"Need help?"
Leo called out to Kaito. Kaito was struggling with an assignment.
"No, I'm fine," Kaito answered immediately.
Sora observed. Kaito was clearly troubled, yet refused help.
Hiyori approached. "Kaito, you don't have to handle everything alone."
"I do my own things myself. I've decided that."
Leo tilted his head. "Why?"
"Asking for help is proof of weakness."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Psychological barriers to help-seeking."
Hiyori began explaining. "Many people perceive asking for help as weakness. Especially in cultures that value independence."
"But that's a misunderstanding," Leo objected.
"Misunderstanding?" Kaito asked back.
"Asking for help is proof of strength. The ability to recognize your limits and utilize appropriate resources."
Sora understood. "It's one problem-solving skill."
"Yes," Hiyori nodded. "Psychology views help-seeking behavior as adaptive behavior."
Kaito still wasn't convinced. "But it bothers people."
"The perception of 'bothering' is the problem," Leo said. "There's a concept called interdependence."
"Interdependence?"
"People live supporting each other. Helping and being helped. That's healthy relationships."
Hiyori supplemented. "Complete independence is an illusion. Everyone depends on others in some form."
Sora gave an example. "People who make food, people who supply electricity. Everyone depends on someone."
"I see..." Kaito pondered.
Leo shared his experience. "At first, I was embarrassed to ask for help when I didn't understand the language."
"And then?"
"But when I asked for help, everyone kindly taught me. And I realized."
"What?"
"Asking for help is a message that you trust the other person."
Hiyori smiled. "Yes. Asking for help can also be an opportunity to deepen bonds."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "The power of vulnerability."
"The power of vulnerability?" Kaito asked.
"By showing your weakness, you can build deeper human relationships," Sora explained. "Research by psychologist Brené Brown."
Hiyori explained in detail. "Hiding weakness only builds superficial relationships. Showing weakness creates true connection."
Kaito slowly nodded. "But what if I'm rejected?"
"That possibility exists," Leo acknowledged. "But continuing to handle everything alone out of fear of rejection is riskier."
"What do you mean?"
"Harming physical and mental health. Problems becoming serious. And isolation."
Sora added, "Not asking for help can make problems that could have been solved grow bigger."
Hiyori said gently, "Asking for help leads to early detection and early response to problems."
Kaito looked at the assignment. "Actually, I don't understand this at all."
"What don't you understand?" Leo asked.
"...From the basics," Kaito answered honestly.
Leo pulled up a chair. "Then let's do it from the basics together."
"Is that okay?"
"Of course. Teaching also deepens my understanding."
Hiyori supplemented. "Help isn't one-way. The helping side also gains something."
Sora nodded. "It's mutual benefit."
Kaito said quietly, "...Thank you. I want help."
Leo smiled. "Well said."
Hiyori acknowledged. "The courage to ask for help. That's one key to befriending your weak self."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Admitting weakness is the beginning of strength."
Kaito sat next to Leo. "Why didn't I ask for help earlier?"
"Maybe pride," Leo said.
"Pride..."
Hiyori explained. "Refusing help to protect self-esteem. But real self-esteem grows by asking for help."
"Why?" Kaito asked.
"Because asking for help, accepting it, and growing. Real confidence is born in that process."
Sora added, "Being perfect is less important than continuing to grow."
Kaito took a deep breath. "I'm still not used to asking for help."
"That's fine," Hiyori smiled. "Practice little by little."
Leo opened the assignment. "So where should we start?"
Kaito answered honestly, "From the beginning, everything."
Everyone laughed. Warm laughter echoed in the club room.
Sora closed her notebook. "The courage to ask for help. That's also the courage to connect with people."
The four faced the assignment. Not alone, but together. That was the form of accepting weakness.