Hanafusa: Takako-san (Wao), ever since our time in Snow Troupe, we have been in so many shows together and you have really helped me all along, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to look back on all those years, and I requested you for this talk. Thank you for accepting.

Wao: We hardly ever get the opportunity to have a formal talk like this, so it's a bit strange. But certainly, why not talk about those past years? (laughs) To start with, the Hana (Hanafusa) I remember from Snow Troupe was even more straight-laced than now.

Hanafusa: Yes, I was very stiff, wasn't I?

Wao: Why on earth was I friends with someone so stiff? (laughs)

Hanafusa: (laughs)

Wao: I think perhaps I wanted to break that stiffness. In those days, it felt as if you put all your concentration into nothing but your work. In complete earnest... But you weren't at all pretentious. When I think back now, for someone who concentrated so hard on a single thing, everyone seemed to look after you well, both peers and elders cared about you. You had a kind of single-minded intent that made everyone want to hold out a helping hand.

Hanafusa: Everyone was really kind to me.

Wao: You looked happy, you know.

Hanafusa: I think I was very lucky. It's still true now of course, but particularly in my Snow Troupe days, I think it was because lots of people helped me and supported me and looked after me, that I was able to go on. And you, in particular, were my friend, even though we were three years apart in school. When you played the part of my older brother in "Battlefield for Two", you started helping me and gave me all kinds of advice.

Wao: Yes, I remember.

Hanafusa: There was a really harmonious atmosphere in that show.

Wao: I think everyone liked Hana, who seemed so awkward and threw herself completely into things. I imagine the older performers all felt the same. I also liked that about you. I'm not trying to flatter you, but you seem to endear yourself to people naturally.

Hanafusa: Thank you (laughs).

***


Hanafusa: When we changed troupes from Snow to Cosmos, it was very reassuring to have you there. I felt a real sense of solidarity.

Wao: Even after we moved to Cosmos Troupe, there was no real change in our relationship, was there? I think we just remained like older brother and younger sister. But when I became top and was partnered with you, since we had been on stage together for years before then, I knew we had to make sure we didn't lose our freshness.

Hanafusa: Yes, that was our motto, wasn't it?

Wao: Ever since our Snow Troupe days, when I saw you on stage, it always seemed to me that you really adored your partner, so I wished quite naturally that I could be your partner.

Hanafusa: No, no, I don't deserve such praise... I remember, when I heard that we were going to be partners, that I determined never to become a handicap to you, and resolved not to let my performance go stale.

***


Hanafusa: By the way, do you remember the opening night of Utakata no Koi / Glorious!, your first show as top? Just before the curtain went up, we were both on standby on the stage and when I heard your voice on the opening announcement, I turned to you and smiled, but you were already completely in character...

Wao: I didn't return the smile at all (laughs).

Hanafusa: There were times like that when I thought "Oops!" (laughs)

Wao: (laughs). As a matter of fact, you're my checkpoint - I submit everything to your judgement before I show it to the audience (laughs).

Hanafusa: What? (laughs)

Wao: Because when you think something is good, you simply say it's good, but when you don't, you don't pretend otherwise. You're that kind of frank person. (laughs)

Hanafusa: I'm afraid your fans will be cross with me...

Wao: No, I don't think so (laughs). I always think of my partner as the most wonderful person. So in return I'd always like my partner to think of me as the most wonderful person.

Hanafusa: I think that too!

Wao: Thank you (laughs). Together we've always worked hard and fought to give a rich performance in every show, and every role we've played is engraved in my memory, so it's hard to pick out any one in particular. But being able to die in Christine's (Hanafusa) arms in Phantom made me very happy.

Hanafusa: Thank you! (laughs)

***


Wao: So, things we can finally talk about now...

Hanafusa: Ah! I just remembered something terrible! There was one time on stage when you looked as if you were going to kick me! (laughs)

Wao: What, that time in Legend of Revue? (laughs)

Hanafusa: Yes. When I was playing Gigi, just after I changed into my completely white costume, there was a dance move where you lifted me up and somehow through my fault it used to kind of slump. I knew that I needed momentum and couldn't afford to hesitate, so I used to try very hard, with a real 'umph'. But, because I was clumsy, there was one day when it went very wrong... And then after the lift, as we moved on through the next steps...... remember? (laughs) I was in front and when I turned round with a smile, coming up right behind me was Aurelian (Wao) with the most terrible look on his face (laughs). And I thought "Oh no! Takako-san is furious! Run away!" (laughs).

Wao: That time, you really went off in a hurry didn't you? (laughs) It's because I consider it unforgivable to mess up a lift. Nevertheless, that day we did mess it up. (laughs)

Hanafusa: You looked so angry I thought: "Is she still aware she's on stage?"

Wao: (laughs). Aurelian should come up behind Gigi in a cheerful and light-hearted way, but... (laughs)

Hanafusa: There was a step where you kicked your leg forwards, and I thought "Aaah, gotta run, I'm gonna get kicked!" (laughs)

Wao: I was after you as hard as I could, but you were even more desperate to escape (laughs).

Hanafusa: (laughs)

Wao: There you were, running away laughing, going "Hee hee hee!" in typical Gigi fashion, and I was thinking "You little -!" (laughs)

Hanafusa: You were really scary that time (laughs). I'll never forget it. I don't think the audience realised it, but that time, you were no longer Aurelian (laughs).

Wao: Yes, I may have momentarily forgotten the fact that I was being Aurelian (laughs).

Hanafusa: And in that sort of way, you and I are, in fact...

Wao: Fighting. (laughs)

Hanafusa: Yes, we're always fighting on stage, aren't we? (laughs)

***


Wao: To finish with... Hana, you were the best partner I could have wished for. I'm really glad to have been partnered with you!

Hanafusa: Oh no, I'm not, you shouldn't...

Wao: Up to this day, you've always been very considerate towards me. But all the while you've continued to shine bright yourself; I think that's amazing! (laughs)

Hanafusa: No, no, it's nothing. For me, thinking about what I should do to support you on stage came completely naturally. Now, all I feel is really, truly, so much that I can't express it in words, grateful to you. Up to the very last performance on the very last last day, I'm going to strive to keep up with you, and if there's anything I can do for you, please let me to do it! Thank you so much for all these years.

Wao: No, thank you. Let's burn with energy until the very last day!

Hanafusa: Yes, let's!