Nakashima Yuzuki and Mukai Itoha interview from MARQUEE Vol.150

Nakashima Yuzuki and Mukai Itoha from Sakurazaka46’s third generation.

Nakashima is a 20 year old girl from Oita who looks more mature than her age and has a dignified and cool vibe. Mukai, from Hiroshima, who has just turned 17, gives off a younger sister-like aura with her innocent facial expression and friendly smile. The two of them who are totally different from their birthplaces, ages, and personalities are just like the moon and sun.

However, as the dialogue begins, it’s clear as to why we invited the both of them. We asked various questions such as how were they raised and why did they want to become idols? What kind of relationships do they have within the third generation members? What do you like about each other? What do you have in mind while doing your activities as Sakurazaka46 members? And with those questions, the two threads are entangled beautifully to form a big ribbon which symbolizes their strong bond.

Their sibling-like relationship

Nakashima & Mukai: (After changing to their casual clothes from the photoshoot outfit) Thank you for waiting! Please take care of us.

— Looking forward to working with you! How was the photoshoot?

Nakashima: I was happy because we got to wear two outfits.

Mukai: More than anything, this was the first photoshoot with the two of us, so it was really fun.

— Within the third generation members, what kind of relationship do the two of you have?

Nakashima: We’re like sisters, aren’t we?

Mukai: Yes, we are!

Nakashima: Or like mother and daughter (laughs).

Mukai: Hehe, you’re right. There was a time when I really cried a lot. When I couldn’t take it anymore and just bawled, it was always Yuzu (Nakashima) who comforted me.

Nakashima: I’m in charge of comforting her (laughs).

— How did you comfort her, by staying silent and listening to her or do you give her encouraging words?

Mukai: She sympathizes with me, she would say “Mhm, I know right?”... It depends on what kind of crying it was, though.

Nakashima: I try to make her think positively.

Mukai: She would say “It’s okay, it’s okay” a lot.

Nakashima: Come to think of it, you once came to my place crying.

Mukai: That day was at another level. 

Nakashima: I don’t really know why, but she came crying.

Mukai: While holding a box of tissues.

Nakashima: I comforted you and put you to sleep.

Mukai: She listened to me for an hour, and she said “For now, let’s just sleep!”

— So you comforted and put to sleep Mukai-san who came to your place at night crying… that’s a quite bizarre story (laughs).

Mukai: Hahaha. I guess so.

— Did something happen?

Mukai: I showcased my skill, paper-cutting, at the third generation’s “Omotenashikai”. For the second day, I was forced to change the content, and I got a little sick. What’s more, I had to do idol activities and school at the same time. I had a test on the day after “Omotenashikai” too, so I got homesick (laughs).

Nakashima: So she cried every day.

Mukai: I really cried every day. Yuzu comforted me a lot every time.

— By the way, Mukai-san wrote “Recently, I started crying because I empathized with Yuzu’s emotions and she laughed at me for it” in your blog. Was this related to this story too?

Nakashima: That was also from the “Omotenashikai” preparation period. I was entrusted to be in charge of the MC session. Then, Itoha suddenly cried while saying “Even though you already had so many things to do, if I were you who had to do the MC too, I…” (laughs).

Mukai: It was already hard for her, but she also always pays attention to the members around her. Even then, she wouldn’t show her weakness, so… I cried for her (embarrassed).

— So you would cry for yourself, and also for other people.

Nakashima: I didn’t think I was holding it in at all, but Itoha suddenly did that.

Mukai: I cried thinking of “if I were Yuzu…”

— When did this relationship begin?

Mukai: It was all of a sudden. She was older than most of us and a dependable presence for everyone, just like a reliable older sister. She would naturally come by if I was having troubles, when she was beside me she would always say nice words to me. I was helped so many times by that so I naturally went to tell her my problems, it was like that.

— By the way, what did she say that made you happy?

Mukai: I wonder!? There’s too many. The first time I cried was because…

Nakashima: I wondered if Itoha was having troubles. When I told her “Itoha is surprisingly sensitive, you’re really kind and caring, so I think you must have a lot of worries…”, she bawled and her tears flowed down like a waterfall (laughs).

Mukai: That’s right. I didn’t know if I could show my weakness at first, most of the time I cried only when I was alone. That’s why I did my best to keep my smile in front of everyone. I just got separated from my parents, so I can’t rely on my family anymore, and I didn’t know how to rely on the others around me, so I cried alone not knowing what to do, then Yuzu said “You’re always smiling, but you’re actually sensitive”. I was truly helped by those words. I thought that I could rely on her, and that she was like an older sister to me.

