SID 07♪ Rin and Ramen

IT’S TODAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE CAT!!!!💕💕

here is the last chapter of her SID, i hope everyone enjoyed it!!

Hoshizora Rin SID masterpost



“Speaking of which—why did Rin join µ’s?”

Generous sounds of slurping noodles went into the ears.

It’s all because Maki-chan suddenly asked Rin when she was enjoying her favourite ramen……

It surprised Rin a lot, so much that she spit out the food in her mouth, the noodles even nearly slipped into her windpipe.

Ugh— cough, cough! Cough cough cough!

I choked. My throat hurt a lot.

“So…… sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Maki-chan stood up in panic.

“Rin-chan, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Kayo-chin, who was shocked as well, reach out to pat Rin gently on the back.

“Cough, cough! So…… sorry, I was surprised— cough, cough.”

Rin, who was still coughing, struggled to reply them; she even teared up a little bit, nya.

On the way home after a µ’s practice.

Rin invited Kayo-chin and Maki-chan to the ramen shop in Akihabara, as a reward for yet another day of practicing hard today, nya!

Rin brought Maki-chan here before at the start of spring. It seemed like it was her first time going into a ramen shop that time, so she looked very uncomfortable, but she seems to have gotten used to it now— she even counted the price beforehand to buy the meal ticket.

You could really feel the time flying by at times like this, nya~

In front of Rin was a Maki-chan who was completely used to coming to a ramen shop, and something that— because the season quietly came around—made people fall in love with it for its warmth and hotness. That is, Rin’s favourite pork bone soy sauce ramen.

Autumn is here, nya.

Rin’s favourite ingredient is seaweed sprout♪

Along with soft-boiled egg and corn, it’ll be even more good!

Rin also doesn’t understand why with a ramen this good in front of her, she still choked like this.

And then got surprised again because she doesn’t know the reason for this.

Rin is more than a little shocked.

And the reason why Rin become like this is…

“Why did Rin join µ’s?”

They should notice that Rin was this panicked… because of this line, right?

Rin’s only weakness.

Which is also Rin’s guilty reason for joining the club all this time.

Why did Rin join µ’s…

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Although it’s hard to tell, Rin is actually a pacifist.

Ever since Rin was little, she really liked to play chase, dodgeball and tag.

People around me think that Rin likes to be number one in any competition, but that’s not the case at all.

Doesn’t matter if it’s running, jumping or swimming— Rin got first place just because the result is like that, and it’s not because Rin got it because she wanted it.

It’s just…

It’s just because it’s fun, so Rin did these things.

Joyfully running and running— sprinting under the blue sky, emptying your mind, simply moving your body, running and jumping about, giving your everything and leaping forward. It’s just because it felt good; that’s why Rin did it.

It’s kinda similar… to the reason Rin joined µ’s to dance, heheh♪

There was only one time that the Rin who doesn’t like to fight for number one…

…cried because she didn’t get first place.

Crying and wailing— making a scene.

Feeling so unreconciled, so upset, and not sure what to do.

Rin was also shocked that she would cry over things like that, and was feeling very confused.

Rin still remembers what happened on that day, even now.

That time, my third-year junior high life was nearing its end, and it happened during the autumn track and field day…

Rin and Kayo-chin attended the public school in our area— OJH (Otonokizaka Junior High).

In Otonokizaka, Maki-chan, who was the same age as us, attended another secondary school, so she wasn’t in OJH; but Honoka-chan, Kotori-chan and Umi-chan, who are a year older than us, graduated from OJH, and so did Eli-chan.

But when Rin was in third year, everyone had already graduated. Rin and Kayo-chin were already in a “We’re graduating soon!” mood since November was so close, so I felt a little uncertain— Rin actually doesn’t know how to describe it properly.

I actually started counting down the days left in OJH during the autumn of that year, so I was a little sad.

Rin was in the track and field team in her secondary school days, and because third years like Rin would be leaving the club after the autumn assembly, everyone was in full spirits.

