“The next song is… ‘Weekday.’”
Ichikawa swallowed hard, as if holding something back.
“…I’ll sing it so that the meaning reaches you, so please listen to the lyrics.”
Taking Ichikawa’s words as my cue, I tapped my sticks together.
“One, two…”
My voice failed me for the count.
Relying only on the sound of the sticks, the song began.
*
“Weekday”
Chased by the alarm clock, I left the house
With my leather shoes barely hanging on my feet
I dived into the classroom just as the chime rang
Everyone laughed at my bedhead
Waking up should be depressing, the train should be cramped, and school should be a pain
So why is it?
A secret message running under the desk
I let out a surprised “Eh?” and got scolded
Instead of me, who was called on in fourth period
My stomach answered for me, and they laughed again
Classes should be boring, studying should be hard, and school should be a pain
So why is it?
On the way home, I watched the trains pass by many times
Watching the sun set from the platform
On the train back, when I remembered the day
How strange, it hurts a little, like a tiny prick
Going home should be troublesome, the train should be cramped, and school should be a pain
So why is it?
*
I remembered Azuma, who was always there, smiling and encouraging me.
『Konuma. If it’s important to you, you have to stay by their side, even if it hurts.』
『We’re on good terms. I mean, you’re a good guy, Konuma, you’re interesting to talk to, and besides, I trust you.』
『Instead of just belittling yourself, maybe you should realize that you might be “something” to “someone”…』
『“Weekday” is definitely a song that wouldn’t have existed without you and me, Konuma.』
『I’m glad I had a connection with you, Konuma!』
And from here on, these were the phrases that Azuma and I had created together, almost as if we were competing with each other.
『I responded to Konuma’s song with 120%!』
*
Hey, why is it?
The bigger the fun and happiness, the bigger the heartache becomes
Split-bill ice cream, doodles on the desk, the “Good morning” greeting
I started to count how many more times, then I stopped
Hey, why is it?
While these days are still ordinary, I wonder if I’ll find the answer
The sunset bench, the convenience store on the way home, the “See you later” greeting
I wonder how many more seconds I can look at that profile
*
Countless memories and countless emotions overflowed, whether I wanted them to or not.
『Just knowing that you know is enough to make me feel like I can try a little harder than I do now.』
『Show me a will strong enough to be admired. Show me the “truth” of Takuto Konuma.』
『So Konuma, don’t make a face like that, okay?』
『…As I thought, I’m glad I fell in love with you.』
『I’ve received the baton. Leave the rest to me.』
『Thank you. For caring about me.』
And then.
『I’ll make you happy, Konuma, so make me happy just by being yourself.』
Ah, damn, the song was already ending.
Next was the last phrase. “Pretending not to know / I showed a smile again / The only one / Ordinary, mundane daily life.” Once that section was sung, the song would end.
There were still so many things I hadn’t fully conveyed to Azuma.
Even so, if the song was going to end, I had to at least pour everything I had into it by then.
The rhythm pattern didn’t change, so the phrases I played wouldn’t change either.
Even so, I prepared to play the last few measures with the utmost care.
That was when.
Ichikawa and Sako looked at me for just a split second, then faced forward again.
Their eyes looked moist.
And then.
Without changing the chords, with the same melody as the chorus just before.
They began to sing a continuation of the chorus with lyrics I didn’t know.
*
Hey, why is it?
The feelings I didn't have to hold... are overflowing
The phone calls in the middle of the night, the confusing subway, our usual responses
The classroom at dusk... the Chuo Line blurring into a haze
Hey, why is it?
Even though these are feelings I shouldn't have held
Why am I so glad that I did?
If tomorrow comes after the Kyousou...
...I'd prefer a weekday
A day when a nobody like me... can meet you for no reason at all
*
I had reached my limit.
My vision was so blurred with tears that I couldn't see anything.
『...I received your feelings.』
I see, so Ichikawa knew.
She had already received these lyrics.
On top of that, in order to deliver these lyrics properly, to sing them to the end...
『Unlike a solo live, unexpected things happen in a band live. ...It would be a problem if I actually became unable to sing, right? So I thought I'd try to maintain my composure as much as possible until that moment.』
Even until just now, she had been standing there with dignity, as if nothing was wrong.
What is that...
How many layers of charms did you cast, Azuma?
『I've already entrusted all of these feelings to Amane.』
『So, no matter what happens, play it to the end.』
The former president of the Instrumental Club, the president of the Greeting Club, the president of the Youth Club... Azuma Yuri.
She was an incredible tactician, and an incredible lyricist.
I wonder what kind of face Azuma is making right now.
I can't see her through my tears, but I'm sure.
*
Pretending not to know / I showed a smile again / The only one / Ordinary, mundane daily life
*
...I wonder if she’s showing a smile.
While we were a mess, we closed out the music with firm precision.
And then the final note rang out.
“…………!”
Not a word came from the performers, nor the audience, nor anyone.
...Did she foresee this would happen too?
『Let’s decide to start the fourth song right after the third without any gap,』 Azuma had said.
I raised my sticks and struck them four times.
What started from there was the song I was supposed to have written for Erina-san.
*
“Charm”
That day when you overturned the world / With just a single word
From the bottom of my heart / I thought you were so cool
I'm sure you'll continue to steal my gaze from now on
From the bottom of my stomach / I laughed, knowing I couldn't compete
I received a share of that courage
And spun threads from it / When I wove them vertically and horizontally
Look / A song was born
It might not amount to anything at all
But I'm sure I love you / Just as much as you think of that person
What that means is a secret, though
Then, if you laugh like you always do / Saying “What’s that?”
