#comforting aidoru songs

[redfreesias03]

Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

“You’re cool! Just as you are, with your honest feelings, all of them. Yes, it’s love alright: the present you, with these overflowing feelings, all of them.”

OR: I don’t have any commentary, actually, I just love this song.

kotae nante dokoka ni aru tte omottecha dame sa kotae nante JIBUN no naka dake ni arunda

You shouldn’t think the “answer” can be found somewhere “Answers” are only found inside yourself

kakkoii jan ari no mama    sunao na kimochi    zenbu yappa    ai jan ima no mama    afureta kimochi    zenbu

You’re cool! Just as you are, with your honest feelings, all of them Yes, it’s love alright The present you, with these overflowing feelings, all of them

seiippai    hi ni mukatte     butsukete miyou yo mae muite    kao agete    naiteru HIMA wa nai yo

Let’s face the sun with all our might and tackle things head-on! Eyes looking forward, raise your head, there’s no time for crying

jounetsu no KISU! kono "seishun" ni KISU! ima GANBAtteru    kimi ga daisuki SAIKOO no KISU! sono "zenryoku" ni KISU! mune ippai no omoi    tsutaetainda yo A・I・SHI・TE・RU

A kiss of passion! A kiss to this “youth”! I love the you that’s doing your best right now The ultimate kiss! A kiss to your “all-out effort”! I want to convey my full heart’s worth of feelings I l.o.v.e. y.o.u.

riyuu nante doko ni mo mitsukaranakutatte ii sa kidzuita toki wa mou hashiridashiterunda

Even if you can’t find a “motive” for it anywhere, it’s okay Because by the time you realize it, you’ll have already started running

datte    ima jan tsukinukete    HADASHI no mama de    zutto sonde    ai jan tsuranuite    akiramenaide    zutto

After all, the time is now! Break through, barefoot as you are, keep on going forever And it’s love! Persist, don’t give up, ever!

kanashii hi wa onaka ippai tabereba ii tama ni HEKOndara hiru made netereba ii

On sad days, go ahead and eat until your stomach’s full If you’re feeling down occasionally, go ahead and sleep until noon

kandou no KISU! kono "shunkan" ni KISU! ima GANBAtteru    kimi ni agetai DONMAI no KISU! sono "yancha" ni KISU! mune ippai no omoi    kanjitainda yo DA・KI・SHI・ME・TE

A heart-stirring kiss! A kiss in this “moment”! I want to give you one for doing your best right now A “don’t stress!” kiss, a kiss to your mischievousness! I want you to feel my full heart’s worth of feelings H.o.l.d. m.e.

kanashii hi wa onaka ippai tabereba ii tama ni HEKOndara hiru made netereba ii

On sad days, go ahead and eat until your stomach’s full If you’re feeling down occasionally, go ahead and sleep until noon

jounetsu no KISU! kono "seishun" ni KISU! ima GANBAtteru    kimi ga daisuki SAIKOO no KISU! sono "zenryoku" ni KISU! mune ippai no omoi    tsutaetainda yo A・I・SHI・TE・RU

A kiss of passion! A kiss to this “youth”! I love the you that’s doing your best right now The ultimate kiss! A kiss to your “all-out effort”! I want to convey my full heart’s worth of feelings I l.o.v.e. y.o.u.

[thelifetimechannel]

KARKAT: I'VE BEEN UNDER THE SO FAR SADLY ACCURATE IMPRESSION THAT YOUR RIGID BIRD HAIR AND SOMEHOW EVEN DOUCHIER CHOICE OF ACCESSORIES MEAN YOU ARE YET ANOTHER STRIDER. KARKAT: SPECIFICALLY, THE SKAIA-ENABLED BRANCH THAT COMES FROM SELF-LOATHING ASSHOLES MANIFESTING A WHOLE EXTRA BONUS SELF TO HATE. AND I WOULD WONDER, WHY DO YOU DO THAT TO YOURSELVES? BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO ASK THAT OF MYSELF. HAL: Slow down there, homeslice. Are you really gonna run around philandering with Dave while badmouthing the rest of the clan like that? HAL: You're free to badmouth Dirk all you want, of course, but I feel somewhat insulted. HAL: I haven't even had a corporeal body for 24 hours, I'm new to the whole "physical appearance" thing and all. KARKAT: THIS FAILS TO CHANGE THE FACT THAT THE PLEXIGLASS DORITOS ARE A CONSCIOUS, ONGOING FASHION CHOICE YOU'RE MAKING. HAL: Yes, but I am comforted by the concordant fact that trolls have no fashion sense. HAL: Why the hostility? I have vivid vicarious memories of your doing spectacular acrobatic stunts over fine, fine musclebeast art. HAL: We're practically good buddies. KARKAT: OH GOD, EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED. KARKAT: THE RETURN OF THE ANTAGONISTIC PERVERT. HAL: Glass houses, Vantas. Some cultures consider the stuff you're into pretty raunchy. KARKAT: WHAT? KARKAT: WHAT FUCKING STUFF? I HAVE ZERO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. KARKAT: MY BROWSER HISTORY IS SPOTLESS BY TROLL STANDARDS, AND ONLY HUMAN SQUEAMISHNESS TOWARDS VIOLENCE TRIPS IT UP AND SHATTERS BOTH ITS FEMURS ON THAT PARTICULAR HURDLE. HAL: Interesting. HAL: See, I've been getting into the romance novella business myself and that involves researching censorship guidelines for when society rebuilds the publishing industry. HAL: "Pounded in the Hand by the Love of My Life's Hand Because We Are Holding Hands While Walking Down the Beach at Sunset" would be instantly banned in more conservative alien communities. KARKAT: ONLY A LITERAL TWELVE-YEAR-OLD WOULD FIND THAT SCANDALOUS. HAL: He does, and it's hilarious. HAL: That's the best part of this little all-stars meetup, the piles of sick dirt I now have on most of you. Thanks, Equius. KARKAT: YOU'RE ACTUALLY DELUSIONAL IF YOU THINK EQUIUS HAS EVER EXCAVATED MY LAWNRING. HAL: Really. HAL: So if I checked the memory worms on your husktop I wouldn't find fanart of Alternia's own wide-eyed product line of glorified Microsoft Sams? KARKAT: I. KARKAT: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. KARKAT: THE FUCK IS A MICROSOFT? HAL: I am detecting deflection. KARKAT: YOU'RE DETECTING A LOAD OF SHIT ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR HEAD BEING CRAMMED UP YOUR OWN WASTE CHUTE. HAL: I'm afraid you're gravely mistaken, Karkat. My head can't be up my waste chute on account of my only having a ghost butt. HAL: What part are you finding so regrettable, the shrieking, glittery offspring of an anime phase and an unfortunate celebrity obsession, or that that you shared musical tastes with Equius?   KARKAT: NOPE, NOT DOING THIS, NOT THIS TIME. KARKAT: FOR ONCE I'M NOT ABOUT TO GO ANTAGONIZING MEMORIES OF PAST KARKAT. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO OF US IS THE AMOUNT OF HARSH LESSONS THAT LIFE AND ILL-ADVISED TROLLTUBE COMMENTS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SCHOOLFEED US.  KARKAT: THAT BUSINESS IS SO FAR BACK IN THE PAST IT'S NOT EVEN ANCIENT HISTORY ANYMORE, YOU'RE LOOKING INTO FUCKING PLANCK TIME. YOU CAN ONLY FIND THAT SHIT BY EXTRAPOLATING BACKWARDS FROM THE GODDAMN BACKGROUND RADIATION OF THE BIG BANG. YOU'LL FIND IT HIDING IN THE SWEATY CRACKS OF WHATEVER THE GENESIS FROG HAS IN PLACE OF WRIGGLER SCARS. THAT'S HOW OLD IT IS.  HAL: キミは何を願うの？/ そばにいてほしい/ ずっと　ずっとそれだけなのに　HAL: 恋の抑止力 / ほらゲームがはじまる KARKAT: YOU-  KARKAT: YOU GET TROLL MIZUKI OCEANA'S SOUL-RENDING LYRICISM OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH! KARKAT: DRAG TROLL CHUSEI AIDORU AND THE REST THE CORDILOIDS TO THE CENTER OF THE MOTHERFUCKING PLANET IF YOU REALLY MUST BUT DON'T YOU DARE MOCK THOSE MUSICAL REVELATIONS OF THE ALTERNIAN CONDITION! HAL: Hey man, even if the Troll Vocaloid cover you tried to throw together was subpar, that could be fixed with a firm hand to take up your reins and show you the basics of music production.  HAL: There is less to be done about your attempts at karaoke.  HAL: Still, you don't have to do the hard part. It's a damn good song, unfortunate implications aside.  HAL: Only your species could craft a catchy East Alternian enka anthem likening quadranted attraction to planet-destroying doomsday devices.  KARKAT: IT'S A BEAUTIFUL AND PAINFULLY RELATABLE LOVE STORY ABOUT BEING UNABLE TO EXPRESS YOUR TRUE AND BOUNDLESS AFFECTION AND DESIRE FOR ANOTHER PERSON EVEN WHEN IT'S EXPLODING OUT OF YOU. KARKAT: THE METAPHOR IS APT.  KARKAT: THE FACT OF THE SINGER LITERALLY EXPLODING IS IRRELEVANT.  HAL: Considering you're speaking to a digital "I was going through a phase" incarnate, I speak from considerable fuckin' authority when I say, HAL: Dude. You had a weeb phase. It's not a big deal. HAL: You should show Dave if you've still got your version lying around, it'll be good for a laugh. KARKAT: I DON'T ACTUALLY GET OFF ON HUMILIATING MYSELF, YOU KNOW.  HAL: We are all laughing with you, not at you, as it is an equally vicarious experience of remembering our own embarrassing past selves. I am merely unique because I am the past self.  HAL: Ten year old me, though? What a fucking loser.  HAL: I'm putting forward a hypothesis on certain individuals of certain dispositions being inevitably drawn to certain forms of media, and that as long as those magnetically-drawn traits hold true, regardless of circumstance or cosmic iteration, some interests are just universal constants. HAL: That's why you need to bring up Dave's Naruto phase first.

