With songs like Aoi Sankaku-ki or "WON’T BE LONG," wouldn't people guess what's coming?

Keiko TodaThis was the first time the three of us—Katsumi, Terawaki, and I—stood on stage together. We had never done anything as a group before.

Yasufumi TerawakiThough we've certainly drunk together.

TodaKacchan was busy with rehearsals for the play "Haha no Haha," and Terawaki was busy with the campaign for the movie "Aibou." Despite our schedules, we decided to "sing some songs!" at the May live show. We went to karaoke, and while singing songs like Aoi Sankaku-ki and Dreams Come True (laughs), I had secretly been thinking "WINDING ROAD" by Kobukuro x Ayaka would be perfect. When we actually sang it, we decided on that song right away for the first performance.

TerawakiWith songs like Aoi Sankaku-ki or Bubblegum Brothers' "WON’T BE LONG," people would guess, wouldn't they? (laughs)

TodaThen, in between our busy schedules, we met up night after night and rented a studio about three times to practice.

Katsumi TakahashiWeren't we there four times?

TodaEven though I said it was just for fun, you guys even assigned parts...

TerawakiWell, if we're going to do it, we're going to do it right.

TakahashiTerawaki-san can sing and dance because he's from SET. I'm the one who's going to drag us down in this trio!

TodaThat's not true (laughs).

TakahashiWhen we practiced, I kept getting drawn into Toda-san's part. Terawaki-san could sing it perfectly, so I got discouraged (laughs). Then, I got a call suggesting I should sing the higher harmony part...

TerawakiKatsumi-san's upper register is really strong.

TodaSo, we started singing on the second floor of the sushi restaurant where the three of us were, and then, the customers at the counter on the first floor started applauding (laughs).

TerawakiToda-san told us to "take it easy," but since we were singing in front of an audience, we wanted to do our best. I absolutely didn't want them to think, "Oh, that's all they've got." If we're going to do it, we want to make them think, "Wow, that's amazing."

TakahashiBut I'm the one who holds the key. It all depends on whether I can harmonize or not. Even with practice, I get completely drawn into their parts, so I'd put my pinky in my ear and sing only my own part. I even wore earplugs during the actual performance.

TerawakiYou got drawn in once during the performance, but you managed to recover brilliantly.

A Thrill and Emotion Different from Acting

TakahashiWhen acquaintances asked, "What are you singing at Toda-san's live show?" and I replied, "WINDING ROAD," everyone said, "What! Such a difficult song..." (laughs).

TerawakiI bought the CD too, and thought, "There's no way I can do this." We practiced in the park, and for 24 hours, "winding road~" was constantly in the back of my mind.

TakahashiAt first, I listened to it while driving to practice, but after a while, I started to hate it (laughs).

TodaOn the day of the performance at Sweet Basil, the other secret guests had rehearsals, but these two came straight from their work, so they performed without any band rehearsal.

TerawakiDuring the performance, the audience gave us such a grand and long round of applause. It felt like their heartfelt "You guys are better than we expected!" applause conveyed their emotion, and it was a happy time.

TakahashiMami Yamase, who co-hosts a radio show with me, came to watch and said, "I was so moved, I had goosebumps the whole time!" I couldn't help but ask, "You weren't cold, were you?" (laughs). With a stage play, there's always tomorrow, but this was a one-time performance. It was like the first shot of a golf drive (laughs), incredibly nerve-wracking.

TodaI was already overcome with emotion during practice, but the actual performance was truly wonderful. I was so happy that the audience could feel that we had practiced and worked hard. In acting, the performers create something within agreed-upon rules, but with music, there was a thrill and emotion different from acting. As we reached the climax with the a cappella finale... I ended up crying, of course.

TerawakiIt was a wonderful time. I felt happy, and I was happy that the three of us could do it together.

TodaI realized that the results truly reflect the effort put in. I was genuinely happy.