Charismatic Lie (Iori x reader)

Chapter 38

(Y/n)'s POV

Whilst Trigger and Re:vale were filming the rest of their music video, IDOLiSH7 had gone to record their respective parts, with Sogo and Tamaki rushing over the last minute after I had briefly explained the situation.

Iori's gaze flickered to meet mine, earning a small smile from me through the glass. Although he appeared to be smiling, it didn't reach his eyes and I had no doubt that it was something that I had done.

I quietly left the recording room, seeing as how Tsumugi was supervising as the manager. A brown-haired girl smiled coldly at me, the young stylist who had passed Iori the note.

"So you're friends with all of them," she exclaimed.
"Yeah."

She followed, falling into step with me as I headed to Trigger's filming area. The girl repeatedly sent suspicious glances my way; however, I paid no mind to her uncomfortable behaviour.

"You like anyone?" she asked.
"No."
"Introduce me to Iori, ne?"
"I'm sorry but whether he wants to date you or not is his own choice."
"Don't you think you're being a little unreasonable? Helping a little won't do any harm."
"Oh? Are you suggesting that you don't have what it takes to win his heart?"
"Ugh! You're so infuriating!"
"Thank you."
"Damn it! I hate you!"

She lifted her foot, most likely attempting to step on mine. I casually sidestepped her, but she grabbed my arm. Her villainous smirk reached her ears as her grip tightened, sending sparks of pain up my arm as the bruise pulsed and begged for the pain to stop.

I faced her with a calm expression, finding it hard to hold back a wince. She squeezed harder but after years of abuse, holding back a scream was child's play.

She put another hand on my arm, taking on an air of innocence as she leaned closer. I braced myself for the pain that was soon to come and indeed it did. She opened her mouth to speak.

"Well, feel like helping me now?"
"I don't associate with people like you."

Tenn walked over, stopping when he saw us. She whimpered, running over to him. I hid my arm behind my back, feeling the pain reside within my body even now.

The idol shot her a look of cold indifference, a subtle harshness hidden in his eyes. She pretended to take no notice of his cruel look and attempted to turn the situation around.

"She suddenly hit me because I was interested in her friends. I-I don't know what I-I did wrong."
"Do you really expect me to believe that?" he asked.
"But Tenn-"
"Since when did you get so familiar with me?"

He shook his arm out of her grasp, giving her a cruel, cold look before reaching for the hand behind my back. I wasn't a match for his strength as he pulled my arm out to inspect the bruise.

"You're the worst. No wonder you need help getting people to like you," he stated quietly.
"You!"

Tenn turned around just as she raised her hand. My eyes widened, but a figure suddenly darted out and blocked it. Iori let go of her arm before turning around to face me.

Tenn let go of my arm just as Iori came over and pulled me into a kiss. He immediately leaned in during my moment of shock, snaking an arm around my waist and putting his other hand behind my head.

This kiss was...so cold. It lacked the warmth of lovers, the passion associated with romance. It was simply cold, so cold that it made me feel hollow inside. So he didn't like me at all...I hated myself for having those moments where I wished for something more...

"So? Do you need more proof as to why I won't date you?" Iori asked.

She ran away, frustrated and angry with tears welling up in her eyes. Beyond all that emotion, she was just as shocked as I was. He only wanted to shock her...

"Sorry, don't go on making assumptions. I didn't mean anything by that," he said to me.
"No, it's completely fine."

~Nighttime~

I walked alongside Gaku-nii, behind the members of IDOLiSH7 and Tsumugi. Re:vale had already left. Tenn shot me a worried look as Ryuu did the same beside me.

Iori didn't like me...why was I taking it so badly? Of course he wouldn't like me. It wasn't such a surprise...just hard taking in the truth for real. This was pathetic. I was pathetic. I shouldn't be behaving like this because of a silly kiss.

"(Y/n), you okay?" Ryuu asked.
"I'm fine."
"What happened?" Gaku-nii questioned.
"...a girl said some harsh things to her and made her bruise worse so of course she's in a bad mood," Tenn explained, conveniently leaving out the part about Iori kissing me.

Neither of them said anything. They knew it wasn't like me to get so hung up on someone hurting me. I hesitantly took both Gaku-nii and Ryuu's hands, wanting to be pulled out of my thoughts.

"Hey (Y/n), are you gonna be having dinner with us?" Riku asked.
"I-"
"What're you having?" Gaku-nii replied.
"I don't know. Do you guys want to eat with us?"
"Sure, I don't mind either way."
"Any suggestions for what we should have?"
"Soba."
"Soba?"
"Soba."
"Okay-"
"Let's go."

I sighed, knowing that that would be his immediate answer. Gaku-nii took the lead, pulling Ryuu and I along with him. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly asking why I still holding on despite the inconvenience.

"It's fine..."

I heard him sigh before sending a gentle smile my way. Without warning, he suddenly stopped and pointed ahead whilst saying spider. I screamed, immediately pulling his arm over my eyes, unintentionally making Ryuu stumble over.

A second later, all that could be heard was Gaku-nii's boisterous laughter. I peeked over his arm, releasing my hug-like grip on Ryuu's arm as I realised that he had tricked me.

"You damn prankster!"

I kicked him but it seemed to do him no harm. He continued to laugh even more so after my flimsy attempt at giving him a taste of his own medicine. I glared at the male and pushed him away.

"Your reaction was the best!" he exclaimed.
"Tch, meanie."
"Is that how you guys usually are on a daily basis?" Yamato asked.
"Well, more or less," Ryuu answered as I gripped his hand, using his body as a barrier between my brother and I.
"Heh, seems like fun," Mitsuki commented.
"Watch out, there's a cockroach by your foot," Tamaki said.
"As if I'm gonna fall for that again."
"No, actually."

I looked down and saw the crawling bug pass by my feet. Before I knew it, Ryuu had kicked the bug away.

"...you're appointed as my new brother."