot with my lyrics. Huh?
Sa-Saito-san!
By shucking off one skin, my confidence has grown,
Show your courage, trust the doctors...
What the heck is this?!
Is this really the work of someone who worships the Rocket Boys and the Beatles?
But then...
Saito-san's not at all embarrassed by his feelings
or concerned about what others may say.
Compared to him, maybe I've been too concerned about what others think,
and haven't been honest in expressing myself.
You can't reach people's hearts by being so guarded.
H-Hmm?
What's that?
"Dear Ryusuke,
The other day, when you read my lyrics in front of everyone, I was really embarrassed.
That's probably because those lyrics didn't come from the heart.
This time, I wrote what came from my heart.
It's tough to get criticized, but I want to hear your honest opinion."
Hmm...That Koyuki...
"...but I want to hear your honest opinion. Please listen to the MD.
This is the best I can do for now."
By shucking off one skin, my confidence has grown...
Hmm...Huh? What's this?
Stop! You ignored the traffic light!
Hey, here's the genius!
Ryusuke was so inspired by your efforts, he wrote these lyrics.
It's super straightforward, just like you.
You, you think so?
But why's Saito-san singing the song?
Well, ah...
I liked the part about shucking off one's skin.
So I went with "Slip Out."
Like how we're trying to slip out of our current situation,
to get to something better.
-I like being wrapped with warmness more than anything else for sure.
-You never know what fate -I like being wrapped with warmness more than anything else for sure.
-May bring your way... -I'm gonna make my coming days to be filled with laughter and joy
"1. Pany
2. Lovely Mouth
3. Beck
4. The Saw
5. Hitode"
Hitode really was something.
Yeah, their sound was really tight.
Yo! We're going out with Hitode after the show!
We auditioned for the first Grateful Sound.
It was on a huge stage, and we were nervous.
We've never been more nervous.
Remember this, you're going on with no rehearsal,
so your first song is practically thrown away.
Anyway, you guys are probably dead last of the 94 participating bands.
You there, was it Ryusuke?
You've been scowling the whole time. You got something against us?
-Do you want to eat yu-dofu (hot tofu)? -Huh?
It's the most popular dish here.
That was hot, damn it! What the hell d'ya do that for!?
Are you making fun of us?
Watch out!
Hey, you're disturbing the other customers!
You guys, get out!
Hey, Koyuki, is your face alright?
Yeah, I'm okay. That was just a sucker punch anyway.
I guess we won't be playing with Hitode again.
I can understand Ryusuke-kun feeling edgy now, but...
as much as I feel nervous about this, I'm feeling really excited, too.
That Koyuki...He's running late!
Ryusuke, good luck! Bring this charm with you.
Sorry! I stopped by the drugstore and ran a bit late.
I swear...
Thank you, Granny!
"7/29 (Thursday) 11:00"
You can sleep too, you know.
Yeah, I'm okay.
It seems Saku, Koyuki, and Chiba, couldn't sleep at all last night.
Me too.
Wow, that was a good nap.
Yeah, I got some sleep too.
What, then Taira-kun?
I couldn't sleep yesterday, either.
Is this where we're gonna?
Weren't you listening at the meeting?
This is where Belle Ame, featuring Yoshito, will be performing.
The main stage accommodates 20,000 people.
There's also a second stage, with a 16,000 capacity,
and the third stage with a 12,000 capacity.
They'll have performances simultaneously on all three stages.
You can walk between the stages.
They're each about 10 minutes apart.
Well then, let's go!
-Yeah! -Yeah! -Yeah!
Here on the second stage, hip hop artist Malcolm will be performing.
He's a monster of an artist who's sold over 20 million tickets in the US.
Well, let's head on over to the third stage, where we'll be performing.
Um, can we take a little break?
It's a cute trail.
Uh-huh.
Don't you think our stage is kind of far?
This is where we'll be performing... The third stage.
It's the smallest of the three stages, with a 12,000 capacity.
Hey!
Koyuki!
I wonder how many people will come out to see an unknown band like us?
Oh, I'm so hungry! I'm dying to eat!
Here's some rice balls my mom made. They're for everyone.
Alright! Delicious!
Here. Koyuki's mom made these rice balls.
Yeah.
