Liar, Liar - Volume 2 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue

Closure and Opening

Update: 4WC Over!

The Fourth Ward Challenge, the student event held by Eimei School, came to a raucous close this afternoon. Despite all expectations, the winner wasn’t Hiroto Shinohara, the strongest on the Academy, but Noa Akizuki, the Little Devil Six Star and subject of intense gossip.

However, this wasn’t because Shinohara choked. During the 4WC, he exposed illegal dealings in another ward, retaliated with swift punishment, and even gave up his spot as champion to Akizuki. Yet after the dust has settled, he remains an untouchable figure looming high above the clouds.

We’ll continue with a look back at the 4WC and the many competitors who made it truly special, including the epic battle between two Six Stars on the third day and the fine performance from Shirayuki Himeji, the buzzworthy maid and new transfer to Eimei School.

“…Phew. Okay, if you’ll excuse me.”

I closed the ornate doors in front of me.

The seven-day-long Fourth Ward Challenge concluded with my abrupt forfeit. After the awards were handed out and the closing ceremony conducted in grand fashion, Himeji and I were summoned to the provost’s office via text. I had handed the champion spot to Akizuki without any consultation, despite all the help Ichinose had given me, so I was expecting all kinds of vitriol.

“You know…that old vixen was certainly in a good mood,” Himeji remarked quietly as she strode alongside me. Despite my worst fears, the provost couldn’t have been happier. She’d whined about her hangover earlier, yet she’d busted out a vintage during our meeting.

Still, it made sense. My dropping out didn’t harm me or Provost Ichinose. Nobody who had witnessed us on stage considered it my loss. Honestly, I would’ve suffered tons of criticism if I had taken Akizuki on and defeated her. Better to allow her the title. It benefitted everyone.

With all that in mind, I nodded back at Himeji. “She was, yeah. I feel like she’s always sneering at me, but she was way more excited than usual.”

“You’re right. She let some of her true feelings show, and I’m sure triumphing over Provost Kurahashi of the Twelfth Ward has her elated. He was always the subject of sinister rumors, but nobody could ever pin anything on him.”

“Yeah, and remember how she said, ‘The Board of Regents is sooo gonna owe me now’?” I said, laughing. “I’ll let her worry about that stuff.”

My relationship with Provost Ichinose could be summed up as “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” I received assistance and financial support from the Company and access to all the data I wanted. The Fourth Ward building up its reputation in exchange wasn’t a bad trade.

By the way, the green Unique Star Akizuki had stolen did make its way over to me as a reward for satisfying the provost’s job request. That, however, was strictly between me and the provost. The official story was a bit different. To be precise, the fact that Akizuki had stolen the star was kept quiet to spare Eimei’s reputation. Instead, the provost awarded that star, the top prize in the 4WC, to me instead of Akizuki, since, in her words, “I don’t mind if you make Noa the champ, but if she gets off completely free without any punishment, we might have to deal with more of these shenanigans next year.” That was believable enough, and given all the hassle I had gone through, I think I deserved something.

“Heh-heh… You’ve certainly earned a break, Master.” Himeji smiled softly, almost as though she’d read my mind. She faced me as we walked. “I guess you’re a Three Star now.”

I nodded. “Guess so, yeah.”

Three stars. Finally, I was a Three Star. I still had a long way to go if I wanted to be a legit Seven Star, but at least I was making decent progress. If I continued increasing my rank, maybe I’d find her before too long. Perhaps I’d accomplish the one thing I had come to this island to do.

While I languidly thought that over…

“Whoa! …Um, hee-hee-hee… Funny running into you here, Hiroto!  ”

…someone ran over at full speed after catching sight of me from a distance. She spun and spread her arms wide to block my way. Noa Akizuki, the Little Devil of Eimei, was back. This was no chance encounter, judging by her panting. Still, she managed to give a smile.

“See? I told you that we’re made for each…other… Hahhh…! Koff koff… S-sorry, one sec…”

“Just catch your breath first, okay?”

“Oh… Thanks, Hiroto…”

Akizuki bent over, clinging to my arms as she tried to gather herself. After a little while, her face shot back up.

“Okay, I’m back! Eh-heh-heh! Sorry to latch on to you like that.”

“It’s fine… Do you need something? Don’t tell me you just happened to be passing by.”

“Ah, uh, umm… Yeah, I want to ask you something.”

Her expression turned a bit serious. She stared right up at me from point-blank range. “Hiroto, why did you help me?” she asked seriously.

“Why? I told you after the Treasure Hunt Board Game ended, didn’t I? I wasn’t trying to help you at all. I just wanted to take down the mastermind behind—”

“No, no, I don’t mean that. I mean today, when you handed me the championship. Collecting that Libra data, banishing my feelings of inferiority… Eh-heh-heh! You’re not actually falling in love with me, are you, Hiroto? ’Cause if so…I could, you know, thank you and stuff.”

With her sweetened voice, it was hard to tell whether she was joking or not. She brought her face so close it nearly touched mine. Her citrus aroma penetrated my nostrils. We were all but embracing each other, and she pressed her chest and legs against me. The sheer sensuality almost made me dizzy, yet at the same time, I saw Himeji frowning at me pointedly.

“…!”

