Aiba-chan's Recomen! Arashi Remix 04.22.2011 [TRANSLATIONS]
NinoAi.
NinoAi.
NinoAi.
Oh, wait: NinoAi. <3
That's all there really is to say about this Recomen. Okay, not entirely true, but since NinoAi is my OTP, I suppose I became blind to some of the other details. xD
Kind reminders:
+ My translations should NOT be used elsewhere or reposted anywhere without my consent. If you want to use my translations for something, please PM me and tell me how you intend to use them. Please respect this rule: 30-minute radio shows do take time to translate. (NOTE: I do NOT allow retranslations of my translations.)
+ If you want to post about these translations somewhere (your own blog, forums, etc.), a link back to my page would be kindly appreciated. [ex: "I read in a Recomen translation from amnosxmatsujun that Aiba-chan..."] *thank you!
+ If you enjoyed the translations, I'd love to hear from you! :) Comments are ♥♥
Highlights from this Recomen:
# Do I have to say it again? NinoAi. There, I said it. 8) Lots of member love, too.
# You'll wish your name was "Mayumi", too.
# I want me an Aiba kitty. <3
# He'd make such a good bartender. For real.
# Jot down the things that catch his eye, fangirls~ ;)
This particular Recomen can be found HERE @ MF. *audio credit: jps Thank you! :D
PSWD: n1n04i498
A=Aiba-chan
C=Chika-san
A: Don’t fret! I’m with ya! Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s [laugh] Recomen! Arashi Remix! Good evening, this is Aiba Masaki from Arashi. Chika-san?
C: Yes?
A: Today, you’re supposed to have ready an essay about your thoughts on Kimi to Miru Sen no Yume.
C: Oh, I wrote it.
A: Let’s have you read it, then.
C: May I?
A: Please.
C: All right, then. 33rd Year, Class B: Chikazawa Hirokazu.
A: Go on.
C: “What kind of dreams compose Kimi to Miru Sen no Yume? (*note: “yume” means ‘dream’) These are dreams one sees in limbo between life and death. These are dreams that a young Haruya e-e-e...”
A: [laugh]
C: “Envisioned as a child! These days, the term ‘dream’ has lost its worth. Everyone uses that term lightly. They repudiate others, stating ‘You have no goals’, or become disappointed in themselves. I felt such irritation present in the characters in this stage play. They say their dreams have turned to dust and stop caring. They accuse their families for robbing them of their dreams. Haven’t we lost sight of what is really important? For those of you who plan to watch this, I urge you to question yourself the same thing. I hope you search for the answer alongside Haruya. What does it mean to dream? What is life? What is family? A touching ending awaits.”
A: You actually approached this seriously.
C: Yes. A brilliant-
A: “What does it mean to dream?”
C: Yes.
A: That’s the theme of this stage play.
C: Yes.
A: And also the power of life.
C: Exactly.
A: Mm... I wouldn’t go as far as saying it teaches the meaning of life, but ‘life’ is a central theme.
C: It was great.
A: Thank you. Okay, Chika-san.
C: Yes?
A: Um... we’re almost at our 500th show.
C: That’s right!
A: This is the 498th.
C: Yes.
A: What shall we do on the 500th?
C: 500th.
A: What should we do?!
C: Let’s see... to show our appreciation for helping us reach our 500th airtime...
A: Let’s play Für Elise!
C: Will you, Aiba-kun?
A: Let’s. However, I’ll be playing the recorder.
C: Oh, that’s fine.
A: So... I mean, 500-I feel like I’m forced to do all these things.
C: Mm.
A: But we’re creating this radio show together! So Chika-san and Yano-kun, you two pitch in, too. (*note: Yano-kun is a staff member)
C: Really?
A: Für Elise. I’ll be on recorder.
C: Okay.
A: What about you, Yano-kun?
Yano: Castanets.
A: Castanets? Good idea.
C: Castanets... to play Für Elise?
Yano: [laugh]
A: Yeah. What about you, Chika-san?
C: Oh, me?
A: What about guitar, Chika-san?
C: Guitar?!
A: Can you play guitar?
C: Guitar? Uh... a teeny bit.
A: Oh!
C: A teeny bit...
A: You can?!
C: Only a teeny bit.
A: If you can play a teeny bit, then let’s have you do that!
C: Not “teeny bit”... you’d laugh if I played.
A: [laugh] Let’s have you play guitar, then! Let’s promise to do this! I don’t care if you’re just playing chords.
C: Ah...
A: And I’ll play the main melody: ♪Tah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la~ on the recorder. The castanets can keep the beat.
C: Aren’t castanets a joke?!
A/Yano: [laugh]
A: Don’t be all down about it.
Yano: [laugh]
C: Okay.
A: Let’s get things started. This is Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix! Good evening once again. This is Aiba Masaki from Arashi. This show is brought to you from Bunka housou in Hamamatsu city and broadcasted nationwide. Let’s listen to the first number for the evening. This is Arashi’s “Sakura Sake”.
[♪Arashi - “Sakura Sake”]
A: Let’s light the fuse to a fun-filled weekend! Arashi - Aiba Masaki's Recomen! Arashi Remix! Arashi: The Quiz Show! The man in showbiz most knowledgeable about Arashi, Aiba Masaki, will answer questions regarding the group! If I make a mistake-and I mean if-I will have to play a punishment game.
C: Really?
A: Not that I would get any answers wrong.
C: But tonight, we’ll have you play these punishment games for sure.
A: Why do you say that? I know my stuff.
C: Is that so? This is by radio pen name Imouto wa Aiba-chan daisuki...
A: Ah, thank you.
