“Thank you all for gathering here at the live house Rockon today! Ah, I’m the rock club president, Ichikawa Amane.”
Looking at the audience, I saw a lot of people.
The members of the Cherry Boys, Taira-chan, Erina-san... not just members of the rock club, but also members of the instrumental music club, the dance club, the members of Butter (is your exam studying okay?), Airi Hirosue aka IRIA, and even Sayo Ariga-san from Buddy Music, Tsukiko Daikoku-san, the manager of Octa, Yuzu... many people who weren’t students had also gathered.
And... perhaps it was because we announced it on the rock club's social media.
Many people I had never seen or spoken to before were also crowding in.
Thinking that they came to see us through because we’re performing outside of school, I’m glad we chose the live house Rockon.
“I’m truly... happy that everyone came.”
I bowed deeply once again.
...Thank you so much for coming all this way.
“The next song is called ‘Boat.’”
That was another of solo amane’s tracks.
“This is the first song we played at the joint camp between the rock club and the instrumental music club when we couldn't write songs or lyrics anymore. It’s a song I originally wrote before I formed the band...”
There had certainly been a debate about whether to include this song in the final live of the band amane.
“It appears in the lyrics, doesn’t it? ‘The famous boat that makes couples break up if they ride it. Every time on the way home, I squeeze your hand and pray.’ That’s about Inokashira Park, right?”
“But, but, it’s ‘Boat’!? How many times do you think I’ve been saved by that song!”
It wasn’t a song by the band amane, but many emotions were born from this track.
We couldn't bring our story to a close if we omitted this song.
“It’s a bit of a nostalgic song. I hope you’ll listen to it once more.”
I could see the face of Erina-san, who was grinning.
* * *
‘Boat’
For example, even the waterbirds gliding coolly across the surface
Their feet are struggling underneath
Just like the gentle smile you always wear, beneath the surface
There must be a ‘truth’ hiding there
For example, in that first moment you row out the boat
When the paddle feels the heaviest
No matter how many times you sit down
You who keeps standing back up
How much strength are you really putting into it?
The boat famous for breaking up couples if they ride it
Every time on the way home, I squeeze your hand and pray
“Even if you’re just acting tough, I hope you’ll be rewarded someday”
The things I really want to say are the things I can’t say
I grit my teeth and bite my lower lip
If you’re afraid of the emotions that take shape once spoken
I’ll pretend not to know
How cool your face looks when you’re forcing a smile
* * *
“That’s why, okay? I will push myself, you know? Because ‘the face you have when forcing a smile is really cool,’ right?”
* * *
The boat famous for breaking up couples if they ride it
Every time on the way home, I squeeze your hand and pray
“Even if you’re just acting tough, I hope you’ll be able to show your true face somewhere”
* * *
“Hey, Takuto-kun...? Erina, I might not be able to take it anymore...!”
* * *
When it’s truly painful, you dig your heels in
And sigh when no one is around
If you’re afraid of the emotions that take shape once spoken
I’ll pretend not to know
That seeing your face when you’re laughing from the heart makes me happy
Both “Do your best” and “It’s okay” are irresponsible
And there are few things I can say
But at the very least, if you can just remember
That you have one ally right here, that would be enough
* * *
“That’s why, I’ve decided not to hold back anymore!”
“It’s all thanks to Takuto-kun, I love you!”
With a smile mixed with tears as the starting line, the next song began as if surging forward.
The song of determination that we created that summer.