No one's POV
Gaku strode into his father's office, looking every bit the rebellious son he was. The expression on his face allowed no room for negotiation. There would be no negotiating. (Y/n)'s life was on the line.
Mr Yaotome looked up from his paperwork, clearly not in the mood for his son's raging fits. Gaku let out a hollow smirk, slamming his hands down on the desk before making his request.
"We need an audience," he demanded.
"What for? Your concert's in-"
"I don't care about the damn concert. (Y/n)'s been kidnapped and I need this to happen ASAP. Simply calling the police won't work. We need public sentiment," he growled, cutting his father off.
"Tch, that girl...getting herself into more trouble."
"So will you do it or not? Even if you don't, I'll find a way."
"To get an audience in such a short amount of time isn't easy, Gaku. Do you even know what you're saying?"
"Oh? What happened to that arrogant attitude of yours? Aren't you supposed to be 'the best'?"
"Watch what you say. I can easily fire you, even if you are my son. I didn't say it was impossible."
Tenn and Ryuu, who had waited by the door, smiled at each other. Perhaps Mr Yaotome didn't lose all of his compassion. Perhaps, even in times of great stress, his mind could be swayed...and it had.
Meanwhile, IDOLiSH7 had gone to Tsumugi's father to ask for a similar request whilst Iori kept Naomi preoccupied. They knew it was hard, they knew it'd hurt him but even so, they trusted the black-haired male.
Yamato immediately bowed, followed by the others. Tsumugi looked at each and every one of them, seeing their resolve to save their precious friend. She found herself bowing too, worried to the bone about her friend.
"So you want to be on a live variety show with Re:vale? And not just that but base it off a theatrical theme?" the president asked.
"We want to convey (Y/n)'s situation to our fans," replied Nagi.
"And if your fans don't show a reaction you're expecting?"
"We'll deal with it somehow," Riku said.
"That doesn't sound very reassuring..."
"President- no, father. I'm asking this of you as your daughter. Please help us save (Y/n)," Tsumugi exclaimed.
As they pleaded, Iori was barely managing to keep his anger in check. The girl in front of the camera didn't let her fears control her despite her slight flinches. She even had the nerve to poke her tongue out, which undoubtedly annoyed Naomi greatly.
Iori continued to stare at his girlfriend, his face betraying no emotion yet his eyes held an endless amount of guilty tears waiting to be released. Naomi had had enough of (Y/n)'s teasing and grabbed the phone.
"Ugh, damn Naomi. How tight did you want them to tie up my arms?" (Y/n) asked.
She dropped her phone. Her guards whipped their heads around as (Y/n) shook off the ropes binding her limbs. The girl held up a small broken piece of glass, her fingers a bloody mess from the myriad of microscopic cuts.
"Huh?! How the hell did you escape?!" asked the leader.
"Using my brain. Naomi, is anyone coming to save me? I'm getting tired of all this..." (Y/n) began.
Iori immediately understood her words. She was barely keeping herself together. She wouldn't be able to overpower the men guarding her. She needed her friends. She needed him.
An arrogant yet tired smile graced her face before the camera's screen cracked into a million pieces, severing their only connection. Naomi simply stared shock-still, unable to believe that she had once again been defeated.
Iori gritted his teeth, feeling an uncharacteristic amount of anger for the girl sitting in front of him. He could sabotage their whole plan if he said anything hinting towards it. He had to keep it all in.
His phone rang, startling the two from their momentary battle of tension. Mitsuki's name showed up on the screen before he quickly picked up, much to Naomi's irritation.
"Go save her, Iori."
That was all he needed to hear. A sudden fear overtook Naomi as the male leaned on his elbows and grinned a chilling, diplomatic smile that sent shivers down her spine.
"Tell me where (Y/n) is," he demanded.
"Why should I?" she retorted.
"You might want to check the news."
She eyed him warily while turning on her phone to see what he was so hyped about. 'Trigger's unexpected concert: what's the cause?' 'IDOLiSH7's rare collaboration with Re:vale: limited edition.' 'Shocking news in the world of music: what is the meaning behind the three idol groups' sudden appearance?'
"What is all this?..."
"Exactly what they say. If you don't want them revealing why you kidnapped (Y/n), I suggest you tell me where she is right now," Iori exclaimed.
"T-the police will never believe you!"
"They don't have to. Our fans' emotions will reach them. You may have the police on your side but we have the nation. You lose this time."
"I'm a famous rookie actress! You can't ruin me like that!"
"The public really love their scandals nowadays..."
"Who's to say (Y/n) won't be at the centre of it all? Are you sure-"
"We're prepared for that. This is a big risk we're taking."
"T-then why...?"
"Because I love her."
She was beaten, and they both knew it. This only fuelled her anger even more. She had never experienced the warmth of friendship, the unbreakable bonds between them. If only she could switch places with (Y/n)...
This is so unfair. I hate this world. I hate it all. All I've wanted was to be surrounded by all the glamour that (Y/n) had. She never realised how inferior I felt. All I wanted was fame, recognition...that same charismatic warmth, Naomi thought bitterly.
She handed a piece of paper to Iori with an address scribbled on it. He immediately took off as soon as it left her hands. It was impossible though, he'd never be able to beat her faithful gangs.
YOU ARE READING
Charismatic Lie (Iori x reader)
Fanfiction(L/n) (Y/n) is Trigger's assistant manager, and Gaku's younger sister. She has many clashes with her father due to their incompatible personalities, where their anger leads to the both of them thinking they despise each other. She later becomes IDO...
