I, Minami Kotori, Son of the Sun

Maki and Nicole didn't leave.

They were standing outside the door, leaning against the wall, separated by a wall.

The door was ajar, and on the stage, a white light was shining from inside out. They could just hear the girl singing on the stage.

[Am I pretending to be lonely? ]

【Why does my heart move so much for you? 】

【Come back to your senses, unknowingly】

[I have been deeply attracted by you]

There was a rustling sound nearby, probably the sound of clothes rubbing against the wall. Maki turned her head and saw Nicole's body leaning against the wall, slowly sliding down.

"Nicole..."

It was the first time she saw the vulnerable side of that annoying guy who never gave up.

The sound was so quiet that only Maki could hear it. She was sobbing, "Laugh if you want to. Anyway, it's only this time."

How can I take my heart?

[Reflected in the mirror so you can see clearly? ]

Distorted emotions, humble love - even though I knew long ago that as a girl, falling in love with a girl might mean there is no future.

But when everything settled down, her heart was still so lost.

"I should have known this earlier. Why was I so self-indulgent..." Nicole laughed at herself, looking up at the blazing white lights in the corridor.

So dazzling, just like her love affair that ended in vain before it even began.

"No, Nicole, at least, she hasn't refused yet, right?" For the first time, Maki looked at Nicole's defeat with sympathy and even respect.

Nicole shook her head: "Idiot, Sister Xiaoniao is not an idiot. At this point, her silence already has the answer."

"Really..." Hearing this, Maki lowered her head, feeling a sense of emptiness in her heart, "I'm not even as good as you."

Maki, she escaped, she ran away, and she didn't even dare to stand on the stage to initiate a duel.

Even though it was a duel that she was destined to lose, she already knew in her heart that no matter how perfect the performance was, there would always be only one person in Xiaoniao's eyes.

The girl with silver hair like snow.

[Even if it is a love that ends up being a luxury]

【Will there be a day when I am reflected in the mirror? 】

But, at least Nicole expressed her feelings openly on stage. Compared to her, I was just like a coward.

[When I first called out]

When you look back for the first time

[Your figure is so dazzling]

[I had to look away]

The two of them listened to the girl's singing quietly. Why did she choose such a sad and humble song? Was it a mockery of the victor?

Or, simply, sympathy?

"Nicole, when did you fall in love with her?" Maki put her head on her hands and slid down from the corner like Nicole did.

The skirt of her school uniform was scratched by the lime on the wall, but she no longer cared.

So, their eyes were level, just like when they were in school discussing the boys they liked - now there was nothing to worry about, because they had both already lost.

"When?"

Nicole was stunned when she heard this.

Like, when did it start?

When you like someone very much and someone suddenly asks you why you like them, everyone will probably be stunned for a moment.

The first time I saw them was when I was spying on the three juniors’ idol training.

What was her mood at that time?

Envy, jealousy, and ridicule?

She envied them for being able to have fun together and work towards a common goal, but she was also jealous of them - because she had been single for a long time.

Mocking their unrealistic dreams, after all - she had failed before.

"Even I failed, let alone you?" In fact, she was a little selfish. She didn't want them to succeed just because she failed miserably.

"And then, I was caught." Nicole suddenly burst into laughter.

Sister Xiaoniao's anti-reconnaissance ability is surprisingly good, and she can't escape from her clutches no matter what.

From that time on, Nicole lost her airs as a senior.

Soon after, more and more people came to Muse, and after observing them, she decided to let go.

She was so righteous when she handed over the community that she had managed so carefully but was now empty, that she even moved herself.

But, it was at that time, when I had lost all hope, that it was she who pulled me into this circle, and it was she who made me no longer feel lonely.

They were fed French fries in a hamburger shop, patiently tutored in math, and when they had no one to turn to and were all alone, it was Sister Bird who came to pick them up on a motorcycle.

Those words of concern and care, tinged with a hint of complaint, are still fresh in my mind.

Yet, every word is heart-wrenching.

"Hey, Maki, can't I do it? What about me? Am I really that bad...why...can't I do it?" Nicole cried on Maki's chest.

Maki was speechless for a while. It was the first time that Nicole lost so badly, and it was also the first time that she didn't feel like making fun of her.

In fact, she herself had already been crying.

"So, Nicole is like this too?"

She suddenly realized that this annoying guy who always went against her was so similar to her.

“What...mean?” Nicole raised her red eyes.

"Me too. At first I thought she was too indecisive and even slapped her..."

Nicole looked up, a little shocked.

"That was before you joined."

"Sister Xiaoniao suddenly became very depressed and was unwilling to participate in training..."

Memories of the past seem to make me feel a little stomach-ache, but when everything is over, it still feels good.

"But afterwards, she didn't blame me. Instead, she took the initiative to talk to me." Maki smiled, tears streaming from her eyes, "We reconciled."

Perhaps it was at that moment that she began to fall in love with that beautiful sister who was a little boyish and a little weak.

"I've always been a clumsy person and I'm afraid of messing up my relationship with my companions again, but Sister Kotori is really considerate. No matter what time, she is so...charming." Maki blushed as she talked about her ideal sweetheart.

Yes, isn't it charming?

It can make two people who dislike each other fall in love with each other at the same time.

Nicole nodded.

[Even if it is a love without results]

【Is there a day when it is reflected in your heart? 】

[Even if I can see a glimmer of light]

[This love will definitely start to move]

When the song ended, the two were silent for a moment and heard cheers from inside.

The two of them put their ears close to the corner, held their breath, and could even hear each other's heartbeats.

"Great, Bai Li, it's rare that you didn't sing out of tune!" said the person they liked.

"Ahem, ahem, little bird, can you talk?" The people who are liked by the people they like respond shyly.

"Eh... Miss Bai can actually sing out of tune? I couldn't understand the song just now at all." It was Honoka's voice.

After hearing this, the two of them became more aware of the situation - it seemed that she often sang to her.

She had been with her for a long, long time.

I wonder how lucky that girl will be...

. . .

"Are you still going?"

"Well, I won't sing love songs anymore. I probably understand now that in my heart, I feel more grateful for Sister Xiaoniao."

Was this a lie? She couldn't tell.

I don’t know how lucky that girl named Bai Li is to be able to be with her.

"I want to sing a song called "Thank You" for Sister Bird. I wish you happiness."

So she pushed open the half-open door.

Cry and laugh at the same time.