The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 15

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/06/10

As a performer, one should be grateful for being popular but that does come with some inconveniences.

While walking around town, a disguise is needed. The same applies inside public spaces as well.

That's why when Chiho goes to the gym to work out, she has to hide her face to avoid being recognized.

She had a hard time breathing at first when she wore a mask for sports while exercising, but now she has gotten quite used to it.

She primarily chose this gym because it is the closest to her school, but no fans have approached her so far.

Perhaps that's thanks to being out in the suburbs, where there are barely any customers.

That is why she naturally started talking to Seto Anzu, someone that's close to her in age.

As they talked while their routines overlapped, they gradually became friends.

Right now, Chiho slowly works out on a walking machine while talking to Anzu who is doing the same right next to her.

"So, have you accepted that you're in love yet?"
"Huh? Me? In love with Mii? Why would you say that?"

After telling her about the recent events, Anzu has an exasperated look on her face.

Turning her face to look at Chiho after her denial, she lets out a sigh.

"Because you're way too obsessive."
"I'm not that... people can get like this over a friend."
"They don't. Anyone who's that obsessed is either some hardcore fan or in love."
"In that case, maybe I'm a fan of hers."

After some mechanical beeps, Anzu's machine begins to slow down.

Once it completely stops, Anzu wipes off her sweat with a towel and points her index finger at Chiho.

"...The two of us see each other about once a week and sometimes don't even see each other for three weeks, right?"
"That's right."
"During that time, do you get some unbearable desire to meet me? Have you ever gotten anxious because you couldn't see me?"
"Not even once."
"Same with me. That's normal between friends."

She continues to talk about how that must mean it's love, but Chiho just can't accept that.

Even after being told that, it doesn't make sense to Chiho.

Despite having no experience in love, Chiho is convinced that she would never hold such feelings for someone of the same sex.

When a newly renovated pachinko parlor reopened near the train station, they gave out handheld fans.

Chiho intended to throw the one she got away, but forgot about it and left it in a cupboard. She pulled it out.

On her desk, she prepared some paper and markers. She silently works on this craft project.

"I think it's like this...? This is surprisingly difficult..."

She's making a fanservice fan like the one Mii previously made.
If her feelings now are similar to a fan's, she might want to make something similar.

She completed the fanservice fan requesting a bang pose in less than 10 minutes while being pretty noncommittal.

She had seen hundreds of these, but she never thought the day she'd make one herself would come.

"...What am I doing?"

She did feel a little excited doing this for the first time. Though having said that, she can't say she enjoyed it that much.

Making this didn't make her heart dance. In the first place, she can't imagine getting crazy if Mii points her finger to pose for her.

She'll definitely look cute, but Chiho doesn't particularly want her to do it.

"..."

After coming to her senses, she begins to feel a little embarrassed.
Why exactly would an idol create something like this for one of her fans?

There's definitely something wrong with this scene.

Her heart has become this agitated because of Mii.

It's as Anzu said, Chiho has become a complete dork.

The reaction of fans who come to handshake events varies.

Some are nervous about meeting their favorite idol while others look forward to it in high spirits.

Some offer feedback delivered like a sermon and others offer kind words while telling Chiho how much they love her.

It truly depends on the person and Chiho looked forward to seeing their reactions every time, but...

Chiho finds herself uncharacteristically nervous.
Kisaragi Mii has come here to see her as a fan.
She's in front of her and clad in an incredibly mature aura unlike usual.

"It's rare to see you wearing pants, Minami-chan. You look cool."
"..M-Mm..."

Chiho desperately puts on a smile while preventing her nervousness from showing in her voice.

This is her first time seeing Mii in this white one-piece dress and it really suits her.

The tight design and knit fabric really emphasize the lines of her body, giving off an adult-like impression.

"You look mature today."
"Is that so? I wanted Minami-chan to think I was cute, so I..."
"You're unbelievably cute."

Chiho's true thoughts leak out and Mii's cheeks redden visibly.

Her loosely curled hair and the bangles on her thin wrists...

Every component makes Mii all the more dazzling.

"Thank you... I'm so happy."

Before the staff could forcefully remove her, Mii leaves in a half-run.

Mii didn't deny it and accepted the compliment. The image of Mii's happy and bashful expression is burned into Chiho's mind, refusing to go away.

While trying to keep her mouth in check, she unconsciously crouches down on the spot.

"Huh...?"

What was with that cute creature?
That delighted and bashful look.

That expression is just way too cute.

"Minami-san, are you alright?"

A staff member nearby rushes over, perhaps mistakenly under the impression that she's feeling ill.

"My chest hurts..."
"Are you alright!? You better go take a break."
"No, I'm fine..."
"But your cheeks are also red... is it a fever or..."

At an idol's handshake event, the idol's heart is pounding and her face is red.

How did she end up being the one at someone's mercy?
She has never heard of an idol getting nervous because of a fan.

After being forcibly taken to the break room, Chiho continues repeating that question to herself.