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August 2022 Fiction Contest: a maze of memories where you erased me
August 6, 2022
“Scary.”
That was always how they described my articulation, that it was empty. Dispassionate. My lack of emotion was unfamiliar– an unsettling, unfathomable concept no matter what.
But, if they couldn’t love me, I could make them love someone else. Maybe, I could pretend that validation was enough.
A gentle tap brought me back to the present. I briefly nodded, and took a deep breath.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
And there I was, facing the bright lights and a faceless crowd. At that moment, I was no longer myself. I didn’t matter.
At that moment, I was no longer human.
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I was inspired to write this after reading a manga called Butai ni Sake (translated to Bloom Onstage). This flash fiction piece is written in the point of view of the main character, Oniwa Asahi. His insecurities about his voice led him to join his school's theater club, where he hoped that acting would help him find a voice that people could enjoy. I was drawn in by the bold illustrations as well as the shocking struggles of a seemingly happy character. I hope that this story can bring some comfort to people experiencing similar struggles in knowing that they're not alone, and that they can find people who will love them despite their flaws.