C: Demo haha wa Matsujun, watashi wa Sho-kun de gomennasai-san. (*note: This whole pen name means, ‘my younger sister loves Aiba-chan, but my mother likes Matsujun, and I like Sho-kun, sorry’)
A: [laugh] Well, now, saying “sorry” makes it more hurtful.
C: No, no. She just means her whole family supports Arashi.
A: Thank you very much!
C: “Look back in time and think for a moment:”
A: Okay, how long ago?
C: “In the past, a concert date at Rainbow Hall in Nagoya (*note: This hall is now called ‘Nippon Gaishi Hall’) fell right on your birthday. During the concert...”
A: Yes...
C: “...you received a bodysuit as a present.”
A: Yeah, yeah, yeah! I did!
C: “How old did you turn that day?”
A: Nine...teen?
C: Bingo~!
A: [laugh] I guessed right! Woohoo! [laugh]
C: But this isn’t the main question.
A: Oh, it isn’t?
C: “Who gave you that present?”
A: Nino.
C: That still isn’t the main question.
A: Seriously?! Hey...
C: “Afterwards...”
A: This isn’t fair, the way you’re asking these questions!
C: “...you sang a song wearing that bodysuit.”
A: After the MC part?
C: After emceeing.
A: Yes, yes, I did.
C: “What song did you all sing?”
A: There are a lot of Arashi songs, you know. Hundreds.
C: The first character is katakana. Around 2001... Your punishment game...
A: Yes?
C: “My little sister, who loves you, Aiba-chan, is named Mayumi. You have to say a cheesy, romantic line addressed to her, one you might say in a drama.”
A: Is it “Aozora Pedal”?
C: Wrong! Was “Aozora Pedal” released in 2001?!
A: It wasn’t.
C: Exactly.
A: Right.
C: Let’s have you do that punishment game, then.
A: Could you come up with the line, Chika-san?
C: What?!
A: You’re a writer. A writer!
C: “A cheesy, romantic line.”
A: A cheesy one. Come up with one, will you?
C: Should I?
A: Recall one you personally used, Chika-san.
C: How about, “Mayumi. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.”
A: Could you say it once, give an example?
C: No, no, no! [laugh]
A: Well, that’s-
C: No, n-this isn’t MY punishment game!
A: No! [laugh] No, just once.
C: [laugh]
A: So I know what you as the director are expecting of me. I have to know, right, Yano-kun?
Yano: Well, true, yes.
A: Do it for me, okay? Three, two, one, action!
C: “Mayumi. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.”
A: [laugh] Got it, got it.
C: If you will, please.
A: All right! Director, give me your cue, please.
C: Three, two, one, action!
A: “Mayumi. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.”
C: [silent]
A: [laugh] This is going to turn into a disaster if no one speaks up. Seriously.
C: The answer was “Nice na Kokoroiki”.
A: Ahhh!
C: Moving on to the next question!
A: Sure.
C: This is by radio pen name ARS chuugaku ninensei kanto-chihou-san (*note: ARS 8th grader in the Kanto region).
A: Thank you very much.
C: “What food has Ohno-kun come to love recently?”
A: [laugh]
C: He apparently didn’t like it before.
A: I have no idea~! No idea!
C: “He didn’t like it in the past, but Yashima Norito-san (*note: The actor who played Dracula in Kaibutsu-kun) suggested that he eat a ton of it in one sitting. He did as he was told, and now he likes it.” Ah... I’m not fond of this, either. If you don’t like it, even a bit of it used in a dish ruins the whole thing.
A: Ah...!
C: But if you have a lot of it, you can come to like it?
A: Then that means... okay, I got this! It’s got a pungent smell. An herb. I’m gettin’ there, aren’t I?! An herb...
C: Your punishment game: “Talk in kitty language until the end of the show.”
A: [laugh] Whoa, wait, wait!!
C: [laugh]
A: Hold up!
C: [laugh]
A: That’s not good!
C: [laugh]
A: What does she mean by “kitty language”? Like, “nyan-nyan”? (*note: In Japan, the onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow is ‘nya’, ‘nyan’, and ‘nyao’) I have to pretend I’m a kitty, “nyan-nyan”?
C: That’s right, nya! [laugh]
A: Yikes, that’s awful.
C: [laugh]
A: I do NOT want to do that.
C: [laugh]
A: Okay, hang on. I’m going to get this right. It’s an herb.
C: Mm.
A: Hey, come on! You can at least give me a look like I’m on the right track.
C: Ah.
A: It’s an herb. It’s green.
C: Mm, mm.
A: Cilantro!!
C: Bingo~!
A: Oh, thank goodness.
Yano: [laugh]
C: That’s what she says.
A: Phew, thank goodness! Sorry I won’t be using kitty language.
C: [laugh] Thank goodness, nya~
A: Thank goodness, nya~! Seriously.
C: [laugh]
A: Really. Thank goodness, nya~!
C: Here’s the last one.
A: Okay.
C: This is by radio pen name Chii-chan from Toyama.
A: Chii-chan? Thanks!
C: “KonAbai-bibi-baba.”
A: KonAbai-bi-baba.
Yano: [laugh]
C: “Nino plays the leading role in the movie, GANTZ. What’s his character’s full name? You did watch it, ri~ght?”
A: Dang it! Here it is!
C: “Aiba-chan, did you watch it? Your punishment game: with all your heart, say, ‘Nino, I love you. I adore you. You looked so cool playing your role in GANTZ!”
A: [laugh]
C: “Say it like you would in an AU commercial.”
A: You’re kidd-maaa~n!
Yano: [laugh]
A: What the heck is that punishment game?!
C: Mm.
A: What?! I don’t know his first name.
C: Oh, you know his last name?
A: Of course, duh!
C: So, what was it?
A: His last name?
