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- Morning Musume Niigaki Risa: Story of a Bond
- Training camp life that started after we got accepted in the audition.
- When I was small, I was generally shy and reserved.
- I couldn't even imagine performing anything in public.
- However, when I was in third grade, I had a fateful encounter.
- What I, Niigaki Risa, encountered was Morning Musume.
- They were brilliantly beautiful. Their dancing was lively and they sparkled.
- Beyond admiration, a light called "dream" was lit.
- "Someday, I want to be in there, singing and dancing."
- When I was 12 years old, an audition was held.
- The number: 40,000 people. At most, 2 or 3 would be chosen.
- The long, challenging days began.
- At any rate, I loved Morning Musume.
- I had confidence that I wouldn't lose to anyone on that point at least.
- At the final judging, I was one of the 9 who remained.
- Life at training camp with the 9 of us.
- There was one girl who was from Fukui Prefecture and had an accent.
- When we weren't assigned to the same room, she said, "It's too bad that we couldn't be together."
- That accent was cute.
- That girl was Takahashi Ai.
- There was a sophisticated girl who was hard to talk to.
- She had a unique atmosphere and was good at dancing.
- I thought, "This girl will definitely get accepted."
- That was Ogawa Makoto.
- A mysterious girl who was always in her own world.
- Even while traveling on the bus, she would open the curtain and fix her gaze outside the window.
- She was Konno Asami.
- Including me, these were the 4 people that got accepted.
- After that, the road of this friendship which spans beyond 10 years stretched long and straight.
- "If it's you, it'll be fine," she told me.
- When I, Niigaki Risa, was accepted in the audition in 2001, Tsunku-san commented, "Your attitude towards dancing and your love for Morning Musume was conveyed to me."
- The then-current members sang "The☆Peace!" in front of Takahashi Ai, Konno Asami, Ogawa Makoto, and me.
- The Abe Natsumi that I admired was then that close to me.
- At that time, without thinking about such things as the professional initiation that I would later undergo, I was simply engulfed in a feeling of happiness.
- Perhaps it was because I was younger than everyone, but my excitement was stronger.
- However, the lessons were strict, and I, unable to perform as needed, was frustrated.
- The 4 of us often talked. We got along well since the beginning.
- Makochii was the moodmaker.
- Konkon simply listened with a "hmm."
- Everyone stopped Ai-chan from being reckless.
- I think it's a miracle. The fact that 4 people can get along this well.
- Eventually, the times when we each approached our own graduations came.
- My generation-mates, Takahashi Ai, Konno Asami, and Ogawa Makoto, ever since we got accepted in the audition in 2001, have been, and always will be, my friends.
- In 2007, in place of Fujimoto Miki-san, Ai-chan became Morning Musume's leader, and I became subleader.
- In 2011, Ai-chan graduated, and I assumed the position of the 7th leader.
- In the end, a girl who simply loved Morning Musume became that leader.
- The girls who have recently joined are in the first half of their teens, just as I was.
- There are a lot of perplexing and troubling things.
- Even in those times, all of my generation-mates casually worry for me.
- I received a text from Makochii, saying, "I can't do anything, but I can listen."
- Konkon gently came closer and embraced me firmly.
- And then, Ai-chan said with a smile, "If it's you, it'll be fine," and lightly patted my shoulder.
- I understand that I've been able to come this far because they are there for me.
- Even now that we've each found our own paths, the fact that they are important friends does not change.
- Like the lyrics in the song that we sang together, "Suki na Senpai," I'll ask everyone today as well. "Is the me today spirited?"
- To Ai-chan, Makochii, and Konkon,
- I'm truly glad that we are in the same generation.
- Everyone is now working hard on their own paths, but thank you for contacting me right away when something comes up or during painful times.
- From now on, too, please take care of me always.
- [by kurikaesu.haru@hello-online.org]
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