Blog update: “9-year anniversary”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/30 blog update, titled “9-year anniversary“:

Good morning
It’s Maimi

6/30
Today, I woke up really really early

My family is still asleep, and it’s really quiet in my house…

While listening to the chirping of the song birds outside, I’m sitting on the sofa and typing up this blog

For us, today is a really important day

If it weren’t for this day 9 years ago, I’d probably be walking down a different road right now.

6/30/2002 is
the day the members of ℃-ute and Berryz Koubou passed the Hello! Project Kids audition,

and joined Hello! Project

When I think about it now, why a shy person like me who disliked going out in front of people thought to go to the audition, it’s really mysterious

My mother’s friend who knows me well, “Since Maimi seems like the type least likely do this kind of job, it’s a wonder” she often seems to say.

When I was small, going to see my brothers’ baseball games,

I’d draw pictures in the ground, and I’d intently place up pebbles in the lines,

I’d search for four-leaf cloves in a trance,

since I liked simple things like that, becoming someone who sings and dances on a large stage in front of a lot of people, I don’t think anyone would’ve imagined that.

When I occasionally meet my close friend, and I listen to them talk about their job and school,

“Maimi, if you didn’t have this job I wonder what you’d be doing now I wonder what kind of job you’d have”

they often say
Certainly, if I didn’t think “I’ll go to the audition” on that day, I’d have a part-time job while going to college, and I’d probably pass the days like my close friends

Though I don’t know how many times there’ve been turning points in my life, 6/30/2002 is the biggest turning point up to now, I feel

Because that day came, I’ve been able to meet ℃-ute and the staff, and then all of the fans

Because that day came, I’ve been able to know the fun of singing and dancing and being in plays

Because that day came, I’ve been able to know the support of my family and lots of people

From when I was an elementary school student who couldn’t use keigo, I was taught a lot of manners and common sense, and I grew at a person,

during a painful time where I’d only make people angry at me and I couldn’t see the future, there was a moment where it seemed like I would quit,

though when I think about it now, all of that was necessary too

Because I thought, giving up, if I quit now, all the hard work, patience, troubles I gave my family, everything I did up until now, would’ve been all for nothing.

And then because I thought, above all, it would be inexcusable to those who supported me.

During the painful times, everyone’s support saved me time and time again.

No matter the life, there are always painful things and painful times, I feel.

Certainly, I think there’s also walls I will have to break down in the future too,

but I think that working hard is what saves me, so I want to continue to work hard no matter the situation

The experiences of these 9 years really are my treasure

From here, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years… more and more, I want to go and pile up a lot of experiences

Though I also wanted to write about yesterday’s solo event, this entry became too long, so I’ll write about it tomorrow

While eating, while getting ready, while doing various things I’ve typed this blog whenever there’s a spare moment, but it’s become this late
Already, it’s “Good afternoon” time, huh

For reading this far, thank you.
Please keep supporting me forever from here on

……Right now I’m on the train When I realized I had gotten on the wrong train, I had come to Tochigi

One-hour late…
Ahhh Get it together

Maimi Sightings for 6/29

Fellow ℃-ute member Nakajima Saki shared a 2-shot with Maimi in an update on her solo blog titled “Leader“, where she wrote that she recorded an episode of FIVE STARS with her, and wished her luck on her solo event later.

Full translations of the other members’ blog updates can be found at blog!project.

Blog update: “All-day sports♥”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/29 blog update, titled “All-day sports

Good morning
It’s Maimi

Yesterday’s athletic meet
It finished safely without any injuries~

I got drenched in sweat under the blazing sun, but as expected moving my body is fun

Running in a schoolyard for the first time in awhile was really nostalgic, and it made me remember when I was a student

For the results, please check the magazine

“Hello! Channel” which goes on sale 7/12

Then, after the athletic meet was over yesterday,

I went to watch the Rakuten Eagles vs Softbank

This match was played in the Tokyo Dome

I have memories of going to the Tokyo Dome often to watch baseball matches with my family, so it was nostalgic

Unfortunately, the Rakuten Eagles who ℃-ute sang a cheer song for lost 6-2,

but I watched from really really good seats right behind the batter box,

and it was really fun

I was unable to watch it until the end,

but I said, “Ah I want to watch a little more” with Nacky

In addition, during breaks in the game they show the crowd on the screen,

and on the teleprompter
“Please wave your hands”

or
“Please make a macho pose”

it says

Everyone from the crowd who appeared did the various things the teleprompter instructed,

and suddenly I noticed
sitting in front of me, Morning Musume’s Michishige Sayumi-san appeared on the screen…

