Heartfelt Gratitude and Congratulations / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Jan 25, 2016, 10:21 am (JST)

『心からありがとう、おめでとう。』
[Heartfelt Gratitude and Congratulations]

おはようございます( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ兒玉遥です。
昨日うまくのせられていなかったみたいです（；＿；）
ごめんなさい！！
Good morning ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ It's Kodama Haruka.
It's looks like yesterday I wasn't able to properly update  （；＿；）
Sorry!!

リクエストアワー最終日！昼公演では、
39位 Budy
25位さよならサーフボード
23位しぇからしか！
夜公演では、
18位カメレオン女子高生
13位12秒
11位メロンジュース
8位365日の紙飛行機
6位大人列車
On the last day of Request Hour, during the afternoon show we had
39th Place - Buddy
25th Place - Sayonara Surfboard
23rd Place - Shekarashika!
And in the night show we had
18th Place - Chameleon Joshikousei
13th Place - 12 Byou
11th Place - Melon Juice
8th Place - 365 Nichi no Kamihikouki
6th Place - Otona Ressha

投票してくださった皆さん、ありがとうございます！！
Thank you to everyone that voted for them!!

最終日にこんなに忙しいリクアワは初めてだったので
とても嬉しかったです^o^
It's the first time I've been so busy during the last day of Request Hour
and that makes me really happy ^o^

それぞれの曲に込められた想いを受け止めながら
ステージに立たせていただきました。
I had the privilege of standing on stage with the
thoughts and meaning of various songs in my head.

伝わっているか分かりませんが
これからも、素敵な曲に感謝し
何より48グループの曲を好きでいてくださる皆さんへ
愛のお返しができたらなと思います！！
I don't know whether I conveyed those feelings,
but hereafter too, while being thankful for these fantastic songs
I hope to reciprocate the love
to those who enjoy the 48 Group's songs above everything else.


そして、AKB48の10周年シングルでは
HKT48から、さくらがセンターに大抜擢されましたo(^▽^)o
Also, from HKT48, Sakura has the important, exceptional job
of being the center for AKB48's 10th Anniversary Commemoration single. o(^▽^)o 


前田敦子さんや大島優子さんと卒業生のみんなに囲まれながらのセンター。
It's a center in which she's surrounded by Maeda Atsuko-san, Oshima Yuko-san, and other graduates.

本当におめでとう！嬉しいです！
My heartfelt congratulations! I'm ecstatic!


初披露を舞台裏から見ていましたが、
清楚で、透明感が衣装も可愛くて
素敵でした
I was watching the first performance backstage,
and the neat, clean, translucent outfits were cute
and dreamy

さくらぴったりの曲だなって思いました！！
I thought the song fit Sakura very well!!


MVも早く見てみたいですね〜
皆さんもお楽しみにー！
I want to hurry up and see the MV too~
Everyone, please look forward to it!

それでは、
今から武道館にてロッテガムロックフェスに備えまして…
Ok then,
now I have to prepare for the Gum Rock Festival at Budoukan...

待ってろ、乃木坂46様！！
Wait for us, Nogizaka46-sama!!


行ってきます★
I'm off ★

That Day was Sudden / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Dec 16, 2015, 9:14 pm (JST)

『その日は突然』
[That Day was Sudden]

こんばんは^o^兒玉遥です。
Good evening ^o^ It's Kodama Haruka.

今日の公演で、梅が卒業発表がありました。
初めて後輩の卒業発表の場を経験。
During tonight's stage, Ume announced her graduation.
It was the first time hearing a junior's graduation announcement in person.

実際に立ち会ってみると、卒業といきても
今、その時に、梅がいないHKT48をそうぞできなくて
不思議な感覚でした。
Although I was physically there and I know she's going to graduate,
back there and even now, I still can't imagine HKT48 without Ume.
It's a strange feeling.

梅が抜けた穴はすごく大きいし、代わりはいないから
本当はいてほしいきもちですが
「シンガーソングライターになる。」と
強い覚悟をもって話している梅をみて
笑顔で背中を押さなきゃ！って思いました。
The void that Ume leaves is immense and there's no replacement for her
so I really want her to stay, but
seeing Ume declare "I want to become a singer songwriter"
with such strong conviction
I can do nothing but push her on with a smile.

