[Hoshi ga Hajimaru] [Slope After the Rain]
Are you serious?!
Uh-huh...
Wait a minute!
You can't just say it's already been decided!
That's not—
Damn. He hung up.
Was that Mashu-san?
Did he have bad news?
Yeah...
They decided to bring in some big-name international band for DesFes.
C'mon, bro. You had me worried for a sec. It won't affect us, right?
It might even benefit us, no? It'll generate some buzz.
About that...
We're not gonna be able to play at DesFes.
What do you mean?
We've been pushed out, in other words.
There're only five stages at DesFes.
If more bands take up the main stage,
that pushes other bands onto smaller stages.
That's not fair!
I think so too!
But... we can't change their decision.
We're not destined to fade away yet, are we?
A small pulse within the vast universe
I can hear its breath, like it's calling out to me
If it's an excuse to start, then anything works
It's only now that the song that you found feels lonely
(How many "Yes" and "No")
Did you and me make up together
(Look carefully)
To the place where we caught this moment again
And now our star has begun
Producing a faintly echoing sound,
(Wow) Our proof of existence,
Shooting 10,000 light years across the galaxy!
Yes, our story began right in a place like this
We're not destined to fade away yet, are we?
[Limit Break]
I thought we'd made it in...
Me too...
I just can't accept this!
They went back on their word!
Hey, wasn't there some kind of contract?
There... wasn't anything like that.
God! How could they let this happen?
Calm down, Shiroishi. This isn't like you.
Huh?! You expect me to stay calm?
They cheated us!
Isn't this just how the music industry is?
Even when we stumble upon a chance,
it can vanish like a burst bubble.
But how will we make up for this?
This was our long-awaited chance!
I don't want to let this go.
Banri...
It's a shame.
But what Rio-kun said wasn't wrong.
Boss...
The music industry does not revolve around dreams and passion alone.
Money...
That's right. For example,
DesFes will draw in at least fifty thousand people.
How much is that?
Each full-package ticket costs twenty thousand yen...
A billion!?
A lot of people will be buying food and merchandise during the festival too.
Now you see what I mean.
If you want to survive in the music industry,
you'll always have to know where the money comes from.
That's the kind of world you guys dove into.
One more time!
Shouldn't you take a break?
You've been singing nonstop since this morning.
I can still continue.
Shouldn't force yourself.
You'll drain all the universe's energy~
Fine.
Did you hear about Argonavis?
Yeah.
Mashu-san made a pretty harsh call,
canceling their appearance at DesFes.
Well, they needed a dose of reality, didn't they?
Do we have time to gossip about other bands?
OK, OK. I get it.
Satozuka, you got a minute?
Sure.
What is it?
I want you to contact your little brother.
Wataru?
Nanahoshi Ren. I wanna talk to him.
Guess we're out of luck, huh? All we can do is move on.
Yeah...
We need to think about what's next.
Nii-san?
I'm sorry about DesFes, Wataru.
How considerate. Is that all?
There's someone who wants to speak to Ren.
To Ren?
Well, I'm with him right now.
Aniki says he wants to talk.
Your big brother? The one in GYROAXIA?
Hello?
It's me.
You can't tell?
That voice... Nayuta-kun?
You should understand your own ability by now.
Ability?
That's right.
Dealing with your luck is part of ability too.
If you don't get that, you'll never rise up here in your lifetime.
That's all I want to say.
What did he say?
"Dealing with your luck is part of ability too"...
That's right!
We need to create our own luck.
Let's head back to the others!
H-Hey!
Couldn't you encourage him a little more kindly?
Shut it. Back to the rehearsal!
You guys!
Ren?
What's wrong? Nanahoshi, did something happen?
Yeah. I just thought of a proposal.
A proposal?
What is it?
Let's go together—to DesFes.
Uh, Ren...
We can't perform, though.
We're going to watch, as part of the audience.
Look, Ren...
We shouldn't run away from our frustration.
We were determined to go to DesFes together.
Determined...
We thought about how nice it'd be to play at DesFes,
so we bought into the euphoria and accepted the challenge.
But it didn't work out.
Yet that's only strengthened our desire to appear at DesFes...
Next year, we'll definitely stand on that stage.
That's what I believe.
Pretty optimistic, huh?
It will happen, but only if we try to make it happen.
I wonder who said something like that.
So how is my proposal?
Next year, huh? That's pretty far.
Heh. Maybe Ren's onto something.
He might just be.
Let's go, so we can harden our resolve.
It's settled!
We need to book the tickets right away.
Can we still make it?
We should haggle with Mashu-san.
We might even get in for free.
I've got some connections, so I'll ask around too.
Oh? Boss with the clutch!
Maybe you can get someone big to back us?
Sure, I can get someone big to pat you on the back.
Yes. Everything is going according to plan.
Yes. I'll begin negotiations.
The campus is so much emptier now, isn't it?
Rio said he's already done with everything.
Eh? Seriously!? That's crazy.
One more test and I'm done too.
Ugh... I still have a report.
Dammit! This was supposed to be the start of our epic voyage...
Well, we'll go at our own pace. Let's look forward to DesFes.
At any rate, I'm gonna head home now.
See ya!
When I started college, I never imagined it'd go this way.
If I didn't meet them, I probably wouldn't be playing in a band.
Mashu-san...
It has been a long time.
Right.
U-uh...
I'm not going to apologize.
That's how the world works.
I understand.
I've been thinking that I need to work harder.
An admirable attitude.
Um... why did you visit me?
I came here to talk to you.
Eh?
Don't you want to try creating music at a higher level?
What... do you mean?
I will be brief.
