And so, after the behind the scenes rehearsal video faded into silence, the screen cut to black.
Not a single light remained onstage.
For a split second, the theatre and live stream existed in suspended breath— millions of people holding still, as if even blinking might break whatever spell was about to descend upon them. The hum of anticipation climbed rapidly, ticking higher and higher, until it felt like the air itself was charged with static. Somewhere in the darkness, a lone fan screamed Yone's name, and it was quickly swallowed by nervous laughter and scattered cheers.
Then—
The first note rang out.
A soft, deliberate strum of the koto sliced through the darkness, delicate yet haunting, like fingers brushing against the surface of deep water. The sound echoed, stretched, and lingered in the air, and with it came Ryu's voice—smooth, controlled, and achingly gentle. It was the kind of voice that didn't just reach your ears; it slid under your skin and settled in your chest.
The lights began to rise slowly, almost teasingly, washing the stage in a muted ocean-green glow.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The stage revealed itself not as a simple performance space, but as an entire world. An old pirate ship dominated the scene, weathered and grand, its wooden planks textured with age and salt, ropes coiled with meticulous detail, lanterns hanging low and swaying subtly as if rocked by invisible waves. Fabric sails draped overhead, catching the light like seafoam frozen in time. It felt immersive—oppressive in the best way—as though the audience had been dragged beneath the surface and deposited into the heart of a myth.
Yone, Ryu, and Corsair stood at the center, statues carved from fantasy.
Corsair embodied his namesake completely: a loose, frilled shirt billowing softly against his torso, the neckline open just enough to hint at danger and seduction, a pirate captain's hat shadowing his sharp gaze. Ryu looked like nobility fallen to the sea—richly detailed garments tailored to perfection, elegant and restrained, a quiet authority radiating from his posture. Yone wore the uniform of an old naval captain, crisp lines and structured fabric grounding him in command, the captain's hat pulled low as if daring anyone to challenge his authority.
Surrounding them, the ensemble dancers blended seamlessly into the world—pirates, civilians, navy goons—dressed in muted tones, practical silhouettes, and worn textures. They weren't performing yet. They were living. Some leaned against railings, chatting quietly. Others paced with purpose, one scrubbing the deck with an old mop, another coiling rope with practiced ease. It was theater in motion, and it sold the illusion completely.
Then Yone stepped forward.
And he sang.
🎶夜の海に沈む heartbeat
触れたら最後, 戻れないね
君の影がゆらめいて
呼ばれてるみたいで, I'm losing it🎶
His voice was steady, rich, and startlingly mature. The improvement was undeniable—jaw-dropping, even. Foca, watching front center, actually straightened in disbelief. This wasn't just growth. This was transformation. Yone now stood shoulder to shoulder with LEAVEN's strongest vocalists, and the realization sent a chill down anyone perceptive enough to notice.
As the melody unfolded, Yone, Ryu, and Corsair moved in flawless unison. Every step was crisp, intentional, and impossibly clean. Behind them, the dancers continued their natural movements, never pulling focus, only framing the trio like living scenery. It was balance at its most refined—nothing excessive, nothing wasted.
When the pre-chorus hit, the shift was immediate.
The trio's harmonies surged forward like a rising tide, thick and emotional, wrapping around the audience and pulling them under.
🎶息もできないほど
胸の奥で warning lights glow
この sinking feeling… もう隠せない
迷っても, 君へ falling🎶
A collective shiver passed through the arena.
This was the moment the ensemble snapped into formation, their movements suddenly synchronized, sharp yet fluid, operating like a perfectly tuned machine. The choreography demanded absolute precision—any deviation would have shattered the illusion—but they executed it with terrifying accuracy. It was mesmerizing, the kind of performance that made professionals lean forward and casual viewers sit up straighter.
Then—
The chorus crashed in.
🎶This sinking feeling in my chest,
came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper,
drowning with my own sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, helpless
in falling, loving careless
Here's my heart, here's my boat—
c'mon don't hesitate, sink them both🎶
The choreography shifted into rolling, wave-like motions—arms carving through the air, bodies rising and falling as if buoyed by unseen currents. The ocean wasn't just a theme; it was embedded into every movement. And when the second half of the chorus hit, the sensuality crept in—controlled body waves rippling through their forms, deliberate and intoxicating.
The audience lost their minds.
Screams pierced the air, lightsticks shook violently, and the energy in the venue spiked into chaos.
As the song moved forward, it only escalated.
The rap section hit hard and long, satisfying in a way that felt almost illegal. Ryu and Corsair stepped forward, proving—without question—that they were just as lethal on the mic as they were vocally.
🎶赤い月に照らされた
二人分の足跡が消えてく
逃げ道なんてないくせに
"また会いたい"って願ってる🎶
Their delivery was sharp, confident, dripping with intent.
🎶Whisper in the dark, you take me under
鼓動が早まるの—wonder
でも止められない desire
君は my beautiful liar🎶
The choreography matched the intensity—tight formations snapping into place, transitions so smooth they looked effortless. Every move landed exactly where it needed to, fueling the song's momentum.
Then came Yone's solo rap.
And OH MY GOD.
🎶波がドンッて胸を叩く
Siren baby, 魅惑の呼吸
Dive in—深く,もっと深く
救命具? Nah, I got enough🎶
The crowd erupted.
🎶危険察知の red alert
でも君の声が刺さって hurt
Sink or swim? I'll choose the dream
歌うたびに沈んでくのさ, again🎶
Yone owned the stage—commanding, fearless, magnetic. It wasn't just rap; it was declaration.
