Maybe it's because that some people in history who have made an unexpected mistake and having it lead up to the creation of something totally unexpected, that people in this age sometimes welcome random unexpected mistakes to "spice" up their daily lives...
I for one, have always strive for the image of a perfect role model. Even if I knew I was not a perfect person and can make clumsy mistakes now and then, recently... I guess you could say that I welcome those unexpected mistakes now.
It was not too long ago that thanks to the unexpected mistake that I made of leaving my school bag in the club room after μ's had a meeting, that me and a fellow member of mine, Minami Kotori, started to get to know one another.
I believe if it wasn't for that clumsy mistake I made, I think me and Kotori would still just be fellow members to one another. .
But I'm happy that I made those clumsy mistakes, since it led up to me learning about Kotori even more.
Even though I do strive for the image of a perfect role model, I guess you could say... I'm only willing to show Kotori the side of me that makes mistakes.
"Eri-chan, do you need me to do any more papers for you?"
Returning back to reality, I nod at Kotori and pass her a few sheets of paper.
"Yes, thank you very much Kotori, at this pace we'll be done in no time!"
After making a little too many clumsy mistakes that would shatter the perfect role model image that everybody has had of me so far, Kotori and I decided that whenever the one of us needed help in anything, that each one of us would help the other no matter what.
I believe you can call this a friendship, but even so, I'm glad that the both of us have become more than fellow members now.
Today I had a lot of worked piled up at the student council, even though I knew that I could have been able to finish it all by myself, I kept in mind the agreement that me and Kotori made.
I'm glad that I decided to do this with Kotori, even though being an airhead, she is a hardworking smart girl that gets everything done to the end, but what makes me even more happy is the fact that now the both of us can focus on the huge live that μ's will be holding at the school's roof not too long from now.
Taking a glance at Kotori, who reads each individual sheet with keen focus, I then notice something is different about Kotori today.
Not wanting to disturb her right now and wanting to get this work done quickly as we can, I then put my focus back into finishing the rest of student council's work.
After some time passed, the teamwork that me and Kotori put together finally payed off and we finished the student council's work faster than expected.
"Ah~ I'm so happy that we finished all of this quickly! Now we can focus on μ's big live."
Doing a sigh of relief and giving a thumbs up to Kotori, she the nods at me with a smile, but something was different about the smile she gave me, it wasn't cheerful and "pure" like the smile she always made, it gave off a hint that something was bothering her and that worried me a bit.
Trying to come up with a way to try to find out what was the thing that was bothering her, I then come up with a plan.
"Ah Kotori, do you have anything that you want me to help you with today?"
"Eh, me? Umm..."
Kotori then starts pondering over something which I can help her with.
Sure the actual reason why I wanted to help her was because I was worried about her, but it was also a way of me repaying her for helping me out complete the large amount of work that I had to complete for the student council before tomorrow.
"Please if you do, it would make me really happy. Since I really wish to repay you for helping me out today."
Kotori continues to ponder until she finally makes a small smile.
"Then can you come with me and tell me how the final designs for our new costumes are?"
What? She only wants that? I feel a little disappointed at the request she gave me, since I for one know that if Kotori has finally came up with the final designs for our new costumes she wouldn't need my opinion. Since no matter what I already know that they're going to be perfect.
The bit of dissatisfaction that I had for Kotori's request shows on my face a bit, I then see Kotori making a small frown.
What am I even hesitating for? Is it because I believe the request that Kotori gave me isn't even near repaying her for all the help that she gave me today? But I can't let myself think like that or else I'll make Kotori sad and for one other thing... I'm worried about her today.
Taking a small breath, I then release it with a small smile and nod at Kotori.
"Sure, I would love to check out the final designs of our new costumes."
Upon hearing my answer, Kotori's expression lit up, she then gives me a cheerful expression.
"Thank you so much. Eri-chan!"
Kotori and me then share warm smiles to one another.
