The Nonfiction That Only You Know

Chapter 46

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/07/06

Chiho may have wanted to become a somebody for a long time.

Ever since her debut as a child actor, she has been been a prisoner of that thought for many years.

The first time she felt that way might have been when her popularity as a child actor declined.

Seeing her fellow child actors that she shared hardships with gradually retire, Chiho became extremely flustered.

Not as Isuzu Minami, but as Isuzu Chiho.
She did not want to become an ordinary person who would not be noticed by anyone.

That thought was not born out of a desire to stand out. If she had to guess a reason, perhaps she was afraid of having her place in the world taken away from her.

She could act and had looks people praised.
By being called Minami-chan by others, she felt needed. Like this, Chiho tried to affirm her own existence.

The Chiho of the past could not find any meaning in her existence without being Isuzu Minami.

In a room at her apartment, Chiho is feeling uncharacteristically nervous.

They have been dating for one month. Mii is also busy with work, so their schedules often did not match. However, today the two of them are finally able to share a day off.

Therefore, today her dear lover has come to Chiho's apartment.

This is Chiho's first time learning that she could feel so restless just from having the person she loves in her home.

This is her precious time together with Mii. Afraid of losing her memories from drinking too much alcohol, the two of them sit on the sofa while sipping warm rose tea.

"How's your work as a stylist been going?"
"It's going well. They're letting me come up with hair designs now and I'm getting nominations. You're amazing, too, Chiho-chan. I bought all the cosmetics you produced."

Chiho knows that Mii earns enough money, but if she had just told her, she would have given them to her for free.

The words almost leave her throat, but she just barely manages to hold them back somehow. After all, even Chiho wants to buy every book Mii writes with her own money.

Since she now understands the feelings of a fan, she could not bring herself to complain about Mii's behavior.
Now, she can somewhat understand why Mii was so reluctant to meet Minami in private.

On the sofa, their fingers suddenly touch each other.
Their lively conversation earlier suddenly halts and silence falls upon them.

Looking nervously at Mii, their eyes meet.

"...Sho-should we do it...?"

Mii's voice as she said that was shrill and quivering.
Chiho unintentionally bursts into laughter and Mii seems to sulk.

"Why are you laughing...? You're so mean! I tried so hard to be brave."
"Because... you were so nervous."
"It's not fair... I'm the only one getting nervous."

Chiho gently takes Mii's hand and guides it near her chest above her clothes.

It only lasts for a moment, but Mii's hand slightly touches Chiho's chest.
How much she is trembling surely got conveyed to Mii.

"How could I not be nervous with the person I love before my eyes?"

Chiho is trying to appear composed, but she's extremely nervous on the inside.
Even so, she wants to at least look cool in front of the person she loves.

Did her pounding heart successfully convey that to Mii? Mii's next words are filled with embarrassment.

"...I have no experience in love."
"I don't either. That makes us fellow beginners... Let's go at our own pace and take things slow."

Since they are already adults past the age of 20, Mii must be concerned about acting in a way that matches their age.

However, there is no need to rush anything.
Unlike before, their relationship will continue.

They can finally move forward in their lives, so they should take it easy and climb those steps little by little.　

"I want to spend this Christmas together with you."

Mii responds with surprise at Chiho's selfishness.
Back then, she was not able to enjoy that feast so this time she wants to happily spend Christmas with her dear lover.

"Yes... I'll make reservations at a nice restaurant."
"...You know... I don't particularly mind, but if some weekly magazine or something gets a photograph of you... "

Although she works as a novelist, Mii's day job is being a hairstylist.
If they dine out and a reporter takes a picture, there is a possibility that people will begin to suspect their relationship.

Many reporters are on the lookout for a scoop on Isuzu Minami, who has never been rumored to be in a relationship.

If anyone manages to get definitive proof, then that news might make it to various media outlets.

Such is the nature of dating celebrities.

Although Chiho asked that out of concern, Mii seems completely unbothered.

"If I'm about to be photographed, I'll make a peace sign or something."
"Eh...?"
"No matter what happens, I will protect you, Chiho-chan, so don't worry."

Those words are not what Chiho expected.

That's right. Chiho is drawn to this part of Mii.

She must have become stronger.
For Chiho and for herself.

She had put in a lot of effort to pursue Chiho to this point.
To such a person, Chiho's earlier question may have been a foolish one.

Even if Isuzu Minami's position is put in jeopardy, Chiho strangely feels like she can accept that.

Rather than being loved by a large number of unspecified people, it's much more important to have the person most precious to her in the world think about her this much.

Chiho can tell that Mii loves her as Isuzu Chiho from the bottom of her heart.

With just this, that's more than enough for her to live as Chiho.

The person she loves is right beside her and the two of them can laugh together.
Chiho is so happy right now that she sometimes suspects this reality is fiction. That's why she will never never let them be apart again.

With so much force that it hurts, Chiho hugs the woman she loves tightly.

(End)