LLLLVoices

Hey, Tsuzuri-senpai. It took me three whole years to truly understand the word I said to you. Please don’t laugh. Not that I think you would, still... That's right. I’ve wandered a long, winding path to get here. But the answer I finally reached is something I want to hold close to my heart. Yes... of course, none of it was in vain. Everything that brought me here... it all matters!

This is The First Flutter of My Wings (Hajimari no Haneoto). I know it might seem strange to call it a beginning at this point. I’m sorry if it’s not what anyone expected, but this is who I am now. The answer I’ve reached after three years. I’m truly grateful for everyone’s expectations. They make me proud and give me the drive to push forward. But to live up to them, I have to take the first step myself. I have... to believe in myself. Only by aiming for something on my own can I become the kind of person others want to support. I want people to cheer for me for who I am, not just as someone who meets expectations. I will keep growing. I’ll try anything that sparks my curiosity, without fearing failure. Now... where should I start?

“Hajimari no Haneoto” is a song that honestly captures my feelings right now. I chose wings as its theme... I wonder why. I’ve been supported and nurtured by so many people, and because of them, I’ve been able to come this far. In the comfort of a safe “birdcage,” I’ve learned and grown. How to spread my wings, how wonderful the sky can be, and that the future is bright. These three years have taught me all of that. That’s why I must now spread my wings and fly on my own. I’ve been blessed with amazing seniors, friends, and juniors. I don’t yet know where my path will lead, but I will become someone who can meet the expectations of others, and most importantly, someone who can have confidence in myself. Even though some of the members think “Hajimari no Haneoto” isn’t very much like me, I’m proud of it. It means I’ve stepped into a new territory, a place I hadn’t dared to explore before. It’s proof of my growth, from someone who once feared taking that first step.