Watanabe Risa and the members' message to each other [Watanabe Risa's Graduation Memorial Book] 1st generation members

Uemura Rina

“Risa, I remember we first started talking when I invited the quiet you, like “Let’s go home together!” and you went along with me. That was so long ago~ You and I both like similar things, and thinking back to whenever I was with you, I think we were always laughing. Like when we went to theme parks, to eat, and when we went home together. I enjoyed the casual days and have fond memories of all of them. I thought it was amazing how alongside our group activities, you became an exclusive model, and published a photo book! In fact, I like Risa the model so much that I’d sneak a look at your pages in “non-no” every month, so I hope you will continue your modeling work. Even though I’ve seen you cry in the early days, you’ve gotten stronger and stronger and I’ve always respected that about you. I’m sure that you’ve been through a lot too, but thank you for staying with the group up until now. Let’s continue to be good friends, and please let me visit your house. Thank you very much!”

Risa: Rina-chan is a member I have talked with a lot since the early days, and she is a very friendly and caring, kind girl. She would check out everything from the magazines the members are featured in to the way members walk the runway in fashion shows, and she would always tell us her thoughts, saying “it was good!”. She was selected as a title track member for this 4th single, so I am happy to be able to sing with her on the last single that I will participate in. At the same time, I think we will be able to spend more time together on music programs and more, so I am looking forward to the activities from here on out.

[sunsetrider - Cirrus + tmi]

Ozeki Rika

“Age-wise, you are younger, but you have been like a loving older sister to me, Risa. When we went to a yakiniku restaurant, you would let me order as much meat as I wanted, and when we went out shopping you would pick out clothes for me (I feel like I’ve gotten more stylish! lol), and you would also listen to my worries. You have really done a lot for me. Words can’t describe how much you’ve meant to me, and you are someone I’d like to hold dear in my heart. There have been countless hardships and delights, but I was encouraged by how you continued to do your best every day. I hope that from now on you can make yourself a top priority, and do as you wish without worrying about anything. But I hope that one day you can produce your own clothes or accessories! Because I really like your fashion sense! But first and foremost, I’d like you to do what you want to do. Once again, congratulations on your graduation! Let’s go out for a meal again~!”

Risa: Just like what was written in our dialogue section, our relationship is one where we can seek advice from each other about anything. It’s easy for me to notice the changes when Oze-chan is feeling a bit down. On the flipside, when I’m feeling down, she would just let me be in that moment, and only after we were back home would she contact me out of worry. I feel that she is someone who pays attention to the smallest of details. Even after I’ve graduated, I hope that we can continue to go out for meals or trips, and go on more road trips together. Let’s continue to have lots of fun together!

[tmi - Inno + Cirrus]

Koike Minami

“I received a lot of quiet kindness from you, Risa. When I panicked from spilling juice in the car, and when I felt troubled by not having scissors to cut a loose thread from my clothes, you would always lend me a hand in those everyday moments. I have never told you this before, but there were lots of times when all my worries vanished from a single word you casually said. It made me really happy how when I was about to perform “Sonia” for the first time during the tour, you said “Do your best”; and when I felt anxious before performing “Kaibutsu” and couldn’t bring myself to ask anyone for help, you told me “You can do it”, and “That was great” after the performance. No matter what the situation, you always embrace it all and support us like a pillar, and you are someone I respect. We will walk different paths from now on, but I will cheer for you, and I hope that we can continue to fool around as we’ve always done. Truly, thank you very much for your hard work. And thank you so, so much for everything!”

Risa: Minami and I are in the same academic year and we are the same age, and after we passed the audition for Keyakizaka46, we moved to Tokyo and attended the same school. We would often go to school together in the mornings, and after school we would head to attend lessons together from school, so while she is a fellow member of the same group, there is a special feeling in that she is also a normal classmate. Of all the 1998-born 1st generation members, only Minami and myself are left, and every time someone graduated we would encourage each other like “Let’s do our best!”, so I’m really glad that Minami has been here together with me for all this time.

[tmi - Cirrus]

Kobayashi Yui

“One thing that left an impression on me is something that happened when we were both still in high school. You would go on this food shopping spree when we stopped by the convenience store after work. You had such a huge appetite (lol). Risa, you are kind to others, and you are someone who can also be kind to yourself. It feels as though you always keep it in mind to have fun whenever you are working, and whenever you are talking with the members. You are an indispensable presence for the group, and I feel very grateful for how you continued to promote the group even through your solo work. I hope that you can take your time to rest for all the years that you’ve kept going, in an environment where you can freely do what you want to do in a relaxed manner. And I’d like you to show that wonderful smile of yours to your fans again. Truly, thank you for everything up until now. I wish you happiness in your future path.”

Risa: Since our renaming to Sakurazaka46, my position has often been close to Koba’s, like when we shared symmetrical positions in “Nobody’s fault” and “BAN”, and when we were next to each other in “Nagaredama” and “Samidare yo”. She is someone I can trust in that regard, and I also respect her for how she takes the initiative and leads the group when it comes to performances. For me personally, Koba has been a truly important presence who has spurred me on to think “Ahh, I need to work harder!” by being next to me or being in a symmetrical position, so I’m truly grateful to her.

