Good evening!
I’m Matsuda Rina aka Matsuri-chan
Sakurazaka46’s 2nd generation member from Miyazaki.
Thank you very much for opening my blog.
Then, I would like to share a news to everyone who have always been supporting me.
I will be graduating from Sakurazaka46
upon the completion of my activities this year.
I took the audition in the summer of 2018, and entered the group at 19 years old,
it’ll be eight years soon!
It feels like everything happened in a blink, but I also feel like I’ve made it through these 8 years!
I couldn’t picture myself graduating at all, and so I always wondered if I will be able to come to the decision to graduate?
That’s why I think that unless I set a deadline, I wouldn’t be able to decide on the timing and won’t be able to take a new step forward,
It’s not that I feel that I have done everything that I could, and there are still things that I’d like to make happen with Sakurazaka, and it’s not as if I found something new that I want to do,
But I started thinking about graduating, and told the staff that I plan to graduate in about two years, in 2026.
That said, a year after I said that I still doesn’t seriously consider graduating, I didn’t even think about it
In the corner of my mind, I thought that maybe I should stop my graduation, and repeatedly ask myself whether I still want to continue or not
But at some point, I become unable to imagine a future where I would still be a part of Sakurazaka
Up until now, when I imagine the future of Sakurazaka, whether it is about the production or concert, I can always see myself there; but now suddenly I’m not there…
I had been thinking about graduation, but I think that this is the time for it!
But at the same time, I’m really excited to take a new step forward!
You might think, “Well, If you already made up your mind, then of course it would be this way”. I asked myself many times over, and feeling-wise, I want to be here in the next year and the year after that. I always do my activities with the current and future Sakurazaka in my mind a lot!
Even now!
That’s why it doesn’t feel real yet, it’s something that suddenly come and go
I want to feel it hit me, but I also doesn’t,
because once it do, I’ll feel lonely and sad,
So for now, I still want to look away from it
‘Cuz after all, I love Sakurazaka46!!!
The members who are considerate, warm-hearted and filled with so much love
The Buddies who always give so much love and support
All the staff members who loves Sakurazaka and give us their support
I really love, and cherish everyone who I have met through Sakurazaka46!
So that’s why I’d like to continue to give my all as usual just like I always have and see it through until the very end!
I want to do everything that I can with everything I got!
And to all the Matsuri’s Customers** (This might be the first time I ever use it!)
who have always been supporting me!
**T/N: Her fandom name is “Customers” because of her prior background as bank staff
All of you have truly supported me so much!
I love you all for your kindness and thoughtfulness!
Matsuri’s Customers are my pride!
I can’t thank you all enough!
Let’s enjoy the remaining time that we have together!!!
And, it has been decided that a graduation ceremony will be held!
It will be held at the second day of “6th YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE”,
on 15th November!
The anniversary live is what matters most, and I’d like to make it into a concert where I express my gratitude of celebrating the 6th year and to connect it to the 7th year!
I’d be happy if you could watch over me warmly during the ceremony!
Matsuda Rina the Sakurazaka46 member
Matsuda Rina the Captain
I’d like to cherish and savor the remaining time!
I will do my best to leave something behind that may pave the way for Sakurazaka46’s future, even if it is just a little!
Please look after me in the remaining time!
Thank you very much for reading my blog.
See ya 🌺🌴
Matsuda Rina
Translator: toomuchidea
Original Blog Link: https://sakurazaka46.com/s/s46/diary/detail/70933?ima=0000&cd=blog