*THAT NIGHT*
*AKIHIKO'S ROOM - KOTA CITY APARTMENT BUILDING - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
I caught the last train home, yet I've written too much again. This is no use, I can't show my Club members at their best like this.
This isn't right. Yet I know that there is so much that I want the nation to know about the girls it's driving me crazy.
Then there's the matter of the School Idol Fansite to write for. Not that my name appears on any of the articles or anything...
Some acknowledgement for my hard work would be appreciated at least.
*DING*
Hm?
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AYUMU: 'Could you come outside?'
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Ayu?
I wonder what she wants. I mean, I already told her that she doesn't have to be a V-Tuber to be special.
...
*BALCONY - KOTA CITY APARTMENT BUILDING - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
AYUMU: "Good evening!"
AKI: "You're still awake, Ayu?"
AYUMU: "I should be the one asking you that. I know you've been up late working on something every night recently."
AKI: "I don't stay up THAT late."
AYUMU: "That's a lie if I've ever heard one. I see your light stays on deep into the night."
AKI: "It's not as late as you're making it out to be."
AYUMU: "Even though you always seem groggy in the morning?"
AKI: "Fine, if you want to know. Your good friend Shiro is working me like crazy with these articles. I barely have time to work on our own P.V.
But lately, neither have you."
AYUMU: "Huh?"
AKI: "You're spending more and more time at the Computer Club, while I'm working for the betterment of the School Idol Club."
AYUMU: "I know, I'm sorry about that. Is...that what you've been mulling over, recently?"
AKI: "...No."
AYUMU: "That's a relief. You know, I wasn't sure about anything to do with computers at first, but they taught me."
AKI: "Is that why you're interested in this whole V-Tuber schtick?"
AYUMU: "Kinda."
AKI: *Sigh* "Listen, while it's great that you're having fun. Please remember that your membership with them is only secondary.
Your primary membership is with the School Idol Club."
AYUMU: "I know that. But everyone has been so busy lately that it's been hard to focus on our promo video."
AKI: "True. I myself have been running around writing articles for Shiro's School Idol Fansite."
AYUMU: "We always read them together at the Computer Club."
AKI: "Is that so?"
AYUMU: "Yeah! Shiro always tells me how good of a job you're doing. I'm very proud of you, Aki."
AKI: "You're proud of me?"
AYUMU: "Of course I am! You're making the School Idol Showcase a success for everyone."
AKI: "Thanks, Ayu."
Even as a workaholic who is doing all of this for his Club members.
It does make me happy to be praised for what I'm doing.
Kinda makes it all worthwhile in the end.
Maybe that's a reason that drives my work forward?
No... I know it's a reason.
It's always been like this. I work hard because I know I'll get praised for it.
Being praised for my work makes me happy.
If I work, then I get praised.
If I get praised then I feel happiness. I feel like I'm doing something right.
But...sometimes my hard work doesn't get appreciated. And that can make me feel upset.
Like how I'm working hard for the Club and everyone just leaves me to spend time with the other clubs, for instance.
Some people will cast it off as jealousy because the girls are spending time with other boys.
But it's not true. That's not what I think at all. Not only is there the possibility that they've recruited the girls just to use their popularity to promote their clubs, but I also feel upset because my work becomes unappreciated in their absence.
I don't know if I'm doing a good job if nobody tells me I am. I'm not a school idol myself, but I want to contribute my fair share of effort towards the Club.
If someone can tell me that I'm doing a good job, then it's all worthwhile.
If I can't stand on stage, then I will create that stage for others. I want them to make the best use out of what I'm doing for them, to make the world a better place.
That's all I ask in return.
I'm...rambling. I've been awake for too long.
Ayu was right, I need to catch up on sleep.
AYUMU: "Aki?"
AKI: "Oh, sorry. I zoned out there. You see, my articles about μ's and Aqours have been so well-received that I've been tasked with covering other school idols as well."
AYUMU: "No way! That's awesome!"
AKI: "Yeah, tomorrow I'm receiving news about the next campaign. Hopefully, it's our own."
AYUMU: "I hope so, too. Don't push yourself too hard, though. I worry about you."
AKI: "I'll be fine. Everyone's telling me how great of a job I'm doing and that's what is fueling me.
Not just that, but I've been reminded of how incredible μ's and Aqours really are. Plus all the school idols I've been privileged to meet. It's like I'm filled with joy when I see them all doing their best, or maybe like they give me energy that spurs me on to do my best."
AYUMU: *Giggle* "You really do love school idols, huh?"
AKI: "Can you blame me when there are so many of them across the country doing their thing with all their desires because it's what they love?
And I get to tell the whole world about them. I want the whole world to know about school idols! From Tokyo to New York, from London to Johannesburg!
Oh, sorry. I got a little loud there."
AYUMU: *Chuckle* "I totally get you."
AKI: "It goes without saying that I love you and how you do your absolute best too."
AYUMU: "What?"
AKI: "Did I not say it loud enough? I love you, Ayu."
AYUMU: "I-I can hear you loud and clear! You suddenly shifted the focus onto me so I was taken aback, but... Let me get this straight...
You love me?"
AKI: "Of course. As a school idol you're incredible."
AYUMU: "You love me as a school idol?"
AKI: "Yeah, as a school idol and as a dear friend."
AYUMU: "Oh."
AKI: "I mean, you were the very first person I asked to become a school idol.
That's why you're a very special school idol to me, Ayu."
AYUMU: "You really know how to turn people into putty by saying things like that..."
AKI: "Hm?"
AYUMU: "O-Oh, nothing! I was just thinking... The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"
AKI: "Yeah, but I have bad memories of the moon."
AYUMU: "..."
AKI: "It was that dream I-"
AYUMU: "Yes, I know."
AKI: "Are you okay?"
AYUMU: "I'm fine. I'm...going to become an even more amazing school idol, so keep your eyes on me forever, okay?"
AKI: "Definitely."