E23 - Champions' Resolve

Source: Crunchyroll
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[01:31] ---
    Himesaka Girls' Academy Koto Club...
[01:35] ---
    "#23 Champions' Resolve"
    A super prestigious school that went
    to nationals for 10 consecutive years...
    
[01:40] ---
    "Unshakable, absolute champions"
    that stand unchallenged in Kanagawa...
[01:45] ---
    That was just who we were.
[01:48] ---
    It was our pride... until that day.
[01:54] ---
    The award goes to...
[01:56] ---
    ...Kanagawa Prefectural...
    Hakuto High School.
[02:00] ---
    What? What happened...?
[02:03] ---
    It can't be true...
[02:05] ---
    We lost...?
[02:09] ---
    "Himesaka Girls' Academy"
[02:10] ---
    "Himesaka Girls' Academy"
    Club President.
[02:12] ---
    What is it, Wakaba?
[02:13] ---
    To be honest, I don't think
    we were inferior to Hakuto.
[02:17] ---
    I think their piece turned out to be
    more popular with the judges, that's all.
[02:21] ---
    Yeah...
[02:22] ---
    It feels like a fluke.
[02:24] ---
    I disagree.
[02:26] ---
    Yae.
[02:28] ---
    Our loss wasn't a fluke.
[02:30] ---
    "There's no way we'll lose
    because we're Himesaka."
[02:34] ---
    I think we lost because that thought
    caused us to let our guard down.
[02:38] ---
    Yeah, I agree.
[02:40] ---
    We third years want to
    get back at Hakuto, too.
[02:44] ---
    But we'll retire after the performance
    in Tokyo next week.
[02:47] ---
    So we'll entrust it to the first
    and second years.
[02:49] ---
    The new club president will be Yae.
[02:51] ---
    Okay!
[02:53] ---
    Going to nationals 11 years in a row
    won't be easy, but you can do it!
[02:58] ---
    Yeah!
[03:03] ---
    I didn't hear Hakuto's performance.
[03:08] ---
    Right after Tokise finished playing,
    I went to see him to complain.
[03:12] ---
    I looked down on both Tokise and Hakuto.
[03:19] ---
    Fumi... I...
[03:24] ---
    I feel very... ashamed... of myself.
[03:37] ---
    Don't look so miserable!
[03:39] ---
    It's okay. You're lucky
    that you noticed it now.
[03:43] ---
    We can now face the qualifier
    thoroughly prepared.
[03:46] ---
    We won't lose next time for sure!
[03:48] ---
    Fumi...
[03:49] ---
    Now, brace up!
[03:51] ---
    We'll practice furiously again
    starting tomorrow!
[03:54] ---
    Yep!
[03:57] ---
    Girls! We received the sheet music
    for the qualifier piece. Come get it.
[04:03] ---
    "Three Paraphrases"...
[04:06] ---
    I've never played it, but if I
    remember correctly, this piece is...
[04:10] ---
    A-A lot of string-pressing...!
[04:12] ---
    On top of that, they're sixteenth notes...
[04:14] ---
    Doesn't the picking in
    the second half look crazy?
[04:16] ---
    And we need to change the tuning a lot!
[04:18] ---
    We have to be in sync with this many people?!
[04:20] ---
    Shoot...
[04:22] ---
    I feel super fired up.
[04:24] ---
    Does everyone have it? Okay then,
    I'd like to make a suggestion.
[04:28] ---
    All these years, every member
    played in the qualifier.
[04:32] ---
    But you can't win like that anymore.
[04:35] ---
    The era of Himesaka always
    being number one is over.
[04:38] ---
    So, like we always do for nationals,
[04:41] ---
    I'll choose who will perform by audition.
[04:44] ---
    I'll hold the audition one month
    prior to the qualifier.
[04:46] ---
    Considering the balance of first koto
    and second koto, I'll choose 24 members.
[04:50] ---
    It'll be based on your abilities.
    Your year doesn't matter.
[04:54] ---
    I'll choose a team to go to nationals.
[04:57] ---
    What do you think?
[04:58] ---
    Okay!
[05:00] ---
    Okay then. That's decided.
[05:02] ---
    Now, let's start practice. Get ready!
[05:08] ---
    Hozumi! Why the gloomy face?
