#which just kind of makes me miss the da rep system

[ai-da-ice]

[Fan Account] ai-da-ice at the MOVIX Kimi Iro Release Event

[For general info on how the event is run, check out my account from my first release event]

After the Tonikaku HEY event in May, I learned three very valuable lessons: 1) Arrive at the event well ahead of the 9:00 starting time 2) BRING LOTS OF SUNSCREEN and 3) Eat breakfast and take a snack with me. When I woke up in the morning, it was overcast and looking ready to storm, so I also opted to bring an umbrella and windbreaker. This time I was not going to be as unprepared and sun burnt as last time.

I left about one hour earlier than I had last time, but it seems like next time I’ll have to leave even earlier because the line was already pretty long by time I arrived. However, the Tonikaku HEY event was during Golden Week– a Japanese holiday where people have a lot of free time to travel around the country–so back in May it was incredibly crowded with people visiting from other prefectures. This event was a little less swamped in comparison, especially since Da-iCE had already had a Tokyo release event at Odaiba. I started a lot higher in line and was able to get my CD order in around 10:40, so I was only in line about 1 hour and 40 minutes, compared to 3 hours like last time.

I was aiming to either handshake with Sota or Toru this time, but once again Sota sold out before I reached the CD tent. Last time, he sold out 2 hours before I reached the tent, but this time it was only about 20 minutes or so– so hopefully if I arrive earlier next time, I’ll finally get a shot at his ticket. I was more than happy to snag Toru, though, as well as a ticket to do a quick handshake with every member of the group.

Last time, I missed out on the priority standing tickets, but this time I was able to try and get one.TRY being the key word– it’s a lottery system: you reach in a box and pull out random numbers which determine your standing position. I thought if you made it to the box before tickets ran out, you would be guaranteed a spot in the priority section… so imagine my surprise when I pulled out my ticket and it said “NOPE” on it instead of a number. So once again, I missed out on standing close to the stage. However, just like last time, the areas away from the priority standing area aren’t THAT far away, so it wasn’t too big of a deal. I’m used to pulling bad lottery tickets at this point.

And so, I settled in for the wait for the 2 PM starting time for the show. Unfortunately, my condition wasn’t very good this time around. For one, the humidity was LETHAL, and every five seconds I had to wipe down with my Paradive towel. On top of that, I was experiencing head congestion which was making it very hard for me to hear. I was worried that I was going to have trouble hearing the show or Toru when I shook hands with him.

Ahead of the 2 PM start time, Sota and Yudai came out for a mic test with a short, practice version of Tonikaku HEY. Thankfully, their mics were set to a volume where I could hear them pretty well in spite of my hearing issue. After the mic test, they went backstage, then returned after a few minutes in their Kimi Iro costumes with the full group to perform Tonikaku HEY in full!

Tonikaku HEY is one of my favorite live songs, and they did an amazing job with it as always (though there seemed to be a near collision between Toru and Sota during the dance routine, they played it off cutely). I love how they went with a simpler choreography during the chorus so the audience can do it with them, just like with Hush Hush.

After the performance, there was an MC. Since they were speaking at a normal volume, unlike when they were singing, it was very hard for me to hear with my head condition going on. They seemed to be mostly talking about Sota’s birthday from the parts I could catch, and from just watching the body language, I could tell Sota was being severely trolled during parts of the conversation, but that’s a given. They also asked the audience questions like last time, but the audience was even harder to hear than the group, so I have no idea what any of them said (quality fan account, I know!). However, I was healthy enough to enjoy the feast for the eyes– Yudai and Toru took off the floral jackets right away, and were wearing muscle shirts underneath.

They ended with a performance of new single Kimi Iro. I seriously love the choreography paired with the costume this time– their movements just look so fluid and elegant, and it’s such a suitable song for summer. Even without it being officially released, it’s constantly stuck in my head all the time.

Before the group handshake started, I went over to the present boxes and dropped off everyone’s contributions to the fan project! The boxes were divided by member, so I picked Yudai at random for the group pics– hopefully he’ll share the pictures with the rest of the members!

When I had taken care of that, the members came out for handshakes in their day clothes– Sota won for the cutest with his overalls and Captain America shirt, but Taiki also deserves credit for his adorable hound dog T-Shirt.

