GRADIENT / MAIN STORY [EN]
all this story belongs to @sankurage.
Episode 1 - Opening
Hideki: (I was never good at music.) Hideki: (Since I am born in a family of musicians, I started playing the violin before I could even read.) Hideki: (But no matter how hard I tried… I couldn’t get any note right.)
Young Hideki: Ah! Young Hideki: I’m sorry… I always forget the time signature changes here… Harumichi Aoyagi: Do it again. Young Hideki: But... I’m a little tired… Harumichi Aoyagi: You’re not going anywhere until you manage to stay perfectly in time. Young Hideki: ...Can I at least drink a cup of water? Harumichi Aoyagi: Do it again. Young Hideki: … Young Hideki: Okay… Hideki: (I am not even sure I have ever liked music.)
[Kamiyama High, Class 1-C] Classmate A: Hideki! Hideki: Mmh? Classmate A: We’re hanging out tonight, wanna come? Hideki: … Classmate A: We plan on going bowling, and maybe even… Eh? Is everything alright? Hideki: !… Oh, yes, don’t worry. Hideki: But I won’t be able to come… Sorry. Classmate B: Ah, that’s right, I forgot… You have that violin concert, don’t you? Hideki: Yes, that’s it. Classmate A: Do you think we can come? Hey, guys! I’m changing our plans, let’s go cheer on Hideki at his concert! Hideki: Hehe… I appreciate it, but it’s a classical music concert. I don’t think people will appreciate if you yell my name like that. Hideki: Now, I’ve got to go. I still have to practice before the concert. Classmate A: Wow, so serious, Hideki… Classmate B: We should all take your example, shouldn’t we? Classmate A: See you tomorrow! Hideki: See you tomorrow.
[A few hours later - Concert hall] Hideki: … Harumichi Aoyagi: I had told you to play the last part forte. Why was it so weak? What were all these hours of practice for? Hideki: I’m sorry… Harumichi Aoyagi: Do you realize the amount of effort and energy I consume for you? You’re the only one in this family who had made me lose my time this way. Harumichi Aoyagi: Even Touya’s years of practice haven’t been that useless. Hideki: (Stop comparing me to them…) Harumichi Aoyagi: Are you even listening? Hideki, I’m warning you, from now on, you won’t do anything else than practicing when you’re not at school. Hideki: I'm sorry. Hideki: I’m going to the bathroom.
[Concert hall, Bathroom] Musician A: Hey, isn’t that Aoyagi? Musician B: No, you're… Damn, that’s right, it's him! Musician A: He really messed up tonight, didn’t he? Hideki: … Musician B: As always… Ah, crap! He’s looking at us. Musician B: Nice performance, Aoyagi! Musician A: You look disappointed, but don’t worry, you’ll do better next time! Hideki: ... Hideki: Thank you, good night.
Musician A: His brother was so much better than him… And so much friendlier. Musician B: And he’s so much full of himself for someone who can’t even make the difference between largo and allegro…
[Concert hall] Hideki: (Stop… comparing me…) Voice: Ah! Voice: You, there! Hideki: …? Unknown girl [Jin]: Yes, you! Jin: My name’s Jin Kashi... But you can just call me Jin! Jin: Aren’t you Hideki Aoyagi? Hideki: Yes, it’s me… Why? Jin: No way!… So… you’re Touya Aoyagi’s brother? Hideki: !… Hideki: ...Yes. Hideki: (Stop… Please stop comparing me to others all the time.) Hideki: (I know everyone is so much more talented than I am…) Hideki: (So please…) Jin: That’s so cool! I admire him so much, so I’m so honored to meet you! You’re a violinist, aren’t you? Hideki: !… Jin: I’m personally a flutist! Oh, but you’re the one who played the Waltz tonight, right? Hideki: (She talks so much it’s hard to keep up, but...) Jin: I really like this song, to be fair. Look, I have it in my playlist! Jin: ...Eh? Jin: Untitled? I don’t remember adding that song, what’s… Wah! Hideki: Ah! Hideki: (It’s so bright!)
[???] Jin: Aa...choo! It’s so dusty in here! Jin: Where are w… Jin: Eh? Miku: ♪———— Girl [Chieko]: … Hideki: It’s so beautiful… MEIKO: Shh! Girl [Chieko]: !… Girl [Chieko]: Ah… I…
Jin: Oh… She’s gone… MEIKO: Sigh...
Miku: No, don’t g- Miku: Ah! Miku: You’re here! You’re finally here! Welcome to your SEKAI! Jin: Miku!? The... VIRTUAL SINGER? And wasn’t this.. MEIKO just now? Hideki: This… This must be some sort of dream… VIRTUAL SINGER are not real. Miku: This is a world created by your feelings for music, and... Hideki: ...My feelings for music? Miku: Yes. All of you have created this world. Hideki: What feelings? Jin: !… Jin: (So this is…) Miku: I… I’m here to help you find your true feelings. This world… SEKAI… believe or not, but you created it. Hideki: My true feelings about music… I hate music! You should know it, right? Hideki: This is just some stupid dream anyways. How do we leave? Miku: You have to stop the song playing on Jin’s phone… It’s also on your phone, so if you ever feel like coming back… Play Untitled. Jin: Aoyagi… Are you sure? Hideki: (Nod) Jin: ...Okay, then. Bye. Miku: Bye…
Miku: Please come back...


















