Watching Makoto at Salon Moonbow With a Flight to Catch

An Afternoon I Wanted to Enjoy
The airport was already on my mind

On October 25, 2025, I went to Salon Moonbow for Makoto’s 1 p.m. set. I needed to go straight to Incheon Airport afterward. Makoto was first in a lineup of four artists. If the set ended around 2:10, I could leave without seeing the other performances and still reach the airport with time to spare.

I was due to see Miyu Kano perform in Fukuoka the following day. The schedule was tight enough that making both shows meant being ready to leave early. I’d told Makoto more than once in Japan that I hoped she’d come to Korea. Now that she was here, I wanted to be there.

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The Set Ran On, and I Kept Checking the Time

The show was good. Makoto’s voice was steady throughout, and she moved easily between talking and singing in the small room. I could have kept listening if I’d had the time.

The expected end came and went. At first I thought I could stay another few minutes. Once I checked the clock a second time, I found it harder to give the song all my attention.

“If I leave now, what time is it? How long does it take to get to Mangwon Station?”

Part of my attention stayed with the stage and part was already following the subway map. It’s a familiar feeling when you have somewhere to get to, and a particularly unwelcome one when you want to be where you are.

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Leaving Before the High-Five

The set ended after 2:30. A high-five with the artist was scheduled to follow. By then, waiting for it would have made the trip to the airport a gamble.

I checked with the staff and left. That’s simple enough to describe. It felt less simple to walk out before the last chance to say hello to someone whose Seoul show I’d wanted to support.

I could still hear music and applause as I closed the door and went down the stairs. I wished I’d had a few minutes more. I also knew why I needed to go.

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A Good Show Made It Harder to Leave

If I hadn’t enjoyed the performance, leaving would have been easy to forget. Makoto opened the afternoon well and made the room feel full. I could hear that as I was going out.

The thought I had on the way out was simple.

“Some day I’ll be able to see this show without watching the clock.”

There was still applause inside when I started for the next place. I was glad I’d seen the performance. I would have liked to stay for its last moments. The next thing I remember is how fast I walked toward the station.