残りの期間で沢山笑いあえたらいいな( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ
I hope we'll have a lot of laughter in our remaining time together ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ


みんなで、梅の夢を応援しましょう！
Everyone, let's support Ume's dream!


おやすみなさい★
Good night ★

To Live / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Nov 16, 2015, 10:40 pm (JST)

『生きる』
こんばんは( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ兒玉遥です。
[To Live]
Good evening ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ It's Kodama Haruka.

平和、幸せってなんだろう？
How do you define peace and happiness?

パリのニュースを見て
今日は、そのことについて考えされられた1日でした。
After hearing about the attacks that occurred in Paris,
I spent the whole day thinking about them.

今日もどこかで、誰かの命が…
ただただ、かなしい。
Today, somewhere, someone's life was...
It's absolutely heartrending.


最初は、私1人が考えたって…って思っていたんです。
At first, I thought I would just keep my thoughts to myself.

でも、こんな風に目を背けていたら世界は変わらない。
But, if I just turn my eyes away, turn my back, the world won't change.

誰かがじゃなくて、他人事じゃなくて
1人1人が関心を持って行動することで大きな力になっていくのだと思います。
It's not just someone's affairs, not just somebody else's problems.
It's something that people, one by one have to take interest in in order to take action and be a large support base.

今、こうやって私たちが何気なく過ごしていること。
Right now, many of us are just going through our lives casually.

嬉しいこと、楽しいこと。
There are happy times, times that bring us enjoyment.

嫌なことがあったり、悩んだり、悲しくなったり、切なくなったり、いろんなことが溢れている毎日。
There are also things that are unpleasant, things that trouble us, problems that make us sad or suffocate us. Each day is filled with so much that it's overwhelming.

そんな中、今この世界で今日を生きている。
この事実こそが幸せなんだって気がつきました。
In the midst of all that, today I am living in this world.
Realizing this, life is a blessing.

感謝しようと思いました。
It's something to be thankful for.

では、私が幸せでいることが、平和と言えるのでしょうか？
Now, because I'm happy just living, can it be said that I'm at peace?

私に、できることは何でしょう？
What can I do?

考えても考えても、なかなか答えが見つからない。
力になれない自分がもどかしい。
No matter how much I think about it, I can't really find an answer.
I'm irritated at myself because I can't help.


今日を迎えたくても、迎えられなかった誰かがいるんです。
Even though I want to take action today, there are still people I cannot reach.


それなら私は、与えられた今を一生懸命生きます。
If that's the case, being that I was granted life all I can do is live with all my might.


そして、世界の実態から目を背けず向き合おうと思いました。
In that vein, I cannot turn my eyes from the state of affairs of this world. Instead, I must face it.


平和の輪がひとつ、ふたつ
消えてしまったのなら、繋がなきゃ。
If the circle of peace is broken in one or two places,
it has to be fixed.

誰かが、私が。
Someone, or maybe even I have to.


おやすみなさい。
Good night.

(TL Note: This is a very philosophical piece that I'm not 100% confident in with regards to getting the translation "perfect". If you speak Japanese and believe there's a better way of framing or translating something here, please send me a message on Twitter anytime @ithebigc)




What I'm Thinking About / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Oct 9, 2015, 9:01 pm (JST)

『おもっていること』
こんばんは^o^兒玉遥です！！
[What I'm Thinking About]
Good evening ^o^ It's Kodama Haruka!!


生誕歳で伝えたかったこと、、、
What I wanted to convey during my birthday show...

言葉にまとめてみました。
I was able to collect my thoughts.

総選挙では、17位なんて私には充分過ぎる順位で、少しずつランクアップしていて幸せなこと
悲しいことでもなんでもないのに
感情が抑えられなくて気づけば胸が苦しかった。
During the sousenkyo, even though Rank 17 was more than enough for me and ranking up little by little should've been a happy matter,
I couldn't hold my emotions back and before I knew it my heart felt painful.

発表のとき、胸を張って笑顔でいれなかった自分に後悔しているというか…もうしわけないなって。
Maybe I regret the fact that I couldn't present a smiling face and beam with pride at the time of the announcement...I probably felt guilty.


でも、そのあとの選抜のお仕事で
蹴り上げで歌わせて頂いたりできて嬉しかった。
However, after that senbatsu, the amount of work kicked up
and I was delighted that I got to sing.

