In honor of the release of “Love, Yumi” I have taken both classic and modern J-pop songs that relate to the themes and feelings of the novel.
“Tell me Why” is a forlorn, almost mournful tune in which a lover or friend wishes to learn why their companion is so depressed and wearing a mask to the world. As most of the novel hinges on the growing distance between Chiharu and Yumi as the years go by, I often listened to this song when trying to capture the feelings Chiharu experienced when fretting over her friend.
What are you thinking right now?
Truly, in those eyes
Kind things and warm things
Only such things I want reflected
Why do you force a happy face?
When your eyes are so sad?
Why decide to put up a facade
While saying, “I’m okay?”
I want to hear that voice
It can’t be transmitted through a screen
Trivial moments and worthless moments
Those things still have meaning
Why do you always do things alone
Shouldering hardships alone?
Why accuse yourself by saying that
All of this is your own fault?
Am I really so powerless?
That I can’t give you a little support?
Hey, help me to understand
Your pain, hesitations, and past…
Why do you force a happy face…?
Why decide to put up a facade
While saying, “I’m okay?”
Oh, tell me why (x7)
Say it like that?
今なにを想っているの？
本当はその瞳には
優しいものとか温かいものとか
そんなものだけ映ってて欲しい
なんでそうやって悲しい目で無理矢理
楽しいよって顔してみせるの？
なんでそうやって思いっきり強がって
俺は大丈夫だなんて言うの？
その声で聴かせて欲しい
画面からじゃ伝わらない
ささいな事やくだらない事
そんな事でも意味があるから
なんでそうやっていつも全てひとりで
背負ってひとりで苦しんでるの？
なんでそうやってこうなったのは全部
俺のせいだって自分を責めるの？
そんなに私は無力であなたを wow oh
少しも支えてあげることも出来ない？
私にもねぇ分けて欲しい
あなたの痛みや迷いや過去を
なんでそうやって
悲しい目で無理矢理、、、
なんでそうやって思いっきり強がって
俺は大丈夫だなんて言うの？
Oh, tell me why (x7)
そうやって言うの？