Chapter 2

Article

"Chapter 2", stylized as "code. 2" in Japanese, is the second chapter of given.

Cover description[]

The cover presents a striking and intimate moment between two characters, Haruki Nakayama (left) and Akihiko Kaji (right). Haruki sits relaxed, holding his guitar, his long hair tied back and expression both startled and uncertain as Akihiko leans in close from a drum stool. Akihiko, clad in a black top, is confidently invading Haruki's space, gripping a cigarette with his teeth and gazing directly into Haruki's eyes, suggesting tension, mischief, and familiarity. The closeness between them, paired with the confident body language and the casual touch each other's cigarettes, conveys a subtle, simmering chemistry that hints at a deeper, more complicated relationship.

Summary[]

Mafuyu, a quiet and timid boy, expresses a deep interest in learning guitar, sparking the curiosity of Ritsuka and his bandmates, Akihiko and Haruki. After a performance to impress him, Ritsuka walks Mafuyu home, but refuses his repeated requests to teach him guitar, suggesting he join a school music club instead. Despite Ritsuka's resistance, Mafuyu remains persistent and even re-strings his guitar on his own.

Ritsuka begins to reflect on his own past and the responsibility of teaching someone. Meanwhile, his friends notice how distracted he's been, and Akihiko suggests he should take care of Mafuyu. When they meet again, Mafuyu praises Ritsuka as being "cooler" than the light music club, leaving Ritsuka surprised and conflicted about his feelings toward the boy's requests and his own growing attachment to him.

Plot[]

At the studio, Mafuyu hides shyly behind Ritsuka as he's introduced to the rest of the band. Akihiko Kaji is curious but relaxed behind his drum kit, while Haruki Nakayama, the bassist, enters and is surprised to see an unfamiliar face. Trembling slightly, Mafuyu bows and introduces himself, saying he's just there to watch and learn. His timid demeanor surprises them, but it sparks a quiet sense of curiosity—and even a bit of responsibility—in the band.

Ritsuka is unsure. He's convinced Mafuyu is a total amateur and might be expecting something absurdly amazing, maybe even a god-tier performance. But Akihiko and Haruki exchange a look, intrigued. Rather than play casually, they decide to impress their timid guest. Joking around and channeling the spirit of dramatic Showa-era performers, they strategize a bit before launching into a full-on jam. Ritsuka kicks off with a bold, modern guitar riff, Haruki jumps in on vocals, and Akihiko adds sharp, rhythmic drumming—turning it into a mini-show.

Mafuyu sits cross-legged on the studio floor, wide-eyed and completely absorbed.

After the session, Ritsuka walks Mafuyu toward the station, grumbling about why he has to go so far with him. Mafuyu, still starry-eyed, asks if he can come again—and quietly repeats his earlier request: "Will you teach me how to play guitar?"

Ritsuka snaps. He tells Mafuyu to stop asking. He doesn't know how to teach anyone—he's never done it. Trying to deflect, he suggests Mafuyu check out the school's light music club instead.

Their walk is interrupted when Ritsuka yanks Mafuyu out of the street, pulling him away from an oncoming car. Scolding him, he tells him to stay on the sidewalk and be more careful. Mafuyu, unfamiliar with such direct concern, takes the words literally. Ritsuka softens and explains that he's not trying to be mean—he just doesn't want him getting hurt.

Later that evening, Ritsuka comes home to find his sister, Yayoi, lying on the sofa scrolling through her phone. Without even looking up, she tells him he's late. She was waiting for him to come home and eat the pizza she made. When Ritsuka walks past, she lazily points toward the fridge and tells him to cook it himself—it's in there waiting.

As they eat, Ritsuka asks her what he was like when he first started playing guitar. She barely blinks before replying: "You were scratchy." It's a flippant answer, but it stays with him.

That night, Ritsuka quietly reflects. Remembering the way Mafuyu stared up at the sky, clutching his guitar, he wonders if he used to have that same look in his own eyes. The weight of teaching someone from scratch feels heavier than he expected.

At basketball practice the next day, Ritsuka is distracted and takes a fall during a drill. When his friend Ryu checks on him, he has no real answer for why he's so out of it. He hasn't gone back to the stairway since, but the thought of Mafuyu lingers—making him feel both guilty and restless. In his mind, he imagines Mafuyu as a lost Pomeranian with a sad little face. Eventually, Ritsuka returns to the stairs... but Mafuyu isn't there. Not that day. Not the day after, either.

At his part-time job at the convenience store with Akihiko, Ritsuka crouches behind the counter, spaced out. Akihiko notices and pokes him, telling him he's been acting weird and making strange faces. After work, Akihiko casually brings up Mafuyu. He says if Ritsuka was that hyped during their jam session, maybe he should take responsibility and look after the kid. That catches Ritsuka off guard—he hadn't realized his feelings had been so obvious.

When they return to the studio, Ritsuka is stunned to see Mafuyu waiting outside. Haruki had found him and brought him back, even holding his hand as he re-introduced him to the group. Ritsuka, caught off guard, lets his frustration slip. But Akihiko and Haruki quickly point out something unexpected—Mafuyu has re-strung his guitar by himself.

Mafuyu quietly asks if the strings are tuned correctly. Then, with a calm but certain voice, he says he visited the light music club. It was fun, he admits—but it wasn't the same.

"You were cooler," he says simply, looking at Ritsuka.

The words hit like a quiet shock. Akihiko and Haruki exchange amused glances, clearly impressed by how much impact Ritsuka has already had. As Akihiko casually plays with Haruki's bangs, Mafuyu's praise lingers in the air.

Ritsuka still insists he doesn't know how to teach—but something in him begins to shift. Mafuyu's unwavering presence, his quiet determination, and that simple request—“Will you teach me?”—have already started to change him.