NGT48’s Yamaguchi Maho, Sugahara Riko and Hasegawa Rena’s graduation performance

卒業公演を行った(左から)NGT48の山口真帆、長谷川玲奈、菅原りこ(AKS)

The day had finally come and NGT48’s Yamaguchi Maho (23), Sugahara Riko (18) and Hasegawa Rena’s (18) graduation performance at NGT48 Theater in Niigata City is now done.

Many fans lined up for the graduation concert:

The three NGT48 friends who stood together, were the only three main NGT48 members to perform together (which was announced prior).

In addition, Akimoto Yasushi wrote a song for the three to perform at their graduation performance titled “Taiyo wa Nandodemo”.

But the most touching moment of the graduation performance was when Yamaguchi read a letter to both Sugahara and Hasegawa.

For Rena, Yamaguchi wrote, “Rena has always supported me.  Rena worried about me for a long time and contacted me every day.  She was also invited to my parent’s house and hugged me for a long time which made me cry.  No matter how much I told her, ‘I’m sorry, I’m OK’, Rena would cry with me and say ,’I’ll keep supporting you Maho’ and that stayed with me forever.  No matter what anyone said, Rena stayed with me all the time”.

Yamaguchi also thanked Rena’s family who worried about her like she was their own daughter and thought about her all the time and hugged her.

Yamaguchi said that without Rena, she doesn’t think she could graduate and how Rena helped her turn those negative emotions to positive emotions.  And how she wants to support Rena and will be her friend for life.

As for Sugahara, Yamaguchi said that Reiko is not a person who speaks about her feelings so much.  She felt that Sugahara is a person with idol talent.  But even when she was sad or depressed, Riko was always thinking about her, coming to visit her.  And how she always looks forward to hanging out with Riko.

These last four months, Maho got to know Riko and Rena very well and thanks them and wants to continue to meet with them, hang out and make sure their future dreams come true.

As for the final song, the three were joined with a five other NGT48 draft members to perform Keyakizaka46’s “Kuroi Hitsuji”

Sugarahara said she dreams to perform a solo concert someday, while Hasegawa said that she is aiming to become a voice actress.

The final song performed was AKB48’s graduation song, “Sakura no Hanabiratachi”.

At the end of the show, NGT48’s official website announced that the three graduating member’s Twitter and Instagram accounts will continue to be used.

A fanmade video was made featuring the three graduating members: