[Trans] 10,000 Character Interview - Hashimoto Ryosuke
OMG it's done! Only a year late...*coughs*_(._.)_
Happy closing day of Ludwig B to Hasshi and Fumi♥ Second-last show starts now! ^^
Hopefully my Japanese got better in the past year, but still, I'm not fluent and I didn't have someone else proofread this time, so please, please comment if there are mistakes!
Otherwise, make sure you have your tissues on hand, and enjoy :)
A.B.C-Z最強だって、疑ったことはない
ずば抜けたスキルを持ったスペシャリスト集団化学変化をもたらした救世主。そう言われるには、すさまじい努力が必要だった。グループのセンターに立つ今でも、あこがれの４つの背中を追いかけている。
A.B.C-Z is the strongest, so I have no doubts
The saviour that created a chemical reaction in the group which towers above the rest with specialist skills. To be able to say such a thing, extreme effort was needed. Even though he's now standing as the group's center, he continues to chase after the other four.
『世界に一つだけの花』を授業中に熱唱！
Enthusiastically singing [Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana] during class!
―さっそく、インタビューを始めようか。
しゃべりますか！俺、日本語ヘタクソですけど（笑）
- So without delay, let's start the interview.
I guess I'll be talking! My Japanese is really bad, though (lol).
―ハハハハ。じゃあ、いちばん古い記憶って何？
俺、３才で物心というか、目覚めたというか。３才のある日、ベッドの上で、パッて目が覚めた感じで。そこからイッキに“自分だな”、“俺、生きてる！”みたくなって
- Hahahaha. So then, what's your oldest memory?
When I was 3, my awareness of the world, I guess you could say, it was awakened? One day when I was 3, while lying on my bed, I had the feeling of suddenly opening my eyes. From that moment it became like "This is me," "I'm living!"
―それ、ネタでしょ（笑）？
いや、ネタじゃないです！
- That's a joke right (lol)?
No, it's no joke!
―お姉さんがいるんだよね？
４つ上ですね。めちゃくちゃやさしくて面倒見がいいんですよ。俺が幼稚園のころ、夜寝れないときに、ずっと胸をポンポンしてくれたり
- Your older sister was around then, right?
She's four years older. She's really kind and good at taking care of people. Like around the time I was in Kindergarten, when I couldn't sleep at night she'd hold me and pat my chest.
―幼稚園のころのことで、何かほかにおぼえてることってある？
なんだろうな。クリスマスに、サンタさんが幼稚園に来てプレゼントをくれて、いっしょに写真を撮って。そんとき俺、サンタさんの足踏んじゃったんですよ。サンタさん、低い声で“イテッ”って言ったのを聞いて、“あ、これは本物のサンタさんじゃない！”って気づきましたね。そうだ！あと、ちょうど嵐がデビューしたんですよ。昼休みに、友だち５人で嵐のマネをして、ほかのクラスで披露したりしてました
- Is there anything else you remember from around when you were in Kindergarten?
What else is there? At Christmas, Santa-san would come to the kindergarten and give out presents, and take a picture with you. That time, I stepped on Santa-san's foot. When I heard Santa-san say "ouch!" in a small voice, I realised, "Oh, this isn't the real Santa-san!" I know! Also, that was around the time Arashi debuted. During lunch break a group of five of us would do Arashi imitations, and present them to the other classes.
―友だちに誘われて始めたの？
俺がやろうって。俺は相葉（雅紀）くん役でしたね。“You are my SOUL! SOUL!”って踊ってる写真、今もありますよ。そのころからジャニーズ入りたかったのかもしれないですね
- Were you the one to start inviting your friends?
I said, let's do it. I played as Aiba (Masaki)-kun. There's still a picture of me dancing to "You are my SOUL! SOUL!" That's probably the point I thought I'd like to enter Johnny's.
―じゃあ、小学校の思い出は？
１年から６年までサッカーやってて。あと、なんかあるかな……。あっ、授業中に、なんか急に『世界に一つだけの花』を歌いたくなって、熱唱しちゃって。先生に廊下に呼び出されて怒られたことあります！小３のときかな
- So then, what do remember about elementary school?
I played soccer from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Also, what else is there...... Oh, during class, for some reason I suddenly wanted to sing [Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana] so I sang with full force. The teacher angrily called me out to the corridor! That was maybe in Grade 3.
―手がかかるコだったんだ（笑）。
１年から６年までずっと、成績表に“橋本くんはやればできるコ”って書かれてましたからね
- So you were quite a handful as a kid (lol).
From Grade 1 to Grade 6, "Hashimoto-kun can do it if he tries" was written on every report card.
―つまり、やらないコだったってことだ。
ですね。でも勉強とか、みんなが先に行くけど、挽回する力があったんです。じゃあ、最初からやれよって思うんですけど、追い込まれないとやんないんです（笑）。ぎりぎりにならないと。今でもそうですね
- So that is to say, you were actually the type to not get things done.
Right. But with studying or whatever, when everyone would do it ahead of time, instead I had good recovery ability. So, even though I thought about getting it done from the outset, I wouldn't if I wasn't cornered (lol). I couldn't help putting it off until the last minute. Even now it's like that.
―クラスでモテたんじゃない？
僕じゃなくて、親友がすごくモテたんですよ。バレンタインに、親友がチョコを38コもらったのに、俺は３コ。しかも、２コはお姉ちゃんとお母さんから。もう１コは、同級生にもらったんですけど、“俺のこと好きなんだ！”って舞い上がった瞬間、“あ、本命じゃないから”って言われて。一瞬でテンション下がりましたね
- Weren't you popular in class?
Not me, but my close friend was super popular. Even though my friend would get 38 Valentine's chocolates, I got 3. And even then, 2 were from my sister and my mother. The other one came from a classmate, but the moment I got excited thinking, “So you like me!” I was told, "Ah, it's nothing special." In a single moment my spirits fell.
―ハハハハハ。
バレンタインに張り切る男子っているじゃないですか。俺はどっちかっていうと、そっちで。当日、ムダに緊張しながら下駄箱を何度も確認したり、引き出しをドキドキして開けたりしてました（笑）。好きなコはいたんですけどね
- Hahahahaha.
There are guys who are in really high spirits for Valentine's, aren't there. If I were to say, I'd be that type. On the day of, I'd be ridiculously nervous while checking my shoebox any number of times, or open my drawer with my heart beating heavily (lol). There was someone I liked though.
―どんなコだった？
小4で保健委員になったんですよ。保健室に集まったら、5年生も6年生もいて。もう保健室に入った瞬間、輝きがひとりだけちがうコがいて。１コ上のコだったんですけど、“こんなにかわいいコいたんだ”ってドキドキして。曜日ごと担当を決めたんですけど、そのコといっしょに水曜日の当番になって。休み時間にケガをして保健室に来る人がいたら、そのコが消毒して、俺が絆創膏を貼ってましたね。もう水曜日が待ち遠しくてしょうがなくて
- What kind of person was she?
From Grade 4 I became a Hygiene/Health Committee member. When we gathered in the infirmary, the Grade 5 and 6 students would be there too. The moment I entered the room, there was a girl who shone with a different kind of light. Even though she was a year above me, I thought with a beating heart, "So there was a girl this cute". When it was decided which day everyone would be in charge of, I ended up on duty on Wednesdays with this girl. During our breaks, if someone with an injury came to the infirmary, that girl would disinfect the injury while I would apply the bandages. I couldn't help looking forward to Wednesdays after that.
―告白はしなかったの？
したんですよ。子どもながらにロマンチックにしたかったんでしょうね。初日の出と同時に告白したろって思って呼び出して。そのコ、すごく寒いのに夜中に出て来てくれて。土手でずっとしゃべってたんです。彼女、ショーパン履いてて、寒そうだったんで上着を貸してあげて。で、初日の出と同時に告白したけどフラれましたね。そのコ、ショーパンのことが多くて。だから俺、今でもショーパン好きです（笑）
- You didn’t confess?
I did. While you're a kid you want to be romantic, right. I thought about how I wanted to confess with the first sunrise of the new year so I called her out. This girl, even though it was so cold, she came in the middle of the night. We talked the whole time on the riverbank. That girl, she was wearing shorts so she seemed really cold, so I lent her my jacket. So, when the sun rose I confessed but I was rejected. That girl, she often wore shorts. So that's why even now, I like shorts (lol).
オーディションは落ちたけど、見捨てないよ
Even though you failed your audition, don't give up
―ジャニーズに応募した経緯は？
11才、小5のときかな。お姉ちゃん、五関（晃一）くんが好きだったんです。『8時だJ』をずっと見てて。で。勝手に履歴書を送っちゃって。俺が受けたオーディション、テレビ番組と運動した大イベントで、３５００人応募したらしくて。“いいから黙ってついてきなさい”って、お姉ちゃんに会場に連れてかれて。ホント、怖くて行きたくなかったんですよ
- What lead to your application to Johnny's?
When I was 11, I guess it was Grade 5. My sister liked Goseki (Koichi)-kun. She always watched [8Ji da J]. So, she sent in my resume of her own accord. For the audition I was given, at a TV program and a big event with a lot of moving around, it seems like there were about 3500 applicants. My sister dragged me to the venue saying, "Listen here, just be quiet and come along". Actually, I was scared and didn't want to go.
―会場に着いても、何が始まるかわからなかった？
はい。なんだろうと思ってるうちに、タッキー＆翼の『夢物語』を踊らされて。“これ、なんかのオーディションかな？”って気づいて
- Even when you arrived at the venue, you really had no idea what was starting?
Right. I was wondering why, when I was told to dance to Tackey & Tsubasa's [Yume Monogatari]. I realised, "Hey, isn't this like an audition?"
―やる気になった？
最初は乗り気じゃなかったけど、なんか、“こっから選ばれたらすげーな”って一生懸命やりましたね。１カ月後くらいかな。“次は二次審査です”って連絡が来て、“まさか！”ってビックリして。二次も通過して、三次審査でYa-Ya-yahのバックで踊ったのかな。このとき、５０人くらいになってて。で、“１位はこの人！”って決まって。俺は“あー、落ちたんだ”って
- Did you become motivated?
At the start I didn't get into it, but somehow, thinking, "Wouldn't it be amazing if I was chosen from this?" I decided to give it my all. I guess it was about a month later. I was contacted, "Next is the second audition". "No way!" I thought, surprised. I passed the second audition too, and the third level was backdancing for Ya-Ya-Yah I guess. This time, there were only about 50 people. Then, it was decided, "First place is this person!" I thought, "Ah, I failed."
―悔しかった？
悔しかったけど、自分で応募したわけじゃないしって。そっから半年くらい連絡がなかったのかな。そしたら電話がかかってきて。それがジャニーさんからだったんです。“オーディションは落ちたけど、見捨てないよ。ユー歌えるよね？”みたいなこと言われて
- Was it frustrating?
It was frustrating, but, I didn't send in the application myself. I wasn't contacted for about half a year after that. Then a phone call came. That was from Johnny-san. He said something like, "Even though you failed the audition, don't give up. YOU, you can sing, right?"
―社長に歌を披露したことってあったの？
オーディションのとき、ジャニーさんの近くで、なんとなく歌ってたんですよ。俺、授業中に『世界に一つだけの花』を歌った橋本良亮なんで。なんか、歌いたくなったんでしょうね（笑）。自分で言うのもなんですけど、俺は幼稚園のころから自分の歌を信じてるんで。誰がなんと言おうと。ずっと歌とサッカーしか俺には楽しいことなかったんで
- You showed the president your singing?
