She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 55

Her breathing had calmed somewhat, and soft sleeping sounds filled the air.

Honoka was sleeping soundly against my chest.

Traces of tears still remained on her cheeks, and the area beneath her eyes was faintly red.

The knowledge that I’d made her cry like this made my chest sting with pain.

(I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry)

While apologizing repeatedly in my heart, I gently stroked her hair.

The sensation was so precious that I continued stroking it tenderly, over and over, as if confirming the warmth I’d nearly lost.

And time flowed quietly by.

Part of me wanted to stay like this forever, but the thought that I should start preparing dinner soon surfaced in my mind.

I was worried about Honoka’s condition too, and wanted to make her something warm to eat.

“…Sorry, just for a moment,” I whispered softly as I carefully shifted my position.

Making sure not to move her head from my chest, I slowly lowered her down.

Gently, carefully.

And so I laid her head softly on my lap.

The weight of her head against my thigh conveyed her body warmth gradually.

She showed no signs of waking, her eyebrows relaxed as if relieved, making soft sleeping sounds.

Watching her like that, I smiled faintly.

If she could feel at peace just by having me nearby, without needing to say anything.

That alone felt like enough.

But thinking I should leave just for a moment, I began to rise.

Trying to carefully shift her head from my lap without waking her—that’s when.

“…No… don’t go…”

A faint voice came from near my feet.

When I looked down in surprise, Honoka had her eyes slightly open and was gripping my wrist.

Her grip was weak, yet desperate. As if she thought I might disappear somewhere again.

“Yuna… you said you wouldn’t go anywhere.”

Her voice was sleepy and slightly trembling.

I gently returned her grip and knelt down to meet her gaze.

“Sorry. I was just thinking I’d make some dinner.”

When I said that, Honoka pursed her lips tightly and looked down as if avoiding my gaze.

“…You don’t need to make any… right now, I want you to stay beside me.”

Those words made my heart clench tightly.

I could feel her feelings—her anxiety, her loneliness, how she’d been trembling alone all this time—so painfully clearly.

I sat back down beside her again and wrapped both hands around hers.

“Understood. I won’t go. I’ll stay right here, I promise.”

When I said that, Honoka let out a small sigh and leaned against my shoulder.

Her still-sleepy, slightly unsteady body rested against me.

Feeling her warmth, I continued gently stroking Honoka’s hair.