Translation: Popolo July 2017 Yabu x Hikaru crosstalk - Tenth year of us
Translated by @skysj4. Please credit if sharing.
TN’s notes::
Please ignore this part if you like but I put off translating this crosstalk for the longest time as their words are basically all model answers. They had been talking about debut responsibilities for 10 years and suddenly the burdens and responsibilities all disappear in this crosstalk. Oh…..kay. Still, enjoy reading. ^^;;
Yabu: If we look back at the times when JUMP was just formed, honestly I was probably a little surprised.
Hikaru: Ah, we were.
Yabu: Among the members, it was only Hikaru who had been working with me together since juniors.
Hikaru: Yup. Also, though now it has become one of JUMP’s strength but we did think at that time “Would a group with so many members be tough?” I thought it would definitely be difficult for everyone to tidy up their dance or decide on the formation.
Yabu: That’s true. Feeling worried on how tough it would be was probably something that everyone felt about greatly.
Hikaru: There were no other groups with such a large amount of members like JUMP and so we were often wondering what should we do to make this go well?
Yabu: There wasn’t a leader decided for JUMP too.
Hikaru: But all of us were young and were just trying to do our best.
Yabu: Yeah. But I think it is great that JUMP doesn’t have a leader.
Hikaru: For us, we thought that not deciding on a leader would allow every member to voice out their comments fairly, and it would feel like we were progressing in the same pace.
Yabu: It was probably necessary to have a leader in the beginning, but I think no one thought that “It would be better to have a leader” at that time. But, I did things like a “substantial leader”. It was because when JUMP was born, thoughts like “I will be working surrounded by members younger than me” formed in me.
Hikaru: And when you say younger you are not talking about the age gap yeah.
Yabu: Yeah. There were members who had really short experience as a junior, so I had to take up that role as I had a little more experience…………. something like that. But I did not feel any heavy burdens at all.
Hikaru: Just like Yabu, I had never felt that a heavy responsibility was placed on me. I have always been finding enjoyment in my work and thinking of things like “In such a situation I will do this myself”. But, when I had to point out negative things about the members, there was a little pain in my chest.
Yabu: Like when? (laugh)
Hikaru: “Your position is wrong” “Your dance doesn’t match”. There were many small details when it came to work (laugh)
Yabu: That is why during debut everyone probably thought of me and Hikaru as “a scary presence” (laugh)
Hikaru: But being thought of as “scary” then allowed us to voice our opinions easier. But of course, my feelings for wanting to lead the members were the same as Yabu so I think it was great that I was in the “elder brother group”
Yabu: Yup. It wasn’t difficult at all.
Hikaru: Me too, I didn’t feel hardship, not even once. I had also not once thought that “I won’t be able to survive in this group”. I enjoyed these 10 years. I had to lead the group, but at the same time I had to also upgrade my skills, so I was really desperate in working hard.
Yabu: If you put the experience aside, all members were in the same position from the start, and I had to work hard too. When I had to represent JUMP to make comments, I was also thinking a lot while talking (laugh)
Hikaru: Although me and Yabu did not talk about “We have to pull this group out” but I am sure we were thinking of the same things. Even without eye contact, and even without saying it out, we understood.
Yabu: We have been asked how have the members grown as compared to the debut period, but we are not in that position where we can talk about this proudly (laugh)
Hikaru: That’s right. But they should have grown and I think everyone has skills now that I do not have.
Yabu: In that way, all members have matured. Something that left an impression on me this ten years is….. I wonder what.
Hikaru: I think something that left an impact on me was “SUMMARY” and “Johnnys World”. Those were experiences that I think it would be okay to say that it was considered intensive training (laugh)
Yabu: SUMMARY was a time where we would have a show, then sleep in the dressing room, and then have another show. It was just like a camp. And there we did raise our levels as a group.
Hikaru: We managed to cross many barriers (laugh). During debut, even if we appeared on programs as a group, we did not know who should talk and that was troubling, during concerts we were also troubled on not doing them well. We were a group which started from that level (laugh)
Yabu: We did not have individual colours back then too.
Hikaru: But for our talks now, those who give punch lines are Keito or Daichan. Progressing on serious talks are Yamada and Yuto. Rather than saying that they are in charge of doing that, it is more of like how everyone’s individual character has appeared.
Yabu: And both of us have become someone who gets teased (laugh)
Hikaru: That’s right (laugh)
Yabu: Everyone used to call me “Yabu-kun” but suddenly it became a friendly “Yabu-chan” (laugh)
Hikaru: Me too, before I knew it I was called “Hika” (laugh)
Yabu: That’s a good thing.
Hikaru: Yup, that’s really true.
Yabu: I feel that because we had this 10 years, we could become like that naturally.
Hikaru: There is such a side too.
Yabu: Hikaru is someone who is strict to the juniors, but it was just a few years ago that the members started making jokes on him.
Hikaru: That’s probably true. I think it is also because I appear as a joker and a silly character on Hirunandesu and other variety shows.
Yabu: Whichever it is, isn’t it just because Hikaru’s natural silly side has been exposed to the members? (laugh)
Hikaru: Probably (laugh). But it is not like I am aiming to be an intelligent character and if being teased will bring enjoyment to others, that’s a good thing and I am happy.
Yabu: Hikaru’s “enjoying work” policy also stands out there (laugh)
Hikaru: Besides, I enjoy seeing how the members extend their individual activities to other areas.
Yabu: I think the members have worked towards extending their individual characteristics. One of the reasons being how they have used their experience on other programs, broadened their character and worked with that.
Hikaru: I think all the members have thought about themselves seriously and the result is good.
Yabu: Because, up till today, we have always been walking along this path while learning.
Hikaru: JUMP will still start from 1 now. I always talk about this with Yabu but what is important is not only the 10th year, it is about connecting the year that comes after that. It is the style of our group to strive for something new every year.
Yabu: Every year the nine members will upgrade their skills and that is JUMP. I think whether it is now or for the future, it is important to think about the possibility of growing each day.
Hikaru: And then, JUMP will grow even further by helping each other out with team play.
Yabu: If the members aren’t able to follow up on each other properly, I think it will be the responsibility of me and Hikaru’s.
Hikaru: The responsibility of 9 of us too.
Yabu: Yeah, that’s right. Lets work hard from now on too as the two who are being teased (laugh)