Zure-Ike #06 "Once You've Said It, You Can't Go Back (Maybe)"
Once you've said it, you can't go back.
But that doesn't mean it's a "violation of the rules."
We aren't sharing our differences
just to silently break apart—
we're sharing them as preparation to live together.
Once you've said it, you can't go back.
No, maybe you actually can.
But once you've put it into words,
it becomes hard to pretend it "never happened."
Especially if...
it's the "true self" you've been hiding all along—
You have no choice but to move forward.
A little while ago,
I saw a record that said "making it public is a nuisance."
As I read it, my chest sank heavily.
Ah, so the "atmosphere that it's better not to say anything"
exists here too.
"If you don't say it, you'll be protected too."
I think that's probably meant as kindness.
But you know, for me,
that kindness was a bit painful.
A little while ago, I had said it.
During a casual conversation with the upper management of the support staff.
In the flow of things, a switch had been flipped.
"I've always felt uncomfortable with society's rules."
"We don't have to talk.
I just wanted a place where we could be together."
"As fellow travelers from a mismatched planet,
I've always been looking for a place
where we can breathe quietly."
As I was saying that,
at the very end, I accidentally said this.
"I'm probably
—a Zure-Zure Alien... (Oh, I said it.)"
Completely out.
My true identity was revealed.
But Mr. O didn't run away.
"If we team up with someone who knows the operations well, it might work, right?
I'll look into it."
He said it casually. But he responded to me properly.
When I offered up my "mismatch,"
I received a proper "acceptance" in return.
Just with that, I felt like I had established a base.
Go ahead and stay mismatched!?
I've stumbled over Earth's "normal" many times.
Within the premise that "everyone can do it," I had even gotten used to
silently wearing myself out.
But you know, it's like that.
It's like a secret fireworks display.
The kind that's launched into the sky without warning,
under the assumption that "it's fun, right?"
The moment it goes BOOM!, my heart gets taken away.
And here I am, just barely holding onto my life as I walk.
If they could at least tell me, "Fireworks are going off today,"
I could prepare.
We are sharing
for the sake of that "preparation."
Our weaknesses. Our senses. Our pace.
Even though I give it to you beforehand so as not to cause trouble,
for some reason, it ends up becoming a 'keep quiet about this' matter.
Even so, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to tell someone.
The reason I still want to tell you is because
I want to live life together with you.
That's why.
We need an 'environment' where we can live without making it public.
Anyone would want to keep it private.
Because you know you'll be hated for it, right?
So, I'm going to create a place here.
A place where you can breathe, even if you're out of sync.
A place where you can be honest, even if it's quiet.
Whether you are currently
on the side of 'having already said it',
or on the side of 'not being able to say it yet'.
Those words are not a violation of the rules.
They are not an SOS,
but a 'communication signal' sent out by your senses.
There are people who can receive them, I promise.
So—
Go on, just as you are, out of sync.
So that we can create a place to live on this planet
with our own hands.
To the important people of Earth: Please announce the secret fireworks display.
🌟 Currently, with the slogan 'Go on, just as you are, out of sync',
and with all the courage we can muster... we are plotting a path of coexistence.
Alien Mishima.
※ Furthermore, this article is—
written by an out-of-sync alien, trembling
with a glass of sake in hand.