Part one here: http://smbeech.tumblr.com/post/131169893023/aiji-lmc-x-ryutaro-arimura-plastic-tree-shoxx
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Ryutaro: We talked about music. Back then, what I Aiji and I
were listening too, was similar. To me, that was unexpected. The image of Aiji
on stage was different, than what I thought.
Did you think he was more the “Cool” type?
Ryutaro: Eeeh…kind of.
Aiji: Back then, I actually was trying to be “Cool”,
especially on stage (laughs).
How about you Aiji, what was your image of Ryutaro at the
time.
Aiji: In the beginning, I thought he was the quite type. His
appearance was unique, he was actually wearing half-pants and was carrying a
Randoseru* [TN: Japanese school bag.],
right? Thinking about Plastic Tree’s music style and lyrics world, I had this
image of an introvert. However, after we talked I realized he was very laid
back. That gap between him and my image of him, was interesting.
Ryutaro: But you say I was wearing half-pants. But at the
time yours were shorter. So speaking of the length yours were much more
“half-pants”!
Aiji: Right. Actually we were “half-pants” pals (laughs).
Ryutaro: Ah ha ha ha.
We had solidarity, right? Anyways, for a while after that we met almost every
week.
Aiji: Not only drinking outside, we also had curry parties
at my house.
Ryutaro: I went with Masa-kun. From then I really, it’s been
more than 10 years. We’ve had a long relationship. By the way, looking back, 2
years after we met we had talked about going to Thailand in the future.
Remember?
Aiji: Yes. That was more than 10 years ago? We finally did
it (laughs).
Ryutaro: Right, we did it (laughs).
By the way, since being members of different bands, and both
of you being artists, do you give or ask each other advice?
Ryutaro: We did that back then and now. Back then we were in
same agency, so I Aiji would give pointers related to the job.
Aiji: But, compared to back then, now we talk more each
other’s bands…no maybe not. Naturally, we talk about music a lot, but we talk
about anything. Private things, family, life.
Ryutaro: As for that, it’s more like giving formation and
asking for advice. We’re not asking each other for the obvious answer, it’s
more like, “This is what I’m thinking.” Or “I’m interested in this…” Things
like that, we talk about a lot of different things.
That you can talk and listen to each other is the ideal
friendship.
Aiji: I’m not sure…it may be more talking over each other
(laughs).
Ryutaro: That’s not true (laughs).
So, there’s a question for you two. This question is also
from Twitter. Has anything thing changed from the time you met each other ‘til
now?
Aiji: No, nothing has really changed.
Ryutaro: Yeah, I don’t think things have changed between us.
Aiji: Essentially, nothing has changed. As for the
relationship between us some things have changed.
So what has changed?
Aiji: Our relationship is still like a good rivalry, that
hasn’t changed, but the internal competition between us has, I think. Now, that
I remember.
At that time you were trying to outdo each other?
Aiji: We weren’t like on purpose, but we didn’t talk in a
meaningful way like we do now. But, since then we’ve experienced various
things. Now we’re battlefield allies.
You survived the same era as good rivals.
Ryutaro: Well, it’s like that. We gradually developed
harmony. We have to have that harmony, otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to travel
together.
So, do the two of you have similar (character) traits? A lot of fans were interested in knowing.
Ryutaro: It’s what we talked about earlier – our interest in
music.
Aiji: My Bloody Valentine, Radiohead, and alternative rock.
Not all our interests match completely, but they are very similar.
Ryutaro: But, our characters are different.
Aiji: Yeah, we’re not alike. I guess we could say we’re
opposites.
So you guys are like a magnet then. Opposites attract.
Aiji: I guess that’s true.
You guys are really close; a vocalist and a guitarist. Have
you ever talked about doing music together?
Ryutaro: Of course we have.
Aiji: Actually, we only did one session together. It was a
cover of “Over the Edge.”
Ryutaro: That time, I was pushing him to do it.
Aiji: I am bad covers. I didn’t know how to do a cover,
because I hadn’t done one before. So, if we anything else, I’d like to do it
differently. I have some music I want him to play.
Oh. So now I am curious.
Aiji: I have a vision of something that would be interesting
(or fun) to do. If we get the chance I’d like to do it.
Ryutaro: You mean you’re going to produce for us?
Aiji: I don’t when. Maybe it’ll happen after we turn 60
(laughs). Someday I want to do it.
