She Became Distressed After I Stopped Being Restrained and Started Interacting with Others - Chapter 8

That afternoon after school, I was sitting alone at my desk.

Even though I’d decided to put some distance between Honoka and myself, my heart remained unsettled. I kept opening my phone, checking for messages that never came.

—I wonder what Honoka’s doing right now.

The more I tried not to think about her, the more my mind filled with thoughts of her.

Just then, I sensed someone sitting down beside me.

“Nanase-san, all alone?”

A calm voice reached my ears. When I looked up, Shiori was there.

“…Shiori?”

Smiling, she settled into the seat next to me.

“So, you’ve decided to put some distance between you and Shiraishi-san.”

“…Yeah.”

Shiori’s gaze seemed to peer straight into the depths of my heart.

“I think it’s a good decision. It’s better for both of you than clinging on desperately.”

“…Was I clinging on desperately?”

“Maybe, maybe not. But at the very least, I think Shiraishi-san was feeling a little suffocated.”

Her words made my chest ache.

“And you know, Nanase-san… I think you deserve to feel lighter too.”

“…Lighter?”

“Yeah. There’s nothing wrong with being attached to someone you love. But if it’s making you suffer, maybe it’s time to think of another way.”

Shiori’s hand brushed lightly against mine.

“You’re allowed to be free, Nanase-san. You don’t have to chain yourself to just one person.”

My heart wavered.

“…But I—Honoka—”

“Of course, I know Shiraishi-san is important to you. But don’t you think you should be just as important to yourself?”

Her voice was strangely gentle, yet somehow sweetly entangling—

“If it ever gets too hard, you can always lean on me.”

Her fingers traced lightly over my hand.

The sensation of her fingertips seemed to seep deep into my consciousness, and I caught my breath.

“Shiori…”

When I said her name, she smiled softly.

“I’m on your side, Nanase-san.”

Her words quietly soaked into the depths of my heart.

—Was this really the right thing to do?

In my head, I knew Shiori might be right. But my heart disagreed.

Whenever I thought of Honoka, the loneliness refused to fade.

“…Thank you.”

Still, that was all I could say in response.

Shiori’s fingers gently intertwined with mine. It was the first time I’d ever been so aware of someone else’s warmth, someone who wasn’t Honoka.

“Hey, Nanase-san… Why don’t you try forgetting about Shiraishi-san, just for a little while?”

“…Huh?”

“Just for now. Why don’t you try thinking about something, someone other than her?”

Her whisper-like voice echoed in my ears.

I had no answer to her words. I could only feel the warmth of her fingertips.