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"Chapter 5", stylized as "code. 5" in Japanese, is the fifth chapter of given.
Cover description[]
In this elegant monochrome illustration, Akihiko Kaji (left) and Yayoi Uenoyama (right) sit on the floor back-to-back. Akihiko, positioned on the left, wears a dark t-shirt and jeans. His body language is casual but slightly tense—his brows furrowed and lips parted, with a bead of sweat hinting at unease or discomfort. He glances to the side, making direct eye contact with the reader, which adds a layer of emotional complexity to his expression. Leaning against his back is Yayoi, her posture more relaxed and poised. With long flowing hair cascading over her shoulder and a soft, enigmatic smile, she looks over her shoulder toward the reader, exuding calm confidence and warmth. Her detailed outfit—featuring a patterned blouse and heeled shoes—contrasts with Akihiko's simpler, more rugged appearance. Together, they create a visually striking composition that suggests a complex emotional dynamic—perhaps familiarity, tension, or quiet understanding.
Summary[]
Ritsuka becomes consumed with composing a song based on a melody Mafuyu once sang, growing distant as he focuses intensely on his music. Mafuyu, though unsure how to express himself, is touched to learn the song is for him, deepening their bond. As the band prepares for their first live show, they juggle school, part-time jobs, and moments of connection —from sharing headphones to playing basketball and attending a casual barbeque where the idea of adding lyrics to a song is raised.
At school, Ritsuka is shocked to learn from Kasai that Mafuyu had a boyfriend in middle school who died by suicide. The revelation halts the forward momentum Ritsuka had been feeling, making him more aware of the pain behind Mafuyu's quiet demeanor. Meanwhile, Haruki and Akihiko's relationship also takes a step forward when Akihiko drunkenly falls asleep on him after the barbeque.
As the live event approaches, the group continues to grow closer, and both Ritsuka and Mafuyu begin to face their feelings—through music, memory, and each other.
Plot[]
Ritsuka is deeply absorbed in his guitar practice, scribbling notes and changes in his room. With headphones on, he doesn't notice his sister Yayoi bursting in, calling him for dinner. She's shocked by the mess of music sheets and his obsession, noticing how he's been turning back into his old self—not eating, shutting everyone out, lost in his music. On campus, Yayoi meets Akihiko and asks if the band is preparing for another live show, worried about Ritsuka's intense focus. Akihiko, though caught up with a university friend and his motorbike, agrees to tell her if any plans come up.
Meanwhile, at school, Ritsuka is often found dozing off in class, unresponsive even to Shogo, Ueki, or Kasai's attempts to wake him—until Mafuyu calls his name. Jolted awake, Ritsuka ruffles Mafuyu's hair and mumbles about their after-school guitar plans. Shogo remarks that it's finally lunchtime, joking that it's Ritsuka's favorite time of the day, while Kasai and others speculate about Mafuyu's feelings for Ritsuka.
During a class break, Mafuyu asks around for Ritsuka and learns from Shogo and Ueki that Kasai is about to "take him away." Mafuyu doesn't hesitate to shout Ritsuka's name, and Ritsuka wakes instantly, something that doesn't go unnoticed by those around them—including Kasai, who seems increasingly curious about the closeness between the two. Later, Ritsuka discusses their weekend plans with Mafuyu, especially checking out effect units. He explains how they work—devices that modify a guitar's sound when connected to an amplifier. Mafuyu, overwhelmed but eager, offers his own pedal to try, causing Ritsuka to laugh and tease him. Ritsuka warns that once Mafuyu joins the band, he won't go easy on him or spoil him anymore.
Despite Mafuyu's desire to express something, he hesitates. Ritsuka grows impatient, telling him to spit it out or drop it—not wanting to feel like he's pressuring him. Eventually, Mafuyu does bring up that Ritsuka has been doing something lately. Ritsuka confirms: he's been composing a song. It's based on the tune Mafuyu sang before—something Ritsuka remembered after hearing it just twice. He demonstrates the melody on his guitar. Mafuyu's reaction is adorably over-the-top, sparkling with starry eyes and likening his excitement to a Pomeranian. He tells Ritsuka that he's "so cool," which Ritsuka takes with a rare, quiet pride.
The school days pass with a mix of part-time jobs, late-night practices, and growing bonds. Ritsuka starts to see Mafuyu's joy—the way he laughs while playing basketball, the comfort of sharing headphones as they listen to music together. Ritsuka even points out to Haruki that Mafuyu can sing. They attend an indoor barbeque with the rest of the band where Haruki, inspired by Mafuyu's voice, suggests turning one of their instrumental tunes into a full song with lyrics. But Akihiko and Ritsuka are far more interested in the meat sizzling before them. Akihiko dives in, drinks despite arriving by motorbike, and eventually asks Haruki if he can crash at his place. Haruki agrees, though he clearly reacts uneasily when seeing Yayoi with Akihiko earlier that day. Back at his apartment, the two drunkenly support each other, and Akihiko collapses asleep—right on top of Haruki.
In class, the teacher announces an art project, and everyone pairs up. Kasai eagerly asks Ritsuka to be her partner. As Ritsuka sketches her portrait, Kasai wonders aloud if Mafuyu likes Ritsuka. Caught off-guard, Ritsuka responds that Mafuyu doesn't hate him, only for Kasai to reveal something startling: her friend went to the same middle school as Mafuyu and told her that Mafuyu had been in a relationship with another boy—a boy who tragically committed suicide last year. Ritsuka, who had felt like his world was accelerating, moving with newfound clarity and direction, suddenly finds everything grinding to a halt.
As the live event approaches, Mafuyu continues working, transferring cables at the studio, singing in front of Haruki, listening to music, and enjoying brief but meaningful moments with Ritsuka. He remains quiet about many of his feelings, often unsure of what to say, but is clearly affected by the people around him and the song Ritsuka is crafting just for him—a song built from the fragments of his past, and possibly the key to confronting it.
Characters[]
Other characters[]
References[]
- ↑ (2025, April 12). "シェリプラス 2013年 ハル Vol. 12 - 株式会社新書館 (Cheri + Spring 2014 Vol. 12 - Shinshokan Co., Ltd.)". From 株式会社新書館 (Shinshokan Co., Ltd.). Archived from the original on April 12, 2025.
