#series.

"I've received lots of messages from friends back home, which is encouraging!"

Q: First of all, Setoguchi-san, please tell us how you came to know about Nogizaka46.

A: 'Ohitorisama Tengoku' made me like Nogizaka46, and I came to love Inoue Nagi-san. Carrying such high expectations, I'm sure the pressure must have been immense. Despite it all, seeing her standing so dignified on stage, I thought she was very cool. I also like the contrast between the crinkling smile she has on during variety shows and the awe-inspiring countenance she has on stage. Inoue-san is someone I look up to. I hope to someday become someone like that.

Q: How'd you feel when you auditioned for your favourite group and were told you got in?

A: Even after I was told I'd been accepted, it didn't really sink in for a while, but lately it's only just starting to hit me bit by bit. Since my name was announced to the world, I've received messages from various friends back home telling me 'Congratulations! do your best, yeah~' which felt reassuring, and made me realize the importance of human connections. I think Nogizaka46, too, is a group that values human connections, and I want to make sure I'll properly carry that tradition on as well.

Q: How do you like Tokyo?

A: I'm still not used to it at all. The roads are so wide and the scenery is totally different from my hometown, so I thought "[now] THIS is the city.......!" (laughs) I was also surprised by how many railcars there are. The trains in Kagoshima only have about two [railcars].

Q: When you analyze yourself, what kind of character do you think you have?

A: [Someone] who does things at their own pace & in their own way, yet who's also surprisingly serious. There's also a part of me that won't feel right unless everything's done perfectly. I think that's a virtue, but I also have the tendency to overthink when things don't go well, so I guess that might be a weakness too.

Q: What are your impressions of the 6th generation with whom you're currently working?

A: Even though many of the members are younger than me, everyone's calm and reliable, so I can depend on them. On the contrary, it makes me wonder "Am I REALLY 19 years old?" (laughs).

Q: Which one of the members is particularly reliable?