Japanese singer-songwriter aiko just shared one of those heartwarming concert stories that reminds us how live events bring people together.

During a stop of her "Love Like Pop vol.25" tour at Hakodate Salmon Marunama Hall last Saturday, an elderly gentleman collapsed in the crowd. A nearby fan immediately stepped in to help him up, and venue staff continued checking on him throughout the performance. When aiko made her way through the audience during the show, she paused to hug the gentleman—a spontaneous gesture of care.

What aiko didn't realize at the moment: that was her dad.

The fan who helped later posted about the experience on social media, prompting aiko to reply directly with the reveal. "That was my dad," she wrote. "I heard afterwards that a fan nearby rushed over to help him, and I've been wanting to thank you ever since. Thank you so much!!"

In a follow-up post, aiko explained what actually happened to her father, keeping things light-hearted: "It seems my dad got a cramp in his butt." She added a playful joke about Hakodata's famous Ika Odori (Squid Dance), suggesting the local tradition might be "really good exercise."

The incident has struck a chord with fans and music lovers alike—both for aiko's genuine gratitude toward the helpful concertgoer and for the unexpected family moment caught mid-tour. It's the kind of spontaneous human connection that makes live performances special.

aiko's "Love Like Pop vol.25" tour kicked off in January and runs through June 30, with upcoming performances scheduled in Kyoto (May 23-24), Tokyo (June 5 and 7), Ishikawa Prefecture (June 16), and Osaka (June 29-30).

Beyond her concert work, aiko is well-known in the anime community for lending her voice to opening and ending themes. She's performed title tracks for Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, Apocalypse Hotel, Insomniacs After School, and the film A Silent Voice.