I-I wonder why it feels awkward in the room...
You needn't worry... since I'm a better judge of people than you.
Kurusu.
Y-Yeah?
About the rehearsal for the school festival...
Are you feeling sick by any chance?
Kurusu?!
H-Hey, are you okay?!
I'm fine. I'm fine.
P-Practice! Let's practice already!
O-Okay.
Crap... It feels more awkward than I thought.
Though it was an accident, it seems like it bothered her enough to make her cry.
But if I sincerely apologize, I'm sure she'll...
Hozuki!
Why did I turn my face away from him so obviously?
If I had said, "It wasn't a big deal" just now, like I always do,
things could've gone back to normal.
Grrrr! Are there any naughty kids?
We're gonna eat you!
Just kidding.
Did you get scared? Did you?
We're gonna wear these costumes for our haunted house at the school festival.
--Wow, cool... --Look at Chika and Hozuki. It was so shocking that it dazed them.
--You guys are your usual selves and I think it's really good. --Look at Chika and Hozuki. It was so shocking that it dazed them.
--It was a big success!
--Huh? --It was a big success!
"Koto Club"
"#16 Their Time"
Oh, shoot! I made another mistake!
We're not really together at all.
Ahh... That's enough. Let's call it a day. Dismissed.
What? Why?
Poor-quality practice lowers your motivation and nothing good comes of it.
If you want to practice, go ahead and do it individually. But don't play together.
It's because I couldn't focus...
I'm sorry!
It's probably because I'm not good at the 17-string.
I think we lack unity because I can't lead you guys like Hozuki can.
What am I doing being distracted when they're working hard?
Especially when Suzu is finally motivated...
I'm being so terrible at sensing the atmosphere.
Let's practice!
Hiro...
I wasn't focusing earlier. I'm sorry!
I know what Suzu said, but we don't have many days left.
So let's play together!
Yeah... Let's do it.
All right! Let's do it!
--Well then, let's try from the start again.
--This is no time to be distraught over something like that. --Well then, let's try from the start again.
I need to focus on the school festival right now.
I have to hurry up and get rid of these feelings that can disturb the mood.
Are you feeling better now, Kurusu?
What? What're you talking about?
Well, you were acting a little strange when we started practice, so...
Oh, that. Since the school festival is nearing, I was a little distracted.
I'm sorry.
Yeah? Okay then.
Sorry that I worried you.
I'm sorry.
What?
It's true that I got shaken up, but I was the one who moved suddenly.
So you're the victim here.
I'm sorry for acting strange over a mere accident.
Hozuki...
Okay. Everything's settled now.
Well then, see you tomorrow.
Y-Yeah.
What? It's good that it's been resolved.
Yeah. Something kinda doesn't feel right, though.
I can talk to her like I usually do, right?
H-Hey.
Good morning.
Ah... By the way, Hozuki--
I'm in a hurry, so...
What?
She probably can't help it...
...since it bothered her enough to make her cry.
Even if her head tells her to act normally, it probably takes time.
Dammit! If only I had quicker reflexes...
I don't think that's it.
Anyway, why don't you give her a little space for now?
Things will probably go back to normal with time.
"Koto Club" Hozuki. Do you already have a shortlist for the national qualifier?
"Koto Club" Yes. I brought a few pieces.
Wow, this is great! Lots of pieces here.
I'm interested in this one.
Hey, Chika. You should check this CD out, too.
Yeah.
What's the titl--
Let me see the one you have, Sane.
With time, things will go back to normal. With time...
"Tokise School Festival"
"Haunted House" Come one, come all! We're doing a haunted house!
Ah! Hiro!
Kota!
Wow! Cute costume!
You look good in it!
Thanks. Oh? You guys are wearing different costumes from the other day.
The girls in our class turned them down.
They told us to wear these.
Y-You look good in them.
I'm sorry I'm late!
Oh, I'm sorry, Kurusu... for having you go pick them up by yourself.
H-He looks cute...
...not!
Kurusu?!
H-How frightening a school festival can be. I'd better not let my guard down.
You look good in that costume. You look cute.
Do you wanna get hurt?!
Sorry!
"Japanese-Style Cafe" "Green Tea 150 yen Hojicha Latte 150 yen Strawberry Daifuku 200 yen"
Thank you for waiting. Here's your matcha latte and--
Wow! You're cute!
Huh?
Hey, why don't you leave this place and come hang with us for a while?
I'm sorry, but I'm busy, so...
What's the big deal? It's just for a little bit.
Please let go of me.
Sure. I'll let you go after you tell me your name.
Wha--?
Owww!
I'm Chika Kudo. A Virgo born on September 2nd. Blood type O.
Anything else you wanna know?
