Good evening!
Have you all been well? ☺
Today, I have something to announce to everyone
I will be graduating from Sakurazaka46
by the end of 14th single activities
Until the end of last year, I’ve been spending my days
as if I was sending off sisters in arms who have fought with me,
but I also felt as if I was
putting myself in their shoes and finishing the fight together with them
Over the past one year or so,
I think that I have been able to preciously and carefully face every single job
while also counting down the days myself.
Even now, I am still in the middle of doing that.
And right now, I am feeling the most content I’ve ever been while having the most fun!
Sakurazaka46 is an incredible group
It’s very, very strong
That is because
what we have endured, and what we have poured our hearts into
is something too immense of a thing.
Because of that, being here makes me feel grateful
and I got to encounter people who have love, people who have nothing but love
This is something that I know better than anyone
as a member myself.
I was able to experience various moments
where I felt sincerely glad to have come this far
as I feel the group has reached our peak over and over again
It’s a scenery that is dream-like and miraculous
But this is not a dream, nor is it a miracle,
but a reality in which
Sakurazaka46 has fought desperately with our feet planted firmly on the ground
With me deciding to graduate,
Lately, as if I am already an outsider,
I feel a deep respect towards the members, and I’m impressed by how amazing they are
Being able to experience that first-hand
is one of the biggest fortunes of my life.
Every time I notice how truly strong Sakurazaka is
I would always wonder to myself
if I’m really sure that I want to leave such a place?
I kept questioning myself
and I truly suffered as I was making my decision
But now I can proudly,
and confidently say
that it is the time for me to set off
Of course, I will feel sad and lonely
Because I’ve never known myself as someone who is not a part of Sakurazaka.
But on the contrary, I’m not feeling any other emotions.
I no longer feeling any anxiety or doubt
I’m looking forward to the future
There are so many things that I want to do
I wanted to take the first step
towards living my life in my own way,
and so I’ve come to this decision with a smile!
What does it mean to be myself?
What does it mean to love myself?
What is the purpose of my life?
I’ve asked those question to myself many times, so I will be fine
From now on, I will move your hearts even more often
with my own strength
There have been times when I feel hopelessly frustrated
There have been times when I felt sad because I couldn’t save someone
There have been times when I wanted to be of strength to the people I cherish,
but realized that I was powerless
I’ve experienced all of them so many times, but even so,
My desire to become a hero for someone
is something that will never change in my life
But you know, on the other hand,
I have been saved by “heroes” so many times before.
Just by being with the members
Just by sweating and dancing with the members
Just by making eye contact with the members
Just by greeting each other “Good morning”
There was a moment
When I finally realized,
Just how must I’ve been supported by
The positive energy I received from
This kind of daily life.
I guess it took me too long to realize~. Lol
To me, that’s just how much
It was a part of my daily life, all of my life,
A happiness that was a given.
Even if we’re not aware of all of each others’ hardships,
looking back now, I think that is just how we’ve been spending
these past seven and a half years together.
These members, who can bring so much smile to others
with just the slightest interactions
There are so, so many girls who are like that
This group is so wonderful,
Precious, kind, and strong
And so, I realized that
I love this group so much
Even more than I thought
And my head became filled with that thought.
To these heroes, who are so cute and beautiful,
and stronger than anyone else,
I have decided to give my all in everything that I can do right now,
and convey all my feelings of gratitude,
as I depart from this place
Nothing could make me happier than
being able to work for Sakurazaka46’s sake.
I think that I have done everything that I could
I think I can bring myself to say that now
In the remaining time until my graduation,
My only vow is that I will “return the favor”
to the group that I sincerely love, Sakurazaka46,
as I do my activities
So, please keep watching over me.
Thank you for everything until now
Please continue to support me
until the very end!