No Eternal Deception
There is no such thing as eternal deception in the world. Because people are imperfect, the falsehoods they create are bound to have flaws. And if there are flaws, that lie is destined to be exposed.
Humans are foolish enough to know this yet still spit out lies full of holes to escape immediate crises or snag some gain. The problem is that impulsively told lies are like nets riddled with gaping holes, full of vulnerabilities. To patch them up, humans birth even more lies. One lie begets another, and as time passes, the web of deceit twists and swells beyond control. When they finally realize it's unsalvageable and try to come clean, humans end up regretting it all.
"Ah, I shouldn't have lied. I shouldn't have deceived others."
But by the time that thought hits, it's usually too late.
Rena felt much the same.
"Hey."
Away from the rest area where Tae-il was being tended by Ayane, Iris spoke up at the vending machine.
"Rena-chan, why didn't you contact me?"
Unlike Rena, who was breaking out in cold sweats from tension, Iris's voice was remarkably calm. As she waited for Rena's reply, Iris glanced around the machine and selected drinks. One ion drink she liked. One black tea drink Rena favored.
"Here. Your favorite, right, Rena-chan?"
"Th-thanks...."
Even as she took the drink, Rena couldn't lift her head. She'd thought she'd fooled them perfectly. Thought nothing would come of it.
She was wrong.
Iris had seen right through her, sealing off any escape perfectly. Rena dreaded facing Iris's expression. The heavy air pressing down on her felt suffocating.
"Having trouble answering, Rena-chan?"
Iris's voice was as light as ever. Unlike when she'd vented her rage in front of Tae-il, there was no emotion laced in it. That scared Rena even more. What if she wasn't important enough to warrant any feeling? What if Iris was looking at her with the indifferent gaze reserved for a bug?
She had to say something—anything as an excuse.
"W-well, you see...."
"You kept your mouth shut to me, but you properly contacted Mr. Luce?"
Iris cut her off sharply.
"Urgh...."
Rena's face twisted in pain.
When contact with Tae-il and Rena had been lost, Ayane had been in a total panic. Iris might have seemed calm in reaction—thanks to Ayane's freakout—but it was all a mask to reassure her. Just feigned composure. In truth, she'd been worried sick. After all, Rena had been the one and only friend in Iris's life.
Now Ayane was her friend too, and she considered Shin Tae-il something more than a bandmate, so "only" no longer applied. But childhood friends were still precious.
If someone asked her to list her most treasured people in order, Iris was confident she'd name Rena first without hesitation. That's how dear, how beloved, how loved she was.
And yet.
"C-Calling Papa was because...."
"He was worried?"
Iris cut her off again. Only then did Rena realize the questions were quicksand. The moment she answered, there'd be no escape. At this rate, even if her friend abandoned her, she wouldn't have a leg to stand on.
Would a friendship break over something like this?
It would. It absolutely would—Rena had learned that bitterly watching her own father drift from friends over petty misunderstandings.
"...."
As Rena trailed off into silence, Iris pressed a finger to her forehead and sighed.
"Haa. This is really troubling."
It was Iris who had sent Rena to Gunma. Feeling responsible, she'd contacted Rena's father, Mr. Luce, intending to apologize properly and promise to bring Rena back. His response had been this:
"My daughter? She said she was too tired from playing today and would crash at a friend's place. I even got a photo. Yes, a same-sex friend. A pretty girl with silver hair that suits her. Name was Sakuraba, I think? Yes, thank you for putting up with our daughter, Miss Iris. Get some good rest."
Iris had no trouble deducing the "same-sex friend" was Sakuya. Just to check, she'd asked about Tae-il too. The answer was predictable.
"A male friend? No, I haven't heard anything about that."
No mention of Shin Tae-il.
"Rena-chan, you're quite the player, huh? You only mentioned Sakuya, leaving out Shin Tae-il entirely, to justify staying in Gunma?"
"Th-that's not...!"
"The reason's obvious. If Shin Tae-il was involved, Mr. Luce would've opposed it for sure. That guy's a total daughter-con—no one but you matters to him."
"...."
Rena bit her lip. No room for excuses; Iris was spot-on.
If he'd known Tae-il was there too, Rena's father would've forgotten his fatigue and driven straight to Gunma.
"Haa."
Iris sighed for the umpteenth time at the sight of Rena hanging her head. It wasn't just Rena feeling frustrated. Not even the refreshing ion drink Izumi had proudly touted in those ads could quench her thirst or irritation.
