"her" Magazine Vol. 4 Translations

HARUNA's 100Q + 100A

MAMI's 100Q + 100A

RINA's 100Q + 100A

TOMOMI's 100Q + 100A

Song Explanations

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01. What 3 artists have shaped who you are today?
SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, WayV

02. Tell us what your favorite food is!
Tarako spaghetti, Korean food

03. Which member is likely to have the most savings, or is most financially stable?
TOMOMI

04. Which member holds their alcohol best?
It doesn't seem like anyone does these days

05. What are you looking for in a future husband?
I'd like someone who can do some housework

06. What's the best thing you bought last year?
What was good, or should I say delightful, was the robe with my name on it that I bought at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter

07. What do you tend to buy impulsively at convenience stores?
Gummies

08. If you had a whole week off, how would you use it?
I want to spend half of it relaxing at home and then go to Korea for about 2 nights and 3 days

09. If you could give advice to yourself in your 20s, what would it be?
I wish I had had more time to myself!

10. What song do you always sing when you go to karaoke?
A medley of Morning Musume. songs

11. What do you eat and drink on a daily basis to stay healthy?
I eat prunes every morning

12. If you won a billion yen (~$7 million USD) in the lottery, how would you spend it?
Maybe buy my own home

13. What is your favorite song whose lyrics were written by another bandmate?
"one more time"

14. Do you have any themes or imagery for a song you'd like to try doing?
A danceable instrumental track I'm sure would be a hit at concerts

15. Last year, I attended a concert of yours with my daughter. Do the members of SCANDAL go on outings with their families?
I also often go to concerts with my mother

16. What if you were to join another band?
I've never considered any other band but SCANDAL

17. What instrument would you like to try other than your own?
I tried the bass a little while ago, but it was really difficult. I also don't think I could play the drums

18. If you could switch bodies with another member for a day, who would you be and what would you do?
I'd want to be MAMI and create stuff like clothes and songs

19. What is your ideal way to spend retirement?
I want to keep supporting my favorite groups even in my retirement years

20. What spots in Tokyo do you recommend?
Hmm, I always feel like going to Shin-Okubo regularly

21. What is your favorite music video?
"Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto"

22. If you were to travel around the world, what route would you take?
The so-called Eastern route? I might want to go to the US first. Asia at the end sounds good

23. How do you switch your mindset, or what is your daily routine like?
Lately, I've been trying not to think too much about work-life balance, and I try not to be bound by routines

24. Where would you live without worrying about work constraints?
I might still want to live in Tokyo

25. Please tell us your favorite season and why.
That time of year from autumn to winter where it starts to smell like winter. It makes me feel emotional

26. Please tell us if you have any recommended seasonings.
Hai Sai Paste. It's lemongrass-flavored aromatic paste that can be used in stuff like stir-fried veggies and soups! If you like ethnic flavors, be sure to give it a try

27. What local cuisine left an impression on you?
Izumo wariko soba

28. Are there any certifications you would like to obtain in the future?
It's not a certification, but I want to learn to speak Korean, so I'm going to try my best this year

29. Please tell us your favorite movie/drama series!
Sing Street, Stranger Things

30. What kind of people are SCANDAL fans?
Considerate, kind, and passionate! The best people

31. How did you practice when you first started playing your instruments?
We looked at tabs for various songs and practiced playing together so that we could play one song, and practiced our performance aspect first

32. What is one thing you absolutely cannot compromise on?
Pajamas and loungewear are definitely separate things!

33. Please tell us your 5-year career plan.
I have no idea. I should probably give it proper thought

34. I'd like to know which perfumes you've used recently!
hince perfume that RINA gave me for my birthday

35. When you were at your dance & vocal training school before the band formed, what did you consciously focus on to stand out at auditions or during performances?
The more you practice, the more confident you will be, so show yourself in a confident manner!

36. What is your favorite SCANDAL song?
"Image"

37. How do you take care of your body?
I recently started going to Pilates

38. Do you have any hang-ups?
MBTI - I'm very much an I (introverted)

39. What are SCANDAL's selling points?
Our songs and concerts are really good

40. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
As you may have guessed, I'm a dog person

41. What has been your favorite hairstyle so far?
I went for a bob because I thought it would look good, but I might grow it out again because I also like long hair

42. What is your specialty dish?
Nikujaga (beef stew) or pork shabu shabu

43. What would you do on your last day on earth?
I wouldn't really resist it and would want to enjoy delicious food at home

44. Do you prefer rice or bread for breakfast?
Bread

45. Please tell us a surprisingly down-to-earth side of you!
I often go to 3COINS and 100-yen stores

46. Is there anything you always do before going on stage?
I keep walking around, wanting to get out on stage as soon as possible

47. If you had lived a different life, what do you think you'd be doing at your current age?
I wonder〜. Even if it's not with SCANDAL, I'd probably be involved in music

48. Have there been any recent happenings that made you feel like nothing has changed?
I went to the Toba Aquarium, where my mother and I used to go often when I was little, at the beginning of the year. I always used to stay glued to my favorite animals there, and this time too I found myself spending about two hours watching the otters Mei and Kira, glued to the spot. It made me realize that nothing has changed

49. What's something great you've noticed recently about your bandmates?
BEST Xmas in 2023 - The fact that we sang and danced to three songs at the beginning of an unprecedented set. It made me realize once again how amazing these members are, doing things that other bands can't do

50. What were some buzzwords for SCANDAL in 2023?
It's not a word, but we talked about MBTI all the time

51. Last year, did you see any artists that you enjoyed or were moved by?
I recently saw Bruno Mars for the first time. His singing, performance, stage set—everything was so energetic, gorgeous, insanely cool, and exciting

52. What would you like to try doing this year?
I've already started doing this, but learning Korean

53. I'd like to know if you have any habits when writing lyrics or music. What are your favorite chord progressions and words you often use?
Starting with C＃, I might tend to use chords like Fm and B5m a lot

54. What were your nicknames as a student?
Haruna and Haru-chan, the same as now

55. After a concert, do you talk about fans who were there?
We often do. Things like being happy to see people who haven't been to a concert in a while

56. What is your MBTI?
INFP

57. If you had a child and they wanted to play in a band, would you let them? If so, which instrument?
I would tell them to play whatever instrument they want to play〜

58. Which song gets you most excited while playing it?
"Saishuuheiki, Kimi"

59. Do you write lyrics first and then come up with the title? Or do you decide on a title first and then write the lyrics?
I usually add the title after writing the lyrics

60. What do you recommend to relieve stress?
Eat something good with a friend

61. What are you currently collecting?
I've been collecting Harry Potter and Stranger Things merch here and there

62. When do you unintentionally put on airs?
In the past I had pretended to like alcohol or food that were recommended to me that I don't really like, but recently I've stopped putting on airs

63. What are your top 3 must-have rice condiments?
Kimchi, natto, pickled cucumbers

64. Which kind of gyoza do you prefer: fried, pan-fried, or boiled?
Pan-fried!!!!

65. Please tell us your favorite album cover so far!
The covers for HONEY are cute and I really like them

66. How do you manage housework when you're busy with work and have less time to be at home?
I try to get up earlier in the mornings, take care of chores all in one go, take my time having breakfast, and spend some time with Lady

67. Is there anything you always do before going to bed?
This might not be anything special: Once I decide it's bedtime, I take a bath and then head straight to the bedroom

68. What do you find useful in your daily life working in the music industry?
Are there any? Nothing comes to mind right now! haha

69. What small luxuries or little rewards do you enjoy?
When I feel tired and want to refresh myself, I drink some red wine (Lambrusco) at my favorite Italian place

70. What's something that made you feel warm and fuzzy recently?
Lady's been sleeping in the bed with me since we moved recently. She stays on the bed watching over me until I wake up. I find it so adorable every day

71. What do you like in your miso soup?
Eggplant, natto

72. Why did you start attending dance & vocal training school?
I looked up to Namie Amuro and SPEED, and was influenced by the manga "B.B. Explosion" that was serialized in the magazine Ciao at the time.

73. What's the first thing you'll do after getting home today?
I'm at home right now, and I'm about to make dinner

74. What's your must-order izakaya item?
Fries

75. What's the most difficult music video you've shot so far?
I often mention this, but the "Taiyou to Kimi ga Egaku STORY" MV shoot was tough: It took a long time to shoot and there were many outfit changes

76. You have carrots, onions, potatoes, and meat. What are you making?
I want to eat white stew

77. If you could use the Anywhere Door just once, where would you want to go?
I want to go to Finland

78. Did anything significant change after setting your Guinness World Record?
To be honest, I don't think our circumstances have changed much. I'm relieved that we were able to successfully set the record!

79. What is your favorite country and city?
Amsterdam, Netherlands. There was a perfect balance between the city and the countryside, and I really felt at ease. I'd love to go again!

