Twitter Tidbits: Airi's 2017 birthday event

Some tweets from Airi's 23rd birthday event, held on 24th April 2017.

Usual caveat that these are more fan-reported snippets than a comprehensive picture.

[Ref] Airi admires Takahashi Ai-san, and when Aichan's graduation came around, she was at a loss - what should she do with the impending graduation of the person she admired?
In tears, she went to talk about it with Aichan.

Aichan: Airi, since it's you, it'll be fine. I leave it in your hands.

Airi has since carried those words in her chest.

Airi: H!P is linked, isn't it? We've got a history.

🎤🎤🎤

[Ref] Airi continues on to talk about Takahashi Ai.
As she was talking how Aichan used her neck and shoulders in such an alluring manner, she recommended looking up videos under '高橋愛 最高峰' (lit. 'Takahashi Ai Greatest Peaks').

[Ref] Airi: I'm being told by some of the girls who joined H!P recently that they look up to me. But firstly I'd like them to at least have a look at where it all came from! Have a look at the first generation!

[Ref] Airi: I don't know the extent of how much we took over from what had been made by Nakazawa-san and Tsunku♂-san, but want to hand it over to the kouhai-chans. I've got my hopes pinned on them.

🎤🎤🎤

[Ref 1][Ref 2] At the end of Airi's birthday event, Airi gave a signed cutout of her face to a girl at the front row.

Airi: You're always [at events], saying you want to be like me! It was the same with me. I was sitting at the front row at a musical and Yaguchi-san waved to me. That's what got me started.

℃-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.

Suzuki Airi - True Colours (Update Girls July 2016)

℃-ute celebrated the 11th anniversary of their formation this June. Suzuki Airi has continued to be an active member of the group the whole time. She turned 22 in April.

'Compared to the past, I get the impression that the themes and atmosphere of our songs have become really mature. Actually, as the years have gone by, all of us have gone past the age of twenty. If you were to ask us to perform with the same energy we had like when we did "Meguru Koi no Kisetsu" (2007) for example, it'd be difficult. We'd try, of course. (laughs) Thinking of it that way, it's because of how we are like now that we're able to perform our latest single, "Naze Hito ha Arasoundarou? / Summer Wind / Jinsei ha Step!"

Indeed, their three songs have the allure of a mature group that has gone beyond the idol framework: The calming, soulful pop of 'Naze Hito ha~' with its gospel tinge, the impressive, cool groove of 'Summer~', the fusion of swing jazz and electro in 'Jinsei ha~'. But the girls had no intention of shifting gears from so-called idols to a mature vocal & dance group. Instead, through the mature mood of these 3 songs from their latest single, they themselves realised that lying beneath their performances and at the root of their minds was that they want to be 'idols' until the very end.

'We can't forget how ℃-ute are as idols, I can't forget how Suzuki Airi is as an idol. Even if we built up personas, the fans would acknowledge us as idols. While things are different from how they were in our teens, it's not like we're forcing ourselves to appear mature. You could say that as idols, we're acting our age. I'd prefer naturally radiating an idolness that can only be produced by the ℃-ute of the present, the Suzuki Airi of the present.'

She tells us with a smile on her face that she believes that being an idol suits her. The reason for that suitability? It's because she possesses a certain trait within her.

Maruwakari Summer 2016: Suzuki Airi

Anyone would envy her multi-faceted activities!
She's still in the midst of improving herself!!

Q1. Who is your favourite H!P member (including OGs)?
Takahashi Ai-san. I like her, and I admire her!! I strongly admire her ♥ 
I'll eternally admire her!!

Q2. What H!P song would you like to sing solo?

'Omoi Afurete' (Matsuura Aya)

It's really difficult, but it's a song that I'd like to practise so that I can master singing it!!

Q3. Among the (current) H!P members, who would you like to go to the sea with, and what would you do?

