Bokura no sonzai wo kike (僕らの存在を聴け)

This film contains scenes that depict the reality in which discrimination against sexual minorities occurs and for which some derrogatory language was utilized.

This may cause you to experience emotional stress. Please be aware of this before watching.

2015, at a hotel during a school trip

Have you never felt scared of talking to others?

Akimura Kazuki

I have...

Suzuki Masashi

But in my case,

it was more like I was afraid of having to keep up the charade of lying.

Never being true to who I am when talking to others.

One year later

Examinee number 1, Satou Sousuke.

Coming.

Excuse me.

That was no good.

Let's run through it again.

- Your voice was really quiet. - Eh?

You know, the interview place will be much bigger than this room.

Let's start from the beginning.

Let's just stop here.

I haven't gotten any better in a while now.

There's always a next time.

That hurts.

You're always so quick to use force.

Listen here, first impressions are crucial.

Especially how you reply.

You need to practice.

I can't really speak loudly as it'd bother the neighbors.

In that case...

Sit down.

You can shout like this.

Just like that.

I used to do that a lot.

But you've been really loud since elementary school.

Forget about that, just do it.

My throat hurts.

Once you get used to it, it'll be alright.

Come on, try one more time.

Louder.

With this, I can learn without anyone hearing me, right?

Bokura no Sonzai wo Kike

Hear Our Presence

Subtitles by Nicksden

I'm home.

Will you join us for dinner again, Satoru-kun?

No, my dad said he'd be back home sooner than usual,

so I'll need to head back home soon.

I see, so it'll be just the two of us today.

Must be tough to be studying while also working part-time.

Well, idling around as a rounin inconveniences people.

T/N: Rounin - high school graduates who didn't get into university and are waiting for another chance

Meanwhile Sousuke here still can't tell the difference between washing detergent and fabric softener.

And the only food he can cook is instant noodles.

Please take care of him if you do get to go to the same uni.

Of course I will.

You're bothering us when we're studying.

Don't push me.

That's why you can't even get a girlfriend.

What's that got to do with anything?

Can't you be more manly like Satoru-kun?

Are you gonna keep your hair like this forever?

If only he could teach you how to be popular with the girls...

Actually, Satoru-kun is...

Satoru-kun is leaving now.

Can you see me off?

Don't forget to take the container you brought us food with.

Okay!

Here.

You should just tell your mom you're going for the recommendation.

I can't.

As a rounin, If I tell her I wanna go for the self-recommendation, she'll kill me.

Let's not mention the fact that I'm waiting for another chance to get into uni.

Don't ever tell her.

Same to you, your tongue almost slipped about me a few moments ago.

Alright, let's move to question 2.

Read the next dialogue and choose an answer from A to C.

Next person, please read the dialogue.

"There will be a long holiday soon."

"Do you have any plans for it?"

Ah, sorry! I can't hear.

A little bit louder, please.

"Not yet, but I'm thinking of going on a bicycle..."

Louder, please.

"By the way, I asked thirty of our classmates about their classmates... about..."

Okay.

Next person, please.

It's been a while.

Since the junior high graduation, right?

Oh, that's right.

Our voices are different now.

You failed to get in, right?

Me too.

Is it your first time?

What is?

- Being here. - I'm just trying out this place.

This was the cheapest one.

When leaving, should I beep this somewhere?

Yep, you beep it and then do this.

- What do you mean? - Oh, right.

- I'll show you when we leave. - Please do.

Yo!

I got here late.

- Could you show me your notes? - Sure.

Oh...

Why is she here?

She's like us.

- See you later. - Okay.

Hey, you skipping class?

You were just enjoying yourself with some girl, weren't you?

No, I had a shift.

You know that girl, Satoru?

Who?

Saitou Haruka.

Oh, her.

We were just in the same schools through elementary to junior high.

No one wanted anything to do with her, right?

Huh? How come you know that?

I knew it.

She wasn't normal when she was with us in senior high, either.

Totally, right?

What's that about?

She killed someone in senior high.

What?

By the way, something happen today?

Why do you ask?

No reason.

Alright.

Thank you for the food.

I'm off.

Sorry for the dishes and thank you.

Thank you as well for the potato salad.

It was really delicious. What did you even put in it?

At the izakaya I work at, they put in pepper, mayonnaise and what else...

Maybe I should get a part-time job, too...

What are you on about?

You know you can't right now.

You can get one when you get in.

Besides, you'd need to do interviews and stuff.

I can do that much.

After all, I'm going for the self-recommendation.

What?

Did you just hear a wolf howling?

I haven't, we're not in a forest.

Then it must have been a civet.

T/N: Masked palm civets often invade homes in Japan as a pest.

I'll need to check out the attic later.

Here, this is for you.

The tuition money for this month.

Don't forget to pay.

Oh, right.

Here, some pocket money.

You'll need it when you meet up for a meal with your friends from senior high.

Are they all having fun at uni?

Yeah.

Whoa, what a mess.

Sorry about that.

It belonged to my grandpa's family,

but he passed away when I was in junior high,

so it hasn't been in operation since then.

That's why I use this place from time to time.

I see.

Sorry about your loss.

It's no big deal.

Well, my mom and I do the same.

We live in the house my grandparents lived in.

I should be able to shout here without needing to cover my mouth.

Why would you?

That sounds frustrating.

Yeah, I guess so.

Let's start with the basic of basics, belly breathing.

Try vocalizing.

Can you tell that it was coming from your throat?

I think so?

With belly breathing, it should go from your stomach.

It's difficult at first, but once you get used to it, it'll be easy.

Alright, straighten your back and take the deepest breath you can take.

And inhale.

Another important thing is nasal resonance.

Your voice resonating here, in what they call nasal cavity.

You don't need to be embarrassed here.

Make it louder.

Louder.

More.

Alright, next time we'll try actual vocalization.

Okay.

Do you think I can get better?

You can, don't worry.

First off, take a deep breath and make sure your belly is filled.

Excuse me.

You feel off.

Where did I go wrong?

It's like you're raising your voice, but I can't describe it.

Speaking isn't just about being heard well.

Vocal resonance is also important.

Using this right here.

How come you know such stuff?

Actually, Haru-chan taught me.

Huh?

She used to go to a voice acting school and said she'd show me the place next time.

Told me her voice improved going there.