Kono Oto Tomare [Chapter 51]

Chika and Sane starts to play. Everyone looks stunned. Tsukaji is so stunned that he even instinctively stood up. Komaki, Chiharu, Doujima, Kazusa, Mio, Taishin, and Sou [the judge] look on with surprise. Suzuka and Akira watch on with a smile.

As the three continues to play, they recall Akira telling them that their level is lower than she imagined which caused her to become really disappointed, and they are not to belittle any single note.

Chika would then say that he wanted to play well as quickly as possible. Takezou’s mother couldn’t believe it. She thinks that his schoolmates played really well and wonders if there won’t be any problem with him. Takezou thinks that Satowa’s koto, and Chika & Sane’s 17 string are played really well.

Both Kouta and Hiro think that there’s no problem. Michi thinks that their amount of practice is definitely a lot. Chika thinks here it comes. They recall Suzuka saying before that the 17 string part and the solo part is like a tree’s root and trunk.

“The first and second sound division would give enrichment to the tree’s branches, leaves and flowers---” Takezou and the others start to play. Everyone continues to look astonished. Fujimoto looks flustered upon recalling that he said that school is like theirs, and it is good if they didn’t stop playing just like them.

He thinks, “--what a joke...which part are they similar with us...?” Kinoshita looks flustered and tense. Tense Wakaba trembles and thinks, “Wait... what is this. What’s going on? How can they play this kind of sound? How amazing it is, is unexpectedly not limited to the solo part?” Sou is also trembling.

He thinks that the timbre is totally not the same with the other school’s. “Each note reveals its meticulousness [/accuracy] on its own. And, this is something that the other schools cannot possibly compete against with.” Akira smiles and closes her eyes. Seems to be on the verge of tears, Keishi looks surprised then he smiles. Doujima is trembling in disbelief.

Still trembling and also seems to be on the verge of tears, Tsukaji wonders what’s up with this people. “How were they able to play this way? How many times were they practicing?” Satowa strums the string then there’s [seems to be] a [slight] pause. Chiharu recalled that she was told that the only one who can succeed the Houdzuki group is her.

Narration: “The one closest to me had suddenly departed, and left me with something that I must protect. At that time, I believed that there is always a way so I thought that by myself, I can do it well by striving hard. It is because [our] daughter is still here...

...But, actually, I’m very weak, weaker than I could ever imagine. I’m so puny to the extent that I would drive away [my] sole light from my side.” Satowa thinks, “I once thought of giving up like this since I wasn’t able to become mother’s strength. Since I can only struggle with this nonstop pain. There is also no meaning to keep on playing on.”

Imagination: Satowa is alone in the dark when she turns around to see the others smiling around her. She looks surprised. She smiles as she turns away. End imagination. Satowa and the others start to play again. 

The water is now swirling around. Tokize members are playing with a smile. Tsukaji is surprised again. “The theme’s two beat[?] had suddenly changed! Yet, it is still at this [same] tempo... The change is so smooth that if I wasn’t watching, I basically won’t be able to notice it!”

Sou thinks that not only that, even if their attention is easily attracted to the melody but in each one, there must be a bit of display of excellent technique. Shizu thinks, “...but, she won’t let the audience pay attention to that. She won’t let anyone notice that she is playing a very difficult piece. A so-called music is indeed like that.”

Akira thinks that next, it is time for each division to display their prowess...! The audience looks surprised as ribbons are now swirling around among the smiling Tokize performers. Narration: “—-ah, so blessed. Really happy. Want to be together with everyone, and always, always, always keep on playing on.” 

Chika recalls the past. Flashback: He asked his grandfather why he has to specially recruit people for the koto club, and isn’t it fine to just play it alone. His grandfather called him a stinky brat who basically doesn’t understand.

He happily explained, “Playing together, and playing by oneself is totally not the same. It is totally not the same when you’re passing the time together with your comrades, and also playing a koto musical piece together.” End flashback.

Chika thinks, “You weren’t deceiving me, stinky old man. *smiles* I understand it now.” Trembling Tsukaji can no longer suppress his tears. He covers his face and curses that it is played so amazingly. Suzuka thinks, “—okay, then, it is time to finish it up---”

Tokize looks serious as they played. Sou thinks that it is now an ‘all- [performing] ensemble’!!! While almost everyone has tears on their eyes, the combined music had dispersed the water around in one full blast.

The sky is now clear with a few clouds. As Chiharu’s tears fall down, Satowa smiles while she performs. Blurb: “This is--- our everything after going through refinement [/tempering]-!”

Comment: With that kind of impact from the audience aside from performing it well, I think that they pretty much got their ticket to the Nationals. We know that one judge would be on their side. But what about the others? Of course, I don’t think that they’ll decide otherwise.

Regardless whether they win or lose, I’m sure those who heard it won’t forget it for the rest of their lives. And, if possible, they might become better people. I like how it was hinted that being with others/together is better than being alone. Also, how things came together to this point after all their awful past.

Even Akira’s dedication to valuing each note in their practice had helped them. I’m sure her brother realized that was Akira’s contribution to the group, as well as realizing that Akira now values her own talent. Overall, everyone contributed and made this happen just like how it is with the other groups.

Hm...I guess the next chapter would be more reactions from others. Perhaps, there is the announcement for the winners and some reunions after the ‘falling apart of relations before’. Basically, time to wrap up the prelims Nationals arc. Scans by 二次元秘店汉化

‘I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.’ ~ Mother Teresa