Potato, June 2013 – Aiba Masaki

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

This was a surprisingly thought provoking article despite its slice-of-life nature. Aiba is a very honest interviewee, which makes his thoughts delightful to read. There's also a nice dose of Sakuraiba and Nino-Ai in this.

This interview is a Brat Day giveaway for risa_kim. Thanks for the rec!

Catch the Light - Aiba Masaki

Aiba-chan talked to us about the new Arashi single enshrouded in mystery, “Endless Game”! As suggested by the single’s title, we also talked about games and mental tactics. (The interview took place in May.)

Although the new single, “Endless Game” was slightly tricky, the song grows on you the more you listen to it. I wasn’t used to the melody, and it took me a longer time than usual to remember the song. There were a lot of syllables squeezed into the melody, so I felt that it was difficult to catch on to the rhythm. However, once I got the melody, it actually felt good. Isn’t that a mystery? Personally, I love how the worldview of the song drastically changes right before the D melody*.

T/N: I’m not sure how D melody would translate into English. It’s not exactly the bridge of the song, but the portion which Aiba is referring to begins with the line, “Itsumo aru hazu dakara, kawaranai mono ga…”

This time round, our singing parts were divided up really intricately, so memorizing my parts was tough! (laughs) When we perform the song on TV, we need to dance to it as well. Although we haven’t fully grasped the dance, I think the part where Leader and I echo [Jun, Sho and Nino] during the chorus will be tough. Ah, I saw the Kazoku Game drama too. Sho-chan was SO sinister. I dare say [Yoshimoto] has some issues, it was truly scary how intense he was.

The coupling song, “Magic Hour”, takes on a completely different tone. It’s a feel-good song which is Reggae inspired and gives the sensation of time flowing by slowly. I think it’s perfect for the upcoming holidays and season. As for “Intergalatic”… once again, it’s the kind of song whereby lots of words are squeezed into the melody. (laughs) The electro feel of it was very cool, and it catches on, it feels really good. “Monochrome” feels like swing music, and once you get into the chorus your body feels like it’s walking on air. Each song is unique, and I think they’re all worth listening to, it feels like a mini-album.

I’m not particularly good or bad at games, but I like them. To top it off, I hate losing, so if possible, I’d like to win. For the club activities I used to do, such as baseball or basketball, I strongly feel that those are activities which require everyone to put their strengths together and the more practice we do, the better we get. Recently, when I played sandlot baseball with Nino, we didn’t get to practise. The most we got to do was some kind of mental simulation. (laughs) I wasn’t too particular over winning or losing, but I sure was happy when we won by one point!

Mind games?* I’m not good at those… I can’t do skillful stuff like reading into the future and beating others to the punch. I feel the same way about romantic relationships. When interacting with fellow humans, I’m sure we analyze the situation and calculate our responses to a certain extent. However, I don’t do it consciously, but I don’t wish for other people to do the same thing to me. Humans ought to adopt honesty as the best policy!

T/N: The mind games Aiba refers to here are psychological tactics a crafty person may employ.

Recent Arashi happenings, et cetera.

Leader:

I met him this morning. We ate monjayaki during our shoot, and I now realize that Leader’s really good at making it! He formed the batter properly, and whipped it up for me in a flash. I helped out just a teeny bit. It’s curry flavored and tasted really good, and I thought, “Wow, I can even depend on Leader in times like this.” (laughs)

Sho-kun:

I’m certain that he’s busy, given that he’s currently filming a drama. Even in our waiting rooms, he reads his script while sleeping at times. In any case, he must be having it tough. In times like these, I support him quietly and secretly. (laughs) That’s why I’ll put it in words here. Hang in there, Sho-chan. I’m behind you all the way!

Nino:

This has become somewhat of a regular occurrence, he’s always gaming silently in the waiting room. Previously, we used to battle with each other, but recently Nino has been playing by himself. And we played sandlot baseball together too. He’s played a pretty active role! He got in one hit, and got onto base too.

Matsujun:

Apparently he went overseas, so we got souvenirs from him! He got me my favorite T-shirt brand, and the quality is superb. I have this feeling that this T-shirt will be very active in the upcoming season. Among the members, we often give and receive souvenirs. Sometimes we buy stuff for the sake of getting a laugh out of the recipient though. (laughs)

Aiba’s schedule was packed with interviews today. In the morning, he apparently ate curry monjayaki with Ohno, and told us, “I love curry, so we decided on that.” During the photo shoot, as the cameraman [a familiar acquaintance] shouted “Great!!” Aiba turned to the camera with an easy smile, and said, “I’m already used to this.”

As the single title would suggest, the photo shoot takes place above a chess board drawn in Arashi’s member colors.

scans: ryu-chan

Comments

[orsa2012.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing.. lol.. Aiba is a honest person.. so like him.. i can see all his emotions in shows even if he tries to hide them..

