Episode 2

**Storyboard** | Yoichi Fujita,

**Episode 2**「 Like Someone In Love」is the second episode of the **Given** anime.

## Synopsis

Ritsuka introduces Mafuyu to his other bandmates, Haruki Nakayama and Akihiko Kaji. After some convincing from the other two, Ritsuka finally agrees to teach Mafuyu how to play guitar. Mafuyu is so excited about playing guitar for the first time that he cannot hide his excitement. One day, Haruki and Akihiko tell Mafuyu the most important thing about playing music.

## Characters

* Ritsuka Uenoyama
* Mafuyu Sato
* Haruki Nakayama
* Akihiko Kaji
* Shogo Itaya
* Kasai

## Promotional Images

Mafuyu holding his guitarMafuyu and Ritsuka walking in the school hallwayAkihiko and HarukiThe band sitting at the caféMafuyu about to sing5 hour countdown to Episode 23 hour countdown2 hour countdown1 hour countdown30 minutes until Episide 2
## Summary

Mafuyu falls asleep on the steps until he notices someone seated near him. Mafuyu opens his eyes and calls Ritsuka's name. Mafuyu examines Ritsuka's guitar case and inquires if he intends to teach him how to play the guitar. Ritsuka responds that he does not anticipate real teachings or anything, and that if he does, he will never abandon it. Mafuyu grins and calls Ritsuka's name, thanking him for taking him under his wing.

Mafuyu stares at Ritsuka as he begins to adjust and tune his guitar, prompting Ritsuka to ask him what. Mafuyu informs Ritsuka that his guitar differs from his. Ritsuka convinces himself that Mafuyu is so irritating that the model is irrelevant as long as you can play it. He asks Mafuyu whether he knows how to tune his guitar, and he has the confidence to say yes. Mafuyu strings his guitar for Ritsuka to hear, but he learns from Ritsuka that his guitar is not tuned at all, which perplexes him.

Mafuyu tries again and questions Ritsuka about it being off-key. Ritsuka stops himself from being enraged and asks Mafuyu whether he adjusted it correctly yesterday. The answer is yes, he has tuned it yesterday. Ritsuka is astonished, then says that even the simplest things may cause his tuning to be incorrect, and that putting a guitar in a case can cause the pegs to shift. Mafuyu should continually tune his guitar, according to the instruction. Mafuyu asks Ritsuka what a peg is, but Ritsuka is perplexed.

Meanwhile, in class, Ritsuka searches his phone for news about guitars. A teacher begins teaching the class with Ritsuka writing and contemplating if it is too early to introduce Mafuyu chords. Ritsuka sketches some guitars and continues to believe that Mafuyu's ability to perform a song will help Mafuyu believe he can do it. Ritsuka contemplates starting with learning to read tabs, but then reconsiders. Ritsuka sighs and stares out the window, remembering what he used to do when he first started out.

Back at the studio, Haruki plays the guitar and asks how's that. Ritsuka shares that he thinks it'll work. Haruki asks Akihiko what he thinks, the response is that it sounds good to him. Haruki tells Akihiko if he could sound like he means it. Akihiko stares at Haruki for a moment then this time happily tells Haruki that it sounds good to him. Haruki counters that it is no different.

Ritsuka sips bottled water as Akihiko and Haruki inform her that they are heading out to smoke. Ritsuka asks Akihiko and Haruki whether he may bring Sato the next time. Akihiko is perplexed until Haruki explains that it is Mafuyu. Ritsuka tells them both that it's probably best if he just plays as much as he can at first, rather than overthinking things, and that he'll have an easier time performing in the studio.

Akihiko tells Ritsuka that if he wants to look after him, he can. Ritsuka thanks them both before hearing from Akihiko that his worry with what they perceive to be uncharacteristic of him, which Haruki concurs with. Ritsuka believes he should have at least inquired. Akihiko taunts Ritsuka by asking him if he is a good guy, and Haruki joins in on the fun. Ritsuka then suggests that if Akihiko and Haruki do not take their rest, they return to practice, but they choose not to.

Mafuyu is about to open his locker at school when his name is called. Looking behind him, he sees Ritsuka and greets him. Ritsuka asks if he is free today and if he wants to come over and see his band rehearse. Mafuyu turns around, delighted, and asks Ritsuka, "Really?" Yes, Ritsuka says, just don't get in the way. Mafuyu approaches Ritsuka with a smirk on his face.

Shogo asks Ritsuka in class whether he is skipping basketball again, and he is. Kasai cries out Ritsuka's name as she gestures to Mafuyu, who is resting against the door. Ritsuka's name is called by Mafuyu.

