She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 4

A feeling I can’t put into words seeps from the depths of my chest.

──What are you trying to say, Shiori?

“…If I give her space, will Honoka feel better?”

When I murmur with a strained voice, Shiori slowly nods.

“Yeah. At the very least, I think it would ease her mind a little.”

I lower my gaze. Honoka’s face surfaces in my mind.

That troubled, yet somehow lonely expression she wore after school yesterday.

──I shouldn’t have wanted to see that face.

“…What should I do?”

Suddenly, my weakness spills out.

Consulting someone like this isn’t like me at all.

But Shiori smiles gently.

“How about starting by loosening your grip just a little?”

“…Loosen it?”

“Yeah. You don’t have to change everything at once. But maybe try adjusting the distance between you two bit by bit, so Nanase-san doesn’t feel suffocated?”

I bite my lip.

It’s not that simple.

Because I don’t want to let go of Honoka.

If I loosen my grip, she might slip away.

“But…”

“Are you scared?”

At Shiori’s question, I unconsciously hold my breath.

Scared—that’s exactly it.

I don’t even want to imagine a future where Honoka might disappear.

“…I’m scared.”

Shiori watches me quietly.

Then, she reaches out.

With a gentle, yet strangely decisive motion, she touches my hand.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to be so anxious.”

Her voice, spoken almost like a whisper, was unbearably tender.

But I can’t read what lies beneath it.

Almost as if she’s probing for my weakness.

“…Shiori, why do you care so much about me?”

At my words, Shiori looks momentarily surprised.

But she quickly smiles.

“Why do you think?”

“…I don’t know.”

I can’t answer.

Because I don’t understand Shiori’s true intentions.

Shiori keeps her eyes on me, then deepens her smile.

“I just want Nanase-san to be happy, that’s all.”

“Happy?”

“Yeah. I want you to make the best choice for yourself.”

I frown at Shiori’s words.

“The best choice… meaning what?”

“For example, if being with Nanase-san becomes painful, you don’t have to cling to her so desperately.”

Shiori’s fingertips lightly trace my hand.

At that touch, my body tenses for a moment.

“But, that’s…”

“I know Honoka is important to you. But you don’t have to cling so hard that it breaks you.”

Hearing my name, I waver slightly.

“…I won’t break.”

“Really? Then why do you look so tormented?”

Shiori’s gaze pierces straight through me.

I’m left speechless.

“If Nanase-san truly wants to be needed by someone, isn’t there an easier path?”

“…An easier path?”

Shiori smiles.

That smile is somehow composed, yet unfathomable.

“There are ways to be loved without clinging so desperately.”

“…You mean—”

“The answer is yours to decide.”

Shiori’s hand gently releases mine.

Yet, the lingering sensation stays far too long.

In my heart, which had been filled with nothing but Honoka, an unfamiliar color begins to seep in.