"Can I help?"
Hiyori called out, but Mira shook her head. She was carrying heavy luggage alone.
Sora was observing. "Mira, you always do everything alone."
Mira put down the luggage. "Because I can do it myself."
"But wouldn't it be easier with help?" Hiyori asked.
Mira answered softly. "I don't want to be a burden."
Sora opened their notebook. "In psychology, this is sometimes called avoidant attachment."
"Avoidant attachment?"
Hiyori began explaining. "John Bowlby's attachment theory. Childhood experiences shape patterns in relationships."
"Patterns?"
Sora drew a diagram. "There are mainly four attachment styles."
"Secure, anxious, avoidant, fearful-avoidant."
Mira asked. "What's avoidant?"
"Avoiding relying on others," Hiyori answered. "Emphasizing independence and feeling uncomfortable with emotional intimacy."
Mira quietly admitted. "That fits."
"Why are you afraid to rely on people?" Sora asked gently.
Mira pondered. "...I might be betrayed."
"Betrayed?"
"I'm afraid to expect and be disappointed."
Hiyori nodded. "It's a defense mechanism. Taking distance first to avoid getting hurt."
Sora continued. "But there's a cost to that."
"Cost?"
"You can't have real connections," Sora explained. "Loneliness increases."
Mira looked out the window. "Alone is safer."
"Really?" Hiyori asked.
Mira fell silent.
Sora showed statistics. "Research shows lack of social connections adversely affects health."
"Loneliness is said to be a risk factor comparable to smoking."
Mira was surprised. "That much?"
"Because humans are social creatures," Hiyori explained. "Connection is an element necessary for survival."
"But if I depend, I become weak."
Sora shook their head. "That's a misconception."
"Misconception?"
"There's healthy dependence and unhealthy dependence," Sora distinguished.
Hiyori continued. "Unhealthy dependence is being unable to do anything yourself. Healthy dependence is being able to ask for help when needed."
"There's a concept called interdependence," Sora explained. "Relationships that support each other."
"I can't give anything back," Mira said.
"Really?" Hiyori asked. "Earlier when I was about to make tea, Mira prepared it first."
Mira was surprised. "That was..."
"That's also support," Sora pointed out. "Support isn't only big acts."
Hiyori smiled. "Just having Mira here calms this space."
Mira nodded slightly. "But having help carrying luggage is..."
"Why is it special?"
"It's a burden."
Sora asked. "If I were carrying heavy luggage, would Mira help?"
"Of course."
"Is that a burden?"
"...No. I'd want to help."
Hiyori said gently. "It's the same. We also want to help."
Mira thought. "But receiving is scary."
"Why?"
"...I feel indebted."
Sora explained. "That's because you see relationships as transactions."
"Transactions?"
"The thinking of 'I received, so I must give back,'" Hiyori continued. "But true relationships aren't transactions."
"Then what?"
"Gifts," Sora answered. "Pure goodwill without expecting return."
Mira's eyes welled up. "I can't believe that."
"Why?"
"Because everyone wants something in return."
Hiyori asked quietly. "Were you betrayed in the past?"
Mira nodded slightly.
Sora said gently. "That was a painful experience."
"But past experiences don't apply to all people."
Hiyori continued. "It's called overgeneralization. Judging the whole from partial experience."
Mira asked. "So what should I do?"
"Try in small ways," Sora suggested. "You don't need to rely on everything. Start with small things."
Hiyori gave an example. "Next time you have luggage, have someone carry just one."
"Just one?"
"Yes. And observe how it feels."
Mira asked anxiously. "What if I'm still scared?"
"That's okay," Sora acknowledged. "Feeling is important. You don't need to force change."
Hiyori added. "But gradually practice trusting. That's the path to recovery."
Mira nodded slowly. "I'll try."
"Don't rush," Sora said. "Attachment style formed over long time. Change takes time too."
Mira looked at them both. "Thank you. I feel a bit lighter."
"Anytime," Hiyori smiled. "We're here."
Sora added. "Being relied on isn't a burden. It's something to be happy about."
Mira smiled slightly. A real smile, seen for the first time.
The three sat quietly. Fear of depending on others doesn't disappear easily. But by gradually practicing in a safe place, trust can grow. Knowing this was the first step to healing.