12-15-2025 Ioki Mao's blog: Just a little more until the Underlive! (English Translation)

 Less than a week until Under Live!

We're right in the middle of rehearsals now.

I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, hoping you're looking forward to it too.

But I'm determined to make this an amazing show—

So I'm leaving my worries backstage!

I hope you'll look forward to it.

I'll do my best.

Thanks to the choreographer teaching me so many moves during rehearsals, 

seniors guiding me through every little detail, and 

my genmates sending me tons of choreography videos,

I feel like I've made it this far.

Plus, having seniors look out for me too ^^

Thanks to the support of so many people, we're finally ready for the big day!

I want to take my live performances to the next level beyond what I've done so far.

It's incredibly difficult to captivate everyone—

those who come to the Budokan and those watching the livestream.

But it's going to be a time you won't want to look away.

Look forward to it!

December 19th, 20th, and 21st

There will also be a 3-day livestream!

Matsuo-san's graduation ceremony is on the first day

Yakubo-san's graduation ceremony is on the second day

We'd be thrilled if lots of people could watch! 

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This new song, “What Is Purity?”

From the very first moment I heard this intro, my heart raced.

And when I saw the lyrics, I knew it was a song I wanted to sing myself.

What is purity?

I've thought about it a lot, but these lyrics feel like I'm constantly asking myself questions—

it's like looking inside my own heart, yet when I listen to this song,

it feels like it's telling me it's okay to be more honest and just be myself.

Even if I'm not the best at putting things into words,

Nogizaka has all kinds of lyrics, and performances.

I hope that through them, I can convey all sorts of feelings too!

At the meet and greet, fans told me things like,

“I'm so excited for the live...!”

and “I've been working hard lately just for this live show!”

The members and managers also said they were looking forward to it, which made me incredibly happy,

but at the same time, I started to feel a little nervous lol

We'll all do our best to make this a live performance that exceeds everyone's expectations.

And also, did you get a chance to check out the merchandise?

This time, we even have towels shaped like angel wings.

Even within the dance of “What is purity?” 

there were parts where feathers served as motifs, and I wondered if that was related to it.

I can't wait to see wings sprout on everyone's backs with their favorite idol's name on them lol

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Behind the Scenes of the MV Shoot

I took photos with Matsu-san 📸

You talked to me a lot during the MV shoot, which made me really happy. 

We also had a lot to talk about during rehearsals, which is why I'm so sad that you're graduating, 

but I hope to make lots of eye contact with you at the live and create lots of fun memories.

These two are so cute

Yakubo-san taught me so much about the choreography! 

I wasn't sure how to fully grasp the finer details of the new songs I'd learned, 

so I was grateful for all the help I got. (>_<)

I'll do my best to send you both off in a wonderful way.

Yuna-san took some really great photos (*^^*)

Mao also took a picture of her

I hope you'll listen a lot to "What is Purity?" and look forward to it.

I'll write again