Vocaloid Spotlight: Hatsune Miku - Sakura no Ame.

Graduation is something everyone will undergo at certain points of their lives. At the old age of nearly 22 years old, it is an event that I had gone through 3 times already, Primary, Secondary and Polytechnic. What did I felt when I was graduating? What thoughts were going through my mind at that moment in time? Thinking back, I can't really remember. I don't even remember if we did anything special on our graduation day, besides walking out of the school for the final time. Right now, somehow, I wished there was something unique and memorable that we did (like those which happens in animes), in order to remember such an event that will only occur a few times in my life. But still, even though graduation wasn't much of a memory, the many other events that occurred during school life, that is something I remember. Some memories are very dear to my heart, others not quite so, but I'm sure they're memories that I'll bring with me together, till the day I'm dead... Memories that defines my existence.Why I'm talking about graduation suddenly out of the blues? It's because the video that I posted yesterday, the song that I mentioned, 初音ミク - 「桜ノ雨」 Hatsune Miku - Sakura no Ame/Cherry Rain, is actually a song about graduation. A rough translation (with my horrible Japanese knowledge) from the comments made by halyosy, the author of the song: Hatsune Miku, a 16 years old girl, assuming that she had been living (in reality), where I earnestly wish that she would have an enjoyable school life. And on the last day, what she would think, what would she want to sing. With that thought in my mind, this song was born.

Original comment: 16歳の少女・初音ミクが現代を生きたとして、僕なら彼女に精一杯楽しい学校生活を 過ごして貰いたい。そして最後の日、彼女は何を思い、何を歌うのだろう。そんな想いか らこの曲は生まれました。
Listening to the song, reading the lyrics, I could feel the emotions that are being portrayed from it: The thoughts of separation, not wanting to leave; the memories that were going to be left behind, be it things we did, or the love that we had, the pain we had caused, not wanting to forget them all; the hope of meeting up again eventually, no matter how many years would pass, even if it will take a miracle, to once again see the never-changing gentle smiles; knowing that I'm not alone on this journey.With so much emotions in the lyrics, I can't help but just remember the past, and the thought of it just brings tears to my eyes. I got to admit, it was truly a really, really fun time. I'm regretting about not having done more. Reading the comments by others on the nico video brought even more tears to my eyes, they were just so meaningful and heartfelt. Advice to the younger readers of my blog: cherish the times you're having, etch them into your memory every single moment, it's truly the best time of your lives.Initially wanted to do a full translation of the whole song, but my level of Japanese just isn't quite up to it and I'm unable to do it, but will post the full lyrics below anyway for those able to read (maybe someone help me translate? ^^). But I'll translate what I felt was the most meaningful part of the song: I'll not forget, even though the petals (Sakura) are small now, that I'm not alone... And one day, when the petals blooms with their might once again, let us meet here again. 忘れないで 今はまだ… 小さな花弁だとしても 僕らは一人じゃない. いつかまた… 大きな花弁を咲かせ 僕らはここで逢おう.Without further delay, here's the full lyrics and the original nico link/youtube video for everyone's enjoyment. Happy reminiscing!! (I got the music sheet for the song for piano too, but I can't play it. If only I could regain my past skill at playing the piano. uguu~)

初音ミク - 桜ノ雨

作詞作曲：halyosy

それぞれの場所へ旅立っても
友達だ
聞くまでもないじゃん
十人十色に輝いた日々が
胸張れと背中押す

土埃上げ競った校庭
窮屈で着くずした制服
机の上に書いた落書き
どれもこれも僕らの証し

白紙の答辞には伝え切れない
思い出の数だけ涙が滲む
幼くて傷付けもした
僕らは少し位大人に成れたのかな

教室の窓から桜ノ雨
ふわりてのひら
心に寄せた
みんな集めて出来た花束を
空に放とう

忘れないで
今はまだ…
小さな花弁だとしても
僕らは一人じゃない

下駄箱で見つけた恋の実
廊下で零した不平不満
屋上で手繰り描いた未来図
どれもこれも僕らの証し

卒業証書には書いてないけど
人を信じ人を愛して学んだ
泣き
笑い
喜び
怒り
僕らみたいに青く青く晴れ渡る空

教室の窓から桜ノ虹
ゆめのひとひら
胸奮わせた
出逢いの為の別れと信じて
手を振り返そう

忘れないで
いつかまた…
大きな花弁を咲かせ
僕らはここで逢おう

幾千の学舎の中で
僕らが巡り逢えた奇蹟
幾つ歳をとっても変わらないで
その優しい笑顔

教室の窓から桜の雨
ふわりてのひら
心に寄せた
みんな集めて出来た花束を
空に放とう

忘れないで
今はまだ…
小さな花弁だとしても
僕らは一人じゃない

いつかまた…
大きな花弁を咲かせ
僕らはここで逢おう

No matter how hard it hurts me.
I'll never say good bye.
Your presence will always linger
in my heart.
...wanna see your smile again.