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 --- X: https://x.com/hatchy_notes Threads: https://www.threads.com/@hatchy_notes Substack: https://hatchy99.substack.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
