"Kaito, did you finish your report?"
Hiyori called out. In the library, Kaito was struggling with reference books, looking troubled.
"Not at all yet," Kaito sighed.
Leo approached. "Want help?"
"No, I'm fine," Kaito immediately refused.
Sora was observing. "You don't look fine."
Kaito stubbornly shook his head. "I'll do it myself."
Hiyori gently asked, "Why won't you ask for help?"
"That's..." Kaito was at a loss for words. "I don't want to be thought of as weak."
Leo tilted his head. "Is asking for help weakness?"
"Isn't it? It means I can't do it myself."
Sora explained, "That might be a misunderstanding about independence."
"Misunderstanding?"
Hiyori answered, "Independence isn't about not relying on anyone. Being able to appropriately ask for help is also part of independence."
Kaito looked surprised.
Leo added, "In psychology, this is called help-seeking behavior. It's one of the healthy coping strategies."
"But I don't want to trouble people," Kaito protested.
Sora asked, "If the situation were reversed and someone asked you for help, would you think it was troublesome?"
Kaito thought. "No, I'd actually be happy."
"Then why do you think you shouldn't ask for help?"
Kaito fell silent.
Hiyori said calmly, "Being harsh on yourself and kind to others. That might be an issue of self-worth."
"Self-worth?"
"Unconsciously thinking you don't deserve help," Sora analyzed.
Kaito had a realization. "Was I thinking that..."
Leo explained, "It's a belief many people have. Especially influenced by gender norms of 'should be strong.'"
"The 'men shouldn't show weakness' thing."
"Yes. But that's not healthy," Leo continued. "Actually, higher male suicide rates are related to a culture where it's hard to ask for help."
Kaito's expression became serious.
Hiyori said gently, "Asking for help takes courage. Because you're acknowledging your limits."
"Courage?" Kaito asked.
"Yes," Sora nodded. "Showing vulnerability is actually proof of strength."
Leo agreed. "A researcher named Brené Brown says it. Vulnerability isn't weakness, it's courage."
Kaito pondered. "Asking for help is courage..."
Hiyori asked, "Kaito, have you always tried to do everything alone?"
"Yeah. My parents were busy, and I took care of my younger brother."
"You were required to be independent early," Sora understood.
"So relying on others wasn't an option."
Hiyori said gently, "But now it's different. There are people you can rely on."
Kaito looked at Leo, Hiyori, and Sora.
Leo smiled. "We're friends, right? Helping each other is natural."
"But I might not be able to return the favor," Kaito worried.
Sora answered, "Human relationships aren't always equivalent exchange. If you get help today, you can return it in a different form on another day."
Hiyori added, "Rather, by accepting help, the other person feels happy too."
"Really?"
"People have a desire to be useful," Sora explained. "Being asked for help lets them feel self-worth."
Kaito slowly nodded. "Then... Leo, could you help me with this report?"
Leo's face lit up. "Of course! I was waiting for you to ask."
Hiyori smiled. "Good choice."
Sora observed, "Asking for help is hardest the first time. But it becomes natural once you're used to it."
Kaito laughed a bit sheepishly. "I feel like a weight's been lifted."
Leo opened his notebook. "Come on, let's do it together."
Hiyori started to leave and said, "Whenever you're in trouble, feel free to speak up."
Kaito answered, "Thanks. I won't hold back from now on."
Sora smiled quietly. Asking for help isn't weakness. Rather, it's the strength of trusting yourself and others. Today, Kaito took that step.