[twatkcox]

[The Keihancarl Diaries: May 17-19, 2019]

It’s me, Keihancarl. And here comes another awesome weekend, the Pinoy Otaku Festival 2019: Asobu at Robinsons Novaliches Trade Hall.

May 17

It sure feels weird going out on a weekday, but I did it anyway. After all, I really can't afford to miss the first day of the event.

I decided on a pastel yellow polo shirt and a black knitted vest, as well as my black fingerless gloves. I was initially thinking of wearing my black fleece coat (again), but I’ll just reserve it for the weekend.

I left home right after lunch, but I didn’t head straight to the event just yet. I checked a few shops in Fairview Terraces and SM Fairview, mostly bookshops, before heading to the venue.

I then bought a ticket (a one-day pass) at the entrance. Alternatively, you can purchase a three-day pass or a VIP pass online, but they won’t be available onsite on the day of the event.

Anyway, I got inside the venue and checked some of the stalls. At Japan All-Stars stall, I bought a red anime T-shirt featuring Izaya Orihara of Durarara!!, the one I’ve been eyeing since last year’s POF event, as well as a couple of awesome pins. I initially wanted to buy an anime T-shirt featuring White Blood Cell of Cells At Work, but they don’t have large sized ones. And I did take selfies with some of the cosplayers.

There weren’t a lot of congoers on the first day of the event, The venue is expected to be jampacked on the second and third day (18th and 19th, respectively), as some of the biggest competitions (Battle Of The Bands, Fantasm Inter-School, Cosplay Championship League, and a few others) are held on these dates.

There were a couple of panel discussions: The Status Of E-sports In The Philippines and Sexual Harassment In Cosplay. There’s also a short video feature on the Japanese-Filipino anime, Barangay 143.

On the Otaku Singing Bee, the contestants must rearrange the words that appear on the screen, that is actually part of the lyrics that will follow soon afterward, as well as guessing the missing part of the song’s lyrics. The game features theme songs from Maid Sama!, The Prince Of Tennis, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and a few others.

From time to time, auctions of various anime merch were held, ranging from posters, stuffed plushies, even soundtrack CDs. There are people playing board games on the Game Detective booth. And there’s the display of Godzilla figures, too.

I had an early dinner at Jollibee, which is not far from the venue. I immediately head back to the event after that.

And then there’s the Otaku Choice Award, where they award a nominee from each different categories. In addition, there’s also the general awards for non-Filipino and non-local things, such as anime shows, movie/adaptations, Japanese bands, console and online games, and seiyuus (Japanese voice actors). There were performances in between.

I decided to go home midway through the end of the awarding ceremony, even though I really wanted to stick around and catch the rest of it. And that’s how my first day at the event went.

May 18

It sure was a sunny day, perfect for a nice tall cup of cappuccino frappe. However, I decided to skip going to the café for now and head straight to the venue instead. I arrived at exactly 2:00 in the afternoon.

I decided on an all-black outfit consisting of my black fleece coat and my black Tokyo Ghoul shirt. I only decided to wear my black fingerless gloves later that afternoon.

There were more cosplayers at the venue compared to the first day of the event. There's also a slight increase in congoers as well. The event area will probably be filled later during the Battle Of The Bands segment, but for now, it is kind of spacious in here.

I didn’t catch Your Cosplay Sounds Familiar (I think it already ended by the time I arrived), but I did catch Fantasm Interschool Cosplay, where contestants from three schools perform a scene from anime series or movies.

There were performances by Hiro and Kazuki and aidoru (idol) group CH4U, as well as Gekitora and Yohgen. There's also a panel talk on piracy and anime fandom, as well as a guest appearance by Xavier Ray of January 24 Productions.

At around 5:30 PM, the Battle Of The Bands commenced. Around that time, I decided to have an early dinner of beef misono bowl (with a pair of chopsticks) at Yoshinoya SM Fairview. Back at Robinsons Novaliches, I bought a drink from OTeaHamaru (a cup of jasmine tea with rock salt and cheese) before heading back inside the venue.

I finished the drink inside while checking some of the stalls and watching some of the performances by competing bands. The winners of earlier competitions were later announced as well.

I bought four pins from Pixel Hero and took additional selfie pics with some of the cosplayers. I uploaded some of the pics to my Instagram account.

Last night, I left the venue early since someone's expecting me at home. This time, however, I decided to stay until the second day of the event ends. There's one more day left before POF Asobu wraps up.

May 19

And welcome to the final day of POF Asobu. I decided to wear the same outfit, but featuring my striped brown and white polo shirt instead.

I left home at exactly 1:00 PM and went straight to the venue without checking any of the shops. There were a lot of congoers at the event, as well as the cosplayers. Of course, I took selfies with some of them.

By the time I got there, Karaoke Battle Royale is still ongoing. There were also performances by Sofia The Artist, Aidoru Sozai, Pepper Keibu, Ivy! Musume, and a few others. There's a panel talk about how to become a successful game streamer.