C: Yeah.
A: Just his last name? Kurono.
C: Oh! You’re right, that’s correct.
A: I know that much.
C: Okay.
A: And... okay, then. Could you tell me either the first or last syllable?
C: Okay... this is a HUGE hint. So... his name is two syllables. Kurono, and his first name has two syllables.
A: In kanji.
C: Uh, in hiragana or katakana. (*note: Each hiragana and katakana character is one syllable, whereas kanji can be more than one)
A: What?! Two syllables...?
C: And the first syllable is “Ke”.
A: Kurono Ken! KuroKen!
C: Wrong~!
Yano: [laugh]
A: Whaaa~t?!
C: There could only be two choices: Ken or Kei.
A: [laugh]
C: You said, “Ken”. That’s incorrect!
A: It’s not KuroKen?
C: It’s “Kei”!
A: KuroKei, huh?
Yano: [laugh]
C: The kanji “kei” is the one you use for “keisan”. (*note: The kanji looks like this: 計, and “keisan” means ‘to calculate’)
A: Man, what was the punishment game again?
C: Right. “Nino, I love you. I adore you. You looked so cool playing your role in GANTZ!”
A: [giggles] Fine.
C: We’re adding reverb.
A: Reverb?!
C: Yeah.
A: Then... add reverb. “Nino, I love you. I adore you. You looked so cool playing your role in GANTZ!” What the hell is this?!
Yano: [laugh]
A: What the hell?! Just what the hell is this?!!
C: Oh, brother.
A: Oh, brother! Anyway, please send in your Arashi quizzes along with punishment games for Aiba Masaki. The e-mail is arashi@joqr.net! That was Arashi: The Quiz Show segment!
A: Here’s a newsflash for your ears: checkmaaate! Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix. Tell me, Aiba-chan! Here, I’ll answer questions that you’ve sent in~! Have we e-mails?
C: We sure do.
A: Let’s get to ‘em.
C: This is by radio pen name Arashi daisuki sugite yabai desu, thirteen years old. (*note: I love Arashi so much it’s insane)
A: Thank you very much.
C: “Aiba-chan, Chika-san, Yano-kun, KonAiba.” (*note: Konbanwa + Aiba, “konbanwa” means ‘good evening’)
A/Yano: KonAiba!
C: “I tune in to listen to your show all the time.”
A: Thank you.
C: “I have a question for you. Is there something you as Arashi would like to accomplish as a group this year? If so, do let me know~!”
A: For the past 4-5 years, we’ve been saying this.
C: Yes?
A: We’d like to go somewhere just the five of us.
C: Mm.
A: There’s been talk about this. I mean... without our managers.
C: No?
A: Just the five of us. We’d like to go somewhere.
C: You all would stand out...!
A: We’ve been saying that for a while now.
C: I see.
A: But our schedules don’t match up. There aren’t days when all five of us have time off.
C: Right...
A: We’d have to meet up at some train station, I bet.
C: Which train station would this be?
A: Like Shibuya, in front of the Hachiko statue. (*note: Hachiko is a bronze statue erected in likeness of Hachi, the dog; this statue is known as a popular meeting area)
C: It could be that you might be less noticeable there.
A: [laugh]
C: People may not recognize you.
A: True. Things like that...
C: Things like that.
A: Well, it would be nice if we could do that. I think so, even a bit.
C: It’s everyone’s wish.
A: Yes.
C: Yes.
A: Let’s move on, shall we?
C: Sure. This is by a 20-year-old living in Hyogo, radio pen name Tentoumushi-san. (*note: Ladybug)
A: Thank you.
C: “Great job in Bartender!”
A: Thank you very much.
C: “I’m finally twenty years old, so I’m thinking about going to a bar.”
A: Oh!
C: “So... did you make the Arashi members cocktails? Also, let me know which cocktail suits which member.” So it says.
A: She’s finally turned twenty, so she’s going to visit a bar?
C: She says so. And it seems she’s interested in cocktails. And...
A: Oh, then...
C: Yes?
A: So, I must.
C: Mm.
A: Give advice.
C: Advice.
A: Don’t... go for the cocktails that you saw in the drama. I say this because she’s just turned twenty. Those have high alcohol content, short drinks. (*note: “Short drink” is a term used for cocktails that have high alcohol content per volume, allowing one to feel buzzed with a small amount)
C: Okay.
A: The alcohol proof.
C: Right.
A: So... if she goes for those from the start... I don’t know, some people can hold their liquor better than others.
C: Mm-hmm.
A: But you may not notice how unstable your footing has become.
C: Right.
A: That can happen. I’d like for her to be careful as she drinks.
C: They go down easily.
A: Ah! Don’t order short drinks. Get something in a long glass, and something fruity...
C: With some fruit at the rim? With some juice in it.
A: Make sure it’s 100% real juice. Most bars will have that. I still get those when I visit bars nowadays. I don’t order many things with high alcohol content.
C: I see.
A: That way, you can enjoy all sorts of drinks. It’s a good thing.
C: Right.
A: And once you get used to those, you can go for a short drink.
C: Did you hear that?
A: I think so. Just so you know, to answer her question, I didn’t make the other members anything.
C: He didn’t.
A: I didn’t.
C: Which cocktail suits each member?
A: If they asked me to make them something, I’ll go with the flow of the moment and concoct something.
C: Yes, yes. Gotcha!
A: Let’s move on.
C: Moving on. This is from a 17-year-old from Hokkaido, radio pen name Long gate-san.
A: Thank you very much.
C: “What gesture from a girl instinctively makes your heart flutter, Aiba-san?”
A: Oh, “instinctively”? Hm, I wonder...
C: Your heart flutters when you see a girl do what?
