Chapter 17

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Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu:
2021/06/11

Yotsuya Rumi joining Love Mill will be announced at the live performance next month.
After the surprise announcement, she is scheduled to appear on stage.

She joined them in practice sessions immediately. It soon became apparent that Yotsuya Rumi has the perfect characteristics for an idol.

Her dancing is graceful while containing substance. Her singing is pleasant to listen to thanks to her lovely voice.

Even her face is cute, so there will be few fans who reject her even if she joins as a new member.

Of course, the fans who like the five-member Love Mill will have some complex feelings, but more important than her reception, she has the skills required to be an idol.

Needing to remember the changes in their dance formation and parts during songs to accommodate a new member makes their sessions tougher, but there is no way around that.

Chiho has been taking more lessons than before, leaving not much time to relax.




That is why Chiho wants to fully savor these periods of peace in her busy life.
The time she spends on the rooftop with Mii while surrounded by the fragrance of autumn is terribly dear to her.

In this place, Chiho does not have to strain herself to be Isuzu Minami.
She could relax as a 17-year-old girl while hanging out with Mii.

She got so comfortable that she let out a big yawn. That seems to concern Mii.

"Chiho-chan, you've been looking pretty sleepy these days. Not enough sleep?"

How many times has Chiho wished she could just answer her normally?

She can't reply to Mii with silly retorts like a friend would.
Even though she intended to get used to this, she can't get rid of her irritation.

Chiho nods her head while dozing off and Mii lightly taps her own shoulder.

"Why don't you get some sleep?"

While puzzled, Chiho puts her head on Mii's shoulder and feels Mii gently stroking her head.

Although it's embarrassing to be treated like a child, for some strange reason, she doesn't hate this.

This soapy fragrance suits Mii and soothes her.

Chiho raises her gaze and notices Mii's ears have become bright red.

Reaching her hand out, she lightly touches an ear with her finger and Mii lets out a shriek.

"What are you doing...?"
『They're red.』
"...Because it's embarrassing."

Mii answers shyly while looking at the words that Chiho wrote.

Since Mii isn't facing her, Chiho doesn't know what kind of expression she has now.

Chiho finds herself really wanting to see Mii's face.

Chiho moves her hand from Mii's ear to her cheek and tries to make Mii turn to face her, but Mii is not cooperating.

"...No. It's not fair that you're the only one that gets to see my embarrassed face. Show me your face too, Chiho-chan."

Mii tries to touch Chiho's cheek in the same way, but Chiho quickly moves away and holds her bangs down.

"I guess you still won't let me see your face after all?"

After a strong nod, Mii does not pry any further.
She changes to her usual expression and gracefully backs off.

"I wonder why... normally I'd want to know the face of my friends, but if it's Chiho-chan, I don't mind."

Chiho listens carefully, trying to not miss a single word.

Chiho might have been waiting to hear those words from someone for a long time.

She silently stares at Mii's mouth through her bangs.

"Since I like who Chiho-chan is on the inside, maybe I don't care what your face looks like."

Chiho's vision begins to shake.
She's sure Mii didn't think too deeply about it and just said what she thought. 

That's why her words sink into Chiho's heart so deeply.

"This is the first time I've met someone as kind as you."

Chiho feels truly grateful that her mask and bangs hide her face.
She doesn't want anyone to see her unsightly expression on the verge of crying.
Since this is not the pretty crying face she uses while acting.

This is also the first time for Chiho as well.
To have someone look into her depths like this.

Not as Isuzu Minami, but as Isuzu Chiho.
It is the first time anyone's ever faced her as just a girl from the same generation.

That is why she has become so obsessed with Mii.

"Next time, if it's all right with you, why don't we go out somewhere together?"

She grabs a pen with a trembling hand and writes, 『I'll think about it』 then hands it over to Mii.

Truthfully, she wants to go more than anything else.

However, if she goes anywhere looking like this, she'll immediately stand out.
Even though she said she'll think about it, she knows that will never happen.

What kind of face would Mii make if she knew Isuzu Minami's true identity is Chiho?
As anxious as she is about whether she'd be accepted, she's also equally hopeful.

She strongly wishes to stand in front of Mii with no disguise.



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