About seventeen or so years ago, I got into this little visual kei band named D. Back when I actively used Tumblr as a teenager I would talk about them quite regularly, I even uploaded some of their songs to here in various posts. I absolutely loved them, especially their vocalist Asagi. Despite this however, I forgot about D for about two years after they had their last live in 2024. I found myself unable to listen to their music because I just wasn't able to accept that they were gone.
Fast forward to a few weeks back (early May of 2026 for anybody that sees this at a later date and/or might be a time traveler) and I suddenly out of nowhere remembered D. I went down that memory lane again, and eventually found myself willing to give Asagi's solo music a proper listen. When I inevitably got to Another me I read the translation of the lyrics and Asagi's own liner notes about the process of the song's creation and I absolutely fucking wept. To me, the song served as both a proper farewell to D, but also a promise to keep moving forward even when you aren't sure what the future will bring. For the 21 years that D were active, I was a fan of theirs for about 14 of them. Another me managed to finally make me come to terms with that D is, by all accounts, officially over. Sure, I'll always be sad about it, but at least I have found some semblance of peace.
Which brings me to the photos in question - on an impulse I decided to breathe some new life into my dormant CDJapan account to order two of Asagi's singles for myself - Another me, and LEVEL INFINITY. I was able to pick them up fairly recently, and unboxing them and looking at the booklets, the CD cases and even the trading cards (which I had no idea was part of the package, so a pleasant surprise!) really just put a vibrant smile on my face. Even if I wish I could do more to support Asagi, this is what I can do now. But I really hope I can travel to Japan someday and maybe, just maybe be able to see him live.
And perhaps maybe be able to tell him directly that I am glad that I finally, finally heard his voice again after two years of silence. There is so much I want to thank him for.