In the meantime the camera moved to show me

Furthermore, at that time the teleprompter said
“Please blow a kiss”

…

It was embarassing~

Because there were quite a bit of spectators at the Tokyo Dome

Amongst all that, it was a day of sports indulgence

And then today is finally Yajima Maimi’s solo event

Though I’m always always nervous for solo events,

everyone is intentionally gathering for my sake on a weekday,

so it’d be nice if I can show them a fun time I feel

For that, I will relax Deep breath

Alright I’ll have fun

I hope the event is a success I’m off

Maimi Sightings for 6/28

Fellow ℃-ute member Nakajima Saki also participated in the athletic meet filming for the upcoming Hello! Channel that Maimi mentioned in her blog update today, and shared a pic of Maimi in an entry on her solo blog.

S/mileage staff was also on hand at the meet and tweeted a pic of Maimi and S/mileage leader Wada Ayaka lined-up and ready to race. Prior to that, S/mileage staff tweeted the temporary cover for “Hello! Channel vol. 5”, which features Maimi suited up with the other leaders of H!P.

After the sports meet wrapped, several members of H!P went to see a Rakuten Eagles baseball game, as evidenced in a series of posts on Morning Musume’s Michishige Sayumi‘s official blog. In one entry in particular, titled “Yajima-chan’s…“, Sayu shared a group shot and described what happened when Maimi appeared on the stadium’s big screen:

℃-ute’s Yajima Maimi-chan was shown on the big screen,

and blew a kiss.

the venue got extremely excited＼(^ー^)／

Yajima-chan was too cute(´∀｀)

Her blown kiss was firmly received (lol)

S/mileage’s Maeda Yuuka also commented on the happening in her official blog:

During the game? During a break?
Yajima-san appeared on the big screen

She was so cute so cute
that I felt like I was going to collapse

Full translations of the other Hello! Project members’ blogs can be found at blog!project.

Blog update: “Run~!!”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/28 blog update, titled “Run~“:

Good morning
It’s Maimi

Today is a clear forecast

For the first time about about 4 years, Yajima will be in an athletic meet

This athletic meet
will be published in
going on sale 7/12

“Hello! Channel vol. 5”

Ehh
I wonder if I can move like I used to (lol)

Various members from all of the Hello! Project groups will gather,

and since there’s a lot of members who I haven’t run with before, my heart is pounding

But, when I think of running full-speed again after awhile, I’m excited

I also need a counter-plan against sunburn today

Under the blue sky, I will run and tanobaru

And then, today is Mai-chan’s solo event

Mai-chan fight~

The remaining ℃-ute solo events are just Mai-chan’s today, and mine tomorrow

Is there relief from the nervousness, everyone

Yesterday with Mai-chan, “Ah I’m nervous” we said

Let’s work hard

So that Mai-chan has great success, I want to send her my cheers while running

Changing the subject, this mochi is really really delicious

Earlier, Airi said “Presents” and gave them to the ℃-ute members

It was so delicious I was moved

“Eating them cooled is my recommendation”

Airi said, so I had it cooled,

and it was really delicious

I’m grateful to Airi
Thanks

Alright I’ll run

I’m off

Photocard: “A recent incident…”

A recent incident…

At the New Year’s Hello! Project concert
during rehearsal, I crashed into the stage set,
and broke part of it off.
It was really inexcusable…
In addition, while Tsunku♂-san was telling the new members something important I made a loud THUD, so I was really embarassed ._.;

Yajima Maimi

Blog update: “One-month reunion”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/27 blog update, titled “One-month reunion“:

Good morning
It’s Maimi

Yesterday’s ℃-ute concert in Hachioji was really exciting

(1)

Us after the concert
Sorry we’re drenched in sweat (lol)

The second half of the concert I was considerably tired, but if I become tired and reach my limit, I get fired up (lol)

It was certainly the perfect explosion

With toothpaste, when the contents ran out and nothing came out, squeezing tightly from the bottom, somehow or another the toothpase came out

is what it seemed like, and it felt like I mustered up the power

As expected, concerts are fun

I wonder if everyone who came had fun

Actually, yesterday those who took care of me in the play “Ran”,

the stage director Sakano-san

and co-stars Okabe-san and Mizuno-san came to see the concert

In addition
“When thinking of Maimi-chan, this comes to mind”

…they said

and gave me these refreshments

(2)