That's when Iris spotted Kiriko approaching from afar. Time to prepare to leave. She needed to call Ayane from the rest area and wake the still-sleeping Shin Tae-il.
Iris turned her back to Rena.
"Honestly, I still don't get it. Why didn't you contact me at all, Rena-chan?"
Having to stay in Gunma an extra day due to circumstances? Perfectly understandable. Especially with someone like Sakuraba Sakuya—the charismatic ace of whatever club she was in. Rena and Tae-il getting swept up by her was no surprise.
But Rena had messaged her dad she wouldn't be home, yet hadn't breathed a word to Iris. Even though Iris was the reason she'd gone to Gunma in the first place.
Really, Iris couldn't comprehend Rena's actions. She'd sent her to keep watch, and instead she'd gone and gotten way too chummy with the surveillance target. In a way, it even felt like betrayal.
Truth be told, Iris wasn't stupid; she had her suspicions. Rena getting suspiciously close to Sakuya so fast. Tae-il's form of address for her changing before she knew it. Plenty of circumstantial evidence to raise eyebrows.
But with Sakuya and Ayane already complicating things, adding Rena to the mix? Imagining her best friend becoming the leader's side chick and joining the battlefield was horrifying even for Iris.
So.
"No way you're... Nah, forget it."
Iris didn't voice the hypothesis aloud. It would've been Pandora's box.
A box of ruin that could shake even their ironclad childhood friendship. Leave it closed, and their bond stayed as is. Open it, and not just them—the whole band's relationships could shift, or worst case, shatter.
It wasn't just Rena who feared change in their dynamic. Iris did too.
"Phew. Looks like Kiriko's ready. Grab your stuff and head to the parking lot."
"We'll talk later," Iris said as she went to fetch Ayane.
Or tried to.
"Rena-chan...?"
Rena grabbed her hand.
"I... have a confession to make to you, Iris...."
"...."
Rena opened her mouth.
Human desires are endless, doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
And so, the Pandora's box she'd desperately hoped would stay shut finally opened.
Iris slowly closed her eyes. It wasn't all that surprising. She'd vaguely suspected something.
If anything, it infuriated her that she hadn't noticed her friend's changes sooner.
But...
Leaving nature-or-nurture debates aside, humans are inherently selfish. Iris was no exception.
She clamped her mouth shut. If she spoke now, the nasty words piling up in her throat would spew out—a double-edged sword wounding Rena, herself, and stabbing deep into both their hearts.
I don't want that. So... I'll just....
She chose to ignore the confession. Out of all options, Iris picked flight.
"Sorry, I'm heading out first. See you later."
"Iris...!"
Rena stared blankly at Iris's receding back. In an instant, she was alone.
"Ha."
Leaning against the wall and sliding down, Rena wondered if lonely silence could feel this reassuring. Her legs gave out completely. Was friendship this fleeting?
Tears pricked her eyes—joy that Iris hadn't exploded in anger, disappointment at her reaction. She'd have preferred a scolding, but Iris hadn't obliged.
"In the end, I couldn't look at her till the last."
She was curious about Iris's face. And terrified.
Bowing her head, the iced drink in her hand—resting on her knee—touched her forehead.
"Haha."
A dry laugh escaped her lips.
Same drink. Different giver.
Even now, it irked her that Tae-il came to mind instead of Iris. Would he have run? Would he have comforted her?
No answer came; the man in question was probably snoring away on his childhood friend's plush thigh back in the rest area. Blissfully carefree.
"Have I caught that idiot's disease too? As if that guy's reliable...."
Thud, thud.
The chilled bottle from Iris pressed against her forehead. Its coolness restored a sliver of calm to Rena's muddled head.
She rubbed her damp forehead with the bottle in silence for a while, then....
"Idiot."
She spat the self-mockery, etching it deep into her chest.
The group departing Gunma made it back to Tokyo—and Rena's house—without too much delay. The moment they got out of the car, Iris rapped on the window with her knuckles.
Kiriko rolled it down.
"Any further orders, miss?"
"Nah?"
"Then why...?"
Kiriko, dying to park and flop onto a sofa somewhere, eyed her young mistress warily. Iris rewarded her unease with a bright smile.
"Good work, Kiriko. You're free to go now."
"You don't mean I'm the only one ditching again...?"
"You got to enjoy the hot springs today, right?"
"But...!"
