*thanks to Yuko-san for proof-reading^^

Take Me Faraway

蒼の光に揺れながら書いた   手紙そっと   風に永久に
ao no hikari ni yure nagara kaita tegami sotto kaze ni towa ni
The letter which was written while trembling in the dim (blue?) light, gently in the wind, in eternity

落ちる雫が過き通るように声は   きっと   君のもとへ
ochiru shizuku ga suki tooru you ni koe wa kitto kimi no moto e
As the droplets fall, the sounds will definitely travel to where you are

昨夜見た空は静かに燃えて   太陽と星が導くStory
yuube mita sora wa shizuka ni moete taiyou to hoshi ga michibiku Story
The skies which were seen yesterday evening (or, last night) blazed in silence, it was a story which was guided by the sun and stars

信じた世界は色を取り戻す   気がつけば
shinjita sekai wa iro wo tori modosu ki ga tsukeba
The world I believed in regained its colours as I watched

---
記す思いを全部感じてる   強く胸の奥に
shirusu omoi wo zenbu kanjiteru tsuyoku mune no oku ni
Jotting it down (or, remembering it), I am feeling all the memories which are strongly held at the back of the heart

伝えたくて何度も   書いた言葉だけは
tsutaetakute nando mo kaita kotoba dake wa
No matter how many times I want to tell you, it’s merely the words I wrote

遠く浮かんでる星座のように   瞬間を描いてる
tooku ukanderu seiza no you ni shunkan wo egaiteru
Just like the constellation floating afar, painting that very moment (or, living the moment)

巡り巡りゆく静寂に   問いかけた
meguri meguri yuku seijyaku ni toikaketa
To the (extreme) stillness which is forever rotating, I asked

Tell Me Why? Take Me Faraway

---
瞳閉じれば鮮やかに澄んだ記憶   そっと   風に永久に
hitomi tojireba azayaka ni sunda kioku sotto kaze ni towa ni
As I close my eyes, the memories are summoned up in vividness; gently in the wind, in eternity

淡い季節に包めれるような香り   きっと   君のもとへ
awai kisetsu ni tsutsumereru you na kaori kitto kimi no moto e
The scent which seemed to be embraced by the brief seasons will definitely travel to where you are

昨夜伝える為に   結だ線は二つのStory
yuube tsutaeru tame ni musunda sen wa futatsu no Story
Last night, so to tell you, I tied the strand to make it a story of two

どんなに世界が変わり始めても   変わらない
donna ni sekai ga kawari hajimete mo kawaranai
No matter how the world starts to change, this is something unchangeable

---
時の奏でる音色信じてる   深く胸に響く
toki no kanaderu neiro shinjiteru fukaku mune ni hibiku
I believe in the tone which time plays, ringing deep inside my heart

伝えたくて何度も   君の心映す
tsutaetakute nando mo kimi no kokoro utsusu
No matter how many times I want to tell you, reflecting your heart

愛を繋いでる最果てに   永遠は生まれてく
ai wo tsunaideru saihate ni eien wa umareteku
As love is being nurtured till the very end, ‘forever’ came into existence

流れ流れゆく旋律に   問いかけた
nagare nagare yuku senritsu ni toikaketa
To the melody which is forever flowing, I asked

Tell Me Why? Take Me Faraway

---
どこにいても   どんなときでも
doko ni itemo donna toki demo
No matter where you are, no matter what happens

同じ空   見上げて
onaji sora miagete
Look up to the same skies

光集め   届けたいから
hikari atsume todoketai kara
Collecting the light, because I’d like to convey it

いつまでも
itsumade mo
Till forever more (or, always)

儚い情熱の影   忘れたくはない
hakanai jyounetsu no kage wasuretaku wa nai
The fragile silhouette of passion, I would never want it to be forgotten

---
記す思いを全部感じてる   強く胸の奥に
shirusu omoi wo zenbu kanjiteru tsuyoku mune no oku ni
Jotting it down (or, remembering it), I am feeling all the memories which are strongly held at the back of the heart

伝えたくて何度も   書いた言葉だけは
tsutaetakute nando mo kaita kotoba dake wa
No matter how many times I want to tell you, it’s merely the words I wrote

遠く浮かんでる星座のように   瞬間を描いてる
tooku ukanderu seiza no you ni shunkan wo egaiteru
Just like the constellation floating afar, painting that very moment (or, living the moment)

巡り巡りゆく静寂に   問いかけた
meguri meguri yuku seijyaku ni toikaketa
To the (extreme) stillness which is forever rotating, I asked

Tell Me Why? Take Me Faraway

My Lyric Translations Index

Ohno-kun really killed me with this song, nearly got me crying ne. Anyway, I was inspired to do my own rendition of this beautiful song. I apologize for the weird rhythm here and there (this is what happens when I don’t use a metronome x.x) and also some funny chords somewhere around the bridge.

Deep Sorrow_piano

Denise

Mediafire Download Link     DivShare Download Link

I'm sorry, seems like DivShare is gonna block certain regions like China and Southeast Asia... So I'm not too sure if this DivShare can be used T.T

