Twitter Tidbits: Country Girls on tour

22nd April Momochi-ism tour in Nagoya [x][x][x][x]

Yamaki: Mai-chan, Yanamin, you've become senior high students. How are you finding it?

Ozeki: I'm cute, right!

Momo: Well, it'll take some time if we go in that direction, so let's just put it aside for the time being...

Ozeki: As senior high students, we have new teachers as well. So at our first lessons with the new teachers, we have to introduce ourselves. Since I'm cute, I've get told that I'm cute dozens of times a day.

Momo: Hmm? Okay.

Ozeki: Like my friends tell me that I'm cute. But it'd be awkward to start off with a, 'Yeah, I know'. For me to suddenly come out to say it, the people around might wonder, 'What's up with this girl?'

Momo: I can relate to that, obviously (laughs)

Ozeki:  So I modestly tell the speaker that they're cute too. But humility just doesn't fit with me! I can't lie, can I? We started off with science classes, and we had to introduce ourselves with something that made us happy recently. So I was like 'I'm Ozeki Mai, and my cuteness makes me happy every day!'. The mood of the class was like, 'What's up with this kid?' But what I've learnt from Country Girls is that persistence through difficulty makes one stronger. Regardless of how down class' reaction made me feel!

Audience: Ohhhh~!

Ozeki: Next class was English. When I had to mention what I like, I went 'Hello, my name is Mai Ozeki, I like looking my face.' While the mood at the previous class was underwhelming, it was somehow well received at this class!

Momo: It went well!?

Ozeki: Our teacher was a native speaker, and even they were excited, going 'Oh, wonderful, beautiful'. My friends and teacher understood that that's the kind of person I am. And that's how I started my life as a senior high student.

🍑🍑🍑

22nd March Happy Dinner Time ~Momochi ni Sachi Are~ Dinner Show in Cotton Club [x][x]

Momo: I discussed the setlist with Yamaki Risa-chan. I wasn't sure if I should put in my favourite non-Hello! songs. And then she was like 'Momochi-senpai, what are you saying! The fans have come to watch their oshi have fun, as she enjoys singing the songs she likes!' I'm sure that she must have said that with Misshige-san in mind!

🍑🍑🍑

22nd April Momochi-ism tour in Nagoya  [x]

Yamaki: If I may say so myself, I think that we've grown compared to how we were in the past. And I've got a proper basis for making that statement. Do you remember the opening day of our second tour?

Morito: At the opening day of our second live tour, the first song was Kakumeichikku Kiss. We couldn't even get to our positions in time while the introductory song was playing. We completely missed the timing. We had to dash to get to our positions in Kakumeichikku Kiss. In a sense, it was legendary. It was just a week before when Momochi-senpai had to go on a break because of vocal cord polyps. Out of the blue, the four of us had to practise for the opening day, and we were nervous wrecks.

Momo: So it's because of my scheduling?

Yamaki: Momochi-senpai, without you, we were like mere children, completely clueless!

Momo: I was in the ward, worrying about you guys. Then I got a call. I was told, 'Momochi-senpai, it went perfectly!' That gave me some relief. Later that night, I got a video from the show. It only took 30 seconds of watching for me to see the first mistake.

Yamaki: On Hello! Sute, Hello! Project's YouTube programme, I hosted the show for my first time with Momochi-senpai. I was fully dressed up, putting in everything I had in my own way. To bring up my luck, I wore pink. And obviously, Momochi-senpai was also completely decked out in pink. As we were hosting, we were happily commenting about how we were both in pink. By the time I rewatched that Hello! Sute a couple of years later, I'd realised that I should make sure that my clothing doesn't overlap with the senpai.

Momo: I'm fine if that happens. But if it was some senpai who wasn't me, there might have been trouble. I won't name any names though.

