Rain Tree Series [Ep. 4] Hiyuga Asamiya & Kotori Ayase’s We Haven’t Achieved Anything Yet

Asamiya: (Ayase) Kotori is a natural-born idol.

In the final audition of the “IDOL 3.0 PROJECT” produced by Yasushi Akimoto, 17 members were unfortunately not chosen but had been active over the past year under the name “FINALIST.” Now, they are starting anew under the name “Rain Tree” and are set to make their major debut in January 2025. This special series takes a closer look at their true selves.

The fourth installment features an interview discussion with Asamiya Hyuga and Ayase Kotori!

— First, please introduce yourselves.

Asamiya Hyuga: “I’m Asamiya Hyuga, born on December 25, 2001, on Christmas, from Chiba Prefecture, blood type AB! I’ve loved fashion since I was a child. When I was in the third grade, I bought my first fashion magazine and learned about stylists. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to become a stylist, and I even attended a vocational school for it.”

Asamiya Hinata: “Also, I love eating! I think I’m probably more knowledgeable about convenience store new product releases than anyone else in the group. My favorite food is omelette rice! Sometimes, I go on solo omelette rice tours. I’m always thinking about food in the back of my mind, and I believe eating is living!”

Ayase Kotori: “I’m a high school senior from Aichi Prefecture, Ayase Kotori! What sets me apart is that I have many hobbies, such as drawing, singing, watching anime, watching movies, and playing musical instruments.”

──From the photoshoot, the great atmosphere between the two of you really comes across.

Ayase: “This was our first shoot alone together, and it felt really comfortable. During rehearsals, we often mess around by tapping each other on the shoulder or teasing each other (laughs). Since we usually don’t get to wear off-shoulder outfits, which are stylish and more elegant, I think I was able to show a new side of myself.”

Asamiya: “I had my hair curled, and the off-shoulder outfit showed a bit of skin, so I feel like they brought out a more mature version of me.”

──What impressions do you have of each other?

Ayase: “Day-to-day, Hinata is a bit air-headed and fluffy, but during rehearsals, she’s really serious and delicate, and I can tell she thinks deeply about things. Also, her voice gets really quiet during live streams (laughs).”

Asamiya: “When I spoke as usual, fans called it ‘whispered streaming’ (laughs). As for Kotori, I truly think she’s a natural-born idol. She’s always looking at herself in the mirror, studying herself, she’s great at makeup, and she practices the expressions she shows in performances in a very disciplined way. So, I really respect her. I think I have to learn from her.”

Ayase: “I’m honestly happy. This was my first time auditioning for an idol group, and because I’m not very familiar with the idol world, I feel like I have to work harder than the other members in my own way.”

──You weren’t originally familiar with the idol industry?

Ayase: “I liked famous idol groups and catchy songs, thinking they were cute and fun, but I never thought about aiming to become an idol. I’ve always liked drawing, so I wanted to pursue a path where I could use my illustration skills, which led me to attend an illustrator-focused vocational school. But at that school, there were so many people who could draw better than me. And at that time, it was idols who comforted me.”

Ayase: “When I watched the music video for ‘Band-Aid Like Breakups’ by Nogizaka46, I saw the members shining so brightly, and I started to think, ‘I want to shine like that too.'”

Asamiya: “I was also inspired to dream of becoming an idol by Nogizaka46. When I was in my first year of middle school, I happened to stay up late one night and watched ‘NogiDoko’ (‘Nogizaka tte, Doko?’) with my mom. I was shocked to see how cute and funny the idols were. After that, I started to look up to idols beyond just Nogizaka46, and I have auditioned for many opportunities since then.”

Asamiya: “The first audition I took part in was when I was a first-year high school student, for the second generation of Keyakizaka46. After that, I participated in the Sakamichi Group joint auditions, Nogizaka46’s 5th generation audition, Sakurazaka46’s 3rd generation audition, and Hinatazaka46’s 4th generation audition. Altogether, I auditioned five times. But I didn’t get selected for any of them. I told myself that the next one would be my last, so I participated in the ‘IDOL3.0 PROJECT Audition,’ which ended up being the one I succeeded in.”

─ Both of you have been active as FINALIST for a year, but what aspects do you feel you have grown in during this period leading up to your major debut?

Ayase: “There are many things, but first, I would say dancing. Back during the auditions, I was always looking down, and my movements were very soft. But now, I can move more confidently, and I’ve become more aware of the people in front of me during performances. I also started paying more attention to my expressions and small details, like the angle of my neck, and now people around me say, ‘You’ve really grown!'”

Ayase: “Apart from dance, it’s my mental state. I didn’t have much confidence before, but thanks to the support of the fans, I realized that even someone like me is being cheered on, and that made me feel motivated to keep going.”

Asamiya: “I also had no experience with dancing, so at first, I was really bad at it and couldn’t dance at all. I practiced every day without fail. Even though I still couldn’t do it well at times, there were members who encouraged me by saying, ‘You’re getting better!’ and thanks to them, I was able to keep going.”

Asamiya: “In the past, even if I was praised, I couldn’t really believe it. But now, when the people who support me praise me, I can honestly say, ‘Thank you!’ I think I’ve slowly gained more confidence.”

Ayase: “This is where the real start begins.”

──What do you think are your unique qualities or strengths as an idol?

Ayase: “My strong passion for singing and dancing is a big asset. Also, I love studying social media, so I believe I have a keen sense of how to spot trends and what could go viral better than anyone else.”

Asamiya: “Having been an idol fan for a long time, I think my greatest strength is being able to understand the feelings of idol fans—knowing what will make them happy and what will make them like us.”

──Now that your major debut is imminent, how do you feel?

Ayase: “I’m really happy that we’ve achieved our major debut, but we haven’t accomplished anything yet. We’re still at square one. This is where the real start begins, and I want to work even harder from here.”

Asamiya: “I feel like I’ve finally reached the starting line, and this Christmas I’ll turn 23. I want to live an idol life without wasting a single day and with no regrets.”

──It has also been announced that a selection system will be adopted to choose the members who will perform the title track for each single release.

Asamiya: “I’m not good at competing with others, but I’ve realized that I can’t just say that. For the group to grow, such a system is necessary, so I want to switch my mindset and work hard.”

Ayase: “I feel the same way.”

──Please tell us your goals as a group and your personal dreams.

Asamiya: “As a group, our goal is to become loved not only in Japan but all over the world. Personally, I want to design the group’s costumes someday!”

Ayase: “As a group, my goal is for us to be loved by people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Personally, I want to pursue work that allows me to utilize my many hobbies.”

■PROFILE
Asamiya Hinata (born December 25, 2001, Chiba Prefecture)
Skills/Hobbies: Attending idol live performances and handshake events, fashion, piano, exploring mint chocolate, short-term memory, creating works.

Ayase Kotori (born June 12, 2006, Aichi Prefecture)
Skills/Hobbies: Bass, drawing, impersonations.