Kousaka Marino interview blt graph. vol. 60

 

There is no such thing as an easy slope to climb. With hard work and simple honesty, one step at a time. When the accumulation leads to the scenery where the flowers are in full bloom, your heart is filled with happiness.

This issue will be released after your last live as Keyakizaka46, but is there  any song that Kousaka-san feels attached to, that you’d like to perform?

“I wonder what? Hmm~ After all, it’s “Silent Majority”. It’s so famous, that people would be reminded of it when it comes to Keyaki. I think it’s a representative song that anyone has heard before, and ever since I joined, it has never been performed. So I'd be happy to perform it in the live performance with the all current members.”

I pray that it will come true. By the way,  have you always liked idols, Kousaka-san?

“It’s not like that… It’s more like I come to like them shortly before taking the audition. I had a friend who likes Nogizaka46-san, and I started watching videos of Sakamichi (series) with them. Until then, I didn't really talk to my mom about what I liked, but when I told “Recently, I’m into Nogizaka-san”, and she said, "Isn’t there seems to be an audition?”. And so I applied for Sakamichi Joint Audition… That’s how it feels like.”

Until then, what are you interested in...?

“Nothing really interests me, and I just study. I didn’t have any particular dream or goal(s) for the future, so if I hadn't passed the audition, I would have taken the university entrance exam and started job hunting without thinking too deeply… My life might become something like that. I might have been living my life like that. I took the audition like I’m taking an entrance exam without thinking whether I will pass or not, and I didn’t think that I would, so it’s strange when I think about it that way.”

I see. Then, after analyzing yourself, what kind of person do you think Kousaka Marino is?

“When I was at home and in front of Kira-chan (genmate and her good friend), I would joke around or say something boisterous, but I couldn't do that in front of people yet, so I became quiet. My mom also tells me, "You use words inappropriately sometimes, so don't ever show it outside”. But even without my parents’ advice, I haven't been able to show myself like that yet...

You doesn't look like that, but by the way, what does "Black Kousaka" look like?

“Well, I can't tell people that.... But when Kira-chan said "Call me Kira-chan (with the same accent as Fuwa-chan, a comedian)”, I replied "I will never", and I keep calling her with normal accent (laughs).”

So in the back, do you feel free to talk to those who has opened their hearts to you?

 “I didn't have to talk to them, or rather, I didn't have to mind them, so it was really fun for me to be a listener. My friends in my hometown were like Kira-chan, and they talked to me all the time, so I was able to show my true self. Oh, but they weren't "a weirdo" like Kira-chan (laughs). That’s why if the other person is quiet, and I have to talk to them myself, I get really nervous.”

Basically a type that is passive, and waiting to be spoken to?

"Yes. So I often try to deal with things on my own without asking for help. When I have something to say, I just go on LINE or send an email. If I have to tell them in person, I have to muster a lot of courage. And… I had a recital when I was a kindergarten student, and my friend's mother said to my mom, "This is the first time I heard Marino-chan’s voice”. That is how much of a rarity I spoke. During 1st or 2nd grade of elementary school, I became able to speak a little, but returned to normal in 3rd grade, and now here I am…”

I see. Just as Kousaka-san's base hasn't changed in that way, I think there are some things that have remained constant in Keyakizaka46 as well. Even if you become a new group, what do you want to keep unchanged?

“I don't know what kind of image the group will have, but personally, I don't want to break the cool image that Keyakizaka46 has made. If it suddenly become super cute, I would be confused too, like "Uh, wait...".”

I'm looking forward to it in many ways. What would you like to strengthen in yourself in the future?

“Overall, I think I need to improve my performance. I was restless during the rehearsal, so I'd like to perform with powerful eyes and facial expressions like my seniors, and I'd like to be able to speak more fluently in interviews like these as well.”

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Translation: toomuchidea

QC: Kiryu

Raw @ weibo