The Genealogy of Fantasista (Habu Mizuho x Inoue Rina, BUBKA May 2020)

The similar two

Just the two of you talking like this, has it happened in the past?

Habu: It’s the first time! That’s why we kept saying “I wonder why this combination?”

First of all, in relation to the two of you, the first time the fans were excited was during the Keyakake (Keyakitte, Kakenai?) Valentine episode when Habu-san confessed to Inoue-san that she liked her.

Habu: In the dressing room, I’ll often end up looking at her. Her face is my type and she has unusual behaviours so I thought that she was cute.

Inoue: (Blushing) Hehe

Previously, when Inoue-san was being interviewed for Bubka, it seems like the editorial department thought “She’s the same type as Habu”. On that occasion, they thought to have you two converse together.

Habu: So that’s why! I also thought “She’s the same type as me” (laughs).

Inoue: I’m super super sorry but I’m super super happy!

Habu: Even throughout the show, you can really see her positive attitude, while thinking that she’s a good kid,I also wanted to become closer to her.

Inoue: The trigger as to why I became able to convey myself was Habu-san’s large influence.

Habu: Is that so?

Inoue: Habu-san is often put on the spot by the MCs, and I think that she’s also good at creating opportunities on her own so I’m learning from her.

On the show, Habu-san gathers laughter during the talk segments every time.

Habu: No, no! I’m just saying what comes to mind (laugh).

You’re often told that you're an airhead,but what do you personally think?

Habu: When I’m told that, I would think “Oh?” but come to think of it, I’ve been asked “Why do you think that?” quite a lot. I thought “I wonder if I’m a bit strange”. What about Inori-chan?

Inoue: It seems like I give the impression of “serious” or “hard to approach” when it comes to people I haven’t spoken to before,but for people who I’m close with, I get told that I talk a lot and that I’m weird.

Habu: At first I was also thought to be “She seems serious” and “She seems quiet”, but I was told that “After talking to her, she’s different ”, so I think that in that aspect we’re the same.

You two are often teased by the comedians aren’t you.

Habu: Hehehe, I wonder why?

Inoue: I have a habit of spontaneously reacting to lots of different things. Kind of like how if someone does something, “Ah, that seems interesting” will come out of my mouth subconsciously. I get that pointed out a lot.

Habu: I might also be the type who says what’s on their mind.

Have you ever said what’s on your mind and then have that fail?

Habu: I slipped up and instead of ikki ikkai I said ichigo ichie [Note: this is a Japanese proverb that is often mispronounced and Habu has mixed up the real reading with the wrong one], and on the radio (“Chokotto Yattemasu”) Amako Inter made fun of me.

Inoue: ……?

……?

Habu: Huh? Was it the other way around?

It’s the other way around.

Habu: So I said ichigo ichie as ikki ikkai.

Inoue: Ahahaha

Speaking of radio, Inoue-san’s first appearance was last year on “Yuugata Paradise” right?

Inoue: That’s right.

At that time, Hanya’s Kanada Satoshi-san made you do impressions of Hamburger Master (comedian Itoda Jun) and of a French person.

Inoue: Ah, I did do that! (laughs)

I wonder if comedians feel relieved because the two of you who are easy to make fun of.

Inoue: But at the start, I thought of going with the cool character.

Habu: Ah, I did as well!

Inoue: I wanted to become a cool, older sister-like character but I’m going rapidly in a different direction.

Why a cool character?

Inoue: The idols that I like went down the cool path. So I also thought “I want to become cool” but … before I realised, I’ve become like this (laughs). If that helps give me a sense of familiarity, I think it’s good.

Habu: I understand. I watch every show that I appear in without fail,but I’m making an effort to think about things such as “I should have said this” or if something doesn’t make it on air, “Why wasn’t it?”. When I did that I felt  like I’ve gradually come to understand myself. I thought, “Is this my individuality?”

Inoue: I also watch the program broadcasts and check the scenes of mine that have and haven’t been used, but there are many times when I don’t take advantage of what comes next. I’m still in a situation where I can’t find good things about myself.

But in the previous Keyakake, Inoue-san did an imitation of Nohara Shinnosuke, during that, Habu-san clapping and laughing really hard left an impression.

Habu: Yes, yes! I thought it was really similar and I laughed.

Beam Tendencies

Similarly, on Keyakake when Habu-san did a certain movement, Inoue-san was the only one clapping her hands and laughing, why do you think that is?

Inoue: Eh?! When Habu-san is talking during variety shows, personally all of it makes me crack up so there are lots of times where I’m laughing. Was it just me clapping? I wonder why ?

When Amon Nijihiko-san made a guest appearance, there was a segment called “love tendencies check”. The topic was “You’ve become a hero, please let out your deadly beam”. The situation was, depending on what kind of movement a person did, their love tendencies would be read and analysed.

Habu: Yes, that happened!

Everyone was gesturing beams coming out of their hands or eyes, but only for Habu-san I thought, is she going to let out a beam, and you didn’t. The whole venue became like “…… eh?” but Inoue-san was the only one clapping her hands and laughing.

Habu: Is that so! Thank you for laughing at me (laughs).

Inoue: That kind of impulsive approach always makes me laugh. Last year in November, I was with Habu-san during the “Lawson Premium Event”, at that time we were split into two teams, Habu-san was paired with (Takemoto) Yui, I was paired with Kobayashi (Yui)-san, we challenged the event which was thinking of a new character for Lawson. The drawing drawn by Habu-san far surpassed what everyone was expecting. I thought, how do you come up with that sort of idea.

