Flashback: Taishin pointed to himself and asked if he is going to be the koto club’s adviser? Narration: “It is the first year after graduation. The math teacher life that I’ve been thinking of day and night has started but at the same time, I still have one more title [/position].”
The principal[?] said yes, he’ll leave it up to him. Taishin scratched his head and said, yes.. Though he doesn’t know what a koto club is. Narration: “That is when I heard that I’ll be the adviser of a club that I had never heard of before. Since I was young, I really love math. *scene of young Taishin reading math books*...
...I don’t even have a least of concern regarding other things. So for me who has thoroughly immersed myself into the world of math, don’t even say koto, since even music is a totally unknown world.”
Taishin arrived at the room that has a small taped paper ‘Koto Club’. From the note, he found that it has a weak inexpressible feeling and it seems that there are only two members right now.
He clenched his fist and wondered if he can become a good adviser. “..no no, do not cower away, Taishin. Anything is a challenge!” He opened the door. Narration: “And, that is the start of everything.” End flashback.
In the tuning room, Taishin says, okay, it’s almost time, everyone prepare to go onstage. The club president exclaims in surprise that it’s so fast!? Another girl says what to do, so nervous, her hand is trembling. Then, Taishin notices Mio still sitting down. He immediately goes to tell Mio to quickly get ready.
Then, he asks how the situation is. Mio says that it is okay. Taishin exclaims that it’s rare for him to suddenly say, ‘okay’. Mio asks is that so. Taishin exclaims yes, because normally, he would just have a ‘oh’-type of reaction, ah, but at the National Music Festival before— Mio is in deep thought as he recalled Uta telling him, ‘Did you know that, actually, sensei, he--..”
Puzzled when Mio held his hand, Taishin asks him what’s up. Mio says photosynthesis because the cloud is obstructing the sun. Puzzled Taishin asks if he is using him for photosynthesis. Mio says, “Sensei, you are like the sun who is capable of giving me strength.”
Taishin is moved. He holds Mio’s hand with his hands and exclaims that he is bestowing upon him Taishin [/his] power. “Okay! *smiles* With this, there’s no problem!!! You can definitely play the most amazing piece today!!” Mio smiles and says, so strange. This surprises Taishin. The club president shouts at Mio to properly carry out his own instrument.
Standing up, Mio asks her to help him move it. The club president angrily shouts if he is an idiot. Taishin smiles and thinks that speaking of that, it is the first time he saw Mio having that kind of smile. He stands up to leave the tuning room. Narration: “From that time (going into the koto clubroom), it has already been 10 years. Afterwards, today is the last day.”
Flashback to 10 years ago: Taishin is sitting together with two female students. He exclaimed, ah, so that’s how it is, this is how the koto’s music sheet looks like, so amazing! Taishin apologized for he is obviously the adviser yet the students are the ones who are teaching him about it.
The girl told him that it is no big deal and the former adviser also seemed to have no interest at all. Taishin exclaimed is that so, but in the end, he already had interest in it. The girl asked that he hasn’t heard of a koto performance before, right?
Smiling Taishin said yes, but look at the koto’s music sheet, in one sheet, there is a combination of 13 numbers and notations. “I always think that it is very similar to math so I feel that it’s very interesting.” <- the koto musical sheet has numbers which represents 1-13 strings of the koto. The two girls are puzzled.
Narration: “I’m really just a math fanatic. The reason why I became a math teacher is only because-- *a friend said that math is so hard to learn and what’s so interesting about it* After I told some things to my friend about the interesting aspects of math as if my life depended on it...
...*friend said that he felt that after listening to him [Taishin], he seems to feel a bit interested in math* And those words became an opportunity. *sparkling Taishin thought that he’ll definitely become a match teacher..* I considered it as my mission in life. Math is an expanding romance and the probability’s ensemble. At first, it is simply the arrangement of numbers and notations but therein, it has a boundless unlimited universe.”
Soon, Taishin bought a second hand music player. He planned to study it by first listening to this ‘classic’. He imagined the girls exclaiming in disbelief that Taishin unexpectedly knows koto, so amazing. Taishin started to laugh and wondered if they will say that or not. Then, he pressed the play button.
Narration: “Like that, I casually sound the doorbell of the koto world’s gate but what has unfold in front of me is slim [/tender] and meticulous. It is like a world of perfect calculation that was made. With merely 13 strings, there is a hidden unlimited possibilities— That is the world of math itself which I love.”