[danessafaye.livejournal.com]

"Honesty is the best policy".. Aiba san is really an honest guy.. :)


thanks for sharing.. :)

[sweetlemon111.livejournal.com]

I can totally imagine Aiba with a big smile on his face saying, "I'm already used to this". Oh how I love him and his sincere actions!!!!

[deelovesryo.livejournal.com]

This guy is really lovable!
Thanks for sharing!

[fasha-chan.livejournal.com]

I guess, that's why we loved Aiba-chan.. It's his carefree attitude.. Even just by reading this, i can feel that he is very laid back while being interviewed, giving his answers in a way he feels right. hehe..

Thanks for the translation.

[nrty.livejournal.com]

omg xD The mood is totally different with each member! Especially if you compare him to Nino! Aiba is so carefree and nice with his answers *-* He's starting to grow on me! Thanks to youuu~~~~

Otsukaresamadeshita ;)

[arara-chan.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing! :)

[kiriezero.livejournal.com]

reading Aiba-chan's interviews always feels so fresh, maybe because he has this nice philosophy?
thanks for translating it :)

[tormipoisid.livejournal.com]

Awwww, Aiba-chi!

You know, among the members, it feels like Ohno and Aiba go out the most (to eat, to karaoke etc). Or is just Aiba the one who mentions all the gatherings, and others are quiet about it.

Thank you for sharing!

[takakuflyme.livejournal.com]

thanks for sharing!!

Sho-chan was SO sinister.

what a cute reaction from aiba-kun. =) also, i wonder what his favorite tshirt brand is... =) i love how they get each other souvenirs, even if they're sometimes prank gifts. ^^d

[animecook.livejournal.com]

So cute :)
I love reading what the members are doing & their interactions with each other.
Thank you!!

[amivie.livejournal.com]

thank you so much!~

[ohsyojdub.livejournal.com]

That's Aiba. I can't imagine him doing any mind game. Thanks for sharing this. :)

[kaklong-kenji.livejournal.com]

Sometimes we buy stuff for the sake of getting a laugh out of the recipient though. (laughs)
manage put a smile in my face~ thanks for translating and sharing!

[lennixse7en.livejournal.com]

I remember when Kazoku Game began, I was surprised at first at how violent the character portrayed by Sho was. It also made me think whether I can ever imagine the most unlikely of the Arashi members, Aiba, could portray a role like that. I can't see him as that kind of character as we mostly see him as a "what you see is what you get" sort. You can't imagine him with bad intentions. Then again, if someone wrote a role that can upend our expectations like that, I would be impressed by Aiba's growth.

Thanks for sharing!

[inachan89.livejournal.com]

Nino,play videogames with Aiba again!!It was so cute watching them play with Matsujun in Aozora Pedal making XD

[reyahh321.livejournal.com]

aww... 'Hang in there, Sho-chan. I’m behind you all the way!'

I gotta love Aiba for being so sweet. :D

thanks for sharing the wonderful translation!

[csaca.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[zsofianna90.livejournal.com]

What a nice interview. ^^ Thank you for the translation, I really appreciate it!

[memole18.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing

[laoracci.livejournal.com]

thank you ♥

[mellastella.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing, Yen! :)

Ahhh, Aibaby I needed some sweet honesty like yours after a day like today. <333333

[patriciasho.livejournal.com]

thank you^^

[rei-moto.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for translating and sharing!

[tippyrose.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[jrifhjpd.livejournal.com]

Reading while sleeping is quite a skill! Sasuga Sho-kun.

[yamashitatrang.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the translation :)
I feel happy reading Aiba's answers xD

[punpoon-little.livejournal.com]

Thanks for translating.
Aiba is a lovely boy. XD

[edneichon.livejournal.com]

Thanks x sharing ^^

[astrid-974.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing <3

[spsn.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing! Aiba-chan is so sweet, his interviews are always delightful and give a fluffy feeling XD.

[menolly1019.livejournal.com]

In the end, I think everyone in Arashi is my type. I tend to like the ones who are overlooked and care quietly, but in the end everyone in Arashi has their own ways of showing they care. Aiba used to annoy me because I thought he was too frivolous, but in the end I think his feelings are the most like a mother's. He watches over all of them with the kindest heart even if he can't always help.

[amai-yo.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing! :D

[soothing-sight.livejournal.com]

This is the first Arashi-related thing I have been in contact with in the past, hum, year and some months. I don't know to what extent I'll get back into the Arashi world, but it was surprisingly heartwarming to know what the guys are up to, as seen through Aiba.

Thank you very much for this lovely and smooth translation.

[sagiva.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

[cassy124.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this~
I love reading about Arashi "happenings" :P