1001 Nights - The 34th Night: 100 questions to Nakajima Saki (Q1-50)

Another fan report translation from the Hello! Shop series of 1001 Nights talk show events.
This was held on the 28th of July 2016, with the hashtag #nksk. Will only be getting around to covering the first fifty questions.

Usual caveat that these are based on fan reports, and thus represent snippets of the event rather than a full-blown report.

Q1. How to deal with nervousness when taking chekis. 
Just be your normal self. I get nervous too when I meet aiko-san. Anyway, take a deep breath and calm down. I also heard from Nishiguchi-san that breathing out works as well, so I did it unconsciously before stepping up on-stage.

Q2. What do you do when irritated?
Nice scents soothe my nerves. I'll use hand creams, or if I'm at home, I'll put on some aroma candles. I still haven't gone on to use incense. How do you use them? Just light up the ends? I don't use a lighter. If I come upon some incense, I'll light them up.

Q3.  Anything you're particular about when it comes to clothes?
Most important is that they're easy to walk around and move in. I don't like tight clothing. Also, when it comes to colours, I follow what I've learnt from watching Hagiwara Mai-chan.

Q4. If you were to go on a ten day trip with a ℃-ute member, who would you go with?
Leader. I'd like to go diving once I get my diving licence. I enjoy the view and the animals, so I think it'd be fun to make all sorts of plans.

Q5. Have you got your driving qualifications yet?
I'm currently in the midst of applying for them. Actually, on the day of the FNS, my right wisdom tooth suddenly started to hurt. I had to put an icepack on it, which made the MomoClo-chans worried. The next day I went to the dentist to get it taken out. Two days later, I had a practice session at the pool.

℃-ute in Big One Girls (No. 039)

- You're breaking up.... Did you ever consider not actually going through with the breakup?

Hagiwara: Rather than wanting to halt the breakup, for us, it's more like...

Suzuki & Hagiwara (in harmony): Are we really breaking up....?

Hagiwara: It hasn't really hit us yet. Our conversations are often like 'Huh? The way things are going...... are we really breaking up?'

Okai: I think that we might only feel it like a few days before Saitama Super Arena. But things might get crazy when there's like three days left.

- It'll hit you all out of the blue?

Okai: Yeah. We won't know how it'll feel like until it happens. It was the same with our debut. It feels like how things felt at the very start [when we made the graduation announcement].

- Have you been told that it feels like such a waste for you to break up?

Suzuki: We've been told that. The fans have protested against it, saying that they're opposed to our breakup~!!

Yajima: However, it instead makes me happy to be told that it's such a waste for ℃-ute to break up. It pushes me to show them something that's even more thought out.

- You're really approaching your breakup in a great mood, aren't you? When did you feel that the bonds between the five of you had strengthened?

Yajima: For me, it was our first Nippon Budokan......

Hagiwara: Me too.

Okai: Yeah.

Suzuki: Yup.

Nakajima: Me too.

Yajima: The path to the Nippon Budokan united our feelings. Every time we were out of town, we would gather up at someone's room and stay up talking about how to make the Nippon Budokan a success. That felt like the prime of our lives, like '℃-ute's the best!!' (laughs)

Hagiwara: It wasn't the first time, but the Nippon Budokan had been established as a united goal, and we were dealing with it seriously. And the Nippon Budokan also made me realise that people can concentrate so passionately on a single thing.

- That said, to break up in such a good condition, it's such a waste...

Yajima: We've always said that we'd hate to just fizzle out after getting to a place where we were satisfied. Since we've said that, I'm grateful that we'll be seeing the end at the Saitama Super Arena, a place that the five of us have dreamed of.

- You released your '℃omplete single collection' on the 3rd of May, a best-of album which contains all your singles. But it's also a reminder that the clock is ticking. As members of the group, how do you feel, releasing a complete single collection?

Nakajima: While I think that it's really great that we get to release an album like that, it also does serve as a reminder that the curtain is finally closing on ℃-ute.

Okai: When Berryz Kobo released their complete album, I looked at it objectively, like 'Ah, it's the last...' I knew that the day would come for us someday. And now, we're in that position. It was a bit scary to think that once this album got released, there'd be no more albums, no more new songs.

- Though you did want to leave behind this sort of complete album package.

Yajima: That's right. Doing it this way reminds us of what a long history ℃-ute has, of how many songs we've released! It's not a complete record of everything, but I'm really glad that we got to leave behind something in this form.

