THE NAME I NEVER FORGET

“Hey, Dad.”
I had barely stepped into the dining room when I noticed it.
“Why are you smiling so much today?”
Dad leaned back in his chair, his grin impossible to miss.
“You really don’t know?”“You just got a new project.”
He leaned forward eagerly.
“And in the project, you will work with the idol Amane Hikari.”
“I’m so happy!”“Please get her autograph for your lovely father.”
“…Dad.”
“Hey, honey, don’t bother Kageya so much.”
Mom set the plates down gently.
“You know how big of a fan you’ve become after her new album came out.”
“Ehh…”
“I know, Mom.”“I know how much Dad likes her songs and that he became her fan after her previous hit came.”
Mom smiled thoughtfully.
“She’s your age, you know.”“And she used to live in Kyoto.”“Near our old neighborhood.”
“…What?”
My hand froze mid-air.
“She lived there?”“I didn’t know our neighborhood in Kyoto had such a big celebrity.”
Dad waved his hand dismissively.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. You two can talk about your favorite idol all you want.”
I stood up.
“Thanks for the dinner.”“I’m going to my room.”
“I have paperwork to do.”“I have a meeting with her tomorrow.”
“Go on.”“Do your best.”
“And make sure to impress her.”
“Stop it,” Mom scolded him.“Let him rest and work peacefully.”
“…Thanks, Mom.”
---
The door opened.The door closed.
---
I sat down heavily on the chair in my room.
Sigh…
Why did I feel happy and sad at the same time?
The feeling stayed with me.
Heavy.Unclear.
She might not even remember me.
She’s a huge celebrity now.
Why would she remember someone like me?
---
…I still remember that time from my childhood.
---
When I was a child, I was a shut-in.
I had no friends at school.
I was always alone.
There was no place where I felt comfortable—except one.
But there was someone who played with me every day.
It started after I helped her find her mother’s necklace.
---
I met Hikari when I was six years old.
She went to a different kindergarten than me—an all-girls kindergarten.
At school, I had no friends.
Everyone laughed at me because I was afraid to play soccer or any other sports. I was scared of getting hurt.
So I stopped talking.
I ignored their laughter.
After school, I always went to the park near my school.
I stayed there until evening.
I lied to my parents.
I told them I was playing with friends.
Just so they wouldn’t worry about me being alone.
Then one day…
A girl my age came crying.
She asked if I had seen a necklace.
At first, I tried to ignore her.
I didn’t want to get involved.
But seeing her cry made me feel guilty.
So I searched with her.
Until it became dark.
Until we finally found it.
She smiled.
She thanked me.
I was happy.
It was the first time anyone had ever said “thank you” to me.
At the time, I thought—
That would be the end.
She would never come back.
But the next day…
She was there.
Waiting.
She said she wanted to be friends.
I was overjoyed.
When I asked her name—
She replied, “Amane Hikari.”
From that day on, we played together.
Every day.
Except weekends.
She told me she went to an all-girls kindergarten.
I was her first male friend.
I told her about being a shut-in.
She smiled and said we were each other’s first friends.
Then one day…
We made that foolish promise.
Ehhh…
Why did I say something so foolish?
But that happiness didn’t last long.
When we became primary school students, she stopped coming.
I was deeply depressed.
When I tried to find her, I learned her family had moved to Tokyo.
I felt all alone again.
I became a shut-in once more.
After middle school, my family also moved to Tokyo because of my father’s transfer.
I was happy.
I thought I might meet her again.
Once, I even saw her near a café.
She was smiling with her friends.
So I stayed silent.
And left.
Later, I met Sora and became his friend in high school.
Then I joined this company.
When I was a fresher, a solo idol became famous.
Her name was—Amane Hikari.
I was happy.
She had become successful.
But at the same time—
I was sad.
I thought I would never be able to talk to her again.
And now—
This project brought her back into my life.
I’m happy.
And yet—
It hurts.
She has definitely forgotten me.
---
Huh…
What was I doing?
I should stop thinking.
Otherwise, I’ll be late.
---
### The Next Morning
“Mom, Dad.”
“I’m leaving for work.”
“Don’t forget the autograph for your father,” Dad called out.“And make sure to impress her.”
“Ignore him,” Mom replied.“Do your best at work.”
“Have a nice day.”
“…Okay.”
“I’m going. Bye.”
---
“You’re early, Kageya.”
Sora leaned back in his chair.
“Excited to meet the idol?”
“Shut up, Sora.”
“Kenji-san told me to come early,” I replied.“He’ll be late due to some work.”
Sora glanced toward the entrance.
“Hey, Kageya. Hikari-san’s here.”
“She wants to talk here, not the meeting room.”
“…Okay.”
“Hey, Sora, go back to your workstation.”
“Okay.”“Do your best, pal.”
“This project matters.”“For your sake and for all of our sake.”
“I know.”“Thanks.”
---
The door opened.
Hikari entered.
The door closed.
---
“Hello, Amane-san.”
My voice felt strangely stiff.
“I’m Souta Kageya.”“I’ll be managing this project.”
“Please let me know if you need anything.”“And tell me if you have any inconvenience.”
Hikari smiled.
A smile I remembered.
“It really is you.”
My breath caught.
“I knew it.”
Her voice trembled.
“It really is you, Sato.”
Before I could react—
Hikari hugged me tightly.
Warm.
Familiar.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The entire office froze.
---
To Be Continued....