I want you to sign on as an exclusive artist with our company.
Sign on?
You can only benefit from this arrangement.
Nanahoshi Ren, I can sense your potential,
your talent as a vocalist.
Talent? I'm still far from perfect—
Correct; you have imperfections. But polished, you will shine.
...To the point where you could surpass Asahi Nayuta.
I need to... discuss this with everyone...
I came here to speak directly to you.
Do you understand what that means?
You're only interested in me?
Correct.
We'll form a new band. I want you to leave Argonavis.
We'll gather new band members for you,
the cream of the crop from your generation.
H-hold on. I... I don't want to leave Argonavis ou—
I'll give you time to reconsider.
Wait a minute!
I expect a sensible answer.
Yo, Ren-kun.
Banri...
Mashu-san came out just now. You met him?
I did.
Were you... scouted?
That's...
You should definitely consider it.
What do you mean?
Not a bad deal, right?
Weren't you talking about making things happen?
Well, you should take this chance.
You'd probably get some sweet contract money too.
Are you saying it's better if I'm not around?
That's definitely not it!
Of course I want us to always perform together.
But if you want to become a pro, you'd better think it through.
That's right.
My answer was obvious from the start.
Nanahoshi, you're late.
Where's Banri?
Banri-kun's resting.
Really?
He called just now.
He got a cold, apparently.
A cold?
Did something happen with Shiroishi?
I have something I need to discuss with everyone.
Discuss?
Yesterday, I... met Mashu-san.
He wanted me to sign on with his company.
What?!
Sign on?
It wasn't with Argonavis, right?
He said he wanted to create a new band with me as a vocalist.
Hey... are you saying you're pulling out?!
DesFes aside, this is * up.
Yeah, this is just cruel.
Dammit... let me get an answer out of him.
Wait.
Ren, this is about our—
I refused.
Is... that so?
I don't want to be in any band besides Argonavis.
I'm Argonavis's vocalist.
Are you really okay with that, Ren?
By any chance, does this have anything to do with Shiroishi?
Banri saw me talking with Mashu-san.
He did?!
Is that why he didn't come today too?
I don't know, but recently he's been acting strange.
Acting strange?
I'm sorry.
I've been keeping something about Banri from you guys.
What do you mean?
Actually, Banri...
Banri, how's your cold?
Eh?!
Aw, man... I'm still not feeling well.
Just stop with the bad acting.
I-I'm not faking it!
That's not it.
Sorry. I told them everything.
How cruel.
Geez, I trusted you to keep quiet too.
I get that you're trying not to worry us, but...
This is about your health.
You're all exaggerating! I'm A-OK, I swear.
I'll just drop the stick sometimes, that's all.
What did the doctor say?
Well, he told me to take a break...
So what's gonna happen now?
Am I... getting kicked out?
Come on... you think we came all the way here just to say that?
We came here to hear what you want to do.
We want to hear it straight from you.
I see...
I... Wait.
Please, let me go first.
Before listening to what Banri has to say, I just want to say this:
I'm not leaving Argonavis.
I'll explain to Mashu-san properly.
Argonavis's vocalist is me.
We started this voyage together.
I don't want to quit halfway.
You feel the same way, don't you?
Yeah.
I also... want to keep on drumming for this band.
I don't want to let anyone else be Argonavis's drummer.
Don't keep any more secrets from us.
I won't either.
When you can't do it, tell us.
Helping each other out in a pinch is what friends are for.
Guys...
Banri,
will you promise?
Excuse me?
You're the one who broke our promise and tattled on me.
I said I'm sorry, OK?
Everyone... thank you.
All right. Listen up!
Argonavis isn't Argonavis without all of us.
No matter how heavy the storm,
no matter how high the waves,
we'll be in this together from now on.
Yeah!
The sun rises and illuminates us again
Grab hold of the path you chose!
You shouldn't run away from regret
Turn that bite of bitterness into resolve
I took up a challenge and regretted it, leaving only tears and frustration
Hold those tight and turn them into strength!
The sun rises and our shadows stretch out
Grab hold of the path you chose!
Look ahead and break
The limits set by others
Step over them and move forward again
Something like luck can't be measured as good or bad
The feelings I always believed in will become destiny
The bonds and pride I fought to defend
It's time to release them and let them roar
The sun rises and we open our eyes again
Grab hold of the path you chose!
It's not ending, it cannot end
The limits you set on yourself—
Step over them and move forward again
Ren, look.
What is the meaning of this?
This is my answer.
And this is everyone in Argonavis's answer too.
I can't say I believe this is wise.
Even so, this is the path we choose to walk.
Please listen to our resolve.
The sun rises and illuminates us again
Grab hold of the path you chose!
Look ahead and break
The limits set by others
Step over them and go!
It's not ending, it cannot end
The limits you set on yourself
Step over them and move forward again
On the path I climbed countless times with you
The drenched melody of the rain has faded away
If you turn around and look into the gentle light
You'll see the rainbow
(No more pain on your heart) Yeah!
To my younger self dreaming of the future:
The feelings I had were real
No matter how much I pray,
even I know this song will eventually end
(Hey, you) Let's have a gentle goodbye
(See you again) Looking up at Hachimanzaka Slope
I made a (tiny) promise,
"I'll return to this place someday."
On the path that I climbed for the last time with you
Flooded with emotion, I couldn't see in front of all
I felt as if the night sky was calling me
The stars in the sky shone so brightly
(No more pain on your heart) Yeah!
Even when we pried open the closed door, we didn't get what we wanted.
But the door meant for us must exist.
Next time on Argonavis from BanG Dream:
"To the Destined Place" Please look forward to it!