She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 11

I, Shiraishi Honoka, was walking aimlessly alone after school.

(Yuna…)

This morning, Yuna told me she needed some distance.

I think it was probably because of what I said—”Can you give me just a little more freedom?”—that made her come to that decision.

But this was for the best.

Yuna had clearly been dependent on me.

If things had stayed like that, she would have ended up unable to see anyone but me.

And honestly, I had been feeling a little suffocated by her clinginess too.

So… this should be fine. And yet, for some reason, it felt like a gaping hole had opened up deep inside my chest.

“Haah…”

A sigh escaped me before I could stop it.

As I walked slowly, gazing at the sunset-drenched streets, I passed by a certain café.

This was the café Yuna and I had visited together before.

“Yuna…”

The whisper slipped out unconsciously.

Almost as if searching for her, who wasn’t by my side now, I turned my gaze toward the café.

(…Huh?)

In that instant, I stopped in my tracks.

There, sitting by the window, was Yuna.

But she wasn’t alone.

Across from her was a girl I didn’t recognize.

(…Who is that?)

They seemed to be talking about something.

Yuna’s expression was stiff, but there was something calm about it.

Before I knew it, I was standing frozen in front of the café.

I couldn’t hear their conversation.

But Yuna’s gaze was fixed on her, and every now and then, she even smiled—just slightly.

Through the window, I was seeing a Yuna I didn’t know.

This was the café Yuna and I had come to together.

And yet, it felt like the memories I had with her were being painted over by something new. My chest tightened with unease.

(…Yuna, you can talk to someone like this?)

I hadn’t known.

Yuna was facing someone I didn’t know, talking to them.

The Yuna from before would never have imagined spending time like this with anyone but me.

(Yuna is trying to change.)

It was a good thing. It was what I had wanted for her.

And yet—

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.

I clenched my fists tightly.

(Why do I feel like this?)

Keeping my eyes fixed on the café window, I let out a small breath, as if trying to shake off the discomfort in my heart.

It was good that Yuna was finding something new.

For her sake, this was the best thing.

…And yet, I felt so unbearably lonely.

If I kept watching, I knew even worse emotions would start welling up inside me.

So.

I quietly turned on my heel and walked away from the café.