Taishin thinks, “At first, it is merely an arrangement of numbers and notation but each notation has a meaning. As long as one takes a step inside, it seems like it has a life’s pulse. It starts to throb lively. It has life. *blushing* Ah, right now, I’m currently listening to math. Ah- Ah- so amazing. It turns out that music is math’s sound! How come I haven’t noticed it until now!!!”
Narration: “Afterwards, I seem to have fallen deeply into the music world. I started to listen to a lot of music and even get books to study it. *Taishin thought that he still likes koto music the most since it is a combination of number notes arranged in a combination..and the arrangement is so beautiful, and besides, there is no unnecessary parts*...
...Afterwards, because I really love classical koto music, I slowly start to write my own piece. *Taishin started to compose* But, it wasn’t welcomed by the students since they totally do not want to play my piece.” The girl said that she finds it so old fashioned that it’s so boring. This made Taishin depressed.
Teary-eyed, he thought that’s right, students likes modern pieces more [than].. Narration: “Even if it is like that, I also still stubbornly chase after what I think it a beautiful sequence of numbers. Even if because of work, I have gone to a different school. Even if I went to a school that has no koto club, I also didn’t stop composing-- Afterwards, I finally got into Hakuto’s koto club.”
Taishin happily thought that there are so many new club members this year. “It’s such a bumper harvest— Furthermore, there is a good number of people who have playing experience. *clenched fist*...
...Perhaps, there will be a person who is willing to play my composed piece-- Ah ha ha, I’m just saying that!! But it should be impossible, right!! Student’s evaluation was never good!!! –In the end, always until now, there was no one who would play my piece. Even if I say that I can play it.. but it feels that there is something wrong.
...Perhaps, it is because my playing is awful. *heard music from the room* Eh? Ah.. Who is playing the koto in the club room--” Taishin looked surprised for this piece, it is his.. Blushing Taishin opened the door and saw a boy [Mio] playing the koto. Taishin thought that it is his composed piece..he can hear it’s pulse.
“Yes.. this is how I wanted it to be played. This is the perfect form of my composition. By the way, this kid’s technique is so good that I want to cry--!!??” Then, the boy noticed him and asked who he is. Taishin introduced himself. He remembered the name of the boy as Mio [<- ah, he is calling him by the surname Kanzaki], a first year student who joined the club this year.
Taishin told Mio that the piece he just play is his composition. Mio said oh, the music sheet was on the shelf so he cannot play it? Taishin exclaimed, no, no, actually, he is very happy. “Thank you for playing this piece!! There are still a lot of pieces!! If it is okay, can you--”
Mio stood up and said that there’s no need. Teary-eyed Taishin asked, what..why.. Mio said that he doesn’t quite like listening to the music that he himself played. “The music that I play is very boring. Very detestable.” This puzzles Taishin but he exclaimed that he really liked it and just now, his playing is really exceptionally amazing!! Mio says, oh.
Taishin couldn’t believe it for obviously Mio had talent. He went to find Uta since he recalled that she is Mio’s cousin [from mother’s side]. “There is something that I want to ask you--” Uta told Taishin that Mio comes from a dual earner family [both parents are working]. “His parents always let Mio come to their house because my mother studied koto. Due to her influence, we started playing koto together at around 6 years old.”
Taishin exclaimed then, their koto experience is also the same no wonder he can play so well! Uta corrected him that no, Mio is special. “..Mio, he CAN SEE MUSIC. Upon seeing a piece, he’ll know how to play it in the best way it can be expressed. It is like knowing to play the piece’s correct answer..”
This surprised Taishin for he did thought that is how he wanted it played and it is his piece’s perfect form. Taishin said that is such an amazing talent. Uta agreed but it seems that Mio really hated that.
“The music played based on the correct answer is very boring. Because it is playing according to the already determined way so it isn’t a bit interesting. So, he hated the music that he plays. Rin is always searching for the music that SURPASSES THE CORRECT ANSWER.”
Outside, Mio is lying on the ground with his socks removed. [<- the other one is partly removed] Taishin called out to him. Mio asked who he is. Taishin introduced himself again. Mio said, ya.. Taishin confirmed with Mio if he can see music and he knows how the piece should be played..
Mio said so what if he knew.. Taishin exclaimed that he hopes that he can play his composed pieces!! “I was very, very moved when you played my piece before. The world that I imagined has been portrayed out and like that, it started to move in its entirety. It really shook me that I still want to hear it one more time.”
Mio said that ‘started to move in its entirety’ isn’t enough, he wants to MOVE FORWARD. “I never felt moved by the music that I played.” Flustered Taishin said that he’ll write a piece that will enable to him to MOVE FORWARD.
