This week we were treated to Himesaka’s Double Personality. It is an incredibly difficult pierce that requires precise synchronization, especially when played with many members. Their technical skill really set the tone of the level they will be competing against if they wish to even get the chance to compete in the Nationals. And boy, it was chilling to listen too! The intensity was no joke, right at the first note, I got the shivers, and it actually startled me!!!
We were also introduced to Kiryu, a member of Meiryo’s Koto Club was friendly with them and was genuinely ecstatic to see a club mostly consisting boys, we also saw how he is also a fierce competitor by referring to how Himesaka’s high technical level of synchronization doesn’t come up to par to his club’s ensemble. I’m really looking forward to hearing them perform in the future!
Takezou really had it rough this week. Going to Meiryo basically forced him to face his past failures, and crush his confidence even further. He tried really hard to just suck it up and laugh it off, but by the end of it, it crushed him completely. To make matters worse, his conflict ended up causing tension between him and Chika when he ended up lashing out at him. It wasn’t fair to Chika, who was only standing up for him, unable to bear watching Takezou’s so-called “friends” (spoiler alert: they aren’t!) from middle school belittling him for being part of the koto club. It’s such a sad thing, especially once it sinks in how Chika fighting on behalf of others is still sort of new for him. The first time he fought for someone other than himself were the trio, and at that time it was with this fists. So as someone who has only recently started shifting away from physical confrontations and fighting for the ones he cares about, naturally Takezou’s response to his actions hurt and frustrated him because he couldn’t understand why what he did made Takezou so upset with him.
But Takezou’s stress and internal struggle was the main culprit for the club’s disruptions. He became prickly, unable to face anyone, couldn’t practice efficiently, so he would suggest they work independently, which as result interfered with the club’s practice sessions. It was obvious to everyone, but they were all at loss what to do with the spat between Takezou and Chika. Nobody really knew how to resolve the problem until a little later when certain individuals like Tetsuki, Hiro and Sane offered insight or assistance to help ease the tension between the two boys.
The first step however, was confrontation, something Takezou desperately needed since he had no intention to sharing his burden and insecurities with anyone. And the one to do that was in fact Hiro. Athough two barely know each other, Hiro at the very least is the same age/year as him, and intends to pay back the favour of offering to be someone he can consult with. She does this by simply being there, and telling him to open up because keeping to himself only makes the situation worse. Hiro even goes a step further by taking the role as Vice President of the club so he doesn’t have to manage it all by himself. I don’t know about you, but I love this development because it just further reaffirms how Hiro is completely committed to leaving her old ways. She just needed people to see past her mask and into her heart rather than being influenced by other’s gossip— which ironically, she had initially attempted to do. It just goes to show, when Hiro isn’t sabotaging her own and other’s relationships, she can be in fact a fantastic friend who won’t turn a blind eye when she sees a trusted comrade struggling on their own.
While Hiro was getting Takezou to open up, Chika’s situation as the opposite. Rather than it being a problem ket to himself, it was something he was actively supported by others without him even asking about it. When he went to Tetsuki’s to vent, and he was able to gain some insight on why Takezou reacted the way he did, and at school Sane stepped in to explain to Takezou about why Chika was struggling with his response. Ultimately, we had individual members step up to help ease the tension by offering consultation and further insight, leading to Takezou finally understanding where he went wrong, and apologized to Chika while opening up to him about how he honestly felt about going to Meiryo.
But what’s important about this episode was how goes beyond the importance of individual confidence. Rather, it’s more about having people who believe in you, when you don’t believe in yourself. Takezou lacks self-confidence, but with the group, he can grow stronger which will contribute to his own individual growth, just as Chika doesn’t have much faith in himself, but having others believe in him is all he needs.
And what better way to resolve this tension than Takezou confessing how he truly believes as they are right now, it is impossible to make it to nationals. By coming out about his true feeling helped the group reassess their goal, and create a new one that makes more sense given their current skill-level. So they decided instead of “Winning Nationals”, they revised it to “Aim for 1st Place in the Nationals”, and all contributed writing a piece of the goal. And there’s nothing wrong with ‘aiming’ for first place. Instead they are taking it one step at a time. Since they have a better picture of the skill level they will be competing with, they can start off by refining their individual skill and synchronization!
Next week, it’s the summer training camp next week! <3 Can’t wait!
BONUS: LIVE Performance of Himesaka’s Double Personality
