I think I'll take a break from Arashi after this and do stuff for other groups. But
goopawahla and I were talking about Aimiya and I remembered this cute little article, with Aiba and Nino making crepes for each other. Since it's pretty short, I decided to translate it. :) As a bonus (and mostly because they were just plain cute), I translated the caption text to the inset photos as well.
And, as another bonus, I've scanned the pages for your viewing pleasure too, since I could have sworn I'd saved pictures of them somewhere but couldn't for the life of me find them. Enjoy!
~*~
The Television Monthly - Gekkan Arashi No. 076 (Aiba, Nino)
Aiba and Ninomiya became crepe makers for a day under the clear blue sky.
Let's make soft and fluffy crepes!
Realizing a childhood dream!?
The cute crepe stand owners ♥
Ninomiya: The two of us, opening a crepe stand used to be our goal. (lying)
Aiba: It was back when we were in the third grade, right? (readily playing along)
N: In the midst of our dreams, we were called forth to become Arashi members. Today, we finally got to realize our dreams, didn't we?
A: I was really looking forward to it.
N: Are there crepe stands in Chiba?
A: There are! When I was small, I would watch them suddenly take form in front of me and think, wow, that's amazing.
N: In Harajuku, I remember standing in super long lines for them. And also at matsuris.
A: The ones at matsuris and the ones we made today are a bit different, aren't they? The crepes that we made this time are a bit softer in texture compared to the ones we eat at matsuris. Or when we used flour to practice with the tonbo [T/N: A T-shaped thin wooden rake to spread the batter around evenly]; in reality, it's pretty easy to make crepes on the actual teppan [T/N: iron plate/griddle]. Because you just have to follow the circular shape of the teppan as you turn the stick.
N: Right right. I got the feeling that it might let us understand how to use a teppan a little better.
A: Because we don't usually get a chance to use a circular teppan. It's very interesting! Hey, can we use the tonbos that we got today on electric griddles too?
N: We probably can? Otherwise why would they give us these tonbos to take home?
A: Ah, that's true. (laugh)
N: Speaking of which, Aiba-san is actually pretty good at making crepes, but you used way too much sauce.
A: That's why I told you, that was special service! This crepe was made with the thought of not being told "Not enough chocolate" in mind!
N: There's too much chocolate, it feels almost like all of it is chocolate or something!
A: What Nino made for me, the tuna salad crepe, is really good. Plus it's also my first meal of the day, so it's especially delicious.
N: Since we did crepes [T/N: kureepu in Japanese], the next topic will start with "pu", right?
A: Go to a pool [T/N: puuru in Japanese]?
N: Ah~ I want to go to a pool. But, what can you take pictures of at a pool?
A: If we're talking about a pool then it'll probably be wet.
N: Is that okay? If it's okay then I'll make myself all wet. What about a behind-the-scenes interview for Ohno-san's Puu stage play series? I'll be the cameraman!
A: That's not a bad idea!
Caption text:
1. Amazing! With the nicknames Kureipia [T/N: apparently a gaming slang?] and My Tonbo, the two of them were able to make crepes within one minute.
2. The Aiba that ladled batter onto the teppan with much style. "Oi, this isn't Chinese food," said Ninomiya, but his first try was an unexpected success.
3. "You're too slow, you'll burn your hand that way," Ninomiya said to Aiba, who was practicing how to use his tonbo, but his own first time was a failure. Agreeing with the instructor that "it was the teppan's fault", he tried again. His second time was a success!
4. Ninomiya ordered a chocolate banana crepe from Aiba.
5. After slicing the bananas and placing them on the crepe, a large amount of chocolate sauce was added.
6. "Here you go~!" The just-finished crepe was presented by hand. Next, Ninomiya will make one for Aiba.
7. Aiba ordered a tuna salad crepe. A thin slice of cheese was added on top of the crepe to cook together; a very good smell wafted out.
8. After adding a suitable amount of lettuce and mayonnaise, wrapped nicely in a piece of paper, the work is complete! "It's done!"
9. Under a blue sky like those in paintings, the two of them ate the crepes they had made for each other.
10. As Aiba was very hungry, he finished off his crepe in a blink of an eye. "If I have to say what I was surprised about, it's that this thing is full of chocolate," said Ninomiya.
11. A mutual effort of a seasonal roe and black honey crepe. This love-filled creation made its way into their manager's stomach. ♥
12. Each person seriously concentrated on the challenge of making a crepe under one minute. The Aiba who was very solid come crunch time basically did not make any mistakes, and brilliantly completed his chocolate banana crepe.
13. A failure with the crepe actually happened to Ninomiya. However, he said "I'll fix it with love" and expertly filled the hole he made in the crepe.