Not So Silent is an endearing webtoon that focuses on the coming-of-age romance between two relatable high schoolers. Tackling issues like homophobia and inclusivity, the webtoon highlights the importance of accepting individuals for who they are and who they want to be. Not So Silent fights against toxic parenthood and advocates for a loving and supportive family and community. Previously in Not So Silent, feelings run high at the successful homecoming dance. Later, Lewis confesses his feelings to Fern, who kisses Lewis on the cheek in an extremely emotional moment beneath the twinkling stars in the night sky. Let’s see what happens in Not So Silent Chapter 41-47!
Not So Silent Chapter 41: Interrupted by a Deer!
Not So Silent Chapter 41 begins as Fern kisses Lewis’s cheek, and Lewis still remains deluded, wondering if this means Fern likes him back (seriously, Lewis?). They turn to face each other, and he brushes away a strand of Fern’s hair, all the while thinking about the craziness of their proximity. Knowing that he’d regret it otherwise, he leans in and kisses Fern by his ear. Fern begins tearing up, touched by the gesture, as they face each other again.
Before they can kiss, Lewis is startled by an angry snort. Fern turns around in confusion… and comes face-to-face with an antlered deer. Scared out of their minds, Lewis gives Fern permission to drive, and they zoom away at his usual reckless speed. Finally, the car comes to a halt. Lewis and Fern look at each other and begin laughing, concluding Not So Silent Chapter 41.
Chapter 42: Lewis’s Mother Is Furious
Not So Silent Chapter 42 begins as Lewis and Fern rest their foreheads against each other. Lewis begins thinking about how Fern’s presence gives him calmness and hope. Simultaneously, Fern thinks about how he feels safe and like he’s finally healing from within. Their thoughts intertwine as they think, ‘In every version of the universe… he’s the missing piece.’
Fern brushes his hand through his hair, and Lewis messes it up right after. Fern, not to be outdone, ruffles Lewis’s hair right back. He asks Lewis whether he wants to accompany him to Sofia’s quinceañera. Lewis presses their hands together and answers, “I would be honoured.”
Later, Lewis twirls through his house, humming with joy after his time with Fern. Suddenly, his mother appears and yells out his name with fury. She folds her arms and reprimands him for staying out so late. Although Lewis tries to explain that he’d been busy cleaning up after the dance, his mother doesn’t stop to listen. She criticizes his ‘horrible’ communication (what an irony!).
Then, as if a switch flipped inside her, her tone becomes sweet. She touches his cheek and tells him that her biggest fear is that Lewis will become like his sister. She tells him that though they’re close, Lewis should never look up to her. Unexpectedly, he speaks up and says, “I get… really upset whenever you talk about her like that.” Not So Silent Chapter 42 concludes as Lewis leaves his angry mother and goes off to bed.
Not So Silent Chapter 43: Lewis Texts His Sister
Not So Silent Chapter 43 begins as Lewis starts panicking in his room. He pulls out his phone and texts his sister. Meanwhile, in France, Cynthia is sketching a new design when her phone buzzes with a text from her little brother. Her girlfriend, Celine, lovingly greets her and then peers over her shoulder, asking if there’s a problem. She tells her that she suspects her mother is acting up again. Celine hugs her, knowing that her mother’s attitude has been getting worse lately.
In a flashback, Cynthia recalls an argument with her mother and uncle. She’d told them that she’d had enough of their terrible treatment, while her mother had scolded her for being disrespectful. Her homophobic uncle had said that they were simply trying to ‘save her from a horrible lifestyle’.
Back in the present, Cynthia tells Celine how her mother stopped speaking to her and that she’s become increasingly worried for her little brother. Her girlfriend squeals with the excitement of a new idea and tells her that they should invite Lewis to stay with them. Cynthia smiles, loving Celine’s endless positivity. Subsequently, Lewis’s phone lights up with a text from Cynthia, concluding Not So Silent Chapter 43.
Chapter 44: Lewis Opens Up to Cynthia
Not So Silent Chapter 44 begins as Lewis texts Cynthia, explaining that their mother had gotten mad at him and how he’d spoken back to her. Surprised, Cynthia praises him for standing up to her and says that she ‘needs to be humbled’.
