──1Signed a professional contract a year earlier. What were your thoughts?
The first thing I feel is a strong sense of gratitude. I am very grateful to the Waseda University officials and classmates who accepted my desire to challenge one year ahead of schedule, and to FC Tokyo for creating this system.
──What is your state of mind? Are you excited or feeling pressure?
Of course, I don't know what will happen in the future, but I am excited because I have made up my mind and made a decision. It's a feeling of wanting to do my best.
──I think there is an experience of standing on the pitch as a specially designated player last season behind this decision.
If it weren't for those four games, I wouldn't have made this decision. As a student, I was able to play on a professional pitch and have an experience that can't be replaced. Not only the level, but also the fact that there were so many fans and supporters, and each player was so tense, I had never experienced a game like that before. I tasted the atmosphere of that stadium and strongly felt that I wanted to compete here more.
──When did you specifically start feeling that way?
Last season, I was able to do my rehabilitation for my injury at the Kodaira Ground. I couldn't participate in practice, but I was able to experience my daily life in a professional environment and I started to think that I could grow by being at this level. However, at that time, I was still a player for the Waseda University soccer team and I never lost my feelings for Waseda. Even after returning from my injury, I fought for Waseda until the end for promotion to Division 1 of the Kanto University League, but it didn't come true. So when I compared fighting in Division 2 and in Tokyo for the next season, I consulted with my parents and other people, organized my feelings and made up my mind. At first, I talked to Waseda and then to Tokyo.
──Was it the biggest decision of your life?
It's a clear winner. Since I didn't make many decisions on my own when I was young, I think it's the biggest decision of my life that I made on my own.
──During my junior youth days, I was a member of FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, but is it correct to say "I have returned to Tokyo"?
Honestly, I didn't think "I definitely want to go back to Tokyo" or "I hate Tokyo". I was thinking about it flatly. However, after participating in the camp, I realized that the environment here is great and I also considered (geographically) balancing with Waseda and made the decision. At first, that's how I felt, but when I actually joined, I felt like "I've come back". I think I have more feelings for this club than other players, and I want to repay them because they have taken care of me. When I was in junior high school, I went to Ajinomoto Stadium many times, so when I stood on the pitch in the Levain Cup match against Gamba Osaka, it was a special feeling.
──There is also Kuryu MATSUKI, a former student of Aomori Yamada High School.
I don't really care as much as people say (laughs). But we have been together for two years and we understand each other. In terms of being a professional, Kuse has more experience, so he is a reliable presence. Well, if you look at our usual relationship, you can see that it is a flat relationship, almost like I am a junior (laughs). Of course, I have feelings for him, so I would be happy to stand on the pitch and fight together.
──Finally, the first season as a professional is starting.
I think I have a fresh strength, so I hope to be able to energize the team in the fighting part. My strength is being able to run and fight for the team, so I want to get involved in the game while showing my strengths, such as covering for my teammates when they are struggling. Last season, I also had injuries, so my goal this season is to get involved in the game and fight through the season.
──The right side is a highly competitive area with many rivals for both wingers and fullbacks.
Respectable players are gathered, but I think there are plays that only I can do and cannot be put out, so I think it is most important to appeal by differentiating there. Even if I appeal the same as other players, I cannot compete, so I want to appeal my own uniqueness.
──It means choosing your own path and making it right.
I think that's right. I chose to go to Aomori Yamada High School and Waseda University, but it wasn't a decision I made on my own. There were no opposing opinions and I had already made up my mind. However, this time it was a decision that involved Tokyo, and I caused trouble for those who were involved in the Waseda University football team. There were also many opposing opinions. I think that's only natural. That's why I have to prove that this was the right choice.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
