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Many years ago, a scan of this letter leaked on the internet. Given the content of the letter, and the recent events in her life, it seems quite fitting to present a translation here today.

Kago was in 6th grade at the time, so presumably she was 12 years old. She also hadn't auditioned for Morning Musume yet, if the content of the letter is any indication. She used some bad grammar, and we've tried to indicate that as much as possible with the translation. That's it for the intro, I'll let the rest speak for itself:

Sixth grade, Class 2
Kago Ai

I want to become a singer some day.
I have loved to sing since I was 2 or 3 years old.
When I was a child, my mom asked me, "What do you wanna be when you grow up, Ai?"
I replied, "I want to be a singer!!"
I have been attracted to singing from back then.
I had always been singing songs, been singing well like more than anyone else since becoming an elementary-schooler.
Now I don't have any more room to breathe in my mind anymore.*
But I love singing.
If I could become a singer-celebrity, I'll become a young mother by the time I'm 20 years old and quit singing.
I would like to work very hard and keep singing songs until that day.
But if I become a singer, I'll get to meet lots of celebrities.
Then I want to do a concert as a singer.
As I start becoming famous little by litte, I will appear on Kohaku Utagassen, and share time together with celebrities there on New Years Eve.
Welcome the new year, we will.
I would like to continue to work with singing songs.
When I get to be a junior high school student, I want to have an audition so I can appear on TV.
Until then, putting my studies first in everything, I will become a junior high school student, and have an audition.
If I pass it, I would like to work and sing songs.
And my mom gave birth to me when she was around 18-19 years old, so I want to have a baby at about the same age, too.
Then I want to be a singer, which I'm longing for.
I will definitely make my dream come true.

Ai

*She probably wanted to say something like, "I'm thinking seriously about my dream of becoming a singer, so I can't enjoy singing anymore, as I used to that leisurely."


Additionally, the HPS translation team would like to dedicate this short poem to Aibon. This is an old waka poetry from the anthology Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, compiled in 13th century Japan.

ひさかたの　光のどけき　春の日に　静心なく　花の散るらむ
Hisakatano hikarinodokeki harunohini shizugokoronaku hananochiruran
On a tranquil day, so warm under the spring sun. How is it that the cherry blossoms fall so restlessly?
~Hello-Online

who knew that she would carry it out?

i know right.
and like the person above me a feel way less poor aibon now.