Doesn’t it look delicious

Ahh They were really delicious

I’m happy

Furthermore
“Maimi-chan, since you made teru-teru bouzu during the performance of the play…”

they said, and gave me these things

(3)

A teru-teru bouzu hand towel, and a rabbit paper fan

It looks like I’ve completely established a “rain girl” image,

but this pattern is cute

It’s an important item when I sweat

I will use it carefully

That they specifically came to watch…

I was extremely happy

Thank you

Now then Today is Airi’s solo event

Since Airi practiced hard…

in hopes that it’ll be a success, I’m cheering for her

Well, Airi is a girl who can do it

Fight

Alright, today I also gotta work hard

I’m off cheerfully today

Maimi’s yakiniku date

This week’s “Haropuro TIME” (originally airing on 6/23) kicked off with Maimi arriving in Iidabashi with the camera for some all-you-can-eat yakiniku. Maimi mentioned that she ate yakiniku the last time she was on “Haropuro TIME” (the episode with “Ran”‘s rehearsal), and that she was going to this time as well. She wasn’t going by herself, however, as she invited Chisato and Mai who were waiting for her on a bridge.

The two girls claimed Maimi was late, and after Maimi gave them a proper introduction, she asked them about their fashion theme for the day. While Chisato explained it had a “rough” feeling and Maimi showed off her outfit for eating, the captions at the bottom of the screen kept asking Maimi to film all the members in the same shot.

As they headed to the restaraunt, all three of the girls mentioned that they hadn’t eaten lunch that day. Chisato said that she can’t eat much because she easily gains weight, but Maimi told her not to worry about that today. Mai and Chisato complained about how Maimi is able to eat as much as she wants and stays thin. The two then teased Maimi for her lack of skill in holding the camera, compared to how Nacky was able to do it in an earlier episode.

The girls arrived at the restaraunt “Itabashi Meat” and were led to their private room, where they then chose their meal course for the afternoon. After stocking up at the self-service salad bar, the girls returned to their room and pulled their hair back so it wouldn’t get in the way of eating. The waiter then brought in their meat selection, and Maimi commented that they’ll be able to eat a lot since they ordered the 2 hour course.

As Mai began to grill the meat, Maimi pointed out that Mai is always the one to do that, and Mai responded that she enjoys it. While enjoying the grilled meat, the conversation turned to what all of the girls were like when they auditioned. Mai was real small, Chisato was boyish with blonde hair (which Mai admired), Nacky was really shy, and Airi seemed like a princess. Maimi said that she was so nervous during the auditions that she doesn’t remember it, which then led to a clip of Maimi’s audition in 2002 where she sang Matsuura Aya’s “Momoiro Kataomoi”.

The three continued to order and cook more meat, and engaged in light conversation, such as what they wanted to do afterwards. At the 90 minute mark, the waiter returned to the room and asked them what they wanted for their last order, and the girls took the opportunity to order some dessert. As they had their dessert, they began to talk about S/mileage and it’s new member auditions, with Chisato saying that she can symphathize with their concern. Their waiter then comes in and lets them know their 2 hours have passed, and the girls head out while expressing concern that their faces will become pudgy to end their segment on this week’s “Haropuro TIME”.

Blog update: “Closing performance”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/26 blog update, titled “Closing performance“:

Good morning
It’s Maimi

The premium concert with S/mileage is finished

During a song in the encore, S/mileage’s Maeda Yuuka-chan came and squeezed me

That instant, it felt like my tear ducts loosened up

The more I know about everyone in S/mileage, the cuter they are

They’re really friendly
and innocent
and mischevious
but when they stood on stage they were magnificent…

I’m glad that we were able to have a premium concert with them

We were able to notice various things about ourselves too

Though we won’t be able to have a second concert with these 9 people,

if we get to have the experience of a joint concert together again,

S/mileage and ℃-ute, we will power-up considerably

So that people will think that, I want to go and work hard every day

It was a closing performance that really had a lot of happiness

Everyone who supported us, thank you very much

And then, today is a ℃-ute concert in Hachioji

Switching over

The remaining ℃-ute tour is
just the performances in Hachioji and Chiba,

I’ll seriously reflect upon each and every time, and stand on the stage

Today I’ll tanobaru too

P.S.

