Chapter 75 Missing Him
Nene's POV

Earlier in the day, Wonderlands x Showtime put on the same Tanabata show we had been doing for the last few years. However, this time…I was actually a bit sad while doing the show.

After the show was done, we met up with Leo/need, who had come to watch the show.

However, I wasn't really in the mood for socializing, so I sat on the edge of the stage as everybody else talked.

As I was doing this…Ichika suddenly sat down next to me.

"Are you okay, Kusanagi-San", she asked. "You seem kind of sad."

After Ichika asked this, I sighed sadly.

"It's just…", I started. "The story of Tanabata is about two lovers who become separated. I guess…It's kind of reminding me of what Rui and I are going through at the moment."

"I see", Ichika said. "I understand how you're feeling. Being separated from the one you love isn't nice."

After Ichika said this…tears started falling from my eyes.

"Kusanagi-San", Ichika said in shock.

"Nene-Chan", Emu exclaimed as she rushed up to me. "Are you okay?! What's wrong?!"

"I feel so selfish", I revealed. "I shouldn't be venting to Hoshino-San about this. My boyfriend is only going to be gone for a few months. She's only going to get to see her boyfriend for a few months out of the year for the next three years!"

"Kusanagi-San", Ichika said sadly.

Then…with a look of determination, she jumped off the stage before walking in front of me, and grabbing onto my hands!

"Hoshino-San", I said in shock.

"Kusanagi-San", Ichika started. "Please do not undermine your feelings! It doesn't matter that you won't be apart from Kamishiro-San as long as I'll be apart from Tsukasa! I know that even being apart from the person you love for even just a few days is one of the most terrible feelings ever!"

"Hoshino-San", I said.

Then, the tears started fully falling.

A moment later, Ichika pulled me into a hug.

"Hoshino-San", I cried out. "How do you manage to cope with being apart from Tsukssa for so long?!"

"It's not easy", Ichika revealed. "But there's one thing that helps."

"Which is", I asked.

Then, Ichika pulled away slightly to look at me.

"The longer the person you love is away, the happier you'll feel when you're finally reunited with them."

After Ichika said this, I started thinking as I wiped away my tears.

"Here, Nene", Tsukasa said as he held out a handkerchief.

"Thank you, Tsukasa", I said.

Then, I took the handkerchief before blowing my nose into it.

"I'm sorry for that everyone", I apologized.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Nene-Chan", Saki reassured. "I know how you feel. When Toya went with his group to America a few years ago, I missed him so much. And I didn't even know that I loved him at that time!"

"I thought you were going to say that you miss me whenever I go to New York for school", Tsukasa said, before being over dramatic as usual. "You've fallen in love, and now you've completely forgotten about me!"

"That's not true, Onii-Chan", Saki exclaimed as she grabbed onto his arm. "I miss you so much as well!"

As I watched this exchange, I couldn't help but giggle, which made Tsukusa smile.

"It worked", he said. "She's smiling again."

"Thanks, Tsukasa", I said, before smiling.

(Even though Rui isn't here, my friends still are.)