Mira was carrying heavy luggage alone. Clearly struggling, yet not asking anyone for help.
Sora approached. "Shall I help?"
Mira shook her head.
Hiyori and Leo also came. "Are you okay?" Hiyori asked with concern.
Mira just nodded slightly and kept carrying the luggage.
Later, the four gathered at the library. Mira looked a bit tired.
Leo asked directly. "Why don't you ask for help?"
Mira wrote in her notebook. "Should do it myself."
Hiyori said gently. "Doing things yourself and asking for help aren't contradictory."
Mira showed a puzzled expression.
Sora asked. "Do you think asking for help is bad?"
Mira nodded. Then wrote. "Don't want to show weakness."
Leo said. "That's a misconception. Asking for help is also a sign of strength."
Mira showed a questioning expression.
Hiyori explained. "In psychology, it's called help-seeking behavior. The ability to appropriately ask for help when facing difficulties."
"People with high ability in this also have high problem-solving ability," Leo added.
Sora supplemented. "More efficient to solve with help than carrying everything alone."
Mira wrote. "But it's a bother."
"That might also be a misconception," Hiyori said. "Being asked for help is also proof of trust."
Leo nodded. "Being relied on is pleasant for many people."
Sora said. "I'd be happy if Mira-san relied on me."
Mira quietly teared up.
Hiyori asked gently. "Have you been rejected when you asked for help in the past?"
Mira slowly nodded.
"That was a painful experience," Hiyori empathized. "But not everyone will reject you."
Leo said. "Statistically speaking, many people respond when asked for help."
Mira wrote. "Scared."
"Being scared is natural," Hiyori acknowledged. "Showing vulnerability takes courage."
Sora asked. "Vulnerability?"
Leo explained. "Acknowledging your weaknesses and limits. Becoming psychologically naked."
Hiyori continued. "But by showing vulnerability, deep connections are born."
"Connections?" Mira wrote.
"People don't easily connect with perfect people. Showing weakness creates empathy."
Sora added. "We accept Mira-san's weaknesses."
Mira looked a bit surprised.
Leo said. "Independence isn't not relying on anyone. It's being able to depend appropriately."
Hiyori nodded. "There's a concept of interdependence. Relationships where people support each other."
Sora smiled. "Sometimes relying, sometimes being relied upon."
Mira pondered. Then wrote. "How should I rely?"
Hiyori suggested. "Start with small things. Just one phrase, 'Can you help?'"
Leo added. "You might be rejected. But that's not personal rejection, it's due to circumstances."
Sora said. "Even if rejected, you can ask someone else."
Mira thought a bit, then showed her notebook. "Want to try."
Hiyori smiled. "That's a big step."
Leo said. "Trust begins by taking risks."
Mira quietly stood up and approached Sora. Then wrote. "Will you help me next time?"
Sora answered happily. "Of course!"
Hiyori said gently. "The mental barrier to relying on others can be lowered little by little."
Leo added. "No need to become perfectly able to rely. Little by little is fine."
The four sat quietly. Asking for help isn't weakness, but an invitation to connection.
Mira wrote. "Thank you. Everyone."
The three smiled. Small steps lower the mental barrier.
"Please stay together from now on," Mira wrote.
"Of course," the three answered simultaneously.
Trust is born from the courage to show vulnerability. And that courage grows over time.