Familiarity in Unfamiliarity
2020 was a weird year, I must say. A lot of things happened in a flash. Filled by various emotions: sadness, anger, denial, happiness, and joy, last year was a roller-coaster ride.
However, I also found something precious in 2020: familiarity in unfamiliarity
There was an idol group I’ve known since some years ago. Let’s underline this world: know. I didn’t follow their activities, didn’t jam to their songs on purpose, didn’t watch their reality shows. I only knew a person from that famous drama most people watch. I only remember some songs without knowing the title, thanks to my sensei in manga class who always played their songs. I thought I was content with things I like back then, so I didn’t bother to discover them more despite the fact I was really into Japanese pop culture.
Fast forward to 2020, when everything was scattered to pieces. My plans, my mental stability, my goals, everything. I needed something to lift up my soul, it was a really bleak period I couldn’t handle it alone. I was afraid to be a burden, so I tried to keep it all to myself. I tried searching for myself once again.
Then a video, just a video that was uploaded on Youtube by an idol group I mentioned before, appeared as a ray of light in my darkest days. It was a video of them, doing kamishibai (story-telling activity) as a way to brighten up children’s, day, as well as helping the children’s parents by giving them a chance to rest a bit. What a simple idea, but it hit right in me. I never thought an idol group would do something like this. I had fun watching that kamishibai videos, my laughter slowly came back and my day became a lot brighter.
Their friendship. Their bond. The way they were having fun together.
From that moment, memories flooded in my head. Hey, I remember them. I knew them.
In a blink of an eye, I couldn’t stop listening to their songs. Songs about hope, dream, friendship, beauty of this world, feelings, and many more I can’t list here.
It felt like I found a piece in me that I’ve lost. Every time I watched them laughing, interacting, having fun, I found something familiar in them that made me feel comfortable. I discovered familiarity in unfamiliar presence. I’ve never had a chance to know them personally, but I can feel the warmth they’ve shared. They sparked something in me. It probably sounds weird, but I always remember my warm memories with my friends, some things I treasure so much, when I see their interaction with each other.
Their hard-working personality pushed me to work harder. I started opening my Japanese text book again and took a new chance, yay! Their kindness ignited a light in me. I tried to be kinder to my family and my friends. Their project, HELLO NEW DREAM, opened my eyes that it’s okay to have a dream, even just a little. Their songs told me to keep pursuing a better day; to stay strong even though sometimes everything is just — well — bad; and to keep being myself. I wanna grow to be someone better.
Thanks to them, I also met new wonderful people. Reconnected with an old acquaintance I’ve rarely interacted before. Received warm messages from people I’ve never met in real life. Once again, I found familiarity in persons who I thought were unfamiliar before.
Yesterday was the last day of 2020. It was also their last day of their long Voyage. From now on, they will take a good rest until God knows when. I can’t even describe how I feel. All I can process is: I’m happy as long as they’re happy :)
Thank you, 嵐, my favorite 5-colored storm. I hope nothing but the best for you. Thank you for giving me warmth, an indescribable familiarity in unfamiliarity.
本当にありがとう!!!
January 1 2021
Happy new year all