Ozeki Mai's 'Member I'd like to have teach me' ranking

More from this ranking series:

Tsugunaga Momoko: Member that I'd like to help with studies

Funaki Musubu: Member I'd like to go with an on-location shoot with

Yanagawa Nanami: Member I'd like to turn to for advice when I have problems

Morito Chisaki: 'Member I'd like to stay over with'

Inaba Manaka: 'Member I'd like to have as a boyfriend if they were a guy'

Yamaki Risa: 'Member I'd like to have as a girlfriend if I were a guy'

――Please go ahead! First of all, which rank should we start with? 

Ozeki　Then we'll start with fifth. Fifth place is Funaki Musubu-chan. Funaki-chan is currently in her first year of middle school. The other day, the members of Country Girls had a mini kanji quiz in our dressing room. And it turned out that she really can't write out kanji. She was at a such a low level that even I was surprised. (laughs) There's also the difference between our academic years, so it'd be strange for her to teach me. That's why she's at this spot.

Inaba　Eh, but still, she's at fifth.

――Yamaki-san, you seem to be a bit relieved?

Yamaki  Yeah. I do have have seniority, after all!

Inaba　I'm more worried about where I stand! (laughs)

Ozeki　Continuing on, Yanagawa Nanami-chan is fourth. Yanagawa-chan is my age, but I feel that she has a very 'intellectual' air to her. But if she were to teach me, I feel like I'd end up confused and have no idea what she's talking about. So she's 4th!

Yamaki　You mean that you can't match her level?

Ozeki　Yup. Yanagawa-chan uses a lot of difficult words when she talks. All these words that I don't know. But I'm wondering that maybe if I keep talking with Yanagawa-chan, I'll gradually learn those words and also English words, and be able to use them in my speech! I'm sure that it'll be useful when I have to talk as an idol. So rather than being taught academically, I'd like to be taught 'the basics of everyday conversation'.

――Going on to third place! 

Yamaki Risa's 'Member I'd like to have as a girlfriend if I were a guy' ranking

More from this ranking series:

Tsugunaga Momoko: Member that I'd like to help with studies

Funaki Musubu: Member I'd like to go with an on-location shoot with

Yanagawa Nanami: Member I'd like to turn to for advice when I have problems

Morito Chisaki: 'Member I'd like to stay over with'

Inaba Manaka: 'Member I'd like to have as a boyfriend if they were a guy'

―― Well then, to keep up the suspense, we'll get to the first and sixth place at the end. So please start from the fifth place.

Yamaki　5th place is Funaki Musubu-chan! I gave this question some serious thought. Having put some serious thought into it... I couldn't imagine going out with a thirteen year old. In that sense, she's fifth.

―― I see. Well then, please go on to 4th place.

Yamaki　4th place is Morito Chisaki-chan.

Morito　Ehh!

Yamaki　This is... I think that this may have come as a bit of a surprise for a lot of people... If I had to put Chii in a role, I'd like to have her as a sister, a family member. Since she's innocent. If I was her boyfriend, I'd show her off. There are positives to that, but if pushed to say, I prefer that loving, sisterly mood, like 'Ah, you've done it again!' So, 4th.

―― Morito-san, what do you think? Being at fourth place. 

Morito　I'm a bit shocked! Because I thought I'd rank higher... Well, but family is closer than a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, right? And so, I get that Risa-chan thinks that she'd be fine with me being close-by... So, I'm like, whatever!

Yamaki　I'd like to have you near me!... I feel like you help keep me on solid ground.

Ozeki　Isn't that strange? isn't that what you'd call a pet...?

Inaba　Like you'd just want to keep on squeezing her.

Morito　I'm human, you know? A human being.

