redfreesias03

[redfreesias03]

Hey I don't know if you're still active but thank you for all your work and I hope you're in a better spot now than in your last post. <3 I saw your sidebar said "don't repost lyrics as text anywhere else" and wanted to let you know that there's a lot of your translations on jpopasia. There's also one on The Matsuurian (Yoake no Mew) and at least one on the helloprolyrics wiki (Watarasebashi but there are also more credited to someone else nearly identical to yours). Sorry if this is nosy of me!

I check my tumblr inboxes extremely sporadically so I wouldn't really say active, but thanks for your message! I'm actually doing a lot better now, partly because occasionally catching up to activities of former idols post-graduation is tons less stressful than following active idols, partly because translating stopped feeling like an obligation, lol.

Thank you for looking out for me! I'm aware uploading translations online is sort of accepting that they're up for grabs no matter how hard you try expressing your preferences as a translator, and I can't state enough how appreciative I am that a fellow fan would keep those preferences in mind and respect them enough to let me know when they're not being followed.

I've never used jpopasia, but a quick google search shows the person that posted the majority of my translations is a mod, and the whole site comes off as the music equivalent of those gross manga aggregator sites, so I'm guessing reaching out to them isn't going to solve anything. >>;

The only thing I regret is most of those look like really early translations, so they're very much riddled with errors.

The Matsuurian never asked permission to post lyrics either, but Yoake no Mew is actually one of the translations I lost when I accidentally deleted it, so I guess it works out, albeit iffily? As for the H!P lyrics wiki, thanks for pointing out that particular page! Watarasebashi was definitely posted without my permission (hence the awkward formatting omg), but the other nearly identical posts you've seen were uploaded personally by me because my compulsion to try and express the greatness of H!P lyrics via translating them is stronger than my will at this point, even when my Japanese is relatively rusty.

At any rate, I'm still against my tumblr-exclusive lyrics being posted anywhere else OUTSIDE OF subbed videos (please just link them instead), but if I chose to edit them and post them on the H!P lyrics wiki they're under CC-BY-SA so anyone is free to do whatever they like with them with my full blessing, provided they credit properly.

(I'm aware that's inconsistent and somewhat confusing, sorry.)

Incidentally, assuming you're an H!P fan, feel free to track my work there using this link. :)

[redfreesias03]

Something Something Something, Red Freesias.

OR: The slightly embarassing-ish result (that's sort of a conclusion?) that I reached after I spent several days thinking in my own way about how things would change if I let it slip that I'm tired of running a blog, while on a road lined with red freesias.

I hate giving up. Like, I'm really bad at sticking to goals, but I hate actually giving them up.

Redfreesias is something I started on a whim because I (in retrospect, rather arrogantly) thought I could share translations that properly showcased the charms of songs I loved. Quickly, it became a blog that translated songs other idol fans loved, because I've always known firsthand how frustrating it is not to know what a song you love is saying. After a couple of years (in which I graduated from high school and college and had increasingly less free time), I planned on stopping, but that would be giving up, so instead it became a blog where I just...self-indulgently posted things I liked at a carefree pace.

Or rather, I tried my best to think of it as a blog like that, but I really can't.

I do my best not to harbor unrealistically high self-regard of my personal relevance as a translator. I've translated a considerable number of songs, but the quality thereof varies considerably, and the truth of the matter is that most of those songs have considerably more-accessible and much more-palpable translations available elsewhere. Conversely, this is something that in the past has brought me endless peace of mind, because 1) if nobody expects anything, you can't disappoint them, 2) they're not likely to demand things and 3) they can't get angry at you.

Without going too into my personal background, all three of those things are incredibly stressful to me, and having people (usually on anon) express feelings to that extent is probably why I've done my best to make my blog a unilateral existence with as little interaction as possible.

Still, as odd as it sounds, I need to admit that I somehow, illogically, expected something.

To be honest, I'm not sure what it was. Praise? Compliments? Maybe something as simple as someone to gush about songs with.

I wanted the blog to be me shouting into the void, but I wanted the void to shout back (but only ever positively).

Typing that out, even I'm aware of how impossibly, obnoxiously contradictory that sounds.

And so I quietly began to dislike my own blog. At a time when so many of my fellow Americans are either unemployed or forced to work in the frontlines of a pandemic, I'm very fortunate to be able to work from home. But logging on and dealing with tech issues I dislike for work and then doing it again "for fun" is decidedly not fun, and so I quietly began to dislike my blog even more.

When something you (and only you) decide of your own initiative to do isn't fun anymore, the rational thing is to stop. But I hate giving up, and so the thought of just...ending the blog, with a whimper rather than a bang, seemed detestable.

But that's just stubbornness, right? SKE and 48 legend Matsui Jurina promised years ago not to graduate until after summer of 2021, but she announced an October graduation for this year. As a devoted fan, all I could think of was good. I'm glad for her.  Overcompetitive, ever-going, eternal-sun Matsui Jurina chose to stop. She prefaced her graduation statement with "I want to muster up courage and take a step forward"–because even when the end looks like a whimper, even when it might look like going back on your word, sometimes it's brave to stop. Sometimes it’s best to put your own likes and dislikes, volatile and everchanging as they may be, first. There's a line that I've come to really like in Momusu's quintessential graduation song Never Forget You that more or less goes "Was it just by chance that we met? Then our goodbye is also just chance."

Redfreesias is something I started as a whim, so isn't it alright to end it on a whim?

Anyway, all of this is to say that I still really like idols, but maintaining this tumblr isn't fun for me anymore, so I'll stop. To anyone who read through this navel-gazing atrocity of a post, thank you. For previously accidentally translations that I never got to uploading, please check the Wayback machine.

[redfreesias03]

Juushichi no Natsu (“Seventeenth Summer”)

“We’ve turned into the kind of couple that everyone kindly pretends not to notice–my seventeenth summer.”

OR: an embarrassing 17-year-old couple at the beach.

tokubetsu ni aishite yo   juushichi no natsu dakara watashi wo kaete ii no yo   naitari shinai mabushisa ga suki na no yo   shoujiki ni nareru kara kokoro no uchi subete wo   uchiakerareru

Love me in a special way   It’s my seventeenth summer Go ahead and transform me   I won’t cry or anything I love the dazzling light   I’ll become straightforward and honest So I’ll open up my heart completely to you

kocchi e oide to   anata ga iu kara hadashi de kakete tonde yuku hirogeta mune no sono naka e suki yo suki yo suki yo   konna ni mo

“Come here,” you say So, running barefoot, I fly Into your outstretched arms¹ I love you, I love you, I love you   so much

dare mo mina minai furi   shite kureru koibito ni koushite futari nareta wa juushichi no natsu

We’ve turned into the kind of couple That everyone kindly pretends not to notice My seventeenth summer

tokubetsu ni aishite yo   juushichi no natsu dakara ijimeru kurai hageshiku   motomete mite yo ima wa minna daitan ni   natte ii kisetsu na no hadaka no mune ni INISHARU   rakugaki shite yo

Love me in a special way   It’s my seventeenth summer Seek me out with such intensity    that it tortures me Right now it’s the season where it’s okay to be bold Scribble our initials on your bare chest

tooku e yukou to   anata ga iu kara utagawanaide tsuite yuku ookiina senaka mitsume tsutsu ii kawaii kawaii wa   doko e demo

“Let’s go far away,” you say So without any doubt, I follow you As I keep gazing at your broad back I think it’s cute, cute, so cute   wherever we go

dare mo mina minai furi   shite kureru koibito ni koushite futari nareta wa juushichi no natsu

We’ve turned into the kind of couple That everyone kindly pretends not to notice My seventeenth summer

kocchi e oide to   anata ga iu kara hadashi de kakete tonde yuku hirogeta mune no sono naka e suki yo suki yo suki yo   konna ni mo

“Come here,” you say So, running barefoot, I fly Into your outstretched arms I love you, I love you, I love you   so much

dare mo mina minai furi   shite kureru koibito ni koushite futari nareta wa juushichi no natsu

We’ve turned into the kind of couple That everyone kindly pretends not to notice My seventeenth summer

---

¹ Technically, “outstretched chest”, but that sounds bizarre, so I’m assuming the guy stretched out his arms and the singer’s diving into his chest.

W covered this on their second album, albeit with a much more Hello! Project-esque arrangement, as did Smileage’s Wada Ayaka in various lives and C-ute’s Suzuki Airi and Okai Chisato covered it in concert as well when they were 17.

[redfreesias03]

MARIINA no Natsu (“Marina Summer”)

“In my heart, a marina breeze, the distant mirage of that summer.”

OR: A girl goes to the beach year-round to relive a summer crush.

sora no BURUU ga tokedashite irie ni natsu ga chikadzukeba shiroi YOTTO no SEIRU made hizashi no suberidai

The blue of the sky melts away As summer approaches the bay Even the white yacht sails Act as a slide for the sunshine

kyonen    BOOTOHAUSU no baiten de ARUBAITO shiteta ano hito ni aitakute

Wanting to meet the guy who Worked part-time at the boathouse shop Last year

mou ichido    MARIINA no koi hitonatsu no awai omoide watashi dake    hitori koko made kitemita no mou ichido    MARIINA no koi taiyou ni yaketa teiki no FOTOGRAFU kataomoi juunii kagetsu wo taisetsu ni shitai kara

Once again, marina love The pale memories of one summer– I came back all the way here All by myself Once again, marina love A commuter pass ID photo where I’m tanned Because I want to treasure that unrequited love 12 months in a year¹

sukoshi kokoro wo hazumasete ano hi no DOA wo aitara itsumo yume mita    ano hito ga watashi wo matteita

My heart leapt a little When I opened the door to that day– That guy I always dreamed of Was waiting for me

kyuu ni    nani mo hanaseyashinai kara kono mune no atsui tokimeki ni ki ga tsuite

Suddenly, I can’t say a word I notice the heated throbbing In my chest

HAATO ni    MARIINA no kaze ano natsu no tooi maboroshi hohoemi de    kioku tsunaide mitai dake HAATO ni    MARIINA no kaze ichinen no nagai yakusoku kawaranai ai wo daite umi ni kaettekita no

In my heart, a marina breeze The distant mirage of that summer I just wanted to try connecting to The memories with a smile In my heart, that marina breeze The long promise of one year Holding onto that unchanging love, I came back to the beach

mou ichido    MARIINA no koi hitonatsu no awai omoide watashi dake    hitori koko made kitemita no mou ichido    MARIINA no koi taiyou ni yaketa teiki no FOTOGRAFU kataomoi juunii kagetsu wo taisetsu ni shitai kara

Once again, marina love The pale memories of one summer– I came back all the way here All by myself Once again, marina love A commuter pass ID photo where I’m tanned Because I want to treasure that unrequited love 12 months in a year

---

¹ The implication is that the singer goes to the beach year-round, even when it isn’t summer, and her photo in the commuter pass (bus pass/train pass/etc.) is tanned as a result.

[redfreesias03]

Dream Dream Dream

“At a white church in a tiny forest, the bells celebrating our wedding will go happy dingdong ding! Gentle as you are, you’ll surely say something like ‘Don’t cry, my cute baby.’”

OR: A 14-year-old dreams up a wedding.

ima wa DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru kisetsu yo DREAM DREAM DREAM tokimeku watashi wa anata no egao de    chiisana mune hazumu no sou yo DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru watashi no DREAM DREAM DREAM juushi no koi na no DREAM DREAM DREAM anata dake na no…

Right now is a DREAM DREAM DREAM Season for dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM Thrilled, I Feel my small heart leap with your smile Yes, DREAM DREAM DREAM I’m dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM A fourteen-year-old’s love DREAM DREAM DREAM You and you alone…

chiisana mori no shiroi kyoukai de futari no UEDDINGU iwau BERU ga Happy Dingdong Ding! yasashii anata    kitto kou iu hazu ne 「nakanaide… kawaii BABY」 namida no shizuku de hikaru yubiwa wo tsukutte watashi no yubi ni hameru no wa anata yume no you da wa… yasashii anata no kuchidzuke ukeru toki iwaresou 「nakimushi no BABY」

At a white church in a tiny forest, The bells celebrating our wedding will go Happy Dingdong Ding! Gentle as you are, you’ll surely say something like this “Don’t cry, my cute baby.” Making a ring that shines with my teardrops The one who slips it onto my finger is you Just like a dream… When I receive a gentle kiss from you It’s as if you’re saying “My crybaby baby”

ima wa DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru kisetsu yo DREAM DREAM DREAM tokimeku watashi wa anata no egao de    chiisana mune hazumu no sou yo DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru watashi no DREAM DREAM DREAM juushi no koi na no DREAM DREAM DREAM anata dake na no…

