[Transcript] AbemaTV 72 Hours TV Paripia with Mori Part 2
It kills me that Mori-kun gets so giggly around the guys :D
Master list:
(1) Reunion
(2) Cafeteria
(3) Dorm
(4) Walking the track
(5) Garage
PART 2 "CAFETERIA"
[S=Shingo, G=Goro, T=Tsuyoshi, M=Mori, Staff=Kitchen Staff]
(The four entered the cafeteria, standing in front of the menu)
M: This is the menu.
(points to the menu)
M: From here...well the breakfast is a fixed menu, dinner is also fixed. Only for lunch do we get to choose what we like from the menu.
S: Why do they decide on the meal for you guys?
M: You mean breakfast and dinner?
S: Breakfast and dinnner
M: I don't know. It's like a set meal.
S: Oh!
M: Only for lunch, we can choose what we want to eat.
T: Mori-kun what did you have for lunch today?
M: Um...I need to be light weight for the race so I didn't eat lunch.
All: You didn't eat?
M: I didn't eat.
T: So your weight changes?
M: Right, it changes up until the semi-finals.
S: Then what should we eat? Do you recommend the Gyoza?
M: I recommend...
S: Do you really recommend it? You are acting strange.
M: I am not acting strange! We are in Hamamatsu after all, of course the Gyoza is good.
M: See? They have Gyoza set. Actually until recently they had Unagi set. But they don't have it anymore.
T: Then let's get Gyoza.
M: Gyoza. Also...
S: What do you usually order?
M: I always order ramen.
T: Then let's get ramen.
M: In that case, let's try a slightly odd ramen.
S: Odd ramen?
M: Well...
G: Like a secret menu?
M: Secret menu. It's not listed here. But I think they can make it for us.
S: Then let's order that too.
M: Okay. Are you all eating?
T: Let's share.
(Mori walks up to cashier and starts writing the order down)
(Kitchen staff greets them)
S: Good afternoon.
M: Gyoza set.
S: You have to write your own order?
M: And...can you make curry ramen?
Staff: Yes, curry ramen.
M: The kind with no soup
Staff: You mean Yamaura ramen.
M: Yes, Yamaura ramen.
Staff: How many?
M: One
S: What's that?
G: This is so much like Mori-kun.
T: Mori-kun is a foodie.
G: Right Mori-kun is a foodie!
T: He used to be the best cook out of everybody.
Staff: And?
M: What else? What should we get?
Staff: (giggles) You want noodles?
M: Not noodles.
Staff: Yakiniku set?
M: Oh!
Staff: Yakiniku bowl?
M: The one where you pour the egg over the meat.
Staff: Niku Toji Don?
M: That one! Yes. That is all.
Staff: Niku Toji Don...and one Yamaura ramen?
M: One.
S: He always took the lead like this.
G: He did! When it comes to ordering food. You are a foodie.
T: Yup, and you cooked so well.
M: Not at all. I don't cook at all. You all probably are way more amazing at cooking than me.
S: Should we sit?
M: Let's sit. We can sit anywhere.
S: Let's go to the commercials!
T: Commercials!
S: Wow!! Mori-kun is here!!!
---(CM)---
(All four sitting at a table)
S: "Mori-kun" is trending first place in the world.
(Mori cracks up)
M: I am starting to feel embarrassed about this.
(Everyone claps)
M: Thank you. It's amazing.
G: It's amazing.
S: You are top of the world!
G: After all, this show has been trying to create something that would trend at No. 1 in the world.
G: The CEO of this TV show asked us to do so. And we have been aiming at that. And then Mori-kun,
M: I did it?
G: You got the No.1 spot for us.
M: Is it okay?
G: Totally.
T: It's the best way to achieve this goal.
G: The best way.
M: Really? I'm so happy.
T: I never imagined we would take the No.1 spot with "Mori-kun" though.
M: Stop teasing.
S: It's No. 1 in the world!
S: When the trend climbed to the top, there were people in the room next door keeping an eye on the trends, the whole room exploded.
S: So we got this! Look!
(Shows Mori-kun the bet he bought, everyone took out their tickets)
S: We all bought one!
M: YOU BET 10,000 YEN!?
S: We did!
G: See?
M: NO WAY!!
S: See? This one is Tsuyopon's.
T: See?
(Mori looks at all of their tickets)
M: I am very sorry.
(Laughter)
T: That's okay. Either way it was really fun.
T: "Mori-kun" became the top trend in the world; and if you had won, our prize money would've been 720,000 yen.
M: Oh.
T: It matches with 72 hours TV.
G: If you had taken first place.
S: The prize money.
T: If you had won, we would've won 720,000 yen for 72 hours TV. So I thought in that case Mori-kun would definitely win it for us.
S: And then...
T: I am not blaming you.
M: You ARE blaming me!
(both giggly)
S: And then, 8th place!
M: Hahahaha!!
T: Yes.
S: The food is here!
M: It's here.
(Everyone got up to get the food)
T: I am not blaming you at all. It makes me realize what a competitive environment you are in.
S: No way we would blame you! It's not something we can blame you for!
(They picked up the food)
M: You guys share these 3 orders.
T: Mori-kun why don't you eat some?
M: No I still have to race tomorrow.
T: I see. Even though you lost today, you won't lose again tomorrow.
M: Yup.[Click if you are interested in reading about them eating XD]
(They brought back the food and sat down)
S: Oh Mori-kun won't eat?
T: He needs to be in shape for tomorrow.
S: What's that?
M: It's normal noodles with curry poured on top.
T: It looks yummy.
M: It's pretty good.
G: Did you invent this?
M: No, a junior name Yamaura-kun came up with this. That's why it's called Yamaura Ramen.
T: It looks yummy, Yamaura ramen.
(Shingo eats the ramen)
G: He just had 2 Big Macs.
M: What!?
S: Yummy!
M: Yummy?
S: Yup. Very junk (?)
T: What about this? What is this?
M: This is pork and it's like Tanin-Don, it's meat and egg over rice.
(Tsuyoshi eats)
S: It's like the kind of midnight snack you throw together with whatever ingredients you have when you go over to a friend's house.
S: That's what it tastes like.
T: This rice bowl is good!
M: Is it?
T: It's good!
G: And then this is Mori-kun's recommendation.
M: Right. Because we are in Hamamatsu.
G: Because we are in Hamamatsu.
T: YUM!
G: Hamamatsu Gyoza.
S: But I see why it's not on the menu.
T: Really?
S: Yup.
T: It's a nice B-rank food.
(Mori giggles)
(Goro tries the Gyoza)
G: Yup yup I know what you mean.
T: This Tanin-Don is good!
T: Shingo let me have a bite.
G: The gyoza has lots of vegetables, it's yummy.
M: Right, There's a lot of veggies in Hamamatsu gyoza.
G: Is that so? Yummy!
S: Yummy!
M: Yummy? Thats great.
(Tsuyoshi took Shingo's bowl)
T: Yamaura ramen...
(Shingo started eating Tsuyoshi's rice bowl; Tsuyoshi eating the ramen)
M: There's still a lot of other choices on the menu, we can eat whatever we like for lunch.
G: And of course you can't drink alcohol when you are racing.