“I also want to listen to the ‘music that surpassing the correct answer’ that you are saying. *Mio sat up to listen to Taishin* So, can you lend me your talent!!” Mio said, no. While Mio walked away, Taishin shouted that shouldn’t the next part be for them to tightly shake hands enthusiastically. End flashback.
Narration: “—-Like that, we walked until today.” While walking at the hallway with his students, Taishin says that he’s so nervous. The club president says that as a teacher, how he can be this nervous. Taishin says that Aragaki, is so calm and no wonder she is the club president.
Aragaki scowls and says, geez.. “By the way, sensei, after this tournament ends, you’re going to resign, right.” This stiffens Taishin that he exclaims how come she kn[ows..] Aragaki says that everyone knew and it is only he himself thought that it wasn’t exposed. Taishin groans. Aragaki tells him not to belittle the student’s intel and he is going back to succeed his family’s inn.
Taishin says that they unexpectedly also know that. Aragaki says that they know and they also know that during the National Music Festival, he didn’t get the flu but rather, his father has fallen ill so he couldn’t come. “Are you really going to resign?”
After a pause, Taishin says yes, for that is the decision that he came up with after distressing over it for a long time. Aragaki says is that so. The others look sad. Aragaki admits that actually from the start, she really hates Taishin because he is excessively enthusiastic and also very annoying.
“Besides, your compositions are very old fashioned that it even made first year Mio as the center. Honestly speaking, it isn’t a bit interesting. *Taishin looks tense* --but, I understand it now. This is actually, as far as this club is concerned, it’s best form.” Taishin looks surprised.
At the auditorium, Doujima tells Chiharu that they should more or less leave already. “This is just a high school clubs’ performance and basically, it isn’t necessary to go and listen to it. They are just some insignificant performances. Looking at it like this, Satowa’s group is also no better.”
Chiharu looked flustered as she recalled the harsh words she said to Satowa that Satowa had to kneel down to borrow the koto. Chiharu stands up and says that she’ll leave for a while and breath some air outside. Doujima says that she’ll also-- Chiharu says no, she stay there for she [Chiharu] wants to think things alone.
After Chiharu left, Doujima also stands up and thinks what kind of joke is this. “I don’t want to stay in this kind of place again for a single second. *recalled Akira telling her that she should listen to the kids’ performance and for a long time now, it is only she [Doujima] who didn’t regard koto playing sincerely* Even if someone would say that, I am already no good. It is already too late.”
At the tuning room, Suzuka calls out to everyone that they have to leave the room five minutes earlier so prepare to go onstage. Freaking out, Sane and Michi cling on to Kouta. Sane screams that it has come. Michi shouts that he’ll die!! Kouta asks what to do for his breathing is labored.
While Chika holds on to Suzuka, he tells Kouta to calm down and take a deep breath. Suzuka tells Chika that he should calm down a bit. Trembling Hiro hugs Satowa and calls out her name. Takezou calls out to everyone to listen to him. “After leaving this room, they cannot talk out loud. So, how about we huddle right now?”
Sane says that is a good idea. Kouta is all go for it. Michi says that he feels empowered already. Takezou asks the teachers to also-- Suzuka says that he won’t do it even if he dies. Akira declines and says that there’s no need. Sane admits that it is quite embarrassing. Kouta says that it makes him feel so happy. Satowa is blushing a bit.
Chika thinks that feeling the warmth of someone beside him makes him calm down a bit... It is all quiet that Chika shouts at glasses to say something. Snapping out of it, Takezou says right, that’s right. “I still want to continue to play koto together with this group. I don’t want today to become our last. So, today, with all one’s”
And, Chika karate chops Takezou’s head. Takezou shouts what he is doing!? Chika angrily shouts, “Obviously, you are the first to suggest it, yet what kind of demoralizing talk is that!! Say something more encouraging words!! Anyway, just bluntly say the words that you normally won’t say out. Say it more happily!!! Like a man!”
And, Chika karate chops Takezou’s head. Takezou shouts what he is doing!? Chika angrily shouts, “Obviously, you are the first to suggest it, yet what kind of demoralizing talk is that!! Say something more encouraging words!! Anyway, just bluntly say the words that you normally won’t say out. Say it more happily!!! Like a man!”
This fires up Takezou that he shouts, “We will definitely advance to the Nationals!!!!” This made everyone blush and happy. Akira looks surprised while Suzuka looks at them with a smile. Everyone shouts in agreement.
At the auditorium, a group of students had finished playing. The audience applauds. Looking at the program, Isaki says that next, it is finally Hakuto. Tetsuki asks if it is the one who won before. Isaki says that’s right.
