She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 7

The next morning, I arrived at school earlier than usual.

Normally I’d head straight to Honoka’s classroom, but today my feet stopped.

Even though I’d decided to put just a little distance between us, my heart kept trying to pull me toward her.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone.

The messages still hadn’t increased.

Did Honoka think about me last night?

Or has she already stopped caring?

The thought made my chest tighten painfully.

I just want to be in Honoka’s heart, that’s all.

“…Yuna?”

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.

Looking up, Honoka was standing right in front of me.

“Honoka…”

The moment I spoke her name, my heart trembled.

She came. To me.

I wanted to grab her hand tightly like usual.

I wanted us to be that natural pair who always belonged together.

—But.

I averted my gaze slightly and took a deep breath.

“…I’m sorry.”

I decided to start with an apology.

Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure if I should be apologizing. I just knew I needed to sort out my feelings.

Honoka blinked in surprise.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“…No reason. It’s nothing. I just have something to tell you.”

I clenched my fists tightly.

To suppress the urge to reach out and touch her.

“…I think I need to put some distance between us.”

For a moment, Honoka’s expression froze.

“Huh…?”

“You said it yourself. ‘Can you give me just a little more freedom?’ I’ve been thinking about it. I love you, Honoka. But maybe… that’s exactly why I’ve been holding you too tightly.”

Shiori’s words from yesterday flashed through my mind.

‘Do you really understand how Shiraishi feels?’

At the time, I didn’t want to admit it.

But Shiori’s words had struck right at the core of my heart.

‘If you hold on too tightly, people will want to run away.’

I’d seen the lonely look on Honoka’s face.

I’d just been pretending not to notice.

“So, I decided to put a little distance between us.”

Honoka stared at me in confusion.

“…Does that mean…”

“It’s not about breaking up or anything. Just I need to sort out my feelings.”

I would never break up with Honoka.

I just want to respect her freedom.

But even thinking that way hurts somewhere inside.

Honoka started to say something, then bit her lip and stayed silent.

“…Okay.”

Honoka’s voice sounded strangely lonely.

Hearing that, I almost reached out to her again.

But I’d made my decision.

If I truly cared for Honoka, this distance was necessary.

“Thank you.”

With just those words, I gently looked away from Honoka.

I really wanted to see what expression she was making.

But if I looked.

I knew I’d just go back to how things were before—.