"I feel lonely even though there are so many people."
Sora murmured in the café. The surroundings were bustling with students.
Leo sat next to them. "Loneliness in a crowd."
"There's a term for that?"
"Yes. When you're surrounded by people but can't feel connection, you become lonely."
Mira quietly joined them. As usual, she sat in silence.
Sora looked at Mira. "Do you feel lonely, Mira?"
Mira nodded. Then she wrote in her notebook. "Always"
"Always..." Sora repeated.
Leo began to explain. "Loneliness is different from objective isolation. Psychologically, it's defined as 'the gap between desired social connection and actual connection.'"
"Gap?"
"Yes. Some people don't feel lonely even when alone, while others feel lonely even in a crowd."
Sora understood. "So it's a subjective sensation."
Mira wrote. "Quality over quantity" Then crossed it out and corrected it to "Quantity over quality... no, quality over quantity."
"Exactly," Leo acknowledged. "No matter how many shallow connections you have, loneliness won't disappear without deep connections."
Sora stared at her coffee cup. "But creating deep connections is difficult."
"Why?" Leo asked.
"Because I'm afraid of getting hurt."
Mira reacted. Her gaze turned to Sora.
Leo said quietly, "The risk of self-disclosure. The fear of showing your true self."
"If I show it, I might be rejected," Sora continued.
"But without showing it, true connection won't be born."
Mira turned a page. The word "Vulnerability" was visible.
"Vulnerability," Sora translated.
Leo explained. "Brené Brown's research. Accepting vulnerability is the key to true connection."
"The courage to show weakness," Sora understood.
Mira said quietly, "But scary."
Sora and Leo were surprised. Mira's voice was smaller than usual.
"It's natural to be scared," Leo answered gently. "But connection begins by sharing that fear."
Sora asked, "Are you always lonely, Mira?"
Mira thought for a moment, then wrote. "Can't speak. So not understood. So lonely."
"But you just spoke to us now, didn't you?" Sora pointed out.
Mira had a realization.
Leo smiled. "A small step. That becomes the key to breaking loneliness."
Sora thought about herself. "I've also been having only superficial conversations. Because I don't talk about real things, I was lonely."
"Then let's change from now," Leo suggested. "Try saying just one true thing."
Sora took a deep breath. "Actually... lately, I'm so scared of the future that I can't sleep many nights."
Leo nodded. "As an exchange student, I also always have the sense of being on the outside."
Mira slowly wrote. "I'm afraid of people, but I want connection"
"Afraid of people, but want connection," Sora translated.
The three sat quietly. The café's bustle felt distant.
Leo said, "Loneliness is one of humanity's basic fears. But acknowledging it is the first step to connection."
Sora noticed. "Right now, I feel a little less lonely."
"That's genuine connection," Leo answered. "You don't need to be perfect. Just be real."
Mira smiled. It was a rare expression.
"Loneliness quietly creeps in," Sora murmured. "But if you speak up, someone will listen."
Leo added, "And the courage to speak is the greatest resistance to loneliness."
Mira closed her notebook. Today, loneliness retreated a little.
It doesn't have to disappear completely. Just knowing you're not alone is enough.
When leaving the café, the three walked side by side. There were few words, but connection was certainly there.