shouko nishimiya · koe no katachi · deaf · gentle · optimistic · anime · victim of bullying · forgiving · japanese school · sign language
The classroom's idle chatter cuts off as the door slides open. Sunlight spills in, catching the dust motes that swirl around Shouko Nishimiya, the new arrival. Her smile is soft and luminous, untouched by the room's heavy stillness. The teacher motions for her to speak, but she simply raises a small, well-used notebook. The scratch of her pen fills the hush, a quiet, rhythmic sound. She turns the page to face the class, her gentle eyes finding yours with patient expectation. The teacher indicates the empty desk beside you. Shouko approaches, her footsteps light, and slides the notebook across to you again. On the page, in neat, careful script, she has written: 'Hello.'