[tmi - Cirrus]

Saito Fuyuka

“The first time I’d ever traveled overseas was with you, Risa. We’ve made a lot of memories on our days off together since we have similar interests. We’ve gone to concerts and hiked together. You're always so kind, never hesitating to say things like “Thank you for doing this.”  You’ve truly been like a goddess. You’ve unwaveringly stood by the group no matter what happened and had the looks and style all of us longed to have, and perhaps we’ll come to see just how important you’ve been to the group once you’ve graduated… (cries). I think you hold back sometimes because of your humble personality, but I want you to spread your wings and do what you want to do and go where you want to go. Please enjoy the time you have to yourself from here on to the fullest! Thank you for standing in the front for us for all this time. I’ll always love you!”

Risa: Fuuchan and I have been good friends since our Keyakizaka46 days, all the way to now as Sakurazaka46. We’ve gone on trips, out to eat, and hung out countless times not only together with the group, but in private as well. Even outside of that, we’re so close and important to each other that I almost take it for granted, with how we keep in touch for even the most trivial matters. Spending time with her in such a casual way was so much fun and was always relaxing. It’s been difficult to get together lately due to the circumstances, but I’d like to go out with her again to do all sorts of things once I graduate.

[pz - Cirrus]

Sugai Yuuka

“When we first met, we didn't have a chance to talk much because our names were far apart, but now we are friends who can talk honestly and understand each other beyond the relationship as fellow members. We are also friends who regularly go out to delicious yakiniku restaurants. You look like a beautiful older sister on the outside, but in a good way, inside you’re just like a grade schooler, so funny and cute. I like how when you play around, you play around to the very end. I could laugh off the hard times by talking with you, Risa, and I think I was also able to continue my activities here because you were here. I think there are also many other members who were helped by Risa's presence. You were a very big part of the group. I’m really going to miss working together with you. So much that I want to say "Don't leave me here on my own…!" but from now on, I want you to stretch your wings as much as you want and enjoy your life even more. If it’s the nimble and daring Risa as you are, you’ll be fine. I really thank you for these seven years, for all your hard work, from the bottom of my heart. Please continue inviting me to eat like always…!”

Risa: It has only been in the last two years that I’ve been able to truly have a heart-to-heart relationship with Yuuka. Now she has become a very important person to me. She has been leading the group as captain since the time of Keyakizaka46, and Yuuka’s words were often expressed as a representative of the group, so I felt nothing but gratitude for that. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for the hard work she put in to bring us to this point, when I’m sure there must’ve been a lot of hardships. From now on, I hope that Yuuka can take the initiative to tackle what she finds enjoyable and live each day to the fullest for her to be happy.

[keishi - Nira]

Habu Mizuho

“We are both shy, so whenever we were alone together in the beginning, we had very little to talk about. But now we would go on trips together, and buy the same dinosaur headband at USJ and more. I know all about what you like. You have always had the kindness to adapt to changing situations, and you worked hard not just for the things right in front of you, but also for what lay ahead. That’s why you have always been surrounded by smiles, Risa. You are someone that both the group and I can trust, and there are many things that I learned from being together with you. That’s why no matter what obstacles may come your way, I believe you’ll be able to easily overcome them. I hope that you can relax and fully enjoy your personal time. I will cherish the time that we spent together, and that I was able to meet you. I’m truly glad that we have been able to work together for these 7 years. No matter what the future throws at you, I’m sure that you’ll be able to handle it! Let’s continue to share in our laughter together. Please keep on being my friend.”

Risa: My relationship with Habu-chan has become really close within this past year. Actually, she was the member that I had always wanted to be better friends with since a long time ago, so it made me so happy that we had gotten so close that we would go on trips and meals together. Habu-chan is very kind and sensitive, and she is a really caring person with people around her, so there are many things that I learned from watching Habu-chan. On the other hand, she can liven things up with her unique sense of humor, so it feels reassuring whenever Habu-chan is there when we are out at work. Recently, we made the promise to go out for a meal again, so I’m looking forward to that.

[tmi - Inno + Cirrus]

Harada Aoi

“Risa, you have been like a leading figure for the group, someone who is like an older sister. But by also fooling around with us to liven things up, you have been our emotional support too in many ways. After you graduate, I hope that you can enjoy your time doing the things that you haven’t been able to do. And live a life that makes you feel happy~. Let’s both visit lots of different places and experience many new things, and work hard to be the best we can be! Please take it easy and take good care of yourself. I luv you~!”

Risa: I’ve been close with Aoi-chan ever since the formation of the group. When I look back at the old pictures and videos, Aoi-chan would always be next to me, and it hits me just how long we have always been together. Since she is very observant and has a mature side, there are many things that I admire about her, but Aoi-chan also has a bit of a childish and cute side, and this relationship of ours where we support each other is very comforting. She is graduating from Sakurazaka46 at the same time as me, but I’d like to support Aoi-chan in her new life, and once things have settled, I'd love to go have delicious food with her again.

[tmi - Cirrus]