Yabu Kota 10000 words interview translation
Postée à l'origine par narqissa sur Yabu Kota 10000 words interview translation
I found this translation in Tumblr, and oh Gosh, I can't even describe how I feel right now, finding out all Yabu's feeling all these past years since he join JE. You should read it yourself to know. Don't know if anyone ever shared this before, but just in case. [THIS IS NOT MINE!! CREDIT TO skysj4@tumblr FOR THE TRANSLATION]
You were so cute in the photos when you were a kid.
I was really cute right? (laughs) I was often mistaken as a girl. It seemed like my sister put on scrunchies and toy lipstick for me.
You had a brother too, right?
My brother is two years older, and my sister four years older, so I was really treated like the youngest child. I still have the disposition of a youngest child now.
As in you are pampered?
I was quite pampered and was very close to my mother. I used to keep clinging to her apron even while she was on a long telephone conversation.
Your first love?
During kindergarten I guess. I was playing with my friend and my friend’s sister when I fell and hurt myself. That friend’s sister carried me home. Something like that.
Then when did you start soccer?
J league started when I was in kindergarten and it was really the trend back then. I even remember using the gymnastics bar at the park as a goal. I joined the soccer school team when I was in primary one.
What was your position?
The keeper position was really popular so I really wanted to try that out. But I wasn’t that good in kicking. Furthermore, I was so small I couldn’t reach all the high shoots (laughs). So I gave up on being the keeper and was the forward position.
You went for the audition at Johnnys when you were in Primary six?
My sister saw a show by Domoto Koichi and there was this announcement for an audition. She sent the application for me without me knowing.
Oh you didn’t know about the application?
Not at all. I wasn’t interested, and the auditions were on weekends and they overlapped with my soccer practices. I said I definitely wouldn’t go and kept crying the day before the audition. “I don’t want to go.. I don’t want to go.. I don’t want to go!!”, I said.
But you still went?
As the World Cup was to be held next year (2002), there were collectible pin badges for representative countries that was really popular in my class during that time. My parents told me they would buy me the pin badge if I went for the audition.
Hahahaha. So how was the audition when you went for it?
I went to the audition venue and there was this kid in front of me with a hat, looking very fashionable. That was Inoo Kei.
Did you speak to him?
Not at all. But during the audition, there was this “appeal time” part. Inoo sang “Flower” by Kinki Kids. I thought he was really bad and it left an impression on me (laughs).
What did Yabu-kun do during the audition?
I didn’t do anything. After the audition, I got called for a lesson. Though the lessons were on weekends, the calls always came on a Friday night. I realized I couldn’t go for soccer again and really disliked those calls till I thought of pulling out the telephone line every week (laughs).
You really disliked it huh.
Soon after I entered Johnnys, I had to be on Music Station as a junior, and I messed up my dance steps then. I thought to myself, after this I definitely wouldn’t be called anymore and from tomorrow onwards, I can lead a normal life. But the telephone calls still came, and I still said the same thing, “I don’t want to take breaks from soccer!”, and cried again. After that, I received a pin badge again in exchange for going to dance lessons. This kept repeating.
So how did you end up liking the lessons?
I was really loved by those older than me. Rather than playing with those of the same age or those younger than me, I spent a lot of time with groups like ABC and KAT-TUN. I think I also went home in the same direction as Tottsu (Totsuka Shota), and became close to him soon after. Kamenashi and Akanishi also had meals with me and sent me home in their cars.
I see.
I kept getting told I was cute and my head was always getting patted, though I disliked it. Akanishi called once and I hung up on him after telling him Im in the midst of a video game. I was really blunt right? (laughs). But because I was so loved by everyone, I started to like being a junior.
So what did you tell your friends about your junior activities?
I didn’t mention it at all for a long time. My friends saw me dancing on Music Station and said “Isn’t that Yabu?” and I answered “no that’s a different person, its impossible that I could be on TV.” (laughs) When I took breaks from soccer, I also gave reasons such as I had family and relative gatherings. It was really hard on me when I got asked if I started to dislike soccer.