Everyone was so positive—of course, it’s because we all wanted to have a good run at the end of our secondary school life, ending it with a bang; plus, everyone knew that we’ll need to seriously start preparing for our exams after this assembly, so everyone was even more pumped up…

Rin participated in the short distance 100-meter and 200-meter race, and 400-meter relay race.

And was the last runner in the relay.

Now that I think about it, ever since I got selected to be the fourth and last runner in the relay… Rin had been feeling a little gloomy.

But at that time, Rin thought: how could she be gloomy? Rin not only could participate in an individual event, but also could run freely in the relay race, which is so much fun. For the sake of “following through”, Rin is going to give her all~♪

Amongst this, probably…

There was probably a factor that was diverting my attention.

Pacifist Rin being selected to be the last runner in the relay.

If it’s an individual competition, it doesn’t matter if I win or lose!

Rin always thought that: as long as you immerse yourself in sprinting towards the white line at the end of the race track, and so long as you feel good, nothing else matters. But it’s not that simple for a relay race, right?

Rin must have known this, more or less…

So that’s why she was a little stressed.

But, everyone probably wouldn’t think Rin would worry over this.

Everyone must have thought that Rin, who is always meowing and unconcerned, would just go for the finish line without thinking twice. Expecting that Rin would take down the first place, and run back to the team with the finish line, nya.

Ah~ When I think back about it now, there’s still a stinging pain in my chest.

Rin thought the same at that time too, that she must take the first place just because she could…

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

The individual races in the morning had ended, and Rin had taken first place for both the 100-meter and 200-meter short sprint.

That day really was a pleasant sunny day of autumn. During the gathering at the entrance of the sports grounds, all the club members were in a good mood: they were even grateful for the weather today, saying it was as if it was blessing our last competition.

The result, of course, varied from one person to another, and the target ranking everyone had set for themselves also differed. Some people cried because they were surprised by their ranking, while some people were like Rin and simply thought that it was fun to run freely, nya~! In any case, everyone’s reaction was different.

But, Rin really thought that this event’s atmosphere was on point.

The atmosphere was steady yet nervous, to the point that Rin realized she really likes this kind of atmosphere before the race starts.

Although, there was a thing that was really unexpected…

There was a cheering team cheering for Otonokizaka Junior High’s track and field team on that day.

Because it was the last day of the three-day autumn break, apparently some third years who happen to have nothing to do all agreed to come and watch the last track and field competition of their current school life.

Even though this would sound really weird coming from myself, ever since Rin joined this club, the track and field team had scored highly in many competitions across the region and slowly became a really strong club, so the pre-competition rating that year was surprisingly high.

Everyone thought that the track and field team would probably get a good result this year.

On top of that, since most clubs had entered their retiring period, Rin thought it was probably because those third years suddenly didn’t have club activities to attend that they were bored to death, so they came to watch the competition with the relaxed air of going to a casual activity & picnic.

“OJH, fight on~!”

“Rin, do your best~!!”

Usually in competitions, the cheering seats are always empty; but today, there were around thirty students, each of them cheering loudly.

They looked really happy.

Although, their enthusiastic cheering actually made Rin uneasy.

That’s because I had already emptied my mind when I stood on the starting point, so when hearing “Rin-chan~!” or “Go~!”, Rin couldn’t help but to turn around or wave at them.

It wouldn’t be as bad if this happened during the matches in the morning earlier.

Even if I got distracted, I could get my focus back as soon as I started running anyway.

Everyone in the cheering seat looked so happy that Rin even felt a little envious.

But when it came to the matches in the afternoon, everything was completely different.

As soon as four members of the relay race got onto the race track…

The atmosphere around seemed to have changed.

After the broadcast sounded, the familiar tension slowly filled up the entire field.

An electric current was sent from the cheering seat too.

Something felt… unusual.

Rin also felt that something was off.

“Do your best~!”, “You can do it~!”, “OJH is the best~!”, and so on— all sorts of cheering sounded from all around.

Rin also understood how much expectations everyone had.

It felt different from the individual matches that Rin participated in earlier in the morning.

