――So like one of you would just be annoyed with the other about something?
Kanako: Yeah, kinda (laughs). But, then we just automatically make up.
Shoma: Yeah, pretty naturally.
――So, has there ever been a time when you guys let a fight drag out to the point where you don’t talk to each other?
Kanako: There has (laughs). They can get pretty long.
――For like a week?
Kanako: Longer! But, then I would try to talk to him.
Shoma: Yeaaaaah lolol.
Kanako: And then he would run away! (laughs)
Shoma: I just can’t suddenly do a 180.
Kanako: But, I try so many times and so hard to try to talk to you (laughs).
Shoma: Yeaaah, I dunno (laughs).
Kanako: Ahahaha.
――You two are likely to finally compete in the senior ranks together next season. As one of the people closest to him, what do you think about Shoma’s rapid growth from his triple axel, to his quad, to fixing his lutz?
Kanako: To put it simply, he’s incredible. He’s been working hard even before the season started. The quick improvements he made to his jumps and the success he has had with them in competition—I’m constantly reminded by what a hardworker he is. When you watch him during practice, there’s no one like him with that kind of determination.
Shoma: No, that’s you.
Kanako: No way, no way (laughs). Everyone says you’re such a hardworker, and no matter how far or long you search, you definitely will not find someone as hardworking as you.
Shoma: *embarrassed* Thank you. But, it’s not so much that I’m a hardworker but the environment that motivates you to keep pushing yourself. Being called a hardworker makes it sound like it’s all on me, doing it all on my own.
Kanako: Ehh? *surprised* It’s not?
Shoma: It’s not so much that I’m a hardworker. I can keep working hard and doing my best because of all the support I have around me.
Kanako: *nods nods*
――It was a difficult and stressful time for Kanako last season as she worked towards the Olympics. How was she like to you, Shoma?
Shoma: Ah, well. The journey leading up to an Olympic Team Selection Nationals really are something else. It was like we weren’t even heading into the same competition. When I watched Kana-chan, it gave me a sense of what it was like to be a senior skater. The lead-up to Nationals was such an intense time.
――Kanako was facing a different type of pressure at this season’s Nationals. How did it seem like for you?
Shoma: She made mistakes in her short program, but to be honest, she was the most senior-looking lady competing. I want her to do well at Worlds.
――I’d like to hear what you think of each other’s skating.
Kanako: He has so many great qualities, but I think right now his jumps are the most impressive. Once he gets them down, he puts them into his programs right away. He does them as if he’s always been able to do them. His movements and passionate step sequences are reminiscent of Dai-chan, and his spins are so fast and beautiful. There are so many things I admire about his skating.
Shoma: I pay attention to Kana-chan’s expression every day. Like, how she is able to raise her arms in the air so perfectly. I pay attention to her skating and wonder how she is able to achieve such perfect expressions.
――The years have really made you more sensitive in your performances, hasn’t it, Kanako.
Kanako: It makes me happy that Machiko-sensei has been telling me how mature and softer I’ve gotten lately (smiles). I’m glad it’s showing in my skating.
――What do you think, Shoma?
Shoma: We’ve always been together, so I don’t really know, ,but I think your performances have become more mature compared to the past. If I have to say so myself (laughs).
Kanako: Thank you (laughs).
Kanako: Yeah, kinda (laughs). But, then we just automatically make up.
Shoma: Yeah, pretty naturally.
――So, has there ever been a time when you guys let a fight drag out to the point where you don’t talk to each other?
Kanako: There has (laughs). They can get pretty long.
――For like a week?
Kanako: Longer! But, then I would try to talk to him.
Shoma: Yeaaaaah lolol.
Kanako: And then he would run away! (laughs)
Shoma: I just can’t suddenly do a 180.
Kanako: But, I try so many times and so hard to try to talk to you (laughs).
Shoma: Yeaaah, I dunno (laughs).
Kanako: Ahahaha.
――You two are likely to finally compete in the senior ranks together next season. As one of the people closest to him, what do you think about Shoma’s rapid growth from his triple axel, to his quad, to fixing his lutz?
Kanako: To put it simply, he’s incredible. He’s been working hard even before the season started. The quick improvements he made to his jumps and the success he has had with them in competition—I’m constantly reminded by what a hardworker he is. When you watch him during practice, there’s no one like him with that kind of determination.
Shoma: No, that’s you.
Kanako: No way, no way (laughs). Everyone says you’re such a hardworker, and no matter how far or long you search, you definitely will not find someone as hardworking as you.
Shoma: *embarrassed* Thank you. But, it’s not so much that I’m a hardworker but the environment that motivates you to keep pushing yourself. Being called a hardworker makes it sound like it’s all on me, doing it all on my own.
Kanako: Ehh? *surprised* It’s not?
Shoma: It’s not so much that I’m a hardworker. I can keep working hard and doing my best because of all the support I have around me.
Kanako: *nods nods*
――It was a difficult and stressful time for Kanako last season as she worked towards the Olympics. How was she like to you, Shoma?
Shoma: Ah, well. The journey leading up to an Olympic Team Selection Nationals really are something else. It was like we weren’t even heading into the same competition. When I watched Kana-chan, it gave me a sense of what it was like to be a senior skater. The lead-up to Nationals was such an intense time.
――Kanako was facing a different type of pressure at this season’s Nationals. How did it seem like for you?
Shoma: She made mistakes in her short program, but to be honest, she was the most senior-looking lady competing. I want her to do well at Worlds.
――I’d like to hear what you think of each other’s skating.
Kanako: He has so many great qualities, but I think right now his jumps are the most impressive. Once he gets them down, he puts them into his programs right away. He does them as if he’s always been able to do them. His movements and passionate step sequences are reminiscent of Dai-chan, and his spins are so fast and beautiful. There are so many things I admire about his skating.
Shoma: I pay attention to Kana-chan’s expression every day. Like, how she is able to raise her arms in the air so perfectly. I pay attention to her skating and wonder how she is able to achieve such perfect expressions.
――The years have really made you more sensitive in your performances, hasn’t it, Kanako.
Kanako: It makes me happy that Machiko-sensei has been telling me how mature and softer I’ve gotten lately (smiles). I’m glad it’s showing in my skating.
――What do you think, Shoma?
Shoma: We’ve always been together, so I don’t really know, ,but I think your performances have become more mature compared to the past. If I have to say so myself (laughs).
Kanako: Thank you (laughs).