Were your parents born in Saitama too?

They both came from a different prefecture. But it’s pretty much like they’ve always lived there.

Have you ever asked them about how they met and fell in love?

I haven’t, so I don’t know. But they often went together to Hawaii and because there was that “Maui” island they liked over there, I’ve heard they initially wanted to name me Maui (laugh). So instead of being Ogino Yuka right now, I could’ve been Ogino Maui! Maybe they eventually realized that sounded wrong for a name and changed it at the very end? But yeah I’m glad they went for Yuka, really (laugh).

What’s your oldest memory?

It’s probably me fighting with my younger brother, who’s one year younger than me, with badminton rackets when I was around 4 years old. We were just playing around but our mother ended up confiscating them (laugh).

Have you ever asked what kind of child you were?

I was really energetic when I was at home, but whenever I would go out, I’ve heard I was a very reserved little girl. In kindergarten, I would often make dorodango (mud dumplings) and play silently. I do think myself I was a quiet child, and it didn’t change much until I started elementary school. Nowadays, because I’m always so energetic my parents are often surprised by how much I’ve changed and am able to be so outgoing in front of people.

What was your dream when you were still a quiet girl?

It’s a classic for girls, but I wanted to be a Sailor Moon or open a cake shop. I liked Tsukino Usagi, the heroine of Sailor Moon. She’s usually a bit of a klutz but would become super cool as soon as she transforms. I think it’s this personality gap that drew me to her. I really wanted to have a cake shop too and held onto that dream until my 3rd year of elementary school. But my mother told me opening a cake shop would be impossible if I didn’t speak english — so I gave up (laugh).

Wouldn’t it have been better to start studying english instead of giving up?

I wonder? Had it been the me of today, I might’ve tried, but back then when I was a child it was out of the question, as I was really bad at studying. I was a bit of an idiot (laugh).

What happened after you gave up on your cake shop dream?

I think I wanted my parents to keep doing their best at work and have them continue raising me forever (laugh). I didn’t think I would have been able to find a job even if I became an adult back then.

Why would you think that?

Watching Office Ladies in dramas made me think so. That it would be impossible for me to do the same thing. That’s why I was really uncertain about my future, whether I would eventually be able to become a full-fledged working member of society or not. That is, until I started dreaming of becoming an idol instead.

You’re standing where you are today obviously thanks to all the experiences you went through during your life. But what would you say is the main reason you changed so much, going from that quiet child to the very cheerful girl you are now, and when did it happen?

It all started when I was in my 4th year of elementary school, when I went to see a friend’s performance and started taking dance lessons after that. I started interacting with lots of other kids, and progressively became able to stand on a stage through performing in front of people.

What was the thing that caught your attention when you watched your friend’s performance?

I simply thought it was very cool, I don’t know why but I was moved. This friend of mine was also pretty bad at studying, so just like with Tsukino Usagi, I may have been attracted to that personality gap a bit. After seeing that performance, I started wanting to stand on a stage and look cool as well. So after that, I asked my parents if I could take dance lessons.

Up until that point, was there anything else you wanted to do?

No, nothing. There wasn’t anything I felt passionate about before that.

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