[05:12] ---
    Rui.
[05:13] ---
    Well, this piece seems really tough, so...
[05:17] ---
    It's got a ton of string-pressing,
    which I'm not good at.
[05:19] ---
    On top of that, 12 members
    will be cut by audition.
[05:22] ---
    Why are you whining already?!
    We still have time.
[05:25] ---
    If we practice like there's
    no tomorrow, we'll be fine!
[05:28] ---
    This is the last chance for us second years.
    We'll play together on stage!
[05:33] ---
    Yep!
[05:35] ---
    I think we should increase the practice time.
[05:37] ---
    What're you saying, Kazusa?
    We already have enough practice time.
[05:42] ---
    Really? You can't play it well yet, Wakaba.
[05:45] ---
    What? I've already memorized
    the score perfectly.
[05:48] ---
    But the way you play is rough.
[05:50] ---
    Don't act so high-and-mighty!
[05:52] ---
    I wanna go to nationals for sure!
[05:54] ---
    In order to do so, I wanna do
    everything we can do now!
[05:57] ---
    Hey, you two, calm down.
[06:00] ---
    We all want to go to nationals.
    Let's work this out. Okay?
[06:04] ---
    Hozumi...
[06:08] ---
    Seriously, Kazusa really ticks me off!
[06:11] ---
    I don't know if she's the daughter
    of a grand master or what,
[06:14] ---
    but she's always condescending.
    Who does she think she is?
[06:18] ---
    Also, she keeps praising this
    Satowa girl from another school.
[06:23] ---
    I bet she looks down on us.
[06:25] ---
    I don't think so.
[06:28] ---
    To me, she just looks very desperate.
[06:31] ---
    She seriously wants to go to nationals,
[06:32] ---
    so I'm sure she just spoke a little too harshly.
[06:35] ---
    I'm seriously aiming for nationals, too.
[06:38] ---
    Of course! I know that.
[06:41] ---
    But you two are both first years,
    good koto players, and aiming for nationals.
[06:47] ---
    So I thought the two of you
    fighting would be a shame.
[06:50] ---
    Thank you very much for your concern.
[06:57] ---
    That's sloppy! One more time, from the start!
[07:00] ---
    Get the tempo right!
    Make each sound clear and distinct!
[07:02] ---
    Hozumi! You're not pressing
    the strings hard at all!
[07:05] ---
    That's just a half tone!
[07:06] ---
    Not enough! Harder!
[07:09] ---
    --Good practice.
[07:10] ---
    --Good practice.
    --Good practice.
[07:12] ---
    Bye-bye.
[07:13] ---
    Hozumi. Are you gonna keep
    practicing by any chance?
[07:17] ---
    Yeah. My skills aren't good
    compared to the others.
[07:21] ---
    I can't press strings hard at all, either, so...
[07:24] ---
    There are a lot of string marks on your
    left hand. Your fingers look swollen, too.
[07:28] ---
    What? Your hand is like that, too.
[07:30] ---
    Yours is beyond mine.
[07:32] ---
    It's embarrassing that only
    my fingers look kinda impressive.
[07:36] ---
    I have to improve my skills, too.
    I'll work hard!
[07:40] ---
    Um...! Can I practice with you?!
[07:45] ---
    Of course!
[07:50] ---
    "Himesaka Girls' Academy"
[07:51] ---
    Thus, a month before the qualifier,
[07:53] ---
    we had the audition
    to decide the qualifier team.
[07:56] ---
    Next! First koto, Hozumi Tachibana.
    Second koto, Rui Natsume!
[08:01] ---
    Okay!
[08:03] ---
    This is the hardest I've ever practiced.
[08:06] ---
    So I'm sure I'll be okay.
[08:13] ---
    Well then... I'll announce
    the team for the qualifier.
[08:17] ---
    I'll start with the second years.
[08:19] ---
    Makimoto, Yokozawa, Aida, Sakaguchi,
    Itofuji, Hara, Nishino, Sato,
[08:25] ---
    --Watanabe, Oobayashi, Inoue, Ikeda,
    Abe, Taniguchi, Iwasaki, and Natsume.
[08:28] ---
    --Wow... Maybe all the second years will be--
    --Watanabe, Oobayashi, Inoue, Ikeda,
    Abe, Taniguchi, Iwasaki, and Natsume.
