Translation: Popolo January 2017 - Takaki x Inoo crosstalk - 10 years of us
Please credit to @skysj4 if retranslating, reposting, sharing, posting screenshots, quoting
Takaki: Hey Say BEST was formed on 24 September 2007, at the same time where HSJ was formed at a concert at Yokohama Arena.
Inoo: And it was shown live on TV, on Hey! hey! hey! MUSIC CHAMP.
Takaki: Speaking of that, what does BEST stand for again?
Inoo: Eh~?! Boys Excellent Select Team (laugh)
Takaki: I see, I see (laugh)
Inoo: It is the unit name that was given to us by our boss~!
Takaki: Having two sub units - the older unit HSB and the younger unit HS7 in a group, it is the first since V6, so I felt like “Ahh, I guess we will become like that”
Inoo: That’s right. For our generation, we often listened to V6’s songs so it felt like we could fit ourselves in as “Kamisen and Tonisen of V6” without resistance.
Takaki: But when BEST was formed, I never had any special or biased feelings towards BEST.
Inoo: That’s right. I think the fans first knew us as 7 and BEST but I don’t think we had any strong feelings towards the units.
Takaki: But we had a strong awareness towards HSJ being made up of 9 people.
Inoo: Yup. It is fun though, being able to watch both 7 and BEST corners in concerts.
Takaki: We probably are only aware of 7 and BEST during concerts. But I think because we have two teams, that is why JUMP’s concerts have a wide variety and that is a merit.
Inoo: In the first place, the members of JUMP did not have such a far-distance relationship too, that is why BEST could get along well from the start.
Takaki: That’s right. We are a group where the members were already interacting with one another from the junior days. All of us sang and dance on Ya-Ya-yah, which was Yabu-kun and Hikaru-kun’s variety show. So I felt like this group was made up of such juniors.
Inoo: BEST’s relationship is just like that. But during debut, me and Takaki did not have anything that felt like a conversation (laugh)
Takaki: Yes (laugh). Both me and Inoo-kun were in JJ Express but I don’t remember us talking to each other (laugh)
Inoo: We did not~ (laugh) The big change in BEST’s relationship is how both of us got a bit closer right? (laugh)
Takaki: Hahaha, you could say that (laugh)
Inoo: Because just 2-3 years ago, we did not even know each other’s contact number, and that had already become like an accepted opinion (laugh)
Takaki: Honestly, that was just like something for everyone to talk about (laugh)
Inoo: That’s right (laugh)
Takaki: Because in the past, I did call Inoo-kun once and asked him to teach me how to use the computer.
Inoo: Ahhh, you did!
Takaki: But somehow we had a distance from each other in the past. I guess it is because Inoo-kun is still considered my senior.
Inoo: Is that so?
Takaki: In the past, I was like “stayover buddies” with Arioka-kun and Hikaru-kun though……
Inoo: Whats “stayover buddies” Cute (laugh)! But that’s true, I do not have such sort of experience.
Takaki: Right? That is why BEST continued that relationship that way.
Inoo: The opportunity for us to become closer was definitely the BEST gathering right?
Takaki: Yeah. We had silly conversations during BEST gatherings and because Inoo-kun and me spoke of the same things so I thought “Eh? Arent we a little similar?” (laugh)
Inoo: Yup. We are quite alike.
Takaki: A relationship where we can talk about stupid things is good.
Inoo: I think so too
Takaki: The difference between 7 and BEST is that BEST members don’t really insist on their own opinion right?
Inoo: That’s true.
Takaki: We have always been calm and composed people since before. I think it is good that 7 and BEST has such a difference.
Inoo: With that, 7 and BEST has a good balance.
Takaki: BEST are the ones who differentiate their “work” and “off work” moods. For example, during BEST gatherings, we don’t talk about work at all, and we become like high school students getting excited over stupid conversations. But seems like 7 speaks seriously about work during their gatherings (laugh)
Inoo: Well, thanks to such BEST gatherings, we are able to enjoy silly acts during the concerts too (laugh)
Takaki: Shall we talk about the roles of BEST members and personalities? (laugh) Firstly Yabu-kun.
Inoo: The cool character!
Takaki: Buahahaha! (laugh)
Inoo: Why are you laughing?
Takaki: Because to me, Yabu-kun as a BEST member is someone who is unexpectedly a scatterbrain (laugh)
Inoo: Hikaru is cheerful when everyone in JUMP is around but unexpectedly in BEST, he is quiet and obedient (laugh)
Takaki: Yup. Even during BEST corners in concerts, Hikaru-kun does it seriously while the one fooling around is Inoo-kun (laugh)
Inoo: Yup. Actually Hikaru has an image of being the type who performs something which has been decided well.
Takaki: Arioka-kun is cheerful!
Inoo: Since before (laugh)
Takaki: Arioka-kun is the one who doesn’t change whether in BEST or JUMP.
Inoo: He becomes exceptionally cheerful when the cameras are rolling (laugh). Other than that he is just normal (laugh)
Takaki: And he is also very interested in the BEST members (laugh)
Inoo: With the members in BEST, Takaki becomes the most lovable character though it is not like that when all members are around.
Takaki: Probably (blush)
Inoo: But you are also someone who can show your cool side.
Takaki: Inoo-kun is the most nonsensical one in BEST!
Inoo: Hahaha (laugh)
Takaki: When BEST members went to karaoke in the past, you were the one who were most excited when singing 7’s songs!
Inoo: I am history making!
Takaki: There are also times where you burst out laughing till even the members are shocked (laugh)
Inoo: Maybe that is why I match with Takaki~
Takaki: But in BEST, there isn’t a situation where only one person gets excited. When someone starts, everyone just joins in.
Inoo: That’s our good point.
Takaki: In the past we used to talk about wanting to have concerts as BEST but since now we are approaching the 10th year as JUMP, once this settles down, I do hope to have a BEST concert.
Inoo: It will really be fun.
Takaki: You can also look forward to how will it be like now if BEST members have their own respective solos.
Inoo: After this turning point as JUMP, BEST will do something too.
Takaki: Something that will make history! (laugh)