Sato Sumire no Su~Shinbo 4th Episode - Sugiyama Aika
(It’s been a while since I translated something so please forgive any mistakes made ^^)
Aiai: Thanks for having me here
Suu: I think Aiai’s fans, and my fans, and also other SKE-fans will be reading this, so if you would
tell me what troubles you I hope we can help you a little bit with this project. You have already written down your troubles, did you decide immediately?
Aiai: Yeah, I’m troubled by this for a long time…
Suu: So you decided on this because it bothers you all the time?
(We are called the “Generation of Expectations 7D2” but I feel like I’m the only one left behind)
Suu: Hmm, that’s indeed sad. When I started this project, I was curious what kinds of worries everyone would have, but everyone is much much more serious than I expected, so I’m also a bit troubled. And this time it’s no different again
Aiai: It’s indeed pretty extreme.
Suu: Well since you came I will try to share your worries and find at least a bit of a solution. It’s indeed really sad… Please tell me about it in detail.
Aiai: Among members like Obata Yuna, Goto Rara or Sugawara Maya, who often sing as part of a “Young Senbatsu”, only I can’t enter… (cries)
Suu: It’s okay. The other three who came here before also cried (laughs). Everyone cried but left relieved after.
Aiai: Even if you look of the order of the teams, I feel like being left behind.
Suu: Since you cry immediately after saying this, it must have bothered you for quite a while already, right? Since when exactly? Back when Yunana began stepping more forward?
Aiai: The first time I thought about it was about one and a half years ago, when we shot the first MV after our promotion and while everyone was in front, only I was in the last row.
Suu: During the time we performed the “Tetsuna”-Stage, you often appeared as under, and already then your dancing was exceptional good, and rather than a 7th-Generation-Member you looked like a more veteran-member to me. In a good way. Because you can dance. You had also the most theater-performances in that year, right? I’m sure there are other people who look at you in this way. You really look like a Senior. When I’m behind you, it was really hard (laughs). Being left behind, even when you try not to think about it, it always stays in your head (laughs). MVs are also part of your work, so you have to do them, but being at the side or in the back always spins around in your head. But usually the fans still say “I see you” or “I’m still cheering for you”, so you can go on. But without that, it becomes really bitter. So your consultation is about “being left behind”. Well, you could indeed think so.
Aiai: Rara for example is really good at English, but my special skill is dancing, and there are lots of other members who are great at that too. So I’m lacking that one “special thing” to make me stand out, I think this also has a big impact on my problem.
Suu: What point do you want to be seen the most? What do you want to sell both as Idol and as SKE?
Aiai: I think I don’t have anything special besides dancing, so I want the fans who watch the stages to see me dancing with all my strength.
(Singing 7, Dancing 9, Looks 2, Talk-power 6, SNS 8, Female Strength 5)
Suu: You also put a 9 at dancing in the chart after all. I think 10 would be also right though (laughs). I also think dancing is my special skill and want people to see it. Many people understand this, and it’s actually pretty widespread. But of course you are right. Here (in SKE) are many others who can dance really well. For example Makiko or Suzuran. Making Dancing your special skill among members with such great expressions is indeed a bit difficult…
Suu: As for character, you have the image of “Onigiri”, right? How’s that?
Aiai: Recently my character is becoming a bit blurry…
Aiai: At this point, I don’t think I can get used to an Idol-Character, so I think it might be better to go for a different direction than the other members.
Suu: How about a perfect-queen-character?
Aiai: Since I love AKB for a long time, and am a huge fan of Yukirin for a long time, there was a period when I was aiming for that…
Suu: You don’t do anymore?
Aiai: I think among 7D2 there are many members who aim for a character like Yukirin’s. For example, Yunana. Rather than a fun-character, I think I want to become someone who can do great at MCs etc. It’s still a long way to go though.
Suu: Do you hate Onigiri? Do you hate the “big-eater”-character?
Aiai: Yes, I do. I can’t even talk about it in MCs anymore.
Aiai: Yes. Because during stages this image is also really strong.
Suu: Hmm, I think you are right. This kind of character sticks to oneself. What are the fans saying about it?
Suu: Well then, lets quit it! Just quit it. If the fans hate it, you can just quit it.
Aiai: That’s why it’s already getting blurry.
Suu: Ah, I see. I always thought fans would like the “big-eater”-character because it is kinda cute and adorable though. But I think you have more cute and pure points you want them to notice.
Aiai: I guess so. However I still don’t quite know which ones…
Suu: So that’s why rather than bringing up this topic yourself you try to sweep away the previous image?
Aiai: Yeah, but just recently… (laughs)
Suu: That’s for sure unexpectedly difficult, right? Getting rid of an already established image.
Aiai: It indeed is. My fans tend to like the queen-like character, and I think “at this point it’s impossible anyway”, because there are already so many people along that path. Rather than mixing in a large group of people, I think it would be better to aim for a character that no one besides me has.
Suu: What kind of character would you like to have?
Aiai: Hmm, I think something for myself?
Suu: You want a place for yourself (laughs).
Aiai: I think I want to stand in a position that only belongs to me.
Suu: But you don’t look like the “younger-sister”-type. You look like you really stand for yourself. Because more and more young kids enter, at this time going for that type is difficult…
Aiai: I’m the same age as Yunana though…
Suu: You don’t look like it at all! You look like a senior, like an adult.
Aiai: I also think maybe I’m not the Idol-type
Suu: In the end, when you look at the 48Group and probably Idols in general, usually the members who are bad at something, or have troubles or problems get picked up the most, because you naturally want to cheer for them and support them. But I’m sure you can do that too! Can you show your weakness to your fans?
Aiai: I’m bad at talking about that with my fans.
Suu: Ah, I understand! In the end it’s something you don’t want to talk about!
Aiai: The fans always say “We want to know how you feel!”, so I think I have to tell them about myself…
Aiai: But I hate talking about things which frustrated me
Suu: Yes, I also dislike it. I understand. You naturally think “I shouldn’t be talking about that”. However I think it’s fine only to talk about it when it’s important. Because then it really expresses that you are really troubled, and really on the edge. I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about those things every day. But only if you really want to talk about it. Right now there are also members who write about everything that’s on their mind all the time (laughs). I also understand the feelings of the fans who want to know how you feel, but I think only talking about it in hard times, and thus showing that it’s serious, is good too. Because that’s subtly cute in a way I think, just like onigiri-character.
Aiai: That’s not like it! (laughs) Because that character was established, whenever I post something on SNS, I absolutely get a picture of food in return.
Suu: Because Onigiri suit you! (laughs) It’s cute. But you hate it, right?
Aiai: Yes. Because Onigiri became equal to fat. I’m really doing my best to change that image…
(Suuchan’s advice is only visible to SKE-Mobile-Members)
(source: http://sp.ske48.co.jp/su_school_04.php)
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