Liar, Liar - Volume 1 - Chapter Pr

Prologue

Lies, Fiction, and the Declaration of War

My new leather shoes tapped against the floor. I didn’t need to turn around—I could sense on my skin that tens of thousands of eyes watched my every move.

It was customary at the welcome ceremony here at Shiki Island, aka the Academy, for the first-year student who had earned the top score in their year’s admissions exam to give a short speech. That’s generally how they wrapped up the main program, with the speaker often greeted by little more than some sparse applause along the way. But now, there was a kind of heat filling the auditorium like nothing before during the day’s proceedings.

“…”

My steps echoed softly as I walked up to the microphone, breezing my way through the intense atmosphere effortlessly. After a small breath, I looked around. I’d heard this was the largest auditorium on the island, but it seemed like every seat was occupied. A few audience members spoke in hushed tones with their friends. Some were yawning like they wanted to be elsewhere, and a few were playing with devices. But even those uninterested in this ceremony were clearly paying close attention to me.

Of course, that was to be expected. As the person introducing me explained, I was the student who had gotten the highest score ever recorded in the history of the Academy’s entrance exam, one of the most difficult tests in the country. Then I’d followed it up on my very first day by doing the unthinkable. I’d become the highest ranked on the island in an instant. The quickest rise to the rank of Seven Star in Academy history; the most promising rookie of all time; the name on everybody’s lips after he’d taken down the previous year’s unbeatable champion in one day…

Of course, it was all a lie.

Ohhh… Oh man, I think my heart’s gonna stop. Why am I here? What am I doing?

Most of the information the emcee gave to the audience was complete bullshit. In fact, the only facts in that intro were my name and gender. The truth was that I’d just barely passed my classes, I wasn’t a Seven Star, and I wasn’t even close to being the strongest here. In fact, the school had told me I’d scored the lowest out of the entire student body. I was a minnow among minnows. I didn’t even register as a face in the crowd.

But apparently, no one had been informed of that. We had to keep these lies going at all costs. So, doing whatever I could to calm my racing heart, I smiled and opened my mouth.

“…Hey, everyone. My name’s Hiroto Shinohara, and I’m your new Seven Star. First of all, let me say that my reign over this island as a Seven Star will last my whole time here. I have zero intention of giving those stars up to that little miss, or anyone else, for that matter. Oh, but if you don’t like that, you can always challenge me, okay? I’m always ready for a Game with any would-be opponent. Of course, that assumes you don’t mind getting smashed into a pulp.”

I wrapped up my speech, trying to sound as inflammatory as possible. I’m pretty sure my voice wasn’t trembling at all.

“…Phew…”

The auditorium was already starting to buzz about my tradition-bucking speech as I stepped away from the lectern. A tireless smile spread across my face, but in my mind regret and worry churned.

Oh man, I really said all that. Am I insane? Or just stupid? No, I definitely just have to be stupid. No way I can go back on any of this until it’s all over.

Well…yeah. That was the problem. I’d have to fool everyone for the next two years until I finally graduated. This lie would have to hold up, and I’d need to do whatever it took to protect it.

So how had it come to this? It all goes back to earlier that morning…