Gotoh
The Departure of Flamingos from Enoshima
Penguins appear in Tama River! They're okay in freshwater?
Recruiting part-time!
Another Melancholy Monday...
You must be glad to be over that cold.
Y-Yeah...
Or are you just happy you were able to miss school for a few days?
Not at all.
How come?
You're always saying you wanna stay home...
I hate going to school,
but for the likes of me, spending just one day away is enough
to fade from everyone's minds.
You're a real pain, you know!
Oh, and Mom says breakfast is ready.
Yes, it's true.
Believe me, with how aware I am of being a pain
I could burst at the seams
But hang on.
I'm in a band and working a part-time job at a venue.
Doesn't that mean I'm no longer an introvert?
Alright, I'm taking my guitar to school again.
Surely someone will approach me now!
Yep. figures waiting for others wouldn't work.
Hey, did you watch the newest ep of Sound Station?
I sure did!
Streaming services finally have BACKWIMPS' songs again!
Since yesterday, I've been listening so much
they're still playing in my head!
Uh-oh!
Band talk!
What's up, Gotoh-san?
You hardly ever talk to anyone!
I always thought others would break the ice...
so I have no clue how to jump in
I forgot.
In that short a time?!
It's lunchtime!
It's for the best.
Even if I'd managed to talk to them just now
Barging into our convo like that...
Was she listening in the whole time or something?!
I didn't know she was such a creep!
That's definitely how it'd go!
I'll never rise above my station again.
I'll live a quiet life...
Thanks for the meal.
I have to say, this quiet corner is perfect for lunch.
I'm glad I found such a nice spot.
It's awkward eating all alone in the classroom
Plus once I'm a famous guitarist and I get on Sound Station...
What were you like in high school?
I didn't have any friends back then.
I often ate lunch in a dark corner filled with desks and janitorial supplies.
I can awe people with how much I've changed! Y'know how it is...
Karaoke was so much fun the other day!
People?!
Kita-chan's such a great singer.
Though she quit, apparently she used to play in some band.
Kids, don't try this at home!
Wow! Now that's musical talent!
Band?
Come to think of it, Nijika wanted a new guitarist/vocalist
That cold held me back from working the past few days,
so I've got to make it up to my bandmates and find them a new guitarist!
KESSOKU BAND
Now Recruiting Guitar / Vocalist
Even newbies can come and learn!
Please contact STARRY staff
Please!!
But conversing with a complete stranger...
Kita-chan!
Heya!
I'm super sorry, but I have a huge favor to ask...
I wonder what she's like...
What is it?
Would you mind subbing in at our basketball game next week?
She's pretty!
Oh, sure thing!
And super nice!
Kids, don't try this at home!
Maybe I'll land a three-pointer!
She's pretty, athletic, popular,
Awesome! Thanks!
and she plays the guitar...
Do I have what it takes to recruit her!?
Not to mention my identity...
My whole identity is falling apart!
Identity
Splat.
What was that sound?
I liked dark, cramped spaces,
so I'd bury my face deep in my hood
My eyes resented the heartless world,
but yearned for love
I liked being soaked by the rain,
because my face looked better clouded over
I pretended to be afraid of the storm
while waiting for the sky to burst
Strum through the light's distortion
I want to make thunder roar
Drum beyond the pain
What can I do?
This fierce pounding is out of control
Strum in a harmonizing quartet
I want to cause a revolution
Drum in a lamenting forte
What can I do?
My savage nature is beyond wild
BOCCHI THE ROCK!
#3 Hurrying Suns
I managed to drag myself to her classroom.
but my mental fortitude lags behind...
You're Gotoh-san from Class 2, right?
Sh-She knows my n—
Are you looking for someone in here?
S-Say it, Hitori!
Band Is Looking For A Guitar / Vocalist
"Our band's looking for a guitarist who can sing. Would you be interested?"
Ba! Gui! Vo!
Ba
Gui
Vo
She became a human beatbox!
Er...
Untz patz tsuku tsuku bun patzuku
I... I'm so sorry!