Hagiwara: There's also three new songs in it, so I'm glad that we can show you a new ℃-ute again at the very end.

Suzuki: What's more, I think that it's nice how there are all the coupling songs on [the regular edition], as well as rare tracks. I really remember 'Yuki ga Chirari', and I remember even the dance lessons for 'Come Together (℃-ute ver.)' and 'Juliet Juliet'. ℃-ute fans won't be able to attain full completion unless they get their hands on this album! So I hope that you check it out.

Nakajima Saki in Idol Frontline 2015

In 2014, H!P experienced several upheavals. Michishige Sayumi-san's graduation, Berryz Kobo's indefinite hiatus, various new units......

Nakajima: Amongst those, Berryz Kobo's was the biggest. On the day that they announced their hiatus, the Berryz members suddenly came to our dressing room with serious looks on their faces, telling us that there was something they wanted to inform us about...... I had no idea what to do. (Natsuyaki) Miyabi-chan was saying things like 'So, we'll be counting on you', 'We trust that ℃-ute can do it'...... Berryz are really like older sisters to us. They've always been like older sisters to us. Since they made their debut before us. Berryz are our rivals, but as our older sisters, we had always been chasing after them. Even with the hiatus, Berryz are once again was moving ahead of us.

Did you not think about yourselves? It's not an issue that you can afford to ignore.

Nakajima: Not in particular...... Just that ℃-ute would now have to work hard to make up for the loss of Berryz. Since we'd have to inherit what Berryz had left us.

Michishige Sayumi-san's graduation was big as well, wasn't it. Age-wise, ℃-ute will become the oldest.

Nakajima: Michishige-san's presence was huge. Since she was a senpai who showed things by example. In the winter Hello! Project tour that we're currently doing, the very last to appear on-stage and introduce themselves are Berryz Kobo. Up until now, it had always been Morning Musume。who would wrap things up at the end. Once Berryz aren't around, it'll probably be ℃-ute. Morning Musume。´15 is the brand of Hello! Project, so I've got mixed feelings. Will it be okay for us to be above them? Honestly, it's complicated.

🐟🐟🐟

Is there anything that's been popular with ℃-ute recently?

Nakajima: Let's see...... Recently, ℃-ute have been into playing Werewolf. Amongst us, (Okai) Chisato is the worst, she can tell a lie without batting an eyelid (laughs).

Leader seems like she'd be bad at Werewolf (laughs). She's so truthful.

Nakajima: Well, that's true, she was stiff at first. But I guess she's gotten used to it? When it comes to lying in the game (laughs).

What a frightening game (laughs).

Nakajima: While we say that it's a game, it's a huge thing for ℃-ute (laughs). And that Leader has now replaced Michishige-san as H!P Leader, so we'd like grasp on to our responsibilities and do our best!

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 29: Nakajima Saki x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Nakajima Saki X Okai Chisato

ÇÇÇ

When ℃-ute started off in your 5-person configuration, compared to how things had been before, I believe that many changes happened to you as a group. And it seems that Saki-chan changed a lot at the same time...

Nakajima: It wasn't just me, I think that everyone changed.

[...]

Okai: Because our numbers had decreased, the sense of distance between the members got closer. Our average age fell in one stroke.

ÇÇÇ

When did Saki-chan herself start changing?

Nakajima: When we made our debut, I thought that I had to firm up. But when we entered our 5-person structure, I ended up in the position of being the second oldest. It hit me that I was in a position where I should be giving advice. Everyone told me that they were scared of me since I was so firm at first (laughs)!

ÇÇÇ

For better or for worse, Maimi-chan hasn't changed (laughs).

Okai: You know, age-wise, there was no need for Nacky to force herself to become grown-up. It should have been Maimi-chan (laughs)! But now, Maimi-chan has filled those holes in a different way, she supports everyone. I feel that it's great that Maimi-chan's that sort of leader.

Nakajima: But when we became a 5-person group, it felt like Leader started to become more playful (laughs).

Okai: Ahahaha. That's right.

Nakajima: We became 5 people, there was a time where Chisato and (Hagiwara) Mai would take the lead in teasing her, but now she teases Chisato and the rest herself. She's become a really cheerful person ever since then (laughs).

Okai: Honestly, lots of things happened, but now we're comfortable with one another.

But Saki-chan, from your eyes, has Chisato-chan changed?

