Matsuo Miyu UTB June 2023 Interview

When the Peony Flowers Fall

Q. I know the timing is a little off, but I would like to start with the story of when you first learned that your name is called in Senbatsu

A. At the senbatsu announcement, I was sitting there as if I were a viewer. (Sato) Rika-chan was the second member to be called, right? I was very happy because I had been working with Rika as an under member, and I had seen her having some troubles, so I thought, "Let's celebrate!” when I was thinking about where we should celebrate, I heard Ioki (Mao)-chan and Ichinose (Miku)-chan were called, so I thought, "This single is going to be full of 5ki!!!” Just as I was congratulating them, my name was called and the time stopped.

Q. What you said sounds like a drama, like someone who is watching "Nogizaka Koujichuu" on TV and suddenly our name is called and we become a member of Nogizaka46 at that moment (laughs)

A. I was really surprised. After that, I didn't really feel it at all. When I performed the song on music shows, I heard that fans told me “I saw it!” on Meguri, or that a friend of my mother's had contacted her after seeing the song on TV. Hearing such stories I was like, "Right, everyone saw that I was there.”

Q. So it was only recently that you felt it…!! Let's go back even further in the past, last December at the Under Live, Miyu-chan made a 'declaration of determination,' didn't you? You said, "I don't want to look down, I don't want to look up, I want to enjoy the present moment as best I can, at my own pace.”

A. Yes. When I said this, I also said to myself, "It may not be a declaration of determination," but I wondered if my feelings would be conveyed well to those who were listening, even though the other members had stated easy-to-understand goals....... so I was worried that I might not be able to convey my feelings to everyone who was listening to me. But what I said there was my true feelings, and even if it was misunderstood, I wanted to convey my thoughts as they were, so I expressed them in my own way as a "declaration of determination.”

Q. It seems very unusual for Miyu-chan to express her intentions so clearly

A. Yes, the experience during the 31st Under Live was huge for me. 3ki-san told me, “We trust you because you've always prepared properly'', and they consulted me about the upcoming Under Live. In particular, (Sato) Kaede-san, who must have been conflicted due to going back and forth between Senbatsu and Under, supported me in various ways. In such an environment, I thought, "It’s okay to be myself," and now I'm able to enjoy various jobs more than ever before.

Q. I see. As you said in your "Declaration of Determination," you were enjoying the present moment as much as you could, and that's what you are doing now. Hearing you say that reminded me of Suzuki Ayane-chan’s graduation ceremony the other day. I was surprised when I heard her message, "Some people say it was hard work, but I don't want it to be a sad story.” As an audience, it's easy but very dangerous to put other people in the shoes of a "it was hard, but I made it through" kind of story. So When Miyu-chan said, "Sometimes I don't know what to say when I am asked about the future," I sense your discomfort at being told what you hope will happen in the future, and your strong will to "stay as I am.”

A. I joined Nogizaka46 after my period as a trainee. I know there are many people who compared my time as a trainee with Ayane-san’s time as a trainee, and I feel the same way. I believe that my time as a trainee is a precious memory for me, just as Ayane-san’s time as a trainee was for her. Seeing Ayane-san on stage in such beautiful costumes and shining so brightly up close, I was reminded of how wonderful it is to smile and express joy, and I hope to be like her someday.

Q. It's not a story like "After many years of hardships, I finally got into senbatsu", it's a senbatsu that has been accumulated by enjoying each moment and being yourself. I have high hopes for Miyu-chan in the future. By the way... there was an incident the other day that made me think, “So that’s what it means to get into senbatsu...'' Miyu-chan, you sent a 2-shot photo with Saku-chan (Endo Sakura) on Nogizaka46 mobame right?

A. Ah, you knew! I happened to be seated next to Saku-chan when we were working on CDTV. After the work was over, 4ki and 5ki were taking a group photo together, and neither of us would go unless asked. That's why I thought, "Well, let's take a pic together." After that, Saku-chan said a lot of "thank you", and afterwards, we all got on the elevator, and when we were at the end of the elevator, Saku-chan came up and leaned on my shoulder.

Q. You have grown very close to each other... (I’m filled with emotion)

A. Before, I felt that Saku-chan was a distant person and I thought, “I don't have the luxury of being her buddy, so I can't get in her way,” but now I find that we are often in close contact with each other. We're not in a relationship where we talk about this and that, but I feel comfortable in the space we share. It's not that we don't talk at all, but when I was in a haste during a live performance, she whispered in a very tiny voice, "Matsuo~! Ganbare!!” (laughs)

Q. I would like to continue to focus on the relationship between the two of you. Now that you have been gotten into Senbatsu for the first time for the first single of the year, I’m sure that you’re working with a fresh mindset, but how do you plan to work hard in the future?

A. This year will be my last year in 10s. Umezawa (Minami)-san is very considerate of me and often tells me, "You can be more selfish.” So I would like to take advantage of her words and show more and more of myself.

Q. What exactly do you mean by showing yourself out there?

A. One is radio. I really enjoy the radio show "Nogidan," which I do regularly. It is thanks to (Seimiya) Rei-chan who appears on the show with me, and the staffs around me, but this year I would like to appear on radio programs other than "Nogidan" as well. I talked a lot on "Nogidan," and I would like to do the same on the programs where I am as a guest. Another thing I want to do is sports.

Q. Speaking of Miyu-chan, you won the MVP award at the "Nogizaka 46 Hour TV" Dai Undoukan, which is one of your unique characteristics, isn't it?

A. 5ki member Kawasaki Sakura-chan was in a figure skating show which really inspired me. Like (Sato) Kaede-san, who I mentioned earlier, I’m also good at athletics, so I hope we can do something together. This year too, I’m aiming for a view that I have not seen yet, and I hope to walk at my own pace together with my fans who support me