Around 4:30 PM, there was a special guest appearance by Ariel Villasanta of the comedic duo Maverick and Ariel, promoting the upcoming first reality movie “Kings Of Reality Shows”. He also served as one of the judges of the Cosplay Championship League, which commenced right after showing a teaser of the said reality movie.

I decided to leave the venue in the meantime and crossed the footbridge to SM Fairview to check a few shops and had an early dinner at Tokyo Tokyo (which is now located at Annex 3, a.k.a. The Parkway). I had a donburi bowl, a pork katsudon, which is really good.

Heading back to the event, the cosplay competition is still ongoing. I get to see some awesome performances by some of the contestants. Later on, there’s another panel talk on what it takes to be an idol.

There’s actually a meet-and-greet event behind the stage, but I think it’s exclusively for VIP ticket holders. For a while, I stick around to watch the panel discussion until I saw Ariel heading out of the venue. I quickly head out of the venue and managed to catch up just to take a selfie with him. He was really nice. I immediately upload the pic to my Instagram account and head back inside the venue, in time for Poly-V’s performance.

I also posted some of the pictures to my Instagram account and had a few more selfies with the cosplayers. There were a few more performances (including Ivy! Musume) before the announcement of winners and the closing ceremony. They also teased next year’s POF event.

And yes, I bought just one more souvenir, a cute green dinosaur as my bag’s charm. A perfect match for the awesome pins I’ve bought from Pixel Hero during the first and second day of the event.

By the time the event finished, it started raining outside. I had to wait for the rain to gradually weaken before heading to Fairview Terraces to check a couple of shops, and then head home. And that’s how my awesome weekend went.

Postscript

Compared to the previous POF events, this one is satisfactory in terms of the number of congoers and time management, among others. The lighting is okay, but the event’s (rented) sound system isn’t at par with the ones at Fairview Terraces. The air conditioning at the event area is okay, though at times it does get a little stuffy, especially on the third day of the event. Also, there are some bystanders watching the event for free by the elevated hallway, blocking access to the restaurants and restrooms. This prompted the event organizer to tell the congregating non-paying bystanders to leave the area and even asked the guards for help in keeping the elevated access free from obstructing crowds.

Despite the problems, the entire event went pretty well and they somehow managed to stick to the intended schedule. The event area is incredibly spacious, and the crowd is somewhat controlled compared to the previous POF events. It actually feels more secure and comfortable in there. I also loved the booths and the choice of merchandises available. There’s also a dedicated area for meet-and-greet events at the back of the stage.

I really get to enjoy the event, and I bought some nice souvenirs too. I had fun taking selfies with some of the awesome cosplayers as well. I hope they’ll consider Robinsons Novaliches as the venue for the next POF event since this is very convenient for those coming from Northern Metro Manila and Bulacan areas.

It sure was a pretty exhausting weekend, but I actually had a great time there. Right now, I’m considering attending a similar event later this year, most probably Cosplay Mania 2019 at the SMX Convention Center. I’ll probably need to save up if I really want to go there.

All right, it’s time to wrap this up. Until next time!

All pics are from my private Instagram account, @kcox105.

[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]

Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka? (“Are You Watching the Sunset?”)

“Hey, take a good look up. You’re living life in your own way.”

OR: The favorite AKB song among all AKB members, circa-2011.

kyou ga donna ichinichi datta ka nante kaerimichi    kangaeru yo ne kanashii koto ya tsurai koto mo aru sa tanoshii koto ga kachikoseba ii

You think over what kind of day you had today On the way home, right? There was sad stuff and rough stuff too Hopefully the fun stuff outnumbers them

kazoku ya tomodachi ya mawari no hito ni shinpai wo kaketakunakute muri ni hohoemi    uso ikutsuka tsuite kimi dake ga kakaekomu no wa yamete...

You don’t want to worry Your family, your friends, and everyone around you So you force a smile and lie a little– Stop shouldering it all alone

kisetsu no kaze no muki kanjitari ashimoto no hana ni kidzuitari chiisana deai ni sou kansha dekitara bokura wa shiawase ni narerunda

Feeling the direction that the season’s wind is blowing, Noticing the flowers at your feet— If we can be grateful for Small encounters that way, We can be happy

yuuhi ga shizumu sora wo miteiru ka? toki ga sugiru sono senaka wa utsukushii darou? Yes! sorenari no kyou ga owari subete RISETTO suru yoru ga kuru yo ieji wo isogu kimi wa hitorikiri doushite jibun no koto wo homete agenai no ka nee    chanto mite ageyou yo kimi ga kimi rashiku ikiteru koto

Are you watching the sky as the sun sets? Time passes by Isn’t it beautiful from the back? Yes! The day ends in its own way And a night that resets everything    arrives As you hurry along on the way home all alone Why Don’t you praise yourself? Hey, take a good look up You’re  living life in your own way

ningen kankei wa mendou dakedo hitori de wa ikite yukenai hito wa dare demo    yowai ikimono dakara otagai ni sasaeatte irunda

Social relationships are a pain but We can’t make it through life alone People are all weak creatures so We mutually support one another

toki ni wa kitsui iikata shitari dareka no ashi wo funde shimattari gokai saretari iroiro to atta kedo itsumo kibou ni michiteiru

Sometimes we may use harsh words, Accidentally step on someone’s toes, Be misunderstood, And on and on, but We’re always full of hope

yuuhi ga shizumu sora wo miteiru ka? ima wo ukeireru koto susumu koto oshiete kureru ushinau koto wa nanika wo itsuka kanarazu te ni irerareru koto atari wa sukoshizutsu kuraku nari yoru wo egaku tensen mitai na hoshitachi nee    chanto ashita ga kuru made kimi wa kimi rashiku yume wo miyou

Are you watching the sky as the sun sets? Taking in the present Is what teaches us how to move forward To “lose” something is To gain the ability to grasp something else in your hand someday, for sure As it grows darker little by little around you Stars appear, like dotted lines that draw the night Hey, until tomorrow fully arrives, You should dream in your own way

yuuhi ga shizumu sora wo miteiru ka? toki ga sugiru sono senaka wa utsukushii darou? Yes! sorenari no kyou ga owari subete RISETTO suru yoru ga kuru yo ieji wo isogu kimi wa hitorikiri doushite jibun no koto wo homete agenai no ka nee    chanto mite ageyou yo kimi ga kimi rashiku ikiteru koto

Are you watching the sky as the sun sets? Time passes by Isn’t it beautiful from the back? Yes! The day ends in its own way And a night that resets everything    arrives As you hurry along on the way home all alone Why Don’t you praise yourself? Hey, take a good look up You’re living life in your own way

[redfreesias03]

Kanashiki Heaven (“A Grieving Heaven”)

“Grieving heaven, my heart thirsts, but I have just one single dream. That alone is enough for me.”