Sorry...I haven't been able to eat these past few days.
Koyuki, Saku, sorry. I need to go talk to him.
These were Leon Syke's terms in exchange for our appearance at Grateful Sound...
He gets all royalties for the next 5 albums we release,
and we don't get compensated for any tours or promotions he books us on.
Does this mean that Leon Sykes will be endorsing us and we'll be famous?
Idiot! He's not going to spend his money on an unknown band like ours.
It's my fault.
It's repayment for the guitar and the dog I took.
He's going to stick us with a crazy schedule,
then toss us out when we're through.
Probably.
But I also gave him my terms too.
What kind of terms?
If an unknown band like us gets most attendance out of 3 stages...
What're you trying to say?
If we actually got the most number of audience...
would you forget everything I did?
You think you can get a bigger audience than these major artists?
Would you just shut up for a second?
Yo, you think you're in an equal position, muthafucker?!
I wanna take my chances.
You...Are you serious?
The number of people at each stage can be counted by the staff.
That's precious marketing material.
Put the gun down.
Huh?! Boss, don't, don't listen to this muthafucker.
Put the gun down, okay. Goldie, this is business.
Such a gamble...
Hey! There's no way we can beat out Malcolm!
When I heard Koyuki's song... I felt a possibility.
Don't go betting away our future on your hunch!
It seems that this eve of the festival
is going to be quite significant for all of us...
-Rock, paper, scissors! -Rock, paper, scissors!
If you can find a pastry that's not all stale, get it for me, will ya?
Hey, if it isn't Koyuki-kun...
What are you doing out here?
I-I was going to go get some eye drops.
Are you staying at the campsite?
Uh-huh. What about you?
Koyuki-kun, can you come with me awhile?
I wonder which stage Maho will go see...
If Maho comes to see my stage,
then you give up on her and never show your face again.
And if I agreed to that, will you do the same?
You bet.
Good. I wanted to clear things up too.
I guess this will settle things then.
Yeah.
The Performance Eve Festival has a jam session,
a copying contest and all kinds of fun.
Hmm. Would have been nice to participate.
Hey you guys! What are you guys doing there?!
Oh, Aunty...
Picking my nose.
We were told that an audition band like ours couldn't participate.
Who told you such nonsense?!
Ah, those were Ran-san's orders...
What?!
Fine. You boys come with me.
We can go in? Wow, Aunty, you've got some clout here!
I told you!
It was my sister who originally put together Grateful Sound.
If Maho...
Hey!
Dude, over here!
Huh, me?
Dude, I finally found you!
Yeah, the guy in the movie, alright!
He's...he's a small kid, man!
He is small!
Uh...eh...uh... You guys are from Kneecap...
Kneecap? Right.
We're trying to play a Crush song on the eve of the festival.
Would you play with us, if you like?
I...can't...English...
Yo!
Yoshito-kun?
Want me to translate for you?
Where the heck did Koyuki go?
I wonder if he couldn't find any pastries...
Who's that kid?
-Hey, isn't that the boy in the Dying Breed movie? -Huh?! That's him?
-What was the name of their band? -Mongo-Mongolian something?
No way! He's such a little kid! I'm bummed!
Come on, Koyuki. I'm counting on you. These people here are the core fans...
If you can make an impact here tonight,
they may follow us to our stage tomorrow...
Beck's fate depends on you!
Ooh! It's the Crush!
I don't know this song.
Thanks for the translation...
Get off the stage!
What did you say?? Damn you!
Please do not throw things on to the stage!
You there with the black cap, please calm down!
It was quite a while after the festival that Saku told me.
Later that night, Ryusuke defeated his former bandmate Eiji.
Yo! I got the pastries.
Tomorrow's forecast?
It's supposed to be sunny. With maybe a few showers in the afternoon.
I see...
Let's eat some pastries together!
It's not stale?
Nah.
Saku...
Yeah.
Full moon sways
Gently in the night of one fine day
What a fool
I don't know 'bout tomorrow
What it's like to be
Ah...
I was fool
Couldn't let myself to go
Even though I feel
The end
Full moon sways
Smiling in my arms for all those years
Last time, when I dove into the audience, I fell on my head...
But I didn't get hurt!
A-ho!