STARTING LEGEND '98

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Omiya Sonic City, 7/25/98 Song List 1) Dakishimete 2) Todoketai omoi 3) 246 4) Jun 5) Sore tte ii ne - costume change? 6) Sora o akiramenai 7) Just My Love 8) Kizuite 9) Super Girl Funky No. 1 - costume change? 10) Yuugure no Jogging (acoustic version) 11) Anata no namae 12) Fly Away (New!) 13) Rolling Stone (New!) 14) ? (New!) - costume change aka Peasant Girl Hekiru -_- 15) Kimete misete yo Get Back! 16) Shoujo Bakudan 17) Kuusou Metro 18) Me o samase, otoko nara 19) Graduater 20) Infinity - encore 21) Kaze ga fuku oka 22) Dakishimete 23) Go Wake Up!! There's so much to say, I don't know where to start. My feelings are indescribable. That morning, I was on my way to the office, 417 shirt on my back, earphones in, just bought some can coffee, feeling high. The sky was overcast, but suddenly the sun broke through the clouds and cast a brilliant light all around me. Ice coffee in hand, Mizu no Kanmuri playing in my ear (sorry Hekiru), I was overcome with emotion and joy. Watashi wa koko ni iru. As with the previous concert, my feelings ran the gamut from a depressive low to a manic high. I was on the second floor, near the front. Actually, I was really lucky because it was a walkway in front of the seat, plus the seat to my right was empty so I could pretty much jump around to my heart's content. But I was afraid to step on my bag or damage my posters so I didn't really jump that much. Still, I'm feeling awfully sore today... My whole right side from my neck to my hips aches. Heck, even my left side aches around the ribs. Hekiru must be felling pretty sore too, the amount of running and jumping she was doing. I was too far to see much, but I could tell from her way she was moving that she was completely exhausted towards the end. (But in a good way, of course.) More about that later. This concert exceeded all my expectations, and threw in more than a few surprises. It started late, close to 6 o'clock, in fact. The lights dimmed, and the curtains parted just enough to let Hekiru through. She wore a dark outfit? The stage at Sonic City is really really close to the seats, and Hekiru stood right at the front. Soft, ballad music... Then she began to sing the opening phrases to Dakishimete, slowly, gently. It was a really strong opening to the concert in the sense that it made a great impact on everyone. Most people expected Just My Love to be the opening number, so we were taken completely by surprise, and more so by the ballad-style beginning. Then the curtains lifted and the band swung right in. The stage was small, and the way it was set up it felt intimate and cozy. The first thing Hekiru said was "Atsui ne!" Then "Demo, sore demo ii ne! Motto atsuku shimashou!" The first part was BBE songs. I really liked this version of Jun a lot. Then after was Sore tte ii ne. Now, I hate this song, but I have to admit, it's pretty fun at a live. Hekiru looks like she's really enjoying herself when she's singing it, and I guess that's what counts. Then came the With a Will songs. It had been one year since Hekiru had a concert at Omiya Sonic City, because last summer the fans really raised a ruckus and as a result they were barred from performing there for one year. Still, the security guys were a real pain in the butt. They dispersed all the crowds away from the hall until right before the concert. But that didn't detract from the electricity that was building up... Hekiru said, "It's been one year! Now let's sing some songs that we missed!" (At the last concert tour, Hekiru hardly sang any old songs, mostly songs from BBE.) I wondered if Hekiru could still perform Sora o akiramenai and Kizuite without Banana Price. Or rather, I wondered how she would perform them. Well, she did it more or less the same. The songs were great, and Hekiru was great, but I do miss Banana Price, after all. It was really cool when they did those two songs and the dances were all synched up. But it was great hearing those songs live. (The giant screen didn't come on until halfway through the concert, so it was a little hard to see Hekiru.) And, my prayers were answered! Super Girls Funky No. 1!! But... Isn't that a little different? Harmonica? Eh? Different beat? Hekiru screaming notes in weird places? Completely different from the Super Girls I knew. But it was really good! This song, together with Anata no namae and Infinity, made the biggest impact on me. The way Hekiru was playing those notes... @_@ I never thought I could say that Hekiru's singing was sexy, but this just blew me away. I wonder how the other fans felt? I can't wait to hear this song again. Unfortunately, probably because the arrangement was so different, she didn't do the usual dance. Ah, I wanted to see that. I really like Just My Love, but for some reason it didn't leave any particular impression on me this time. The calls were still in the process of being born, I guess. It's pretty cool watching and being a part of "call-creation". Dakishimete has already kinda found itself, but Just My Love... I hope it gets so that the audience sings part of the chorus. That was be fun. Then I think it was a costume change. I don't remember when the first one took place, but Hekiru first took off her coat, then she changed costumes twice after or something. Couldn't really tell what she wore. ;_; During the costume change, the guitarist Yoshi took over MC and talked about some stuff with the other guys. Then suddenly Hekiru's voice come over the speakers: "Moho... Moho..." (Homo, or gay.) Everyone cracked up. I think they had been talking about massages given by ojisans, or something. I had been sweating like mad because of the fast songs before, but Hekiru sang two slow ones so I cooled off. I don't like Yuugure no Jogging very much, but I guess Hekiru does because she sang it ballad style at Starting Legend '96 Summer Special as well. Then Anata no namae. Oh, how to describe this. It was... amazing. Hekiru's voice was sublime. Good lord she has improved so much! This song was sung almost perfectly. In fact, the falsetto was far cleaner and much more beautiful than on the CD. I was awestruck as the notes washed over me. I might have forgotten to breathe. At this point, I was feeling really depressed and low, for some reason. (Maybe because Hekiru seemed so far far away out of reach? It's wonderful seeing someone you like constantly improving, but at the same time it's really really lonely.) I didn't cry, but I felt like it. Then the new songs! 