During the audition, somehow I was singing when Johnny-san was nearby. Since I'm the Hashimoto Ryosuke who sings [Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana] during class. For some reason, I just wanted to sing, I guess (lol). Even though I say so myself, since the time I was in Kindergarten I've had confidence in my singing. No matter what anyone says. I've always enjoyed nothing but singing and playing soccer.
―そして、Jr.の活動が始まった。
はい。『Mステ』で関ジャニ∞がデビュー曲を歌って、そのバックに出させてもらったんですよ。もう、なんか“あれ、あれ!? なんだ、どうなってんだ？”って感じでしたね
- And then, your activities as a Jr. started.
Yes. Kanjani∞ were singing their debut song on [Music Station], and I was able to backdance for that. Really, somehow it had the feeling of, "Eh, eh!? What, how did this happen?"
―お姉さんも驚いたんじゃない？
ビックリしてましたね。俺、Jr.になったばっかのころ、よく、お姉ちゃんに注意されたんですよ
- Wasn't your sister surprised too?
She was shocked. When I barely began as a Jr., my sister would give me proper advice.
―何を注意されたの？
お姉ちゃん、俺の出てる番組、ずーっとチェックしてくれて。俺、すごく緊張して、ずっと下向いてバックで踊ってたんです。それをテレビで見たお姉ちゃんが、“視聴者がイヤな気持ちになるでしょ。顔を上げなさい！”って。家の床にガムテープで１メートルくらいの円を描いて、“この中で踊って”って言われたりもして。ずっと、ひたすら踊ったんですよ。テレビに映るJr.のマネしながら。疲れて、ちょっと円から出たら、“となりの人にぶつかって迷惑かけるでしょ！”って怒られて
- What sort of advice did she give you?
My sister would check every show I appeared in. Because I was always so nervous, I would be dancing in the back with my head down. When my sister saw that on TV she told me, "The people viewing will stop wanting to watch. Raise your head up!" She also taped a circle about a metre diameter on the floor of our house, telling me, "dance inside this." I always danced with earnest. While copying the Jr.s on TV. When I got tired and stepped out of the circle, she would get mad, like, "You just caused trouble by hitting the person beside you!"
今日、選ばれなかったら終わりなのか？
Today, if you hadn't been chosen would you have stopped?
―MYOJO初登場のときのことはおぼえてる？
めちゃくちゃおぼえてます。山田（涼介）くんと制服を着ていっしょに写って。山田くん、ホントに素敵だなって思いました。でも、負けず嫌いなんで、“リョウスケは俺だ！”って思ってました。不思議ですよね。最初、いっしょにMYOJOに載ったふたりが、それぞれのグループでがんばってる。俺が受けたオーディション、３５００人も受けて、今残ってるのは３、４人ですから
- Do you remember the first time you appeared in MYOJO?
I totally remember. I had a picture taken with Yamada (Ryosuke)-kun while wearing school uniforms. I thought Yamada-kun looked really cool. But since I hate to lose, I was thinking, "Ryosuke is me!" Strange, right. From the beginning, the two of us were in MYOJO together but were working hard in different groups. From the audition I was in that had 3500 people, now 3 or 4 people are left.
―じゃあ、デビューに関しては、どう思ってた？
したかったですね。最初から。でも、ちゃんとアクロバットとか歌とか身につけてからデビューしたいなって思ってました
- So then, what did you think about debuting?
I wanted to. From the start. But, I thought that I should properly learn singing and acrobatics and the like before wanting to debut.
―橋本くんがJr.に入ったころ、A.B.C.は、すでに結成されてたよね。どんなグループに見えた？
そっか、そうですよね、すごいなあ。俺が入る前にできてるんですよね。テレビでよく見てたんです。“すげーアクロバットするな”って。バック転とかも、みんなすげーそろうし。テレビで見てたころに戻りたいですね
- A.B.C. was already formed by the time Hashimoto-kun joined as a Jr. What kind of group did you see?
Ah, that's right, amazing isn't it. They were doing this before I joined. I always watched them on TV. Like, "They do amazing acrobatics". Back springs and such, they could all do it with amazing unity. I want to go back to the time I was watching them on TV.
―なんで？
“今はいっしょにやってんだよ”って、自分に教えてあげたいから。憧れだったんで
- Why?
While saying, "Now we do that together," I want to teach myself. Since I aspired to be like them.
―なるほど。Jr.になった翌年には、J.J.Expressに入ったんだよね。
メンバーがけっこう流動的だったんで、最初は入ってるか入ってないか、わかんない感じで。J.J.Expressのバックなのか、ユニットの一員なのか、どっちなのかなって。取材に呼ばれていっしょに写真撮ったら、“あ、入ってんだ”ってわかって、うれしかったですね
- I see. The year after you became a Jr., you joined J.J.Express.
The members were pretty undecided, so in the beginning, as to whether I was in it or not, it felt like I didn't know. Like, am I a backdancer for J.J.Express or am I a member, which is it. When I was called along for an interview and we had our pictures taken together, I understood, "Ah, I'm in it." This made me happy.
―ただ、2007年にデビューした、Hey!Say!JUMPのメンバーには選ばれなかった。
ずっと、デビューすること知らなかったんですよ。発表される瞬間まで。横浜アリーナで発表したんですよね。リハーサルのとき、何人か呼ばれてステージに集まってたんです。J.J.Expressは、ほぼ全員が呼ばれてて。“俺、なんで呼ばれてねーんだ？”って思って、ステージに上がろうとしたら、スタッフに止められて。なんだろうなってモヤモヤして
- But, when Hey!Say!JUMP debuted in 2007, you weren't chosen.
The whole time, I had no idea it was a debut. Until the moment it was announced. It was announced in Yokohama Arena, right. During rehearsals, a number of people were called to the stage. From J.J.Express, nearly everyone was called. While I was thinking, “Why aren’t I called?” I went to go up on stage, but was stopped by the staff. I sulked about it, like, “What the heck?”
―そうだったんだ。
で、コンサート本番で急に、VTRどうぞみたいになって映像が流れて、“これが今年デビューするグループのメンバーだ”みたいな感じで、ひとりずつ名前が呼ばれて。これ、俺も呼ばれんだろうなって思ってたら、最後まで呼ばれなくて。“このメンバーでデビューだ！”って。で、『Ultra Music Power』を歌い出したわけですよ。もう、“ふざけんなよ！”って。あ、リハーサルのときのヤツって、これだったんだと思って。もう、あのときは泣きましたね
- I see.
So, suddenly during the concert, a video was shown with a kind of "These are the members of the group debuting this year" image, and everyone was named one by one. With that I wondered, would I be named too, but even at the end I wasn't. "These members are debuting!" Then, they came out singing [Ultra Music Power]. I was like, "You've got to be joking!" Ah, the guys that did that rehearsal, it was for this, I thought. Really, I cried when that happened.
―悔しいよね。
俺、ステージでは絶対に笑顔でいようって決めてたんです。まあ、お客さんがいると、自然と笑顔になっちゃうんですけどね。でも、あのときだけは、お客さんにバレバレでしたもん。悲しんでる顔してるの。もう、どうしようもなくて
- Painful, wasn't it.
I'd decided, when I'm on stage I'll definitely smile. Well, if there's an audience I'll smile naturally anyways. But just that time, the audience caught me. I showed a sad face. I couldn't do anything about it.
―それは、しょうがないと思うよ。
もう帰ろうかとさえ思いましたからね。荷物持って。コンサートが終わって、ひとりで会場の裏で泣いてたんです。そしたら、振りつけ師さんが来て、“なに泣いてんだ”って
- That, I don't think it could be helped.
Because all I could think was, just let me go home already. I grabbed my bags. When the concert ended, I just cried by myself behind the venue. That's when the choreographer came by, saying, "What are you crying about."
―なぐさめてくれたんだ。
いや。めちゃくちゃ怒られた。“泣いてんのか？ふざけんなよ。今日、選ばれなかったら終わりなのか？ちがうだろ！これで終わりじゃないだろ。甘えんな！”って。ホント、厳しかったですね。やめてやろうかって本気で思いましたもん。Jr.時代、何回かやめようかなって思ったことありましたけど、あのときがいちばんでしたね
- He came to comfort you then.
No. He was super angry. Like, "You're crying? Don't be stupid. Everything was over when you didn't get picked today? That's wrong! This isn't the end right. You're spoiled!" He was really harsh. I was truly thinking that I might as well just quit. When I was a Jr., I'd thought many times about quitting, but that time I was the most serious.
―でも、やめなかった。
友だち少ないんで。Jr.の友だちがいなくなるのいやだったから
- But, you didn't quit.
I don't have many friends. I didn't want to lose my Jr. friends.
―JUMP組とぎくしゃくしなかった？
みんな仲良かったから。JUMP組はJUMP組でうれしかったはずだし。俺がグチグチしてたらちがうでしょ。だから、“がんばってね”って見送りましたね
- It didn't become awkward with the JUMP members?
Because everyone was really close. We were supposed to be happy with JUMP being those members. Me grumbling wouldn't have been good right. So I saw them off with a "Good luck."
―心の整理は、すぐについたの？
やっぱり時間が解決してくれた部分ってありますね。選ばれなかった直後は、もう本当にやさぐれましたもん。金髪にしたりして。ワルをイメージしたんでしょうね。本当に子どもでした
- Did you sort out your feelings right away?
Of course some part of resolving feelings comes with time right. Right after I wasn't picked, I really sulked. Dying my hair blonde and such. Trying to have a bad image. I was such a child.
―時間が少しずつ傷をいやしてくれたんだ。
あ、でも、やさぐれてた時期に、お母さんとくだらないことでケンカして。お母さん、すごい泣いたの初めてみたんで、すごく胸を締めつけられたっていうか。親を絶対泣かしちゃいけないって気づいて。今も泣いてる姿を思い出すとつらいんです。胸が痛むんですよ。それからずっと、親は大事にしてます
- Your scars healed bit by bit with time
Ah, but, during my sulking period, I fought with my mother over something trivial. It was the first time I saw my mother cry like that, and it wrenched my heart so much. I realised I definitely shouldn't make my parents cry. Even now it hurts to remember her crying figure. It makes my chest hurt. From then on, I’ve always treasured my parents.
―そんなことがあったんだ。
あの涙がなかったら、俺もっとやさぐれてました。いっちまってまっしたね。あとは地元の親友かな。めんどくさかっただろうけど、ずーっと俺の話も聞いてくれて
- So there was something like that
If those tears hadn't been there, I would have continued sulking. It made me stop. And also my hometown friends maybe. Even though I must have been annoying, they always listened to what I had to say.
―今は、JUMPに入れなかったこと、どう思ってる？
あの日、JUMPに入れなくてよかったんだって思えます。本当にA.B.C-Zでよかったって思えるから
- What are your thoughts now about not being in JUMP?
I think it was a good thing that I wasn’t put in JUMP that day. Because I can think about how great it is that there’s A.B.C-Z.
