Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda “The ‘Earliest’ Halloween Party in Japan at My Family’s Home: Part 2

One day in the first half of September, the Himura family held an early Halloween party. Decorations and food were all ready!　Now, who will be the first guest at ……?

The first to arrive every time was, of course, Teruyuki Tsuchida. I thought it would be the same this year, and when I looked at the intercom, I saw Yuuki Iwai of Haraiichi on the screen!　Since my husband is a senior to Mr. Iwai, it seems that he arrived right on time, as he didn’t want to be late. However, as I was nervous about making the party a success, I was freaked out when something different from what I expected happened so quickly. (Nuwa~!!!).　I wonder if I will be able to be flexible in the future!) ) I am getting anxious. I was getting anxious, but soon Mr. Tsuchida arrived. (Okay… I’m back to my usual pace!　I’m back to my usual pace!) ) and I picked up my pace.

Everyone arrived one after another. They were all looking like they were going to be in trouble this year (see ……), but they were examining and choosing their own catsuits. Then Mr. Tsuchida said, “Oh, I have a big head, so my hair band will fall off soon. （What?　Another unexpected thing happened!　(What should I do? ……). My mind paused, but Mr. Tsuchida said, “I’ll use that sticker,” and put a spare wound sticker on my cheek. With that, everyone was safely in costume. As usual, party guy Speedwagon Jun Idoda opened a bottle of champagne, and this year’s “Japan’s Earliest Halloween Party” got underway.

The fun time went on and on. The large amount of salad that had been prepared for the party was running out rapidly, and every time it was replenished, the guests would say to themselves, “What?　Another salad? I can’t eat that many vegetables! but they ate it all with relish.

The annual bacon rolls used to be a favorite of the guests, who used to say, “This is not a children’s field trip! I can’t eat all those bacon rolls!” But now, as soon as the bacon rolls appear on the menu, they are always saying, “Here they are, the bacon rolls!　Yay! and applause. I was moved to realize that “continuity is strength.

Finally, my husband whispered, “Let’s get to it,” and 16 flattened pieces of minced meat appeared with a bang. He said, “You made it?　That’s amazing! And the excitement was at its peak. After baking in the kitchen, the hamburgers looked like baseballs filled with juices. I asked him, “What is that?　Is that the one from earlier? Did you replace it with another one? The guests were excited, but still half-convinced. (I knew it!) The reactions of the successful celebrities were so good! (I knew it!) With such inspiration, all the dishes were served without a hitch.

Still no end to the hospitality.

Normally, this would be the end of the story. But not at our house. After all, it was a party hosted by a couple of entertainers who work on a variety show. The guests are all super experienced entertainers. (I have to show some pride!). And I said, “Yes!　Here, everyone, let’s dance “Thriller” together!　Please move over here! I shouted.

Halloween is all about ghosts. And speaking of ghosts, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is one of them. We moved to a large space in the living room and danced while the music video played on the TV. Everyone said, “What? Why?” while they danced the chorus without any care in the world. It was so refreshing to see the expressions on everyone’s faces as they drank beer again to catch their breath.

And so the party was in full swing. We ate a lot, laughed a lot, and I was very satisfied.

The rule at the end of the party is to take home a balloon of your choice, as we have done since the first time we held this party. This is because we want our guests to feel the afterglow of the party even after they go home.

Eiji Kotoge of Baikingu and Mr. Iwai repeatedly refused, saying, “I don’t want it! but they said, “I’m glad I brought it home with me, because I’ll definitely think about it later!　I’m glad I brought it home! I’m so glad I brought it home! Mr. Kogei was so happy that he took three balloons home with him, and Ryuichi Kosugi of Black Mayonnaise took the largest balloon, a two-meter high balloon in the shape of a gaikotsu (a humanoid creature), crammed into the backseat of a cab.

After everyone left. After everyone left, the tablecloth and all the trash were collected and tossed away, and in no time at all, we were back to our normal home. I am sure everyone went to bed thinking, “That was fun! I’m sure everyone went to bed thinking, “That was fun! (I’m glad I worked so hard.) I looked at the leftover balloons, which were slowly swaying. As I watched the remaining balloons slowly swaying, I felt a sense of accomplishment and a burning sense of mission to plan for next year’s event.

Aika Kanda was born in 1980 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Gakushuin University with a degree in mathematics, she joined NHK as an announcer in 2003, and left in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly in variety shows, and currently makes regular appearances as the main MC of the daytime TV program “Poka Poka” (Fuji Television Network).

From the November 10 and 17, 2023 issues of FRIDAY