[ There's a lot of confusion as he thinks about what he's doing and why, where he's at. A lot of Ivan's reprogramming runs alongside business as usual in Hero TV. He may not feel completely right about what he says, but he's not wrong either. ]

Flowers Over Bones isn't like other bands. We create and play songs our own way, and we've been reaching audiences. I've been getting shamisen music out to people. They're starting to hear how beautiful the instrument sounds. At the music festival, we got to be part of the evening performances. Those are reserved for the more known bands. We're starting to climb the rankings. We'll reach the top.

[ Somehow... the idea of reaching the top rankings is pathetically laughable. Try as he might, there are others who are so much better than he is. They'll always be above him. His eyes haze over at it slightly. He believes his band can do great things. They can do. He's not sure he sees himself there, though, more like looking from below or behind. ]

I... I won't let them down.

[ He'll force himself for his band, his family. ]