A: I got one!
C: What is it?
A: Um... she serves-how do I say this? There’s always someone that serves the food out for everyone, right?
C: Yes.
A: But that’s not enough to get me. So... you know. She’ll say, “You should eat more vegetables.” You know what I’m trying to say?
C: Ah...
A: Do you get me?
C: Is that so...
A: I feel my heart flutter if she adds a line like, “You should eat more vegetables.”
C: I get you.
A: I’ll think, “Why do you care so much about me?”
C: You had been munching on meat dishes the whole time.
A: Mm-hmm, yeah, yeah. Let’s pretend we’re all eating yakiniku.
C: And she serves you some salad.
A: Yeah, yeah.
C: And she says, “You should eat more vegetables.”
A: And serves me some.
C: And serves you. That gets you?
A: Moving on.
C: Moving on.
A: What, Chika-san?
C: We went to a yakiniku restaurant in our conversation just now.
A: [laugh] From a ramen place to a yakiniku restaurant. (*note: In the 1-hr version of this Recomen, Chika-san talked about liking it when a girl puts up her hair, and Aiba suggested a ramen shop for that scenario)
C: A yakiniku restaurant.
A: There’s also Italian, there are plenty more.
C: Italian, yes...
A: Like, “This is al dente!” Oh, but [laugh]
C: [laugh]
A: That doesn’t make my heart flutter or anything.
C: I see.
A: What is it...?
C: Mm.
A: What do you think it is?
C: I wonder.
A: But things that make you realize she cares about you, thinks about you. Doesn’t that get you?
C: Yeah. Or let’s say a girl’s cell phone rings or she gets a text message. She turns it off and puts it in her bag. I like that.
A: Wait, sorry. I have no idea what you mean.
Yano: [laugh]
A: Say it again.
C: If she decided to check her text message then, or said, “Excuse me” and took the call, wouldn’t it make you feel a bit sad?
A: Oh, are you two alone already?
C: Yea-no, not alone.
A: Ah, so there are some others.
C: She was talking to me. That gesture shows that she’s having so much fun that her phone can wait for later.
A: I see!
C: Mm-hmm. As if there was nothing more important than the time she’s spending with me.
A: It’s all about the moment. Ah, I get you. Someone who turns off their phone.
C: She doesn’t even look at it.
A: Ahh, I see! I don’t share the same sentiment, though.
C: Oh, you don’t? [laugh]
A: What else? [silence] What else...
C: Something that makes your heart... what was it?
A: Flutter.
C: Flutter.
A: So... something like, her expression after she makes a mistake? That gets me.
C: Ah...
A: You know what I mean?
C: Yes, yes. That’s nice.
A: Like after she falls or something.
C: That’s good... or when... something bad, or maybe an unpleasant store clerk is around, we’ll take a look at each other and smirk. How’s that?
A: No, I don’t get any of that.
Yano: [laugh]
C: What?!
A: I have no idea what you’re saying, Chika-san.
C: Really?
A: Yeah. It must be the generation gap.
C: You think so?
A: I do.
C: I bet there are listeners who thought, “I know exactly what you mean, Chika-san!”
A: Really~? He doesn’t seem to understand you, either.
C: Oh, yeah. [laugh]
A: [laugh] Shall we move on?
C: That’s-
A: Oh, that was the last one.
C: Mm-hmm.
A: Right, right.
C: It’s about time, don’t you think?
A: I agree. This segment... [laugh] we’re always looking for questions you’d like Aiba Masaki to answer, so do send in your e-mails. That concludes Tell me, Aiba-chan. Let’s have a listen now. This is Arashi’s “Hero”.
[♪Arashi - “Hero”]
A: Please send your postcards to Bunka Housou Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix!. Zip code 105-8002. E-mail address: Arashi@joqr.net. Please put the name of the segment in the subject. You can also send us a message through the Bunka Housou website on your cell phone. We’re just about out of time. As we talked about at the beginning of the program, our 500th show... is only two more away.
C: Right, it’s the week after next.
A: Let’s do this right. Let’s be proper about this.
C: Yeah. When’s call time?
A: No [laugh] not that.
C: Ah.
A: You talk that over with your manager.
C: Ah, right.
A: So... first of all, Für Elise is set in stone, okay?
C: ...Okay. Für Elise.
A: And... I’m playing the recorder.
C: ...Okay.
A: That’s set.
C: Okay.
A: Yano-kun will play the castanets. That’s set.
C: Okay.
Yano: May I?
A: Of course. And you, Chika-san?
C: So...
A: You’re the most indecisive out of all of us!
C: What, guitar?
A: [laugh] Guitar.
C: Guitar?
A: Guitar, or...?
C: Guitar...
A: Guitar... hey, if you’re going to play it, then I’ll bring one for you.
C: Um...
A: An acoustic guitar. [laugh] We wouldn’t be able to hear it if I brought you an electric.
C: Mm... true.
A: You said you’ve fiddled around on guitar before. When you were a student.
C: Fiddled around? More like...
A: Yes?
C: Well, I learned three chords or so.
A: Can you play Für Elise with only three chords?
C: Can I...?
A: Plus... okay, then let’s water it down a bit. If it’s in C# minor, we can transpose it to C minor.
C: [laugh] He’s serious.
Yano: [laugh]
C: I can’t imagine that song being played in chords.
A: Well... [laugh]
Yano: [laugh]
C: Won’t I have to pick out each note?
A: [laugh] Don’t worry, I’ll play the main melody. Let’s do it... okay?
C: All right.
A: I’m excited.
C: Well-
A: Okay? You got it?!
C: Fine.
A: [laugh] All right. This was Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix. Your radio partner was Aiba Masaki from Arashi. See you next week, bye-bye!