M: For autoracing, alcohol is allowed.
G: Huh?
M: But the rule is you only drink a little bit, as an evening sip.
M: Definitely not to start drinking in the morning. Most people don't anyway.
S: Of course, your life is on the line.
T: You really are an athlete.
M: Right...
T: Physically...
M: Yes we have to lose weight for the race.
G: But Mori-kun hasn't changed, your body shape is the same. Just from looking at your back I can tell.
M: Really? But...
G: You haven't changed right? Even your weight.
M: No, I used to weigh 64kg, now I am at 57kg.
G: You actually got thinner?
M: I got thinner.
S: That's thin!
G: 57!?
M: At that time, when I had to take the test, I ended up going down to 54kg.
G: What?
S: Then now your weight is similar to at the time?
M: Right, it's at 57kg, down from 64kg.
G: You weigh in the 50s?
M: Autoracers are all at 50-something kg.
G: That's true.
S: Somehow...I am having so many thoughts right now.
T: Having many thoughts, and eating Yamaura ramen.
M: With Yamaura ramen? (giggles)
S: Having many thoughts, how do I say it?
S: Meeting you after a long time, being able to come here, and meeting you this way, I just completely forget about this show.
M: Huh?
S: I just completely forgot that we are on air right now.
T: Right! We are on air!
G: It doesn't feel like we are on air.
S: In addition, Mori-kun just trended at No.1 in the world. Everyone's attention is on you right now.
M: Is this okay? Won't people think, "Who is this fellow?"
M: Even though I am No.1 in the world, people don't know who I am!
S: There are people who don't know you!
S: I think there are people who don't know you. I mean, when did you quit SMAP? Over 20 years ago?
M: 21 years? 22 years ago? I became a racer...
S: For a person who is 20 years old, they wouldn't know you used to be SMAP. Because it was before they were born.
M: That's right. For a 20-year-old, that's true.
S: And then there are people who have seen us when we were teenagers.
S: And then some who are watching this show probably figured out who you are.
S: But they might not have actually seen you on TV.
M: That's true.
G: It has been exactly 20 years? This is the 21st year?
M: It's been 20 years since I became a racer. And before that I was in racing school for 1 year. So it has been about 21 years.
G: You quitted when you were 23 right?
M: Yes I was 23 years old.
G: I remember that.
S: Before that 21 years, how many years were you around?
M: Before the 21 years?
G: Meaning when you first joined the agency.
M: Oh right! We were both 2nd years in middle school.
G: 2nd year in middle school.
M: I was 13 years old.
S: So...
G: He was a 2nd year, 13 years old, and he started appearing on TV when he was a 3rd year in middle school, 1st year of high school
M: Around 3rd year middle school, 1st year high school
G: And then debut was around 3rd year of high school, so 17, 18 years old. In 1991.
M: Right. 1991.
G: And how many years did you work since debut? After debut...
M: 2,3 years?
G: And then of course before that we were already a group for 2-3 years.
S: So...
G: Altogether 7, 8 years
S: In total how many years were you in SMAP?
G: Around 7 years?
M: Yes around 7 years.
S: So you were around for 7 years.
M: Yes 7 years, since 3rd year of middle school.
G: Yes.
M: Then 7 years.
G: I really remember.
-----------
S: Yesterday we were in yakiniku restaurant "An."
M: For real? Thank you for the meal! ...from end of the year...at "An" right?
G: That time...
S: About that...
G: Right!
M: We met there at the end of last year right?
G: Yes.
S: Thank you for the meal?
M: Thank you for the meal. Huh?
T: Thank you for the meal.
G: Everyone got treated.
M: Really?
G: We all...
S: Mori-kun thinks so too?
M: Didn't Inagaki-san pay for dinner? He was the last to leave.
T: It seemed that way right?
M: It's not the case?
G: No, the restaurant treated us. And Sakai-san.
M: Oh, thank you very much.
S: We went to "An" and talked to Sakai-san.
M: Huh?
G: Yesterday.
S: Last night.
M: For real?
S: In the same room.
M: In that room? Wow.
T: Yup.
M: I wanted to go.
S: At "An." But since that time we met...
M: It's been 10 months.
T: We haven't met.
M: Time flies.
T: That night Mori sighed.
M: I sighed?
T: You were bemoaning that you promised us you would win the Japan championship but you still haven't won it.
T: You said it.
M: That's why...
T: I am not blaming you!
M: You are blaming me. (to Goro) He's blaming me.
T: I'm not blaming you.
G: But it's been a long time, and we had a great time.
S: We met at the end of last year, and Mori-kun said, "I wanted to meet you guys after I win the championship."
M: I said that.
S: But we met. But yesterday and today, you have gotten closer to the championship.
M: I know right? I just can't seem to win it. (a little tearful)
T: The competitive world is tough.
M: I thought it would be easy.
G: You thought it would be easy at first?
M: I did. I took the test to become a racer because I was confident I could win.
M: But after I became a racer I realized the professional world was totally different than I had imagined.
T: You need a very strong will.
M: You do. I mean, today's race I was the oldest racer.
All: What?
M: The racers are getting younger and younger.
T: At the start line, what does it feel like, like "I won't lose"?
M: Yes
T: Because everyone is competitive. It's very tense when you all line up to race.
M: Yes, especially for an open race like today, if you can't get ahead at the start, it's really hard to pass others since we are all racing at very high levels.
M: And I was focusing hard on the start, but today...
T: The start is the most crucial.
M: Yes. The start is most important.
S: After the race, the 3 of us were a bit down, "That's too bad..."
S: And we finally understood how you'd feel as the one actually racing out there.
S: You became very impatient right?
M: .......(giggles a bit)
S: In the beginning you were at the 3rd position, when you guys were in a line,
S: I could see you keep trying to pass the racer ahead of you,
S: But you couldn't find a way to pass him
S: At that moment I think you were probably yelling with frustration inside the helmet.
M: I was going, "Oh Oh watch out!'
S: "Dangerous"?
G: You were getting really close?
M: I was close to hitting the guy. But it was like, it's okay even if we collide and fall down.
M: I was racing with that kind of determination.
G: You can fall down in that speed?
M: You can. But lately I haven't gotten into any collisions.
S: There's an ambulance out there.
M: Yes there's an ambulance.
S: It's always out there.
M: It's always there.
T: Everyone puts their life on the line that's why.
----------
S: You knew we were coming today right?
M: I knew.
S: How did you feel about that?
M: I wanted to show you my good performance.
M: First I needed to win yesterday's race. Win it and get into the semi-finals.
M: For an autoracer, getting into the semi-finals fires us up.
M: From the first day I was determined to get into the semi-finals. I put in my best effort.
T: Were you confident about today's race? Or were you feeling a bit unsure?
M: I was confident. And the test run felt pretty stable. But it's true when I fell behind I became a bit anxious.
T: You got impatient.
M: Because the semi-finals is a really big deal. Even in the pits everyone was tense.
G: The audience too.
S: In addition to having to race, we have a whole TV crew here today--did it affect you, both yesterday and today?
M: Well I couldn't really tell anyone around me. But people around me, like my peers, said to me "Aren't you a bit anxious?"
M: It seems they noticed I was anxious.
G: Really!