I'd like to go with the members of ℃-ute!!
I can't swim, so thank you for always helping me out... (laughs)

Q4. Who is the 'summer girl' amongst the (current) H!P members?
℃-ute's Hagiwara Mai-chan and ANGERME's Murota Mizuki-chan. They have lovely bodies which are beautiful and healthy with cocoa brown skin!!♥

Q5. If you were to come out with a photobook, please tell us where you'd like to go and what you'd like to do.
Eh... If the food's good and there are no mosquitoes, anywhere's fine ♥ (laughs)

Q6. What is your treasure?

Family ♥ The members ♥ All the fans!!
I can't live without any of them ><

Q7. Is there anything that you'd like to make a start on?
Pilates!! I've turned 22, so I'd like to develop my body and physique!!

Q8. Please make a new unit by picking a person from each group.

Morning Musume。´16's Oda Sakura-chan
ANGERME's Murota Mizuki-chan
Juice=Juice's Takagi Sayuki-chan
Country Girls' Inaba Manaka-chan
Kobushi Factory's Taguchi Natsumi-chan
Tsubaki Factory's Kishimoto Yumeno-chan.
An assortment of members whom I respect.

Q9. Please tell us what's the best thing about your own group.

We understand one another, even better than any bunch of friends... That's what I think!! Aren't we the best when it comes to love towards one another?

Finally, please give a message to all the fans

Thank you for everything!!!
Enjoying every day is what comes first : )
I hope that you'll send your POWER :) ♥♥♥
Hee hee ♥
 -Airi-

More from the same book

℃－ｕｔｅ's Suzuki Airi Sprinting until their breakup in June next year (Kobe Shinbun 2nd Dec 2016)

℃－ｕｔｅ's Suzuki Airi
'My love towards singing will not waver'

While news of SMAP's dissolution was flying around this summer, fans were also shocked by news of another breakup. This breakup was of the talented 5-person team '℃-ute', who are said to be 'The queens of the idol world'. The ace Suzuki Airi (22) stated, 'Being an idol is a wonderful occupation. It's my pride.' They'll be dashing on until they reach the finish line, in June next year.

℃-ute made their major debut in February 2007 as part of the idol collective 'Hello! Project'. Besides Suzuki, the group has other members such as Okai Chisato (22), who is flourishing on the variety programme scene.

One of the songs from their latest triple A-side single is 'Mugen Climax'. The music video is well regarded, and we can see the 5 members going to the utmost limits with their skill at singing and dancing. Eight names are hidden in the lyrics, comprising the present as well as graduated members. Suzuki was joyful, 'That sort of trick fits with the world of the song'.

Suzuki built up her popularity with a singing ability that is preeminent among idols. When asked about balancing university life and idol activities, she declared that she held 'Multiple occupations'. With a laugh that revealed her characteristic snaggletooth, 'I'm able to try out all sorts of things, like singing and modelling, it suits my curious self. No other job lets me feel such support from those around me'.

Going on with that pace, on the 20th of August, ℃-ute announced their breakup. With all the members having passed the age of twenty, they took the opportunity to contemplate their individual futures, and arrived at that decision. 'There were members who wanted to do things that they couldn't do in our group as it stands, so they'd like to work hard on that next'. As for her own thoughts, 'I like work that can give people smiles. In whatever form, whatever media I may appear in, I ultimately would like to keep on singing'.

Until their Saitama Super Arena breakup concert in June next year, they intend to vigorously pile on the concerts so that they'll be able to share a 'Chou Wonderful' time with their fans 'who are our allies, no matter what'.

Source: Kobe Shinbun

They can no longer be sworn allies... BeriKyuu arch-rival interview (Shimizu x Natsuyaki x Suzuki x Okai) - Top Yell Sept 2013

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute

A 12-person human drama

It's been 11 years since they met one another - a conflict where neither will yield

Top Yell September 2013 opening blurb:

These bunch of primary school girls were assembled because of their admiration of Morning Musume。 11 years have passed since they started activities, and before anyone knew it, they've become groups who shoulder the burden of being the central pillars of Japan's idol scene.

Berryz Kobo and ℃-ute are called Hello! Project's Minister of the Right and Minister of the Left. With ℃-ute announcing that they would be advancing upon the Budokan, their rivalry heated up beyond anything that had been seen before, but what's really happening inside? The gong has finally rung on this extremely stinging round-table discussion that could only be pulled off by this magazine!

