She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 56

When Honoka gently rested her head on my shoulder, a warmth spread softly through the depths of my heart.

It felt as if her body heat was seeping into me, and I could feel the anxiety in my chest gradually melting away.

“I’m really glad you came back…”

That murmured whisper seemed to confirm something, yet still held a hint of disbelief somewhere.

I squeezed Honoka’s hand tightly and gave a small nod.

“Yeah, I’m back. To where you are.”

It was an honest, heartfelt statement.

Even if I took a slightly roundabout path, I would still return to this place.

No matter how lost I became, no matter how hurt I was—the place I belonged was still only by Honoka’s side.

“…Hey, Yuna”

The head resting on my shoulder shifted slightly. I realized Honoka had lifted her face.

I slowly turned to meet her gaze.

“…Did something happen with that woman?”

Her eyes were swollen and red, yet somehow sharp—an inescapable question.

For just a moment, I lowered my eyes at her words.

“…We talked about various things, and she confessed to me”

“…C-confessed…?”

Honoka’s voice trembled, tense and strained.

It was tinged with surprise, anger, and above all—fear.

“But… I turned her down”

“R-really…?”

Honoka looked up at me anxiously.

Her eyes were moist, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

“…Yeah”

I nodded, wanting to reassure her.

“I see…”

Honoka murmured just that and let out a relieved sigh. Then she rested her head on my shoulder again. That gesture was somehow both clingy and heartbreakingly endearing.

“That’s good… really…”

Her voice trembled slightly, but it was softer than before, and I gently stroked her hair.

“…Yuna”

“Yeah?”

“I love you”

“…Yeah”

“I love you so much. I really do…”

“…Me too”

As if confirming our feelings over and over, we exchanged our emotions. Though Honoka’s tears had stopped, her voice began trembling again.

I continued stroking her hair gently. Over and over.

“…Yuna”

“Yeah?”

“…Don’t go anywhere else anymore”

“Yeah, of course”

When I said that, Honoka squeezed my hand tightly. The warmth from her palm conveyed the intensity of her feelings, and my chest tightened painfully.

I won’t run away. I won’t hesitate. I’ve already decided to stay here.

I want to embrace all of Honoka’s anxieties and loneliness with my own hands.

I vowed in my heart that no matter what happens, I would never let go of Honoka again.