After my autographs experience in Houston, I've come to realize more than ever how important this girl is to the group.
I'm kind of a terrible Zukki fan; already I've met her twice with the handshakes in NY and this autograph session in Houston, and yet I still choked up and couldn't properly talk to her, or give her the gift I made for her this time. And it was the same with most of the other members; the idol aura combined with the language barrier (as well as my own fatigue) kind of overcame my ability to say what I wanted to say or could've said to them.
But once I got to Miki, knowing that I can talk to her in English, suddenly I'm verbose, telling her how her injury scared me and that I'm so glad she still managed to show up for this!
Seriously, getting to each girl I was like:
Fukuchan & Eripon = omg
Zukki = OMG OMG OMG
10th gen, Sakura, rest of 12th gen = omg
Miki = 'sup, how's your injury doing?
I should've followed up with another San Francisco endorsement for her (Rayle was in line before me, telling her to come visit us), but the important thing is how much breaking down the language barrier can make the idol fan experience that much more engaging. (shit, just look how much more popular Aika has become)
Tsunku made a great choice in his final days as producer.
MIKI NONAKA, YOU DA REAL MVP!