Right now is a DREAM DREAM DREAM Season for dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM Thrilled, I Feel my small heart leap with your smile Yes, DREAM DREAM DREAM I’m dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM A fourteen-year-old’s love DREAM DREAM DREAM You and you alone…

chiisana mori no    aoi kotori-tachi futari no UEDDINGU iwau uta wo Happy Dingdong Ding! egao de anata    kitto kou iu hazu ne 「naki BESO mo… kawaii yo BABY」 KYANDORU RAITO ni yureru anata no egao to BUUKE no kaori ga watashi wo tsutsumu no yume no you da wa… yasashii anata no kuchidzuke ukeru toki shiawase na…「nakimushi no BABY」

The blue birds of the tiny forest Will sing celebrating our wedding Happy Dingdong Ding! With a smile on, you’ll surely say something like this “Even your about-to-cry face is also cute, baby.” Flickering in the candlelight, your smile and The scent of my bouquet envelop me Just like a dream… When I receive a gentle kiss from you It’s a happy…”My crybaby baby”

ima wa DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru kisetsu yo DREAM DREAM DREAM tokimeku watashi wa anata no egao de    chiisana mune hazumu no sou yo DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru watashi no DREAM DREAM DREAM juushi no koi na no DREAM DREAM DREAM anata dake na no…

Right now is a DREAM DREAM DREAM Season for dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM Thrilled, I Feel my small heart leap with your smile Yes, DREAM DREAM DREAM I’m dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM A fourteen-year-old’s love DREAM DREAM DREAM You and you alone…

ima wa DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru kisetsu yo DREAM DREAM DREAM tokimeku watashi wa anata no egao de    chiisana mune hazumu no sou yo DREAM DREAM DREAM yume miru watashi no DREAM DREAM DREAM juushi no koi na no DREAM DREAM DREAM anata dake na no…

Right now is a DREAM DREAM DREAM Season for dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM Thrilled, I Feel my small heart leap with your smile Yes, DREAM DREAM DREAM I’m dreaming DREAM DREAM DREAM A fourteen-year-old’s love DREAM DREAM DREAM You and you alone…

DREAM DREAM DREAM anata dake na no…

DREAM DREAM DREAM You and you alone…

[redfreesias03]

Natsuiro no Nancy (“Nancy in Summer Colors”)

“Me, closing my eyes by the poolside—that’s the sort of image stuck on your mind. I want to try and graduate from being the girl that just trails after you.”

OR: A teenager over the summer.

koi kana    Yes! koi ja nai   Yes! ai kana    Yes! ai ja nai kaze ga fuku tabi kimochi mo yureru    sonna toshigoro ne

Is it love? Yes! Not love? Yes! Is it true love? Yes! It’s not. Each time the wind blows, my heart sways along with it—I’m just at that age

You & me splashing along the beach Summer time Only two of us along the beach Summer time

PUURUSAIDO de hitomi wo tojiru sonna watashi wo anata ki ni shiteru anata no ato wo    tsuiteku dake no onna no ko kara sotsugyou shita mitai If you love me    natsuiro no koibito If you love me    natsuiro no NANSHII kyounen to wa kuchibiru ga chigatteru…

Me, closing my eyes by the poolside— That’s the sort of image on your mind I want to try and graduate from Being the girl that just trails after you If you love me, summer lovers If you love me, Nancy in summer colors My lips have changed since last year…

koi kana    Yes! koi ja nai   Yes! ai kana    Yes! ai ja nai kaze ga fuku tabi kimochi mo yureru    sonna toshigoro ne

Is it love? Yes! Not love? Yes! Is it true love? Yes! It’s not. Each time the wind blows, my heart sways along with it—I’m just at that age

You & me splashing along the beach Summer time Only two of us along the beach Summer time

aoi sora kara mabushii    sunshine yaketa karada ni    JERASHII kamo ne anata wa dareka ni koe kaketeru kedo hontou no ai    kidzuku toki ga kuru wa If you love me    natsuiro no koibito If you love me    natsuiro no NANSHII sakki kara jikan sae tomatteru…

Dazzling sunshine coming from blue skies Might be jealous of your suntanned body You call out to some other girl, but There’ll come a time when you’ll notice true love If you love me, summer lovers If you love me, Nancy in summer colors From here on out I’ll make even time stop in its tracks…

koi kana    Yes! koi ja nai   Yes! ai kana    Yes! ai ja nai kaze ga fuku tabi kimochi mo yureru    sonna toshigoro ne

Is it love? Yes! Not love? Yes! Is it true love? Yes! It’s not. Each time the wind blows, my heart sways along with it—I’m just at that age

---

No real notes, but just a reminder that in Japanese, saying “Not love? Yes!” will mean “Yes, that’s right, it isn’t love” as opposed to in English where someone might answer “Not love? Nope, it’s not love.”

Also, natsuiro is literally “summer-colored” but here it’s more like “the summer version of Nancy”.

Anyway, this song, like many great 80s idol songs, was written as an ad jingle. Natsuiro no Nancy wormed its way into people’s heart advertising Coca-Cola with the slogan “Yes Coke Yes”, and became a cat-themed Y!Mobile ad in 2016 entitled Natsuiro no Nyancy (“Meowncy in Summer Colors”).

This song was also recorded by Kikkawa You for her cover album Vocalist? and by Terashima Yufu as a b-side for her single Watashi wo Ryokou ni Tsuretette

[redfreesias03]

Dareka no Mimi (“A Certain Someone’s Ears”)

“If you can’t say it to someone’s face, go post it in advance on the internet! Whether it’s true or a lie, someone will spread the story around yet again today as well: the king has donkey ears!”