3 new songs, with the giant screen kicked in to display images of Hekiru and words and scenery... The first one, Fly Away, I really really liked it! A lot! Can't wait for the CD! I hope it comes out as a CD single soon. I would hit all the concerts just for this song. Before this, I was thinking, maybe 11 concerts is too much, dunno how much I would get out of it after the fifth or sixth time, but now I want to hear Fly Away as many times as possible! It's a hard, minor key song, right up my alley. The second and third songs didn't make a particular impression on me; in fact, the third song I have no idea what it was like because I was too busy watching the footage on the screen of Hekiru at the Okinawa photo shoot! There was one scene where I thought she was in a white swimsuit (Hekiru in swimsuit? Uso!) but it was actually a spaghetti strap evening gown. The video showed only her face and shoulders, so I only found out when I looked at the tour pamphlet. Hmmm, personally I don't like it. Don't think Hekiru and evening gowns go together. Then it was costume change. The video was "Shiina Hekiru no 'Kyou mo ee zo!'" Wahahahhahah!! It showed Hekiru doing crunches, acting like a talk show host. She introduced one guy, who does a lot of the major grunt work like changing guitar strings and stuff. Then he demonstrated this funky skateboard-like contraption along the hall. Then at the end of the video, Hekiru said something like, "Tsugi mo ikou yo! Kimete misete yo Get Back!" and we all cheered!! And the song started as Hekiru popped out! Okay, so I had a bad impression of this song from SL '96 Summer Special, but it really is a decent, if really corny, song. And great fun! Hekiru sang the classic fan favourites that I had been wishing for, nonstop! It was awesome! I screamed and punched the air and jumped and everything. Thought I was going to collapse at the end. Hekiru must've been completely exhausted; she was staggering towards the end, but still genki! I did screw up on Shoujo bakudan, but oh well. This was the most wonderful part of the concert. After this, I knew for certain that I would not regret a single concert, or feel that it was wasted time. Can't wait for Nakano and Osaka! So very glad that I got all these tickets so close together. Saturday, then Tuesday, Wednesday, then Saturday and Sunday! Oh, but Tuesday feels so far away! Then Hekiru sang Graduater, and everyone joined in of course. Then, my other wish granted!! Infinity!! But the arrange was a little different... The guitar solo I love wasn't the same. Hekiru's voice was pretty gone by then. She sounded rough, but she still managed to pull it off really well. And, when she sang "True Love" she dragged, and I mean she REALLY dragged "Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove". It went on so long, audience and band completely silent, just Hekiru's one high note going on forever and forever and forever, bright white light on the stage, I felt like I was trapped in a time loop, until she finally faded away. Impressive, but maybe a bit too much? But I still love Infinity so much. I almost shed a tear. AN-KO-RU! AN-KO-RU! AN-KO-RU! AN-KO-RU! AN-KO-RU! AN-KO-RU! AN-KO-RU! And so we struck up the encore chant, and finally Hekiru answered our calls! Kaze ga fuku oka! Of course she would never end a concert without this song! She said, "Thanks so much for clapping. You hands must be all red! Hmmm, shall we make them redder? Let's heat things up!" And we all screamed total worship consent we'll do anything for you Hekiru... Then after was Dakishimete. I had expected this. But then, instead of the usual 2 songs for encore, she sang a third one?! It was Go Wake Up!! Oh yes! Hekibou, you rule! What a way to end a concert! I've never screamed or waved my arm so hard in my life. Go Wake Up!! is definitely a real crowd-firing number. When the last note faded away I don't think there were many people who weren't gasping for breath. I know I more or less collapsed on the little separating ledge in front of me. Then the usual thank yous, and then "Sei no," "WANT YOU!!" "YAAAAAAY!!!" And Hekiru waving and waving and waving and everyone clapping and screaming, and me yelling my lungs out too, too high to even think anymore. I have no idea if the costume changes are right... I remember them playing another video near the end with the credits. Hekiru in slow mo laughing etc, looking like some promo video or "The Life of Shiina Hekiru", a bit overdone I thought but it succeeded in wringing out the obligatory longing and sadness or whatever. I remember thinking, if they played this at the very end of the last concert I would be bawling my eyes out. I was surprised that Hekiru didn't sing Koi no Race Queen or Moon Light, and I was hoping she would sing Kiss ga tarinai, but overall I think the song selection and ordering was excellent. And at 23 songs, more than I could have hoped for... All in all, I think this concert tour's definitely on the way to a huge huge success. And this one concert ranks way up, close to Budoukan, or even Starting Legend "Dash" at Omiya in spring 1995. Speaking of which, I really want to see the legendary Eggman concert which is supposed to be the very best, exceeding even Budoukan's performance. But there's no way they would release that. ;_; After the concert I had dinner and went home. It was raining and so I unwrapped the 417 vest I had bought and used the plastic bag to protect the other tour goods. Damn that vest is cool though! Hekiru MD mix all the way home from Omiya. Tired, but really happy. It was a good night. ------------- Before I forget, I also saw a part of the promo video for Dakishimete. My god, Hekibou is too cool! Kinda like the same style as the Sore o akiramenai video, with Hekiru singing into an old fashioned mike, band in the back, but man the high production quality really shows in this one. Plus some cool cut scenes like Hekiru falling back into water and the droplets spaying up around her. (I heard that she was sore for several days after from that shoot.) Man, I really want this video, as well as a video of the Baby Blue Eyes concert final in Hiroshima (3 encores, Hekiru-chan no namida!). Hopefully it will be released sometime soon. I pray that they release the BBE concert video. It's been over 4 months but still no word on that... ======================= Today's damage: Y20,500 ----------------------- 1 tour pamphlet (mostly good pictures, very good article, but the JAL ad ruined the atmosphere completely) 2 T-shirts (not bad) 1 vest (this one is too damn cool!!) 2 posters (one good picture, for me anyway) 2 telecards (really good pictures!) 2 Hekiko keyholders (I stuck one on my bag but the tail broke off! ;_;) 1 uchiwa set (comes with mesh but who the heck would actually use it for laundry?) Held off on the bandannas and pencase and choker, but somehow I get the feeling I'll be picking them up sometime along the way. 10 more to go!!