I'm really glad that my guilt for this request didn't overcome my reason for wanting to know what was bothering Kotori. Since sure I feel guilty that her request wouldn't pay her back for half of what she has helped me with, but it looked like she was really happy when I agreed to help her.
Kotori and me then left the school together, Kotori already had the final designs in the sketchbook which she had in her bag.
I wonder where she plans on taking me anyway? Since she could have simply showed me the designs in the student council room. Wait... Does she plan on taking me to her house?
Feeling a hint of red forming on my cheeks, I then see Kotori give me a worried glance.
"Eri-chan, are you okay?"
Trying my best to straighten my expression again, I then nod at Kotori reassuring her not to worry.
"Ah, don't worry Kotori. I just had something on my mind."
Kotori doing a small smile, showing that she's glad that I'm all right. I continue to ponder over where Kotori might be taking me.
Sure it was her request but if she does take me to her house, we're still simply friends, and new ones at that. So taking me to her house which she's only allowed her childhood friends, Umi, and Honoka visit is a little unsettling...
As me and Kotori continued to walk along the sidewalk. I still continue to ponder over where Kotori was taking me, finally the eagerness that I had to finding out where Kotori was taking me, overcame me.
"Kotori, can I ask you something?"
Kotori then turns her gaze to me with a questioned expression,
"Hmm? What is it Eri-chan?"
I was a little nervous to ask her to be honest, since if I was asking her where she was taking me and her answer was her home, it would create an awkward atmosphere between us... Well I guess I would be the one to create that awkward atmosphere.
"Where are we going?"
Ignoring all those thoughts, I then ask her the question that has been in my mind all along. Since if we were going to her house that would make me a little happy since that would prove that me and Kotori are really friends... Even if we already are friends, that would show Kotori trusts me...
"Umm... We're going to the cafe I used to work at."
Upon hearing Kotori's answer I then do a small frown, obviously making sure Kotori wouldn't see it, since I don't want to add more to the problem that may be bothering her.
The answer Kotori gave me, "The Cafe I used to work." makes me a little surprised to find out Kotori doesn't work there anymore, but I keep that question at the back of my mind for now.
"Oh really? That's great! Is there a reason why we're going there though?"
Asking Kotori with a small smile to make sure that she wouldn't become worried. I was honestly curious to know why we were heading down to the place Kotori used to work at to see her final designs, since we could go about just anywhere else to do that.
"I guess because we'll get free drinks and snacks!"
Kotori answers me with a small innocent giggle.
W-what?... That was the reason why she wanted to take me over there?...
I then start laughing, Kotori then smiles once she hears me laughing. Finally clearing my throat and regaining my posture, I then do a small smile.
"That's a great reason, thank you for keeping that in mind Kotori!"
Kotori then shakes her head, being modest she then smiles.
"Eri-chan we're friends right? So I would do anything to make sure you're happy when we're together."
Instantly my cheeks became flushed, once again trying my best to make Kotori not worried, I then nod with a smile.
"Yes, that's true! Thank you very much Kotori, you're a great friend."
I then see Kotori's face also become flushed, turning her back to me and making sure that I didn't see her expression, I then do a small giggle.
Honestly that answer she gave me is way more better than taking me to her home, since the words "We're friends right?" coming out from her mouth could speak louder than any action she could do. I'm just really happy she feels the same way...
And because the both of us are friends, I want to do everything in my power to get rid of the thing bothering her.
Finally after me and Kotori finished our conversation, we continued down the path to the cafe she used to work at.
Along the way, the question that I pondered over came out from the back of my mind.
When Kotori said, "The cafe I used to work at." Did she get fired? Or did she quit because her mother found out? Could the reason why she stopped working at the cafe be because of the the thing that has been bothering her all day?...
