Liar Exposed

Liar Exposed is a Japanese/American/Australian manga written and illustrated by Zoe Tria and Joshua Besson. A video game adaptation was released on the 15th of September 2021 followed by an Australian teen drama adaptation. The series is loosely based on both of the creators' real-life experiences.

Plot
The manga is set in a modern-day fictional suburb of Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It revolves around 16-year-old, Josh Besson and his adoptive 14-year-old sister, Zoe Besson. Josh is like many other boys his age, he plays a lot of games. However, he doesn't do well in school. While Zoe, adopted from the Philippines is nothing like her older brother. She does really well in school, has the ability to discipline herself, read a lot of books and can code to make her own video games. Despite their differences, they get along quite well and they're really close.

Zoe was walking out of her classroom to find an extra-curricular activity outside school hours to join because her brother is joining the programming club when she noticed something on the school news board. She was confused that her brother was in it for some reason when Josh called her from the programming room. She immediately signed up to the programming club and entered the room as Josh told her everything that happened.

There was a girl in Josh's class named Kayla who has been spreading rumours and lies about him and herself. She faked her death from a heart attack right in front of Josh. Josh was supposed to make a memorial when he discovered that she's still alive because she went live later. Later, she made claims that Josh made her pregnant which isn't true because he was dating his now ex-girlfriend that time. This shocked Zoe but she reassured her older brother that he didn't do anything to Kayla.

The next morning, Zoe confronted Kayla but Kayla decided to befriend her. Zoe, being foolish and naïve, agreed to her and they later became friends. Later Josh called Zoe and he later told her what happened. Josh said that Kayla gave birth to twins named Corbyn and Daniel. At only 9 weeks?! Zoe knew it was also a lie because people need to give birth at 9 months, not 9 weeks. Zoe felt betrayed, foolish, naïve and stupid for befriending her in the first place. But Josh simply forgave her and comforted her, telling his little sister that it'll be alright.

Later that day, Josh and Zoe were at home where Josh was teaching Zoe how to play Minecraft. That's when they were both notified that Kayla is in the hospital by Naomi, a Chinese girl from Zoe's class. Zoe messaged her, asking her what happened since Naomi lives a few blocks away. She answered that Kayla's mum told her that Kayla had an overdose and lost a lot of blood because of self-harm. Zoe told Josh who was shocked to hear what happened. Zoe then told Naomi that Kayla was the one who faked her death and faked her pregnancy with Josh. Naomi was so shocked and speechless, she didn't know what to say.

Josh knew all those pregnancy, death, overdose and self-harm stuff were all fake because he saw Kayla's Instagram posts. No mention of the babies, death or hospitals. Kayla was faking everything to grab everyone's attention, especially Josh. He assumed that she has split personality disorder and Zoe corrected him, saying that Kayla has dissociative personality disorder. She heard that it was caused by childhood trauma and Josh said that maybe that's it. Zoe wanted to see Kayla's Instagram so Josh gave it to her. Zoe looked at it in shock, Josh was right all along. There were no twin babies, no selfies with her 'mum' and she wasn't rushed to the hospital from an overdose and blood loss from self-harm.

Josh said that Kayla was fake. Zoe wished she hasn't befriended her in the first place but Josh told her that's how he feels now. The siblings comforted each other with all their might. Zoe thought she was just a friend but felt so foolish after that. A 16-year-old she could trust. But Josh said he was better because he's her big brother. Despite Zoe being adopted. Josh later messaged Naomi about Kayla but she didn't reply. Josh later asked Zoe if Kayla said anything about him and she said no. Zoe then said that it is time to expose Kayla and Josh said that he wanted to for a long time but he couldn't. Zoe said that it'll be alright and she'll do it together.

The next morning, Josh and Zoe started exposing Kayla with all the proof they needed. Kayla didn't react to it and Zoe and Josh pretended that it's nothing, oblivious to what they're doing to Kayla. But Zoe got embarrassed because her and Josh's mum saw what happened. The 2 didn't get any hate yet. While in class, Zoe was talking to her other Chinese friend, Kandace, about random stuff when Naomi interrupted. She asked permission to butt in which Zoe agreed to so that Kandace could finish her work.

