Yamashita Tomohisa: 0409 Vol. 86
0409
Vol. 86 "Shopping★"
"Lately I don't want a lot of things, but when I do go shopping, I make decisions right away!" says Yamapi. He tells us about a memorable purchase during his junior high days, what he dreams of buying someday, as well as some recent shopping trips.
I don't remember going on errands as a little kid like they do on Hajimete no Otsukai (T/N: A TV show where preschool-aged children go by themselves on errands for their parents.) I bet my parents weren't able to set me loose on such an adventure. They always kept my allowance for me, and the few hundred yen I got each month would be spent on cheap candy at the store down the street. I didn't go shopping by myself until I joined Johnny's Jr. Back then, I would usually go shopping with fellow Junior Hasejun (Hasegawa Jun) at Harajuku and places like that. Hasejun was so different from me, a small-town boy from Chiba. He lived in the city, wore the latest fashions, and knew all the stores and places to go in Tokyo. I always had him take me around the city.
In my last year of middle school, I went to Harajuku and bought a jacket from one of the brands that was super popular at the time. I saw it somewhere and really wanted it. When I actually went in and looked at the price, middle-school-aged me thought it was so expensive. I wavered for a second, but I really wanted it, so I splurged and bought it anyway. Of course I don't have many chances to wear it anymore, but I still treasure it. It's a memorable item and I just can't get rid of it.
I don't think I've ever saved up to buy something. Maybe when I bought myself an expensive accessory to celebrate my graduation from college. I'd never bought anything terribly expensive before that. I've always been one to make quick shopping decisions. Really quick. I don't take much time to mull it over.
Because of that, I guess, sometimes I make mistakes when buying clothes. I see something I like and buy it, and when I first wear it it's fine when I leave the house, but somewhere during the day I realize that something's not quite right with it, and I never wear it again. Also I sometimes buy something and never put it on. Lately I've been trying to examine things better before I buy them, so I don't make as many mistakes anymore.
The most expensive thing I ever bought was a car. But it wasn't just for me, it was for my whole family to use. That's why I didn't fuss over the details very much. If I were to buy a car just for myself, I might be a little more picky, but who knows? You know what, though, I don't really go shopping all that much. I like to eat good food, but I don't order food to be shipped fresh from other parts of Japan, like some people do. When you ask what someone dreams of buying some day, the usual answer is a house, but I want a castle! No, an island! I'll buy Yamashita Island in the south where it's warm. (Laughs.)
If a girl asks me to go shopping with her, I'll go, but I won't be the one to make the suggestion. If she asks me, "How's this?" or "Which one do you like better?" I would probably only answer with a yes, no, or "That one!" I mean, I want to be looking for my own clothes while she looks for hers. Isn't it a waste of time to watch someone else shop? I'd like it if she would pick out clothes for me. Guys and girls like different things, so I could learn what kind of clothes girls like.
My latest purchase was a book I bought just before coming to the Seventeen photo shoot we did earlier. I bought it at a newly-opened bookstore. What I buy at convenience stores? Usually just water. When I'm working on a drama and eating bento every day, I buy salads to get some vegetables, and some tuna to put on top. Also, I occasionally buy snacks that have figures from ONE PIECE attached to them. It's not like I have them lined up on a shelf at home, but they're all somewhere around the house. At the moment, there's nothing I really want to buy and I'm not collecting anything. But I guess if I run into a good wristwatch, I might want to buy it. You can use well-made things for a long time, and it's important to check out the functions, the feel, and if it fits my wrist well, no matter the price. Antique watches are cool, too. I'm not necessarily searching for one, but if I see one that I like I might splurge for it.
For girls, shopping can be a stress-reliever or a reward for hard work, but to me, it's only to be fashionable. I only recently began making an effort to dress well. Before now, I could've cared less about my own clothes. A t-shirt and jeans, put on a leather jacket if it's cold. But a manager advised me to become more knowledgeable about clothes, and now I try to make more educated decisions when I go shopping. At work, the stylist prepares my clothes for me and I have the opportunity to wear several different styles, but I think about what I like when I choose what to wear. It's more interesting that way--how outfits with the same color combinations can have a different feel each time, or how adding an accent somewhere can change the whole look. Different outfits look better with certain hairstyles, and for girls, makeup and accessories change the overall look even more. Adding an earring can also change it up, I'm sure. I've realized how fashion can be really deep, after all. From now on, I would like keep these things in mind when I go to buy my clothes.
[Seventeen, May 2012 / translation by amapi - Please credit if using/quoting]
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Scans provided by watchful21. I am also late for this translation, not as late as last month's though! Hope you are enjoying April. I love spring weather, and the cherry blossoms are so beautiful in Tokyo! I think I enjoy watching them fall more than seeing them in full bloom. :)
I hope you enjoyed the translation this month. Someone please write a fanfic about Yamapi and his castle / island! Thank you in advance!! ;)
Happy birthday to all the April babies: nilvy, aricch, momo104, jon_700, Iane Himura, neskayanet, nechon, senko_fuji, loan_pi, and edneichon!
I almost forgot! I've got to thank you all for friending me and reading my posts. This month I reached 100 friends! So grateful for all of you :) And thank you to lady_yamapi for being lucky number 100!
See you next month!
-Amanda