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fencer_xI'm on a SaiRui high~
Well then, we'll start with our interviewer, Kawakubo-kun--go ahead.
Saitou: Wow, this might be tough... (haha)
Kawakubo: Well, let's start with self-introductions!
Saitou: I'm Oshitari Yuushi's actor, Saitou Takumi. Umm, right now I'm working extra hard on my Kansai-ben.
Kawakubo: How about upping the tension a bit?
Saitou: Iyaa, see...I'm kind of a...bluely burning flame (haha) Even among all the other Hyoutei members, I'm the type who's happy being undecisive.
Aoyagi: Oh yeah～ (haha)
Saitou: Iya, I mean.........right! Ruito!
Aoyagi: Right! I'm Mukahi Gakuto's actor, Aoyagi Ruito! Right now I'm concentrating on speaking clearly!
Saitou: So, I've said this before, but he's really acrobatic! It's amazing! And on top of that, he's completely self-taught, all of it. He's really synching up his hobbies and his acting roles well! I don't think I could ever picture anyone else but him as Gakuto.
Aoyagi: Thanks! ...I'm really sweating here...
Kawakubo: Well then, Ruito-kun, what do you think of Saitou-san?
Aoyagi: Takumi-san is...when he speaks, he really brings out that feeling of "Oshitari." And when he's in character, he's completely Oshitari, I think!
Saitou: ...Ruito, you're speaking really clearly today! It's like you're not even Ruito at all! (haha)
Aoyagi: Hehee...
Saitou: But, and I think all of Hyoutei can say this, everyone's little by little coming to grasp their roles, and day by day they're getting closer to their characters. Right now I'm reading 『Weekly Shounen Jump』, and Oshitari's really starting to get my attention...
Kawakubo: Ah! Right, Oshitari's in there right now.
Saitou: Right! So during practices, Kaji-kun and I'll tell each other, "I'm definitely not gonna lose, got it!" So in a good sense each person is able to empathize with everyone else, little by little coming to see them in that manner. It's really fun.
Kawakubo: ............... (pause)
Saitou: ................
Kawakubo: Right! Well then, let's move on.
Saitou: Right (haha)
Kawakubo: Did you know about the TeniPuri original work or anime up to now?
Aoyagi: Yup.
Saitou: I did.
Kawakubo: How old were you when you first heard of it?
Aoyagi: My...third year of middle school?
Saitou: ...Which would be last year, right? (haha)
Aoyagi: After I was told I was going to be auditioning for it, I'd sit in the school library and reeeeaaaaad and read and read.
Kawakubo: Library?
Aoyagi: It was in the library. So I tried just checking it out, and it was actually really interesting! I'd read it during break time, but even when the bell would ring I'd keep on reading, and my teachers got mad at me (haha)
Saitou: As for me, I'm from the manga generation, so I've always been reading Jump. It's really interesting, TeniPuri. I always think this when I read it, but the rival school members all have their own problems to deal with, and it feels like everyone gets their chance as the main character. So even in the musicals everyone floats to the forefront, and that part makes it really interesting to me.
Kawakubo: You've got a point! Like the Jimis.
Saitou: So Kawakubo-kun, what's your TeniPuri experience?
Kawakubo: Well for me～I played tennis starting in my 4th or 5th year of elementary school, so one time one of the other people I played with brought 『Prince of Tennis』 with them, and I borrowed it from them and read it through, and I was sold! Then I started buying them from the 6th volume.
Saitou: So you started with volume 6 (haha)
Kawakubo: So, after buying volume 6, I really got into it, and ever since then...
Saitou: What about the volumes before 6?
Kawakubo: Ah, I got them! I bought them all!
Kawakubo: Well then...what was your mental state upon learning you'd landed your role?
Saitou: For me, ever since I'd started reading the manga, I'd always felt this role was the closest to me in principle. Then, when I heard Kiuchi-san's voice, Oshitari's actor, on DVD, it felt like our voices were really similar too (haha) It's a really deep voice, so I thought--with this, I can still make it work even without working that hard at it. So I read for it a few times at the audition...they must've really been paying attention to me～ The same goes for other cast members too, of course, but everyone was thinking, "Ah, I see!"
Kawakubo: What about you, Ruito-kun?