M: Yes, they noticed everyone is a bit too excited. After they asked me, I realized that those close to me do notice.
M: But I couldn't tell them about it.
S: So you were so anxious to the point that your peers noticed,
M: Yes.
S: It's our fault that you lost the race then, because we came and distracted you.
M: NO! No no no no no!
M: I'm always anxious!
T: You were like that back in the days too.
M: My father also gets anxious easily. (Translator's note: what kind of excuse is that? XDDD)
T: That's the issue.
M: Yes, I am not mentally tough enough.
S: When you first came out for the warm up, you looked up right?
S: You saw us there right?
M: Yes when I came out for the warm up, I wondered where you guys were.
M: When I looked up, I saw Shingo-chan.
M: And I thought, "They are here!"
T: Mori-kun was so cool during that moment.
T: You were really cool, Mori-kun before a race.
T: I thought you would win today.
(Laughter)
T: But at the same time I suspected you might get anxious.
S: Today we are able to chat like this, and broadcast this live, being able to come here and meet you,
S: We are very happy about that.
S: But we also wonder, "Is it really okay to come here?"
S: "Is it really okay?" We can't help but think that, even we did show up here.
S: Mori-kun did you think about turning down the offer, not letting us come?
M: No way. I missed you guys. (smile) I wanted to see you guys. (Translator's note: Awwwww)
S: I'm glad.
T: Makes me happy.
M: It's true.
M: What's better, you guys are coming to the race track.
M: You guys are coming to my work place.
M: I am happy to show you guys where I work.
------------
S: We met once last year, and then one time you came to see our concert.
M: Yes, that was 4 or 5 years ago.
G: Right, and at the concert we met you for the first time in a long time.
M: Yes, at that time we haven't met for more than 10 years..
S: So when you think about it, in 21 years we have only met twice.
M: You are right.
M: I went to the 20th anniversary concert.
S: Yes. And at the concert we saw each other again for the first time in more than 10 years.
S: And after that we didn't see each other again until we had yakiniku last year.
G: Yes, and then now.
S: And we meet again now.
T: But you did not change a bit.
M: It's the same with you guys!
T: So it doesn't feel like we haven't seen each other for a long time.
S: That's true.
M: It's strange.
G: Those times don't fade away, in our teens and early 20s.
T: It's strange.
(Mori looks at everyone)
M: You guys are the same. Really.
(Turns to stare at Goro)
M: You are the same Goro-chan as 20 years ago.
G: Mori-kun is the same too.
S: Even though you called him Mori-san earlier?
G: No! I really only misspoke. I think of him as "Mori-kun."
S: You used to call him Mori-kun.
M: And I called you Goro-chan.
G: Yes.
M: Goro-chan, Shingo-chan? Tsuyopon.
T: Yup.
M: I called you that since a long time ago.
G: You used to call him Tsuyopon?
M: Yes.
T: Mori-kun is the first person who called me Tsuyopon.
G: I thought Shingo was the one who named you Tsuyopon.
S: No it's not me.
G: REALLY?
T: Mori-kun and I always went the same direction to go home.
M: Right, right.
G: On the subway.
T: Right? To Mori-kun's home.
M: Yes on the subway, Chiyoda Line right?
G: Chiyoda Line!
T: We were always together! Waiting for the train together, if we go home late, then we took the taxi.
M: We took the taxi together.
T: You would drop me off first.
M: Because I felt bad for you.
T: Even that took 40 minutes. Really Mori-kun was so much fun.
M: Why?
T: You are the best, Mori-kun!
M: Why?
T: You taught me a lot of things that I can't say on TV.
(Laughter)
S: Well we are on Internet TV, so you can kind of tell us!
T: No I can't say it!
M: No way!
T: No way!
G: People watching now can probably figure out what you taught him.
T: That's why from now on I want you to win your races!
M: I will do my best.
T: I get that you would get anxious. But Mori-kun is so manly! He was a strong fighter.
S: You fought?
M: No...
T: For me he is a year older, so he's like an older brother. And I looked up to him.
T: At the subway he forced me to do backflips.
M: You never let go of that! You keep bringing it up!
T: Of course I will bring it up. You told me at the subway, "Do a backflip!"
M: At the subway platform, I always made him do backflips.
G: Why?
T: I thought he would beat me up if I refused.
M: You really never let go of that anger!
T: He somehow really wanted to see my backflips.
M: Yes.
T: He made me do backflips, even though there are other people there.
S: He made you do it one time?
T: No, many times.
M: Many times.
T: At the Hibuya Line.
M: Hibuya Line, was it at the Kitasenjyu platform?
T: What's worse, it was in the winter and I backflipped in my down coat.
M: He was able to backflip even in the big down coat. It was amazing.
S: The amazingness is not the point! Why did you make him do such a thing?
M: At that time I couldn't do a backflip. And I had to learn it somehow. So I wanted to see it close up.
S: Not true! You were kind of forcing him to do it.
M: I wasn't bullying you.
T: And he's so naggy. He could've given me his old shoes, but he insisted on selling it to me.
T: I remember it, it was a white "Miracle Boy" with lava sole.
M: I thought I lost my shoes, oh so I actually sold it to you?
T: Yes, why didn't he just give it to me?
S: You didn't have to buy it!
T: But I really wanted those shoes. The white "Miracle Boy" with lava sole. And I think Mori-kun you got those shoes from someone else.
M: I think it was from my older brother...
T: He gave it to you right?
M: I probably bought it from him.
T: And then he sold it to me. What kind of person is that?
M: But it was new.
T: But including all those incidents, I liked Mori-kun.
M: Thank you.
S: This conversation is a little strange!
T: I was young, and he was the first person to show me all aspects of life, the good and the bad.
S: He showed you the good and the bad?
T: Like having money exchanges for certain situations, even though I thought he should've just given me the shoes for free, but he explained to me that he cherished the shoes.
T: So there were a lot of things only the two of us share, he taught me the first steps into the adult world.
S: And you looked up to him.
T: He showed me different ways to think about things.
--------------
S: Me too, things that I can't say on TV...
T: Shingo also has a lot of things you learned from him that you can't say on TV.
M: Stop talking about those things...
S: Can I say all those forbidden things?
M: ......you okay?
S: There are tons of things I know that is forbidden on TV.
S: One time he asked me to go to his place, when I got there, a female celebrity I had seen on TV was there.
(Laughter)
G: Where?
T: You sure you want to talk about that?
G: In his home?
M: She was there. Was she there? She was there. She was.
G: Well Mori-kun was popular with the ladies.
M: Really? Goro-chan was more popular.
G: Well that's true. (laughs) This was the kind of things Mori-kun taught these two.
G: People watching the show now probably knows what I'm talking about.
G: He was the older brother who showed the ropes to these two boys, who were still young and innocent.
M: You guys came to my home often.
S: Yes.
M: Tsuyopon and Shingo-chan.
S: It was not only one time.
M: Not only one time.
S: Not only one time. Not only one time, I tell you.
G: Oh really?
S: What I mean by "not only one time" was she was not the only one.
M: ......you mean who was in my home?
S: Like he would tell me to come over, and when I got there, the door was unlocked so I let myself in.
