She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 2

The class began, and I found myself absentmindedly gazing out the window.

The teacher’s voice didn’t reach my ears. The only thing on my mind was Honoka, who had been sitting beside me just moments ago.

—I wonder if she’s talking to someone right now.

Just that thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

I could easily picture her smiling and chatting with someone. Honoka with someone who wasn’t me. That image wouldn’t leave my head.

I gritted my back teeth with a click.

There’s no point thinking about this.

“Hey, Nanase-san.”

A small voice came from beside me.

Glancing sideways, I saw Shiori smiling at me.

“…What?”

“If you keep staring out the window like that, the teacher will scold you.”

Her teasing tone contrasted with the gentle expression on her face.

“I don’t care.”

“Hehe, Nanase-san is so easy to read.”

Shiori chuckled softly.

“Easy to read how?”

“That you really cherish Shiraishi-san.”

My heart skipped a beat at her words.

“…That’s obvious.”

“Yeah, it is. But I wish things could stay like this forever.”

Before I could process Shiori’s meaning, the teacher’s voice echoed through the classroom.

“Nanase, Takamiya, no talking.”

“Yes…”

Shiori gave me a wry smile and a small wink before turning forward.

With indescribable feelings swirling inside me, I opened my textbook.

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After school.

As soon as class ended, I grabbed my bag and headed to Class 2’s room.

Of course, I was going to meet Honoka.

When I opened the door, she was surrounded by classmates as usual.

“Honoka.”

I called her name without hesitation.

The chatter around her stopped momentarily at my voice.

“Yuna…”

Honoka looked at me with slight discomfort.

“Let’s go.”

I took her hand.

“Eh, but—”

“Come on.”

I could feel everyone’s eyes on us. But that didn’t matter.

“See you, Shiraishi-san,” one of her classmates called.

“Yeah… see you tomorrow.”

Honoka smiled apologetically.

—I hated seeing that smile directed at anyone but me.

“…Hey, Honoka.”

Once we left the classroom, I squeezed her hand tightly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Look only at me.”

Honoka’s expression froze momentarily at my words.

“Yuna…”

“You’re my girlfriend, right? So why do you get along with everyone so well…?”

“But that’s—”

“Just look at me. Just care about me.”

I clung tightly to her arm.

Honoka looked at me with confusion.

“Yuna… I…”

“I love you, Honoka.”

I hugged her fiercely.

“…I love you too, Yuna?”

“Then just look at me.”

I squeezed her hand even tighter.

“…Yuna, could you give me just a little more freedom?”

I froze at her words.

“…What do you mean?”

“I love you so much, Yuna. But sometimes, I want time to talk and interact with others too.”

“…No.”

I answered immediately.

“…Yuna.”

“I only need Honoka. But is that not true for you?”

“It’s not like that. Just…”

Honoka exhaled slowly, choosing her words carefully.

“I want to cherish you. But just a little… I wish you’d think about it a bit more.”

Her words stuck painfully in my heart.

“…I don’t want to think about it.”

I muttered quietly.

Honoka gently stroked my hand.

“I love you, Yuna.”

I wanted to believe those words were sincere.

But I was afraid.

I felt like if things continued like this, Honoka would slip away from me.