NinoAi.
NinoAi.
Oh, wait: NinoAi. <3
That's all there really is to say about this Recomen. Okay, not entirely true, but since NinoAi is my OTP, I suppose I became blind to some of the other details. xD
Kind reminders:
+ My translations should NOT be used elsewhere or reposted anywhere without my consent. If you want to use my translations for something, please PM me and tell me how you intend to use them. Please respect this rule: 30-minute radio shows do take time to translate. (NOTE: I do NOT allow retranslations of my translations.)
+ If you want to post about these translations somewhere (your own blog, forums, etc.), a link back to my page would be kindly appreciated. [ex: "I read in a Recomen translation from amnosxmatsujun that Aiba-chan..."] *thank you!
+ If you enjoyed the translations, I'd love to hear from you! :) Comments are ♥♥
Highlights from this Recomen:
# Do I have to say it again? NinoAi. There, I said it. 8) Lots of member love, too.
# You'll wish your name was "Mayumi", too.
# I want me an Aiba kitty. <3
# He'd make such a good bartender. For real.
# Jot down the things that catch his eye, fangirls~ ;)
This particular Recomen can be found HERE @ MF. *audio credit: jps Thank you! :D
PSWD: n1n04i498
A=Aiba-chan
C=Chika-san
A: Don’t fret! I’m with ya! Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s [laugh] Recomen! Arashi Remix! Good evening, this is Aiba Masaki from Arashi. Chika-san?
C: Yes?
A: Today, you’re supposed to have ready an essay about your thoughts on Kimi to Miru Sen no Yume.
C: Oh, I wrote it.
A: Let’s have you read it, then.
C: May I?
A: Please.
C: All right, then. 33rd Year, Class B: Chikazawa Hirokazu.
A: Go on.
C: “What kind of dreams compose Kimi to Miru Sen no Yume? (*note: “yume” means ‘dream’) These are dreams one sees in limbo between life and death. These are dreams that a young Haruya e-e-e...”
A: [laugh]
C: “Envisioned as a child! These days, the term ‘dream’ has lost its worth. Everyone uses that term lightly. They repudiate others, stating ‘You have no goals’, or become disappointed in themselves. I felt such irritation present in the characters in this stage play. They say their dreams have turned to dust and stop caring. They accuse their families for robbing them of their dreams. Haven’t we lost sight of what is really important? For those of you who plan to watch this, I urge you to question yourself the same thing. I hope you search for the answer alongside Haruya. What does it mean to dream? What is life? What is family? A touching ending awaits.”
A: You actually approached this seriously.
C: Yes. A brilliant-
A: “What does it mean to dream?”
C: Yes.
A: That’s the theme of this stage play.
C: Yes.
A: And also the power of life.
C: Exactly.
A: Mm... I wouldn’t go as far as saying it teaches the meaning of life, but ‘life’ is a central theme.
C: It was great.
A: Thank you. Okay, Chika-san.
C: Yes?
A: Um... we’re almost at our 500th show.
C: That’s right!
A: This is the 498th.
C: Yes.
A: What shall we do on the 500th?
C: 500th.
A: What should we do?!
C: Let’s see... to show our appreciation for helping us reach our 500th airtime...
A: Let’s play Für Elise!
C: Will you, Aiba-kun?
A: Let’s. However, I’ll be playing the recorder.
C: Oh, that’s fine.
A: So... I mean, 500-I feel like I’m forced to do all these things.
C: Mm.
A: But we’re creating this radio show together! So Chika-san and Yano-kun, you two pitch in, too. (*note: Yano-kun is a staff member)
C: Really?
A: Für Elise. I’ll be on recorder.
C: Okay.
A: What about you, Yano-kun?
Yano: Castanets.
A: Castanets? Good idea.
C: Castanets... to play Für Elise?
Yano: [laugh]
A: Yeah. What about you, Chika-san?
C: Oh, me?
A: What about guitar, Chika-san?
C: Guitar?!
A: Can you play guitar?
C: Guitar? Uh... a teeny bit.
A: Oh!
C: A teeny bit...
A: You can?!
C: Only a teeny bit.
A: If you can play a teeny bit, then let’s have you do that!
C: Not “teeny bit”... you’d laugh if I played.
A: [laugh] Let’s have you play guitar, then! Let’s promise to do this! I don’t care if you’re just playing chords.
C: Ah...
A: And I’ll play the main melody: ♪Tah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la~ on the recorder. The castanets can keep the beat.
C: Aren’t castanets a joke?!
A/Yano: [laugh]
A: Don’t be all down about it.
Yano: [laugh]
C: Okay.
A: Let’s get things started. This is Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix! Good evening once again. This is Aiba Masaki from Arashi. This show is brought to you from Bunka housou in Hamamatsu city and broadcasted nationwide. Let’s listen to the first number for the evening. This is Arashi’s “Sakura Sake”.
[♪Arashi - “Sakura Sake”]
A: Let’s light the fuse to a fun-filled weekend! Arashi - Aiba Masaki's Recomen! Arashi Remix! Arashi: The Quiz Show! The man in showbiz most knowledgeable about Arashi, Aiba Masaki, will answer questions regarding the group! If I make a mistake-and I mean if-I will have to play a punishment game.
C: Really?
A: Not that I would get any answers wrong.
C: But tonight, we’ll have you play these punishment games for sure.
A: Why do you say that? I know my stuff.
C: Is that so? This is by radio pen name Imouto wa Aiba-chan daisuki...
A: Ah, thank you.
C: Demo haha wa Matsujun, watashi wa Sho-kun de gomennasai-san. (*note: This whole pen name means, ‘my younger sister loves Aiba-chan, but my mother likes Matsujun, and I like Sho-kun, sorry’)
A: [laugh] Well, now, saying “sorry” makes it more hurtful.