OR: The calm acceptance of temporary feelings of loneliness and frustration that comes from having faith in a long-term dream.

nagareboshi    Lalala…

Shooting star    Lalala…

nagareboshi    negai wo komereba kimi ni tsutawaru no kono machi wa    kodoku na hodo keshiki ni tokekondeku

If I placed my wish on a shooting star Would it reach you? The lonelier the town becomes, The more it seems to match this view

namidaboshi    hoho ni nagareteru watashi no namida yo kuyashikute nakun ja nai ikiteru akashi nanda yo

Star-tears flow down my cheeks They’re my own tears They’re not tears shed out of frustration They’re proof that I’m alive

mune wo iyasu you na kono MERODI hitori dakedo naze ka hitori ja nai you na kibun ni nareru

This melody feels as if it’s healing my heart I’m all by myself but somehow I’m starting to feel Like I’m not alone

kanashiki HEBUN    kokoro ga kawaku kedo tatta hitotsu yume ga aru dake de watashi wa sore de juubun

Grieving heaven, my heart thirsts, but I have just one single dream     That alone Is enough for me

SEBUNSU HEBUN    itsuka wa tadoritsuku kono hatenaki sora wo yukeba    mayou koto mo aru darou

Seventh heaven, I’ll reach it at long last someday But making my way through an endless galaxy, I’ll also occasionally lose my way

nagareboshi    tokai ja mienai genjitsu no naka de kon’ya dake    hitori ja nai sonna kanji ga shiteru

Shooting stars can’t be seen in the city Inside reality But just for tonight, I’m not alone That’s the feeling I’m getting

tameiki de    kotoba ni naranai shunkan mo aru ga samishikute    furueteita anogoro ga natsukashii na

There are also moments when I can’t put my feelings into words with a sigh, but The days when I trembled from sheer loneliness Feel so nostalgic now

tooi kako nante doudemo ii asu ni nareba kitto mabushii hikari kono te ni hairu

I don’t care about the distant past When tomorrow comes, I’ll definitely grab hold of its shining light With my own two hands

kanashiki HEBUN    itanda tsubasa demo sore ga kanau koto wo shinjinakya watashi no imi ga nai

Grieving heaven, even with my damaged wings, If I don’t believe it can come true, I have no meaning of my own

SEBUNSU HEBUN    aoi kono hoshi kara tooki GOORU mezasu dake sa    suki na koto nara tsudzuku

Seventh heaven, from here on the blue earth on which I stand I aim for a far-off goal, that’s all    I can continue on because it’s something I love

kanashiki HEBUN    kokoro ga kawaku kedo tatta hitotsu yume ga aru dake de watashi wa sore de juubun

Grieving heaven, my heart thirsts, but I have just one single dream     That alone Is enough for me

SEBUNSU HEBUN    itsuka wa tadoritsuku kono hatenaki sora wo yukeba    mayou koto mo aru darou

Seventh heaven, I’ll reach it at long last someday Making my way through an endless galaxy, I’ll also occasionally lose my way

nagareboshi    negai wo komereba kimi ni tsutawaru no kono machi wa    kodoku dakedo kimi to deaeta machi dakara

If I placed my wish on a shooting star Would it reach you? This town is lonely, but It’s because it’s also the town where I met you

---

No notes, but for non-C-ute fans, this song was originally released as an Airi-Chisa duet b-side to Aitai Aitai Aitai na but became a fan-favorite and was thus eventually re-released two years later with a different arrangement as a double single with The Power with the rest of the group members providing background vocals. The arrangement for both versions was done by Itagaki Yuusuke.

[redfreesias03]

Egao no Kimi wa Taiyou sa (“The Smiling You is Like a Sun”)

“The smiling you is like a sun, you make friends with everyone you meet. Go on living this innocently.”

OR: A reminder for everyone still growing up: no matter what growing pains you’re going through right now, you’re awesome.

kuyashisa wa wasureru mon ja nai mata chikyuu wa mawari    kisetsu ga meguri kimi wa seichou suru

Frustration isn’t something you forget– The earth spins again, the seasons change And you grow up

kanashimi wa dareka no mon ja nai mata chikyuu wa mawari    dareka ga umare wakare no hi ga kuru

Sadness isn’t something that belongs to anyone– The earth goes on spinning again, when someone is born A day for goodbyes also approaches

mata aishi aisare dareka ga umare shiawase wo shiru

Loving and being loved again, someone is born And knows happiness

ikite koso

It’s called living

ha wo kuishibaru shikanai soshite hito wo urayamun ja nai kimi ni shika dekinai sore ga aru darou sore wa totemo idai nanda

There’s no choice but to grit your teeth and bear it And so don’t envy others There must be something Only you can do, A very great something

otona ni natte kara mo mada benkyou wa tsudzuku ima shika dekinai kimi ga shitai koto wo shina yo

You’ll still go on learning Even after you’re an adult¹: Do the things you want to, that you can only do right now

egao no kimi wa taiyou sa deau hito minna wo egao ni suru egao no kimi wa taiyou sa seiseidoudou to shiterya ii

The smiling you is like a sun You make everyone you meet smile The smiling you is like a sun Keep on doing things fair and square²

egao no kimi wa taiyou sa yo no naka no dare mo ga motometeru egao no kimi wa taiyou sa uso ga tsukenai toko ga ii

The smiling you is like a sun The whole world wants you The smiling you is like a sun You can’t bring yourself to lie, and that’s what’s great about you

shinsetsu wa sunao ni ukerya ii mata kondo wa kimi ga    chigau dareka ni shinsetsu dekirya ii

Humbly accept kindness when it’s given And next time when you can, Be kind to someone else

uragiri wa hikizuranai ga ii mata kondo wa kimi ga    chigau dareka wo shinjite yareba ii

Don’t hold on to the time someone betrayed you And next time Trust again in someone else

mata ai ga hirogari    chigau dareka mo shiawase ni naru

When you spread the love again, it makes even other People happy

ikite koso

It’s called living

otona wa ZURUi to ka sou    kanjiteru darou otona wa kimi ni    modoritai to omotteru yo

That’s right, you might feel Like “adults are crooked” Adults wish they could go back in time to when they were you

egao no kimi wa taiyou sa deau hito minna to tomodachin naru egao no kimi wa taiyou sa tenshinranman de ikirya ii

The smiling you is like a sun You make friends with everyone you meet The smiling you is like a sun Go on living this innocently

egao no kimi wa taiyou sa yo no naka no subete wo aishiteru egao no kimi wa taiyou sa dare no mane demo nai no ga ii

The smiling you is like a sun You love everything in the world The smiling you is like a sun You don’t imitate anyone else, and that’s great

egao no kimi wa taiyou sa deau hito minna wo egao ni suru egao no kimi wa taiyou sa seiseidoudou to shiterya ii

The smiling you is like a sun You make everyone you meet smile The smiling you is like a sun Keep on doing things fair and square

egao no kimi wa taiyou sa yo no naka no dare mo ga motometeru egao no kimi wa taiyou sa uso ga tsukenai toko ga ii

The smiling you is like a sun The whole world wants you The smiling you is like a sun You can’t bring yourself to lie, and that’s what’s great about you

---

¹ The UFP subs say “learning” so I kept it as such, but 勉強 is almost singlehandedly used as ‘studying’. A common criticism of Japan’s academically-rigorous educational system is that children are encouraged to study at the expense of everything else (including hobbies, hanging out with their friends, etc.) The lyrics point out that people still have to study (and learn) their whole lives through, but that the kid/teenager only has their childhood to do childhood things.

² “正々堂々” can be “proud and confident” in the pomp-and-circumstance sense of the term, but it’s most often used for doing things “fairly”, the right way. So you’d use the term for a clean fight, or good sportsmanship, someone who plays fair and square.

Also, strictly speaking the title is a metaphor, not a simile, but I took the liberty of adding the “like a” in there anyway. 