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Osaka Kouseikenminkaikan, 8/01&02/98 I got back from Osaka this morning, feeling really disgusting. Not only was it really hot and muggy outside, I had spent the night on the bus in my sweaty clothes (I did change shirts, to a drier but still sweaty shirt. Yech. It's still a furnace out there. And I thought Osaka was hot... So first thing I did when I got home was take a shower. Then I dowloaded e-mail, then went to sleep for 3 hours... My time in Osaka... I could not have imagined it would turn out the way it did. I'm glad I didn't get picked to be live reporter, because I would probably have missed the experienced. And this was better. Well, maybe. I mean, I doubt live reporter would get to see more than a glimpse of Hekiru. Hmm, maybe live reporter would have been better... Hmm... Anyway, want heppened was, I have been summarily adopted into one of the big fan "circles", or groups. They are just people who got to know each other at lives, but these guys are pretty hardcore, some are really into the rare stuff, some are downright scary. There's like... I dunno, about 20-30 of them, not close-knit, but more like, hey, you showed up! Happened when I reached the concert hall at 7:30 that morning. Would have been there at 6:30 but I took the train to Namba and walked about 45 mins to Honmachi (the station the hall is at). Hell, plenty of time to kill. I walked around and stopped at the park in front of the station. There were 3 guys sitting there too. Plus little old ladies walking their dogs. Kid you not! I sat there for a while, then I went off in search of a clothing shop in the area where I could buy shorts, since it was sooooo hot I was dying in my jeans and black t-shirt. Left the park, came back. The second I passed them, one of them yelled, "Where are you from?" I said "Tokyo." And they were like, wow! Same as Arai-san over here. Which bus? Blah blah... And they were like, Man, it's pretty amazing for a girl to come to Osaka by herself for Hekiru. And so I chatted with them for a bit, just a little, while some other guys came up. After an hour, they finally asked my name, and when I told them they were like, what? And I said, I'm not Japanese. And they were like, what?! Are you half? And I was like, No, I'm Chinese descent, from Malaysia. For the rest of the day I kept getting introduced to all these people as some real novelty. The kept wanting me to say "Baby Blue Eyes" because they thought my pronunciation was just too cool, or something. One of the guys isn't part of staff, but he had cozied up with the Hekitruck drivers over the course of 2 years (btw, I got pictures of 3 of the 4 trucks!) and he was like running errands like buying coffee for them and stuff as they unloaded the equipment. It was cool watching them. Anyway, this guy, the real reason of course was so he could pump the drivers for info, specifically, who are staff, what is the schedule, when does Hekiru arrive, and which hotel will she been staying in. Then if he can afford it he goes to stay at the hotel she stays in. This time only the suite next to Hekiru's room was unoccupied, and he couldn't afford the cost of the room. We joked about splitting the cost and taking it, or just walking up to the room and knocking on the door and walking in, or something. Actually, that was just kinda scary. I'm glad the other guys aren't as psycho. Nope, they only get Hekiru's picture airbrushed onto their cars or find ways of obtaining photos of Hekiru. (Not casual ones, but ones which were used in magazines and calendars and stuff. Still... O_o!! My eyes bugged when a guy pulled out about 100 photos of Hekiru and started picking through them. The next day he gave me about 8 photos he didn't want. They are old, but... *^_^*) I met the dude who does the screaming at most of the lives to get people worked up before the concert, and to give the ceremonial claps at the end (these are done at the end of an event, like a dinner or party or something to signify a good end). Unfortunately, he had also been drinking himself silly before. A few of us were left when the main bunch went off to find food, and at that time this guy was talking to some kid who wanted to get rid of three Row D tickets. Souchou (that means organization leader, since he's like the informal head of that ragtag bunch) was like, who wants them! And of course he took one, the guy next to me stuck his hand up, and heck since I have a seat on the second floor way in the back I wave my hand like mad too. So I got row D (row 4) tickets! Later I sold my other ticket to some other dude... Sucker... Talk about an upgrade. Man, never seen Hekiru so close.. I could see her expression and everything. In a sense I was lucky that the guys in front of me didn't do a think but stand there, so my field of vision wasn't too obstructed, but still I was kinda annoyed by that. Man, you're in the third row just a little to the right of Hekiru! Show some enthusiasm! It's pretty disrespectful to just stand there like an statue when she's working so hard to rouse everyone up. I was told that Osaka concerts are really really different, with different calls and stuff. I didn't think it was that different at all. ACtually, I didn't enjoy myself as much as I thought I would that first night, even though I was in row D. Oh heck, let me tell you about the most embarrassing thing. Hekiru was like, come on guys, show some energy! And the guys went yeah! And she said, come one girls, and I went Yeah! Really loud. Well, as loud as I usually am. Only this time, I swear I was the only girl in my quarter of the concert hall. Hazukashii! I wanted to sink into the ground. Hekiru passed her eyes over me but instead she talked to the girl in the nurse's outfit in the front row. Damn. -_-\__ I think I stand out decently. Probably not in a good way since it's because I have the red bandanna tied around my head now. Also, the second night she asked how many girls where in the audience. I was on the second floor, at the very right. I waved and yelled and stuff, but she didn't even look. ;_; Never mind, I give up... Dammit, come row 0 time, I'll definitely get her to look! Plus, being in front row with Kuwada-chan, who is an interesting dresser to say the least, should help. Damn damn damn damn damn damn. In any case, the second night was a lot better. I really got into it, and the seats to my right were empty so I have plenty of room to jump and stuff. And the guy to my left, he started out slow and unsure, but towards the end he was really jumping and waving with the best. We shook hands after the concert. Front row is good for seeing Hekiru, but you get a lot more worked up when you are surrounded by people who are really enthusiastic as well. Being near the front, it's hard to see what other people are doing so it's a little hard to cross that level between having just a good time, to losing your mind completely to the music and the beat and surrendering to whereever Hekiru is taking you. Ah, my arm is so sore... And I was fine on Sunday too. Oh, I also talked to the guy who originally started the Hekicar... Two years ago he saw the Wake Up Boys ad and decided to buy the CD. Then when he saw this minilive at the end of August, the gap between the kawaii and the incredible energy she displayed running around like mad, he was hooked. He bought all the CDs and everything that day, even though until then he only had Wake Up Boys. Then he got his van airbrushed with Hekiru's picture. It's famous among Hekiru fans, although recently there have been two more Hekicars, by his friends and contracted to the same artist. (Actually, she came to this live because the guy invited her to see what Hekiru was like). He drives it around normally, all the time. To work, to the gorcery store, everything. He said, by driving this car I can make more people aware of Hekiru. This is something only I can do, to help Hekiru achieve her dreams. My car is my soul. I'll stick with Hekiru till the very end. You know, before Osaka, I was starting to get depressed... Hekiru wasn't giving me quite the high she used to. I was starting to wonder why I was a fan, what I was doing. Because no matter what I do I'll never meet her, never get to know her for real, she would always be something just beyond reality for me. But after talking to these people, it's reaffirmed my conviction. Being a Hekiru fan means many things. It means you really like Hekiru. It also means you want to see her dreams come true, as much as she does. As fans we can't hope to get close to her. That's just impossible. But like Arai-san with the Hekicar, there are other things we can do to show our support, like going to her concerts, buying her CDs, spreading the word. She would appreciate this much better than some stalker fan trailing her around. So instead of being selfish and thinking only about trying to get closer to Hekiru, we have to think more about Hekiru, and work to what she wants. It's hard to be a Hekiru fan, but I think to see her succeed is all the more wonderful. I remember how happy I was when I saw that Dakishimete made no. 11 on the charts. Speaking of stalkers, one guys found a newspaper article about Hekiru getting stalked. Apparently, they just recently caught the guy who's a real loo loo. I mean, he had been stalking her for 8 years! Since high school! Hekiru never noticed... She had turned him down again and again in school, and I guess the guy's just out there somewhere because he kept trailing her to school and back, and stand watching her house. When she made her debut it escalated, to the point where he was constantly outside her house, and he would also steal her garbage and stuff. When they caught him he didn't think he was doing anything wrong, just kept saying, This is Shiina's house. This is Shiina's house. Maa, weird. Then there was some article in some gossip newspaper about how former fans and classmates were starting an Anti-Hekiru alliance to bring her down. Stuff like, she got pissed off when one fan said that he was a seiyuu too, or how she was some stuck-up bitch trailing a following of creepy guys around the school, or how when she decided to become a seiyuu she wouldn't go out with any guys to prevent a scandal from happening. Well, most of that stuff ain't true, but I think some of it is. Actually, one fan complained that she wouldn't do seiyuu stuff anymore. Hell, we know damn well why she doesn't do character roles on stage.. It's because she's a singer when she does a live, not a seiyuu. No baka. All in all, I had a most interesting time. Sunday would have been awesome, since the live was just amazing, except that some malicious bastard had very deliberately defaced the Hekicars during the concert. Arai-san didn't bring his, but his 2 friends brought theirs. Someone had taken a sharp object and scratched the right eye on one of the cars, and then dented the nose on the other with what was probably a 10yen coin. The eye was fixable, somehow, but the nose was beyond repair. The whole thing would have to be redone. The guy was just sitting on the sidewalk crying. We reported to the police, but we haven't decided whether or not to tell 4179*LOVE. On the one hand, we wanted to warn other people, but on the other hand we didn't want to make Hekiru feel bad after she had performed such a good concert. Still, I wonder what will happen with the Hekicars now. It must have been some guy connected with Hekiru, and with a real grudge. The damage was too deliberate to attribute to simple vandalism or drunkenness. It was a pretty dark mood when we broke up and went home yesterday.

