Chapter 26: The History Between Them

I had recently come to a rather pathetic realization: I didn’t actually know the specifics of what had transpired between Kanon and Charlotte. And to be perfectly honest, I had no desire to find out. The problem, however, is that the world rarely grants me the luxury of choice.

The chaos in the university cafeteria proved one thing beyond a doubt: I was already involved. Deeply.

"Call me whatever you like." Charlotte stood before Kanon, her eyes narrowing into lethal slivers. "But make no mistake... I will destroy everything you hold dear."

The cafeteria fell into a vacuum of silence, only to explode into a cacophony a second later. "The rumors about the eternal rivals are true!" "This is like a live-action drama!"

Students swarmed the area, the atmosphere shifting into that of a duel arena newly opened to the public. I let out a weary sigh. Why does every major conflict seem to possess a gravitational pull that inevitably drags me into its orbit?

Kurumi stepped into the center of the fray. "How about we settle this in the Heartbreak Society room?"

Kanon huffed, turning her head away. "Fine. But I refuse to sit next to her." Charlotte crossed her arms, her chin tilted in defiance. "As if I’d want to sit anywhere near you. It’s nauseating."

Minutes later, we were entrenched in the club room. Charlotte took the seat by the window, while Kanon occupied the opposite end. They sat back-to-back, resembling two swords—both chipped and scarred—refusing to be returned to their scabbards.

Kurumi folded her arms. "Alright. Out with it. Tell us what actually happened."

I sat beside her, while Touma leaned against the wall, observing the scene with his usual detached scrutiny. Kanon took a long, stabilizing breath.

"Fine. I’ll tell you."

The room went still, and slowly, we were pulled back into the gravity of the past.

"Three years ago," Kanon began, her eyes fixed on the floor. "Auditions opened for the lead role in a high-profile drama titled The True Love. Shinomiya-san was right there with me."

"Are you certain you want to take this role?" Shinomiya had asked back then. "Of course," Kanon had replied. "I’ve heard your opponent is someone you once considered a rival." "Who?" Charlotte.

"We arrived at the studio," Kanon continued with a bitter smile. "And as usual, she was already there."

Charlotte had been standing in the corridor, her gaze sharp enough to draw blood. "Always showing up to haunt me, my eternal rival," she had sneered. Kanon had merely shrugged. "It’s just a coincidence." "Coincidence?" Charlotte’s eyes had flared. "You call this coincidence? You appear at every single opportunity I desire!" "I told you," Kanon had said softly. "It’s just a coincidence."

Charlotte had ground her teeth. "Fine. We’ll see who wins."

The hours of the audition bled into one another—dialogue, acting, tears. Everyone waited for the results.

"The announcement was posted on the board," Kanon said. "The crowd was frantic. I stood back, actually thinking... if I lost, I could finally just go home. I could see Kengo and Shouta."

I blinked. So, I had even managed to make a cameo in this tragic backstory. Wonderful.

Suddenly, someone had shouted. A bad omen. Kanon looked at the board. Her name sat at the very top. Hoshimiya Kanon — Lead Actress.

Applause broke out. "Congratulations!"

Charlotte had stood frozen, her jaw tight. "Why is it always her?" Kanon had looked at her. "I’m sorry... I didn't mean to beat you."

That, it seems, was the fatal error.

"Beat me?" Charlotte let out a hollow laugh. "This wasn't some petty contest. I practiced for two weeks without sleep. I rehearsed my lines a hundred times. I cried until my eyes were swollen shut." She glared at Kanon. "And you say you didn't mean to?"

Kanon had answered quietly, "Sometimes, what is imperfect feels more real." Charlotte’s laugh turned acerbic. "So now, mistakes are called 'art'?" "If it makes people believe... it isn't a mistake."

Charlotte had gone quiet for a moment before speaking with brutal honesty. "I envy you." "Why?" Kanon had asked. "Because you can look fragile without looking weak." Her fists clenched. "I didn't lose because I was bad. I lost because you... coincidentally happened to fit better."

She had stepped closer, her gaze turning arctic. "I never do anything halfway. If I can't defeat you on the stage, I will destroy everything that makes you strong. The people who support you. The people who give you confidence. This isn't just about a role anymore, Kanon. This is about my pride."

Before leaving, she had dropped one final sentence: "I will return. and I will become your nightmare."

The story ended. Kanon stared at the table, the silence in the room heavy and suffocating.

Kurumi broke the quiet. "So, that's why you hate her?" Charlotte answered without hesitation. "Yes. She stole my dream."

I finally found my voice. "If your dream hasn't been realized yet... don't change the dream. Change the strategy."

Charlotte looked at me. "You weird person. You wouldn't understand. There are doors that are locked. Paths that are blocked. Life isn't just about reaching a destination."

She laughed bitterly. "And what do I get in return? Failure."

Kurumi chimed in, "Failure is just a stepping stone to success." Charlotte shook her head. "You people are only good at giving advice. You have no solutions."

I sighed. "It’s not about how fast you get there. It’s about having the courage to dream even when you're terrified of failing."

Charlotte stood up abruptly, her chair clattering to the floor. And then—the unthinkable happened. She began to cry.

"Inoue-san!"

She bolted from the room before anyone could react. I moved to follow, but Kanon grabbed my arm.

"Kengo-oniichan. Don't." "Why?" "If you go to her now..." Kanon’s expression was hauntingly serious. "...she really will destroy your dream."

I stood still. For the first time, I understood. This wasn't just a rivalry. It was a wound to her pride—a wound like a crack in a glass. It looks small, but it has the power to shatter the entire mirror.

I stared at the closed door. Charlotte Inoue... or Mayonaka Nozomi. For some reason, I felt this story was far from over. In fact, it had only just begun.