OR: Rumors often spread not because they’re true, but because people are spiteful.

surechigatta dare mo kare mo ga mayu wo hisome    ushiroyubi wo sasu sou jibun ga nanka shita ka? fuan ni natte kuru darou

Every single person who walks by Scowls at me, pointing and whispering behind my back Wait, what did I do? Of course it’d make me anxious, right?

hi no nai (hi no nai) uwasa ga (uwasa ga) kemuri wo (kemuri wo) tateteru (tateteru) akui wa itsudatte    rensa surun da omoshiro hanbun no uso ni ohire ga tsuite itsushika jijitsu ni naru

Rumors raise (rumors raise) smoke (smoke) Even where (even where) there’s no fire (fire). Spite will always form a chain Lies made up “just for fun” Get embellished and Before you know it, they become “the truth”

AH    hyouban nante doudemo ii jan dareka ga nanka itte mo ii jan nan no konkyo mo nai hanashi aa da kou da to katte ni tooku de hoeteru dake darou men to mukatte ienai nara NETTO ni demo kaite oke! shinjitsu demo itsuwari demo kyou mo dareka ga kakusan shiteru ousama no mimi wa    ROBA no mimi da

AH, I don’t care about silly things like “reputation” It’s okay if someone says something about me They’re stories with no basis in anything Running their mouths about this and that, They’re just howling what they want from a safe distance, right? If you can’t say it to someone’s face, Go post it in advance on the internet! Whether it’s true or a lie Someone will spread the story around yet again today as well The king has donkey ears!¹

shokudou de guuzen atta naka ga ii to omotteta KO made gikochinai tsukuriwarai de kyuu ni seki wo tatta yo

Even the girl I thought of as a friend— When I came across her in the cafeteria, She gave me an awkward, forced smile and Suddenly got up to leave

ijime wa (ijime wa) UIRUSU da (UIRUSU da) kansen (kansen) yobou wa (yobou wa) sesshoku shinai no ga kenmei datte sa shikkari te wo arae jibun ga utsusarenakya hotto mune wo nadeorosu

Bullying (bullying) is a virus (virus) To prevent (prevent) being infected (infected) It’s wisest not to come into contact with the person Wash your hands of it thoroughly And if you yourself aren’t infected, Then you can breathe easily

AH   seigi nante doudemo ii jan sore ga tatemae to ka demo ii jan dare mo toku wo shinai hanashi tada nantonaku dareka no ashi de mo hipparitai dake da kao mo namae mo kakushinagara tsuba wo haite tanoshii ka? waruguchi to ka kageguchi to ka hito no fukou wa mitsu no aji kai? ousama no mimi wa    ROBA no mimi da

Ah, I don’t care about silly things like “justice” They can go ahead and use that word    as an excuse for their actions Talk that no one gains anything from— Just because they want to keep Someone else from success, that’s all. Is it that fun to spit on others While hiding your name and face? Insults and malicious slander, Does the unhappiness of others    taste sweet as honey? The king has donkey ears!

iitai koto nara nandemo ieba ii KOSOKOSO    hanashite mo itsuka BUUMERAN

If you have something to say, then say it Even if you’re trying to whisper behind my back Someday it’ll boomerang

AH    hyouban nante doudemo ii jan dareka ga nanka itte mo ii jan nan no konkyo mo nai hanashi aa da kou da to katte ni tooku de hoeteru dake darou men to mukatte ienai nara NETTO ni demo kaite oke! shinjitsu demo itsuwari demo kyou mo dareka ga kakusan shiteru ousama no mimi wa    ROBA no mimi da

AH, I don’t care about silly things like “reputation” It’s okay if someone says something about me They’re stories with no basis in anything Running their mouths about this and that, They’re just howling what they want from a safe distance, right? If you can’t say it to someone’s face, Go post it in advance on the internet! Whether it’s true or a lie Someone will spread the story around yet again today as well The king has donkey ears!

--

¹ The story about a ruler with animal ears who tries in vain to keep it a secret is a worldwide tale with many variations: in Korea, it’s King Gyeongmun, in Ireland it’s King Breas, in Serbia it’s the Emperor Trojan, in Wales it’s Lord March ab Meirchion, and of course, the most famous is Greece’s King Midas.

While the original tale is often more about the truth slipping out no matter what you do to hide it (portraying the king as wrong), this song focuses on our seeming obsession as humans with sharing humiliating stories about others (both the barber and, judging by the many global variations of the tale, people as a whole).

The barber’s “low key” sharing of the gossip by talking to an inanimate hole/tree/bamboo grove (to avoid getting caught or feeling guilty) becomes spreading rumors online or behind someone’s back, with equally toxic results.

[redfreesias03]

Yokaze no Shiwaza (“The Night Wind’s Doing”)

“I want to see you so much that it makes me want to cry. I want to fly through the sky straight to you this instant. Why did I fall in love with you this much? I didn’t plan on it being serious, it’s all the night wind’s doing.”

OR: A girl waits and waits for the chance to meet up with her boyfriend and wonders when she got in too deep.

ORENJIiro no mikadzuki ga sora no hashikko de suneteiru mitai denwa kurai dekinakatta no? anata ga nikutarashii zutto matteta no ni…

The orange-colored crescent moon Looks like it’s sulking in the corner of the sky You couldn’t even call me? You’re awful Even though I’ve been waiting so long…

kyou wa shigoto ga isogashii koto nante watashi ni datte wakatteiru kedo hitorikiri no ASUFARUTO wa ashioto ga samishi sugite akikan no hitotsu keritaku naru

You’re really busy with work today Even I can understand that, but The sound of my footsteps as they hit the asphalt all alone sounds all too lonely I feel like kicking one of the empty cans on the street

nakitaku naru hodo anata ni aitai ima sugu kono sora wo tonde yukitai doushite konna ni suki ni nattan darou? honki ni naru tsumori wa nakatta yokaze no shiwaza

I want to see you so much That it makes me want to cry I want to fly through this sky straight to you this instant Why did I fall in love with you this much? I didn’t plan on it being serious It’s the night wind’s doing

kumo ga kakatta mikadzuki ga zutto ano basho de machibouke shiteru hoshi ga soba ni ikutsu atte mo anata ja nakya dame na no tatta hitotsu no hoshi

The crescent moon covered by clouds Keeps waiting and waiting over there in vain No matter how many stars are nearby It’s no good if you’re not here There’s only one star for me

jidoukouen no SHIISOO ni koshikake chakushin rireki wo nando mo nagamete watashi dake ga koi no hijuu omosugite katamuiteru nee MEERU kurai choudai yo

Sitting on the seesaw in the park I check my phone for any incoming calls over and over I’m the only one being weighed down by a love that’s too heavy¹ Hey, please send me a text at least

nakitaku naru hodo anata ni aitai ima iru sono basho e yonde hoshii no doko ka e yorimichi shitai kibun na no yo hitori no heya ni kaeritakunai yokaze no shiwaza

I want to see you so much That it makes me want to cry I want to call out all the way to where you are from here I feel like stalling somewhere along the way home I don’t want to go back to my one-person room It’s the night wind’s doing

dore dake mattara anata ni aeru no? kono mama yoake made koko ni iyou ka? doushite konna ni MUKI ni natterun daro? ashita ni nareba mata aeru no ni… kaeritakunai

How long do I wait Until I can see you? Shall I stay here up until dawn? Why am I taking this so seriously? I’ll be able to see you again tomorrow, and yet… I can’t bear going back home

---

¹ The singer is using the same metaphor here that was used in AKB48’s previous b-side, Namida no Seesaw Game: a relationship is a seesaw where one side’s love is always heavier than the other. In this case, the guy’s clearly not as crazy about her as the singer is about him, so she sinks to the ground while he’s up in the air with no clue of how unhappy she is.

