I wanted to make use of my experience learning gymnastics as a child, so I started competing in my first year of junior high. I first encountered the CREAM Song Reading Club at a national competition I participated in as a junior high student. I still remember the impact of that time. It wasn't just cheers—the whole venue was drawn into the atmosphere of CREAM—it was a wonderful performance. After that, I was very unsure about my future path after graduating high school, but because I wanted to join CREAM and my mother supported me, I decided to enroll in J. F. Oberlin University.

However, in my first year, I was always a substitute. I was frustrated by the hardship of not being able to make the main team, and the club president once said, "Without Kondo, the turn can't turn." Those words reflected the importance of each individual's presence, even if they were substitutes. However, at the time, I couldn't believe those words. Then, even before the tournament, the club president took the time to discuss things until I was satisfied. At that moment, I strongly felt that CREAM is a team that values each individual and gives them a place to belong.

CREAM is a team that values dancing wholeheartedly for others. We dance for our coaches and for the people who watch us. If a member is feeling down, we'll even dance for them. We'll call out their names and make eye contact while dancing, conveying the feeling of "We're watching you." In fact, there was a time when I was worried that I wasn't contributing enough to the team despite being the class leader, and everyone danced for me. At that time, I had lost all confidence and was even afraid to stand on the dance floor. Seeing my teammates repeatedly calling out my name made me happy, and I realized that I belonged here.

Each member has different worries, and sometimes, like me, some lose confidence. However, in order to deliver a performance we can be proud of, everyone must stand confidently on the floor, take pride in the team, and trust each other. That's why I value each person's individuality and respect their opinions on what they want to do and what they want to create. By deepening our relationships in this way, I want to let everyone know that they have a place where they belong, just as my seniors did for me.

I've received a lot of support from the other members up until now, but as a third-year student, my role will shift to one of supporting others. Becoming a grade-level leader was a major catalyst that strengthened this feeling.
When I first became the grade-level leader, I admired the seniors three years above me, so my goal was to create a team like theirs. However, when I told them this, they said, "We couldn't become the best in Japan either. You have to surpass us," which made me realize something. I realized that I had to change my approach and do even better than them. From that point on, I was incredibly motivated.
To surpass the predecessors who have carried CREAM up until now, this year we are practicing with the motto of being a "team that doesn't compromise, and doesn't allow others to compromise." We are always striving for first place, with the best warm-ups, the best ballet in Japan, and the best practice in Japan, and we want to create a new CREAM that only this year's members can create. For the sake of first place, for the sake of our performance, we will all dedicate ourselves to this goal for the entire year.