Country Girls feat. Maimi Yajima (℃-ute) Original Photo Book (UTB+ vol 36 Mar 2017)

Yanagawa Nanami

I'd like to go to the gym and build up my muscles

My lifestyle took a huge turn once I joined Country Girls. Up until then, going to school was my routine. But with the addition of work, I got to go all around the country for events, I got to eat all sorts of things for the first time, I got to feast my eyes on many sights, it's all added to myself. And hiking up Mount Fuji undoubtedly left a huge impression on me. As hard as it was to deal with such a huge goal, it left me with a great sense of achievement. Last year, I got to play the sax in 'Namida no Request' and appear on Pokemon shows. This year, I'd like to leverage even more of my interests and skills in my work. I'd like to go to the gym and build up my muscles so that it'll have a good influence on my performances. When I'd first joined, I was immediately paired with Momochi-senpai for the filming of the MV for 'Boogie Woogie Love'. It made me happy when she asked me 'Are you having fun, being in Country?' As she was giving me her attention, I felt comfortable talking to Momochi-senpai. I get so nervous with Yajima-san that I haven't really talked with her. She's awe-inspiring, she's a beauty, she exudes this brilliant aura. I'd like to become like her. There's still the 'HinaFes' in March, so I hope to talk with her a little there.

Funaki Musubu

I'll work hard at my studies even after Momochi-senpai has graduated!

Last year, I got closer to the members, and have been going out increasingly more with them during our private time. I met up with Ozeki-san at eight in the morning to go and watch a horror movie. That was fun, the two of us watched it through the gaps in our fingers. (laughs) I think I've improved at talking on-stage. At first, even coming up with a topic was already hard enough, but I've gotten more and more used to it. Now I'm able to talk in detail about trivial things. I enjoy doing the talk segments while letting my inner self show. And I'll be taking exams this year, so even after Momochi-senpai graduates, I'll like to keep firm and properly study. When I was doing my first recording after having joined, I was a nervous wreck. But Momochi-senpai wished me luck. At the time, I couldn't believe that she had talked to me, I was so happy. What I remember about Yajima-san is when ℃-ute-san did a Christmas event. In that event, they discussed a survey filled by the Kenshuusei. After mulling over how to answer the question, 'What is scary about ℃-ute?', I wrote and sent in 'Yajima-san's smile is so beautiful that it's scary'. And it wasn't taken in a positive light. I got found out since I put my name down as FM-san. (laughs) I'd like to tell her that it was a misunderstanding. I meant it in the best of ways!

Country Girls (CD Journal Feb 2017)

Tsugunaga-san, this might be the last time you'll be appearing in this magazine.

Yanagawa: Huh~

Tsugunaga: Oh my! So, about that front cover......

Everyone: Ahahaha!

And with that, I think it would be nice if things moved along as usual.

♥♥♥

So when you go out for meals, it's normally Tsugunaga-san who extends the invitation? Is it difficult to ask her out without some sort of underlying reason?

Yamaki: Actually, there isn't a problem with inviting her out without any reasons. But I find it difficult. I can't just ask a great-senpai out for a meal without a reason. The other day, the two of us went for mushroom nabe. I felt like having some, but it turned out that the others weren't big fans of mushrooms when I asked them. I didn't want to drag along people who weren't really fond of mushrooms, so I asked Momochi-senpai whether she'd like to have mushroom nabe. She was okay with that, and she was fine with me asking her out. I was actually really shocked by the fact that there weren't any problems with me asking her out for a meal on a private basis. And though we happily headed to the store, (looks at Tsugunaga) she turned peevish.

Tsugunaga: I was really happy that Risa-chan extended an invitation to me. It's not uncommon for me to have a meal with the kouhai, but the invitation would generally come from me. That was the first time that Risa-chan had asked me out, so I was on cloud nine as we headed to the store, with a spring to my step. I was even having fun picking things out from the menu. But then I got embarrassed at how excited I was. Could it be that perhaps Risa-chan had something to discuss with me? Now that my graduation's set in stone, she'll become the oldest in the group, so I wondered if there was some sort of problem concerning the group.

Like she may have wanted to ask you something.

Tsugunaga: That's right. I was wondering if there was something she wanted to bring up. To find out if she wanted to talk with about something, I asked her why she'd invited me out. And so it turned out that it was because none of the other members liked mushrooms that much. I was like 'Huh?' (laughs) I'd been chosen via the process of elimination. And what's more, she added that nabe isn't something she could order without at least 2 people.