C: No, no. She just means her whole family supports Arashi.
A: Thank you very much!
C: “Look back in time and think for a moment:”
A: Okay, how long ago?
C: “In the past, a concert date at Rainbow Hall in Nagoya (*note: This hall is now called ‘Nippon Gaishi Hall’) fell right on your birthday. During the concert...”
A: Yes...
C: “...you received a bodysuit as a present.”
A: Yeah, yeah, yeah! I did!
C: “How old did you turn that day?”
A: Nine...teen?
C: Bingo~!
A: [laugh] I guessed right! Woohoo! [laugh]
C: But this isn’t the main question.
A: Oh, it isn’t?
C: “Who gave you that present?”
A: Nino.
C: That still isn’t the main question.
A: Seriously?! Hey...
C: “Afterwards...”
A: This isn’t fair, the way you’re asking these questions!
C: “...you sang a song wearing that bodysuit.”
A: After the MC part?
C: After emceeing.
A: Yes, yes, I did.
C: “What song did you all sing?”
A: There are a lot of Arashi songs, you know. Hundreds.
C: The first character is katakana. Around 2001... Your punishment game...
A: Yes?
C: “My little sister, who loves you, Aiba-chan, is named Mayumi. You have to say a cheesy, romantic line addressed to her, one you might say in a drama.”
A: Is it “Aozora Pedal”?
C: Wrong! Was “Aozora Pedal” released in 2001?!
A: It wasn’t.
C: Exactly.
A: Right.
C: Let’s have you do that punishment game, then.
A: Could you come up with the line, Chika-san?
C: What?!
A: You’re a writer. A writer!
C: “A cheesy, romantic line.”
A: A cheesy one. Come up with one, will you?
C: Should I?
A: Recall one you personally used, Chika-san.
C: How about, “Mayumi. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.”
A: Could you say it once, give an example?
C: No, no, no! [laugh]
A: Well, that’s-
C: No, n-this isn’t MY punishment game!
A: No! [laugh] No, just once.
C: [laugh]
A: So I know what you as the director are expecting of me. I have to know, right, Yano-kun?
Yano: Well, true, yes.
A: Do it for me, okay? Three, two, one, action!
C: “Mayumi. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.”
A: [laugh] Got it, got it.
C: If you will, please.
A: All right! Director, give me your cue, please.
C: Three, two, one, action!
A: “Mayumi. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.”
C: [silent]
A: [laugh] This is going to turn into a disaster if no one speaks up. Seriously.
C: The answer was “Nice na Kokoroiki”.
A: Ahhh!
C: Moving on to the next question!
A: Sure.
C: This is by radio pen name ARS chuugaku ninensei kanto-chihou-san (*note: ARS 8th grader in the Kanto region).
A: Thank you very much.
C: “What food has Ohno-kun come to love recently?”
A: [laugh]
C: He apparently didn’t like it before.
A: I have no idea~! No idea!
C: “He didn’t like it in the past, but Yashima Norito-san (*note: The actor who played Dracula in Kaibutsu-kun) suggested that he eat a ton of it in one sitting. He did as he was told, and now he likes it.” Ah... I’m not fond of this, either. If you don’t like it, even a bit of it used in a dish ruins the whole thing.
A: Ah...!
C: But if you have a lot of it, you can come to like it?
A: Then that means... okay, I got this! It’s got a pungent smell. An herb. I’m gettin’ there, aren’t I?! An herb...
C: Your punishment game: “Talk in kitty language until the end of the show.”
A: [laugh] Whoa, wait, wait!!
C: [laugh]
A: Hold up!
C: [laugh]
A: That’s not good!
C: [laugh]
A: What does she mean by “kitty language”? Like, “nyan-nyan”? (*note: In Japan, the onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow is ‘nya’, ‘nyan’, and ‘nyao’) I have to pretend I’m a kitty, “nyan-nyan”?
C: That’s right, nya! [laugh]
A: Yikes, that’s awful.
C: [laugh]
A: I do NOT want to do that.
C: [laugh]
A: Okay, hang on. I’m going to get this right. It’s an herb.
C: Mm.
A: Hey, come on! You can at least give me a look like I’m on the right track.
C: Ah.
A: It’s an herb. It’s green.
C: Mm, mm.
A: Cilantro!!
C: Bingo~!
A: Oh, thank goodness.
Yano: [laugh]
C: That’s what she says.
A: Phew, thank goodness! Sorry I won’t be using kitty language.
C: [laugh] Thank goodness, nya~
A: Thank goodness, nya~! Seriously.
C: [laugh]
A: Really. Thank goodness, nya~!
C: Here’s the last one.
A: Okay.
C: This is by radio pen name Chii-chan from Toyama.
A: Chii-chan? Thanks!
C: “KonAbai-bibi-baba.”
A: KonAbai-bi-baba.
Yano: [laugh]
C: “Nino plays the leading role in the movie, GANTZ. What’s his character’s full name? You did watch it, ri~ght?”
A: Dang it! Here it is!
C: “Aiba-chan, did you watch it? Your punishment game: with all your heart, say, ‘Nino, I love you. I adore you. You looked so cool playing your role in GANTZ!”
A: [laugh]
C: “Say it like you would in an AU commercial.”
A: You’re kidd-maaa~n!
Yano: [laugh]
A: What the heck is that punishment game?!
C: Mm.
A: What?! I don’t know his first name.
C: Oh, you know his last name?
A: Of course, duh!
C: So, what was it?
A: His last name?
C: Yeah.
A: Just his last name? Kurono.
C: Oh! You’re right, that’s correct.