N-No, we're good.
I still can't...
I can't look Kudo in the eyes.
My face still feels hot.
Why...? What do I do?
I just want things to go back to normal...
Are you okay?
Shut up, stupid.
You stupid Tetsuki.
He's really feeling down, huh?
2-A is serving waffles!
Glad that I picked the barker role. This way, I don't have to see Kurata so much.
Welcome!
Ah, excuse me. Is Kurata here?
Ah, yes, he is.
Who's this?
Takezo!
What?! Mashiro?! Y-You came?
Yep. I came because I wanted to see you.
You look cute in that costume.
Oh, stop it. You could've told me that you were coming.
I wanted to surprise you.
I haven't even been gone that long, but you look so much more mature now!
Well, that's...
I-I'm sorry.
I'm so surprised by your sudden visit that I don't know what to say.
Actually, we're going to have our koto performance at 12:30 in the gym.
Really?! I'll come! I'll definitely come hear it!
Wait. Were you able to get permission to use the stage?
If I remember correctly, you need more than five people to get it.
There are seven members in the koto club right now.
Seven... members...
No way... That's incredible...
That's amazing, Takezo.
You must've worked really hard. That's amazing.
Well, I didn't do anything special.
You did a good job.
Well then, see you later. I look forward to your performance!
Okay!
Ah, Kurusu! Shoot, I should've introduced you to her.
That person was the previous koto club president.
Since I was the only first year in the club last year, she was very nice to me.
It doesn't...
What?
It doesn't have anything to do with me.
You're... right. I'm sorry.
I really hurt his feelings just now.
Far from getting rid of my feelings towards him,
I got jealous and took it out on him?
What am I doing? I'm so terrible!
I knew very little about Kurata when we were first years.
When I was tricking and hurting people,
he continued working hard on his club activities
while being called "Nadeshiko."
And I was just looking down on him with the others.
I know nothing about their history that led to that conversation, either.
But even so, if I'm still allowed to take part...
Kurata!
F-Forget what I just said. I was just taking it out on you. I'm sorry!
That person is someone dear to you, right?
I'll do my best in the performance
so that you can be proud of the current koto club!
So... um...
Kurusu.
Thank you.
Listen! The previous club president is here to see our performance.
So let's give it everything we've got!
President Takezo's president, huh?
Then she's like our super president.
We'd better do a good job.
Yeah. I'll try very hard.
You don't have to try so hard.
Let's enjoy our performance on stage to the fullest. That's what she told me.
It'll be fine. I'm borrowing a line from the previous club president,
but performing on stage is a reward for our hard work.
So we can just enjoy it to the fullest.
It does have something to do with me. I was already connected to her.
When I was the only club member, her words were my support every day.
So I'm really happy
that the day when we, the current koto club, can play for her has come!
Next is the performance by our koto club.
This is great... There really are seven members.
On top of that, there are so many boys.
Wow... Aren't they good? They look like they're having fun performing.
Yeah.
During practice, some of them looked like they were feeling uneasy,
so I thought they'd be really distracted during the performance, but...
I guess the most important thing for all of them must be the same.
They really are... an interesting bunch.
Seriously! You guys were so cool!
Really?!
I-Is that right?
You're so good! You stayed together very well, too!
I found myself totally drawn in! It was really amazing!
Yaay! I like you, Mashiron!
She hasn't changed.
Okay, guys. Don't monopolize her.
She and Kurata have a lot of catching-up to do.
Kurata. Don't worry about us. Go on and talk with her.
What? But...
Just go.
Kurusu... right?
Ah, yes.
Thank you for everything.
Takezo must feel at ease having someone like you
as the club vice president.
I'm not sure about that.
She really is cute.
Well, then... Thanks.
No problem! Please take your time!
She's such a nice person.
Yeah.
Was that okay?
Huh? W-Was what okay?
Nothing.
Suzu! Come with me!
Hiro?
Wh-What the heck?
I was really surprised by the number of members as well as your abilities.
Thank you very much. I'm happy to hear that from you.
At first, I was really worried that I might not be able to keep my promise
to protect the club.
But I was very lucky to find good friends.
Also, the words you gave me helped me so many times.
Really?
To be honest, I was regretting...
...saying things to you like, "We'll leave the club to you," and "You'll be fine."
What?
I thought I said very selfish, cruel things to you.
When I saw you alone in the clubroom on our graduation day,
I thought that from then on, you'd have to recruit club members
and do activities as the club president all by yourself.
I thought you'd be worried, and that it would be a lot of work.
I thought that I might've bound you with words and driven you into a corner...
...and that I might've forced the "end" of the club on you.
That's so terrible, isn't it? It means that I didn't have complete faith in you.
