She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 5

Even after school ended, I didn’t immediately grab my bag.

Normally, I’d head straight to Class 2 to pick up Honoka.

But today, I wouldn’t.

“Why don’t you try giving yourself a little space?”

Shiori’s words echoed in my mind over and over.

If I went to meet her as usual and took her hand, I’d feel at ease.

But if that was becoming a burden for Honoka—

“…Just a little. It’s okay to try, right?”

I murmured to myself as if convincing my own heart.

Leaving the classroom, I headed toward the shoe lockers.

Honoka, who should have been by my side, wasn’t there today.

My chest felt unsettled. My fingertips wouldn’t stay still.

“I want her to look only at me.”

Suppressing that thought, I stepped out of the school gate.

As I walked, I pulled out my phone.

—I wonder what Honoka’s doing right now.

Maybe she’s happily chatting with classmates.

Or maybe she’s feeling a little lonely without me.

Lost in thought, my phone vibrated.

[Yuna, aren’t you coming to pick me up today?]

Just that one line filled my chest with emotion.

Normally, I’d reply right away, but for some reason, my fingers wouldn’t move.

“Just a little distance. If that’s what’s best for Honoka.”

Thinking that, I clenched my phone tightly.

“…But—”

Even so, I wanted to see her right away.

“Nanase-san.”

A quiet voice came from behind me.

Turning around, I saw Shiori standing there.

“…Shiori.”

“Looks like you managed to give yourself some space.”

She smiled softly.

“…Yeah, I guess.”

My reply was awkward.

“You just got a message from Shiraishi-san, didn’t you?”

Startled, I reflexively hid my phone.

“How did you know?”

“Just a hunch.”

Shiori stepped closer.

“Does it hurt?”

At those words, I bit my lip without thinking.

Of course, it hurt.

“…Yeah, it does.”

When I whispered that, Shiori gently touched my shoulder.

“Little by little is fine. As long as it helps you breathe easier, Nanase-san.”

Hearing that, I suddenly looked at Shiori’s face.

Her eyes were calm, yet somehow deep—

“…What if Honoka stops needing me?”

Before I could stop myself, the fear in my heart spilled out.

Shiori narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled gently.

“Even then, your worth wouldn’t change.”

“That’s meaningless. Without Honoka, I—”

My words caught in my throat, my chest tightening.

“It’s okay. If that really happens, I’ll be here.”

Shiori’s voice was quiet.

But in her eyes, there was a certainty.

“…Shiori?”

Her fingers brushed lightly against mine.

“I see you, Nanase-san. Really see you.”

Those words seeped quietly into my heart.

I didn’t want to imagine a world without Honoka.

But faintly, I could feel Shiori’s words lingering deep inside me.