The first concerto/Story/Chapter 5

❮ Chapter 4All ChaptersChapter 6 ❯

Chapter 5: Unwritten Thoughts
書かれていない想い (? (edit))

Character appearances:

Translator(s):

lozy bug (lozy; cookie bug; and Bash)

Source(s):

Youtube Playlist

Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu on piano

Out of tune note; piano stops

???

(...Once again...)

???

(Once again, from the beginning.)

Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu on piano

???

(I have to keep going until I can do it.)

???

(If I can't do that——I'll disappoint them.)

???

(Dad...Mom... All of the people who've placed their expectations on me...)

???

(...But...)

Piano stops

???

(How long do I have to keep doing this?)

???

(How long do I do this——before I can live up to their expectations?)

???

(For me...)

???

(For me...isn't this impossible?)

???

...

???

——So that's all you're capable of?

Toya

...Kh!

Toya

...It was...a dream...

Toya

(...I've been having a lot of dreams like that lately.)

Toya

(Those visceral feelings are all resurfacing...almost as if I've been sent back to that time.)

Toya

(...No. I don't have time to be thinking about things like that right now.)

Toya

(I have to do it... I have to complete at least one song.

Toya's Mother

...Toya-san?

Toya

Ah, Mom...

Toya

Is something wrong?

Toya's Mother

...So you woke up early today as well.

Toya's Mother

It seems like you've been staying up late recently, so I was worried if you've been sleeping properly.

Toya

Ah..thank you, Mom. But, right now——

Toya's Mother

I understand that you're doing something very important to you, Toya-san.

Toya's Mother

But...it would be counterproductive if you overworked yourself, wouldn't it? It's better to take a break...

Toya

But...

Toya

No, you're right. I'll take a break and go on a walk.

Toya's Mother

Alright... Be careful when you go out.

Toya

I will.

Toya

(...I feel bad for worrying her.)

Toya

(But right now, every second counts. I want to think about this song as much as possible.)

Toya

(If I can't work at home, then——)

Street SEKAI

Entering SEKAI

Toya

...Alright.

Toya

(I'll continue working at MEIKO-san's cafe. KAITO-san might be there too——)

Toya

Kh...

Toya

...This is bad. My head's spinning, must be from lack of sleep...

Toya

...No. I shouldn't rest in a place like this...

???

——Toya-kun?

Toya

That voice...

Toya

MEIKO-san...

MEIKO

Why are you crouching like that? Are you feeling sick, or——

Toya

No...it's nothing to be concerned about. If I just rest for a moment, I'll...

MEIKO

——That won't do. I can't just leave you alone when you're shaking like this.

MEIKO

Sit right here. I'll go get you a drink from the shop.

Toya

No, you don't need to——

MEIKO

Toya-kun, I need you to listen to me.

Toya

...Yes. I understand.

— Some time later —

Toya

...Phew.

Toya

Thank you very much. Thanks to the snacks and tea you brought, I'm starting to feel better now.

MEIKO

I'm glad. It really was just a lack of sleep, then.

MEIKO

Once you've calmed down, you should go home and get some good rest. And once you've recovered, come swing by the cafe.

Toya

Right. I'm sorry I keep inconveniencing you like this.

MEIKO

No, it's nothing.

MEIKO

But...I'm not impressed with you burning the candle at both ends like this.

MEIKO

Could it be...that you're worried about your songs?

Toya

...Yes.

Toya

Even if I think I've done a good job, when I compare it to Ken-san and the others' music, I still feel like it's lacking in heat.

Toya

No matter how hard I try to discern the reason, I just can't figure it out...

MEIKO

...

MEIKO

At times like these, shouldn't you just go back to the start?

Toya

The...start?

MEIKO

Yeah. Try going back to the feelings you had when you first wrote music.

MEIKO

If I'm remembering correctly, you compiled everyone's feelings in a notebook, right?

Toya

Ah...yes. I even have it with me now.

MEIKO

Then why don't you try looking over it again?

MEIKO

I think it's especially important to return to the basics when you're stressed and can't find the right answer.

Toya

...I see.

Toya

(She's right. Recently, all I've been thinking is things like "What's the reason I can't reach that heat?" and "What am I lacking?")

Toya

(But, if I return to the basics, I may be able to unearth some new discoveries.)

Toya

I understand. I think I'll give it a try.

MEIKO

Hey, Toya-kun. If you don't mind, would you let me take a look at it, too?

Toya

Eh?

MEIKO

You showed KAITO, didn't you? ...I was actually thinking that I'd like to see it, as well.

Toya

Yes, of course. I'm sure if it's you, MEIKO-san, everyone would be alright with it.

— Some time later —

MEIKO

...Ohhh, so the second time you performed at STAY GOLD, Kohane-chan was thinking "I'll believe in An-chan, who believes in me".

Toya

Yes. That seems to be a highlight in her memories...so I thought to include the feelings from that time in my music.

MEIKO

Fufu, I'm already curious to see what kind of sound it's connected to.

MEIKO

That being said...these notes really are full of all sorts of feelings from everyone.

Toya

Yes. I thought that if I was able to include everything contained within this notebook, I'd be able to create a good song, but...

Toya

...For some reason, it isn't going well...

MEIKO

...Hey, Toya-kun.

MEIKO

This notebook has Kohane-chan's feelings, An-chan's feelings, and Akito-kun's feelings, all written out in careful detail, but...

MEIKO

Toya-kun, you've hardly written anything about yourself.

Toya

Eh? Ah...I suppose you're right.

Toya

But I already know my own feelings, so there's no need for me to go out of my way to write them out...

MEIKO

Is that so? I think your feelings are important, Toya-kun; shouldn't they be put into song, too?

MEIKO

Just like you did with everyone else, I think it would be a good idea for you to write down all of the feelings you've had up until now.

Toya

My...feelings up until now...

Flashback

???

(For me...)

???

(For me...isn't this impossible?)

End flashback

Toya

...

MEIKO

Toya-kun?

Toya

Ah...no. It's nothing.

MEIKO

Really? Are you sure you're not feeling sick again...?

Toya

No, it's nothing like that. ...Um...

Toya

When I think back on my past self, I can't help but recall all sorts of feelings.

MEIKO

All sorts...?

Toya

Yes... ...They're not exactly something I can be proud of and talk about, though...

MEIKO

...Why don't you look back on those feelings, too?

Toya

Eh?

MEIKO

Toya-kun, those feelings you have that are hard to talk about with anyone——

MEIKO

It could be that those have something to do with your songwriting.

Toya

You're right... If I intend on putting my feelings into this, it would be a good idea to reflect on those ones, as well...

Toya

...Thank you very much, MEIKO-san.

Toya

I think I'll try that method, starting today.

MEIKO

Yeah. Do your best, Toya-kun!

MEIKO

But you might start getting shaky again, so make sure to rest properly before you start reflecting, okay?

Toya

I will. Thank you for your concern.

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