Me and Kotori finally reach her old work place. When we arrive there, we are greeted by some young girls dressed as maids who work there. Showing tears and asking Kotori (Minalinsky) why she quit. Kotori simply gave them an apology and her Minalinsky autograph, the young girls then sat us down at a table.
I see, so she quit... The words that the young girls said still sits in my mind.
Sure now I know she didn't get fired but quit, but now I have to know if it was because her mother found out or if she did it by her own will.
Ignoring that question for now, I then turn my focus to the request that Kotori gave me.
Kotori is about to take out her sketchbook from her bag, before she takes it out, a young maid approaches our table and places two plates of strawberry cheesecake before me and Kotori.
As Kotori saw the plate of strawberry cheesecake, her expression instantly lit up.
"It's on the house, the manager was really happy to hear that you came back to visit. So as a thank you he wanted us to serve you your favorite dish."
I see, so Kotori's favorite food is strawberry cheesecake. It's very fitting for the type of person she was, but it appears like not only did her former coworkers miss her, so did her manager.
"Please tell the manager I said thank you for the meal, and that it made me and my friend really happy!"
The young maid nods at Kotori with a cheerful expression, the two sharing warm smiles with one another, she then leaves me and Kotori alone so that we may eat are meal.
"So, Kotori. Your favorite food is strawberry cheesecake huh?"
Honestly I wanted to ask her my real question, "Why did you quit?" But since I saw that Kotori looked so happy right now, I didn't want to ruin it now so I'll hold back on asking her that question for now.
Kotori then nods with a cheerful expression while about to use her fork to take a piece of the delicious looking cake.
"Yeah! What's your favorite food Eri-chan?"
Kotori showed a lot of curiosity and eagerness on her expression, even if we are friends, we were just new ones at that and we still had more to learn about one another.
Doing a small smile, I then tell her what my favorite food is,
"Chocolate."
"Eh?!"
Kotori then does a shocked expression.
What?! Why is she so surprised that my favorite food is chocolate? Is it because it doesn't match my personality?!
I could feel that a bit of anger started to show on my face.
I don't even know why I'm angry to be honest. I'm pretty sure everybody else would be surprised if they found out my favorite food was chocolate. The only one that knows that it is my favorite food is Nozomi, but I didn't feel angry when she became surprised when she found out, but why is it I got angry when Kotori got surprised when she found out?
"I'm sorry about that Eri-chan! I honestly thought something other than chocolate would have been your favorite food."
Kotori then does a small bow of apology in front of me.
Oh no, did she saw the bit of anger that I had on my face? Damn... I was trying not to get her worried all this time to not add to the thing that was bothering her... Man, sometimes I can be a real idiot...
"No, I'm sorry Kotori... I shouldn't have even gotten angry to begin with. It shouldn't even be that surprising to me anymore if others become surprised when they find out my favorite food is chocolate..."
I pour in all my guilt into that apology, to make sure that Kotori doesn't feel sorry for being surprised that my favorite food was chocolate.
Kotori shows a surprised expression upon hearing my apology. I then continue to bow my head in apology in front of her, gritting my teeth in anger, all that anger was for me being an idiot.
Here we go again, I fail to show Kotori the image of a perfect role model that I strive to show everybody because of another foolish act.
I then feel Kotori tapping her finger on my bowed head, bringing my head up to see why she was tapping my head, I then see a small piece of wrapped chocolate on her hands.
"I was suprised but also really happy when I found out your favorite food was chocolate Eri-chan! Since not only did I get to learn more about you but I also got to find out that your taste in food can be unexpected like the times when you are cute!"
What?... As soon as I heard Kotori say those words my cheeks became flushed with red.
Honestly I wish I could have still bowed my head to make sure that she wouldn't see my face right now but... I'm really happy she feels that way..
Taking the small piece of wrapped chocolate from Kotori's hand, I then give her a warm smile.
"I feel the same way... But is it really unexpected that I can be cute?"
Kotori then giggles upon hearing my answer then nods with a cheerful expression.