S: "Huh? Huh?" (acting out his reaction in seeing the woman)
M: ......(wails) BEEP.........
S: The woman said, "Mori-kun went out for a bit!"
M: .......
S: Ok......then the two of us sat there and waited.
G: What? That happened?
M: ......I do not recall.
(Laughter)
T: Mori-kun was amazing.
S: Right.
T: Mori-kun is bad. And interesting. You are intriging.
M: Intriging!?
T: Even now.
M: Really?
T: Yup.
---------
T: But next time...well you lost today, but you are totally aiming for the next race right?
M: Of course.
T: You will start anew.
M: Yes I have to move on and focus on the next one.
T: I want you to win the Japan championship.
M: Me too.
S: Somehow, even when Tsuyoshi and I talk about our little secrets with Mori, Goro-chan really doesn't chime in.
G: I was wondering when all those things were happening with you guys, what was I doing at that time?
T: You were probably fooling around with a different woman.
(Laughter)
G: Well, well, well, that was 70% accurate.
S: When it comes to Goro-chan, there were numerous women.
M: That's right! Remember when I quitted you guys all came over to my house?
G: Oh the day you quitted. The last day.
M: After everyone came over, we realized Goro-chan was not there.
M: Someone called him. Turns out he was on a date.
T: Yup he was on a date in Roppongi or something.
M: He was drinking somewhere.
T: It was like, "Why don't you just come?"
G: You guys won't let me off the hook for the last 23 years.
M: We kept complaining about it.
T: You should've come on his last day.
G: We did meet once when you quitted.
M: Right, we did.
G: But I wasn't there when you had your head shaved.
G: But I didn't really visit your home, or commute with you when we were young, I wonder why that is?
T: Well we lived in different directions, so we commuted in different routes.
M: ....yes the train routes were different.
G: I think us being the same age also had something to do with it. It's a bit weird...
T: Mori-kun is the kind to take care of people. He likes to look after people. So he helped me and Shingo-chan quite a bit.
T: So Goro-chan didn't have that kind of relationship with him.
G: But we did get along...in the beginning the two of us, we would invite Shingo to come with us.
M: We did.
G: We were the same age, and big brother was with us too.
M: My brother? He was there, yes.
T: I missed those times.
M: Right, we had a lot of memories. A lot. We did some fun things too.
------------
S: Last time when we went out to Yakiniku, do you remember me asking you for your phone number because I didn't have a way to contact you?
M: .......
T/G: Yes yes yes.
S: Right at the end. When I asked for your number, you went, "Baka! Why would I tell you?"
M: Who did?
S: Mori-kun you did.
(Mori laughed)
G: Wait, what happened? You mean after we finished eating?
S: Before we left we had that conversation.
M: I didn't say such a thing!
S: You did!
G: You were trying to exchange numbers with him?
S: Yes, you said that! And you left without giving me your number.
M: Yes, wait, no! You know, when I see you on TV Shingo-chan seems like he doesn't like to give out his numbers.
M: Because I knew about that, I thought I shouldn't ask for your number.
S: But that's not the tone you used when rejecting me.
T: Mori-kun was being considerate.
M: Yes.
T: That's true, we lost touch for so long, so there are things we are not sure about each other.
G: So he finds out about us through TV like a regular fan.
S: Wait, no...
M: I didn't say that! I didn't!
S: I understand that...
M: I didn't call you "Baka!"
S: I was like, "tell me your number," and he was like, "I'm not telling you~"
S: I didn't know why he wouldn't tell me so I pressed him on it, that's when he said "Baka! Why would I tell you?"
S: And then he left without telling me.
M: I was drunk so I don't remember any of this.
G: But you were a bit drunk.
T: He was drunk.
G: It's been a while since...well I don't usually drink that much either. But since it's been a while, we all drank alot.
S: The best moment was when Mori-kun sang.
M: I SANG???
G: That was funny. That was really funny! I laughed so much at that!
T: He really sang it, Te...Te...he sang "that."
(Translator note: I wonder if Tsu was trying to say "$10"? At the same time sad that they are not allowed to talk about their own songs...)
S: Right, our single.
G: He sang "that song."
M: ...really? I sang...
T: We would remember it. He was good.
S: He sang. We were like, "Mori-kun you can still sing?"
S: He said, "Of course I can sing! I am really good!"
S: He jumped up from his seat and sang seriously, and he sang so well!
M: Really?
G: His singing was the same from before.
S: "For sure! I sing good!"
T: He's good.
M: You're exaggerating.
S: I am not exaggerating!!
M: Sorry, I did say that.
T: He did not exaggerate!
S: I did not exaggerate! I told it like it was.
T: You sang.
G: That was funny.
S: That was good.
G: So in the end you did get his number?
S: I didn't.
G: I see.
S: "Baka! Why would I tell you?"
M: You know if we exchanged numbers, I would end up contacting him too much.
G: That's why you ended up exchanging numbers with me?
M: Yes. I could check with Goro-chan to see how everyone's doing.
S: You are in contact with Goro-chan?
M/G: Yes.
S: When?
G: The next day he contacted me to see if everyone made it back okay,
G: Because at our gathering there were a lot of reporters waiting outside.
G: so the next day Mori-kun checked with me to see if everyone made it home alright, and thanked me for the meal.
M: That's because we are peers of the same age. If I have Goro-chan's contact, then I can be in touch with everyone.
G: So that was why you contacted me?
M: Yes. We talked a lot.
G: Yes, about that time when we met at "An." So, we have a strange relationship.
S: ehhhh?
T: So that's what you two have in common.
M: Yup. (To Shingo) Give me you number later.
S: Baka! Why would I tell you?
M: (Giggles) I think we will keep going back and forth like this.
-------------
S: So you always eat here?
M: Yup.
T: How long are you staying here?
M: Until tomorrow evening. Tomorrow is the last day of the race. So I am staying until tomorrow evening.
S: Do you get your own room?
M: My room...the rooms are really something.
S: You get your own room?
M: Well my room...
S: Since you only stay for five days, and then you go to the next race track, and then come back.
S: So do you have a room to store your things? Or do you have to carry your luggage around with you?
M: Yes I carry around my bag or suitcase if I am traveling to a race.
M: At my home base, I have my own room.
S: In Kawaguchi?
M: In Kawaguchi I have my own room. But when we visit another race track we stay in rooms that are usually occupied by our senior racers. Everytime.
S: The room belongs to racers who are based here?
M: Yes. This race is the SG Japan Championship, so only the top 96 racers in Japan get to compete.
M: Then we stay in the rooms of people who are not competing in the championship.
G: That's interesting, meaning other people are also staying at your room?
M: They do, at my home base. Because there's not enough space, so when I am not around, other racers can stay in my room.
ALL: Hm.
M: Do you want to see my room?
T: I want to see it.
S: Your room?
M: My room.
G: I want to see it!
S: We can see your dorm?
M: You can come to my dorm. In exchange, don't be grossed out.
T: We won't!
G: You hid a woman in there?
M: Of course not!
S: Can we really go?
M: Of course!
G: I want to see what a racer's room looks like.
S: I want to go!
T: Then should we break for commercials? While we walk over there.
S: Wow so rare! It's so rare that Kusanagi-san would help transition to the commercials.
