[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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Shouko looked at Miku and began using sign language to express herself while speaking.
She wasn't sure if Miku was merely speechless or actually deaf, but drawing from her own past experiences, she believed one of the two methods would work.
Watching Shouko's gestures, Miku nodded silently. She wanted to reply in sign language, but unfortunately, she wasn't fluent enough to communicate effectively.
Thankfully, she had another way.
Miku reached into the small bag at her side and took out a pen and a piece of paper—items she usually carried for signing autographs. This time, they would serve another purpose.
She wrote on the paper:
'"Hello, my name is Miku Izayoi. Where am I? Could you tell me?"'
Reading this, Shouko smiled. "Miku? Hello, my name is Shouko Nishimiya… Wait, did you say your name is Miku?"
Shouko froze for a moment as realization struck. Ever since Gabriel had cured her hearing condition, she had become an avid fan of Alexander's anime. She had even joined Alexander's company and worked as part of the production team for the anime's theatrical release, hoping to meet Gabriel and thank her in person.
"Miku, you're the descendant. But how do you compare to the one in the anime?"
As an employee of Alexander's company, Shouko was well-versed in characters like Miku. Seeing the real person in front of her filled her with curiosity.
"Did you arrive during a difficult time?" Shouko asked, noticing the confused expression on Miku's face.
Still uncertain of her surroundings, Miku nodded hesitantly as Shouko took out her phone and began playing an anime clip. Though Miku didn't fully understand what was happening, she watched quietly, feeling compelled to focus.
She froze when she saw a familiar figure in the anime.
Wait… why does this Shiori look so familiar? Isn't she the girl who was "dating" that man earlier?
Wait—she's a man?! What a pity.
As Miku continued watching, she noticed that the story in the anime differed from her own experiences. She frowned. Why wasn't the man who sealed her in the plot?
'"Who is that man?"' Miku wondered silently.
Meanwhile, Shouko, recalling her own past struggles, spoke softly to Miku:
"It's okay. Even if you've lost your voice, things will get better with time."
Her words seemed sincere, but Miku couldn't help but feel misunderstood. She quickly wrote on the paper:
'"How can it be okay? You don't know what it feels like to lose your voice!"'
Shouko read the message, her smile fading. She lowered her head and spoke quietly.
"Actually… I do know. Until just a month ago, I couldn't hear or speak clearly either."
Miku's eyes widened in shock. How could that be possible?
Shouko began recounting her story.
"Before…"
As Shouko spoke, Miku listened intently. She heard how Shouko had been bullied by her classmates due to her hearing impairment during elementary school, and her fists clenched in anger.
When Shouko spoke about being ostracized by society, Miku couldn't help but recall her own painful experiences.
And when Shouko revealed she had attempted suicide, Miku felt a deep sense of worry for her.
Fortunately, Shouko was still here, safe and sound. That brought Miku some comfort.
"But then, I met a real angel," Shouko continued. "She used her magical powers to save me. She's a character in Alexander's works, just like you. My greatest wish now is to meet her and thank her in person."
Hearing Shouko's story, Miku suddenly felt her own troubles weren't as insurmountable as they had seemed. She had once been a successful idol and, though she had suffered, she had also gained the power of a spirit and grown stronger.
Now, she had lost her voice again, but perhaps this was not an insurmountable challenge. If she could overcome the barrier in her heart, perhaps her voice could return.
Wait. What did Shouko just say? That she's a character in Alexander's works, just like Gabriel?
Realizing the implication, Miku hurriedly wrote another question on the paper:
'"Wait… are you saying I'm a character written by Alexander?"'
Her mind raced as she remembered the man who had crushed her. Could it be… Alexander?