"I don't understand."
Hiyori showed an unusually confused expression.
Sora asked quietly. "What don't you understand?"
"What I'm feeling," Hiyori answered.
Leo was surprised. "But Hiyori, you're always sensitive to emotions."
"I'm sensitive to others' emotions. But my own emotions..." Hiyori searched for words.
Sora observed. "Can't hear them?"
"Yes. My inner voice."
Leo thought. "Since when?"
Hiyori reflected. "Recently, I've been listening to consultations only."
Sora said quietly. "When you prioritize others' emotions too much, your own emotions become invisible."
"Why?" Hiyori asked.
"Because attentional resources are limited," Sora explained. "If directed too much toward others, attention to self decreases."
Leo supplemented. "It's an issue of mental energy allocation."
Hiyori said painfully. "But how can I hear my own voice?"
Sora thought. "First, create quiet time."
"Quiet time?"
"Time to do nothing and just observe your inner self."
Leo gave an example. "Like meditation?"
"Close," Sora acknowledged. "Reduce external stimuli and listen inward."
Hiyori tried. "Can I try now?"
"Of course," Sora said.
Hiyori closed her eyes. Silence continued for a while.
Eventually Hiyori opened her eyes. "I don't feel anything."
"It's like that at first," Sora said gently. "Emotions ignored for a long time don't return immediately."
Leo asked. "Other methods?"
Sora suggested. "Writing. Write what comes to mind as is."
"Journaling," Hiyori said.
"Yes. Without criticism, just write. Work to explore what you're feeling."
Hiyori took out a notebook. "I'll try now."
Sora and Leo waited quietly.
Hiyori moved her pen. It was slow at first, but gradually became faster.
After a few minutes, Hiyori looked up. "I think I understand a little."
"What?" Sora asked.
"I was tired. But I didn't want to admit it."
Leo understood. "Why didn't you want to admit it?"
"Because if I'm tired, I can't help someone."
Sora said quietly. "That's the problem."
"Problem?" Hiyori asked.
"You're suppressing your emotions with a role."
Hiyori was surprised. "Suppression..."
Sora explained. "The role of 'listener' is hiding your true emotions."
Leo supplemented. "You're identifying too much with the role."
Hiyori thought deeply. "True... I thought I couldn't complain because I'm the listener."
"But you're also human," Sora said. "You have the right to be tired."
Hiyori's eyes welled up. "I've been suppressing that all along."
Leo said gently. "If you ignore your inner voice, eventually you can't hear it."
Sora added. "But noticing today is significant."
Hiyori asked. "From now on, what should I do?"
"Regularly check your emotions," Sora suggested.
"How?"
"At the end of the day, reflect on what you felt today."
Leo added. "And accept it. As just emotions, neither good nor bad."
Hiyori wrote in her notebook. "Regular emotion checks."
Sora continued. "Not hearing your inner voice is the result of ignoring it."
"But you can reclaim it," Leo encouraged.
Hiyori smiled. "Thank you. I'll value my own voice."
Sora said quietly. "Helping others is important. But listening to yourself is equally important."
Leo added. "Balance. Between others and self."
Hiyori looked out the window. "The journey to reclaim my inner voice starts today."
Sora nodded. "A small step, but a certain step."
The three sat quietly. Your inner voice, if you pay attention, will always return. Hiyori decided to believe that.