About the audition

— Looking back, do you remember your first impressions of each other?

Mukai: Actually, I already knew of her since the second round. The second round was done online, but Yuzu made a really big impression. She said “I’m a lucky person” when doing her self-introduction. 

Nakashima: Hahaha. I couldn’t think of what to say for the self-introduction, so I said something like “I didn’t mean to say this, but I’m a lucky person, so I think I can bring happiness to everyone. I also want to bring laughter to the people around me”.

Mukai: That really left a big impression. And then, on the third round, Yuzu’s audition number was right after mine. I didn’t notice right away, but she said “I’m the one who talked about my luck on the second round…”, and then I remembered. But my impression of her then wasn’t that she was bright or older sister-like. In the venue for the third round, everyone was sitting quietly, but Yuzu was the only one who entered loudly, chose to sit on the first row, suddenly put on her earphones, and she started using her folding fan. I thought, “Whoa… this girl might really be something else”.

All: (laughs).

Mukai: Then, for the singing evaluation, she sang and danced. I thought that she was amazing. Everyone greeted each other when it was over, and we talked a bit, but Yuzu dashed out and went home by herself. She really had an outrageous aura.

Nakashima: Hahaha.

Mukai: No matter what, her impact was huge. That’s why, during the trainee period, the member who was the most different from my first impression was Yuzu. She’s actually an older sister-like girl.

— What was your impression of Mukai-san?

Nakashima: Her first impression was of a cheerful girl. Itoha couldn’t join the training camp after that, but we contacted each other quite a lot, didn’t we?

Mukai: We chatted a lot on LINE. Why was that again?

Nakashima: Even since a while before the training camp, I looked after her, or rather, I was a little worried. She’s really cheerful, but she still feels like a high school student, so she must be feeling confused because her environment suddenly changed.

Mukai: You contacted me a lot even before the training camp.

Nakashima: I sent her messages of things a mother would say, like “Keep yourself warm while sleeping” (laughs).

Mukai: Also, things like “Please take it slowly”. After the training camp, when she sent something like “Everything will be okay”, I was very happy that I cried in the bath. I felt like I have someone who really looks after me like an older sister. Moreover, we haven’t known each other for that long, but she really cares about me, so I was happy that I have someone as kind as her (embarrassed).

Their past before Sakurazaka46

— Let’s go back to before you were idols. What kind of environment did you grow up in, and how did you become interested in idols?

Mukai: I was a mama’s girl since I was little, I always followed her around. My mother showed me videos of idols, and I got into idols because of the AKB48 MV that I watched in kindergarten. But, I simply liked them, it’s not like I wanted to become an idol since I was little. When I had to think about my career path at school, I thought that maybe I want to become an idol. If I were to become an idol, I hoped to join a group that I like, so I took the audition.

Nakashima: I just lived normally, I didn’t know much about idols. I already said this on the documentary that was uploaded on YouTube, but by chance I saw Yamasaki Ten-san when she was auditioning. But I just thought that she was cute back then. A while after that, when “Samidareyo” was being performed a lot on TV, I was just watching it without thinking about anything, but I was surprised that the girl I watched that time has became a center. Of course she was already charming from the beginning, but I was impressed by how she evolved so much. After that, I got interested and found out various information [about the group].

— Nakashima-san was 19 during the audition, what did you think the future will hold?

Nakashima: I didn’t have a dream. It wasn’t that I had zero dreams, but I had too many that I couldn’t decide on any. I was interested in a lot of things and couldn’t narrow down my career path, but in the end I was thinking of finding a stable job.

— Why did someone like you who thought of getting a stable job go down the opposite path?

Nakashima: The timing was great. The audition was opened around a month after [the release of] “Samidareyo”, and I can still be adventurous since I was still nearing the end of my teenage years. Before I start searching for a job, I wanted an experience of trying something that I like, regardless of the results. I have never done something just because I felt like it before. That’s why, more than auditioning because I wanted to pass, it was more like I wanted to have the experience and think about job searching after that.

When their name was called out of the 45.014 applicants

— Then, both of you successfully passed the audition that had 45.014 applicants. What did you feel when your name was called?

Nakashima: Did you cry, Itoha?

Mukai: I was weeping. I didn’t think that I would even progress until the final round, my self-introduction didn’t go well at all. I might have failed, so I just spaced out thinking that at least I did my best, but my name was called and I had to stand in front of everyone, I was like “Huh!? What do you mean?”. I didn’t know what to do, my head was blank and my tears couldn’t stop pouring. I barely remember anything. How was it for you?