Yamaki: I couldn't go alone. (laughs)

Tsugunaga: Isn't that horrible!

I'd have thought that Tsugunaga-san would have been the first person to ask. (laughs)

Yamaki: And that's where we differ. I didn't think that it would be all right to ask Momochi-senpai out without a reason. If I'd told her that I just invited her for some vague reason or the other, it'd be awkward.

Tsugunaga: You could've just said that you wanted to have a meal with me.

All: That's right!

Tsugunaga: You just happened to want mushroom nabe, and I happened to be the only person who was convenient, right?

Yamaki: ...Well, that's true, you happened to fit the bill. That is a fact. (laughs) The big takeaway I got from this huge incident was that it's fine to invite Momochi-senpai out just because I want to have a meal with her. So I'd like to ask her out for more meals until her graduation.

Maruwakari Summer 2016: Morito Chisaki

How astonishing! Even now, even her ears turn red
The definition of purity, who has not forgotten her innocence

Q1. Who is your favourite H!P member (including OGs)?

Sayashi Riho-san. She's someone whom I admire! She's good at singing and dancing. Her performances are really stylish, so I hope that I'll someday be able to perform as stylishly as Sayashi-san. Also, I love how her teeth and her smile and her personality are really adorable!!!

Q2. What H!P song would you like to sing solo?
'Samui ne' (S/mileage)
Country Girls' repertoire has a lot of cute and cheerful songs, so I'd like to try singing a mellow song.

Q3. Among the (current) H!P members, who would you like to go to the sea with, and what would you do?

I'd like to play beach volleyball together with the members of Country Girls!! Also, since Yamaki Risa-chan said that she likes swimming, I'd like to see her swim.

Q4. Who is the 'summer girl' amongst the (current) H!P members?
℃-ute's Yajima Maimi-san. Since in my mind, she has gives out this refreshing feeling that goes well with the sea.

Q5. If you were to come out with a photobook, please tell us where you'd like to go and what you'd like to do.
Kyoto. I once went to Kyoto, and the shrine and temples were so truly beautiful that I was touched.

Q6. What is your treasure?

My pet dog. Since I've always liked dogs since I was small, and my dog's really cute!!

Q7. Is there anything that you'd like to make a start on?
Playing the guitar. Playing one would be so cool, so I'd like to be able to play one someday.

Q8. Please make a new unit by picking a person from each group.

℃-ute's Hagiwara Mai-san
Morning Musume。´16's Iikubo Haruna-san
ANGERME's Kamikokuryo Moe-chan
Juice=Juice's Uemura Akari-san
Kobushi Factory's Inoue Rei-chan
Tsubaki Factory's Niinuma Kisora-chan.
I picked the members that I like!! Since a lot of them are cheerful, I'd like to sing something cute and cheerful. (laughs)

Q9. Please tell us what's the best thing about your own group.
That we're all friends. We're so close that I don't think we've even fought once!? From now on, I hope that we'll always be a team that's on friendly terms.

Finally, please give a message to all the fans

Thank you very much 
for all your support ♥ 

I'll keep on doing 
my best to develop, 
so I'll be counting on your support 

Morito Chisaki

More from the same book

1001 Nights - The 41st Night (Morito Chisaki)

On the 13th of March 2017, Country Girls' Morito Chisaki featured in the 41st instalment of  the 1001 Nights series of Hello! Shop talk events. Usual disclaimer that these are based on tweeted fan reports and thus should be considered summaries rather than comprehensive coverage.

This event was partly in conjunction with the release of Chisaki's self-titled photobook.
The theme for the first part was '50 questions to Morito Chisaki', while the theme for the second part was 'First photobook release commemoration - Let's get to know Morito Chisaki even better'.
Twitter hashtag for this event was  #ちぃ (#Chii).

The first part: 50 questions to Morito Chisaki

Koidorobo plays as chairperson Nishiguchi enters, while Chiitan enters to the tune of Good Boy Bad Girl.

