──1Signed a professional contract a year earlier. What were your thoughts?
The first thing that comes to mind is a strong feeling of gratitude. I am very thankful to the people involved at Waseda University and my peers who accepted my desire to take on this challenge a year earlier, and I am also grateful 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 made up my mind and decided on my own, so I am excited. I have the feeling of 'I'll do it.'
──I think there is an experience of standing on the pitch as a specially designated player last season behind this decision.
Without a doubt, if it weren't for those four matches, I wouldn't have made this decision. Even as a student, I was allowed to step onto a professional pitch and had an experience that cannot be replaced by anything. It wasn't just the level of play, but also the fact that so many fans and supporters were there, and each player was so intense—the tension in those matches was something I had rarely experienced before. After experiencing the atmosphere of that stadium, I strongly felt that I wanted to compete here even more.
──When did you specifically start feeling that way?
Last season, I was allowed to do rehabilitation for my injury at the Kodaira Ground continuously. Although I couldn't participate in practice, I experienced daily life in a professional environment, and by being at this level of daily life, I began to think that I could grow and wanted to compete here next season. However, at that time, I was a player for Waseda University's soccer club, and my feelings for Waseda never disappeared. Even so, after returning from injury, I truly fought for Waseda until the very end aiming for promotion to Division 1 of the Kanto University League, but that did not come true. When I compared fighting in Division 2 next season with competing at Tokyo, I consulted with various people including my parents, organized my feelings and made up my mind. First, I spoke with Waseda, and then I spoke with Tokyo.
──Was it the biggest decision of your life?
Definitely. Since I rarely made decisions on my own when I was little, I think this is the biggest decision I've made in my life by myself.
──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"?
To be honest, I neither felt "I absolutely want to return to Tokyo" nor "I dislike Tokyo." I thought about it in a neutral way. However, after participating in the camp, I decided that the environment here was excellent and, considering the geographical aspect, I could balance it with Waseda, so I made my decision. At first, it was like that, but when I actually joined, the feeling of "coming back" emerged. I believe I have more affection for this club than other players, and since it is a club that has truly taken care of me, I want to give back. When I was in junior high, I visited Ajinomoto many times, so the moment I stood on the pitch during the Levain Cup match against Gamba Osaka was a special feeling.
──There is also Kuryu MATSUKI, a former student of Aomori Yamada High School.
I'm not as concerned about it as people around me say (laughs). But even though some time has passed, we've played together for two years and understand each other well. Kuryu has much more experience in the professional league, so he is a reliable presence in that regard. Well, if you look at our usual relationship, you might think I'm the junior because it's such a flat relationship (laughs). Of course, I have strong feelings about it, so I would be happy if we could stand on the pitch and fight together.
──Finally, the first season as a professional is starting.
I believe I bring fresh energy, so I hope to boost the team’s momentum through my fighting spirit. My strength lies in running and battling for the team, so I want to actively get involved in matches by showcasing my qualities, such as covering for teammates when they are struggling. I had injuries last season, so my goal this season is to be involved in matches as much as possible and to fight through the entire season.
──The right side is a highly competitive area with many rivals for both wingers and fullbacks.
There are players worthy of respect gathered here, but I believe there are plays that only I can make and deliver, so I think the most important thing is to appeal through that differentiation. If I appeal in the same way as other players, I won’t be able to compete, so I want to showcase my own uniqueness.
──It means choosing your own path and making it right.
I think that's exactly right. I chose both Aomori Yamada High School and Waseda University by myself, but those decisions were not as significant as this one. There were no opposing opinions, and it ended with my own resolve. However, this time it was a decision that involved Tokyo, and there are people who were inconvenienced by my quitting the Waseda University Association Football Club midway. There were many opposing opinions as well. I think that is only natural. That is why I feel I must prove that this choice was the right one.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
