The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 22

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/06/16

Unlike the time they met in private, Kisaragi Mii is talkative during handshake events.
Of course, she is less talkative compared to when she is on the rooftop, but she's not trying to be distant.

She's smiling and even saying things that make Chiho happy.

"The last live concert was really amazing."
"Do you really think so?"
"Though I was surprised a new member got announced..."

Chiho squeezes Mii's hand tightly.
If it's now, she can hold Mii's hand without raising any questions.

The girl who came here to shake her hand is as bashful as ever.

The fleeting moments when their eyes meet are so tantalizing.

What does Mii think about Rumi?
As a fan, she would not be blamed for shaking hands with members who aren't her favorite.

Chiho can not force her selfishness on this girl cheering for her idol as a hobby.

There's a chance that even Mii will be lining up in Rumi's lane.

Earlier today, there was a fan that said they will switch to supporting Rumi from now on and that would be their last time shaking hands with Minami.

"Saki-chan, will you be changing who you support?"

It feels strange calling her by her nickname when Chiho knows her real name.

If Chiho lets her guard down even a little, she'll end up calling her Mii.

Mii looks surprised at Chiho's question.

"Of course not! I'm devoted to Minami-chan..."
"In that case, I want you to tell me that you love me."

What exactly is she saying? By the time she fully realized that the words were already out.
She's never demanded anything like this from a fan before.

In the first place, the one taking requests should be Minami, the idol.
Mii's eyes wander restlessly in confusion.

With her ears red, she manages to push out a weak voice that's barely audible.

"I... I love you..."

Embarrassed from the bottom of her heart, Mii hides her face with her hands. Chiho keeps her eyes on Mii as she leaves the lane.

Once she turns the corner and Chiho couldn't see her anymore, Chiho speaks to herself.

"...I should have recorded that."

That was an abuse of authority.
Using her position as an idol, she forced those words out of the person she loves.

Despite abhorring her own action, there is a part of Chiho that is honestly happy about hearing Mii say that she loves her.

She must be quite simple-minded to be so delighted by Mii's words.

Her heart is thumping more loudly than ever before.

Even if Mii didn't mean it in the same way, Chiho still feels happy to hear that from the person she loves.　

"Minami-chan, huh...?"

In the end, the one that Mii loves is the idol Isuzu Minami, not Chiho.

That much should be obvious, but the selfish Chiho finds that fact unbearable.

The chilly winter morning air is so clear that it makes her want to take a deep breath.
This is especially true in Sakuragawa Academy, which is surrounded by nature so the air seems even clearer.

Burying her head in her muffler, Chiho walks in the opposite direction of the students wearing uniforms.
She has a rehearsal for a music program today, so she is heading to the TV station early in the morning.

It's December now and she might not have attended even a single class.
It feels strange considering how often she wears her uniform to see Mii.

She tries to stifle the yawn brought about by her drowsiness when she stops in her tracks after hearing the voice of the girl she loves.

She turns around and as expected, she finds the girl that holds her thoughts captive.

"It's rare to see you two in the morning."
"Aren't you up unusually early, Ririna?"
"My roommate's alarm clock woke me up. Ah, Mii, you have bed hair."

Mii heads for school while happily walking with her two friends.
Due to the cold, Mii also has a muffler wrapped around her like Chiho.

Chiho's heart flutters just from sharing this trivial thing in common.

The white muffler really suits her fair skin.

"I don't want to go to gym class today."
"I have no confidence that I'll be able to get the ball in."

Is she not that good in gym class?
Chiho listens intently, but the voices of the girls heading in the opposite direction soon fade away.

What's she like when she's in class?
Does she take her lessons seriously or does she secretly play with her smartphone and get scolded for it?

"...It must be nice."

Those words unconsciously spill out.
They're able to be by Mii's side as a matter of course.

They laugh together and talk about silly things.
Chiho envies her friends who have so easily become a part of Mii's daily life.

Up until now, Chiho has always endured it.
Whether it's going to school or making friends...

Chiho had intended to accept those as necessary sacrifices to succeed as a performer.

She thought she was a mature person that could think about things in the long term, but that's not the case at all.

If Chiho had not been an idol...
Would she be able to laugh along with Mii as a friend like that?

Rather than going to work, she strongly wishes she could stay by Mii's side instead.