It's still May 7th in Japan, and every year around this time I think more about what Konno Asami means to me.
I started writing this post this morning, and now I think I can finally put my feelings into words.
For me, it's hard to believe that the first time I laid eyes on her was over 7 years ago.
Even harder for me to believe is that when she graduated in 2006, I'd known her for less than two years.
But in those two short years she was far and away my favorite member.
To me, she had come to represent kindness, intelligence, hard work, and perseverance.
Furthermore, by seeing her compete in the sports festivals and as a member of Gatas, she had come to represent competitive spirit.
When she announced her graduation and her reasons for her decision, I had to add "ambition" to that list of ideals she represents.
When her graduation came and went, it was a sad moment.
Yet where I thought would be an emptiness in my heart, something still remained.
After some time, I had come to the realization that while she had left physically, her influence and what she represented still remained in the group.
Even though she was seldom the center of attention, seeing her work hard, grow up, and develop is ultimately what taught me what Morning Musume really is.
Some former members have trouble finding success after graduation, while others drop out of the public eye completely.
For many other former members, graduation might have been the end of the story, but not for Konkon.
Being admitted to the prestigious Keio University was a testament to the qualities that had made her successful as an idol.
Konkon was always the type whose actions spoke louder than her words, and her actions told me that she had made the right choice.
When she returned as a member of Ongaku Gatas, the rest of her fans and I were overjoyed.
When she said goodbye the first time and said she might return someday, I'll bet many dismissed this as an empty promise.
But once her own dreams were secured, her loyalty and dedication to the fans made her come back to fulfill ours.
Konkon had done everything she said she would and had nothing left to prove to anyone.
By the time she said goodbye a second time, there were no further doubts and so it was much easier to let her go.
It had been a long-held dream of mine to go to Japan and see Konkon in person.
Over the years, that dream had seemingly grown dimmer and dimmer until it seemed unrealistic to believe it would ever happen.
But last fall, six and a half years after first laying eyes on her, that dream finally came true when I saw her appear on stage for Aichan's next-to-last concert as a member of Morning Musume.
Though it was only for a few minutes, seeing all four Gokkies on stage together singing Suki na Senpai was such a beautiful sight that I am moved to tears just thinking about it.
Since first seeing her, I've become such a huge Hello! Project fan that I can honestly say she has changed my life.
And while I may talk more about Manochan or Fukuchan now and have been a big Junjun fan in the past, Konkon is still the most special to me.
In fact, each of my favorite members since she graduated has reminded me of her in some way.
Yet, the emotions I feel for all of them are nowhere near as deep nor complex as what I still feel for Konkon.
I'll always be thankful for and proud of that smart, quiet, and gentle girl with puffy cheeks, big eyes, and a soft voice.
She showed me the true meaning of hard work, integrity, ambition, and loyalty, as well as got me hooked on what a wonderful group Morning Musume is.
So with that, happy 25th birthday, Konkon.
You have been, are still, and will always be my favorite member.
Topic: The Konno Asami Thread (紺野あさ美) (Read 359734 times)