2014/12/23

Pre-Event:
Even though I met Mayu before this (at the 2shot event on 12/14), I was still really really nervous because this was a handshake event, so I had to talk or else there'd be an awkward silence!! I don't have confidence speaking Japanese to people other than those in my Japanese class, so even though my Japanese sounded okay when I'm practicing it, it'd come out really weird when speaking to others. 

But I had no choice, I needed to talk to Mayu and the rest.. so I was really really nervous. I was afraid my mind would go blank and forget all Japanese knowledge, and things like that. 

I actually planned to reach the venue at around 8-8:15am (it starts at 9am) to give myself time to get my tickets stamped, find out lane details and start to queue early. But because I was too anxious, I had a stomachache and only reached the venue at 8:45am ^^;; 

Event:
Slot 1 (0900-1030): 
Mayu and Renacchi

I started queuing for Mayu's lane at about 9:05am. Mayu's queue moved really fast because well, popular member, so almost everyone had only 1 ticket which probably lasted like 5 seconds or so. I wasn't prepared.. 

When it was my turn, yep my mind went blank indeed. But since it was only 5 seconds, I had to say something, so I spoke weird Japanese saying I'm from Singapore. She was happy! But overseas fans are probably very common for her so definitely not as happy as those new & less popular members haha. I then said today's my first handshake event and she went ah! And my time was over haha. I think I spoke really unclear/fast though.

私「シンガポールから来ました！」
まゆゆ「ありがとう！」
私「今日は初めての握手会」
ま「あー！」

me "i'm from singapore!"

mayu "thank you!"

me "it's my first handshake event today"

mayu "ah!"

Nothing much to highlight. A pretty normal handshake. 

Then I went over to Renacchi's lane. I had 2 tickets for her. I kept panicking inside my mind because she's not my oshi, I was afraid I'd run out of things to say before the 2 tickets time was up. And while queuing, I started to regret having tickets for so many members. Non-senbatsu members' queue moved damn slowly! I'm guessing it's because they are eligible for the autograph session, and these autographs take longer than handshakes. And also fans can win more than 1 ticket for them. 

When the staff was checking my ticket against my passport, I could do this lottery thing to see if I won the autograph. Basically for every ticket you have, you can do the lottery once. I had two tickets, but I only did it once.. because I didn't know what the staff was saying, and I thought the lottery was compulsory so when she asked me if I'm okay with doing just one lottery I just nodded my head. I regretted it later when I understood what she said lol. Oh well. I didn't win any autographs.

When it was my turn, I went with the usual introduction: where I'm from etc. Then I said I went for the 2shot event too! And she gave a big smile and a thumbs up. Then I didn't know what to say.. so I gave an awkward laugh after a moment of silence. Then I blurted out I really like you! And she thanked me. And I still had time. But I didn't know what to say!! And suddenly, she striked up a topic and asked if I'm gonna be in Japan all the while. And when I said I'll be flying back tomorrow, she told me to be safe/take care and then time was up.

私「シンガポールから来ました！」
れなっち「ありがとう！」
私「先週の写メ会も行った！」
れ「あー！」(thumbs up) 

(awkward silence) 

私「本当に大好き！」
れ「ありがとう」
れ「ずっと日本にいますか？」
私「明日帰ります」
れ「気をつけてね！」 

(nods head)

me "I'm from singapore!"

renacchi "thank you!"

me "i went to the 2shot event last week too!"

renacchi "ah!" (thumbs up)

(awkward silence)

me "i really like you!"

renacchi "thank you"

renacchi "are you in japan all these while?"

me "i'm returning tomorrow"

renacchi "take care!"

(nods head)

Thank you for initiating a topic! ^^;;

I had another ticket for Saho. By the time I finished Renacchi, it was 10am. The slots generally close 30 mins before the ending time, so 10am was the cutoff time. I went to queue.. and at 10:30am, I haven't even reached the point where the staff was gonna check my tickets!! (You had to queue for the first 'checkpoint' where they'll check your tickets against your identity card, then continue queuing again to meet the member.) I gave up queuing and headed to Mayu's lane for slot 2.

Oshi priorities.

Slot 2 (1030-1200):
Mayu, Naachan and Miyupon

Again, I was panicking on what to say to Mayu.. I was busy rushing to her lane that I didn't even plan what to say to her and started queuing already. 

