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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