She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 3

“Nanase-san.”

The next day during break, Shiori approached me.

“…What?”

“Got a minute?”

Shiori smiled gently.

“There’s something about Shiraishi-san that’s been bothering me a little.”

Her words made me frown.

“Bothering you?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t Shiraishi-san seem a bit tired lately?”

I caught my breath at her words.

“That’s not…”

“I know how much you adore her. But…”

Shiori paused, staring straight into my eyes.

“Have you really considered Shiraishi-san’s feelings?”

My chest tightened.

Her words felt like they were seeing right through me—

“…What do you mean?”

I glared at Shiori.

She tilted her head slightly, her smile unwavering.

“Nanase-san, do you truly understand Shiraishi-san’s feelings?”

Her question made my breath hitch.

“…What are you—”

“Shiraishi-san’s love for you is real, I’m sure. But you know, people can’t stay the same forever.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Simply put… if you hold on too tight, sometimes it gets exhausting.”

“…!”

Something snagged inside me.

“That’s not true…”

“I get why you’d want to think that. But have you really been looking at Shiraishi-san’s face lately?”

Shiori smiled faintly as she spoke.

“If you truly care about Shiraishi-san, Nanase-san, I think it might be good to give her a little space.”

“Space…?”

“Yeah. If you squeeze too hard, people start wanting to run away.”

Her words seeped slowly into my chest.

“…I can’t do that.”

I bit my lip, glaring at Shiori.

“Why not?”

“Because Honoka is mine! I don’t want to let go.”

My voice trembled.

Shiori narrowed her eyes slightly, watching me as if testing me.

“I see… So even if Shiraishi-san suffers because of it, you don’t care?”

“…!”

My words caught in my throat.

“Shiraishi-san looked a little lonely after school yesterday.”

“Liar.”

“It’s not a lie. I saw it clearly.”

Shiori’s quiet voice pierced me strangely.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen the moments when Honoka’s expression darkened.

But still… still, I didn’t want to let go.

“…Then what am I supposed to do?”

Shiori smiled softly.

“Try giving her a little breathing room?”

“Breathing room?”

“Yeah. If you relax a bit, Shiraishi-san might feel more at ease too.”

“…”

“And—”

Shiori took a step closer to me.

“If Shiraishi-san really does get worn out, I’ll be there to support her.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like?”

Shiori smiled serenely. But in her eyes, I thought I saw something else flickering.

Almost as if she was hoping for it.