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Nakano Sunplaza, 8/18/98 Today's concert was in Nakano Sunplaza. It started at 6:45 and ended a little before 9:30. That's long! I think I am developing "concert elbow", and I have a nasty cramp in my leg that won't go away. This time was wonderful, but what I felt was different from the usual. It was an incredibly moving concert. Hekiru had been touring away from Tokyo for the last few weeks, so we all welcomed her back. She told everyone to "get into it! Go!" The most memorable songs this time were Super Girls Funky No.1, Infinity, and Kaze ga Fuku Oka. I have to rate her singing this concert a C+, except for Super Girls Funky No.1 which was excellent. Problems: -Voice cracking and off-key at start of concert -Forgot lyrics to Shoujo Bakudan (blasphemy!) -Voice raw at the end from too much screaming -Couldn't sing part of Infinity because she started to cry But, as a whole, the concert gets AAA... Of course. Before she sang Infinity, she had an MC thanking all the fans for their support, ans she talked about how she was never strong enough and always had to rely on the fans. But we cheered and started chanting Hekiru, and she started to cry. Then she sang Infinity. But unlike the other concerts, this time evryone stood up, and clapped to the beat. She started crying again halfway through the first verse, and everyone began to sing the lyrics for her. She said, "Kono hi zettai wasurenai." Then at the end we had 30 jumps to signify the 30 lives of this tour. I won't ever forget this day, either. My only regret is not standing up to catch the attention of the spotlight when it passed over me searching out the girls in the audience. I hope tomorrow will be wonderful, too.

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Nakano Sunplaza, 8/19/98 Report to seiyuu-ml First, a word of thanks and congratulations to Jimmy and Kevin. I hope your hearing is okay. I think mine was long gone because the volume didn't bother me much at all, although my left ear feels a little warm. Today's concert was incredible as well. It really is better at the front... We were on the left side but Hekiru came over more than a few times and I felt like I was singing straight to her, she was right in front. I think everyone was really fired up today as well. Hekiru really went all out at the end, pointing the mike at the audience, even hoisting it up at the end of the holder at one point. I felt a little guilty standing for Infinity because I was at the front, but I couldn't help it... Thanks to Kevin for lending me the binocs... I was a little embarrassed to use them in case Hekiru looked in my direction and saw them. What I need is to get an operation to implant a zoom lens and camera and mike in my eye so I can capture it all. ^^ After the concert, Nisshi, from Hekiru's Thursday night radio show Miracle Browser, was interviewing some people. I happened to be talking to my friends so in the end I got interviewed too. I was asked where I was from (Malaysia) and whether or not I was a student (no, I'm working), and what my name was (Ive Upatkoon). And then my feelings about the concert. Well, I had blown all my fuses and was exhausted, so unfortunately the best I could come up with was, "SAIKOU DESU!!" -_-\__ They asked if I understood the lyrics and what I thought of Hekiru's singing, and I said yes I did, and I love Infinity best of all. It moves me to tears. And I would be with Hekiru everywhere until the end of time. (Okay, okay, corny but I wasn't in the most imaginative state of mind.) On hindsight, I should have said something like, "This is the happiest time of my life. I've made so many friends and I can see the most wonderful concerts in the world. I give Hekiru thanks from the bottom of my heart." But if I had said that, I would probably have regretted it and wished I said, "HEKIRU-CHAN, SUTEKI! DAISUKI! AISHITERU!!" :P We'll see if I get broadcast tomorrow. ^^ Note: I didn't, but... I wish I could take a day off work. My shoulder is burning and my body is a wreck in general. I should start taking aerobics classes to train for Hekiru concerts. :P

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Nagoya Century Hall, 8/22&23/98 Report to seiyuu-ml At the 8/22 concert, Hekiru finally noticed me. When she asked if there were any girls in the audience, my friends started yelling my name so I stood up. However, I was the last one to be noticed. My friend in row 2 had to yell to Hekiru "In front of you!" before she looked and saw me. I wouldn't have minded at all, except on that day I was in row 6, and wearing a white happi with a white hachimaki. If that didn't make me stand out, nothing will. *sigh* But there was definitely something wrong with Hekiru that day. She did all the songs rote, said the exact same things she said in Nakano, and basically looked like she just wanted to get the concert over with as soon as possible. My friends and I agreed that it was not just exhaustion. It might have something to do with the stalker that's been getting more and more serious. Last week she posted a message to a chat board for her radio show saying, "To the person following me around, I have one thing to say: I'm really pissed off! Go listen to Moritaka -san's 'Mite'! (great anger) And not at Moritaka-san." "Mite" is a song that says something like, Take a good look at me, this is all wrong. You don't understand. I'm grateful you like me, but it's becoming a nuisance. etc Apparently she has had to move 3 times already, but she is still being followed when she leaves the radio station. (This is according to someone with connections to Hekiru's staff.) 8/23 started out really blah as well, but Hekiru seemed to cheer up a bit as the night went along, and towards the end people seemed to get into it. Hopefully she will be okay. I got back on Monday and was a bit late for work, then went home and slept for 11 and a half hours straight. I had hardly slept in the 3 days before. I fell asleep for a split second during the ballad. Some of my friends slept through both ballads and part of the next song. I also fell asleep during work. -_- All in all, I had fun, but too many bad things happened too. It seems that Nagoya is a jinx for Hekiru and her fans, since the concerts never go too well and all sorts of accidents happen to the fans. 3 weeks to rest and recover before Morioka... That's too long!!

