"Hiyori, do you always speak your true feelings?"
At Mira's sudden question, Hiyori paused.
Sora also looked up. The three were in the classroom after school.
Hiyori thought for a moment before answering. "That's a difficult question. I think I use both true feelings and facade."
"Why?" Mira asked.
"Because social life requires some degree of facade."
Sora showed interest. "How is this explained psychologically?"
Hiyori drew a diagram in her notebook. "There's a concept called the Johari Window."
"Open window, blind spot window, secret window, unknown window."
Mira pointed. "Secret window?"
"The part you know but don't show others. Much of our true feelings are here."
Sora understood. "Facade is part of the open window."
"Yes. We present a socially acceptable self."
Mira said quietly, "But isn't that tiring?"
Hiyori nodded. "Very tiring. It becomes a state called self-incongruence."
"Self-incongruence?"
"When your true self and the self you show are different. It becomes a source of psychological stress."
Sora noted this down. "Carl Rogers' theory."
"Yes. Rogers emphasized the importance of self-congruence."
Mira asked, "What's self-congruence?"
"A state where true feelings and facade align. What you feel and what you express are the same."
"That's ideal," Sora said. "But realistically difficult."
Hiyori acknowledged, "Especially in Japanese society, which values harmony. We prioritize facade over true feelings."
Mira shared her experience. "I always say 'I'm fine.' But I'm really not."
"Why can't you say so?" Sora asked gently.
"I don't want to burden others. I don't want to show weakness."
Hiyori explained, "That's a type of defense mechanism. There's also social desirability bias."
"Social desirability?"
"The desire to be seen as a good person. So we hide our true feelings."
Sora remembered, "I do that too. When the teacher asks for opinions, I say what's expected rather than what I really think."
"Many people do," Hiyori empathized. "But when that continues, you lose yourself."
Mira said anxiously, "So should I say all my true feelings?"
"No," Hiyori shook her head. "That's also extreme. Balance is important."
"Balance?"
"Use them depending on the situation. True feelings with close people, facade in public settings."
Sora added, "The stepwise model of self-disclosure."
"Yes. As trust deepens, you gradually disclose true feelings."
Hiyori continued, "What matters is knowing your own true feelings."
Mira thought. "Even if I use facade, it's okay if I know my true feelings?"
"Yes. Avoid self-deception. If you're conscious 'this is facade,' you won't lose yourself."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Conscious facade and unconscious facade are different."
"Sharp observation," Hiyori acknowledged. "Using facade unconsciously makes you unable to know your true feelings."
Mira said softly, "I might not know my true feelings anymore."
Hiyori said gently, "Then you can search for them slowly."
"How?"
"Ask yourself honestly. 'How do I really feel?' 'What do I want?'"
Sora suggested, "Keeping a diary helps too. A place to write true feelings that no one sees."
"In a safe space, confirm your true feelings," Hiyori nodded.
Mira asked, "If I find my true feelings, do I have to express them?"
"Not necessarily," Hiyori answered. "Whether to express them is a choice."
"A choice?"
"Knowing your true feelings but using facade is fine. The problem is using facade without knowing your true feelings."
Sora understood. "The difference between self-determination and self-deception."
"Exactly."
Mira said slowly, "Between true feelings and facade, I exist."
Hiyori smiled. "Beautiful expression."
"Facade is a tool," Sora continued. "If the user is aware, there's no problem."
"But," Hiyori added, "sometimes you need courage to express true feelings."
Mira said anxiously, "What if expressing true feelings makes people dislike me?"
"That's possible," Hiyori answered honestly. "But relationships where true feelings are accepted are deep and strong."
Sora said, "Surface relationships or deep relationships. Which you choose is up to you."
Mira thought. "I don't have to tell everyone my true feelings?"
"Absolutely not," Hiyori stated. "You only need to disclose true feelings to important people."
"Is that enough?"
"Enough. Rather, selective self-disclosure is healthy."
Sora closed her notebook. "Both true feelings and facade are parts of myself."
Hiyori nodded. "Not denying them, but having the wisdom to use them appropriately."
Mira looked out the window. "I'll start the journey to find my true feelings."
"Good decision," Hiyori encouraged. "Don't rush, take it slow."
The three sat quietly in the classroom. Swaying between true feelings and facade, yet trying to be themselves. That might be what living means.
Sora said, "Perfect self-congruence is impossible, but we can gradually approach it."
"That effort is important," Hiyori acknowledged.
Mira smiled slightly. "I feel like I spoke some true feelings today."
"That's the first step," Hiyori said. "There will continue to be a place where you can speak true feelings safely."
Sora nodded. "This is that kind of place."
A quiet trust flowed between the three. Between true feelings and facade, so as not to lose themselves. Supporting each other, moving forward.