I apologize for these birthday wishes being so late-- I intended to make a piece of art to celebrate Ayumu's birthday too, but I kept putting it off, therefore putting off this post. I suppose that I'll create the art another time, though. Right now, all I want to do is celebrate one of the greatest Love Live! girls.

If you don't know already, Ayumu is my best girl. The Ultimate Girl, the LL! GOAT, topping both Shioriko and Umi of the Big Three. It's been over a year now since she became this to me, however. And that is the story I shall tell.

A long time ago, I knew nothing of Love Live and didn't care about it in the slightest. My sister, however, played SIF during the time when the initial NijiGaku SRs were being given out. Once, I was watching her play, and I was immediately drawn to this girl that stood out to me more than all the other cards my sister had.

This is how Ai Miyashita became my best girl.

For a long time, I would look for the scraps of translated NijiGaku content I could find, relishing anything that Ai appeared in. This, of course, included the Famitsu App comics, which stand as the funniest official Love Live media ever produced. And in these comics, I was introduced to Ayumu, who I had never noticed before. At the time, I wasn't truly aware that Famitsu Ayumu wasn't the actual Ayumu, but even now, that doesn't affect my love for her. After reading those comics, Ayumu shot to the top with Ai.

I remember the very day I decided that Ayumu trumped Ai-- after dinner, in the car as our restaurant bill was being paid, I realized that I truly loved Ayumu more than Ai.

This is how Ayumu became my best girl.

Even through the Umi and Honoka phase, she has not faltered. And my love for her has only grown since Shioriko, and they are now my Ultimate Love Live! OTP, and I'm its #1 fan. (One of like, two or three fans, of course.)

When it comes to why I love Ayumu as much as I do... I'm not sure I can properly explain. While some of my reasons might make it seem like I must like Chika as well, I just don't connect to her as much.

I must clarify that Ayumu is nothing like me. She's so genuine and tries her best at everything she does. She never gives up, and is the hardest worker I can think of. Any bit of progress she makes is worth it to her. I, however, am not this way. I wish I was. Slowly but surely, I'm trying to incorporate Ayumu's lifestyle into my own. Though she's just a fictional girl, she inspires me to be more than I am. Her kindness and tenderness are unwavering and make me feel so warm and happy.

Overall, I love Ayumu because she actively makes my life brighter and shows me that improvement is possible. She's a beautiful and inspiring girl, and I wouldn't want anyone else as my best girl.

Unfortunately, I only have this letter to show for my love. No art, or merch, or writing or anything. But I believe that is a "yet", and in the future, I will have more for this girl I love so much. Just any bit at a time is okay. Any sort of progress is worth something. One day at a time, I'll move forward, and I'll give it my all so that someday, I can give back to those who pushed me forward.

Thank you, Ayumu. Happy Birthday.