“You, your name starts with Y right?” The sudden group formation.
Soon after your junior activities started, Ya-Ya-yah was formed right?
Yes. The president told me, “You, your name starts with Y right?” “During Shounen club rehearsals, stand in this formation: Y, A, Y, A, …. You guys are Ya-Ya-yah”
It was during the time when your friends at school didn’t know about you being a Junior?
Yes, and Ya-Ya-yah appeared soon on Music Station. I didn’t even want to go to school the next day. “Im gonna get exposed”, I thought. As expected, the moment I reached my seat, everyone came and attacked me with questions like “What are you doing??!!” Ahh, I couldn’t hide it any longer, and confessed.
The TV variety Ya-Ya-yah started in 2003. How did you feel?
I was told, but I just tried it without knowing if I could. But when I was informed of this variety show, I got told that ABC would also be on the show and I was really happy as I thought I could do many things with ABC.
Hikaru joined during a Ya-Ya-yah audition right?
Yes, he joined really soon after the programme started.
First impression?
I heard that a kid who was really good at dancing had joined, so I wondered what kind of person was he. But for the recording of “Yuuki 100%”, I got told that as I was going to be singing with Hikaru, I had to teach him. I was introduced to him this way. I wasn’t proud or anything but I did think to myself “Why do I have to teach this kid?” But Hikaru said “Please teach me.” He sang really bluntly (laughs). From there, it has been 11 years with Hikaru. It has been really long.
How would you describe your relationship with Hikaru in a word?
Close friends, comrades, rivals, brothers…. They are all applicable. We were also together during “3B Kinpachi Sensei”. There was also a time I thought to myself, “What? Hikaru is the main lead?” But I saw how Hikaru worked hard. Our characters are really different. Hikaru plans everything step by step, while I am the kind who does things unplanned and haphazardly . There are many times where we have disagreed with each other.
For example?
Erm… during rehearsals. Hikaru wants everything planned properly while I suggest that we deal with it on the spot depending on the situation. We have had many meaningless fights too. Oh, I remember. During a concert, Hikaru’s costume disappeared and accused me of hiding his costume. “Its impossible that I would do that!”, I answered. “That’s enough with this story.” “You still think that I hid your costume right?!” - fights like these. In the end, Senga had worn the costume by mistake and apologized.
Hahaha. So how about being called YabuHika?
I felt like.. “its embarrassing so stop it.” (laughs)
Debut of Hey! Say! 7 . Is this the time to stop?
Ya-Ya-yah also had a solo concert right?
But it was exactly during the period when my voice changed. Johnny told me, “You are better with your high voice.” But I wondered how things would work out since my voice had changed, and got worried. When I sung, I thought that the high notes were even harder to reach than before. I also got really impatient, and didn’t even feel like singing all the old songs. During recordings, I got asked if I wanted the keys to be lower, but I told them its okay, I can sing.
So what did you feel about debuting during that time?
If there was going to be a debut, would it be Ya-Ya-yah..? - I thought. It would be great no matter when we would get to debut. But, little by little, would we really be able to debut? The insecurity started to fall on me.
Have you ever thought of quitting?
Yes, but I thought that I would be left with nothing if I quit Johnnys. At least I would have something secured. In order to get into university, I worked hard during college to get good grades, and I thought that if I didn’t manage to debut during university, I would quit once it is time for me to step out into the working society, and just work as a normal employee. Although I was really persistent on debuting, it seemed like there was no chance. Its not like I kept thinking of it, but somewhere, this has always been at the back of my head.
What did you feel when Hey Say 7 was formed in 2007?
Honestly, I felt awful. Before this, there were some group reshufflings during performances and I got chances to sing with Kitayama, Fujigaya and Kawai. I felt like they were trying out different people for a new group. Kitty GYM was also formed, and Hikaru was chosen from Ya-Ya-yah to join them. Honestly, I kept asking myself why.
So it was Hey Say 7 during that time.
