THE TRUTH I REFUSED TO SEE

“I’m in love with Hikari, Mom.”

The words slipped out more easily than he expected.

Silence followed.

Then—

“So you’ve finally realized it.”

His mother’s voice was calm.

“What will you do now?”

“I’ve realized that I love Hikari…”

“But I don’t think she loves me.”

“And staying away from me will be better for her.”

“What the hell are you saying, Kageya?”

Her tone sharpened immediately.

“Don’t you understand that Hikari loves you too?”

“If she truly cared only about her fame, she would never have come to your company for that project."

“And even if she had…”

“She could’ve easily ignored you.”

“But she didn’t.”

“She talked to you directly.”

“She clung to you.”

“She searched for you.”

“She loves you, Kageya.”

“Why can’t you understand something so obvious?”

“But Mom…”

“What about Mei-san?”

“She said staying close to me would hurt Hikari’s career.”

“She’s Hikari’s manager.”

“And her mother’s friend.”

“She cares about Hikari, right?”

“Kageya.”

“I don’t think she cares about Hikari at all.”

“…What?”

“She only cares about Hikari’s fame.”

“And her wealth.”

“If Mei truly cared about Hikari, she would have spoken to both of you.”

“She would’ve told you to keep your relationship private.”

“To be careful.”

“To protect each other.”

“But she didn’t.”

“She tried to separate you completely.”

“That’s not protection.”

“That’s control.”

“But—”

“There are no ‘buts’ here.”

“You need to fix what you did today.”

“And make sure Mei doesn’t realize you’re fixing it.”

“I don’t know what to do yet…”

“I’ll think about it.”

“And Mom…”

“Please don’t tell Dad.”

“I won’t.”

“If your father finds out what you did…”

“He’ll be furious.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I feel a little relieved after talking to you.”

“I’m going to bed.”

“I’ll think about everything and tell you tomorrow.”

“Get some rest.”

“And I know you’ll make the right decision.”

“For yourself.”

“And for Hikari.”

---

Kageya entered his room.

The door closed quietly behind him.

---

What should I do now?

I thought pushing her away would protect her.

But when I saw Hikari in tears—

I felt like I crossed a line I can’t undo.

I hurt her.

Not the world.

Not her career.

Her.

---

“I need to know.”

“I need clarity.”

---

He opened his phone.

And searched her name.

---

### **News Article**

**Idol Amane Hikari says she is not in a relationship, but admits she has loved someone for years and is still searching for him.**

“She’s… searching for someone?”

“No…”

“That can’t be me.”

---

### **Another Article**

**Amane Hikari confirms she is waiting for someone she loved in her childhood.**

“Childhood…”

“Is she really talking about me?”

“Or is this just an excuse…”

“Something idols say to avoid rumors?”

---

### **Another Article — Yesterday’s Concert**

**During her latest performance, Idol Amane Hikari announced that she has finally found the person she had been searching for.

She reassured her fans that while she loves them dearly, her feelings for him are different—and asked them not to be upset.**

“…Yesterday?”

“She said this yesterday?”

My hands trembled.

“She loves him…”

“She found him…”

“That’s why…”

“That’s why Sora and Hoshino kept telling me she loved me.”

“That’s why she looked so happy when she saw me.”

“And I…”

“I ignored everything.”

“I believed Mei instead of her.”

---

“I was wrong.”

“I don’t care what Mei says.”

“I don’t care what her fans think.”

“If Hikari wants this…”

“I’ll give her what she wants.”

“I’ll fix this mess.”

“No matter what it costs.”

---

Thank you, Mom.

Thank you, Sora.

Thank you, Hoshino.

I won’t run anymore.

---

At Hikari’s House

“Hikari.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Mei said you suddenly felt unwell after lunch.”

“And wanted to come home.”

“Yes…”

“I was walking around the office.”

“I got lost.”

“And I felt uneasy.”

“So I came back.”

“How many times do I need to tell you?”

“You shouldn’t wander alone.”

“Be more careful next time.”

“I will.”

“I promise.”

“I need to talk to Mei."

“You should sleep.”

“You have work tomorrow.”

“Okay, Mom.”

---

Saki left the room.

And entered the living room.

---

“Good job, Mei.”

“It was all your plan, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“After you called me that day and said Hikari met her childhood friend from Kyoto…”

“Haruto and I discussed everything.”

“We knew she loved him.”

“And that it would ruin her idol career.”

“So we told you to make sure he stayed away.”

“You did well.”

“You manipulated him easily.”

“And today’s plan went perfectly.”

“She doesn’t know anything.”

“You’re right.”

“Manipulating Kageya was far too easy.”

All three of them laughed.

---

Behind the door—

“…I knew it.”

“Sato could never do something like that.”

---

Hikari clenched her fists.

Her heart pounded.

Her answer was clear now.

---

TO BE CONTINUED……