Pamy92

~ 2nd Session ~

As I could not reach the venue in time for the 1st session, I only applied for the 2nd and 3rd session.

We had to report to the venue in two batches according to our assigned number (mine was 70) so I decided to chill at the nearby cafe with coffee to calm my anxiety.

When it was about time for me to head to the event hall, I confidently showed my Singapore identity card and I managed to head in with no issues!

The gifts were collected by the staff and taken away immediately to the back room, but I have no doubt that the gifts were safely received by Asaty.

At the start of the event, the MC reminded us of the house rules before calling Asato Yuya out from backstage.

I was bracing for myself to start crying but instead, his infectious energy brought a huge grin to my face and it made my cheeks hurt!

Assay came out in his bright green screen suit (lmao) which I found super amusing because I started thinking of what I can photoshop over the fabric oops!

① Cross-talk

Asaty and the MC had a little banter about his hoarse voice, and his birthday NicoLive broadcast the night before.

It was then cake time, and we all wished him happy birthday!

②Fan Q&A

The emcee had a list of questions shortlisted for this section. And the 1st question selected was his kanji of the year: 興 (which he forgot how to write and the MC had to come over to teach him how to write it.)

Question 2 was from an fan-friend of mine, “Which country would you like to visit? For myself, I would like to visit Australia and Singapore." --- Asaty said he'd like to visit Europe. And that although there were lots of museums, he is not a fine art person. He then demonstrated his short attention span looking at art. However, he said interactive museums like Zoos or Aquariums interest him more.

And to my surprise, my question was picked! "Asato-kun's English pronunciation is really cute. Please hold a conversation with the MC in English!"

MC: What time did you go to bed last night? Asaty: 3...o'clock! AM! MC: What time did you wake up? Asaty: 6...o'clock! AM! No more please!

At this time, the whole hall was laughing so hard because he was struggling to hold the conversation. Asaty then talked about how he loves translator apps, and when he was talking about the soccer match with his western uncle, his uncle was kind enough to write in English and provide a Japanese translation below each line to help him.

There were other questions asked but I could not remember them because I was already excited my question was picked.

③ Nintendo Switch with Asaty

After the Q&A session, it was game time. In the past, we used to play rock-paper-scissors and gesture games but this year it was Nintendo switch!

4 fans are picked by lottery to come up to challenge Asaty in each mini Mario party game. There were a total of 6 rounds or so.

Asaty shared that in the first session, he was defeated by his fans who were eager to thrash his ass in the game, and he told us to play nice because it was his birthday.

And some of the games were absolutely hilarious because Asaty is very vocal when he games, so he was jumping, shouting “Oi!!!!“ and staring at the daring fans who made him lose. I think this was the best segment they have ever done since I joined his birthday event! The chances of getting picked was about 15%, so many fans got to play!

On the 4th round, my seat number was called to join as the last player, and because I was kinda zoning out from the lack of sleep, my mind didn't register the Japanese number (70).

So I sheepishly scuttled to the front and was seated closest to where Asaty was standing, and took Birdo's game controller. Our game was quite hard and I didn't understand the game rule instinctively, so I started freaking out.

The patient staff was helping me throughout while I made all sorts weird distressed noises.

When I finally figured out the controls by accident, I shouted "oh my god!" when the face stretched - and Asaty snapped his head so fast to look at me.

Unfortunately I lost round 1 because I didn't realise that we were supposed to copy the sample face. I think Asaty sensed my distress and he offered to do round 2, saying that "It's too short! This game is hard!" Bless him!

I scored a bit better in the 2nd round but still got the lowest score, and the emcee ushered us back to our seats. I exchanged glances to silently thank Asaty with my eyes on my way back to my seat, but he was staring so hard (with a smile) instead.

④ Aisatsu (Greetings) Time

Before Aisatsu, there was also a lucky draw of an autographed event postcard for 5 lucky fans! Unfortunately I did not get picked.

Finally, to wrap up the event, Asaty gave a short thank you speech for us coming today, and that he was glad to celebrate his birthday with all of us this year.

The emcee then thanked Asaty and invited him to exit the hall, and he briefed us on the photo-taking session. All poses are assigned and we could choose 1 out of the 3.

Pose 1: Double peace sign

Pose 2: 35 pose

Pose 3: Finger hearts

I selected the 35 pose to commemorate his birthday!

⑤ Phototaking

We were ushered row by row outside the hall to wait for our turn to take photos with Asaty. We had to sanitize our hands before taking the letter paper of the pose we want.

I already knew what I wanted to say to Asaty, and rehearsed it a million times in my head. It really felt like I was going to meet a long-lost friend, rather an Oshi, so I wasn't as nervous as my first meeting in 2018 (I was so scared back then).

When the girl went up first in front of me, I could watch their conversation and got really nervous. I distinctively remember watching her and how she interacted with Asaty, it was a very polite conversation.

When she was done and Asaty watched her leave before turning his attention to me, I gave my biggest wave and shouted "Long time no see!"

I remember his eyes going wide and he leaned forward, almost off his seat, "Pame-chan?!" he asked as if to confirm and as I nodded my head, he gave the biggest grin, replying "Thank you!" and his smile was so blinding!