Here's a really old one... But I like it^^

Matsumoto Jun

I believe that everyone has a "love of destiny" or "heaven-sent lover"
   I've got lots of things in my room I tell you, because I like clothes; so things like T-shirts, jeans, they're everywhere piling up like hills (laugh). When I'm at home I usually watch shows on DVDs. Eh? Shows to be recommended to girls? Well... if you want "sincerely touching" this kinda feeling, KichiToka workroom's "Sound of Waves" would be suitable, somehow I feel like my soul is being washed, I like this production a lot, I think I've watched it over 4 times. When I'm at home, I barely cook, when I don't have a choice, I'll just have fried rice or just have a simple dish of greens. If a girl tells me "let me cook for you", I will answer immediately "then let me help you". Doesn't this feel better? If she made m favourite Thai-style spicy seafood soup, I will be very thankful; but it must be Thai-style spicy seafood soup without additional spices, I can't really stand those spices (laugh).
   My 'perfect girl', it's really hard to use words to describe, because it's different with everyone, every girl has their own attractions, so I might change my preferences because of a certain girl. However, I care a lot about the feeling with a certain girl around (her aura), when we're together we'll both feel great, even me myself am influenced by her to be positive, I guess it's the kind of girl who can give this feeling. Or, even the harshest comments, she'll be able to tell me honestly, I think this kind of girl is indeed close to perfect. In my opinions when you talk about "fate" or "destiny", there is a kind of unseen bound among us humans, this definitely exist on anyone, so I believe that for sure. A love of destiny, or a "heaven-sent lover" ne~

Ninomiya Kazunari

When I meet a girl worth giving respect, I'll feel "ah, she's great indeed"
   During the holidays I was playing my digital game all the time in my room, when I got the game "Hero against Mighty Dragon" which was released last year, I used up 2 days - 30 hours altogether to 'finish it off' (laugh). However, when a girl comes over, it's such a waste to stay in my room and play my digital games, I guess I'll definitely bring her out. It's fine with me wherever she want to go, I'm satisfied with just the two of us together, so I'll try my best to go along with the girl's wishes.
   The type which I like? If you talk about personalities, I think my 'perfect girl' should have a certain virtue which is worth respecting. Be it that she's kind or that she's strong-willed, or any other talents, I will think "this girl is really something" and will want to be with her for a long time, it's also the same for me regarding those of my gender. If you talk about appearances, I like girls who shows simplicity. Everytime I'd be having a sudden feeling, like when I'm in a densha, I'll always think "ah, this girl is cute", "that one's not bad too..." However this is definitely not what you call 'love at first sight' (laugh). About things that might capture my attention, I guess it's the hands; when I face a girl with wonderful hands like those which slides smoothly on the piano keyboards, I can't control myself being attracted. When I confess to the girl I like, I'll just act cool and say "let's start going out together". But at the same time that I'm saying this, I will think of scenes shown in the television which are so rottenly classical, and I myself have acted a scene like that, then it's really hard to have a feeling of reality, I'd be thinking myself "wa, it's just like I'm acting in drama" and I'd burst out laughing. About this, it's really a problem ne~ (laugh)

*Umm... so is this why you're so attracted to Oh-chan?

Aiba Masaki

The best place to date is the beach, we can go diving together and have an expedition!
   If feels great, doesn't it? (laugh) My room is very empty, because I like the feeling of having space. If a girl comes over? Hm, if she cooks for me I'd be really happy, anything will be okay, I'm not picky on food at all. When it's cold, it'll be nice to have her prepare steamboat (laugh). However, I'm basically an extravert, if we are to go dating, I'll most probably choose to exercise together, or watch a game of baseball or basketball. Ah, going to the beach isn't that bad, I love the sea! I also have a licence to drive boats! Sometimes I'd really wanna dive with a submarine into the deep sea to explore, anticipating "what's that over there?", then open the doors in the submarine and walk straight in, isn't that meaningful? There are still many things I'd like to do, because I wanna become an adult with lots of interests, so when I'm interested I'll never hesistate to take the challenge.
   Although I'm always being asked about my 'perfect girl', I never knew how to answer this question, because up till now, all the girls whom I thought "she's not bad", they don't really have anything in common... When I confess, I think I will choose the simplest words, like "I like you, so let's start going out". When I'm in the middle of a break up, I might feel depressed to a certain extend. Although people keep saying that we should cheer up after a break up and the best way to do that is to talk to others about it, but I think it's not that easy for me to move on and start another new relationship just like that. However, I will not show a depressed expression, so I think that when I'm really going through a break up, not even the members of Arashi will ever notice (laugh).

Sakurai Sho

Having the same values, interested in music; this kind of girl suits me
   What will I do during the holidays? Usually I'll be reading book or a magazine on my bed while listening to the music. Basically the time when I listen to the music is very long, so it'll be great if the girl likes music too, we can even go a concert together. But while having a relationship with a girl, the most important thing is having the same values, for example what matters most in life, or striving for a reason to live on, if we're similiar in these areas, I think we'll get along just fine. So there's a great possibility that I might start a relationship in the middle of a random chat, but I don't believe in love at first sight. Recently, I've been playing football with about 20 of my schoolmates around once a month, we usually start at 12 midnight, the game usually lasts till 3am, I'm not too sure if this is good for my health, or actually ruining my health (laugh).
   I always meet up with my University schoolmates, although we've only graduated last Spring, but in this one year I'm always hearing my friends say "how I wish I can just quit my current job", and there'll be girls crying suddenly too, what am I gonna do? Hm, what should I say to make them feel better... I've been a Johnny's junior for about 5 years, then I became part of Arashi; so I think that no matter what job it is, there'll surely be a time that things doesn't go our way, that's why I'll think of it as "this is just a stage of learning, no matter what others say, to see if it'll go on smoothly, I'll work hard for another 4 years or so".

