The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 42

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/07/03

In between photo shoots for a magazine, Chiho is reading a script for a new movie she got cast in.

The movie adapts a mystery novel. The twists are elaborate and quite interesting. Although Chiho will not be playing the main character, she obtained the role of a female police officer with quite a lot of screen time.

She really wanted to play the main character, a female detective. Unfortunately, she failed the audition for that role.

Although she certainly feels frustrated by that, right now, she is trying to get into the role that she did receive in order to give her best performance.

However, the police officer's lines include a lot of technical terms that are quite tough to remember.

"Interesting script, isn't it?"

Hearing her manager's voice, Chiho looks up and gets handed a bottle of water.

He's making sure that Chiho gets enough fluids.
Chiho has known this manager since her time in Love Mill and he has been assigned to manage her even after her graduation.

He's truly capable and has a good understanding of how to make Isuzu Minami shine.

"I bought the original novel to help you prepare for your role. Go give it a look when you got time."

The hardcover book he hands Chiho is heavy.

Did this cost a lot? The cover of the book is clean and shiny.
A lot of work seems to have gone into making this cover. Chiho's finger crawls along the cover to enjoy the rough texture but she stops when she reaches a certain point.

"Eh..."

The author's name written on the cover is "Kisaragi Saki".

In disbelief, Chiho quickly opens the book and finds the author's page right after the cover.

The author is a woman who made her professional debut after winning the Best Amateur Novel award at a contest.

"...It can't be..."

It could just be a coincidence. Chiho isn't convinced yet.
However, her heart grows restless.

She looks up "Kisaragi Saki" on the Internet to obtain more information and the very first result is an application page for a book signing event.

It seems like she will be holding a book signing for the first time to celebrate her work getting a movie adaptation.

"..."

Looks like a large number of applicants is expected. There's no guarantee that Chiho will be able to win a ticket even if she applies, but before she fully thought through what she was doing, she already finished applying.

This is the first time in Chiho's life applying for an event like this.
When she saw the deadline is the day after tomorrow, she applied straight away.

She didn't have time to think it over. Chiho simply thought about wanting to meet Mii and acted on impulse.

A popular new novelist who also works as a hairdresser.
That's how Kisaragi Saki is described in an article. According to the article, she didn't want to give up on her dream and entered a contest and managed to win the Best Amateur Novel award.

Now there is no longer any doubt in Chiho's mind.
Kisaragi Saki is Mii.

She had once said that she had another dream besides being a hairstylist.
She said it was an unstable career, so she was afraid to aim for it.

"...She achieved her dream."

Lying on her bed, Chiho turns the pages of Mii's book that she purchased from the bookstore.

She has three books published, two of which are mystery novels.
The novel that's getting adapted into a movie and its sequel.

The other book is her debut novel.
Despite its title, "GHOST", the genre seems to be romance.

The protagonist of this acclaimed work is a high school girl.
She is an ordinary girl who is a little lacking in self-confidence.

At first, Chiho read this like the other stories, but as she turns the pages, she begins to notice something.

"Eh...?"

The main character lacks self-confidence.
Her mom is a highly popular model and her dad is a well-known actor, so she is disappointed in her mediocre self.

Then, a rumor that the school rooftop is haunted begins to spread.
Up there is a female ghost with long bangs covering her face.

"No way..."

The ghost's true identity is an idol at the height of her popularity.
Not knowing that at all, the main character slowly becomes friends with the ghost.

Then, even though they are both girls, they begin to develop feelings for each other.

"This is..."

Although the names and settings have been slightly altered, this novel is unmistakably based on Chiho and Mii's story.

Suddenly, Chiho's vision begins to blur.
Chiho covers her mouth, desperately trying to stifle her voice.

"So she figured it out...?"

Mii figured out Chiho's true identity.
Since the protagonist only learned this after they became separated, Mii must have deduced the truth herself later.

The protagonist's memories of practicing hairstyles on the idol's hair, their last meeting being the first sunrise of the New Year...

All of these are similar to the events that took place between Chiho and Mii.

"..."

Full of tension, Chiho turns the page.
How did Mii portray the bad ending the two of them reached? Chiho wants to know.

Holding her breath, Chiho watches over the two of them.

After being separated, the two reunite as adults.
Then, the two convey their feelings to each other and can finally be together. A classic love story.

Chiho and Mii were able to become happy only within this story.
The two were able to reach the future that Chiho desired.

As she basks in the afterglow, her smartphone rings to notify her of an incoming text.
She barely has any friends and social media apps have become the most popular means of communication these days.

While wondering who it could be from, she checks the sender and sees it's the results for the book signing event she applied for.

"I wasn't selected..."

She had applied with high hopes, but those feelings were not rewarded.
Reading the words offering condolences, her tears flow even more.

So this is what it feels like to be a fan.
They apply with high hopes, but things might not turn out as they wish.

No matter what their feelings are, the results all depend on luck.
This is the first time Chiho has understood the feeling of a fan who wanted to meet the person they admired but couldn't.