Fantasy Series: Family and Friends - A Primer

Same basic rule as per other "Fantasy Series" blog posts apply here too.

Shot taken at a restaurant.  She'll probably kill me for uploading it here. 

Imagine a world where everything about AKB48 does not exist (i.e. Aki-P did not form AKB48), yet the girls retain all their stereotypical and notable characteristics. And imagine if some of them lived where you live, formed a part of your actual social/friendship circle and co-existed in your daily life.

Welcome to my world.

To begin, let me state some key assumptions (apart from the ones implied in the opening paragraph):

• I'm Australian (or at least I live my life here) - therefore, the setting is Australia.
• I will reference some personal (i.e. real-life) things outside of my blogo/social-media-sphere identity; however, to protect the privacy of my real-life network, I will be changing names and a few critical details that might cause real-life privacy issues, distress or harm. Not the (AKB48) girls/members, of course.
• To add on to my previous point, yes, this will probably end up to be a diary of sorts (or at least I plan to for this series). This post will just lay down the groundwork.
• All are fluently conversant in English. If they're direct/indirect relatives, assume they are conversant in some Chinese (yes, I'm Asian) as well. Japanese language fluency and race, unless otherwise implied, will still be assumed to be maintained.
• Not all the girls in the entire AKB48 family will be utilised. Only a select few. 

Background reference

It might be helpful to refer to my blog's self-introduction post at this point. Apart from the details contained in there:

• My high-school years was based at a notable government school, enrolled in a selective entry program. I do know various people from other (mainly private and prestigious public) schools though, and from other universities.
• Most of my (real-life) friends are ABC or CBC, but not "international" students. 
• Assume I study at the University of Melbourne (no, that is not an invitation for you to stalk me!).  
• I am an only child. No, don't feel sorry for me - I'm perfectly happy as is.

Character Descriptions 

 

Relatives

Yuko Oshima: DOB 17/10/1988 (23). Occupation: Citigroup Global Markets Analyst

My older cousin who now lives in an apartment by herself in the CBD. Has a rather outgoing personality, is sociable and a bit "wild" at times. Loves her sports (espeically skiing) - Pies supporter, and likes Chelsea. Due to her banking profession, she works quite late and doesn't get enough sleep at times. Good friends with Ayaka Umeda (who works in the same firm with her). Is not directly related to Mayu (see below) - different family sides.


Mayu Watanabe: DOB 26/3/1994 (18). Occupation: high school student (same school as mine).
My younger cousin who lives with us in our house. Arrived a few years ago since 2007. Polite, well-mannered and pretty (although not really a social person), she is also an otaku incarnate, who spends most of her time watching anime or theater/musicals. Talented artist, which partly explains why she wants to pursue architecture or industrial design (if she doesn't get into Medicine). Best friends with her long-time classmate, Aika Ota.
 

Friends

Note that most of the girls listed here know each other to some degree through either high school connections or hanging out with one another (and my friends) during lunch breaks and/or sharing the same subjects.

Yuki Kashiwagi: DOB 15/7/1991 (21). Studies: BCom (Melb.) (Acct./Fin) 3rd yr
Classmate since Year 7. One of whom I consider my good friends. Academically very capable (to an extent), but often is rather blunt (almost too direct) and a bit cold-hearted about things. Still, she's a fairly motivated and amicable person in general. Will work in the same firm as I am in 2013, albeit different department. Wanted to become an idol singer when she was little, but after moving to Australia, didn't bother as this country was devoid of such opportunities.

Minami Takahashi: DOB 8/4/1991 (21). Studies: BCom (Melb.) (Acct./Mgt) 3rd yr
Known her since Year 11 and my uni accounting days. A natural born leader who shows care and concern for others, as well as having a proactive spirit. Not quite the smartest girl on the block, but she more than makes up for it in terms of extra and co-curricular activities (exec. committee member in one of our student societies). As a result, she seems to be quite busy these days. Best friends with Atsuko Maeda (see below). Will work at a management consulting firm in 2013.

Atsuko Maeda: DOB 10/7/1991 (21). Studies: BCom (Melb.) (Econ/Mktg) 3rd yr
I only started to know her through my (mainly girls' private school) friends from 1st year onwards. Outwardly genteel, inwardly stoic but a nice and somewhat sociable person. Only started to get serious about her studies this year, and might be considering pursuing an Honours (4th) year in Economics, depending on her results. Best friends with Minami Takahashi, and quite close with Tomomi Itano (see below). A bit of a party girl, often seen hanging out with the latter at swank clubs. Sub-committee member of one of our student societies.