Nakajima: Eh, Chisato, well... (laughs).

Okai: What is it~ (laughs)! What, what?

Nakajima: You've changed recently.

Okai: Eh? I haven't noticed anything at all though!?

Nakajima: But you know, Chisato, you've become serious and flustered (laughs). Recently, at dance lessons, there are times when we members double-check our formations without a dance teacher, and you get really flustered, like 'Wait up! What do you mean!? So you know, let's do it once again!!' (laughs). Before that, I felt that you'd only say 'Got it~', but I feel that you're now taking the initiative.

ÇÇÇ

Looking at one another once again, what's changed the most since your time as the Hello! Project Kids?

Okai: Nacky started talking, I guess (laughs). At first I was really confused, but I was really happy. However, as far as that went, I thought you were in two minds over it. I'm sure that you must have worried over whether to keep quiet or to be lively. Honestly speaking, I think that there are lots of guys who like quiet and meek girls (laughs).

Nakajima: Honestly, I was worried over it. However, rather than saying that I worried over than whether I should be quiet or lively, I worried over whether I should wrap things up seriously, or whether I should say nothing. But I think I'm good with how I am now. If I was quiet, I'd get really worried (laughs). The less I speak, the more things grow unexpectedly in my heart. It's much more comfortable to comment on something I think isn't right. How Chisato's changed..... You've changed in all sorts of ways, but number one is looks!?

Okai: Everyone says that it's my looks (laughs).

Nakajima: Since you became fashionable and came to like makeup, it hit me that you actually were a girl (laughs).

Okai: I've always been a girl from the start though (laughs).

ÇÇÇ

More interview excerpts from this book

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 08: Nakajima Saki x Sugaya Risako

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Nakajima Saki X Sugaya Risako

><(((°>

Looking as much as I can from the outside, there doesn't seem to be an easy-to-get common point between the two of you. But unexpectedly, you're good friends?

Nakajima: We had activities together as the unit 'Guardians 4', but didn't we start really talking with one another from the play 'Sengoku Jieitai'!?

Sugaya: Nope, you've got it wrong! It was the movie 'Ousama Game'. That's when we became good friends.

Either way, it's pretty recent. What did you think of one another in the past?

Nakajima: I thought that Risako was on good terms with (Suzuki) Airi. But that's because I'm the type of girl who's unable to get chummy with the girls of Berryz Kobo.

Sugaya: What 'type' is that supposed to be (laughs)!?

><(((°>

Sugaya: I thought that Nacky was really reserved. But when I tried talking to her, it turned out that she does as she pleases (laughs).

><(((°>

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 07: Kumai Yurina x Nakajima Saki

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Kumai Yurina X Nakajima Saki

┘┘┘

When you first got into the H!P Kids, were both of you aware that you were in the same academic year?

Nakajima: Not at first. But when we were together for 'Guardians 4', we did talk about being the same age.

Kumai: That's right. We'd grown up by then, so we'd ask one another things like 'How was school?'

What impression did you have of one another at the time?

Nakajima: I'd heard rumours that Kumai-chan was an airhead. But it didn't feel that way at all in the beginning, I thought that she was mature, her dancing was cool, and her figure was great (laughs). But when we did the play 'Sengoku Jieitai together' together, she really was an airhead, and I found out that she really moves at a relaxed pace. I realised that that's just the sort of girl she was (laughs).

Kumai: Ahaha. I can't deny that~.

Nakajima: We only had about 15 minutes for our midday break during 'Sengoku Jieitai', but even at times when we had to eat our meals hurriedly, Kumai-chan would moan that it was impossible~ (laughs).

Kumai: I really couldn't eat. The more I was rushed to finish, the longer I'd take (laughs). My impression of Nacky was that, just as she herself often says, I felt that there was a real wall...

Nakajima: Ugh, is that so (laughs). In the past, I really didn't talk, I was shy.

Kumai: So when Nacky had torn her walls down, I was surprised! Also, she's very decisive. I'm the type that wavers, so I envy how Nacky can make decisions in a snap.

┘┘┘

[Is it better to be on the older or younger end of your group?]

Nakajima: I like my position. I can talk with [both the younger and older members], so it's fun. Though it's not like our Leader Maimi-chan doesn't speak to the younger ones. Well, there are times when it's like there's this generation gap that she alone is on the wrong side of. Maybe it's because our Leader is pretty behind the times (laughs).

