Yamane Suzuha: "I was actually planning to quit being an idol. I personally felt like I had already done everything I could, and I was preparing to graduate. KLP's management and members saw me off, and then, thankfully, AKB's management suggested, 'Why don’t you come back?' So I was fortunate enough to return.
Being in Malaysia taught me just how difficult it is to build an idol group from the ground up. Coming back to AKB after that really made me appreciate everything we have here: having a place where we can sing and dance, getting to wear so many different costumes, having materials prepared for rehearsals, even having meals provided for us.
Of course, KLP was also an incredibly supportive environment that I'm very grateful for. But after experiencing what it's like to create something from zero, I've come to realize every day just how fortunate we are at AKB. I'm cherishing every single second, and I'm genuinely so happy to be able to perform as a member of AKB again.
It's been about 6 months since I came back and I've honestly been having such a great time. I'm so happy. Even that Rice Cooker post managed to go viral, and thinking that maybe I've been able to contribute to the group, even in some small way, makes me incredibly happy.
It makes me feel like AKB is in my blood. Over these past six months especially, I feel like I've been giving everything I have to my activities with AKB."