この順位だったからこそだし、キラキラしていてクオリティの高い先輩方と一緒に活動できたのは
自分の足りないところに、沢山気付けた貴重な経験。
It was definitely because of that ranking that I got more jobs. Being able to work together with senpai who shined and were so transcendent was a valuable experience that allowed me to see my own flaws and areas I'm lacking in.


どんな時も私を支えてくださって、
ファンの人は推しに甘いというけれど
皆さんが許してくださるなら
私は、その優しさにあまえたいとおもいます。笑
My fans who are always supporting me
already spoil me constantly considering me as their oshi,
but if you'll let me,
I'd like to continue depending on that kindness. lol

こんな言葉で伝わるかわかりませんが、
本当に感謝しています。
I don't know if these words really conveyed what I wanted to say,
but I really am grateful.

ありがとうございます。
Thank you.

これなかったけど祝ってくださった方も、きっといますよね。
I'm sure there's people who celebrated with me who couldn't come to the birthday show too.


ありがとうございます。
Thank you.

19歳の１年、人生で一番楽しい年にできますように…
I hope that I'll have the happiest year yet in my life as a 19 year old...


おやすみなさい☆
Good night☆

A Joyful Birthday Show / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Oct 7, 2015, 11:32 pm (JST)

『しあわせ生誕祭』

こんばんは^o^兒玉遥です！！
[A Joyful Birthday Show]
Good evening ^o^ It's Kodama Haruka!!

今日は、待ちに待った生誕祭でした！！
先ほどお家について、頂いたお花だったりお手紙だったりをザーッとみて
ミラーレスの一眼レフでとった写真を携帯に送ったりしていたら
もう、こんな時間…
Today was my long-awaited birthday show!!
I got home not too long ago, bringing along the flowers and reading the letters I had received
and sending the photos from my mirrorless single-lens reflex camera to my phone
and it's already so late...


楽しい時間、幸せな時間は本当にあっという間です（；＿；）
Enjoyable and happy times really pass by in the blink of an eye （；＿；）


忘れられない1日になりました。
今日のために、前々から準備してくださった皆さん
お誕生日をお祝いしてくださった皆さん
本当に、ありがとうございました！！
Today was a day I won't forget.
To the people who started preparing for this day far in advance
and the people that wished me a happy birthday,
thank you very much!!


伝えたいことまだまだ沢山あるのですが
明日、朗読劇があるのでそっちに頭を切り替えたいと思います(￣^￣)ゞ
There's still a lot I want to say
but tomorrow I have reading theater so I need to focus on that for now (￣^￣)ゞ

もう少し、待っていてください。
Please wait a little longer.


練習してたら、喉がすごく痛くなってきました
本当に！なんだこれ？
やだよー
As I was practicing, my throat became really sore
Really! Why is it like this?
I hate it~

緊張しますが、全力でがんばります。
I'm nervous, but I'll do my best.


それでは、キラキラした今日の生誕祭の写真で
おやすみなさい☆
Well then, I'll say good night with these shining pictures
from the birthday show☆

Tomorrow is... / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Oct 6, 2015, 9:28 pm (JST)

『明日は…』
こんばんは^o^兒玉遥です！
[Tomorrow is...]
Good evening ^o^ It's Kodama Haruka!


明日は、HKT48劇場で生誕祭！！
9月19日の誕生日から、長らくお待たせしました！！
Tomorrow is my birthday show at the HKT48 Theater!!
My birthday was on September 19, so thank you for waiting!!


19歳。。。
年齢なんて数字が変わったからって
私の中の何かがいきなり変わるってことじゃない。
19 years old...
The number has changed, but
it's not like anything within me has changed suddenly.

そう思っていたけど、19歳はなんだか
いつもと感じ方が違う気がします。
Even thinking along those lines though,
being 19 has a somewhat different feeling that normal.

来年ハタチ。って思うと
ちゃんと大人になれるのかなぁ？と
不安になったり…
Next year I'll be 20, and just thinking about that
makes me worry whether
I can be a proper adult...

あと一年、こども！って言い訳できるヽ(´o｀；？
甘えていられる！？
I can use the excuse that I'm just a kid for one more year ヽ(´o｀；？
Can I still be spoiled!?

なーんて、考えちゃいます。
For some reason, I've been thinking about things like that.