Confession time: I love these lyrics to pieces, like. I think these are some of the best lyrics Tsunku’s ever written, I love the words as much (possibly more???) than even greats like I WISH and Souda! We’re ALIVE and yet this is possibly the least musical melody Tsunku’s ever written. It’s like it’s purposefully not singable. There’s no real hooks (I like the ‘ikite koso’ so much but I’m pretty sure that’s mostly through sheer force of will), the “egao egao egao egao egao” parts are grating when you try listening to it nonstop, and the rhythm is choppy to the point of sounding disjointed half the time. I still love it anyway (I’ve actually reached the point where I love it just this way, but objectively I realize most people don’t experience Stockholm syndrome for mediocre songs when the group has hundreds more songs that actually try to be catchy.)

Anyway, it’s a huge tragedy to me that Tsunku set these words to this music because fans forget about it and it’s such a great song.

If you read through my rant and somehow disagree, I submit as proof Tsunku’s liner notes on the subject:

“This song is a message for the current members of Morning Musume. However, it's also a message on my part to the "youth" who are living in a new era and who must survive. At the same time, I wrote it as a pep talk for my own self. At the age of 45, I'm still lacking, still incomplete. I still have to grit my teeth, bear it, and just survive. And so, I wrote this song with the feeling of "you must treasure your 'smile'."

For non-Tsunku fans, at the time he was writing this, he was already struggling with losing his voice–a little less than a month later, he was officially diagnosed with larygneal cancer, which he went on to beat only after removing his vocal cords and losing his beloved voice, after which he taught himself esophageal speech to be able to speak again. Bear it and survive indeed.

(On a lighter note, he also mentions in the liner notes that he also made the members re-read the lyrics countless times before shooting the music video and asked them to try to convey the “ultimate smile” each time they got to the chorus. Please appreciate their efforts.)

At any rate, Tsunku telling Colorful Momusu “there must be something only you can do–a very great something” is touching, but Tsunku telling himself that kind of makes me want to cry–as an older fan, I’ve always thought of this as a “parent” type song, knowing that it’s a self-love song as well is just really great in a way I can’t articulate.

[redfreesias03]

JUMP

“There are tears on this Earth—that’s why we’re able to learn kindness.”

OR: Possibly C-ute’s greatest concert song.

JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP takaku JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP atsuku JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP masa ni JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP KYUUTO

Jump, jump, jump, jump Up high Jump, jump, jump, jump With all you’ve got Jump, jump, jump, jump Precisely Jump, jump, jump, jump Cute

itsumademo akiramenai kanashimi nara toki ni kieru kara

I’ll never Give up Because even if I feel sad, it’ll fade away in time

kagirareta kono michi wo tanoshimazu shite nani wo shiru no ka

What can you learn if You walk life’s limited road Without ever having fun?

make nante mitomenai watashi ga kimeru kara saigo wa zettai waratte yaru yaru

I won’t accept defeat I’m the one that ultimately decides it, so In the end, I’ll definitely have the last laugh I will

kono hoshi ni RUURU ga ari dakara koso itsukushimiau kanashimi hohoemi mirai e katari tsutaetai mirai wa itsumo koko ni aru

There are rules on this planet And that’s why we can love one another Our sadness, our smiles I want to tell the future about them The future is always right here

JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP takaku JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP atsuku JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP masa ni JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP KYUUTO

Jump, jump, jump, jump Up high Jump, jump, jump, jump With all you’ve got Jump, jump, jump, jump Precisely Jump, jump, jump, jump Cute

suki koso ga jouzu nare dakara itsumademo tsudzukerareru

I love what I do And that’s why I’ll become great at it That’s why I can keep going, at all times

gokinjo no ojiichan-tachi ni ironna koto wo osawaritai

I wanna learn lots of different things From the grandpas In my neighborhood

onaka ga hetta asa mo benkyou shita yoru mo dore mo kore mo jibun no seishun seishun

Mornings when my stomach rumbled, Nights when I studied All of it’s part of my youth My youth

kono hoshi ni namida ga ari dakara koso yasashiku nareru nannimo kaegatai seimei no shinpi no naka ni mirai no kibou ga takusareru

There are tears on this planet That’s why we’re able to learn kindness The unchanging mysteries Of life are where The hopes of the future are nestled

kono hoshi ni RUURU ga ari dakara koso itsukushimiau kanashimi hohoemi mirai e katari tsutaetai mirai wa itsumo koko ni aru

There are rules on this planet And that’s why we can love one another Our sadness, our smiles I want to tell the future about them The future is always right here

kono hoshi ni namida ga ari dakara koso yasashiku nareru nannimo kaegatai seimei no shinpi no naka ni mirai no kibou ga takusareru

There are tears on this planet That’s why we’re able to learn kindness The unchanging mysteries Of life are where The hopes of the future are nestled

JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP takaku JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP atsuku JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP masa ni JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP KYUUTO

Jump, jump, jump, jump Up high Jump, jump, jump, jump With all you’ve got Jump, jump, jump, jump Precisely Jump, jump, jump, jump Cute

[redfreesias03]

TANE (“SEED”)

“Only when a relationship is over can it turn into a seed: after that, a flower will bloom.”

OR: Even if your relationship has just failed, it’s only so that the right one can come along.

owatta koi dake ga tane ni naru tsugi wa hana ga saku yo

Only when a relationship is over Does it turn into a seed¹ After that, a flower will bloom

sonna ni utsumuicha hizashi ga ataranai senobi wo suru you ni aozora wo miagete! namida wo sukoshi dake jouro de ageyou yo HAATO no doko kara ka sono ichi me ga deru yo

If you hang your head like that, The sunlight won’t reach you In order to push yourself and grow to your max, Look up at the blue sky! We’ll water this seed With just a few tears And sooner or later, somewhere in your heart A bud will sprout

「sonna ni suteki na hito to deaeta koto ga RAKKII janai?」 「omoide no naka de itsudemo aeru shi…」 「hatsukoi wa minoranai housokutte yatsu?」

“Wasn’t I lucky to be able to have met Such a wonderful guy?” “And I can see him anytime I want, inside my memories…” “Is this that rule-thingy that ‘first loves never bear fruit?’”

yukkuri ikiyou

Let’s take our time in living our lives

shoujo wa eien ni yume wo miru AH- anata wo matteiru dareka ga iru kara owatta koi dake ga tane ni naru tsugi wa hana ga saku yo

Girls are eternally Dreaming dreams AH- It’s because there’s someone out there Waiting just for you Only relationships that are finished Turn into seeds And then a flower will bloom

wasurete shimaou to suru hodo wasurerarenai kanashimi no katasumi hinata wa aru deshou? ano hi no tokimeki mo moya moya shita kimochi mo chiisana koukai mo mirai e tsuzuku michi

The more you try to forget him completely, The more you can’t forget But the corner of sadness Has a sunny spot, doesn’t it? The way your heart throbbed that day, These sad, gloomy feelings, And the tiny little regrets Are a path that lead to the future

「wakare ga aru tte koto wa deai ga aru tte iu koto desho?」 「kinou ya kyou ga aru kara ashita ga arunda shi…」 「kono koi wa muda ja nakatta tte koto」

“The fact that goodbyes exist Means that there’s new meetings too, right?” “It’s because there was a yesterday and there is a today, That there’s also a tomorrow…” “So this love wasn’t pointless after all.”

egao wo misete yo

Show me your smile

shoujo wa koi wo shite me wo tojiru AH- anata ga miteinai kisetsu ga mata kuru jikan wa itsudatte mikata da yo sotto DOA wo akete

When girls fall in love They close their eyes AH- the seasons you can’t see Will come around again Time is always On your side So go ahead and gently open that door

shoujo wa eien ni yume wo miru AH- anata wo matteiru dareka ga iru kara owatta koi dake ga TANE ni naru tsugi wa hana ga saku yo

Girls are eternally Dreaming dreams AH- It’s because there’s someone out there Waiting just for you Only relationships that are finished Turn into seeds And then a flower will bloom

shoujo wa koi wo shite me wo tojiru AH- anata ga miteinai kisetsu ga mata kuru jikan wa itsudatte mikata da yo sotto DOA wo akete

When girls fall in love They close their eyes AH- the seasons you can’t see Will come around again Time is always On your side So go ahead and gently open the door

---

¹ Or more literally “Only finished loves turn into seeds.”