Yesterday was the senior who I respect,
Matsuura Aya-san’s birthday

9 years earlier, at the audition
I sang
“Momoiro Kataomoi” by Matsuura Aya-san…

I am always really admiring her amazing aura and her constantly majestic appearance

Matsuura-san, though it’s one day late, happy birthday

From here on out too, my best regards

Blog update: “Shock!!”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/25 blog update, titled “Shock“:

Good morning
It’s Maimi

After two months, the joint concert with S/mileage

Beginning yesterday there were changes made to the final part of the concert

and the enthusiasm in the venue was amazing, so I had a really really good feeling sweat

In spite of it being on a weekday, a lot of people came,

and there were also a lot of girls and children

Those who came,
those who supported us from afar,

thank you very much

This premium live started in April, and today is finally the last day

Though it seems like a really long time ago when I think about the rehearsals,

it feels like the time until now has passed in the blink of an eye, and as expected the final day is lonely

When I think about it now, since the rehearsal there’s been a lot of fresh things

I know S/mileage now more than ever,

the concert venue where S/mileage fans and ℃-ute fans mixed together,

the atmosphere has been different than a solo concert, all of those things are fresh, so it’s been really fun

The nine of us will stand on stage for the last time, and so that we don’t leave behind any regrets, I want to give my everything and get fired up with everyone

Changing the subject, after I returned home, I watched the recording of “Haropuro TIME”, which broadcast late at night on the 23rd

All of a sudden my audition clip from back then played, and I was surprised

Though I was watching by myself, I turned towards the screen and
“Eh Hold on a second”

I said outloud without thinking

10-year-old me…

Side-stepping off-sync (lol)
Quiet voice (lol)

Dark-skinned, too skinny, and my height was short~

That that clip is still around…

It was shocking (sweat)

Alright Well, Yajima is off

Now then, I’ll have a good sweat

Have a wonderful weekend everyone…

Maimi Sightings for 6/24

UpFront staff member Shuhei Miyachi tweeted a picture of Maimi from yesterday’s DVD filming. In a follow-up tweet, he revealed that the DVD would be another e-Line UP release.

Maimi also appeared in a two-shot in Suzuki Airi‘s entry on the official ℃-ute blog…

as well as Hagiwara Mai‘s entry.

Translations of the other members’ updates can be found at blog!project.

Maimi’s 4th solo DVD announced

In her blog update today (translated here), Maimi announced her 4th solo DVD, which is currently scheduled for an August release. Very few details about the DVD were revealed, but Maimi did write that the DVD has a “doll” theme, and that the outfits will be surprising to fans of Yajima Maimi (one outfit pictured left).

Blog update: “Report♪”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 6/24 blog update, titled “Report“:

Hello
It’s Maimi

Gah
It’s too hot

Even when doing nothing in my house, my sweat drips…

My pet dogs too
under the bed like this
they lie about

(1)

Snap out of it Aroma

…having said that, the doggies in our house were in a good mood though, because in the morning they ate chicken breast

I ate watermelon myself

(2)

Speaking of summer, watermelon
It was juicy and delicious

Changing the subject,
yesterday’s filming was a “doll” theme which I haven’t done until now

Actually, before the filming I was really nervous

Though, when I look back after it was over, I think it was really fun and a nice experience

“Hey Hold on What kind of filming is this”

those of you thought…

The truth is, it was for my 4th DVD that will go on sale in August

Then, here I will show you one of the outfits

(3)

Even this costume, there hasn’t been anything like this in my DVDs before now

There were costumes more surprising than this one

Those who know Yajima Maimi will probably be a little surprised

I will wait excitedly for the finished product

The release date is far away, so I will give information again later

And then, today is the first ℃-ute and S/mileage joint concert in about a month~

Ahhh
Since it’s been a month, I’m a little nervous

The last part of the concert,
the contents have changed a little bit from the concerts a month ago

So that I can give everyone a wonderful time, I will tanobaru

Alright Well then, let’s go full of energy today

I won’t lose to the heat

Maimi Sightings for 6/23

UpFront Kansai talent Miyazaki Rio commemorated the surprise appearance of Maimi and Chisato on her USTREAM show with an entry on her official blog, where she uploaded a picture of her and the two ℃-ute members.

Chisato also shared a two-shot of her and Maimi from their time in Osaka in her update on the official ℃-ute blog

℃-ute news for 6/23: 17th single

■ ℃-ute’s 17th single “Sekai-ichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko” revealed
Shinseido Shopping Site reveals title (which translates to “Happiest Girl in the World”) and release date (9/7) of ℃-ute’s 17th single. The single will be available in regular, Limited A, and Limited B editions, and the Single V will release a week later on 9/14.

■ New goods added to ℃-ute & S/mileage Premium Live
New goods include a ℃-ute & S/mileage branded plastic bottle holder, and solo and group photosets (Maimi’s solo photoset pictured below).