During the brief dance break, their whispered chant echoed—
🎶Dive… deeper…🎶
—and then chaos.
Krumping exploded across the stage.
Every dancer moved differently, aggressively, violently—but somehow, it worked. It looked like bodies fighting the water, thrashing against invisible pressure, being dragged down by the siren's pull. It was messy, raw, and breathtakingly beautiful. A photographer could've snapped a masterpiece every second and still missed something incredible.
The final chorus hit like a tidal wave.
🎶This sinking feeling in my chest,
came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper,
yeah baby, take me with your sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, breathless
In loving you so reckless🎶
Corsair began softly, his voice trembling with vulnerability. Then the harmonies bloomed—huge, overwhelming—as the ensemble joined in, their voices layering into something massive.
🎶Here's my heart, here's my soul—
もし沈むなら—take it all🎶
The impact was seismic.
Corsair soared into a high note, piercing and powerful, and the audience went feral—screams, tears, people clutching their chests like they'd just been emotionally mugged.
For the final push, everyone gave everything. They danced like it was the last performance they'd ever give, like the stage would collapse beneath them the moment the music ended.
And then—
Silence.
The trio froze in their final poses, chests heaving, sweat glistening under the lights.
The theatre and live chat exploded.
A standing ovation thundered through the venue as Yone, Ryu, and Corsair stood there, soaking it all in. Smiles broke across their faces—relief, pride, triumph etched into every expression.
All the blood.
All the sweat.
All the tears.
It had all been worth it.
****
PS - You can listen to "Sunken Ship" in full at YouTube (@FocacciaBread-Music), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/1wpoF6kBm3h8jnFuSDUZn5?si=Y40XmfjlQB2ZuRFdtryEJw) or other digital streaming platforms.
****
Here's the full lyrics:
[Verse 1]
夜の海に沈む heartbeat
触れたら最後,戻れないね
君の影がゆらめいて
呼ばれてるみたいで,I'm losing it
You're like a siren's song,
luring and pulling me along
冷たい波が頬を打つ
逃げたいのに,still I want you
[Pre-Chorus]
息もできないほど
胸の奥で warning lights glow
この sinking feeling… もう隠せない
迷っても,君へ falling
[Chorus]
This sinking feeling in my chest,
came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper,
drowning with my own sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, helpless
in falling, loving careless
Here's my heart, here's my boat—
c'mon don't hesitate, sink them both
[Verse 2]
赤い月に照らされた
二人分の足跡が消えてく
逃げ道なんてないくせに
"また会いたい"って願ってる
Whisper in the dark, you take me under
鼓動が早まるの—wonder
でも止められない desire
君は my beautiful liar
[Rap]
波がドンッて胸を叩く
Siren baby, 魅惑の呼吸
Dive in—深く,もっと深く
救命具? Nah, I got enough
危険察知の red alert
でも君の声が刺さって hurt
Sink or swim? I'll choose the dream
歌うたびに沈んでくのさ, again
[Chorus]
This sinking feeling in my chest,
came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper,
drowning with my own sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, helpless
in falling, loving careless
Here's my heart, here's my boat—
c'mon don't hesitate, sink them both
[Dance Break]
"Dive… deeper…"
[Bridge]
Danger, danger—sink or swim?
でも君が呼べば行くんだ,again
迷いなんて波に任せて
Sirenの歌で let me fade
[Final Chorus]
This sinking feeling in my chest,
came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper,
yeah baby, take me with your sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, breathless
In loving you so reckless
Here's my heart, here's my soul—
もし沈むなら—take it all
****
English translation:
[Verse 1]
My heartbeat sinks into the night sea
Once I touch you, there's no turning back
Your shadow sways before my eyes
It feels like you're calling me—I'm losing control
You're like a siren's song,
Luring and pulling me along
Cold waves strike against my cheeks
I want to run away, but I still want you
[Pre-Chorus]
I can barely even breathe
Deep in my chest, the warning lights glow
This sinking feeling… I can't hide it anymore
Even when I'm lost, I keep falling toward you
[Chorus]
This sinking feeling in my chest
Came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper
I'm drowning with my own sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, helpless
Falling in love so careless
Here's my heart, here's my boat—
Come on, don't hesitate, sink them both
[Verse 2]
Bathed in the red moonlight
The footprints we left together fade away
Even though there's no escape left
I still wish, "I want to see you again"
You whisper in the dark and pull me under
My heartbeat speeds up—it's a wonder
But I can't stop this desire
You're my beautiful liar
[Rap]
The waves slam hard against my chest
Siren baby, your breath is tempting
Dive in—deeper, even deeper
A life vest? No, I'm ready enough
Danger sensors flashing red alert
But your voice cuts through me, and it hurts
Sink or swim? I'll choose the dream
Every time I sing, I sink again
[Chorus]
This sinking feeling in my chest
Came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper
I'm drowning with my own sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, helpless
Falling in love so careless
Here's my heart, here's my boat—
Come on, don't hesitate, sink them both
[Bridge]
Danger, danger—sink or swim?
But if you call my name, I'll go again
I'll leave my doubts to the waves
And fade away in the siren's song
[Final Chorus]
This sinking feeling in my chest
Came true like a toxic mess
You drag me deeper and deeper
Take me with you on your sunken ship
I'm drowning, drowning, breathless
Loving you so reckless
Here's my heart, here's my soul—
If I'm going to sink, take it all