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Kanagawa Kenmin Hall, 8/26/98 Hmm, it's 8/27. I realized that I said I wasn't going to the 8/26 concert... Well, I ended up calling in sick and going. -_-\__ I'm glad I went, because Hekiru was great, but I think I'm getting old because I was feeling really tired halfway through. Maybe getting whacked in the head by someone's elbow several times also had something to do with it. Them seats were cramped. I hate cramped seats. I'd rather be in the back at an aisle seat than in front with no room to move. Unfortunately, I didn't have my happi so I didn't stand out. Too bad, I was in the 9th row and Hekiru would definitely have been able to see me. Legacy-san was there too... The guy showed up from Mie! So I wasn't the only one there who dropped by on a whim. We managed to get row 9 seats. I'm starting to think that toujitsu ken are better than going through the fanclub. I mean, with the fanclub you could wind up in the back of the second floor, fer crying out loud. What was that about "fanclub members get priority"? After the concert we all went for dinner. It was great fun being with everyone. The dance lessons before the concert at Legacy's car were great too. ^^;

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Osaka Kouseikenminkaikan, 9/09/98 Report to seiyuu-ml This concert was the first of the "tsuika kouen" (additional performance). Some changes were made to the song lineup and other aspects of the concert. "246" was taken out and "Distance" was inserted, and the order of the songs was changed slightly, but it was less than I had expected. However, personally I was very happy with the change. I love "246" but I just don't get into it at concerts, and I really wanted to sing "Distance". "Kiss ga Tarinai" would have been my first choice, but that's old and really idolish. We might never hear it again. ;_; Also, the name of the 3rd new song was displayed on the screen, finally. The new song list is: 1. Dakishimete 2. Todoketai Omoi 3. Jun 4. Sore tte ii ne (take off coat) 5. Kizuite 6. Just My Love 7. Sora o Akiramenai 8. Distance 9. Super Girls Funky No.1 (costume change, band MC) 10. Yuugure no Jogging (Acoustic Version) (MC) 11. Anata no Namae (put on coat) 12. Fly Away 13. Rolling Stone 14. Kono Yo de Ichiban Taisetsu na Mono (costume change, "Heki-chan no Kyou mo Ee-zo!") 15. Kimete Misete yo Get Back! 16. Shoujo Bakudan 17. Kuusou Metro 18. Me o Samase, Otoko Nara 19. Graduater (MC) 20. Infinity (Staff credits roll, Encore) 21. Kaze ga Fuku Oka 22. Dakishimete (encore) 23. Go Wake Up!! In addition, there was smoke during Sora o Akiramenai, and fireworks during Graduater. There was no tape, but there was gold tape (instead of the usual silver that they used to have at previous tours) at Sapporo. So the stage has become fancier. I kinda liked how it was nice and simple before... Heki-chan definitely had a cold, and a bad one. Her voice was really weird, and during the MCs you could barely make out her words because her nose was stuffed up and running too! :o She was not very genki at the beginning and I was worried, but the audience did it's best and it turned out quite well at the end. She thanked everyone for their support. "Kyou ha, saikou na no ha, anatatachi da!" She didn't make any excuses at all. I was very impressed by her professionality. Personally I enjoyed ths concert tremendously. I went with 4 friends and we had seats together. It was the very last row in front of the PA system, and the row was empty save for us and 2 others. It was not a full concert... I judged the second floor was pretty empty, and the back rows were not full. But for me, those seats were awesome. We spread out and jumped and danced to our hearts delight. Plus, I had a clear view all the way to the stage because the floor sloped quite steeply at the end. I'd take those kinds of seat over the cramped 9th row ones I had at Kanagawa Kenmin Hall, anyday. All in all, a great fun time. But I only got about 3 hours sleep going, and 1 hour's sleep coming back, and had to work that day. But going by car is definitely the most fun and cheap, if you can get a bunch of friends together and you don't mind sleep deprivation. Next: Morioka! 6 concerts left!

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Morioka Shimin Bunka Hall, Omiya Sonic City, Ichikawashi Bunka Kaikan Dai-Hall, 9/13&14&15/98 0:12, 9/16/98 Thus ended the unprecedented 3 lives straight in a row. 9/13 Morioka, 9/14 Omiya Sonic City, 9/14 Ichikawa. And unbelievable whirlwind 3 days for me. I left Tokyo at 10pm on Saturday 9/12, and hitched a ride with Shu-chan and Masa-chan all the way to Iwate-ken. Made it there at 7am the next day. We hung out at the parking lot and I tried to catch up on sleep (a futile attempt because I only had 3 hours that day). We left Iwate-ken after the live at around 10pm, stopped for dinner at some service area while BETA-san made his usual chatboard report, headed back and reached Shu-chan's place around 7am Monday morning. After a shower at the communal ofuro, I kinda lost consciousness until 11:30am. Then we set out for Omiya at 1pm, arrived at 2:30 and had lunch with everyone. I had ramen and live-friendly non-garlic gyoza. (A lot of people complain of people who eat gyoza before lives, since the smell of garlic tends to be, uh, overpowering, even to Heki-chan.) After the live, hitched a ride in Matsui-san's car and came back to Hiyoshi. Ironed the happi, and kinda crashed around 1:30am. Woke up at 8:40 so I could get to Ichikawa by 11am. Arai-san wanted to try for the karaoke contest at the Okinawa fanclub event, so he wanted me to come in early. Those of us who were taking part had a "photo shoot" (happi in prominent display) and we're going to send in a letter applying for the contest. (Only 3 groups, singing to the live band on stage with Heki-chan as judge! The song will be Dakishimete.) Personally I'm not exactly fired up, but it can't hurt to try and it might be fun. As long as I don't screw up. Anyway, after the live I took the train home. Got caught in the storm on the way back but made it safely. Took a shower, ironed the happi (it's already beginning to show some signs of wear ;_; ) and am now typing up this report. I have to do this before I sleep, because I don't want to lose these memories. Possibly the most incredible 3 days in my life, except I can't really tell because my brain isn't functioning to well anymore... Overload... The only thing bothering me is that my left ear just won't stop ringing. I think I might have permanent hearing damage from the Morioka and Omiya lives when I was in the 5th row towards the left. Aside from that, I'm really tired, but really happy. Hekiru was great. She seemed to have recovered from the cold, although her voice sounded pretty ragged today. But she was genki and the lives were really really good. On with the report. First, the happi. It came in on Thursday. Man, Shimizu-san must've been working like mad on that thing. I debuted it at Morioka. I was in the 5th row between Okappe and Masa-chan, center left. It was supposed to be Arai-san's ticket but after that incident with the Hekicar he could no longer make it so I took his place. Apparently Masa-chan was under orders to "make Ive stand out to Hekiru". Well, that happi I had worn to Nagoya, and when Hekiru asked for the girls I had stood up, and she had acknowledged me. This time, when she asked, I stood up, and turned around to show the back. I was feeling kinda embarrassed because I'm not usually that much of an exhibitionist, preferring