Character Story 7: These Feelings are a Trade Secret
Scene: A park in Landsol.
The day after the concert, Nozomi comes looking for Yuuki.
Nozomi
Up until yesterday, I'd been so busy with preparing for the concert and writing the new song. I finally asked for a day off today.
Nozomi
It's a special day, so do you want to go out for a little cast party of our own?
Nozomi
Eh? Why just the two of us... well... See, we were also doing all of that work before the concert with just us, right? So we should also celebrate that!
Nozomi
I've decided! I know a good restaurant near here, so let's go there for lunch!
Scene: A restaurant.
Nozomi
This is one of my favorite spots. I think you'll definitely like it too...
Fanboy
Whoa!? Nozomi!?
Nozomi
N-No good! It looks like there are fans here...!
Nozomi
Hurry, let's run! If we cause a commotion, it'll be trouble for the restaurant owner!
Scene: A street in Landsol.
Nozomi
Pant... pant... It looks like they're not following us anymore... Sorry for making you run all of a sudden. Then, let's go somewhere else for lunch.
Small Fangirl
Ahh, it's Nozomi! How cute!
Nozomi
There are fans here, too!? Sorry, today's my day off...!
Scene: A plaza in Landsol.
Old Fanboy
Ho ho ho... It's Nozomi! She looks just like my late wife...
Nozomi
H-Here's no good, too? Run away!
Scene: A road outside Landsol.
Nozomi
We ended up outside the city... But now that we've come this far, we should be...
Bandit (Small)
Whoa! I-It's Nozomi! I'm a huge fan!
Royal Knight
I am, too! Let me arrest you after this! Nozomi! Please, can I have your autograph?
Bandit (Large)
Yeah, let's not fight now! Nozomi, please hold my hand!
Nozomi
E-Even here!? Today... Today's my only day off, so just let me go!
Scene: A mountaintop.
Nozomi
Whew... It's finally just the two of us now.
Nozomi
It's already evening, though... My special day off is already over.
Nozomi
Sorry. I've also used up your day off again. Now that I think about it, the first time we met was also kind of like this.
Yuuki
1. "You have even more fans now than you did then."
2. "You've also gained a lot of female fans."
Option 1.
Nozomi
That's right. It wasn't that long ago when we were having our date... O-Our practice date, I mean.
Option 2.
Nozomi
Yeah, women, little girls, old ladies... Knowing that so many people are supporting me really makes me happy.
End of branches.
Nozomi
But my goal is to be the top idol, and I'm still not there yet. I've got to go on working hard.
Nozomi
Then, let's have our cast party here! We don't have any food or drinks, but... Here, sit down!
Nozomi
... If we don't go back soon, it'll get late? T-That's true, but... We haven't had our cast party yet...
Yuuki
1. "I'm already happy."
2. "We'll have it next time."
Option 1.
Nozomi
I-Is that right? To hear you say that... It also makes me happy.
Option 2.
Nozomi
Yeah. You're right.
End of branches.
Nozomi
This time didn't work out, but next time... Well, it still wouldn't work out, would it? I'm glad that I have so many fans now, but no matter what, I won't be able to have any privacy anymore...
Nozomi
Sigh... If I can't play with you anymore, then... Maybe I'll just quit being an idol...
Nozomi
O-Of course, I'm joking! Just a joke, a joke...
Nozomi
... Hey. Do you want me to go on being an idol?
Nozomi
If... If I told you that I was going to quit...
Nozomi
Hee hee. You'd never be able to tell me to quit. You've always been rooting for me.
Nozomi
Being an idol is a really tough job. There are a lot of unpleasant things to deal with, and you don't get any privacy at all...
Nozomi
But even so, the reason I can go on being an idol is because I met you.
Nozomi
Because even after you learned that I was an idol, you kept on getting along with me normally, you know?
Nozomi
In front of you, and no one else, I can just be... a normal girl.
Nozomi
That's why I can go on as an idol normally. The time that I spend with you, just like this, is what gives me the ability to keep doing it.
Nozomi
Um, so... Today, there's something I want to tell you...
Nozomi
I, um... I...
Nozomi
I...
Nozomi
......
Nozomi
... I want to thank you for everything.
Nozomi
I really trust you. So until I become a top idol, you'll collaborate with me, won't you? Ha ha, I'll be counting on you!
Nozomi
And that's all I wanted to say! Let's go home!
Nozomi
(......)
Nozomi
(If I were to tell you my real feelings, I wouldn't be able to go on being an idol...)
Nozomi
(But then, all of your support would have gone to nothing... So I'll just keep these words to myself...)