Isaki thinks that if just like before, they still PLAYED IT LIKE IT IS JUST THE CORRECT ANSWER, then Chika and others can absolutely win. “But, if they have changed--...” A girl informs the Hakuto group to go onstage after the other group got off the stage. Taishin tells everyone, okay, do their best.
Aragaki says that even if he didn’t say that, they’ll also do their best-- "..even if sensei’s piece is very old fashioned but we can use our performance to prove that it is actually a very amazing piece. *smiles along with the others at Taishin* As a farewell gift, we are going to get the right to go to the Nationals. Please listen to it with anticipation!”
Taishin happily smiles. Mio looks at Taishin then he notices Chika and others going backstage. Mio and Chika’s eyes met. Mio smiles. Then, Hakuto High’s students are in position for their piece, ‘Katakago’. Mio lifts up his hand and places it by the koto’s string. Dong-- Chika is startled. Tense yet excited Tsukaji thinks that it is such a deep first note..
Narration: “I always hated my own music. Obviously, it is outstandingly correct but it is also somewhat lacking. Obviously, there’s no mistake but it’s monotonous. I’m always searching for something that I’m lacking. *scene of Taishin telling him that he’ll compose for him* But. *recalls Chika playing* thank you everyone. Thanks to you all, I can finally MOVE FORWARD.”
Comment: And since this is shounen, I was thinking that was like, ‘Himesaka, you think that you’re the only one who leveled up but guess what, Hakuto also did’ then proceeds to surprise/overwhelm the opponent/s. And from Mio’s recollection, that might be thanks to Chika.
I guess what he is lacking is the feeling since he tends to be bored and also hate his own playing. So, if with that kind of playing can make them win against Himesaka, what if he finally found what he is always searching for to make him love his own playing?
Hakuto’s current edge is Taishin. In a way, his name which literally means, ‘big heart’ really suits him. Like what Aragaki said and the others noticed, all the compositions are centered on Mio which makes him stand out which is good for them since he is the most talented one.
If it is some other teacher or composition, I don’t think they can reach this point or even win against Himesaka in the previous competition. This chapter shows us what drives Hakuto to really want to go to the Nationals. For Himesaka, it is their pride as number one and to give a chance to Hozumi to play together at the Nationals. For Tokize, it is for them to still be able to play together. For Hakuto, it is a farewell gift and perhaps thanks to their adviser, Taishin who really enthusiastically worked for them to be there.
So, based on that, it’s really hard to choose who really deserves to go to the Nationals. But then, this isn’t about one’s motive but their performance. The two groups have to have something different to win against Himesaka. I’m curious though why Isaki would say that if Hakuto is the same, Chika and others can win.
She has heard Himesaka play so does that mean Chika and others’ performance is better than Himesaka’s? Or, it is just between the two? I guess that it is Chika’s performance that made Mio felt that he lost to him so when they entered the building, Mio said that he won’t lose again. Hopefully, when Hakuto finished playing, Tokize can keep their enthusiasm up and nervousness down. It will definitely be an amazing performance.
Perhaps, it will help Tokize if they know that Chiharu is there. So, they will also be helping Satowa with her mother. It seems that Doujima has already bailed out. But for her not wanting to stay there again, it seems that she had some trauma regarding playing koto or perhaps, something related to the Nationals, or playing while she was a high school student? Perhaps, she used to be a judge and something happened? We’ll probably have a backstory for that later on.
For this chapter, Taishin’s backstory is quite inspiring. The guy is quite enthusiastic and willing to learn something that he doesn’t know. And upon finding that person who’ll play his composition well, he won’t let go of him. After everything, things start to fall in place. So, they are currently here and even became a threat to the undefeated champion, Himesaka.
It’s too bad that Taishin has to resign due to family responsibilities. Hopefully, he’ll still find time to compose for Mio later on. In a way, running an inn involves math, well, practical math so he can still do what he loves. I think Taishin is from the provincial area so his music is old fashioned. So, perhaps, he can play some of the club’s music in the inn ^^
Anyway, I think Taishin will be in tears after their performance. I think for a teacher like him, it will be very memorable and touching that the students appreciate what he did for them so, they are going to pay him back in a way that they know how. ^-^ That’s a nice way to cap his teaching career. Scans by 二次元秘店汉化
Word of the day:
A wise man will take stock of his life once in a while by asking, “What am I doing to help people? What will I be remembered for? Am I making a difference by making others’ lives better, richer, or happier?” ‘I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives. (Ecclesiastes 3:12)’ ~ Mottos for Success by M.S. Fontaine