Chapter 21 Negative Comments
Airi's POV

The next day, I was in my room, when I suddenly got a notification on my phone. I picked it up, and saw that Ena had sent me a link to a YouTube video.

Since she did this all the time, I didn't think much of it. I clicked on the link, and was taken by surprise by the video's title.

Former Idol Momoi Airi is Now in a Band?!

"What the hell", I exclaimed.

Then, I began playing the video. In it, someone was recording me while I performed with Youthful/Friends at the Summer festival.

"I can't believe it", I heard the person recording the video say. "Is that, Momoi Airi?"

After I heard this, I decided to check the videos view count, and it was high!

"Crap", I exclaimed.

Then, I exited the video and called up Ena.

"Hey, Airi", she greeted when she answered. "I assume you're calling me about the video I sent you?"

"Where did you find it", I asked.

"I decided to look you up and social media to see what people were saying about you, and I found it", Ena revealed.

"The video has so many views", I pointed out.

"It does", Ena said. "And there's a ton of people talking about it on social media."

"It's my own fault", I stated. "I should've worn a hat and sunglasses like I do during our street performances."

"Yeah", Ena agreed. "But, that would've totally clashed with your yukata."

"Yeah, I guess so", I said.

"Well, there's nothing that can be done about it now", Ena pointed out. "Hey, wanna meet up and hang out later? It's been a while since it's been just the two of us."

"Sure", I replied. "I'll see you later, Ena."

"See you later, Airi", Ena greeted, before ending the call.

Then, I slumped back in my chair as I let out a sigh of frustration.

I thought about what to do next, and, despite knowing that it probably wasn't a good idea, I decided to search myself up on social media.

It didn't take long for me to find a clip of the video of me performing with the following caption…

Since when has Momoi Airi been in a band? Does this mean she's no longer an idol?

After reading this, I scrolled down to the comments of the post.

Let's face it. Was she ever really an idol to begin with?

Good point. But I do miss her variety show appearances.

After reading these comments, I put my phone down…and I sighed sadly.

...

I was now hanging out with Ena at a café. I looked down at my food, and sighed sadly.

"You okay, Airi", she asked in concern.

"I….", I started. "I know it's stupid, but…some of the comments I read on the post of me performing are bothering me."

"I see", Ena said. "I would tell you to just ignore those comments, but…I tend to get bothered by negative comments on my posts too."

"What do you usually do when that happens", I asked.

"If I'm being honest, I either become desperate to prove them wrong", Ena started. "Or…I begin wondering if they're actually right."

"If they're actually right", I repeated.

Let's face it. Was she ever really an idol to begin with?

Good point. But I do miss her variety show appearances.

After I thought about these comments, I suddenly became really sad.

Is it true? Was I ever really an idol?

Just when I felt tears coming on, Ena suddenly called said this.

"Airi, Check out this comment", she exclaimed suddenly, before handing me her phone.

I looked at it, and saw a reply to the comments I was just thinking about.

No matter what Airi-Chan decides to do, she will always be my idol.

Seeing this comment took me by surprise. Then…I saw the username of the person who left it.

"Shizuku."

When I realised who had left the comment, I burst out giggling.

"Shizuku's terrible with electronics! How'd she even figure out how to leave this comment?"

After saying this to myself, I looked back up at Ena.

"Thank you for showing me that, Ena", I said. "I feel better now."

"I'm glad", Ena said. "So, what are you gonna do now?"

After being asked this, I thought about it for a second…before coming up with an idea.

"Now that it's out there that I'm in a band, I may as well use that to my advantage."

After I said this, I took out my phone, searched up the post I was looking at, and re-posted it with the following caption.

Hey there, everyone! Momoi Airi here! Guess the cat's out of the bag, huh? A few months ago, I joined the newly formed band 'Youthful/Friends' as their bassist! We do street performances on a regular basis. So, if you wanna see what I've been up to, make sure to check them out!