兒玉遥としては、
マルチタレントって夢に向かっている最中だけども
そんな中で毎年あるこのイベントは
自分と一緒に寄り添ってくださるファンの皆さんの温かさを感じ
その歳のモチベーションを決めるかけがえのないイベントです！！
The girl Kodama Haruka
is following her dreams of being a multi-talent,
but in the midst of that I have this event each year
in which I can get close to fans and feel everyone's warmth.
It's an irreplaceable motivation to grow older each year!!


いつも、うまく伝えられないけど
がんばります(￣▽￣)
As always, I can't express myself very well but
I'll do my best (￣▽￣)


何より、楽しい生誕祭にしたいですね！
はやく、あしたになーあれ！！
Above all, I want to have a fun birthday show!
Hurry up and become tomorrow!!


おやすみなさい☆
Good night ☆

Close Friends / Kodama Haruka Google+ / Aug 11, 2015, 11:37 pm (JST)

『心の友』
こんばんは^o^兒玉遥です！
[Close Friends]
Good evening ^o^ It's Kodama Haruka!


今日は、朝からずっとさくらと一緒にいた気がするなぁ…
I feel like today I've been together with Sakura since the morning....


2人とも始発で博多に来て、cm撮影をしてから
一緒にランチをしてから
博多座の稽古。
We took the first plane to Hakata together, filmed for a commercial,
had lunch together, and then had practice for Hakataza.
(TL Note: 始発 simply means "first departure" so it could refer to any mode of transportation, including planes, trains and buses. However, that doesn't flow in English, so I just assumed she meant the first plane)


昨日から結構ハードなスケジュールやったけど
一緒におったけん頑張れました！
We've had a pretty hard schedule since yesterday
but because we're together we can persevere!


辛い時ほど、人間って寂しく人恋しくなるものですね〜
During hard times, humans become desolate and long for company, right~


さくらがいてくれてよかった。
I'm glad Sakura is here.



どんな時も、気づけばさくらいてくれたから頑張れたんだと思います。
No matter what, whenever I know that Sakura is with me I can give my all.



近いようでまだまだ遠いのかもしれないけど
頑張りあえる仲間がいるって幸せなこと。
There's probably a ways to go until we're really close
but having a friend that can push each other to do better is a blessing.


ありがとう。
Thanks.


明日も、がんばるけーん！！
Tomorrow I'll do my best too!!


おやすみなさい☆
Good night☆

Kodama Haruka Google+ / Jun 7, 2015, 12:00 am (JST)

17位。アンダーガールズのセンター。
素敵な順位を、本当にありがとうございます！！
Rank 17. The center of Undergirls.
Thank you for such a fantastic position!!


去年は、21位。
ランクアップできました。
Last year I was Rank 21.
I ranked up.


目標の選抜入りはできなかったけど、順位以上に大切なものをみつけました。
I didn't achieve my goal of senbatsu, but I found something more important than ranks along the way.


それは、皆さんの歩んできた道のりです。
That "something" is the journey we've walked to get to where we are now.


歌もダンスもできない普通の中学生がアイドルになり、今では知らない人も多いと思いますが、HKT48初期のセンターに選ばれました。
I become an idol as a ordinary middle school student who couldn't sing or dance and right now I think there are many people that don't know this, but I was chosen as HKT48's center in its early days.


でも、HKT48のデビューシングルのセンターには新しい子が立っていました。
But, for HKT48's debut single a new girl was standing in that position.

私には、荷が重過ぎたみたいです。
このグループを支えらなかったみたいです。
For me, it seemed like I was weighed down by too much baggage.
It didn't seem like I had it in me to prop up the group.


そこから『元センター』というレッテルを噛み締めながら進んできました。
From there, with the label of "original center" affixed to me, I reflected on myself and moved on.



周りには沢山のメンバーがいたけど、48グループには『元センター』を経験したメンバーはいなく、どこかでいつも孤独な自分がいました。
There were a lot of members around me, but no one had the experience of being an "original center," and I felt isolated no matter where I was.



そして、去年の9月HKT48の4thシングルで初めてセンターに立たせていただきました。
And then, last year in September I had the privilege of serving as center for HKT48's 4th single.


そんなとき、沢山の方が「おかえりなさい。」「おめでとう！」「待ってたよ！」って言ってくださったんです。
At that time, a lot of people said to me, "Welcome home," "Congratulations!," and "We've been waiting for you!"