Really, I'm sorry.
Oh, that?
"That"?!
You don't have to worry about things like that.
Whether you had complete faith in me or not,
it doesn't change the fact that those words from you gave me power.
You totally are a club president now.
Oh, please stop!
S-Suzu... Um... You're aware... right?
Aware of what?
You must be aware!
That's why you said what you said earlier, right?
Did I say something?
I'll make sure...!
I-I'll make sure that I get rid of these feelings.
I'll make sure that I won't cause trouble for the club! So...
Why do you have to get rid of them?
"Why"?
Because when everyone is working hard at the club, if I'm distracted,
that's selfish. That's no good.
Honestly, I really don't see what's selfish about liking someone.
I don't get the whole causing trouble thing, either.
As long as we're alive, we cause trouble and others cause us trouble...
...romance or not.
Hey, Suzu... What're you saying?
Nothing special. I'm just saying what I think, that's all.
If a club goes down just because one member has a crush on another,
it just means that's the level of that club.
If you want to do something about it, turn "that" into power.
Is it okay to turn it into power?
Is it okay to have feelings like that?
"Koto Club"
All right! Done putting the kotos away!
I wonder if Hiro and Mr. Takinami are coming back here.
Probably. He said he wanted to talk to us about the piece for the qualifier.
Then let's go around to the booths and get some food while we can.
Sounds good!
Then I'll wait here for Hiro and Mr. Takinami.
Then we'll get something for you, too.
Thanks.
Let's go, Chika!
I feel lazy, so I'll wait here, too.
Chika! Don't take the easy way out!
Shut up! Go already!
O-Oh no... What do I do?
Ah... On second thought, I'll go with--
Hozuki...
Excuse me...
"Excuse me"?
Um...
Can you tell me... what I need to do to make things right with you?
It's just... I really feel bad about making you feel so uncomfortable.
I wanted to apologize, but you've been kinda avoiding me.
So, um...
I am... truly sorry.
Oh, Chika! We ran into Mr. Takinami right outside!
Wait, wait, wait!
Why'd you close the door like that?!
Well, I didn't wanna interrupt your conversation.
It's too late! You're here to talk about the piece, right?
The shortlist for the national qualifier...
Oh, did you listen to them? I'm thinking of choosing one of them.
I don't think they're quite right. No to all of them.
What?
Hozuki. Bring in all the koto recordings you have.
Um... What specifically was the problem?
There's no piece among them that can take you guys to nationals. That's all.
But difficulty-wise, I think all of them are good enough for the--
It's not a matter of difficulty.
So, for that reason, play this until I've decided on the piece.
It's a piece for practicing hand movements, so it's not fun or anything, though.
Tell Kurata and Kurusu about it, too.
To them, the next qualifier is their last chance to go to nationals.
What?
What're you talking about?
They're second years. Why is it gonna be their last chance?
Oh? You guys weren't aware?
The qualifier takes place either in fall or winter.
And the actual nationals take place in the summer of the following year.
So even if they get past the qualifier as third years,
they can't go to nationals since they'll have already graduated by then.
If you lose in the next qualifier, they won't be able to go to nationals.
So to them, it's their last chance.
Thank you very much for coming today.
No. Thank you.
You're gonna participate in the national qualifier, right?
Yes.
With the current Tokise koto club,
I feel like nationals are no longer a pipe dream,
even though we were nowhere near it when I was in the club.
You were third years, and yet, you aimed for nationals for me.
That alone made me happy.
Even if we had passed the qualifier, you couldn't have gone to nationals,
but you still tried hard with me.
If we were actually able to get the ticket to nationals for you,
that would've been cool, though.
Even so, I was really happy.
Their last chance...
If we should fail, that'll be it.
No way!
Among the first years who joined the club, there's a very skilled player.
Then practice.
The other first years and Kurusu are rapidly getting more skilled.
They practice very hard.
If you don't want it to be the last one for them,
practice like crazy for the next two months.
So I don't want the next competition to be our last.
Do it efficiently, frantically, and devotedly...
...so that you can think with confidence that no one practiced more than you did.
Even after all that, nationals are still hard to reach.
With those guys...
...I'll give it everything I've got until the very end.
Yep!
Good luck!
Hey!
Chika...
Hozuki. Actually, you don't have to bring in the music.
What? But...
I'll drive, so let's go to your place to grab them.
It's a school festival day. It should be okay to step out.
Okay. That'd be great since I'd like to know which piece you decide on
as soon as possible.
Kudo. This practice piece uses the hirajoshi scale.
Here's the tuner.
Thanks.
Their last chance...
Dammit. None of these sound good.
"National Koto Competition"
I found it.
Next time, "Reunion."
"#17 Reunion"