80. What would you like to try at least once in your life?
Bungee jumping

81. If you have any motto or principle in life, please share it!
Be kind to yourself, and also be kind to others!

82. What's your skincare routine?
I do a herbal peel about once a month. I also focus on moisturizing

83. How do you get through the really tough times?
I accept the moment, believing that time will resolve it

84. What was the first CD you bought?
Shiyou yo by SMAP

85. How do you feel when a new song is complete?
I can't wait for everyone to listen to it!!

86. What's your Starbucks order?
White Chocolate Mocha or Caramel Macchiato. In the winter I often drink Joyful Medley Lattes

87. Is there any event you'd like to try in the future that might be possible only through the fan club?
Wouldn't you like us to do more events where we can talk directly to everyone?!

88. What are your favorite LINE stickers?
The moving Snoopy ones

89. What do you like about yourself?
That I can fulfill myself by myself

90. Is there anything you're careful about when talking to someone?
I usually speak in a rather low tone, so I try to make my voice tone and manner of speaking light and gentle

91. What are your fashion preferences?
I've noticed an increase in more beige and brown items

92. How did you spend your New Year holidays?
I relax at home with my family〜. I love my mom's ozoni soup〜

93. What earphones do you use daily?
AirPods

94. What are your favorite onigiri fillings?
Tuna mayo, tarako

95. What song do you find really difficult to sing?
It's not exactly tough, but sometimes I get a bit lost myself with songs where I have to talk fast like "Tonight" and "Koisuru Universe" (laughs)

96. Is Lady doing well?
We went on an hour and a half walk today and her owner was more tired than she was—that's how well she's doing

97. What song is the most fun to sing on the new album?
"Gunjou pleats"

98. Is there any place you'd like to go with Lady?
I'd love to stay at a hot springs resort

99. Describe the charm of Nagoya in a few words!
The roads are wide

100. That concludes the 100 questions and 100 answers! How are you feeling now?
I'm starving...

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01. What 3 artists have shaped who you are today?
ATEEZ, Sanrio Puroland (Official), Travis Japan

02. Tell us what your favorite food is!
I like most things at conveyor belt sushi places

03. Which member is likely to have the most savings, or is most financially stable?
No idea!

04. Which member holds their alcohol best?
I also have no idea anymore!

05. What are you looking for in a future husband?
I don't want them to make loud noises

06. What thing are you most glad you bought last year?
A good fabric shaver

07. What do you tend to buy impulsively at convenience stores?
Cafe lattes

08. If you had a whole week off, how would you use it?
Clean up the house and play games for 3 days, go to Sanrio Puroland for 4 days

09. I'm a 27-year-old female office worker. If you could give advice to yourself in your 20s, what would it be?
Nothing in particular! Being greedy is the best! You should do everything you want to do, as long as it's within reason!

10. What song do you always sing when you go to karaoke?
"Futari" by aiko

11. What do you eat and drink on a daily basis to stay healthy?
2 prunes

12. If you won a billion yen (~$7 million USD) in the lottery, how would you spend it?
For now, buy everything I want. If there's any left over, I'll save it

13. What is your favorite song whose lyrics were written by another band member?
"CANDY"

14. Do you have any themes or imagery for a song you'd like to try doing?
What haven't I done yet?

15. Do you go on outings with your family?
At the beginning of the year, I took a trip with my mom for the first time (we went to Harmonyland)

16. What if you were to join another band?
I've never considered it!

17. What instrument would you like to try other than your own?
I wouldn't be able to play another!

18. What if you could switch bodies with another member for a day?
I'd be fine without swapping with the other members!

19. What is your ideal way to spend retirement?
I want to live in a well-sunlit house not too far but also not too close to the city center

20. What spots in Tokyo do you recommend?
Sanrio Puroland

21. What is your favorite music video?
"Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto"

22. If you were to travel around the world, what route would you take?
Travel from the US to Europe, pass through the Middle East, return home

23. How do you switch your mindset, or what is your daily routine like?
It often works better for me not to switch gears too much, so I tend to go on stage just as myself. My routine is to tire my eyes out by watching videos or playing games before going to bed, and then going to sleep(^^)

24. Where would you live without worrying about work constraints?
Near Tama-Center Station

25. Please tell us your favorite season and why.
Winter, because I like outerwear

26. Please tell us if you have any recommended seasonings.
S&B Habanero Pepper Powder

27. What regional dish left an impression on you?
The dish wrapped in grape leaves that I ate in Turkey, similar to okowa. I remember how delicious the yogurt sauce was and want to try it again!

28. Are there any certifications you would like to obtain in the future?
A registered vendor. I'm also interested in being a certified care worker

29. Please tell us your favorite movie or drama series!
Alchemy of Souls, High Class, Celebrity

30. What kind of people are SCANDAL fans?
Very warm-hearted people. They are important presences who watch over SCANDAL together

31. How did you practice when you first started playing your instruments?
I mostly learned by ear. I memorized all the chords by hand shapes (laughs)

32. What is one thing you absolutely cannot compromise on?
I absolutely need to take a bath before going to sleep!

33. Please tell us your 5-year career plan.
I can't think of anything...

34. I'd like to know which perfumes you've used recently!
Tom Ford's Cherry Smoke. It's a little heavy and incense-like, but it's not too sweet and it's really nice...

35. Before the band formed, what did you consciously focus on to stand out at auditions or performances?
Don't look down, keep your head up, and give it all you got! To avoid getting nervous, I always think, "Even if I make a mistake, it's not like I'm going to die right now, so it's okay" (laughs)

36. Among SCANDAL's songs, which one is your favorite?
"Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto"

37. How do you take care of your body?
Regular visits to the chiropractor

38. Do you have any hang-ups?
Too many

39. What is SCANDAL's selling point?
We've been working hard without stopping for 17 years. That's impressive. You can support us

40. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Cat

41. Are there any hairstyles you'd like to try?
A fluorescent yellow crew cut

42. I'd love to hear what your specialty dish is!
Some kind of salad with olive oil, vinegar, mustard seeds, mayonnaise, and a little sugar

43. What would you do on your last day on earth?
Spend time with my family

44. Do you prefer rice or bread for breakfast?
Both!

45. Please tell us about a surprisingly down-to-earth side of you!
I love various chain stores, clearance items, and public transportation

46. Is there anything you always do before going on stage?
I practice guitar until right before we go on stage

47. If you had lived a different life, what do you think you would be doing at your current age?
I can't think of anything...

48. Have there been any recent happenings that made you feel like nothing has changed?
I can endlessly be entertained by silly things

49. What's something great you've noticed recently about your bandmates?
I'll always respect them. They're all so amazing and great, and they can do so many things that I can't do

50. What were some buzzwords for SCANDAL in 2023?
"No" or "I don't remember"

51. Last year, did you see any artists that you enjoyed or were moved by?
At an ATEEZ concert, I was so moved when I heard fans cheering at the top of their lungs. I thought of how everyone in the audience had memorized all of the song chants just for this day. I was so touched by their dedication and sense of unity (；　；)

52. What would you like to try doing this year?
Fishing, mountain climbing

53. Are there any words you often use when writing lyrics or music?
I tend to use the word "world"

54. What were your nicknames as a student?
It's been "Mamitasu" since high school. I don't think I had one before that

55. After a concert, do you talk about fans who were there?
We do!

56. What is your MBTI?
ISTP-A. I've taken the test dozens of times, but I always get ISTP-A

57. If you had a child and they wanted to play in a band, would you let them?
I'd leave it up to the child

58. Which song gets you most excited while playing it?
It's been "Line of sight" recently

59. Do you write lyrics first and then come up with the title? Or do you decide on a title first and then write the lyrics?
I decide on the title after writing the lyrics

60. What do you recommend to relieve stress?
Visiting Sanrio Puroland and being healed by the characters

61. What are you currently collecting?
Badtz Maru and Dear Daniel merch

62. When do you unintentionally put on airs?
Even if I feel like crying because it hurts so much or I feel exhausted, I just say I'm okay (laughs)

63. What are your top 3 must-have rice condiments?
Nori tsukudani (roasted seaweed flavored with soy sauce), kurumi konago (dried baby sardines with walnuts in a sugar and soy sauce), soft menma (bamboo shoots)

64. Which kind of gyoza do you prefer: fried, pan-fried, or boiled?
Pan-fried!!!!!

65. Please tell us your favorite album cover so far!
STANDARD

66. How do you manage to do housework when you're busy with work and have less time to be at home?
I start with what I can do that that time

67. Is there anything you always do before going to bed?
Playing games on my phone or watching videos until my eyes get tired

68. What do you find useful in your daily life working in the music industry?
I don't know... (laughs)

69. What small luxuries or little rewards do you enjoy?
I buy slightly more expensive fruits that I wouldn't normally choose

70. What's something that made you feel warm and fuzzy recently?
When I went to Harmonyland in Oita, met Dear Daniel like you would an idol, and got some fan service from him

71. What do you like in your miso soup?
Sea lettuce

72. Why did you start attending dance & vocal training school?
I wanted to experience an audition (for entering a school) at least once in my life, and I had a longing to learn and to test myself

73. What's the first thing you'll do after getting home today?
Turn on the TV

74. What's your must-order menu item at an izakaya?
Fries

75. What's the most difficult music video you've done so far?
"Taiyou to Kimi ga Egaku STORY"

76. You have carrots, onions, potatoes, and meat. What are you making?
Curry

77. If you could use the Anywhere Door just once, where would you want to go?
Egypt

78. Hello, SCANDAL. Did anything significant change after setting your Guinness World Record? It could be the reactions from others, or yourselves.
Hello. Nothing much has changed! But I am very proud of the world record that we all achieved together

79. What is your favorite country and city?
There are so many that I can't decide, but I'll go with Turkey! The climate's about the same as Japan's throughout the year with four distinct seasons, which is appealing. Also, the food was delicious and the mix of cultures was interesting!