今日からキミたちはA.B.C-Zだよ
From today on, you're A.B.C-Z
―その後TOP3を経て、A.B.C-Zのセンターに抜擢されたよね。
『SUMMARY』をやってたある日、“ユー、明日からこれ歌いなよ”って、ジャニーさんから紙を渡されたんですよ。それが、『明日の為に僕がいる』で。“なんすか、これ？”って聞いても、“いいから明日までにおぼえて”って。次の日に呼ばれたら、A.B.C.が4人集まってて、“橋本、ひとりのつもりだったけどいっしょに歌って”って。で、本番で歌ったんです。“なんだったんだろう？”って思ったけど、また次の日も歌って。そしたらモニターにA.B.C-Zって突然、文字が映って。楽屋に戻ったら、“今日からキミたちはA.B.C-Zだよ”って言われて
- After that, by way of TOP3, you were selected as the centre of A.B.C-Z
One day while we were doing [SUMMARY], I was told, "YOU, from tomorrow sing this" and was given a piece of paper by Johnny-san. That was [Ashita no Tame ni Boku ga Iru]. When I asked, "What is this?" I was told, "Don't worry, just remember it by tomorrow." When we were called the next day, the four of A.B.C. were gathered, and were like "Hashimoto, the plan was for you to do it solo but let’s sing together." So, we sang in the show. "What was that all about?" I thought, but we sang it the next day too. At that time, suddenly the letters A.B.C-Z appeared on the screen. When we returned to the dressing room we were told, "From today onwards, you're A.B.C-Z."
―突然の発表だったんだ。
状況がよくわかんなくて、“えっ、なになに!? 俺、A.B.C.に入るの？”って。4人もポカーンってなってました。そんときのメンバーの顔、ホント忘れらんないですね。“え、こいつ入んの？ 大丈夫？”って不安な目で俺を見たんですよ。（河合）郁人なんか、ちょっとイヤそうな顔してて。まあ、俺もイヤだったけど（笑）。でも入るの拒否ったら、俺はあとがないだろうなって
- It was a sudden announcement.
I really didn't get what was happening, like, "Eh, what what!? I'm joining A.B.C.?" The other four were shocked too. I'll never forget the members’ faces from that time. I could see their worried eyes looking at me, "Eh, this guy's joining? Will it be ok?" (Kawai) Fumito had a kind of disagreeable face. Well, I didn't want it either (lol). But there was no way I could refuse to join, right.
―最初はイヤだったんだ。
めちゃくちゃイヤでした（笑）。やっていけるはずないって。踊りもアクロバットも、A.B.C.みたいに全然できないから。4人もイヤだと思ったと思うんですよ
- So at first you didn't want to.
I really really didn't (lol). There was no way it'd work. Because whether dancing or acrobatics, I couldn't do it like A.B.C. at all. I thought that the four of them must not want it either.
―いちばん年下で、しかもセンターでA.B.C.の曲を歌う。気まずさもあったんじゃない？
ありますよ。もう気まずだらけ、不安だらけですよ。お風呂の中で、ずっと悩みましたね。とっつーや郁人ファンは、怒るだろうなって。あとから入ってきたヤツが歌っちゃうわけだから。“橋本なんかが”って思うだろうなって。ツラかったですね。助けてほしかったです
- Not only being the youngest, but also singing A.B.C.'s songs as the center. There must have been awkwardness?
There was. So much awkwardness, and a lot of anxiety. I would sit in the bath constantly worrying. I figured Tottsu’s and Fumito's fans must be angry. Since I was the guy who took over singing after joining later. They probably thought, "Someone like Hashimoto." It was painful. I wanted to be rescued.
―でも、歌い続けた。
お客さんの視線とかもつらかったですけどね。でも、申し訳なさなんて表情に出したら、メンバーに失礼でしょ。俺は、みんなを背負って歌わせてもらってんだから
- But you continued singing.
The audience’s gaze was painful too, though. But if I had shown a guilty expression, it would have been rude to the members. Because I was given the chance to sing in front of everyone.
―「あのときのはっしーは、がんばった」ってみんな言ってたよ。
“ぜってー負けない！”って根性だけです。もう誰にも負けたくなかったから。ファンにも、メンバーにも認めてほしかったから。1日で20曲くらいおぼえましたね。歌もダンスもおぼえなきゃいけないことばっか。アクロバットもいちからやらないといけない。俺、自分のことホントにすごいなって思いました（笑）。バック転も、そのときできるようになったし。最初は、ホントどうなるのかなって思ってましたからね
- Everyone said 'The Hasshi of that time, he worked hard'
It was only my guts saying, "I definitely won't lose!" I didn't want to lose to anyone. I wanted the members and the fans to acknowledge me. I learned 20 songs in one day. I absolutely had to learn both the songs and the dances. It was no good if I couldn't do the acrobatics from the outset either. I really thought, aren't I amazing (lol). I started working on being able to do backflips then too. Because initially, I was wondering how it would really turn out.
―徐々に不安がなくなった感じ？
今でも不安ですよ。今でも全然。まだまだレベルが全然ちがうし
- Was there a feeling of your anxiety gradually fading?
Even now I'm anxious. Even now I'm no good. Our levels are still completely different.
―じゃあメンバー同士、敬語じゃなくなったのって、どのくらい？
最初は前から仲がよかったとっつー以外は敬語で。1年は敬語だったかな。でも絶対、敬語じゃないほうが仲よくなるじゃないですか。だから敬語はやめようって。仲よくなりたすぎて必死だったんです。メンバーだって認めてもらいたかったから
- Then with your fellow members, how long has it been since you stopped speaking formally?
At first, aside from with Tottsu who I was close to since before, I spoke formally. I guess that lasted about a year. But with formal speech, there's no chance of getting closer. So I stopped using it. I was desperate about becoming closer to everyone. Because I wanted the members to accept me.
一生このグループでやっていく。入ったときに決めたから
I will be with this group my whole life. I decided this when I joined.
―結成当初、よく河合くんに怒られたんだよね。
怒られましたねー。おぼえてるのが、エビキスコンのオープニングで俺、歌詞をまちがえちゃったことがあって。ヤケクソになって、お客さんを煽っちゃったんですよ。ステージ裏に戻ったら、郁人にめちゃくちゃ怒られて。それが、ホント悔しくて。“俺だって、がんばってんだよ。怒られる筋合いねえ”くらい思いましたから。でも、頭冷やしてちゃんと考えたら、これじゃダメだなって。謝りましたね。まちがったのは俺だし、やっぱ嫌われたくなかったし、“一生このグループでやっていく”って、入ったときに決めたから
- When the group was first formed, you made Kawai-kun quite angry didn't you.
Right, he got angry. As I remember, during the opening of the Ebikisu Con, I made a mistake with the lyrics. I became desperate, and the audience got riled up. When we got backstage, Fumito got really really mad. That was so aggravating. I thought, "I did the best I could. He has no reason to be mad." But once I cooled my head and reflected properly, I realised this was no good. So I apologised. I was the one who messed up, and of course I didn't want to be hated, since I'd made the decision when I joined, "I will spend my whole life with this group."
―そのときって、15才だよね？
はい。でもねえ、あとから振りつけ師さんに言われたんですよ。振りつけ師さん、郁人に言ったんですって。“おまえらがちゃんと言わないと、あいつ育たないぞ”って。その話を聞いて、郁人、俺を成長させるために、厳しくしてくれたんだなって
- At that time, you were 15 years old, right?
Yes. But you know, after that happened, the dance teacher spoke to me. The dance teacher had told Fumito. "If you guys don't tell him properly, he won't grow up." When I heard that, I realised that Fumito was being strict for the sake of my personal growth.
―長瀬くんも、TOKIOに最後に加入して、最年少でボーカル。橋本くんと状況が似てるよね。
それも振りつけ師さんに言われましたね。“おまえは末っ子キャラだから、長瀬のポジションなんだ”って。あ、これはいっしょの感じなのかなって思いましたね。だから、なんか勝手に親近感あるんですよ
- Nagase-kun is the youngest member of TOKIO and also joined last as the vocalist. It's similar to Hashimoto-kun's situation isn't it.
The dance teacher also told me that. Like, "You're the youngest child type, like Nagase's position." Ah, so in this way our feelings are the same, I thought. So on my own, I created a connection.
―塚田（僚一）くんとは、最初ケンカしたりしてるよね？
塚ちゃんはもうねー。Jr.に入ったときは、ずっごいやさしかったんですよ。アクロバットを教えてくれたりして。俺たちの同期みんな、“塚ちゃん、塚ちゃん”って尊敬してて。でもA.B.C-Zに入ったら、なんかしんないけど、俺に当たってくんですよ。変わったなって思いましたね（笑）。でも、大好きです！
- Regarding Tsukada (Ryoichi)-kun, you two fought at the start didn't you?
Tsuka-kun is, well. When I became a Jr. he was super kind. He'd teach us acrobatics and such. Everyone I joined with looked up to him, like "Tsuka-chan, Tsuka-chan." But once I joined A.B.C-Z, even though I didn't do anything, he'd smack me. He changed, I thought (lol). But, I love him!
―ハハハハ。五関（晃一）くんは、グループ結成前と後で印象は変わった？
Jr.時代、逆にごっちは、しゃべりかけられなくて。誰とでも仲よくしてたし、すげーやさしい先輩だなって思ったんですけど、なんか近づいてくんなオーラが出てる気がして。でも、A.B.C-Zに入ってみたら、ホントに話しやすくしてくれて。“塚ちゃんより全然えーやん！”って思いましたね（笑）
- Hahahaha. Did your impression of Goseki (Koichi)-kun change before and after the group formation?
When I was a Jr., in contrast, I never really spoke with Gocchi. Even though I can easily get close to anyone, and I thought he was a reeeally kind senpai, somehow he emitted an aura of not being able to get near. But when I joined A.B.C-Z, he was really easy to talk to. "He's totally better than Tsuka-chan!" I thought (lol).
―戸塚くんとは、昔から仲よかったんだよね？
俺が、小５か小６のときかな。『ザ少年倶楽部』のリハ室にいたら、憧れのA.B.C.の戸塚祥太が、後ろから来てケツをポンって叩いて“おはよう”って言ってくれて。俺のことなんか知らないだろうなって思いながらあいさつしたら、“はっしー元気？”って。なんで俺の名前知ってんだろうって、うれしくて。橋本の悩みそから“戸塚と絶対仲よくなれ！”って指令が来たんですよ。そっから、積極的に話しかけて、仲よくさせてもらって。ライブの帰りとかもいっしょに帰ってましたね
- With Totsuka-kun, you've been close since before, right?
Probably since Elementary Grade 5 or 6. In the rehearsal room for [The Shounen Club], A.B.C.'s Totsuka Shota that I aspired to be like, came up from behind and smacked my ass, saying, "good morning." While I had been thinking he probably didn't know who I was he greeted me with, "How're you doing Hasshi?" I was happy while wondering how he knew my name. After that, Hashimoto's problem became the directive of "I definitely have to become friends with Totsuka!" So then I spoke to him directly, and he let me get close to him. We would do things like going home together after lives.
―社交的に見えるけど、誰とでもすぐ仲よくなれるわけじゃないんだ。
脳次第なんですよ。ホント、いけない人はいけないです
- You seem sociable, but it doesn't mean you can immediately get close to just anyone.
It depends on the mind. In actuality, if it doesn't work with someone it doesn't work.