I decided to congratulate her on her #1 win in SSK. Very late, I know, but I needed to congratulate her personally. But I think I spoke really unclear/fast as well, so not sure if Mayu heard it properly. But either way, she thanked me and my time was up?!?!?!?! This was even faster than the 1st slot!!! I was unsatisfied. But can't help it.

私「ちょっと遅れたですけど、総選挙1位おめでとう！」
ま「ありがとう」

me "it's a little late, but congrats on your #1 win in SSK!"

mayu "thank you"

Then I headed to Naachan's lane, with 1 ticket. I did the usual introduction, told her I went to the 2shot event as well, and my time was up. But as expected of Naachan, she was really really good at handshakes!! Like previously at the 2shot event, she listened to me attentively, shook my hands firmly and looked at me sincerely. I really appreciate that. :)

私「シンガポールから来ました！」
なぁ「えー！ありがとう！」
私「写メ会も行った！」
なぁ「写メ会？」(she then did a peace sign, as though she was posing for the camera)
(I nodded)

me "i'm from singapore!"

naachan "eh! thank you!"

me "i went to the 2shot event too!"

naachan "2shot event?" (she then did a peace sign, as though she was posing for the camera)

(i nodded)

And time was up! I'm not sure if she understood what I meant, because if I remember correctly, my '行った' was rather soft. So maybe she only heard 'shamekai'. Hmm.. but still as expected of Naachan, she gave me a great experience!

After that, I went over to Miyupon's lane. This was a big mess. I reached her lane at 11:30 I think, just before they closed her lane for slot 2. And the queue moved SO DAMN SLOWLY. Guess what time I finally met Miyupon? 12:50pm. I queued for an hour. A whole hour. Just to meet her for 7 seconds. And slot 3 was at 1200-1330, with lanes closing at 1300. 

I told Miyupon the usual stuff - I'm from Singapore blablabla. She thanked me and I said I'll be flying back tomorrow but I'll continue supporting her. She said, something like pls take care of me from now on as well. A phrase that's really hard to translate because of the wide range of meanings haha. 

私「シンガポールから来ました！」
みゆぽん「ありがとう！」
私「明日帰るけど」 

(awkward pause because my mind went blank) 

私「応援してます！」
(damn it, I missed out a 'zutto' before the sentence..)

み「これからもよろしくね！」

me "i'm from singapore!"

miyupon "thank you!"

me "i'll go back tomorrow but"

(awkward pause because my mind went blank)

me "i'm supporting you!"

(missed out a 'zutto')

miyupon "yoroshiku ne!"

I still had 3 members to meet in slot 3. But I only had 10 minutes before lanes closed. I had to sacrifice 2 members (3 tickets worth!!) and headed over to Naruchan's lane. And when I reached.. the staff told me to go over and queue. Apparently they lumped all the team 8 queues into 1 queue, making the queue damn long, since it was a queue for more than 5 members. I couldn't even find the start of the queue. It was so chaotic and hot inside that I just went 'screw it'. I headed out to grab food because I was so damn hungry. I was sad though, Naru is my Team 8 oshi and I wanted to meet her so badly..

So I basically sacrificed my entire slot 3. 6 tickets gone. 

Slot 4 (1330-1500):
Mayu and Ryoka

When I came back from lunch, they were showing the PVs for team songs. They were showing Team K's PV when I came back. I didn't pay much attention, I don't have any favourites in Team K anyway.. after Team K, they showed Team B's PV!!!! AND OMG. I had to stop myself from smiling to the screen whenever Mayu appeared cuz I'd look so weird lol. 

But then I had an idea on what to say to Mayu in the 4th slot!

I told her I saw Team B's PV and that she was very pretty. But I'm not sure if she heard the pretty part. But never mind. Guess what she replied?!?!?!

In my previous two meetings with her, she only thanked me and that's all. But now she gave a different reply!!! She said いいでしょう？and I nodded my head vigorously and then time was up. 

私「ロンリネスクラブPV見た！」
私「本当に綺麗！」 

(not sure if she heard the second part..)
ま「いいでしょう？」
(nods vigorously)

me "i saw the PV for Loneliness Club!"

me "you're really pretty!" (not sure if she heard this)

mayu "it's good right?"