80. What would you like to try at least once in your life?
Climb Mount Fuji, bungee jump

81. If you have any motto or principle in life, please share it!
"Things will work out somehow"

82. What's your skincare routine?
I'm doing my best with moisturizing... (although there are plenty of days when I'm not doing so well)

83. How do you get through the really tough times?
I tend to get sick when I'm having a hard time, and it's only after I get sick that I realize I was having a hard time. That's why I take a break at those times. Rest is important!

84. What was the first CD you bought?
Morning Musume.

85. How do you feel when a new song is complete?
Relief

86. What's your Starbucks order?
I've been getting Iced Caramel Macchiatos recently

87. Is there any event you'd like to try in the future that might be possible only through the fan club?
A sports festival

88. What are your favorite LINE stickers?
Nichirin Notes

89. What do you like about yourself?
Unfounded confidence and determination that things will somehow work out

90. Is there anything you're careful about when talking to someone?
Always greet them and express gratitude (and, when necessary, apologize)

91. What are your fashion preferences?
The balance of the overall silhouette

92. How did you spend your New Year holidays?
I spent the year-end with my friends, going for hatsumode (first shrine visit). At the beginning of the year, I visited the family grave, met with relatives, and went on a trip with my mom!

93. What earphones do you use daily?
AirPods

94. What are your favorite onigiri fillings?
Tuna mayo

95. Describe the charm of Nagoya in one word!
Unique!

96. What are your top 3 favorite Sanrio characters right now?
Badtz Maru, Dear Daniel, Bonbonribbon (Hello Kitty is in the Hall of Fame)

97. How do you decide which color to dye your hair?
I used to choose my hair color based on my mood at the time and by picking a color I hadn't tried before. But now, it seems like my only option is a fluorescent yellow crew cut

98. How do you compose music?
I do a lot of humming!

99. What are Dobondobondo's plans for future activities?
(^。^)?

100. That concludes the 100 questions and 100 answers! How are you feeling now?
Thank you for sending us so many questions (joy) (love) (pleasure)

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01. What 3 artists have shaped who you are today?
YUKI / Chatmonchy / SLEIGH BELLS

02. Tell us what your favorite food is!
Soba!

03. Which member is likely to have the most savings, or is most financially stable?
MAMI?

04. Which member holds their alcohol best?
MAMI or HARUNA!

05. What are you looking for in a future husband?
I'd be happy if he's someone I can have genuine conversations with

06. What thing are you most glad you bought last year?
A Doshisha humidifier

07. What do you tend to buy impulsively at convenience stores?
Hardboiled eggs

08. If you had a whole week off, how would you use it?
Return to Kansai to relax, or travel alone to the Czech Republic

09. I'm a 27-year-old female office worker. I have so many things I want to do in my 20s that it's overwhelming. I want to excel in my career, but I also want to get married and have children, so I might be asking for too much... There are many moments when I feel completely overwhelmed. Now that you're in your 30s, if you could give advice to yourself in your 20s, what would it be?
I lived my life fully dedicated to my work, and I'm really glad I did. So, even if I could go back to my 20s, I think I would still prioritize my career. So I want to say, "It's the right decision to pursue everything you want to do to as it is!" Reading what you wrote, I think it's wonderful that you want to work, get married, and have children. Many people don't even know what they want to do. I think it's great to live your life ambitiously, and I'm sure that if you can imagine it clearly, you can make it come true. Live freely and do what you love!

10. What song do you always sing when you go to karaoke?
I'm seriously the type to never go to karaoke...(laughs) Maybe "Kingyo Hanabi" by Ai Otsuka?

11. What do you eat and drink on a daily basis to stay healthy?
Kimchi and soy milk

12. If you won a billion yen (~$7 million USD) in the lottery, what would you spend it on?
My family

13. What is your favorite song whose lyrics were written by another bandmate?
"CANDY." TOMOMI's lyrics essay really struck a chord with me. I haven't told her I read it, but it made me really happy.

14. Do you have any themes or imagery for a song you'd like to try doing?
It'd be wonderful to someday write a wedding song or a song related to family

15. Last year, I attended a concert of yours with my daughter. Do the members of SCANDAL go on outings with their families?
I'm glad for you coming to our concerts with your family. Thank you. For New Year's, my mom visited my place with the little ones for the first time. We went to Disneyland, had a bit of a luxurious meal, and I showed them around Tokyo. Since I left my parents' home when I was young, I want to cherish the time spent with my family from here on out!

16. What if you were to join another band?
I don't think I'll play for any other band besides SCANDAL! (laughs)

17. What instrument would you like to try other than your own?
I like the guitar! I can't play it at all, though!

18. If you could switch bodies with another member for a day, who would you be and what would you do?
TOMOMI? Maybe I could enjoy camping too? ♡

19. What is your ideal way to spend retirement?
Since I have 4 siblings, it'd be nice to live somewhere that's easy for everyone to get to, and we could spend a peaceful time supporting each other and their families. It got pretty realistic (laughs)

20. What spots in Tokyo do you recommend?
When friends from Kansai come to visit, I often take them to Yebisu Garden Place. The view is nice, and they'll surely appreciate it.

21. What is your favorite music video?
I like all of them, but I really like "Fuzzy"

22. If you were to travel around the world, what route would you take?
A route that's Europe-heavy would be nice

23. What is your daily routine?
Like starting by drinking water every morning & going to Pilates once a week? Also, on my days off, I finish eating dinner by 5 pm, and listen to comedians on the radio while commuting!

24. Where would you live without worrying about work constraints?
Osaka!

25. Please tell us your favorite season and why.
Spring. After all, it feels nice outside, and I like that the lines in the city slope upwards thanks to the cherry blossoms blooming

26. What are your recommended seasonings?
Dashi (fish broth) soy sauce. It's delicious on everything... I always keep some in the fridge!

27. What local cuisine left an impression on you?
A croissant I had in Paris. I wandered into a small bakery in town and ate it at the hotel. It was just an ordinary croissant, but I remember being being impressed by how delicious it was. I wonder if it was the water, the culture, the number of times it was made, or maybe all of them combined? Also, it was at that bakery that I was able to have a conversation in French for the first time, so I think I was also happy about that!

28. Are there any certifications you would like to obtain in the future?
I'm interested in web marketing

29. Please tell us your favorite movie and/or drama series!
The ones I saw in the theater this January were Poor Things, Perfect Days, Wash Away. They were all very good.

30. What kind of people are SCANDAL fans?
Gentle and fragile. I feel like they understand not only our music, but also our nature. So, I wonder if there are some similarities between us? An existence that I want to protect.

31. How did you practice when you first started playing your instruments?
I was self-taught and played for 12 hours every day. I think it's a good idea to set deadlines and cover your favorite songs. I remember buying a book like "Rock Drums You Can Play in a Week" and just memorizing the basics. But playing an instrument is a lifelong practice, so I hope you continue to enjoy it and cherish your love for it. Keep it up!

32. What is one thing you absolutely cannot compromise on?
Rice for breakfast!

33. Please tell us your 5-year career plan.
It'd be great if I could create a place where I can utilize all of my skills, like a small team where I could just do what I love. I've always wanted to spend my life creating things.

34. I'd like to know which perfumes you've used recently!
LOEWE / Agua Ella
Diptyque / Philosykos

35. What did you consciously focus on to stand out at auditions or performances? I'm currently working hard to get from the audience to the stage, so I would love to learn from your experience. I'd also like to know if you have any tips for relieving tension before a performance.
With auditions, I believe it's important to express your true feelings in your own words, rather than trying to impress or please others. It's not about technique, but about having the courage to expose your true self in front of others. And not many people can do that. Feeling nervous is actually a good thing! I still tremble behind the curtain to the point that I really hate it. But I think it shows that my passion for performing hasn't faded. Take a deep breath and believe in yourself. Keep preparing until you're able to believe in yourself. May your dreams come true...!

36. What is your favorite SCANDAL song?
My favorite is always our latest song!

37. How do you take care of your body?
Pilates! Every year I feel that music may be more like sports. They're all about energy and stamina.

38. Do you have any hang-ups?
Singing!

39. What is SCANDAL's selling point?
The power to continue and the power to deliver

40. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I was always a cat person, but lately I might be a dog person. I like them both, but I'm allergic! So sad!

