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YUZUKI: In my shinjin kouen performances, I had the privilege of playing your roles. I learned so many things, and I feel nothing but gratitude.
KOZUKI: Really! Thank you!
YUZUKI: It allowed me to form my foundation, I’m really thankful for that fate. I recognized that I couldn’t have been more fortunate in my roles! Because you really spoke with what was best for me in mind, your words always left a sharp impression in my heart.
KOZUKI: Although it was difficult to decide when and how to convey certain things, because there are so many things I was glad my superiors said to me too, I thought I had to pass that on. And you’d listen so obediently!
YUZUKI: Aaahh, nooo, really…
KOZUKI: At those times I’d watch your eyes, your behavior, and the way you’d take on the performance, and I’d be so happy you gave me the sense that you’d actually gotten the message.
YUZUKI: You’d tell me things not just on the level of how to sing and dance.
KOZUKI: Really?
YUZUKI: I wonder if I’d call it the root motive or something… You just taught me so many things back then and I’m so glad you did.
KOZUKI: I don’t remember that clearly, but when I was in Soragumi, during rehearsal for a soran bushi* (*traditional song/dance) scene, I was saying things to everyone like, “Become fishermen in your hearts and cast your nets!!” (haha).
YUZUKI: Hahaha. But that’s the sort of thing I’m talking about! Motive!
KOZUKI: Even in the first national tour upon my return to Hoshigumi, the cheer during the line dance was really on my mind. Everyone was saying “hyuuu~” but I thought it should be different. You could also do it like “HYUUUU!!” with great joy, and I wondered if you weren’t going to put the feeling in there, what’s the point of saying anything at all?
YUZUKI: (nodding deeply) That’s true, isn’t it. The things I’ve been giving my careful attention lately might all be like that. As long as you understand those things, it opens the way for everything.
KOZUKI: Yes!
YUZUKI: I love the “Homage” scene in Neo Dandyism, and I usually watch it when I’m feeling down, but it moves me every time. If I think of what’s so great about it, of course it’s that everyone’s motivation is amazing!
KOZUKI: Thank you, that makes me happy.
YUZUKI: Just thinking of you appearing in that scene, my feelings toward you are already overflowing.
KOZUKI: It was made so that I could get involved with everyone little by little, wasn’t it. The end required so much energy and stamina!
YUZUKI: It was tough… But in the end, you walk to the back. You look at everyone and then, the way you leave!
KOZUKI: My emotions from that time are still carved in my heart. I’ll never forget it.
YUZUKI: I really love that scene!
KOZUKI: Speaking of scenes, it seems like my love scene rehearsal has gotten around too (haha). I heard that from Ryu-san when I ran into her during work recently, and I thought, huh, they were even doing it in Tsukigumi (haha).
YUZUKI: (Haha) you taught me so much too!
KOZUKI: You guys like me, don’t you (haha)
YUZUKI: Well you know, because the fans’ hearts ache at those parts.
KOZUKI: That’s right!
YUZUKI: So now I…
KOZUKI: Are you taking care of that?!
YUZUKI: Yes! I made sure to take care of it!
KOZUKI: Ooooh! (applause). It’s a very serious matter, of course!
YUZUKI: What you taught me, even in regard to dancing, was about the part of your feelings that dictate why you move a certain way.
KOZUKI: Your ability to leap is amazing, and so is your instep (haha).
YUZUKI: Yeah, I’m always destroying my shoes (haha).
KOZUKI: (haha). Now that you’ve added those skills to your heart, it’s like you’re unstoppable. So every time, I see that you’re dependable, and that even since you’ve become top you haven’t been stingy with your effort, and I really understand: this is the grand sum of what you’ve been aiming for as an otokoyaku, and it’s dazzling.
YUZUKI: I feel warm… I’m so moved!!