Translation of an excerpt from the interview with Sota on “Figure Skating Life vol. 17” published on March 22, 2019.
The interview was done in January, 2019. Many thanks to this Sota fan blog.
https://ameblo.jp/kmn-psn/entry-12455026928.html
■NHK Trophy Back Story
- Did you cut your hand doing a doughnut spin?
Yes, I must have cut myself with a sharp edge trying to grab the blade. I did not feel pain at that moment, but I see some swelling.
- Oh, could that be your wound?
Yes, I had some stitches after the competition.
- How many stitches did you have?
No big deal at all. I only had 2, 3 stitches. Then, they told me to visit a nearby hospital to have the stitches removed. But before going there for stitch removal all the stitches came off.
- Whoah!
A-ha-ha-ha [laughing loudly]
- You are laughing [laughs], but how come you did not go to see the doctor?
Well, I thought the wound was somehow closed already, and it was healed and okay. It just so happened that the stitches were gone! [laughs]
- Shouldn’t be more concerned?[laughs]
■ Quads for the first time after 2 years and 10 months
- You said that you started training quad a week ago.
Yes, when I started training triple axel I jumped double axel many times and rotated (one more) and landed a triple on my first try, but a quad was not that easy [laughs]. I kept falling on the quad for a few days.
- How did you feel when you landed a quad (at competition)?
I was too desperate to do the next move to feel anything [laughs]. In run through after landing a quad I had never jumped two axels afterwards so I was frantically trying to do the next jump. I barely landed. That straight line entry to the axel is hard to do, as my entry into an axel is usually curved.
■New Rule
- Do you almost understand the 11 grades of execution? For example this jump will get about this much GOE?
Well, actually I haven’t checked the protocols closely lately [laughs].
- Why? [laughs]
Ummm, I wonder why [laughs]. I want to go over the protocols in more detail from now on, but rather than looking at the protocols, delivering solid performances has been my priority so far.
- How did you feel about 4 minutes program time?
Let me see. In my case I don’t do difficult jumps so 4 minutes is good enough for me.
- But you added a quad, didn’t you?
…I somehow compare my physical condition this year with one last year, and I felt that I was more exhausted last year. Now I don’t run out of stamina at the end of the 4-minute program.
■ College Life
Not good at all…...
- You’re struggling [laughs].
The same as before [laughs].
- Did you get your driver’s license?
Yes, I did!
- Congratulations.
Thank you very much. But I don’t drive because I don’t have a car [laughs].
- So right after you got your driver’s license you quit driving.
Hehe, that’s right.
- Do you feel it would be nice to drive?
I don’t know about that. I will continue to go home by train after practice and I don’t feel like driving a car. I am so tired after practice.
- It might be a good idea to go home by train. Well, good luck with your study and skating.
(On January 4 in Nagoya)
I don't like the song either, unless it's some cover version, preferably voiceless. 
I am surprised Sota chose it, as so far his taste in music has been impeccable IMO. Eek, what if he really listened to those folk who keep advising him to change and show a new side of himself? 
Anyhow, I'd suffer this sugary boredom just to see Sota's performance. I don't think we need to worry about that though - they are sometimes very strict about copyright with some summer shows, so if there's a lasting video, my bet would be on one copy on Dailymotion. Just like with last year's Heroes and Future.
