This is the special Birthday OS that ichikawa had requested. Today Ichikawa's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY ICHIKAWA! I hope you enjoy the Atsumina fic you requested.
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Atsumina: Gone but Not Forgotten
It's been five years. Did you know that? It's been five years since I left you. Five years since that day. The day I walked out of my life forever. I still remember it all so clearly. It was after a concert and I started to feel very upset. We had already gotten done with one performance and now we're getting ready for another. I don't think I could take anymore of this. I barely have enough time to take a break and being the ace of AKB doesn't make it easier. I want to take a break and rest. I want to rest my head on a pillow and fall asleep. But instead I have to work. Work, work, work with little to no breaks.
"Acchan we're on again in 5 minutes!"
Gosh when will I ever get a break! Ahh this work is killing me. But I have to do it since I'm the ace. I'm always right there in the center gaining everyone's attention. All their eyes are on me and I already feel pressurized. I fear if I mess up then everyone will hate me. I don't care if they hate me. But what I'm scared of is them hating AKB. It's not their fault it's mine. I'm the one that keeps messing up. I'm the one that's clumsy and messing up every time. People are starting to get mad and I feel like people are out to get me.
"Alight everyone let's go!"
I put on the fake smile I wear everyday like a daily mask and run out on stage. I sing the song and then come back in. I fell like sitting down and taking a break but then I was told I would be going out again. I'm never going to have time to rest because I'm always on the move.
"Acchan!"
I look over and see you running towards me. You had a smile on your face and you were weainr a pretty outfit.
"Hey Takamina."
"Acchan are you alright? You don't look good. Maybe you should take a break."
Minami treied to bring me a chiair but then someone took it.
"Oh don't worry I'll be fine."
I tried moving but my body was so tired that I thought it was going to give out at any second.
"It's alright Acchan just a couple more songs and thne we're done."
"I hope so!"
"Well I gotta go. I'll see you later!"
That was the last happy conversation I had with you. The other wones were just sad.
"What do you mean you want to graduate?" Minami asked.
"I said I want to graduate." Acchan said.
"But why! You're doing really well. You can't leave now. You're the ace!"
"But I don't want to be the ace anymore. I want to step forward and life and become somthing better beyond the ace.AKB is just a sheild sheltering me from the harshness of the real world. I want to go out there and make something out of myself."
"But Acchan you can't go."
I watched you start to cry and ran over and hugged my arm.
"You can't go!"
"I'm sorry Minami but I have to."
I set Minami's hand to the side and then went back out. I went straight to Aki-P's office and he approves my choice but wonder why. This is what I want to do. I want to become something greart and not just the poster child of a pop band group. I want to be someone and I won't let anyone get in my way. Well except you.
"Hey Acchan!"
I turn around and see Yuko crying. I had just announced that I was graduating and everyone was pretty shocked. We had our last laughs and then I went to my dressing room to get ready for the next act. Even though I'm graduating, they still work me like a dog.
"Tokyo Dome!"
This was the big concert that everyone had dreamed of performing at. I had to admit I was really excited as well even though the director was making me work twice as hard. The performance was a huge success and there was even some twists. I guess because of my graduation, Aki-P decided to make another reshuffle. I felt sorry for you because you weren't part of team A anymore but instead the general manager.
"What the heck is that?"
I thought that to myself the entire time. You seemed happy but sad at the same time. Personally I would've preferred you on stage. After Tokyo Dome I had one last performance at the theatre. I put my heart and soul because I knew this was going to be my last. Then after everyone had something to say to me. Over all, I thought yours was the most touching. After the performance, I took you to a private room.
"Minami... thank you so much for everything." I said.
"It was nothing!" you said with that same smile you wear on stage.
"Minami I know you're not happy. It's ok to cry."
As soon as I said that tears started running down your face. You started to cry and I walked in for a hug. You wrapped your arms around me and I held you close.
"There, there it's alright."
"But it's not alright! You're leaving me here all alone!"
"Minami I had to leave. I was only bringing everyone down."
"No you weren't! You were perfect just the way you were!"
"I'm sorry Minami..."
"It's alright."
Your tears dried out and there was a cold look on your face. I couldn't stand it so I leaned in and kissed your cheek.
"It's been nice knowing you Minami. I guess I won't see you later."
That was the last time I talked to Minami. Now I'm working on new magazines and even costarring in a movie. Things have been a lot better for me since I left AKB. But I still miss you a lot. My new manager ichikawa-san treats me very nicely. We work along great and get things done. It's because of him I was able to make it solo without the help of AKB. Every week, ichikawa-san has me meet up with one of the old members. He said it would be good for me to keep in contact with them once in a while. Last time it was Miichan so I wonder who is was this time.
"Atsuko..."
I turn around and see you staring at me. You hadn't changed a bit even after five years. You're still short and you still have that bow in your head. Whenever I see that thing I laugh. You walked over to me and hugged me tightly.
"Minami I can't breathe."
"Sorry!"
You let go and I catch my breath.
"So.. did you miss me?"
"Yeah."
"Things must be lonely without you." I said.
"We're managing." you said.
"But barley?"
"Yeah. We're practically hanging by a thread."
"Well just work hard and I'm sure you'll be able to do it."
"Thanks Astuko."
There was an awkward moment of silence. Then I said,
"Hey Minami..."
"Yes?"
"Do you hate the fact that I'm gone?"
You paused and then answered,
"You're gone but not forgotten."
I leaned in and kissed Minami on the lips. It had been such a long time since I kissed Minami that I actually missed the feeling. But I was happy. I was happy that even though I wasn't part of AKB everyone still remembered me. I was gone but not forgotten.
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There you go ichikawa-san! I hope you like it! I hope you don't think it sucks or anything because I tried really hard! But if it does I'm sorry!