Nakashima: When everyone was either being happy or crying, I was the only one repeatedly saying “What should I do!” Nagi (Kojima Nagisa) who was next to me said that.

Mukai: Oh! Is that so?

Nakashima: The day before the final round, I suddenly wanted to go back home. During the final round, I was thinking “What should I do if I pass?” the whole time, so in the back of my heart I somehow wished that I wouldn’t pass. So I felt like “My name was called… What should I do!”

— I often hear this when interviewing Sakamichi Group members, that as they are nearing the end of the audition, they feel the fear of not being able to turn back.

Nakashima: That’s right. Because I couldn’t turn back, I had thoughts like “When should I say that I’m going to withdraw” and “When should I say it not to be a bother?” (wry smile). I can only say this now, though.

— Did you participate in the training camp with that state of mind?

Nakashima: No, by the training camp I had already made up my mind.

— When did you make up your mind?

Nakashima: It was mostly because my family and friends supported me. Or rather, I didn't think that they would be supportive. I thought they would say “Is it okay? Are you really going to be an idol?” because they were worried, but they said “You took the audition because you wanted to, and now since you have the chance you should enjoy it”. Everyone’s support cleared away the uneasiness within me who was unsure if I really should take this path.

And then, towards the training camp

— After that, the training camp began. Watching the documentary, it seems like a harsh place that trained you both in skills and mentally, but looking back, how was it? 

Nakashima: For me… it was fun (embarrassed smile).

— Ah, an unexpected answer!

Mukai: Everyone said that it was quite hard, but only Yuzu said “Huh? It was fun!”.

Nakashima: Can I say this? My screen time in the documentary was so little.

All: (laughs).

Nakashima: I didn’t cry at all, I was super positive so even when I couldn’t do the dance at all, whenever we were asked to give a comment I just said “I’ll do my best until tomorrow!” with a fresh feeling.

— Hahaha, even though the staff wanted to capture you crying or feeling frustrated.

Nakashima: Seeing the girls who have gathered because they admired idols since way before having their heart broken because of the harsh reality, I wanted to protect them. I wanted to be strong since before the training camp, so my mindset was different from the others since the beginning. I was rather cheerful and energetic during the camp.

— On the contrary, Mukai-san couldn’t participate in the training camp because of poor physical condition, and it seemed like you practiced by watching videos from the training camp. How did you spend that period of time?

Mukai: I was sick for around two weeks, but I didn’t want to waste time, so I was always watching videos from my bed. The videos weren’t specially sent because of me, they were recordings of everyone working hard at the training camp from behind. I frantically looked at the members’ movements, and for parts that looked vague, I tried my best to zoom in on the dance teachers reflected in the mirror. Even though I was sick, I always moved my hands and feet on the bed. If I still don’t get the movement after all that, I ask the members and they each explained to me in detail and sent me videos too. That was really helpful.

— Everyone gave you advice and words of encouragement.

Mukai: Yes, each one of them treated me with a different kind of kindness. Moreover, they didn’t pity me who couldn’t participate in the training camp, but it was more like they encouraged me to work hard together. I was really thankful for that. When I joined everyone for the first time after the training camp, I wasn’t sure how to act, but they just treated me normally. They kindly said “If you’re unsure about anything, just tell us”, they didn’t put any pressure on me and left me alone.

— How they treat you at first makes a big difference on how secure you feel, right?

Mukai: They must’ve gotten close during the training camp, so I thought that there would be no space left for me. I didn’t know how to act, and I also didn’t know how close they got, so I thought that there would for sure be a separation. But, I was so happy that they spoke to me so kindly.

“Omotenashikai”

— Speaking of a big topic after the training camp, it’s got to be the “Omotenashikai” held at Pia Arena MM.

Mukai: There were a lot of hardships during the preparation period, but I was glad that I had worked so hard for that day, and I strongly feel that it was not in vain. We got to stand on such a big stage with a gorgeous production even though it was our first time. It has only been a short time since we joined, but 10,000 people came. I was truly happy and glad.

— Nakashima-san was in charge of the MC during the live performance, did you feel pressured because of that?

Nakashima: I had a lot of thoughts during the preparation, but I didn’t tell the others. I stood on the stage with all those feelings inside me, and just by seeing that there are so many people supporting the third generation, I felt so much lighter. I stuttered during the MC and it didn’t go so well but because there were kind people who would say “That’s good” to me, I realized that I was overthinking it. More than anything, I was always worried if everyone would welcome us, so I was happy that we got a warm welcome. 