Ryutaro: Me too. There is music I want Aiji to use
eventually.
Aiji: We talk about doing this often. We talked about this
in Thailand too.
Ryutaro: We talked about it yesterday also.
What? You had an interview today but you met yesterday too?
Aiji: Yesterday, we were together, but we were good boys.
What do you mean?
Aiji: Well you know, today we have this shooting, so we had
to avoid getting hungover. So we decided to get home by the last train, just
for today. We started drinking at half past 7 and got home at half past 11. We
were drinking like salary-men. Good boys, right? (laughs)
Ryutaro: It was really different from what we usually do, so
I called Aiji when I got to the station and asked, “Are really going home,
today?” (laughs)
Aiji: Besides that, after you got home didn’t Kuro
(Ryutaro’s cat) ignore you?
Ryutaro: Kuro was just ignoring me completely. Perhaps, it’s
because I left Kuro with someone.
Kuro was upset with you?
Ryutaro: Yes. Kuro was hiding under the bed, hissing, and
wouldn’t come out.
Aiji: Oh no! (laughs)
Ryutaro: I know right? One time I had drag him/her out and he/she was like ble~eh.
(TN: I don’t know if Kuro is male or female, if anyone knows, tell me.)
Later Kuro went under the bed again. (see example: http://keibamusou123.blog.so-net.ne.jp/_images/blog/_c28/keibamusou123/aa98-83bde.jpg)
It’s better to let a cat do what it wants. A lot of people
on Twitter wanted to hear about both your cats.
Aiji: As for cats, Taro is like “Cats are the best!” He was
the one he pushed me to get a cat.
So Ryutaro, what made you tell Aiji to get a cat?
Ryutaro: At that time he was saying, “It’s boring and lonely
in my room.” So I said, “Then it would be better to have a cat. I felt that way
too. But if you get a cat it’ll be totally different.” Cats aren’t a lot of
work. But I was concerned about this guy because he is neurotically clean and catches
cold easily.
Aiji: That was the best outcome! (laughs)
Ryutaro: Sora is so cute.
Aiji: Cute, but high maintenance.
Ryutaro: That so? Takes a long time to brush her, right.
(*Shoxx Editor’s note: Then they started talking excitedly about
the reality of owning cats.)
Aiji: …wait? Are we talking too much about cats?
Kind of, you two are like doting parents (laughs).
Aiji: I can’t help it. Before I had a cat Ryutaro told me
that the warmth of a cat is awesome.
Ryutaro: It is awesome.
Aiji: Living with another creature helped me to gain those
deep real feelings. She comes to the futon and we sleep together, it’s really
cute.
Ryutaro: I’m jealous. These days, Kuro doesn’t come into the
futon. Kuro likes to put her/his head on the pillow I sleep on.
Aiji: You two share the pillow? So, Kuro thinks of you as a
buddy (laughs). In futon Sora points her butt at me, when we’re sleeping. At
first, I thought she was rude, but when I researched it I found that’s because
she thinks of me as her parent.
When you knew about it, how did it make you feel?
Aiji: “Yes!” I was really excited (laughs).
Now, let’s go back to talking about artists. This questing
is from Twitter. “Which of each other’s work is your favorite?”
Ryutaro: Their latest album, Strong Pop, is really good. Of
all the albums up ‘til now, I like this one especially. When we’re drinking at
my house we’ll have a trial listening. Everything is good and I’m surprised. “I
thought you were only drinking, I didn’t know you had time to make cool music.”
(laughs).
Aiji: Same to you. Usually we are just drinking, and I tend
to forget we’re both musicians, it looks like we’re just friends hanging out.
When I listen to Ink, I think it’s really good too. What I like the most is Akira’s guitar.
Ryutaro: You’ve been saying that for a long time.
Aiji: He’s a craftsman when it comes to guitar; he tries to
do new things with it as well. Once again, I felt that Ryutaro is playing with
a good guitarist.
Your relationship, where respect one another, is wonderful.
Ryutaro: Respect? Then the morning after we stop drinking
don’t tell me, “Arimura, don’t go home!” (laughs)
Aiji: I don’t let you go home. Maybe I’m lonely (laugh).
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I’ve decided to post the entire interviews at once to help ensure that everyone gets to see the whole interview.
—COMPLETED INTERVIEWS—
I Love You, LM.C Interview 