Q1. What’s the secret to your cuteness?
Let’s see…
(Nishiguchi: Spit it out.)
If pushed to say, I try as much as possible to practise half-body bathing. Give it a try, your skin will turn out pretty smooth. In the past, I would immerse myself for just 5 minutes, but now I try my best to stay in for 20 minutes. I watch videos while I'm in the tub, with my phone in hand.

*Chiitan gets angry as she reads the next question*
Who wrote this! You’re poking fun at me! Since this person wrote their nickname as ‘You purposely make your ears turn red, don’t you?’
(Nishiguchi: You're actually the type of person who flares up in anger, aren’t you?)
Unexpectedly, I am.

Q2. What if Momochi-senpai nominates you as the next leader of Country Girls?
I’ll do my best. But I’m probably the furthest away, position-wise.

Q3. Please talk about what you’re wearing today while doing a sexy pose.
*While doing a sexy pose* There’s no particular reason why I'm dressed like this today. My clothes looked a bit too sober, so I put on a choker, which is something I haven’t worn in a while.

Country Girls - To Shout Out Their Secret (BLT March 2017)

Their last single before Tsugunaga Momoko's graduation will be going on sale!

With all of the members around, each member makes a big confession ♥

While we await the sale of their last single before Tsugunaga Momoko's graduation, the members confess some previously unknown stories ♥

I'd like this to be a single where I use up my whole 15 years (Tsugunaga)

You've finally announced your last single before the graduation of Momochi (Tsugunaga)-san.

Tsugunaga: As we draw closer to my graduation, more and more things are becoming 'lasts', which reminds me how close my graduation is. I'd like this to be a single where I use up my whole 15 years.

Ozeki: In 'Peanut Butter Jelly Love', you can hear Momochi-senpai's wonderful, lovely voice!

Tsugunaga: You're raising the bar too high. (laughs) I get to feature in this last one, so it's a difficult song that requires a broad singing register, but I'd like to sing it properly.

Funaki: The beginning is particularly difficult, you can tell from the look on Momochi-senpai's face. (laughs)

Morito: It's a cute song that's very Country Girls, and I hope that you keep an eye on the intricacies of the dance moves as well.

Yanagawa: The music video is cute and fairytale-like, and I hope that we can express the world of the song.

Yamaki: We were under the cold weather for the tea party scene, but we acted as if it was warm, so please watch that as well. (laughs)

How about 'Good Boy Bad Girl'?

Morito: The lyrics are split between a guy and a girl, and there's part of the choreography that looks like we're kissing. And it was fresh to have (Ozeki) Mai-chan take on the girl role.

Ozeki: I've been established as a guy character, so being put in the girl role was something that I found to be difficult, despite being a girl myself. (laughs)

Yamaki: The dance moves put a lot of pressure on me. 'Cause if I make a mistake, I might end up kicking Momochi-senpai in the head......

Tsugunaga: We have to hold hands after that, and yours get really sweaty. (laughs)

Funaki: The two songs are completely different, so you can enjoy various sides of Country Girls through this one single.

Yanagawa: In terms of dancing and singing, it's our hardest single yet, but we'll work hard with everything we've got in order to reach a high level!

Morito Chisaki - Ponytail White Paper (UTB Jan 2017)

We have 'Chiichan' Morito Chisaki from Country Girls, the group that celebrated their 2nd anniversary this month! This girl has developed markedly, and clad in a school uniform, she's so brilliant that it's almost blinding. She's also filled with fervent feelings towards the great Momochi-senpai, who announced her graduation just a while ago.

If Momochi-senpai hadn't been around, we wouldn't be who we are now.

Congratulations on your second anniversary!

'Thank you very much!!'

How were these past two years?

'They passed by in the blink of an eye. They were really packed! Before I joined, I was someone who didn't think about anything, I just went through life normally.'

Was there a turning point where you personally felt that you had changed?

'Everything was just so new, so I have lots of memories and I was given many opportunities to grow, but the stage-play experience was the biggest.'

It must have been a trial for someone who gets easily embarrassed like yourself.

