"Is this dependency?"
Kaito stared at messages from a friend in the club room.
Hiyori looked up. "Is something bothering you?"
"When they don't reply, I'm anxious and can't stop thinking about it all day."
Sora sat next to him. "That might be dependency."
"But," Kaito said, "isn't caring about someone like this?"
Hiyori answered while making tea, "Love and dependency seem similar but are different."
"How different?"
Hiyori drew a diagram in her notebook. "Dependency is a state where you can't function without the other person."
"And love?"
"You care about the other person, but you can also care about yourself."
Sora added, "There's also a concept called interdependence."
"Interdependence?"
"Supporting each other while each being independent," Hiyori explained.
Kaito thought. "I feel like I can't function without them."
"That's characteristic of dependency," Hiyori said gently. "You're basing your self-worth on the other's reactions."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Externalization of self-worth."
"That's a difficult term," Kaito smiled wryly.
"Simply put," Hiyori continued, "you can't determine your own value by yourself."
"If they don't acknowledge me, I feel worthless?"
"Yes. That's the essence of dependency."
Kaito sighed. "So what should I do?"
"First, understand the difference between dependency and love," Hiyori answered.
Sora asked, "What are the specific differences?"
Hiyori began explaining. "Love wishes for the other's happiness. Dependency needs the other to fill your own anxiety."
"Love gives, dependency demands?" Kaito understood.
"That's a simplification, yes. But wanting isn't bad."
"Balance?"
"Yes. Healthy relationships have a balance of giving and receiving."
Sora added another perspective. "There's also the concept of codependency."
"Codependency?" Kaito asked.
Hiyori explained, "A relationship where both depend on each other. Especially when one person depends on 'helping' the other."
"Depending on helping?"
"For example, feeling your worth through solving the other's problems."
Kaito thought. "That's unhealthy too?"
"Depends on the degree," Hiyori answered. "If it hinders the other's growth, it's unhealthy."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Enabling. Allowing the other's problematic behavior."
"This is difficult," Kaito murmured.
Hiyori said gently, "But you can change once you're aware."
"How?"
"Drawing boundaries," Hiyori answered.
"Boundaries?"
"Separating your responsibilities from the other's. You manage your emotions, they manage theirs."
Kaito said anxiously, "But I want to help if they're troubled."
"Helping is good," Hiyori acknowledged. "But you can't live the other person's life."
Sora gave an example. "When they fail an exam, encouraging is support. Studying for them is crossing boundaries."
"I see," Kaito understood.
Hiyori continued, "Dependent relationships weaken each other. Interdependent relationships strengthen each other."
"How different?"
"Dependency means you can't function without the other. Interdependence means you can function alone, but it's better together."
Sora added, "Whether there's freedom of choice."
"Yes. Dependency means you can't choose the other. Interdependence means you're choosing to be with them."
Kaito looked at his phone. "I don't know if I'm choosing them or needing them."
"There's a way to tell," Hiyori said.
"What?"
"Try spending time alone. Can you enjoy yourself without them?"
Kaito thought. "Lately, being alone is scary."
"That might be a sign of dependency," Hiyori said gently.
Sora added, "But realizing it is important."
"Does it take time to escape dependency?" Kaito asked.
"It does," Hiyori answered honestly. "But you can progress step by step."
"Where to start?"
"Find your own hobbies. Increase things you can enjoy alone."
Sora suggested, "Building self-esteem is also important."
"Self-esteem?"
"The power to acknowledge yourself. A sense of value that doesn't depend on others' evaluations."
Hiyori explained, "Find three good things about yourself every day. Small things are fine."
"Does that really change things?" Kaito doubted.
"It does," Hiyori stated. "Little by little, you can find value inside yourself."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Internalization of self-worth."
Kaito looked out the window. "Will I be able to see the boundary between dependency and love?"
"You will," Hiyori encouraged. "It's difficult at first, but you'll understand with practice."
"How to practice?"
"Before sending them a message, ask yourself. 'Is this for them? Or to fill my own anxiety?'"
Kaito tried it. Asking in his heart. The answer was... for himself.
"I see," Kaito said quietly. "I was trying to fill my anxiety."
"Realizing that is wonderful," Hiyori acknowledged.
Sora added, "And handle that anxiety in other ways."
"Other ways?"
"Deep breathing, exercise, journaling, talking to someone."
Hiyori nodded. "Learn to process anxiety yourself, not throw it at the other person."
Kaito took a deep breath. "It's difficult, but I'll try."
"Don't rush," Hiyori said. "Escaping dependency is a long journey."
"But," Sora continued, "beyond that lies true love."
Kaito laughed a little. "I want to see true love."
Hiyori smiled. "You will. It starts with loving yourself."
The three sat quietly in the club room. The boundary between dependency and love exists within yourself. Hard to see, but worth continuing to search for.
"Thank you," Kaito said. "I feel like I can see the path a little."
"That's important," Hiyori said. "Don't carry it alone—talk about it."
Sora closed her notebook. "Dependency isn't shameful. But you can grow from it."
Kaito stood up. "From today, I'll face myself little by little."
Hiyori nodded. "That determination is the first step to change."
Soft light filled the club room. Between dependency and love, a thin path appeared. Difficult to walk, but moving forward step by step.