Aoyagi: When I found out I was going to be Gakuto...well the first thing I thought was, "I did it!!" I was really happy when I got the congratulatory email. Mukahi Gakuto's hairstyle was the impression that hung with me the most, and I thought, "Wow, I get to be the guy with that cool hairstyle!" and then after that I decided I'd go back through and read the manga all over again. Then, because it's an acrobatic role, I was really happy being able to play a role that utilized what I was best at～
Saitou: But really, and the other Hyoutei members feel the same way too, during auditions, the one who stuck out the most as Gakuto's actor was Ruito.
Kawakubo: Ooh～!
Saitou: Even during the audition I thought, "He's really Gakuto!" and I felt that way about the other cast members as well. During the audition I'd sit there casting everyone myself, and it turned out just the way I thought! It's like, "So then, I cast everyone!"...(haha) sorry.
Kawakubo: So, do either of you have any similar points to your characters?
Saitou: Hmm, well, Oshitari is said to be, "Hyoutei's Knave," but it's like, even when everyone else is fooling around and having fun, he'll be the only serious one...and he has this part to him where he avoids sharing anything with other people, and I feel like that's kind of like me... (haha) Or at least that basic spirit of him is really similar to mine.
Aoyagi: Umm, for me, Gakuto's first and foremost someone who hates to lose, and I'm...hmm, rather than "hating to lose," I like to really stand out. In any situation--if it's basketball, I wanna be the guy who passes the ball to the shooter, or if it's running I'll definitely aim for coming in first...
Saitou: That's so cute～(haha)
Aoyagi: Even in acrobatics, when I jump, people will go, "Awesome!!" and it makes me really happy (haha) And Gakuto and I share the same favorite food! Gakuto likes fried foods and natto, and I love fried foods. I'm from Hokkaido originally, so there we call it, "zangi"...
Kawakubo: Eeehhh!
Aoyagi: Like, "Aah~ I wanna eat some namara-zangi~"
Kawakubo: Namara?!
Aoyagi: "Namara" means, "really."
Saitou: Heeeh!
Kawakubo-kun, what do you think of these two?
Kawakubo: Ah, right! During rehearsals, it feels like Saitou-san's lines really fit him. And his Kansai-ben is really cool!
Saitou: Kansai-ben is nice, isn't it?
Kawakubo: It is! I really like Kansai-ben, myself. As for Ruito-kun, he was doing acrobatics in the first dance, it was amazing!
Saitou: Aah～right, you haven't seen our doubles rehearsals yet, have you? Our doubles is turning into something amazing! It's like, he spends more time standing on his hands than on his feet!
Kawakubo: Eeeh!! Amazing!
Aoyagi: Hey now, that's too much! (haha)
Saitou: It's really amazing! Makes me want to sit in the audience and just watch.
Kawakubo: Of singing, dancing, and acting, which one are you the best at?
Saitou: Hmm, if we're talking about experience, I've been doing acting the longest, and have almost no experience singing or dancing, so I'm definitely feeling that fact.
Aoyagi: For me, speaking about experience, definitely dancing! I've been dancing since I was in 4th grade, so this is...my 6th year, I guess?
Saitou: Even the choreography coach will leave it up to him, "Well, Aoyagi-kun, you can teach this part." Then we all try and imitate Ruito (haha) And Wasshi and I, who are in our 20s now, will go up to Ruito and go, "Please teach us!"--every day there's some funny new scene with it (haha)
Kawakubo: Well then, give us your impressions of your fellow Hyoutei members, talk about your teamwork!
Saitou: Our balance is really great in Hyoutei. With us all being guys, it's really simple--we can close the distance between ourselves really quickly.
Aoyagi: Yup, the other members are really fun to be with!
Saitou: Kazuki is...he's really holding up well. It's like he's our chairman. So he rarely shows his weak moments to us, and because he's holding himself together so well, we can enjoy ourselves.
Aoyagi: Yup!
Saitou: Wasshi's a lot like that too.
Aoyagi: Rather than being Kabaji, he's "Papaji"!
Saitou: And even though he's an adult, there are parts of him that are really child-like too. But he's acting with his whole body, and paying really close attention in rehearsals--even scenes where he's not in them, he's watch and be like, "Now, this is just my own opinion, but..." and give us all advice.
Kawakubo: A big presence, huh!
