indeed, everything happens for a reason
There's no penlights, nor uchiwas in the audience. The reason is for not to disturb the sound of the orchestra on stage which is now starting to play a familiar melody. It's a scenary the two men standing in front have never seen before. Soon they start to sing. Anniversary. They're celebrating their 20th Anniversary. It has been a tough tough year but it's in these difficult times when we get to know how depth our strenght is. You're stronger now. And your bond, unbreakable.
You are together again.
Yokatta ne. KinKi Kids.
The following words comes from a fan who just started to know KinKi Kids since last year, when they were in the middle of the celebrations of their 20th Anniversary. Yes, I'm a newbie, which means I only have one year in the fandom but even in that short period of time I've learn to admire, respect and love them. But not only love who they are but also love what they create. Their music. The way they express themselves.
At that time, I didn't even know the gravity of Tsuyoshi's SHL. I didn't know it was like a photographer losing his sight. As I said, I came in the middle of the celebrations and in the middle of Tsuyo diagnosis. Domoto Koichi carried alone the name of KinKi Kids in these celebrations. They looked for the best way to celebrate -in such circumstances- these 20th years together and that's how KinKi Kids Party -Thank You for 20th Years- was born with Tsuyoshi only present through a live video call and Koichi on stage. It was sad but also joyful because -somehow- they were together.
How unfortunate. I thought.
But how long would it take for them to be together again? Would it take so long?
Let's go back to the Orchestra.
Wearing flower print outfits and singing such harmonious melodies, they resemble Angels and I'm not even exaggerating. After an incredible Disney-like Overture by the orchestra, which is actually a beautiful ensamble of KinKi partitures, it suddenly stops and Tsuyoshi starts to sing -acapella- the first verse of "Anniversary" and I swear he has never sound this good. They're back, together in the same stage at least and I couldn't stop the tears.
The MCs, looong as expected. But I love how they lock themselves in their little married bubble and we - the audience- have nothing left to do but to witness their love (and the high quality comedy which I 98% don't understand but still they make me laugh with the same intensity they make me cry).
"Topaz Love" & "愛のかたまり" their creations, were placed together and along with the orchestra accompaniment they made them even greater.
I don't even have words to describe how majestic"TIME" & "Harmony of December" were. They definitely were made for this concert. My ears found salvation after hearing the first chords of TIME I swear, but you all have to actually hear it to understand what I am talking about.
Tear eyeing moment: when KinKi Kids repeated the Party Digest formula and made the audience sing "もう君以外愛せない" "Sing it, sing it for Tsuyoshi to hear" said Koichi and Tsuyo was so mesmerized the entire time, he even took off his headphones for a little moment to hear it better. It was the sweetest and memorable and the most beautiful moment.
"暁", "SHOCK!" & "愛の十字架 ～Promise 2U～" were Koichi's choices for his solo corner. I'm usually a fan of the flashy performances he make (and SHOCK! is so good) but this time it felt kinda out of place (I'm not complaining tho, I still like it) Having little knowlodge of his solo works, it's the first time I hear "暁" and "愛の十字架 ～Promise 2U～" I loved them, especially "暁" his voice is beautiful. I like this Koichi. I liked this corner of him. I even liked it more than the last year one.
Tsuyoshi's choose "PINK" and "これだけの日を跨いで来たのだから" for his solo corner because, as he said, it reflected how he felt at that moment. When you SHL limits you to not even playing an instrument, you have to look for other ways to deliver your art and that's what he did. For PINK he made a beautiful choreo, only him expressing himself through dance. Then he sang the first verse of これだけの日を跨いで来たのだから acapella. It was the most beautiful thing ever.
Seriously, I would like to talk about this more but I'm afraid my poor english vocabulary wouldn't make it justice. I would like to say how much I love 4U and KinKi chemistry, one can easily feel how much they love their senpais and how that love is reciprocal. Ken-san, Dojima-san, and also the Orchestra conductor. Everyone managed to make such a quality concert.
Special mention to the genious who came up with the "DESTINY/Secret Code" mashup idea. It was M A R V E L O U S.
I ALMOST FORGET THE ENCORE.
I remember how it broke my heart when I saw Koichi alone playing his guitar for "全部だきしめて" in the footage back in december "Zenbu Dakishimete isn't Zenbu Dakishimete without the two of them playing their guitars"I said and then I started to cry. But after watching the whole thing, it wasn't sad at all.
Because this wasn't a time to be sad. It was a celebration. A celebration of love. A celebration of this duo being together for 20th years and "NEXT TO YOU" and "薄荷キャンディー" the last two songs, are the promise. The promise to stay together as long as time allows them to be and that after all, as Koichi said, is the essence of "20.2.21"
Everything happens for a reason. We are not here to lament how this would have been if not for Tsuyoshi's condition. This is how things are now. They managed to deliver such magnificent concert in these conditions and I know it must have been tough, not only for Tsuyoshi but for everyone involved but still, because they are KinKi they succeed. You're together again, celebrating with fans and everyone who watch this can feel the love, everyone who watch this can witness how much these two men love and respect and how much they missed each other.
Because this is KinKi Kids and they're full of love.