[08:32] ---
    That's all. Now, first years.
[08:36] ---
    E-Excuse me! All the second years
    were called but Hozumi!
[08:40] ---
    Unfortunately, Hozumi isn't
    on the team this time.
[08:45] ---
    Her hands moved well.
    She practiced a lot, too.
[08:48] ---
    But her string-pressing was still unstable.
[08:52] ---
    That's the reason.
[08:54] ---
    But... But to think that
    only Hozumi is left out...
[08:57] ---
    This is the last qualifier for us second years.
[08:59] ---
    That's okay, Rui. It can't be helped.
[09:03] ---
    She said it'd be based on our abilities
    regardless of our year from the start.
[09:07] ---
    I did everything I could. I have no regrets.
[09:12] ---
    Hozumi...
[09:14] ---
    Hozumi...
[09:17] ---
    See you tomorrow.
[09:19] ---
    Aren't you going home, Hozumi?
[09:21] ---
    No, I'll stay a little longer.
[09:25] ---
    I see. Then I'll see you tomorrow.
[09:27] ---
    Yeah.
[09:37] ---
    I'm the only second year who
    wasn't chosen... How pathetic...
[10:00] ---
    Hey, Wakaba! That hurts! Let go of me!
[10:04] ---
    Are you stupid?
[10:05] ---
    If you go talk to her right now, it'll only
    make her feel more miserable, right?
[10:10] ---
    She wasn't chosen because she wasn't good.
[10:12] ---
    She couldn't improve enough by the time
    of the audition. That's the reality.
[10:17] ---
    How dare you say--
[10:18] ---
    So...
[10:20] ---
    ...we'll go to nationals for sure.
[10:23] ---
    If we do, there'll be another
    audition before nationals.
[10:27] ---
    All we can do for her now is
    go to nationals. Am I wrong?
[10:33] ---
    I thought you hated Hozumi.
[10:38] ---
    I said she wasn't good,
    but I didn't say I hated her.
[10:41] ---
    The only person I hate is you.
[10:43] ---
    Wakaba! I hate you, too!
[10:46] ---
    But just this once, I agree with you!
[10:49] ---
    We're gonna get the ticket to nationals!
[10:54] ---
    We're definitely not gonna let things end here.
[10:57] ---
    We're gonna create the path
    that leads us to our next step...
[11:02] ---
    ...for sure...
[11:05] ---
    Program number three.
    Himesaka Girls' Academy.
[11:11] ---
    "Three Paraphrases."
[11:23] ---
    Himesaka Girls' Academy.
[11:26] ---
    "Three Paraphrases."
[12:18] ---
    Are you kidding me?!
[12:21] ---
    Even though there's a lot of
    string-pressing and tuning-changing,
[12:23] ---
    they're doing it completely in sync
[12:26] ---
    while they're playing
    sixteenth notes seamlessly!
[12:29] ---
    How can they move their hands like that?
[12:31] ---
    How come no one knocks down
    the bridges with this speed?
[12:37] ---
    You girls are amazing!
[12:40] ---
    Keep it up... Keep it up...!
[12:46] ---
    Support member?
[12:48] ---
    Yes.
[12:49] ---
    When going to nationals,
    non-performing members assist, right?
[12:54] ---
    So I was hoping to assist in the same way.
[12:57] ---
    That'd be great... But aren't you
    pushing yourself, Hozumi?
[13:02] ---
    I know I'm the one who didn't choose you,
    but if it's hard for you--
[13:05] ---
    It's hard... very hard...
[13:08] ---
    But...
[13:14] ---
    Hozumi! Good morning!
[13:17] ---
    Rui.
[13:18] ---
    Did you hear? We'll be practicing
    a lot more from today.
[13:22] ---
    I heard that Kazusa and Wakaba
    went to ask the advisor directly
[13:26] ---
    even though they don't get along.
[13:27] ---
    What...? I see, those two did...
[13:31] ---
    Hozumi. Make sure you keep practicing...
[13:35] ---
    ...'cause we'll play together at nationals.
[13:40] ---
    I thought I'd regret it if I just kept
    feeling down until the qualifier.
[13:45] ---
    I'm lucky to have friends
    who say things like that,
[13:49] ---
    so I'd like to do all I can to spend
    this time together with everyone.