Saitou: Exactly! In more ways than one. But, at least his bag is small (haha)
Aoyagi: Right right (haha)
Saitou: So small you'd never expect it...is that a waist pouch?
Aoyagi: The kind that hangs down... (haha)
Saitou: He keeps a copy of the 16th volume of TeniPuri and a notebook in there, nothing but business! (haha)
Kawakubo: That's interesting (haha) Well then, what about Takuya-kun?
Saitou: He's really open, like he's Jirou himself. It's like he's missing something, but you can't hate him for it. But--when he and Ruito dance together, it's amazingly cool. When it comes to dancing, these two--who are the youngest and smallest in all of Hyoutei--show us big guys the ropes, it's a pretty interesting sight.
Aoyagi: Takuya is kinda...he feels really close to me. It's easy to talk to him, and it's like we're both younger kids, so I feel like I have the most fun talking to him.
Saitou: That's right! You two sure are close. When these two get huddled up and chatting away, it's like--like seeing my sons...
Aoyagi: Sons?! (haha)
Saitou: I mean, little brothers! (haha) So cute～it calms me down (haha)
Kawakubo: Then, what about KenKen?
Aoyagi: KenKen is really the number one moodmaker of the group, and if he wasn't with us I don't think we'd have been able to have this much fun, to be this happy.
Saitou: Right, that's true. Even when we're all dull and down, he'll come in and make the atmosphere of the room bright with a BANG.
Aoyagi: KenKen was also the first person I talked to. He's like a nice older brother, and thinks of me like his own little brother.
Saitou: And he's a really fired-up guy! He was my Kansai-ben teacher, so I'm really indebted to him for that.
Kawakubo: I've only spoken to him on a few occasions myself...
Saitou: But he really likes you! He went over to touch you going, "Uwaa~this kid's so cute~" (haha)
Kawakubo: He did shake my hand (haha)
Saitou: And then...Kouji. Date Kouji is kind of a weird guy, huh? (haha) It's like you see him as a 2-man set with KenKen, like if it wasn't KenKen no one could get ahold of Kouji's reins... I've started realizing that lately.
Aoyagi: Yeah!
Kawakubo: Lately?
Saitou: It's like, he has his own world he lives in (haha) But, he's so cool when he plays tennis. I think that gap's what attracts you to him (haha) But for everything else outside of tennis, he really keeps to himself. He's our tennis teacher, but when it comes to singing or acting, he'll tell us things straightforward too. Ruito, you're friends with him, right?
Aoyagi: I am! KenKen and Kouji's combination is really interesting! It's like, Kouji can be that funny because KenKen's there. KenKen will toss out a joke, and Kouji will be the straight-man to take it.
Saitou: But no one gets the jokes! (haha) They all go right over our heads! So right now, since KenKen's not in rehearsals, everyone's suffering from Kouji's straight-man role. "Is this the part where I come in?!" So we're having to grow as well as his joke-partners!
Aoyagi: I've been trying to do it myself lately!
Saitou: And then there's Ryuu...Ryuu is a real adult huh~ Is like, "green tea!" kind of impression. "Hot green tea!" "Leaves from the good ol' Showa era!"
Aoyagi: Ken-chan, Ryuu-chan, Kouji, and I are all together, just the four of us, a lot.
Saitou: Yeah, that's right.
Aoyagi: He's really serious, and honest, and the most reliable!
Saitou: He's a real hard-worker, and even outside of rehearsals, he gets girls from his hometown to give him tennis lessons so he can perfect his form apparently...
Aoyagi: And looks up stuff online about acting.
Saitou: He doesn't slack on the hardwork! Personally that really suits my tastes. We have lots of maniac movie chats. He's a great guy.
I've heard you go out to eat as a group sometimes...
Saitou: Aah, the members go out every time! Every day! Every day! There are times when I join them and when I don't, but Yanagi and Seigaku also join in too...we're all so close! I'm usually the type to head home first, but I try and show up as often as I can...
Aoyagi: Eeh?!
Saitou: Iya, but, we're all good friends! (haha)
Kawakubo: Well, next, please give us your impressions of Seigaku. How are rehearsals progressing?
