01x13 - Morning is Here

[bunniefuu]

I've been asking Chicchi for advice
since she's doing science.

Yeah, I'm gonna be a doctor.

Wow.

Since both my parents are doctors and all.

Have you seen the news?

About the admission fraud
at that medical school.

About the university docking
points from female applicants?

That makes me so mad!

Anyone would lose hope.

Being denied admission just
because you're a girl? That sucks.

I'll never let it go...

Never! Not ever!

Anyways, now you know what happened.

I think it broke her.

She hasn't been to school since.

Kant argued that it's rational for humans

to act upon duty,
calling it "true freedom."

Please stand behind the yellow line.

Chiyo-chan, it's been a while.

I know. I've missed a lot of school.

You okay?

Yeah, I am. I'm okay.

Actually, not really. But it's fine.

What's that?

Oh, this?

It's my mom's journal.

Oh... You okay?

That's funny.

We both just asked each
other if we're okay.

I mean, are we okay?

So, what's in that journal anyway?

Um...

Sorry, I didn't mean to...

I guess it's mostly about
how important I am?

It's, like, mainly stuff she wrote to me.

Huh.

But honestly, it kinda feels
like I'm being lectured.

I've gotten a bit tired of it.

I get that.

It can be hard to believe
stuff people tell you.

It could be a lie.

How would I know?

Doors will open on the left.

My concerns are nothing
compared to yours.

I don't think that's true.

Everyone's problems matter.

Concerns don't have a hierarchy, huh?

I wonder.

Tomorrow...

I'll be singing. In the school concourse.

For the band, right? That's great.

I was hoping, Chiyo-chan...
that you'd come listen.

How come?

Just 'cause.

Just 'cause, huh?

Takumi, can I ask you a rude question?

Did you think your life was over?

I don't think that!

It's not over!

Because I'm alive!

You're tough.

Chiyo-chan... Ugh!

- Please step back
and tap the panel again.

- Well, I'll be going.

- Huh? Wait, why?

No! Don't go!

Chiyo-chan!

Chiyo-chicchi!

Hey, promise you'll come?

I'll stop by if I can.

Isn't this where we're supposed to,
like, shake on it or something?

Morning!

Morning. You're late.

Yup.

Oh, Morimoto-san...

Morning.

Oh my gosh, Chiyo!

Sup?

What, that's it?

Morimoto.

Thanks for messaging me.

Sorry I held on to this so long.

- You think they're dating?

- It's fine. Sorry I was gone for so long.

- Nah, I doubt it.

- Listen, I found this petition
online last night.

But Togo-kun's practically in tears.

- He's nice, but it's not like
Togo can change the world.

- I'm thinking about sharing
it with my friends too.

- It's not right to make this
a women's-only issue.

That's true.

I'm home!

Welcome back.

Is that your new book?

Yup. They want signed copies.

Wow, cool.

What kind of fan wants an autograph?

There you go again...

Say, Makio-chan, who did you
write that novel for?

Why are you making that face?

You know, I get asked
that in interviews too.

Were you really expecting an answer?

Huh?

I swear, everyone must be a little too
fixated on their own fantasies.

Huh? What do you mean?

I don't write for anyone else.

I mean, does anyone actually
spend their time for the sake of others?

Novelist or otherwise.

But then... what about you
deciding to take me in?

Wasn't that for my sake?

Th-That's... different.

It wasn't for you. No, I mean...

If it worked out
in your favor, then great.

But I wasn't trying
to be selfless or anything.

I just couldn't stand what was
happening before my eyes.

Why are you scrambling to make excuses?

Jeez, kid... You've become pretty defiant.

"Kid"?

I'm not saying this
to break your spirit, but...

No matter what you do for others,

it's very unlikely you'll ever
change their heart or actions.

Most of your efforts won't bear fruit,

let alone earn acknowledgment
or gratitude.

The world isn't so easily changed.

You should keep that in mind.

For a professional novelist,
you're pretty pessimistic.

Doesn't that just make me more credible?

Granted, I do think...

that acting when you know it's futile
is what makes it so precious.

At least, that's my take.

Welp, time to start making dinner.

