Waking up from another dream, I open my wet eyelids
I curse my helplessness from those far days which dreadfully remain
Will this despair that burns my body feed me someday?
I keep burning myself from it as I crave adoration
Your eyes with glittering stars in them
All dried up, poor thing, a lack of love?
A dazzling light that saves all from loneliness
Is this shadow that falls only on me because of you?
You have given me a fatal flaw
Selfish giant star, ruined lives
Please, let me hear your voice
Even these tangled and twisted wounds
You're the only one who gave them to me
Please, keep your eyes on me
I'll weaponize even the pain carved by fate
So that it can light the regrets from sometime
Without you, I cannot live anymore
I would sacrifice anything for you
I can't get enough of your love
What should I use to fill in what's missing?
Fatal, fatal, fatal love
Fatal, fatal, fatal I
Fatal, fatal, fatal sorrow
Keep your eyes on me, my dearest fatale!
My dearest fatale
Wow!
Himura-san's a genius!
The demo vocal's already solid -
this is commercial quality!
Thinking about you two sullying this song
with your singing fills me with guilt.
There you go being harsh again.
It'll be alright.
We'll heavily tune the original recording
with Cubase and Pro Tools,
and even off-key singing will turn into something
reasonably enjoyable to listen to.
You don't feel sad saying that?
Oh, so your new song's done.
Uh-huh. It's the new B Komachi's first original song!
And it's an excellent one! Finding a way to make it
go viral will be a good showcase for my skills!
Oh, it turned out nicely, huh?
Well, we discussed just filming
a music video for STAR ☆ T,
Anemone Monemone
Instagrammer &
video creator
but wanna film one for this song down here, too?
What?! Isn't that impossible with our schedule?
MEM-cho
We should be able to get through STAR ☆ T
with one day of filming in the studio.
As far as storyboards,
I get ideas for the kinda stuff I wanna shoot
when I take walks by the local river and such.
So, if you don't mind going with the sort of video
I wanna make, we won't need much prep.
How about it?
Well... I guess I'll put my trust in you.
This is why it pays to have friends
who're brilliant creators!
I'll discuss it with our president!
I'll be tagging along.
Why's an outsider coming with us?
Aren't you the one who suggested
making an R&R trip out of it?
Oh, jeez! Okay, I did, but...!
Akane-chan in the flesh! I watched Love Now, you know!
You're beautiful! And cute!
Oh, please... You're way, way cuter
than I am, Ruby-san.
Why's someone so pretty with my brother...
What does he have on you?
Just what kind of person do you think I am?
My brother may be unworthy,
but treat him well for years to come.
No, not for that long.
And also, uh... Akane-san...
can I call you "Big Sis"?!
What?!
I've always wanted a big sister!
You'll be mine anyway eventually, right?!
You two'll get married, won't you?!
Um, well...
What did I do to be treated like this?
And I'd been looking forward to this trip...
Which one should I be rooting for?!
Welcome to
Takachiho,
the town of
mythology,
gorges, and
tranquility
Welcome to
Takachiho,
the town of
mythology,
gorges, and
tranquility
What kind of fate is this?
To think I find myself back in this place...
Takachiho
Gamadase
Market
Welcome to Takachiho! I'm the video director, Anemone.
Anemone!
It's been a minute, MEM-cho!
I'm Saitou from Strawberry Productions.
We look forward to working with you.
As do I. Thanks for making time in your schedule
to come out to the countryside.
Takachiho
Yokagura -
Dance of
Tajikarao
Interesting townscape, isn't it?
Uh, yes it is!
Why'd you base your company here?
Hmm...
Though it was in part because I originally focused on
3D and effects, the biggest reason is that I love nature.
This is where I was born and raised... and where I died.
The air certainly is fresh. Surrounded by mountains...
and with lots of large shrines, it's kind of a power spot.
It's also famous for the goddess of
performing arts being enshrined here.
That so?
What's her name again?
She comes up in Japanese mythology...
Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto.
She's a goddess deified at Aratate Shrine, right?
