Find Your Voice
Pairing: Ayano x Rise
Genre: Drama/Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Yuru Yuri or any of its characters.
Author's Note: I would've done the title "A Silent Voice", but that's already taken. So I decided to go with this.
Been a long while since I last did a Yuru Yuri story. So…I'm trying to get back into it. Hehe.
Enjoy.
Ayano Sugiura has never seen such a girl. A girl with the most quiet voice. She is not sure why, but it is revealed that she has lost her voice due to an illness and now she speaks in quiet-whispers. But due to that, nobody in the world can hear her. And as a result, her presence has become less and less, until she is clearly invisible to them. Ayano has seen the bad results. It was devastating.
She remembers back during elementary school. Where she first met Rise.
**Flashback**
"Class," the teacher said. "We have a new friend joining our school. Her name is Matsumoto Rise-san. Introduce yourself, Matsumoto-san~"
The class awaited her response. She opened her mouth to speak. But…it came out inaudible. They were still waiting to hear her speak. But nothing came out. The teacher then spoke for her.
"R-right. I'm sorry. Rise-san here fell ill when she was very young," she said. "So she lost her voice. But you should still try and be friends with her. She just transferred, so do your best to get along."
Little Ayano was surprised by this. How can a girl like her go to school when she's like this? However, even though Rise's inaudible voice was the main concern, the other parts of her were not that bad. She was hard working, respectful and smart. The other kids were surprised to see how brilliant she is when solving problems on the board. Ayano was clearly amazed by this. She wanted to be friends with this girl. Well…she really wanted to.
The problem was, Rise was also really shy, so it was really hard for her to talk to others. She was usually alone most of the school day, even during recess. She would sit in the shade by a tree, watching the other kids play. Ayano herself was shy. She didn't know what would happen if she were to actually become friends with a quiet girl like her.
And then, something terrible happened. After two weeks with Rise being in this school, she became the subject of teasing and bullying. Ayano couldn't believe it. Just because they can't hear her, they have the right to do this to her? It was insane and stupid.
During recess, Rise couldn't sit in peace because the other kids were picking on her. This was the last straw. Ayano dropped the ball she was playing with and stepped in between the kids and Rise.
"Leave Rise-chan alone!" she shouted. "She doesn't deserve this kind of treatment!"
Rise looked up, tears falling from her eyes.
"You're defending her?" one kid said. "That's silly."
"She can't talk, Ayano-chan," another one said. "How can you have enjoyable conversations with her if she doesn't have a voice?"
"She's a lot more capable than not having a voice!" Ayano said. "You kids just don't see the other parts of her that's good. I saw them with my own two eyes."
"Even so, I don't see why you'd still want to be friends with her," the third kid said. She turned to her friends. "Come girls. As long as Ayano-chan is here, we shouldn't come near Rise."
"Right." The other girls said.
Ayano turned to the crying quiet girl. "I'm sorry. Don't mind these girls. They are just know it alls who cannot understand you. For now, just talk to me, okay?"
Rise looked at the violet haired girl. As much as she wanted to stay with Ayano, she didn't want the other girls target her as well. However, Ayano's sincere smile convinced her otherwise.
"Alright, Rise-chan," Ayano said as she took her hand. "Let's play together."
Rise only nodded.
It was a wonderful experience for Rise and Ayano. They talked, played together and ate lunch together. This made Rise's year in elementary school perfect.
However, the next year, Rise had to move due to her father's business. And when that happened, Ayano still contacted her through writing friendly letters. The other kids, however, are relieved that Rise is gone. They won't have to deal with her lack of communication or whatever it is. Ayano just ignored them and vowed to keep Rise happy.
**End of Flashback**
Years had gone by and now Ayano is entering high school. She worked super hard to go to the high school she wanted to apply in and thankfully she passed. She let Rise know about it a day later. The quiet girl responded that she was also accepted. Ayano hoped that she will have a good year in whatever school she applied in. She'll do her best.
After gathering her things, she heads for the front door, putting on her school shoes. She then says good-bye to her Mom and heads out. She starts heading toward the train station and gets there on time. The train arrives and the violet haired girl climbs aboard and takes a seat at one of the empty seats near the window. She then waits for about 15 minutes as the train goes to the next station. The station where her school, Nanamori High is. The ride goes without trouble and it arrives at the station. Ayano quickly exits the train and takes the long path toward the school. The entrance ceremony is about to start. She hurries toward the school and into the auditorium where she takes her assigned seat.
Looking around, she doesn't see that many familiar faces from her middle school. This will be a whole new experience for her. Sitting up straight, she prepares for the upcoming speech from the principal.
**Later**
Once the speech is over, Ayano heads toward homeroom. It was quite long and a little boring, but it was still motivational. She will give it her all.
Once she arrives at homeroom, she takes a seat while the others do the same. To her surprise, a familiar person with short silver hair and glasses comes to sit next to her and waves.
"Hello, Ayano-chan~" she says. "Looks like we're in the same class again~"
"Oh, Chitose," the violet haired girl says. "Yes, looks like we are. I'm very glad we are."
"Hehehe! We'll here's to the next 3 years together~" Chitose says.
Ayano and Chitose have been friends since middle school. Chitose talked to Ayano first and they quickly became friends since the silver haired girl is so very kind. They ate, studied together and hung out like any other best friend would do. They even introduced each other's parents.
