Shiraishi SS: A Voice Hidden Within

Over two long years of school life, there had always been one truth I both dreaded and yearned for. I told myself I must never hear those words, and yet, a part of me longed for nothing more than to hear them.

“You might say I'm being self-conscious, but is it possible that you were watching me to some extent even before I transferred classes, Shiraishi?”

The weight of his gaze and the steady timbre of his voice pierced through me.

“Aah—”

I’ve been found out. I’ve been seen.

My mind churned with contradictions— I could make excuses. I could spin a web of words to cover myself. But I knew that would be unforgivable.

“Ah... this isn’t good.”

I had a duty. A mission as an observer. To answer the expectations of Shirogane-sensei, I had walked the same path, repeating the same role, day after day.

4

That day, in that room, summoned on the eve of graduation—My mission began from the very day I came to know about you…

“Not good? What do you mean?”

There was nothing different about Ayanokoji-kun's voice.

It wasn't that he had reached a firm conclusion, but rather, my own unrestrainable gaze and gestures must have given rise to his question.

Please… forgive me. Just for now, just for this fleeting moment, allow me to forget that role.

“I am Shiraishi Asuka.”

Until now, every word I had spoken had been a lie. That is why, at the very least, I wanted to let this one truth pass my lips: a simple introduction, spoken from the heart.

“And you— who are you?”

Would he answer me?

To this question—to the voice of my very first self-introduction, long kept hidden within—