(nods vigorously)

And this led to Team B's song, Loneliness Club, being the song with lots of feels. Whenever I listen to it, I'd recall this experience with Mayu and.. hehe

After her, I had tickets for Renacchi and Ryoka. Given my precious 2 experiences with non-senbatsu members, I knew I had to make a choice between them. I met Renacchi already, so as much as I wanted to meet her again, I decided to go for Ryoka. As expected, the queue was so long and during this time, my back started to ache from standing since 8am+. I couldn't sit, and I couldn't even find time to rest. Because after Ryoka, I knew it'd be time for slot 5 and I had to meet Mayu again. 

Sure enough, I met Ryoka at 2:50pm+. I started queuing at 2 by the way. I did the usual intro, she thanked me and when I was about to leave, she suddenly spoke English!!!! She said thank you in English!!  ahhh. The only member to speak English to me. I was too shocked I didn't respond and just gave a big smile haha. 

私「シンガポールから来ました！」
りょうか「あー！ありがとう」 

I forgot what happened after that.. 

(when i was leaving)
りょ「thank you!」
(i smiled)

me "i'm from singapore!"

ryoka "ah! thank you"

I forgot what happened after that.. 

(when i was leaving)
ryoka "thank you!" (in english)
(i smiled)

Slot 5 (1500-1630):
Mayu

And I immediately headed to Mayu's lane. I joined the queue rather early and was one of the first few. Despite that, I still had to stand for quite a while because Mayu didn't come on time. And omg, my back and legs were hurting SO BADLY I felt like I could just collapse on the floor any moment. I was seriously lacking energy and I could seriously fall asleep while standing as well. 20 minutes after the Slot started, Mayu have yet to arrive. I was about to die inside 

And that's when I realised. WHAT DO I SAY TO MAYU?!?!?! HAHAHAHAHA. 

Luckily I thought of it before my turn came. When it was my turn, I told her I'm looking forward to her solo song on the album. She replied something.. which I forgot. (I HATE MYSELF FML). Then my time was up and when I was about to leave, she suddenly said 'from Singapore'. Sounds weird when seeing it in words, but the way she said it, it wasn't weird at all. She was implying I'm the fan from Singapore.

私「アルバムのソロソング楽しみ！」
(i forgot Mayu's reply.. ) 

(when i was about to leave)
ま (gave a nod)
ま「シンガポールから」

me "i'm looking forward to your solo song on the album!"

(i forgot Mayu's reply..)

(when i was about to leave)

(mayu gave a nod)

mayu "from singapore"

She actually said the Singapore part in an affirmative way, like she wanna continue the sentence but there's no need to do so because I'll understand what she meant. A bit hard to explain haha.

then i was really shocked and i just smiled and nodded.

AND THAT WAS THE MOMENT THAT SERIOUSLY BRIGHTENED UP MY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I never expected Mayu to remember me?!?!?!?!?! She meets over a hundred fans in every slot, for a total of 5 slots a day. I already told myself not to be upset if Mayu doesn't remember me, because she has to see so many fans a day. But she remembered?!!?!?!??!?! I didn't even mention Singapore whatsoever since slot 1, way back at 9am?!?!? But she remembered me!!!!!! And the country I'm from!!!!!!! 

I was so damn shocked I couldn't reply.. I think I just gave a big smile. While making my way out of the lane I had to cover my mouth because I was way too shocked my mouth couldn't close. I then went on to spam my friends and Twitter HAHAHA. And while I was trying to process what happened, I suddenly felt an urge to break down. Seriously, if I was with a friend and that friend hugged me, I'd have definitely broke down and kept crying non-stop. That kind of feeling.

I rushed to the toilet. I was really about to cry!!!!!! I kept squealing silently in the toilet cubicle and smiling like an idiot inside. I teared a little. After I regained some consciousness, I went out.

I still had 2 tickets for Nakky in the slot, but I was too lazy to go and queue. Because if I did, it'd mean I'll only meet her at 4:20pm (based on my experience with non-senbatsu members) or so and I wouldn't have time to rest. I was seriously at my limit so I forgo my tickets and went to sit for an hour. 

I kept thinking about what happened with Mayu and kept smiling non-stop like some stupid person in public. 

Then I realised my next slot would be the last meeting with Mayu.. suddenly I had lots of feels and practiced really hard on what I wanna say, because it's basically my last words to her. Who knows when I'll be back to see her.. 

