“Kojima Haruna-sama,

You’ve always been a diligent member. Even when I was at loss with the strong personalities of some of the original members, you’d always neatly do what had to be done.

When AKB48 still didn’t sell, during the interview of a recording-studio in  Daikanyama, you suddenly told me;

“Unexpectedly, I’m pretty good at singing!”

Of course, with your usual playful way of saying things. But because you were so diligent, I ended up not paying much attention to what you said, so you started being sulky and complaining.

You were right. Your singing was indeed good, and I ended up forgetting about it. So I quickly came up with a WCenter song for you and Maeda Atsuko; “Yuuhi wo miteiru ka?”.

I’m sure many are the times in which you ended up thinking about graduating am I right? Especially after seeing same generation members leaving you behind, one after another.

Some years ago, you said there was something you needed to talk to me, so we went to have dinner in an italian restourant in  Azabujuban. I’m sure you were seriously thinking about graduating that time as well, but eventually we ended up only joking about it. I feel like, just like a father who doesn’t want to hear about the person his own daughter is planning to get married with, I was always trying to avoid the graduation-topic with you.

Not to mention that you’d keep thinking about the future of AKB, you’d keep taking care of younger members and never bringing back up the topic insistently. So I just went along with it, let you do all that, and I truly thought that it’d have been nice if you stayed within the group even after you turned 30.

And now, as you’re celebrating your graduation today, April the 19th 2017, at the AKB48 theater, finally I am gonna ask you this;

“Haruna, would you stay a little longer?”

Just kidding. I won’t get spoiled by you anymore. Just keep being yourself. Even if to others you’ll look like you’re lacking of motivation, or that you’re cutting your way through life; because in reality, you’ve loved AKB48 so far with more seriousness and honesty than anyone else, with a real sense of responsibility, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you.

Congratulations on your graduation.

I bless you on this second new start of your life.

Akimoto Yasushi.”