*He seems to talk the least about his 'perfect girl' ne~

Ohno Satoshi

If we can both feel "it's interesting" or "how beautiful" at the same time, the girl and I must have some kind of understanding between us
   Now that I'm staying at my folks' home, so my room is sorta like the place which I only return to sleep (laugh). If I start staying out alone, I guess I would be very particular about the interior design. I will not just move things over just as they are, I will modify the standing lamp, and I will have my own tables and chairs custom-made, because I like to do these kind of things. So that is why when I give presents to the girl I like, I will most probably give her something I made myself. The same goes to dating, I will think of  going to places like little special stores; at that time if the both of us can feel "hey~ this is kinda nice" or "how cool is that?!", I will feel very happy, I guess we'll be fine with each other for quite some time...
   The 'perfect type'? Well when we are together, even if we don't talk, we'll be able to understand each other, that sorta girl. Even if it's the first meeting this girl, just by a little chat I'd be able to have a direct response, that I can have 'resonance' with this girl, it just feels right. Other than that, when I confess my love, I'd most probably just say a simple "I like you"; but when I'm going through a break up, just so I can forget it faster, I will focus fully on my work or my hobby I think, and because when I'm more hardworking than before, perhaps the outcome will be superbly great (laugh). I do have friends who already has a family of his own by the age of 24, but because I'm not too sure about my situation, so I'm not planning to get married yet. However, I do have the intention to try, and I'd like to see my own kids, at the same time as a man, I do not want to give up on what I've decided to do, instead I'll focus and head straight for my goal.

Edit: did some corrections, gomen!

Song for Me

いつかの別れ　いつかの出会い
Itsuka no wakare itsuka no deai
A separation long before, an encounter long before

数えきれない涙と高鳴り重ねて
Kazoe kirenai namida to takanari kasanete
Unending tears lapses with a beating heart with increasing speed

ここでまだ待ってる
koko de mada matteru
Continued waiting here

-so I could, so I would, you know?-

言葉を越えて　心の奥で
Kotoba wo koete kokoro no oku de
Cross the limits of words, way behind the heart

未知なる何かが生まれ　音を奏でる
Michinaru nanika ga umare oto wo kanaderu
A music which was meant for something was born

包み込む様に
Tsutsumikomu you ni
Like it’s embracing me

so I dream on きっと
so I dream on kitto
So I dream on, definitely

---
“いつまでも星屑の隙間から”　夢であえたら
“Itsumade mo hoshikuzu no sukima kara” yume de aetara
“Forever in the midst of stars” meeting in dreams

“震えてるこの胸が痛むほど”　永遠の願いは
“Furueteru kono mune ga itamu hodo” towa no negai wa
“This shivering heart is barely in pain at all” an everlasting wish

“響き合う切なさはガラスの様”　届くのだろうか？
“Hibiki au setsunasa wa garasu no you” todoku no darou ka?
“This grief we shared, just like shattered glasses” am I able to convey?

-so I could, so I would, you know?-

“いつまでも約束を写し出す”　夢の続きは
“Itsumade mo yakusoku wo utsushidasu” yume no tsuzuki wa
“Forever, engrossed on the promise” a sequel of dreams

“抱きしめたこの時が悪戯に”　遠く離れて
“Dakishimeta kono toki ga itazura ni” tooku hanarete
“To hold on to this period which is just like a prank” off to a faraway land

光集めては　一人瞳閉じた
Hikari atsumete wa hitori hitomi tojita
Collecting the lights, shutting my eyes alone

so I dream on そっと
so I dream on sotto
So I dream on, quietly

---
そして　当てなく歩いたあの日の様に
Soshite atenaku aruita ano hi no you ni
Then, like that day when I walked without an aim

ただ見つめていたのは over again
Tada mitsumete ita no wa over again
It’s just what my eyes see, over and over again

My time 今　揺れる窓越しに
My time ima yureru madogoshi ni
My time, now it pierced through the shaky windows

-そう愛がそっと舞う上へ　Wow yeah-
-sou ai ga sotto mau ue e Wow yeah-
-Love floated up lightly, Wow yeah-

---
静寂の中で　いつかのmelody
Shizuka no naka de itsuka no melody
In the silence, a melody long before

歌いきれない言葉と温もり流れて
Utai kirenai kotoba to nukumori nagarete
An unstoppable song and gentle words flowed

今もまだ鳴ってる
ima mo mada natteru
Now they're buzzing again

記憶を超えて　鼓動の奥で
Kioku wo koete kodou no oku de
Cross the limits of memories, way back where the heart beats

重なる音色が癒す　胸の傷跡　
Kasanaru neiro ga iyasu mune no kizuato
Overlapped voices seemed to comfort the scars of the heart

憂い解く様に
Urei toku you ni
Like it’s clearing the grieves

so I dream on きっと
so I dream on kitto
So I dream on, definitely

---
“どこまでも輝きを繋ぐから”　手をかざしたら
“Dokomade mo kagayaki wo tsunagu kara” te wo kazashitara
“Continuous rays no matter where you reach” raise your hands and look up

“果てしなくこの胸に降り注ぐ”　遥か未来も
“Hateshinaku kono mune ni furi sosogu” haruka mirai mo
“Without limitations, dropping into this heart” even a future far away

“美しく繰り返す波紋の様”　見えるのだろうか？
“Utsukushiku kurikaesu hamon no you” mieru no darou ka?
“The beautiful ripples which going on and on” will I still see them again?

-so I could, so I would, you know?-

“どこまでも約束を写し出す”　夢の隙間に
“Dokomade mo yakusoku wo utsushidasu” yume no sukima ni
“Wherever you are, it’s engrossed on the promise” in the openings of dreams

“抱きしめた密やかなこの想い”　虹を描いて
“Dakishimeta hisoyakana kono omoi” niji wo egaite　
“Silently carrying this emotion” painting the rainbows

光溢れては　一人瞳閉じた
Hikari afurete wa hitori hitomi tojita
To be permeated with light, shutting my eyes alone

so I dream on そっと
so I dream on sotto
So I dream on, quietly

---
そして　一人で仰いだあの日の空
Soshite hitori de aoida ano hi no sora
Then, just like watching the skies that day alone

ただ探していたのは song for me
Tada sagashite ita no wa song for me
Never stopping to find the song for me