A: I know that much.
C: Okay.
A: And... okay, then. Could you tell me either the first or last syllable?
C: Okay... this is a HUGE hint. So... his name is two syllables. Kurono, and his first name has two syllables.
A: In kanji.
C: Uh, in hiragana or katakana. (*note: Each hiragana and katakana character is one syllable, whereas kanji can be more than one)
A: What?! Two syllables...?
C: And the first syllable is “Ke”.
A: Kurono Ken! KuroKen!
C: Wrong~!
Yano: [laugh]
A: Whaaa~t?!
C: There could only be two choices: Ken or Kei.
A: [laugh]
C: You said, “Ken”. That’s incorrect!
A: It’s not KuroKen?
C: It’s “Kei”!
A: KuroKei, huh?
Yano: [laugh]
C: The kanji “kei” is the one you use for “keisan”. (*note: The kanji looks like this: 計, and “keisan” means ‘to calculate’)
A: Man, what was the punishment game again?
C: Right. “Nino, I love you. I adore you. You looked so cool playing your role in GANTZ!”
A: [giggles] Fine.
C: We’re adding reverb.
A: Reverb?!
C: Yeah.
A: Then... add reverb. “Nino, I love you. I adore you. You looked so cool playing your role in GANTZ!” What the hell is this?!
Yano: [laugh]
A: What the hell?! Just what the hell is this?!!
C: Oh, brother.
A: Oh, brother! Anyway, please send in your Arashi quizzes along with punishment games for Aiba Masaki. The e-mail is arashi@joqr.net! That was Arashi: The Quiz Show segment!
A: Here’s a newsflash for your ears: checkmaaate! Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix. Tell me, Aiba-chan! Here, I’ll answer questions that you’ve sent in~! Have we e-mails?
C: We sure do.
A: Let’s get to ‘em.
C: This is by radio pen name Arashi daisuki sugite yabai desu, thirteen years old. (*note: I love Arashi so much it’s insane)
A: Thank you very much.
C: “Aiba-chan, Chika-san, Yano-kun, KonAiba.” (*note: Konbanwa + Aiba, “konbanwa” means ‘good evening’)
A/Yano: KonAiba!
C: “I tune in to listen to your show all the time.”
A: Thank you.
C: “I have a question for you. Is there something you as Arashi would like to accomplish as a group this year? If so, do let me know~!”
A: For the past 4-5 years, we’ve been saying this.
C: Yes?
A: We’d like to go somewhere just the five of us.
C: Mm.
A: There’s been talk about this. I mean... without our managers.
C: No?
A: Just the five of us. We’d like to go somewhere.
C: You all would stand out...!
A: We’ve been saying that for a while now.
C: I see.
A: But our schedules don’t match up. There aren’t days when all five of us have time off.
C: Right...
A: We’d have to meet up at some train station, I bet.
C: Which train station would this be?
A: Like Shibuya, in front of the Hachiko statue. (*note: Hachiko is a bronze statue erected in likeness of Hachi, the dog; this statue is known as a popular meeting area)
C: It could be that you might be less noticeable there.
A: [laugh]
C: People may not recognize you.
A: True. Things like that...
C: Things like that.
A: Well, it would be nice if we could do that. I think so, even a bit.
C: It’s everyone’s wish.
A: Yes.
C: Yes.
A: Let’s move on, shall we?
C: Sure. This is by a 20-year-old living in Hyogo, radio pen name Tentoumushi-san. (*note: Ladybug)
A: Thank you.
C: “Great job in Bartender!”
A: Thank you very much.
C: “I’m finally twenty years old, so I’m thinking about going to a bar.”
A: Oh!
C: “So... did you make the Arashi members cocktails? Also, let me know which cocktail suits which member.” So it says.
A: She’s finally turned twenty, so she’s going to visit a bar?
C: She says so. And it seems she’s interested in cocktails. And...
A: Oh, then...
C: Yes?
A: So, I must.
C: Mm.
A: Give advice.
C: Advice.
A: Don’t... go for the cocktails that you saw in the drama. I say this because she’s just turned twenty. Those have high alcohol content, short drinks. (*note: “Short drink” is a term used for cocktails that have high alcohol content per volume, allowing one to feel buzzed with a small amount)
C: Okay.
A: The alcohol proof.
C: Right.
A: So... if she goes for those from the start... I don’t know, some people can hold their liquor better than others.
C: Mm-hmm.
A: But you may not notice how unstable your footing has become.
C: Right.
A: That can happen. I’d like for her to be careful as she drinks.
C: They go down easily.
A: Ah! Don’t order short drinks. Get something in a long glass, and something fruity...
C: With some fruit at the rim? With some juice in it.
A: Make sure it’s 100% real juice. Most bars will have that. I still get those when I visit bars nowadays. I don’t order many things with high alcohol content.
C: I see.
A: That way, you can enjoy all sorts of drinks. It’s a good thing.
C: Right.
A: And once you get used to those, you can go for a short drink.
C: Did you hear that?
A: I think so. Just so you know, to answer her question, I didn’t make the other members anything.
C: He didn’t.
A: I didn’t.
C: Which cocktail suits each member?
A: If they asked me to make them something, I’ll go with the flow of the moment and concoct something.
C: Yes, yes. Gotcha!
A: Let’s move on.
C: Moving on. This is from a 17-year-old from Hokkaido, radio pen name Long gate-san.
A: Thank you very much.
C: “What gesture from a girl instinctively makes your heart flutter, Aiba-san?”
A: Oh, “instinctively”? Hm, I wonder...
C: Your heart flutters when you see a girl do what?
A: I got one!
C: What is it?
A: Um... she serves-how do I say this? There’s always someone that serves the food out for everyone, right?
