GakuMado Interview with Shiho Kato | Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko 2nd Stage

Okay, one last interview before the show starts, right as the first part of the fan meeting is happening! I translated the AyaHiro related questions from Katoshi's GakuMado interview. I've been dedicating most of my fan-working time in between working to these interviews because I really wanted to deliver them to you before the new season begins, so I hope you enjoy! 

— The drama Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko 2nd Stage starts on June 26th. How did you feel when you heard a sequel was being made?

I was super happy. I was still in Hinatazaka46 when I worked on Season 1 and it was such a fun drama, also thanks to the warmth and kindness of the crew, so I was really excited to get together with everyone again. This has all been possible thanks to the AyaHiro fans who supported us! 

— While filming the first season, were there any talks about the possibility of a sequel?

No, not at all. Me and Kanna would joke about wanting to film in Hawaii, and funnily enough we did end up having an Hawaiians Arc in Season 2 (laughs). I really didn't expect a second season to happen, so I was very surprised, and happy! 

— Did you receive any response from people around you, about the first season?

I did! I was still in Hinatazaka46, and all the members watched the show! The fourth generation members in particular, would always reach out to me saying they were watching, which made me super happy. They also said they're going to watch the 2nd season as well! The most memorable moment was when I went over to Haruyo Yamaguchi (a 3rd generation member)'s house and she kept replaying AyaHiro over and over again in front of me, with a big grin on her face! (laughs) I found that so cute! 

— What were your first thoughts when you read the script for Season 2?

It was so funny I couldn’t stop reading. Things develop fast, with lots of twists and turns, like in Season 1. This time we had two separate directors, each working on one half of the season, and I think that will also bring different flavors to AyaHiro.

— Any scenes that especially stood out to you?

We go to Hawaiians Resort this time, and there’s this scene where Ayaka is practicing and then performing the Aloha dance. I'm really excited for people to see that, also because it was super fun to film. We couldn't stop laughing. There's also a scene which shows a Hiroko that would've been unimaginable in Season 1, completely letting loose and making merry, which was super entertaining as well (laughs). I remember having to clutch my stomach from laughing. It was an absolute blast!

— How did it feel to return to the set?

I was quite nervous at first. On the first day of filming, I was quite jittery and shy the whole time (laughs). In Season 1, Ayaka was just recklessly doing her thing, but in Season 2, after she started dating Hiroko, she became much stronger, so I was unsure if I'd be able to properly go back to being her. However, thanks to the support of the crew and directors, I think I did it!

— The story in the 2nd Stage takes place after Ayaka and Hiroko have gotten together. Did you experience anything different in your performance compared to the first season?

Oh yes, absolutely! First of all, in Season 1 Ayaka would call Hiroko "Hiroko-senpai", but now that has changed to "Hiroko-san". I have to say I slipped up a few times, and ended up saying "Hiroko-senpai" on the Season 2 set! And also, they're living together, now, so we also have scenes where they say to each other "I'm off!" and "Take care!", where they sleep in the same bed, etc...That was definitely refreshing and very different compared to Season 1.

— Will we get to see any new sides of Ayaka in this season?

Ayaka is going to grow even more, in Season 2. She'll turn into an increasingly wonderful person. In Season 1, she has this sort of robotic side to her, but in Season 2 she's so human she even starts exuding maternal-level warmth. I struggled quite a bit on set, wondering how to express this new side of hers (laughs). Ultimately, I feel like I’ve grown along with Ayaka!

— Have you been influenced or changed in any way by playing Ayaka?

I share a lot in common with her, including the difficulty in expressing emotions. However, unlike me, Ayaka grew super quickly as a person, which inspired me to grow as well.

— In what ways would you like to grow?

I definitely want to grow more in terms of acting. When working on Season 1, I was still active as an idol, so I kind of struggled to keep up day after day. This time I had much more mental space and was able to stop and think deeply about my acting, wondering, for example, about how to express maternal-like affection, or how to make sure feelings get conveyed through the screen. I absolutely want to keep learning about acting from now on as well.

— What kind of person is Kanna Mori, who plays Hiroko, to you?

Kanna is someone I look up to. During the filming of Season 1 I was really blown away by how funny, kind and amazing she is. That impression hasn't changed a bit. She's totally the sort of woman I'd also like to become. Her acting is also extraordinarily natural and looking at her makes me feel like I want to be able to act just like that, one day.

— What's most charming about Hiroko, in your opinion? 

She’s super cool, but at the same time she’s also clumsy and awkward. That contrast is really endearing. From struggling very hard to try and be perfect, to loving Ayaka so very deeply...I think Season 2 does a great job in conveying that all!

— Sayuri Matsumura is going to make an appearance in Season 2, isn't she? 

That's right! I got to see her and talk to her, though only for a bit. She's a senior of mine, both as an idol and as a CanCam model, so I was very happy to see her again after several years. We even made plans to go out to eat together, so my hope is that we can become friends in the future!! 

— How did it feel to have someone make a guest appearance in the drama you're starring in?

I was very surprised! When it was decided I was super happy and got like "Wow! Thank you so much!". I know she's very busy, so I just felt like telling her "Please take some time to rest!". (note: Sayuri's appearance is referred to as a specific kind of cameo. I'm not sure there's an English expression for it, and it would literally be like "friendship appearance", but anyway, it's when an actor/actress is called to guest by someone in the cast or crew that directly knows them. So, based on personal connection. I don't know about this time specifically, but in a lot of cases, this sort of cameo isn't even paid, and is more like a favor to a friend, as a form of support. By the way this sounds, Sayuri showed up for Katoshi!).

— The Opening and Ending for Season 1 were quite memorable. Can we expect something similar for Season 2 as well?

Sure! They're really cute this time around, too! The Season 1 Opening had this sort of pop vibe going on, while this time is going to be more on the romantic side!

— As for the Ending, in Season 1 it would be slightly different for every episode, right?

Yes, and I think that's going to happen for Season 2 as well. And just like last time, it's going to be pretty stylish. You'll definitely notice a level up from last time, and both OP and ED will convey the idea of Ayaka and Hiroko living together! 

— If AyaHiro’s story continues in the future, what kind of scenes would you like to portray?

Well, that would be action and horror, for sure! (laughs) We’ve got tons of lovey-dovey scenes, living together scenes and funny scenes, so what's missing now is just some horror and action here and there (laughs). That's my dream!! 

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