We thought alot, such as “Will we debut as Ya-Ya-yah like this?” “Is this the time to stop?” It was during the summer in my third year of college where I was worried about the future.
But you decided not to quit.
At this time, I had a meeting with Johnny-san, and he said “Yabu and Hikaru…. they have Ya-Ya-yah… But… how should we do this…?” while writing names of juniors.
What was this for?
Now that I think of it, it was probably a meeting for the decision for the members of Hey Say Jump. Mine and Hikaru’s name were also included, and as I was passed a paper with all the members names written, I was asked “what do you think?”
What did you answer?
I was confused, as Yamada and Yuto are younger than me, and I probably had never even spoken to Keito before. Furthermore, I thought that my words would have an impact on how the lives of these kids would be changed, so I couldn’t say anything impulsively. I should have said “Hikaru and I want to move on with Ya-Ya-yah.”, but if a debut is not possible here, how many years would we have to wait again. There were so many things to think about and in the end I said, “Isn’t this good?”
What was the deciding factor behind your answer?
This is the turning point. Though I said earlier I wasn’t stubborn about debuting, but I realised that ultimately from the bottom of my heart, I want to debut.
I see.
I was also told something like “I’ll leave this to you and Hikaru.” All this while, we have been doted on by our seniors we had no idea what to do to lead others. Not mentioning that me and Hikaru are just like younger children ourselves. But it was like, we still have to do it.
It was a big decision.
I was happy, but it was painful. Things were so complicated I had no idea what to tell those around us that we have now become part of Hey Say Jump. Besides me and Hikaru, the other members of Ya-Ya-yah did not know anything. And because of this, it was really hard. When Hey Say 7 was formed, Ya-Ya-yah had a discussion and we said “From now on, the four of us will work hard together.” And right after this, the news of Hey Say Jump came.
It can’t be helped. Though it must have been hard.
Whenever someone debuts, more than ten times the number of people will be depressed. There are hundreds and thousands of people who really want to debut. So whoever is chosen must also bear the frustrations of those people. After Hey Say Jump was formed, we apologized to the two of them, and it was really painful for us. Even so, since we have decided to do it, we shall do our best.
Feeling guilty to other Juniors like ABC and Kismyft.
JUMP’s debut concert was in Tokyo Dome.
At that time, there were few fans who came just because they liked Hey Say Jump. Kismyft, ABC and other juniors got the fans tensions rising up with their appearance at our concert. I did feel a little guilty to all the other juniors.
It was really quite a tough situation.
I have been on really good terms with Kitayama and Tottsu since a long time ago, and when we were juniors, we went for meals together many times a week. Though our relationships didn’t change even though Hey Say Jump had debuted, I thought that somewhere in their hearts they definitely might have been thinking alot. Well… it was really sad.
So how did you feel when ABC-Z and Kis-my-ft2 debuted?
I was really happy, like it was my own situation. Though I was happy, I thought about what to say to them. I was happy and decided that we couldn’t lose to them. I think I sent Kitayama a mail too, straight after their debut announcement. Something like “Congratulations”. His reply was “we are now rivals ya?”
You went to ABC-z’s Concert as well right?
I went. And during the MC I said something like “I like ABC-z even more than anyone of you here in this venue.” (laugh)
Hahahahha
I remember I was envious of Hasshi (Hashimoto Ryosuke). I also wanted to join them (laughs). But I can’t do a backflip, so I ended up being in Hey Say Jump (laughs). I’m kidding. But its really good, Hasshi’s position. Also because I really wanted to do something with the 4 of them in ABC, when I got a chance to be with them in the musical “She Loves Me”, I thought “sorry Hasshi, let me borrow four of them for awhile.”
Last month during Arioka Daiki’s interview, he mentioned that alot happened after debut. JUMP has really been through alot.
That is true. During countdown concerts, there are members who have had a very short experience in being backdancers for our seniors, and there were some talking about us. Even up till now. Probably some of seniors do not even know who we are.
Why was Yabu-chan there during that time?
How did Hey Say Jump become stronger?