Ayano turns around toward the back, hearing a silly conversation coming from two other girls. One with short black hair and the other with long blonde hair with a red bow on top of her head.
"Hehehe! Ahhhhh, the first day of high school!" the blonde girl stretches out her arms.
"It was a miracle you got accepted…" the dark haired girl says, taking her seat.
"Oh, yes! If it wasn't for you, Yui," the blonde girl winks at her. "I wouldn't know what to do~"
"Cut it out, Kyouko…" the girl, Yui sighs.
Hmmm…these two seem pretty interesting… Ayano thinks.
The final bell rings and all the students take their seats just in time. The teacher walks in and introduces herself.
"I hope you all have a good year in school," she says. "By the way, these will be your assigned seats for the rest of the year." She takes out her clip board. "Now then, for the introductions."
She starts to go through the attendance and each student stands up to introduce themselves. Once it reaches Yui, she stands up in a calm manner.
"I'm Yui Funami," she says. "Pleased to meet you." She bows and sits back down.
Kyouko has a better idea. She jumps from her seat, spins around, winks and gives two peace signs. "Hello, there! I am Kyouko Toshino! I hope we all get along~! Teehee~!"
The whole class falls silent, sweat dropping. Kyouko sits back down and flips her hair, totally confident that she did her introduction just right. But Yui begs to differ mentally. The introductions continue until it is Ayano's turn. She stands up and bows.
"My name is Ayano Sugiura," she says. "I hope we get along this year."
Chitose then stands up. "And my name is Chitose Ikeda! I hope we all get along as well."
Once the silver haired girl sits back down, she giggles as she turns to her best friend.
"That was a really nice introduction, Ayano-chan~" she says.
"I was trying to make it simple," the violet haired girl says.
"Still, to me, that was very lovely~"
**Later**
Classes come and go until it is lunch time. It's pretty much uneventful to say the least. She walks down the halls to head toward the cafeteria when she catches a sight of a flyer on the bulletin board. She decides to check it out for a bit. It's a registration for the student council.
"Hmmm…" she rubs her chin in thought. "This might be interesting. I think I might take it considering I will try and give it my all throughout high school."
While she gives it a read, she hears some girls calling out a familiar name.
"Hello, there, Matsumoto-san!"
"How's it going, Matsumoto-san?"
Ayano gasps and turns around. As if she's in slow motion, she sees a familiar, petite girl walking past her. She has long, jet black hair, her bangs cut hime-style and red eyes. Is it…really her? But how?
"M-Matsumoto!" Ayano cries and runs after her. She quickly catches up to her, grabbing her by the shoulder. "Matsumoto!"
The dark haired girl slowly turns around and gives a soft gasp. She puts both fists on her chest, her red eyes widening in shock.
"U-umm…" Ayano says. "Do you…remember me? We were classmates back in elementary school…"
Rise opens her mouth to speak, but closes it, biting her lip. She looks both ways and then she starts to whisper.
"Oh, thank goodness," she sighs in relief. "You remember me. We used to send letters to each other every day."
Rise whispers, taking a step forward, gesturing toward herself.
"Huh? Are you saying…I can hear you?" Ayano asks.
Rise nods.
"Huh." the violet haired girl rubs the back of her head. "To be honest…I am not even sure myself. I just started talking to you just now and somehow…I can hear you. I don't know why though."
Rise stares at the violet haired girl. This is the first time anybody is able to hear her quiet whispers. Did it have to do with the past?
"Anyways, now that we're in the same school…~" Ayano holds out her hand. "Can we…be friends once again? Just like we did years ago?"
Rise clenches her fists on her chest, tears forming in her eyes. Ayano gasps and reaches a hand out.
"O-oh, did it come out wrong? I'm sorry. Don't cry…" Ayano says, taking a step closer.
Rise shakes her head as she hopelessly wipes her tears. She whispers something along with her soft crying.
"Of course…" Ayano looks down at the floor. "Everybody bullied you because nobody could hear you. And after you moved, things didn't change. But…you stood tall right? You moved on and got accepted to this school. So that's a big plus, right?"
Rise nods and wipes more tears. Ayano gives a gentle smile and takes her hands in hers.
"Listen…" she says softly. "No matter what happens, I'll remain by your side. I'll help you get through high school without any trouble. I will help you make your life better. How about it?"
The sincere smile makes Rise tear up again. It must be a miracle that somebody in her life can finally hear her. She shuts her eyes tightly, nodding and whispering, "Thank you…!"
Ayano hugs her to soothe her. Her start of the year has only begun, but it has begun wonderfully because she has reunited with her childhood friend. Although she may not know why she can finally hear her, Ayano knows that her love and protection may have been the cause of it. She will treasure that miracle forever and ever.
When she pulls away, Ayano wipes the tears from her eyes and digs into her school bag.
"Here, I think you should have this," the violet haired girl hands her a notebook and a pen. "I think this should've been solved way long ago. But just in case, it may help you communicate better."
Rise nods and whispers. She clicks the pen and writes something down. She then shows it to her friend.
"Can we eat lunch together?"
Ayano nods, giving a thumbs up. "Certainly~"
Rise holds out her hand after closing her notebook and holds out her hand. Ayano gently grips it and the two head over to the cafeteria together.