Thank you for your letter.
I’m filled with so much emotion.
Sho-kun, I remember the pink letter.
I worked so hard to write it.
However, I’m sorry, but there’s one thing I haven’t told you yet.
I tried to rewrite the letter over and over again, but I was only a 4th grader in elementary school at the time and my mother decided that you probably wouldn’t be able to read my handwriting, so she rewrote my letter for me.
That’s why, technically speaking, this is the first time I’m writing a letter to you.
I’m really sorry. (Deep bow)
Also, in regards to the contents of the letter, I feel like I’m ready to tell you now, so allow me to make some corrections.
First of all, if my letter said that it had been my dream to enter Johnny’s since I was little, that’s incorrect.
Before I entered Johnnys, I went to Arashi’s concert and witnessed the impressive stage, lively performance, and sparkling cheers.
From the day that I saw you on that stage, I became a fan.
After seeing that performance, I decided that I wanted to join Johnnys.
At that time, if I hadn’t begun to look up to you, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this letter, nor do I think I would have chosen to become an idol.
You are the reason why I decided to live my life as an idol.
That’s a really amazing thing…
That’s why I am beyond grateful to you.
Ah, I don’t mean anything weird by that though, so please don’t misunderstand.
It’s a feeling beyond being thankful…
I don’t know how to put it into words.
In any case, I feel really grateful.
Also, in regards to me being worried about if you remembered me, it was simply me thinking as a fan that it would be great if you did. lol
To me, I was just writing a fan letter to you hoping for the small miracle that you would find the time in your busy schedule to read my letter.
I’m really happy that you’ve held on to that letter all this time.
That really surprised me.
When I moved to Tokyo from Nagoya and officially began working as a Johnnys Jr., you took me out to eat.
At that time you said this to me:
“It’s a miracle that the two of us met before you entered Johnnys and now you’re working as a Junior. That’s why, before having a senpai and kouhai relationship, I think of our relationship as one of an older brother and a younger brother.”
I was so happy when I heard those words that it easily surpassed how happy I was to become your kouhai.
That memory is so clearly burned into my mind and even now I think of you as my one and only big brother.
But you have a lot of kouhai who look up to you, and now you have a lot of little brothers.
I used to be jealous, thinking that I was your only little brother. Lol
But at the same time, I’m proud that you are a senpai that so many people adore.
Sho-kun, please continue to give many people new hopes and dreams.
I will continue to chase after my big brother.
One more thing, do you remember the situation depicted in this picture?
Hello.
It’s me. It’s Sakurai.
Congratulations on holding your solo exhibition.
In May of 2023, I t’s really special to me to be able to write a message to you like this as your senpai in the same company.
I think it was maybe about half a year ago or so? I was doing some organization around my house, looking for things that I could display in my own exhibition. It was then that I found a pink envelope. On the front it said, “Sakurai Sho-sama”, and the back read, “Senga Kento”. Inside were 2 pieces of stationery and a single photo.
Written on the matching pink stationery was the following:
“To my beloved Sakurai Sho-kun,
Hello! It’s Senga Kento.
Do you remember me? I’m the kid that came to meet you at a hotel in Nagoya. Joining Johnnys has been my dream ever since I was little, so I’ve been taking dance lessons.
[Omitted]
I’m still a trainee, so I don’t know what’s going to happen… But just like you gave me hope and a dream, I’m going to work hard so that I can one day become an existence like that for someone else!
[Omitted]”
Additionally, the message written on the enclosed photo said this:
“Do you remember me? I’m Senga Kento~
I was 11 when I met you.
I’m 12 now.”
…Hey.
Just how worried were you that I wouldn’t remember you?
I remember you.
An acquaintance of mine was acquaintances with your mother.
You came to the hotel after a concert, right?
…You brought food with you too.
It was really delicious. I still remember what it tasted like.
Just a few months after I received that letter, I was waiting for my turn to be interviewed for an idol magazine. While I waited, I aimlessly flipped through one of the magazines left in front of me. That’s when I saw the young boy that I had met at that hotel in Nagoya listed in it as a Johnnys Jr.
I was so surprised that I needed to look at it again. That was the one and only time I’ve ever looked at a magazine twice.
When I looked at it the third time, my expression softened. (Probably)
Now, my own first solo exhibition has come to an end and I sit here with the pink letter that I received 20 years ago next to me as I write a message as a senpai to Kento-kun who has become my junior in the same company.
It’s an information overload. It’s too perfect of a story. If I were to sum it up in one word, it’s emotional.
After that, you knocked on the door to the world of Johnnys.
Out of everyone who has, you were chosen to become a Johnnys Jr.
Out of all the Juniors, you were chosen as a member of Kis-My-Ft2.
And out of all the groups, yours was chosen to debut.
And now, the two of us are able to work together.
If I were to take it one step further, this exchange may be nothing short of a miracle.
No, let’s not give a miracle credit for this.
Let’s hold our heads up high and call it the fruit of our efforts over the past 20 years.
Once again, congratulations on your solo exhibition.
I’m sincerely happy from the bottom of my heart.
Ah, just one more thing.
The pink letter…
Do you remember it?
May 2023
Sakurai Sho
( English Lyrics )
Re:
Kis-My-Ft2 (2016)
Ashioto
Kis-My-Ft2 (2021)
Buzz
Music and lyrics: Senga Kento( English Translation )
The 7 members had a conversation in their real group chat just for VOCE! We’re revealing their talk as is!
( Kitamitsu~~~~~ !!! Are you sleeping? )
Heading into their 10th year, giving back to the fans.
It’s Kis-My-Ft2, who were able to earn a ticket to perform in their first “Kouhaku” through their vigorous group and solo activities in 2019.
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