Chapter 11:
THE DECISION
A CHILDHOOD PROMISE BENEATH THE SPOTLIGHT
*I knew it.*
*Sato could never do something like that.*
Hikari stood frozen outside the room.
The voices inside continued, unaware of her presence.
---
“But Saki, if Hikari finds out that I manipulated Kageya into doing this…”
“She might become furious.”
“She’s deeply in love with him.”
“Nothing to worry about, Mei.”
“Hikari may disobey me sometimes…”
“But she would never disobey Haruto.”
“Yes.”
“There’s no need to worry.”
“She could never disobey me.”
“After all, I’m her loving father.”
Haruto laughed.
The sound felt cold.
---
“But Mei…”
“Does that boy love Hikari too?”
“If he does, it may cause problems.”
“He loves her.”
“I could tell.”
“When he said he would execute the plan to make Hikari hate him…”
“He was almost crying.”
---
“Then we must do something.”
“Something that ensures he can never reach Hikari again.”
“Right, Haruto?”
“Yes, Saki.”
“We must put him in his place.”
“So that he never reaches Hikari again.”
---
“Both of you can relax.”
“He still hasn’t realized that he loves her.”
“And if he ever tries to do something…”
“I’ll remove him from our path easily.”
“And anyway…”
“It’s just two more days of work.”
“After that, they won’t be able to meet again.”
---
Hikari’s face turned pale.
Her hands trembled.
She stepped back quietly.
And returned to her room.
---
*What should I do now…?*
*I can’t stay silent anymore.*
*I have to do something.*
*Tonight.*
---
### **Later That Night**
After thinking for a long time—
Hikari picked up her phone.
And typed a message.
---
**Hikari:**
*Sorry for messaging this late, Sora-kun.*
**Sora:**
*No problem, Hikari-san.*
*But I need to tell you something first.*
*What you saw on the rooftop today…*
*That was meant to deceive you.*
---
Hikari closed her eyes.
Her chest tightened.
---
**Hikari:**
*I know.*
*I found out just now.*
*That’s why I messaged you.*
*I want to fix this.*
**Sora:**
*You haven’t told Kageya yet, right?*
**Hikari:**
*No.*
**Sora:**
*Good.*
*If you tell him now, he might try something worse to make you hate him.*
**Hikari:**
*I know…*
*But then what should we do?*
---
A few seconds passed.
Then—
---
**Sora:**
*I have a plan.*
*It’s risky… but it has the highest chance of success.*
*Tomorrow morning—*
---
**Hikari:**
*Will it really work?*
**Sora:**
*Yes.*
*If anyone can end this properly… it’s you.*
---
Hikari looked at the screen.
Her resolve hardened.
---
**Hikari:**
*Then I’ll do it.*
*Tomorrow.*
---
### **Meanwhile — At Kageya’s House**
“I told your father everything.”
Despite your request not to, Kageya.
“…Dad—”
“Stop.”
“I don’t want to hear excuses.”
“What matters is what you do now.”
“I will fix this.”
“I’ll confess properly.”
“I don’t care about Mei-san.”
“Or her parents.”
“Or anyone else.”
“Hikari loves me.”
“And I won’t hurt her feelings again.”
---
Kageya’s parents smiled.
---
“But there’s one more important thing.”
“What is it, Dad?”
“If you’re friends with Hikari…”
“Why can’t you get an autograph for your old man?”
Kageya’s father burst into tears.
---
“Stop it already.”
“Let him rest.”
“He’s facing enough problems.”
“Go rest, Kageya.”
“I’ll take care of your father.”
“…Okay.”
“I’m going to sleep.”
“Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, Dad.”
---
Kageya entered his room.
---
*I won’t neglect Hikari’s feelings anymore.*
*I’ll tell her everything.*
*No more lies.*
---
### **The Next Morning**
“Kageya!”
“Kageya!”
“Kageyaaaa!”
“Open the door!”
---
Kageya opened it.
---
“Why are you shouting, Dad?”
“And why are you crying?”
“You’re asking why?”
“Just look at the news!”
---
Kageya opened his phone.
---
### **Breaking News**
**Idol sensation Amane Hikari announces she will propose to the person she loves.
If he rejects her, she will quit her idol career.**
---
“…What?”
“Why are you crying, Dad?”
“I’m crying tears of happiness!”
“She loves my son!”
“She announced it publicly so no one can criticize her love!”
“This is wonderful!”
---
“Your father has been like this since morning.”
“Ever since he read that news.”
“Mom…”
“What should I do?”
“You love her.”
“And she loves you.”
“There’s no confusion here.”
---
Kageya’s phone rang.
---
“It’s Hikari.”
“Hello?”
“Sato.”
“You’ve read today’s news, right?”
“Yes.”
“So…”
“Can you and Sora-kun come to my house today?”
“I’ll come.”
“I’ll be waiting, Sato.”
---
“What did she say?”
“She asked me and Sora to come.”
“You should go.”
“And tell her everything.”
“I’ll make sure your father doesn’t announce to the world that you’re the one she loves.”
---
After leaving home—
Kageya contacted Sora and Hoshino.
---
“Hikari invited us.”
“But I think Hoshino should come too.”
“I don’t mind.”
“It’s your moment.”
“One more thing.”
“I won’t tell you what I plan to say.”
“But please…”
“Cooperate with me.”
---
Both of them nodded.
---
“Alright.”
“Let’s go to Hikari’s house.”
---
*I’ll confess properly this time, Hikari.*
*Just wait.*
---
TO BE CONTINUED……
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