Ritsuka and Mafuyu grip onto metro handles on a subway train. Ritsuka informs Mafuyu that his pals have told him that he is welcome to play with them during their breaks. Ritsuka wants Mafuyu to remember to thank them. Mafuyu agrees and thanks Ritsuka, but Ritsuka responds, "Not me."

Mafuyu inquires of Ritsuka about the man with long hair, asking if he is a college student. Ritsuka acknowledges it, although he believes Haruki is a graduate student. Mafuyu then inquires about the pierced man. Ritsuka informs Mafuyu that Kaji-san is a second-year student at the same university as Haruki. Ritsuka suggests to Mafuyu that he recall their looks and names by the time they arrive. Mafuyu nods before telling Ritsuka that he is excellent. Ritsuka inquires whether he is referring to him. Mafuyu explains that Ritsuka is in a band with a college student and a graduate student, but Ritsuka is unaware of what is so remarkable.

They both exit the metro train and proceed to the gates. Ritsuka swipes his guard and is permitted past the gates, leaving Mafuyu on the other side to reload his ID card. Mafuyu walks away and instructs Ritsuka to wait a second. Mafuyu stares up at the skyscraper till Ritsuka yells his name. As they continue walking, Ritsuka tells Mafuyu that he has been there before.

Mafuyu asks Ritsuka if he practices a lot in the studio. Ritsuka agrees, stating that one cannot improve without practice. Ritsuka then asks if Mafuyu is having second thoughts, to which he replies, "No."

Ritsuka opens the door and greets Akihiko and Haruki. Haruki greets the two guests, saying that they had been waiting for them. As Ritsuka orders Mafuyu to sit somewhere, Mafuyu thanks Haruki for having him. Before they begin, Haruki asks Mafuyu if he wants to play a bit. Ritsuka steps in to ask Haruki whether he is certain. Since Akihiko is already late, he asks Mafuyu if he wants to play, and he says yes.

Mafuyu nods as Ritsuka asks whether he's finished tuning. Ritsuka then instructs Mafuyu to plug in a gadget. Ritsuka tells Mafuyu to let him see and connects the gadget into the guitar, directing him to make sure it is fully plugged in. Mafuyu inquires about it, and Ritsuka responds that it is a guitar cable that links his instrument to the amp. Mafuyu then inquires about an amp and is informed that it increases the volume of his sound. Ritsuka explains how it works and asks whether he has it, to which Mafuyu nods.

Haruki informs Ritsuka that it was simple to grasp before the latter concentrates on Mafuyu to ensure that everything is connected correctly. Mafuyu inquires as to what happens if he gets it wrong. Ritsuka pulls out the guitar cord and suggests he give it a shot. Ritsuka tells Haruki that if Mafuyu makes a mistake on his own, he will learn. Haruki suggests Ritsuka consider their ears.

Mafuyu surprises Ritsuka and Haruki by pressing the red button on the amp. Mafuyu tells Ritsuka that he accomplished it, and Haruki starts clapping for him. Ritsuka orders Mafuyu to turn up the volume and play some music. Ritsuka declares that if he cranks it up too much at first, it will be really loud.

Haruki watches as Mafuyu begins to string the guitar. Though Ritsuka admits that he knows he told him to play a little, he believes he doesn't know any chords. Ritsuka continues to propose to Mafuyu that perhaps C would before being cut off by Mafuyu, who says he wants to do the first one he played for him. Ritsuka then teaches Mafuyu where to lay his fingertips.

Mafuyu feels the same way he had with Ritsuka when he holds the guitar in his hands and plucks the strings with a guitar pick. Ritsuka becomes irritated as Mafuyu repeatedly strings the guitar. Akihiko enters the studio to see Ritsuka, Mafuyu, and Haruki, with Ritsuka assuring Mafuyu that he understands how delighted he is.

At night, Ritsuka instructs Mafuyu to play between the pickups and remember a couple of chords to get started. Akihiko and Haruki smoke outside while talking about Ritsuka.

By the next morning, Ritsuka informs Mafuyu that he can choose any song he wants, but that he must master it and begin with the intro, verse, and a few others, to which Mafuyu nods in agreement. Ritsuka brings up the fact that all Mafuyu ever says is ok and yeah and wonders if he is genuinely listening. Mafuyu merely says, "Yeah."

Akihiko and Haruki enter the studio as Ritsuka muses to himself that he has no clue if he is getting through to him. Haruki confirms that Mafuyu is beginning to resemble a guitarist before saying if Mafuyu is serious about performing music, there is one thing he must have. Ritsuka tells Mafuyu that he can never get enough of it. Mafuyu, perplexed, inquires as to what "that" is. All three advise Mafuyu to look for a part-time job in one of those magazines, which scares Mafuyu.