[13:57] ---
    They haven't messed up at all so far.
[14:00] ---
    Incredible...!
[14:04] ---
    That third movement is coming up soon.
[14:26] ---
    Picking sixteenth notes. Half tones and
    whole tones. Irregular string-pressing...
[14:30] ---
    With this many people? Are they monsters?!
[14:33] ---
    What's this? I didn't realize
    kotos could be this incredible...!
[14:39] ---
    We no longer let our guards down thinking,
    "Because we're Himesaka."
[14:43] ---
    We will win!
[14:46] ---
    Incredible...
[14:48] ---
    Oh... This is...
[14:51] ---
    Yeah, without doubt...
[14:56] ---
    These are the sounds that belong
    to those who practice a lot.
[15:06] ---
    Whoa... Very impressive...
[15:20] ---
    Their specialization as a team
    has always been staying together,
[15:24] ---
    but to this extent...?
[15:25] ---
    I never liked their performances before,
[15:30] ---
    but their performance today was good.
[15:36] ---
    Stupid! Stupid Chika!
    Why're you casually praising our rival?!
[15:40] ---
    If you praise them, we lose!
[15:41] ---
    Shut up! What's good is good!
[15:44] ---
    But our performance is better!
[15:48] ---
    Takinami, you bastard!
    What're you laughing about?!
[15:50] ---
    Well, I just like this side of you, that's all.
[15:56] ---
    Ah! Mr. Takinami!
[15:59] ---
    Oh, you're Hakuto's...
[16:01] ---
    Taishin Yamamoto!
[16:03] ---
    Mr. Yamamoto. Are you guys moving
    to the tuning room now?
[16:07] ---
    Yes. My heart is already pounding so hard.
[16:10] ---
    By the way, you instruct
    the Hakuto students, right?
[16:15] ---
    Yes, more or less.
[16:17] ---
    Are you a music teacher?
[16:19] ---
    No, I usually teach math,
    but I love music, too!
[16:25] ---
    I see... It's amazing that you can
    give such a great instruction
[16:29] ---
    when you're not a music teacher.
[16:31] ---
    What?
[16:32] ---
    I heard Hakuto's performance from
    the traditional music festival on DVD.
[16:36] ---
    I was blown away by it being so high level.
[16:39] ---
    The piece, as well as the performance,
    was perfectly calculated
[16:42] ---
    so that the music would smoothly
    come into listeners' hearts.
[16:45] ---
    Oh, by the way, who's Miyabi Tojo,
    the composer for Hakuto?
[16:51] ---
    This person creates such high-level pieces,
[16:53] ---
    and yet, no matter how hard I checked--
[16:59] ---
    Did I say something wrong?
[17:02] ---
    Oh, no...! It's not... It's not like that!
[17:05] ---
    N-No one's said that to me before
    about the performance and pieces,
[17:09] ---
    so I'm just so happy!
[17:12] ---
    What?
[17:13] ---
    Hey, Mr. Yamamoto! We have to
    hurry up or we'll run out time!
[17:16] ---
    Oh... Sorry!
[17:17] ---
    Now, let's go!
[17:19] ---
    Sorry, Mr. Takinami! If you don't mind,
    let's talk sometime soon!
[17:25] ---
    Yes, definitely.
[17:28] ---
    Math, huh...? That explains it.
[17:32] ---
    No wonder I couldn't find him.
[17:37] ---
    Kurata.
[17:39] ---
    We need to go to the tuning room now.
[17:41] ---
    Okay.
[17:43] ---
    How pathetic, you bunch of scaredy-cats.
[17:46] ---
    Hey, that's Chika and the others.
[17:48] ---
    I wonder if they're getting ready now.
    Do you wanna talk to them?
[17:51] ---
    No, that's okay. I don't wanna
    disturb their concentration.
[17:56] ---
    Excuse me. Is that seat taken?
[17:59] ---
    No. Go ahead.
[18:01] ---
    Thank you very much.
[18:07] ---
    "Program"
[18:08] ---
    "Tenkyu"
[18:09] ---
    "Tenkyu"
    "The heavens... cry"?
[18:12] ---
    I wonder what this piece is like...
[18:14] ---
    Ugh! Calm down, my heart!