The biggest reason should be the number of concerts we do. Compared to other same level groups, we have had much more and bigger venues. We did our best and had many chances to receive smiles from the audience. In the beginning, our dance was completely off and untidy. But all me and Hikaru could say was “let’s do it.” Slowly, we just became stronger.
I see.
Besides, from the start, everyone treats me like a senior and even though we are in the same group, rather than a friend, they call me “Yabu-kun” and look at me as a senior. I didn’t like it. I wanted everyone to be as a group. If I were to mess around, everyone would start messing around too.
I see. You really thought for the group.
But when we debuted, some things happened. Our dance choreographer came and said “Come here, Yabu.” He told me “It is important to take away the fence. But everyone is following what you do. So in work, greetings, everything, you have to do everything properly.” I felt a huge responsibility, like I was born straightaway.
Were there members which you looked out for?
I was quite strict to Keito. I scolded him, and he often cried. But rather than crying due to getting scolded, it is more unforgivable if he has his pride. He kept crying while saying he had a headache. Although we didnt want to take notice of it, he was still found out. (laughs)
Were there other members whom you got angry at?
Takaki was really mean during the time when he was filming Gokusen (laughs). I know he has been working really hard. But I felt that Takaki was too into his character during both his private times and when with JUMP. And it wasn’t even a Gokusen filming location but he seemed to be always glaring. (laughs) Even when the other members were chatting noisily with each other, he was sitting alone far away somewhere, looking at everyone with a cold look. If any of the staff or fans saw this scene, they would start talking about Jump and Takaki. However, Takaki is really not like that. I have known Takaki since our Junior days and he is really kind and thinks for his friends, though he is a coward at times. If this goes on, it is going to be bad both for Takaki and the group.
What did you do in this situation?
He has always been wanting his own style. After having contact with people outside from Johnnys due to Gokusen, he probably felt he had to widen his own world. I also knew he had been hanging out with the Gokusen members. I kept asking Takaki out for meals, and in the midst of hanging out with the Gokusen members, I suddenly joined them on one of their outings. Other than me, the rest were all Gokusen members, and the only person I knew was Takaki. (laughs)
-----part2----
I found this translation in Tumblr, and oh Gosh, I can't even describe how I feel right now, finding out all Yabu's feeling all these past years since he join JE. You should read it yourself to know. Don't know if anyone ever shared this before, but just in case. [THIS IS NOT MINE!! CREDIT TO skysj4@tumblr FOR THE TRANSLATION]
You were so cute in the photos when you were a kid.
I was really cute right? (laughs) I was often mistaken as a girl. It seemed like my sister put on scrunchies and toy lipstick for me.
You had a brother too, right?
My brother is two years older, and my sister four years older, so I was really treated like the youngest child. I still have the disposition of a youngest child now.
As in you are pampered?
I was quite pampered and was very close to my mother. I used to keep clinging to her apron even while she was on a long telephone conversation.
Your first love?
During kindergarten I guess. I was playing with my friend and my friend’s sister when I fell and hurt myself. That friend’s sister carried me home. Something like that.
Then when did you start soccer?
J league started when I was in kindergarten and it was really the trend back then. I even remember using the gymnastics bar at the park as a goal. I joined the soccer school team when I was in primary one.
What was your position?
The keeper position was really popular so I really wanted to try that out. But I wasn’t that good in kicking. Furthermore, I was so small I couldn’t reach all the high shoots (laughs). So I gave up on being the keeper and was the forward position.
You went for the audition at Johnnys when you were in Primary six?
My sister saw a show by Domoto Koichi and there was this announcement for an audition. She sent the application for me without me knowing.
Oh you didn’t know about the application?
Not at all. I wasn’t interested, and the auditions were on weekends and they overlapped with my soccer practices. I said I definitely wouldn’t go and kept crying the day before the audition. “I don’t want to go.. I don’t want to go.. I don’t want to go!!”, I said.
But you still went?
As the World Cup was to be held next year (2002), there were collectible pin badges for representative countries that was really popular in my class during that time. My parents told me they would buy me the pin badge if I went for the audition.