Oh, so you know of her!
She's the goddess of song and entertainment.
So people in show biz are always coming down
from Tokyo to worship her.
It's an auspicious place, so I have surprisingly
little trouble with work or business deals.
Oh, let's go visit the shrine! I'd heard of it before,
but I've never been myself!
Uh-huh!
But, before that...
we'll be filming two music videos,
which means we've got a packed schedule.
Takachiho
Gamadase
Market
Let's get you changed on the double
and head to the studio!
Er, wait... Ugh!
Okay!
Give it your best.
They're rushing around, huh?
So, what should we do? I hear that
the Ama-no-Iwato of Japanese mythology is nearby.
That cave that Amaterasu cooped herself up in,
only to be lured out by the other gods
when they threw a party outside.
Gods, huh?
You a fan of the occult, Aqua-kun?
You could say that. Er, well...
I think there are elements of truth to it.
That stuff's intriguing, isn't it?
There's somewhere I wanna go.
Okay, I'm cool with going where you wanna go.
Where to?
The hospital.
Huh?
Do you have a stomachache? Want some medicine?
It's not like that.
The hospital where Ruby and I were born is down here.
Takachiho
Gamadase
Market
So, are your grandparents from
around here or something?
Like, your mom went home to give birth?
Well, that's more or less right.
It seems MEM didn't know
this was our birthplace, though.
Talk about a coincidence.
It surprised me, too.
There's something I want to check
real quick - I'll be right back.
Excuse me, I believe there was doctor here
by the name of Gorou Amamiya...
Amamiya, you say?
We suddenly became unable
to get a hold of Mr. Amamiya.
Apparently, he was treated as having resigned.
Oh, I see.
It's been 15 years since then...
Naturally, there had been staff reshuffling,
and none of the colleagues I was close to were there.
What were you checking?
Someone I know used to work here.
Huh? Where're you going?
To look for something. Go ahead and wait inside.
No, I'm coming too.
You must've been naughty when you were little.
Heading into the fields and running around the
mountains is one thing, but an animal trial like this...
Should be around here.
Akane, hypothetically speaking,
do you think the corpse of a pet that got lost here
around 15 years ago could be found?
Hmm, if it had been buried,
bones could probably be found,
but if it was exposed to the elements, wild animals
would likely have devoured and scattered the remains,
so it'd be tough.
Thought so.
Aqua-kun came way out here
looking for his old pet dog...
He's got a cute side.
If the body was buried, I'm at a loss...
but there's no reason to go out of our way to find it.
Nothing good comes of opening
someone's grave, I suppose.
Sorry for dragging you all over.
Nah, I'm the one who said let's go wherever
you want. Besides, I'm just tagging along.
This is the last spot.
What is this place?
The house of someone I know.
That said, the former residents are all deceased,
and no one lives here now.
Amamiya
Must be someone important to you
if you've come all the way out here.
Who were they?
Gorou Amamiya.
He never had a mother.
Obstetric hemorrhage...
She hid her pregnancy from her parents and gave birth
on her own at home, but she lost too much blood.
By the time the ambulance arrived, it was too late.
With the boy's father being unknown,
he was placed in the care of his grandparents.
It seems it was a rather strained situation.
His relationship with his grandma wasn't bad,
but it was a different story with his grandpa.
He never managed to get over his guilt at
having been born at the expense of his mother's life.
Even when he decided to go to medical school...
So you're going to be an obstetrician!
Must be because of what happened with your mom...
You truly are a sweet boy.
The truth is he wanted to be a surgeon.
He thought the doctor in his favorite
book was cool. He admired him.
In the end, he was a guy whose only redeeming quality
was adapting his life to fit in with others.
Even after becoming a doctor, he was powerless...
How does such a thing happen?!
Sarina could pass away soon,
and her parents still don't show up!
Both of them work in the city center,
so they're unable to get here quickly.
Can they really call themselves parents?!
A mother's someone who...!
That's a mere illusion. Such parents
are out there - they're a dime a dozen.
