So the other day, one of our twitter admins was talking about AKB fan who became SKE fan after seeing what antis do to Jurina at Oogoe Diamond HS event. I found the translation from the original post on STAGE48. Thank you so much for sharing this and translating this story for us. Such a good inspiration.
Happy reading,
I think the people who came from Kiba-san’s Google+ should know me. But the number of people have grown so much that there are many that I haven’t met. So I’ll once again introduce myself. I’m Sassa. I live in Suginami, Tokyo. Don’t be alarmed. I’m in my 40’s and single.
The trigger for AKB was Onyanko Club in my high school days. It gives away my age, but it was the time of Donpisha (?). At the time, I’ve come across Akimoto sensei’s songs. I heard that Akimoto sensei is making a new idol group. I wanted to go to the theater because I really wanted to hear the songs. But being in sales, I gave up since I could not get any vacation at the end of the year. The following year, starting from January 2006, I started going to the theater. At the time you could easily get even same-day tickets. Audience was around 20 people. No one goes behind the pillars. Everyone is in the middle. Empty seats… I remember the sense of crisis. And I received flyers from volunteers. For what it’s worth, I even enjoyed at the theater the first time AKB had a full house. I felt that the grass-roots efforts were paying off. Then the 2nd generation auditions and formation of Team K. I saw their stage a few days after its shonichi, with only 40 people in the audience, and even felt that the new team was in trouble. But gradually more people went. 3rd generation. Team B stage. There were days in a row with full audience. Even going to the theater, I could only watch the monitors. But I was happy, knowing the days when there was almost no audience.
My AKB centered life changed at the Oogoe Diamond handshake event. At that time, the senbatsu members were split in 2 lines for handshakes. Thinking back on it, it was like a dream-like place to be able to handshake with half the senbatsu at once. This time, one of the double center selected was Matsui Jurina, the ace from the new group in Nagoya, and I wanted to meet her with the new atmosphere she would bring. I was excited for the event, but what I found there was hell. In the middle of the line was Jurina. There were fellow fans, that I think are antis, who pushed away Jurina’s outstretched hand, openly glared at her, and even yelled at her. If it was just one person, you can count it as an unpleasant fan, settle down your feelings and move on. But it was like an army, scolding Jurina in a loop. I watched Jurina holding back tears, blood drained marks on her hands from handshaking so hard because of frustration, but still smiling each time at the next person in line and holding her hands out for handshake. I decided “I must shield her from the antis” as his turn came.
“Seeing what’s happening today, I’ve decided to leave AKB and become Jurina’s shield. From now on, I’ll support SKE and Jurina.” Jurina started sobbing. She didn’t say anything and I wondered if I conveyed my thoughts properly. But I was happy that next in line was Mariko-sama who knew me (from when she worked in the cafe). She said to me, “Absolutely. Support Jurina. Because right now, Jurina must have support.” I’m sure the next one was Acchan. “It’s not Jurina’ s fault. Although it’s sad you’re leaving AKB, please take care of Jurina.” But because I was shocked by Jurina’s crying, I don’t remember what the other senbatsu members said. Then right after that, I heard the Jurina left the handshake event, so I went to Togasaki-san to apologize.
Since that day, I’ve been secretly supporting SKE and also Jurina. The handshake events now, recognition by members is important to people. There are even those who force the members to remember them. I don’t need this. It’s enough that Jurina can do her best for SKE. That has become my main concern. The competition for stage tickets have become ridiculous. So I’ve become an at-home and DMM wota. But I think my feelings/thoughts for 48-group do not lose to anyone. Please forgive me for that. lol
Sorry for being such a troublesome old fan.
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