She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 41

In Honoka’s arms, I couldn’t move.

Shiori’s voice, echoing behind the school building, held neither surprise nor anger.

It was just matter-of-fact, quietly cold.

“…Ms. Shiraishi, can we talk for a moment?”

Her gaze wasn’t on me, but on Honoka.

Honoka pulled my arm tightly against her and glared at Shiori.

“We have nothing to talk about.”

“Really? But I do.”

Even seeing Honoka’s reaction, Shiori didn’t so much as flinch.

“What was that about just now?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I was trying to talk to Yuna-chan, and you suddenly cut in and dragged her away by force, didn’t you?”

Shiori’s tone was calm, but her eyes held a clear, unwavering intent.

Honoka fell silent for a moment, but immediately shot back strongly.

“Because Yuna is mine.”

“…I think that way of thinking is a little dangerous.”

Shiori let out a quiet sigh.

“Hey, Ms. Shiraishi. Do you really treasure Yuna-chan?”

“…Of course.”

“I see. In that case, I have a proposal.”

Shiori smiled, just a little.

“Ms. Shiraishi, break up with Yuna-chan.”

The moment those words were spoken, the air froze solid.

“—Huh?”

Honoka’s arms tightened around me, holding me close.

“What kind of stupid thing are you saying? I don’t understand.”

“Exactly what I said.”

Shiori didn’t move a muscle, looking straight at Honoka.

“You say Yuna-chan is ‘yours,’ but that’s not love, it’s just obsession. If you act like that just because Yuna-chan interacts with other people, then being together isn’t good for either of you, is it?”

The strength in Honoka’s arms increased, squeezing tightly.

“That has nothing to do with it.”

Her voice was low and trembling.

“Yuna is mine, and I am Yuna’s. That’s everything. There are no other options.”

Shiori let out a small, soft laugh.

“Hmm… That’s pretty forceful. But is that really the result of thinking about Yuna-chan’s feelings?”

“…”

“Do you think the Yuna-chan of right now is truly happy?”

In Honoka’s arms, I held my breath, just a little.

“…That goes without saying.”

Honoka answered immediately, as if putting up a brave front.

“There’s no way Yuna isn’t happy. I make sure she knows how much I love her, and Yuna too—”

“Aren’t you just convincing yourself of that?”

Shiori’s voice rang out, cold and sharp.

“Do you really understand all of Yuna-chan’s feelings?”

“…”

“Isn’t there anything Yuna-chan is enduring ‘for Ms. Shiraishi’s sake’?”

My heart stirred faintly.

“Isn’t there anything Yuna-chan is forcing herself to do ‘if it’s what Ms. Shiraishi wants’?”

My heart felt like it was being squeezed tight.

“That’s not… Yuna is… that kind of thing…”

Honoka’s voice wavered, uneasy.

“Ms. Shiraishi, what does Yuna-chan do every time you feel anxious?”

“…!”

“Isn’t she suppressing herself and moving for your sake?”

I stifled my breath.

No. That’s not true. When I’m with Honoka, I am truly happy—

But.

“…Is it really okay to stay like this?”

Shiori’s words pierced my chest.

“Yuna-chan, aren’t you really suffocating?”

I—

“It doesn’t matter!!”

Suddenly, Honoka shouted.

“Because Yuna can’t manage without me!!”

“Is that really Yuna-chan’s will?”

Shiori asked quietly.

“…”

I bit my lip without thinking.

—What do I really think?