#tkz

Q1 As the top star of Takarazuka's Flower Troupe, you gained an immense level of popularity. My impression talking to you is that you're a pretty understated person, but in a word, how would you describe your personality?

Hmm...Stubborn? I often get told I'm honest too, but I think I hear stubborn the most. I think it's probably because I have a very strong sense of how I want things to be, like "It has to be like this!" Even though I could really do to be a bit more flexible. Especially now that I've left Takarazuka and I'm deciding where to take my life next, I can't afford to just go with the flow. In order not to look back years from now and think, "How did I let this happen?", maybe I should be even more stubborn. (laughs) As long as I'm kind to the people around me, a little stubbornness is fine, right?

Q2 We've seen you make your skirt-wearing debut since leaving Takarazuka, and of course you look incredible in those too. How would you describe your personal fashion taste?

Since I can't dress up and go out for fun right now, I pick my clothes to suit the work I'm doing. Right after my retirement, I felt resistant toward wearing skirts. I was really nervous about being seen in them...But then I thought, "When I'm wearing one in a drama, it has to look natural!" And with that in mind, I mustered my courage and gave skirts a try. Now I've gotten to a point where I can freely choose between pants or a skirt depending on how I'm feeling each day.

Q3 You have a pet cat, Okoge-chan. What has he been up to lately?

He was staying at my parents' house until recently because I've been so busy with the dramas and theatre production. But he's home now, and it's back to being just the two of us. He's bringing me comfort everyday.

Q4 Do you have any music or artists you're really into right now? If so, shout them out!

I really never play any music at home. Of course I like music, but I end up listening to it too closely so I can't have it playing while I'm doing other things. But yesterday, I did listen to "Usseewa!" I really like the vocals, they're very easy on the ear.

Q5 What have you seen on stage recently?

I went to the closing night of my classmate Nozomi Fuuto's taidan production "fff -Fortississimo-"/"Silk Road ~Bandits and Jewels~". I was very happy I was able to see Nozomi in her graduation hakama.

Q6 What's tugged at your heartstrings recently?

There's so many things! My cat Okoge does things that make me melt everyday. In terms of work, I played Elisabeth in the Elisabeth Gala Concert the other day, and der Tod held me tight in his arms! Oh, maybe heartwarming is the wrong word for that... But in any case, I was overwhelmed with a kind of bliss I've never experienced before! I was playing a role with a son, so when my younger coworker who plays him called me "Mama," that warmed my heart as well!

Q7 If you were reincarnated, what would you want to be?

I'd want to be a human. I think I'd like to be a woman. And I would take the Takarazuka entrance exam again. With Nozomi! Actually we were together on her graduation day, tearing up like "In just a few minutes, the date will change and you won't be a Takarasienne anymore!" And the two of us were saying, "If we get reincarnated, let's hurry up and take the exam together again!" I don't really have any desire to be reborn as a man. I guess maybe because I've already experienced it through my roles. (laughs)

Q8 At your taidan press conference, you said, "I had four adorable wives (partner actresses), so I might have missed my chance for marriage." How do you feel now? Do you want to get married?

My desire to get married...I wonder where it went. (laughs) Actually, I might never have even had a time when I thought I wanted to get married someday. When I was around ken-5 (in her fifth year since her induction into the Revue), I was told by an upperclassman that I was "definitely the type to never marry." At the time I thought, "She's exactly right. I'll never marry." And since then, marriage has never once crossed my mind. If I got an offer from some rich oil baron I'd consider it, but. (laughs) Although, I say that as a joke, but over a luxurious refined lifestyle, I'd much sooner choose a path where I can say that my work is my greatest joy.

Q9 Appearing in serialized dramas for two cours in a row, you said you might be even busier now than when you were top star. What do you do to relieve stress and refresh yourself?

The simplest way is to eat something good! But to be honest, I don't really release my stress. I'm the type to condense it down, condense it down, and let it all pile up. I bottle it all up, and then release it all through my acting. I try to turn it into a more energetic performance. Even when I have a ton of stress piled up, I enjoy the feeling that "Ahh, I'm full up, I'm full capacity!" It's better not to be stressed at all, but I think it's important to fully experience this sensation as well.

Q10 First your classmate Nozomi Fuuto, and next your former partner actress Hana Yuuki announced their retirements. What did you tell them?

I'm so happy Nozomi was able to graduate without incident! First and foremost, I want her to take it easy. Moving is a hassle so I offered to help her but, always ahead of the curve in everything she does, by the time I reached out she was pretty much done. I had nothing to be worried about. (laughs) Hana has her closing night in Tokyo on July 4th. I told her before this on the phone, "Focus on what's right in front of you, and don't forget the gratitude you feel towards everyone." I'm positive it will be an excellent final performance.