— After the performance, Matsuda Rina-san reached out to you.

Nakashima: Yes! Matsuda-san said that the MC was good, and we are currently in the middle of our tour titled “Sakurazaka46 3rd TOUR 2023” now, and she would say “Let’s do our best today too!” before we go on stage. 

Mukai: All of the seniors are kind too, but she’s really kind, isn’t she? When we passed by each other as I got off the stage, she would say “You did great” warmly.

Behind the scenes of the third generation’s first tour

— Speaking of the tour, you just finished the performance at Nippon Gaishi Hall yesterday.

Mukai: I felt that the Aichi concert had a different atmosphere than the Tokyo concert, so the fresh feeling was totally fun. Also, because this is our first time joining the seniors for a tour, I was super nervous every time. 

Nakashima: Everyone was being careful not to get in the way during rehearsals and the actual performance, while thinking “Is it okay for us to be here?”.

Mukai: We would tell each other “Let’s stick to the sides”. But the seniors came up to us who were sticking to the sides to give us chocolates while saying “Do you want to eat this?”.

Nakashima: The third generation gathered by ourselves, but they would give us snacks and come talk to us. Our seniors are so kind!

— Did you get to know your seniors better through the tour?

Nakashima: I followed Takemoto Yui-san around. She must’ve been tired because she was busy, but she would keep up with me with a bothered look (laughs). She had an expression like “Here she comes again!”.

Mukai: I get you!

— But she would keep up with you?

Nakashima: That’s right. She would put her hands on my shoulders like “Yo!”.

Mukai: When we were wondering which snacks to get, she would hug us from behind.

Nakashima: (Excitedly) Whoa~!

Mukai: She’s a tsun, but she’s cute. She’s super kind and she would always retort and play dumb with us funnily.

Nakashima: Masumoto (Kira)-san would also hug us.

Mukai: Yeah! She would piggyback me and hug me too.

Nakashima: Uemura (Rina)-san also spoils us and takes care of us.

Mukai: All of the seniors are so kind, they would praise us, laugh with us, and comfort us when we were crying. I cried since the rehearsals (laughs).

Nakashima: Right, you were always crying (laughs).

Mukai: During the rehearsals, I wasn’t able to dance as well as everyone else, so I fully participated in the self-practice sessions everyday. When the seniors had a break while they were practicing, Ten-sama would put me on her lap while I was singing and she would listen to my story the whole time. When I said “No matter how much effort I put in, I couldn’t grow as much as the others… Maybe there really is hard work that isn't rewarded in this world”, she said “That might be true, but the hard work you did wasn’t a waste”, which made me cry a lot. She only says words of encouragement to me, and when I consult her about anything, her answer would always be more than perfect. I’m really thankful that we have them as our seniors.

“Natsu no Chikamichi”, a special song for the third generation

— “Natsu no Chikamichi’, which is being performed at every stop, must be a special song for the third generation. Did you have any changes about how you feel about the song with each performance?

Nakashima: During the first verse of the song, we danced with the feeling of frustration and struggle, as if fighting with our worries. The last part of the choreo has an image of our ideal idol, facing our targets and dreams. At first, I had a lot of worries, so I could express the first verse easily. But, after performing in front of the fans, I realized that singing and dancing is really fun. Now, it’s easier for me to do the last part with the feeling of enjoying it rather than the first verse.

Mukai: While practicing for the MV, I also found it hard to smile for the last part. For the first and second verse, they included all the conflicted feelings that the others felt during the training camp, and because I didn’t know what happened there, I was feeling quite worried and dejected because of that. I really didn’t know how to express the first and last part. I thought a lot about “I want to be this kind of idol in the future”, but during the MV preparation period I suddenly became unsure. When someone asked me what kind of idol I want to be, I couldn’t answer at all. I was feeling down until the preparation period of “Omotenashikai”, but because of the scenery that I saw from the stage, I can see what kind of idol I want to be clearly now.

“I want to stay by your side, I want to be your friend forever”, that’s the kind of idol I want to be in the future

— Can you put “The kind of idol you want to be in the future” into words?

Mukai: I’ve been supported by a lot of people. Of course, the idols I liked also supported me, so I want to be a support to others too someday. I also want them to feel close to me. I want to be an idol who can stay by their side.

— What about your ideal idol, Nakashima-san?

Nakashima: During the MV shooting, I had a discussion with the director, something like “I want to be a kind person”. For the last part, everyone smiled widely, sparkling of hope, but I just smiled slightly.

Mukai: Yeah, you just smiled slightly.

