"Interpersonal distance is difficult, isn't it?"
Sora said quietly. On the rooftop, the four were eating lunch.
Leo showed interest. "Physical distance? Or psychological distance?"
"The psychological one," Sora answered. "I don't know how close is okay to get."
Hiyori said gently, "Everyone feels that."
Mira nodded quietly. Few words, but showing empathy.
Leo began explaining. "In psychology, interpersonal distance closes in stages."
"Stages?" Sora asked.
"First, superficial conversation. Then gradually moving to personal topics."
Hiyori supplemented, "It's called reciprocity of self-disclosure. When one opens up, the other opens up too."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "But who opens up first?"
"That's the risk," Leo said. "Whoever opens first might be rejected."
Mira said quietly, "Scary."
"Yes," Hiyori acknowledged. "But without taking risks, distance won't close."
Sora pondered. "So when should we disclose?"
Leo answered analytically, "Read the other person's signals. Are they showing interest, wanting to share time?"
"But signals can be misread," Hiyori said.
"Right. So gradually, in stages," Leo emphasized.
Sora asked, "What happens if you try to close distance suddenly?"
Hiyori answered, "The other person might pull away. Because they're not mentally prepared."
Mira wrote in her notebook and showed it. "Timing."
"Exactly," Leo nodded. "The same self-disclosure is received differently depending on timing."
Sora requested an example. "For instance?"
Hiyori explained, "If someone confides deep troubles on first meeting, you'd be confused, right?"
"True," Sora agreed.
"But after meeting several times with trust built, you can accept it."
Leo added, "The depth of relationship and depth of disclosure must correspond."
Mira said quietly, "I'm bad at maintaining distance."
Hiyori looked at her gently. "That's not true."
"But I'm always silent."
"Silence is also a form of communication," Leo said. "You don't need to force yourself to talk."
Sora supplemented, "Mira, you engage by listening, don't you?"
Mira looked at Sora with a surprised expression.
"Active listening," Hiyori explained. "Talking isn't the only way to close distance."
Leo agreed. "Rather, good listeners are precious."
Mira smiled slightly, looking pleased.
Sora raised a new question. "How do you know distance has closed?"
Hiyori answered, "There are several signs. Like silence becoming comfortable."
"Silence?"
"Yes. Comfortable silence indicates relationship depth."
Leo added, "Also, being consulted. Relationships where weakness can be shown."
Sora understood. "Someone you don't need to pretend to be perfect with."
"Exactly," Hiyori nodded. "A sense of security where you can be yourself."
Mira wrote. "Closeness means being at ease?"
"A beautiful definition," Hiyori smiled.
Leo explained scientifically, "It's called psychological safety. A sense of not being judged, of being accepted."
Sora looked around at the four. "What about here, now?"
Hiyori said gently, "How do you feel?"
Sora thought. "...I feel secure."
"That's the answer," Hiyori said.
Leo added, "Distance can't be measured numerically. It's sensory."
Mira said quietly, "Thank you."
The three were surprised. It was rare for Mira to express gratitude on her own.
"You're welcome," Sora answered with a smile.
Lunch break was nearing its end. The four began preparing to return to class.
Emotional distance can't be measured by words alone. Time, experiences, silence. Everything accumulates, closing the gap little by little. Today became part of that.