Note: This is actually the second time I’m writing this as the first time for some reason the page refreshed and deleted everything I wrote, I was almost at the end too.  :< ….  u__u …. i___i

Nothing can ever be perfect.

As I was saying Aiji took he role of host. I forgot to mention that when we arrived Mr. Ueno [Japanese Ryan] informed us that Aiji was planning a surprise for Maya, he gave us the phrase that Aiji would use as the signal, which was something along the lines of “So it’s your birthday…”, upon which we would yell “Congratulations [おめでとう]” and shoot off those popper things that shoot out streamers. Don’t know the proper name for them, sorry.

The event began with a countdown to Midnight. Aiji and Maya came out on stage at about 15 minutes to midnight. Aiji and Maya told some jokes and overall their interactions were hilarious and adorable. They have a second career in stand-up for sure. When the clock hit 10 seconds we counted down to 0 in Japanese and wished Maya a “Happy Birthday” we then sang the birthday song for him. Aiji then gave the signal and we shot off our poppers.

The Curtain behind them then raised revealing golden balloons spelling out ‘Happy Birthday’ along with a pyrotechnics display. Aiji made a joke about how there was supposed to be a ‘Maya’ next to the ‘Happy Birthday’, but the typhoon blew it away. A few more jokes and some conversations later, we came to the birthday comment video portion of the event.

There were two, the first was from Yukke of MUCC. The video began and Yukke started singing Happy Birthday to him, the audio appeared to go out of sync and Yukke in the video bowed his head, seemingly aware of the problem. We then turned back to see that Yukke was actually there at the back fo the room singing Happy Birthday. He came down past the rows of shocked fans and walked up to the stage.

I can only assume Yukke messes with Maya a lot based on how Maya’s face went from smiling to terror. Apparently, Maya had no idea that Yukke would be there. Hey, it’s bad luck if you don’t have a Party Crasher, right? Yukke presented Maya with a large bouquet of flowers, and tried to give Maya a hug, but Maya ran way. He chased Maya around the stage trying to hug him, but couldn’t catch him. Maya would not come within touching distance of Yukke. Yukke kept reaching out to put his hand on Maya and our King kept moving away.

No hugs for Yukke. So many questions…

I’m pretty sure Yukke may have roasted Maya for a bit then commented on how the balloons ‘Y’ on the end of the ‘Happy’ was wrinkled. The curtain was lowered and Yukke went off stage. The curtain was raised and there was Yukke standing there making the shape of a ‘Y’ with his body. Everyone started laughing and Maya took some pictures of Yukke. Yukke then came back in, talked a bit more and retreated to sit in the back of the  audience section.

The next Video was Yoshiki, wishing Maya a Happy Birthday. Maya lit up like a candle and started fan-girling, that was something I never thought I’d see. He had the video played 4 times. He looked so happy. I never really though about the fact that even celebrities have celebrities they admire. Maya must really like Yoshiki. I don’t know much about him, as I don’t really know much about any artist besides LM.C.

After that the cake was brought out, Maya blew out the candles and started eating it. I think our boy ate a good 1/8th or more of that cake. Everyone was surprised at how much he was eating. Even Aiji made a comment, Maya answered him, and then kept eating. Finally, he stopped. I know the lollipops Maya use to have were a gimmick, but it seems he really does have quite the sweet tooth.

Aiji again mentioned how sad it was that there was no ‘Maya’ next to the Happy Birthday. So Maya had the curtain lowered, he went outside and had the curtain raised, with him posing next to the balloons. Now there was a Maya next to it. He made a bunch of goofy poses, while Aiji and the Manager took pictures, he snapped a few selfies, and came back inside.

He had one of his selfies projected on the screen, he added bunny ears and whiskers to it. To close off the night, we got to see the full MV for ‘Chaindreamers’ and we also got to listen to ‘Virtual Quest’. The songs were great, and I think you’ll really love the new album.

Finally, Maya and Aiji bid thanked us and it started raining confetti. It was more like giant glitter, it got everywhere, EVERYWHERE!! I left with a bra full of confetti…that should be a country song, ‘Bra full-a-Confetti.”

The even ended at 2:30am, and by the time we got to sleep it was 3:30am, we had to get up at 6am to be ready for breakfast at 7am. Needless to say both the fans and LM.C were dead tired the next day. At around 9:30am we gathered for the farewell address for the boys. The we were called out by bus for the signing.

When I got up to them Aiji started talking to me again, this time he asked me in plain English where I was from, and I said New York. I guess Maya thought Aiji was asking me where we’d met, because it he kept saying, “Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh.” But I’m not sure that’s what Aiji meant. Aiji seemed to want to say more, because he tried to but the line had to keep moving.  

Still I was shocked.

1) Aiji spoke to me.
2) He initiated the conversation.

Which was weird cause he’s always so shy and doesn’t seem to want to talk and because other than a greeting he didn’t really say much to anyone else, it was surreal. I wasn’t the only foreigner but I was the only non-Asian one. So I guess I stuck out. Felt good though, not gonna lie. It took a lot not to fan girl.

When I got to Maya, he asked me my name, and I said it but he didn’t know how to write that, so I showed him the badge. Though my name was in Katakana he still spelled it wrong, and when he realized it that he was like ‘Ah!’ Drew a heart around it, and wrote my name again, but he only wrote “Shan”. Lol, he’ll get no judgment from me, I am the queen of terrible spelling and being awful at names. LOL.

After that we departed on the bus and returned to Shinjuku. It was a great time, and I hope when the international fan club opens everyone will be able to attend an event like this. It’s very different from a live and totally worth going to. It’s a more intimate experience, and you see much more of their personalities.

I will scan the photo cards I received when I return home the states.