[redfreesias03]

Tenshi no Shippo (“Angel’s Tail”)

“The sun that I long for is all too bright so I pretend I don’t like him all that much and end up giving him the cold shoulder. I just gaze at him from afar–it’s just a one-sided love on my end.”

OR: An awkward tsundere in love.

kono mune no setsunasa wo iki de haite fukuranda fuusen no te wo hanashita

Taking a breath, I let the heartache in my chest out and Let go of the inflated balloon in my hand

dondon takaku aozora    tondeku himitsu kaze ni fukare doko e yuku no?

It rises bit by bit, A secret flying through the blue sky Where will the wind take it?

koi wa itazura na tenshi no shippo FUWAFUWA dokoka ni nigeru no akogare no taiyou ga mabushisugiru dakara sonna suki ja nai furi shite sokkenai taido wo shichau no tooku kara nagameteru watashi dake no kataomoi

Love is A mischievous angel’s tail It runs off airily someplace else The sun that I long for is all too bright¹ So I pretend I don’t like him all that much And end up giving him the cold shoulder I just gaze at him from afar It’s just a one-sided love on my end

moshi kimi ni kono shisen kidzukaretara KYUN to shite shinzou ga haretsu shichau

If you ever turned around and noticed My gazing at you My heart would fill up so much it’d burst²

doushite konna kurushii kimochi ni naru no? shiroi kumo ni kiite mitai

How come I Ache so much inside? I’d like to ask the white clouds that

koi wa kimagure na tenshi no shippo YURAYURA tsukamaerarenai hajimete no keiken ja te ni oenai itsuka un no kazamuki ga kawatte guuzen kocchi wo miru made kono basho de matteru wa niji ga kakaru kiseki made

Love is A flighty angel’s tail It won’t be caught as it sways here and there It’s too much for me to handle on my first try Someday The winds of my fortune will change And you’ll happen to look my way Until then, I’ll be waiting here For the miracle that bridges a rainbow³

koi wa itazura na tenshi no shippo FUWAFUWA dokoka ni nigeru no akogare no taiyou ga mabushisugiru dakara sonna suki ja nai furi shite sokkenai taido wo shichau no tooku kara nagameteru watashi dake no kataomoi

Love is A mischievous angel’s tail It runs off airily someplace else The sun that I long for is all too bright So I pretend I don’t like him all that much And end up giving him the cold shoulder I just gaze at him from afar It’s just a one-sided love on my end

– ¹ The “sun” here is her crush, as the next few lines make pretty clear, so I went ahead and substituted “him” for “it” in this verse.

² Sort of like how your heart “pounds” or “skips a beat” in English, a heart “tightens” or “squeezes” in Japanese. The literal translation here is “My heart would squeeze (so tight that) it would pop/explode.” It’s a cute way of extending the “balloon” metaphor, but I didn’t know a way to naturally keep that in English, so I opted for a different balloon expression.

³ This might be obvious, but since the boy she’s in love with is her distant “sun”, and her crush is currently a fragile, driftless “balloon” that’s taking its time to reach him, a rainbow “bridge” provides a miraculous way of reaching him directly.

[redfreesias03]

Kibou ni Tsuite (“About Hope”)

“Even if you reach out your hand, you can’t reach it yet. Our dreams are farther, farther away than that. Even the stars in the night sky are things that shine billions of light years away, beyond the dark.”

OR: Hope is the strength that keeps dreams going when human weakness feels like it’s about to win out.

sono te nobashite mo ima wa (ima wa) todokanai yo bokutachi no yume wa motto (motto) tooku ni arunda

Even if you reach out your hand You can’t reach it at the moment (at the moment) Our dreams lie Farther (farther) away than that

yozora no hoshi datte nan okukounen no kanata kurayami no saki ni kagayaku mono

Even the stars in the night sky Are things that shine Billions of light years away Beyond the dark

kibou ni tsuite boku wa katarou na mo naki shijin no you ni (you ni) atsuku (atsuku) kimi ga namida ni kureteiru nara nagusame yori mo yagate (yagate) shiramu (shiramu) sora wo katarou ka?

I’ll speak About hope Passionately (passionately) Just like (just like) a no-name poet. If you’re drowning In your tears, Instead of comforting you, Shall I tell you about the dawn sky that Will grow bright (grow bright) before long (before long)?

ai wo sagashite mo sugu ni (sugi ni) mitsukaranai yo jibun no hou kara dareka (dareka) aishite mirunda

Even if you search for love You won’t find it right away (right away) Try and give Someone (someone)    love instead

konna hiroi sekai unmei ni michibikarete tatta hitotsu dake no hikari wo mita

Guided by destiny, I saw A single light In a world so wide

kibou ni tsuite boku wa katarou toshioita suifu no you ni (you ni) fukaku (fukaku) kimi ga nanika ni kizutsuita nara teate suru yori noboru (noboru) asahi (asahi) boku wa yubisasou

I’ll speak About hope Deeply (deeply) Like an (like an) old, aged sailor. If you’ve been hurt By something, Rather than nursing your wounds, I’ll point to The rising (rising) morning sun

hito wa dare mo minna akiramete raku ni naru yo dakedo yume wa itsumo se wo mukenai

People—each and every last one of us— Find it easier just to give up But dreams never Turn their backs¹

kibou ni tsuite boku wa katarou namonaki shijin no you ni (you ni) atsuku (atsuku) kimi ga kotae ni mayotteru nara tachidomarazu ni aruki (aruki) nagara (nagara) kibou ni tsuite boku wa katarou ma mo naku senshi no you ni (you ni) itsuka (itsuka) yume wo kate ni shite…

I’ll speak About hope Passionately (passionately) Just like (just like) a no-name poet. If you’re feeling lost About your answer, While walking (walking) Without stop, I’ll talk About hope Like a (like a) soldier with no name Subsist on your dreams Someday (someday)…

---

¹ Maybe this is confusing, but essentially: if it were up to just us, we’d give up nearly everything. It’s because we have dreams—silly, unrealistic dreams that don’t know when to quit and that break but never really go away—that we take on the impossible.