'I couldn't imagine myself standing on-stage and acting. Had I been given the option, I probably wouldn't have wanted to go through with it... But all the members gave me their support, and it was a huge thing for me to get through.'

And now you have confidence!?

'Not yet... But I realised that there is some meaning to seeing things to their end.'

Your winter tour has already started, and the group will be entering your third year. But just as it was about to happen, Momochi-senpai announced her graduation...

'She'd mentioned the two, three years at the start. But it shocked me to hear that there was an actual, real cutoff date. Momochi-senpai taught us everything about being idols. If Momochi-senpai hadn't been around, Country Girls wouldn't be what we are now.'

It feels like having a producer closeby, doesn't it?

'We were really lucky to have her doing activities together with us, despite the huge difference in our careers. We really owe the polishing up of our talking ability in particular to Momochi-senpai. Because of Momochi-senpai, our lackluster MCs become funny! It's almost miraculous.'

So, you're now feeling quite uneasy?

'Honestly, I am. But with the remaining seven months, I'd like to watch and learn even more from Momochi-senpai, and I'll do my best so that she can graduate without any worries about us. Momochi-senpai also taught this to us: "Don't forget to smile!"'

Inaba Manaka's 'Member I'd like to have as a boyfriend if they were a guy' ranking

More from this ranking series:

Tsugunaga Momoko: Member that I'd like to help with studies

Funaki Musubu: Member I'd like to go with an on-location shoot with

Yanagawa Nanami: Member I'd like to turn to for advice when I have problems

Morito Chisaki: 'Member I'd like to stay over with'

――Please go ahead! What order should we go in?

Inaba　Well, let's set aside the person at sixth... 'If this member was a guy, I'd want them as a boyfriend'. From 5th place! Yanagawa Nanami-chan.

――Yanagawa-san is fifth.

Inaba　Yes. It's not that there's anything wrong with Yanagawa-chan. I just don't know her that well since she's a new member... Also, she's got a very courteous way of expressing herself, which makes her seem girly. Because of that, I can't imagine how she'd be like if she were a guy... So it's more that I can't imagine her being a guy, rather than not thinking of her as boyfriend material.

――She is so girly, isn't she? Well then, let's go on to fourth place.

Inaba　 Funaki Musubu-chan. Funaki-chan's younger than me as well, right? Just like Yanagawa-chan, I'm still not that familiar with the new members. However, in Funaki-chan's case, she's got her husky voice and candid personality. With those, it's easy for me to imagine her as a guy. So she's 4th!

――By the way, the two that you just picked are younger than you, but what would you like to do if one of those two were your boyfriend?

Inaba　Umm, let's see... But since they're younger, I'd have to take the lead, right? Most of the other members are younger than me, but the two of them in particular have the largest age difference with me, so I'd have to teach them what they don't know. So I kind of think that I'll have to be the one who'll bring them along if we wanted to go somewhere.

Morito Chisaki's 'Member I'd like to stay over with' ranking

More from this ranking series:

Tsugunaga Momoko: Member that I'd like to help with studies

Funaki Musubu: Member I'd like to go with an on-location shoot with

Yanagawa Nanami: Member I'd like to turn to for advice when I have problems

——This is a 'Top 6' ranking, but let's set aside your announcement of who's first and sixth until the very end. And with that, let's start from fifth place!

Morito  Fifth would be Funaki Musubu-chan. She's a new member, and we've only worked together for just four months, so I don't know how her home situation is like. Staying over would suggest a close relationship, wouldn't it? I feel like we're still at the point where things are still a bit awkward... And so, she's fifth. But she's not at rock bottom! Funaki-chan's from Osaka, and I really like Osaka. I like how, when we're talking backstage, Funaki-chan will slip into Osaka-ben. Imagining how she's like when she's in off mode at home makes my heart skip a beat. I'd look forward to hearing Osaka-ben if I were to stay over with her!

——It would be nice if you could stay over at her place someday! Well then, fourth?