Hahahaha. So how was the audition when you went for it?
I went to the audition venue and there was this kid in front of me with a hat, looking very fashionable. That was Inoo Kei.
Did you speak to him?
Not at all. But during the audition, there was this “appeal time” part. Inoo sang “Flower” by Kinki Kids. I thought he was really bad and it left an impression on me (laughs).
What did Yabu-kun do during the audition?
I didn’t do anything. After the audition, I got called for a lesson. Though the lessons were on weekends, the calls always came on a Friday night. I realized I couldn’t go for soccer again and really disliked those calls till I thought of pulling out the telephone line every week (laughs).
You really disliked it huh.
Soon after I entered Johnnys, I had to be on Music Station as a junior, and I messed up my dance steps then. I thought to myself, after this I definitely wouldn’t be called anymore and from tomorrow onwards, I can lead a normal life. But the telephone calls still came, and I still said the same thing, “I don’t want to take breaks from soccer!”, and cried again. After that, I received a pin badge again in exchange for going to dance lessons. This kept repeating.
So how did you end up liking the lessons?
I was really loved by those older than me. Rather than playing with those of the same age or those younger than me, I spent a lot of time with groups like ABC and KAT-TUN. I think I also went home in the same direction as Tottsu (Totsuka Shota), and became close to him soon after. Kamenashi and Akanishi also had meals with me and sent me home in their cars.
I see.
I kept getting told I was cute and my head was always getting patted, though I disliked it. Akanishi called once and I hung up on him after telling him Im in the midst of a video game. I was really blunt right? (laughs). But because I was so loved by everyone, I started to like being a junior.
So what did you tell your friends about your junior activities?
I didn’t mention it at all for a long time. My friends saw me dancing on Music Station and said “Isn’t that Yabu?” and I answered “no that’s a different person, its impossible that I could be on TV.” (laughs) When I took breaks from soccer, I also gave reasons such as I had family and relative gatherings. It was really hard on me when I got asked if I started to dislike soccer.
“You, your name starts with Y right?” The sudden group formation.
Soon after your junior activities started, Ya-Ya-yah was formed right?
Yes. The president told me, “You, your name starts with Y right?” “During Shounen club rehearsals, stand in this formation: Y, A, Y, A, …. You guys are Ya-Ya-yah”
It was during the time when your friends at school didn’t know about you being a Junior?
Yes, and Ya-Ya-yah appeared soon on Music Station. I didn’t even want to go to school the next day. “Im gonna get exposed”, I thought. As expected, the moment I reached my seat, everyone came and attacked me with questions like “What are you doing??!!” Ahh, I couldn’t hide it any longer, and confessed.
The TV variety Ya-Ya-yah started in 2003. How did you feel?
I was told, but I just tried it without knowing if I could. But when I was informed of this variety show, I got told that ABC would also be on the show and I was really happy as I thought I could do many things with ABC.
Hikaru joined during a Ya-Ya-yah audition right?
Yes, he joined really soon after the programme started.
First impression?
I heard that a kid who was really good at dancing had joined, so I wondered what kind of person was he. But for the recording of “Yuuki 100%”, I got told that as I was going to be singing with Hikaru, I had to teach him. I was introduced to him this way. I wasn’t proud or anything but I did think to myself “Why do I have to teach this kid?” But Hikaru said “Please teach me.” He sang really bluntly (laughs). From there, it has been 11 years with Hikaru. It has been really long.
How would you describe your relationship with Hikaru in a word?
Close friends, comrades, rivals, brothers…. They are all applicable. We were also together during “3B Kinpachi Sensei”. There was also a time I thought to myself, “What? Hikaru is the main lead?” But I saw how Hikaru worked hard. Our characters are really different. Hikaru plans everything step by step, while I am the kind who does things unplanned and haphazardly . There are many times where we have disagreed with each other.
For example?
