On the bayfm radio program “Tonight, Under Sakura’s Tree” (every Wednesday from 24:00 to 24:30), broadcast on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
IZ*ONE’s Miyawaki Sakura introduced messages from listeners who participated in the online event that replaced “Vampire”.
Miyawaki Sakura: I’ve received many messages from people who participated in the online event that replaced “Vampire”. First of all, from a radio name “Yutaro” from Kanagawa Prefecture.
Thank you.
Listener email: Good evening, Saku-chan.
Miyawaki Sakura: Good evening!
Listener email: On July 19th, I participated in the long-awaited online replacement event of “Vampire”!
I’ve participated in high-five and HKT handshake events many times, but I never get used to it and it makes me nervous, but this time, the tension of having to overcome the new hurdle of online was an indescribable tension along with excitement.
I read the “Online Rules” in Plame and headed to the event. Just as the staff finished authenticating me and we were about to get started, my cat interrupted me. At that moment, Saku-chan suddenly appeared on the screen. But my hands stole all the conversation. Still, Saku-chan looked at the cat and said “cute” with a big smile, and I was also happy to be able to communicate with her for the first time in a while.
All my thoughts were forgotten and that moment just disappeared.
To be honest, I was worried about online events at first. But when I tried it, I thought it might be fun to perform with my cat, which I couldn’t do offline, so it might be good. But I really want to meet Saku-chan in person. It may not come true easily, but I believe that if we’re both healthy, it will come true someday, and I’m waiting.
Take care of yourself, Saku-chan. Even if we can’t meet, I’ll still support you.
Miyawaki Sakura: Thank you.
Right. It was actually my first online event. I think it’s fine whether it’s online or offline…
The good thing about online is that in this situation, there’s no opportunity to talk one-on-one. We’re in different countries, and it’s a tough situation, but I’m really happy just to be able to talk like this.
There were people who hadn’t seen each other in a year or even six months. And in this situation, I was really happy just to be able to talk about anything.
Also, since many people were participating from home, I was really happy when they showed me their cats or dogs. Some people also showed off their merchandise, and I felt like “Ahh… IZ*ONE is a part of your lives.”
Seeing that, I realized that they think about us 24 hours a day… almost 24 hours a day. If you have things at home, that means almost 24 hours a day. I really felt that they are thinking about us 24 hours a day.
It was a very emotional experience and my heart was warmed.
So there are good things about online and good things about offline. Of course I want to meet people in person, but I think one of the good things about online is that people from far away countries can participate in the event together, so I was reminded of the “good things about online and offline.”