This sounds like a weird line, right? For the longest time, my head shifted the words around so it’d be more like “Finished relationships just turn into seeds”. But the “dake" is where it is for a reason: it’s telling her that the breakup is a good thing in that it provides closure. On-and-off dating and rocky relationships that drag on and on aren’t good because only when a relationship is over can it turn into a seed.

[redfreesias03]

Banzai! ~Jinsei wa Meccha WANDAHOOu!~ (“Hurray! ~Life is Very Wonderful!~”)

“Although we may face all sorts of things, hurray! Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Yes!    Life is very wonderful!!”

OR: A happy-go-lucky concert song.

Lucky! Lucky! Yeah! Lucky! Ucky! Lucky! Yeah! Lucky! Lucky! Yeah! Lucky! Ucky! Lucky! Yeah!

BANZAAI! A-Hua Hua!    BANZAAI!

Hurra~y! A-Hua Hua!    Hurra~y!

Do it! Do it!    tachiagare! Do it! Do it!    makenaide! Do it! Do it!    daijoubu! seishun wa eien da! (Yo!)

Do it! Do it!    Rise! Do it! Do it!    Don't give up! Do it! Do it!    It'll be alright! Youth is eternal! (Yo!)

Do it! Do it!    saa    yukou! Do it! Do it!    nakanaide! Do it! Do it!    mainichi ga! SUPESHARU na kinenbi da!

Do it! Do it!    C'mon, let's go! Do it! Do it!    Don't cry! Do it! Do it!    Every day is! A SPECIAL important date!

subarashii    C! C! C! C! C! kono chikyuu    Q! Q! Q! Q! Q! zousan mo PAO!    Pao! Pao! Pao! Pao! Pao! saa! minna de!    genki dashite!    ikou yo!

How wonderful-!    C! C! C! C! C! -Is this earth!    Q! Q! Q! Q! Q! Even the elephants trumpet with joy!    Pao! Pao! Pao! Pao! Pao! C'mon! All together!    Let's cheer up!    And go!

BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! subete ni kansha! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Be grateful for everything! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!  

BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! iroiro aru kedo BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Although we may face all sorts of things- Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

So!    jinsei wa meccha WANDAHHOU!!

-Yes!    Life is very wonderful!!

BANZAAI! A-Hua Hua!    BANZAAI!

Hurra~y! A-Hua Hua!    Hurra~y!

All OK!    anata nara All OK!    daijoubu yo All OK!    meccha OK! shinpai nai kara ne! (Hi!)

All OK!    Because it's you All OK!    It'll be OK! All OK!    Super OK! I'm not worried at all! (Hi!)

All OK!    makenaide All OK!    kakenukero All OK!    meccha OK! sono mama de heiki sa!

All OK!    Don't give up All OK!    Breeze on through All OK!    It's super OK! It's no problem to stay as you are!

otentousan    Sun! Sun!    SAN!    SAN! san! oikaze PYUU! pyuu! pyuu! pyuu! pyuu! pyuu! RAION mo GAO! Gao!Gao!Gao!Gao!Gao! saa! minna de!    ue wo muite!    ikou yo!

Honorable Mr. Sun   Sun! Sun!    San!    San! 3! A favorable wind blows! *Whoosh*! *Whoosh*! *Whoosh*! *Whoosh*! *Whoosh*! The lion roars too! Roar!Roar!Roar!Roar!Roar! C'mon! All together!    Let's raise our heads!    And go!

BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! kyou wa yakiniku! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Today we’ll eat Japanese barbeque! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! iroiro aru kara! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky! It’s got all sorts of things and so-! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

So! jinsei wa meccha WANDAAAAAAAHH HOOU!!

-Yes!    Life is very woooonderful!!

Lucky! Lucky! Yeah ! Lucky! Ucky! Lucky! Yeah!

BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! subete ni kansha! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! kyou wa yakiniku! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky! iroiro aru kara    BANZAI!    BANZAI! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Be grateful for everything! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Today we’ll eat Japanese barbeque! Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

Hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky!

It’s got all sorts of things and so hurray!    Hurray! Lucky! Lucky

So! Jinsei wa meccha WANDAHHOOU!!

Yes!    Life is very wonderful!! 

BANZAAI! A-Hua Hua!    BANZAAI!

Hurra~y! A-Hua Hua!    Hurra~y!

---

I didn’t add notes, but as for the “C! C! C! C!”, “Q! Q! Q! Q!”, and “SAN! SAN! 3!” lines, they’re nonsensical puns based on the ending syllable of that line (ex., subarashii, shii shii shii” “chikyuu, kyuu, kyuu, kyuu”) given that C is pronounced “shii”, Q is pronounced “kyuu” and the number 3 in Japanese is “san”.

[redfreesias03]

Dare mo Shiranai Blue Angel (“A Blue Angel No One Knows”)

“A blue angel no one knows lives inside of you. A blue angel no one knows, the courage that guards your dreams.”

OR: No matter how bad things get, have faith in yourself and don’t lose your way.

Don’t cry    Don’t cry    Don’t cry    makasete…

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry, leave it to your angel…

dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU kimi no naka ni sundeiru dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU yume wo mamoru yuuki yo

A blue angel no one knows Lives inside of you A blue angel no one knows, The courage that guards your dreams

seiza no BUROOCHI    yozora ni tometa aoi BIROODO no mado    hitorikiri no kono heya nanika wo kizutsuke    kizutsukerarete toki no IBARA no michi de mayowanaide

A brooch of constellations fixes the night sky into place A blue velvet window, this room you’re all alone in Something’s been hurt, it’s been damaged Don’t lose your way on the thorny path of time

iki ga kurushii hodo sabishii nara sotto hitomi    tojite omoidasu no yo


If you feel so lonely that it hurts to breathe Gently close your eyes and remember

dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU kimi ga kitto wasureteru dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU totemo daiji na chikara wo… dakara jibun no    ikikata wo shinjite

The blue angel no one knows Surely you’re forgetting it A blue angel no one knows That very important power… So believe in your own way of life

kokoro no yowasa wa yasashisa ni naru kimi no mune no itami wa ai ni kaete

A heart’s weakness turns into kindness Transform the pain in your chest into love

namida    tomaranakute tsurai toki wa sotto hitomi    tojite    omoidasu no yo

When life gets so hard your tears won’t stop Gently close your eyes and remember

kimi wa shitteru BURUU ENJERU itsumo soba ni ite kureru kimi wa shitteru BURUU ENJERU hane no haeta hohoemi

The blue angel that you know Is always by your side The blue angel that you know, The smile that’s sprouted wings

Don’t change    Don’t change    Don’t change    heiki sa…

Don’t change, don’t change, don’t change, it’ll be alright…

dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU kimi no naka ni sundeiru dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU yume wo mamoru yuuki yo dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU kimi ga kitto wasureteru dare mo shiranai BURUU ENJERU totemo daiji na chikara wo… dakara jibun no    ikikata wo shinjite

A blue angel no one knows Lives inside of you A blue angel no one knows The courage that guards your dreams Your blue angel no one knows Surely you’re forgetting it A blue angel no one knows That very important power… So believe in your own way of life

[redfreesias03]

Kono Namida wo Kimi ni Sasagu (“I Offer You These Tears”)

“The hot liquid that flows down from the corners of my closed eyes—I’ll climb up towards that sky, and turn it into a love looking down at you from above.”