If it makes your heart just a little bit warmer
I’ll be so happy I could cry
Hey / I’m glad I told you, just for that
*
Between the first and second verses, I glanced toward Erina-san.
This song was written for Erina-san. But...
Erina-san had a more serious expression than I had ever seen, her lips pressed together. She clasped her hands as if in prayer and shook her head, then mouthed words toward me.
『Don’t worry about Erina, it’s okay.』
*
That day when you overturned the world / For someone's sake
From the bottom of my heart / I prayed for your happiness
I borrowed that resolve from you
And spun those words / When I wove them with care
Look / A song was born
It might not be of any use at all
But I'm sure I love you / Just as much as you think of that person
What that means is a secret, though
Then, if you laugh like you always do / Saying “What’s that?”
If it makes your heart face forward, just a little bit
I'm sure that person feels the same way
Look / I’m glad I told you, just for that
Sing when it's painful
If it becomes the strength for your usual smile
If it makes your heart just a little bit warmer
I’ll be so happy I could cry
Hey / I’m really glad I fell in love with you
Sorry it got so long
I wove in all the thoughts and prayers I could
To make this charm
If it's alright with you
Please keep just this song by your side
Please keep even just this song by your side
*
The music finished ringing out.
Surely, by the time we received these lyrics, everyone except for me must have noticed.
『You’re too dense, you idiot.』
A line from some time ago crossed my mind.
I bowed my head deeply.
“…Thank you very much.”
When Ichikawa spoke up once more, applause finally erupted from the floor.
“Ahaha, all the members are crying, so you must be wondering what’s going on…! I guess our hearts just became so full… sorry about that.”
Ichikawa laughed, looking somewhat troubled.
“The next one is the last song. …Before that, I’d like to introduce the members.”
“First of all, I’m Ichikawa Amane.”
Ichikawa bowed gently.
“And on bass, Sako Hasu. Next, on drums, Takuto Konuma.”
Being introduced, Sako and I both bowed lightly.
“And one more person. Lyrics by… Yuri Azuma.”
She let out a breath.
“With the four of us, we are amane!”
Ichikawa shook off her tears and showed a smile.
“…I think that the human heart is really something you can’t help,” she began her final MC.
“Our hearts don’t always let us choose the more profitable side based on calculations; instead, they often make us do things that seem like mistakes. …I really find myself wondering what we want to do and where we want to go so often.”
Ichikawa laughed while scratching her cheek.
“But, there’s something I decided recently.”
She said, then took a deep breath.
“amane will become the strongest band.”
No one laughed at that incredibly vague and bold declaration; everyone listened seriously.
“I don’t know exactly what that means yet, but I’ve decided to choose that future. There may be mistakes in our methods and our attitudes. We will be criticized, we will be denied. The goal we’re aiming for itself might be mocked.”
Ichikawa continued to speak, imbuing each word with firm intent.
“Even so, we won’t lie to our own hearts. We will become the strongest band as we define it.”
She paused for a beat.
“…Because I believe that’s the only way to respond to that resolve.”
She whispered. I thought I heard someone sniffing somewhere on the floor.
“Anyway, sorry for the serious talk! In any case, we have to put everything important into the music, right?”
She exhaled, then took a deep breath.
“Please listen. The final song. ‘Song of Tomorrow.’”
*
“Song of Tomorrow”
If everything before yesterday didn't exist, and today was the first day
Would we have chosen the same tomorrow?
Maybe, like the earth turning somersaults
The scenery would have shifted fatally, just by a few millimeters
The answer sheet that was supposed to be perfect
Before I knew it, a blank space had formed on the back
For the first time, I don't know the words to fill it with
I won't say “Tell me,” though
I can't just lose yesterday
I can't cry today
Because this is the path I chose for myself
So
Even if everything up until yesterday was pitch black
Let's choose the first step together today
Because tomorrow belongs to us
If I hadn't known about you or these feelings
Everything would have been fine
But I want to be with you the most
It can't be helped, right? Because I'm close to something precious
The answer sheet that was supposed to be perfect
Before I knew it, a blank space had formed on the back
For the first time, I don't know the words to fill it with
But
Even if it might be a mistake, let's play
When it's one, it's just a tiny point
With two, it becomes a line
With three, it creates a plane
And with four, a square blank was made
*
A point that couldn't be seen when alone, a point that amounted to nothing, but by connecting four people one by one, it finally became a square.
Ichikawa and Azuma called it a blank space.
A blank space where they didn't know what to put in for the first time.
*
So
Look, open your “Mouth” wide
The words you sing don't have to be the right answer
Because those belong to us too
*
So, we fill that “□”.
It could be a mistake, it could be the right answer.
We just fill it with the words we’ve thought through and felt through.
A square filled with that perhaps immature answer.
The thing formed by lining up those four “□” would surely...
*
The days to come belong to us
*
...become the “Daily Life” (日日) from here on.
『That’s how it is.』
Azuma mouthed the words, then smiled.
After finishing the outro, the four of us played the final note together.
To reach someone as far away as possible, and to reach someone closer than anyone else.
And then, at the very moment we had gathered the gazes and excitement of the entire venue, the four of us matched eyes and swung down together.
BAM!! The sound rang out once more, like a starting pistol for the next beginning.
“Thank you very much!!”
Great cheers and massive applause filled the small live house.