to keep a low profile. But of course I wanted to be noticed by Hekiru-chan. And everyone else was rooting for me. So I stood up and showed her the painting, and she said, "Oh! Sugoi!" And everyone started to clap, because they had seen it too. It really is impressive. And then Masa-chan said, "This girl isn't Japanese," and just like he had planned the script, Hekiru-chan went, "Eh?" Then she asked me, "Where are you from?" "Malaysia," I said. Hekiru-chan said, "Hey, were you on the radio program?" (meaning Miracle Browser, when Nisshi interviewed me. It was never broadcast but I guess Hekiru-chan had heard it anyway.) And I said, "Yes," and Hekiru said, "I remember you!" And unfortunately, that was the end of the conversation because my brain had completely locked up and I was gone. I think I bowed a few times, then sat down with my head spinning. I talked with Hekiru! Man, after that, I was thinking, I should have said something like, "take us to Budoukan!" or something meaningful, but that state of mind... I was gone. Probably grinning like and idiot and not realizing... Funny thing is, after the live ended, these girls started coming up to me and asked me to shake hands with them, and all these people asked me to pose with them for photos... That happi really made a huge impact. Speaking of happi, I think one part of the eye smudged today. I'm not sure, but I don't think it was that way before. What worries me is that it's NOT supposed to smudge... If it could happen there at the eye, it could happen elsewhere... It's small and pretty much no-one can tell, but still... There's also some wear on the paint in the hair. Man, I hope this thing lasts long enough for Hekiru to make it to Budoukan. I'm not going to make another one, but I would feel really unhappy wearing a faded old painting. Especially since it's so detailed in the first place. Anyway, back to the report. That day, I was really fired up and really got into it. Plus all these people coming up to be after... I would never have imagined such a thing would be possible. It's all thanks to the Shineitai people. They're wonderful. They support me in ways I've never even thought of, and they do it all so unselfishly. They really want me to stand out to Heki-chan. I would never have done anything on my own. But thanks to them, I've become, well, famous. I wore the happi to the Omiya live as well. I was originally in the 22nd row but Tsucchi swapped seats with me (he said the guy next to him stank) and so I was way in front of Hekiru again. When she called for girls, I waved to her, and she waved back. It was kinda a cursory wave and the expression on her face seemed to suggest that she wasn't really interested. I was really depressed about that during Anata no Namae. Had I done something wrong? Did I overstep my bounds by standing out too much? Did Hekiru dislike people who tried too hard to show off? I know I don't like it. I hate overdoing things, or making myself look like a fool or some attention-hungry idiot who doesn't know when to quit. I put these thoughts aside though, and just went all out for the rest of the live. I wanted to show Hekiru how much I supported her, how much I enjoyed the live, without showing off in front of everyone. And yesterday I really, and I mean REALLY lost it. I hardly remember Go Wake Up!! My glasses flew a couple rows back during some song. (Luckily someone picked them up and handed them to me immediately.) I vaguely remember banging my hand on the chair in front but I felt no pain. (When I got back I discovered I had bled a little.) In short, I went off the edge for this one. It was incredible. I never knew I had that much energy. I jumped and screamed and everything. And I think Hekiru-chan did notice and appreciate it. She was really fired up too. Oh, yeah, during the encore she wore a green blouse over a black shirt instead of the usual orange shirt over the camo-patterned tight shirt. Anyway, after it was over, the guy next to me (who was really into it too) turned to me and said, "I have never seen anyone get as fired up as you." I'll take that as a compliment. You don't listen to Hekiru's music, you feel her music. And that day, I felt it, deep it within and through me. After it was over, all these people kept coming up to me to compliment me on the happi, and to congratulate me and everyone. It was amazing. I had suddenly become a celebrity, it felt like. I have to say, I enjoy it. It's a guilty pleasure, but I can't help but be terribly flattered by it all. I vow to keep a level head and not let it get to my ego though, since I know that it's not really me. The credit really goes to everyone else who helped out, who had the idea in the first place. But then, after the live, Arai-san and Masa-chan and the others were saying that I should have stood up. But then, to me, I had felt that to stand up would have been rude and overdoing things. I mean, I had my day in the limelight, so it wouldn't be fair to try to steal it again. Plus that strange look that Heki-chan had given me, I was in a total quandary. I mean, on the one hand these people want me to be as visible as possible. On the other hand, I detest blatant exhibitionists who just want to be noticed. I didn't know what to do. It was a great concert, but I had a lot to think about. I would have been more troubled, but I was too tired. But I remember during the concert that I don't just want to be seen, I want to DO. I want to do something constructive. I don't want to be another fan that tries to stand out. I want to be someone who deserves the attention, by doing what I can for Hekiru. I want to be more. And then today. Man, my shoulder is burning from typing but I have to get this done. Today, Hekiru-chan was really genki too, but her voice was pretty strained from the last two days I think. She had a real problem hitting the high notes. I was in the back, with a friend I had brought. (He's not a fan, he just said he wanted to see what all the fuss was about.) But when Hekiru asked for the girls, I waved, then stood up on my friend's urging and waved my happi sleeves. And Hekiru said to the spotlight, "More to the right, more to the right." At first I was like, could she really mean me? And then the spotlight hit me, and she said "There!" "You always come, thank you." (Itsu mo kite kureteiru ne.) And I couldn't believe it! Hekiru really didn't mind after all... And she appreciated it. I tried to scream, "Take us to Budoukan!" but the crowd started to cheer and it was drowned out. Then the spot moved away and I sat down. But for that instant, I was so happy. If Hekiru really does appreciate it, if she really doesn't mind some obnoxious psycho female fan in some bizarre get-up going to all her concerts, then I have nothing to doubt. I had been really insecure until then. Was I doing the right thing? Was I helping or annoying Heki-chan? Did she like it, or was it a bother? But I think today I got my answer. Today after the live everyone congratulated me. And all these people came up to compliment or just say a couple words to me. "It's that happi girl." Someone said that too. It's pretty amazing. I can't believe it's really happening. I hope some good comes out of this. This isn't to show off. This is to pave the way for Hekiru to go back to Budoukan. The Shineitai guys, they have it all planned. I don't know what they are thinking, really, but for the meantime I'll leave it to them. More than even me, they want to see Hekiru succeed in her dreams. If I can be of any help, I would be more than happy to do what I can.