Pamy: Long time no see! *waves wildly* Asaty: *eyes widen* Pame-chan?!! Pamy: Un! Long time no see! Asaty: *breaks out into the happiest smile* Thank you!! Staff: 35 pose please! Pamy: *holds up 3 fingers in left hand, 5 in right* Staff: No no, just 5! Asaty: *turns over to check* I do 3, you do 5! Pamy: OH!! Sorry! Staff: 📸 Pamy: (in English) I'm coming for the 3rd part! Asaty: Ah! *nods nods* Thank you! (I found out a few days later through the fan waiting behind me that Asaty pretended to understand my English, oof! That was brutal!) Staff: Okay, time is up! Pamy: *gets up and walks off* Your English conversation was super cute just now haha~! MC/Staff: *laughs* (walks off the photo venue) Asaty/Staff: YOUR POLAROID!!!! Pamy: OHHH! Thank you!!! Eheh! Asaty: *laughs and waves*

I then waited at the lobby for a fellow fan (our first time meeting), and we went for tea to wait for the next session to start.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

~ 3rd Session ~

My seat was 34 this time round, so I was in the third row! The programme was largely the same as the 2nd session, and the MC reminded us of the house rules before ushering Asaty out.

① Cross-talk

This time, Asaty changed into a dark navy suit with a turtle-neck sweater, and his hair was slicked back. He did a twirl and asked if we liked this outfit choice, and it felt very formal.

During the cake session, Asaty finally took a bite of the strawberry and a huge forkful of cake. It was really funny to see him stuff his face.

I think the cake ended up being too sweet so he had to ask for water to wash it down.

I can't remember what they spoke about during the cross-talk. But I do remember that he spoke about how he has been in Tokyo for 16 years, that he considers himself more of a Tokyoite than Okinawan.

② Fan Q&A

My question didn't get picked for this round unfortunately, and some of the questions he answered were covered in previous years' events - eg. his parents wanted to call him "Tokiya" but it only stuck around for 2 weeks before they changed it to "Yuya".

③ Nintendo Switch with Asaty

This time round, Asaty selected all the princess characters (Princess Peach, Rosalina and Daisy) while he played as Birdo (who annihilated him in Session 2) It was super funny because he got thrashed by his fans again, some of them had super aggressive gameplay!

In one game, it was some tank shooting game and one fan blasted his tank non-stop, and ended his game within seconds. We were all laughing so hard because she was brutal.

Because all the fans didn't hold back, Asaty was literally shouting: "Oi! Daaaaisy!! Oi!! Peeechy!! Oi! Rosalina!!"

My two Asaty fan-friends got lucky and could play with him again for the 3rd session!

④ Aisatsu time

Before Asaty gave his thank you speech, he drew five lucky numbers to receive the autograph postcard. Again, maybe my lucky streak has worn off and I didn't get picked but I got to watch him interact with the lucky fans!

When he hands over the postcard, he bows at his fans and really stares at them (with a smile) in thanks. It was really cute to watch! Again, thank you Mama Asato for bringing up and reminding Asaty to thoroughly appreciate fans.

Asaty gave his thank you speech, and thanked us for supporting him till now.

⑤ Phototaking

Once again, we were ushered out of the event hall row by row for the phototaking. I was in row 3 so I didn't have to wait long.

I selected the finger heart pose this time round because it looked cute.

Pamy: Asato-sensei, Thank you for teaching me Japanese! *deep bow* Asaty: 😆 Thank you! Staff: Finger heart pose please! Staff: 📸 Asaty: *leans over the Covid splash screen with serious look on face* Thank you very much for everything as always! Pamy: I'll support you from abroad! Asaty: When did you return back? Me: 2 weeks ago… (**I must have heard him wrongly because he shook his head) Asaty: No, when are you returning back? Staff: Okay, time is up! Pamy: Soon! I'll support you online okay! (Asaty was really scrambling to talk as I got up to take the polaroid and leave.) Asaty: Be careful when you return back okay? Pamy: *turns back to wave* I will! Asaty: 😊👋🏼

(** Return in Japanese, depending on the speaker could either mean return to Japan or in my instance return back to Singapore, so I misheard and the staff was also listening to our conversation so I panicked.)

I read in many fan accounts (and also observed with my eyes) that Asaty will watch your back as your leave.

So I turned and gave him the wildest wave and he smiled dazzlingly and waved back.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Summary:

It's really been such a long time since I last saw Asaty in person, and I forgot how tall he was. His happy energy just spreads out when he smiles, and I really felt he was genuinely appreciative of his fans, especially those that stuck around for years.

I could recognise his regulars, and those who attended multiple sessions. Another fan was telling me unlike Rin Rin's birthday event (that you have to ballot for and they book a even bigger venue which made it very formal), Asaty's event was about 100-odd fans and has a more friendly-feeling.

Because of that, I'm grateful that a smaller event meant a cosier one, which we get a chance to play games with Asaty and also chat with him a bit.

I myself did not expect him to remember my name, maybe "Singapore fan" might jog his memory, but he caught me by surprise because I didn't have to even say my country or my name.

He remembers.

As he does to all his fans.

It was really an unexpected surprise, and something that I will remember for a long time.