You're being complicated again.

Besides, we might change jobs again.

So true.

Man, time flies.

I can't believe it's been ten years.

Oh yeah. By the way, Asa...

The sun's out.

Ugh... What if I screw up?

This again?

It's all about self-affirmation.

Tell yourself everything will be fine.

Your brain will wire itself that way.

Although, I can't say I
recommend that approach.

Why not?

Hmm?

In my line of work, there are novelists
who search for themselves on the internet.

Wait, which type are you, Makio-chan?

That's a secret.

Aw!

Anyway, listen...

Writing novels and having
readers is one thing.

But being disliked for your
work is totally different.

Even if it's enough for you just to be
able make a living writing at first,

eventually you can get greedy
and want to be liked on top of that.

It might be lame, but getting
hurt constantly wears you down.

So instead, you affirm and
consciously desensitize yourself.

Desensitize?

Dull your senses and numb your feelings.

After a while, you numb yourself
enough that it dulls your heart.

Then your heart is moved by nothing,
neither good nor bad.

Unfortunately, I don't feel sad at all.

So in that sense... I don't
want that to happen to you.

But maybe that's just me projecting
my fantasies onto you.

Just because you're a child,
you don't need to be all pure.

Can you speak Japanese?

I've noticed something, Makio-chan.

You only use difficult words
when you're talking to me.

You're much more casual with your friends.

Huh... I don't mean to be that way.

But I guess maybe it's so that
I don't rub off on you.

I wonder how long I'll be able to remember
these ordinary moments between us.

Actually, that's me pushing
my own agenda too.

Hmm... It's not like I'm
condescending to you.

Huh? I don't follow.

Think of a better explanation.

You're becoming quite a smart aleck.

Which is a good thing in my book.

What? What do you mean?

That question didn't
cross my mind back then.

Hmm... I'll think about it.

Please and thank you.

Just as we might eat
whatever is served to us,

I enjoyed each moment
without giving it much thought.

I wonder when I began looking
back on those days so dearly...

I'm off!

Your show...

This concert of yours... Good luck.

How do I stop feeling so nervous?

Don't think.

Huh?

Didn't you tell me to think
harder the other day?

Yeah. You think and think,
and finally, you stop.

Your advice never comes in handy.

I'm off!

Have a good day.

Did you watch that stream yesterday?

Sure did. That was crazy.

Testing, testing! Mic test, mic test!

What's that?

- The band club is performing, apparently.

- Hi, we're the band club!

Huh.

Who's up next?

I'm still not convinced.

At least tell me why.

Then I can give up on you.

Seriously?

I have to explain it to you?

Emiri! It's about to start!

See ya.

I'm getting super nervous.

What are you, her mom?

Did you eat lunch early as planned?

I did...

Oh man, nerves?

You're fine. Do it just like we practiced.

I'll cover for you either way.

Takumi, you were great at your audition.

You said you're ready
to be the type to stand out.

Any other goals? For today, I mean?

Goals...

No matter what you do for others,

it's very unlikely you'll ever
change their heart or actions.

Most of your efforts won't bear fruit.

Wanna know mine?

To recruit ten new members!

Sounds good.

Hey, there they are!

You got this, Takumi.

Good luck, Asa-chan!

Counting on you, boss!

Yeah, we're good.

I'm filming!

Okay, let's do this nice and relaxed.

Senpai, you're the coolest!

Think.

And think.

And think.

And then stop.

Asa.

Be whoever you want to be.

Well, just do what you want to do.

Then I'll pick for you.

As long as it's within reason, I guess.

You've got to learn how
to make choices on your own.

Make sure your mother won't scold you.

What matters is that you did your best.

I guess... you stood out.

It's too bad you didn't win.

Takumi, did you think your life was over?

My aunt's a novelist, my parents
are dead, and I've got it so hard!

I might as well struggle.

I should have all the pieces to
write some deep lyrics, so why...

Acting when you know
it's futile is what...

So why am I still so plain?!

So in that sense... I don't
want that to happen to you.

No! I want to be who I want to be!

Oki-senpai...

Hmm?

My goal is to sing to my
friend who's feeling down

so she can feel better.

