Here is my post on Hizaki's solo LIVE tour ~Crimson Rose~ in Paris. Since it is a long entry I have split it into subheading sections for easier reading. Please enjoy.
Journeying to Paris
As we were to be going to the Kawaii Café that day, I wore my Baby, the Stars Shine Bright outfit on the plane. Of course, it was my treasured 'Versailles Rose Bouquet' Jumperskirt in the red (Chateau de Versailles) colourway. I had heard stories before about lolitas having problems getting through security, but I had no trouble, and the airport staff even complimented me on my outfit.
Once we were through customs, my Mummy and I decided to go to Giraffe for Breakfast. I had pancakes - it was a nice yummy sweet treat, just right for me.
Of course, there are not many interesting things to be said about airports and plane travel, so I'll just fast-forward to our arrival at the hotel. (I'll bypass the part where instead of saying 'exscusez-moi', I went 'sumimasen' instead.)
Our hotel was based in Cergy, about 2 miles from Covent Garden Studios. After having some trouble with taxis when we went to see Sunshine last year, we thought we would be clever and book a hotel nearby.
That was until we found out about Hizaki's meeting at Kawaii Café.
On the way to Kawaii Café
So after settling into our hotel for about an hour, (hanging up my dresses to make sure they did not get creased), we went off to find the train station.
The train station was a short walk away, through a beautiful park. My heart was full of joy and trepidation as I walked through. Until my mother and I arrived at the station and my head became full of confusion.
Luckily, there was a person at the ticket office who could speak some English so after peering at maps we were able to purchase our tickets okay.
The train into Paris lasted about half an hour perhaps. I remember looking at the the map to make sure we departed at the right stop. I was anxious. Would my dream be real? Trains fill me with a sense that I'm heading to something good. I felt that the forever-long wait I had to endure would soon pay off.
When Mummy and I reached the stop in Paris, we had some more confusion. What next train to get? The metro, yes we knew? But what line? Time was running out. Parisians rushing here and there. There was no staff. My heart was beating fast.
Eventually, we found the information point and were directed to the right train to get.
I found out that if you dress in lolita on the metro, you will have an accordion player serenade you with his less-than-stellar rendition of his original song 'Bonjour Princess, Princess in Paris.' or something like that. Sadly, it wasn't the same person who 'plays' the accordion in his 'Trésor' video. He can serenade me any time he wants.
Actually the stop I wanted to get off at was shut, so we had to get off a stop early. I learned a harsh lesson about google maps and location services. It took us forever of going in the wrong direction, turning down the wrong street until, finally, when I was on the verge of tears, I could see it! The Kawaii Café! Yes yes yes.
Waiting for Hime at Kawaii Café
Of course I had to stop in a shop window to fix my hair. By this time my Mummy and I were very hungry as we hadn't eaten since about half-past nine that morning. So were very grateful to find we could order nice hot food at the Café. I want to thank the Café staff for being so welcoming and providing great service.
Chekis with Hizaki cost €10. In order to have one we had to put our name down on a list in order to book our place in the queue. There was some merchandise on sale, but only a little and I'd thought I'd wait for the LIVE before I purchased anything.
During the wait for Princess, I was able to talk to some lovely fans. I'm so happy to have met them. Everyone I talked to was very kind - I hope one day to meet again.
There was a little 'music-knowledge' game in the Kawaii Café. It went like this:
The staff would play a clip of a song and if you knew the artist and the song, you were to raise your hand and you could win points and prizes. Or something like that. I didn't play myself as my Japanese music knowledge is very limited!
*Hime arrives at Kawaii Café*
It was about half nine when Hizaki arrived. We were all ushered outside the café and waited at the sides of the street.
I could see dear Princess coming down the road to meet us and then suddenly, there he was, right in front of my face. Wow! My first meeting was very intense.
After saying 'Bonjour!' (And then probably something else, I can't quite remember.) Hizaki went and sat down on the sofa inside. We were then called in for the chekis by order of our names on the list. Fans were called inside by groups of about four, to go up one at a time.
I had to wait just a little while for my turn. When I went inside, I put my bag down under a table. I had a letter for Princess in Japanese. I took a deep-breath and mentally prepared before going up.
And then suddenly it was my turn, I could go meet Hizaki-hime!