T: Here's the commercial!
TO BE CONTINUED.
Master list:
(1) Reunion
(2) Cafeteria
(3) Dorm
(4) Walking the track
(5) Garage
PART 2 "CAFETERIA"
[S=Shingo, G=Goro, T=Tsuyoshi, M=Mori, Staff=Kitchen Staff]
(The four entered the cafeteria, standing in front of the menu)
M: This is the menu.
(points to the menu)
M: From here...well the breakfast is a fixed menu, dinner is also fixed. Only for lunch do we get to choose what we like from the menu.
S: Why do they decide on the meal for you guys?
M: You mean breakfast and dinner?
S: Breakfast and dinnner
M: I don't know. It's like a set meal.
S: Oh!
M: Only for lunch, we can choose what we want to eat.
T: Mori-kun what did you have for lunch today?
M: Um...I need to be light weight for the race so I didn't eat lunch.
All: You didn't eat?
M: I didn't eat.
T: So your weight changes?
M: Right, it changes up until the semi-finals.
S: Then what should we eat? Do you recommend the Gyoza?
M: I recommend...
S: Do you really recommend it? You are acting strange.
M: I am not acting strange! We are in Hamamatsu after all, of course the Gyoza is good.
M: See? They have Gyoza set. Actually until recently they had Unagi set. But they don't have it anymore.
T: Then let's get Gyoza.
M: Gyoza. Also...
S: What do you usually order?
M: I always order ramen.
T: Then let's get ramen.
M: In that case, let's try a slightly odd ramen.
S: Odd ramen?
M: Well...
G: Like a secret menu?
M: Secret menu. It's not listed here. But I think they can make it for us.
S: Then let's order that too.
M: Okay. Are you all eating?
T: Let's share.
(Mori walks up to cashier and starts writing the order down)
(Kitchen staff greets them)
S: Good afternoon.
M: Gyoza set.
S: You have to write your own order?
M: And...can you make curry ramen?
Staff: Yes, curry ramen.
M: The kind with no soup
Staff: You mean Yamaura ramen.
M: Yes, Yamaura ramen.
Staff: How many?
M: One
S: What's that?
G: This is so much like Mori-kun.
T: Mori-kun is a foodie.
G: Right Mori-kun is a foodie!
T: He used to be the best cook out of everybody.
Staff: And?
M: What else? What should we get?
Staff: (giggles) You want noodles?
M: Not noodles.
Staff: Yakiniku set?
M: Oh!
Staff: Yakiniku bowl?
M: The one where you pour the egg over the meat.
Staff: Niku Toji Don?
M: That one! Yes. That is all.
Staff: Niku Toji Don...and one Yamaura ramen?
M: One.
S: He always took the lead like this.
G: He did! When it comes to ordering food. You are a foodie.
T: Yup, and you cooked so well.
M: Not at all. I don't cook at all. You all probably are way more amazing at cooking than me.
S: Should we sit?
M: Let's sit. We can sit anywhere.
S: Let's go to the commercials!
T: Commercials!
S: Wow!! Mori-kun is here!!!
---(CM)---
(All four sitting at a table)
S: "Mori-kun" is trending first place in the world.
(Mori cracks up)
M: I am starting to feel embarrassed about this.
(Everyone claps)
M: Thank you. It's amazing.
G: It's amazing.
S: You are top of the world!
G: After all, this show has been trying to create something that would trend at No. 1 in the world.
G: The CEO of this TV show asked us to do so. And we have been aiming at that. And then Mori-kun,
M: I did it?
G: You got the No.1 spot for us.
M: Is it okay?
G: Totally.
T: It's the best way to achieve this goal.
G: The best way.
M: Really? I'm so happy.
T: I never imagined we would take the No.1 spot with "Mori-kun" though.
M: Stop teasing.
S: It's No. 1 in the world!
S: When the trend climbed to the top, there were people in the room next door keeping an eye on the trends, the whole room exploded.
S: So we got this! Look!
(Shows Mori-kun the bet he bought, everyone took out their tickets)
S: We all bought one!
M: YOU BET 10,000 YEN!?
S: We did!
G: See?
M: NO WAY!!
S: See? This one is Tsuyopon's.
T: See?
(Mori looks at all of their tickets)
M: I am very sorry.
(Laughter)
T: That's okay. Either way it was really fun.
T: "Mori-kun" became the top trend in the world; and if you had won, our prize money would've been 720,000 yen.
M: Oh.
T: It matches with 72 hours TV.
G: If you had taken first place.
S: The prize money.
T: If you had won, we would've won 720,000 yen for 72 hours TV. So I thought in that case Mori-kun would definitely win it for us.
S: And then...
T: I am not blaming you.
M: You ARE blaming me!
(both giggly)
S: And then, 8th place!
M: Hahahaha!!
T: Yes.
S: The food is here!
M: It's here.
(Everyone got up to get the food)
T: I am not blaming you at all. It makes me realize what a competitive environment you are in.
S: No way we would blame you! It's not something we can blame you for!
(They picked up the food)
M: You guys share these 3 orders.
T: Mori-kun why don't you eat some?
M: No I still have to race tomorrow.
T: I see. Even though you lost today, you won't lose again tomorrow.
M: Yup.[Click if you are interested in reading about them eating XD]
(They brought back the food and sat down)
S: Oh Mori-kun won't eat?
T: He needs to be in shape for tomorrow.
S: What's that?
M: It's normal noodles with curry poured on top.
T: It looks yummy.
M: It's pretty good.
G: Did you invent this?
M: No, a junior name Yamaura-kun came up with this. That's why it's called Yamaura Ramen.
T: It looks yummy, Yamaura ramen.
(Shingo eats the ramen)
G: He just had 2 Big Macs.
M: What!?
S: Yummy!
M: Yummy?
S: Yup. Very junk (?)
T: What about this? What is this?
M: This is pork and it's like Tanin-Don, it's meat and egg over rice.
(Tsuyoshi eats)
S: It's like the kind of midnight snack you throw together with whatever ingredients you have when you go over to a friend's house.
S: That's what it tastes like.
T: This rice bowl is good!
M: Is it?
T: It's good!
G: And then this is Mori-kun's recommendation.
M: Right. Because we are in Hamamatsu.
G: Because we are in Hamamatsu.
T: YUM!
G: Hamamatsu Gyoza.
S: But I see why it's not on the menu.
T: Really?
S: Yup.
T: It's a nice B-rank food.
(Mori giggles)
(Goro tries the Gyoza)
G: Yup yup I know what you mean.
T: This Tanin-Don is good!
T: Shingo let me have a bite.
G: The gyoza has lots of vegetables, it's yummy.
M: Right, There's a lot of veggies in Hamamatsu gyoza.
G: Is that so? Yummy!
S: Yummy!
M: Yummy? Thats great.
(Tsuyoshi took Shingo's bowl)
T: Yamaura ramen...
(Shingo started eating Tsuyoshi's rice bowl; Tsuyoshi eating the ramen)
M: There's still a lot of other choices on the menu, we can eat whatever we like for lunch.
G: And of course you can't drink alcohol when you are racing.
M: For autoracing, alcohol is allowed.
G: Huh?