会いたい　今　想いだけ欲しい
Aitai ima omoi dake hoshii
I wanna see you, now, I only hope to own this love

-そう愛がそっと舞う上へ　Wow yeah-
-sou ai ga sotto mau ue e Wow yeah-
-Love floated up lightly, Wow yeah-

---
曖昧な事ばかりが　夜明けの迷路彷徨いながら　
Aimai na koto bakari ga yoake no meiru samayoi nagara
Only an ambiguous episode, roaming around in the maze of dawn

夢がさめてしまっても　忘れないよ
Yume ga samete shimattemo wasurenai yo
Even when I wake up from my dreams, I won’t forget

---
“いつまでも星屑の隙間から”　夢であえたら
“Itsumade mo hoshikuzu no sukimakara” yume de aetara
“Forever in the midst of stars” meeting in dreams

“震えてるこの胸が痛むほど”　 永遠の願いは
“Furueteru kono mune ga itamu hodo” towa no negai wa
“This shivering heart is barely in pain at all” an everlasting pain

“響き合う切なさはガラスの様”　届くのだろうか？
“Hibiki au setsunasa wa garasu no you” todoku no darou ka?
“This grief we shared, just like shattered glasses” am I able to convey?
-so I could, so I would, you know?-

“いつまでも約束を写し出す”　夢の続きは
“Itsumademo yakusoku wo utsushidasu” yume no tsuzuki wa
“Forever, engrossed on the promise” a sequel of dreams

“抱きしめたこの時が悪戯に”　遠く離れて
“Dakishimeta kono toki ga itazura ni” tooku hanarete
“To hold on to this period which is just like a prank” off to a faraway land

光集めては　一人瞳閉じた
Hikari atsumete wa hitori hitomi tojita
Collecting the lights, shutting my eyes alone

so I dream on そっと
so I dream on sotto
So I dream on, quietly

---
そして　当てなく歩いたあの日の様に
Soshite atenaku aruita ano hi no you ni
Then, like that day when I walked without an aim

ただ見つめていたのは over again
Tada mitsumete ita no wa over again
It’s only what my eyes see, over and over again

My time 今　揺れる窓越しに
My time ima yureru madogoshi ni
My time, now it pierced through the shaky windows

-そう愛がそっと舞う上へ　Wow yeah-
-sou ai ga sotto mau ue e Wow yeah-
-Love floated up lightly, Wow yeah-

Here’s a very short one, Sen-chan really existed in Ohno’s life by the way, she died early this year.

Things That Won't Last

   "SEN!" he shouted as the door burst open.
   
   Barely taking off his shoes, he looked around in panic, "SEN!" he screamed as he finally saw her lying on the floor, dead.

   "Sen-chan," he knelt down beside her, picking up her delicate little body in his hands, "wake up little one, daddy's home," his face already filled with tear tracks, "com'on, look at daddy."

   "It's no use," his mother said from behind him, leaning against the wall, "she's dead, she can't hear you."

   "NO!!" he cried, "Sen's just sleeping, she'll wait for me at least..." turning to the little creature, "Sen-chan, okitekudasai~"

   "Toshi,” his mother hugged him from behind, “I know it’s hard….”

   “Why does she have to leave me?!” he sobbed as he hid himself in his mother’s chest, “WHY?!”

   “Of course you know why,” his mother said patiently, stroking his hair, “mou 26-sai da. Some things in this world just won’t last.”

   Yes I know that, he thought bitterly, but why won’t they last? Sen-chan…

-A Year Ago-

   “Wow, she’s so small…” Ohno Satoshi squealed as he carefully held the little thing in his hands, “so beautiful…”
   
   “Yeah, kawaii deshyou?” his sister smiled, “otanjyoubi omedetou.”

   “This is for me?!” he was equally happy and surprised, “she’s mine?!”

   “Of course!” she nodded, “I trust that you’ll take good care of her, won’t you?”

   “Mochiron desu!” he practically screamed in joy, “thank you so much!” jumping.

   She laughed, “look at you, a big boy already, yet you’re still acting like a little kid.”

   “Well, I shall always be the youngest ‘round here,” he said rather cheekily, “nee-san.”

   “Not anymore,” she too gave him a cheeky look, “Toshi-tousan.”

   “Toshi-tousan?” he was puzzled, me a daddy? Since when? I don’t even have a wife for God’s sake.

   She ignored him, touching the little hamster sleeping peacefully in his hands, “be good, you’ve got a whole lot to experience with Toshi-tousan.”

   The moon hung high, storm clouds darkened the skies. It wasn’t raining for some reason, just sorrowful winds blowing randomly.

   Wiping his tears with his sleeves, he continued his effort on his clay works. As he glanced at Sen-chan lying right before him on his desk, his tears started to trickle down again.

   Carefully he moulded the clay, telling himself to stop crying. It was for this very stripe that she got her name, he recalled as he saw the white stripe on the little body, Sen.

   Goodbye, Sen-chan, he whispered to the little one as he held her up once again, he could feel her body go cold. It’s been great having you here.

   There are always things that won’t last, they appear before you and then they’re gone the next moment. Friendship, parenthood, family love, life itself… they aren’t exactly things that will last forever, are they? But at least, they only end when one of you leave move on from this world.

   Painting the very last layer of colour on the clay sculpture, he stared at the dead model hamster. You shall live forever, in my heart is where you’ll be He placed the hamster clay sculpture on the shelf, and you will always be here in Sen’s place.

   He didn’t really make out why things in this world won’t last, but finally figured out that perhaps this is the best thing for every living thing here. For the things that won’t last, he vowed, they shall last in my memories, at least.
   

