She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 29

I had already finished preparing for school, and we were snuggling on the bed while waiting for the time to come.

“…Yuna.”

Honoka called my name softly.

Just as I turned my face with a questioning “Hm?”—

A strong force pushed me down onto the bed.

“…Huh?”

For a moment, I didn’t understand what was happening and looked up at Honoka.

Honoka was hovering over me, staring intently at me.

Her eyes wavered anxiously.

Yet, behind them, I could glimpse an unwavering determination.

“…I’m sorry, Yuna…”

Right after whispering that, Honoka’s lips touched my neck.

“…!”

I was startled, but when Honoka wrapped her arms around me, I accepted it without saying anything more.

The mark from yesterday hadn’t faded yet.

Still, as if aiming for the same spot, Honoka pressed her lips against it repeatedly.

As if marking me.

I let out a soft sigh and gently wrapped my arms around Honoka’s back.

Then, I could feel Honoka’s fingers gripping my clothes tightly.

“…Honoka.”

Even when I called her name, she didn’t pull her face away.

Each time her lips touched, heat lingered there.

I don’t know how long it lasted.

But when I glanced at the clock, it was almost time to leave the house.

“…Honoka, we have to go soon.”

When I spoke, Honoka’s movements stopped.

Even so, her hand gripping my clothes didn’t let go.

“…Just a little longer.”

I heard her muffled voice.

“No. We’ll be late.”

I said gently while lightly patting Honoka’s back.

Honoka blinked slowly, then gradually lifted her face.

After gazing at my neck with a hint of reluctance, she finally sat up.

We quietly finished getting ready and headed to the entrance to go to school.

────

Gently squeezing Honoka’s hand back, I opened the front door.

Feeling the outside air, we started walking side by side.

We walked along the school route, still holding hands.

The warm sensation was definitely there, and I could feel the movement of Honoka’s fingers through our joined hands.

Occasionally, her fingertips would intertwine and grip mine tightly.

We walked without saying a word.

After passing a few corners, the school building’s roof came into view.

As we approached the gate, Honoka’s fingers intertwined even more tightly.

Even after passing through the school gate, we continued walking hand in hand.

Eventually, the path where we would separate to our respective classrooms came into view.

I stopped there and turned to face Honoka.

“See you at lunch.”

Saying that, I tried to gently let go of her hand.

But Honoka gripped my hand tightly and didn’t let go immediately.

“…I don’t want to.”

She murmured in a small voice.

Her voice seemed tinged with loneliness.

I re-gripped her hand, enveloping it, and smiled quietly.

“Come on, class is about to start.”

When I gently urged her, Honoka bit her lip but slowly loosened her grip.

After caressing my fingers reluctantly, she finally let go.

Feeling a bit lonely myself, I said, “Well, see you later,” and headed to my classroom.