Ignoring Kiriko's shock, Iris shooed her off with a wave.
"Boo-hoo. If that's what you wish, unworthy Kiriko shall withdraw."
"Kiriko, your acting sucks."
"Does it?"
"Yeah."
As Iris shot her a cold look, Kiriko dropped the act and wiped away her artificial tears.
"Weird. Back in school, everyone praised my acting—I even snagged all the lead roles in our class plays for the culture festival."
"They probably took one look at your scary delinquent vibe and chickened out, shoving it on you?"
"I keep telling you, I wasn't a delinquent back then...."
Kiriko protested her innocence as usual, but Iris wasn't buying it. She regretted showing Iris that graduation photo with her dyed blonde hair.
"You sure you're okay without me?"
"What changes if you're here?"
"Well, counseling or something?"
"I'd sooner get advice from Papa than you."
"Dragging Mr. Zenjiro into this leaves me speechless.... You really okay?"
Kiriko lowered her sunglasses, peering at Iris with concern.
Damn, her instincts are sharp....
Iris muttered inwardly.
Or maybe not?
Perhaps she'd been too obvious. She'd spent the drive back alternating sighs while staring at Rena and Tae-il.
"Anyway, just go already. Before I change my mind."
Kiriko quietly massaged her temple, weighing the risks of leaving. Conclusion: none.
Mr. Luce will be home early worrying about Miss Rena anyway....
Figuring it'd be fine, she savored the free time Iris had granted. Shin Tae-il might cause trouble, but she shook her head.
Nah, Taichi doesn't seem the type.
To Kiriko, Tae-il was trustworthy in various ways.
"Then I'm really off?"
"I said go already. Or wanna stay and help clean?"
"Call if anything comes up! I'll be on standby nearby!"
Kiriko peeled out promptly. No way she'd clean someone else's house when her own was a chore.
With a sigh at the departing car, Iris muttered, "Ugh, so transparent."
Just then, a still-groggy Tae-il approached, scratching his bedhead.
"Arisugawa."
"Pfft! What, still half-asleep?"
"Kinda. Kiriko already left?"
"Why, need her? I can call her back."
"N-no! It's fine! Let her go."
As Iris casually pulled out her smartphone, Tae-il hurriedly stopped her. He rubbed his neck worriedly.
"I'll just put in extra effort since it's on me anyway...."
"Huh?"
Iris tilted her head.
What heavy lifting does Shin Tae-il have here?
Lunch was on Rena, probably delivery. Cooking was a weak spot for both her and Iris, though it stung her pride.
Wait, don't tell me something like that at Rena-chan's house!?
Iris's face briefly flushed, then normalized.
No, that wouldn't need Kiriko. So there is actual heavy work?
As questions piled up, Tae-il whispered to Rena and Ayane.
"Rena. When's that thing coming today?"
"Dunno?"
Rena shrugged; she didn't know the exact time either.
"It's hot, so let's wait inside. Gotta order food too."
"Hmm? Can't Honjo cook?"
"Nope. Jealous?"
"Not really?"
Anyone could see she was very jealous, her smugness blatant.
"Tch."
Rena clicked her tongue and stood at the door. The Arisugawas, local magnates and old nobility, had traditional samurai mansions. The Honjo estate, backed by their full support, differed. From outside, it looked like any ordinary home.
Ayane grumbled.
"What, I figured Honjo was rich too, so fancy house or whatever. Kinda meh."
"Shhh! Don't say that, Ayane...!"
"Hmhm?"
Overhearing Ayane's mutter, Rena paused mid-unlock and snorted. Only Tae-il—who knew from the original story that the Honjo house hid grandeur behind its facade—muttered "Too late!" while facepalming.
"Our house is meh? Let's see if you say that inside."
"Hmph! How different can it be?!"
Her last hidden secret was out to Iris anyway. Shaking off Ayane's shadow, Rena smirked and flung the door open.
Ayane's eyes went wide.
A familiar Victorian era unfolded before her.
Rena leaned against the entryway, hands on hips, chin tilted.
"Welcome to my house."
"Hieeek!?"
Ayane yelped. The exterior was plain, but the interior? It put that butler cafe Tae-il had visited to shame.
"What, still not coming in?"
Iris passed the frozen Ayane at the door with a puzzled glance.
Surprisingly, shoes stayed on inside Rena's house.
Iris, already past the entry, asked wearily.
"Rena-chan, mind if I crash in the guest room? Need a quick break."