Saitou: Seigaki and Hyoutei are both joining their senses now! We've got really good rival spirits. While watching each other's rehearsals, "Let's make this part cooler than they did"--we fight our battles like that. There have been people I've been good friends with in casts before, and they left a strong impression on me, but meeting these current members as I am now, I feel like, "Ah, I get it--I'm in THIS role now with THESE people." I'm really in a senpai position, so I've got a lot of freedom when it comes to my feelings. There are lots of people younger than me, and they'll just climb up over that wall of age-difference.
Aoyagi: There are parts where I'll look at them like senpais, like, "They really are experienced here huh~" and others where I'll call out, "Let's make this great together!"
Saitou: Araki-kun is also from the Kansai region, so at first he was like, "I'm not gonna teach you any Kansai-ben!" (haha) But lately he's more like, "Hey, how about trying for this nuance there?" and really lecturing me well.
Aah~but Araki-kun didn't continue with that did he... (haha)
Saitou: No no, his heart was in it! Like, "let's make this great together!"...iyaa, this isn't a funny part! You're supposed to be moved here!
Aoyagi: And then there's Kaji-kun...Kaji-kun's the coolest!
Saitou: ...he just told you to say that earlier. (haha)
Aoyagi: ....He did. (haha)
Saitou: "Hey Ruito, want anything?" (haha) Iyaaa, Kaji-kun is like our KenKen in that he's the mover of the group. But Seigaku has a lot of people like that. Like some kind of big mood-maker group! With Zukki and all.
Aoyagi: Right right! And Konii. He'll talk to you about anything, really cheerful and funny!
Saitou: Yanagi's funny too, like a real Ryoma~
Kawakubo: Yanagi-kun...is nice! He's really great!
Kawakubo: Well, do you have any questions for me?
Aoyagi: Why are you so tan?
Kawakubo: Umm, it's from gym...
Saitou: Gym! Such a nostalgic sound... (haha)
Kawakubo: Also, in clubs I'm on the soccer team, so~
Saitou: Ah, really?! Then let's all play soccer together! I'm on a soccer team with Shino-chan. [T/N: Shinoda Mitsuyoshi, aka Duckie :D]
Kawakubo: The other time, during YamabukiMyu, I brought my PlayStation to Osaka...
Saitou: Really?! Then let's do it!
(--and the conversation segues into excitement about soccer video games)
Saitou: One of the great things about guys, you know, is having these things in common, and then you're all part of one big group!
Kawakubo: Well then, in the end, how about a word to the people checking the home page?
Aoyagi: "I'll work hard not to let you all down!"...the same thing was on the HP earlier huh.
Saitou: It was?
Aoyagi: KenKen said it.
Saitou: Cheater! (haha) Iyaa, but still--there was a popularity contest in Jump the other day, wasn't there? I was 5th! Oshitari's really popular! But crumbling under that pressure now just won't do! (haha) Seeing as he's such a beloved character I hope to portray him well. But musical performers are real people, I'll be using mine, Saitou Takumi's body to perform this, so I've gotta put some of myself into the character, or there'll be no point to doing it. So look forward to the collaboration between Oshitari and Saitou! (haha) And of course there's the Kansai-ben too...so go easy on me, Osaka! (haha) Everyone's upping their tension day by day, and that great feeling of nervousness is getting higher, as is our perfection! We're gonna make this a great play!
Aoyagi: Gonna make it!
Kawakubo: Umm, so seeing as this is my third time around, I want to make this my best yet! I wanna be celebrating with everyone else at the end! (haha)
Saitou: Ruito, anything you want to say?
Aoyagi: Aaaahh～sorry...
Saitou: I think we teased him too much! (haha)
Aoyagi: I'll work hard! See you at the theater!
Well then, we'll start with our interviewer, Kawakubo-kun--go ahead.
Saitou: Wow, this might be tough... (haha)
Kawakubo: Well, let's start with self-introductions!
Saitou: I'm Oshitari Yuushi's actor, Saitou Takumi. Umm, right now I'm working extra hard on my Kansai-ben.
Kawakubo: How about upping the tension a bit?
Saitou: Iyaa, see...I'm kind of a...bluely burning flame (haha) Even among all the other Hyoutei members, I'm the type who's happy being undecisive.
Aoyagi: Oh yeah～ (haha)
Saitou: Iya, I mean.........right! Ruito!
Aoyagi: Right! I'm Mukahi Gakuto's actor, Aoyagi Ruito! Right now I'm concentrating on speaking clearly!