Tomomi Itano: DOB 3/7/1991 (21). Studies: BCom (Melb.) (Fin/Mktg) 3rd yr
Good friends with Atsuko Maeda (same high school). Fashionable, and isn't too concerned with academia aka. your typical "I'll just rock up to lectures when I feel like it and Lecture Capture the rest". Prefers to spend her days hanging out at "MC", Chapel Street or at the aforementioned club/s at night on weekends. Despite all this, she isn't stuck up and hasn't failed anything academic-related thus far.

Rie Kitahara: DOB 24/6/1991 (21). Studies: BBiomed (Melb.) 3rd yr - will commence MD in 2013.
Same high school as the above two, so I only have known her since 1st year. Very bright and academically capable - just missed out on a HECS-free scholarship by 0.05. Intends to pursue a life in the health sciences field, either as a doctor/physician or bio-medical researcher. Also an avid book nut and a bit of a literary guru. Talks a fair lot, but not as much as, say, Sashihara.

Aki Takajo: DOB 3/10/1991 (20). Studies: BSc (Vet. Sci) (Melb.) 3rd yr. - will commence DVM (Melb.) in 2013.
Good friends with Yuki Kashiwagi, although not from the same school. A fairly sporty person (loves her tennis) and an animal lover (as a matter of fact, knows Akane Takayanagi fairly well due to sharing same subjects/course). Just managed to get into DVM, which she's really happy about as she thought she might not have gotten into due to her grades.

Haruka Nakagawa: DOB 10/2/1992 (20). Studies: BSc (Psych) (Melb.) 3rd yr.
A cheery, if at times a little childish, girl. Same school (high school and language school) as Aki Takajo. Still undecided on her future - last time I heard from her, it might be a Master in Teaching or something similar, I don't know. Sometimes hangs out with the rest of us during lunch break.

Rino Sashihara: DOB 21/11/1992 (20). Studies: BA (Media & Comm.) (Melb.) 2nd yr.
One of those incredibly chatty people who doesn't quite know when to stop. Then again, she hails from that well-known highly selective girls high school, which probably explains some of her characteristic tendencies. Jokes aside, she enjoys watching a lot of highly pop-culturalised TV series and movies (both Hollywood/Western and Asian), has a very active Tumblr and Twitter in which she fangirls a lot and, recently, has a boyfriend - much to the rest of our surprise. Often gets teased by the rest of us, in good nature of course.

Minami Minegishi: DOB 15/11/1992 (20). Studies: BA (Media & Comm.) (Melb.) 2nd yr.
Same school and year level as Rino Sashihara. Also fairly chatty about pretty much the same interests, but not as intimidating character-wise. Short/medium term goals include going on exchange to America for a semester or two, and pursuing a professional career in screen/television.

Rena Matsui: DOB 27/7/1991 (21). Studies: BCom (Acct./Fin)/LLB (Mon.) 3rd yr.
My "twin sister" hailing from the same school as Maeda, Itano and Kitahara. A smart and capable girl. Used to go to our school, but left after Year 8 to go to the same school as Sashihara/Minegishi (albeit a year level higher). A bit of an otaku.

Akari Suda: DOB 31/10/1991 (20). Studies: BCom (Acct./Fin.) (Mon.) 3rd yr.
Friends with Rena - same course and friend connections. Was also originally in LLB, but dropped out after one semester 'cos she didn't like it. I first met her during my summer internship (so Yuki Kashiwagi also knows her, too). A bright, sociable girl with an incredibly cheerful personality, but also pretty capable when required. Will also be working with her next year (in the same department).

Acquaintances

People I have heard of, or even met only a few times, but not as "close" as the people mentioned above.

Tomomi Kasai: Studies: BCom (Econ/Fin.) (Mon.) 3rd yr.
Friends with Tomomi Itano. Also knows the other Mon. BCom people.

Miho Miyazaki: Studies: ???
Ex-Student Council president in high-school (same as mine) back in her year.

Aika Ota: Studies: high school student
Mayu's best friend.

Sayaka Yamamoto: Studies: BCom (Acct./???) (Melb.) 1st yr.
Ex-school captain in high-school (same as mine) back in her year. One of my friends, who tutors, reported she (and Miyuki, below) were in his classes.

Miyuki Watanabe: Studies: BCom (Acct./???) (Melb.)
As per above with Sayaka Yamamoto. Actually the slightly smarter one, according to what I know about her from friends/connections and ATAR scores.
 
This is just an introductory post. There might be more coming in this series, in the form of (modified) diary "a day in the life of" entries.