Chapter 4 Part 2 : Even If I Count the Lies and Secrets

“As I mentioned in the letter… I have to ask you to return your ability.”

“…”

The hand Somei-san had been absently fiddling with her straw came to an abrupt halt.

Then, her doll-like face turned straight toward me.

Her expression and posture looked as if she were a character in a television drama.

Which, she probably was.

“Of course, it’s not something I like doing. Even if it’s unreasonable or sudden, I hope that you would understand. If possible… I don’t want us to fight over it.”

I had already conveyed all our circumstances in the letter.

My purpose, Love’s true identity, and the origins of her abilities.

There was no way Somei-san hadn’t anticipated how this would unfold.

She should fully understand where I was coming from.

“…You have quite a difficult job. If anything, it’s something I would never want to do.” Somei-san murmured.

She looked at me with a gaze that seemed to offer comfort, a sad smile playing on her lips.

“Usually, what happens after this? Does everyone agree to return it?”

“…No. It really depends on the person. Some resist strongly, while others are relieved by my offer. I think it depends on what the ability is, what kind of person they are… and how they’ve lived their lives.”

“I see… yes, that makes sense.”

“…”

“I’d like to meet someone else with an ability.” Somei-san said calmly.

I couldn’t read her expression or emotions.

Yet, strangely, I felt no sense of caution or hostility from her.

“Hey, what kind of people have you met up until now? How old were they…? What were their abilities?”

“…I’ve only been doing this job for two and a half years. I haven’t met a lot of people.”

I answered Somei-san, who had leaned forward with interest.

“But, there really have been all sorts of people. Abilities don’t choose their hosts. And vice versa, people can’t choose their abilities. However, I think that to a greater or lesser extent, ability-users are somewhat influenced by their powers.”

Yes, for example, Kanata Yusa.

He had only had his ability for three years, but the amount of time he spent thinking about his power had made him seem mature.

There are rarely elementary school students with such a sad smile and such a strong will.

Yayoi Shinohara.

Because she’s had it for so long, she insisted that her ability was a part of her, and no amount of negotiation or threats would change her mind.

The fact that she became a teacher might have been because of her ability, in addition to her love for children.

“Mmm… I see. Then, who is the person that left the strongest impression on you so far?” Somei-san asked, her voice now sounding slightly more cautious.

I paused, thinking deeply about her question.

Inwardly, I let out a little sigh.

It was impossible to lie to her. I had no choice but to answer honestly.

“I don’t particularly want to dwell on the people whose abilities I’ve taken.”

“…”

“There isn’t one person I remember specifically. Nor is there anyone I’ve forgotten. They all left roughly the same impact. I’m sorry for such a boring answer.”

“…I understand.”

“Yes. I can’t forget them. No, I must not forget them.”

At the very least, I must remember them. As the one who changed their lives, I have that obligation.

“Hey. You’re kind, Mizuki-kun.”

“…”

“I wonder… will you remember me forever too?”

She whispered softly.

I reflexively looked up.

A bright smile spread across Somei-san’s face.

Before I could process the meaning of her words, she spoke again.

“That day… September 17th, in fifth grade. The medaka fish– our class pet– disappeared.”

“There was a discussion during homeroom that day.

According to the student on monitor duty, the fish were still in the tank after school.

Then, when and where did they go? What happened?

The students had pampered and cherished those fish, so everyone was really upset.

Speculations flew—that they were stolen, or maybe someone took them home. In the midst of that, one girl spoke up.

“Maybe, it was a cat?”

Everyone’s eyes gathered on her.

“A cat must have gotten in and eaten them!”

Some of us agreed, while others didn’t.

However, I was bothered by something else entirely.

I knew that she was lying.

I didn’t know why, but it was like seeing a simple addition problem. It just popped up in my brain without even having to think.

It just… clicked for me. Like, ‘Oh, she was lying.’

In the end, we never figured out why our medaka fish disappeared.

But from that day on, I became able to sense when people were lying.

After hearing Mizuki-kun’s story, I think I understand.

This ability must have attached itself to me at that moment. Without any warning or trigger.

After that, my life… no, that might be an exaggeration. But my daily life, especially my relationships with people, definitely changed quite a bit.

It felt like I was being forced to cheat, and I hated that. I was afraid of people finding out, so I’ve kept it a secret all this time.

Considering I kept it all to myself, I think I managed reasonably well.

However, the friends around me, my teachers, my parents, and even complete strangers…

Every single one of them had been constantly lying to one another.

When praising someone, when apologizing, or even in meaningless small talk.

People told so many lies. The truth was far scarcer than I had ever imagined.

But, of course, there were kind lies too.

No, perhaps those were more common.

Lies born of compassion—to protect someone, or to make them feel good.

Right?