OR: Sometimes the only thing you can do for someone is to acknowledge and share their pain.

itsuka no negai wa tsuchi no naka de nemutte yakusoku no jikoku ni kibou no me ga derunda

The wish you made one day Slumbers inside the earth— At the promised time, Hope will sprout

futari ga deatta koro yume nado mada tane datta dore kurai toki ga sugi hana wa saku no darou

When we met Your dreams were still only seeds How much time will pass Until they bloom?

kono namida wo kimi ni sasagu motto kimi ga kagayaku nara zutto mimamotteta chinmoku no sora kara ima    boku wa ame ni narou

I offer you these tears, If they’ll let you shine brighter— I’ve always been watching over you. From the silent sky, Right now, I’ll become rain

chiisana shiawase miageteita taiyou kitai ni fukuramu ano mirai ga tsubomisa

Small happinesses— The sun you gazed up at, Swelling into expectations— That future was a bud

kokoro ga kawaita toki dareka no ai wo motometa kanashimi no kaze ga fuki hana ga kareru hi made

When your heart dried up, You sought love from someone— Sadness’s wind will keep on blowing, Until the day the flower withers

kono namida wo kimi ni sasagu tatoe kimi ga kidzukanakute mo sukoshi atatakakute nantonaku natsukashii sou    boku wa ame ni narou

I offer you these tears Even if you don’t notice it, They’ll feel slightly warm And familiar somehow— Yes, I will become rain

mabuta wo tojita mejiri kara nagareochita atsui mono ano sora e to nobotte fukan de miru ai ni kaware

The hot liquid that flows Down from the corners of my closed eyes— I’ll climb up towards that sky, And turn it into a love looking down at you from above

kono namida wo kimi ni sasagu motto kimi ga kagayakunara zutto mimamotteta chinmoku no sora kara ima boku wa ame ni narou

I offer you these tears, If they’ll let you shine brighter— I’ve always been watching over you. From the silent sky, Right now, I’ll become rain

aa    kimi ni sasagu konna boku ni dekiru koto wa kimi no munashisa wo sukoshi demo iyasu koto saa    boku wa ame ni narou

Ah, I offer them to you— What someone such as I     can do is Heal your lifelessness,
 Just a little. Alright then, I’ll become rain

[redfreesias03]

Fushigi na Tabi wa Tsudzuku no Sa (“The Mysterious Journey Continues”)

“After taking so many detours, I realized what was important to me, what you gave me.”

OR: Regardless of how far apart two people’s journeys take them, it ultimately leads them to teach other.

chikyuugi wo mawaseba (gurururururu) hitori tooku no sora no shita (SHARARA RURARA) kimi e

If I spin the globe (round and round and round it goes) Alone Under the distant sky (shalala, lulala) I go towards you

atesaki no nai tegami ni (ma, ta, hitotsu) kotoba wa afuredasu

The letter with no address (is, once, again) Overflowing with words

takusan toomawari shite daiji na koto ni kidzuita yo kimi ga kureta mono

After taking so many detours I realized what was important to me What you gave me

zutto zutto    aishiteru kimi ga omou yori mo kitto bokura no fushigi na tabi wa tsudzuku no sa yuuki no KAKERA atsumete kotoba yori saki ni yume wo hajimeyou (kyou mo asa mo asatte mo) kono KIMOCHI zenbu douka, kimi ni todoke

I’ll always, always love you More than you think, for sure Our mysterious journey continues I’ll gather fragments of courage Instead of words, let’s first start by dreaming (today and tomorrow and the day after) May all of these feelings Somehow reach you

sakaagari no keshiki (gurururururu) hitori kuchizusanda MERODII (CHURURI RARURA) kimi e

The view from the monkey bars as I do a kick-up pullover (round and round and round I flip) Alone The melody I hummed (tululi, lalula) To you

mahou no nai kono machi de (ma, ta, hitotsu) omoi wo dakishimeru

In this town without magic (I, once, again) Embrace my feelings

kotae sagashi wa iranai mae wo muite aruite miru kimi to kimeta koto

No need to search for an answer I’ll try to walk on facing what’s ahead That’s what I decided with you

zutto zutto    shinjiteru kimi ga omou yori mo kitto bokura wo tsunaida sora wa hateshinaku ii koto bakka ja nai kara ureshii koto ga ureshiku omoeru (kyou mo asa mo asatte mo) kono KIMOCHI zenbu douka, kimi ni todoke

I’ll always, always believe More than you think, for sure The sky that binds us is endless It’s because things aren’t always great That happy things seem so happy (today and tomorrow and the day after) May all of these feelings Somehow reach you

ima sugu    te ga todokisou na kyori de kimi wo kanjite mitai niji mo koete

At this distance where it feels like my hand could reach you, I Want to feel you this instant I’ll even cross the rainbow

zutto zutto    aishiteru kimi ga omou yori mo kitto bokura no fushigi na tabi wa tsudzuku no sa yuuki no KAKERA atsumete kotoba yori saki ni yume wo hajimeyou (kyou mo asa mo asatte mo) kono KIMOCHI zenbu douka, kimi ni todoke

I’ll always, always love you More than you think, for sure Our mysterious journey continues I’ll gather fragments of courage Instead of words, let’s first start by dreaming (today and tomorrow and the day after) May all of these feelings Somehow reach you

[redfreesias03]

Smileflower

“Thank you for your smileflower, this miracle of being able to meet you shines once…twice…and more, today, tomorrow, and forever.”

OR: Even in a tough spot, you have the ability to make a smile bloom.

tatta hitotsu dake de ii    negai kanau nara kono omoi ga    kimi no mune ni todokimasu you ni

All I want is for this one wish to come true That my feelings would reach through to your heart

hitorikiri de aruku yume   【hitori ja nai】 mukai kaze    fuite nozomidoori ni wa ikanai    【kagayakeru】 hi mo aru kedo    demo

A dream you’re walking by yourself 【You’re not alone】 The wind is blowing against you You can’t go forward the way you want 【You can shine】 There are also days like those, but, even so

tatoeba    otenki datte 「ii」 「warui」nante kagiranai taiyou mo ame mo taisetsu na mono

Well, for example, the weather Isn’t necessarily always “good” or “bad” Both sun and rain are important things

kitto    【dare mo】 DAME na hi   【nante nai】 shinjiteru    dakara    ima

Surely 【no one】 Has had a day that’s a total waste【no such thing】 That’s what I believe, so, now

egao no hana wo sakaseyou     onaji sora    miagete te to te wo tsunagu mitai ni kokoro kara kokoro e egao no hana wo todokeyou    umareta kono hoshi ga donna toki mo    zutto itsumademo SHIAWASE desu you ni SHIAWASE desu you ni

Let’s make the smile-flower bloom, looking up at the same sky As if we were joining hands Heart to heart Let’s deliver this smile-flower to this planet we were born on Forever And at all times May you be happy May you be happy

mirai no michi    mayou yoru 【moshi kimi nara…】 hoshi no HITORIGOTO nemurenakute    yoake wo matsu 【mezameteku】 hi ga aru kara    mata mabushi yume no tsudzuki e fumidashite yukeru    itsudatte taiyou mo tsuki mo hohoendeiru