―でも、河合くんが、「食事すると、はっしーがみんなのサラダを取りわけたり、めちゃめちゃ気が利く」って言ってたよ。
それはやりますね。空気読めるコだと思います、僕（笑）。でも、それはやっぱあれじゃないですか。ちっちゃいころ、いろんなことがあってやさぐれて。それでも、みんなやさしくしてくれて、支えてくれたから。“あっちの立場から見たらどうなんだろう？”って考えるように自然になりましたね。自分でも、気を配れる男になりたいって思ったし
- But Kawai-kun said, "When we go out to eat, Hasshi does things like serving the salad, he's extremely thoughtful."
Yes, I do that. I'm someone who reads the atmosphere, I believe (lol). But it's obviously that, isn't it. When I was little, I sulked when various things happened. But even then, everyone was kind and supported me. It became natural to want to think, "How would it look from that perspective?" For myself, I thought about how I want to become an attentive man.
―河合くんが足をケガしてるときも、よく肩を貸してたんだよね。
なんすかね。なんか、やっちゃうんでしょうね。でも、郁人が舞台でケガしたときはホント、パニクっちゃって、頭が真っ白になって。本番中なのに。でも、なんか勝手に、“大丈夫だからな！”って声かけてましたね。なんだろうな。たぶん、僕、やさしいんです（笑）
- When Kawai-kun injured his foot, you properly lent him your shoulder didn't you.
What is it. Somehow, you'd just do that right. But, when Fumito injured himself in the butai, really, I panicked, my head went blank. Even though it was during the show. But somehow, I arbitrarily told him, "It's all fine!" I guess it’s like that. Probably, I'm nice (lol).
俺ら、ここで終わるようなグループじゃないだろ！
We aren't the kind of group to end here, right!
―２００９年は、MYOJOのJr.大賞で、『恋人にしたいJr.部門』の1位になったよね。
もうね、1位になったJr.、自分からやめた人以外、全員デビューしてるんですよね。“絶対デビューするじゃん、俺！”って思ったんですけど、全然、デビューまで長かった（笑）。だから、不安でしたね。“デビューできないの俺だけじゃん”ってずっと思ってましたから。毎年、ランキングが発表されるたびに不安になってました
- In 2009, you won first place for MYOJO's [Jr. I Want to be my Boyfriend] award, didn't you.
Well, not including those who came after me, every Jr. that won first place has debuted, right. "I'll definitely debut too, then!" I thought, but, it still took a long time until my debut (lol). So, I worried about it. I kept thinking, "I'm the only one who hasn't debuted." Every year, when the ranking was announced I would get nervous.
―じゃあ、２０１１年のKis-My-Ft2のデビューは、どう思った？
俺は全然、大丈夫だったんです。同期とかじゃないってのもあるんだろうけど。でも、4人がチョーつらそうで。俺、“大丈夫だよ！”って、メンバーに言ってあげたかったんですけど言えなくて。背中をドンって押して、“大丈夫だよ。だって、俺ら強いじゃん！”って言ってあげたかったんですけどためらっちゃって。いちばん下だし、まだ遠慮もあって。だから、ずっと見守るだけでしたね。ホント、言ってあげたかったですね。“俺ら、ここで終わるようなグループじゃないだろ！”って。キスマイはキスマイのやりかたで、A.B.C-ZはA.B.C-Zのやり方でいけばいいじゃんって
- Well then, what did you think of Kis-My-Ft2's debut in 2011?
I was totally fine with it. Since there wasn't anyone from the same time period as me anyway. But, it seemed really painful for the other 4. I wanted to tell them, "It's fine!" but I couldn't say it. I wanted to give them a slap on the back, saying, "It's fine! 'Cause we're strong!" but I stopped myself. I'm the youngest, and I still have reservations. So, I just watched over them. I really wanted to give them encouragement. Like, "We're not the kind of group to end it here, right!" Like, it's fine if Kisumai does what Kisumai can do, and A.B.C-Z does what A.B.C-Z can do.
―じゃあ、Sexy Zoneのデビューは、どう思った？
“お、デビューすんだ。がんばれ！”みたいな感じでしたね。全然、焦りはなかったです
- So then, what did you think about Sexy Zone's debut?
A feeling of, "Oh, you debuted. Good luck!" I wasn't flustered at all.
―自分たらも必ずデビューできる自信があったってこと？
ありましたね。もう、ありありでした。自信って言っていいのかわかんないですけど、どっかで余裕はありました。俺らはすごいぞってのがあったから。だって俺はA.B.C-Zのこと、ずっと信じてますから
-You had the self-confidence that you guys would definitely debut?
I did. It was already clear to me. I don't know if self-confidence would be the right way to say it, but somehow or other I had composure. There was something like, "We're awesome." So that's why I've always believed in A.B.C-Z.
―ずっと信じてるんだ。
だって、すごいから。A.B.C-Z最強だから。誰が見ても絶対すごいって思ってもらえるグループだと思ってるから
- You've always believed.
Because, we're great. Because A.B.C-Z is the strongest. Because I believe anyone who watches us will come to think that we're totally amazing.
―最強を疑ったことない？
うん。あ、最初だけ疑った（笑）。“今日から、A.B.C-Z”って言われたときは、“大丈夫か？”って。疑ったの、そのときだけですね
- You don't have any doubts about being the strongest?
Yup. Ah, I only doubted at the start (lol). The time we were told, "From now on, you're A.B.C-Z" and I was like, "Is that OK?" That was the only time there were any doubts.
―そして２０１１年の年末、ついにデビューが決まったよね。
記者会見の打ち合わせで渡された紙のはじっこに、“DVDデビュー”って書いてあったけど、信じられなかったんですよ。だって舞台のDVDはもう出してるわけで。どっちかっていったら、俺はCDデビューしたかったし。なんか、モヤッとしましたね。モヤモヤだらけだったな
- And then at the end of 2011, your debut was finally decided.
At the edge of the sheet were were handed for the press conference was written, "DVD debut," but I couldn't believe it. Since we'd already released our butai on DVD. If I were to say it, I wanted a CD debut. It was hazy. It was really very vague.
―モヤモヤは、いつ晴れたの？
まだまだかな。でも、それって俺たちが、新しいことしてるからだと思うんですよ。誰もやったことのないことに、俺らは挑戦してるから。それに、A.B.C-Zはまだまだだと思うし
- That uncertainty, when did it disperse?
I wonder if it has. But that, I think it's because we're doing something new. Nobody's done this before, we're the ones challenging it. So since it's like that, A.B.C-Z still has more to come, I think.
―まだまだだと思うんだ。
まだまだまだですよ。でも絶対、売れてやろうと思ってます。信用しててくださいって感じです
- So you think there's still more to do.
We've still got a lot more to do. But I think we'll definitely sell. There's a feeling like, please trust us.
A.B.C-Zはやさしさの塊、愛の塊なんです
A.B.C-Z is an embodiment of kindness, of love
―振り返って、いちばんの逆境って、どのタイミングだったと思う？
うーん、JUMPがデビューしたときは、泣いて泣いて終わりですけど、A.B.C-Zに入ったときは、ツラくたって、泣いたって、すっと続くわけだから、A.B.C-Zに入ったときですかねえ。不安でしたもん。ずっと毎日
- Looking back, at what time do you think was your biggest adversity?
Well, when JUMP debuted I kept crying and crying until the end, but when I joined A.B.C-Z, it was really hard and I cried, but I kept going, so maybe when I joined A.B.C-Z. I was insecure. Every single day.
―よく乗り越えたね。
なんでしょうねえ。なんだろうなあ？でも、好きなんだと思います。この世界が
- You properly overcame that.
I wonder about that. I wonder if I have? But I love it. This world.
―今も不安になることってある？
ひとりのときは不安になったりしますね。記者会見の日とか、いまだに緊張するし。なんもしゃべれず終わって、“コイツダメだ”って思われるんじゃないかって、すごく不安になるんです。でも仕事場に行けば、メンバーがいるし、勇気がわいてきて。俺は俺なんだって。橋本良亮はアホだし、日本語うまく使えないコだけど、そのままの橋本でいけばいいんだって。自分を信じてます。あと、メンバーを信じてます
- Do you still have things that make you uneasy?
When I'm by myself I worry. Like on a press conference day, even now I get nervous. I'll get anxious about like, if I let it end without talking, will they think "This guy's no good?" I get super worried. But when I get to the work location, the members are there, and my courage wells up. Because I'm me. Hashimoto Ryosuke is an idiot, he can't properly use Japanese, but being that kind of Hashimoto Ryosuke is fine. I believe in myself. And I believe in the members.
―メンバーに愛されてるよね。橋本くんの誕生日は、毎年みんなで集まるんでしょ？
そうなんですよ。俺の誕生日だけ全員集まってくれるんです。ほかのメンバーのときは、プレゼント渡すだけだったりするのに
- You are really cared for by the members, aren't you. Each year for Hashimoto-kun's birthday, everybody gets together, correct?
That's right. It's only on my birthday that everyone comes together. Even though for the other members' times, we just give presents.
―誕生日会、いつから始まったの？
A.B.C-Zが結成された年かな。俺が言い出したんです。“みんなで、ごはん行かない？”って。そしたら毎年、開いてくれるようになって
- When did you start doing a birthday gathering?
Maybe the year A.B.C-Z was formed. I suggested it. Like, "Why not go out for food together?" And then that opened it up to becoming a yearly thing.
―ホント、仲いいよね。
はい。今、ホントに楽しいです。自信持って、胸張って言えます。どのグループよりもA.B.C-Zは仲いいって。いろんなグループを好きな人がいると思う。でも、俺はやっぱA.B.C-Zがいちばん好き。うん。カッコいいよA.B.C-Zは。スキルがちがうもん。俺は何もできないけどね。4人に頼ってばっか
- Really, you're all close.
Yes. Right now, it's really fun. Since I have self-confidence, I can say it with pride. We're closer than any other group. I believe, in the various groups, there’s a person you like most. But of course I definitely love A.B.C-Z the most. Yup. A.B.C-Z are cool. We're on a different skill-level. Even though I can't do anything. I do nothing but rely on the other 4.
―でも、残りのメンバー全員が、「俺たちの分岐点は、はっしーが加入したこと。はっしーが加入してイケると思った」って言ってたよ。
……そういうふうに言ってもらえると、うれしいですね
- But the remaining members all said, "Our turning point was when Hasshi joined. I believe we were able to move forward because Hasshi joined."
......I'm really happy hearing that they said something like that.
―目、ちょっと潤んでない？
……何も言えないですね。郁人に最初のころ“センターなんだから自覚しなさい”って毎日毎日言われて。“やっぱ俺じゃダメなんじゃ…”って思った時期もあって。でも、デビュー直後くらいかな。郁人に言われたんです。“表では、お客さんの前では、センターのおまえが、俺たちを引っ張ってけ。裏から俺たちが支え続けるから”って。その言葉で迷いとか、不安とか全部吹っ切れて
- Your eyes, aren't they a little damp?
......I don't know what to say. In the beginning Fumito would tell me every day, "You're the centre so be self-aware." I also had the period where I thought, "Of course I'm no good..." But, I guess it was right after debuting. Fumito told me. "On the surface, in front of the audience, you're pulling us with you as the centre. So we'll keep supporting you from underneath." Those words broke through all my doubts and worries.
―改めて言うけど、ホントいいグループだね。
はい。歴史がありますから。スキルだけじゃない。A.B.C-Zはやさしさの塊、愛の塊なんです。だから最強なんです！
- I'm repeating myself, but it's a really great group isn’t it.