Saitou: So, I've said this before, but he's really acrobatic! It's amazing! And on top of that, he's completely self-taught, all of it. He's really synching up his hobbies and his acting roles well! I don't think I could ever picture anyone else but him as Gakuto.
Aoyagi: Thanks! ...I'm really sweating here...
Kawakubo: Well then, Ruito-kun, what do you think of Saitou-san?
Aoyagi: Takumi-san is...when he speaks, he really brings out that feeling of "Oshitari." And when he's in character, he's completely Oshitari, I think!
Saitou: ...Ruito, you're speaking really clearly today! It's like you're not even Ruito at all! (haha)
Aoyagi: Hehee...
Saitou: But, and I think all of Hyoutei can say this, everyone's little by little coming to grasp their roles, and day by day they're getting closer to their characters. Right now I'm reading 『Weekly Shounen Jump』, and Oshitari's really starting to get my attention...
Kawakubo: Ah! Right, Oshitari's in there right now.
Saitou: Right! So during practices, Kaji-kun and I'll tell each other, "I'm definitely not gonna lose, got it!" So in a good sense each person is able to empathize with everyone else, little by little coming to see them in that manner. It's really fun.
Kawakubo: ............... (pause)
Saitou: ................
Kawakubo: Right! Well then, let's move on.
Saitou: Right (haha)
Kawakubo: Did you know about the TeniPuri original work or anime up to now?
Aoyagi: Yup.
Saitou: I did.
Kawakubo: How old were you when you first heard of it?
Aoyagi: My...third year of middle school?
Saitou: ...Which would be last year, right? (haha)
Aoyagi: After I was told I was going to be auditioning for it, I'd sit in the school library and reeeeaaaaad and read and read.
Kawakubo: Library?
Aoyagi: It was in the library. So I tried just checking it out, and it was actually really interesting! I'd read it during break time, but even when the bell would ring I'd keep on reading, and my teachers got mad at me (haha)
Saitou: As for me, I'm from the manga generation, so I've always been reading Jump. It's really interesting, TeniPuri. I always think this when I read it, but the rival school members all have their own problems to deal with, and it feels like everyone gets their chance as the main character. So even in the musicals everyone floats to the forefront, and that part makes it really interesting to me.
Kawakubo: You've got a point! Like the Jimis.
Saitou: So Kawakubo-kun, what's your TeniPuri experience?
Kawakubo: Well for me～I played tennis starting in my 4th or 5th year of elementary school, so one time one of the other people I played with brought 『Prince of Tennis』 with them, and I borrowed it from them and read it through, and I was sold! Then I started buying them from the 6th volume.
Saitou: So you started with volume 6 (haha)
Kawakubo: So, after buying volume 6, I really got into it, and ever since then...
Saitou: What about the volumes before 6?
Kawakubo: Ah, I got them! I bought them all!
Kawakubo: Well then...what was your mental state upon learning you'd landed your role?
Saitou: For me, ever since I'd started reading the manga, I'd always felt this role was the closest to me in principle. Then, when I heard Kiuchi-san's voice, Oshitari's actor, on DVD, it felt like our voices were really similar too (haha) It's a really deep voice, so I thought--with this, I can still make it work even without working that hard at it. So I read for it a few times at the audition...they must've really been paying attention to me～ The same goes for other cast members too, of course, but everyone was thinking, "Ah, I see!"
Kawakubo: What about you, Ruito-kun?
Aoyagi: When I found out I was going to be Gakuto...well the first thing I thought was, "I did it!!" I was really happy when I got the congratulatory email. Mukahi Gakuto's hairstyle was the impression that hung with me the most, and I thought, "Wow, I get to be the guy with that cool hairstyle!" and then after that I decided I'd go back through and read the manga all over again. Then, because it's an acrobatic role, I was really happy being able to play a role that utilized what I was best at～
Saitou: But really, and the other Hyoutei members feel the same way too, during auditions, the one who stuck out the most as Gakuto's actor was Ruito.
Kawakubo: Ooh～!
Saitou: Even during the audition I thought, "He's really Gakuto!" and I felt that way about the other cast members as well. During the audition I'd sit there casting everyone myself, and it turned out just the way I thought! It's like, "So then, I cast everyone!"...(haha) sorry.