41. Is there a hairstyle you'd like to try in the future?
I'd like to have black hair and bangs just above my eyebrows〜. I wonder if it would suit me〜 haha

42. What is your specialty dish?
Gyoza

43. What would you do on your last day on earth?
My family and I will accept it without putting up a fight (laughs)

44. Do you prefer rice or bread for breakfast?
Ah, I answered this earlier... Rice!

45. Please tell us about a surprisingly down-to-earth side of you!
I really like traveling by bus. It's nice.

46. Is there anything you always do before going on stage?
I brush my teeth 40 minutes before.

47. If you had lived a different life, what do you think you'd be doing at your current age?
I think I'd be working. Maybe I'd be married? Maybe I wouldn't have children?

48. Have there been any recent happenings that made you feel like nothing has changed?
I feel that even if I could indulge just myself, I wouldn't be happy at all if my family isn't happy.

49. What's something great you've noticed recently about your bandmates?
There's so much to love about them!

50. What were some buzzwords for SCANDAL in 2023?
What did we say last year, again? Sekai ichi (best in the world)?

51. Last year, did you see any artists that you enjoyed or were moved by?
Anna of the North, a Norwegian female artist. She was very natural and removed her clothes during the performance, went down to the floor, and sang while hugging audience members. It was really wonderful!

52. What would you like to try doing this year?
Drive somewhere further than Chiba.

53. Are there any words you often use when writing lyrics or music?
Eien (eternity) / hikari (light) / hoshi (star)

54. What were your nicknames as a student?
Just Rina or Rina-chan. I kind of wish I had had a nickname!

55. Do you talk about fans who were at your concerts?
Sometimes we talk about how we saw people who hadn't come to a concert in a while! There's a monitor in the dressing room, so we can see the audience before the concert starts.

56. What is your MBTI?
INFJ-T

57. If you had a child and they wanted to play in a band, what would you say to them?
I'd let the child do what they want to do

58. Which song gets you most excited while playing it?
"Take Me Out"

59. Do you write lyrics first and then come up with the title? Or do you decide on a title first and then write the lyrics?
Both! When I'm starting from writing the lyrics and the title isn't in them, I have a hard time deciding on the title.

60. What do you recommend to relieve stress?
Watch Peey's YouTube videos. They're really encouraging and uplifting, and they help to loosen a tense mind.

61. What are you currently collecting?
Cups and plates when I go overseas. Also, zines. This culture is incredibly stimulating.

62. When do you unintentionally put on airs?
Well, even if I'm full, if someone asks, "Can you eat dessert?", I'll still say, "I totally can!" (laughs)

63. What are your top 3 must-have rice condiments?
1. Kimchi from Jojoen
2. Salmon roe pickled in soy sauce from Sato Suisan
3. Egg soy sauce natto

64. Which kind of gyoza do you prefer: fried, pan-fried, or boiled?
Pan-fried! But all of them are good. Gyoza is the best.

65. Please tell us your favorite album cover so far!
HONEY

66. How do you manage to do housework when you're busy with work and have less time to be at home?
I always been the type of person who doesn't have a lot of stuff at home, so maybe that's why cleaning up is relatively easy? There are definitely times when I'm too tired and end up leaving the dishes until the next morning! I can get by with this since I live alone, but it would definitely be tougher if I had more chores to handle.

67. Is there anything you always do before going to bed?
Facial steaming, facial care, and a face pack!

68. What do you find useful in your daily life working in the music industry?
Since there are so many unique people in this world, I feel like I'm used to the sense that it's normal for there to be people with different ways of thinking, different looks, etc.

69. What small luxuries or little rewards do you enjoy?
Godiva's Chocolixir

70. What's something that made you feel warm and fuzzy recently?
When I met the comedy duo Diane, I nervously told that they give me energy every day, and they shook my hand. We were both so conscious of each other that we shook hands with just our fingertips.

71. What do you like in your miso soup?
Tofu and deep-fried pieces of tofu

72. Why did you start attending dance & vocal training school?
When I was in middle school, I didn't make it to the final stage of an audition, but I persistently contacted a staff member I met at the time. I asked what was lacking, what could be improved, and what possibilities there were. Thinking about it now, I had never taken any dance or singing lessons at that time and had no skills, so I think I lacked everything except enthusiasm. But I'm sure that that enthusiasm got through to them, and they advised me to attend this good school in Osaka. That's what led me to enroll at Caless. And just two months later the band was formed, so my life is really strange. Life changes when you take action.

73. What's the first thing you'll do after getting home today?
Take off my accessories

74. What's your must-order menu item at an izakaya?
Crispy cheese!

75. What's the most difficult music video you've shot so far?
"SAKURA Goodbye." If I remember correctly, we were shooting until early in the morning and then I went straight to school. I think I was on the verge of tears as the shooting time was extended (laughs). It's cute how I just couldn't take it anymore

76. You have carrots, onions, potatoes, and meat. What are you making?
Nikujaga

77. If you could use the Anywhere Door just once, where would you want to go?
The Czech Republic!

78. Did anything significant change after setting your Guinness World Record?
A few taut threads that were no longer needed were cut away. We can now pat ourselves on the back for achieving a great result. It's all thanks to you guys. Thank you.

79. What is your favorite country/city?
I really do love Paris. I like the sense of valuing the beauty of the buildings and visible things, and also the style of living that values things as they age.

80. What would you like to try at least once in your life?
That's a secret

81. If you have any motto or principle in life, please share it!
Create something new to live happily without getting bored with yourself

82. What is your skincare routine?
I take vitamin supplements prescribed by the hospital and also receive care at a clinic. My skin is thin and weak, so it's normal to experience reactions when I go overseas! I try not to worry about it too much, and on my days off I try to stay as makeup-free as possible, being careful not to put too much strain on my skin!

83. How do you get through the really tough times?
I consult and rely on my siblings. Then, I regain my mental strength knowing I'm not alone, and I work towards resolving things one by one. It's tough to take action when feeling down, but I believe overcoming it on my own will change my life for the better.

84. What was the first CD you bought?
Best! Morning Musume. 1

85. How do you feel when a new song is complete?
We did ittttt! I want it to reach everyoneeee! We really are the best because we can make something like thisssss

86. What's your Starbucks order?
White Chocolate Mocha

87. Is there any event you'd like to try in the future that might be possible only through the fan club?
One with a very few number of people where we can have solid conversations with each person

88. What are your favorite LINE stickers?
Yuruani friends

89. What do you like about yourself?
My perseverance

90. Is there anything you're careful about when talking to someone?
I try not to negate others' opinions while still clearly expressing my own.

91. What are your fashion preferences?
I wear a lot of things, but I've always liked mixing girly styles with a cooler edge.

92. How did you spend your New Year holidays?
This year I spent plenty of time by myself, doing things like watching movies and reading books. I also met up with friends and family. It was the most relaxing New Year's holiday I've ever had, while thinking a lot about the future.

93. What earphones do you use daily?
Sony WF-1000XM4

94. What are your favorite onigiri fillings?
Salmon!

95. Do you have any plans for another solo exhibition? I couldn't go the last two times because the timing didn't work out, so if there's another one, I've decided I'll definitely go!
I'd love to do it if I'm able to create some pieces. So there are people who'd like me to hold another one... I'm so happy I could cry. I'd like to hold one in Kansai as well.

96. How did you fall in love with soba?
Hm, I wonder? I suddenly was obsessed with it! I started wondering what kind of differences there are between shop and had fun going out to try different ones. Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with it!

97. Are you still playing Fishdom?
I am, actually. I'm at level 7941.

98. Who are your latest favorite comedians?
Diane

99. Were you able to drive outside of Tokyo?
I accomplished that on January 8! Coming of Age Dayー!

100. That concludes the 100 questions and 100 answers! How are you feeling now?
Thanks for so many great questions! I'm happy I was able to write down who I am now! A commemoration!

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01. What 3 artists have shaped who you are today?
Tavito Nanao, Uichi Yamamoto, Fuwa-chan

02. Tell us what your favorite food is!
The kind wrapped in skin

03. Which member is likely to have the most savings, or is most financially stable?
None

04. Which member holds their alcohol best?
No one anymore

05. What are you looking for in a future husband?
They're always in a good mood

06. What thing are you most glad you bought last year?
NA-LX129BL (Panasonic Drum Washer/Dryer)

07. What do you tend to buy impulsively at convenience stores?
Gummies, dried fruits

08. If you had a whole week off, how would you use it?
Travel overseas

09. If you could give advice to yourself in your 20s, what would it be?
Don't be in a hurry

10. What song do you always sing when you go to karaoke?
"Yeah! Meccha Holiday"

11. What do you eat and drink on a daily basis to stay healthy?
Natto, fruit

12. If you won a billion yen (~$7 million USD) in the lottery, what would you spend it on?
Property

13. What is your favorite song whose lyrics were written by a band member other than yourself?
"Hon wo Yomu"

14. Do you have any themes or imagery for a song you'd like to try doing?
The future of Japan is wow wow

15. Last year, I attended a concert of yours with my daughter. Do the members of SCANDAL go on outings with their families?
I do

16. If you were to join another band, which would it be?
Queen

17. What instrument would you like to try other than your own?
Bird whistle

18. If you could switch bodies with another member for a day, who would you be and what would you do?
I'd become Lady and race around

19. What is your ideal way to spend your retirement?
I'd like to be simmering konjac or something

20. What is personally your favorite spot in Tokyo?
Bowery Kitchen

21. What is your favorite music video?
The latest one

22. If you were to travel around the world, what route would you take?
Go left

23. If you have a daily routine, please tell us about it.
I don't have a routine, but lately I've been eating mandarin oranges every day!