Ah, I was nervous. I wanted to give him my letter I had written, but they went straight into the cheki, so I held it on my lap as the picture was taken.
Actually, when I sat down, he looked at me and then looked at my dress and said "very pretty". I was so happy. I said "thank you" quietly. It was lovely. He put his arm around me for the cheki.
Then he shook my hand and I gave him my letter. I hope he could understand my poor Japanese.
I was so thrilled. He was everything I had ever dreamed. Truly.
Then, because it was late and we were in a strange city, my Mummy and I went to get a taxi back to our hotel. We were quite lucky in that we could hail a cab quite quickly. However, it was a little scary watching the fare go up and up. Needless to say, it was much more expensive than our train ride there. But we got back to our hotel safe and I'm so glad I did it.
Day of the LIVE
I didn't get much sleep that night and the next day I woke up naturally about 5am. (･･;) But I lay in bed for a few hours, just dozing and scrolling on my phone. I was very tired, but hyped for the LIVE.
Instead of rushing around to beat the clock in time for breakfast, my mother and I decided to spend time getting ready so we could have an early lunch in the hotel.
I wore this outfit. As I said in Sunshine's London report, I fear wearing brand to LIVE's, for fear of ruining the dress. Actually, looking back, it would have been better if I had done a different hairstyle, but I wanted to incorporate my Versailles scrunchie somehow.
The food in the hotel was lovely. Very much worth the price. I'm so glad we stayed there. I had an omelette, and then for dessert this absolutely gorgeous ice-cream. So delicious. (I didn't take any food pictures, sorry!)
We headed off pretty soon after we had eaten. We were in walking distance (about two miles away) from the venue. It was along a main road, but it was pavemented, so it was fine.
I arrive at the venue
We arrived at the venue around half-past three. There was plenty of time to talk to other fans and I met some really nice people there. Although I am embarrassed by my terrible Japanese and non-existent French.
One lovely lady from Japan was handing out light brackets from Jupiter and she she gave me the Hizaki version. I shall treasure it.
When the VIPs were let into the venue, we were given a special 'HIZAKI - Crimson Rose' bag by a staff member, with a poster and jupiter bracelet. I was really pleased by the gifts, they were such a nice touch and really felt like a very special souvenir from the event. We then waited in the foyer for a few minutes, before we were allowed in the hall.
This is my mother's photo of the gifts.
*Hizaki solo LIVE*
My Mummy and I were very lucky in that we manged to get a front row position, albeit at the very end. As you can see in this picture taken with Hizaki at the end of the concert, only the edge of my dress is visible.
Hizaki came out wearing his outfit from 'The History of Genesis'. It was lovely to see all the detail and beadwork on his dress. He moved his arms a lot, and the wide sleeves of the dress added a touch of elegance to his movements. When he twirled around, you could see his black lace tights underneath.
Now, as I've said before in my reports of Sunshine, I'm no good at remembering set-lists, so I can not give an accurate description in that way. But I will try my best.
I think Hizaki started with a Jupiter song - Birth of Venus. I vaguely remember singing Zin's lyrics in my head. Hizaki played so well that I probably spent as much of time watching his fingers move expertly up and down the strings, as I did looking straight at him.
Princess played songs from Hizaki Grace Project, such as Race Wish; Versailles, including Serenade and Sympathia; and from Jupiter; Church Candle was one of the songs present.
It was lovely to listen to Serenade, as it was the song that made me fall in love with the beautiful band. There was a bittersweet feeling stirring somewhere in my heart.
Church Candle is one of my favourite songs from Hizaki. There is such complete sadness and joy intertwined in the melody. It felt like the edge of something beautiful. Unfortunately, this was when Hizaki's guitar string broke. But it was okay because Princess was an expert and he could fix it. He went to the back of the stage to sort it out. When he was seeing to his guitar, he turned his head towards us and said "'Sorry" cutely in English.
Someone from the audience shouted "Daijoubu desu. Ganbaru!" And Hizaki made a fist.
We started to cheer and clap for him, then, when he went to tune the strings, we quietened down so he could hear properly. But no, he waved his hand - he wanted us to cheer louder! I guess now I should mention about the guitar - it was his signature burgundy and golden roses of course. It looks even prettier in real life.
Then, the guitar was mended and Hizaki was able to play Church Candle again. "Okay, one more time." And it was so, so beautiful.