Nakashima: Rather than being the ideal idol, I have a strong desire to be friends with the members forever. I want to remember the feelings I have for everyone forever. That’s the meaning behind that smile. 

— Do you have something that you consider as your strength now?

Nakashima: Maybe my ability to make the third generation members laugh? (embarrassed) I couldn’t really show it in front of the staff or adults, but I like making the members laugh. Maybe it’s not really a strength, but I think I have the ability to cheer everyone up.

Mukai: Yeah, there’s no doubt!

Nakashima: Everyone’s quite sensitive, so when they get scolded they get dejected, when they fail a little they immediately feel down, so I feel like I have to pull them up… Yeah, I have that desire. That desire is my strength! If I have the desire to bring everyone together, maybe the third generation will have a bright atmosphere.

Mukai: She always makes us laugh and supports us. I’m really grateful

— In the Online Meet & Greet event for the 5th single “Sakurazuki”, Nakashima-san was really lively when the third generation were gathered together.

Nakashima: I usually put on an act (embarrassed smile). Well, not an act, but I switch [my personality]. It’s fun to be with the third generation.

— Why do you like your genmates so much?

Nakashima: Everyone is cute. They have a lot of thoughts, and a lot of things they want to work hard on, but they’re a little hard to understand. I think there are a lot of girls who could be easily misunderstood. And they seemed a little gloomy in the documentary. But when the cameras aren’t rolling, they express their opinions excitedly, it’s cute. I want to protect the ten of them. 

— I’m sensing a motherly feeling somewhere from Nakashima-san for the third generation members.

Nakashima: Hahaha, I guess so. Especially during the training camp, since everyone was away from their parents, I think they must’ve felt down. If it was me, I would’ve liked to have someone older who I can depend on, and I'd feel safe if there's someone who’s equally kind and cheerful to everyone. I’m not their mother, but I think just by having someone like that, we might be able to get over hardships, so I want to be that someone.

Mukai: She’s really like our mom. A friend-like mom.

— What do you think is your strength, Mukai-san?

Mukai: People often say things like “Seeing Itoha’s smile gives me the energy to work hard everyday” or “I feel happy just by looking at you”, so I think my strength is that I laugh a lot.

— Maybe your crybaby side is a strength too.

Mukai: I actually don’t like my crybaby side. I’d think “Ah, there I go crying again”, but I’d mark the days where I didn’t cry properly. I can’t keep crying all the time, after all. But, I also cry from happiness often. I immediately cry when I am praised (embarrassed). I’d like to keep that side of me, and I want to be a little bit stronger. I'll do my best not to cry anymore. 

Gratitude

— Since this is a dialogue, lastly, could you tell us what you appreciate about each other?

Mukai: I really can’t thank Yuzu enough. We’ve known each other for just half a year, but I’m really thankful that she took care of me everyday, she’s really my biggest support. Thank you for staying the closest to me, please take care of me from now on too (bowing while being embarrassed).

Nakashima: Itoha is highly sensitive, so she would cry and laugh a lot, and she’s also perceptive of others’ emotions. People often… (looking at Mukai) Are you crying?

Mukai: (Tears flowing down) …Yeah.

Nakashima: I don’t really show my emotions or talk about it, so people often don’t notice it, but she does and she’d come to me quietly. So… Thank you.

Mukai: (Wiping her tears with the tissue she got from the staff) Hehe, you’re welcome. I’ve never been told that directly, so I’m really happy.

— It’s quite amusing, giving your gratitude while crying.

Nakashima: WIth this, you can imagine how she looked when she was in front of my place.

Mukai: I went (to Nakashima’s place) like this.

Nakashima & Mukai: (Looking at each other’s faces) … Huh!? Ah!

Mukai: The clothes! I wore the same thing that day!

— Whoa! So you visited her house while holding a box of tissues in this outfit!?

Mukai: Yes, that’s right! Whoa, that’s amazing!

Nakashima: You’re right!

Mukai: This is surprising! These are the clothes I remember wearing when Yuzu comforted me.

Nakashima: What’s more, it’s a matching outfit.

— Nakashima-san has the same one?

Nakashima & Mukai: Yes!

Mukai: We didn’t buy it together, we just happened to buy the same outfit.

Nakashima: And we only realized it way later. Like “Huh? Did you buy this from that place?”. 

— I didn't expect to see a foreshadowing payoff in the end.

Nakashima: Hahaha, that’s funny.

Mukai: Yeah! This was a really fun day!

---

Raw: anon

Translation:  meg

QC: reiscar