W-Wait!
Twice I've disgraced myself and the day isn't even over.
Lend me your ears.
This is my new song: Double Disgrace (Bocchi acoustic ver.)
Melancholy days, multiplying traumas
Wanna ditch this negative legacy I carry...
Quietly sobbing every time I look back
Mourning my past, so many dark mornings
Wishing, someday, to just laugh it all away...
I wish I could forget...
That was awesome!
K-Kita-san?!
How long have you...
I was wondering why you took off like that,
but that was incredible!
You're amazing at guitar!
That song you were playing had me totally enraptured!
She's praising me so much! What a kind person!
Are you in a band?
Uh, yes, sorta.
What else can you play? I wanna hear!
Kit-aura
The extrovert aura... It's blindingly bright!
Oh right, weren't you looking for someone in my class?
N-Now's my chance to invite her!
W-Well, our band needs a guitarist/vocalist,
and I heard you played guitar, so...
Oh, so that's why.
H-Huh?
I'm sorry, Gotoh-san.
I can't join your band.
O-Oh, but...
I may be gloomy, but the others are tons of fun!
Oh, it's not because of you or anything.
Barbecues on the weekends!
Meat!
Barbecues on the weekends!
Inter-band ball tournaments twice a year!
Afterparties in limousines!
This is the life!
Afterparties in limousines!
There's never a dull moment!
Don't think I want to be in a band that parties that hard...
And... And...
The truth is, I don't know how to play the guitar.
And about that other band...
I wanted to get close to a senpai so I actually lied to get in
But the whole thing was beyond me, so I just ran away...
Beyond you?
Yeah.
There's more to playing than strumming this part, right?
I thoguht this wooden part was just for decoration.
For a beginner on her own, it's just too much to grasp
Major chords? Minor? What is this, baseball?
Her non-comprehension is on a whole other level!
Did you get someone to teach you?
N-No, I'm pretty much self taught.
What?! Really? That's awesome!
Not really...
I know! Gotoh-san, will you teach me to play?
You can be my teacher!
You're so brilliant, I just know you'll get me through it!
Aw, shucks...
I want to get good at guitar,
go back to my old band, and apologize!
So, when can you teach me?
After class, maybe?
I-I've got work at a venue then.
I can wait till you're finished!
Is there a studio nearby? We can do it there!
Oh... Oh...
V-very well...
You dummy! Say no, girl!
Really? Thanks!
Can we start today?
S-S-Sure.
Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap!
I've gotta get the girls to act like party animals!
It's from Bocchi-chan.
I'm sorry!
Can you come into work blaring EDM partying with energy drinks on hand
What is she on about?
Beats me.
Oh, you work in Shimo-Kitazawa...
Y-You've been?
My previous band was in the area
The members lived in the area too...
R-Really?
Hang on!
You can't walk behind me! I don't know the way!
I'm sorry. I'm still not used to being here...
I'm so embarrassed!
It's even more embarrassing for me!
W-Well, we're almost there
It's a place called Starry.
Nijika and Ryou should already be—
Sorry, let's call this off.
How come?
Sorry, I can't say why but that's the one place I can't go!
And don't mention that I was ever h—
Bocchi-chan!
I didn't get what you meant, but I bought a ton of energy drinks!
The runaway guitarist!
Runaway... guitarist?
Kita, what are you doing here?
W-Well, I...
Oh?
Forgive my prior discourtesy! I'll do anything to make up for it!
I implore you, make me your plaything!
Shh! You're gonna give people the wrong idea!
What?
You don't know how to play guitar?
Right.
So that's why you always skipped rehearsals.
Yeah...
Poor Kita-san seems so uncomfortable...
I-If only I could think of something nice to say...
We were worried when we didn't hear from you.
Ryou-san, nice!
Senpai!
I thought you had died, so I've been praying for you every day.
RIP.
Maybe don't kill her off so easily.
Um, aren't you mad?
It's partly our fault for not noticing.
Besides...
We managed to work it out anyway!