M: But the rule is you only drink a little bit, as an evening sip.
M: Definitely not to start drinking in the morning. Most people don't anyway.
S: Of course, your life is on the line.
T: You really are an athlete.
M: Right...
T: Physically...
M: Yes we have to lose weight for the race.
G: But Mori-kun hasn't changed, your body shape is the same. Just from looking at your back I can tell.
M: Really? But...
G: You haven't changed right? Even your weight.
M: No, I used to weigh 64kg, now I am at 57kg.
G: You actually got thinner?
M: I got thinner.
S: That's thin!
G: 57!?
M: At that time, when I had to take the test, I ended up going down to 54kg.
G: What?
S: Then now your weight is similar to at the time?
M: Right, it's at 57kg, down from 64kg.
G: You weigh in the 50s?
M: Autoracers are all at 50-something kg.
G: That's true.
S: Somehow...I am having so many thoughts right now.
T: Having many thoughts, and eating Yamaura ramen.
M: With Yamaura ramen? (giggles)
S: Having many thoughts, how do I say it?
S: Meeting you after a long time, being able to come here, and meeting you this way, I just completely forget about this show.
M: Huh?
S: I just completely forgot that we are on air right now.
T: Right! We are on air!
G: It doesn't feel like we are on air.
S: In addition, Mori-kun just trended at No.1 in the world. Everyone's attention is on you right now.
M: Is this okay? Won't people think, "Who is this fellow?"
M: Even though I am No.1 in the world, people don't know who I am!
S: There are people who don't know you!
S: I think there are people who don't know you. I mean, when did you quit SMAP? Over 20 years ago?
M: 21 years? 22 years ago? I became a racer...
S: For a person who is 20 years old, they wouldn't know you used to be SMAP. Because it was before they were born.
M: That's right. For a 20-year-old, that's true.
S: And then there are people who have seen us when we were teenagers.
S: And then some who are watching this show probably figured out who you are.
S: But they might not have actually seen you on TV.
M: That's true.
G: It has been exactly 20 years? This is the 21st year?
M: It's been 20 years since I became a racer. And before that I was in racing school for 1 year. So it has been about 21 years.
G: You quitted when you were 23 right?
M: Yes I was 23 years old.
G: I remember that.
S: Before that 21 years, how many years were you around?
M: Before the 21 years?
G: Meaning when you first joined the agency.
M: Oh right! We were both 2nd years in middle school.
G: 2nd year in middle school.
M: I was 13 years old.
S: So...
G: He was a 2nd year, 13 years old, and he started appearing on TV when he was a 3rd year in middle school, 1st year of high school
M: Around 3rd year middle school, 1st year high school
G: And then debut was around 3rd year of high school, so 17, 18 years old. In 1991.
M: Right. 1991.
G: And how many years did you work since debut? After debut...
M: 2,3 years?
G: And then of course before that we were already a group for 2-3 years.
S: So...
G: Altogether 7, 8 years
S: In total how many years were you in SMAP?
G: Around 7 years?
M: Yes around 7 years.
S: So you were around for 7 years.
M: Yes 7 years, since 3rd year of middle school.
G: Yes.
M: Then 7 years.
G: I really remember.
-----------
S: Yesterday we were in yakiniku restaurant "An."
M: For real? Thank you for the meal! ...from end of the year...at "An" right?
G: That time...
S: About that...
G: Right!
M: We met there at the end of last year right?
G: Yes.
S: Thank you for the meal?
M: Thank you for the meal. Huh?
T: Thank you for the meal.
G: Everyone got treated.
M: Really?
G: We all...
S: Mori-kun thinks so too?
M: Didn't Inagaki-san pay for dinner? He was the last to leave.
T: It seemed that way right?
M: It's not the case?
G: No, the restaurant treated us. And Sakai-san.
M: Oh, thank you very much.
S: We went to "An" and talked to Sakai-san.
M: Huh?
G: Yesterday.
S: Last night.
M: For real?
S: In the same room.
M: In that room? Wow.
T: Yup.
M: I wanted to go.
S: At "An." But since that time we met...
M: It's been 10 months.
T: We haven't met.
M: Time flies.
T: That night Mori sighed.
M: I sighed?
T: You were bemoaning that you promised us you would win the Japan championship but you still haven't won it.
T: You said it.
M: That's why...
T: I am not blaming you!
M: You are blaming me. (to Goro) He's blaming me.
T: I'm not blaming you.
G: But it's been a long time, and we had a great time.
S: We met at the end of last year, and Mori-kun said, "I wanted to meet you guys after I win the championship."
M: I said that.
S: But we met. But yesterday and today, you have gotten closer to the championship.
M: I know right? I just can't seem to win it. (a little tearful)
T: The competitive world is tough.
M: I thought it would be easy.
G: You thought it would be easy at first?
M: I did. I took the test to become a racer because I was confident I could win.
M: But after I became a racer I realized the professional world was totally different than I had imagined.
T: You need a very strong will.
M: You do. I mean, today's race I was the oldest racer.
All: What?
M: The racers are getting younger and younger.
T: At the start line, what does it feel like, like "I won't lose"?
M: Yes
T: Because everyone is competitive. It's very tense when you all line up to race.
M: Yes, especially for an open race like today, if you can't get ahead at the start, it's really hard to pass others since we are all racing at very high levels.
M: And I was focusing hard on the start, but today...
T: The start is the most crucial.
M: Yes. The start is most important.
S: After the race, the 3 of us were a bit down, "That's too bad..."
S: And we finally understood how you'd feel as the one actually racing out there.
S: You became very impatient right?
M: .......(giggles a bit)
S: In the beginning you were at the 3rd position, when you guys were in a line,
S: I could see you keep trying to pass the racer ahead of you,
S: But you couldn't find a way to pass him
S: At that moment I think you were probably yelling with frustration inside the helmet.
M: I was going, "Oh Oh watch out!'
S: "Dangerous"?
G: You were getting really close?
M: I was close to hitting the guy. But it was like, it's okay even if we collide and fall down.
M: I was racing with that kind of determination.
G: You can fall down in that speed?
M: You can. But lately I haven't gotten into any collisions.
S: There's an ambulance out there.
M: Yes there's an ambulance.
S: It's always out there.
M: It's always there.
T: Everyone puts their life on the line that's why.
----------
S: You knew we were coming today right?
M: I knew.
S: How did you feel about that?
M: I wanted to show you my good performance.
M: First I needed to win yesterday's race. Win it and get into the semi-finals.
M: For an autoracer, getting into the semi-finals fires us up.
M: From the first day I was determined to get into the semi-finals. I put in my best effort.
T: Were you confident about today's race? Or were you feeling a bit unsure?
M: I was confident. And the test run felt pretty stable. But it's true when I fell behind I became a bit anxious.
T: You got impatient.
M: Because the semi-finals is a really big deal. Even in the pits everyone was tense.
G: The audience too.
S: In addition to having to race, we have a whole TV crew here today--did it affect you, both yesterday and today?
M: Well I couldn't really tell anyone around me. But people around me, like my peers, said to me "Aren't you a bit anxious?"
M: It seems they noticed I was anxious.
G: Really!
M: Yes, they noticed everyone is a bit too excited. After they asked me, I realized that those close to me do notice.