[18:17] ---
    As expected, everyone's nervous.
[18:19] ---
    I'd better get a grip so I don't catch it, too.
[18:21] ---
    Hey!
[18:23] ---
    What's with that scary look?!
[18:26] ---
    Taking the stage is a reward for all the
    hard work you've put in until now, right?
[18:29] ---
    We should enjoy it
    as much as we can, right?!
[18:32] ---
    Kurusu...
[18:35] ---
    Your hand is shaking.
[18:36] ---
    Sh-Shut up!
[18:43] ---
    Okay, guys! Let's check
    the tuning quickly and practice!
[18:47] ---
    --But Miss Akira isn't here--
[18:48] ---
    --I'm sorry I'm late!
    --But Miss Akira isn't here--
[18:50] ---
    Miss Akira!
[18:52] ---
    It's rare that you cut it this close.
[18:55] ---
    The roads were busier than I expected.
[18:58] ---
    --Well then, let's--
    --M-Miss Akira!
[19:00] ---
    Um... I made this for you, too,
    so if you'd like...
[19:07] ---
    You made it?
[19:08] ---
    I-I-I-It's okay to throw it away!
[19:11] ---
    Thank you very much.
    I'm happy to have it... Very happy.
[19:18] ---
    Come to think of it...
[19:19] ---
    ...where's yours?
[19:20] ---
    What? I didn't make one.
[19:22] ---
    You didn't?!
[19:23] ---
    Jeez... Then...
[19:25] ---
    Hey! What're you--
[19:30] ---
    How's this? Now it's--
[19:35] ---
    Wow! You two are like a couple!
[19:37] ---
    A cou--?!
[19:38] ---
    Chika. Your handwriting is terrible as usual.
[19:41] ---
    Yeah. What terrible handwriting.
[19:42] ---
    What'd you say?!
[19:43] ---
    I'm jealous...
[19:44] ---
    Stop fooling around and
    get on with the preparation.
[19:47] ---
    I know! Dammit!
[19:49] ---
    That was... a happy look on her face... right?
[19:55] ---
    Seriously, Mr. Tsukaji.
    I really can't take much more of this.
[20:00] ---
    It's true that Himesaka's
    performance was amazing,
[20:03] ---
    but all the schools after them
    kinda sound the same to me.
[20:06] ---
    You're so hopeless...!
[20:09] ---
    But well, what she said
    isn't necessarily wrong.
[20:12] ---
    So far, Himesaka is clearly
    the top contender,
[20:15] ---
    and there's little difference among the rest.
[20:17] ---
    Will Himesaka go to nationals
    as they've done in other years?
[20:22] ---
    "Program"
    Or...
[20:23] ---
    "Hakuto High School"
[20:25] ---
    It's about time!
[20:27] ---
    Get ready to go on stage, everyone!
[20:34] ---
    Kanzaki. You get ready, too!
[20:36] ---
    How're you doing?
[20:39] ---
    Good.
[20:40] ---
    Hey, it's rare that you say "good."
[20:43] ---
    Really?
[20:43] ---
    Yeah! You always say stuff like, "normal."
[20:48] ---
    Listen, Mio... The fact is,
    Mr. Yamamoto is...
[20:52] ---
    What's wrong?
[20:56] ---
    Photosynthesis.
[20:58] ---
    You're like the sun,
    so I'm getting power from you.
[21:05] ---
    Taishin power!
[21:08] ---
    Now you'll be fine!
[21:10] ---
    You can give your best
    performance ever today!
[21:14] ---
    Weirdo.
[21:17] ---
    Hey! Mio! Carry your
    instrument yourself, okay?!
[21:22] ---
    You carry it, Club President.
[21:24] ---
    Don't be ridiculous!
[21:27] ---
    I've never seen him smile like that before.
[21:31] ---
    What? Advisor for the koto club?
[21:35] ---
    It's been ten years since then...
[21:38] ---
    And today is the last day!
[21:42] ---
    Now... let me hear your performance...
[21:46] ---
    I'll see if your ability to beat Himesaka at the
    traditional music festival...
[21:51] ---
    ...is the real deal...
[23:38] ---
    Next time, "Beyond the Right Answer."
[23:42] ---
    "#24 Beyond the Right Answer"