Yes. Because we have a history. It's not only our skill. A.B.C-Z embodies kindness and love. So we're the strongest!
Happy closing day of Ludwig B to Hasshi and Fumi♥ Second-last show starts now! ^^
Hopefully my Japanese got better in the past year, but still, I'm not fluent and I didn't have someone else proofread this time, so please, please comment if there are mistakes!
Otherwise, make sure you have your tissues on hand, and enjoy :)
A.B.C-Z最強だって、疑ったことはない
ずば抜けたスキルを持ったスペシャリスト集団化学変化をもたらした救世主。そう言われるには、すさまじい努力が必要だった。グループのセンターに立つ今でも、あこがれの４つの背中を追いかけている。
A.B.C-Z is the strongest, so I have no doubts
The saviour that created a chemical reaction in the group which towers above the rest with specialist skills. To be able to say such a thing, extreme effort was needed. Even though he's now standing as the group's center, he continues to chase after the other four.
『世界に一つだけの花』を授業中に熱唱！
Enthusiastically singing [Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana] during class!
―さっそく、インタビューを始めようか。
しゃべりますか！俺、日本語ヘタクソですけど（笑）
- So without delay, let's start the interview.
I guess I'll be talking! My Japanese is really bad, though (lol).
―ハハハハ。じゃあ、いちばん古い記憶って何？
俺、３才で物心というか、目覚めたというか。３才のある日、ベッドの上で、パッて目が覚めた感じで。そこからイッキに“自分だな”、“俺、生きてる！”みたくなって
- Hahahaha. So then, what's your oldest memory?
When I was 3, my awareness of the world, I guess you could say, it was awakened? One day when I was 3, while lying on my bed, I had the feeling of suddenly opening my eyes. From that moment it became like "This is me," "I'm living!"
―それ、ネタでしょ（笑）？
いや、ネタじゃないです！
- That's a joke right (lol)?
No, it's no joke!
―お姉さんがいるんだよね？
４つ上ですね。めちゃくちゃやさしくて面倒見がいいんですよ。俺が幼稚園のころ、夜寝れないときに、ずっと胸をポンポンしてくれたり
- Your older sister was around then, right?
She's four years older. She's really kind and good at taking care of people. Like around the time I was in Kindergarten, when I couldn't sleep at night she'd hold me and pat my chest.
―幼稚園のころのことで、何かほかにおぼえてることってある？
なんだろうな。クリスマスに、サンタさんが幼稚園に来てプレゼントをくれて、いっしょに写真を撮って。そんとき俺、サンタさんの足踏んじゃったんですよ。サンタさん、低い声で“イテッ”って言ったのを聞いて、“あ、これは本物のサンタさんじゃない！”って気づきましたね。そうだ！あと、ちょうど嵐がデビューしたんですよ。昼休みに、友だち５人で嵐のマネをして、ほかのクラスで披露したりしてました
- Is there anything else you remember from around when you were in Kindergarten?
What else is there? At Christmas, Santa-san would come to the kindergarten and give out presents, and take a picture with you. That time, I stepped on Santa-san's foot. When I heard Santa-san say "ouch!" in a small voice, I realised, "Oh, this isn't the real Santa-san!" I know! Also, that was around the time Arashi debuted. During lunch break a group of five of us would do Arashi imitations, and present them to the other classes.
―友だちに誘われて始めたの？
俺がやろうって。俺は相葉（雅紀）くん役でしたね。“You are my SOUL! SOUL!”って踊ってる写真、今もありますよ。そのころからジャニーズ入りたかったのかもしれないですね
- Were you the one to start inviting your friends?
I said, let's do it. I played as Aiba (Masaki)-kun. There's still a picture of me dancing to "You are my SOUL! SOUL!" That's probably the point I thought I'd like to enter Johnny's.
―じゃあ、小学校の思い出は？
１年から６年までサッカーやってて。あと、なんかあるかな……。あっ、授業中に、なんか急に『世界に一つだけの花』を歌いたくなって、熱唱しちゃって。先生に廊下に呼び出されて怒られたことあります！小３のときかな
- So then, what do remember about elementary school?
I played soccer from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Also, what else is there...... Oh, during class, for some reason I suddenly wanted to sing [Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana] so I sang with full force. The teacher angrily called me out to the corridor! That was maybe in Grade 3.
―手がかかるコだったんだ（笑）。
１年から６年までずっと、成績表に“橋本くんはやればできるコ”って書かれてましたからね
- So you were quite a handful as a kid (lol).
From Grade 1 to Grade 6, "Hashimoto-kun can do it if he tries" was written on every report card.
―つまり、やらないコだったってことだ。
ですね。でも勉強とか、みんなが先に行くけど、挽回する力があったんです。じゃあ、最初からやれよって思うんですけど、追い込まれないとやんないんです（笑）。ぎりぎりにならないと。今でもそうですね
- So that is to say, you were actually the type to not get things done.
Right. But with studying or whatever, when everyone would do it ahead of time, instead I had good recovery ability. So, even though I thought about getting it done from the outset, I wouldn't if I wasn't cornered (lol). I couldn't help putting it off until the last minute. Even now it's like that.
―クラスでモテたんじゃない？
僕じゃなくて、親友がすごくモテたんですよ。バレンタインに、親友がチョコを38コもらったのに、俺は３コ。しかも、２コはお姉ちゃんとお母さんから。もう１コは、同級生にもらったんですけど、“俺のこと好きなんだ！”って舞い上がった瞬間、“あ、本命じゃないから”って言われて。一瞬でテンション下がりましたね
- Weren't you popular in class?
Not me, but my close friend was super popular. Even though my friend would get 38 Valentine's chocolates, I got 3. And even then, 2 were from my sister and my mother. The other one came from a classmate, but the moment I got excited thinking, “So you like me!” I was told, "Ah, it's nothing special." In a single moment my spirits fell.
―ハハハハハ。
バレンタインに張り切る男子っているじゃないですか。俺はどっちかっていうと、そっちで。当日、ムダに緊張しながら下駄箱を何度も確認したり、引き出しをドキドキして開けたりしてました（笑）。好きなコはいたんですけどね
- Hahahahaha.
There are guys who are in really high spirits for Valentine's, aren't there. If I were to say, I'd be that type. On the day of, I'd be ridiculously nervous while checking my shoebox any number of times, or open my drawer with my heart beating heavily (lol). There was someone I liked though.
―どんなコだった？
小4で保健委員になったんですよ。保健室に集まったら、5年生も6年生もいて。もう保健室に入った瞬間、輝きがひとりだけちがうコがいて。１コ上のコだったんですけど、“こんなにかわいいコいたんだ”ってドキドキして。曜日ごと担当を決めたんですけど、そのコといっしょに水曜日の当番になって。休み時間にケガをして保健室に来る人がいたら、そのコが消毒して、俺が絆創膏を貼ってましたね。もう水曜日が待ち遠しくてしょうがなくて
- What kind of person was she?
From Grade 4 I became a Hygiene/Health Committee member. When we gathered in the infirmary, the Grade 5 and 6 students would be there too. The moment I entered the room, there was a girl who shone with a different kind of light. Even though she was a year above me, I thought with a beating heart, "So there was a girl this cute". When it was decided which day everyone would be in charge of, I ended up on duty on Wednesdays with this girl. During our breaks, if someone with an injury came to the infirmary, that girl would disinfect the injury while I would apply the bandages. I couldn't help looking forward to Wednesdays after that.
―告白はしなかったの？
したんですよ。子どもながらにロマンチックにしたかったんでしょうね。初日の出と同時に告白したろって思って呼び出して。そのコ、すごく寒いのに夜中に出て来てくれて。土手でずっとしゃべってたんです。彼女、ショーパン履いてて、寒そうだったんで上着を貸してあげて。で、初日の出と同時に告白したけどフラれましたね。そのコ、ショーパンのことが多くて。だから俺、今でもショーパン好きです（笑）
- You didn’t confess?
I did. While you're a kid you want to be romantic, right. I thought about how I wanted to confess with the first sunrise of the new year so I called her out. This girl, even though it was so cold, she came in the middle of the night. We talked the whole time on the riverbank. That girl, she was wearing shorts so she seemed really cold, so I lent her my jacket. So, when the sun rose I confessed but I was rejected. That girl, she often wore shorts. So that's why even now, I like shorts (lol).
オーディションは落ちたけど、見捨てないよ
Even though you failed your audition, don't give up
―ジャニーズに応募した経緯は？
11才、小5のときかな。お姉ちゃん、五関（晃一）くんが好きだったんです。『8時だJ』をずっと見てて。で。勝手に履歴書を送っちゃって。俺が受けたオーディション、テレビ番組と運動した大イベントで、３５００人応募したらしくて。“いいから黙ってついてきなさい”って、お姉ちゃんに会場に連れてかれて。ホント、怖くて行きたくなかったんですよ
- What lead to your application to Johnny's?
When I was 11, I guess it was Grade 5. My sister liked Goseki (Koichi)-kun. She always watched [8Ji da J]. So, she sent in my resume of her own accord. For the audition I was given, at a TV program and a big event with a lot of moving around, it seems like there were about 3500 applicants. My sister dragged me to the venue saying, "Listen here, just be quiet and come along". Actually, I was scared and didn't want to go.
―会場に着いても、何が始まるかわからなかった？
はい。なんだろうと思ってるうちに、タッキー＆翼の『夢物語』を踊らされて。“これ、なんかのオーディションかな？”って気づいて
- Even when you arrived at the venue, you really had no idea what was starting?
Right. I was wondering why, when I was told to dance to Tackey & Tsubasa's [Yume Monogatari]. I realised, "Hey, isn't this like an audition?"
―やる気になった？
最初は乗り気じゃなかったけど、なんか、“こっから選ばれたらすげーな”って一生懸命やりましたね。１カ月後くらいかな。“次は二次審査です”って連絡が来て、“まさか！”ってビックリして。二次も通過して、三次審査でYa-Ya-yahのバックで踊ったのかな。このとき、５０人くらいになってて。で、“１位はこの人！”って決まって。俺は“あー、落ちたんだ”って
- Did you become motivated?
At the start I didn't get into it, but somehow, thinking, "Wouldn't it be amazing if I was chosen from this?" I decided to give it my all. I guess it was about a month later. I was contacted, "Next is the second audition". "No way!" I thought, surprised. I passed the second audition too, and the third level was backdancing for Ya-Ya-Yah I guess. This time, there were only about 50 people. Then, it was decided, "First place is this person!" I thought, "Ah, I failed."
―悔しかった？
悔しかったけど、自分で応募したわけじゃないしって。そっから半年くらい連絡がなかったのかな。そしたら電話がかかってきて。それがジャニーさんからだったんです。“オーディションは落ちたけど、見捨てないよ。ユー歌えるよね？”みたいなこと言われて
- Was it frustrating?
It was frustrating, but, I didn't send in the application myself. I wasn't contacted for about half a year after that. Then a phone call came. That was from Johnny-san. He said something like, "Even though you failed the audition, don't give up. YOU, you can sing, right?"
―社長に歌を披露したことってあったの？
オーディションのとき、ジャニーさんの近くで、なんとなく歌ってたんですよ。俺、授業中に『世界に一つだけの花』を歌った橋本良亮なんで。なんか、歌いたくなったんでしょうね（笑）。自分で言うのもなんですけど、俺は幼稚園のころから自分の歌を信じてるんで。誰がなんと言おうと。ずっと歌とサッカーしか俺には楽しいことなかったんで
- You showed the president your singing?