24. Where would you live without worrying about work constraints?
Awaji Island

25. Please tell us your favorite season and why.
Autumn! Spring is pollen allergies! Summer is sun allergies! Winter is dry! That's why!

26. Please tell us if you have any recommended seasonings.
Gold leaf

27. What local cuisine left an impression on you?
A huge pizza I had in America! It was the size of a comforter!

28. I love jeans so much that I became certified as a jeans sommelier this year. Are there any certifications you would like to obtain in the future?
I can't think of any, but I'm interested in what a jeans sommelier is

29. What movie or drama series would you recommend?
The most recent movie I saw was Wish. The short film Once Upon a Studio shown at the same time was also really good

30. What kind of people are SCANDAL fans?
They're similar to us

31. How did you practice when you first started playing an instrument?
There were almost no one to teach us, so I bought sheet music of popular songs and covered them

32. What is one thing you absolutely cannot compromise on?
I always reheat the water twice during a long bath

33. Please tell us your 5-year career plan.
Unsure

34. I'd like to know which perfumes you've used recently!
It hasn't changed

35. Do you have any tips for calming down before going on stage?
Before we go on, I think, "It'll be fine because my three bandmates are here with me"

36. Among SCANDAL's songs, which one is your favorite?
Please give me an hour to think about it!

37. How do you take care of your body?
Fitness and massages

38. Do you have any hang-ups?
I do!

39. What is SCANDAL's selling point?
Where is it?

40. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Dog

41. Is there a hairstyle or hair color you would like to try?
Pink

42. I'd love to hear what your specialty dish is.
Nibitashi

43. What would you do on your last day on earth?
I want to floor the gas pedal of a car

44. Do you prefer rice or bread for breakfast?
Bread

45. Please tell us a surprisingly down-to-earth side of you!
I love a good discount

46. Is there anything you always do before going on stage?
Eat lots of sweets

47. If you had lived a different life, what do you think you would be doing at your current age?
Living in Kakogawa

48. Have there been any recent events that have made you feel like nothing has changed?
My dialect when I'm with my local friends

49. What have you noticed recently that you think is great about the members?
MAMI is studying to get a certification

50. What were some buzzwords among SCANDAL in 2023?
Mochi

51. Last year, did you see any artists that you enjoyed or were moved by?
COLDPLAY

52. What would you like to try doing this year?
Stretch every day

53. I'd like to know if you have any habits when writing lyrics or music. What are your favorite chord progressions and words you often use?
Food-related

54. What were your nicknames as a student?
Tomo-nyan

55. After a concert, do you talk about fans who were there?
We do

56. What is your MBTI?
There are times I get ESFP and times I get ENFP

57. If you had a child and they wanted to play in a band, would you let them? If so, what instrument?
If they wanted to, I'd let them play the instrument they want

58. Which song gets you most excited while playing it?
"SCANDAL BABY"

59. Do you write lyrics first and then come up with the title? Or do you decide on a title first and then write the lyrics?
The title often comes last

60. What is your recommended way to relieve stress?
Eat something delicious

61. What are you currently collecting?
I'm gathering some nice-looking rocks

62. When do you unintentionally put on airs?
I actually prefer the firmness of my ramen noodles to be normal, but I think it is cool to order them hard

63. What are your top 3 essential rice accompaniments?
Natto, ikanago, nameko mushrooms

64. Which kind of gyoza do you prefer: fried, pan-fried, or boiled?
Pan-fried

65. Please tell us your favorite album cover so far!
YELLOW

66. How do you manage to do housework when you're busy with work and have less time to be at home?
Rely on machines

67. Is there anything you always do before going to bed?
Turn on the humidifier

68. What do you find useful in your daily life while working in music?
I can talk a little bit about every region of Japan, thanks to our 47-prefecture tour

69. I want to know about small luxuries or little rewards you enjoy!
Buying expensive fruit

70. Please tell us about something that made you feel warm and fuzzy recently.
I was dying of cuteness over Mei-chan and Kira-chan (otters) at the Toba Aquarium

71. What do you like in your miso soup?
Daikon radish

72. What was the reason you started attending dance & vocal school?
I loved dancing

73. What's the first thing you'll do after getting home today?
Wash my hands and gargle

74. What's your must-order menu item at an izakaya?
Dashimaki tamago (rolled egg)

75. What's the most difficult music video you've done so far?
It took 27 hours to shoot "CUTE!"

76. You have carrots, onions, potatoes, and meat. What are you making?
A curry set, right?

77. If you could use the Anywhere Door just once, where would you want to go?
Antarctica

78. Did anything significant change after getting your Guinness World Record?
Nothing has changed

79. What is your favorite country/city?
Poland. It was a calm, cute, and lovely country!

80. What would you like to try at least once in your life?
Paragliding

81. If you have any motto or principle in life, please share it!
Find lots of fun and happiness

82. I'd like to know about your skincare routine.
Find a skincare brand that suits me

83. How do you get through the really tough times?
Eat and sleep

84. What was the first CD you bought?
Best! Morning Musume.

85. How do you feel when a new song is complete?
Yay〜!

86. What's your Starbucks order?
Caffè Americano

87. Is there any event you'd like to try in the future that might be possible only through the fan club?
Mystery Tour, overseas edition

88. Please tell us your favorite LINE stickers.
Big fortune Gyaru

89. What do you like about yourself?
I'm lucky

90. Is there anything you're careful about when talking to someone?
Ask about what you don't understand

91. What are your fashion preferences?
I don't have any in particular, but I cherish the clothes that my friend makes

92. How do you spend your New Year holidays?
Go back to my hometown or go on a trip

93. Please tell us about the earphones you use on a daily basis.
AirPods

94. What are your favorite onigiri fillings?
Mentaiko (spicy pollack roe)

95. What are Dobondobondo's plans for future activities?
Undecided

96. During concerts, you nod and give signals to the roadies. I'd like to know what those signals are.
Adjusting the balance of the monitors

97. What and who inspired you to love camping?
A lot of my friends like camping, and I fell in love with it after going with them

98.Do you talk to the plants in your house and give them names?
I do talk to them, and some do have names

99. Have you gotten out of the habit of spending time in the bathroom at home?
I haven't. I'll try to stop this year

100. That concludes the 100 questions and 100 answers! How are you feeling now?
I can keep going

The last part of the magazine's written text (song explanations) will be posted soon!

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If you enjoy my translations, please consider leaving a tip!

"her" Magazine Vol. 4 Translations

Song Explanations

Gunjou pleats
Ultramarine pleats

MAMI: While making this album, when about half of the songs were finished, I wondered, "What kind of songs should we include from here?" I dug through my voice memos and this song came up. When was it from, again? I had pieces of the lyrics and melody for quite some time, but I never knew what kind of chords to use for the melody because I didn't write the song while playing the guitar. Although I had an image of it in my mind, I hadn't been able to give it shape for a long time.

TOMOMI: You had shared this song with us a long time ago. We said back then too that it was good but wasn't time for it to take shape yet.

MAMI: At that time it had no arrangement; it was just me playing on an acoustic guitar and singing, so it was difficult to convey to you guys what I had in mind. I had a vague idea that I wanted to make a song about clothes, so I started to again expand the image I had of it from there. When I thought about what kind of clothes gets me most excited, I suddenly thought, "Pleated skirts!" An image of me riding the train and going to all sorts of places while my pleated skirt fluttered in the wind kept expanding in my head....and that's how the lyrics started to come together. It's good because it goes well with the power and brightness that the word LUMINOUS, the title of this album, has, and because it's a song that we normally wouldn't have as the first track.

RINA: And recording for this song was finished last. When we decided on the tracklist at the end of recording instruments, the sound make-up of "Gunjou pleats" itself felt quite new to us. Since this was also a new challenge for us genre-wise, we all felt that it was the perfect opening for this album.

TOMOMI: I love this song!

All: Ahahaha.

HARUNA: The lyrics are really lovely, too. The cheerful lyrics about resolving uncertainties and moving forward on your own fit perfectly with our recent mood.

RINA: They do fit. The protagonist is an independent girl who knows how to enjoy her life to the max. I think that's really lovely.

TOMOMI: It'll be really difficult to perform live, though (laughs).

HARUNA: That's so true (laughs).

TOMOMI: Pop songs seriously are the most difficult ones. This made me realize that again.

