
Photo credit to JRockRevolution


When it finally turned 6 o’clock, it was time for the VIP to be let in. The staff told us not to run, but it was so hard not to! After getting our VIP shirts, I walked as fast as I could to go save me and Niky a spot while she bought our merch. Since we both love Ruki, we wanted to be at center front (another thing that made it worth waiting 9 hours in line). Inside the venue, it was separated into two sections, the front section was for VIP only and behind it was where GA could stand. This, I’m guessing, is so that GA couldn’t just push themselves to get a closer spot since it was standing room only.
Before the show started, they announced over the sound system that absolutely NO pictures were allowed. I was hoping people would listen because I didn’t want them to have a bad impression of their first North American show EVER!

Aoi for the most part stayed on the left side of the stage, but did please the crowd by doing signature spin for one of the songs. And even for not moving to our side of the stage much I could still see that he was still incredibly flirty! He would do this thing where he’d smirk at the audience and then kind of shake his head like “I know you love me”.
Uruha moved around a little more and did his adorable kissy duck faces while playing. Then he would hype us up by lifting up his arm for us to get louder and smiled this extra cheesy smile when we did.
Kai was a cute angel and smiled during the whole show. It looked like he was having a lot of fun.
Reita also seemed like he was having a blast because he kept acting SO silly! He would stick out his tongue while opening his eyes really wide, staring at us and mouth “WHAT YOU SAY?”. I think he having fun messing around with the crowd.
And Ruki, OMG. The man would NOT stop TEASING US. From his seductive smirks to his erotic dancing, I could not take my eyes away or stop screaming. It’s really quite a different experience from seeing it happen on a DVD vs. seeing it happen live right in front of you. I nearly died when he licked his middle finger and every time he’d touch and rub his crotch lol. He also did a crap ton of spins. So fast that it looked like he almost lost his balance sometimes. On top of that, Ruki just loved pulling back the rim of his hat, smirking at us as we screamed like crazy at him. I think that’s why he continued to do it. You could really see how intense his eyes were in the light when he did it. Everything about Ruki was drama and it was giving me LIFE.

I don’t have a good recollection of everything that went on for each song, but I remember some key points. First of all, I felt that as a crowd, we were on POINT with the singing. At least the people around me all seemed to know the words really well. Especially during Filth in the Beauty and Suicide Circus, which Ruki seemed really pleased about. He would point the microphone out to us to let us sing.

For comparison haha

I can’t belieeeeeeeeve I made it onto my favorite member’s Instagram. What a dream come true<3
But back on topic, after I told Ruki that he smiled said “Thank you very much” or “Thank you so much” (I can’t remember cause I was so nervous), but it was more than a thank you and I couldn’t even process what had happened. Just looking into his eyes I was starstruck. I really hoped he knew what “flag” was in English so he could get the gist of what I was trying to say. Shaking Reita’s hand was such a blur because of that starstruckness, but I was brought back when I got to Aoi. For some reason everything about Aoi seemed so flirty. It’s probably his attitude and that smirk of his; honestly could make any girl nervous.
Right after I was done I couldn’t help but laugh, I feel like no matter what I had said to them I’d still feel so incredibly stupid! I’m 23, but being around these guys makes me feel like a super shy and bashful 17 year old again. They’re truly amazing and yes, all of their hands were extremely soft. I love the way they clasped their hands around yours. It was so intimate and full of appreciation. You could tell by their aura that they had a really good time. And I’m proud we were able to provide them that.
I knew we weren’t going to be their biggest show in the US, but at the very least I hoped we would be able to show that we still love and respect them just as much.
After the Meet & Greet, I needed a moment to sit down and let what had just happened sink in. I probably sat there for 15 minutes. Then after taking some more pictures, me and my friends went outside to leave. But we saw this big group of people waiting at the back of the venue, so we went over to go see what was going on and found out that everyone was there in hopes of seeing the band leave. The venue had set up barriers for the crowd to stand behind and we waited there for a good 30 minutes watching staff pack up all the equipment. That was when my friend Michael saw one of his friends who worked at the Bomb Factory and his friend gave him an Aoi pick!! Michael ended up giving it to me because he said I would appreciate it more and I’m still so grateful!!
After those 30 minutes the staff finally told us that unfortunately The Gazette had already left the building. We weren’t sure if they were lying or not, but it turned out the car waiting there was just for the staff lol. Either way, we sent them off with a warm goodbye!
The entire day seemed so surreal and days later I still couldn’t believe it actually happened. Neither could my body apparently cause I’ve been sore ever since (my neck is barely getting it’s strength back).
But I regret nothing and it was amazing and worth missing school and being in complete pain the day after.
I love you guys so much and I can’t wait to see you again when they come back again next time!
P.S. check out The Bomb Factory’s Snaps of the show! You can see Ruki bring out our flag @ 1:40 :)
Thank you so for reading Sixth Guns!!<333
xoxo Risa