During the audition, somehow I was singing when Johnny-san was nearby. Since I'm the Hashimoto Ryosuke who sings [Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana] during class. For some reason, I just wanted to sing, I guess (lol). Even though I say so myself, since the time I was in Kindergarten I've had confidence in my singing. No matter what anyone says. I've always enjoyed nothing but singing and playing soccer.
―そして、Jr.の活動が始まった。
はい。『Mステ』で関ジャニ∞がデビュー曲を歌って、そのバックに出させてもらったんですよ。もう、なんか“あれ、あれ!? なんだ、どうなってんだ？”って感じでしたね
- And then, your activities as a Jr. started.
Yes. Kanjani∞ were singing their debut song on [Music Station], and I was able to backdance for that. Really, somehow it had the feeling of, "Eh, eh!? What, how did this happen?"
―お姉さんも驚いたんじゃない？
ビックリしてましたね。俺、Jr.になったばっかのころ、よく、お姉ちゃんに注意されたんですよ
- Wasn't your sister surprised too?
She was shocked. When I barely began as a Jr., my sister would give me proper advice.
―何を注意されたの？
お姉ちゃん、俺の出てる番組、ずーっとチェックしてくれて。俺、すごく緊張して、ずっと下向いてバックで踊ってたんです。それをテレビで見たお姉ちゃんが、“視聴者がイヤな気持ちになるでしょ。顔を上げなさい！”って。家の床にガムテープで１メートルくらいの円を描いて、“この中で踊って”って言われたりもして。ずっと、ひたすら踊ったんですよ。テレビに映るJr.のマネしながら。疲れて、ちょっと円から出たら、“となりの人にぶつかって迷惑かけるでしょ！”って怒られて
- What sort of advice did she give you?
My sister would check every show I appeared in. Because I was always so nervous, I would be dancing in the back with my head down. When my sister saw that on TV she told me, "The people viewing will stop wanting to watch. Raise your head up!" She also taped a circle about a metre diameter on the floor of our house, telling me, "dance inside this." I always danced with earnest. While copying the Jr.s on TV. When I got tired and stepped out of the circle, she would get mad, like, "You just caused trouble by hitting the person beside you!"
今日、選ばれなかったら終わりなのか？
Today, if you hadn't been chosen would you have stopped?
―MYOJO初登場のときのことはおぼえてる？
めちゃくちゃおぼえてます。山田（涼介）くんと制服を着ていっしょに写って。山田くん、ホントに素敵だなって思いました。でも、負けず嫌いなんで、“リョウスケは俺だ！”って思ってました。不思議ですよね。最初、いっしょにMYOJOに載ったふたりが、それぞれのグループでがんばってる。俺が受けたオーディション、３５００人も受けて、今残ってるのは３、４人ですから
- Do you remember the first time you appeared in MYOJO?
I totally remember. I had a picture taken with Yamada (Ryosuke)-kun while wearing school uniforms. I thought Yamada-kun looked really cool. But since I hate to lose, I was thinking, "Ryosuke is me!" Strange, right. From the beginning, the two of us were in MYOJO together but were working hard in different groups. From the audition I was in that had 3500 people, now 3 or 4 people are left.
―じゃあ、デビューに関しては、どう思ってた？
したかったですね。最初から。でも、ちゃんとアクロバットとか歌とか身につけてからデビューしたいなって思ってました
- So then, what did you think about debuting?
I wanted to. From the start. But, I thought that I should properly learn singing and acrobatics and the like before wanting to debut.
―橋本くんがJr.に入ったころ、A.B.C.は、すでに結成されてたよね。どんなグループに見えた？
そっか、そうですよね、すごいなあ。俺が入る前にできてるんですよね。テレビでよく見てたんです。“すげーアクロバットするな”って。バック転とかも、みんなすげーそろうし。テレビで見てたころに戻りたいですね
- A.B.C. was already formed by the time Hashimoto-kun joined as a Jr. What kind of group did you see?
Ah, that's right, amazing isn't it. They were doing this before I joined. I always watched them on TV. Like, "They do amazing acrobatics". Back springs and such, they could all do it with amazing unity. I want to go back to the time I was watching them on TV.
―なんで？
“今はいっしょにやってんだよ”って、自分に教えてあげたいから。憧れだったんで
- Why?
While saying, "Now we do that together," I want to teach myself. Since I aspired to be like them.
―なるほど。Jr.になった翌年には、J.J.Expressに入ったんだよね。
メンバーがけっこう流動的だったんで、最初は入ってるか入ってないか、わかんない感じで。J.J.Expressのバックなのか、ユニットの一員なのか、どっちなのかなって。取材に呼ばれていっしょに写真撮ったら、“あ、入ってんだ”ってわかって、うれしかったですね
- I see. The year after you became a Jr., you joined J.J.Express.
The members were pretty undecided, so in the beginning, as to whether I was in it or not, it felt like I didn't know. Like, am I a backdancer for J.J.Express or am I a member, which is it. When I was called along for an interview and we had our pictures taken together, I understood, "Ah, I'm in it." This made me happy.
―ただ、2007年にデビューした、Hey!Say!JUMPのメンバーには選ばれなかった。
ずっと、デビューすること知らなかったんですよ。発表される瞬間まで。横浜アリーナで発表したんですよね。リハーサルのとき、何人か呼ばれてステージに集まってたんです。J.J.Expressは、ほぼ全員が呼ばれてて。“俺、なんで呼ばれてねーんだ？”って思って、ステージに上がろうとしたら、スタッフに止められて。なんだろうなってモヤモヤして
- But, when Hey!Say!JUMP debuted in 2007, you weren't chosen.
The whole time, I had no idea it was a debut. Until the moment it was announced. It was announced in Yokohama Arena, right. During rehearsals, a number of people were called to the stage. From J.J.Express, nearly everyone was called. While I was thinking, “Why aren’t I called?” I went to go up on stage, but was stopped by the staff. I sulked about it, like, “What the heck?”
―そうだったんだ。
で、コンサート本番で急に、VTRどうぞみたいになって映像が流れて、“これが今年デビューするグループのメンバーだ”みたいな感じで、ひとりずつ名前が呼ばれて。これ、俺も呼ばれんだろうなって思ってたら、最後まで呼ばれなくて。“このメンバーでデビューだ！”って。で、『Ultra Music Power』を歌い出したわけですよ。もう、“ふざけんなよ！”って。あ、リハーサルのときのヤツって、これだったんだと思って。もう、あのときは泣きましたね
- I see.
So, suddenly during the concert, a video was shown with a kind of "These are the members of the group debuting this year" image, and everyone was named one by one. With that I wondered, would I be named too, but even at the end I wasn't. "These members are debuting!" Then, they came out singing [Ultra Music Power]. I was like, "You've got to be joking!" Ah, the guys that did that rehearsal, it was for this, I thought. Really, I cried when that happened.
―悔しいよね。
俺、ステージでは絶対に笑顔でいようって決めてたんです。まあ、お客さんがいると、自然と笑顔になっちゃうんですけどね。でも、あのときだけは、お客さんにバレバレでしたもん。悲しんでる顔してるの。もう、どうしようもなくて
- Painful, wasn't it.
I'd decided, when I'm on stage I'll definitely smile. Well, if there's an audience I'll smile naturally anyways. But just that time, the audience caught me. I showed a sad face. I couldn't do anything about it.
―それは、しょうがないと思うよ。
もう帰ろうかとさえ思いましたからね。荷物持って。コンサートが終わって、ひとりで会場の裏で泣いてたんです。そしたら、振りつけ師さんが来て、“なに泣いてんだ”って
- That, I don't think it could be helped.
Because all I could think was, just let me go home already. I grabbed my bags. When the concert ended, I just cried by myself behind the venue. That's when the choreographer came by, saying, "What are you crying about."
―なぐさめてくれたんだ。
いや。めちゃくちゃ怒られた。“泣いてんのか？ふざけんなよ。今日、選ばれなかったら終わりなのか？ちがうだろ！これで終わりじゃないだろ。甘えんな！”って。ホント、厳しかったですね。やめてやろうかって本気で思いましたもん。Jr.時代、何回かやめようかなって思ったことありましたけど、あのときがいちばんでしたね
- He came to comfort you then.
No. He was super angry. Like, "You're crying? Don't be stupid. Everything was over when you didn't get picked today? That's wrong! This isn't the end right. You're spoiled!" He was really harsh. I was truly thinking that I might as well just quit. When I was a Jr., I'd thought many times about quitting, but that time I was the most serious.
―でも、やめなかった。
友だち少ないんで。Jr.の友だちがいなくなるのいやだったから
- But, you didn't quit.
I don't have many friends. I didn't want to lose my Jr. friends.
―JUMP組とぎくしゃくしなかった？
みんな仲良かったから。JUMP組はJUMP組でうれしかったはずだし。俺がグチグチしてたらちがうでしょ。だから、“がんばってね”って見送りましたね
- It didn't become awkward with the JUMP members?
Because everyone was really close. We were supposed to be happy with JUMP being those members. Me grumbling wouldn't have been good right. So I saw them off with a "Good luck."
―心の整理は、すぐについたの？
やっぱり時間が解決してくれた部分ってありますね。選ばれなかった直後は、もう本当にやさぐれましたもん。金髪にしたりして。ワルをイメージしたんでしょうね。本当に子どもでした
- Did you sort out your feelings right away?
Of course some part of resolving feelings comes with time right. Right after I wasn't picked, I really sulked. Dying my hair blonde and such. Trying to have a bad image. I was such a child.
―時間が少しずつ傷をいやしてくれたんだ。
あ、でも、やさぐれてた時期に、お母さんとくだらないことでケンカして。お母さん、すごい泣いたの初めてみたんで、すごく胸を締めつけられたっていうか。親を絶対泣かしちゃいけないって気づいて。今も泣いてる姿を思い出すとつらいんです。胸が痛むんですよ。それからずっと、親は大事にしてます
- Your scars healed bit by bit with time
Ah, but, during my sulking period, I fought with my mother over something trivial. It was the first time I saw my mother cry like that, and it wrenched my heart so much. I realised I definitely shouldn't make my parents cry. Even now it hurts to remember her crying figure. It makes my chest hurt. From then on, I’ve always treasured my parents.
―そんなことがあったんだ。
あの涙がなかったら、俺もっとやさぐれてました。いっちまってまっしたね。あとは地元の親友かな。めんどくさかっただろうけど、ずーっと俺の話も聞いてくれて
- So there was something like that
If those tears hadn't been there, I would have continued sulking. It made me stop. And also my hometown friends maybe. Even though I must have been annoying, they always listened to what I had to say.
―今は、JUMPに入れなかったこと、どう思ってる？
あの日、JUMPに入れなくてよかったんだって思えます。本当にA.B.C-Zでよかったって思えるから
- What are your thoughts now about not being in JUMP?
I think it was a good thing that I wasn’t put in JUMP that day. Because I can think about how great it is that there’s A.B.C-Z.
