She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 12

(…Hehe)

I, Takamiya Shiori, couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

I thought there might be an opening if Nanase-san was in a weakened state, but things might be going even better than I expected.

Nanase-san is surely letting her guard down around me little by little right now.

Spending time like this together is the fastest way to deepen our relationship.

(Right?)

I ask the question in my heart.

But she doesn’t answer. She just quietly gazes out the window.

When the dessert we ordered at the cafe arrives, Nanase-san’s expression softens slightly. Seeing this, a natural smile comes to my face too.

(So cute…)

Even that tiny change in expression makes me drawn to her.

──But it’s still not enough.

I want her to let her guard down more around me. I want her to open her heart to me.

I’ve been watching Nanase-san for a long time.

And the more I watched, the more I fell for her.

How she’s usually aloof and unsociable, but suddenly lights up with joy when Shiraishi-san contacts her or comes to visit. How she looks so lonely when Shiraishi-san isn’t around.

Watching her like that, before I knew it, my desire to make her mine grew stronger.

That’s why when Shiraishi-san made comments suggesting she wanted to stop being so controlling, I saw it as my chance.

If I shook Nanase-san up now, she’d surely create some distance from Shiraishi-san.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Now that there’s distance between her and Shiraishi-san is my chance to make Nanase-san mine.

(Shiraishi-san, I can make Nanase-san happier than you ever could)

I whisper in my heart.

Even now, Shiraishi-san probably still dominates Nanase-san’s heart.

But I’ll repaint Nanase-san’s heart.

Little by little, taking my time.

“How is it?”

I smile while pointing at the berry tart placed before Nanase-san.

She picks up her fork and slowly takes a bite.

“…It’s good”

At that small murmur, I can’t help but smile.

“Right? The balance of sweetness and tartness in their tarts is perfect.”

Nanase-san takes another bite, then another.

She looks so adorable that I find myself staring.

(I want her to get more used to me. I want her to look at me more.)

“Hey, Nanase-san”

“…What?”

“Want to go somewhere together next time?”

Her hand stops.

“…Somewhere like where?”

“Hmm… like an aquarium maybe. Do you like places like that?”

Nanase-san thinks for a moment.

“…I haven’t really been to many.”

“Then how about experiencing it for the first time with me?”

I smile playfully.

To shake Nanase-san’s heart, slowly infiltrating her world like this is best.

“…I’ll think about it”

Her answer is still vague, but that’s enough for me.

(No need to rush. Take it slow, take my time…)

As I sip from my cup, I secretly make that resolution.