Naomi told her that Kayla has 8 accounts, 1 main, 2 Why Don't We fan accounts and 5 impersonating the members. Zoe, along with many people in her secondary school, are limelights. They are huge fans of Why Don't We. 3 of them were reported and deleted. Naomi also told her that the guys' secret accounts followed Kayla as well. Also Kayla's 'mum' forced Naomi to post something about her overdose and self-harm. Zoe knew she has to tell Josh so during lunch break, she told Josh everything. Zoe even said that impersonating a celebrity is illegal. And when she said 'illegal,' Kayla could get arrested. Josh told Zoe that they have to make a post that they should report Kayla. Zoe agreed but told him that they have to be careful because Kayla might go 'report Zoe and Josh' or something.

Josh had all the screenshots so he has proof and Kayla has gone too far. His classmate, Kat, is also going to join. It is soon time for class so Josh and Zoe had to go their separate ways as Josh tried to find all of the things he needed. Later, in the programming club, Josh showed Zoe all of the things he needed. Josh showed Kayla's Instagram story saying that she loves him and that she wants him to be her boyfriend. It was the story before he found out that Kayla faked her death. Zoe said that Kayla can't just ask someone to be her boyfriend and that Instagram isn't Tinder. Also the fact that it's kind of awkward. Josh then found the congrats for the baby message. Zoe was shocked.

Josh then showed more screenshots of the messages between him and Kat. Zoe said that faking a heart attack was a bad idea because her biological dad died from it and her biological mum abandoned her afterwards. Josh told her that while he and his family were in the Philippines, they found Zoe in a rubbish bin and adopted her afterwards. He was also shocked that she could remember everything. They soon talked about the topic of Kayla as Josh showed his sister her post that was posted the same day he found out. Zoe knew she saw this somewhere. The 2 mischievous siblings both started making the post to report Kayla with the prof as Josh unblocked her. Zoe wanted to see her reaction.

The next morning, the 2 didn't see Kayla's reaction so they were in their programming room, waiting. Josh thought she was over and Zoe couldn't find her account so that's why. Josh said that maybe Kayla blocked her. Zoe said that she saw a repost of Jack Avery later on. Josh then got a notification that Kayla messaged him. She asked him on a date. She then saw Josh's story and went to the programming room to get mad at him. Zoe just stood there watching the conversation. Kayla got mad because she said that the pregnant situation was fake but not the overdose. She then told Josh that she loved him but now she hated him. Josh then argued back saying 'sorry not sorry' and that Kayla had played with too many people.

Kayla got madder saying that she's so mad she wants to cry. She thought that he was her friend. Kayla said that she actually overdosed pills and vomited afterwards. She really wanted to cry and kill herself. Josh said that she legit planned this. Kayla argued saying that she did overdose a few days ago and vomited afterwards too. Zoe couldn't take it anymore and caused a lamp to explode. Kayla and Josh were both shocked that the lamp exploded. Zoe was shocked and thought she didn't make the lamp exploded and cried. Kayla called Zoe a cry baby as Josh yelled at Kayla to just get out. Kayla left angrily. Josh and Zoe then went home early saying that Zoe is sick.

On the way home, Zoe calmed down a bit and told Josh about how the lamp exploded. All of her brain cells came together and made her have powers. The power of telekinesis. She then asked her brother if he's mad and Josh said 'no' and that her powers are extraordinary. They soon went home and into Josh's room where they started discussing about Kayla. Zoe said that she didn't get OD, she didn't post herself in the hospital and if she says that she wants to kill herself, she'll fake her death all over again. But that's only a possibility. And would even lie to Josh. This cheered her up a bit.

Later, Josh helped Zoe train her powers by lifting up her stuffed giraffe named Daniel, her stuffed panda named Zach, Josh's computer and a lot of everyday stuff. It really helped her get used to her new powers. Zoe later got tired and Josh told her to go to bed. She nodded and showered, brushed her teeth, get changed and went to bed. Josh sang her a lullaby which is 'Memories' by Shawn Mendes. He has been singing it to her since she was 10. Zoe later fell asleep and rested really well.

The next morning, Zoe's Indian friend, Tess, went up to Zoe and told her about Kayla's lies. Zoe told her too and told her that Josh knew it too. Tess said that she is going to expose Kayla and Zoe told her to be careful. Since Zoe and Josh already exposed Kayla, it is now Tess' turn. Zoe invited Tess to the programming club as she talked to Josh about exposing Kayla. Josh is okay with that despite overthinking that Tess might fall into Kayla's trap too. Later, when the kids were doing extra-curricular classes, Zoe was on the way to the programming club when Tess grabbed her to the Science lab.