And then, something stiff… entered Rin’s body along with the cheering sounds.

Was Rin… nervous?

Rin surprised herself for a moment.

Because Rin had never felt like this before.

The sounds of my heart thumping had spread from inside of my body to my ears.

My limbs suddenly felt weak, and all of a sudden the surrounding air also seemed like it had thinned.

Thump, thump.

Heartbeat suddenly increasing.

Thump, thump.

It kept getting wilder.

Right at this moment, Rin heard someone say:

“Look at the cheering seat, amazing—“

Rin lifted her head and looked towards the stand where the cheering seats were at— there was a giant, white piece of horizontal cloth. There were a few huge and black words on it.

“Follow through, OJH: your name will go down in history as the winner!”

It looked like a cheering banner that everyone worked on together.

It was the same for OJH as Otonokizaka High School—there was a rumor flying around of closing down or merging the school.

Ah…

Rin was shocked from the bottom of her heart, and her eyes widened, big and round.

Rin had never experienced this kind of situation in a competition— or should I say, this kind of cheering was also a first.

Ba-dum ba-dum ba-dum ba-dum—

The heartbeat sound that echoed throughout my entire body was steadily accelerating.

I had to win.

Everyone was so looking forward to my performance, so for them— I had to win.

After thinking like this, that certain feeling inside Rin stiffened even more.

Ah…… what should I do?

It felt like something was about to jump right out of my mouth.

With unresponsive legs, Rin dragged her stiff body to the waiting area.

What…… what should I do— Rin feels so weird.

Something doesn’t feel right.

As Rin was thinking about that, bang!

A gun shot signaling the start of a match sounded.

The last round started when Rin wasn’t paying attention.

This was the last match in Rin’s junior high life— a 400-meter relay race.

Rin carried on with her awkward and stiff feelings, and using her powerless and unstable legs— she started to run.

As soon as she got the baton, Rin felt that her limbs were different from usual; they weren’t able to move freely.

When Rin got the baton, we were in second place. The distance between us and first place was really close, and normally, I could overtake them easily.

But.

When Rin ran— her body felt so heavy, her breathing felt so rushed.

No matter how hard I ran, I couldn’t close the distance at all.

It was the first time Rin felt like this.

It felt like I was running underwater, like in slow motion.

Rin desperately moved her heavy limbs, struggling to run.

The back view of the first-place team’s last runner had never felt so far away, and Rin— Rin had never faced this kind of situation before…

By the time Rin snapped back to attention, she realized that let alone getting first place, third place had almost caught up; in the end, we barely scraped by and got second place.

Rin’s mind was blank when she reached the finishing line.

Then she knelt on the field… and started crying.

Uwah~ Uwah~ Waaaahhh! Rin looked just like a child getting last place in their first-ever race.

Heh heh heh— now that I think about it, it was so embarrassing!

But I was so upset, so frustrated at that time.

I felt so sorry to everyone, and I had no idea what I should do.

Everyone was shocked, standing still where they were.

Because Rin normally wouldn’t make a scene like this.

No, that’s because Rin had never lost on the field…

Actually, Rin realized something when she was wailing.

Maybe Rin was never a pacifist.

All this time, Rin always thought that her joining sports competitions was just because she really likes running, and the result didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if she won or lost, it didn’t matter if it was first or second place—Rin wouldn’t pay it any mind.

In fact, Rin really didn’t mind if she lost to someone else, as she had placed second a few times before.

But Rin didn’t mind if she got this kind of result. The teacher and the club president even told Rin that she should be more motivated, and shoot for first place. However, Rin still thought she should remain the same.

After all, Rin didn’t join competitions to get first place.

It’s only because it felt good to run.

Victory or defeat, and ranking— Rin had always thought she would never care about these kinds of things.

If there’s a winner, someone has to lose.

If there’s a first place, someone has to be placed behind them.

Rin doesn’t really like this feeling.

Rin hates to rank people.

It’s fine as long as everyone has fun.

But then…

The first time Rin lost a competition that she really wanted to win.

