Kochi & Juri - Sutonzu no Futari [Popolo 08/21]
I couldn’t really feel much enthusiasm from Kochi
Juri: The two of us met for the first time at Kochi’s audition?
Kochi: Yeah. When I took part in the audition for “School Kakumei!,”Juri danced to show us the example.
Juri: In the first round, there were around 100 participants, but as they advanced to the next few rounds, the number of people decreased, so they were divided into groups with 4 or 5 members each. Kochi was in the group that I was assigned to teach the choreography to.
Kochi: Yes x3
Juri: In that audition, most of the participants participated on their own will, so they were really fired up about it. But I couldn’t feel much enthusiasm from Kochi.
Kochi: Ahaha! For me, when I saw Juri, he gave me the impression of ‘The Johnnys’. Like he was shining.
Juri: Well, in those kinds of auditions, you would feel that the people who dance well are shining, wouldn’t you? Because you aren’t able to dance well yet.
Kochi: Yeah. Then I passed the audition and became a member of B.I.Shadow. Since Fuma and Juri entered the agency at the same time and were close, we also gradually started talking to each other, I think.
He contacts me on my birthday every year
Kochi: When talking about memories with Juri, it has to be the “Shounentachi” stage plays. There were days when I couldn’t take part in the play because I had recordings for a show, so Juri memorized all of my lines...
Juri: That’s right!
Kochi: On the days I couldn’t take part, Juri acted as my substitute. That’s why Juri and I often used to receive roles that were like a pair in the play. When he was solo, he did stuff like sketch comedy or act as a bartender and show tricks.
Juri: For example, a dialogue of “We grew up in an orphanage” had to be changed into “I grew up in ~” when I was alone, and that was pretty tiresome.
Kochi: Yeah, it must really have been tiresome. I’m still grateful for it.
Juri: Not at all! But when I think about it, I haven’t really hung out with Kochi during our private time.
Kochi: Well~ We used to go for a meal once in a while in the past. In particular, we often went to that long-running Chinese restaurant to have meetings regarding Shounentachi.
Juri: Ah! That restaurant at the underpass! We did go there!
Kochi: Ah, also, Juri always contacts me on my birthday every year! This year, I received a message saying “Live long”, followed by a video call saying “Happy birthday”. Then he said, “Since it’s Kochi’s birthday, watch me eat abalone” and then I was forced to watch him eat abalone (LOL).
Juri: Fufu
Kochi: I immediately hung up saying I was sleepy (LOL).
His sense of responsibility has increased compared to the past
Kochi: I think Juri’s sense of responsibility has increased compared to the past. When we were Jrs, he left things to others and was really irresponsible, but once SixTONES was formed and our debut was set, he became more responsible while doing things.
Juri: I grew up and realized how great of a thing it is to work and get paid.
Kochi: Ah~ that happened to me too.
Juri: We weren’t born as idols, but are carrying out our jobs as idols, right? So we have to be responsible for the field of work we chose
Kochi: Yeah. It is probably because you have a sense of responsibility, that’s why you think about stuff like, “How do I survive among the sea of idols?” too
Juri: But I think Kochi has become more proactive when it comes to work too. Like (becoming an) ‘Onsen Sommelier’ too. You didn’t really have to go and get the certification if it was simply you liking Onsen. But by getting the certification, you may be able to use it in your job. I thought you did it while thinking of that.
Juri’s personal clothes are getting worse
Kochi: On the contrary, the thing that hasn’t changed about Juri from the past is that, in a good way, he does things as he pleases. For the things he is interested in, he will give it his all, but he won’t even give a glance at things he isn’t interested in.
Juri: That’s right.
Kochi: Ah, but Juri, regarding your clothing style, isn’t it getting worse? You used to properly wear stuff like jeans in the past.
Juri: Ah~ I used to.
Kochi: But these days, it’s mostly just sandals and tracksuits (LOL).
Juri: These days, I’ve begun to think that I just need to appear cool on the stage.
Kochi: You are right. There is a part of me that has also begun to not care how others look at me (LOL).
Juri: On the contrary, Kochi has started to wear lots of jeans. In the past, you mostly used to be in uniform or tracksuits (LOL).
Kochi: Since I buy clothes with the consideration that I will be wearing them while riding a bike, I naturally end up buying more jeans.
I’m not good when there are scripts
Juri: Apparently, this time we need to talk about our opinions regarding emceeing. I am the MC-in-charge in SixTONES and Kochi is the MC-in-charge in Popolo’s crosstalk (LOL).
Kochi: Eh!? But Juri and I have totally different styles. If I were to give an example, I’m more of an announcer style. If I’m asked to do something, I’d work hard to get it done. But Juri is the type that is able to mix in joking around and getting it done at the same time.
Juri: That could be true. On the contrary, I’m not good when there are scripts. Because I’ll become confused about what to do when things not in the script take place.
Kochi: I’m the type that wants scripts.
Juri: The thing that’s scary when dancing according to choreography is forgetting the choreography or making a mistake, right? But if it was a freestyle dance from the beginning, that wouldn’t be a problem. It’s the same as that.
Kochi: So you wouldn’t get lost if you don’t have a script?
Juri: Ah~ when there is no script, it is scary if there are times when no one is speaking, I guess. Well, it may be different when being a MC outside of SixTONES, but in SixTONES there won’t be that problem at all, so it’s okay (LOL).
A relationship where we are not involved more than we need to
Juri: Expressing the relationship between Kochi and I using words? Hmm, say one of us belongs to the super popular group in the class, and the other belongs to the studious group. We don’t interact at all in class but are super close outside of school. Something like that. And the people around us would often ask, “Why are the two of you so close to each other?”.
Kochi: Ah! Right. When you put it like that, it does seem like that.
Juri: But, we don’t know how many years we will be active together, but if we rush into things now, it may end up getting difficult later, right? I’m scared of running out of stuff to talk about with the members on our radio.
Kochi: I see.
Juri: That’s why, I like our current dynamic where we give it our all during working hours and then aren’t involved in each other’s private lives more than we need to.
Kochi: That’s right. I’m not really the type that gets involved with others, so I would be comfortable with a relationship where we aren’t super sticky, but know that we are connected nevertheless.
To Kochi 10 years later
I’m good as long as Kochi is alive 10 years later. You are already self-reliant at 27, so I have nothing to be worried about when you are 37. Kochi seems to be getting younger as the years pass, so let’s compete to see who will look older 10 years on!
To Juri 10 years later
I like how Juri’s raps take in the latest trends, yet have their own style. You are also improving now, but I’m looking forward to what kind of skills you have gained, and also what kind of music we are doing 10 years on.
Magazine Shoot’s Tidbits
When Kochi said, “I want to do a tough hands-on experience type of location shoot with Juri!”, Juri got excited and said, “Come to Ookami Shounen as a guest. How about bungee jumping?” Though Kochi faltered for a moment, he showed his “manly” side, “If it is for a job, I will do my best!”
-- Popolo August 2021 --