The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 41

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/07/02

Chiho stands in front of a unit in an apartment building. She has an apple pie she bought as a gift from a store that has been popular on social media lately.

As a security measure, there is no nameplate so she checks the number before pressing the intercom.

Soon, the door opens and Chiho hears the voice of her cheerful junior.

"Minami~! I saw your drama. You were super cute!"

The first thing out of her mouth is a compliment. Chiho smiles shyly.
This person hasn't changed since they first met.

She does not hesitate to praise others and is always smiling.

Today, Chiho has come to the apartment shared by Sani, her junior from her agency, and Saku, Sani's lover.

Like Chiho, both of them are also former students of Sakuragawa Academy. Chiho often visits them like this.

"Sani, you're bothering Minami-san."
"Ah, my bad."
"Jeez... I'm sorry about that, Minami-san."

The reliable Saku apologizes in place of her lover.

The height difference between the petite Saku and the model Sani naturally causes Saku to look up when speaking to her lover.

Did Sani find that cute? No matter how much Saku scolds her like this, Chiho knows that Sani just has a lovestruck look on her face and is not reflecting the least bit on her actions.

Chiho catches a glimpse of Sani's left leg.
Unlike her long and slender right leg, her left leg is prosthetic.

Like Chiho, Sani entered the entertainment industry as a child actor and is still active to this day, mainly working as a model.

Her efforts were recognized at the young age of 16, leading her to move to France to continue building her career there.

However, about six years ago, she got caught in a major traffic accident and lost her left leg, the lifeline of a model.

"Since Minami-san was coming over, the two of us bought a lot today."

As Saku said, there's a lot of food laid out on the table in the middle of the living room.
Everything looks so delicious that her stomach will start rumbling if she isn't careful.

"Are these paintings your latest works, Saku-chan?"

There are several paintings decorating the wall, each one of them well-drawn and tasteful.
Like Chiho and Sani, Saku also once worked as a child actor though she is now a painter.

The one who devotedly supported Sani after she lost her leg and brought her back to the stage was Saku.

"Yes, it seems Sani has taken a liking to them..."

A troubled smile appears on Saku's face as she says this. Back in Chiho's high school days, she frequently saw Saku together with Mii.

At that time, Chiho strongly envied Saku for being by Mii's side as a friend.

"I'd really like to buy all of them."
"I told you to stop doing that already."
"I was just kidding. Don't get mad, Saku..."

No matter what happens, the two of them will support each other.
Watching them live together and talk about trivial things, Chiho feels a slight pain in her chest.

Even though she resolved to live on her own, seeing their relationship makes her envious. Even Chiho wants to be together with Mii. The desires she locked away seem to be close to breaking free.

The three of them sit together on the sofa while eating the food laid out on the nearby table.

The three of them all enjoy their favorite foods and drinks. If there doesn't seem to be enough, they order delivery for more.

The TV is on and currently shows a shampoo commercial featuring Minami.

"Minami-san, you've really been in demand recently."
"That's something I'm thankful for. Haven't the two of you been quite busy yourselves?"

Sani's beauty has only grown with age. She is not only working as an image model, but she's also modeling prosthetic legs for the whole world.

Saku's talent has become well-known enough for her to hold solo exhibitions.
Her paintings fetch quite a high price and have become a popular topic even in the business world.

Everyone is growing in their own way.
They move forward bit by bit, enjoying the various changes.

Chiho sets aside the glass she was holding and nervously begins speaking to Saku.

"Say, Saku-chan. Have any of the people you know been getting married lately...?"
"Yes, there is one person."

Chiho knew her pulse rose instantly when she heard that answer.
Trying her best to maintain her smile, Chiho desperately pretends to remain composed.

"Is that so..."
"A classmate of mine from high school... he was in the astronomy club. We got along quite well since I often drew posters for the club. I went to his wedding with my friends... Why do you ask...?"
"No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it..."

Chiho knows how terribly cowardly she is for trying to check on Mii's current situation in this roundabout way.

Even though she can just directly ask, "How has Kisaragi Mii been doing?", she can't bring herself to say it.
If Saku replies that Mii is seeing someone, Chiho doesn't think she'll be able to take it.

She wants to know, but at the same time, she doesn't.
With such mixed feelings, Chiho continues to think about her.

What is she doing now?
What is she looking at? How is she living her life and who is she thinking of?

Ever since Minami lost her only point of contact with Mii after she graduated from being an idol, she has heard no updates.

"So we're already 25 and Minami is 26... We're getting old."
"You mean only 25, right? We're just a quarter of the way done with our lives."

After Chiho's response, Sani smiles in a peculiar way.

Chiho knows this look. Since long ago, Sani has always looked like this before teasing Chiho. Chiho begins to grow nervous.　

"Do you have someone you like, Minami?"
"Eh? Where did that suddenly come from?"
"After all, you were never interested in such things before. What's been going on in your love life?"

Everyone must be interested in this topic after all.
The love life of a popular former idol.

No one would ever suspect that she still holds unanswered feelings for someone after almost 10 years.

Some unfounded rumors have been circulating in public that she has been switching from one wealthy CEO to another.

Looking at it positively, the public must have quite a high opinion of her. They think that she has the power to make wealthy CEOs fall for her.

"Love life, huh...?

Chiho has not been able to move on so she won't be getting involved in such a thing, but that does not mean she's completely unbothered by it.

Even Chiho has some misgivings about dying alone like this.
However, since Chiho has been unable to forget Mii, her heart has not been moved by anyone else at all.