She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 28

Before I knew it, the world outside the window was completely dyed in sunset colors.

Orange light streamed through the gap in the curtains, gently illuminating Honoka’s cheek.

When I checked the clock, I realized how late it had gotten.

Gently stroking Honoka’s hair, I hesitantly opened my mouth.

“…I should probably get going soon.”

Honoka’s fingers tightened their grip on my clothes.

I felt her grip strengthen just slightly.

“Can’t you stay over again today?”

Honoka’s voice was small as she said this, her face looking somewhat anxious.

The depths of her eyes seemed to waver faintly.

I too wanted to keep Honoka with me.

But—

“You have school tomorrow, right?”

I said gently while softly combing her hair with my fingers, and she lowered her head slightly.

“…Yeah”

Though she seemed to accept it verbally, her hand still hadn’t released its grip on my clothes.

Her faintly trembling fingertips spoke of her reluctance to part.

“I’ll walk you home”

When I stood up saying this, Honoka reluctantly released her grip on my clothes and nodded quietly.

────

We walked side by side on the path to Honoka’s house.

Our hands were intertwined, our fingers overlapping as if sharing warmth.

Whenever our shoulders occasionally brushed against each other, she would lean her body slightly closer to mine.

As if her reluctance to separate was being transmitted to me, I looked at Honoka.

“…Can I come to Yuna’s house tomorrow morning?”

Her murmured question sounded somewhat hesitant and a little uncertain.

I stopped walking and looked at Honoka’s face.

Her slightly lowered eyes seemed to peer up at me, wavering.

“Of course. I’ll be waiting.”

When I said this, Honoka smiled faintly as if relieved.

That smile somehow looked a little heartbreaking to me.

I walked her all the way to her house.

The light from the entranceway dimly illuminated Honoka’s profile.

“Well then, see you tomorrow”

Honoka looked at me with lonely eyes.

I don’t want to let her go. I was starting to feel that way too.

I gently patted her head.

“Goodnight, Honoka”

“…Goodnight”

Her whispered voice melted into the quiet of the night.

I saw Honoka off and began my journey home with a feeling of reluctance.

────

The next morning, the doorbell chimed and I headed to the door.

When I opened it, Honoka was standing there with a somewhat sleepy-looking face.

“Good morning, Yuna…”

“Good morning, Honoka”

After exchanging greetings, Honoka naturally moved closer to me.

As I closed the door, I welcomed her inside.

“Thanks for coming so early. But are you okay with that sleepy face?”

Honoka blinked slowly, then gently grasped my sleeve.

“…I’m fine”

At her words, I gave a slight wry smile.

Honoka’s voice sounded the same as usual, yet somehow uncertain.

I wondered if she hadn’t been able to sleep—remembering her lonely expression from last night.

“Are you really okay? You look a bit sleepy though”

When I asked this, Honoka blinked suddenly and nodded slightly with a quiet “Yeah.”

But that gesture made her look even sleepier, and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“Well, we still have time before we need to leave for school. Let’s take it easy for a bit”

Saying this, I gently took Honoka’s hand.

Honoka looked up at me for a moment, then nodded quietly.

With that, I led her by the hand toward my room.