True Self

<Lala>

“Did you see the preliminary election results?”

Tenuto‑kun, for once, speaks to me first. In truth, although we’re connected through Forte, we’re not exactly close.

“I’m on 45 percent and Groove’s on 55. Looks like it’s tighter than I thought.”

Honestly, I’m surprised I’ve managed this much, given that I’m a demon‑tribe girl.

“Well, that’s about what I expected. Even in a conservative area like this, once you get to high school there are plenty of well‑off kids who lean liberal, and lots who got in through diversity admissions. Put them together and it comes to roughly forty‑five percent, the same as the liberal support rate.”

I’d heard he was a soldier’s son, so I expected a harsher verdict, but he’s more even‑handed than I thought.

“I’m doing better than I hoped. But at this pace I still can’t win.”

I voice my frustration.

“Plenty of families resent liberal hypocrisy. Everyone’s already heard the rumors that Groove’s a self‑centered jerk. Even if he becomes secretary, nothing good will come of it. Many conservatives think voting for him is shameful. Still, he draws support because the frustration with liberals runs deep—built up over years.”

“I see.”

Disappointment with liberals—that’s something I’ve half‑felt myself in the Liberal Room.

“The interim poll may be anonymous, but read the questions closely and you could pretty much trace who answered what. A crisis for democracy, really. If Groove’s ahead in a vote that transparent, then in a fully anonymous final election he’ll win by an even wider margin.”

“You’re being awfully helpful with your advice.”

I can’t help but ask why.

“First, even as a conservative I can’t back that scumbag Groove. And I can’t forgive the way he’s manipulating Sharp from the shadows. Honestly, he’s only getting conservative backing; his own ideas aren’t all that traditionally conservative. He just radiates self‑confidence, so people think he might smash the social gridlock. But that’s only an impression. Second—you're not as liberal as you think.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve noticed the old framework is worn out—the idea that society improves as liberal and conservative views collide and then fuse. Nowadays, when left and right crash, all we get is pollution. Am I wrong?”

“Well… yeah. Lately it feels like both camps are running off in the wrong direction and can’t put anything solid on the ground.”

“Then why not speak in your own words? Those poll numbers reflect people who just skimmed the manifesto the Liberal Room wrote. They’re judging liberals, not judging you. You won’t win like that.”

“So you’re saying I should run as an independent? Looking back, conservatives win seventy percent of the time, liberals thirty—and no independent has ever won.”

“At turning points in history, things that never happened before start happening. Maybe you should gamble on that.”

The me who isn’t “a liberal,” but an ordinary human being.

How many people would listen to that voice? In this age clogged with stagnation, plenty are craving a breakthrough.

Still—I’m afraid. Afraid to expose myself. I… I…