@ swallowtail
surely dark_armed_dragon can assume what he wants to? what he's saying isn't slanderous towards hikaru-sama in any way. i think what he's trying to point out is that hikaru-sama has had this plan floating around in her mind for a while, in one form or another. she's consistent and true to herself.

but i agree with shurikid, the fact that "retirement" has become more like a long break shows that hikaru-sama has developed since the time of these interviews. maybe her view on life has changed, or the way that she relates to other people and to music. i guess we'll never know unless she tells us outright.

i'm glad that hikaru-sama can pursue "human activities" as of next year. she more than deserves it. but now, unlike at the time of the interviews that dark_armed_dragon has shared, she'll be coming back to give us more music. she doesn't have to, but she is. and i think hikaru-sama is a very selfless person for that.