"I couldn't refuse again."
Hiyori whispered softly. In the club room, Sora and Kaito turned around.
"Refuse what?" Sora asked.
"Helping classmates. I actually had plans today."
Kaito tilted his head. "Why didn't you refuse?"
"Because if I refuse, someone will be troubled."
Sora said quietly, "But Hiyori, you're also troubled, right?"
Hiyori was at a loss for words. "I thought others' needs were more important than my convenience."
"That's self-sacrifice, isn't it?" Kaito said bluntly.
"Self-sacrifice..." Hiyori repeated.
Sora opened her notebook. "In psychology, excessive empathy is said to cause empathy fatigue."
"Empathy fatigue?"
"A state where you exhaust your own energy by empathizing too much with others' emotions."
Hiyori looked out the window. "I have been tired lately."
Kaito said, "Being kind is good, but there's a limit, right?"
"But when I refuse, I feel like I'm a bad person," Hiyori confessed.
Sora showed understanding. "Guilt. Many people feel the same way."
"Why do we feel that way?"
"There are several reasons," Sora began explaining. "One is childhood learning. We were taught that 'good children' prioritize others."
Hiyori nodded. "My parents often said that. 'Don't be selfish.'"
"Another is the need for approval. The desire to be liked, not to be disliked."
Kaito understood. "So you can't refuse when asked."
"Yes. But if that continues..." Sora went on. "Your boundaries become vague."
"Boundaries?" Hiyori asked back.
"The distinction between self and others. How far is your responsibility, and where does the other person's begin."
"I feel like I don't have that," Hiyori admitted.
Sora said seriously, "Without boundaries, others' problems become your problems. They become unbearably heavy."
Kaito spoke up. "I often rely on Hiyori, but is that not good?"
Hiyori panicked. "No, Kaito, you're totally fine!"
"But according to what we just discussed..."
Sora mediated. "The problem isn't Kaito. It's that Hiyori can't communicate her limits."
"Communicate limits," Hiyori murmured.
"There's a concept called assertiveness," Sora taught. "Communicating your feelings and thoughts while respecting the other person."
"If I could do that, I wouldn't be struggling," Hiyori smiled wryly.
"It's difficult. But you can practice."
Kaito suggested, "Then how about practicing here and now?"
"Huh?"
"I'll ask something. Hiyori refuses. How about it?"
Hiyori looked tense. "I'll try."
Kaito started acting. "Hiyori, can you attend the committee meeting tomorrow instead of me?"
Hiyori opened her mouth. "Um... tomorrow I..."
The words didn't continue.
Sora threw a lifeline. "First, acknowledge the other's request. 'Thank you for asking.'"
Hiyori repeated. "Thank you for asking."
"Next, explain your situation. 'But I have plans tomorrow.'"
"But I have plans tomorrow."
"Finally, communicate an alternative or refusal. 'It's difficult this time' or 'I can do it another day.'"
Hiyori took a deep breath. "It's difficult this time. I'm sorry."
Kaito applauded. "Perfect! Didn't feel unpleasant at all."
"Really?" Hiyori was surprised.
"Yeah. If there's a reason, it's natural to be refused."
Sora smiled. "Refusing isn't hurting the other person. It's protecting yourself."
Hiyori pondered. "But I still want to be kind."
"You don't need to change that," Sora said. "Just adjust the direction of kindness. Be kind not only to others but also to yourself."
"Kind to myself too."
"Yes. Self-sacrifice doesn't benefit anyone in the long run. An exhausted person can't help others."
Kaito said seriously, "I didn't realize Hiyori was pushing herself. Sorry."
"No, it's because I didn't say anything."
Sora summarized. "Communication is two-way. If you don't communicate, the other person won't know."
Hiyori showed a determined expression. "From now on, I'll try to communicate little by little."
"You don't have to rush," Sora encouraged. "Small steps are fine."
Kaito laughed. "Then next time I ask for something unreasonable, refuse me properly."
"Yes," Hiyori smiled.
You don't have to hate being too kind. Just direct that kindness toward yourself too. That might be true kindness.