For three years, Yomura has been able to hear people’s inner thoughts, which has made him increasingly distrustful of others. One day, he overhears the inner voice of his coworker Hasebe, who seems to have feelings for him. Although he feels guilty, his sincere affection expressed through both words and “voice” is comforting, and Yomura gradually begins to return Hasebe’s feelings. Eventually, he accepts Hasebe’s confession — but Hasebe’s reaction upon learning about Yomura’s ability is complete...
I came across this from the infamous Eruri BLCD -- safe to say that I don't regret it!
The plot is simple but still intriguing. On Christmas Eve, having just proposed to his girlfriend, Yomura suddenly starts hearing voices which turn out to be people's inner thoughts -- their 心の『声』. Disillusioned by what people really think, he shuts himself off society, quits his job and starts working a part timer in an electronics shop. There he stumbles into Hasebe, whose thoughts all seem focused on Yomura.
A great part of the book deals with on Yomura's complicated feelings, and it totally fit my itch for clinically depressed main characters. Yet it was a very relatable depiction and felt a lot of sympathy for Yomura who struggled a lot with depression and intrusive thoughts.
You could say it's one of these stories where a lot of the issues could be solved by better communicating, but after all, it is a story about communication people's feelings and reaching their hearts. Yomura, who hates being forced to hearing people's thoughts, but at the same time came to rely on it, has to learn how to trust and listen to his own voice.