ひだまりが聴こえる

This is a beautiful story about breaking down the invisible barriers that separate us, which also contains a lovely slow-burn romance.

Kouhei has a hearing impairment, which causes people to treat him differently - some are annoyed by his disability, others full of pity, or even excited by the novelty. He finds it difficult to have real connections with others due to the lack of understanding about his condition.

He meets fellow college student Taichi, who is a breath of fresh air: friendly and boisterous, he doesn't see Kouhei as an annoyance or an oddity, but as a person (who often shares his delicious bento). Taichi gets angry when he sees people dismiss or ridicule his new friend, but also challenges Kouhei to expect more from others and speak up when he can't understand something, and Kouhei finds his world getting a little bit brighter...

I found it refreshing that the story focuses so much on Kouhei's experiences and the attitudes people have towards those who are different, while the romance simmers quietly in the background. It definitely made me reflect on my own attitudes and how I can be more understanding of others.

Language-wise, it's mostly what you'd expect from a university slice of life, although there are words relating to hearing impairment and medical terminology that may not be familiar.

Overall, this is a wonderful story which explores a character's experiences with acquired disability and discrimination, but which also offers a look at the power of empathy and understanding. One of my favourite series, which I return to again and again.