Kojimako Graduation Special

Last Interview of 14th Gen 'Namako'



"Because you were there for me"



From the last Three Musketeer interview in this magazine, roughly 2 year has passed.

The last 2 persons of 14th gen; until last month when Kojimako announced her graduation.

"Because you were there for me, I could walk anywhere,

"Because you were there for me, I could succeed without giving up"

The relationship of both best friend and rival, we wanted to celebrate the next step for both of you.



"A big fight during kenkyuusei"



--- I was surprised you announced graduation at the end of Team K concert at TDC Hall. Why that timing?

Mako: I began thinking about graduation from two years ago, and decided that I would quit when I complete my preparation. As I neared that, there was a concert, so I think that it would be best if I could announce at the concert.



--- You hinted at the graduation beforehand.

Mako: I was asked frequently by fans at the handshake event regarding my graduation. I didn't hide anything and told them that it will probably be soon. On the concert day I tweeted that "something will happen today." My fans got that it's going to be now, but those that don't know are probably wondering why.



--- You mentioned that you began thinking two years ago. That was when your gen-mate Miki graduated. Was it related?

Mako: Not at all. It's all my own matter. At that time I wanted to graduate with negative reasons. I was then supported in many ways by Miichan and Shimada. And while I was thinking that I should continue trying, I found a dream. This time, it's a plus, positive graduation!



--- Okada-san also saw the time when Mako was indecisive?

Naachan: I was never told directly, but I know that Mako was considering graduation. I felt that it is getting near.



--- And when were you told directly?

Naachan: During the 14th gen party in November. When I heard that she have already decided to graduate, I realised that her preparation must have been completed.

Mako: But I told her that I will announce at Team K concert at a very weird time.

Naachan: At the 13th anniversary concert right before the main performance. We were waiting for the song, and suddenly "I will say it at the concert". I went "Eh---!!" (laugh)



--- Why that time?

Mako: Because there were only two of us, and I suddenly realised that I haven't told Nana yet.

Naachan: And then we have to go on the stage; somehow I could calm myself (laugh)



--- You didn't try to stop her?

Naachan: I do feel lonely, and do want her to stay together with me. But as I considered that she has been thinking a lot and has arrived at her own answer, in the end I wanted to support her. During the 14th gen party, when I heard that she has a new dream... I really thought that it was terrific. I wanted her to try and move toward her dream.



--- "New Dream?"

Mako: I haven't announced it yet. I will do it before graduation.



--- At least can you hinted something?

Mako: In this past year and a half, my Instagram follower increased by about 100k. If you looked at my Instagram you might realise what it is.



--- I will! Now, I believe that you two got compared a lot?

Naachan: Previously, yes. When we were called Three Musketeer, we three did get compared. But right now we aren't anymore.

Mako: Really, we are no longer compared. Because our field is different.

Naachan: Each of us created our own base, and the fans are also watching over our relationship.



--- How was it as first?

Mako: I was compared to people around me, including about my standing position. And there are things I had to do despite not wanting to do it at all.



--- At first, Kojima was at the front.

Naachan: Mako was the first person to enter Senbatsu, so I thought that I will have to try my very best to follow her. It's not because I wanted a fight or because of jealousy or anything, but because I came to accept that Mako has something better than me. After realising that, I thought that I cannot let myself be like this.

Mako: As for Nana, it's the same right now. Nana who became the center of a single, who leads a stage play. Those became my pride. If it was before, I might get jealous, but when Nana entered senbatsu I have already become an adult.



--- You two are really close, but have you ever fought?

Naachan: Only 1 time.

Mako: Big fight.

Naachan: During the 5 Dome Tour (2013).

Mako: We were still kenkyuusei! So long ago!

Naachan: Uchiyama Natsuki, Mako, and I were assigned the same room, and Mako and I fought over the dance move of the opening of the concert to the grapple level...

Mako: Like, "It's this move!"

Naachan: "It's right hand!" "No it's left!" We fight something like this, and we grappled each other on the bed...



--- That's battlefield!

Mako: Nakkii went "What should I do...", began crying and left the room.

Naachan: It would be better if she stopped us.



--- How did it end?

Naachan: In the end, we both cried and went to look for Nakkii.



--- Eh? That's cute! Do you have anything against each other after that?

Naachan: I don't think so.

Mako: Umm... How do I say it. Because it's the first time so it's kinda awkward? But 2-3 years after that we could talked about it at stage MC like "Did you remember that time?"



--- Do you have any impressions of each other?

Naachan: This was very long ago, but during the final round of the 14th gen audition, 10 of us was practicing by ourselves in a studio. Because we were very young, everyone were just talking and gossiping with each other. But only Mako was facing the mirror and dancing "Miniskirt no Yousei."

Mako: Really? Me, a serious person?



--- It's more likely that Kojima-san would join the others gossiping...

Mako: I think so too (laugh) but I am happy.



--- And about Okada-san?

Naachan: They would all be weird things isn't it? When we went to a meal together, Mako and Miki would have some leftover and I would get angry.

Mako: Nana is really keen on 'You must finish what you ordered', so we would get told off like "If you can't finish why would you order it!" and Nana would then finish everything off. After that, Miki and I would consult each other like "Let just other this only." (laugh) She's our class president. The public moral committee. Naachan really did bring us up.