Habu: What did I draw again?

Inoue: Something like the Lawson character giving out a beam.

Habu: I remember now! The character was called “LBi-kun” who shot out beams from its touch and held an L in its hand.

“Law Son-kun” created by Inoue-san was also a unique drawing, wasn’t it.

Inoue: At the start, Kobayashi-san suggested that we should “make it like Karaage-kun’s costume”. So I said, “Well then, I’ll draw it!”. But when we opened the cover, instead of karaage, the illustration ended up looking like a chestnut (laughs).

Habu: For me, a memorable action of Inori-chan’s was on MBS radio’s public recording (“Appare Yattemasu~, from Nagashima Spa Land”). Inori-chan performed an improvised parody. It was really funny, and I think her attitude of not relying on other people and actively stepping out front is really amazing.

With “Law Son-kun”, you also said “I’ll draw it” and stepped forward, didn’t you.

Inoue: I get a random burst of confidence and I unintentionally end up saying things. Even if I make mistakes on television shows or the radio, at the time I try to keep in mind not to  depressed. During the beginning, I would feel remorse on the spot, “I wonder if it was better not to say anything”, but now I wait until I get home to feel upset.

Not showing any negative reaction in that type of important situation, that might be the reason why you’re called the “Presence that makes me feel relaxed just by being here” by the 2nd Generation members. 

Inoue: I myself have always been drawn to idols who are cheerful and smiley. I admired and wanted to become that kind of idol, I was also told by fans, “I like Inori-chan’s smile”. If someone can be cheered up by my smile, then when I’m in front of people I want to be smiling.

That might be not just for the fans, but also the key to why you’re loved by the members.

Habu: Even earlier, in the dressing room, Matsuri-chan (Matsuda Rina) and (Yamazaki) Ten-chan were saying “Inoue~!”. I thought, she has an existence that everyone wants to be with, that’s a really good thing. She doesn’t seem like she would make scary expressions or get mad at anyone.

Inoue: Speaking of, I haven’t gotten mad since about high school. Rather than anger, the emotions of “delight” or “sadness” are stronger.

Habu: Did you have a rebellious period?

Inoue: I think I did, towards my parents. Did Habu-san have one?

Habu: I did, I did. I’ve even run away from home before.

Inoue: Eh-!

Habu: Just for 10 minutes.

That’s just an outing!

Habu: Ahahahaha. I’ve gotten angry during my rebellious phase but now I don’t get angry at all. I thought I would find the good parts of people rather than the bad, no matter what happens I choose to think about all of it positively.

On Fried Eggs...

Inoue: I have something I want to ask Habu-san. I always hear from Yumi-chan (Seki Yumiko) that “Habu-san’s attitude when it comes to work is amazing”, I was wondering where you learnt that from.

Habu: For example, if I have a photoshoot I’ll ask the cameraman “How was I today?” and take in an outsider’s opinion, I also try not to solve things on my own. As expected, it's important to do things one by one, so you put everything into that work and no matter what it is, you don’t take shortcuts. I think I might be very conscious of that.

Inoue: I’m bad at looking at things from other perspectives, I hesitate to ask for people’s opinions. …On top of that, if Habu-san thinks that way, I will try to do the same.

Habu: Pieces of work and shows aren’t made by one person, everyone talks and joins in, “It would be better if we did it more like this”. Not “it’s fine cause everyone else is here”, you’re also someone who’s a part of it. You’re not called on for no reason, I think it’s important to find things you’re able to do. But I think Inori-chan is doing a good job.

Inoue: No, not at all! But I’m happy. I have one more question, does Habu-san like Japanese food or Western food? As you’re a model, I was wondering if you’re also  careful about your meals.

Habu: I like both, but because I’m Japanese I have a strong consciousness of wanting to have Japanese food. I like fish, I also like grilled meat …… that’s Western food isn’t it.

That’s right, grilled meat is western.

Habu: I like both. I can’t choose~ (laughs).

Inoue: My image was Western food. Something like twirled spaghetti.

Speaking of food, Inoue-san was eating grilled meat while at the same time also eating strawberries.

Inoue: I like that kind of unusual pairing. In my imagination, I thought that those flavours would be good together. Kind of like, “This dish, It will definitely  go well with ketchup”. I’m the type to know those kinds of things, so I end up trying it.

Habu: So you try things with your gut feelings.

Is there a surprising combination that Inoue-san has thought of?

Inoue: I like combinations of grilled meat with fruits, alternating eating ice cream and grilled meat is also delicious.

Habu: Eh! (shock)

Inoue: Grilled meat, ice cream, grilled meat, ice cream, when you eat it alternatively even if you’re full, you become less full so it’s good.

By the way, what do you put on your fried eggs?

Inoue: Usually it’s salt and pepper but on top of that, things like ketchup. What I used to do was mix a sauce of ketchup, sauce and mayonnaise, and put that on top.

Habu: It turns into okonomiyaki sauce, doesn’t it.

Is Habu-san on team soy sauce?

Habu: I eat it with the okonomiyaki sauce that Inori-chan was talking about just now.

Inoue: It’s delicious isn’t it!

Of course the two of you are on the same page!

----

Translation: ichikabachika
QC: SatoneShichi, toomuchidea

Raw: karl_k46