She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 17

After leaving the aquarium, we walked along the path home.

The sky was completely dyed in sunset colors, and the shadows stretching across the ground grew longer.

Unlike the liveliness of daytime, a somewhat quiet atmosphere lingered in the air.

“Today was fun, wasn’t it?”

Shiori, walking beside me, murmured suddenly.

“…Yeah.”

I responded naturally, but looking back, I realized it truly had been an enjoyable time.

I didn’t have to worry about anything. I could simply enjoy the scenery and conversation before me.

The light shimmering on the gently swaying water surface, the fish swimming leisurely.

Gazing at such things strangely calmed my heart.

The cool air filling the building, the soft sound of water—everything seeped quietly into me, soothing my mind.

When I was with Honoka, I rarely noticed these quiet moments.

With her, my attention naturally drifted toward her.

But today, I could focus on the scenery before me.

Without thinking about Honoka, I simply melted into the blue world spreading out in the aquarium tanks.

It felt like it had been a long time since I’d spent time like this.

“Nanasawa-san.”

Shiori spoke while slowing her pace slightly.

“Hm?”

“Is it okay if I change how I call you soon?”

“…How I call you?”

Taken aback by her sudden words, I looked at her face.

Shiori kept looking straight ahead, but her gaze held a probing quality as she glanced my way.

“I’ve been calling you Nanasawa-san all this time but I was wondering if it’s okay to close the distance a little more.”

“Sure, you can call me whatever you like…”

I replied without thinking, averting my gaze somewhat.

(…Distance, huh)

I didn’t resist the idea of closing the distance with Shiori.

In fact, after spending the day together, I found I could interact with her more normally than I’d expected.

“Then, would it be okay if I called you Yuna-chan?”

Shiori’s voice was quiet, yet carried a tone of confirmation.

“…Sure, that’s fine.”

After a brief pause, I answered, and Shiori smiled faintly.

“Thank you, Yuna-chan.”

Hearing that somehow made me feel awkward.

Until now, I’d never paid much attention to how people addressed me.

“It feels kind of fresh, maybe.”

When I said that, Shiori chuckled softly.

“Then I’ll keep calling you that from now on.”

“Okay.”

Our walking footsteps naturally fell into sync.

Ahead on the path, scattered figures of people coming and going became visible.

In the slowly flowing time, the sun began to set.

A soft, warm breeze—different from the cool air of the aquarium—brushed against my cheeks.

While walking, I suddenly looked up.

In the sky above, a dim orange color was spreading.