Sarina-chan took a real liking to you.
General Obstetrics & Gynecology Resident
Gorou Amamiya
You should be by her side in her last moments.
Sensei...
Ai's fan for
all eternity!!!
Please... take this.
When I was well, just once I was able
to go to a B Komachi concert...
I got this out of a capsule toy machine there.
Think of it as me and cherish it.
You've got it. I'll always treasure it.
Always, you hear?
Sensei, I love you.
Even if I were to be reborn...
Surely...
God is surely kind, right?
God guided both the two of you who,
in the true sense, never really had a mom...
as well as a mother who gave birth to soulless children.
Perhaps there's a deeper meaning to it, though.
Oh? You're even gonna film this kind of stuff?
Yep. With idol music videos, it's common to shoot
both a dance part and a drama part, right?
We'll devote most of the runtime to the dance footage,
but we need to insert some shots that
capture the cuteness of each of you girls.
Kana-chan, you too!
Picture the camera as your crush and turn around.
Oh my... That's a great face.
There must be someone you like, huh?
What're they like? What do you like about 'em?
With music videos, it's the norm to only decide
on the concept and rough course of events
Um, well, I...
Good stuff. Let's get footage of that.
and then make the call on what
to film once you're on location.
Finding a way to draw out a subject's cuteness
calls for the talents of a pin-up girl cameraman.
I see...
Okay, good work, Kana-chan!
They've got a pretty big staff, huh?
Sure do.
The cameraman and assistants, lighting,
art and wardrobe, makeup, and so on.
Including the production manager and director,
you're looking at 10 or even 20 people.
The project as a whole is probably
costing over five million yen.
Oh my!
Though you could say idols are exploited,
the aspects of it that cost money cost a whole lot of it.
You should be grateful to our president for spending
so much on a group that doesn't bring in profits.
I love you, Miyako-san!
Well, I hear some underground idols will get a music
video filmed and made for around 500,000 yen, though.
I bet some do...
Hey.
Welcome back.
Filming going okay?
Ruby and Kana-chan are mostly done filming their drama
parts, and now we're gonna shoot the dance part.
Alright, good work! Go and take a break.
Hm? You haven't filmed yet, MEM?
Okay!
Yeah, I can wait till later.
Why's that?
Because minors are banned from working past 10 p.m.!
And I, far from being a minor, can film late into the night!
Sorry for asking.
Seems you did a fair bit of sightseeing.
Pretty nice costume, isn't it?
We all discussed the design before deciding on it.
It screams idol, and Ruby surely likes-
It's all wrong.
Oh, right. Akane is opposed to Arima's idol work.
I just hope they don't fight.
Come here a second.
What is it?
What're you thinking putting on your ribbon so sloppily?
You might want to show off with a slim waist, but
tightening your belt too much causes wrinkles.
You've got some dust here, too.
It'll cause trouble for the wardrobe staff,
so don't walk around so much.
So is this okay, then?
I suppose... it gets a passing mark.
Kana-chan, Kana-chan, Kana Arima!
Nothing's more of a pain than a former fan turned hater.
What do you think, Aqua?
Am I cute?
Well, I'd say you get a passing mark.
Just be honest and praise me, you guys!
Kana-chan really is an idol, huh?
Yeah, I guess so.
I figured out why Kana-chan's acting improved.
She's constantly screaming, "Look at me."
And if someone's yelling out, you end up looking at them.
I can't really say since I'm not familiar with idols,
but do you think Kana-chan will become successful?
She will.
I see...
You can't be going on any more dates with her, then.
She bragged about it, you know.
She said she went to a Brazilian BBQ place with you.
It's not an issue now since she's now well-known,
but she's going to attract more and more attention.
And then, she absolutely can't be
seen dining with a guy in public.
At the very least, I hope you'd reserve a private room.
For idols, a single storm of criticism
can be a fatal wound.
Actors are a bit more lax about this stuff,
so the guy should be watching out for her.
Good point. I showed a lack of awareness.