MAMI: I wanted to make it sound like our roots: the Western dance music from the 1990s to 2000s that we used to dance to. I had the arrangement done to evoke a feel of hip-hop and R&B music from that era, including sound effects. Impressive guitar cutting, too, for example.

RINA: Each part had its challenging aspects to play, but I'm glad we tried so hard to make it sound the way it does.

HARUNA: Compared to recent songs, this one took quite a bit of time, didn't it? (laughs)

RINA: But it was fun, even though it took until midnight!

HARUNA: The guitar solo was recorded at the end, so we had a lot of fun using various effects pedals (laughs).

RINA: We were recording while thinking "Wow, that's cool〜" for each take (laughs).

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Fanfare

TOMOMI: This is the ending song for the anime HIGHSPEED Étoile. It's a story about women who take on the challenge of car racing, and we were asked to depict strong women that match the characters in this anime. When we got this offer, it was right around the time we were also working hard to get a Guinness World Record.

HARUNA: Around spring 2023.

TOMOMI: Yeah. That's why we wanted to create a song that would fit with our own realistic story and the anime's story. MAMI wrote the music, and I added the lyrics to it. However, at that time, I had consistently been writing lyrics focused on everyday life. That's why it had been a long time since I had written lyrics with broader meaning.

RINA: It had been a while since TOMOMI had written an outward-facing song, or even a tie-in song itself.

TOMOMI: Yeah. That's why, to be honest, I had a pretty hard time. I like to turn feelings that you have in life, like "Oh, these are important feelings, but I feel like I'm going to forget them" into lyrics or songs. Instead, I wrote this song by really getting close to the band and facing our current situation deeply in my heart... As I did so and looked at everyone, I couldn't stop the tears from coming out. I ended up finishing the song while crying.

HARUNA: Back then, you didn't sleep at all while writing the lyrics, didn't you?

MAMI: You didn't sleep for about 3 days.

TOMOMI: I couldn't sleep. I got to the point where I could only sleep for about 6 hours a week. Towards the end, I was seriously crying every day while writing. During that time, even after getting our Guinness World Record, the band was constantly discussing what we were going to do and wondering what direction to take in the future. How can I put it... I'm sure I feel the same way about SCANDAL as the fans do. I probably subconsciously felt that things will just continue like this forever, as if it were a given. On the other hand, after getting our Guinness World Record, I thought it would be difficult to set bigger goals than that. How should we live from here on? How can we express ourselves as a band in our current state? I think that was probably the first time we really took the time to think about these things carefully. 17 years of hard work have been very much worth it, and I am grateful to be able to live as one of these four members of the band. Thinking about these things made me feel both pain and joy, and I kept writing and erasing things over and over again. We also did many pre-production sessions and tried singing it once, didn't we?

HARUNA: Although this is a tie-in song, the anime itself is a story that cherishes female strength and depicts unapologetic female characters, so we were grateful that we were able to fit well with it.

MAMI: The anime side wanted a song that was speedy and intense with a fast tempo, similar to SCANDAL's past songs that we often perform live. TOMOMI struggled not just with the content of the lyrics, but also with writing lyrics for songs with this kind of melody. I could sense the difficulty she was having, even from the sidelines.

TOMOMI: But it also gave me a chance to deeply think about the band again, so I think it was a good opportunity for me.

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Watashi-tachi
Us

RINA: This song was developed starting with the lyrics—it's like I polished up lyrics I had written about 4-5 years ago. The things I was thinking back then sometimes have a different outcome when viewed through my current feelings. At the time, I thought the lyrics should be developed a little more, or that something was missing. But revisiting those lyrics now, I feel like not having a clear "answer" or "goal" is more realistic. I feel that my perspective on love as an adult, and the views of my friends and those close to me, have expanded significantly over the past five years. I was reminded that the same goes for the way partners are with each other, and that nowadays there are so many complex and diverse people out there, and many different forms of relationships. The answer isn't just to switch gears and move forward. As for the wording, I wanted to include lots of girly words and incorporate cute words. However, I'm not good at adding melodies after writing lyrics first, so I asked MAMI to finish it while I provided her with image references along the way.

HARUNA: You talked a lot about the music. You had a clear vision of what kind of music you wanted from the beginning.

RINA: That's right. From the start, I had an idea of wanting to incorporate piano keys and create a pop song that was bright, cute, and easy to hum along to.

MAMI: When I was given those references and compared them to the lyrics, I got the impression that the song was "bright but sincere," or rather, sad. Or emotional. I had hoped that the melody and arrangement could help convey those feelings. Ryo Eguchi, who also arranged "Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto," is very good at keeping the balance between the lyrics and the music, so we asked him to do that for this one as well.

RINA: He finished it in a very exquisite way.

TOMOMI: Did you have a title in mind for it from the start?

RINA: No, I came up with the title at this time. It ended up being a very stripped-down title, but I felt it was a word that could be used regardless of gender. I have many people around me, including those of the same gender, and I wanted a title that everyone who listened to it could feel was "their own song."

HARUNA: When RINA first sent us these lyrics, it was when we already had several songs for this album. Comparing it to the other songs, RINA said, "Maybe this one's a little too negative?" But we thought that these feelings are natural for us as well, and we replied, "There are many people who go through these things in their lives, and this can be a source of strength for them." These past 2-3 years, we went through things like the pandemic and releasing our 10th album MIRROR. This album as a whole feels like we've finally emerged from a tunnel, so this kind of song didn't sound negative to us. In fact, I think it's a song that makes you feel like we've changed so much that we're now able to sing songs like this in a realistic way. SCANDAL didn't originally write songs that felt like they were "still in the development process," but I'm sure that our fans, who have grown up alongside us, have experienced realistic love and experiences like this. It would be great if we could convey that we're living normal human lives just like everyone else.

RINA: That's right. I used to think that achieving a goal was the greatest happiness, but now I strongly feel like that's not the only thing. If we had sung this song 10 years ago, it might have sounded completely different.

HARUNA: So, when RINA was writing these lyrics 4-5 years ago and felt like something was missing, it was probably a genuine feeling. At that time, she might have been worried that the lyrics wouldn't capture a more advanced outcome. It's a song that we can sing now because we've changed a lot since then.

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Plum

TOMOMI: When making this album, we started talking about wanting to incorporate ideas from people other than just the four of us. We each listed the names of those we wanted to work with. At that time, I suggested EOW since I've been friends with their vocalist Laco since 7th grade (12 years old). No, maybe 6th grade (11 years old) (laughs). We're like childhood friends. We attended the same dance school and took lessons, formed a unit, and performed at events together. We really did spend our youth together. She's had so many experiences including being in an all-girl band, and after meeting some great members, she's now in the band EOW. I'm truly a fan of this band. I wanted a song with a "fun yet tear-jerking" EOW-like melody. and she was really happy when I mentioned wanting to work together. We had always said we should work together someday, and since our families have been friends for such a long time, both of our mothers cried with joy (laughs).

MAMI: These lyrics have been around for a while, haven't they? I wouldn't say they're from 10 years ago, but you probably wrote them when you were 26-27? I remember you showing them to me.

TOMOMI: Maybe so. They might be from my late 20s. Part of this song, not all of it, was completed at that time. I thought it would be good to work with Laco on something like "the end of love," and I thought it would fit the bittersweet feeling of adult youth coming to an end. I chose the title "Plum" because it included those elements. Since all of the EOW members are amazing musicians, I wondered how they would arrange the song, but it surprisingly fit seamlessly with SCANDAL. All them came to the recording as well, and did everything from direction of the instruments to the direction of the vocals. It had been a long time since we had someone else create a melody for us, so it felt refreshing.

HARUNA: I said this a lot back then as well, but the melody really made me think that it's definitely created by someone from the same school as us. The feel of the chorus reminded me of when we used to sing gospel together, and it was fun to be able to sing in a way that brought me back to the old days.

TOMOMI: I feel our shared roots in the chorus work especially. Originally, the last line of the chorus included the phrase "Those days were like a mirage," but then the idea came up to separate it and make it part of the chorus work. That was really interesting. It's nice when something we never would have come up with adds some spice to an album.

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CANDY

HARUNA: This song was recorded at the same time as "Plum."

RINA: We recorded "CANDY" and then were supposed to record "Plum" the next day. I remember that day very well because I had contracted COVID (laughs).

MAMI: It was originally a song made as the B-side for Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto, but when we saw the overall picture of the album, we wanted to include "CANDY" as well.

TOMOMI: That was when we were deciding on which songs to include.

RINA: We usually have 10 songs on an album, but this time we went with 11. So at first, it consisted of 10 songs excluding "CANDY."

TOMOMI: When those 10 songs came together, we felt like we needed to add more dynamics and tension to the album, so in a haste we decided to include it.

MAMI: I think the inclusion of "CANDY" really improved the album's balance.

