What I felt as we made our 3rd album, which was one of our goals for this year was that because our songs we'd grown up, the MAX of a year or two ago was always over reaching ourselves and trying to be more grown up than we really were as we sang, but from around the time of 'Give Me a Shake' the world view and lyrics of our songs became really close our normal selves. But proabably what also made me able to feel that is that having many experiences as we have, the four of us have grown up into adults. Although on top of our feelings, we haven't really changed at all since we were teenagers. (laugh).
In MAX, I'm the youngest and Nana-san is the oldest, and we're separated by two years, but now no of us feel our age differences at all. I think that we did feel that age gap when we first debuted, though. Especially when you're 16 or 17, even if someone's only a year older, don't they seem really adult? But when I turned 20, it became like everyone was the same age. I think that when I was a teenager, I was trying my hardest to be more grown up than I really was. But now I feel like I can just be the way I am. Also, MAX has had so many experiences, like being chairman, or acting, and because of that, all of the members have really confirmed the fact that 'I love singing more than anything else', and I think this had a strong impact on our relationship.
Growth is a really hard thing to see about yourself. The four of us were always close, but back then, we were all aiming for different things, so our team-work wasn't as water-tight as it is now. But now we've grown so much, to a relationship where we can speak with our eyes, without using words. Like I said before, I think that's because we're all aiming for exactly the same place now.
Especially, in '99, we're going to devote half a year to our beloved national-wide tour. Ooh, it seems like we'll spend really fufilling days. During our '98 tour, when we spent time with everyone, we got together with all the staff and had bowling tounements, and in Morioka we had a 'Wanko soba speed eating contest.' During tours there's that kind of fun as well. I hate to lose, so during the 'Wanko soba' contest I got into a 'I'll win!' mood. But...the dancer next to me ate two bowls in the time I ate one. So I thought 'It's no use now...' and saying 'Now I'll try all the flavors!' I had fun and ate. The bowling and speed eating contests definately weren't anything I'm good at, so I think next tour, I'll make something I'm good at into a contest, and I'll win it! (laugh)
What I really like to do lately is go to an arcade, and do nothing but play around. A while ago I went with two of my friends, and I became absorbed in the shooting game, with out even noticing the people around me. While the other two wondeed around the game center, I shot and shot and shot. Also, I try out alot of different Print Clubs. When I go into the Arcade, an hour passes in a flash, I get so into it!
Also, I've recently started taking guitar and drum lessons. As an individual thing, I want to make a private band and have a secret concert. But I'd invite the other three (from MAX) to my concert. But if we can, I'd like to see a band kind of thing with the four of us from MAX. I'd love to have a number in our next concert where the four of us just play instruments. Becuase that's my dream right now.