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report / Fan Club Event Shiina Hekiru at Okinawa Convention Gekiba, 9/19/98 Report to seiyuu-ml I just got back! These last few days, I have found a whole new meaning to the words "sleep deprivation". I'm also sunburnt. Ouch. First of all, I would like to thank everyone who watched the live! The access numbers will be announced sometime this week. I had heard that the system went down because it was overloaded, so I'm glad to find out that it was still working. Second, sorry to disappoint everyone, but that wasn't me Hekiru was talking to. I decided not to stand up this time. I think the camera swung by me a few times, and Hekiru looked at me when I waved, but I didn't feel like standing out that day. I should have though... Anyway, I wasn't wearing normal clothes. I wear a white with blue trim happi (imagine a long yukata open in front) and a white hachimaki (long headband) with the words Shiina Hekiru in kanji stiched in blue. What you saw was a normal girl. ^^;; I probably get mistaken for a guy. -_-\__ (But Hekiru knows who I am so that's okay.) On to the report: Before the concert, there was the fanclub event. I arrived in Okinawa before noon and we made our way to the Convention Gekiba where the event and concert would be held. There were three sets of arrivals: Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon. The afternoon arrival was late!! Talk about cutting it close... The event was scheduled for 3-5, and the entrance/handshake session started at 2pm. Those guys got there at 2:45... I was waiting on them because they were bringing the new T-shirts. Changed _really_ quickly, put on the happi and hachimaki and went in and shook Hekiru's hand. Well, the world didn't end. It was kinda... normal, really. I mean, she had shook like 800 hands before mine and she was set to do another 156... (957 people altogether). Kinda loses meaning when you're being shoved forward at breakneck speed by the staff. She was wearing a white blouse over a dark one, and a long white skirt. Also, she was caked in make-up. <-- This was the worst part. But my friend said, "The car is doing fine" (meaning the van with Hekiru's pictures airbrushed on the back and sides) and she said, "Oh! Ah!" in recognition. I was next and I got a kinda funny look, like she wasn't sure what to say or think. I think she was too focused on the rest of our group behind me, the 3 guys wearing masks. The event started quite promptly. As promised, they were playing all the "Heki-chan no kyou mo ee zo" clips from the previous concerts. I only caught the last few because I got in towards the end. Then the actual event started. We had a Q&A session with Hekiru playing reporter. Bingo with Hekiru songs (character songs included! Ouch! Plus they even had "Yume Made Hashirou", a CD single that isn't even sold but was actually distributed at gasoline stands several years ago). Karaoke contest with 3 groups with the band playing live. Practice for the moves for "Kimete Misete yo Get Back!" In between they played an edited video tape of the staff discussion, where the staff were making some not-so-discreet criticisms of the calls and stuff that the audience tends to do. Like, "You know that during 'Kizuite'? That's just a little weird." or "That move during 'Dakishimete'... I think it's not quite right." About high time we got some feedback on what calls are "approved" or not. Until now, we almost never get feedback from anyone concerning what calls are appropriate, and what calls and moves Hekiru doesn't like. Actually, if you can see her expression, sometimes you can tell she finds some really irritating, but it's hard to communicate that to everyone. Then the cult quiz with some completely unknowable questions such "Hekiru's producer Tairaku is blood type AB. Yes or no?" and "Hekiru had breakfast at the hotel this morning. Yes or no?" The prizes for the contests were signed telephone cards from really old concert tours. After that, we had group photos taken with Hekiru and the band. We lined up by bus (there were 24 buses altogether! And 8 hotels!) and got shuttled very efficiently through the system. The high point was when Hekiru came up to our group and she was smiling this wonderful smile. ^__^ I was third row, a little to the right of Hekiru. After that was the concert. Boy, they sure started late. We got in at around 5:45 and milled around while they set up the cameras. I was in the 4th row (actually 6th but they shut out the first 2 rows) towards the left side. Couldn't see a damn thing for most of the concert because these two guys in the rows in front were prefectly aligned to block my view completely. Bleh. The concert started a little before 6:30. I think this was a pretty good concert as far was they go. Hekiru was pretty into it, and the crowd got worked up after a while too. Personally, I found the seats way too cramped, plus the fact that my view was blocked... Wasn't in that good a mood at the beginning so maybe that was why I didn't stand up. But as the concert went on, and I saw that Hekiru was enjoying herself quite a bit, I also loosened up and got into the flow. Towards the end I just lost it. As usual. ^^;; I was really happy to hear her sing "Super Girls Funky No.1" in the style she was singing it at the beginning of the tour. For a while around the latter half of the tour, she was drifting back into the old arrangement, not the really cool blues style of the new arrangement. I guess her cold is fine now. Speaking of colds, mine is back. -_- Lack of sleep and too much screaming and singing during the concert resulted in a really really weird hoarse voice. Hope it gets better before Friday. At the end, during "Infinity", people were still clapping to the beat. -_- But at least many people were singing together, and no one started applauding prematurely in those few seconds that Hekiru falls silent before the last verse. You'd think that fans would know better than to start clapping before the song ends, but that just kept happening all the way throughout the tour, and I think Hekiru was really pissed off about that, although she never said anything. The end credits didn't quite roll after the end of "Infinity", and I think everyone was quite confused before it started. I like that song a lot. I think a good number of Hekiru fans now own tapes or CDs containing "Book of Days". ^^;; The encore call was normal. (The song list always includes the encore section so it isn't really much of a special event.) Then Hekiru appeared, wearing the normal camo pattern tight shirt with orange blouse over. The last few times she had changed to a black shirt and green blouse. Yoshi came out on the snake board. I think everyone was really into it for the 3 encore songs. It was really fun. "Kaze ga Fuku Oka - BETA version" is great! ^__^ BETA is _the_ ultimate Hekiru fan of fans and he has his own style of calls and jumps. Usually I go with the flow but this time I did it the BETA way since I was really getting into it, and it really _is_ more fun! You jump at a different timing from everone else so you really stand out. ^_^;; Plus it's not as tiring. Have to be in a certain weird mood for it though... ^^;; After that I lost it and was near collapse by the end of Go Wake Up!! (A case of the mind being willing but the body simply not doing what you wanted it to anymore.) Then the "Want You!!" And this time when "Dakishimete" played, Hekiru stayed on stage! It was very surprising, and a little confusing because we couldn't figure out what was up. They played "Dakishimete" past the first verse for the first time too. And Hekiru just sat there with her elbows propped on her knees and watched us with this strange expression. Just smiling a bit. It would have been understandable if she had looked really moved or something, but she just seemed to be watching a show. Some of us speculated later that perhaps she had been willing to do a double encore. But no-one took up the call so she just left? Dunno... Then we filed out of the concert hall. This time there were a lot of "Moe moe!" "Heki Heki!" calls! We had to be on the buses within half an hour of the concert ending so we couldn't linger at all. After that, we checked into our respective hotels. I went out for nomikai with my friends around midnight. It was a pain getting everything organized since we were scattered in different hotels across Naha. Got back at 4, slept till 8, ate dinner, did touristy stuff all day, headed for the beach during sunset. Came back, tried to organize another dinner, managed to do it by 10pm, ate then went for karaoke until 2am. If anything, we got more worked up doing the karaoke than the actual concert. I'm surprised the staff didn't warn us off, or that the floor held when all 12 of us jumped. I was so tired I actually fell asleep half way through the ruckus, when they started doing Kouda Mariko songs. :P We ended on "Dakishimete" and "Graduater", then went back. Slept 5 hours. Went to the beach at noon, got burnt on the face and really tanned on the arms, came back in time to catch the bus to the airport at 4pm. All in all, a really full three days. Looking forward to Nakano 9/25 and 9/26. If only the paint wasn't coming off the painting on my happi. ;_; Everything would be perfect.

