Aiba Masaki

This Year’s Work Luck
I wonder how it will go, this year’s Arashi. Personally, there are so many things I want to do. Concerts and things like that, too many to count. I’d also like to try variety shows. I’d love to appear in a physically demanding show like TOKIO does. But as you can see, our members aren’t very confident in their physical strength (lol). I think we have the mental strength, though. But a demanding show would be rough. Wouldn’t that be sad (lol)? If so, I’d like something physically demanding. I feel like the latter half of last year was pretty hectic. We did a drama, toured the country playing volleyball, etc. We were playing volleyball nonstop, weren’t we? So when it was over I was like “Wait, what do I do now?” This gave me an anxious feeling so I decided to take a deep breath and not get too anxious. I just wanted to take it slow and steady.

This Year’s Love Luck
It would be nice if I could meet a wonderful girl (lol). In elementary school, there were lots of girls I liked, but as I got older, there were fewer and fewer of them. Recently, the type of girl I like is one who dresses uniquely. I think it’s cute when they dress in ethnic, African style, for example. In a world where everyone is dressed the same, someone who looks well-dressed really stands out. As for the inner self, I look for someone who I can get along with. I don’t hate talking, but people who make me think, “Oh, I have to say something” aren’t good for me. I’d like someone who can stand long periods of silence (lol).

This Year’s Overall Fortune
I’ll be able to make good use of my days off…, or rather, I want to (lol). On a recent day off, I went to hang out at a friend’s house. We watched the “V6” video, and I especially liked the last game segment. Inohara-kun’s “Seaman” was so hilarious (lol). Also, I heard from a lot of people that Nagano-kun’s impression was funny but I haven’t seen it. I’d like to watch it, I wish we could make a show like that too. Also, the other day, I went out to eat yakiniku with Yoko and Yamapi. (Jun whines “Why didn’t you invite me?”) Sorry, I forgot lol. But that’s better than remembering and ignoring you on purpose (lol). We grilled meat with some middle-aged salarymen. Yoko decided the menu. I just added vegetables. Yoko doesn’t eat vegetables. If you eat meat, you have to eat vegetables too. It’s poisonous to the whole body, Yoko. That day, Yoko and I both got mad at Yamapi. Ohhh it made me feel older (lol).

Ninomiya Kazunari

This Year’s Work Fortune
Last year was a really good year. That’s how it was. I’d like to keep my basic fortunes the same though (lol). As a drama lover, I hope I can do another one this year. Last year was fulfilling with my first lead role in a drama, “V no Arashi.” That brings back memories. I got up early every day. When Sho-kun and I had a scene together first thing in the morning, I was often lured in by his low-energy character and almost said, “Yeah, whatever.” Even though I should have argued, “That’s not true,” I was so sleepy. That was dangerous (lol). But dramas give you a sense of accomplishment afterwards. I hope I can do work that makes me feel that way again this year.

This Year’s Love Fortune
My favorite type is someone with the same value system as me. Oh, fortune telling. Sorry, I just jumped in (lol). But even so, I’ve never met someone who shares the same values as me. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. Laughter is especially important. I don’t like the kind of relationship where you’d say, “Hey, that was kind of lame?” (laughs). I want my partner to notice my little silly moments, after all. Oh yeah, I had this fortune-telling done. My sister is a girl, so she knows a lot about that sort of thing (lol). The diagnosis was that I choose my partner based on personality. I didn’t really think much of it. I thought, “So Ninomiya-san is really a personality examiner after all.” (lol). Ah, but my hands are the only thing that bothers me. I wonder if it’s a slight complex. Maybe it’s because I have ugly hands. So, other than not minding my lack of high level hands, I’m looking for someone I can spend the rest of my life with without having to worry about anything. Applications are open.

This Year’s Overall Fortune
I feel like it’s 80%. Sorry, I omitted too much (lol). This year, we started off with a bang, starting with the “New Year Fun Run”. It’s wonderful to be living through the new millennium of 2000. After all, if I wanted to live through the next millennium, I’d be 1018 years old. Of course, that’s impossible (lol). So, I won’t set any quotas, but I want to enjoy being alive in the present, so I want to keep trying. If I set quotas for myself, I’ll end up overthinking. That might seem like a bit of a limitation, but I think it would be great if I could do as much as I’m given and then hit a big stride. Privately, I’d like to try playing the piano. There’s a song I’d like to master this year, and that’s “Let it be.” Just wait, next year I’ll be in the studio and we’ll be able to have conversations like, “What should we play? Studio staff, bring a piano.” I mean, there aren’t any filming studios with pianos (laughs). And studying. I’m sure Ninomiya-kun will be motivated to study this year, so if you’re predicting that, you should just do it (laughs). No, but seriously, I’m going to study hard in 2000!

Matsumoto Jun

This Year’s Work Fortune
I want to do my first concert. Concerts are what I love more than anything out of all the jobs I do. The people who come to our concerts are there because they want to see us. When I’m on stage, I can really feel everyone’s feelings, and it feels really good. During the handshake event last year, I had some free time, and at those times I wandered over to other members. But I was worried that I might get some cold looks like, “I only like so and so, so what are you doing here?” But surprisingly, quite a lot of people said they liked everyone. So I’m sure that if Arashi were to hold a concert everyone would be excited. Or rather, please, please have fun (laughs). Also, I hope that this year we can have a chance to meet everyone up close. For example, a radio show with the public. I hope that we can have a chance to breathe the same air as everyone.

This Year’s Love Fortune
I think it’s very unlucky (lol). With the seasons like Christmas and New Year, of course I want to fall in love, but the reality is I don’t have the time. Right now I’m busy every day with work and school, and if I were to add love to that, Matsumoto Jun would be completely overwhelmed (lol). Frankly speaking, in the current situation, it’s impossible. When I fall in love, I only think about the other person and would probably neglect other things. But to be honest, I still want to fall in love (lol). It feels like there are two Matsumotos in my heart (lol).