今日からキミたちはA.B.C-Zだよ
From today on, you're A.B.C-Z
―その後TOP3を経て、A.B.C-Zのセンターに抜擢されたよね。
『SUMMARY』をやってたある日、“ユー、明日からこれ歌いなよ”って、ジャニーさんから紙を渡されたんですよ。それが、『明日の為に僕がいる』で。“なんすか、これ？”って聞いても、“いいから明日までにおぼえて”って。次の日に呼ばれたら、A.B.C.が4人集まってて、“橋本、ひとりのつもりだったけどいっしょに歌って”って。で、本番で歌ったんです。“なんだったんだろう？”って思ったけど、また次の日も歌って。そしたらモニターにA.B.C-Zって突然、文字が映って。楽屋に戻ったら、“今日からキミたちはA.B.C-Zだよ”って言われて
- After that, by way of TOP3, you were selected as the centre of A.B.C-Z
One day while we were doing [SUMMARY], I was told, "YOU, from tomorrow sing this" and was given a piece of paper by Johnny-san. That was [Ashita no Tame ni Boku ga Iru]. When I asked, "What is this?" I was told, "Don't worry, just remember it by tomorrow." When we were called the next day, the four of A.B.C. were gathered, and were like "Hashimoto, the plan was for you to do it solo but let’s sing together." So, we sang in the show. "What was that all about?" I thought, but we sang it the next day too. At that time, suddenly the letters A.B.C-Z appeared on the screen. When we returned to the dressing room we were told, "From today onwards, you're A.B.C-Z."
―突然の発表だったんだ。
状況がよくわかんなくて、“えっ、なになに!? 俺、A.B.C.に入るの？”って。4人もポカーンってなってました。そんときのメンバーの顔、ホント忘れらんないですね。“え、こいつ入んの？ 大丈夫？”って不安な目で俺を見たんですよ。（河合）郁人なんか、ちょっとイヤそうな顔してて。まあ、俺もイヤだったけど（笑）。でも入るの拒否ったら、俺はあとがないだろうなって
- It was a sudden announcement.
I really didn't get what was happening, like, "Eh, what what!? I'm joining A.B.C.?" The other four were shocked too. I'll never forget the members’ faces from that time. I could see their worried eyes looking at me, "Eh, this guy's joining? Will it be ok?" (Kawai) Fumito had a kind of disagreeable face. Well, I didn't want it either (lol). But there was no way I could refuse to join, right.
―最初はイヤだったんだ。
めちゃくちゃイヤでした（笑）。やっていけるはずないって。踊りもアクロバットも、A.B.C.みたいに全然できないから。4人もイヤだと思ったと思うんですよ
- So at first you didn't want to.
I really really didn't (lol). There was no way it'd work. Because whether dancing or acrobatics, I couldn't do it like A.B.C. at all. I thought that the four of them must not want it either.
―いちばん年下で、しかもセンターでA.B.C.の曲を歌う。気まずさもあったんじゃない？
ありますよ。もう気まずだらけ、不安だらけですよ。お風呂の中で、ずっと悩みましたね。とっつーや郁人ファンは、怒るだろうなって。あとから入ってきたヤツが歌っちゃうわけだから。“橋本なんかが”って思うだろうなって。ツラかったですね。助けてほしかったです
- Not only being the youngest, but also singing A.B.C.'s songs as the center. There must have been awkwardness?
There was. So much awkwardness, and a lot of anxiety. I would sit in the bath constantly worrying. I figured Tottsu’s and Fumito's fans must be angry. Since I was the guy who took over singing after joining later. They probably thought, "Someone like Hashimoto." It was painful. I wanted to be rescued.
―でも、歌い続けた。
お客さんの視線とかもつらかったですけどね。でも、申し訳なさなんて表情に出したら、メンバーに失礼でしょ。俺は、みんなを背負って歌わせてもらってんだから
- But you continued singing.
The audience’s gaze was painful too, though. But if I had shown a guilty expression, it would have been rude to the members. Because I was given the chance to sing in front of everyone.
―「あのときのはっしーは、がんばった」ってみんな言ってたよ。
“ぜってー負けない！”って根性だけです。もう誰にも負けたくなかったから。ファンにも、メンバーにも認めてほしかったから。1日で20曲くらいおぼえましたね。歌もダンスもおぼえなきゃいけないことばっか。アクロバットもいちからやらないといけない。俺、自分のことホントにすごいなって思いました（笑）。バック転も、そのときできるようになったし。最初は、ホントどうなるのかなって思ってましたからね
- Everyone said 'The Hasshi of that time, he worked hard'
It was only my guts saying, "I definitely won't lose!" I didn't want to lose to anyone. I wanted the members and the fans to acknowledge me. I learned 20 songs in one day. I absolutely had to learn both the songs and the dances. It was no good if I couldn't do the acrobatics from the outset either. I really thought, aren't I amazing (lol). I started working on being able to do backflips then too. Because initially, I was wondering how it would really turn out.
―徐々に不安がなくなった感じ？
今でも不安ですよ。今でも全然。まだまだレベルが全然ちがうし
- Was there a feeling of your anxiety gradually fading?
Even now I'm anxious. Even now I'm no good. Our levels are still completely different.
―じゃあメンバー同士、敬語じゃなくなったのって、どのくらい？
最初は前から仲がよかったとっつー以外は敬語で。1年は敬語だったかな。でも絶対、敬語じゃないほうが仲よくなるじゃないですか。だから敬語はやめようって。仲よくなりたすぎて必死だったんです。メンバーだって認めてもらいたかったから
- Then with your fellow members, how long has it been since you stopped speaking formally?
At first, aside from with Tottsu who I was close to since before, I spoke formally. I guess that lasted about a year. But with formal speech, there's no chance of getting closer. So I stopped using it. I was desperate about becoming closer to everyone. Because I wanted the members to accept me.
一生このグループでやっていく。入ったときに決めたから
I will be with this group my whole life. I decided this when I joined.
―結成当初、よく河合くんに怒られたんだよね。
怒られましたねー。おぼえてるのが、エビキスコンのオープニングで俺、歌詞をまちがえちゃったことがあって。ヤケクソになって、お客さんを煽っちゃったんですよ。ステージ裏に戻ったら、郁人にめちゃくちゃ怒られて。それが、ホント悔しくて。“俺だって、がんばってんだよ。怒られる筋合いねえ”くらい思いましたから。でも、頭冷やしてちゃんと考えたら、これじゃダメだなって。謝りましたね。まちがったのは俺だし、やっぱ嫌われたくなかったし、“一生このグループでやっていく”って、入ったときに決めたから
- When the group was first formed, you made Kawai-kun quite angry didn't you.
Right, he got angry. As I remember, during the opening of the Ebikisu Con, I made a mistake with the lyrics. I became desperate, and the audience got riled up. When we got backstage, Fumito got really really mad. That was so aggravating. I thought, "I did the best I could. He has no reason to be mad." But once I cooled my head and reflected properly, I realised this was no good. So I apologised. I was the one who messed up, and of course I didn't want to be hated, since I'd made the decision when I joined, "I will spend my whole life with this group."
―そのときって、15才だよね？
はい。でもねえ、あとから振りつけ師さんに言われたんですよ。振りつけ師さん、郁人に言ったんですって。“おまえらがちゃんと言わないと、あいつ育たないぞ”って。その話を聞いて、郁人、俺を成長させるために、厳しくしてくれたんだなって
- At that time, you were 15 years old, right?
Yes. But you know, after that happened, the dance teacher spoke to me. The dance teacher had told Fumito. "If you guys don't tell him properly, he won't grow up." When I heard that, I realised that Fumito was being strict for the sake of my personal growth.
―長瀬くんも、TOKIOに最後に加入して、最年少でボーカル。橋本くんと状況が似てるよね。
それも振りつけ師さんに言われましたね。“おまえは末っ子キャラだから、長瀬のポジションなんだ”って。あ、これはいっしょの感じなのかなって思いましたね。だから、なんか勝手に親近感あるんですよ
- Nagase-kun is the youngest member of TOKIO and also joined last as the vocalist. It's similar to Hashimoto-kun's situation isn't it.
The dance teacher also told me that. Like, "You're the youngest child type, like Nagase's position." Ah, so in this way our feelings are the same, I thought. So on my own, I created a connection.
―塚田（僚一）くんとは、最初ケンカしたりしてるよね？
塚ちゃんはもうねー。Jr.に入ったときは、ずっごいやさしかったんですよ。アクロバットを教えてくれたりして。俺たちの同期みんな、“塚ちゃん、塚ちゃん”って尊敬してて。でもA.B.C-Zに入ったら、なんかしんないけど、俺に当たってくんですよ。変わったなって思いましたね（笑）。でも、大好きです！
- Regarding Tsukada (Ryoichi)-kun, you two fought at the start didn't you?
Tsuka-kun is, well. When I became a Jr. he was super kind. He'd teach us acrobatics and such. Everyone I joined with looked up to him, like "Tsuka-chan, Tsuka-chan." But once I joined A.B.C-Z, even though I didn't do anything, he'd smack me. He changed, I thought (lol). But, I love him!
―ハハハハ。五関（晃一）くんは、グループ結成前と後で印象は変わった？
Jr.時代、逆にごっちは、しゃべりかけられなくて。誰とでも仲よくしてたし、すげーやさしい先輩だなって思ったんですけど、なんか近づいてくんなオーラが出てる気がして。でも、A.B.C-Zに入ってみたら、ホントに話しやすくしてくれて。“塚ちゃんより全然えーやん！”って思いましたね（笑）
- Hahahaha. Did your impression of Goseki (Koichi)-kun change before and after the group formation?
When I was a Jr., in contrast, I never really spoke with Gocchi. Even though I can easily get close to anyone, and I thought he was a reeeally kind senpai, somehow he emitted an aura of not being able to get near. But when I joined A.B.C-Z, he was really easy to talk to. "He's totally better than Tsuka-chan!" I thought (lol).
―戸塚くんとは、昔から仲よかったんだよね？
俺が、小５か小６のときかな。『ザ少年倶楽部』のリハ室にいたら、憧れのA.B.C.の戸塚祥太が、後ろから来てケツをポンって叩いて“おはよう”って言ってくれて。俺のことなんか知らないだろうなって思いながらあいさつしたら、“はっしー元気？”って。なんで俺の名前知ってんだろうって、うれしくて。橋本の悩みそから“戸塚と絶対仲よくなれ！”って指令が来たんですよ。そっから、積極的に話しかけて、仲よくさせてもらって。ライブの帰りとかもいっしょに帰ってましたね
- With Totsuka-kun, you've been close since before, right?
Probably since Elementary Grade 5 or 6. In the rehearsal room for [The Shounen Club], A.B.C.'s Totsuka Shota that I aspired to be like, came up from behind and smacked my ass, saying, "good morning." While I had been thinking he probably didn't know who I was he greeted me with, "How're you doing Hasshi?" I was happy while wondering how he knew my name. After that, Hashimoto's problem became the directive of "I definitely have to become friends with Totsuka!" So then I spoke to him directly, and he let me get close to him. We would do things like going home together after lives.
―社交的に見えるけど、誰とでもすぐ仲よくなれるわけじゃないんだ。
脳次第なんですよ。ホント、いけない人はいけないです
- You seem sociable, but it doesn't mean you can immediately get close to just anyone.
It depends on the mind. In actuality, if it doesn't work with someone it doesn't work.