C: Yes.
A: But that’s not enough to get me. So... you know. She’ll say, “You should eat more vegetables.” You know what I’m trying to say?
C: Ah...
A: Do you get me?
C: Is that so...
A: I feel my heart flutter if she adds a line like, “You should eat more vegetables.”
C: I get you.
A: I’ll think, “Why do you care so much about me?”
C: You had been munching on meat dishes the whole time.
A: Mm-hmm, yeah, yeah. Let’s pretend we’re all eating yakiniku.
C: And she serves you some salad.
A: Yeah, yeah.
C: And she says, “You should eat more vegetables.”
A: And serves me some.
C: And serves you. That gets you?
A: Moving on.
C: Moving on.
A: What, Chika-san?
C: We went to a yakiniku restaurant in our conversation just now.
A: [laugh] From a ramen place to a yakiniku restaurant. (*note: In the 1-hr version of this Recomen, Chika-san talked about liking it when a girl puts up her hair, and Aiba suggested a ramen shop for that scenario)
C: A yakiniku restaurant.
A: There’s also Italian, there are plenty more.
C: Italian, yes...
A: Like, “This is al dente!” Oh, but [laugh]
C: [laugh]
A: That doesn’t make my heart flutter or anything.
C: I see.
A: What is it...?
C: Mm.
A: What do you think it is?
C: I wonder.
A: But things that make you realize she cares about you, thinks about you. Doesn’t that get you?
C: Yeah. Or let’s say a girl’s cell phone rings or she gets a text message. She turns it off and puts it in her bag. I like that.
A: Wait, sorry. I have no idea what you mean.
Yano: [laugh]
A: Say it again.
C: If she decided to check her text message then, or said, “Excuse me” and took the call, wouldn’t it make you feel a bit sad?
A: Oh, are you two alone already?
C: Yea-no, not alone.
A: Ah, so there are some others.
C: She was talking to me. That gesture shows that she’s having so much fun that her phone can wait for later.
A: I see!
C: Mm-hmm. As if there was nothing more important than the time she’s spending with me.
A: It’s all about the moment. Ah, I get you. Someone who turns off their phone.
C: She doesn’t even look at it.
A: Ahh, I see! I don’t share the same sentiment, though.
C: Oh, you don’t? [laugh]
A: What else? [silence] What else...
C: Something that makes your heart... what was it?
A: Flutter.
C: Flutter.
A: So... something like, her expression after she makes a mistake? That gets me.
C: Ah...
A: You know what I mean?
C: Yes, yes. That’s nice.
A: Like after she falls or something.
C: That’s good... or when... something bad, or maybe an unpleasant store clerk is around, we’ll take a look at each other and smirk. How’s that?
A: No, I don’t get any of that.
Yano: [laugh]
C: What?!
A: I have no idea what you’re saying, Chika-san.
C: Really?
A: Yeah. It must be the generation gap.
C: You think so?
A: I do.
C: I bet there are listeners who thought, “I know exactly what you mean, Chika-san!”
A: Really~? He doesn’t seem to understand you, either.
C: Oh, yeah. [laugh]
A: [laugh] Shall we move on?
C: That’s-
A: Oh, that was the last one.
C: Mm-hmm.
A: Right, right.
C: It’s about time, don’t you think?
A: I agree. This segment... [laugh] we’re always looking for questions you’d like Aiba Masaki to answer, so do send in your e-mails. That concludes Tell me, Aiba-chan. Let’s have a listen now. This is Arashi’s “Hero”.
[♪Arashi - “Hero”]
A: Please send your postcards to Bunka Housou Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix!. Zip code 105-8002. E-mail address: Arashi@joqr.net. Please put the name of the segment in the subject. You can also send us a message through the Bunka Housou website on your cell phone. We’re just about out of time. As we talked about at the beginning of the program, our 500th show... is only two more away.
C: Right, it’s the week after next.
A: Let’s do this right. Let’s be proper about this.
C: Yeah. When’s call time?
A: No [laugh] not that.
C: Ah.
A: You talk that over with your manager.
C: Ah, right.
A: So... first of all, Für Elise is set in stone, okay?
C: ...Okay. Für Elise.
A: And... I’m playing the recorder.
C: ...Okay.
A: That’s set.
C: Okay.
A: Yano-kun will play the castanets. That’s set.
C: Okay.
Yano: May I?
A: Of course. And you, Chika-san?
C: So...
A: You’re the most indecisive out of all of us!
C: What, guitar?
A: [laugh] Guitar.
C: Guitar?
A: Guitar, or...?
C: Guitar...
A: Guitar... hey, if you’re going to play it, then I’ll bring one for you.
C: Um...
A: An acoustic guitar. [laugh] We wouldn’t be able to hear it if I brought you an electric.
C: Mm... true.
A: You said you’ve fiddled around on guitar before. When you were a student.
C: Fiddled around? More like...
A: Yes?
C: Well, I learned three chords or so.
A: Can you play Für Elise with only three chords?
C: Can I...?
A: Plus... okay, then let’s water it down a bit. If it’s in C# minor, we can transpose it to C minor.
C: [laugh] He’s serious.
Yano: [laugh]
C: I can’t imagine that song being played in chords.
A: Well... [laugh]
Yano: [laugh]
C: Won’t I have to pick out each note?
A: [laugh] Don’t worry, I’ll play the main melody. Let’s do it... okay?
C: All right.
A: I’m excited.
C: Well-
A: Okay? You got it?!
C: Fine.
A: [laugh] All right. This was Arashi - Aiba Masaki’s Recomen! Arashi Remix. Your radio partner was Aiba Masaki from Arashi. See you next week, bye-bye!