JPN
The "world's cutest" Maki Ito and her Ito Respect Group held an unconventional training session at a studio in Tokyo on the 9th
Apparently, all the members were summoned at the Korakuen Hall event the previous night, but when Ito called out "Number 1" during the roll call, only Furusawa Kian responded with "2". It was like a scene straight out of a 1980s comedy show
According to Furusawa, Rian couldn't get there because she didn't know how to take the train, and as for Toraryu Kiyoka, it seems she went to Shuri's practice. However, the claim that Rian and Toraryu are members of the group is purely Ito's own assertion
Despite criticizing her, saying, "She's a boring woman. That's why she's no good," Ito pulled herself together and began the lesson. In preparation for the April 26 Yokohama Arena event, Ito started the lecture to impart the wrestling philosophy she had learned during her 10-year wrestling career
First, he asks, "Why do you think we need to create an organization like the Ito Respect Army?" According to Ito's explanation, money will be generated when the members of the army work together, and the wrestlers who generate money will be able to get involved in title fights
"Wrestlers who can't sell tickets don't get title matches. That's because they don't generate money. That's where this group (Ito Respect Army) comes in. It's more efficient to work together and create popularity than to try to do it alone. Kian is 22, right? A woman's 20s go by so quickly, so she has to work hard," she said passionately, using a whiteboard to illustrate her point, looking just like a charismatic lecturer at a certain cram school
She further emphasized that she needs rivals to grow. She positioned the rivals of the Ito Respect Army as the "evil heel unit COSMIC ANGELS (Cozuen)" (Ito). "Therefore, we have to defeat Cozuen." She also set the Goddesses of Stardom Championship (currently held by Tora Natsuko & Ryuka) as the army's immediate goal
After that, he declared, "For professional wrestlers, the entrance is everything. I think everything at Yokohama Arena will be decided by the entrance," and then began practicing choreographed dance moves to Ito's entrance music
However, he was not satisfied with Furusawa's performance and gradually grew increasingly frustrated. "Honestly, I'm disappointed. Have you been performing at that level in front of the audience until now? Your awareness is still low. Stardom isn't a ring just anyone can stand in. Are you motivated? You're not doing it right!" he said, giving her a stern lecture. Finally, a one-on-one coaching session began
Furusawa desperately tries to keep up, but there are also scenes where he admits, "It's difficult." Then Ito presses him with harsh words, "Hey, aren't you getting complacent? Aren't you being naive and thinking that you can get ahead just by using Maki Ito's name? Do you really have the confidence to do this?"
Then Furusawa, who had been listening while trembling, finally exploded with emotion. "I didn't come here today to practice dancing! The attendance might be 100%, but I heard it's only 80%. I want to become stronger. I'm fine with just this for today! Sorry!" she said, and quickly left the studio
Therefore, practice was temporarily suspended. When I quietly peeked into the waiting room, I saw Ito and Furusawa
"I said too much. I'm sorry."
"Master, I was scared."
"Be kind to others, and be kind to yourself."
"I'm sorry, I can't dance."
That's the conversation I overheard. From there, Ito skillfully used his conversational abilities to get Furusawa to reveal what was on his mind. His ability in this area is also outstanding
After hearing Furusawa's dream, "I want to expand the Ito Respect Army even more. I want to compete on the world stage," Ito pressed on, "Singing and dancing are things that can be understood even if the language and culture are different, so I think they can be weapons. Everyone can do a dropkick, but not everyone can sing and dance. So wouldn't it be better to do something different from everyone else? Not just be better, you have to be different. Why don't you try your best again?"
When her protégé quietly nodded, Ito called out, "We're the cutest in the world, so we need to become even cuter and become the second cutest in the world. Let's do some more cute training!" and resumed dance practice. Then, Furusawa's movements became noticeably sharper
Sensing rapid improvement, Ito suggested, "Next, let's try some facial slimming exercises." It was memorable when Furusawa proudly replied, "Master, my face is already small."
The two women, each holding a beauty device designed to strengthen facial muscles in their mouths, began their run. Their approximately one-hour workout was then completed
After a fulfilling workout, Ito, looking ahead to her one-on-one match against Natsupoi on April 26 at Yokohama Arena, declared, "She's jealous of Ito. I can't forgive her. I'm going to smash her cheekbones." At the April 8 Korakuen Hall event, Natsupoi ran off with a huge "cute lump of obsession," and Ito uttered some menacing words, saying, "Where did that go? Ito looked for it too, but we couldn't find it. I can't forgive her. Maybe I should go attack her right now."
Furthermore, she reiterated her thoughts on Cozuen, the group Natsupoi belongs to. "HATE looks bad no matter how you look at them. But what about Cozuen? They wear idol-like costumes, they want to be popular, and they only look cute. But they also do mean things. They say, 'We're cute, so please forgive us.' This stance is the most evil. I can't forgive them! That's why we have to seal away COSMIC ANGELS ourselves!" she declared firmly. "However, Ito thinks it would be a wonderful story if they grew together as rivals."
Meanwhile, Furusawa, who is participating in the "Rookie of Stardom" tournament to determine the strongest newcomer, has advanced to the finals at the Korakuen Hall event on the 11th, where she will face Ema Mashima. "It's an emotional match because we're both making our debuts on the same day, but Ema has had to miss matches (in the past), while I have never missed a match. I'm going to beat her to a pulp with an overwhelming difference and make her submit," she declared
Finally, she promised her mentor, "You taught me the theory, you taught me how to enter the ring, and I've become cuter. I'm the cutest I've ever been right now, so I'll win while I'm at my cutest and become the Rookie of the Year!" As she watched her protégé leave the studio brimming with confidence, Ito smiled and said, "That's good. Ito's spirit has really seeped into you. Wonderful."