Tess told her that she asked Kayla about Josh and she told her that Josh cheated on her and is now her ex. Josh was also the father of the babies. And Kayla is dating Corbyn, a member of Why Don't We. Tess told Zoe that she's shocked but kept it cool. Zoe told Tess everything she needs to know about Josh and Tessa and confirmed that Kayla originated from Queensland which is in the east coast and moved to Western Australia because of her obsession with Josh. Tessa then told Zoe that Kayla told her that Corbyn is the new father of the babies. Zoe said that it's uncool and that Kayla is dragging people to her own fantasy where she's dating a celebrity. Zoe said that it's stupid because Kayla's babies names are Corbyn and Daniel. Afterwards, Zoe went to the programming club and told Josh.

Zoe told Josh about a conversation between herself and Tess. Josh immediately got pissed and started messaging Kayla. He also showed his sister a 9 week premature baby which to Zoe, looks like a tadpole. After Josh messaged Kayla, Kayla got shocked. She ran to the programming room and yelled at Josh but Zoe yelled at her back. Kayla then apologised but Zoe said that it's more like 'apolo-lied.' Zoe started throwing stuff at Kayla and Kayla ran away like a coward. She then posted a repost of Jack, another member of Why Don't We. Saying that Jack helped her cope with her 'anxiety' and 'panic attacks.' Josh said that Kayla was just using it for clout.

A week after that, Kayla was expelled from secondary school and moved back to her home in Queensland. Zoe and Josh are happy and would now forget about Kayla.

Manga
The manga was published on 16 July 2021 and is written and illustrated by Zoe Tria. It is available in English and Japanese.

Video Game
On the 15th of September, a video game adaptation is released. The player controls Zoe, the main protagonist and their task is to expose the main antagonist, Kayla. The player can help Zoe talk to different classmates to help find information about Kayla. A few scenes from the manga were cut from the video game, such as Josh singing a lullaby to Zoe. The player can also control Josh in a few occasions. There are also a few minor differences in the game such as Zoe's age which is 15 and she speaks in a thick Australian accent unlike the manga where she speaks in an American accent with Australian slang and vocabulary as well as Josh 'turning 17' during the events of the game. Zoe also has powers since the beginning of the game as well as Josh. His powers are also telekinesis.

Teen Drama
Following the video game release, the teen drama was released on ABC Me. It borrows elements from Australian teen-oriented TV Series, Nowhere Boys and The Unlisted. The series extends from the manga such as Josh falling ill with an unknown illness and was rushed to the hospital. And Zoe not being able to eat because of the grief that took over her. It also differs from the manga such as Kayla being suspended instead of expelled, adding new characters such as an Armenian girl named Syuz and a Pakistani girl named Tamima and Zoe's past being revealed by Josh instead of Zoe saying it herself. The series will also include 1 musical number in each episode as it is a jukebox musical. Kayla is still portrayed as a girl from Queensland but she didn't go back there, however, her role extends from a simple liar to a mean girl. Zoe and Josh's ages remain the same as the manga with some differences. Zoe speaks in an American accent but with a slight Australian accent and can speak in Australian slang. Zoe and Josh both have powers but like the manga, Zoe's powers happened during Kayla and Josh's argument. Josh also has powers but they appear after he fell ill. Kayla's lies also extended to claiming that Jack, a member from Why Don't We, helped her cope with her anxiety and panic attacks, her dating another member of Why Don't We, Corbyn and is about to get married, her claiming that she has stomach pains and is vomiting blood, she has been suffering from unspecific pain.

Anime
An anime adaptation was released in 2022 taking place about a year following the events of the teen drama. All of the actors reprised their role in the anime with the exception of Joshua Besson who is replaced by Troye Sivan. Also Troye's character, Josh, is shown to have major differences. He has blue eyes and brown hair modelled after Troye Sivan himself. The anime also became the longest consecutive instalment of the series and adds more characters to the series, such as Tommy and Toby. It also promotes Singaporean and Malaysian tourism because Series 3, 4 and 6 is set in Singapore while Series 5 is set in Malaysia.