Best Friends! Mariya Nagao & Yume Hayashi: “The Scenes Where We Touched Each Other Were Embarrassing” [This Week’s Cover Girl]

A sense of comfort, like family

—You two get along well even in your personal lives. How was the collaborative shoot?

Hayashi: “I’ve known ‘Mariyagi’ (Nagao) for about eight years, but this was the first time we’ve done a gravure shoot together. It felt really fresh. The scenes where our bodies touched were a little embarrassing, though (laughs).”

Nagao: “Since we’re always flirting with each other in private, I wasn’t really embarrassed at all (laughs). Unfortunately, we had to shoot in the rain, but thanks to that, I think the photos turned out with a soft, mature vibe!”

——How was it different from a solo shoot?

Hayashi: “When I shoot alone, I focus on interacting one-on-one with the photographer. But this time, I was conscious of what poses would make both of us look our best.”

Nagao: “There are lots of photos I’d love for people to see, like the shots where we’re gazing at each other from very close up.We’re so close that we even went to the sauna together the day before this shoot. I hope that vibe comes through. Yume (Hayashi) and I have completely different facial features, but for some reason, we share a lot of fans. We’ve received many messages saying, ‘I’ve been wanting to see this duo in a gravure spread!’”

Hayashi: “I’ve also had fans tell me when we met, ‘I’ve actually been going to Nagao-san’s events for a long time.’ I think this photo spread will make those fans especially happy.”

——How did the two of you become friends?

Hayashi: “It all started when a mutual friend introduced us. There was absolutely no barrier with Mariyagi from the very beginning—we hit it off right away. We both love drinking and aren’t the type to sweat the small stuff. I think we clicked because we had so much in common.”

Nagao: “From the very first time I met Yume, I felt like our values were similar. Actually, our homes are really close to each other. If I pass by Yume’s house and see the lights on, I’ll think, ‘She’s home!’ and drop by to see her.”

Hayashi: “We even went on a trip to Fukuoka with five of us, including our close female friends, didn’t we?”

Nagao: “We were at an Italian restaurant by the river, drinking well into the night (laughs). The next day, we even had ramen in Hakata… It was such a fun girls’ trip.”

——Your appearance together on the dating reality show *Love Power Kingdom 2* (ABEMA), which began streaming this past February, also generated a lot of buzz.

Nagao: “When I found out I was cast, I had absolutely no idea Yume was going to be on the show. I was nervous when I first met the other female cast members, so I was so happy when I spotted Yume. It gave me a sense of security, like having a relative or family member there.”

Hayashi: “I was also really surprised to find out Mariyagi was there, and I couldn’t help but give her a hug. When the cameras weren’t rolling, we’d talk about the results of the popularity polls from the guys, right?”

Nagao: “I got so anxious about whether I’d make it through the show that there were times we even slept in the same bed. Having Yume there was such a huge source of strength for me.”

Posing and Style

—Let’s ask you both: What’s the one thing you’d say, “As a gravure idol, I’m unbeatable at this!”?

Nagao: “It’s my posing. There are plenty of other girls with great figures, so I plan to stand out through my expressiveness. Instead of just following the photographer’s instructions, I try to come up with poses that fit the shoot’s theme on my own.”

Hayashi: “If I had to pick one, I’d say my figure. I’ve been going to a personal training gym and working out consistently for about nine years now. I make a point of exercising regularly so I’m always ready whenever a gravure job comes my way.”

——If you had to describe your relationship in one word?

Nagao: “That’s a tough one… I guess it’s like a couple’s relationship. I’m the older girlfriend, and Yume is the younger boyfriend. Yume actually has a surprisingly masculine side, and I like to act a little spoiled around him.”

Hayashi: “When we’re together, she’s always clinging to me (laughs). She’s usually calm and considerate, but once she’s had a few drinks, she gets all clingy. That contrast is part of Mariyagi’s charm.”

——So, from your perspective, Nagao, what do you find attractive about Hayashi?

Nagao: “Her figure. Even during this shoot, I thought, ‘She’s nearly 170 cm tall and has such a great figure.’ Also, her face is just too cute. You’d think someone this cute would make people around her feel intimidated, but Yume doesn’t put up walls—she treats everyone equally. That’s why people are always gathered around her.”

——Please share a message for the readers who’ve been looking forward to this photo spread!

Hayashi: “Our individual charms combined to create a great spread! For those of you who’ve been eagerly awaiting this collaboration, please enjoy it to the fullest!”

Nagao: “Thanks to Yume, I feel like we were able to express a different side of ourselves than we do in solo shoots. I’d be happy to hear all kinds of feedback from everyone who sees it. I hope we can do another pair gravure shoot with Yume someday!”

Maria Nagao, 32
From Kanagawa Prefecture. She graduated from “AKB48” in 2016 and is currently active as an actress and model.

Yume Hayashi, 30
From Hokkaido. She has been nominated for “The 100 Most Beautiful Faces in the World” for three consecutive years since 2019

My Recent Favorite “BUY & HEALING SPOT”
Camera & Golf Course

Hayashi: Influenced by a friend, I recently bought a camera! Since I went to the trouble of buying it, I want to take pictures of all sorts of things. Maybe I’ll try taking some cute photos of Mariyagi.

Nagao: I’ve been hooked on golf for a while now. It’s a great way to refresh because I can really immerse myself in nature. I think I might actually like the golf course more than the game itself.

From the August 7 & 14, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*