#Hana no Chuusan Trio

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Juushichi no Natsu (“Seventeenth Summer”)

“We’ve turned into the kind of couple that everyone kindly pretends not to notice–my seventeenth summer.”

OR: an embarrassing 17-year-old couple at the beach.

tokubetsu ni aishite yo   juushichi no natsu dakara watashi wo kaete ii no yo   naitari shinai mabushisa ga suki na no yo   shoujiki ni nareru kara kokoro no uchi subete wo   uchiakerareru

Love me in a special way   It’s my seventeenth summer Go ahead and transform me   I won’t cry or anything I love the dazzling light   I’ll become straightforward and honest So I’ll open up my heart completely to you

kocchi e oide to   anata ga iu kara hadashi de kakete tonde yuku hirogeta mune no sono naka e suki yo suki yo suki yo   konna ni mo

“Come here,” you say So, running barefoot, I fly Into your outstretched arms¹ I love you, I love you, I love you   so much

dare mo mina minai furi   shite kureru koibito ni koushite futari nareta wa juushichi no natsu

We’ve turned into the kind of couple That everyone kindly pretends not to notice My seventeenth summer

tokubetsu ni aishite yo   juushichi no natsu dakara ijimeru kurai hageshiku   motomete mite yo ima wa minna daitan ni   natte ii kisetsu na no hadaka no mune ni INISHARU   rakugaki shite yo

Love me in a special way   It’s my seventeenth summer Seek me out with such intensity    that it tortures me Right now it’s the season where it’s okay to be bold Scribble our initials on your bare chest

tooku e yukou to   anata ga iu kara utagawanaide tsuite yuku ookiina senaka mitsume tsutsu ii kawaii kawaii wa   doko e demo

“Let’s go far away,” you say So without any doubt, I follow you As I keep gazing at your broad back I think it’s cute, cute, so cute   wherever we go

dare mo mina minai furi   shite kureru koibito ni koushite futari nareta wa juushichi no natsu

We’ve turned into the kind of couple That everyone kindly pretends not to notice My seventeenth summer

kocchi e oide to   anata ga iu kara hadashi de kakete tonde yuku hirogeta mune no sono naka e suki yo suki yo suki yo   konna ni mo

“Come here,” you say So, running barefoot, I fly Into your outstretched arms I love you, I love you, I love you   so much

dare mo mina minai furi   shite kureru koibito ni koushite futari nareta wa juushichi no natsu

We’ve turned into the kind of couple That everyone kindly pretends not to notice My seventeenth summer

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¹ Technically, “outstretched chest”, but that sounds bizarre, so I’m assuming the guy stretched out his arms and the singer’s diving into his chest.

W covered this on their second album, albeit with a much more Hello! Project-esque arrangement, as did Smileage’s Wada Ayaka in various lives and C-ute’s Suzuki Airi and Okai Chisato covered it in concert as well when they were 17.

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Anata no Hitorigoto (“Your Words To Yourself”)

“Your words to yourself—I accidentally overheard them. They made everything, even my dreams, disappear.”

OR: A teenager overhears her crush talking about his crush and deals with it with all the maturity you’d expect.

anata no hitorigoto kiite shimaimashita watashi ni totte wa    tsurai kotoba deshita sono hi no nikkichou ni wa    namida no ato bakari kirai kirai kirai to    nando mo kikimashita mayonaka juuniji   amadare POTSUN hitori de    mitsumete naita kanashii wa    anata no hitorigoto

Your words to yourself— I accidentally overheard them. To me, they were    heart-breaking words. My diary that day was blurred full of teardrops “I hate him, I hate him, I hate him”    I wrote it countless times. 12 o’clock at midnight, the raindrops falling *plop* *plop* All alone, I watched them    and cried Your words to yourself    made me full of grief

anata no hitorigoto kiite shimaimashita watashi no yume made    keshite shimaimashita watashi no tomodachi wo    koishiteiru nante kirai kirai kirai to    nandomo iimashita mayonaka juuniji    shitoshito ame nikki wo    yabutte suteta kanashii wa    anata no hitorigoto

Your words to yourself— I accidentally overheard them. They made everything, even my dreams, disappear. To think that you    are in love with my friend… “I hate him, I hate him, I hate him”    I said it countless times 12 o’clock at midnight, a drizzling rain— I tore up my diary and threw it away Your words to yourself    made me full of grief

mayonaka juuniji    shitoshito ame nikki wo    yabutte suteta kanashii wa    anata no hitorigoto kanashii wa    anata no hitorigoto

12 o’clock at midnight, a drizzling rain— I tore up my diary and threw it away Your words to yourself    made me full of grief Your words to yourself    made me full of grief

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Fun fact, this is actually my favorite Jun-chan b-side, her inflections are so cute and the teenage angst in this is amazing.

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Nee! Ki ga Tsuite yo (“Hey! Hurry Up and Notice”)

“Hey! Hurry up and notice! Don’t you dare look away. Hey! Hurry up and notice my current feelings for you.”