[redfreesias03]

Because happiness

“Because happiness, more happiness. The two of us are ah, endless.”

OR: The little ups and downs of a relationship that’s ultimately happy.

nee    massugu shinjiteiru no ni ai wo kakuninshichau demo   suki dakara YES    shizen na koudou to DAARIN    yurushite

Hey, even though I straight up trust you, I end up trying to verify your love But I love you, so YES, it’s a natural instinct Darling, please forgive me for it

nee    CHIRARI to ano ko mita desho ochikonjau yo nn    amaeteru NO    ijiwaru mo ai no ichibu

Hey, you were sneaking looks at that girl, weren’t you Now I’m depressed Mm, I’m being childish NO    Pettiness is also A part of love

Because happiness More happiness sekaiichi    waratteru

Because happiness More happiness We laugh more than anyone in the whole world

Because happiness More happiness kono mama Ah Endless Woo Ah

Because happiness More happiness Just like this, Ah Endless Woo Ah

nee    me to me de aizu shinagara kokyuu mo awase yappa    watashitachi YES    niteru kana DAARIN    dou omou?

Hey, as we communicate with our eyes Even our breathing syncs up It looks like we YES, match well after all What do you think, darling?

nee   shoushou wagamama desu ga ai wo hagukunde Let’s go    daijoubu SO    tokoton made hanarenai

Hey, I’m just a tiny bit selfish, but Let’s nurture our love Let’s go! It’ll be alright SO, to the bitter end, I won’t leave your side

Because happiness More happiness sekaiichi    yume ga aru shi

Because happiness More happiness We’ve got the biggest dreams in the world

Because happiness More happiness futari wa Ah Endless Ah Ah

Because happiness More happiness The two of us are Ah Endless Ah Ah

[redfreesias03]

Seishun Gekijou (“Youth Theater”)

“We’ll grow old in time, but our spirits will never die. We’ll never be parted, so hold your head high and let them stare if they will. Glory to the future!”

OR: The certainty that youth possesses, throughout time.

machigau koto nante nani mo hajiru koto wa nai sa

Making mistakes isn’t Something you should feel any shame about

aseru na yo    muri wo suru na tada    shinnen wo motte

Don’t be impatient, don’t overdo it Simply hold on to your convictions

dare ni mo    mamoru beki hito ga iru hazu sa

Everyone has someone They must protect

yagate    oiteku kedo tamashii wa shinanai sa zutto    hanasanaideiru kara hito me ki ni sezu mune wo hare sono mirai ni    eikou are!

We’ll grow old in time, but Our spirits will never die We’ll never be parted, so Let them stare if they will, hold your head high Glory to the future!

aisare sugiteite sore ga atarimae ni natte

Being showered with so much love That love becomes something expected

yokubou ni owari wa nashi zeitaku ni KIRInashi

There’s no end to desire Continuously in luxury

kimi ni mo    mamoru beki hito ga matteiru

You too have someone waiting That you must protect

tatoe    sabishii hi demo kokoro made yowaru na kimi ga omotteru yori zutto mina no aijou de tsutsumareteru sono mirai ni eikou are!

Even if there’s lonely days Don’t let your heart break down You’ll always be more enveloped In love from everyone     than you think Glory to the future!

yagate    oiteku kedo tamashii wa shinanai sa zutto    hanasanaideiru kara hito me ki ni sezu mune wo hare sono mirai ni    eikou are!

We’ll grow old in time, but Our spirits will never die We’ll never be parted, so Let them stare if they will, hold your head high Glory to the future!

sono mirai ni    eikou are!

Glory to the future!

---

This song was originally released as a joint digital single (arranged by Yuasa Kouichi)  by Berryz Koubou and C-ute for their joint stage play Sengoku Jieitai, which later got remade as a Berryz-only musical. However, both groups later released a physical copy of the song in their respective albums (Berryz’s album arrangement was by Uesugi Hiroshi and C-ute’s by Takahashi Yuichi), hence the sheer number of credit tags.

[redfreesias03]

Chou HAPPY SONG (“Super HAPPY SONG”)

“Hey, let’s take each other by the hand, (I’m just a tiny bit selfish, but) let’s walk this road together (nurturing our love).”

OR: Because Happiness meets Shiawase no Tochuu.

nee   yume wo mitanda yo    massugu shinjiteiru no ni watashi okotteta    ai wo kakuninshichau demo   suki dakara    MOTEchau kimi ni YES   shizen na koudou to   yakimochi yaiteta DAARIN   yurushite

Hey, I had a dream about you    even though I straight up trust you It got me mad    I end up trying to verify your love It’s just, I like you, so    seeing how popular you were Made me jealous, it was a natural instinct Darling, please forgive me for it

nee   tama ni fuan da yo   CHIRARI to ano ko mita desho dakara KISU wo shite   ochikonjau yo nn   amaeteru   amaeteru no wa NO   ijiwaru mo   wakatteiru kedo ai no ichibu

Hey, I get anxious sometimes    You were sneaking looks at that girl, weren’t you So give me a kiss    I’m depressed Mmm, even though I know   (I’m acting childish) That I’m acting spoiled (This pettiness is also) A part of love

Because happiness    juubun na hodo More happiness    shiawase na no yo sekaiichi    sasai na koto datte    waratteru

Because happiness    This is enough More happiness    Happiness With you, I laugh at the littlest things, laugh more than anyone in the whole world

Because happiness    tayori ni shiteru More happiness    sonkei shiteru kono mama    na no ni tama ni komarasechau Ah Endless Woo Ah

Because happiness    I depend on you More happiness    I respect you Even though it’s like this, I’ll still end up causing you trouble occasionally Ah Endless Woo Ah

nee    uta wo utatta yo    me to me de aizu shinagara kimi no suki na uta    kokyuu mo awase yappa   watashitachi    onaji tokoro de YES niteru kana    kashi ni tsumaru kedo DAARIN    dou omou?