I focused hard, brushing away all my not-so-noble thoughts. Why had I helped Akizuki? As in, why had I both defeated Kurahashi and made her champion? Honestly, simple guilt had played a large part in it, as did all the stuff I’d said on stage. However, there was another reason. I empathized with Akizuki. She had resorted to illegal means at the risk of being shunned by everyone. A lot about her plight matched my own. Perhaps I would’ve accepted a similar sort of deal had I been in a similar place emotionally with no one to turn to.

And…there was one more critical reason.

“You know…you’re a valuable weapon for me.”

“A…a weapon?”

Akizuki blinked at my remark, confused. I didn’t think my point came across too well, so I went into more detail.

“Right, a weapon. Cheating or not, you played really well during the event. Seriously, I thought I might lose more than a couple of times. How could I let someone like you slip through my fingers? I wanted you to owe me a favor. Nothing more and nothing less.”

My cold demeanor was a front. I still needed to conceal plenty from Akizuki, but there was truth to my words. This girl had swiped the green star from Eimei and nearly dominated the 4WC. Illegal Abilities or not, she was a challenging opponent. I’d be in excellent shape if I won her to my side. Akizuki would undoubtedly serve as a vital key to conquering my foes in the upcoming Interward League battles.

“…”

Akizuki fell silent for a bit. Then, in an unexpected turn, she took a hesitant breath.

“Hiroto,” she began timidly. “Do I take that to mean you see value in me? Have I become special to you?”

“Huh? Ah… Well, maybe, yeah.” I nodded, a little unsure about the meaning behind her words. Akizuki was probably going to reply with a grin and a “I knew it!  ”

“Wow… Eh-heh-heh…”

Contrary to my prediction, she remained fairly reserved. She didn’t raise her voice, instead blushing slightly and giving a bashful smile. It was a cute, unforced one, too. I’d never seen Akizuki like this before, and it was charming. Endearing, even. I averted my eyes slightly so she wouldn’t notice.

“““…”””

We stood silently for a moment. Akizuki took action first, pushing a scrap of paper against my body. Looking down, I saw a string of ten or so letters written on it. I frowned.

“Um,” Akizuki muttered. “That’s my device ID. Not my public one, but a private account I share only with reeeeeally important people. I haven’t given it to anybody before… Eh-heh-heh! You’re a special exception.  ”

“Oh? Uhh… Thanks.”

“Sure! This way, I can say good morning, good night, and welcome back anytime I want, and in the cutest way ever, too. I hope you won’t mind!”

Akizuki grinned shyly, then turned around and ran off without looking back. There was none of that self-conscious cunning this time, which actually made my heart race a bit faster. She really was cute deep down.

“…I see. This is how it begins, then? The classic ‘let’s just be friends first’ approach. I see.”

“…”

Himeji nodded about something next to me while mumbling something, but I was too afraid to inquire about what.

“It’s rare for you to screw up so badly, Mikado.”

“…”

“Here, why don’t you wash your face. You look gross. Not gentlemanly at all. It’s like you killed three people or something.”

“What do you want? This is honestly the first time one of my plans wasn’t even partially successful. I’d have to be crazy not to be angry.”

“Oh, really? Well, you only have yourself to blame. You lost because you’re weak. What was his name? Hiroto Shinohara. You failed to take a star from him, you lost Noa Akizuki, you were forced to step down as provost of Seijo, and you barely escaped alive.”

“Tsk… Yes, yes. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, quit pouting. It’s fine. You only lost your public persona. That hardly hurts you at all. Honestly, Mikado, your situation doesn’t matter to me. The important thing is that Hiroto Shinohara has obtained his third Unique Star. I expect his pace to slow, but if he does manage to become an Eight Star, it will be a serious issue. Are we clear?”

“I know, I know. I’ll crush him next time.”

“Please do, thanks. Oh, but take that other kid with you next time, all right? Because if you mess up again, I won’t take it in such good humor.”

“Roger.”

“Good. Also…that was some pretty interesting information you brought back. Perhaps we could try a more roundabout approach next time. For example…”

Saionji contacted me in the evening.

“Hmm?”

I looked at my vibrating device. Saionji sent me whiny texts fairly regularly, but this was one of her rare voice calls. I was just about to turn out the light, so I sat down on my bed and tapped the screen.

“Hello?”

“Ah! Shinohara?! Phew! I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t pick up.”

“Why’re you shouting at me? Oh, by the way, everything’s wrapped up with the 4WC. The provost awarded me the Unique Star for the good job I did.”

“…Sh-she did? Hmm. Well, how nice. You never keep in contact with me, so I was just wondering how you were doing. Just a little.”

“Oh, yeah? I do talk with you, you know. I sent a message earlier this evening.”

“Huh? …Oh, you did. Sorry, I didn’t notice it.”

“It’s fine… Rare to see you miss something, though.”

“Maybe. I’m just—Actually, now’s not the time for that. Oh, right! I called because I wanted to talk to you! I’m in real trouble!”

“Trouble? For what?”

Saionji’s antics were puzzling. She was usually so even-tempered, too. Seeing her get this worked up was uncommon. I grew warier, wondering if something had happened. The shock of what she said next easily shattered all my expectations.

“It’s Sarasa! Not me…or the real one, either… A third Sarasa Saionji’s appeared!”

“Huh?”

How do I put this? I wish our lies didn’t come with so many obstacles.