[ 真紅の音 -THINK NOTE- ] VOL 8: RIVAL

[ 真紅の音 -THINK NOTE- ] VOL 8: RIVAL

"Before it was Yuto… now I don’t want to lose to anyone in JUMP."

Recognizing the skills in the others, I didn’t want to lose even more. Before noticing, the members of my own group became my rivals. With that, I start to run forward. Believing that our group can become the strongest.

When I was little, I didn’t hate losing like I do now, so I didn’t even think of such things as who would be my rival. But still, when I entered the agency at the age of 11, I immediately had the urge not to lose to the other juniors, who I was dancing with in the practice room. Even though I was in the back row. But I was confident that I worked harder than the others there. Watching others who went out to play after the lessons, I went back home and voluntarily repeated the practice by myself. I got a full-body mirror for my room, so that I could check my dancing. There was a mirror also in the practice room, but I couldn’t see myself, because there were so many people dancing in front of me. Around a year after that, it was decided that I would appear in a Tackey & Tsubasa concert on the behalf of (Nakajima) Yuto, who was busy shooting a drama. There were only two days until the concert, and I had to learn the moves for 24 songs. Time on the rehearsals wasn’t enough, so I remember I invited juniors, who knew the moves, to my home and practiced all night. When the concert was safely finished, I was able to think that “I’m not losing to the juniors I look at from the back!”

The first person who I could clearly consider as a rival, was Yuto. Other than being his substitute in the Tackey & Tsubasa -concert, it was probably also because chances to dance together with Yuto started to increase. Other than singing and dancing on tv, during that time he did a lot of dramas and stage plays too, and he always seemed busy. I thought that if I’ll keep working hard, I could become popular like Yuto. But the one who were chosen to be on the center among the juniors was definitely Yuto, and I was behind him. I wonder what is it that Yuto has, that I don’t? I’ve been able to catch up with many people, but maybe I’ll always be behind this person. Looking at Yuto’s back, I kept wondering about such things.

When I debuted with JUMP, and on the shooting for the “Dreams Come True” PV a staff member told me and Takaki (Yuya) to stand in the middle, I didn’t know what happened, but it felt like a thunder stroke only around me. I thought it will be only that time, but on the next single I was on the center alone. That was the place I kept dreaming about standing at during my junior years. Finally that dream came true, and I was happy, thinking that maybe the people around me had acknowledged me a little. But I noticed that me and Yuto’s places had changed, and it was difficult, because I didn’t know what would be the best way to handle it.

It’s been 5 years since that. I’ve grown up, and there’s been a lot of time to organize my thoughts about Yuto. We’ve had many experiences together, and even now there are things that he can do, that I can’t. Making use of his talent on drums and tap dancing at work, modeling for a magazine, horse riding… showing so many colors, I really think Yuto is incredible. It is definitely thanks to such a high-leveled rival, that I’ve been able to come this far. Even more because I’ve recognized him as a rival, I wish to be able to have that friendly rivalry from now on as well.

Not only Yuto, all JUMP members are rivals for me. Everyone has such a wonderful color, that keeps cheering up the heart of a guy like me, who hates to lose. I hope we can grow as JUMP while encouraging each other from now on as well.

“To JUMP:
You give dreams, happiness, and smiles.
I hope we can become an exciting group.
Let’s stay devoted every day.
Aim to be a monster group!”

- Ryosuke

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