I'm honestly really embarrassed for asking her that question but most of all, I'm just happy that I can make her smile again.
After Kotori and I share a warm conversation, we then finish eating our strawberry cheesecakes. It was finally the time for Kotori to show me her final designs for our new costumes.
Kotori taking out her sketchbook from her bag then looks for the page inside it which has the final designs for our new costumes.
I'm really eager to find out how they look, but I already know that they're going to be amazing. Even if it wasn't the final product I would still think the same way.
"Here it is! Eri-chan, please tell me how it is!"
Kotori finally finds the page in her sketchbook which contained the final designs of our new costumes. Passing me her sketchbook, I then turn my gaze to the final design of the costumes that might finally give us the ticket of making it into Love Live! this year.
"This is..."
Kotori shows an eager but worried expression on her face. Honestly I have no words that can explain how amazing the designs are and even more, Kotori put all her effort into making this and finally after this, she will start making these costumes a reality, all I could say is...
"Amazing..."
"Really?!"
I have no other words to say, just simply the one word that express all the feelings and thoughts that I had for the final designs of our new costumes that Kotori created.
"I honestly think we could make it into Love Live! if we wore these..."
"Eri-chan..."
I then hear a hint of sadness in Kotori's voice, but why would Kotori be sad? Was my opinion not enough to satisfy all the effort she put into making these designs? Or could the reason why she was sad be because of the thing that was bothering all this time?...
"Kotori..."
"Hmm?"
Now is the time for me to ask Kotori what was bothering her, I simply can't take her being sad anymore since not only is she my friend... She's an important person to me.
"Has something been bothering you all this time? Since I've noticed that you've been different all this day. Also hearing your former co-workers say that you quit, I'm worried that you quit was because of the thing that has been bothering you all day."
"I..."
Kotori then looks down to the floor, trying to avoid my concerned gaze.
"Kotori, please. I'm worried about you."
"Eri-chan..."
Upon hearing my answer, I then see Kotori about to take out a letter from her bag, but at the moment she was going to take it out her phone starts ringing.
"Mom?..."
It seems like the one who is calling Kotori is her mother, but as soon as Kotori saw the name on her phone she looked even more sad than before...
"Kotori if you need to leave, we can leave this for another time."
"Eri-chan?..."
That is all I can say for now, sure above anything else I wanted to do everything in my power to get rid of the thing which was bothering Kotori all this time. It then finally hit me, that maybe I'm not the one she should be talking about this to...
"Thank you for helping me out today Kotori, even if my help isn't enough to repay you, I had a great time... So please, do your best to make those final designs into a reality."
"Sure.. I had a great time too Eri-chan! I believe that you did plenty to repay me Eri-chan! I promise I'll make these designs into the costumes that will make us make it into Love Live! this year."
Kotori then does a small smile at me, I knew that smile was a forced one...
"See you tomorrow?"
Kotori nods with a smile,
"Yeah, bye Eri-chan..."
A hint of sadness was voiced that moment she said farewell to me, Kotori leaving the cafe waving goodbye to all her former coworkers. I then take out the small piece of wrapped chocolate she gave me and stare at it.
"It isn't my place to ask her..."
Yes... Even if I really wanted to ask her what was bothering her all this time, this was a place for her true friends, Umi, or Honoka to ask her. I was simply just a friend to Kotori, there's nothing special between us, we're just normal friends...
Clenching the fist that held the small piece of wrapped chocolate that Kotori gave me in anger, that anger was directed at me, because of the foolish mistake I just made... But... am I really wrong?... Kotori should talk about this to Honoka or Umi not me...
unwrapping the small piece of chocolate from it's wrapper, I then eat it.
"Why was it that it looked like she wanted to tell me though..."
This chocolate was honestly really delicious and sweet, but tasted bitter at the same time... I knew that it was bitter because I made another foolish mistake... One that could mean that I might never get to know more about Kotori anymore...