Kawakubo: So, do either of you have any similar points to your characters?
Saitou: Hmm, well, Oshitari is said to be, "Hyoutei's Knave," but it's like, even when everyone else is fooling around and having fun, he'll be the only serious one...and he has this part to him where he avoids sharing anything with other people, and I feel like that's kind of like me... (haha) Or at least that basic spirit of him is really similar to mine.
Aoyagi: Umm, for me, Gakuto's first and foremost someone who hates to lose, and I'm...hmm, rather than "hating to lose," I like to really stand out. In any situation--if it's basketball, I wanna be the guy who passes the ball to the shooter, or if it's running I'll definitely aim for coming in first...
Saitou: That's so cute～(haha)
Aoyagi: Even in acrobatics, when I jump, people will go, "Awesome!!" and it makes me really happy (haha) And Gakuto and I share the same favorite food! Gakuto likes fried foods and natto, and I love fried foods. I'm from Hokkaido originally, so there we call it, "zangi"...
Kawakubo: Eeehhh!
Aoyagi: Like, "Aah~ I wanna eat some namara-zangi~"
Kawakubo: Namara?!
Aoyagi: "Namara" means, "really."
Saitou: Heeeh!
Kawakubo-kun, what do you think of these two?
Kawakubo: Ah, right! During rehearsals, it feels like Saitou-san's lines really fit him. And his Kansai-ben is really cool!
Saitou: Kansai-ben is nice, isn't it?
Kawakubo: It is! I really like Kansai-ben, myself. As for Ruito-kun, he was doing acrobatics in the first dance, it was amazing!
Saitou: Aah～right, you haven't seen our doubles rehearsals yet, have you? Our doubles is turning into something amazing! It's like, he spends more time standing on his hands than on his feet!
Kawakubo: Eeeh!! Amazing!
Aoyagi: Hey now, that's too much! (haha)
Saitou: It's really amazing! Makes me want to sit in the audience and just watch.
Kawakubo: Of singing, dancing, and acting, which one are you the best at?
Saitou: Hmm, if we're talking about experience, I've been doing acting the longest, and have almost no experience singing or dancing, so I'm definitely feeling that fact.
Aoyagi: For me, speaking about experience, definitely dancing! I've been dancing since I was in 4th grade, so this is...my 6th year, I guess?
Saitou: Even the choreography coach will leave it up to him, "Well, Aoyagi-kun, you can teach this part." Then we all try and imitate Ruito (haha) And Wasshi and I, who are in our 20s now, will go up to Ruito and go, "Please teach us!"--every day there's some funny new scene with it (haha)
Kawakubo: Well then, give us your impressions of your fellow Hyoutei members, talk about your teamwork!
Saitou: Our balance is really great in Hyoutei. With us all being guys, it's really simple--we can close the distance between ourselves really quickly.
Aoyagi: Yup, the other members are really fun to be with!
Saitou: Kazuki is...he's really holding up well. It's like he's our chairman. So he rarely shows his weak moments to us, and because he's holding himself together so well, we can enjoy ourselves.
Aoyagi: Yup!
Saitou: Wasshi's a lot like that too.
Aoyagi: Rather than being Kabaji, he's "Papaji"!
Saitou: And even though he's an adult, there are parts of him that are really child-like too. But he's acting with his whole body, and paying really close attention in rehearsals--even scenes where he's not in them, he's watch and be like, "Now, this is just my own opinion, but..." and give us all advice.
Kawakubo: A big presence, huh!
Saitou: Exactly! In more ways than one. But, at least his bag is small (haha)
Aoyagi: Right right (haha)
Saitou: So small you'd never expect it...is that a waist pouch?
Aoyagi: The kind that hangs down... (haha)
Saitou: He keeps a copy of the 16th volume of TeniPuri and a notebook in there, nothing but business! (haha)
Kawakubo: That's interesting (haha) Well then, what about Takuya-kun?
Saitou: He's really open, like he's Jirou himself. It's like he's missing something, but you can't hate him for it. But--when he and Ruito dance together, it's amazingly cool. When it comes to dancing, these two--who are the youngest and smallest in all of Hyoutei--show us big guys the ropes, it's a pretty interesting sight.
