Behind the Mask

The Man at the Door

The public can be very fickle, changing their minds from one thing to the next with a speed that always baffles me. In my years as a journalist, I'd observed this trait countless times. I found it annoying most of the time. But today, I found myself at the center of their capricious attention.

At first, the city buzzed with the news about the battle between the Kaiju and Ultraman. After the initial panic and outrage, there was an air of uncertainty and even suspicion towards the KDF's handling of the situation. The KDF chose to remain silent on the matter, leaving the city to speculate and make up stories.

As people did, they moved on to other topics, and soon enough, the focus shifted. What I wasn't expecting was that it would shift to me.

I sat in the backseat of a taxi, my gaze on my phone as it weaved through traffic. A video of last night's post-game conference had gone viral. Kenji sat at a table, flanked by his team's backdrop. The bright lights of the cameras cast a sharp glare, highlighting the intensity in his eyes. Microphones crowded the desk in front of him. He smiled and the cameras flashed, capturing the moment.

He leaned in. "I know there's been a lot of talk about my personal life," he said into the mic. "So, I just want to set the record straight. Ami Wakita is not just a journalist to me. She's someone I've come to care about and the woman I'm with now."

My phone slipped from my trembling hands, landing softly on my lap. My heart pounded against my ribs as I looked out the window, the city blurring past in a rush of color and light. Did he just claim me? In public?

"You okay, miss?"

I caught the driver's gaze in the rearview mirror in the rearview mirror. "Yes," I managed to say, though my voice was barely more than a whisper. I picked up my phone again, my fingers shaking as I scrolled through the comments on the video.

> 'He's hot and he's a romantic? I'm screaming!'
> 'That should be me'
> 'Why do I feel like this is all a PR Stunt?'
> 'They're actually kind of cute together'
> 'I'm glad he cleared things up. The media was getting out of hand with those rumors'
> 'I knew it. Did everyone see the way he looked at her after the match against the Tigers? That's definitely love.'

Love.

I never thought I'd find something remotely similar again.

My heart fluttered as I sent the video to Kenji. "You're insane," I typed.

A reply came almost immediately. "About you."

I chuckled. The taxi pulled up to the office building, and I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I paid the driver, then stepped out and made my way inside. The city's hum seemed to fade into the background as I walked through the glass doors, the cool air inside the lobby wrapping around me.

Akiko's face lit up as she saw me. "Good morning, Miss Wakita!"

"Good morning, Akiko," I replied, managing a smile despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. I made my way to the elevator, my footsteps echoing in the lobby. A man and a woman walked by, their faces breaking into friendly smiles. "Hi, Ami," they greeted in unison.

"Hi," I responded, smiling back though I had no idea who they were.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside, pressing the button for my floor. The ascent felt longer than usual, giving me time to gather my thoughts. People were sure to have seen the video at work now. Rin was going to want answers.

When the doors opened, I walked into my department. Eyes turned toward me, some filled with curiosity, others with cautious welcome. I made my way to my desk, each step feeling like it echoed louder than it should.