Unfortunately, my head fuzziness and hearing issues hadn’t lessened in time for the high five, so I’m not sure if the members said anything to me when I was handshaking with them T^T Still, their big smiles are a good enough memory to carry with me. Even when I’m not in top form, I’m just happy I can be there to rep international fans and remind them that we’re out there!

Next was my longer handshake with Toru. I had prepared a conversation in Japanese, just like I had last time with Yudai: I was going to talk about how amazing having them in San Jose was, and that their international fans love them and hope to have the chance to see them, too. However, it didn’t exactly go as planned… one, because the exact moment I went up to Toru, my ears popped and the sudden improvement to my hearing all at once out of nowhere kind of struck me speechless for a moment ON TOP OF THE FACT that I was staring into Toru’s eyes and I was overwhelmed by that, too. So, because I was kind of caught off guard in the moment, Toru was able to step in and lead the conversation. He also seemed to want to talk to me in English, because when I spoke to him in Japanese, he answered in English instead. Which certainly wasn’t bad, though I am so sorry I couldn’t give them the message I’d intended. I’ll do it next time, or at least give it to them in written form!

Anyways, this is the jist of the conversation:

Me: (suddenly gets my hearing back the moment I look at Toru, and starts gaping and possibly saying something half-English-half-Japanese while taking his hand) Toru: (in English) Hello! Me: Hello! (Uncontainable fan girl noise) (in Japanese) Do you remember meeting in San Jose last year!? Toru: (in English) America fan! You came to Japan? Me: (Gives up and speaks in English) Yes, this year! Toru: (still in English) Why? Me: To teach English! Toru: Here? In Tokyo? Me: Yes! Toru (dramatic shocked face): Wow! Thank you for that! -Staff says time is up-  Toru: (Finally in Japanese) Good luck with your teaching!

After my traditional fan girl cool down time, I realized that the rain clouds were getting worse and since I had run out of water a few hours ago, I seriously needed to hydrate. I went to the train station, and as soon as I was inside, there was a huge clap of thunder and it started POURING. There was luckily an overhang covering the place where the handshake event was happening, but I hope all the a-i still at the event stayed dry!

So that’s my second handshake event! Even though my health could have been better, I still had a great time, and I’m happy I could talk to Toru (though I wish I had invited him to my English lessons)! Next time I’ll aim for a new fan project and hopefully a handshake with Sota, Taiki, or Hayate!

#da-ice #fan account

[ai-da-ice]

[Pictures from Dwango News--audience was not allowed to record]

So! Not long after moving to Tokyo, I got to go to my first Da-iCE event to see their promotional talk for the STICKYLE BEAUTE product they rep for!

My day started off with a kind of series of unfortunate events. To get priority seating, you needed to actually buy the STICKYLE BEAUTE product which was going to have limited availability the morning of the event at the Venus Fort mall. I left with more than enough time to get there for the priority seating but then, naturally, couldn’t find an ATM when I got to the subway and realized I was out of yen, then had my train delayed for thirty minutes anyways after I finally got my ticket. So I wound up missing priority seating, which sort of screwed me over. I assumed anyone without priority seating would just stand behind the priority section, but we were placed a good deal outside the room Da-iCE was actually in, looking through the archway into the room. Unfortunately, where we were standing was right next to the speaker system playing what I’m assuming was the mall’s theme song, making it difficult to hear the boys when they came on, especially since I’m a non-native speaker to begin with. I think maybe we were being punished since it was a promotional event and they actually wanted us to buy the product lol

BUT. I realized I am #blessed to be as close to them as I was, so there’s that ;)

During their promotional talk, they did pair posing with the STICKYLE scissors (you can see Toru and Hayate’s pic above, and Sota’s selfie since he was left out of the pairings). Taiki/Yudai did some sort of hilarious air-kabedon for their shot.

The groups’s official CF also aired at the event. I don’t know how else to describe it but swoonworthy, so I hope it gets posted on Youtube as well!

The group also chatted a little bit about Valentine’s day, since it’s coming up again. Toru’s legendary kindergarten chocolate haul was brought up, as was Sota’s first occasion of receiving chocolate (from the girl next door in elementary school). Taiki said he was looking forward to having Sota’s handmade chocolate.

The group also had a Valentine’s day raffle for the fans with priority seating, with one winner per member (cue to me weeping because of that delayed subway train).

Overall, it was a fun event, and next time I’ll know to arrive extra early for that priority section! 

#da-ice