Sen – line
Okitekudasai – please wake up
Mou 26-sai da – already 26 years old
Kawaii deshyou – isn’t it cute?
Otanjyoubi omedetou – happy birthday
Mochiron desu – of course
Toshi-tousan – Daddy-Toshi

Arashigoto – Ohno’s 10000 Words Interview

Favourites: Drawing and action fighting
When I was young, I am not able to keep quiet and just sit still. Therefore I am always getting myself hurt. “Don’t touch this!” I’ve been told, but I touched the opened can from the side and hurt my finger. When I sit behind my father on this bike, they’ve already said “Careful of your leg!” as a warning, but still my leg got into the moving wheel and I got 15 stitches. I’ve got lots more scars and bruises; you can say I’m a pretty hopeless kid. Other than that, I guess I’m quite normal. I go to the food stalls with my friends; sometimes we catch crabs for fun, because we stay near a river. When I was in my 1st year of Elementary School, I liked Bruce Lee. My dad is a big fan of his, every time he brings back some of his tapes, I’ll feel “Wow! Cool! Fantastic!”... Since then,  every time I come home, I’d be “Wacha~ wacha~!” (the sound that Bruce Lee does when he’s doing some of his kicks), fooling around in the house. If I get my older sister as my target when I do “Bruce Lee roleplaying”, we’ll surely start fighting. “Oh, can’t stand you guy. Just a little closer and you’ll fight again” this sentence seems to be mom’s pet phrase at that time. When I was in my 6th year in Elementary School, my favourite is Jean-Claude Van Damme. The movie “Kickboxer” is so cool! There was a scene where he had to kick the door open. Feeling the pain as he trains for the shooting of the movie, I’d really like to try it, so I practiced a little too. Although it hurts a lot, but I felt “just like Jean”, so I’m very happy. But after practicing everyday, one day I’m able to kick the door open just like that, I was sooo touched. Although I like action fighting, I won’t think about Karate and stuffs like that, because I’ll definitely be the weakest there in class. If I’m fooling around by myself, I’ll feel more confident. I can ‘fight’ slowly, I’ve got the freedom (laugh). I challenged Capoeira in Arashi’s movie, this really awoke my long buried passion of actions fighting (laugh). There was a kicking action, “O, I really miss this feeling...!” But after trying it for real, hey it’s harder than I thought. I’ve got a “well, so it’s true then that I can’t make it~” feeling... That’s what I’ve been thinking (laugh).
When I started drawing, it was during my 3rd year of Elementary School, I was influenced by my classmate Kashi-chan. I’ve drew some pictures before this, but when Kashi-chan showed me his “Dragonball” drawing, I was somewhat ‘enraged’, he drew so well! I’ve got this “I won’t lose!” thought in me. From then, I don’t study anymore, focusing on my drawings. I would by the weekly “Shounen Jump”, the both of us will draw on our notebooks, then exchange it with each other. Kashi-chan doesn’t really agree with my drawings, he’d always say “it’s not supposed to be like this” things like that. Because of that, once again the fire is being lit in my heart. Maybe it’s because I like to draw by nature, that thought of “I won’t lose!”… I’ve never had it before this. Kashi-chan is a very interesting guy, the two of us hanging out together, naturally I am considered an ‘interesting guy’ too. When things become like that, I have never said anything interesting before anyone, suddenly I am able to do so too. My personality changed too. I guess Kashi-chan really did have a great impact on me.
When I entered High School, I started to have the job I’m doing now. So we can’t exactly spend much time together, gradually we lost contact totally. When I was 19, I met him at the subway near my house. Kashi-chan’s face, his hair style, and his straight fringe, he hasn’t changed at all! I was very very very happy.
Then we started chatting about the past, I finally told him that “I won’t lose!” thought of mine, Kashi-chan laughed. In this life of ours, in which place, will we meet someone important, we’ll never foretell. If there wasn’t a Kashi-chan, maybe I won’t even start drawing.
There was once when I was drawing at home, I felt quite bored, so I asked my sister to try drawing too. In the end, she drew so much better than me! It’s so…. Hey, she never exactly drew anything before. I was thinking “Oh no!”, so I said something like “drawing is so tiring~” to let her not to even think of drawing another picture (laugh). Something that is unbelievable, our parent’s don’t even know how to draw.
They’re really liberal, and they’ve never said things like “go and study”. My dad likes fishing, he always brings me along. The night before that, when I see my dad packing his fishing equipments, I’ll be very happy. “We’re going fishing tomorrow!!” like that. I like those nights. Barbeques too, packing all types of things into the food box, it’s a wonderful feeling. Talking about the Ohno family, it’s like a synonym to barbeque. We still have it now once or twice a year as a family gathering. Sometimes I can’t attend the family barbeques cause of my work, when this occurs, mom will ask “can’t you get a leave?”. For example, when I was absent in “MS”, Tamo-chan will ask “Where’s Ohno?”, the members will answer “he went for barbeque”. Can’t it be like that? It’s kinda interesting as a though (laugh).