Morito　Fourth is Momochi-senpai!

Yamaki・Inaba・Ozeki 　Ehhhーー (with looks of surprise on all their faces)

Morito　I seriously put some thought into where I should place Momochi-senpai, but to start with, since she's a dai-senpai, I don't think I could stay over at her place! But then I continued with my thoughts! Since this was hypothetical, I'd be able to see everything, like how her home environment is like, or what she does before going to sleep. I can't even begin to imagine Momochi-senpai being in off mode, she's a mystery to me (laughs).

——By the way, how do you think Tsugunaga-san would be like before she goes to bed?

Morito　Well, she's constantly an idol, so I think even her pyjamas would be cute ♥ That's for sure!

Interview with a selection of H!P's Next Generation Aces, Complete version!! (Weekly Shonen Sunday)

An interview with a selection of H!P's Next Generation Aces, Complete version!!

The grand unveiling of the complete version of the [Selection of H!P's Next Generation Aces interview] published in Shonen Sunday issue 34, including parts that weren't published in the magazine!!

Miyamoto： Today's the first time it's just been the 4 of us grouped together. How did you find it？

Makino： It's not like we were always together the whole time though…

Miyamoto： It was kind of fluffy, like a cloud. We're pretty much the kind of people who don't take the initiative to get close to others, even those in our own group. Well, Maria-chan probably does take the initiative though (laughs)。

Makino：（For the photoshoot） The 4 of us, we had to get on top of one another, right? I'm sorry if I was too reserved.

Morito： Even below you, I knew that you were holding back (laughs）。

Hamaura： It definitely feels like there's still a wall between us (laughs).

Makino： A wall that's as thin as cling film though (laughs).

Miyamoto： Since this issue is going on sale in the summer, is there anything that you want to do when summer comes along？

Makino： Yup. I want to eat warabimochi。

The rest： Warabimochi？

Makino： Ones chilled with ice are delicious. I prefer ones made from kinako though. At times when I'd be taking an afternoon nap, a cart would pass by,  'Waーrabiーmochi♪　Warabiーmochi♪　They're cold and delicious. Waーrabiーmochi♪　Warabiーmochi♪　 You've got to be quick！'

The rest： Ehー That's interesting.

Makino： It's just that I've never bought warabimochi from a cart, not even once. I never make it in time (laughs). After I hear it, I'll go to the supermarket to get some (laughs).

The rest： Ehー We'd like to go and buy some someday.

Country Girls and the New Members

Courtesy of Barks, we have coverage of what happened over at Country Girls' formation 1st anniversary event. I'll be focusing on the 2 new members in this translation.

If you're more of a video person, I've put up a subtitled version of the Jijipress coverage on the event. It includes a clip of the existing Country Girls members being informed of and welcoming the new additions, but not the closing comments from the members. I've been told that the video may not be available to US viewers though, so your mileage may vary.

This'll be out of chronological order, but I think it flows better given that we know the final outcome.
Quick note: from what I understand, the years are counted from when they start rather than when they end. So the day after your first anniversary, you enter your second year rather than starting on your first year. I guess the natural numbers start with 1 in Japan.

Letter from Country Girls Supervisor Satoda Mai

Everyone, a very good evening to you!
This is Country Girls Supervisor Satoda Mai.

Celebrating a whole year today, on the 5th of November,
Country Girls will be making a new start.

As the original goal was to be a group that's growing to face the world stage,
And thinking about how to power it up further,
I had exchanges with people from the office,
Including Playing Manager Momochi.
A proposal to add new members was made,
And I approved of that proposal.

Taking into account their habitual training, the outcome of their lessons, and their future prospects,
We chose 2 names for the new members, Yanagawa Nanami and Funaki Musubu, from the H!P Kenshuusei.

To the fans who have been cheering us on, we beg for your continued kind and warm cheers of support.

And to the 2 new members, please blow a new wind into Country Girls with your energy and freshness.

From now on, I'll be watching over the 7 of you!

November 2015, Satoda Mai