This Year’s Overall Fortune
I don’t know why, but my friends don’t rely on me. I really want them to rely on me, but when they do, I’m a little worried about whether I can support them (lol). I wonder if that’s why people hesitate to ask for help. I’ll seriously consider asking for advice on my worries. I’m hoping that in 2000, I’ll find some “strengthening areas.” I’ve always been a bit of a wimp, but I think I’ve gotten stronger mentally recently. I think about things in my own way, but I’m still only 16, so I’ve started to think that it’s natural to be immature. I was talking to my older sister, and she said, “You probably think more than the average kid, but you’re still a kid.” Normally I’d be annoyed, but at the time I honestly thought, “That’s true.” It was a huge bummer to have such a serious conversation with my older sister, and I thought, “That’s so rude.” Yesterday, I cleaned the bathroom myself for the first time in a while, so I guess I’m becoming a bit more mature (lol). Well, I guess it’s good that I can grow up little by little by being teased and poked fun at by all kinds of people. I’m a guy who thrives on being teased (lol).

Sakurai Sho

This Year’s Work Fortune
We’ll probably release our second and third singles, but I want to cherish the momentum we’ve had up until now, but also be careful not to get carried away by it… I guess that’s what I’d say. Starting with the debut press conference, then the drama, the Volleyball World Cup, and the release of our debut single, I’ve finally had a moment to relax. The momentum inside me hasn’t died down, but the pace of my work has calmed down. I think I’m in a good balance right now, both physically and mentally. I’m having a lot of fun working right now, and it’s really fun to be able to solidify my role and that sort of thing. Last year, I had the honor of appearing on the “FNS Song Festival” It was a live broadcast, and on top of that, I was surrounded by amazing people. But honestly, I thought, “This feels amazing!” I realized I can be the most aggressive when I’m singing. I’m basically a shy person, so I always feel a bit embarrassed when I’m looking at the camera or talking. But I was able to look directly at the camera and feel really relaxed. It would be great if I could continue to discover new sides of myself that I didn’t know existed.

This Year’s Love Fortune
Just because I have this kind of job, does that put a brake on my love life? I don’t think so. Of course, I do think about things like refraining from rash actions and being more chill (laughs). But I don’t think, “I won’t get a girlfriend because I have this kind of job…” or anything like that. Plus, I don’t use my celebrity status or anything like that as a weapon to get people to notice me. I just want to explore my inner self as a man. The same goes for the other person. Even if you’re in front of an incredibly beautiful model or celebrity, looks are just as important as personality, right? What’s important is what’s inside, so unless they have beautiful feelings, I don’t think you’ll feel a connection.

This Year’s Overall Fortune
I’m finally graduating from high school this year. I was hanging out with friends today, and I’ve recently become really close with a friend from school. We were close before, but it feels like our friendship has gotten even closer. Everyone’s going to college, and it’s so sad that we’re all going to be separated. I’ve known my best friend since elementary school. Also, it’s hard to wear uniforms. It would have been so much easier if we didn’t have to go to a school with a uniform. To be honest, I don’t want to graduate right now. Co-ed school starts in April. It’s co-ed, so it’s the first time I’ve been in a school like that since elementary school. It’s a glamorous life (lol). What if a pretty girl forgets her textbook? I’d give her mine and open it (lol). So, do you want to look at it together?

Ohno Satoshi

This Year’s Work Fortune
I met Hara-kun for the first time in ages a couple of days ago. We’d occasionally spoke on the phone, though. Hara-kun is definitely a special person to me. We were together in Kyoto for a while. Even though we’d been together for so long, we never even had a simple argument. We were really in sync. Since Hara-kun became the leader, I’ve offered up all sorts of ideas, but he always said, “Okay, I get it. That’s good,” and we never had any real disagreements… We were such a great team. I wish we could have an atmosphere like this with the other members of Arashi, where we can communicate with each other without saying a word. But I actually feel really uncomfortable being called the leader of this group. I’m actually a person who likes to be spoiled. It’s just too much to expect leadership from me (laughs). Everyone is actually more strict than me, and they never give me any advice or anything. For now, “Leader” is just a nickname (lol).

This Year’s Love Fortune
I said earlier that I’m the type that likes to be pampered by others, but when it comes to love, it’s a different story.. Love isn’t something where one person has to take the lead. Before, I thought that I could only date someone older. I thought I couldn’t get along with younger people. When I’m talking to someone younger than me, they’ll suddenly burst out laughing while I’m talking, and I’ll be like, “Now’s not the time to laugh” (lol). But it depends on the person, I guess, and it’s not just because they’re younger. I want to be cute. Oh, I don’t like crowded places. I can’t walk in a straight line. I prefer to avoid people coming toward me. It’s frustrating, so I’ll say, “Okay, next time I’ll definitely not move out of the way,” and start moving forward, but in the end, I’ll say, “No way,” and move out of the way. If I keep fighting like that, I’ll get tired (lol). That’s why I want to go to places with fewer people on dates.

This Year’s Overall Fortune
Just a normal one is fine. Just be careful about health and avoid injuries. I’m a huge pacifist, so I hope everything goes smoothly. It’s about sticking to your own pace. It’s fine to work at a pace that’s easy, no matter how fast you go. If your boyfriend, who just debuted, said, “Take it easy at work,” that’s a problem (lol). But if you rush your mind too, you’ll end up looking down on yourself. When your schedule gets tight, you want to put the brakes on that, don’t you? Does what I’m saying sound a bit like an old man (laughs)?