; _____; ACCHAN.
It’s been a very long three days for me, for all of us here on Tumblr, and for all AKB48 fans.
Before I went offline yesterday, I told satsunyan “Good night. I hope AKB48 still exists when I wake up”. ; ___; Maybe I should’ve hoped a little harder.
Honestly, I expected Mariko-sama to graduate first, because she’s so successful outside of the group and would surely go on to do greater things. I would have never guessed that it would be Acchan, of all people. ; __; I respect her decision and think that she will go on to do greater things as well… but the uncertainty of it all is scaring me. What if she can’t find work? What if her fans no longer support her, or the number of haters increases?
“Even if you hate me, please don’t hate AKB48.” Despite the sheer amount of stress that comes with being the face of AKB, she always put the group before herself. I believe that she was definitely think about the fate of AKB48 before deciding to graduate. So don’t say that she doesn’t care about the group. Don’t say that she’s being irresponsible by leaving the group. ; ____;
She’s brought AKB48 to the top already. She’s carried the group so far these last 6 years. With AKB48 at the top now, with the other members as experienced as they are too, the group will try their best to hold things up in her absence. But with AKB at the top and losing their ace… all the cards are stacked against them to start their decline. If there’s anything I can do as fan to stop their decline, I will. “What is it that I can do to help?” I will keep asking myself that, and searching for the answer.
Losing the face of AKB48 is a scary thought… Because even if you find a new face… it’s not the same anymore. ; ____; AKB will not be the same without Acchan, that’s a fact. It’s not that AKB will be moving on without Acchan. Rather, it will be as if the members are saying “Thank you for carrying us this far, Acchan. We can take care of it now.”
She’s grow up a lot in these 6 years. I’ve only been around for this last year (and what a year it’s been), but even in this one year, I’ve seen so many faces of Acchan, I’ve seen her grow so much. And I’m sure other fans have too. Even following her graduation, I’m sure she’ll continue to grow and improve. And that makes me want to keep following her even though she won’t be a part of AKB anymore.
Quoting from an SKE song, “I’ll follow you, believing in your back. I can go anywhere, I don’t need a map”. It doesn’t matter where she goes, I think her true fans will follow her and support her.
I still don’t know if this is something where I should think “congratulations”. Just like for the temporary transfer… it’s complicated. All I know is that seeing Acchan cry really hurts. But hopefully that tearful face will eventually lead to her beautiful Acchan-quality smile. You know, the one with the adorable nose scrunch. Yup, that’s the one.