Mom
At this time, I’ll get a mail from my mom. “We’re gonna start eating the meat now-!”… Hello~?! After about one minute, “it’s delicious!” another mail would come. Ho~ enough! Like that (laugh). My mom likes western music, so there’s always western music playing in our house. I’ve heard the most current western hits, that’s also because of my mom. If I feel “hey, this is not bad”, I’d ask “this, who is this?”.
My mom is someone who understand everything about me. Sometimes I feel down and depressed because of work problems, my mom will be the first to know. No matter how late I am, my mom will still be awake to wait for me. Even if I’ve sent a mail to her saying “go to sleep, it’s alright”, she will still be there waiting. When I asked her why, she simply said, “you’ve been so tired in your work place, when you come back there’s only a dark house waiting for you, you won’t like it, will you?”. That was really touching. My mom has to work herself too, she must wake up at five the next morning. I’ve always felt that my mom isn’t a mother, more like a closer, buddy-like feeling.
It was my mom who want me to enter Johnny’s, I’ve said that I don’t want to, she’d say “you’re gonna get kicked out anyway”, so she sent in a resume. My mom was also with me during the audition. When I reached, I realized that Katori-kun was there, I was shocked! Because my sister likes him, so I always see him on TV, “wow, the real person!” that kind of feeling. Then everybody started dancing together, but I was at the back and I wasn’t dancing, I even waved at my mom (laugh). Because there are lots of people, you can’t exactly see what others are doing. In the end, Johnny scolded “what are you doing? Come up front and dance!”. After trying to dance seriously, he said “you’ve got good rhythm”.
Then, I’ll have to go over to practice dancing every week. At first there were 50 people, then they got less, at last there are only 4 person left. One of them is Machida. We were both dancing really seriously ya know~ Since then, I’ve always been with Machida. When we’re separated into Musical Academy (MA) and Arashi, after about 4-5 years we went out together to buy things. Because Machida said, “let’s go to 代官山”. Although I’ve never been there, but I was thinking that it’s okay as long as I’m following him. At last, when we got out of the subway, it seems like we’ve been going towards the opposite direction all along (laugh), it was so embarrassing.

Kyoto
My first public performance is during Tokio’s concert in Budokan. There, I first heard “Johnny’s Cheer”, and I was hesitating whether or not to go home. I was so shocked. When the lights dimmed, at that moment “don~”, it doesn’t seem like human voices at all, it was really scary. On stage, I don’t think I have extra energy to notice what’s going on around me. The concert schedules filled my whole brain. That day I took a leave from school and went for the performance, somehow I felt special. I can’t believe it, my friends are studying in school just as usual, and I am dancing in a place like this. But honestly, the entertainment biz isn’t a very nice job. I won’t think about acting in a drama, except stage plays that will give me feeling “how happy it is~”. But dancing, I want to excel in it no matter what. I know that you need to stay here at least half a year to go to Kyoto, I said that I’d like to go. I just wanna leave the current situation that I’m in. Juniors came in, lots of them, as long as they’re popular, that can go straight to Kyoto. Me~…. I was pushed behind. “Why? I am better!” I’ve been thinking. Because of that, my determination to “dance right in front” became stronger. So when I heard that I can be the main star in Kyoto, I never hesitated.
Mom was happy for me, I quit school too. With Machida, we left school after 3 days school started, just like that. Even so, my parents didn’t say anything. “Not studying anymore?” “Hmm (with a firm nod)” this is it. If I go to senior high, I’ll never be able to go to Kyoto. I’m positive that I made the right choice. Because, the experiences in Kyoto became a very important part in my heart. To tell the truth, it was tough. I was worn off after 5 performances everyday. At first it was still okay, there were quite some people during Summer. But when Autumn comes, it’s so empty! There was even a record of only 50 people, in an arena that holds 1000 people! There’re only 5 rows seated with people, and it seemed like those boys are forced to come here for their graduation tour, sitting right in front with a face that wrote “this is so damn boring”. Like this, 5 shows everyday, it’s really tiring.
I’d really like to ask “is there a necessity to act out 5 shows a day?!”, I started thinking “what the heck am I doing?”. Because I was acting as 牛若丸, I had to fly around in the play. I was hanging inside the stage, then pulled out to the stage. One day as I was hanging up there, I was crying. I knew I must say my lines or I’ll be doomed, but I couldn’t stop my tears from falling. “I wanna go back to Tokyo, I wanna go home…” (laugh). But then, because everyone who came are from Tokyo, they all have the same feeling as me. So after a little chat, I am starting to feel better.
The public performance during the 2nd year, I volunteered to go again. When I heard I can do a solo dance, I wanna go. I watched lots of videos in Tokyo as practice, then I went there. My solo “Cool” at that time, I actually felt that I’m qualified in dancing for the first time, it was a very memorable song. My body follows the steps in my mind, even now, I guess I can’t dance to the standard I did at that time. About “Let’s do something more mature” in Show Time, it’s also our own ideas. We also asked the female dancers “what kind of job would you like to try out?”
I want the 2nd year’s play to be a brilliant one. Having the thought of “I hope that we can…” during my first year, I can’t bring myself to say it. Because I don’t think I have the right to say that. The 2nd year was a blast; we’ve got lots of audience too. But there were rumours that “’Kyo to Kyo’ was lousy”, I felt rather infuriated. In reality, you can understand why it happened after you saw it. “Why?!” I was really feeling it. “Just quit the entertainment biz” this thought came at that time. Actually, I stated drawing again. There was a make up artist who draws really well, I got some tips from him. I’ve acquainted the dancing skills that I’m satisfied with, so I thought I’ll just go back to Tokyo, leave the jimusho, and do something related to art then.

Arashi’s debut
Although I’ve stated that I’d like to quit, but somehow I landed on “Mask”. This let to my “PlayZone” performance too. Then, Arashi was formed, it kinda vague, because to me, this is my last chance. I was thinking “I wanna follow the trend”, but I couldn’t bring myself to sincerely to my best. During our debut in Hawaii, when the press conference ended, we went to the Jr. Concert. They were all introducing themselves during the MC part. “I am Sakurai Sho!” “AHHH~!!!”; “I am Matsumoto Jun!” “AHHH~!!!”; “I am Ohno Satoshi!” “…..(silent whispers)”, “EHHH?!” like this… I was thinking “Quick! Get down! Get down from the stage!”, “I am one step behind the members!”. At that time, suddenly I became very hardworking. For example, “I must reply all my fan mails!” things like that. To think about it, the rest of the members appeared a lot in the TV and were more popular. I’ve been in Kyoto all along, no one knows me. Although I know that our debut song got 1st, Arashi is quite well-known, but still I felt “I don’t have any fans”. Because I always hear things like “who’s that?”, “why isn’t it Takkey?” and “heaven knows?!” as a reply.  “Can I do it?” this thought really bothered me. But when Arashi’s five members are together I’m really happy, I was really comfortable from the start. Although there’re lots of troubles, they were all unleashed by the comfy feeling when the five of us are together. During our first concert, I was really worried, “will there be anyone holding my Uchiwa?” was my thought. I can never forget the scene when I saw so many of my Uchiwas in the midst of the audience crowd, what relief. Then I gradually encouraged myself to be more positive.