Lewis tells his supportive sister about Fern and how he’d fallen for him. He also expresses his fear of failing to meet his mother’s expectations, admitting that he doesn’t want academic recognition anymore. He tells her that Fern inspires him to live for something beyond high school. Finally, he confesses that Fern’s happy family makes him hate theirs- a feeling that terrifies him.
Cynthia tells him that he’d answered his own questions. Follow what your heart is saying. A future without being true to yourself isn’t a future at all,’ she texts. Enlightened by this, Lewis decides to take the message to heart.
The next day at school, he walks to school with an adorable cat stuffed toy in his hand. He begins daydreaming about buying Fern everything cat-related that he could find, when suddenly he hears a loud sneeze. Fern stands by his locker, coughing. Not So Silent Chapter 44 concludes as Fern tries to give Lewis his most attractive smile despite the snot coming from his nose.
Not So Silent Chapter 45: Fern Is Not Sick
Not So Silent Chapter 45 begins as Fern denies that he’s caught a cold, dismissing his sickness as an allergy. Lewis rolls his eyes and then presents Fern with the stuffed toy he’d bought for him. He begins tearing up with emotion and hilariously slumps down to the floor.
Lewis realizes the seriousness of Fern’s ailment and asks him why he came to school. Fern insists that he’s fine and says that he can’t miss Sofia’s quinceañera dress fitting. Lewis persists that he should at least visit the nurse’s office, and Fern, with his world-class stubbornness, rolls onto his side obstinately. Lewis lies down next to him, deciding to skip school and drive him home instead.
Later at Fern’s house, Lewis touches Fern’s forehead and realizes that he’s running a fever. When he realizes that he hadn’t taken any medicine, Lewis angrily stomps away and comes back with cold pills. Fern shooed it away and reiterated that he isn’t sick. He explains that he needs to be there for Sofia, who’d been waiting for her fifteenth birthday party since she was young. Lewis understands the responsibility he feels and tells them that the sooner he feels better, the sooner he can be there for his sister. Not So Silent Chapter 45 concludes as Fern grudgingly agrees to take the medicine.
Chapter 46: Lewis Takes Care of Fern… and Vice Versa
Not So Silent Chapter 46 begins as Lewis sits by Fern’s bed, scribbling in a notebook. Fern asks him for the plushie cat he’d gifted him (what a cute child), and Lewis playfully asks him if he wants to be tucked in too. While he laughs, Fern heaves a pillow at him.
Fern expresses his gratitude towards Lewis for taking care of him, and his surprise that he’d skipped school to do it. Lewis nonchalantly explains that he’d wanted to change up his routine and spend time with Fern. ‘You, Hugo, are a terrible liar,’ Fern signs, using Lewis’s real name. Fern tells him that he knows he’s hiding the reason behind uncharacteristically ditching school.
Lewis tells him that he’s unsure of how to explain it and boils the matter down to ‘family issues’. Fern understands and tells him that he’s always there if he needs to talk. Lewis calls him ‘too sweet’ and Fern signs with an air of obviousness, ‘I know’. As they begin to lean in for a kiss, Fern sneezes loudly, concluding Not So Silent Chapter 46.
Not So Silent Chapter 47: Lewis Is Grounded
Not So Silent Chapter 47 begins as Lewis’s mother asks him how his day at school was (oh, you know… non-existent!).
She tells him that she was shocked at his behaviour after homecoming and has decided that he deserves to face the consequences. “So, you’re grounded for a month, sweetheart,” she says, patting his head. Lewis panics, realizing that Sofia’s quinceañera is coming up. He remembers his sister’s advice to be true to himself and cheerfully accepts his mother’s punishment. She immediately fawns over him, saying she knew he’d get it.
On the night of the quinceañera, his mother tucks him into bed. She tells him that she’d almost doubted him but that there was no need. She realizes that he’d never been one to break rules, saying, “And I’m so proud of you for it. You’re perfect.” Running her hand through his long hair, his mother tells him that they should cut it soon. Lewis hurriedly tells her that he’ll schedule it himself (he has no such intention).
As soon as his mother fondly bids him goodnight and leaves, he throws his blanket off. Already dressed in a bright red shirt, Lewis quickly braids his hair and ties his shoes. He makes his way to the bedroom window and texts Fern that he’s on his way. Not So Silent Chapter 47 concludes as Fern, busy painting his lips black (ooh, what’s he planning?), reads the message.