That’s why I think I was able to grow up without changing too much, even during my teenage years.

Of course, I saw plenty of cruel and malicious lies, and those always shocked me.

There was something else that I quickly noticed. This ability didn’t work on pictures or videos.

I couldn’t tell if a character in a book was lying, or if someone on TV was lying.

That’s why… I became more and more absorbed in anime, novels, and stories like that.

Because there were no lies there.

Or if there were, I couldn’t tell.

That made me happy… I cherished it.

My heart was much more at ease watching or reading something than talking to people.

Thinking about it now, maybe I was quite affected by my ability after all.

“And then!”

Somei-san placed her tea glass on the coaster. When she spoke, there was a spring in her voice.

Neither Kirie nor I could feel cheerful.

But for her, this experience was surely something that shaped her life.

She had overcome it, swallowed it, and it had become a complete part of her character.

That was why she could tell us about it so cheerfully, and without regrets.

“Just before I started high school, I saw a play for the first time.”

“A play…?” Kirie said with a complicated expression.

A play. A non-visual art form where humans perform a story live.

In other words, Kotoha Somei’s ability should work on the actors.

“It was amazing. Everyone was lying the entire time. Which is obvious, of course.”

Giggling like a child, Somei-san narrowed her eyes nostalgically.

Whether acting is called “lying” is a matter of interpretation.

But at the very least, this ability classified it as a lie.

It’s a somewhat ironic story.

“But then, something amazing happened. There was one person. Someone who wasn’t lying, even though they were acting.”

“What…? That’s…”

“I know, right? I was truly shocked. They were a side character who appeared only in the second half of the play. But for that person alone, the ability didn’t react, even when they spoke their lines.”

Somei-san looked genuinely happy.

She cupped her face in both hands, smiling with soulful eyes.

“It was such a shock. Because even though they were acting, it was coming from their heart. That person had embodied the role to such an extent. I was so impressed, so moved… before I knew it, I was sobbing my eyes out.”

Lowering her face shyly, Somei-san hid her face in the glass.

I felt as though her eyes were shimmering.

“And then, I thought: I want to become an actor like them.“

“Ah! So that’s why you’re an actress.”

“Right! I took lessons while attending school, attended lots of auditions… it took a while to get used to, but now I’m lucky enough to be getting work.”

“Amazing…! I don’t think it’s luck, but effort and skill! I—Kocchan… ah! Um, I really love your acting, Kotoha-san! A-And you’re so beautiful!”

“Hehe, thank you. Ever since then, I’ve hoped that my acting wasn’t a lie. I can’t use this ability on myself, so I was never able to verify it…”

Smiling wistfully again, Somei-san looked off into the distance.

Kirie glanced at me.

She’s probably worried about how this would unfold.

“Since entering the entertainment industry, the number of people who lie has increased.”

“…”

“It’s a harsh world. Connections with people are incredibly important, and for that, I think lies are very necessary. I was a bit upset when I realized that. But thanks to that, even someone as clumsy as me might have been able to navigate things well. I can choose good partners, too~.”

Saying that, Somei-san gave a wink that was far too perfect.

Certainly, if you can see through lies, the chances of negative human relationships would decrease, even if it might be mentally exhausting.

At the very least, the risk of being deceived by others would be significantly lowered.

“However, this ability only tells me that the other person is lying. It doesn’t tell me the truth. For example, it’s like getting a big ‘X’ on a test. You can tell it’s wrong, but the correct answer also isn’t written for you. It’s fine if it’s a simple yes or no question, but those opportunities aren’t as common as you’d think. I made plenty of mistakes before I realized that.”

“…”

“Now then…”

Somei-san lifted her hips slightly and readjusted her seat. Her back straightened, and her eyes narrowed.

I could feel the atmosphere shift instantly, and I naturally rested my hands on my knees.

“That’s the story of my life so far. Looking back, it wasn’t bad. But… I’ve grown a bit tired of this role.”

“…Then.”

“Yes. I think I’m ready for my ability to be taken today. It took me a while to prepare myself. Sorry… that’s why it took so long to reply to your letter.”

Lowering her eyebrows apologetically, Somei-san bowed her head.

I instinctively bowed my head as well.

I was relieved.

When I said I didn’t want to fight, it was, of course, my true feeling. That must have reached Somei-san.

And yet, I hated the fact that I was currently feeling relieved.

It’s always like this.

I wish for them to accept it, but once they actually do, I also feel a sense of discomfort.

I cannot lift my head immediately.

From the other person’s perspective, it could be a nuisance.

As always… this is a precarious job.

“I thought it would be impossible, so I’d given up on it. Truthfully, I’ve wanted to let go for a long time. I wanted to go back to how I was. Though, now that the time has arrived, I do feel a bit nervous.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Idiot, don’t apologize. Don’t ask for forgiveness.

