University life (2025.04.01)

 

 

 

 

I had hoped so hard that spring would come soon, but now that it’s here, I was plagued by sneezing and wished it had stayed winter after all

 

And while the simple-minded me is grumbling irresponsibly, the cherry blossoms are blooming well and today marks the start of April

 

 

 

Congratulations on graduating and/or entering a new school

I think there are a lot of you who are my cohorts, entering the workforce. Congratulations

 

 

 

I have also reached a milestone, so let me share some personal news with you.

 

This spring, I graduated from the university I had attended for four years.

 

 

 

 

 

What do you want to do in the future?

Mmー. I wonder, no idea

That was what I’d say, huhー

 

 

Truth be told
In the summer of my second year of university, I was scared of narrowing down my own path

 

I wanted to have the experience of really trying what I wanted to do, so I went to Tokyo by myself to audition as a third generation member

 

 

 

“I want to be a member of Sakurazaka46”

 

 

 

The voices of these girls talking about their dreams with such dazzling honesty resonated strongly with me,
A person who had been living life trying to run away from the choices she was being forced to make

 

 

 

 

You really do meet the right people at the right time, huh

 

 

It’s not about whether I pass the audition or not.

 

Even if I go back to my hometown and resume my normal life, I will look back someday and see this as a turning point

 

That’s how much impact my encounter with everyone has had

 

 

 

And I made up my mind to cherish what everyone taught me

 

There are many things I’ve learned from being in this group, but one of them is

 

To never give up on doing my best

 

I think this was my motto for the second half of my university life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a time when I didn’t really know what I was doing yesterday or what I’d be doing tomorrow

 

 

 

After leaving the venue earlier than everyone else and returning to Haneda early in the morning, I took a shower at home and headed back to Haneda again. Then, while waiting at the boarding gate for the first plane to Kitakyushu, I saw the clear morning glow.
[T/N: Most likely when she went back to Japan early after Asia Artist Award in Manila in 2023]

 

 

I took a day off work to take a test in the first period and stayed alone at a hotel. The seat on the free shuttle bus in the morning was cold.

 

 

 

 

At times, I felt lonely.

 

The city, tinted in orange, seen from the window seat on the last flight always looked a little blurry

 

I began to feel relieved at the cramped feel of the crowded train, which used to be annoying to me

 

 

 

 

When I had to leave the lively waiting room and walked alone down a dark street

 

I felt helplessly lonely and frustrated

 

 

 

 

The part of me who was about to give in to my weaknesses,
And the part of me that was determined to give it my all.

 

Both are real parts of me, and I was only able to meet them because I chose this life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That path without anyone else there

 

The me before entering Sakurazaka46 probably wouldn’t have been able to walk that path

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It may seem like I worked hard on my own, but that’s not the case at all

 

 

 

 

One day in early summer, Itoha woke up at 5 AM and took the train to the airport with me. When I thanked her, she said “It’s just because I’m currently hooked on being an early bird 🎶.” I wanted to say, “Nevertheless, 5 AM is too early even for an early bird,” but I didn’t in the end, and we just clung together while riding the train

 

There was a day when I looked at my smartphone with dry eyes after finishing a test and saw a message from Ten-san, and I couldn’t stop crying. On the last day of the test period, she gave me a hot water bottle with an animal design that she thought I’d like

 

Hono-san would suddenly call out to me, “Heyーーー! Yuuzu, you okay!!?” and she always noticed my true feelings. She even sent me a message in between her work on the day of my graduation ceremony

 

Yui-chan was there to help me with everything from class registration to test schedules, and on tough days she just hugged me and gave me strength. I was able to do my best because I wanted to follow her cool example

 

Since I announced that I can go to the university less often, I’ve been getting more invitations to dinner from my genmates

 

When I told everyone that my graduation was confirmed, they were as happy as if it were their own achievement

 

The day after my graduation ceremony, they held a surprise celebration at the end of our lesson

 

 

I realized that everyone has always supported me.

 

Truly, thank you so much for all your support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My family, who encouraged me to keep doing both if I couldn’t give up on either path

The staff who supported me in various situations, telling me to use this experience as my weapon and give back to the group

The members, who told me “You’re so amazing! We’re supporting you so much! Don’t push yourself too hard!”

 

They’re important people who supported me and encouraged me to do my best

 

 

 

 

 

And to myself back then.

 

The days when I worked part-time jobs to fill the time without any particular purpose transformed into boarding passes for Tokyo⇄Kitakyushu before I knew it.

 

When I think about it that way,
I want to tell my past self “good job”.

The time you spent worrying wasn’t in vainー

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn’t all good times, but maybe that can also lead to good things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My graduation ceremony was on March 25th
My mother booked the dressing and hair set, and my father drove me there

 

 

 

I was also able to express my gratitude to my precious friends and my club juniors
I was happy to hear about everyone’s future plans, and I was happy to see that our relationship has not changed since we first met.

 

 

 

There were some difficult times, but it was a fulfilling four years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So! I’ll be focusing on my idol activities now! ㊗️

 

I’m so happyー! ㊗️

 

 

From now on, I want to become someone who can do even more for Sakurazaka46

 

Also, I want to polish myself up    ˢʰᶦⁿʸ ˢʰᶦⁿʸ

 

 

I look forward to your continued support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcement

I will be doing a livestream on SHOWROOM from 21:00 tomorrow 🦭
If you have the time, be sure to watch~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well then, see you tomorrow

 

Good night

 

From Yuuzu