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For most of her life, all she had known were the harsh, bright lights that radiated from the stage, her fan’s smiles, and the lights they waved, just for her. To them, she was the radiant star of Cheerful Days. A mature beauty who brought hope and joy with her everywhere she went.
For a while, she was content with this image of herself. Yet, as time went on, she found herself unable to distinguish between her persona as the center of Cheerful Days and the true Shizuku underneath the layers of costumes and makeup. She found that most days, she would smile even when it seemed as though no one were watching. She began picking up on the tiniest flaws. The way she walked, her laugh, the notes she sang, none of it was right. Even when she finally managed to settle down for the night, she would simply go over everything that had gone wrong that day.
As the line between her life as an idol and her life as an ordinary student began to blur, Shizuku reassured herself that this was for the best. After all, if she could always make people smile, wouldn’t that be for the best?
Once the rumors began, Shizuku thought that she could simply ignore them. It was normal, after all, in the idol industry. She could deal with the comments from people who didn’t know her. It wasn’t like they truly believed what they said.
But once she heard the whispers of her group members, something within her snapped. These were people she knew and trusted. The people she had been with for important moments in her life. People who were supposed to have her back and be there for her. Instead, they had all hated her, without her realizing a thing. How could she be so blind and stupid?
When she finally left, it felt like a part of her had stayed with her former idol group. She was no longer the idol who gave cheerful smiles. Now, she was simply Shizuku. A girl trying to figure out who she was in this rather large world.
Just as it felt like she would be wandering through the world without finding her purpose, she met Minori. Here was a sweet, innocent girl who longed for nothing more than to become an idol. All so she could put smiles onto the faces of others, just like how idols had managed to make her smile, even in times of darkness.
Shizuku was reminded of herself at the beginning of her idol journey. Eager and ready to learn and do whatever it took in order to become an idol.
Maybe that’s why she found herself drawn to Minori. To help this girl, protect her from the dangers she once faced. If she had someone to guide her and stick by her side, then perhaps she could truly become a great idol. One who could even surpass her former teammates in Cheerful Days.
But for now, Shizuku was simply content to assist Minori and see her every day. Minori had become a beacon of hope for her. She may not have officially been an idol, but she managed to inspire hope within Shizuku every day.
Falling for her was inevitable, but Shizuku could never voice her true feelings for Minori. After all, she was little more than a nobody now. Without her status as an idol, what could she be? How could she hope to continue as someone Minori could trust forever?
For now, all she could do was plant the seeds of hope within Minori. Continuing to shower her in love through gifts, acts of kindness, continuing to coach and teach Minori, and simply staying close to her. Shizuku promised herself that she would create a dazzling tomorrow for Minori. One where she would inspire others, just as she had inspired Shizuku.