Double Planet Episode 13

Double Planet
Episode 13: I desperately wanted her to praise me
Satoru Aono (Furuta Jun & Kanda Yota / Radio Shonan Personality)

Where on earth should I start? First, let me retrace my memories of this colorful month. Everything started to move in a big way from that day. It was the night I played the first song I ever wrote, "Sora to Puzzle," for Tamaru. After the full playing time of one song had elapsed, Tamaru called me. The moment I answered the phone, there was no greeting whatsoever, and the first words he said were "Awesome," which hit me deep in the pit of my stomach. A warmth like that of a hot water bottle slowly spread throughout my body.

It paid off.

Those words came to mind. Back then, I'd never written a song before, and didn't have the courage to do so, but I still had the desire to write, and all I could think about was fulfilling my desire to express myself. But now, having somehow managed to produce a work of my own, I felt that expression had inspired something in someone else, and that inspiration had come back to me like a boomerang. Perhaps this is the true joy of expression. Perhaps I wanted to write songs for someone else, not for myself. In that sense, Tamaru-san was my first customer. Indeed, Tamaru-san came to mind many times while I was writing. I desperately wanted her to praise me.

"Can I use this song in my next live stream?"
"Huh?"
"Let me use it."

 

 

A few days later, I ended up visiting Tamaru's high school. I was there to be interrogated by Natsuki, who claimed to be his best friend. Who exactly am I? Although I'm sure Tamaru had told me that much, he asked me detailed questions, as if he couldn't feel at ease until he'd seen and heard it for himself. Standing behind Natsuki, Tamaru clasped his hands together and quietly said, "I'm sorry."

"I listened to the song."

Natsuki said with a solemn look on her face.

"H-how was it?"

I nervously waited for her answer. Even if Tamaru liked it, it would be difficult if Natsuki said no. I was prepared for that.

"This isn't a copy of someone else's song, is it?"
"picture?"
"Are the rights okay?"

Rights? What do you mean?
It was a word I hadn't expected at all.

"If you do that in a live streaming performance, you're out of luck."

I see, that's what it means.
I have to confess my innocence here, like a man.

"I wrote the lyrics and composed the music. There's no doubt that it was created by Aono Satoru."

Is this a courtroom?
The answer turned out to be so stiff that I wanted to question myself.
Deep down, I felt like I'd lied. There's no doubt that I completed the song all by myself. But at the core of the song, Tamaru-san's words and thoughts are probably intertwined. It was because I knew that that I was able to write this song. It may seem like I created it all by myself, but I could never have done it all by myself. This isn't just empty talk, it's a fact.

"OK, let's play this song in the final scene!"

 

 
Having somehow managed to win Natsuki's trust, the project to stream "Sky and Puzzles" began to move forward at a rapid pace. I visited the rehearsal studio several times to watch the rehearsals. I watched them in complete silence. To the first-year students who didn't know much about the situation, I'm sure they were completely confused and wondering, "Who are you?" The old me wouldn't have been able to stand those kinds of stares. But before I knew it, my nerves had thickened.

"Natsuki, I wish you'd say that line with more force."
"Huh? Are you kidding me? Is that it?"
"Yeah, I think you're trying a little too hard."
"You have to go overboard here or it won't get through!"

There were many times when Tamaru and Natsuki would start arguing heatedly. Rehearsals were halted each time. An awkward atmosphere began to hang over the first-year students. But the two of them ignored it. They continued to discuss until they were both satisfied. Their passion for the piece was gushing forth. This passion might be what I've always longed for. When I decided to go it alone after wanting to form a band but not being able to, it was a fragment of my youth that I gave up. I think I've been avoiding arguments with others. I've chosen a life without conflict. But conflict only arises when both parties are serious. It means having opinions that you can't compromise on. In other words, it means knowing the meaning of your life.

Will I still be able to make it in time?

In just two months, my second year of high school will be over. The year has flown by so quickly.
Only one more year until graduation. One more year?
I ask myself if it's still too late.

"It's up to you."

I felt like he was pushing me away, saying that I had grown stronger.
I took a detour back to where I started.

Let's talk to someone.
Let's say you want to start a band.
You may not be taken seriously.
But let's persist.
Let's say it again and again.

I want to form a band and perform live.

 

 

That day, I was heading to practice.
After leaving school, I bought 10 cream puffs at a pastry shop near the station.
It's a gift for the drama club.
I admired a man who could do this so easily.
Now I'm about to become that.
With my heart pounding, I ran up the steps of the footbridge.

Then I got a call from an unknown number.
It was Natsuki.

"What's wrong?"

After an unnatural silence, Natsuki-san spoke in a strained voice.

"...Luka tested positive for coronavirus."

"to be continued"

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