Stage Plays
After forming Arashi, many things happened, I became more and more enthusiastic. The passion for work was there, it was really good. One of them is the stage plays which brought a drastic change in myself, it also planted a deep memory in me. The “PlayZone” play in year 2001 was superb, it was plain happiness. At first, I was playing the character with Matsuoka-kun and Inohara-kun, we were supposed to be one single character, just this made me feel very pressured. The last time we had a public performance, I was trying to quit the jimusho right? After getting a warning but still no obvious improvement, it kinda impolite. But after serious thinking, I am okay with myself as long as I get a “you’re getting better” in the end. Because of that, I am really nervous.
When we were practicing, around 100 performers sat in a circle, then one by one they’re supposed to go out and act right in the middle of the circle. I don’t like that, really. I can’t do it. I was thinking “I’ll do my best during the real performance, please, spare me”. The three from Shounentai didn’t say anything to me who obviously acted very badly, I felt “oh god, they’re despising me”. But one day, Inohara-kun said to me, “Ohno, you’re shy right?” “very shy” “hmm, I’m like that too when I first did this”. These words really helped a lot, oh so I’m not the only one.
As I became more bold in acting, and am able to take form of my character, 植草-san said to me “Ohno, you’re getting better”. When I heard this, my “finally, I did it!” was out of tune as my heart threw away all its burdens. There was also a climax when we were practicing, this scene which is very touching and important. I tried acting out the scene just as the director wanted, but I made one of the female dancer cry. I was shocked, because someone was crying while watching me act. At that time, all my embarrassment, my shy feelings, they all seem to disappear. It’s really touching. When we were doing the public performance, 植草-san was very caring in every way. In the end, when our eyes met, oh can’t stand it anymore, I cried (laugh). Because I started standing up on the stage when I was 4, now I am able to finish a play without regrets, I felt like I’ve conquered myself. I guess it’s a great experience for me.
So I have a feeling that I want to continue doing stage plays, and immediately signed to act in “Aoki-san Ie no Okusan”. When I heard I was the leading role, I went “UWAA~!!” like I would act out something right there on the spot. Everyday is a drag, I guess I got thinnest at this point. Thinking about what to day everyday, all the embarrassments are long forgotten.
“Sengokupuu” in 2003 is yet another thing that brought out my passion in dance. Just like Kyoto, “I wanna dance more, I wanna be better” this kind of feeling. In Kyoto I’ve felt the victory of achieving my goals, so I’m still quite satisfied. After the radical training for  “Sengokupuu” when I’ve not danced for quite some time, hey I can still do it. So happily I thought of dancing again, from then on it’s like a small fire lit on kerosene. Watching some movies from outside the country, doing some practices, that kind of Ohno, it’s been a long time we’ve met.
“True West” in 2004, I had quite a lot of parts with Matsuoka-san, my lines are a lot too. When I saw the script, this is the one that I really really felt like running off with a shout of “UWA~!!”. But now, there’s one more “West Side Story”, I felt like that too. Being pushed around like that in the past, achievements are greater each time. Even if I understand that, but I still feel quite worried when I accept stage plays. I’d wanna run off, and we’re required to read through our scripts until we’re worn off, it’s scary. After reading through once, my whole mind’s filled with it. So it’s kinda troublesome being called an ‘actor’, I’ll have a “please spare me” feeling. But if you compare this with dramas or movies, I’ll still choose stage plays.
For example, when we’re rewatching the scenes during “Pika*nchi” shooting, even if I think I didn’t do very well, I can’t bring myself to say “please let me act again”. Stage plays, I can keep practicing until I’m satisfied. Movies or dramas are like “one shot victory/ one shot lost” to me. The shooting of “Pika*nchi”, the five of us acting together is really memorable. Then there’s “V no Arashi”, obviously it’s much more interesting, the atmosphere is different.
At that time it was just a start, we were still observing each other… that feeling’s still there. Even so, I’m really not good in acting, I get really nervous. When I did a guest appearance in Sho-kun’s drama it’s also the same, I was already anxious about it a week before the real thing. So during “Pika*nchi”, I was really really nervous. 堤–san left a very scary impression, so I was kinda scared, but in reality he’s a really nice person. In fact, he’s one of the “Kyo to Kyo” Video producers. Although I was shocked, but when I recalled that he too knew about those days which I suffered, I was happy and contented, suddenly our hearts became closer. Never before have I created my own character like Paree, I would think about the hairstyle and the way he talks, thinking about the expression he has when he’s daydreaming, even the way he stands. Thus, I am very happy when I hear 堤–san say “it’s just like what I’ve expected”.
But then, there are still some scenes I would like to re-act, right at that short moment. Like the standing scenes, is it because I was daydreaming too myself? I can’t find Paree in me when I rewatched, it was regrettable. If it’s a stage play, because I’m forever nervous, things like this will never happen. One thing good about stage plays, you can familiarize with other performers. Eating out together is something that really excites me, cause we can hear things about different worlds right? When I hear “there was once I thought I could never survive in this world” this kind of things, I feel “oh, it was horrible” thinking that I’m pretty lucky myself. At the same time, when I forget to be humble, I am still able to have a great time.
When I watch the plays of these people, I’ll feel so bad about myself. Once you get on stage, it’s like you turn into a very cool person, because everyone is doing their best. Then when it ends, on the way back to the dressing room, saying “thank you very much” with a relaxed expression, it’s so casual and simple. This made me have a “alright! I’ll work hard!” thought.

