The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 23

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/06/17

No matter how busy and tired she was due to work, Chiho would drag her body to the rooftop.

Despite the chill of December, Mii would still be there waiting for Chiho like always.

Chiho wants to respond to the feelings of the girl who waits for her in the cold.

In order to escape the cold, Mii has recently started bringing a large blanket for the two of them to share. Right now, the two of them are warmly wrapped under the same blanket.

Chiho has started thinking that the cold isn't so bad if it allows her to be closer to Mii like this.

This warmth from their shoulders touching feels extremely comfortable.

This is their undisturbed peaceful time.
However, that feeling of comfort gets blown away by Mii's shocking words.

"Recently, people have been wondering if Minami-chan got herself a boyfriend."

Chiho does her utmost best to make sense of those incomprehensible words.

How did such an unfounded rumor spread? Her mouth is gaping open from shock.

"Her expression has softened a lot... and seems so gentle. People have been saying that must be because she has someone she likes."
"..."

Chiho has been desperately trying to not think about Mii while she's working as Isuzu Minami to do her job as an idol properly.
However, it looks like the eyes of fans will not be so easily deceived.　

They can perceive the slightest difference and then come up with theories like great detectives.

While Chiho is flustered, she's curious about Mii's indifferent tone.

『Does that not upset you?』After writing that and handing it to her, Mii laughs it off with a completely nonchalant expression.

"Eh? No, not at all."

That lighthearted denial wasn't the reaction Chiho expected.

If it was Chiho, she would absolutely hate it if Mii had a lover.
She would want Mii all to herself and go mad with jealousy.

That's why Chiho finds Mii's attitude so baffling.

"To me, Minami-chan is an idol that I really respect. In the first place, I'd feel too guilty to speak to her without paying money. Though I still ended up trying to find her at school since I like her."

Chiho intently listens to Mii's words without interrupting.
When the topic is Isuzu Minami, Mii truly seems so talkative and happy.

"I love the dazzling Minami-chan that's on the stage. However, Minami-chan is a human being with her own private life. I want Minami-chan to have freedom there, whether that means she has someone she likes or a lover. As long as she properly shows her fans how to dream when it's time to be an idol, I won't wish for anything more."

Even though these are the ideal words an idol can ask out of a fan...

Chiho doesn't want to accept those words.
She wants Mii to get jealous. These feelings are not fitting for an idol.

Chiho doesn't want Mii to know these unseemly feelings.
She doesn't want Mii to view her as a troublesome woman.

After a moment of silence, Mii's voice echoes again.

Unlike before, this time her voice trembles slightly as if she's somewhat nervous.

"Umm... Chiho-chan, do you have any plans on Christmas Eve?"

Chiho isn't sure whether it's by chance or not, but every year, she always has work lined up on Christmas Eve.

As she recalls, she's scheduled to make a guest appearance on a radio show on the morning of Christmas Eve this year.

The other members complained that these are definitely on purpose, but only the manager knows the truth.

At least she doesn't have any work scheduled in the afternoon so it could be worse.

When she hands Mii a note saying, 『I'll be free in the afternoon,』 Mii begins to fidget nervously in an obvious way.

"Really? Well, my roommate will be away for a study camp... so if it's okay with you, why don't we have a Christmas party at my place?"

The unexpected invitation almost makes Chiho drops her notepad in surprise.

Christmas is a day usually spent with important people like family, friends, and lovers.

Chiho had never thought Mii would want to spend that precious day with her.

"..."

Chiho notices that Mii's ears are bright red.
Her eyes are slightly watery, perhaps from being too nervous.

Once Chiho nods, all the tension disappears and Mii relaxes her shoulders.

If she reacts like that, Chiho might get the wrong idea.
She'll be tempted to interpret it in a convenient way and look forward to a future where she'll have Mii all to herself.