2年ほど経った今でも、そう思ってくれる人がいてくださいました。
Even though 2 years had passed, there were people who thought like that.


そこで、私は初めて孤独から解放された気がします。
It was from that point that I felt I was breaking out of my solitude.


いつも、近くには皆さんがいてくれました。
私は、孤独なんかじゃなかったんです。
The whole time, there were people close by.
There was no way I was by myself.


だから、今
兒玉遥。はるっぴ。というアイドルはここにいられます。
Because of that, right now the idol known as
Kodama Haruka. Haruppi. can exist.


皆さんのおかげです。
It's all thanks to everyone.


17位までの道のりは険しく薔薇のように感じたけど、今日皆さんと見た景色はキラキラ輝いていました。
The road to 17th place has been like a thorny rose, but the scenery I saw today was sparkling and shining.

あと一歩。正直、悔しい気持ちはあります。
Just one more step. Honestly, I do feel frustrated.


でも、皆さんと一緒に勝ち取った順位。
たくさんの想いの詰まった私の宝物です。
But, it's the rank that we won together.
It's a treasure packed with lots of memories.


ただ、私についている神様は意地悪であと一歩のところでいつも試練を与えるみたいです。
It just seems like God is testing me and giving me a tribulation with only one step more to go.

聞いたことがあります。
I've heard something like that.


神様は乗り越えられる試練しか与えない。
There's nothing to do but pass this trial given by God.


私はこれを証明してみせたいです。
I'll show everyone that I can get through this.

すごい不器用で、思うように進めないことが多いけど、それが私の生き方なんだと思います。
I'm still very clumsy, so there's still many things I can't think through, but this is my way of living.


また、今日からスタート。
This is again another start.

来年に向けて、1年も準備する期間があります。
Turing to face next year, I have a preparation period of 1 year.

さくらやさっしーと同じ景色をみたいです。
I want to see the same view as Sakura and Sasshi.


一緒に、あの景色を見に行きたいです。
皆さんの力が必要なんです。
ついてきてもらえませんか？
I want to go and see that sight together with everyone.
I need everyone's strength for that.
Will you come along with me?


選抜用のスピーチは来年まで温めておきます。笑
I'll warm up my speech for senbatsu until next year. lol



そして、何よりHKT48メンバーランクインしたみんなおめでとう！
And, more than anything else I want to congratulate the HKT48 members that ranked in!


さくら神7入りおめでとう！
さっしー1位おめでとう！
Sakura, congratulations on entering Kami 7!
Sasshi, congratulations for getting 1st place!

去年スピーチしたHKT48旋風を吹かせられたきがします！
The HKT48 storm I spoke about last year in my speech is finally coming!

そして、最後に
博多愛だけは、誰にも負けません。
Finally,
I won't lose to anyone in how much I love Hakata.


生まれ育った故郷福岡が、HKT48が大好きです！！
I love Fukuoka where I was born and raised, and HKT48!!


今日は、本当にありがとうございました。
Thank you so much for today.

Kodama Haruka Google+ / May 20, 2015, 10:38 pm (JST)

速報8位。
Rank 8 in the first day results.

夢かと思いました。
この想いをなんと言ったらいいのでしょう？
言葉が見当たりません。
I thought it was a dream.
How do I express these feelings?
I can't find the words for them.


本当に本当にありがとうございます！！
伝わっているといいな。
Thank you so, so much!!
I hope I can transmit that.

今年は選抜入りを目指していて、選抜の方の名前や一緒に同じ目標を目指しているメンバーの名前が次々呼ばれていったから、
『もう、ないかも。』って不安で、あきらめかけました。
This year I'm aiming for senbatsu, but as the names of my fellow members who also had the same ambition were read, I doubted myself, thinking, "I'm probably not in here," and resigned myself.

いや！！
今までのこと。皆さんと歩んできたことを信じようと思って速報を聞いていました。
But no!!
Everything that's happened up til now. As I chose to have faith in the paths we've walked together, I heard my name.


今は、少しホッとしています。
Now, I'm breathing a sigh of relief.


そして、HKT48が15人のランクイン。
このことに一番感動しております。感謝。
それから、
さっしーの一位にしびれました！！
Moreover, HKT48 had 15 members rank in.
This is what moved me the most. I'm full of gratitude.
Also, I'm thrilled by Sasshi's Rank 1!!