OR: The singer’s crush is a bit of a blockhead when it comes to picking up her flirting attempts. 

nee! ki ga tsuite yo hayaku yosomi nado shinaide nee! ki ga tsuite yo hayaku watashi no ima no kimochi

Hey! Hurry up and notice Don’t you dare look away Hey! Hurry up and notice My current feelings for you

koyubi ni kousui tsuke mimi tabu osaete kagami ni UINKU suru    watashi wa juuhachi mabuta ga BARAiro ni somatte mieru wa yuuwaku sarete shimaou ka na nandaka kyou wa yosasou nee! ki ga tsuite yo hayaku yosomi nado shinaide nee! ki ga tsuite yo hayaku watashi no ima no kimochi

I dab a bit of perfume behind my ear with my little finger And wink at the mirror, I’m eighteen My eyelids have a rosy tint to them I wonder they’ll lure you in? It feels like today might be the day Hey! Hurry up and notice it Don’t you dare look away Hey! Hurry up and notice My current feelings for you

otoko no WAISHATSU kitte KURURI to mawatte kagami no te kakiageteru    watashi wa juuhachi subometa kuchibiru ga hikatte mieru wa akuma no furi de semarou ka na nandaka umaku yukisou nee! yobidashite yo hayaku tasogare no naka kara nee! yuubidashite yo hayaku watashi o ima no uchi ni watashi o ima no uchi ni

I put on a boyfriend-style white shirt and twirl around¹ And brush up my hair, I’m eighteen My pursed lips seem to glisten Shall I act devilish and approach you? Somehow, it feels like it’ll go well Hey! Hurry up and call my name In the evening sunlight Hey! Hurry up and call my name Call my name this instant Call my name this instant

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¹ Technically “I put on a man’s white shirt and twirl around” but it’s not a shirt that belongs to a particular man, just her putting on an oversized white shirt that highlights her femininity. ‘Boyfriend-style’ might be a bit of an anachronism, but it was the smoothest thing I could think of.

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Kiiroi RIBON (“Yellow Ribbon”)

“A yellow ribbon fluttering in the wind, a straw hat racing up the hill.”

OR: A girl wants the boy she likes to remember the sight of her yellow ribbon and her love for him.

kaze ni nabiku    kiiroi RIBON oka wo kakeru    mugiwarabooshi kitto anata    madobe ni motare konna watashi    miteite kureru isoide yukitai no anata no oku ni    tobikomitai no yo kono RIBON    mieru deshou RABU SAIN na no    mattete ne

A yellow ribbon fluttering in the wind A straw hat racing up the hill I’m sure you’re leaning over your window Watching me approach I want to hurry I want to dive into your chest Can you see this ribbon? It’s a sign of love    Wait for me

mizu ni utsuru    kiiroi RIBON futari BOOTO    mizuumi no ue mukaiatte    kao miawasete koi no yume ni    yureteiru no kono mama    yukitai no shiranai shima e    nagasaretai no yo kono RIBON    suteki deshou RABU SAIN na no    kanjite ne

A yellow ribbon reflected in the water A boat for two, on the lake Facing one other and looking into each other’s faces, We’re rocking in a dream of love I want to continue on like this I want to be carried by the waves onto an unknown island This ribbon is wonderful, isn’t it? It’s a sign of love    Feel it

ookina    konoshita de anata ni fui ni    kuchidzukesareta no kono RIBON    wasurenaide RABU SAIN na no    shinjite ne

Under a tall tree I was suddenly kissed by you Don’t forget this yellow ribbon It’s a sign of love    Believe in it

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Nakanai wa (“I Won’t Cry”)

“I’ll be fine, I’m sure tomorrow I’ll perk right back up. But right now, it’s no good—I’m crying, all I can do is cry.”

OR: Sometimes the best way to not cry is to cry.

hoho nurasu namida    sono mama ni shite sukoshi yoromeku ashi de    hitori watashi wa aruku kanashimi no ato de    umarekawareru sonna kotoba wo    mune ni iikikaseru no yo watashi heiki    kitto asu wa genki ni naru wa dakedo ima wa dame yo    nakeru dake naku wa akai KOOTO ni POTSUN    ootsubu no ame ii wa    nuretatte    nuretatte

Letting the tears freely roll down my cheeks, I walk home alone with slightly staggering feet “After the pain, you can start anew” I try and tell myself that inside my heart I’ll be fine, I’m sure tomorrow I’ll perk right back up But right now, it’s no good, I’m crying, all I can do is cry A large drop of rain falls *plop* on my red coat It’s fine, even if I get wet, even if I get wet

bishonure no kami wo    tsutatte ochiru ame no shizuku ga hikaru marude namida no you ni    masshiro ni mieru kuchibiru no iro koe ni naranai hodo ni    fueteiru no yo watashi heiki    kitto asu wa genki ni naru wa dakedo ima wa dame yo    nakeru dake naku wa minna nagarete yuku wa    tsurai omoi mo kore de    nakanai wa    nakanai wa