"Huh? Oh, sure. The usual room you use."
"Cool. See ya."
"W-wait, Iris!"
"...What?"
Iris glanced back indifferently from ahead.
"We're ordering delivery later...."
"Ah. Anything without veggies. You know what I hate."
"Y-yeah...."
"Later, then."
Iris waved lazily, heading through the living room and up the stairs.
Ayane poked Tae-il's side cautiously.
"Hey, Shin-kun."
"Yeah?"
"Did they fight or something...?"
"Uh, who knows...?"
The vibe was off. Hard to pinpoint, but different. Way different.
"Weird, right?"
"Totally."
Tae-il nodded in agreement. No clue what the issue was, though.
Iris ascended to the second floor.
"Haa."
Rena sighed, scratching her head, eyeing the pair still outside.
"What're you doing? It's hot—come in already."
"E-excuse the intrusion...."
"Pardon the intrusion."
They crossed the entry on luxurious carpet that felt too precious to tread, heading to the living room.
Ayane hadn't realized: smaller scale, but no less grand than the Arisugawas'.
"Sit anywhere on the sofas. They'll get cleaned later anyway—no worries about messing them up."
"O-oh...."
Rena half-forced the hesitant Tae-il onto a sofa. Ayane, who'd been waiting demurely, immediately snuggled right beside him.
Rena fetched the AC remote and cranked the cooling.
"Funny thing—we only got black tea and orange juice here. What'll it be?"
"Orange juice for me, then...."
"Ayane too—orange juice!"
"Nice, easy."
No need to boil water. Rena shrugged and zipped to the kitchen.
As Rena vanished from sight, Ayane slumped her shoulders.
"Phew. Tense."
"Told you not to mouth off."
"Sorry...."
Regaining her poise, Ayane cautiously scanned the room. Higher ceilings with chandeliers. By the grand, antique windows: a massive portrait of a dark-haired woman resembling Rena.
"That... Mrs. Honjo?"
"Probably?"
The woman looked like grown-up Rena.
"She's pretty...."
"Well, Rena's cute too."
"Muuu!"
Ayane puffed her cheeks huge and clamped Tae-il's arm.
"No praising other girls in front of Ayane from now on!"
"You're not a kid...."
Tae-il smiled wryly but patted her head anyway.
"You get anxious if I compliment other girls' looks?"
"A little...?"
"Silly. Told you—you're idol-pretty."
"Did Shin-kun ever say that?"
"Ah."
Tae-il realized his slip. He'd said it to Iris, not Ayane.
Spotting his reaction, Ayane grinned.
"What, Shin-kun—you complimented Ayane's looks in front of someone else?"
"Uh, yeah, once or twice...."
"Hmhm. Then maybe Ayane can forgive you a teensy bit?"
"Haha. Honored...."
"You two are both full of shit."
Rena, returning from the kitchen with a tray of orange juice cups, caught the scene and cursed.
"Hmph. Whatever."
As Rena glared sourly, Ayane stuck out her tongue and clung tighter to Tae-il.
"Haa. Whatever. Too annoying to care."
She set the tray on the low table and plopped into the opposite single-seater.
"About to order delivery. Any requests?"
"You're paying, Honjo?"
"Yeah. I owe you an apology anyway. My treat. Got a problem?"
"Then Ayane's ordering something really pricey."
"Go for it."
"F-for real?"
"I said do it. Scared?"
Ayane gnashed her teeth at Rena's casual retort and yelled at Tae-il.
"Shin-kun! Sushi!"
"Huh? Suddenly?"
Tae-il, envisioning casual curry, tonkatsu, or donburi, blinked at the sushi pivot.
"Honjo's too cheeky! Bleed her wallet dry!"
"Try me."
"Eek!"
Rena leaned back smugly, legs crossed.
"Don't underestimate sushi heiress's sushi stamina!"
"Your family runs a sushi joint?"
"Ayane's good for 50 plates!"
"Pig."
"Not a pig!"
"Piiiig. Hey, Shin—how many plates you do?"
"Uh? Usually just over ten...?"
"See? Piiiiig."
"Kyaaaaah!"
Each "pig" from Rena drew bloodcurdling shrieks from Ayane, burying her teeth in fury. Impressive soundproofing—the upstairs Iris showed no reaction.
"Ahaha...."
Tae-il laughed awkwardly. In the blink of an eye, lunch was sushi. No one had consulted him.