(Trans. Note: This article was reprinted in Kouju Tatsuki's Memorial Book, and it appears that the middle section of the original interview was cut out due to space restrictions. It's still an interesting look at Flower Troupe in 1990, though!)

Kouju: Speaking of Natsume-san (Oura Mizuki), the first thing that strikes you is her greatness.

Shiokaze: That’s true. The sense of a father.

Oura: Why a father (laughs)?! I’ve known you two since you were ken-1†. From the beginning, Taatan, you were amazing, and it’s still true now.

Kouju: Not at all!!

Oura: You can do all kinds of things. When you were a ken-2 you already felt like a much more advanced upperclassman.

Kouju: I didn’t~!

Oura: I think you’re the pivot for all the underclassmen. When you arrived it seemed like all the underclassmen started trying hard, and I don’t know if you have confidence in yourself or not, but I want you to grow into adulthood with this same attitude of indestructibility. No matter when I watch you, I get a feeling of “Oh!” Sachiko (Shiokaze) is very frank. I love when you bring that to the stage. I think from now on you’re going to become colored with more and more experiences, so I want you to try your hardest to keep that honesty. You’re only a third year still, right? Taatan, what ken are you?

Kouju: I’m ken-5.

Oura: What, still only ken-5? You really have things well in hand, don’t you.

Kouju: I may look like I have things under control, but really things are slipping.

Oura: You two really hold firm to your sense of yourselves, and project yourselves as good kids in mind and body.

Kouju: We came here today intending to ask questions, so here is question number one. A recent amusing moment for me was when I fell into the orchestra pit in the Ueda Koma theater. Natsume-san, has there been any point in your Takarazuka career when something happened that had you so worried you knew you’d never forget it?

Oura: Actually, I’ve fallen into the orchestra pit.

Kouju/Shiokaze: Eh!!

Oura: I also fell when the stage lights had been lowered. But it actually wasn’t all of me, just one leg. I always relied on the lights in the orchestra pit while I walked along in the Tokyo Theater, but one day, I’m not sure if the person in the closest corner was asleep or what, but their light was out. So I trusted that that was part of the Silver Bridge, and when I stepped out… slip (laughs)!

Kouju: That’s it!! I also thought there would be something below me.

Oura: Huh!? Not there!? That kind of sensation. Luckily for me I still had both hands and a leg on the Silver Bridge, but at that time my first thought was: “With the lights off I’ve become clumsy!” And then I pulled myself up (“Guah!”) as if it were a matter of life and death.

Shiokaze: Someone with a stiff body wouldn’t be able to do that, would they?

Kouju: It’s Natsume-san, so she could do it. I wonder if that person couldn’t hear you coming, so they left the light off. So that happened to you too, Natsume-san.

Shiokaze: Maybe it’s something everyone experiences at least once…

Oura: Although it’s better if no one gets hurt and no instruments get broken.

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Oura: Well then, this time it’s my turn: Question number 5! What do you want to do? What are you aiming for?

Kouju: I’m greedy, so I have a lot of dreams, but first I’d like to find a side of myself that would surprise even me. I’d like the challenge of a role, or a dance, or a song that allows me to discover an ability I didn’t know I had.

Shiokaze: For now, I’d like to become a dancer. Truthfully, I’d like to make progress a little here and a little there in everything, but particularly there are so many Flower Troupe upperclassmen who are amazing dancers, so I’d like to become a dancer…

Kouju: I think we have learned a lot from Natsume-san’s strengths, and are a little closer to being on par with Flower Troupe—

Kouju/Shiokaze: Please continue to take care of us!

Oura: Well then, I’ll crack the whip… (laughs), although I think I’m the first one who needs a smack on the rear… Right now Flower Troupe has lost a lot of people, and it’s lonely, but everyone has been so cheerful. Well, let’s focus first of all on the Grand Theater performance and give it our best.

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†ken-1: kenkyuuka 1