M: But I couldn't tell them about it.
S: So you were so anxious to the point that your peers noticed,
M: Yes.
S: It's our fault that you lost the race then, because we came and distracted you.
M: NO! No no no no no!
M: I'm always anxious!
T: You were like that back in the days too.
M: My father also gets anxious easily. (Translator's note: what kind of excuse is that? XDDD)
T: That's the issue.
M: Yes, I am not mentally tough enough.
S: When you first came out for the warm up, you looked up right?
S: You saw us there right?
M: Yes when I came out for the warm up, I wondered where you guys were.
M: When I looked up, I saw Shingo-chan.
M: And I thought, "They are here!"
T: Mori-kun was so cool during that moment.
T: You were really cool, Mori-kun before a race.
T: I thought you would win today.
(Laughter)
T: But at the same time I suspected you might get anxious.
S: Today we are able to chat like this, and broadcast this live, being able to come here and meet you,
S: We are very happy about that.
S: But we also wonder, "Is it really okay to come here?"
S: "Is it really okay?" We can't help but think that, even we did show up here.
S: Mori-kun did you think about turning down the offer, not letting us come?
M: No way. I missed you guys. (smile) I wanted to see you guys. (Translator's note: Awwwww)
S: I'm glad.
T: Makes me happy.
M: It's true.
M: What's better, you guys are coming to the race track.
M: You guys are coming to my work place.
M: I am happy to show you guys where I work.
------------
S: We met once last year, and then one time you came to see our concert.
M: Yes, that was 4 or 5 years ago.
G: Right, and at the concert we met you for the first time in a long time.
M: Yes, at that time we haven't met for more than 10 years..
S: So when you think about it, in 21 years we have only met twice.
M: You are right.
M: I went to the 20th anniversary concert.
S: Yes. And at the concert we saw each other again for the first time in more than 10 years.
S: And after that we didn't see each other again until we had yakiniku last year.
G: Yes, and then now.
S: And we meet again now.
T: But you did not change a bit.
M: It's the same with you guys!
T: So it doesn't feel like we haven't seen each other for a long time.
S: That's true.
M: It's strange.
G: Those times don't fade away, in our teens and early 20s.
T: It's strange.
(Mori looks at everyone)
M: You guys are the same. Really.
(Turns to stare at Goro)
M: You are the same Goro-chan as 20 years ago.
G: Mori-kun is the same too.
S: Even though you called him Mori-san earlier?
G: No! I really only misspoke. I think of him as "Mori-kun."
S: You used to call him Mori-kun.
M: And I called you Goro-chan.
G: Yes.
M: Goro-chan, Shingo-chan? Tsuyopon.
T: Yup.
M: I called you that since a long time ago.
G: You used to call him Tsuyopon?
M: Yes.
T: Mori-kun is the first person who called me Tsuyopon.
G: I thought Shingo was the one who named you Tsuyopon.
S: No it's not me.
G: REALLY?
T: Mori-kun and I always went the same direction to go home.
M: Right, right.
G: On the subway.
T: Right? To Mori-kun's home.
M: Yes on the subway, Chiyoda Line right?
G: Chiyoda Line!
T: We were always together! Waiting for the train together, if we go home late, then we took the taxi.
M: We took the taxi together.
T: You would drop me off first.
M: Because I felt bad for you.
T: Even that took 40 minutes. Really Mori-kun was so much fun.
M: Why?
T: You are the best, Mori-kun!
M: Why?
T: You taught me a lot of things that I can't say on TV.
(Laughter)
S: Well we are on Internet TV, so you can kind of tell us!
T: No I can't say it!
M: No way!
T: No way!
G: People watching now can probably figure out what you taught him.
T: That's why from now on I want you to win your races!
M: I will do my best.
T: I get that you would get anxious. But Mori-kun is so manly! He was a strong fighter.
S: You fought?
M: No...
T: For me he is a year older, so he's like an older brother. And I looked up to him.
T: At the subway he forced me to do backflips.
M: You never let go of that! You keep bringing it up!
T: Of course I will bring it up. You told me at the subway, "Do a backflip!"
M: At the subway platform, I always made him do backflips.
G: Why?
T: I thought he would beat me up if I refused.
M: You really never let go of that anger!
T: He somehow really wanted to see my backflips.
M: Yes.
T: He made me do backflips, even though there are other people there.
S: He made you do it one time?
T: No, many times.
M: Many times.
T: At the Hibuya Line.
M: Hibuya Line, was it at the Kitasenjyu platform?
T: What's worse, it was in the winter and I backflipped in my down coat.
M: He was able to backflip even in the big down coat. It was amazing.
S: The amazingness is not the point! Why did you make him do such a thing?
M: At that time I couldn't do a backflip. And I had to learn it somehow. So I wanted to see it close up.
S: Not true! You were kind of forcing him to do it.
M: I wasn't bullying you.
T: And he's so naggy. He could've given me his old shoes, but he insisted on selling it to me.
T: I remember it, it was a white "Miracle Boy" with lava sole.
M: I thought I lost my shoes, oh so I actually sold it to you?
T: Yes, why didn't he just give it to me?
S: You didn't have to buy it!
T: But I really wanted those shoes. The white "Miracle Boy" with lava sole. And I think Mori-kun you got those shoes from someone else.
M: I think it was from my older brother...
T: He gave it to you right?
M: I probably bought it from him.
T: And then he sold it to me. What kind of person is that?
M: But it was new.
T: But including all those incidents, I liked Mori-kun.
M: Thank you.
S: This conversation is a little strange!
T: I was young, and he was the first person to show me all aspects of life, the good and the bad.
S: He showed you the good and the bad?
T: Like having money exchanges for certain situations, even though I thought he should've just given me the shoes for free, but he explained to me that he cherished the shoes.
T: So there were a lot of things only the two of us share, he taught me the first steps into the adult world.
S: And you looked up to him.
T: He showed me different ways to think about things.
--------------
S: Me too, things that I can't say on TV...
T: Shingo also has a lot of things you learned from him that you can't say on TV.
M: Stop talking about those things...
S: Can I say all those forbidden things?
M: ......you okay?
S: There are tons of things I know that is forbidden on TV.
S: One time he asked me to go to his place, when I got there, a female celebrity I had seen on TV was there.
(Laughter)
G: Where?
T: You sure you want to talk about that?
G: In his home?
M: She was there. Was she there? She was there. She was.
G: Well Mori-kun was popular with the ladies.
M: Really? Goro-chan was more popular.
G: Well that's true. (laughs) This was the kind of things Mori-kun taught these two.
G: People watching the show now probably knows what I'm talking about.
G: He was the older brother who showed the ropes to these two boys, who were still young and innocent.
M: You guys came to my home often.
S: Yes.
M: Tsuyopon and Shingo-chan.
S: It was not only one time.
M: Not only one time.
S: Not only one time. Not only one time, I tell you.
G: Oh really?
S: What I mean by "not only one time" was she was not the only one.
M: ......you mean who was in my home?
S: Like he would tell me to come over, and when I got there, the door was unlocked so I let myself in.
S: "Huh? Huh?" (acting out his reaction in seeing the woman)
M: ......(wails) BEEP.........