Starting Legend '98 Concert Tour Report Shiina Hekiru at Nakano Sunplaza, 9/26/98 Concert Final Today was a wet, rainy, and generally terrible foul weather day. I had had only 3 hours sleep, and not very good sleep, and was very cranky for most of the day. Arrived at Nakano at noon to see a large line for toujitsu ken. Whiled away the time at a coffee shop overlooking the back of Sunplaza (but unfortunately didn't see Hekiru enter, only Masako). The "group" wrote messages for Hekiru on signboard, with me writing mine in English because I was too tired to think in Japanese anymore, and then we collected money from everyone to buy Hekiru a bouquet. It came to ¥30,000 and boy was it damn impressive, lemme tell you! Then we hung out at Nakano. In the meantime, we saw YosK and Yoshiaki and some bass guy, plus the entire upper echelon staff come out, play Kuusou Metro and Infinity complete with calls and tossing money into ashtrays, while the fans around joined in the spectacle. Me, I found it kinda weird that they would do that. (They were filming it too.) As for Masa-chan and George, they were pretty pissed off about the deal, for reasons that I only came to realize later. I'm amazed at their powers of observations; this was apparently the last time Hekiru would be allowed to perform at Sunplaza (because some fans are too rowdy) and the staff were probably saying, screw it, let's just make what we can of it now. But that makes them no different from the Hekiru fans who drink before concerts and raise a ruckus throughout, because "her concerts ain't fun anymore so we don't give a damn either". I don't really know what was up with that weird thing, and I'll leave that to Masa to figure out. They did show it at the Kyou mo Ee-zo, before the interview with Tairaku (Hekiru's producer). It was funny, I admit, and the fans enjoyed it, but I just found it kinda... puzzling. Because by all rights they should not have done such a thing. Oh well. The concert. To be honest it didn't feel final at all. I was tired too. But after trying to nap at a coffee shop at 5pm, I finally got a grip on myself and my foul mood, and vowed to make the best of the final concert. Also, from now on I'll try to be well rested for each concert. It's rude to take it for granted, because Hekiru tries her best for each one and so should we. And showing up at a concert like the living dead isn't exactly respectful of her efforts. I was in the 4 row, right in the center. In a sense, it was better than the day before because Hekiru was right in front. ^^; She looked my way several times, plus I showed up on camera too, especially this one part in Graduater when I jumped and I saw on the monitor this girl in a white happi and headband shoot out of the crowd. ^__^ I was surprisingly active considering my condition. But then again, I didn't expect to start crying my eyes out during Todoketai Omoi. And that was just the second song. But the lyrics and my feelings, they came together and suddenly I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to see Hekiru anymore, at least until 2/7/97 at Sapporo. I cried a bit during Infinity too. Thinking back, I was singing very loud, too loud I think, and I feel really bad about it now for being inconsiderate to the people around me. (I smacked Seki-san right in the face during Sora o Akiramenai, poor guy.) The rest of the songs, I don't have much recollection of, nor was there anything particularly outstanding. No, the really important part of this final concert, for me, was the last part of Kyou Mo Ee-zo and Hekiru's MC before Infinity. The Kyou Mo Ee-zo was on Tairaku, and he talked about how he had to decide what songs Hekiru should sing, what sort of concerts she should do, what direction she should be going in. He really handles everything in Hekiru's career. But at the end, when they were walking along, they went into a door, and appeared on stage and there was the entire staff and band, sitting on the floor and waiting for them so they could take a commemorative photo. And at that point, I wanted to give my all to Hekiru too. She's so lucky to have all those wonderful people taking care of everything. I wanted to give what I could as well. And then at the MC. I don't remember all, but this is what stayed with me. Hekiru said that before she began the tour, she had gone through all these hardships. She said, maybe a few of you know, but I had cried 3 years worth of tears. There was a point when I couldn't sing. Even when I sat in front of the piano, nothing would come out. She wanted to just give up then and there. But after starting the tour, and getting all these letters from fans, she realized, "I can't stop here. There are still people who need me." And she also said that she understood why she felt so low. It was because she still had yet to live life to its fullest. But now, after going on tour, and thanks to everyone, she would try from now on to live life, to its very fullest. There was something else too, but for the life of me I can't remember. It was very important to me. Those words during that MC struck me to the very core of my being. It's true, I need Hekiru. But if she still hasn't lived life to her satisfaction, then what could that level possibly be? I can't imagine it. To me, Hekiru is already the most amazing individual I have known. For her to do more, that would be... beyond words. But that's why I love Hekiru. In the no.42 newsletter, Hekiru writes: After I graduated from school, I found my place in life, numerous times... Lost it... Searched for it... Even now, I am without. That's probably because, I'm not "living life to its fullest"... When I have left proof that I have "lived life to its fullest", I think that that's something I will finally reach. In any case, it's not much of a concert report anymore. m(__)m