WHEN THE PLAN STARTED

Monday Morning....

“Kageya, are you up?”

“Yes, Mom.”
“I won’t eat breakfast today.”
“I need to reach the office early.”
“You should’ve told me earlier if you weren’t going to eat.”
“But it’s fine.”
“You must have something important.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I’m leaving.”
---
The door opened.
The door closed.
---
Today is the day.
The day I have to execute the plan—
without affecting the project.
Without affecting Hikari.
Even if it ends up hurting me instead.
No.
Especially if it hurts me.
---
### **At the Office**
“Hey, Kageya.”
Sora’s voice was low.
“Are you really okay with this plan?”
“Think about Hikari’s feelings at least once.”
“Sora.”
I didn’t look at him.
“I’ve already told you.”
“This plan will be executed today.”
“And it’s not like Hikari likes me.”
“You’re just misreading things.”
“But Kageya—”
“Stop.”
My voice hardened.
“I told you it’s for Hikari’s sake.”
“And don’t talk like that again.”
“She doesn’t like me.”
Sora exhaled slowly.
“I don’t understand why you refuse to see her feelings.”
“But if you’re going to do this…”
“I’ll help you.”
“Otherwise, this plan might backfire on you.”
“I need your help.”
“But don’t ever say again that Hikari likes me.”
“…Okay.”
“I won’t say it.”
“Fine?”
“Fine.”
---
Rei approached quietly.
“Hey, Sora.”
“What are you two talking about?”
“Hoshino, we’re talking about the plan we’ll execute today.”
“And I was telling him to reconsider.”
“I don’t think Sora is wrong.”
Rei met my eyes.
“You should reconsider, Kageya-kun.”
“Hoshino.”
I clenched my fists.
“Please don’t start like Sora.”
“I need your help.”
“But Kageya-kun—”
“Please.”
“I can’t explain everything.”
“I just need your help.”
Rei hesitated.
“…I will definitely help you when you’re in need.”
“But this case is different.”
“It’s not different.”
“Please.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“I’m begging you both.”
“Please help me.”
Sora clicked his tongue.
“Hey.”
“Don’t say it like that.”
“We’ll help you.”
“But don’t ask us to force you.”
“…Thanks.”
“I have work to do.”
“Hikari will be here in about two hours.”
“After that…”
“We start.”
“…Okay.”
---
I walked away.
---
“She loves him.”
Rei spoke softly.
“She loves him.”
Sora nodded.
“And he loves her.”
“But he refuses to accept it.”
“We said we’d help.”
“But we have to make sure this doesn’t destroy him.”
“I agree.”
“So let’s do this carefully.”
“…Yes.”
“This way, even if it goes wrong…”
“It won’t spiral out of control.”
---
Two Hours Later
“Welcome, Hikari.”
“And thank you, Mei-san, for arranging today’s session.”
“Don’t just thank Mei-san, Sato.”
“I’m here too.”
“Thanks, Hikari.”
“But please don’t cling to me.”
“It might give the wrong idea.”
“What’s wrong with clinging?”
“You’re my childhood friend.”
“I can cling to you as much as I want.”
“We are childhood friends…”
“But still—”
“No.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’ll cling to you.”
“…Okay.”
“But not in front of others.”
“Fine.”
---
### **During Lunch Break**
“Hikari.”
“Can you wait here with Sora for a bit?”
“I need to arrange your next visit.”
“The music work should be completed by next week.”
“Okay.”
“But don’t think you can get rid of me after the project ends.”
She giggled.
“I know.”
“Sora.”
“Please take care of her.”
“I’ll talk with Mei-san.”
“No problem.”
“Let’s have lunch.”
“There’s a new restaurant nearby.”
“Sure.”
“Sato.”
“Will you join us?”
“I’ll eat here.”
“You two go.”
“And Sora—cover her face.”
“If someone recognizes her, it’ll cause chaos.”
“I know.”
“We’ll be going then.”
“Bye, Sato.”
---
“Mei-san.”
“I’ve sent Hikari with Sora.”
“Now we can talk about the plan.”
“What do you want to discuss, Mr. Kageya?”
“When Hikari is recording…”
“I’ll leave the room.”
“You take her out.”
“Sora will guide her to the terrace.”
“Everything as planned.”
“…I can do that.”
“But make sure it works.”
“No need to worry.”
“I’ll do it.”
“For Hikari’s sake.”
---
Later — During Recording
“Hikari.”
“I’m stepping out.”
“I have some work.”
“Okay.”
---
“Hikari.”
“Let’s go out for a bit.”
“I need to make some calls.”
“I can’t leave you alone.”
“Sure.”
---
“Wait here.”
“But don’t leave the building.”
“If someone finds you…”
“It’ll cause chaos.”
“Okay.”
---
“Hey, Sora-kun.”
“I’m looking for Kageya.”
“He left earlier.”
“Can you check upstairs?”
“And the terrace?”
“I’ll search below.”
“Please.”
“Of course.”
---
*Message sent.*
**Kageya, Hikari is heading there. Be ready.**
---
“Hoshino.”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
---
The terrace door came into view.
Hikari slowed.
Something felt wrong.
She looked through the glass—
---
“Wait, Kageya-kun!”
“Please don’t hit me!”
“It was just a small mistake!”
---
Her breath stopped.
Her body froze.
---
TO BE CONTINUED......