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 should I start? First, let me trace back the colorful memories of this past month. It all started to move from that day onwards. It was the night I played the first song I had ever written, "Sora to Puzzle," for Tamaru-san. After the song's playing time had elapsed, I received a call from Tamaru-san. The moment I answered the phone, there was no greeting whatsoever, and the first words he said were "That's great!", 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 my mind. Back then, I had 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 how to achieve my desire to express myself. But now that I've managed to produce a creative work, I feel that expression has inspired something in someone else, and it has come back to me like a boomerang. Is this the true joy of expression? Maybe 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 couldn't help but want her to praise me.

"Can I use this song in the next live performance?"
"eh"
"Let me use it."

A few days later, I ended up visiting Tamaru's high school. It was to be interrogated by Natsuki, who was his best friend. Who exactly was I? Although I'm sure Tamaru had told me that, he asked me detailed questions as if he couldn't feel at ease until he'd confirmed it with his own eyes and ears. Standing behind Natsuki, Tamaru clasped his hands together and quietly moved his mouth to say, "I'm sorry."

"I had the opportunity to listen to the song."

Natsuki said with a serious look on her face.

"H-how was it?"

I was nervous as I waited for her to 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, it's out of line."

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 written by Aono Satoru."

Is this a courtroom?
The answer was so stiff that I wanted to question myself.
Deep down, I felt like I had lied. There's no doubt that I completed the song on my own. But Tamaru-san's words and feelings are probably intertwined at the root of the song. It was because I knew that that I was able to write this song. It may seem like I created it on my own, but I could never have done it on my own. This isn't just a pretty word, it's a fact.

"OK. Let's play this song in the last scene!"

 
After somehow winning Natsuki's trust, the project to stream "Sky and Puzzle" began to move forward at a rapid pace. I visited the rehearsal studio several times to see how they were doing. I watched the rehearsals in complete silence. To the first-year students who didn't know much about the situation, I must have been completely confused and asked, "Who are you?" If it were me before, I wouldn't have been able to stand those kinds of stares. But before I knew it, my nerves had become thicker.

"Natsuki, I want you to say that line with less force."
"What? Are you kidding me? Is that it?"
"Yeah, I think you're trying a bit too hard to act."
"You have to go overboard here or else it won't get through to them!"

There were many times when Tamaru and Natsuki started arguing. Practice was stopped every time. An awkward atmosphere began to hang between the first-year students. But the two of them didn't care. They continued to discuss until they were both satisfied. The passion of the two of them for the work was overflowing. This passion may be what I have always longed for. When I decided to do it alone because I wanted to form a band but couldn't, it was a fragment of my youth that I gave up. I think I have been avoiding arguments with someone. I have chosen a life without conflicts. But conflicts only occur when both parties are serious. It means having an opinion that you cannot 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.
One more year until graduation. One more year?
I ask myself if there is still time.

"It's up to you."

I felt like I was being pushed away by the stronger me.
Taking a detour I made my way back to the starting point.

Let's talk to someone.
Let's say you want to start a band.
You might not be noticed.
But let's persevere.
Let's say it again and again.

I want to form a band and perform live.

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

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

"Eh? 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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