Top Yell + H!P Compilation 2014 version:

The story of the rivalry between BeriKyuu that started with the announcement that ℃-ute would be advancing to Budokan became a staggeringly huge topic in 2013. Being overtaken by a group from their own generation, Berryz Kobo's Captain Shimizu Saki expressed her determination through her blog posts. Three weeks after that, Berryz Kobo's Budokan was announced......

In the midst of all sorts of speculations happening amongst the fans, in the September edition of Top Yell, we pressed ahead with a hard-hitting interview with the members of both groups caught up in the maelstrom.

Looking back, they were partners who were always there. Now both groups motivate one another, but that doesn't imply that they had a rivalry from the very start. In 2002, when they were assembled as the Hello! Project Kids, they were a group of people who were united in the goal of making their debut. The four of them look back on those times.

※※※

You weren't broken into groups at first, and there wasn't any sense of hostility. When did you start thinking of one another as rivals?

Okai: It somehow came up naturally...... I guess. At the start of the Kids, just remembering the choreography had me grasping at straws, so I think that I couldn't look beyond myself.

Shimizu: That's true, there wasn't any rivalry between us before the formation of Berryz. We were just friends, playing tag together..... If I had to say, it felt like being with my usual friends.

I think that the formation of Berryz Kobo in 2004 had a huge effect on how your relationship changed. At the time, there was talk that there would be a rotational system, with 8 names being nominated as Berryz Kobo's starting members.

Shimizu: Yup, so at the time, I probably might have felt a stronger sense of rivalry towards those who were in Berryz. I remember thinking that I might get dropped if I were to lose to another girl. Just that thought was terrifying to me!

Natsuyaki: I didn't think much of it...... I didn't really feel it in particular. Even with talk of the rotational system, I felt that it would be a group that would change according to Tsunku♂-san's moods, so I didn't feel a sense of tension. Even if someone were to drop out or someone were to come in, there would probably still be a chance for people to make a comeback. I guess I kind of accepted it..... In the end, it felt more like a club activity back then.

You weren't concerned about the danger of being dropped?

Natsuyaki: ... I wasn't (laughs).

Shimizu: Well, that's Miya (laughs). The ones who felt it the most were the girls who were on the edge.

Natsuyaki: Eh~! But back then, there wasn't an established centre or an ace, right?

Shimizu: Nope! I may have been Captain, but it wouldn't have been strange for that to change. I was constantly in fear. Whenever the staff would call us, that's when I got the most nervous. I thought that the time had finally come..... (laughs).

New Season - Suzuki Airi (UTB Nov 2016)

℃-ute have announced their breakup, which will happen in June next year along with the celebration of their 12th anniversary.

Having made her major debut at the age of 12, in recent years, Suzuki Airi has broadened her range of work beyond singing.

For this girl who has turned 22, what sort of vision does she have for the future?

I'd like to relay my feelings of gratitude towards everyone

Good job on the final ℃-ute no Hi!

'I can't believe that it really was the last...... In the two weeks after we announced the breakup,  there was the Buono! concert, the Hello! concerts, the 5th September Budokan ℃ Fes, and finally the ℃-ute no Hi. It feels like time passed in the blink of an eye'

OGs often mention that once they've announced their graduation or breakup, it's pretty sad that everything becomes 'the last'......

'That's true. The breakup was something that we decided on, so we've got no regrets. But at the final Hello! Con, even from the opening of the concert, I couldn't keep myself in check'

You cried buckets.

'The first song I danced to was "Good Bye Natsuo", in the back. Opening with that led to all sorts of memories bubbling up'

Since you started, you've achieved a perfect attendance record for 386 Hello! Cons. That's amazing!

'When we entered, we had many great senpais. Even if I got just a tiny singing part at a Hello! Con, I'd be jumping in joy. That's how I've I've always felt throughout these 11 years. It may have been one concert out of 386 for me, but for those who come to watch the concerts, it might be their first and their last. And so, I can't just simply take a break! After all, concerts happen because of the fans'

Your words carry weight because you've continued on being an idol for such a long time!