まだまだ、速報。本番予測不能なのが総選挙の楽しさであり、私達にとっては恐ろしさなんです…
There's a ways to go after the first day results. There's fun in the unpredictable nature of the sousenkyo, but it's also a frightening event for us...


去年のこともあるから…
Then there's what happened last year...


でも、今日は、皆さんの愛に浸りながらぐっすり眠りたいと思います！！
But, today I want to sleep soundly just bathed in everyone's love!!


この調子で、HKT48旋風を吹かせたいです！！
In this manner, I want the HKT48 Whirlwind to blow!!


まだまだ未熟なグループですが
HKT48をどうかこれからも見守っていただけたら嬉しいです。
We're still a very raw group,
but I'll be happy if you would watch over HKT48.


おやすみなさい☆
ぷひゅーはー(_ _).｡o○
Good night ☆
*sigh* (_ _).｡o○

Haruppi's Letter to Sakura for her Seitansai / May 2, 2015 (JST)

Dear Sakura,

Happy 17th Birthday!

It's been half a year since you've been back to Fukuoka, huh? Welcome home.

You've been so busy since Kouhaku at the end of last year that we haven't been able to meet, but
because of Meijiza, lately we've been able to spend time together again. I couldn't be happier. It's just normal, everyday conversation and we talk as if nothing has changed, but I'm so content.

I believe I can do my best when you're next to me. Even though we're in the same generation, you're someone really special.

"Haruppi, you're my comrade in arms." You said that to me. When you did, I thought of us as two friends joining forces to fight. I wanted our relationship to be one in which together we knocked over any obstacles in front of us one by one, spurring each other on as we struggled.

Our dream of being double centers came true. With just you at my side, I can have peace of mind. Thanks for everything, always.

I pray that from here on more of our dreams will come true as we bring HKT48 to higher heights together. With that, I'll end my letter here, with my feelings of gratitude to the 17-year-old Miyawaki Sakura and my wishes for you to flourish even more.

Sincerely,

Kodama Haruka

Disclaimer: This translation is based off of a transcript of the letter that someone on Twitter linked me to. I was hoping either Sakura or Haruppi would post a picture of the letter themselves like last year, but since that hasn't happened in either of their latest G+ posts, there's only this for now. If they do post it eventually and there's any corrections that need to be made, I'll amend my translation here.

Hakata's 3 Nadeshiko / 「It's Payback Time for Last Year!」

The following is an interview with Miyawaki Sakura, Kodama Haruka and Tomonaga Mio in the AKB48 Janken Tournament Official Guidebook 2014. I bought the book, but I will not be posting the Japanese text for copyright reasons.

Last year during the janken tournament, none of the girls in the 16 member senbatsu was from HKT48. In the face of this humiliation, the AKB48 kennin members will rise up. Let's do this!

"I will crush Nacchan during Round 1!" - Tomonaga

Interviewer: First, let's look back on last year's janken tournament.

Miyawaki: All three of us were at Budoukan, right?
Kodama: Yep. I was already a kennin member so I was exempt from the preliminaries, but you 2 had to win your way there, huh. 
Tomonaga: Last year I was still a kenkyuusei so I had to start from the preliminaries of the preliminaries (lol). And then at Budoukan I lost while I was only one step way from senbatsu.

Interviewer: After it ended, you cried out loud, didn't you?

Tomonaga: Yes. It was frustrating because I went all the way to Budoukan representing HKT48 but I lost...
Miyawaki: Sister groups worry about the janken tournament in a different way.
Tomonaga: This year, even if I try my best, I'm facing Nacchan (Matsuoka Natsumi, HKT48) in Round 1.
Miyawaki: Ahh~. But there's a chance that Haruppi and I will also have to face each other too, right?
Kodama: Yeah. However, by the time that happens, we'll already have entered the top 16 so I'm a little relieved (lol).
Tomonaga: I'd hate to be eliminated right off the bat~. When we were drawing lots, I thought, "Oh, I'm facing Nacchan~" while Nacchan thought, "This is what we drew." We talked about it, but the more I think about it the more complex it gets.

Interviewer: It's also gets complicated for other members, doesn't it? Like, "Who should I cheer for?"