Hizaki spoke a little English, and a tiny bit of French. I think he only knew two words in French; 'Bonjour' and 'Je t'aime'. When he first said the latter one there was a cheer, and thus he said it many more times.
Hizaki leapt onto the barrier a lot, much to the delight of the crowd, and played from there. He seemed to focus on the middle a lot - I think simply because there were strong gentlemen there who were able to hold him up.
One time later, he came right over to the end where I was with my mother and two lovely French ladies who were behind us. He didn't jump on the barrier though. I think he took one look at me, thought: 'She's too delicate!' and decided against the idea.
For the encore, Hizaki came out in the sailor jupiter top with the bow print and a black skirt. The skirt looks much better than it does in pictures. It had some sort of print on it (I'd like to say some sort of embroidery or embossing), but I'm not sure. I think it was something like crowns or roses. He was very playful with that skirt, and kept waving it in front of some fans' faces!
It was then that he made his way over to my corner. He played his guitar and reached his hands out to the audience so they could touch his hand. I was a little shy, but very happy when he patted me on the head. It was a special moment.
At the end of the LIVE, two staff members came out. They were both wearing the sailor bow print Jupiter t-shirt, but one of them was a male wearing it with his masculine clothes! It gave us a laugh. They took the picture then. As I said, I can't be seen in it. However, they were filming a little outside the venue and the Kawaii Café, and I made sure I was in frame for that, so we'll see.
Hizaki threw some guitar picks out to the audience. I wasn't able to catch any, but the ladies behind me caught his water bottle. I'm glad for them.
*VIP meet and greet*
At the end, the VIPs were told to wait in the foyer, so the staff could tidy up before we could meet Hizaki in person. There was merchandise on sale that a lot of fans were looking at. On sale was some Jupiter t-shirts, pictures and CDs and also a special Crimson Rose bag (different design to VIP) and Hizaki poster, and also special chekis taken on the solo tour, among other things. I hope Jupiter were able to gain more fans from the event.
I went to tidy myself and reapply some of my makeup, when I saw that my fairy dust had spilled all over my make-up and was spilling on to the floor. I am sorry for the staff who had to clear it up. It was all over my hands as well and not knowing what to do, I put it in on my hands and in my hair so I was kira kira princess.
The VIPs lined up to go in one at a time to meet Hizaki in the hall. (Friends could go in together if they wish). I'm glad that our meeting was private, so I didn't feel flustered. We went in with our posters that we had recieved before he live. There was a white space at the bottom for Hizaki to sign.
When I went in, he looked up at me and said "hai, kawaii kawaii". I was very rose-faced indeed. I tried speaking a little to him in Japanese but I am afraid that my language abilities are very poor. However, his interpreter next to him was very friendly. Then Hizaki came out from behind the desk and gave me a hug! I was surprised...maybe I should have hugged him more, but I was being cautious. I handed him my present and he thanked me.
Then he handed me a fresh rose. It was lovely. I was so pleased. I bowed and said "hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu."
It was a dream.
After the LIVE
We were out of the Venue about 11:30pm I think. We talked to the staff as to whether it would be safe to walk back at that time of night. They assured us that it would be fine, but then, a couple of minutes later, they offered us a lift. Wow, we were so grateful. Honestly, seeing how lovely the staff were and how organised the event was, makes me feel that Sunshine...
Well, lovely people should have lovely staff, right?
Thanks to the kindness of the 33Degrees staff, we arrived at the hotel about 11:30. Thankfully, the bar was still open, so we were able to have some snack. We ordered some tomato and mozerella paninis- well it was the nicest 'snack' I've ever had. Really tasty and filling.
Farewell Paris
Mummy and I woke up late again on the Saturday and had another lovely lunch at the hotel.
We set off through the lovely park to the nearby shopping centre. I just wore a simple lolita outfit.
I bought a few things at the shopping centre, including this cross pendant. It's my Hizaki cross. (On the right.) ^^
I just recently bought the chain back in England in a local independent jewellers. The same jewellers where I got the chain for my SOTV necklace from.
The journey home was... Uninteresting. I guess I was sad that the dream had stopped.
There is not much to say now, except, thank you to all of the lovely people I met who made this trip beautiful. Thank you very much, merci beaucoup, どうもありがとうございました。
And thank you, thank you so much dearest Hime. I hope to see Jupiter in London soon.
