Voice Reveal

It started like any other evening—rain against the window, a half-finished cup of coffee on Zed’s desk, and the familiar buzz of the Discord server lighting up.

> Leyn:

“Ranked?”

He didn’t hesitate this time.

> Zed:

“Game.”

They loaded into the lobby like muscle memory. Mike and Arthur were already mid-match, so it was just the two of them again. Lately, that had become a pattern. And Zed liked it that way—just the two of them, quiet between rounds, then completely in sync once the gunfire started.

He could hear the soft hum of Leyn’s mic in the background—occasional keyboard taps, a distant electric fan. It was weird how comforting that became. Just knowing she was there, even if she wasn’t speaking.

Tonight’s matches were clean. No losses. Three wins in a row.

They were halfway through their fourth game when Mike suddenly joined the call.

“YO! Anong oras na, grind pa rin kayo?”

Zed flinched. Leyn didn’t respond right away.

“Solid pala ‘tong secret duo na ‘to, ha,” Mike teased. “Zed, umamin ka nga—may crush ka na kay StreamerMode eh.”

Zed froze.

Leyn laughed—a soft, amused chuckle that cut through the tension like a knife.

“Ikaw talaga, Mike,” she said.

Mike wheezed. “Uy! First time ko narinig tumawa si Leyn! Grabe, Zed, pinatawa mo pa. Next level ka na!”

Zed tried to change the subject. “Focus muna. May kalaban sa flank.”

They won that match too. Another MVP for Leyn.

After Mike logged off, it was just the two of them again. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was full. Comfortable.

Until Leyn spoke.

“Hey… Zed?”

“Yeah?”

There was a pause. Then she said, “Ever wonder why I never turn on my mic around the others?”

He blinked. “Honestly? Yeah.”

Another pause.

“People treat you different when they know you’re a girl,” she said. “In games, I mean. Especially if you’re good. They either flirt, try to discredit you, or accuse you of cheating.”

Zed nodded slowly. “Yeah… I’ve seen it happen.”

“That’s why I play quiet. Play masked. I don’t need attention. I just want the game to be real.”

Zed understood. And for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

But then he said the only thing that came to mind.

“You’re safe here. You don’t have to hide.”

Leyn went quiet. Then, without warning, her mic clicked—and her voice came through crystal clear.

No background noise. No filter. Just her.

“I know,” she said. “That’s why I wanted you to hear my real voice. Not just the one I use in-game.”

Zed’s heart stuttered. It wasn’t just the sound of her voice—it was what it meant.

It was trust.

“Leyn…” he started, but the words failed him.

She laughed gently. “Don’t overthink it, Zed. I just wanted you to know me a little better.”