Hey, I started singing a song    As we communicate with our eyes It was a song you also like    Even our breathing syncs up As expected, it looks like you and I    (At the same spot in the song) YES, we match well    (We forgot the lyrics) What do you think, darling?

nee   futari te wo totte   shoushou wagamama desu ga kono michi wo yuku no   ai wo hagukunde Let’s go    daijoubu   DAME na tokoro wa SO   tokoton made   shikatte ii kara hanarenai

Hey, let’s take each other by the hand    I’m just a tiny bit selfish, but Let’s walk this road together    Nurturing our love Let’s go! It’ll be alright    (Go ahead and scold me) To the bitter end (On my bad points) I won’t leave your side

Because happiness   juubun na hodo More happiness   shiawase na no yo sekaiichi    anna ni ookina   yume ga aru shi

Because happiness    This is enough More happiness    Happiness We’ve got such big dreams, the biggest in the world

Because happiness   nani wo tabete mo More happiness   oishisou na kao futari wa   kocchi made egao ni naru na Ah Endless Ah Ah

Because happiness    The blissful look on your face More happiness    When you eat any kind of food The two of us    Makes me smile too Ah Endless Ah Ah

Because happiness   juubun na hodo More happiness   shiawase na no yo sekaiichi    anna ni ookina   yume ga aru shi

Because happiness    This is enough More happiness    Happiness We’ve got such big dreams, the biggest in the world

Because happiness   nani wo tabete mo More happiness   oishisou na kao futari wa   kocchi made egao ni naru na Ah Endless Ah Ah

Because happiness    The blissful look on your face More happiness    When you eat any kind of food The two of us    Makes me smile too Ah Endless Ah Ah

[redfreesias03]

Shiawase no Tochuu (“In the Middle of Happiness”)

“This is happiness enough. We’ve got such big dreams, and the blissful look on your face when you eat any kind of food puts a smile on my face too.”

OR: Even when they hit the occasional rough patch, the singer is happy with the guy she loves.

yume wo mitanda yo watashi okotteta MOTEchau kimi ni yakimochi yaiteta

I had a dream It got me mad I was jealous of how Popular you were there

tama ni fuan da yo dakara KISU wo shite amaeteru no wa wakatteiru kedo

I get anxious sometimes, So give me a kiss Even though I know That I’m acting spoiled

juubun na hodo    shiawase na no yo sasai na koto datte waratteru tayori ni shiteru    sonkei shiteru na no ni tama ni komarasechau    Ah

This is enough happiness We laugh at the littlest of things I depend on you and I respect you But I still end up causing you trouble occasionally, ah

uta wo utatta yo kimi mo suki na uta onaji tokoro de kashi ni tsumaru kedo

We sang a song A song that you also like But we both forgot the lyrics At the same line

futari te wo totte kono michi wo yuku no dame na tokoro wa shikatte ii kara

Let’s take each other by the hand And walk this road together Go ahead and scold me On my bad points

juubun na hodo    shiawase na no yo anna ni ooki na yume ga arushi nani wo tabete mo    oishi sou na kao kocchi made egao ni naru na    Ah

This is enough happiness We’ve got such big dreams The blissful look on your face when you eat any kind of food Makes me smile too, ah

juubun na hodo    shiawase na no yo anna ni ooki na yume ga arushi nani wo tabete mo    oishi sou na kao kocchi made egao ni naru na    Ah

This is enough happiness We’ve got such big dreams The blissful look on your face when you eat any kind of food Makes me smile too, ah

[redfreesias03]

BRING IT ON!!!

“If I don’t leave behind evidence of this moment in time, of the fact that I was here, I’d be better off dead!”

OR: Rather than follow the path someone else has set out for you, take risks and go your own way.

「BRING IT ON!!!」 Oh Go

shikareta REERU wo hadashi de    hitasura hashitteru sonna otona no iinari    maigo ni naru mae ni

Running hard, barefoot, on the railroad tracks set out you You do as the adults tell you, before you end up a lost child

kidzuite… nee    kore de ii no? hamidase! Going my way

Wake up… Hey, are you really fine with this? Run off the course! I’m going my own way

kokoro wo tojikomete    kusubutteite mo nani mo moyasezu ni tada honoo wa kieteku dake darou

Even if the heart you lock up is smoldering If nothing burns, Then the flame will just die away

Oh yeah!　

tatta ichido shikanai My life koukai shitakunai jibun no michi    kakugo kimete yukou!

I’ve only got one shot at my life I don’t want to have any regrets I’ll steel myself and follow my own path!

shippai nante joutou    norikoete miseru sa moshi sekai ga ashita kiete mo

Go ahead, bring on the mistakes! I’ll show you I can overcome them Even if the world disappears tomorrow

Wow Wow Wow

kuyamu koto wa nani hitotsu nai

There’s not a single thing that I regret

…ikuze starting now!

Let’s go, starting now!

ii ko no furi shite waratte    shippo wo furinagara otona wo yorokobasetai    omae no egao tte

Acting like a good girl and smiling, as you wag your tail Your smile just screams “I want to please the adults”

RIARU ka? nee    tanoshii no? hamidase! Going my way

Are you for real? Hey, do you enjoy that? Veer off the course! I’m going my own way

DAREka no tame dake ni    tsukurareta egao sonna no nisemono sa uso ja hito no kokoro wa ugokanai

A smile you make for someone else, not yourself— That sort of counterfeit smile— There’s no way you can move a person’s heart with a lie

Oh yeah!

tatta hitorikiri daro Myself jibun no tame dake ni omou ga mama    ikite iin ja nai!

I’m all I’ve got, myself So it’s fine to live the way I want To live only for myself, isn’t it?!

kono toki    kono basho ni    watashi ga ita koto wo nokosenai nara shinda hou ga MASHI sa

If I don’t leave behind evidence of this moment in time, the fact that I was here I’d be better off dead

Wow Wow Wow

yuragu koto no nai kono chikai

I vow not to falter

…KIMEro Fighting pose!

…I’ll strike a fighting pose!

DAREka ga waratte mo    DAREka ga naiteru yo no naka sonna MON dattara jibun no te de kachitoranakya

If someone’s laughing, someone else is crying— That’s the way of the world So I gotta grab victory for myself, with my own two hands

Oh yeah!!

tatta hitorikiri daro Myself hoka no dare demo nai kono kokoro wo    tada shinjite susume!

I’m all I’ve got, myself There isn’t anyone else So I’ll simply trust in my own heart and plunge on ahead!

ima ikiteiru koto    watashi no namae wo kono sekai ni kizande miseru Wow Wow Wow

I’ll show you I can carve my name, the fact that I’m alive right now, Into this world Wow Wow Wow

kowai MONO wa    nani hitotsu nai

I’m not scared of a single thing

..mitero Bring it on!!

