──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 staff and my classmates who accepted my desire to challenge a year earlier, as well as 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 believe that the background of this decision is the experience of playing on the pitch as a specially designated player last season.
Without those four matches, this decision would not have been made. As a student, I was able to stand on a professional pitch and have an experience that cannot be replaced. Not only the level, but also the fans and supporters were there, and each player was filled with a sense of tension that I had never experienced before. I tasted the atmosphere of that stadium and strongly felt that I wanted to compete here more.
──When did you specifically start to feel that way?
Last season, I was able to do my rehabilitation for my injury at the Koyoshi Ground. I couldn't participate in practice, but I was able to experience daily life in a professional environment and I started to think that I could grow by being at this level of daily life and I wanted to compete here next season. However, at that time, I was a player on 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 competing in Tokyo next season, I consulted with my parents and various other people, and I made up my mind and determination within myself. At first, I talked to the Waseda side, and then I talked to the Tokyo side.
──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 came back 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 decided to come here because the environment is great and I can also balance with Waseda (geographically). 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. Kuse has more experience as a pro, 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 about to begin.
I think I have a fresh energy, 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 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 making the right choice for yourself.
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 when I quit the Waseda University football team. There were also many opposing opinions. I think that's only natural. That's why I feel like I have to prove that this was the right choice.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