S: The woman said, "Mori-kun went out for a bit!"
M: .......
S: Ok......then the two of us sat there and waited.
G: What? That happened?
M: ......I do not recall.
(Laughter)
T: Mori-kun was amazing.
S: Right.
T: Mori-kun is bad. And interesting. You are intriging.
M: Intriging!?
T: Even now.
M: Really?
T: Yup.
---------
T: But next time...well you lost today, but you are totally aiming for the next race right?
M: Of course.
T: You will start anew.
M: Yes I have to move on and focus on the next one.
T: I want you to win the Japan championship.
M: Me too.
S: Somehow, even when Tsuyoshi and I talk about our little secrets with Mori, Goro-chan really doesn't chime in.
G: I was wondering when all those things were happening with you guys, what was I doing at that time?
T: You were probably fooling around with a different woman.
(Laughter)
G: Well, well, well, that was 70% accurate.
S: When it comes to Goro-chan, there were numerous women.
M: That's right! Remember when I quitted you guys all came over to my house?
G: Oh the day you quitted. The last day.
M: After everyone came over, we realized Goro-chan was not there.
M: Someone called him. Turns out he was on a date.
T: Yup he was on a date in Roppongi or something.
M: He was drinking somewhere.
T: It was like, "Why don't you just come?"
G: You guys won't let me off the hook for the last 23 years.
M: We kept complaining about it.
T: You should've come on his last day.
G: We did meet once when you quitted.
M: Right, we did.
G: But I wasn't there when you had your head shaved.
G: But I didn't really visit your home, or commute with you when we were young, I wonder why that is?
T: Well we lived in different directions, so we commuted in different routes.
M: ....yes the train routes were different.
G: I think us being the same age also had something to do with it. It's a bit weird...
T: Mori-kun is the kind to take care of people. He likes to look after people. So he helped me and Shingo-chan quite a bit.
T: So Goro-chan didn't have that kind of relationship with him.
G: But we did get along...in the beginning the two of us, we would invite Shingo to come with us.
M: We did.
G: We were the same age, and big brother was with us too.
M: My brother? He was there, yes.
T: I missed those times.
M: Right, we had a lot of memories. A lot. We did some fun things too.
------------
S: Last time when we went out to Yakiniku, do you remember me asking you for your phone number because I didn't have a way to contact you?
M: .......
T/G: Yes yes yes.
S: Right at the end. When I asked for your number, you went, "Baka! Why would I tell you?"
M: Who did?
S: Mori-kun you did.
(Mori laughed)
G: Wait, what happened? You mean after we finished eating?
S: Before we left we had that conversation.
M: I didn't say such a thing!
S: You did!
G: You were trying to exchange numbers with him?
S: Yes, you said that! And you left without giving me your number.
M: Yes, wait, no! You know, when I see you on TV Shingo-chan seems like he doesn't like to give out his numbers.
M: Because I knew about that, I thought I shouldn't ask for your number.
S: But that's not the tone you used when rejecting me.
T: Mori-kun was being considerate.
M: Yes.
T: That's true, we lost touch for so long, so there are things we are not sure about each other.
G: So he finds out about us through TV like a regular fan.
S: Wait, no...
M: I didn't say that! I didn't!
S: I understand that...
M: I didn't call you "Baka!"
S: I was like, "tell me your number," and he was like, "I'm not telling you~"
S: I didn't know why he wouldn't tell me so I pressed him on it, that's when he said "Baka! Why would I tell you?"
S: And then he left without telling me.
M: I was drunk so I don't remember any of this.
G: But you were a bit drunk.
T: He was drunk.
G: It's been a while since...well I don't usually drink that much either. But since it's been a while, we all drank alot.
S: The best moment was when Mori-kun sang.
M: I SANG???
G: That was funny. That was really funny! I laughed so much at that!
T: He really sang it, Te...Te...he sang "that."
(Translator note: I wonder if Tsu was trying to say "$10"? At the same time sad that they are not allowed to talk about their own songs...)
S: Right, our single.
G: He sang "that song."
M: ...really? I sang...
T: We would remember it. He was good.
S: He sang. We were like, "Mori-kun you can still sing?"
S: He said, "Of course I can sing! I am really good!"
S: He jumped up from his seat and sang seriously, and he sang so well!
M: Really?
G: His singing was the same from before.
S: "For sure! I sing good!"
T: He's good.
M: You're exaggerating.
S: I am not exaggerating!!
M: Sorry, I did say that.
T: He did not exaggerate!
S: I did not exaggerate! I told it like it was.
T: You sang.
G: That was funny.
S: That was good.
G: So in the end you did get his number?
S: I didn't.
G: I see.
S: "Baka! Why would I tell you?"
M: You know if we exchanged numbers, I would end up contacting him too much.
G: That's why you ended up exchanging numbers with me?
M: Yes. I could check with Goro-chan to see how everyone's doing.
S: You are in contact with Goro-chan?
M/G: Yes.
S: When?
G: The next day he contacted me to see if everyone made it back okay,
G: Because at our gathering there were a lot of reporters waiting outside.
G: so the next day Mori-kun checked with me to see if everyone made it home alright, and thanked me for the meal.
M: That's because we are peers of the same age. If I have Goro-chan's contact, then I can be in touch with everyone.
G: So that was why you contacted me?
M: Yes. We talked a lot.
G: Yes, about that time when we met at "An." So, we have a strange relationship.
S: ehhhh?
T: So that's what you two have in common.
M: Yup. (To Shingo) Give me you number later.
S: Baka! Why would I tell you?
M: (Giggles) I think we will keep going back and forth like this.
-------------
S: So you always eat here?
M: Yup.
T: How long are you staying here?
M: Until tomorrow evening. Tomorrow is the last day of the race. So I am staying until tomorrow evening.
S: Do you get your own room?
M: My room...the rooms are really something.
S: You get your own room?
M: Well my room...
S: Since you only stay for five days, and then you go to the next race track, and then come back.
S: So do you have a room to store your things? Or do you have to carry your luggage around with you?
M: Yes I carry around my bag or suitcase if I am traveling to a race.
M: At my home base, I have my own room.
S: In Kawaguchi?
M: In Kawaguchi I have my own room. But when we visit another race track we stay in rooms that are usually occupied by our senior racers. Everytime.
S: The room belongs to racers who are based here?
M: Yes. This race is the SG Japan Championship, so only the top 96 racers in Japan get to compete.
M: Then we stay in the rooms of people who are not competing in the championship.
G: That's interesting, meaning other people are also staying at your room?
M: They do, at my home base. Because there's not enough space, so when I am not around, other racers can stay in my room.
ALL: Hm.
M: Do you want to see my room?
T: I want to see it.
S: Your room?
M: My room.
G: I want to see it!
S: We can see your dorm?
M: You can come to my dorm. In exchange, don't be grossed out.
T: We won't!
G: You hid a woman in there?
M: Of course not!
S: Can we really go?
M: Of course!
G: I want to see what a racer's room looks like.
S: I want to go!
T: Then should we break for commercials? While we walk over there.
S: Wow so rare! It's so rare that Kusanagi-san would help transition to the commercials.
T: Here's the commercial!
TO BE CONTINUED.