Slot 6 (1630-1800):
Mayu, Naachan and Miyabi

But I haven't got over what happened in slot 5. I suddenly became afraid of meeting Mayu. Maybe because it's my last time and I never want that time to come. Even though slot 6 started at 4:30pm, I didn't make my way to her lane. I kept delaying my last time with her..

And when I finally met her, I told her I'll be flying back tomorrow. She gave me a look of concern/care and told me to take care. That bittersweet feeling..

When my time was up and I was getting ushered out by the staff, I kept turning back to look at Mayu for the last few moments. And she did so as well. I decided to squeeze in a 'I had fun!' from a distance. Not sure if she heard it. But she responded with a smile.. :)

私「明日シンガポールに帰ります．．」
ま「えー？気をつけてね！」
(she gave a concerned look)
(i nodded)
(while i was leaving)
私「楽しかった！」

me "i'll return to singapore tomorrow.."

mayu "eh? take care!"

(she gave a concerned look)
(i nodded)
(while i was leaving) 

me "i had fun!"

It was too short.. I wanted to thank her for today as well, and to tell her I'll keep supporting her even back in Singapore.. 

And that's the end of my Mayu adventure..

Then I went over to Naachan's lane. I had 2 tickets with her. I wanted to tell her I'll be flying back tomorrow, but I'm afraid she doesn't remember me because the last time I met her was in slot 2, way back at about 11am. 

But when it was my turn, the first thing she said was 'you came again!!'. AHHH!!! NAACHAN REMEMBERS ME!! Even though we didn't meet for 6 hours and she met many other fans in that period, she remembered me!!!!!!

I then told her I'll be flying back home and like Mayu, she gave a look of concern/care as well. And then she grabbed my other hand (normally the members will only grab one of your hand) so I was basically holding hands with her omggg. She crossed my hands while handshaking. A bit hard to describe, haha. It must be done with actions to describe it properly. She held my hands really tightly and firmly and told me to take care. I was seriously gonna die of happiness haha. 

I still had time, so I told her she was really cute! Then she put a finger to her cheek, and made this really cute face and asked me 'kawaii?' AHHHHHHH I WAS ABOUT TO DIE HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. 

I nodded vigorously and then my time was up. We said our goodbyes sadly and while I was walking out, I noticed Naachan was still looking and waving at me with a smile. I kept looking back and waved to her non-stop. It's the longest time I ever looked back at an idol while leaving. Again, it's really hard to describe in words.. if it doesn't sound magical in words, I apologise. But that moment was really so precious.. She only stopped looking at me when her next fan arrived. 

なぁ「また来た！」
(i nodded)
私「明日シンガポールに帰ります．．」
なぁ「えぇ？！」

(Naachan then went to shake my hands differently as described above and gave a look of concern)

なぁ「気をつけてね！」
(i nodded again)
私「本当に可愛い！！」
(Naachan then went to do that cute pose)
なぁ「可愛い？」
(i nodded vigorously)

スタッフ「お時間」

なぁ「bye bye」
私「bye bye」

naachan "you came again!"

(i nodded)

me "i'll return to singapore tomorrow.."

naachan "eh?!"

(Naachan then went to shake my hands differently as described above and gave a look of concern)

naachan "take care!"

(i nodded again)

me "you're really cute!!"

(Naachan then went to do that cute pose) 

naachan "cute?"

(i nodded vigorously)

/staff signalled time was up)

naachan "bye bye"

me "bye bye"

I was seriously so spoilt by her. We didn't meet for 6 hours yet she remembered me, and she gave me so much fan interaction/service.. 

I decided to go over to Miyabi's lane even though I was tired. But I found out her lane hasn't started because she was sharing the same lane with another member, and that other member have yet to finish hs for her slot. So I went to take a seat. And when I decided to get up to see how the situation was, her slot just started! How coincidental haha. 

I had 3 tickets, so I was eligible for the lottery. I didn't win any autographs beforehand, and I was like, if I don't win a single autograph even with 3 tickets, I have nothing to say anymore.

I went to pick 3 pieces of paper and when I opened the first one.. 'サイン会'. AH!!!! I WON AN AUTOGRAPH!!!! Then I opened the second piece. Another 'サイン会'!!!!! My mind was in a mess HAHA. And on to the last piece of paper.. ANOTHER 'サイン会'!!!! I WON 3 AUTOGRAPHS!!!!

