Gravitation (グラビテーション)

Excuse me.

- I want to thank the members of ASK for this interview.

You've been most cooperative.

But before I go, I have one last question for your band.

This is your debut album.

Satisfied with it?

No.

Look, we're a new band,

and this is our first release, right?

We're hungry.

We can't afford to be satisfied.

The day we're satisfied will be the day we're done.

Got that?

You're topping the charts,

and Touma Seguchi is your producer,

but yet, you're still not satisfied?

Hmm, hmm?

You're in good hands.

Touma is a genius.

- I appreciate the compliment, Ms. Kaoruko,

but don't underestimate their talent.

Of course not.

You produce the best in the business.

I'll be covering your concert at the clubhouse.

Will I be impressed by your debut?

Hmm.

Like you've never been before.

Peace.

Out.

- The band opening for you is a group called Bad Luck.

Do you handle them as well?

We do, but I am not involved.

Our Mr. Sakano is their manager.

I see.

How are they?

I don't know.

We'll find out at the clubhouse.

Ah.

Shuichi, come on.

Hiya!

- Perhaps their band is well-named.

- I am working myself into an early grave

so you two can get everything you want,

the best equipment, the best studio times,

and I even convinced Mr. Seguchi, the company president,

to let you open for his big new group ASK

at their clubhouse concert.

But are you rehearsing?

No!

I find you hanging out in the park.

- Mr. Sakano, you sound stressed.

Maybe you should take a nap.

- Yeah, well, I wish I could go to sleep

instead of doing my job, too.

Well, we're not sleeping here.

The park inspires Shuichi's songwriting.

- Of course he needs to be inspired

before he starts writing a song,

but when is Shindo ever going to learn how to be on time?

Shindo!

Hmm.

The concert must be scaring you.

I guess you're feeling the pressure, huh?

- If you don't like the new lyrics, just say so.

- Well, I can't tell if I like them.

They're not done yet.

Shuichi, were you late on purpose today?

To be honest.

Yeah?

On my way to the park today,

I saw some kids bullying a little turtle.

And so, I helped it.

- So, you were late because you dropped

by the Dragon's Palace?

You guessed it!

Here's the treasure casket.

I know we're really lucky to have Mr. Sakano as our manager,

and Mr. Seguchi is an amazing producer.

Hey, he was a member of Nittle Grasper,

my favorite band, but--

- Why don't you find a woman to help you relax?

Hey, what do you mean?

You're feeling frustrated.

Well, sure, I guess.

But I'm fine, okay?

Not mentally.

Huh?

- Bad Luck is your entire life, isn't it?

I know that you've got a lot of talent,

and you're working real hard.

But every man needs release some time in his life.

Think about it.

I'll introduce you to someone.

Hiro?

Huh?

- It's only natural, right?

Huh?

- When you're talented, it's only natural

to focus solely on it.

Right?

Hmm.

Studio two tomorrow.

Better be on time.

- I want Bad Luck to be one of the biggest bands

in the music business,

but I can't do it on talent alone.

I need something more.

I need something that really inspires me.

A girlfriend?

Huh?

Not a bad idea.

Huh?

No!

Huh?

- Are you the one who wrote this?

What?

Oh.

Uh, yes.

You know nothing.

You call this a love song?

Hmm.

It's the worst thing I've ever read.

You've got zero talent.

What?

Why did you have to be so mean about it?

What?

What?

What?

You still haven't finished the song?

But the President will be here any minute.

He expects everything to be ready.

If he's disappointed, I'll lose my job.

Clearly, I've failed as a manager.

The only thing I can do is to end it all.

Good luck with your careers.

I will miss you.

- Wait, Mr. Sakano. - No!

You haven't failed.

It's just that something happened to me last night.

Last night in the park?

What happened?

Well.

This really scary guy saw it.

What were you doing?

Peeing in the bushes?

Not that, the lyrics.

He saw the new lyrics.

He saw the lyrics to our new song,

and he was really nasty about it.

He told me that I knew nothing, and that I had zero talent,

and that my lyrics were the worst thing

that he'd ever read.

Now, don't you think that's mean?

Huh?

I think you overreacted.

Overreacted?

- I once heard Ryuichi Sakuma say

those who criticize can not harm those who create

without their permission.

- But how could anybody ever criticize anything

that Ryuichi Sakuma wrote?

Man, his songs came right from his heart.

Ryuichi's such a god.

- Hmm, Ryuichi sure is your hero.

Why don't you do what he does and listen to your heart

instead of listening to some stranger?

- That's not the point.

It's like I've never seen this guy before,

but I got the feeling that he totally hated me.

Don't let it bother you.

It doesn't bother me.

It's just that I need to make him apologize

and show him he's wrong.

So, it does bother you?

Oh, it bothers him.

- Look, just forget about that guy, okay?

I can't do that.

Why not?

- I'll never be able to forget about it,

because he was just way too cool.

- Honey, check out that guy.

Wow, he's awesome.

Huh?

Stop!

- You can kill yourself, but not on my car, you damn brat.

Hmm?

Here, use this.