10-20-2025 Ioki Mao's blog: For now, I want to jump over this vaulting box (English Translation)

Thank you for opening the blog ^^

Since the day the selection was announced,

I have been writing and erasing, writing and erasing over and over again,

I was thinking how difficult it would be to express my feelings honestly, 

but then the day came when I had to announce it to everyone.

Nogizaka46 is a group of brilliant people, each with their own incredible charm, 

and that's why I think they're such a wonderful idol group in so many different ways.

At times like these, when I ask myself, "Am I shining brightly right now?"

I feel doubt and anxiety,

I want to say, "You could have done better,"

But sometimes I want to say, "You're doing well."

Looking back, I was filled with a variety of emotions, from contempt to praise.

I feel very frustrated right now, but I want to gain some confidence here.

I want to be able to proudly say that this single period was a good thing for me to have had in my life.

No, I will!

I'm sure this will be a time where I can learn a lot and grow as a person.

I believe new challenges await me. It's a fresh start.

Right now, I'm more excited than frustrated... This is how I really feel

Once again, thank you so much to everyone who always supports me. (´꒳｀*)

I'm an idol because of you all.

Are there any of you who shared the same frustrations and sadness as me today?

I'm so grateful...

But, it's going to be a really wonderful period, 

and we'll be able to look back and think that the 40th album was the best, 

so let's have a wonderful winter together. I hope you're excited to see what we'll show you.

Just wait, I'll show you a great scenery

It's already autumn, time is limited so we have to make the most of it

On a side note, the other day while I was cleaning, 

I found a letter I wrote when I was 10 years old that said, "Open it when I turn 20." 

I quickly opened it, thinking, "Come to think of it, I'm already 20!"

"Are you happy right now?"

It started with this question

The answer is...

Well...

I guess it's "yes."

I don't think there's any other job that's as interesting as this, 

and one of the joys for me is when I'm able to become the person I want to express, 

and I feel like I'm getting closer to that now, so maybe that's why I can answer that way.

I want to work hard so that I can say an even bigger "YES!" from now on.

That's what I was thinking in my heart.

I don't think even one millimeter that I ever expected to have an answer like this back then.

And one more thing.

(By the time you read this, this paper would probably be tattered!) 

                             (Do your best, future self!)

                                      (July 29, 2016)

LOL, I was suddenly encouraged by my 10-year-old self.

"I'll do my best! I'll show you how hard I can do my best!" 

I'll leave the reply of 20-year-old me here.

Thank you so much for reading this long post!

I hope that Nogizaka46's 40th single will be a wonderful one. 

Please continue to love Nogizaka46.

Ioki Mao.