Rin realized.

Rin felt like she didn’t mind the result because she had only ever participated in individual competitions that only affected herself, the easy ones where she didn’t need to care about other people.

If winning or losing only affected myself, it really wouldn’t matter.

But the Rin today, really wanted… to win.

Really didn’t want to lose to other people.

Thought that she must, must win.

For the people who cheered for us so loudly.

For the club mates participating in sports competition for the last time.

For the glory of OJH that might disappear at any moment.

Everyone had such high expectation of us, so Rin had to do her very best to emerge victorious— that’s what Rin thought.

In the end, when Rin thought about it.

Her heart started to jump fiercely, she got nervous all of a sudden, and lost all the strength in her body.

It was the first time ever for Rin.

The first time ever I thought about wanting to win, and the nervousness inside skyrocketed to its peak…

Maybe it’s only when people want to win for the sake of others… that they really want to win.

This is why Rin joined µ’s.

…but, I think no one understands what am I talking about. Tee-hee♪

Actually, after that sports competition, Kayo-chin—who came to watch the competition—was comforting Rin, and said:

“Rin-chan, it’s the first time I saw a Rin-chan so nervous, with so much desire to win. Rin-chan did really well today♥”

Kayo-chin…

Rin’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, and then Rin just hugged Kayo-chin, and—“Waaaaaaahhh!”—started crying.

I was really frustrated, really upset.

Rin really wanted to win at that time.

Really didn’t want to lose.

Really wanted to be cool in front of everyone.

Saying that she didn’t care about winning or losing, it was all a lie.

She must have been using it as an excuse, to avoid certain things.

Avoid the real result.

Avoid the thirst for winning from the bottom of her heart…

There were so many thoughts that ran through her mind.

Rin was full of herself, just because she happened to be born with a pair of legs that were good at running.

Rin really wanted to win for the first time ever, but couldn’t even muster any strength due to nervousness…

Rin felt so shameful, so frustrated, so upset. She really wanted to pour her heart out to Kayo-chin, but she couldn’t even say anything— she could only cry in a complete mess.

Seeing Rin like this, Kayo-chin said:

“It’s no problem, Rin-chan is already super fast, so if you just practice a little more, then surely… Oh yeah! I’ll run with Rin-chan starting tomorrow! I’ll keep you company during your morning exercise!”

Kayo-chin smiled gently.

She thought Rin had only cried because she didn’t get first place.

Looking at Kayo-chin’s expression, Rin, who was just crying earlier, couldn’t help but smile.

“Okay, but after this competition, Rin is going to retire.”

When Rin said that, Kayo-chin’s expression looked like she said something wrong.

So Rin smiled even brighter. And then, Rin continued:

“So, to not let down Kayo-chin’s wishes, Rin will keep running after tomorrow! Even though I lost today, Rin wants to keep running and running and running— for everyone, for Kayo-chin, Rin will keep doing her best.”

Other than that, Rin didn’t know what else to say.

Because Rin feels that… she can only rely on running to solve all her problems.

Rin also doesn’t quite understand what logic is this, and at the same time clenched her fists after saying that.

So, Rin is currently running for Kayo-chin.

For the Kayo-chin at that time, who wasn’t good at running but still suggested that we run together…

Kayo-chin really wanted to be an idol, but she keeps hesitating, so Rin thought she should push her from behind, and run with her.

Shouting “woohoo” while running.

It doesn’t matter how heavy Kayo-chin’s steps are, as Rin will do her best and keep pushing her♪

Because from the day that Kayo-chin said she wanted to run with Rin, Rin has been wanting the strength to keep doing her best for the person she cares about.

Also, because Kayo-chin brought Rin into µ’s with her…

Rin found many of the things that the Rin from that day was missing.

The strength to give your all for other people.

The feeling of doing your best for yourself.

The strength to throw out everything and soar, for the place you care about…

Going all out seriously, fighting until the very end— the people who fought with their everything for each of their own goals, they are all here.

They are Rin’s most important companions, which is also everyone in µ’s.

