Have Mercy, ■■■■, on Me 13

Several days later, in a certain shopping district in the city

Hiyori: —Come on, Nagisa-kun. Today’s the day of that live you really wanted to see!

Nagisa: ...I am. Excited. Idol live.

Hiyori: What an ordeal that was! I had them looking everywhere to find a ticket for today!

But all that effort was worth it; we managed to get tickets for that popular idol, Kunugi Akiomi!

Actually, I don’t have a clue if he’s any good or not.

Wasn’t that guy a model or something? I guess he decided to be an idol, instead.

I remember seeing him in fashion catalogs that we got in the mail...?

Oh, who cares about the details! The only thing that matters is that we get to see an idol perform live!

Nagisa: ...Thank you, Hiyori-kun.^[1]

Hiyori: Fufu. There’s nothing to thank me for!

Besides, once tomorrow comes around, you’ll be heading off to live with the Rans.

So think of this as a parting gift on behalf of leaving the Tomoe house!

Nagisa: ...Parting gift?

Hiyori: Yep. Today is probably the last day I can do something like this for you as your big brother.

Nagisa: ......

Hiyori: Ohh, wait, wait! I was trying so hard not to say anything gloomy like that!

We can’t enjoy the show when we’re feeling sad. This is such foul weather!

I love when you smile, okay? So even if parting ways makes us feel lonely, I want us to leave with smiles on our faces.

Which is exactly why I decided that we’ll make lifelong memories with each other today!

You’re going to have so much fun that you’ll never be able to forget about it, even if you wanted to!

Nagisa: ...Yes. With Hiyori. I will, make, precious memories.

Hiyori: Fufu. I never thought I’d get to see a smile like that on your face, Nagisa-kun.

Back then, you were so expressionless that it was like you had a mask glued to your face.

I hope your life from here on out is filled to the brim with those same smiles, Nagisa-kun.

Oh! It looks like the doors are opening. Then let’s head on in and enjoy the live together!

A few hours later, on the way home after Kunugi Akiomi’s live

Nagisa: ...... (lost in thought)

Hiyori: Ahaha. You’re still in La-la Land long after the live ended, Nagisa-kun!

Your mouth is hanging open a bit too; it’s a little silly!

Nagisa: ...Sorry.

Hiyori: But I get why you feel this way. Seeing it on the screen and seeing it in person are two completely different experiences.

Nagisa: ...Idols, shine. Venue swaying. Music... echoes. All comes together.

......Words are hard. I cannot, say it right.

Hiyori: Of course not. This is something that even I’m struggling to put into words.

It’s something I’ve never felt before. Wow, it’s been so long since my heart was racing like this.

Fufu. At first, I didn’t have the tiniest shred of interest in idols.

This is a bit late, but why do you like idols so much, Nagisa-kun?

Is it because of that person you call your Father?

Nagisa: ...Father. Loves idols.

...Nagisa is, a perfect idol. Nagisa was born. To be an idol.

...Father said that.

Hiyori: A perfect idol, hm...

Do you want to become an idol just because your father told you to?

Nagisa: ...Father’s wish, was. To be. An idol.

...Nagisa wants, to know. Father’s heart. And love.

Hiyori: I see...

I know you’ll be a great idol. Your singing and dancing are both incredible, after all.

I can’t say I think too highly of your father...

But I at least agree with what he said about you being a perfect idol!

Fufu. I can’t wait for the day that you debut! I’ll be your number one fan when that time comes!

Nagisa: ......

Hiyori: Hm? What’s wrong, Nagisa-kun? Why are you staring at me?

Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun. You like, idols?

Hiyori: Well, sure. Though the main reason is due to your influence, of course.

But even disregarding that, I think I like idols just in general.

They shine like glittering stars when they perform, and their smiles on stage were like a bright sun warming the hearts of everyone in the audience.

So maybe I’m drawn to the entire concept of idols.

I’ve also been smiling all this time for the sake of reviving the Tomoe house, and to avoid getting in my brother’s way.

I use those fake smiles to get through the day, just to make sure everyone sees me as harmless, as someone who isn’t worth getting involved with. But—

Idols use their smiles to make so many people happy. It’s dazzling.

Unlike me, who smiles to prove my worthlessness,” their smiles have value.

If I have to smile no matter what, I’d love to smile for the sake of someone else’s happiness, too...

Nagisa: ......

Hiyori: Juuust kidding. I was only talking to myself, so don’t mind me.

Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun. Be an idol. Too.

Hiyori: Huh?

Nagisa: ...Nagisa likes. Your smile.

...So. Can be an idol, too.

...Be an idol. With me?

Hiyori: Ahaha, me, an idol? I’ve never thought of that before.

But I’ll bet it would be fun, huh? Singing and dancing with you, sharing our smiles with all those people.

Sure, maybe there’s a future out there for something like that.

But before I start daydreaming about the future, it looks like we have some work to do.

Nagisa: ...?

Hiyori: They’re more impatient than I expected, which is kind of a problem. I really wanted to savor this moment a little while longer.

Nagisa-kun, could you come over here? It would be even better if you hurry.

It seems there’s a little troublemaker trying to disrupt our happy time together.

Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun. Someone is, here.

Hiyori: Thank you, Nagisa-kun. It’s fine; I noticed a while ago.

Hey, was chasing after us really all that fun?

Of course, it’s not like I don’t understand wanting to take in how beautiful Nagisa-kun and I are forever.

Are you an idol scout, by chance? If you are, then I’ll gratefully accept the offer—

Hah, as if I’d join an agency that tries to scout people with no sense of propriety. You wouldn’t trust an agency without any manners either, now, would you?

Hey, I’m talking to you, you know—the trespasser who broke into the manor.