LIAR GAME An Unexpected Meeting

She forgot to put the heather on overnight so when she woke up her goosebumps had woken up. Rubbing her temple she let out a long yawn, squinting her eyes. Stretching her arms as a routine she got interrupted by an incoming call. His name could be read on the screen and as an older reflex, she quickly snatched the phone like the table had stolen it. She wanted to answer but her fingers were stuck in their position. After relaxing and letting out an unneeded breath of air her fingers finally reached the button.

''hello?''

''Hey, it's me''

''I… I know it have been a long time but… I have a favour to ask.''

She was more excited than nervous. To think he would finally call, it felt like ages ago, which it probably was. Just as she was going to open her mouth he was faster and spoke again.

''I'm sorry… I can't do this''

The voice from the other side went silent. When he didn't continue after a while she forced herself to speak.

''Eh… it was a while wasn't it, Akiyama-san…?''

Still no answer.

''Do… Do you still visit your mother, she would be proud of you.''

The silence was her weakness, lies as well.

''Are you alright, Akiyama-san?''

''yeah I'm okay…''

She was known for being naïve but this time she couldn't be fooled. Something was wrong. Only through the phone, she could feel the aura around him. His always so untroubled mind was full of thoughts blocking his words. This time silence spoke instead of words.

''I'm sorry… it's just that…it's just… I can't tell you''

She began to wonder why he called if he didn't have anything to say. With the state he appeared to be in she couldn't just stand there hoping he would go back to his old self. She did miss him, every day but right now he seemed more sad than happy to hear her. Was she at fault or had he been exposed to some kind of trouble? She was dying to know what was going on in his vulnerable mind.

''I understand. We're friends, right? You can tell me whatever you want whenever you want, just trust me… okay?''

She noticed how his voice - as well as her own voice - had diminished. She slowly sank down back in her bed and after a few lines from the other side, she was in tears. Every sentence only reminded her and to just hear his voice made her weak. He was the only positive thing that came out of the Liar Game. Her heart was shattered and to hear all of those things he had experienced without her she couldn't hold it in anymore.

''I'm sorry Akiyama, I miss you so much I…''

Her mind refused to stop. She poured her whole heart out.

With everything she got – not regretting a single thing – every tear falling from her chin feeling like a memory's lost. Every time she had sunken down on her knees he was always there to help her up again. He helped her become stronger and to live life without fear.

When her eyes began to dry up they planned to meet up later on for lunch. He were to pick her up but didn't mention an exact time. It was best to always be ready and to get out of her messy bed. The sheets had been tossed around in her sleep and while she was listening to his short stories she had – like a bad habit - folded the edges together like a neat napkin. With a sigh to top it off, she swung her legs over the edge and one more time rubbed her eyes awake. Facing the bathroom and feeling sweat dripping down the side of her temple a shower would be the first thing on her list.

As early as 11 a.m. she was wiggling back and forth in front of the café. She began to lose tolerance when half an hour had passed. If she could do an all-nighter just to wait for his help then she could wait an hour for his company. The people walking by was either in a rush or walked hand in hand calmly conversed about life. Their facial expressions being the complete opposite of her own nervous, worrying face. Even her legs were trembling. Feeling how her patience started to vanish the way she stomped her foot to the ground made a woman, who happened to walk by, jump out of her phone and stare at her with a confused look. She bowed in apology but was met with a back when she stood straight. She gave her clock one last glance before she began moving away from her spot. She walked towards the park to get a better view of the road. The only nearby parking lot would be against the road and she could spot him as fast as he stepped out of his car.

The cold fall air brought her hands together, chafing her palms. Blowing some of her hot air between them regretting how she didn't bring her gloves. Seeing how people already began wearing multiple layers of clothing meant that summer was coming to an end.

'Why is he taking so long?'