--- As expected of the person in charge of seriousness.

Mako: The 14th gen rule was also long time ago.

Naachan: Nakkii, Miki, and I was thinking that it would be better to create rules. At that time we were still using flip phones, so I sent messages to everyone.

Mako: As for the receiving end, we were like "Merlin! Here it comes!" The rules were like, "Board a bus from the back 5 seats" "Don't chitchat" "Eat food you received after you finish the job" We had about 13 14th gen specific rules on top of basic AKB48 rules.

Naachan: But we were the youngest! We must follow rules! Something like that, so long ago...





"It's exactly as what was said 2 years ago: 'I will be sending Mako off.'"



--- With Kojima-san graduation, Okada-san will be the last of the 14th generation.

Naachan: I never thought I would be the last. Miki said that "I want to dance, to be on the stage, until I become grandma," so I always think that Miki would be sending everyone off.



--- Before on EX Taishu, during the last Three Musketeer interview (Vol 04/2017), Okada-san said that "I will be sending Mako off." It is now actually exactly that!

Naachan: I remembered.

Mako: I am glad.

Naachan: I hate being sent off. But I think it's a little too early. I thought that it would be around age of 22-23! In my mind, gen-mates are special. So with the last gone, I do feel lonely.

Mako: Hehe.

Naachan: But even if you graduated, we will still be friend, still the best of the friend. But I loved the stage that Mako stood on, so not being able to stand on the same stage anymore makes me really sad.



--- In the Request Hour event after graduation announcement, there were a lot of things that strike my heart. Like the song "Seijun Philosophy"

Naachan: Every year we performed only with the original members. Right now we are down to 8. The intro was sang by Mako, Miki and me, but with this Mako will also be gone, and it does make me feel lonely. But more importantly is that I am very shocked that the song "Kangaeru Hito" didn't rank. I really wanted to perform...

Mako: The song we double center-ed.



--- If they knew you were graduating it might ranked in. Next, are there anything you want to do together before graduation?

Mako: I really want to do a 2-person unit song.

Naachan: Akimoto-sensei!



--- Try requesting it in this March single?

Mako: But I won't be in...



--- So just stay in the group!

Mako: But, in the end, I want do more stage together. But we are now in different team.

Naachan: The fans also said that "Please do the 2-person 14th gen stage."

Mako: Let's do! If we have time we can do it, right?



--- You did that with 3 persons before Miki graduate, right?

Mako: That brings memory back! The hell it was...

Naachan: With two person it will be even worse!

Mako: But come to think of it...



--- I will be looking forward to it! From now on, what do you think your relationship will become?

Mako: Don't you think we will get to meet more?

Naachan: Recently we really haven't met in private at all.

Mako: Nana is busy with senbatsu work. The works we are doing are totally different, so we don't even meet at the work sites. When we met, we realised it has been quite a while...

Naachan: I think that after graduation we will be able to talk about various things more.

Mako: I stayed in Nana's heart!

Naachan: Even if we aren't in AKB48 together anymore, you will still be in my heart.

Mako: Yep! Like it was before!



--- After graduation, the love ban is lifted...

Naachan: Please be happy!

Mako: If I met someone I like, I will definitely tell you.



--- Look like you should be able to find a boyfriend quickly.

Mako: I was told that a lot.

Naachan: Of course, because you are hot! I wanted you to have a superb love with the person you like.



--- Okada-san criteria seems harsh.

Naachan: Not at all! As long as he loves Mako, then it's fine.

Mako: If I found him, I will be sure to introduce to you. At EX Taishu (laugh).



--- I will be waiting for a scoop! But as I saw it, you look like you should be fine after graduation.

Mako: I am really worried right now. From now on I don't even know how everything will be. I need to make money by myself. There are so many firsts here. But I planned to try with all my life for this; the decision to graduate did not come easily. The only way to go is forward!



--- Finally, do you have anything to cheer each other?

Naachan: At first, I was like a grumbling mother. "Do this! Do that!" But now Mako has grown into a proper lady, so from now on I want you to have a confidence in yourself and do as you think. I will be supporting that. I don't think I could do anything, but if there are anything at all, just remember that your ally is here fully prepared to help you. I have been thinking about my life path a little -- I wanted to be able to properly decided my own way forward like Mako. From now on I wanted us to stay close.

Mako: I am glad.

Naachan: You are really great! To be able to decide your own path. I can't decide anything at all.

Mako: No, no, no. It's totally different. I also a human that wanted to do like Naachan: be a single center; leading a role in stage play, etc. But I can't achieve that... For Nana who could accomplish all that, you are great. I know all about Nana's talent and personality, and with that I think you really are a person who should be in the spotlight. I really support you from my heart, and I really respect you. Even though you said that you don't have any dream, but now you are the person that is the most desired by 48 Group!

Naachan: When I am with my gen-mate Mako, I always think that there is this great person near me! There are too many things to respect about you. I love the stage that Mako is on to the point that I really wanted to do a double-center single with Mako. You stimulate me. With you gone, I am worried whether I would be okay.

Mako: Even though our field is completely different, I plan to try my best to be able to support AKB48 properly from the outside. To be able to support Nana from outside. If the stories of my work could organically reach Nana ear, then I will be very happy. I will be trying my best with the pride of ex-AKB48. Just watch!!

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