I’m the villain here. I don’t have the right to be pitied.

“…Mizuki-kun, you look more hurt than I do.”

Somei-san spoke.

Those words flooded me with even more guilt.

I should be cursed more. It’s only natural for her to be harsh with me.

“It really is a difficult job. But somehow… it’s kind of enviable.”

“…”

“Now, before it all ends, I’d like to ask a few questions.”

Somei-san clapped her hands softly.

She looked at me, and then at Kirie, with a playful smile.

“It’s all going to be over soon, isn’t it? So before that happens, I’d really like to get to know the two of you a little better—”

“…”

She looked at us with an expectant gaze.

We glanced at each other once.

Kirie’s expression flickered for a moment before returning to normal.

When we both nodded, Somei-san gave a small dip of her chin.

She said it was her last request.

Once this was over, the job would be finished.

She had also said that even if a lie is exposed, it doesn’t necessarily reveal the truth either.

“Are you two… lovers?” Someii-san asked mischievously.

“No,” Kirie answered, speaking for the both of us.

Tsukui-san curled the corner of her mouth slightly and said, “Awh~, that’s too bad.”

“Then, friends?”

“No.” I answered this time.

Somei-san didn’t let her smile fade. We couldn’t tell what she was seeing, or if either of us were lying.

“Do you like each other?”

“Um… that’s…”

“No.” I answered again, ignoring Kirie’s panicked voice.

“Hey! Hidaka-kun, isn’t that a little mean? She hasn’t even specified if it was even in a romantic way or something else yet!”

Kirie pouted, lightly punching my arm.

“Doesn’t matter. It’ll be a ‘no’ to that as well.”

“Hmph! Well, it’s also a ‘no’ for me!”

So noisy…

As I covered my ears, Somei-san chuckled.

However, her narrowed eyes were fixed firmly on us, making me feel uneasy.

“Do you two have a mysterious ability like I do?” Changing her tone abruptly, Somei-san looked back and forth between us.

The relaxed atmosphere from a moment ago had completely vanished.

“No, we don’t.”

“…We don’t.”

I answered first, then Kirie quickly followed.

For a split second, Somei-san’s eyelid flickered.

However, she didn’t linger, simply saying, “I see,” and moving on to the next question.

“Mizuki-kun, why do you do this type of work?”

“…For certain reasons.”

“Can’t you tell me those reasons?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

Tsukui-san nodded shallowly a few times, then turned toward Kirie.

I let out a small sigh of relief.

“Mahina-chan, why are you with Mizuki-kun?”

“…Well… I asked to accompany him. I wanted to see him work.”

“And why is that?”

“…Because I wanted to know. The types of people that possess a power, what they think, and how they live because of it.”

“…I see.”

At that, Somei-san exhaled softly.

After a brief silence, she asked again.

“Are you both happy with your current lives?” Somei-san’s expression was soft.

I was almost certain this would be the final question.

“Yes,” our voices overlapped.

If it’s a simple yes or no question, then that’s fine.

Somei-san’s words from earlier seemed to echo in the back of my mind.

“…I see. Thank you.” Somei-san smiled.

We didn’t smile back, both opting for a small bow instead.

Should I have said “you’re welcome”?

The thought crossed my mind, but it was already too late.

Somei-san paid for the meal.

I told her it was an expense, but she wouldn’t budge, saying, “Haa…let your older sister treat you.”

Love arrived soon after that.

“It’s an honor!”

When Love saw Miss Somei, she started chattering away about how this drama was interesting or how she cried at that movie—all sorts of lighthearted things.

In the end, she even got a handshake and a hug from Somei-san.

She looks quite satisfied…

The retrieval of the power was carried out in a back alley, with Kirie and me standing guard.

Somei-san took several deep breaths and pressed her palms together as if in prayer.

After the radiance transferred to Love’s finger, she stumbled on the spot and kept her face lowered for a while.

I hated the sound of her crying, but I couldn’t look away.

“Thank you… very much!”

Somei-san bowed deeply to the three of us.

“Kocchan, I’ll always be rooting for you!”

Somei-san stared intently at Kirie, who had screamed those words.

Her eyes widened, and her lips pressed together in a thin, straight line.

Then, as if unraveling, she let out a small sigh and spoke.

“As I thought, it’s better not to have such an ability.” Smiling like a young girl, Somei-san turned her back to us.

Watching her walk away, I thought:

I hope those words were her true feelings.

And even if they weren’t, I hope that one day, she can truly feel that way.

Unable to distinguish between lies and truth, all I could do was wish for that.

“Good work today, kiddos.” Love’s voice sounded more distant than usual.

I closed my eyes, unable to bear the sight of the blue sky reflected in the glass buildings.