"Kaito, are you really okay?"
Sora asked. Kaito answered "I'm fine," but his voice lacked energy.
Leo was observing. "Words and body are contradicting."
"Contradicting?"
"Words say 'I'm fine.' But shoulders are drooping, gaze pointing down."
Kaito was surprised. "You were watching that?"
"Nonverbal communication speaks more than language," Leo answered.
Sora opened their notebook. "In Mehrabian's rule, 93% of communication is nonverbal."
"93%?" Kaito was surprised.
"Precisely, when conveying emotions or attitudes," Leo corrected. "Especially when language and nonverbal contradict, people believe the nonverbal."
Kaito sat down. "So even if I hide it, you can tell?"
"You can't hide it completely," Sora answered. "There's a phenomenon called microexpressions."
"Microexpressions?"
Leo began explaining. "Paul Ekman's research. True emotions appear on the face for about 0.2 seconds."
"That short?"
"It's an unconscious reaction, so it can't be suppressed," Sora continued. "With training, you can read it."
Kaito asked anxiously. "Do you know all my emotions?"
"Not all," Leo reassured. "But major emotions leak out."
Sora drew a diagram. "Facial expressions, posture, voice tone, gaze, breathing. Everything reflects emotions."
"Specifically?"
"Anger shows jaw tension and furrowed brows," Leo gave examples. "Sadness shows downturned mouth corners and gaze avoidance."
Sora continued. "Anxiety shows restless movements and shallow breathing."
Kaito checked his own posture. "What about me now?"
"Arms crossed. Defensive posture," Leo pointed out. "What are you defending against?"
"...I don't know."
Sora asked gently. "Did something happen?"
Kaito hesitated. "I failed in the match. Caused trouble for everyone."
"You were trying to hide that."
"Didn't want to show weakness."
Leo shook his head. "Hiding weakness and not expressing emotions are different."
"Different?"
Sora explained. "Emotions are information. Hiding them distorts communication."
"How does it distort?"
"People around you get confused," Leo answered. "Words say 'I'm fine' but the atmosphere is dark. Which should they believe?"
Kaito thought. "If I'm honest?"
"That's constructive," Sora acknowledged. "'I'm depressed from failing' lets people around you respond."
"But I don't want to worry them."
Leo said sternly. "That's arrogance."
"Arrogance?"
"You don't trust their ability to read emotions. You think you can hide it."
Sora supplemented. "People are more sensitive to others' emotions than they think. Especially with close people."
Kaito uncrossed his arms. "True, I think everyone noticed."
"Even noticing, they couldn't say," Leo explained. "When you say 'I'm fine,' they can't ask further."
"I was creating a wall."
Sora nodded. "Nonverbal messages also affect relationships."
"How?"
"Open posture shows trust," Sora gave examples. "Closed posture shows distance."
Leo continued. "Eye contact shows interest, avoidance shows indifference."
Kaito looked into their eyes. "I'm doing it consciously now."
"Good," Leo acknowledged. "Being conscious is the first step."
Sora suggested. "Why don't you try keeping an emotion diary?"
"Emotion diary?"
"At the end of each day, record emotions you felt and your body's reactions then."
"What for?"
"To know your emotional patterns," Leo answered. "Make unconscious reactions conscious."
Kaito showed interest. "Will that stop me from hiding?"
"You won't need to hide," Sora corrected. "You'll understand emotions and express them appropriately."
Leo added. "Emotions aren't enemies. They're information. Handled properly, they enrich communication."
Kaito stood up. This time, his back was straight.
"Thank you. I'll try to stop hiding."
"You don't have to be perfect," Sora said. "Just gradually face your emotions."
Leo added. "And become sensitive to others' emotions too. That's empathy."
Kaito headed to the door. He turned back and asked.
"Have you always been reading my emotions?"
"Always," they both answered simultaneously.
Kaito laughed. "Can't hide anymore."
"You don't need to."
After Kaito left, Sora looked at Leo.
"You're really sharp at observation, Leo."
"Maybe cultural difference," Leo answered. "When languages differ, you rely on nonverbal."
"That became a strength."
"Yes. Weaknesses can turn into strengths."
The two looked out the window. Decoding hidden emotions is the first step to understanding people. Knowing that was the path to true communication, they were certain.