She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 21

Walking side by side through the stillness of the night, we eventually reached home.

When I opened the front door, the warmth inside seeped comfortably into my skin.

“…Come in.”

My voice sounded natural, yet somehow awkward.

“Okay…”

Honoka smiled with a slight tension, following me deeper into the house as if trailing behind.

Heading to the living room, I opened the refrigerator and picked up a plastic bottle of water.

As I reached for glasses, my fingertips trembled slightly.

“…Here, this.”

Sitting down on the sofa, I handed the water to Honoka.

Taking it, she gave a light nod and simply said, “Thank you.”

We sat quietly side by side.

But I found myself pulling away just slightly.

Even at this distance where I could feel Honoka’s body heat, there was a part of me unconsciously trying to draw a line.

I was hesitant.

Was it really okay to close the distance between us like this? —Such thoughts smoldered in the corner of my mind.

“…Yuna.”

Her voice calling my name carried a faint heat.

Honoka was staring intently at me.

The emotions swirling in the depths of her eyes stirred uneasiness in my chest.

“…Honoka?”

Turning toward her in confusion, as if responding—

A soft, gentle sensation touched my lips.

“Mmm…”

I gasped in surprise.

Honoka was kissing me.

Even though I was usually the one to initiate.

Her lips trembled slightly.

Yet she showed no sign of pulling away.

“…H-Honoka…”

A bewildered voice escaped me.

Honoka’s hand gently cupped my cheek.

And then, deeper still.

“Mmph…”

My lips were pushed open, a moist sensation slipping inside.

Honoka’s tongue slowly explored, entwining with mine as if searching.

“…Mm, fuh…”

Our breaths tangled hotly, my mind sinking into a tingling numbness.

Though confused, I couldn’t resist the heat.

Honoka’s tongue traced over mine again and again.

Squelch… smack…

The faint sound of wetness echoed.

“Hah… Yuna…”

Honoka’s breath was close.

I sensed something desperate, almost yearning in it.

As if everything would fall apart if she let this moment slip away.

A heat that made it hard to breathe.

My heart pounded violently.

I felt the distance I’d been trying to maintain somewhere in my mind blurring away like mist.

“…Honoka.”

Pulling my lips away just enough to speak, she stared at me, panting.

“…Hey, Yuna…”

Her hoarse voice fell into the quiet room.

Honoka’s eyes were glistening.

Each time her heated breath brushed my lips, my heart throbbed painfully.

“…You know…”

Weaving her words together, she gently traced my cheek with trembling fingertips.

Those fingertips carried a faint heat and hesitation.

“I love you, Yuna.”

—I know.

Words I’d heard many times before.

Yet Honoka’s voice now was so painfully earnest, it made my chest ache.

“…I love you too, Honoka.”

Keeping my gaze fixed straight into Honoka’s eyes, I slowly reached out.

When I touched her cheek, her soft skin trembled faintly.