"Why can't I say it?"
Mira wrote frustratedly in her notebook. There was a group project meeting in the club room.
Sora asked, "What?"
"My opinion. Everyone was talking. I was silent."
Hiyori said gently, "That must have been painful."
Kaito came in. "What's the topic?"
"Self-assertion," Sora answered.
Kaito sat down. "I say a lot though."
"We know," Hiyori smiled.
Sora began to explain, "Assertiveness. Self-expression that respects your own rights while respecting others' rights."
Mira wrote. "Difficult."
Hiyori asked, "What's difficult?"
"If I speak, they'll dislike me."
Kaito reacted. "Why? Anyone who hates you for giving an opinion is weird."
"But," Mira wrote. "If rejected, I'll be hurt."
Sora understood. "Fear of rejection."
Hiyori explained, "There are several reasons for not being able to assert yourself. Fear of rejection, avoiding conflict, low self-esteem."
Mira nodded. "All apply."
Sora asked, "When you were a child and expressed opinions, what kind of responses did you get?"
Mira thought. After a long silence, she wrote. "Ignored. Sometimes scolded."
"That's a painful experience," Hiyori empathized.
Kaito became serious. "So you stopped speaking."
"Maybe learned helplessness," Sora explained. "Learning that nothing you do matters."
Mira wrote. "Can it change?"
"It can change," Hiyori asserted. "But it needs time and practice."
Sora suggested, "First, recognize your rights."
"Rights?"
"The right to have opinions. The right to express them. The right to be wrong."
Kaito supplemented, "Right. Everyone makes mistakes."
Mira wrote. "But how should I say it?"
Hiyori explained, "Assertive expression has a formula."
"I-messages. 'I feel...' form."
Sora gave an example. "Not 'You're wrong,' but 'I have a different view.'"
Kaito asked, "What's the difference?"
"The former is aggressive. The latter is assertive," Hiyori answered.
"There are three styles: aggressive, passive, assertive," Sora explained.
Mira wrote. "I'm passive."
"You might be," Hiyori acknowledged. "Passive people suppress their opinions. To avoid conflict."
"But that's not healthy long-term," Sora said.
Kaito thought. "I might be aggressive. I speak forcefully."
"Aggressive people assert their rights but ignore others' rights," Hiyori explained.
"Assertive is balancing both," Sora continued.
Mira asked. "How to practice?"
Hiyori suggested, "Start with small steps. In low-risk situations."
"For example?"
"When your order is wrong at a cafe, say 'Excuse me, this isn't what I ordered.'"
Kaito said, "That's easy."
"For Mira-san, it might be a big step," Hiyori gently pointed out.
Sora supplemented, "Building successful experiences is important. Once you do it, the next time becomes easier."
Mira wrote. "What if I fail?"
"Failure is also learning," Sora answered. "You don't need to speak perfectly."
Hiyori added, "What matters is that you tried to speak. Not the result."
Kaito suggested, "Should we practice? Like role-play?"
Mira was surprised. "Really?"
"Of course," Hiyori smiled. "Let's practice in a safe environment."
Sora set it up. "Okay, scenario. Kaito-san interrupts Mira-san. Mira-san asserts herself."
Mira was nervous. But nodded.
Kaito started. "So this method is the best."
Mira wrote. But didn't speak aloud.
Hiyori encouraged, "Try saying it out loud."
Mira said quietly, "I... have a different... method..."
Kaito deliberately interrupted. "No, listen."
Mira stopped.
Sora encouraged, "Again. This time, try saying 'Please wait.'"
Mira took a deep breath. "Please wait."
Kaito stopped.
"I have a different opinion," Mira continued. Her voice was trembling.
"Good," Hiyori acknowledged. "Perfect."
Mira was surprised. "Really?"
"You expressed an opinion. That's the first step," Sora smiled.
Kaito said seriously, "Mira, I want to hear your opinion. You're always quiet, so I don't know."
Mira wrote. "You don't mind?"
"Not at all," Kaito asserted. "Rather, I want to hear everyone's opinions."
Hiyori added, "Self-assertion is not selfish. It's healthy communication."
Sora said lastly, "You have the right to have your own voice. Please use it."
Mira nodded. "Little by little, I'll try."
"That's good," Hiyori acknowledged.
Kaito stood up. "Next meeting, I'll definitely listen to Mira's opinion."
Mira smiled slightly. "Thank you."
The club room filled with new determination. Speaking your own opinion. Not easy. But not impossible.
Step by step, reclaiming your voice.