Chikai (誓い)

ああ泣きたい

誓い (Chikai, literally "vow" or "oath") is the credits theme song to KINGDOM HEARTS III. It is written, composed, and sung by Hikaru Utada and was released as part of the 初恋 (Hatsukoi, literally "First Love") album in 2018, half a year before KINGDOM HEARTS III officially released worldwide. It serves as a counterpart to Don't Think Twice, which features a similar backing track but different lyrics in English.

誓い discusses Hikaru's embrace into their partner, but she wants to be sure that the partner is fully committed to become one and the same until the end of their time. Hikaru showcases a very vulnerable side of her humanity with 誓い, and it is overall one of the more adorable songs about relationships I've come across.

This is an experience of finding "the one" who seems so perfect, they make you doubt yourself and your own qualities. Are you good enough for this beacon of perfection? Will they want to cross paths with you every day? Will they truly adore the time together as much as you do?

誓い features a wealth of imagery, in line with Hikaru Utada's genius of lyrical development. "Eternal oaths" generally can refer to weddings, where the hearts of a couple can be said to conjoin into one at that moment. However, during 誓い, Utada is envisioning a perfect day free of formalities and constructed events -- just the two by themselves, tenderly exchanging vows, celebrating the fact that they are alive together. It's a naive but cautious plunge into a journey between two close people who don't want to waste the time they have left - no time for second thoughts, just needing the okay to take the relationship that one step further. Being a "perfect time" for an eternal oath also showcases the finality of the situation, which is narratively appropriate for the game, but also a commentary for Utada's "all or nothing" approach to love. It's as if she's saying, "We can't be complete if you aren't willing to be as committed as I am". The lack of concern for grand formalities places emphasis on the importance of the commitment itself and harks to Utada's future songs, such as Time.

As with the majority of her music, 誓い is much more than "just" a video game song. It's a look inside the the upper limits of affection, and it makes me feel optimistic just by listening to the song.

誓い was performed live at Utada's Laughter in the Dark Tour in 2018. A link to the performance can be found here.

誓い was also a featured song in the PSVR exclusive Laughter in the Dark virtual tour, which can similarly be seen here.

Original	Romanised	Translation
運命なんて知らない けど この際 存在を認めざるを得ない	Unmei nante shiranai Kedo kono sai Sonzai wo mitomezaru wo enai	I don't know about fate But I've got no choice But to accept its existence now
本当にこんな私でもいいの ねえいいの あんまり期待させないでほしいよ	Hontou ni konna watashi demo ii no Nee ii no Anmari kitai sasenai de hoshii yo	Am I really good enough like this? Hey, am I? I don't want you to get my hopes up too much
今日という日は嘘偽りのない 永遠の誓い日和だよ 綺麗な花も証人もいらない 同じ色の指輪をしよう	Kyou to iu hi wa usu itsuwari no nai Eien no chikai biyori da yo Kirei na hana mo shounin mo iranai Onaji iro no yubiwa wo shiyou	This very day's without lies and falsehoods It's a perfect day for an eternal oath I don't need pretty flowers or witnesses Let's just wear rings with the same colors
悔しくて仕方がない ダサいくらいしがみついたまま 眠りたい　毎日 約束はもうしない そんなの誰かを喜ばすためのもの	Kuyashikute shikata ga nai Dasai kurai shigamitsuita mama Nemuritai mainichi Yakusoku wa mou shinai Sonna no dareka wo yorokobasu tame no mono	I can't help but feel frustrated I know it sounds lame, but I wanna sleep Clinging to you every day I won't make promises anymore Those are for making others happy
今言うことは受け売りなんかじゃない 約束でもない　誓いだよ 嘘つきだった僕には戻れない 朝日色の指輪にしよう	Ima iu koto wa ukeuri nanka ja nai Yakusoku demo nai chikai da yo Usotsuki datta boku niwa modorenai Asahi iro no yubiwa ni shiyou	What I say now isn't second-hand It's not a promise, but an vow I can't return to when I was a liar Let's go with rings the color of the morning sun
胸の高鳴りを重ねて踊ろうよ 今を生きることを祝ぉうよ	Mune no takanari wo kasanete odorou yo Ima wo ikiru koto wo iwaou yo	Let's dance, our heartbeats becoming one Let's celebrate being alive in this moment
たまに堪えられなくなる涙に これと言って深い意味はない ただ昔を突然思い出し (ああ泣きたい) 開かれたドアから差し込む光 これからもずっと側にいたい 選択肢なんてもうとっくにない	Tama ni kotaerarenakunaru namida ni Kore to itte fukai imi wa nai Tada mukashi wo totsuzen omoidashi (aa nakitai) Hirakareta doa kara sashikomu hikari Kore kara mo zutto soba ni itai Sentakushi nante mou tokku ni nai	At times I can't hold back my tears But there's no deep meaning or anything special in them It's just that suddenly I recall the past (aah, I wanna cry) Light flows in from the opened door I want to stay by your side forever more There's been no other choice for me since long ago
今日という日は過去前例線のない 僕たちの誓い日和だよ 綺麗な花も証人もいらない 同じ色の指輪をしよう	Kyou to iu hi wa kako zenrei no nai Bokutachi no chikai biyori da yo Kirei na hana mo shounin mo iranai Onaji iro no yubiwa wo shiyou	This very day's without past or precedence It's a perfect day for our oath I don't need pretty flowers or witnesses Let's just wear rings with the same color
Kiss me once, kiss me twice 一度じゃ足りない Kiss me once, kiss me twice あなたを下さい Kiss me once, kiss me twice Kiss me three times お願い Kiss me once, kiss me twice あなたを下さい	Kiss me once, kiss me twice Ichido ja tarinai Kiss me once, kiss me twice Anata wo kudasai Kiss me once, kiss me twice Kiss me three times Onegai Kiss me once, kiss me twice Anata wo kudasai	Kiss me once, kiss me twice Just once isn't enough Kiss me once, kiss me twice Please, let me have you Kiss me once, kiss me twice Kiss me three times Please Kiss me once, kiss me twice Please, let me have you
日の昇る音を肩並べて聞こうよ 共に生きることを誓ぉうよ	Hi no noboru oto wo kata narabete kikou yo Tomo ni ikiru koto wo chikaou yo	Let's listen to the sound of the rising sun, shoulder-to-shoulder Let's make an oath to live together