Love that.

Okay, then are we ready to roll?

When I awoke from my slumber,

I found myself alone,
standing on an open page.

No matter where I look, I can't see.

- There's no path nor exit.

- Back then, I hadn't a clue what
I myself would never let go of.

- That's when I heard that sound...

- Nor did I have any concept
of what that despair might look like.

- The sound of your voice calling my name.

- But still, as silly as it may be...

- So I walked, with these
fumbling words of mine.

- I thought that maybe, just maybe...

- She's so good!

- my small act could change the world.

- We're the band club!

- It may not be in perfect rhythm,

- That, say, in ten years' time,
it would be enough for me...

- but when I hum this tune,
I hope you listen.

The soaring sound of the
world softening itself...

It soars across the air.

Morning is here.

I wave to you, standing in the
future looking back at me.

And so I paddle your way, paddle your way.

Where shall I go? Anywhere I long...

...to move...

...to move...

...to move...

...the world!

Wow...

That was pretty cool.

I should send this to Makio-san.

Her aunt?

Yup, yup!

There isn't a single thing in the world
that's completely irrelevant to you.

Hi, everyone! We're the band club!

- Is this what she meant?

- We'll be playing five more songs.

- So I hope you stick around!

Ready for the next number?

I'm not sure.

Let's go watch.

But even if it's ten years from now...

I hope I've reached
somebody, anybody here.

Even for a moment.

I wish I could change the world...

Reach...

Reach...

Reach!

Reach them!

That's it from us! We're the band club!

We're playing again after
school and tomorrow.

Feel free to stop by practice too!

Takumi.

Over here.

Oh, Chiyo-chan!

Good job.

I witness you.

What was that?

That was so cool!

She's growing up so naturally.

Each day is such a battle,
but so fleeting at the same time.

To think she's done this for fifteen
years, from such a fragile age...

Sis, that's pretty admirable.

Believe it or not,
one thing led to another

and I've been living with something
akin to a dog for a year now.

I'd long contemplated
welcoming a new member,

but for better or worse,
this dog fell into my lap one day.

Everything feels so new that both me
and the dog find ourselves perplexed.

Sometimes, the dog brings its
doggy friend over to the house.

As someone who's never had a pack,
I'm constantly taken aback by the company.

It's strange to have another
creature in your territory,

especially a developing creature
with its own will and intelligence.

With packs come the potential
for both safety and danger.

Perhaps like me, you don't
acclimate well with any pack.

Or rather, perhaps you think
it's noble to spend your life

searching for a pack that suits you.

You may feel lonely no matter
what pack you belong to.

Or you may feel most at peace
with no company at all.

The dog in question is still
a pup, so who's to say?

Keeping in line with my analogy,
the dog is maybe two or three years old.

To influence a pup of such
young age terrifies me.

Still, referring to this member
as "the dog" doesn't sit right.

So let's call it "Ashita."

I'll end today's entry with a beautiful
poem: "Pippa's Song [Haru no Ashita]."

And to be clear,
Ashita was not born to me.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, dear Mom and Dad.

Happy birthday to you.

What was that for?

Just snapping a beauty's profile.

You idiot.

Good night.

Good night. See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

Oh yeah, by the way...

Remember when you sang
in the school concourse?

Was that ten years ago now?

No, don't remind me. How embarrassing.

I can't believe you remember.

Well, yeah, it was awesome.

Ayaka and everyone was in awe of you too.

I still have the video.

What?!

Yikes!

Didn't this get you
a bunch of new members?

Yeah. Makio-chan complimented
me on my singing too.

Oh, how's Makio-san doing?

Fine, I think.

Aw, man, I'm getting nostalgic.

Hey, should we go visit her?

Let's see how she's doing.

Seriously?

You mean right now?

Come on, I wanna see her.
Give her a call!

I dunno if she'll answer.

She might be a zombie
from deadlines again.

Like always.

Hey, we should buy her some
beer on the way over.

Sure.

Hey, Makio-chan?

I was just wondering if...

What? I haven't even said anything yet.

Did I say that?

Hi, Makio-san!

We're coming over!

Hey, now! Come on!

See you in a bit!