That's right...
Arima's an idol.
If there were a hint of a man around,
it would hardly ever lead to anything good.
Hot romance exposed?!
Her love
interest
is from
the same
agency
She might be photographed by weekly magazines
or have gossip leaked by those close to her.
In the worst case...
she could end up like Ai.
Okay, time for the minors to head back to the inn.
You're an adult, MEM, so stay behind.
I mean, you're 18, right?
Yes! I'm past my 18th birthday!
I'd love to room with "Big Sis" Akane tonight!
Oh? Fine by me.
I'm gonna observe a bit more,
so look after Ruby for me.
Got it.
Aqua-kun really cares for his sister.
Sleepover.~ Sleepover.~
Oh, a crow.
How cute.
That's dangerous.
You know how the kanji for night blindness is "bird-eye"?
At night, birds can't see at all.
No, that's not right! You're thinking of chickens.
You stinkin' crow! I'll gonna grill and skewer you!
I was trying to warn you...
Hold it!
Dammit. That bird's provoking me.
I'll catch the darn thing!
Why don't we just apologize to the innkeeper?
We'll get lost out here.
It'll be alright! I'm somewhat familiar with the area.
Really?
Uh, no, it's just I was born around here!
We often passed by in the car, so...
Yeah, Aqua-kun told me.
H-he did?
You were born at the hospital on the hill, right?
Yeah.
He said he has a personal attachment to the place.
I see... That place is important to me, too.
Oh, I know! Why don't you join
B Komachi too, Akane-chan?
No, I don't know about that...
I'm quite hopeless outside of my specialty, which
even made things tough on that reality dating show...
On the other hand, are you not interested in acting?
Actually... I am a bit.
Is that right?! I'd be happy to teach you if you like!
Oh, that's great!
But, I'm thinking that's for after
I give my all to being an idol.
Someday, I'll have a concert in the Dome!
And become an idol who's a household name!
And then...
You've worked hard.
I've been cheering for you all this time.
Ai's fan for
all eternity!!!
Sensei...
Hey, how big of an age gap would you be okay with?
What?!
It's a person's mental age that's important,
so a gap of 10 or so years would be fine...
Anyway, what gives? Why the girl talk all of a sudden?
You must like someone who's
nowhere close to your age, huh?
Yep.
What're they like?
He's super kind!
When I was all on my own, he stayed by my side,
and always encouraged me.
If it weren't for Sensei,
I wouldn't have had such a will to live.
I never would've thought of becoming an idol...
He's the one who gave me a reason to live.
I get it... It's nice to have someone you love, huh?
A bit of an age gap doesn't matter!
Yeah, right?! A little gap is no issue!
Really go after him! I'll help out if you like!
I don't know where he is right now, though.
You don't?
Apparently, he suddenly vanished
from his workplace and went missing.
In all likelihood, he just fled some
from some lady troubles, though!
Huh? You're okay with a guy like that?
He was such a tease! No matter how many times I said,
"I love you! Let's get married!" he was evasive!
Even so, that's fine.
I love you, Sensei! Marry me!
A shame, isn't it? But I'll seriously
consider it once you turn 16.
Ai's fan for
all eternity!!!
Sensei, I...
have turned 16.
I want to see you again.
There's a space behind this little shrine.
Must have your nest back there! I've cornered you now!
What? You're going inside?
Head back out, Ruby-chan.
There's a dead body... in here.
A white coat... Were they a doctor?
No... It can't be...
After all, Sensei is...
Ai's fan for
all eternity!!!
Episode 23
Reunion
Always been trapped into my life
No matter how I try, I cannot get it right
Back in my mind again and now it feels like
Nobody sees me like I do
Trying to find a way to get a hold on
To everything that's dear to me but then I don't know
Why I leave every time
But I'm crying
In the light of the stage I see, I realize
Whatever comes my way
Be it pain, be it rain, let me be
Lying
In the moment behind a veil I hide away
All of my words unsaid
They are scars in their own way
(And all this time
It never leaves my mind)