Dripping along my sopping-wet hair, The raindrops shine Just like tears    The color of my lips is pure-white I’m trembling so hard my voice won’t come out I’ll be fine, I’m sure tomorrow I’ll perk right back up But right now, it’s no good, I’m crying, all I can do is cry It’s all flowing out, all the bitter feelings too When this is done, I won’t cry, I won’t cry

watashi heiki    kitto asu wa genki ni naru wa dakedo ima wa dame yo    nakeru dake naku wa minna nagarete yuku wa    tsurai omoi mo kore de    nakanai wa    nakanai wa

I’ll be fine, I’m sure tomorrow I’ll perk right back up But right now, it’s no good, I’m crying, all I can do is cry It’s all flowing out, all the bitter feelings too When this is done, I won’t cry, I won’t cry

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Hajimete no Dekigoto (“First-time Event”)

“Don’t start chattering away right after that kiss! I feel like I might burst into tears—that’s how much it’s left my heart shaking. Ah, to you, it might be a trivial thing, but to me, it was a world-changing, huge event!”

OR: A guy casually kisses a girl, unaware it’s her first kiss, girl has a mini-meltdown (but definitely likes him back).

kuchidzuke no sono ato de    oshaberi wa shinaide nakidashite shimau kamo sorehodo kokoro wa yureteiru aa anata ni wa nanigenai    jiken demo watashi wa yo no naka ga kawaru hodo ookina dekigoto datta no yo otonabita furi wo shite    koko made tsuite kita ga harisakeru tokimeki de    memai ga shisou yo suki yo    suki dakara okorenai    anata no koto wo

Don’t chatter away right after that kiss I feel like I might burst into tears— That’s how much it’s left my heart shaking. Ah, to you, it might be a trivial thing, but to me, it Was a world-changing, Huge event, you know! I acted grown up and followed your lead until now, but I might go dizzy from my pounding heart that’s about to burst I like you, I like you so I can’t be mad at you

koe kakete yobu made wa    kono basho ni konaide kono furue naoru made watashi wo hitori ni shite oite aa kanashiku wa nai keredo    amari ni mo totsuzen kuchidzuke wo sareta kara doushite ii no ka wakaranai otonabita furi wo shite    koko made tsuite kita ga mimitabu mo atsuku naru    hageshii hajirai suki yo    suki dakara kaerenai    anata wo nokoshi

Until I call for you, don’t come over here! Until I get this trembling under control, Leave me alone Ah, it’s not that I’m sad, but it was much too sudden— I got kissed and I don’t know what I should do I acted grown up and followed your lead until now, but Even my earlobes are turning red, I’m feeling intensely shy I like you, I like you so I can’t bear going home and leaving you

otonabita furi wo shite    koko made tsuite kita ga mimitabu mo atsuku naru    hageshii hajirai suki yo    suki dakara kaerenai    anata wo nokoshi

I acted grown up and followed your lead until now, but Even my earlobes are turning red, I’m feeling intensely shy I like you, I like you so I can’t bear going home and leaving you

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No notes, but this is technically Sakurada Junko’s most “popular” single: it was the only one to hit #1, and it’s her highest-seller at 527,000. (This was a bit surprising to me when I found out, since songs like Juushichi no Natsu, Watashi no Aoi Tori, and Kimagure Venus are how I found out about her.) It’s a really cute song, though, and quintessentially idol, so with that and its movie tie-in, I can see how it did well!

Also, there’s a live performance compilation video that has Sakurada Junko singing this with her fellow Hana no Chuusan (Kouichi? Kouni? They would have been high schoolers by then) Trio member Yamaguchi Momoe, and that’s great.

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Tenshi mo Yumemiru (“Even Angels Dream”)

“Even angels dream, because it’s spring.”

OR: Spring is the season when flowers and loves bloom.

watashi no mune ni   koi no mebae wo kanjiru   kisetsu shiroi kaze ga   mimi ni yasashiku sasayaite yuku shiawase sukoshi wakete ageru to   dareka ga kureta dakara koi tte subarashii

It’s the season where I feel love budding inside my chest The white wind whispers tenderly by my ear Someone told me they’d share a little bit of their happiness with me That’s why love is so wonderful

mou   nakanai wa   sabishikunai wa tenshi mo yume miru   haru dakara

I won’t cry anymore, I’m no longer lonely Even angels dream    Because it’s spring

watashi no mune ni   hitotsu koboshita koisuru hana ga ima wa   konna hiroi hanazono mitai ni natta shiawase sugite   nanika agetai kimochi ni naru no dakara koi tte subarashii

The single flower of love that bloomed inside my chest Feels as if it’s become a flower garden that’s so vast now I’m just too happy so I feel like giving That’s why love is so wonderful

mou nakanai wa   sabishikunai wa tenshi mo yume miru   haru dakara

I won’t cry anymore, I’m no longer lonely Even angels dream    Because it’s spring

mou nakanai wa   sabishikunai wa tenshi mo yume miru   haru dakara

I won’t cry anymore, I’m no longer lonely Even angels dream    Because it’s spring