A LIE TOLD FOR YOUR SAKE

“I knew it.”
Hikari’s voice trembled, but her grip didn’t loosen.
“It really is you, Sato.”
“Eh…?”
“Hikari—”
Before I could finish, her arms wrapped around me.
Warm.Familiar.
“It’s me,” she whispered. “But… can you let me go?”
Her voice lowered.
“Everyone is watching.”
---
The door opened.
The door closed.
The air in the office felt heavier.
“What are you doing, Hikari?”“Who is he?”“Why are you hugging him so tightly?”
Voices overlapped. Confusion spread.
“He is Sato.”
The room froze.
“Ma’am, I am Tanaka Sora.”
Sora stepped forward quickly.
“I’ve been his friend since high school.”
“He isn’t just some Sato, he is—”
“I know.”
The interruption was calm.
Too calm.
Hikari whispered to Sora-“He is Souta Kageya.”“Twenty-five years old.”“Spent his childhood in Kyoto.”
Sora stiffened.
“…Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re right.”
Mei’s gaze never left Hikari.
“Hikari. Leave this man immediately.”
My chest tightened.
“Listen to her, Hikari,” I whispered.“Everyone is looking at us.”
“…Okay.”
Slowly, reluctantly, Hikari loosened her arms.
“I’m sorry, everyone.”
She turned, bowing slightly.
“I am Amane Hikari.”“You might know me as a solo idol.”“I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”
“No need to worry,” someone replied quickly.“It’s fine.”
But it wasn’t fine.
I could feel it.
---
Hikari whispered to Mei- “So, Mei-san.”
Hikari’s voice steadied as she spoke again.

“This is my friend, Souta Kageya.”
My heart skipped.
“I call him Sato.”“And he is the reason I agreed to this project.”
The room murmured what was actually going on and what were we talking about.
Mei’s expression hardened after listening to Hikari's words.
---
She pulled Hikari aside.
“What are you thinking?”“Doing something like this with an ordinary manager—”
Her voice dropped.
“It will damage your reputation.”“And it will affect your work.”
“I don’t care what you say, Mei-san.”
Hikari’s reply was immediate.
“He is my friend.”“And I will be his friend forever.”
Mei’s eyes narrowed.
“But when did he become your friend?”“I know everyone you’ve been close to for the past ten years.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen him.”
“He’s the only friend I had back then in Kyoto.”
Hikari’s fists clenched.
“He was always by my side.”
Mei inhaled sharply.
“You were a kindergartener.”“You don’t understand it means to be friends you were just a little child.”
Her voice softened—but not kindly.
“Let’s talk about this later.”
“I want to enjoy this,” Hikari replied.“I finally met Sato after so long.”
---
Hikari walked back toward me.
“Hey, Sato.”
I took a slow breath.
“Hey, Hikari.”
She smiled.
“Yes. Sato.”
“I think we should clear this later,” she said quietly.“Let’s complete the work for now.”
“…Okay.”
My voice felt distant.
“Let’s finish the work.”
Hikari smiled brightly.
But something in my chest ached.
---
Sora leaned closer.
“Hey, Kageya…”
His voice dropped.
“Do you really know her personally?”
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“I’ll explain later.”“Right now, finishing the work is more important.”
He stared at me for a moment.
“…Alright.”
---
“Everyone, please listen carefully.”
My voice echoed louder than I expected.
“There was a misunderstanding.”“Idol Hikari-san mistook me for someone else.”
I forced myself to continue.
“It’s nothing worth talking about.”“I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
“Please return to your respective work.”
The room slowly relaxed.
But behind me—
Hikari’s expression hardened.
---
“Hey, Sato.”
Her voice was quiet.
“What was that for?”
“…Why did you lie?”
My hands trembled slightly.
“Stop, Hikari.”
“This is a very delicate situation.”
I couldn’t look at her.
“…Okay.”
Her voice wavered.
“Now let’s finish today’s work.”
---
The day dragged on.
Far too long.
---
“Phew…”
Sora stretched.
“Today was really something.”
“And now I even get to have lunch with Hikari-san.”“All thanks to you.”
“If you knew her, you should’ve told me earlier.”“I could’ve stopped all this chaos.”
“Thanks, Sora.”
I managed a smile.
“I know you would’ve tried.”
“But… excuse me.”
“I need to use the restroom.”
“Oh—sorry.”
He laughed lightly.
---
I locked the door.
Sigh…
This Sora… he never changes.
But—
I smiled faintly.
She hasn’t forgotten me.
She recognized me the moment she saw me.
That thought alone felt strangely satisfying.
And terrifying.
---
 Later, at Lunch
“I’m sorry, Sora-kun, Mei-san, and Sato.”
Hikari bowed slightly.
“For the drama earlier.”
“I was just too excited to see you, Sato after so long.”
She looked at me.
“But thank you, Sato.”“For controlling the situation.”
“No need to apologize.”
I forced a calm tone.
“You’ve always been energetic.”
“I was excited too.”
“I honestly thought you might’ve forgotten me.”
“Why would I forget you?”
She laughed softly.
“Didn’t you recognize me even after I dyed my hair pink?”
“Yeah.”
“I recognized you the moment you became an idol.”
Hikari giggled.
“Thank you for not forgetting me.”
She turned.
“This is Tanaka Sora.”“My colleague and my friend since high school.”
“Yep. That’s me.”
“This shut-in’s friend.”
“Stop it, Sora.”
“They’re our guests.”
“Oh, it’s fine.”
“Sora-kun is fun to talk to.”
“And this is Mei-san.”“She’s my manager.”“And my mother’s friend.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Osawa Mei.”
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
---
After that, I explained that Hikari and I were friends back in Kyoto.
I didn’t tell them how.
Or when.
Or what happened after.
---
“Thanks for the dinner, Sato.”
Hikari leaned closer.
“Can I see your phone for a moment?”
“…Why?”
She frowned.
“Why are you so hesitant?”“I won’t steal anything.”
“…I know.”
“Then give it to me.”
“…Here.”
She smiled brightly.
“There.”
“What did you do?”
“I added my picture to your phone screen.”
“So you don’t forget me again.”
“Eh…?”
“Just for fun.”
“That’s nice, Hikari-san.”
Sora laughed as they high-fived.
---
“Kageya-san.”
Mei stood.
“Can I have a moment?”
“Yes, Mei-san.”
---
We stepped outside.
The air felt colder.
“I’ll be direct,” Mei said.
“Stay away from Hikari.”
My heart sank.
“…What?”
She met my eyes.
“This isn’t about you.”“It’s about what happens to her if rumors spread.”
“You work here.”“She lives under the spotlight.”
“If you care about her at all…”
Her voice lowered.
“You’ll disappear from her life.”
Silence.
---
TO BE CONTINUED.....