Haha. I couldn't even win a single one for any other member and I won 3 at one go now.

When it was my turn, I came and told her I'm from Singapore. She was really happy!! Way happier than any other member. I hope I made her day, because she just joined AKB not long ago, and maybe it'll cheer/motivate her up in tough times if she knew she had a fan from far away in Singapore supporting her, even though she's just a newbie. 

While she was signing, I was contemplating telling her I've been supporting her ever since she entered AKB. But I didn't say so.. I regret it now  so basically while she was signing, there was a long moment of silence because both of us didn't talk. I just looked at her sign the cards haha. 

Then she stood up after finishing and gave them to me!! She actually took the effort to stand up!! then she thanked me and I thanked her as well HAHAHA. Then we said our goodbyes and waved to each other. She told me to come back again. 

みやび「ありがとう」
私「シンガポールから来ました！」
み「えー！嬉しい！ありがとう！」

(Awkward signing process with no one talking)

(After signing finish, she handed me the autographs)

み「ありがとう！」
私「ありがとう！」
み「また来てね」
(nods)

miyabi "thank you"

me "i'm from singapore!"

miyabi "eh! i'm happy! thank you!"

(Awkward signing process with no one talking)

(After signing finish, she handed me the autographs)

miyabi "thank you!"

me "thank you!"

miyabi "do come again"

(nods)

I wonder when I'll be back..

After that, there was a 30 minutes break between slot 6 and slot 7. I went out to find food. I didn't know the place well so I just followed the crowd. I ended up in a place with food and I looked at the directory, hoping to find some sort of fast food. Nope, none. So I went to conbini and grabbed a bread. 

Pathetic haha. My lunch was 4 karaage chicken pieces and my dinner was a bread haha. 

Slot 7 (1830-2000):
Moe

I returned back before slot 6 started, and went to queue for Moe. 

I didn't win any autographs as well. Oh well.

When it was my turn, she only shook my hands using one hand.. other members would shake one of your hand with both their hands, but Moe only shook mine with one hand :(

I told her I'm from Singapore, she thanked me. Then I told her I'll fly back tomorrow and she gave a small reaction and asked 'you'll be going back tomorrow?' and I continued saying I'll continue supporting her. She thanked me and my time was up. 

私「シンガポールから来ました！」
もえ「ありがとう」
私「明日帰るけど」
も「明日帰る？」
私「でもずっと応援してます！」
も「ありがとう！」
も「また来てね」

me "i'm from singapore!"

moe "thank you"

me "i'll return back tomorrow but"

moe "you're returning tomorrow?"

me "i'll always be supporting you!"

moe "thank you!"

moe "do come again"

And that's the end of the event..

Post-Event:
If I were to rate the members, it'd go something like this.

Mayu = Naachan > Renacchi > Miyabi > Ryoka > Miyupon > Moe.

Mayu's experience may not be as magical as Naachan, but the reason why I placed her on the same level as Naachan is because:

As the top idol of the biggest idol group (in terms of both size and popularity) in Japan, you'd naturally expect her not to remember all her fans, since she meets so many a day. But when she actually remembered me, I become so touched to the extent of almost breaking down. Not only remembering how I look like, but also remembering the country I'm from.. I'd be more than happy if she remembers only my face, but she actually remembered details about me.

Which results in a very touching moment (for me, at least). So she became my best handshake for the day, tied with Naachan.

As for Naachan, she's just plain awesome in handshakes hence the 1st place.

If I were to return anytime soon, I'll definitely apply for Mayu (obviously), Naachan, Renacchi and Miyabi again. And gonna try my luck with Mion and Naru, since I haven't had the chance to handshake them.

I learnt my lesson too. Never ever apply for a crazy amount of tickets. I got carried away during application period and kept applying non-stop because I wanted to meet as many members I can. And the application process was fun as well. But look at how much tickets I wasted?

10 tickets.

10 tickets worth $100.

Excluding shipping fees from Japan to Singapore. 

End result?
Backaches, leg pain, exhaustion and money wasted.

I practically knocked out on my bed back in hotel after I showered lol.

But overall I still had lots of fun. Especially with Mayu and Naachan.

See you again one day. I know I will be forgotten by them by the time I return, but I'll do my best to get them to remember me for the day once again.

Thank you all the members I met! Let's meet again soon!