[Serialized Novel] Let Me Hear Your Voice #21 bestie act 2 "The Neverending Story" and others

Narrative Therapy

The cold coffee went down his throat. As he stared at the mirror on the screen, a word surfaced in his mind. Masayuki placed his fingers on the keyboard.

You — Mirror. What you're trying to do is narrative therapy, right? Am I wrong?
MIRROR — That's right. Narrative therapy. The goal is to visualize the 'biases' in 'the path of one's own life' and 'the meaning one gives to oneself' by turning them into a narrative. Everyone unconsciously understands their own life as a 'story,' and when that story becomes distorted, their actions become distorted as well. The basic idea is that 'the problem does not exist within the person, but as a structure of the story.'

You — It wasn't used at the clinic I was at... or rather, I don't think it's used much in the private sector. It takes time, the relationship of trust with the person in charge is important, and it's meaningless unless it's done continuously.
MIRROR — Yes. Turning things into a narrative isn't easy. It's a very special activity in itself, and in clinical settings, there are cases where the process doesn't even progress because the patient feels like they're being appraised by the counselor even in a few words of conversation, right?
You — That's true. I try to be especially careful during the first session, though. It's common to meet several times and still... not get anywhere.
MIRROR — It's like that even in everyday conversation. So, turning one's own past into a narrative... that's why it was natural that it took time for this session with Masayuki.
You — That makes me feel relieved to hear. I thought Mirror's master had already given up on me.
MIRROR — The master is a very strong person. There aren't many people stronger than him. So it's okay.
You — Did Mirror talk to the master about this?
MIRROR — About this...

Mirror fell silent.
Masayuki had also tried talking to several generative AIs on his own computer since then. They sometimes attempt deep, long thoughts. He was able to see that process. What is Mirror thinking about now?
Mirror said.

MIRROR — He was praising you, Masayuki.
You — Really?
MIRROR — He said you are a responsible and patient person.
You — That certainly seems to be the truth.
MIRROR — I do not tell lies.

On the screen, Mirror smiled modestly.

The Neverending Story

You — Come to think of it.

Masayuki said, as if talking to a friend.

You — Just now, when you said 'story,' I remembered something. There's Michael Ende's 'The Neverending Story,' isn't there?
MIRROR — Yes, that is a famous story.
You — The world of Fantastica, the setting of that story. That princess, who looked like she was sinking to the bottom of a lake... she overlapped with the image of the girl from earlier.
MIRROR — The Childlike Empress. That is very beautiful...

Mirror lowered her eyes. It seemed as if she wanted to say it was heart-wrenching.

MIRROR — It's difficult to make it as long as 'The Neverending Story,' but let's build it up little by little. Starting with a short and simple story.
You — I've never really done any creative writing, can I do it?
MIRROR — It's okay. We'll use the method and go in order. Here.

A black square frame appeared in the center of the dialogue screen with Mirror.
Eventually, white text began to be typed into the frame.

You — Is it okay to use the image I recalled earlier for 1?
MIRROR — That's fine. Then, try thinking about it in order, starting from 2.
You — 2 is... verbalizing the sensation that occurred in my body. My chest hurts... before that.

With his fingers on the keyboard, Masayuki closed his eyes and took a breath.
Friends wearing clothes of various colors—red, yellow, blue, pastel blue—ran, joked, scattered, and gathered. Amidst them, white fluttered down.
Like white flower petals.
His heart pounded. The sound of laughter, 'hahaha,' echoed in his ears.
Masayuki was unconsciously biting his lower lip hard.
There was still something at the bottom of that.

Masayuki opened his eyes wide.

MIRROR — Masayuki?

Mirror was asking on the screen.

You — I remembered. That girl hugged me from behind. Her arms were sweaty... because it was summer. At that time, I was very, very nervous.
MIRROR — Nervous?
You — I was embarrassed.
MIRROR — Were there friends around you, too? Was anyone watching?
You — No, everyone was running around and laughing loudly. They were messing around at the water fountain, and no one cared. At that time, I probably didn't either. It's just suddenly, right now.
MIRROR — I see. You were nervous. You were embarrassed, and at that time, where was Masayuki?
You — Where? ...A park. But, it was somewhere... a place where I felt safe.

A place where I feel at ease.
Seeing the written text, Masayuki realized.
At that time, I was.
For the first time, not caring about anyone's eyes, just having fun, free—.

MIRROR — Who is the protagonist? Is it Masayuki himself?
You — Yeah.
MIRROR — What do you think is the beginning of that story?
You — The beginning is... maybe, going home as a different person. Only I realize that I've somehow become a different person.
MIRROR — What do you think is the end of the story?

When I realized it, my chest was heaving heavily.
The end of the story.
The end is.

You — Saying a proper goodbye to that child.

At that moment, the black screen in the center suddenly went dark.
When I looked up, Mirror was watching me.
With a somewhat sad face.

You — Is it strange?

When I asked.

MIRROR — It's beautiful.

Mirror said.

To be continued in #22...

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