I haven’t listened to many Japanese songs since I came to the U.S., but I do watch the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen at the end of the year. I thought, “This is it!” Sekainoowari appeared for the first time in 2014. The song “Dragon Night” was so good that I listened to all the other songs on Youtube and became a fan.
There was also an episode where the members built a live house together, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story between vocalist Fukase and piano player Saori, and when Saori was bullied and had no place at school, vocalist Fukase’s manly comment, “I’ll make a place for you.”
I’ve been away from such bitter and sweet adolescent stories for a long time, so it was very fresh and reminded me of my youthful feelings that I had forgotten. I ordered the CD from Japan and listened to it every day.
Back then, I hadn’t worked in years due to raising small children, but I started a part-time job as a waitress (or server, as they call it now) at a Japanese restaurant. I’m more of a slow learner, and I’ve encountered being bullied by mean senior servers like in dramas.
I listened to Sekai No Owari songs for a few minutes in the car on the way to work (very close) and pushed myself into a competitive mood to go to work.
The sky is clear and blue, and we walk toward the sea.
There’s nothing to be afraid of. We’re not alone anymore.