'However, even after we break up, I have no intentions of quitting "being an idol"!'

Which means?

'For me, an idol is someone who gives people courage, who brings smiles to their faces. Among the ways we do that is through our activities, like through singing songs, or coming into contact with people through events. And so, in the future, just like an 'idol', I hope to be someone who, in my own way, can bring smiles to the faces of many people'

You'll also be graduating from university next year. You really will be starting from zero.

'I'll be an entry-level employee, just like my classmates (laughs). Hopefully I'll be able to try out new things as well'

But before that... You'll get psyched up as ℃-ute in these remaining 9 months.

'There are lots of things that I want to do with the members...... we'd like to meet fans from all over the country. They've been watching us from when we were tiny up to now, so we'd like to get across our gratitude to all of them'

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 58: Yajima Maimi 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.

Yajima Maimi X Suzuki Airi

The two of them have come out with numerous solo photobooks.

Suzuki with her producer's perspective, and Yajima who's still trying to get a grip on things.

That relationship between the two of them comes to light.

Five books from Yajima-san, and eight from Suzuki-san. Given your ages, it suggests a fairly frequent run of publications, so we would like to have a discussion focused on photobooks. Firstly, your very first photobooks came out at roughly the same time.


Yajima: They were about a month apart. Airi's had a shot of her in front of sakura blossoms for the front cover.

Suzuki: That photobook was taken roughly just after my primary school graduation ceremony, and I was so slim. I was nothing but skin and bones (laughs). Maimi-chan, yours was before you entered your first year of senior high, and you were really cute. Like you would just be drinking juice, and yet you looked so cute! (laughs). I wanted it, so my mum bought it for me.

Yajima: No way (blushes). Airi, you're really good at expressing yourself, and whatever the look on your face, it's always at its best. Your idol-like winking face is really cute, and you can also pull off sad faces, where you look like an abandoned dog. It makes me want to pick you up and take care of you. I find it fascinating.

Do both of you get themes for when the photos are being taken?

Yajima: From the very start, I've always been bad at being shot in photos, I'd get too aware of my photo being taken that the shots would end up looking really unphotogenic. But themes are relaxing, and recently I've felt that the variation in my facial expressions is lacking. When I mentioned it to my manager, that manager suggested that I try acting it out. So now I think that I'll use that as my theme.

Suzuki: That's good. For me, ever since I entered my first year of senior high, I've been given a story for the shooting of the photobook. It was a change from how things had been up to then, where I'd get instructions like 'Laugh', 'Be sad', 'Try eating something'. But as there was a story, I would go through the shooting as the girl in that story, so we'd get shots of all sorts of natural expressions.

Yajima: That's true. When I look at your photos, I can really tell how you're acting. Like what's happening, or based on how you look, you'd just said something like this. It's amazing how it's possible to read the situation or the background through your expressions.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 28: Kumai Yurina 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.

Kumai Yurina X Suzuki Airi

When Kumai was tasked to play a lead role in a film, the person she turned to for advice was Suzuki, who was also playing a lead role. What are the common points between the two of them?

Kumai-chan, I heard that when you had any problems, you would frequently go and get some advice from Airi-chan.

Kumai: We were doing the movie 'Ousama Game' together, and I was very reliant on Airi. Since she was the closest to me.

Suzuki: I was by myself as well, and our positions were similar, so we had the same problems. Come to think of it, 'Ousama Game' was what led to us talking a lot, right?

Kumai: That's right. There wasn't anything I particularly needed advice on, but our normal conversations would lead to me asking for advice.

Suzuki: The both of us just talked about what was on our minds at the moment. But we were nervous, and there were lots of things that we were worried about, so we ended up talking about nothing besides that. We asked one another what we should do. Kumai-chan had lots of scenes in 'Ousama Game', so we didn't have much time together, but still, the person I was together with the most was Kumai-chan, so whenever there was something I felt uneasy about, just having a little chat would bring me relief. While it might not have been in the form of advice, on my end, there were a lot of things that I relied on Kumai-chan for.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 49: Tokunaga Chinami 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.