―でも、河合くんが、「食事すると、はっしーがみんなのサラダを取りわけたり、めちゃめちゃ気が利く」って言ってたよ。
それはやりますね。空気読めるコだと思います、僕（笑）。でも、それはやっぱあれじゃないですか。ちっちゃいころ、いろんなことがあってやさぐれて。それでも、みんなやさしくしてくれて、支えてくれたから。“あっちの立場から見たらどうなんだろう？”って考えるように自然になりましたね。自分でも、気を配れる男になりたいって思ったし
- But Kawai-kun said, "When we go out to eat, Hasshi does things like serving the salad, he's extremely thoughtful."
Yes, I do that. I'm someone who reads the atmosphere, I believe (lol). But it's obviously that, isn't it. When I was little, I sulked when various things happened. But even then, everyone was kind and supported me. It became natural to want to think, "How would it look from that perspective?" For myself, I thought about how I want to become an attentive man.
―河合くんが足をケガしてるときも、よく肩を貸してたんだよね。
なんすかね。なんか、やっちゃうんでしょうね。でも、郁人が舞台でケガしたときはホント、パニクっちゃって、頭が真っ白になって。本番中なのに。でも、なんか勝手に、“大丈夫だからな！”って声かけてましたね。なんだろうな。たぶん、僕、やさしいんです（笑）
- When Kawai-kun injured his foot, you properly lent him your shoulder didn't you.
What is it. Somehow, you'd just do that right. But, when Fumito injured himself in the butai, really, I panicked, my head went blank. Even though it was during the show. But somehow, I arbitrarily told him, "It's all fine!" I guess it’s like that. Probably, I'm nice (lol).
俺ら、ここで終わるようなグループじゃないだろ！
We aren't the kind of group to end here, right!
―２００９年は、MYOJOのJr.大賞で、『恋人にしたいJr.部門』の1位になったよね。
もうね、1位になったJr.、自分からやめた人以外、全員デビューしてるんですよね。“絶対デビューするじゃん、俺！”って思ったんですけど、全然、デビューまで長かった（笑）。だから、不安でしたね。“デビューできないの俺だけじゃん”ってずっと思ってましたから。毎年、ランキングが発表されるたびに不安になってました
- In 2009, you won first place for MYOJO's [Jr. I Want to be my Boyfriend] award, didn't you.
Well, not including those who came after me, every Jr. that won first place has debuted, right. "I'll definitely debut too, then!" I thought, but, it still took a long time until my debut (lol). So, I worried about it. I kept thinking, "I'm the only one who hasn't debuted." Every year, when the ranking was announced I would get nervous.
―じゃあ、２０１１年のKis-My-Ft2のデビューは、どう思った？
俺は全然、大丈夫だったんです。同期とかじゃないってのもあるんだろうけど。でも、4人がチョーつらそうで。俺、“大丈夫だよ！”って、メンバーに言ってあげたかったんですけど言えなくて。背中をドンって押して、“大丈夫だよ。だって、俺ら強いじゃん！”って言ってあげたかったんですけどためらっちゃって。いちばん下だし、まだ遠慮もあって。だから、ずっと見守るだけでしたね。ホント、言ってあげたかったですね。“俺ら、ここで終わるようなグループじゃないだろ！”って。キスマイはキスマイのやりかたで、A.B.C-ZはA.B.C-Zのやり方でいけばいいじゃんって
- Well then, what did you think of Kis-My-Ft2's debut in 2011?
I was totally fine with it. Since there wasn't anyone from the same time period as me anyway. But, it seemed really painful for the other 4. I wanted to tell them, "It's fine!" but I couldn't say it. I wanted to give them a slap on the back, saying, "It's fine! 'Cause we're strong!" but I stopped myself. I'm the youngest, and I still have reservations. So, I just watched over them. I really wanted to give them encouragement. Like, "We're not the kind of group to end it here, right!" Like, it's fine if Kisumai does what Kisumai can do, and A.B.C-Z does what A.B.C-Z can do.
―じゃあ、Sexy Zoneのデビューは、どう思った？
“お、デビューすんだ。がんばれ！”みたいな感じでしたね。全然、焦りはなかったです
- So then, what did you think about Sexy Zone's debut?
A feeling of, "Oh, you debuted. Good luck!" I wasn't flustered at all.
―自分たらも必ずデビューできる自信があったってこと？
ありましたね。もう、ありありでした。自信って言っていいのかわかんないですけど、どっかで余裕はありました。俺らはすごいぞってのがあったから。だって俺はA.B.C-Zのこと、ずっと信じてますから
-You had the self-confidence that you guys would definitely debut?
I did. It was already clear to me. I don't know if self-confidence would be the right way to say it, but somehow or other I had composure. There was something like, "We're awesome." So that's why I've always believed in A.B.C-Z.
―ずっと信じてるんだ。
だって、すごいから。A.B.C-Z最強だから。誰が見ても絶対すごいって思ってもらえるグループだと思ってるから
- You've always believed.
Because, we're great. Because A.B.C-Z is the strongest. Because I believe anyone who watches us will come to think that we're totally amazing.
―最強を疑ったことない？
うん。あ、最初だけ疑った（笑）。“今日から、A.B.C-Z”って言われたときは、“大丈夫か？”って。疑ったの、そのときだけですね
- You don't have any doubts about being the strongest?
Yup. Ah, I only doubted at the start (lol). The time we were told, "From now on, you're A.B.C-Z" and I was like, "Is that OK?" That was the only time there were any doubts.
―そして２０１１年の年末、ついにデビューが決まったよね。
記者会見の打ち合わせで渡された紙のはじっこに、“DVDデビュー”って書いてあったけど、信じられなかったんですよ。だって舞台のDVDはもう出してるわけで。どっちかっていったら、俺はCDデビューしたかったし。なんか、モヤッとしましたね。モヤモヤだらけだったな
- And then at the end of 2011, your debut was finally decided.
At the edge of the sheet were were handed for the press conference was written, "DVD debut," but I couldn't believe it. Since we'd already released our butai on DVD. If I were to say it, I wanted a CD debut. It was hazy. It was really very vague.
―モヤモヤは、いつ晴れたの？
まだまだかな。でも、それって俺たちが、新しいことしてるからだと思うんですよ。誰もやったことのないことに、俺らは挑戦してるから。それに、A.B.C-Zはまだまだだと思うし
- That uncertainty, when did it disperse?
I wonder if it has. But that, I think it's because we're doing something new. Nobody's done this before, we're the ones challenging it. So since it's like that, A.B.C-Z still has more to come, I think.
―まだまだだと思うんだ。
まだまだまだですよ。でも絶対、売れてやろうと思ってます。信用しててくださいって感じです
- So you think there's still more to do.
We've still got a lot more to do. But I think we'll definitely sell. There's a feeling like, please trust us.
A.B.C-Zはやさしさの塊、愛の塊なんです
A.B.C-Z is an embodiment of kindness, of love
―振り返って、いちばんの逆境って、どのタイミングだったと思う？
うーん、JUMPがデビューしたときは、泣いて泣いて終わりですけど、A.B.C-Zに入ったときは、ツラくたって、泣いたって、すっと続くわけだから、A.B.C-Zに入ったときですかねえ。不安でしたもん。ずっと毎日
- Looking back, at what time do you think was your biggest adversity?
Well, when JUMP debuted I kept crying and crying until the end, but when I joined A.B.C-Z, it was really hard and I cried, but I kept going, so maybe when I joined A.B.C-Z. I was insecure. Every single day.
―よく乗り越えたね。
なんでしょうねえ。なんだろうなあ？でも、好きなんだと思います。この世界が
- You properly overcame that.
I wonder about that. I wonder if I have? But I love it. This world.
―今も不安になることってある？
ひとりのときは不安になったりしますね。記者会見の日とか、いまだに緊張するし。なんもしゃべれず終わって、“コイツダメだ”って思われるんじゃないかって、すごく不安になるんです。でも仕事場に行けば、メンバーがいるし、勇気がわいてきて。俺は俺なんだって。橋本良亮はアホだし、日本語うまく使えないコだけど、そのままの橋本でいけばいいんだって。自分を信じてます。あと、メンバーを信じてます
- Do you still have things that make you uneasy?
When I'm by myself I worry. Like on a press conference day, even now I get nervous. I'll get anxious about like, if I let it end without talking, will they think "This guy's no good?" I get super worried. But when I get to the work location, the members are there, and my courage wells up. Because I'm me. Hashimoto Ryosuke is an idiot, he can't properly use Japanese, but being that kind of Hashimoto Ryosuke is fine. I believe in myself. And I believe in the members.
―メンバーに愛されてるよね。橋本くんの誕生日は、毎年みんなで集まるんでしょ？
そうなんですよ。俺の誕生日だけ全員集まってくれるんです。ほかのメンバーのときは、プレゼント渡すだけだったりするのに
- You are really cared for by the members, aren't you. Each year for Hashimoto-kun's birthday, everybody gets together, correct?
That's right. It's only on my birthday that everyone comes together. Even though for the other members' times, we just give presents.
―誕生日会、いつから始まったの？
A.B.C-Zが結成された年かな。俺が言い出したんです。“みんなで、ごはん行かない？”って。そしたら毎年、開いてくれるようになって
- When did you start doing a birthday gathering?
Maybe the year A.B.C-Z was formed. I suggested it. Like, "Why not go out for food together?" And then that opened it up to becoming a yearly thing.
―ホント、仲いいよね。
はい。今、ホントに楽しいです。自信持って、胸張って言えます。どのグループよりもA.B.C-Zは仲いいって。いろんなグループを好きな人がいると思う。でも、俺はやっぱA.B.C-Zがいちばん好き。うん。カッコいいよA.B.C-Zは。スキルがちがうもん。俺は何もできないけどね。4人に頼ってばっか
- Really, you're all close.
Yes. Right now, it's really fun. Since I have self-confidence, I can say it with pride. We're closer than any other group. I believe, in the various groups, there’s a person you like most. But of course I definitely love A.B.C-Z the most. Yup. A.B.C-Z are cool. We're on a different skill-level. Even though I can't do anything. I do nothing but rely on the other 4.
―でも、残りのメンバー全員が、「俺たちの分岐点は、はっしーが加入したこと。はっしーが加入してイケると思った」って言ってたよ。
……そういうふうに言ってもらえると、うれしいですね
- But the remaining members all said, "Our turning point was when Hasshi joined. I believe we were able to move forward because Hasshi joined."
......I'm really happy hearing that they said something like that.
―目、ちょっと潤んでない？
……何も言えないですね。郁人に最初のころ“センターなんだから自覚しなさい”って毎日毎日言われて。“やっぱ俺じゃダメなんじゃ…”って思った時期もあって。でも、デビュー直後くらいかな。郁人に言われたんです。“表では、お客さんの前では、センターのおまえが、俺たちを引っ張ってけ。裏から俺たちが支え続けるから”って。その言葉で迷いとか、不安とか全部吹っ切れて
- Your eyes, aren't they a little damp?
......I don't know what to say. In the beginning Fumito would tell me every day, "You're the centre so be self-aware." I also had the period where I thought, "Of course I'm no good..." But, I guess it was right after debuting. Fumito told me. "On the surface, in front of the audience, you're pulling us with you as the centre. So we'll keep supporting you from underneath." Those words broke through all my doubts and worries.
―改めて言うけど、ホントいいグループだね。
はい。歴史がありますから。スキルだけじゃない。A.B.C-Zはやさしさの塊、愛の塊なんです。だから最強なんです！
- I'm repeating myself, but it's a really great group isn’t it.
Yes. Because we have a history. It's not only our skill. A.B.C-Z embodies kindness and love. So we're the strongest!