Part 3 ^^ Chibi Sho's pretty amusing. I heard stories of him being tiny yet pretty snappy xD His mother was pretty much his first foe, lol.
Note: This is not my own report, but rather a translation of reports from Japanese fan blogs. They may be some hits and misses from the actual event
<--(how Sho would give flowers to his Mom ^^)
onto the real brat in Arashi
SAKURAI SHO
from 7/14
Q: Do you remember when he was born?
A: It was like a magic's illusion. A boy was born from a woman without any conjuring tricks. I felt that it was a life's mystery.
(Sho burst out laughing at the "like magic" line comment)
An episode during her pregnancy:
"When I was pregnant, I rode a last-minute rush train and my belly splendidly got in between the doors. So maybe he got constricted somewhere."
S: That was dangerous!
J: Is there anything dented in you?
S: *touches his body* My left butt-cheek...!-of course, there isn't!
A: *lol*
S: It took 30 years to become what it is now
Q: How did you come up with his name?
A: From the Akutagawa award- winning novelist, Shibata Sho-san. The kanji for 'sheep' combined with the character for 'wings' feels unique. Somehow, it's romantic. Like the imaginary pegasus, I felt a softer kind of gentleness.
?: Sounds like Sho-chan's mother, right?
S: I heard that detail about Shibata-san, but I never knew the pegasus reference. Makes me wanna meet Shibata-san someday... though there wouldn't be anything to talk about if we met.
A: It's like a koramu (column)
S: You mean poemu (poem), right?
S/A: *lol*
Q: A memorable story when he was a child
A: Before his entrance in grade school, we had a fight in Shibuya and I left him behind. And when the bus I rode in paused after a short time in Roppongi and when I saw a five-year old child walking, he wasn't crying and was walking with sharp eyes towards me. Since then, he was the type who can make judgments and act by himself.
S: I remember this! We quarreled alot at somewhere like the Hakarie bus stop nowadays.
I thought "Why didn't I go home with her?" *note that he referred to his mother as 'koitsu', lol. I walked like "If I disappeared, they'll get impatient!" I thought I can walk straight ahead from Shibuya until Roppongi. When I was walking, I spotted my mother riding in a bus. No, at first I thought she was looking for me. I assumed that she was looking everywhere for me, reported to the police in panic, yet I saw her in a bus so I thought "Ah, she gave up looking for me" That's probably what my mother saw as a 'sharp look'. That was very unfortunate (lol).
J: It was a very fun episode, isn't it? (lol)
N: And so, you were able to go home?
S: I was able to go home.
J: A five-year-old child already gets nervous upon going out, your way of thinking to walk home without your parents is impressive
A: It's amazing that you can still remember about things when you were five years old.
Q: What worried her especially
A: When he entered Johnny's. It was like a thunderclap in the blue sky. Since he submitted his application himself, rather than closing that path, I think it's a parent's job to support the path he likes to take. I watched over him with constant worry.
(They loled at the 'thunderclap' simile)
S: I, too, now that I turned 30, I tried to place myself in the position of my parents back then. If my child suddenly say that he/she wants to enter an entertainment agency, I will think "What are you doing?!" Well, in the midst of it all, my parents supported me (/blush)
Q: Any form of bonding with your son?
A: Nothing in particular. His experience in our family trips should've helped in his character development.
Observing stars at the "Star Village" in Yatsugadake, having a feast with Nemusato's big clams in Mie, making the foundation for a tanning battle in Shimota beach
S: Ah, I remember all these. We're all in for competitions and contests. The five-year old kid from the Sakurai family will be coated with sunscreen. (A parent) will normally prevent his child from getting sun-burnt, right? (lol)
A: During our first trip overseas, we won in a trumpet shell competition on board. That's why, there must be times when he blows horns.
(her mother made a pun here ほらを吹いて - to brag, and they won in a trumpet/horn shell contest)
S: Why say something well thought in the end?! (eg the pun) I also remember this. I was in 4th grade that time, and since I played trombone in a brass band, I could shape my mouth well and made a good sound.
O: You (your family) like contests, don't you? And you even won.
J: Next, I brought some memorable items from his home.
(Sho's rugby uniform, with yellow and black border with the number 9 at the back, small white shorts and socks with SS embroidered on them)
S: When I was in grade school, before I became crazed with soccer, I played rugby even if I was physically small. That was my uniform then. My position was a scrum-half. When I turned into middle school, I started playing soccer. The shirt fits just right. But the shorts look bad.
J: I took it like this.
S: My family keeps things like school uniforms and bags.
A: Makes you wanna play upon seeing these, right?
S: That's right~
Lastly, Sho-kun's thoughts:
S: I never knew the reason behind my name so I was surprised when I heard it. I think it's interesting that my parents and I share the same memories.
N: That comment is very much like Sho-san (Sakurai family-like comment)
S: That was serious phrase, I guess (shy laugh)
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Next will be Aiba