TOMOMI: I've had the lyrical pieces of this song for quite some time, but I didn't really give it a proper form until early 2023. I've already talked about the content of the song in a few interviews, but I was hoping it could be a song that would be able to encourage people who are living like they're all alone. It's like a support song for those who are too kind, overly emotional, or are clumsy in life like those around me, and wanting them to feel not just the bitterness but also the sweetness of life. That's why it's titled "CANDY." This song is of course great with our usual band-style performance, but I vividly remember when we performed it last year at a camp-type festival called Muginotoki Ongakusai. Doing it stripped down, acoustic, like we did there, was refreshing and fun. It made me feel like our range of expression is deepening as we move forward. Since this song fits well with acoustic performances like that, I thought it would be nice to have more songs, though not all of them, in this kind of direction from now on.

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Vision

HARUNA: The B-side song for Line of sight.

RINA: I wrote it impulsively right after getting back from COUNTDOWN JAPAN at the end of 2022. In the dressing room at the festival, I had a moment of realization after talking to a close female photographer who has been taking pictures of us since our debut. I've always believed that SCANDAL's music contains many hints for life. That's something I'm proud of, and it's an aspect where I can acknowledge myself for being able to express those feelings. But when I'm alone, there are moments when I think about things I wouldn't when working or on stage, sometimes even engaging in self-destructive thoughts—that's just part of being human. In those moments, I catch myself thinking that this mindset isn't good, but at the same time, I can't help but think, "I'm lacking here," or "It would have been better if it were more like this." That's what the photographer pointed out to me. She said, "RINA, you sometimes doubt yourself, don't you?" That really struck a chord with me, and that conversation led to me to create the lyrics and music at almost the same time. It was good that those cloudy feelings could be channeled into music in a positive way. It became a song that reminds me to acknowledge those feelings and to live true to myself. I'm glad I could preserve it as a piece of music.

MAMI: It's a very RINA-like song.

RINA: At that time, I also couldn't imagine what my future would look like, and I also wanted a vision for the band. I like setting a goal, working backwards from there, and thinking, "This is how I'm going to put it together!" But it was stressful at the time because I wasn't sure where I was headed. This was a period of time when I wasn't able to let go of my frustrations, so I wrote this song while thinking, once again, that I like to live my life with a bright future in mind. I felt like I needed to capture that feeling before I forgot it, so I decided to write it all at once and then go to sleep. I wrote down those feelings with momentum. I hadn't written that impulsively in a long time. I was really struggling and feeling like things weren't going well, but looking back now that the album is completed, I think this song is also very positive. The album's title LUMINOUS means "to emit light" or "to be clear," and if I look at "Vision" as one of those them, even if the vision isn't clear, I can now feel that the destination I arrived at through struggling is the correct one.

HARUNA: When we held the Line of sight signings, a lot of people said that they like "Vision." Later, when we performed it live, the crowd was really into it. This song felt too precious to just leave as a B-side song. Its placement on this album adds an intriguing connection to the next track as well.

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LOOP

RINA: This song made me realize again that I really love rock music (laughs). I created it with the hope of having a song that we could really rock out to during our music club tour, which was already scheduled at the time. It's an alternative rock song, and I wrote it with a vibe like, "Let's distort those guitars!" I can't play the guitar well, so when I produce on my own, I always loop chords and build on top of them. For parts where I don't know the chords, I just focus on the rhythm. I wanted to make a song that embraces this "limitation," so I created the chords using loops.

HARUNA: We put this song on hold once. We wanted to leverage the looping chords, but on the other hand, it inevitably becomes monotonous that way, so we wondered how to address that challenge. There was a time when we couldn't come up with many ideas for that, but it was good that we later asked Satori Shiraishi to arrange it. He devised a way to make it not monotonous.

RINA: We changed the chorus. By creating several patterns for the melody itself, we were able to get rid of those issues. I changed the lyrics accordingly. The structure is extremely simple, so we can perform it to our hearts' content without any burden on our playing. We recorded the whole thing all at once, and it only took about an hour, right? The key point was to make it loud and distorted, with an energy that emanates something.

HARUNA: We also tried to balance it to match my vocals.

RINA: I made about 3 versions with completely different lyrics. At first, I wanted a longer tone with fewer words and more of a shouting feel, but finding the right balance overall was challenging. After considering how to highlight HARUNA's vocals and other elements, we decided to go with a calm tone for the chorus. That fit in nicely, and we were able to land on the form we have now. But thinking about it again, the change in mindset that came from confronting this "limitation" during the production process was a big thing for me. This "limitation" had always been a source of frustration. I understood that I had been struggling with the same issues for a long time, and that nothing would change if I didn't do something differently. I kept repeating that cycle, feeling exhausted by staying in the same place. So, it was a significant change for me to face my own weaknesses and the areas I wanted to fix, and to be able to challenge myself to break through and try new things. On the other hand, while this is my own problem, I feel that it is similar to societal issues when I watch various news programs. People getting hurt and broken over the same things, and the feeling of frustration like "How long will this keep repeating?" resonated with me. It'll probably won't ever go away. It's incredibly frustrating. I don't think anything will change just because I was able to create this song, but I feel like I was able to express my frustrations and sublimate them.

HARUNA: It's also nice that this song is after "Vision" and then leads to "Line of sight."

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Line of sight

MAMI: We were on SiM's nationwide tour when we received this offer, so this song is from around autumn 2022. The offer was to provide the theme song for the arcade game "Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE," which would play during battle scenes and other exciting moments. When it comes to songs that'll hype up battles, I thought we could tackle it with the kind of band sound SCANDAL is good at, but I didn't want it to be the same as before. Keita Kawaguchi, who arranged it, made it look very stylish. If I had done it myself, it might have turned out even more stout. I enjoy playing this song the most now (laughs).

All: Ahahaha.

TOMOMI: Kawaguchi's arrangement is very stylish and sounds very light, but it's actually quite difficult to do.

MAMI: It's the same for "Gunjou pleats."

TOMOMI: It's like we're improving our skills while having fun (laughs).

MAMI: It's more like we're studying. After all, he's someone who has been arranging our songs since our debut, so there's a sense that the variety in his arrangements has contributed to my current skill set (laughs), allowing me to do more. It's difficult, so it makes you want to take on the challenge, and there's an exhilarating feeling that makes it so much fun to play. Whether it's the melody, lyrics, or arrangement, I think it's necessary to have external input and discover things that we can't see just by doing it ourselves.

RINA: But when we were making "Line of sight," things were really tough. The production period was around the time COVID hit and live events kept getting canceled. It was already the worst kind of feeling, but because the four of us overcame such a difficult time together, we were on the same page. I think it's a song that expresses the desire to look in the same direction again and do your best even if you're struggling. But really, it was tough to do while looking at ourselves like that. And the situation with the pandemic, too. Listening to the song again now, I'm amazed at how we broke free. I never thought we could reach LUMINOUS from the pain we felt at that time. Going through these ups and downs, reaching a point where the four of us are living as we want to is definitely the right thing, and realizing that we ourselves are shining gives me a huge sense of relief. I really thought things were hopeless. But because we struggled so much to get to that point, I also think that's why it turned out to be such a cool song.

HARUNA: It's really significant that we managed to overcome it. I also think this is around when everyone evolved again, including the way we write lyrics. We're no longer bound by the rules we had before. We were able to get rid of the production flow and the structure of lyrics, which had been solidified to an extent, around this time. We were even able to forget the rules and put our feelings into music. That's why it felt like the possibilities were expanding again.

RINA: In a way, we might have been so desperate that we couldn't even be bothered with those rules.

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Anata e
To You

MAMI: This is the song we asked Rhythmic Toy World (※a four-piece rock band formed in 2009) to write the music for. I'm good friends with vocalist Ucchi (Naotaka Uchida), and we hang out at festivals, talk, and even go out for drinks. I'm simply a fan of Rhythmic Toy World myself and really love the melodies Ucchi creates, so I'm happy I got to sing a song like this this time! I've always thought that Rhythmic's spiritual nature as a band is similar to SCANDAL's, and that SCANDAL listeners would definitely like their sound. It would also make me happy if people started listening to them because of this connection.

HARUNA: As for the lyrics, you wrote some pretty in-depth stuff.

MAMI: I was allowed to express myself rather frankly. I wasn't sure how much I should say, so I had to check with the members and Ucchi and make adjustments. Looking back on the production process, I think 2023 was definitely a year in which I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone again. Because it's not like I'm working 100% for myself, having people who listen to and support us is what makes me successful. I also want to make sure not to forget their existence, and I thought it would be good if we could reaffirm that by singing this song ourselves. Even in the process of creating lyrics, there was this idea of stripping away the rules we had before, just like we talked about with "Line of sight." I've always had a division in my mind between what's okay to say and what I shouldn't say, but this time I wrote without even worrying about that. I used to think that being too direct with lyrics might not be a good idea, but I threw away that notion as well this time. I was like, "I'm just going to write it all down!" I previously didn't show any painful or difficult parts, but I feel like I've been allowed to do whatever I want this time. I'm very grateful to the members for allowing me to sing these lyrics.

