She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 51

“Why?”

Shiori asked quietly.

Though her tone seemed gentle, I could feel the emotions hidden beneath it.

“Why are you so fixated on Shiraishi-san?”

—That’s what I want to know.

What’s so different about her?

Shiori is kind, being with her is calming, and she clearly cares deeply about me.

So why won’t my heart move?

“…I don’t know.”

I answered honestly.

Shiori’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You don’t know, huh.”

She repeated softly, then let out a small sigh.

And in the next moment—

“…Then why don’t we try?”

Shiori’s hand touched my cheek.

The moment I looked up in surprise, the distance between us closed dramatically.

“…Shio—”

Before I could finish forming the word, Shiori’s face drew closer.

—She’s going to kiss me.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I instinctively reached out and pushed Shiori’s shoulder back.

“…”

Shiori’s movement stopped.

The air in the room grew tense in an instant.

Shiori’s eyes, fixed on me, wavered slightly.

“…Why?”

Shiori’s voice dropped low.

“Why are you rejecting me?”

The way Shiori looked at me seemed to be quietly burning.

I didn’t feel scared. But it was intense. So intense that I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“…Shiori”

“Do you hate me?”

I immediately shook my head at that question.

“No. I don’t hate you.”

“Then what?”

Shiori pressed closer as she asked.

She was angry. No, more accurately, I could tell she was desperately trying to suppress her anger.

“I told you how I feel, didn’t I, Yuna-chan?”

Shiori’s voice was trembling.

Her voice, usually so calm and confident, now wavered with a hint of uncertainty.

“Is that still not enough?”

Her words made me gasp.

I understood Shiori’s feelings.

But I couldn’t accept them.

“…I’m sorry”

That was all I could say.

I could tell Shiori was about to say something, then swallowed it back.

Clenching her fists, furrowing her brows—

“…Hey, Yuna-chan”

A low voice.

It was more emotionally raw than any voice I’d ever heard from her before.

“What’s so great about Shiraishi-san?”

—My heart leaped.

“I would treat you much better, you know?”

Shiori’s words pierced sharply through my chest.

“I would never make Yuna-chan cry. I’d make you feel more secure, love you more. More, and more—”

With each word Shiori added, her eyes grew more heated.

“I could definitely make Yuna-chan happier than she ever could.”

Shiori’s eyes held mine firmly, refusing to let go.

I could feel the intense emotions contained within those eyes.