2 AM, and I'm awake again.
Years ago, I collapsed on the floor. That day, I swore I'd never lose myself again.
For my family, for the company — swallowing my heart, holding it in, day after day.
But even if I give everything, all 99 out of 100, the company doesn't remember any of them now.
What changed me was a scene I witnessed in Tarlac, Luzon, in the Philippines.
No one laughed at the mistakes. No one looked away. Everyone stood up as themselves, singing loud and free.
That clumsy, honest courage changed me that day.
San Francisco, Beijing, Honolulu, Taipei — every city I visited taught me something I never saw at home.
And I realized: only after leaving Japan did I finally hold its value close to my heart.
This isn't a product. It isn't a lie.
I just want to stand beside you, as you practice taking off the mask.
That's the feeling behind this song.
[Lyrics]
[Verse 1]
2 AM, I wake up again
Not because I have to — a start I chose myself
Years ago, I collapsed on the floor
I swore I'd never lose myself again
[Verse 2]
Hands that work to build someone else's dream
For my family, for the company — swallowing my heart, holding it in
Even if I give everything, all 99 out of 100
The company doesn't remember any of them now
[Pre-Chorus]
Sometimes my health breaks down
Sometimes I lose the company's shallow praise
But if I lose myself
Does that pain even mean anything?
[Chorus]
I'm not selling you a product
I'm not selling you a lie
I just want to stand beside you
Next to you, as you practice taking off the mask
Goodbye to the mask you used to wear
Hello to the voice inside
This isn't for sale — it's a challenge to be who you are
[Verse 3]
Sun over Tarlac, Luzon, Philippines — resting in the shade
Everyone singing, dancing, completely free
Graduation in Japan, just rows of the same gray suits
But there, each person stood up as themselves, singing thanks out loud
Dancing in broken English, letting their hearts lead
No one laughed at the mistakes, no one looked away
That clumsy, honest courage changed me that day
[Verse 4]
Hills of San Francisco, dawn breaking over Beijing
The air of Honolulu, night falling on Taipei
Every city taught me something I never saw at home
I didn't know what I had until I left Japan
The quiet streets of Tokyo, small kindness asking nothing back
Only after leaving did I hold Japan's value close to my heart
Now, wherever I fly, I carry Japan inside me
Words can't hold me back anymore — the wall finally came down
Not as a representative of any country, just purely as myself
I stand up and speak the self I was born with, out to the world
[Bridge]
I'll keep going until the last page turns
Even if Substack disappears, this heart keeps burning
Not for money, not for fame
For the ones still hiding behind the mask called "work"
[Chorus - Final]
I'm not selling you a product
I'm not selling you a lie
I just want to stand beside you
Next to you, as you practice taking off the mask
Goodbye to the mask you used to wear
Hello to the voice inside
This isn't for sale — it's a challenge to be who you are
[Outro]
Just lift your eyes from the desk for a moment
Somewhere, someone is dancing in the hallway
No stage needed, no audience needed
Just sing your true voice, loud and clear
Just sing your true voice, loud and clear
---
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