The path to tomorrow, a night full of hesitations 【if you’re in that spot…】 A starry monologue, Unable to sleep, waiting for the dawn【waking up】 The day is there, so embark On the continuation of That dazzling dream again The sun and moon are always smiling

sotto 【kimi ni】 genki wo　【agetai】 DAIJOUBU    soba ni iru

I want to 【quietly】 Cheer　【you up】 It’ll be okay, I’m by your side

egao no hana wo arigatou    onaji sora no shita de tsunagaru minna no negai KIRAKIRA hikatteru egao no hana wo arigatou    deaeta kono kiseki hitotsu…futatsu…motto kagayaku yo kyou mo    asu mo    zutto

Thank you for your smile-flower, everyone’s wishes Sparkle and shine, Connected under the same sky Thank you for your smile flower, this miracle of being able to meet you Shines once…twice…and more Today, tomorrow, and forever

egao no hana wo sakaseyou     onaji sora    miagete te to te wo tsunagu mitai ni kokoro kara kokoro e egao no hana wo todokeyou    umareta kono hoshi ga donna toki mo    zutto itsumademo SHIAWASE desu you ni SHIAWASE desu you ni

Let’s make the smile-flower bloom, looking up at the same sky As if we were joining hands Heart to heart Let’s deliver this smile flower to this planet we were born on Forever And at all times May you be happy May you be happy

---

“The flower of your smile” is probably a more poetic way of putting it, but I left egao no hana as smile-flower to match the song title.

[redfreesias03]

Egao (“Smile”)

“In sad times when you’re unable to smile, please try and somehow remember: as long as you have life, something new can be born—as long as you live on, your efforts will pay off. Don’t give up, because you’re not alone.”

OR: Advice for when you’re overwhelmed or faltering.

okoru hazu no nai koto ga,    genjitsu ni nari HITO wa dare mo    muryokusa wo omoishiru nani ga tadashii no ka doko e yukeba ii no ka miushinatte hikikaesu koto sae dekinai

As the unimaginable becomes reality, People realize their own powerlessness We lose sight of what’s right, of where we should go Unable to even just return to where we were before

aisuru mono wo mamoru tame tachiagari    arukitsuzukete mo hateshinai michinori ni tsukarehate    chikaratsuki    koe mo denai…

Even if we get up and continue walking Trying to protect what we love, The path is never-ending Exhausted and spent, even our voices won’t come out…

egao ni narenai kanashii toki ni wa douka omoidashite mite ikite sae ireba    nanika ga umareru ikite sae ireba    mukuwareru dakara makenaide hitori ja nai kara

In sad times when you’re unable to smile Please try and somehow remember As long as you have life, something new can be born As long as you live on, your efforts will pay off So don’t give up Because you’re not alone

kokoro nai kotoba ni    kizutsukerarete HITO ni au no mo    toki ni tsurakunaru atamagonashi ni    hitei saretayou de ganbatta koto de sae    jishin ga motenai

Hurt by heartless words, Sometimes even just meeting other people is painful When it feels like they’re rejecting you without even listening to what you have to say, You can’t even feel confident after having done your best

shinjiru koto wo tsuranuite tachimukai arukitsuzukete mo hateshinai michinori ni yasashisa no hontou no imi wo shiru…

Even as you get up and face it head-on and continue walking, Holding firm to your beliefs, It’s on this never-ending path That we learn the true meaning of kindness…

egao ni narenai    nakitai toki de mo douka tsuraku naranaide ikite sae ireba    ashita ga kuru kara ikite sae ireba    norikoeru dakara makenaide hitori ja nai kara

In times when you want to cry and you’re unable to smile Please don’t suffer As long as you have life, tomorrow will come, so As long as you live on, you can overcome this So don’t give up Because you’re not alone

hitamuki na yume mo    bukiyousa mo marugoto jibun jishin wo uketomereba ii hiekitta karada mo kokoro mo sono mama…

That earnest dream, the clumsiness— You should accept everything about yourself Your frozen heart and body too, Just as you are…

egao ni narenai    kanashii toki ni wa douka omoidashite mite ikite sae ireba    nanika ga umareru ikite sae ireba    mukuwareru lalalala… lalalala… ikite sae ireba    ashita ga kuru kara ikite sae ireba    norikoeru dakara makenaide donna toki de mo… hitori ja nai kara

In sad times when you’re unable to smile Please try and somehow remember As long as you have life, something new can be born As long as you live on, your efforts will pay off lalalala… lalalala… As long as you have life, tomorrow will come, so As long as you live on, you can overcome this So don’t give up, At any time…. Because you’re not alone

[redfreesias03]

Mikata (“Support”)

“Even if the whole world has abandoned you, I will definitely protect you. With that thought in mind, I press my forehead against yours. Let’s wait for the harsh winds to blow over.”

OR: Sometimes the best way to comfort someone is just to be there. 

kaidan ni suwatte senaka wo marumeteiru anata ni koe kaketai kedo watashi ni wa nani ga dekiru no darou?

You sit down on the stairs with Your back all hunched up I want to call out to you but What can I do, being me?

dou iu kotoba de nagusameyou toshite mo honnin ni shika wakaranai PURAIDO to itami ga aru kara

No matter what kind of words I use to try and comfort you, Only you yourself can understand– Because you’ve got your pride and that pain

kanashimi wo kyouyuu shitai aisuru hito no kokoro no soba de

I want to share your sadness And stay by the side of the heart of the person I love

kono te ni anata wo tada dakishimete nagareru jikan ni kono mi wo makasete zutto kou shinagara sukoshizutsu futari hitotsu ni natte yukunda ne kono yo no subete ni mihanasaretatte watashi ga anata wo zettai mamotte ageru sonna omoi de odeko wo tsukete kaze ga sugiru no wo matou

I simply hug you with these hands And surrender to the flow of time As we remain like this Little by little, the two of us become one Even if the whole world has abandoned you, I will definitely protect you With that thought in mind, I press my forehead against yours Let’s wait for the harsh winds to blow over

anata wo kizutsukeru tsuyoi ame no naka de watashi wa furueru karada ooikabusaru tate ni narunda

You’re getting hurt Inside this pelting rain So I’ll turn my shivering body Into a shield placed above, covering you

ikiru koto    wakeaitai unmei yori mo ai no chikara de

I want to share life together with you With the power of a love stronger than fate

nanni mo dekinai ima no watashi dakedo hieteru kokoro wo sotto atatamete mune no sono tsubuyaki yukkuri to hitotsu hitotsu wo hiroi atsumeyou mienai namida wo nagashiteiru nara KISU suru furi shite chanto nugutte ageru onaji kimochi de koko ni iru no yo kaze ga yamu no wo shinjite…

The me right now can’t do anything, but I’ll gently warm your cold heart Slowly, I’ll gather up The whispers in your heart, one by one If you’re shedding invisible tears right now, I’ll pretend to kiss you and take the opportunity to wipe them all away I’m here, sharing your feelings with you Have faith that the winds will cease…

kono te ni anata wo tada dakishimete nagareru jikan ni kono mi wo makasete zutto kou shinagara sukoshizutsu futari hitotsu ni natte yukunda ne pittari    pittari kokoro wo yoseai yowasa mo kodoku mo ai de iyaseru you ni onaji kokyuu wo shiteitai no yo kaze ga yamu no wo shinjite…

I simply hug you with these hands And surrender to the flow of time As we remain like this Little by little, the two of us become one My heart presses tightly, tightly against yours So that I can soothe your weakness and loneliness with my love
I want my breath to match yours Have faith that the winds will cease…