Erm… during rehearsals. Hikaru wants everything planned properly while I suggest that we deal with it on the spot depending on the situation. We have had many meaningless fights too. Oh, I remember. During a concert, Hikaru’s costume disappeared and accused me of hiding his costume. “Its impossible that I would do that!”, I answered. “That’s enough with this story.” “You still think that I hid your costume right?!” - fights like these. In the end, Senga had worn the costume by mistake and apologized.
Hahaha. So how about being called YabuHika?
I felt like.. “its embarrassing so stop it.” (laughs)
Debut of Hey! Say! 7 . Is this the time to stop?
Ya-Ya-yah also had a solo concert right?
But it was exactly during the period when my voice changed. Johnny told me, “You are better with your high voice.” But I wondered how things would work out since my voice had changed, and got worried. When I sung, I thought that the high notes were even harder to reach than before. I also got really impatient, and didn’t even feel like singing all the old songs. During recordings, I got asked if I wanted the keys to be lower, but I told them its okay, I can sing.
So what did you feel about debuting during that time?
If there was going to be a debut, would it be Ya-Ya-yah..? - I thought. It would be great no matter when we would get to debut. But, little by little, would we really be able to debut? The insecurity started to fall on me.
Have you ever thought of quitting?
Yes, but I thought that I would be left with nothing if I quit Johnnys. At least I would have something secured. In order to get into university, I worked hard during college to get good grades, and I thought that if I didn’t manage to debut during university, I would quit once it is time for me to step out into the working society, and just work as a normal employee. Although I was really persistent on debuting, it seemed like there was no chance. Its not like I kept thinking of it, but somewhere, this has always been at the back of my head.
What did you feel when Hey Say 7 was formed in 2007?
Honestly, I felt awful. Before this, there were some group reshufflings during performances and I got chances to sing with Kitayama, Fujigaya and Kawai. I felt like they were trying out different people for a new group. Kitty GYM was also formed, and Hikaru was chosen from Ya-Ya-yah to join them. Honestly, I kept asking myself why.
So it was Hey Say 7 during that time.
We thought alot, such as “Will we debut as Ya-Ya-yah like this?” “Is this the time to stop?” It was during the summer in my third year of college where I was worried about the future.
But you decided not to quit.
At this time, I had a meeting with Johnny-san, and he said “Yabu and Hikaru…. they have Ya-Ya-yah… But… how should we do this…?” while writing names of juniors.
What was this for?
Now that I think of it, it was probably a meeting for the decision for the members of Hey Say Jump. Mine and Hikaru’s name were also included, and as I was passed a paper with all the members names written, I was asked “what do you think?”
What did you answer?
I was confused, as Yamada and Yuto are younger than me, and I probably had never even spoken to Keito before. Furthermore, I thought that my words would have an impact on how the lives of these kids would be changed, so I couldn’t say anything impulsively. I should have said “Hikaru and I want to move on with Ya-Ya-yah.”, but if a debut is not possible here, how many years would we have to wait again. There were so many things to think about and in the end I said, “Isn’t this good?”
What was the deciding factor behind your answer?
This is the turning point. Though I said earlier I wasn’t stubborn about debuting, but I realised that ultimately from the bottom of my heart, I want to debut.
I see.
I was also told something like “I’ll leave this to you and Hikaru.” All this while, we have been doted on by our seniors we had no idea what to do to lead others. Not mentioning that me and Hikaru are just like younger children ourselves. But it was like, we still have to do it.
It was a big decision.
I was happy, but it was painful. Things were so complicated I had no idea what to tell those around us that we have now become part of Hey Say Jump. Besides me and Hikaru, the other members of Ya-Ya-yah did not know anything. And because of this, it was really hard. When Hey Say 7 was formed, Ya-Ya-yah had a discussion and we said “From now on, the four of us will work hard together.” And right after this, the news of Hey Say Jump came.
It can’t be helped. Though it must have been hard.
Whenever someone debuts, more than ten times the number of people will be depressed. There are hundreds and thousands of people who really want to debut. So whoever is chosen must also bear the frustrations of those people. After Hey Say Jump was formed, we apologized to the two of them, and it was really painful for us. Even so, since we have decided to do it, we shall do our best.