Concerts
It’s different from acting, “Quick! Have another one!” this is what I’ve always been thinking when it comes to concerts. Solos or whatever, I’ve already been planning about the next performance while we’re still having a concert now. During the summer last year, I choreographed my own dance. The songs too, I took part in the song arrangements, and added some western type music with deeper bass. I would clearly state the feeling that I want for the songs, then ask for help from the professionals. During winter the year before, I decided on a song when I thought “hey, this song’s quite good~”, and was thinking about the dance steps in the densha while listening to the song. The outfits too, “I’d like to wear a baseball suit”, thinking about those things is fun. But every time there’ll still be “maybe I don’t have any fans” bugging me.
Once I’m on stage, I’ll be looking for my Uchiwas. When I find them, I’ll be very relieved, thinking “luckily!” and I feel more enthusiastic. These few years, I’ve been trying to do as the fans requested on the Uchiwas and sign boards/ banners. The things that everyone have been holding, we can see them all on stage ya know! “Wave your hands” things like that, as I’m doing it I feel rather fascinated, the fans are happy as well. When I see them happy, I feel “it’s good that I’ve done it!”. But fans are getting mischievous nowadays, getting more and more straightforward. “Blow a kiss” those stuffs, it’s kinda embarrassing. Although I did it, but halfway… like that, no way, it’s not me at all~ and there’s a “take it off!”, even if I did the action I’m just doing it for the sake of doing it (laugh).
Can’t help it, when I refuse to do it after reading it, the fans will also know that I’ve seen it. When we’re planning a concert, I go online, cause I really wanna know their reactions. It’ll take some time for fan letters to reach me, then I’ll know immediately “so fans think this way huh~”, it’s quite nice. Till now, I have all the concert videos, sometimes I’ll review them by myself, and I’ll feel that I performed lousily.
But to me, the time I’ve spent together with Arashi is very important. It’s something I’d really wanna treasure. We get really precious memories in every concert. But talking about Arashi, indeed it’s “Here We Go” concert. We had a long chat till dawn, understood every member’s thoughts. Before that, we didn’t know each other that much. Now we have a fair idea what Arashi is all about, what we individually plan to do as Arashi in the future. After knowing all these, I felt “from now till forever we have to do this together, the five of us”. Knowing that everyone treasures Arashi, I am really happy.

Arashi in the future, me in the future
2003 is the year that I felt Arashi’s rapid change. We started going out together; it’s like a break through. No matter what people say, the five of us must work hard together. Even if it’s not about work, the five of us will talk about it together. To me, meeting together outside apart from work is very important, cause the feelings totally different. Five of us becoming normal youngsters, I feel very happy. We’re all grown ups, we can go out for a drink or something, it feels really good.
Talking about myself changing, I guess I’ve become more enthusiastic, even my voice became higher, it’s unbelievable, isn’t it? In my impression, when guys grow older, our voice tend to be deeper, but now I feel my voice is just like Nino’s, although his voice is naturally very high. But when I listen to the CD, I feel like it’s quite similar, I was shocked (laugh). But working in this field, you rarely get to socialize with other people. I do feel lonely too, cause I was cheated once. Then my self-protectiveness comes, and instead it’s the person who is worried about me. And there are also times when I’ll think “isn’t there any way out?”, it’s really lonely to think about those times.
After thinking about that, I feel that I’ve really changed. I am able to automatically greet others, even to those people I don’t know, “he seems interesting” I’d like to know him. On the streets I’ll observe the passer-bys, when I feel that this person is a person who can talk, I’ll say “where are you heading to?” and we’ll start chatting. Those people who are able to get along, when you look into their eyes you’d know, and you’ll always look into their eyes, why? But if you don’t try to talk to the person, everything will just end at that eye contact. As long as your open your heart, happiness will enter. This is my thought, and I will continue doing this.
Other than that, personally, I don’t know when, but I have a dream of having my own art exhibition. What will happen to us when we reach the 10th anniversary? Talking about this, 2004 was my anniversary since joining Johnny’s, I survived (laugh). The five years when I was a junior, the five years after Arashi formed, they are all really meaningful. Although I am less responsible when I am a junior, and I still need to improve myself, but in these 10 years with lots of things happening, I guess I am considered a happy person. I can only trust that Arashi will get better and better. We all treasure Arashi. Every time we do a concert, our relationship gets stronger when each concert ends. Although we don’t know what’s waiting ahead of us, but I guess the fact that we will always be close won't ever change.

Credit goes to various sites and forums, such as Matsujun.net, Aibakaland (especially Ohno’s interview in Arashigoto), Arashian, Arashi Vox, Arashi Zone, amnos.net…. (I’m sorry for not listing them all, cz I forgot… x.x) and Eri-senpai for Nino and Sho’s infos when I asked for help to write their One Shot fics.

Thank you, otsukaresama deshita!

OHNO SATOSHI

1.      He's the leader of Arashi, not just because he's the oldest, but because of a little small round of jankenpoi ("rock-paper-scissors") with the other guys before their official debut.

2.      If you've seen the movie The Sixth Sense, it's a bad idea to joke about Haley Joel Osment's character--- Ohno HAS that same sixth sense, and yes... he sees dead people to all kinds of creepy stuff appearing from out of nowhere...

3.      Within the group, he is the most picked-on member (as well as being the most talked-about member) among the group.

4.      I wouldn't call him "peculiar," but the only reason why he seems quiet whenever you see him in guest appearances is because his mind is always wandering off somewhere in his own world...