Tokunaga Chinami X Suzuki Airi

Both Suzuki and Tokunaga resent our theme 'The 2 who don't meet deadlines'!?
It seems that the both of them have their own excuses and things that they're particular about......

Suzuki: I looked at today's theme and came here today to object! The only thing I'm late with are illustration-related things, right?

Tokunaga: Yeah! It's just that it very much seems like we're the kinds that miss deadlines.... That's probably it (laughs)

Forgive me for that (laughs).

[Omitted: Discussion about doing illustrations, and the pens they use to speed up the process]

Are there things for which you can't manage to to meet the deadlines for in the end?

Suzuki: There are. I'm told that for Shop goods, mine are the only ones that don't appear. At one period of time, I was super busy that I forgot about the existence of the file that had all the things that I needed to illustrate, and I didn't look at it for about a month. When I was asked about it, I really reflected on it, thinking about what the fans would think...

Tokunaga: I've got a story as well! I had handed mine in. But when the final product was made, embarrassingly, I found out that I had written a word wrongly. We fixed it in a rush, but in the end, there were some delays before the corrected version could go on sale. And those products were to be sold at a Shop event, but only my product was unavailable, which surprised people.

I see. It's not that the 2 of you lack enthusiasm, you just want to do things properly when you start on them.

Tokunaga: We're too particular.

Suzuki: And we'll do them when it's time to do them. During the movie 'Ousama Game', I completed about one month's worth of illustrations during the shooting. Since I had a role where I didn't talk with anyone, I'd do the illustrations on my own in my spare moments. When I informed my manager-san about it, my manager-san clapped, impressed with me (laughs).

Fukuda Kanon's Path to being the greatest idol Vol 3 (UTB April-June 2011)

In the third part of this serialisation, it's a showdown of luck! The universe's greatest idol should also possess the greatest luck in the universe, shouldn't she!?

And as a special guest, we herald the appearance of someone who possesses good luck and competency = Suzuki Airi-senpai, who adorns [this issue's] UTB cover by herself!

Mission: Showdown of luck

In order to become the greatest idol in the universe, luck is also required! And with that, this month, we're trying out a battle of luck!! But before that, we are graced by the presence of a special guest. Adorning this issue's cover, it's the star Suzuki Airi-senpai~.

Airi: 'I've got good luck, and I'm also good when it comes to a real challenge! I'm stronger than my (pro-golfer) father!!'

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 36: Natsuyaki Miyabi 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.

Natsuyaki Miyabi X Suzuki Airi

Natsuyaki and Suzuki have worked together in units such as Aa! and Buono!
As they talk about their eagerness to show-off (!?), for some reason, we get shown drawings of baby chicks?

Has the impression you have of one another now changed from when you met at the 'Hello! Project Kids Audition'?

Natsuyaki: At the auditions, we didn't really have any opportunities to talk, so from what I saw, Airi was really good at singing, and she could dance as well.... that was what I felt. But when we were in the same group, 'Aa!', I found out that Airi really does things at her own pace. And recently through Buono!, I found out that she's a real gourmand (laughs). When I talked with her, I thought that she was level-headed, a girl of this generation, who, just like (Sugaya) Risako, will give out her own opinion.

Suzuki: Miyabi was already cute from back then, so I was sure that she'd pass. We started talking when we joined 'Aa!', but since we were kids back then, we'd talk about work. But I really liked how, even from back then, Miya was able to catch the rhythm, and she was fashionable, so I had this great impression that she'd be admired by girls. At rehearsals, I watched her in secret, but there weren't any occasions for me to tell her that (laughs). Miyabi has all sorts of unexpected facets to her. When I'm thinking that she's cool, she'd be anything but, talking with a with a shriek, building up a fuss with a 'yay' (laughs). Also, Miyabi eats quite a lot as well (laughs).

The 2 of them thought up moves that would make them completely stand out!?

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.