Feeling guilty to other Juniors like ABC and Kismyft.
JUMP’s debut concert was in Tokyo Dome.
At that time, there were few fans who came just because they liked Hey Say Jump. Kismyft, ABC and other juniors got the fans tensions rising up with their appearance at our concert. I did feel a little guilty to all the other juniors.
It was really quite a tough situation.
I have been on really good terms with Kitayama and Tottsu since a long time ago, and when we were juniors, we went for meals together many times a week. Though our relationships didn’t change even though Hey Say Jump had debuted, I thought that somewhere in their hearts they definitely might have been thinking alot. Well… it was really sad.
So how did you feel when ABC-Z and Kis-my-ft2 debuted?
I was really happy, like it was my own situation. Though I was happy, I thought about what to say to them. I was happy and decided that we couldn’t lose to them. I think I sent Kitayama a mail too, straight after their debut announcement. Something like “Congratulations”. His reply was “we are now rivals ya?”
You went to ABC-z’s Concert as well right?
I went. And during the MC I said something like “I like ABC-z even more than anyone of you here in this venue.” (laugh)
Hahahahha
I remember I was envious of Hasshi (Hashimoto Ryosuke). I also wanted to join them (laughs). But I can’t do a backflip, so I ended up being in Hey Say Jump (laughs). I’m kidding. But its really good, Hasshi’s position. Also because I really wanted to do something with the 4 of them in ABC, when I got a chance to be with them in the musical “She Loves Me”, I thought “sorry Hasshi, let me borrow four of them for awhile.”
Last month during Arioka Daiki’s interview, he mentioned that alot happened after debut. JUMP has really been through alot.
That is true. During countdown concerts, there are members who have had a very short experience in being backdancers for our seniors, and there were some talking about us. Even up till now. Probably some of seniors do not even know who we are.
Why was Yabu-chan there during that time?
How did Hey Say Jump become stronger?
The biggest reason should be the number of concerts we do. Compared to other same level groups, we have had much more and bigger venues. We did our best and had many chances to receive smiles from the audience. In the beginning, our dance was completely off and untidy. But all me and Hikaru could say was “let’s do it.” Slowly, we just became stronger.
I see.
Besides, from the start, everyone treats me like a senior and even though we are in the same group, rather than a friend, they call me “Yabu-kun” and look at me as a senior. I didn’t like it. I wanted everyone to be as a group. If I were to mess around, everyone would start messing around too.
I see. You really thought for the group.
But when we debuted, some things happened. Our dance choreographer came and said “Come here, Yabu.” He told me “It is important to take away the fence. But everyone is following what you do. So in work, greetings, everything, you have to do everything properly.” I felt a huge responsibility, like I was born straightaway.
Were there members which you looked out for?
I was quite strict to Keito. I scolded him, and he often cried. But rather than crying due to getting scolded, it is more unforgivable if he has his pride. He kept crying while saying he had a headache. Although we didnt want to take notice of it, he was still found out. (laughs)
Were there other members whom you got angry at?
Takaki was really mean during the time when he was filming Gokusen (laughs). I know he has been working really hard. But I felt that Takaki was too into his character during both his private times and when with JUMP. And it wasn’t even a Gokusen filming location but he seemed to be always glaring. (laughs) Even when the other members were chatting noisily with each other, he was sitting alone far away somewhere, looking at everyone with a cold look. If any of the staff or fans saw this scene, they would start talking about Jump and Takaki. However, Takaki is really not like that. I have known Takaki since our Junior days and he is really kind and thinks for his friends, though he is a coward at times. If this goes on, it is going to be bad both for Takaki and the group.
What did you do in this situation?
He has always been wanting his own style. After having contact with people outside from Johnnys due to Gokusen, he probably felt he had to widen his own world. I also knew he had been hanging out with the Gokusen members. I kept asking Takaki out for meals, and in the midst of hanging out with the Gokusen members, I suddenly joined them on one of their outings. Other than me, the rest were all Gokusen members, and the only person I knew was Takaki. (laughs)
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