..just watch, bring it on!!

[redfreesias03]

MAWARU SEKAI (“SPINNING WORLD”)

“This town is overflowing with things I ‘know’ but don’t really know.”

OR: The confusion a dreaming adolescent faces growing up.

surechigau dareka ga mitsumeru shisen no saki ni wa shiranai sekai ga hirogatteru otona wa KIREIGOTO wo heiki na kao de iu kedo kodomo kokoro wa doko ni itta no?    aa

In the gazing eyes of someone passing by, A world that I don’t know expands– Adults spin pretty lies with a straight face, but Where did the hearts they had as a child go? Ah!

wakaru kedo wakaranai koto ga kono machi ni wa afureteru

This town is overflowing with Things I “know” but don’t really know

otona no FURI mo dekizu ni kodomo no mama ja irenai yurari yureru    kokoro    dakishimete mousugu mujaki na kao mo ima yori umaku dekinai potsuri ukabu sekai    mawaru    mawaru

I can’t pretend to be an adult, can’t stay a child As I hug my swaying heart, Soon I won’t even be able to pull off an innocent face the way I do now Standing suspended all on its alone, the world turns and turns

tomodachi ya kazoku no shiranai watashi ga mitakute kossori kare ni koi wo shita no futari de utsuru shashin 「konna kao de waraunda」 jibun ga jibun ja nai mitai    aa

I wanted to have a side of me that my friends and family didn’t know about And so I fell in love with him secretly A photo of the two of us “Oh, I smile like this.” I don’t look like myself at all, ah!

koi ni koi shiteta hazu na no ni dokomademo ochiteiku mitai

I was supposed to fall in love with love and yet It seems like I fell hard all the way

otona no FURI mo dekizu ni kodomo no mama ja irenai yurari yureru    kokoro    dakishimete mousugu mujaki na kao mo ima yori umaku dekinai potsuri ukabu sekai    mawaru    mawaru

I can’t pretend to be an adult, can’t stay a child As I hug my swaying heart, Soon I won’t be able to pull off an innocent face the way I do now Standing suspended all on its alone, the world turns and turns

kodomo wa kodomo no mama ja umaku otona ni narenai yurari    yureru    ima wo uketomete nido to modorenai toki wo kakegaenai     shunkan wo tsuyoku tsuyoku    mune ni yakitsukete mousugu mujaki na kao mo ima yori umaku dekinai potsuri ukabu sekai    mawaru    mawaru

A child can’t smoothly become an adult by staying a child I’m swaying, I’ll take in the now Can’t go back in time a second time, I burn this Irreplaceable moment Deep into my heart Soon I won’t even be able to pull off an innocent face the way I do now Standing suspended all on its alone, the world turns and turns

[redfreesias03]

DEEP MIND

“Our emotions are misled by something that can't be seen. We lose our way, get scared, and cry at times as well. But we have a mission, to live in this world–we definitely do.”

OR: Humans have a pretty great track record of surviving predicaments.

hitomi ni hisonda    fukakai na egao me wo sora shite shimatta hontou no KIMOCHI wo    kakushiteru no nara nozoite mitai keredo    Ah...

Hidden in your eyes was a mysterious smile I ended up averting my gaze Even though, if you're hiding your true feelings I'd like to sneak a peek, ah...

zen'aku no fukakutei    tachitsukushi miekakure suru yami    shinkokyuu shinagara hikari wo mitsukedase

Good and evil are uncertain    We stand frozen in place In the darkness that slips in and out of view, take a deep breath and Search for the light!

zettai tokeru    nazo no kagi wo sagasou    datte bokura wa nakama nankoufuraku na    fuan osotte kite mo    tachidomarazu ni hashirou Don't stop! Don't stop! Let's go!

We'll definitely solve it! Let's search out the key to this puzzle! After all, we're in this together!¹ Even if we're assaulted by an impregnable anxiety, let's run without stopping! Don't stop! Don't stop! Let's go!

seijaku no kanata    kyoumei suru oto sotto mimi sumashitara dareka no kokoro no    oku no doukoku ga kono karada furuwaseru    Ah...

Beyond the silence, there's a sound echoing, If you strain your ears. The wailing inside someone's heart Makes this body shiver, ah...

ROSHIAN RUURETTO sa    itsudatte ima wo seiippai    ikite yuku tte    wari to PAWAA shoumou suru keredo

Life's a russian roulette, at all times Living out the moment    with all your might Is relatively exhausting, but

zettai makenai    tsuyoi kimochi shinjite    kesshite nigetari shinai jinjou ja nai    konnan demo bokura    kitto norikoerareru yo

We definitely won't give in! Believe in these strong feelings! I will never ever run away This is no ordinary predicament, but we can definitely pull through

kanjou    madowasu    mienai nanika ni tomadoi    obiete   naku koto mo aru kedo bokura ga    kono yo ni    ikiru shimei wa kitto aru    hazu sa

Our emotions are misled by something that can't be seen And we lose our way, get scared, and cry at times as well, but We have a mission, to live in this world We definitely do

zettai tokeru    nazo no kagi wo sagasou    datte bokura wa nakama nankoufuraku na    fuan osotte kite mo    tachidomarazu ni hashire zettai makenai    tsuyoi kimochi shinjite    kesshite nigetari shinai jinjou ja nai    konnan demo bokura    kitto norikoerareru yo Don't stop! Don't stop! Let's go!

We'll definitely solve it! Let's search out the key to this puzzle! After all, we're in this together! Even if we're assaulted by an impregnable anxiety, run without stopping! We definitely won't give in! Believe in these strong feelings! I will never ever run away This is no ordinary predicament, but we can definitely pull through Don't stop! Don't stop! Let's go!

---

¹ Normally I translate nakama as friends/comrades/(group)mates, but this song was used as the ending theme to GOMEN NASAI (translated as “Ring of Curse” on Netflix, although it’s apparently been taken off at least the U.S. version).

Spoiler alert: In the scene right before the credits roll and DEEP MIND plays, Suzuki Airi breaks the fourth wall and declares the viewer “nakama”, not because of any real friendship (YOU BROKE THAT WHEN YOU CURSED US ALL, AIRI) but because the audience and her are now in the “same boat”, so to speak.

Anyway, in view of the above, I felt “in this together” was innocuous-sounding enough to retain nakama’s usual spunkiness but convey GOMEN NASAI’s atmosphere properly as well.