A Tribute to Yamaka

Final scene of Episode 4.

**"A Tribute to Yamaka"** is a Season 1 episode of the series Taranai Yūsu Ōkesutora. It is the 4th episode of Season 1, as well as the fourth episode of the series overall.

## Synopsis

As Jodai reveals the new music for the orchestra, the music takes a poignant turn. The shadow of the late Yamaka Okami falls upon the group as they learn a song dedicated to her memory.

## Plot

The episode opens with a scene at Ranai's home. She is practicing a difficult run on the viola. A timer on her phone shows 3:45:23, indicating she has been practicing for almost four hours. She grunts with frustration as a note goes off and starts again.

The next scene moves to another rehearsal of "Explosion". Tomasoto Yeseke, Nancai Shen, and Husako Tiwe have now joined the group, creating a fuller percussive sound. Jodai eventually stops the rehearsal to announce the new piece for the orchestra.

The next song, "A Tribute to Yamaka", is a song originally composed for a string quartet and adapted for the orchestra. Jodai explains how the musician Pulasi Memuso began working on this song for his lover, Yamaka Odami. However, Yamaka died halfway through his composition work, so the second half of the song gets more and more depressing, reflecting Pulasi's descent into madness until his eventual suicide.

During the halftime break in the rehearsal, Edgar is shown getting out a handwritten piece of music and playing a section from it. Husako walks over and comments on how good it is. Edgar suddenly stops playing and hides the music, saying it is still a work in progress.

From the percussion section, it is revealed that Nancai also watched the playing. She mutters to Emily that she may never become that good on the violin. Emily protests against this, saying Edgar has probably been learning for years and Nancai just needs to adapt to the instrument.

At Tomasoto's home, he is practicing "A Tribute to Yamaka" on the piano. He begins to feel for the song and the melody, and clearly prefers playing a melody on an instrument such as the piano rather than playing a backup percussive part in the orchestra.

At the next orchestra recital, it is clear the effect the song is having on the musicians. Jodai encourages the musicians not to feel too upset, but the harrowing tone of the music especially as it continues on presents a haunting effect onto the players.

At Taranai Girls' High School, sunset, when the school has been locked up, Nancai is shown sneaking into the school. She enters the music room, picks up a violin, and starts practicing. She is clearly better than the previous time practicing violin, and has moved on to fingering. Suddenly, a shadowy figure sneaks into the room, which is revealed to be Ranai. Ranai laughs at Nancai for ever believing she could learn the violin. She suddenly grabs the violin off Nancai and throws it on the floor, breaking it. Nancai runs from the room. The back of Ms. Lireste's head is shown, revealing that she witnessed the entire incident.

The scene then shifts to Nancai sitting alone in her backyard, tears still present on her face. Her sister, Tokia Shen, attempts to comfort her, but makes no progress and leaves. Nancai suddenly picks up a flower and begins ripping off the petals, muttering, "Kare wa watashi o aishite iruga, watashi o aishite inai." The scene then fades away to the credits.

## Characters

### Main Characters

* Jodai Topomo
* Emily Wassen
* Tomasoto Yeseke
* Nancai Shen
* Husako Tiwe
* Edgar Rice
* Ranai Yuke

### Minor Characters

* Dakin Han
* Kiel Pisutu
* Stanoyo Trume
* Ms Lireste
* Tokia Shen

## Trivia

* This is the first episode to be written by Tantai Ridoto.
* In an interview, writer Tantai Ridoto mentioned that this episode is the beginning of the turn of the series, from the carefree mood of the first three episodes to a more brooding one.
* The final words uttered by Nancai at the end of the episode translate to, "He loves me, he loves me not", indicating that she has a love interest.