RINA: I very much feel that our true feelings can be conveyed now by speaking frankly like this. The line "You're the reason I'm here singing" might sound very superficial if you don't dig deeper into it, but because those words include everything about our career to date and what we're dealing with, this one line really hits home. There's weight to it. MAMI was worried about whether it was okay to say all of this, but I really thought that a strong piece of music was created by expressing everything to this extent. It's a really cool way to express our intent, and I think fans will be happy to hear it. You can feel the life in those words because we've come this far.

MAMI: During the pandemic, we were working on songs for live performances. When those performances couldn't happen, it felt like we couldn't create anything at all. However, now that we're able to perform live again, I think that the meaning will change again, including the places where we'll sing it. I think this song represents the lives of the four of us, standing on stage as SCANDAL.

RINA: Every line of lyrics resonates with me. Everything makes sense to me. It might make some listeners think, "You still feel that way?" But we haven't achieved the dreams we envisioned. We've come this far with so many different feelings. However, there is certainly a strength here that allowed the four of us to choose this path of becoming a band, and to hold each other's hands throughout our long journey.

MAMI: But you know, in writing this, I also wanted to say that these feelings have come to a close. There's also a sense of closure—a good ending, so to speak. I actually intended it to be happier and more cheerful, but I must have felt like there needed to be some sort of closure at the end. This song brought it all out.

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1:47

HARUNA: I worked on this song last year, before summer. We were brainstorming ideas together, whether it would be for an album track or a B-side for a single. We had just released Line of sight and were preparing for Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto, so it was when we were often writing songs about our feelings towards our band. So, I was hoping to create a song that was more in tune with everyday life, but I didn't really have a clear direction in mind. That was when I found myself lying in bed and thinking about all kinds of things. My mind was spinning round and round. You know how sometimes you start thinking about past relationships when you're frustrated? As I thought about that, the lyrics that would become the basis for this song started pouring out and I quickly wrote them down in my phone's notes. It was exactly 1:47 in the morning. The melody naturally emerged from the lyrics, and I sent the acoustic version to everyone at first. Although I wrote about love in detail, in the end I feel like it became a song about the changes in my own sense of independence.

TOMOMI: HARUNA kept talking about this song's second verse around this time. Things like, "I didn't really like drinking that much," or "I didn't really like this food either." When you become an adult, you think "I should be able to eat this kind of food because I'm an adult," or "It's cooler to like this kind of food." We've all grown up while having an ideal image of adulthood in our minds. As we age while maintaining that awareness, and when we become adults in the true sense of the word, those "I actually didn't like that" feelings I heard from HARUNA really resonated with me. That's why I think this song's second verse is really great!

All: Ahahaha.

HARUNA: I think that feeling applies to love as well. Whether it's relationships or the band, or probably anything else, I feel like I have a particularly strong ability to accept things. Since I'm someone with a broad range of acceptance, I tend to try things out that everyone says are good, and I can usually understand and appreciate the fun or deliciousness in them. I'm the type who likes to try various new things and experiences. But as I accepted all these things and moved forward, I started to realize after turning 30 that I'm more fit to burst than I thought. So over the past few years, I've started to think about what I really like and what kind of person I am by nature, in relation to my already oversaturated capacity. I'm starting to feel like I need to whittle down all of these things I've gained. That's how I feel about past relationships, too. It's just as the lyrics say: I was trying to like the things the person I loved liked, but when I think about it now, I didn't really like those things that much. But even so, I think it's okay to be like that. I sang it as a romantic experience with no particular sense of pessimism. This song is about the importance of having various experiences and realizing various things through them, and that although the person you loved at the time is on a completely different path, you're passing time together on your own paths.

TOMOMI: So cute.

RINA: This song has a really good sound.

TOMOMI: When I first listened to the demo, the "ta-ta-ta-ta" in the chorus was really impactful.

HARUNA: I imagined it as just an alternative shoegaze-like song at first—nothing really special. I had mentioned to Satori Shiraishi that I thought that kind of arrangement might work. But when we actually went into the studio and started from scratch, the melody itself was so straightforward that when we put chords on it, it ended up feeling pretty standard. We talked about things like how the beginning of the song has a bit of a rap-like rhythm, so it might be a good idea to start with a breakbeat-like rhythm instead of starting with instruments. We were so worried about all these things that we both fell silent for a while. Satori then suggested, "Why don't you create the rhythm with your voice?" So I gave it a try. The same goes for the "ta-ta-ta-ta" part. When I tried playing the bassline with my voice, I thought, "Oh, this might be pretty interesting?" It started to come together nicely. It ended up creating a sense of time passing, which was great. I'm happy that we started from scratch and ended up with a fun sound, and I'm satisfied with how it turned out.

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Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto
We're Always in the Highlights

MAMI: These lyrics were actually written in 2022, when we contracted COVID during an overseas tour, which had to be canceled. I didn't think we would catch COVID overseas, and we had no choice but to live at a hotel, and that was the first time I really thought I might die. I had never strongly felt, "I don't want to die yet!" in my life before, but at that moment, I thought for the first time, "Oh, I might not want to die here." I had always been the type to think that when it's time to die, it's time, so I had never really felt the strong desire to cling to life. But when I thought that we might not be able to perform on stage as a band anymore, I felt like I should preserve my current feelings as lyrics. When you see so many artists and idols passing away for various reasons, it really makes you realize that the people in front of you aren't going to be around forever. I wanted someone to support me while recognizing that.

HARUNA: You were a little angry (laughs).

TOMOMI: She was (laughs).

RINA: Well, it is the truth (laughs).

MAMI: The actions and words of those who support you can sometimes affect not only their own mental state but also that of the group. I was angry about that, and I really felt that our presence itself is not eternal after all. We've been saying this for a while now. We recognize those things anew, and we want everyone else to do the same. But music endures by continuing to be shared in this way. When I wondered how many "eternities" we would be able to play in the future, I thought it would be good if we could continue our activities feeling that the present is the best time for us. I'm glad I was able to preserve it as music like this again.

TOMOMI: "Highlight no Naka de Bokura Zutto," as well as "Anata e" and "Fanfare"—it's rare to have such a collection of songs that focus so much on the band rather than us as individuals. It feels like there haven't been many songs like that previously in our career. But when we decided on the title LUMINOUS, we felt that it was connected to our journey so far. It was a necessary time in the process of getting to this point as a time to truly confront ourselves.

MAMI: There was a period when I had really frustrating feelings about the band SCANDAL. This song was created at that point in time, so the lyrics were like, "Why don't you understand us?" (laughs) or "We're working so hard, you know!" Now that I've said what I wanted to say, I feel like this is the end of that mindset. As TOMOMI mentioned earlier, I vividly remember when we were brainstorming for words when we decided on the title LUMINOUS. We brought together words like "light" and "piercing" while saying things like how "pure feelings are coming out." When I look back at it again like this, I realize that many songs were created with that kind of mindset. Even though we didn't put it into words, we've been grappling with this sort of haze for the past few years, searching for the light at the end of a long tunnel. Finally, a glimmer of light appeared, and little by little, we started moving towards it on our own. It's like we all shared that feeling even without saying it out loud. I think we came up with a really fitting title.

TOMOMI: When you listen to each song individually, they're not necessarily very cheerful. But when you put them together, you can feel a light-hearted mood to it. There were also plenty of difficult parts, but accepting them as part of the process allowed us to move forward.

RINA: Each of us wanted to write what we were thinking in a transparent way, which is why the album became a collection of pure expressions. I'm glad we were able to create it in this way at this point in our journey, and considering the uncertainty of how long we'll be able to deliver music in this "album" format in this day and age, I really think it's great that we were able to preserve it like this. I think it's an album filled with emotions that will still feel important even when we reach our 40s and 50s. I feel like we should give ourselves plenty of praise and even flowers to celebrate the fact that we were able to create this, our 11th album. I'm proud that we worked so hard, if I do say so myself.

HARUNA: I feel like we truly captured the essence of what it means to create an album together as the four of us. Up until now, we've been writing our own songs and coming up with ideas ourselves, of course, but we had our staff supporting us, and it felt like we created this piece as a team. We still have a lot of people supporting us, and while we're still a team, it feels like we were able to create this album more faithfully to our own ideas and beliefs. During recording sessions and even yesterday, it was just the four of us recording vocals together. That also made me happy. The album is filled with songs that we honestly think are good and were able to create with 100% purity, so we've been able to take more responsibility for the band SCANDAL and move forward. It feels like shedding old skin. I think this is an album that makes us feel that SCANDAL is at a very important time in its history right now.

TOMOMI: That feeling has been there since MIRROR. Since then, we've been trying to express our current feelings in a more pure way in our songs. From there, we started to see further changes in our mindset, creating a gradation that led to this. On MIRROR, we expressed our own darkness, or rather, our "confusion" as is. The gradient of transitioning from that tunnel-like state to LUMINOUS allowed us to reconnect with our feelings by connecting the two albums. I think that was the situation for not just us but for everyone in the world, too. After all, we really didn't know what would happen at that time. I'm so glad we were able to reach the light in this way.

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