She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 25

Honoka’s slender fingers entwined tightly around my arm.

“…Hey, Yuna.”

Calling my name in a sweet, clinging voice, Honoka buried her face in my chest.

Her gesture was so endearing that I gently stroked her hair.

“Hmm? What is it?”

Honoka seemed about to say something as her lips parted slightly, but in the end, she didn’t put it into words.

Instead, she wrapped her arms tightly around my waist and pressed closer.

“…It’s nothing.”

Saying this, Honoka rubbed her face against me again.

Finding Honoka’s behavior charming, I softly embraced her.

Even though we’d been so close last night, here she was still seeking me out come morning.

That single-minded devotion was unbearably precious to me.

Thinking such thoughts, I lightly kissed Honoka’s head.

In response, her arms tightened around me even more.

“Yuna… Let’s stay together all day today?”

“Of course.”

When I answered, Honoka smiled with relief.

Honoka’s affection reached me directly, filling the depths of my heart.

Moreover, holding Honoka like this and feeling so peaceful was comforting.

There was no impatience or anxiety like before.

I was simply happy to feel Honoka’s warmth with such reassurance.

…Yes, I was no longer impatient.

Until now, I’d been desperate to keep Honoka bound to me.

If she showed even the slightest sign of pulling away, I’d get scared and couldn’t help holding her tighter.

But last night, I became aware of the depth of Honoka’s love for me.

So now things were different.

Because I knew Honoka loved me, there was no need to forcefully restrain her.

Honoka wouldn’t leave me anymore.

So, I could love Honoka with peaceful composure.

—This was how it should be.

While gently drawing Honoka’s shoulder closer, I thought this in my heart.

“…Hey, Yuna.”

“Yes?”

“…I want to stay like this forever.”

Honoka’s voice sounded somewhat desperate, but I didn’t pay it any mind.

Gently stroking Honoka’s back, I smiled peacefully.

“Yes, we’ll be together forever.”

I sensed Honoka’s small, sharp intake of breath.

But without thinking deeply about it, I simply continued holding her.

If Honoka needed me, I would simply respond.

Now, I didn’t feel any anxiety at all.

So, I continued gently embracing Honoka like this.

I didn’t notice how her slender fingers were clinging to my back, digging in as if desperately holding on.

I believed Honoka was fulfilled in these arms.

So, I thought her trembling breaths and slightly stiffening fingertips were just her being affectionate.

—I never once considered what feelings might be behind Honoka clinging to me like that.