Kumai: There's quite an age difference.

Nakajima: Yup. There's a 4-year difference between our oldest and youngest.

┘┘┘

Nakajima: I'm right in the middle of three sisters.

So even at home, you're in the middle position?

Nakajima: Yup (laughs). I'm really comfy at home as well. If I'm partnered with my older sister, we'll go shopping together, and if I'm with my younger sister, we talk about dramas. It's fun to be part of three sisters.

I'd like to ask you if you remember any impactful memories about the other over these past 10 years?

Nakajima: I feel like there was an incident with Kumai-chan. Ah, sweat! When we were doing a shooting as part of 'Guardians 4', Kumai-chan couldn't stop sweating. You know, where we had the red capes at first!

Kumai: Ah, we were shooting the PV (Omakase ♪ Guardian), right (laughs)?

Nakajima: We were shooting the PV at a gym hall, and the gym itself was hot, plus it was even hotter since we had a cape that seemed to be made for winter, so I remember Kumai-chan constantly being at the blowdryer (laughs).

More interview excerpts from this book

[2ch] Mob boss Natsuyaki and henchman Nksk

1 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 20:52:43.41 0
Here's the latest picture of mob boss Natsuyaki and henchman nksk

By the way, here are past photos

3 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 20:58:46.58 0
They're pretty close in height

4 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 20:59:07.82 0
Wish we could have seen them in the same group

2 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 20:56:38.22 0
There definitely isn't a henchman photo that can beat this one

11 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 21:15:37.79 0
>>2
I really like this photo

7 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 21:02:55.67 0
Anyone will look like a henchman if they're together with Natsuyaki
nksk isn't at fault！

16 ：名無し募集中。。。＠転載は禁止：2014/10/28(火) 22:08:50.10 0
>>7
No, you're wrong！
When nksk's around, anyone will look like a mob boss

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 38: Nakajima Saki x Hagiwara Mai

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Nakajima Saki X Hagiwara Mai

♣♣♣

You're now able to speak pretty freely [when Mc-ing]. However, when you were small, did you have to make arrangements, like 'You should say this here'?

Nakajima: Even back then, I wondered why we had to follow the script. Why couldn't we say what we wanted to say? I can talk about it now, but there honestly were times when I thought about deviating from the day's script. 

Hagiwara: And for those people who were coming to watch us several times, they'd hear the same lines each time, wouldn't they? It would seem like we were only thinking about the same things, but we were just following the script... It was a dilemma.

Nakajima: And in the midst of that, I guess the staff members noticed that we'd grown up, so we'd have our own take on things, and they left things to us. The scripts went away about 2~3 years back. They would set the programme, but they left it to us to speak our thoughts. We were free to choose our words, so it became absolutely more fun.

How did the fans respond?

Hagiwara: It went over even better than before. We were told that there were too many inside jokes, but we were also told that it was enjoyable, that it was very '℃-ute'.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 19: Nakajima Saki x Suzuki Airi

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Nakajima Saki X Suzuki Airi

╖╖╖

In a different way from Berryz Kobo, ℃-ute's dances have their own characteristics. I think that Airi-chan's sharp dancing and Saki-chan's flexible dancing are highly regarded, but what do you think?

Suzuki: Nacky's got long limbs, and I always think that it's nice how her movements seem wide, that they've got a charm to them. Actually, I'm flexible. I feel like I've got no sharpness to my dancing. I can't stop at where I should, and when I studied dancing in the past, I was told that I don't stop at the parts where I should. So I wouldn't say that I've got sharpness. I think that there's lots that I have to learn by watching, but so far, I still haven't grasped them.

Nakajima: Dancing is difficult, isn't it? The experience changes depending on the viewer. We've been told that I've got sharpness, while Airi's got flexibility. The weave of Airi's dancing is amazing. She really is supple.

Suzuki: Nacky's amazing too!

Nakajima: Airi, you're skilled at moving your hips. And that's why you've got such an amazing waist (laughs). And recently, you've gotten good at using your neck. 

Suzuki: Thank you! I think that I found out the importance of the neck by watching Takahashi (Ai)-san. Also, (Natsuyaki) Miyabi's the same as well, she's good at using her neck, her hair moves so nicely. Miyabi's also good at using her shoulders.

Nakajima: Ah, Miyabi-chan, she's good with her shoulders.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 47: Yajima Maimi x Nakajima Saki

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Yajima Maimi X Nakajima Saki

///

It's been 10 years since you joined the H!P Kids, but on that note, in 3 years time, ℃-ute will be celebrating your 10th anniversary.