Aoyagi: Takuya is kinda...he feels really close to me. It's easy to talk to him, and it's like we're both younger kids, so I feel like I have the most fun talking to him.
Saitou: That's right! You two sure are close. When these two get huddled up and chatting away, it's like--like seeing my sons...
Aoyagi: Sons?! (haha)
Saitou: I mean, little brothers! (haha) So cute～it calms me down (haha)
Kawakubo: Then, what about KenKen?
Aoyagi: KenKen is really the number one moodmaker of the group, and if he wasn't with us I don't think we'd have been able to have this much fun, to be this happy.
Saitou: Right, that's true. Even when we're all dull and down, he'll come in and make the atmosphere of the room bright with a BANG.
Aoyagi: KenKen was also the first person I talked to. He's like a nice older brother, and thinks of me like his own little brother.
Saitou: And he's a really fired-up guy! He was my Kansai-ben teacher, so I'm really indebted to him for that.
Kawakubo: I've only spoken to him on a few occasions myself...
Saitou: But he really likes you! He went over to touch you going, "Uwaa~this kid's so cute~" (haha)
Kawakubo: He did shake my hand (haha)
Saitou: And then...Kouji. Date Kouji is kind of a weird guy, huh? (haha) It's like you see him as a 2-man set with KenKen, like if it wasn't KenKen no one could get ahold of Kouji's reins... I've started realizing that lately.
Aoyagi: Yeah!
Kawakubo: Lately?
Saitou: It's like, he has his own world he lives in (haha) But, he's so cool when he plays tennis. I think that gap's what attracts you to him (haha) But for everything else outside of tennis, he really keeps to himself. He's our tennis teacher, but when it comes to singing or acting, he'll tell us things straightforward too. Ruito, you're friends with him, right?
Aoyagi: I am! KenKen and Kouji's combination is really interesting! It's like, Kouji can be that funny because KenKen's there. KenKen will toss out a joke, and Kouji will be the straight-man to take it.
Saitou: But no one gets the jokes! (haha) They all go right over our heads! So right now, since KenKen's not in rehearsals, everyone's suffering from Kouji's straight-man role. "Is this the part where I come in?!" So we're having to grow as well as his joke-partners!
Aoyagi: I've been trying to do it myself lately!
Saitou: And then there's Ryuu...Ryuu is a real adult huh~ Is like, "green tea!" kind of impression. "Hot green tea!" "Leaves from the good ol' Showa era!"
Aoyagi: Ken-chan, Ryuu-chan, Kouji, and I are all together, just the four of us, a lot.
Saitou: Yeah, that's right.
Aoyagi: He's really serious, and honest, and the most reliable!
Saitou: He's a real hard-worker, and even outside of rehearsals, he gets girls from his hometown to give him tennis lessons so he can perfect his form apparently...
Aoyagi: And looks up stuff online about acting.
Saitou: He doesn't slack on the hardwork! Personally that really suits my tastes. We have lots of maniac movie chats. He's a great guy.
I've heard you go out to eat as a group sometimes...
Saitou: Aah, the members go out every time! Every day! Every day! There are times when I join them and when I don't, but Yanagi and Seigaku also join in too...we're all so close! I'm usually the type to head home first, but I try and show up as often as I can...
Aoyagi: Eeh?!
Saitou: Iya, but, we're all good friends! (haha)
Kawakubo: Well, next, please give us your impressions of Seigaku. How are rehearsals progressing?
Saitou: Seigaki and Hyoutei are both joining their senses now! We've got really good rival spirits. While watching each other's rehearsals, "Let's make this part cooler than they did"--we fight our battles like that. There have been people I've been good friends with in casts before, and they left a strong impression on me, but meeting these current members as I am now, I feel like, "Ah, I get it--I'm in THIS role now with THESE people." I'm really in a senpai position, so I've got a lot of freedom when it comes to my feelings. There are lots of people younger than me, and they'll just climb up over that wall of age-difference.
Aoyagi: There are parts where I'll look at them like senpais, like, "They really are experienced here huh~" and others where I'll call out, "Let's make this great together!"
Saitou: Araki-kun is also from the Kansai region, so at first he was like, "I'm not gonna teach you any Kansai-ben!" (haha) But lately he's more like, "Hey, how about trying for this nuance there?" and really lecturing me well.