S-still, I'm not fine with it.
Please let me make it up to you!
Sure, but I'm not sure how-
How about she lend us a hand for the day?
Seems like we'll be quite busy.
Th-That can't be enough...
No, that'd be a huge help!
Please join us!
If that's alright, then...
I'm so glad they worked it out...
Come over here and get dressed then.
Dressed?
Why does the manager have an outfit like that?
Even though she's only a temp worker, she's pretty good isn't she!
No kidding! She's quite skilled!
Sh-She kinda is!
I'll even have extra time to idle around.
I'm taking it out of your paycheck.
Kita-san, you smell nice.
Really? Thank you!
Maybe it's the shampoo? It's my favorite!
S-She hasn't even called me by my name yet!
You're pretty outgoing, Kita-chan. Wanna try reception?
I'll teach you!
Okay!
And now she's getting a job I've never had!
Drink tickets are 500 yen!
So what band are you here to see?
Take a flyer, if you like!
You're a natural.
I just love talking to people!
Ryou usually handles reception,
but her dead stare is a bit of a problem...
Isn't her blank look scary?!
That's what makes Ryou so great!
Trash
Recyclables
Kita Kita Kita Kita Kita Kita
Bocchi. What are you doing down there?
Losing my identity.
Now, lend me your ears. This is...
"Elegy of a Useless Part-Timer, Outshone by the New Girl in a Day".
Thanks for watching, everyone!
It was all too brief,
Art: Aki Hamaji
but I enjoyed the precious experiences we shared.
Bocchi-chan! Bocchi-chan!
Please show Kita-chan how to serve drinks!
R-Right!
Now's my chance for redemption!
I can't do it!
I get nervous when I'm being watched!
Sploosh
Splooosh
Sploooosh
Splooooosh
Sploooooosh
You okay?
I think I get the idea, so you can rest a while.
Sorry for this.
Thankfully it wasn't serious.
Th-Thank yo—
What's this?
Her fingertips...
Gotoh-san, what made you want to join a band?
Well, it's a hobby where even indoorsy people can shine.
Also I wanna be popular...
Agh, my motives are all so shallow!
W-World peace... I want to spread world peace.
How conscientious!
Tickets go on sale at 5 pm
KESSOKU BAND
Now Recruiting Guitar / Vocalist
Even newbies can come and learn!
Please contact STARRY staff
Please!!
Here's your cola!
About that senpai you wanted to get closer to...
Yeah.
It's Ryo-senpai.
Here ya go.
Unlike you, I have very impure motives.
I saw Senpai performing on the street once
and instantly fell for her.
So Ryou's been in other bands before.
Her otherwordly vibe, her androgynous fashion...
It all makes me squee!
"Squee?"
And she just looks so right holding an instrument!
Oh, I know what you mean!
W-When I do it, I always feel like the guitar is holding me instead.
Right? You end up feeling like an extension of it.
I wonder why that happens?
Huh. It's like we've gotten closer.
That's one thing about Ryou that—
Um, can I get a cassis orange?
Sure! Coming right up!
That didn't last long... I'll know my place next time...
After I heard her play that day,
I started following Ryo-san's career,
and found out she abuptly left her last band.
H-Huh...
Then I found out she was recruiting for Kessoku Band,
and without thinking, I said I'd do it.
S-Such initiative! Extroverts are something else.
Doesn't a band feel like a second family?
Family?
Yeah, you spend more time with them than your actual family,
all chasing after the same dream.
Transcending friendship or romance, it's a kind of wonderful relationship
I've never been in any clubs or the like,
so I've always yearned for that experience.
I get you.
I've wanted that too...
Yes, I joined Kessoku Band so I could be her daughter!
More than just friends! Something intimate!
Wait. Isn't Kita-san a bit nuts?
But that's all the more reason
I won't join a band again.
I flaked out once already. I'm too irresponsible.
I don't deserve to be in the band.
Tickets go on sale at 5 pm
Good work, everyone. Feel free to head home.
Thanks for having us!
Th-Thank you...
