Sasaki Mirei Birthday Festival

Sasaki Mirei 佐々木美玲 of Hiragana Keyaki turned 17 on December 12th. Hers was one of three birthday celebrations held Saturday at  the handshake event in Chiba, (along with Saitou Fuyuka's and Katou Shiho's).

Her handshake lane was decorated, a programme was printed, Sasaki Kumi presented her with flowers, and Ushio Sarina read her a birthday message.

Mii-pan, as she is known, has become an important person in Hiragana Keyaki. She is much younger than the older members and only a bit older than the youngest members, but has become someone everyone relies on.

She is simply a solid and capable person. In the Hiragana Omotenashikai last October, she led the amazing chorus club that did good unaccompanied versions of Silent Majority, Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai, and Hiragana Keyaki.

Members are starting to call her "mama." She complained recently that Memi and Manafi were calling her "Mii-Papa."

"At least call me Mii-Mama," she joked.

She is the only member with actual experience as an idol, having been a member of the Kansai young-teen idol group choco☆milQ for a couple of years, until it disbanded in November 2015.

She comes from Kobe, and her family is rumoured to be fairly well-off. She spent about three years living in Taiwan when she was around 4-7 years old, and can speak some Chinese.

Here is Sarina's letter, followed by some more photos:



To Mii-pan --

Happy Birthday!

Mii-pan is always smiling and positive. She is like Hiragana Keyaki's sun.
When I'm a bit down, just seeing Mii-pan makes me happy and I start smiling.
And that doesn't just go for me, I think it goes for everyone in Hiragana Keyaki.

When you ask Mii-pan, "How's this?" I love how direct she is in her responses: "No good" or "That's weird."
She's from the second-lowest school-year in Hiragana Keyaki, but you wouldn't think it. She gives you a sense of security. She's so reliable.
And I love the way Mii-pan gives every movement of dance and song a little accent.
For all the advice you have given me about all the things I keep asking you: thank you.

But even though Mii-pan is always smiling, from time to time she herself has worries.
Whenever you have difficulties or things that are painful, tell me, okay?

Taking it all on yourself is forbidden, right?

I've wandered off into saying some odd things,
But once again: Happy Birthday.
Have a wonderful year. I love you, Mii-pan.
Let's continue to get along well.

(l-r) Ushio Sarina, Sasaki Mirei, Sasaki Kumi

Programme:

An-pan, shoku-pan, Mii-pan!
Mii (-pan)! Mii (-pan)! Mii (-panpan!)

(note: "Pan" means "bread, so Mii-pan's call means "Sweet-bean bread, loaf of bread, Mii-pan..."


♪ entry music: Dare Yori mo Takaku Tobe! (Hiragana Keyaki)
♪ everyone sings Happy Birthday!
♪ presentation of flowers by member
♪ letter from member
♪ a word from Sasaki Mirei-san
♪ commemorative photograph
♪ exit music: Lonely (Abe Mao)

Profile
Hiragana Keyaki
Sasaki Mirei
nickname: Mii-pan
birthdate: 1999-12-27
birthplace: Hyouga
Blood type: O
Cyalume colours: white x red

 Please:
- be considerate of people around you during the birthday ceremony
- please refrain from shouting other members' calls
- during the birthday song, please use the name "Mii-pan." 
- thank you, everyone, for your cooperation