What sort of occupation they'd like to try once - Country Girls & Suzuki Airi (Big One Girls NO.032 April 2016)

Q. What line of work would you like to try once?

Tsugunaga Momoko
Kindergarten teacher. I've always loved children, so I've always found it to be a really appealing line of work. So in middle school, when we were allowed to pick workplace experiences, I chose to go to a kindergarten, and I got kindergarten teaching qualifications at university. If I wasn't an idol, I think that I'd be a kindergarten teacher. However, if that were the case, all the boys' first love would be Momochi (laughs). I think that it would be the general state of things. Taking that into consideration, I chose the idol profession, where being in loved by everyone wouldn't be a hindrance (laughs).

Yamaki Risa
A mangaka assistant. I love drawing, and that's the sole hobby I've continued on with since I was small, but I'm completely self-taught, so I've got lots of simple questions that have built up ever since I was small. And so, I'd like to be taught from scratch by a pro mangaka.

Inaba Manaka
I love dancing, so much that I can't go through a day without dancing at least once. I want to dance so much that it sometimes wakes me up in the middle of the night. So I think it would be nice if I became a dance instructor, as I'd always be engaged in dancing.

Morito Chisaki
I'd like to work at a cake store, and invent all sorts of cakes. I'm skilful, so I think I'd probably be able to do it.

Ozeki Mai
I love ice cream, so I'd work at an ice cream store, and I'd buy ice creams every day on my way back.

Yanagawa Nanami
A nurse. I'm interested in the medical profession, so I'd like to try it, to experience it.

Funaki Musubu
I love learning about makeup and cosmetics, so I'd like to try being a makeup artist, and make entertainers look beautiful.

Suzuki Airi
I'd like to try being a planner for commercials. I've got tons of ideas. Currently, I'm on the acting side, but instead, I'd like to try the other side once, having someone do what I've thought up. That, or something that I've always wanted to try: handling a cash register at a supermarket.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 43: Sudo Maasa 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.

Sudo Maasa X Suzuki Airi

At first, the planned theme of discussion was about black hair. 

However, we instead had an opportunity to learn about the unexpected relationship between the two of them, something that's rarely heard about!?

This is embarrassing to mention, but when I was assigned for the discussion between the 2 of you, the common feature that I came up with was 'black-haired'... Is there a better theme? Maasa-chan, are you a big fan of Airi-chan?

Suzuki: Maasa always says that I'm cute. Even on New Year's cards and messages, she'll definitely mention that I'm cute somewhere. It makes me self-conscious (laughs), but happy.

Sudo: We're like sisters, I support Airi. I got to watch a Buono! concert the other day (Buono! Live 2012 "R•E•A•L"), and when you came out for 'Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!' at the encore, you were holding a frisbee, and I thought you were super adorable when you let your face peek out! If I was a guy, I think I'd be completely taken away (laughs).

As for Buono!, there are 2 members in it from your very own group though..... (laughs)?

Sudo: Um~, they're roughly supplementary (laughs). I hadn't really seen Momo doing rock before, so it was nice to see a new aspect of her. Miya is always amazing, and even in Berryz Kobo, she's special, so calling her Natsuyaki-sama would be the least I could do (laughs). I always watch the 2 of them from nearby, but I hardly ever meet Airi, so seeing her after so long made my heart skip a beat.

Suzuki: Even at the BeriKyuu concerts (Berryz Kobo & ℃-ute Collab Concert Tour 2011 Autumn ~ BeriKyuu Island~'), you'd tell me at rehearsals what points you liked when I sang. Which made me think, 'She's watching me!' (laughs).

Sudo: My eyes get drawn to you. At any rate, you're cute, and it's like you'd disappear if someone were to touch you, like you're a cloud. You've got things that I don't possess, so you're an idol to me, like a younger sister to me. 

I do my best because Maasa watches me by Airi

For the Airi-chan who is so beloved, what do you think about Maasa-chan?

Suzuki: Maasa is someone who can be depended on for anything. When I'm with Maasa, it's like anything's fine, and we can go anywhere! For questionnaires concerning Hello! Project, Maasa's name always crops up everywhere for questions like 'If you had to enter a haunted house together with someone, who would you pick?' or 'Who would you pick to be with you on an unpopulated island?' (laughs).

They both think that the other is amazing

The acting test at the auditions