Nakajima: 3 years! Whoa, that's close!!

Yajima: Isn't it kind of terrifying (laughs)!?

Nakajima: Now we're in our 7th year, which means that lots of people have watched ℃-ute throughout that period, but looking back on the past, there were lots of times when I think that we should have worked harder. So I'd like to face the 3 years until we hit our 10th anniversary with even more seriousness. We're dreaming big, for something like an arena!

Yajima: That's right. We have to do our best!

///

Saki-chan has changed, but has Maimi-chan changed?

Nakajima: Leader, weren't you shy as well?

Yajima: I think I've still got that aspect to me, but I'm fine if I'm with someone. It's not my cup of tea when I'm really all on my own with lots of people that I've never met before, I get discouraged. But once my student life ended, there were less chances of that happening (laughs), so I've been alright recently.

Nakajima: I feel like Leader's come to have a calm personality. While you had always been serious, saying 'Yes' to everything you were told, recently you've let out just a bit of composure. Though at concerts, you keep going on in a straight line (laughs).

Can you talk about memories between the 2 of you within these 10 years?

Nakajima: I guess when I went on a Kyoto trip with Leader and Leader's mother 3 years ago. 

Yajima: That was fun, wasn't it? 

///

Nakajima: I like making plans, so I'm the type of person who'll make things like travel guidebooks. So next time, I'll set the plans, and Leader will lead (laughs).

Yajima: Even when the 2 of us went to Disneyland, Nacky guided me, so I was led (laughs).

Well then, how will you be like 10 years in the future?

Nakajima: I hope that Leader will be married, and have built up a happy family. Being married, you'll have more time to yourself, so I feel like you'll get even more active.

Yajima: I wonder how old I'll be when I get married (laughs).I feel like Nacky won't get married. You'd mix with all sorts of people, and enjoy yourself wondering what you'd do each day.

Nakajima: That might be ideal. Sounds like fun. Living by myself, I'd like to call everyone for a home party.

Yajima: Also, I feel like you'd live overseas. If that happens, let me come and hang out, okay.

Nakajima: Yup, you'd get a warm welcome! For you, I'll make a sightseeing guidebook and wait for you (laughs).

///

More interview excerpts from this book

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk: Natsuyaki Miyabi x Nakajima Saki

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Natsuyaki Miyabi X Nakajima Saki

²²²

It feels like you'll have a girls meet up in 10 years time.

Nakajima: I'd like to have one! We'll definitely have to do that.

Natsuyaki: It'll be just before our thirties though (laughs)!?

Nakajima: Even if we're married, don't you think we'll have girls meetups as friends who are mothers? Like 'Wouldn't you like to have a spot of tea?' (laughs). Miyabi-chan, if you were to ask 'Are you free right now?', I feel like I'd go straight to see you.

Natsuyaki: That's likely, as it goes with Nacky's personality. You're direct.

Looking from as close as possible, the two of you hold similar positions in your group.

Nakajima: Indeed, it does seem that way.

Natsuyaki: Yup. I think so too

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk: Shimizu Saki x Nakajima Saki

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Shimizu Saki X Nakajima Saki

↔↔↔

According to what I've heard, the 2 of you are crybabies.

Nakajima: I've only just recently found out that ShimiSaki-chan's a crybaby. You once cried at a hotel, didn't you? We were all having our meals, and when I talked about something that was a bit serious, she suddenly cried. She could empathise so much with what I was talking about that she cried, it made me wonder, how much of a crybaby is she? Yet, even I myself wasn't even crying though!? (laughs)

Shimizu: I cry immediately (laughs). I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad, I cry when I get told off. I express all my emotions by crying (laughs). Nacky doesn't really seem like a crybaby though.

↔↔↔

Nakajima: What made me cry a lot recently was the flag performance we did for 'Midnight Temptation' at ℃-ute's tour ('℃-ute Concert Tour 2012 Haru Natsu ~Utsukushikutte Gomenne~'). I could do it at rehearsals, but I couldn't pull it off at the run-through rehearsals, so I got scared and cried a lot. When you cry, there are times when you know you're crying, and there are times when the tears just flow, right? This was one of the times where it just flowed, I didn't know I was crying. The tears were just streaming out as I stood on-stage, it was inexcusable,