Sometimes, idols sacrifice their emotions -- Keyakizaka46’s Watanabe Risa’s “change” and “determination”





----Hmm ... What we have shown to our fans so far is the “result” of many things that have happened. I didn't think that the process or behind the scenes was something to show, and I didn't think it was necessary to be shown.However, I thought that the public's impression of us was often misunderstood, so the release of the documentary film is a chance to clear up those misconceptions, and if there are people who have a bad image of us, I would be happy to dispel that image.At that time, what I thought of Hirate was, “She’s fully expressing herself as the protagonist to create the song”. So I never thought anything had changed. But now, looking back, I think there was something strange around the middle of "Futari Sezon". And during the time of "Fukyouwaon" I thought, "She has a different atmosphere from the time of debut",... So, I also felt what Moriya said in that interview.Hmmm… There was the “Boku wa yada!” line from “Fukyouwaon”, and I think there was a lot of sympathy for the meaning of the song. Of course, "Silent Majority", "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Inai", and "Futari Sezon" all also have strong messages, so she has always put a lot of emphasis on "conveying", but more than that, I think that “Fukyouwaon” has a lot of overlap with what Hirate has felt in her life so far, and I personally think that's how it came to be like that.I had a feeling that maybe that was it.Hirate carries something so amazing that the members around her can't help but gaze at her. I was chosen as a frontliner for "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai" and it was there that I had my first experience of shooting lip-sync scenes, but at the time of "Silent Majority", Hirate had shown incredible expressiveness despite only being an ordinary girl until recently. When I saw the finished version of that MV, I remember thinking, "She really is amazing girl”.Hirate has been leading the group as the Center since the 1st single, and she has created the opportunity for us to establish the individuality of Keyakizaka46. So, to us, she was a really important presence.But on the other hand, there was a part of her that was appropriate for her age, and when she wasn't performing, she had a sense of innocence that liked to have fun and goof around. I was hoping that I could bring that part out of her, but...We went to a theme park together among other things but Hirate would mostly talk about the group at those times. Every time we had a conversation, I thought to myself, "She really does put the group first”.There really was a lot of conversation about the group (laughs). Hirate cares about each and every member of the group, and even if she doesn't talk with the girl directly, from their presence she can tell, “It seems like she's feeling depressed…”. I think there are some girls who were helped or saved by that part of Hirate.It’s from quite some time ago, right? I don’t remember at all...I see… In recent group cheers, it's been a standard practice for Sugai (Yuuka) to say how she feels at the time or what we need to do, and Moriya (Akane) to give voice to show her enthusiasm. I didn't remember it at all, so now I’m surprised to know that Hirate has said something like that. Even from that early on, she wanted to overturn the impression people have of an "idol".Myself… I wonder what… In the early days, I thought that I was not in the position to lead. I thought it was my role to support the amazing members from behind. But as four years have passed, I think that little by little, there will be situations where I have to lead the way.I think the real challenge lies in the future, so I need to take action so that I can pull them in the right direction, even if it’s just a little bit.No, not at all...I don't really get told that I've changed much. It's kind of embarrassing, isn't it, to be told that...I think they know that I have that kind of personality, and they support me without saying anything (laughs).I really want to talk to her about that, I want to go out and have a meal together with her. Of course, the group atmosphere of Nogizaka46 and us are different, but I'm sure there's still something to learn, so I'd like to hear about it from Nishino-san. But the situation is that I haven’t reached out to her yet... (laughs)Eh, I don’t remember that (laughs).I’m sorry….Eeh, I wonder what… Driving force… But I think that an idol can't survive without the fans who support them. I’m sometimes told things that may or may not be true, but if there's one person who supports me, I would like to do my best for that person. As long as I have people who support me, I want to respond to what is being asked of me.At this point, we haven't yet been able to have that kind of discussion in depth. But I feel like we have really completed the first chapter, and I think it's up to us to decide what will happen to Keyakizaka46 from now on, so I'd like to do my best without losing momentum.Thank you very much---Translation: toomuchideaQC: ichikabachika