Aah~but Araki-kun didn't continue with that did he... (haha)
Saitou: No no, his heart was in it! Like, "let's make this great together!"...iyaa, this isn't a funny part! You're supposed to be moved here!
Aoyagi: And then there's Kaji-kun...Kaji-kun's the coolest!
Saitou: ...he just told you to say that earlier. (haha)
Aoyagi: ....He did. (haha)
Saitou: "Hey Ruito, want anything?" (haha) Iyaaa, Kaji-kun is like our KenKen in that he's the mover of the group. But Seigaku has a lot of people like that. Like some kind of big mood-maker group! With Zukki and all.
Aoyagi: Right right! And Konii. He'll talk to you about anything, really cheerful and funny!
Saitou: Yanagi's funny too, like a real Ryoma~
Kawakubo: Yanagi-kun...is nice! He's really great!
Kawakubo: Well, do you have any questions for me?
Aoyagi: Why are you so tan?
Kawakubo: Umm, it's from gym...
Saitou: Gym! Such a nostalgic sound... (haha)
Kawakubo: Also, in clubs I'm on the soccer team, so~
Saitou: Ah, really?! Then let's all play soccer together! I'm on a soccer team with Shino-chan. [T/N: Shinoda Mitsuyoshi, aka Duckie :D]
Kawakubo: The other time, during YamabukiMyu, I brought my PlayStation to Osaka...
Saitou: Really?! Then let's do it!
(--and the conversation segues into excitement about soccer video games)
Saitou: One of the great things about guys, you know, is having these things in common, and then you're all part of one big group!
Kawakubo: Well then, in the end, how about a word to the people checking the home page?
Aoyagi: "I'll work hard not to let you all down!"...the same thing was on the HP earlier huh.
Saitou: It was?
Aoyagi: KenKen said it.
Saitou: Cheater! (haha) Iyaa, but still--there was a popularity contest in Jump the other day, wasn't there? I was 5th! Oshitari's really popular! But crumbling under that pressure now just won't do! (haha) Seeing as he's such a beloved character I hope to portray him well. But musical performers are real people, I'll be using mine, Saitou Takumi's body to perform this, so I've gotta put some of myself into the character, or there'll be no point to doing it. So look forward to the collaboration between Oshitari and Saitou! (haha) And of course there's the Kansai-ben too...so go easy on me, Osaka! (haha) Everyone's upping their tension day by day, and that great feeling of nervousness is getting higher, as is our perfection! We're gonna make this a great play!
Aoyagi: Gonna make it!
Kawakubo: Umm, so seeing as this is my third time around, I want to make this my best yet! I wanna be celebrating with everyone else at the end! (haha)
Saitou: Ruito, anything you want to say?
Aoyagi: Aaaahh～sorry...
Saitou: I think we teased him too much! (haha)
Aoyagi: I'll work hard! See you at the theater!
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Date: 2006-11-27 05:40 am (UTC)Saitou: ...he just told you to say that earlier. (haha)
Aoyagi: ....He did. (haha)
Awesome. XD I also love how everyone always says that Date is weird.
I'm not the biggest fan of Saitou and Ruito, but I'm really gonna miss Hyoutei from now on. Thanks for the translation. ^_~
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Date: 2006-11-27 07:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-27 07:44 am (UTC)Saitou: ...Which would be last year, right? (haha)
that....really amused me for some reason. Like Saitoh's always keeping track of his age XDDDD
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Date: 2006-11-27 08:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-27 09:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-27 04:41 pm (UTC)And of course, the most important this I took away from this: With us all being guys, it's really simple--we can close the distance between ourselves really quickly. :D ORLY? XDDDD
Anyway. Thank you. ♥
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Date: 2006-11-27 10:00 pm (UTC)Saitou sounds like he's such an old guy!
RuiRui + school library = dork XD
Thanks for translating!
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Date: 2006-11-28 01:00 pm (UTC)Saitou: That's right! You two sure are close. When these two get huddled up and chatting away, it's like--like seeing my sons...
Aoyagi: Sons?! (haha)
Saitou totally cracked me up with that line! XDD
Does he want to adopt RuiRui, because he can't marry him?Such an awesome interview! Thanks for translating it! ^______________^
*happy to come upon your journal*
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Date: 2006-11-30 12:19 am (UTC)Thanks for the translation!