The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 40

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/07/01

The bouquet of flowers given to her by the staff is so large that she had to switch hands to hold it several times on her way to the waiting room.

The filming of the drama in which she played an important role had just ended.

"Isuzu-san, thank you for your hard work."
"The same to you. Thank you."

After giving her sincere thanks to the staff, they respond with a bow.

More than two years have passed since she graduated from Love Mill and her job as an actress has stabilized.

Recently, she has been expanding her activities by doing things such as producing cosmetics. Thanks to that, she has gained even more passionate support from women than before.

Before she noticed it, people no longer labeled her as just a former idol.

That is proof of her hard work.

Following Chiho, the original members of Love Mill have all graduated, but the group continues to exist as new members get added through fair auditions.

In this way, Love Mill will continue indefinitely.

"...It's already been two years, huh?"

The last time she met Mii was at that final handshake event.
Out of greed, Chiho extracted the words, "I love you," from her.

It's fine if her words were just words of admiration for her idol. Chiho just wanted to hear those words used in confessions from Kisaragi Mii once again.

"...I miss her."

Many things have changed, but Chiho still remains stuck.
She has not been able to leave her memories of Mii in the past.

Chiho is already 26 years old, but she still has not moved on.

Since graduating from being an idol, she has received more invitations than before.
Sometimes it's from costars, sometimes it's from executives at the companies she does commercials for.

When they ask to exchange contact information, Chiho naturally becomes reluctant.

Even right now when she wants to get to the waiting room right away, one of the actresses who just worked alongside her calls out to her.

"Minami, how about joining us for dinner? I heard Inoue-san will be there too."
"I'll pass."
"Eh~, aren't you already 26 years old, Minami? Even though you've graduated from being an idol, you haven't been seeing anyone."

No matter how sound the logic is, she can't nod her head in agreement.
In the first place, what reason does she have to date anyone?

Does becoming an adult mean she should just pick a lover who makes her look good?

Chiho refuses to force herself to fall in love with someone convenient that she doesn't love.

If that's the case, she would much rather remain single.
There is no way her heart can accept the idea of being with someone she doesn't care about.

If it's not Mii, then she'd rather be alone.
Chiho had already decided long along that she wanted to live without depending on anyone else.

The night view of Tokyo from her high-rise condo is pretty and extremely romantic, though she doesn't have anyone to enjoy it with.

How many years have passed since then?
Chiho already became an adult long ago and has gained a fondness for alcohol.

She has developed a habit of drinking alcohol instead of tea before going to bed.

On this wide bed, Chiho thinks about Mii.

What is she up to now?
The last time they met, she was building her career as a hairstylist. What kind of adult has she become now?　

If it's that lovely girl, she must have grown into a splendid woman.

"...Haah."

There are times when she tried to forget.
However, Mii naturally pops into her mind and won't disappear.

No matter how much time passes, Mii's grip on Chiho's heart doesn't loosen.

Where is she now and what is she doing?

Chiho wants to know, but at the same time, she doesn't.
Unlike Chiho who is stuck in the past, there's a high chance that Mii has already gotten over her and moved on.

Mii might have come to see that period of her life as a page of her youth, viewing it as nothing more than a nostalgic memory.

If it means finding out that Mii has forgotten about her and is now happy with someone else, Chiho would rather freeze her memory of Mii as it is now.