Miyawaki: Ah, you're right.
Kodama: They're probably thinking, "Don't fight!" (lol) But Nacchan is putting all her fighting spirit into this. After all, since the preliminaries, she's come to see this through all the way to the end.

Interviewer: Speaking of the preliminaries, wasn't she wearing the lucky underwear she received from Sashihara Rino-san?

Tomonaga: Lucky underwear (lol)
Miyawaki: Out of the 1st Generation, I want Nacchan to be pushed the most. She's the #1 member I want to become like.

Interview: So you're supporting Nacchan too then.

Miyawaki: No, that's going too far! After all, Mio is THE idol!

"I want someone have a solo debut!" - Kodama

Interviewer: Last year was the first time for you all to stand on stage in Budoukan for the janken tournament. How was it?

Kodama: As expected, I was so nervous. I was going to throw what I had planned out beforehand, but I succumbed to the unique air of tension and changed my mind.
Tomonaga: I thought I would just get through it without thinking about it too much, but I was shaken after hearing such thunderous, excited cheering. I started questioning what I should do and then I lost, even though I had been planning to just fight with a smile on the whole time. I don't want to lose my composure this year! (lol)
Miyawaki: I revealed that I had drastically cut my hair during my entrance. The tournament was being broadcast live so I was thinking about what to do. I even had to keep it secret from the girls in the other groups. I studied my first opponent, Matsui Sakiko-san, using the janken book so I was able to to beat her, but I hadn't thought about what to do after that so I lost (lol).

Interviewer: You have expectations for this year too, right?

Miyawaki: None whatsoever (lol). But, last year I was hoping to leave an impression so I think that was an achievement.

Interviewer: Please give your impressions about your opponents this year.

Miyawaki: I'm facing AKB48's Kitazawa Saki-chan, but I've never talked to her before.

Interviewer: Even if you win Round 1 you're facing AKB48's 13th generation in Round 2. I heard they're out to demolish everyone.

Miyawaki: Ehh, that's scary! I'll just enjoy myself.
Kodama: Last year I lost my first match against Ichikawa Miori-san and this year I'm up against Ichikawa Manami-san. I'll defeat this year's Ichikawa~. She's AKB48's 15th generation, who I haven't really met much. I wonder what I should do this year. Should I throw the same hand over and over...eh, probably not...wait, please print that (lol).
Tomonaga: I'm facing Nacchan in Round 1, and if I win then I'll be against whoever wins between Ishizuka Akari-san and Iriyama Anna-san. If I win Round 2 too, then (looking at the tournament bracket) then I'll be fighting Paru-san! That's good! It'll probably be a match that grabs people's attention.

Interviewer: People will also take notice of how many of the 16 senbatsu are from each sister group.

Miyawaki: I hope 4 girls get in!
Kodama: There are 8 members from HKT48, right?  I wish half of that are able to enter senbatsu. No one from HKT48 has entered janken senbatsu after all (lol).
Miyawaki: 4 would be great, right? Last year 4 people participated but 0 got in. This year we have 8 members so...
Tomonaga: We probably won't even get 2 members in (lol).
Kodama: Don't say that!
Miyawaki: It'd be frustrating if none of us get in.
Kodama: Last year I only watched from the sidelines. I was going to support any friend that won and advanced, but there was no one. (Translator's Note: Here, 仲間 is a word that can mean both friend and colleague. Haruppi is referring to the fact that there was no one from HKT48 to cheer on, not that she had no friends there at all.) I want someone from HKT48 to have a solo debut!
Miyawaki: I've been to karaoke with Ueki (Nao) and she's really good!
Kodama: Right? I think she practices by herself.
Miyawaki: Riinu-chan (Kumazawa Serina) is talented too!
Kodama: Yup. She's adept at dancing too, she's incredible!
Miyawaki: Okapan (Okada Kanna) was recovering from a fracture for 3 months but she's throwing all excess power and luck into the janken tournament.

Miyawaki: I wonder if the person that gets a solo debut gets to appear on music programs too.
Kodama: If that's the case, that person's life will really be changed!

Interviewer: Do you all want to have a solo debut?

Miyawaki: I want to! A song with a feeling of youthfulness would be nice. A traditional idol song.
Kodama: I believe there is power in words, so I've been telling myself, "I'll be #1!" every day (lol).
Tomonaga: My voice trembles so if I had a solo debut there would probably be echos everywhere (lol).