THE LIE I MUST CARRY

“If you want to make Hikari successful…”

Mei’s voice was calm.

Too calm.

“Then you already know what you shouldn’t do.”

Kageya forced a small smile.

It didn’t reach his eyes.

“I know, Mei-san.”

“I understand.”

He lowered his gaze.

“I will make sure she comes to hate me during this project.”

“So she will never want to be friends with me again.”

Mei didn’t raise her voice.

She didn’t need to.

“I never thought you would accept that so easily, Mr. Kageya.”

“But don’t misunderstand.”

“This is not permission.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“If you try to cross the line…”

“If you try to touch her feelings directly…”

She paused.

The silence itself pressed down on him.

“You will regret it.”

“You’re mistaken, Mei-san.”

Kageya’s reply was immediate.

“I would never lay a hand on Hikari.”

“She’s my precious friend.”

Even now…

“Even after all these years…”

“She’s still my precious friend.”

Mei watched him closely.

Then—

“…You love Hikari, don’t you?”

The question was quiet.

Too precise.

Kageya froze.

For a moment, his thoughts scattered.

There was no point in lying.

After a long silence—

he nodded.

“I’ve loved Hikari since we were children.”

“That’s why…”

“I won’t stay close to her.”

“I won’t let her rely on me.”

“If she starts thinking of me as someone special…”

“It will only put her in danger.”

His hands tightened at his sides.

“I know how the world looks at her.”

“I know what happens to people who stand too close.”

“It’s nothing for me to sacrifice.”

“I love her.”

“I can even sacrifice my life for her.”

“So I’ll do exactly what you want, Mei-san.”

“I won’t just stay away.”

“I’ll become someone she doesn’t need.”

Someone she won’t look for.

“Otherwise…”

“She might start asking questions.”

“And that would be troublesome.”

Mei nodded once.

“Good.”

“As long as you understand.”

“Then this project will continue smoothly.”

“…Yes.”

He took a breath.

“I should return.”

“They might be looking for us.”

“…Go.”

---

Kageya walked away.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

---

Mei's phone vibrated.

Mei glanced at the screen.

“Yes.”

“I spoke with him.”

“There will be no unnecessary closeness.”

“So there’s nothing to worry about,Yuki.”

---

“Hey, Sato.”

Hikari’s voice was light.

“What were you and Mei-san talking about?”

“Nothing important.”

“Just work.”

“And your schedule.”

“You’ll be coming here often for the project.”

“No need to worry about my schedule.”

She smiled.

“Just tell me when to come.”

“I’ll come for you, Sato.”

Too bright.

“…Don’t say things like that.”

“People might misunderstand.”

Hikari blinked.

Then laughed.

“Flirting again, huh?”

Sora laughed along.

But his eyes stayed on Kageya.

Something wasn’t right.

---

“Thank you for today, Sato.”

“I’ll be waiting for our next work session.”

“It’s scheduled for next week.”

“And thank you too, Sora-kun.”

“For everything today.”

“No need for thanks.”

“It was fun.”

“Right, Kageya?”

“…Yeah.”

“Thank you for coming, Mei-san.”

“And you too, Hikari.”

“Please take care.”

Just before getting into the car—

Hikari suddenly turned back.

She ran toward him.

And hugged him.

“Bye, Sato.”

Warm.

Familiar.

Gone far too quickly.

---

“Hey.”

Sora stopped him.

“There’s something bothering you.”

“…Yeah.”

Sora waited.

So Kageya spoke.

Everything.

What Mei said.

What he decided.

What he planned to do.

---

“So you’re going to push her away.”

“Slowly.”

“On purpose.”

“That’s insane.”

“She clearly cares about you.”

“And you care about her.”

“That should be enough.”

“It’s not.”

“She lives under eyes that never stop watching.”

“And I don’t.”

“If something happens…”

“If rumors start…”

“She’ll be the one who suffers.”

Sora clenched his fist.

“…I hate this.”

“Me too.”

“But I won’t let her suffer for my feelings.”

A pause.

“…If you’re really doing this.”

“I won’t let you do it alone.”

“…Thanks.”

“But we’ll need Rei.”

“…Of course we will.”

---

Meanwhile — inside the car

“Mei-san.”

Hikari looked uneasy.

“What were you talking about with Sato?”

“Oh?”

“Nothing important.”

“Just reminders.”

“About work.”

Mei smiled softly.

Hikari turned toward the window.

Something felt wrong.

---

Later That Night — At Kageya’s House

“How was work today?”

“It was fine.”

“So what was she like?”

“In person?”

“Is she tall?”

“Short?”

“Dad,please stop."

“Let him rest, honey."

“…Sorry.”

“I’m going to my room.”

“I still have work to do.”

---

The door closed.

---

Sorry, Mom.

Sorry, Dad.

I can’t tell you what’s happening.

Sora told me not to push away Hikari

But if Hikari has to suffer because of me…

I can’t accept that.

So if being distant is the answer—

then I’ll carry it.

Tears fell.

---

His phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

“…Hello?”

“…Sato?”

Hikari’s voice.

Soft.

Uncertain.

“…Are you awake?”

TO BE CONTINUED......