Thank you for everything today.
Good luck with the band!
I'll be rooting for you!
Goodbye!
H-Hold on!
Bocchi-chan?!
Gotoh-san, are you all right?
Were you still trying to recruit me?
I'm really sorry.
Like I said earlier, I can't join Kessoku Band.
I can't play guitar, and I already flaked out once...
I... I... I...
I also ran away before my gig.
I hid in a trash can, and...
A-A-And also...
Let's get you up, Bocchi.
One, two...
Here we go!
K-Kita-san, your left hand...
Y-You had calluses on your fingertips.
W-Which means...
You'd have to be practicing the guitar pretty hard for that.
Exactly!
Kita-chan, we'd love to have you rock out with us in Kessoku Band!
Why would...
Eh?
If you hadn't run off, we'd never have met Bocchi-chan!
Y-Yeah!
I've always wanted to form a band myself,
so I know what it's like to feel down, but still long to be part of something.
S-So do I!
Sorry, that came out louder than I expected...
You'd be happy to have her too, right Ryou?
Now we can split the studio and gig fees amongst four.
Be a little less honest, would you?
I can contribute to Senpai's quota!
Looks like an unhealthy relationship's developing.
But I still can't play the guitar...
That's okay!
Bocchi-chan will teach you!
Huh?
Huh?!
You will?
Y-Yes!
I can't exactly turn her down now!
Thank you.
I'll work really hard
To become a guitarist for Kessoku Band!
Oh, you should quit partying, though.
I heard you go clubbing every night.
Where'd you hear that?!
I'm glad things are back to what they were.
It wasn't the most elegant method, but I'm glad I got Kita to stay.
I did great!
I-I'll be heading out now then...
Bocchi-chan, wait!
You're today's MVP!
You brought the band back together.
Thank you, Gotoh-san!
Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me Praise me
Gosh, well, it was nothing, really, honestly...
Sure seems like something to you.
It shows on her face
But I practiced for so long,
Yet I never really learned how to play guitar.
It just made this quiet 'bum-bum' sound.
Isn't that the sound of the bass?
Hey, I'm not that ignorant!
Bass guitars have only four strings, right?
See? Six strings.
S-Some do have six strings...
That's a six-string bass.
K-Kita-san!
It cost the allowance & New Year's money of 2 years in advance!
Kita-chan!
And so, Kessoku Band officially gained all its members.
I've had it!
I quit guitar!
What? Are we breaking up already?
Is this one faulty or something?
Did I get another bass?
N-No, that's definitely a guitar...
Sorry I keep whining so much.
You're spending after-school and lunchtime to teach me, and yet....
H-Hey, it's not...
Ryo-senpai even lent me this guitar.
And with everyone helping, I'm going to have to push myself!
I-It's pretty fortunate that Ryou bought that six-string off of you, though.
Yeah, but when I handed it to her...
This is the last of my money, so I'll be eating weeds from now on.
That was a joke, right?
She might have been serious!
Oh, come on...
This one's so hard to fret.
The F chord is too hard!
That takes me back.
I was like this at the start, too.
Ryo-senpai! Hello...
Edible Weeds Handbook
You two are here early.
Sh-She really is eating weeds!
Senpai's so wild!
The tune that plays when my loneliness
and the pedal are stepped on
Tracks down my cheeks over and over again
The pounding of my loneliness
Is joined by the rhythm of the snare drum
To create a solid pulse
Someone, please remove the distortion on my heart
And take a look inside me
Nobody can get inside my heart
But it's the kind of night
when I hope someone will
Distortion, it's motion
Once it starts, there's no stopping it
Limits can be overwritten with experience
Isn't that right?
Distortion is always like that
My heart takes off, outpacing my left brain
Toward where you are
An escort to the next note
Distortion on my day-to-day anguish
The chord I play when I'm alone at night
Is it the same for you?
I spent all those days chasing my ideal image
Play an F chord with distortion
So loud that the needle swings off the scale
#4 Jumping Girl(s)
Tune in next week!