Stuck in traffic, one of few things he could not manipulate into his own liking. He would have never guessed he was going to drive over 40 miles only to be stuck in traffic halfway through. Tapping his steering wheel and glaring at the endless line of traffic stocking up mile after mile around the country, he puzzled on what he were to expect when he arrived. Knowing her, she would probably head out straight away and spend too much of her time waiting for his arrival. Her naïve mind wouldn't mind shivering out in the cold fall-weather as he was in his warm car, having nothing to do but wait in vain. He gave his phone a quick glance figuring if he would call her telling her he would be late by an hour or two. The risk of leaving her in disappointment was pretty low but just in case, he left it untouched and up to her to call him if anything showed up. He wasn't driving all over Japan for nothing, He hoped to be treated the same way she always did and for god's sake, let her still be the innocent Nao he knew. If someone was going to teach her the fundamentals of adultery, let it be him. Remembering how she would ask for an explanation on anything new, it was hard not to give off too much of a dirty vibe when selling the details. Remembering when she asked him about S&M and he felt the cold sweat run down his spine, the same feeling returns every time it passes his mind. How could such an innocent girl with no knowledge about those type of subjects at the same time come up with plans he wasn't even capable of structuring? He shook his head in big wonder and said to himself

'How is this even possible?' and ended his questioning with a clear sigh. After about an hour, moving a kilometer or two he finally lost his patience. At this phase, he wouldn't be seeing her until late evening. Knowing her she would still wait for him and probably freeze to death. That fragile body of hers wouldn't be able to stand the cold and would fall down in s corner and give up instead. He snatched his sight off the road for only a second to get his phone off the dashboard. Minding the slow traffic he wouldn't be in such a danger for looking at his phone for a minute.

[I won't be able to see you until evening]

He didn't even have the time to look away before his palm began vibrating. ''What do you mean 'until evening'? Are you okay, Akiyama-san?'' Sounding like she just heard him die he couldn't help but sigh in despair. Having to hear her voice once more only made it harder for him to answer. After imagining her innocence would disappear he was quite surprised to hear her still add the '-san' after stating his name. Knowing how she had the patience he went silent for a moment only to rethink his answers. Hearing how a heavy sigh came from the other end he felt like answering her even if he would have to lie. ''I might have to turn back. I'm stuck in a never-ending traffic and won't be there until late tonight.'' He was the one who planned to meet, he really wanted to but, even if she had the patience he could never leave her out in public late at night. If something were to happen he would never be able to see her straight in the face ever again. He couldn't help but take full responsibility. ''it's okay, I can wait'' not surprised at her answer he could still feel how arguments started building up and how he so badly wanted to tell her to go home again. He just couldn't do all of that due to one single thought blocking his mind. The thought about how he might never see her again or in a very long time. How this might be the only chance for him to finally meet her and be able to give her the affection she deserves.

Her clock was almost pointing midnight. Getting her hopes up about his arrival was a mistake. When he confessed his late arrival he so desperately tried to convince him it didn't matter. She could wait for days if it was needed, her only wish was to see him in person and not through her landline. When she once again let her tears fall out the line was cut off and he was gone. Just hearing his voice made her all warm inside but she needed more than that. She had become stronger and learned to lie for his sake. She had gotten rid of the daily scammers, her mailbox didn't contain unaddressed letters and her computer was finally clean from unnecessary links, files and pictures. The last thing still uncompleted was her heart. Every time she turns her television off the silence covers her apartment and she is once again reminded of the loneliness that has been building up after the Liar Game ended. His promise to keep in touch was probably another one of his lies. She refused to let such negative thought inside her head. She had promised herself he was a person of good. After all, he was the one to call her this morning.

Looking at her clock again he called her yesterday but when she sat thinking about him all day it felt like he called just a minute ago. Having only her thoughts guiding her she regretted not taking any pictures of him or recording his voice. At the same time, she was relieved to have kept it as it was. Hearing his voice or seeing his face would only make her cry over and over again. She was wide awake and refused to lay down even if she wasn't waiting for anything, at least that's what she thought.