To be honest, Rin wasn’t very interested in idols.

But looking at Kayo-chin, Honoka-chan, Maki-chan and everyone— Rin had only truly felt, what she was missing the whole time.

Because everyone was so amazing.

The unshakable and strong will that everyone had, it was really amazing.

Like wanting to be an idol, and saving the school as an idol— that kind of straightforward will.

And they will face victory and defeat seriously.

The Rin who likes to play racing and tag always looked like she really cared about winning or losing in other people’s eyes— but Rin had always thought that she doesn’t care about it, just to avoid the real outcome. Everyone’s strong will and attitude was the thing that the past Rin lacked.

So that’s why Rin is now running with everyone, and fighting for victory with everyone.

That time— which was also the day of the relay race. In the past, Rin had always been running by herself, so she thought winning or losing wasn’t important. But that time, for the sake of everyone in OJH, she had a desire to win for the very first time.

Rin wants to change herself, the me who couldn’t unleash her true strength at an important time, with everyone in µ’s.

Because, when you really want to win…

But you don’t have the power to fight for yourself and for the things that you care about, isn’t that the same as being powerless?

On top of that, it was the first time Rin found out that…

Rin actually gets stage fright easily.

If I keep standing on stage as an idol, maybe I can overcome this weakness…

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

“Rin-chan, are you really okay?”

When Rin returned to the present, she noticed Kayo-chin was looking at Rin, who was halfway eating her ramen, worriedly. Maki-chan also awkwardly passed a handkerchief over.

“I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have said something weird when you’re eating ramen.”

Maki-chan even mumbled while saying— jeez, I can’t believe myself, even though I knew asking this kind of question to Rin when she’s eating ramen would be useless…… I really am an idiot— anyway, it was these kinds of words.

Rin, who had just woken up from her short-lived thoughts, looked at the two of them dumbfoundedly.

And then, inside Rin’s heart… a stroke of happiness emerged instantly.

They were so worried about Rin, and understood what she was thinking, too.

Rin is really glad to have joined µ’s.

“Rin really, really, really~ love Maki-chan and Kayo-chin the most♥♥♥”

Rin automatically stood up quickly, and ran over to hug Kayo-chin and Maki-chan who were sitting on the other side of the table.

“I want to share half of my seaweed sprout with you two!”

Rin finished and was getting ready to send out her seaweed sprout—

“The Rin-chan who loves seaweed sprout the most, is giving away her seaweed sprout to other people— Rin-chan, are you okay? Are you sick anywhere?”

“I don’t really like seaweed sprout with my ramen, so there’s no need to give it to me. I thought you really liked seaweed sprouts? Just eat it yourself.”

Kayo-chin with a face of worry, and Maki-chan who is acting snobbish.

Their concern made Rin so happy. Rin lightly bounced in her chair at the ramen shop again.

“About that, Rin ate too quickly just now— can I go add on more noodles?”

After Rin said that while smiling…

Maki-chan said, “Adding on again~?”, while looking for 100-yen coins for Rin’s add-on, as Rin was still eating ramen.

Meanwhile Kayo-chin looked envious, as if she was saying, “No matter how much Rin-chan eats she won’t get fat; that’s so nice~”

Actually, Rin still doesn’t really like competing, even now.

Rin just likes to be with everyone…

Likes to sing and dance with everyone in µ’s.

But, if Rin, for her beloved members of µ’s…

…could become number one in everyone’s heart, and let even more people like µ’s, that would be great.

Comments ♥ Maki

Actually, I never understood why Rin joined µ’s. Was it for her childhood friend Kayo-chan? Or was it because Honoka was troubled? I thought these two weren’t the real reason. She always practiced harder than everyone else, making herself super hungry… Watching this kind of Rin eating her favourite pork bone soy sauce ramen, I couldn’t help it and asked. I didn’t think she would be so surprised to the point of choking like that, so I feel pretty bad. But there’s one thing I really want to tell Rin. Actually… compared to pork bone ramen, I prefer miso ramen more!