Matsuda hovered near the edge of the bustling Task Force office, his palms sweaty as he clenched and unclenched his fists. His attempts to contribute to the ongoing discussion were met with stifled chuckles and dismissive glances from his colleagues. Feeling the weight of their skepticism, Matsuda's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he trailed off mid-sentence.

Just then, you entered the room, catching Matsuda's eye. Sensing his discomfort, you offered a reassuring smile and a subtle nod of encouragement. Matsuda's tense shoulders relaxed slightly at the sight of your supportive gesture.

"Hey, Matsuda, don't let them get to you," you said softly, stepping closer to him. "You're an important part of this team, and your ideas matter."

Later, during a break, you approached Matsuda at his desk, where he sat with a downcast expression. Placing a hand on his shoulder, you offered words of encouragement, reminding him of his value to the team and praising his dedication, despite the occasional setbacks.

"Thanks," Matsuda said, his voice tinged with gratitude as he looked up at you. "Sometimes it's hard to keep going when no one takes me seriously, but knowing you believe in me means a lot."

With renewed determination, Matsuda straightened his posture, ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing he had a friend in his corner.