A video of Haruki's part-time work discussing hairstyling is shown. In a restaurant, the four of them watch the video. Haruki gets teased by Akihiko about how cute and seductive he is. Mafuyu inquires of Haruki if this is also a part-time employment. Haruki responds that his friend occasionally requests his assistance.

Ritsuka inquires about Haruki's employment at a posh café. Haruki inquires about his job at a posh café. Akihiko places his fingers beneath Haruki's hair and tells him that it is beautiful, but he wonders whether he has it properly handled. Haruki inquires of Akihiko whether he means once a month. Ritsuka tells Haruki that his sister also gets her hair done. Haruki admits that it can be difficult.

Mafuyu asks if all people in bands have part-time jobs. Ritsuka says to him not if they are rich and asks whether he is loaded but Mafuyu tells him no. Haruki counsels Mafuyu to give this some real thought, he recommends somewhere that feeds him. Ritsuka pipes in that are vital and that he works with Kaji-san at a convenience store causing Mafuyu to question him about a convenience store. Ritsuka states that franchise convenience stores feed you with Akihiko adding that you can take home the old stuff.

Haruki inquiries about Akihiko and Ritsuka's employment with a moving firm. Ritsuka tells Haruki that he aspires to be as buff as Kaji-san. Akihiko displays his arm strength and informs Haruki that he performs motorbike deliveries, waits tables, and occasionally works as a security guard. Haruki takes Akihiko by the shirt and asks him why he didn't invite Ritsuka to work with him after he did all of those stuff with Ritsuka. Ritsuka was told that Akihiko is certain that high school students cannot perform those things.

Mafuyu inquires if high school students are unable to work, but Haruki responds that it is far too early to give up and that there are several locations where high school students may work. Haruki suggests a musical site to Mafuyu. Mafuyu inquires about a concert location. Akihiko concurs that it is a good concept and that he can view certain concerts for free. Ritsuka is left drinking his cola quickly at the concept, claiming that he does not want to vomit after witnessing some high school cover band play basic-ass J-pop tunes. Haruki instructs Ritsuka not to say things like that.

Ritsuka and Mafuyu stroll home together late at night. Ritsuka inquiries about Mafuyu's desire to improve his guitar skills. Mafuyu asks Ritsuka how excellent she is. He reconsiders whether he wants to be able to play just a bit or to be able to perform songs. Ritsuka admits that, despite his repeated mentions, he has never taught anybody before and has no clue whether he is even doing it correctly and asks if Mafuyu is okay with it. Stopping, he tells Ritsuka that he's not sure, but he had a good time. Ritsuka starts walking quickly, followed by Mafuyu.

Shogo asks Ritsuka if he and Mafuyu are best friends at school. Ritsuka wonders who "you guys" are. Shogo inquires about him and the youngster from the class next door, as well as his name. Ritsuka introduces Shogo to Sato. Shogo confuses Sato with Sazuki and wonders why he and Sato have been hanging out with him instead of the other pupils recently. Kasai joins them and informs them that because they are from different classes and have distinct personalities, neither of them is particularly friendly. Kasai informs them that even the females have been wondering what's going on because Sato is quite attractive. Kasai informs Ritsuka that Sazuki is expecting him. Kasai informs Shogo that it is Sato, which Ritsuka confirms later.

Ritsuka teaches Mafuyu stringing from top to bottom on the stairway. Despite not knowing anything about music, Ritsuka believes to himself that Sato is a lot faster student than he expected. Ritsuka tells himself that it's great to see someone grow, yet Mafuyu remains a mystery to him. Ritsuka wonders why he is so interested in music and why his guitar is not typical of a novice, let alone a high schooler.

Ritsuka inquires of Mafuyu about the guitar, wondering whether it was given to him by his father or whatever. Mafuyu informs Ritsuka that he does not have a father. Ritsuka apologizes and moves on to another inquiry about the type of music he enjoys. Mafuyu has no idea, yet a melody is always playing in his thoughts. Ritsuka inquires as to the title of the song, but Mafuyu has no idea, but it sounds like this; Mafuyu begins singing to Ritsuka.

Mafuyu informs Ritsuka that it sounds like that after she sings. A tear falls down Ritsuka's face, and he lowers his head, embarrassed. Ritsuka's heart starts to pound, and he wonders what it was, as a dazzling light comes from the darkness, and Ritsuka thinks it's nearly like... Mafuyu quietly calls Ritsuka's name, startling both of them.

Ritsuka asks Mafuyu if he wants to join their band.

## Trivia

* The title of the episode, "Like Someone In Love" is based on the song "Like Someone In Love" by Chet Baker

## After credits scene

The first animated scenes for Episode **#03 Somebody Else** is shown with Haruki being surprised, a new character on stage, Akihiko smoking, someone rubbing Haruki's head, Mafuyu being yelled at by Ritsuka, and Mafuyu talking to Ritsuka.