Mira stared at a book in the corner of the library. Not reading, but seemingly lost in thought.
Sora approached. "Mira-san, are you okay?"
Mira just nodded slightly.
Leo came over. "What book?"
Mira showed the cover. The title was "Emotions and Health."
"Interesting topic," Leo said. "Research shows that suppressing emotions affects health."
Sora sat down. "Is suppressing emotions bad?"
"It depends," Leo explained. "Short-term, emotion regulation is necessary. If you express anger directly, it causes social problems."
"But long-term?"
"Chronic emotional suppression increases stress hormones. Physical effects like elevated blood pressure, reduced immune function."
Mira quietly opened her notebook. "I always hide my emotions" was written.
Sora asked gently. "Why?"
Mira thought for a moment then wrote. "Showing emotions makes me look weak."
"That might be a cognitive distortion," Leo said. "Emotional expression isn't weakness, it's a natural human function."
Sora supplemented. "Rather, being able to recognize and express emotions is strength, I think."
Mira tilted her head.
Leo continued. "In psychology, there's a concept called emotional intelligence. The ability to recognize, understand, and appropriately express one's emotions."
"People with high emotional intelligence have better relationships and are more resilient to stress," Sora added.
Mira wrote again. "But isn't it a problem if you can't control emotions?"
"Control and suppression are different," Leo explained. "Control is acknowledging emotions then choosing how to express them. Suppression is denying the emotions themselves."
Sora gave an example. "When you feel anger, acknowledge 'I'm angry.' Then choose whether to communicate constructively or release it another way."
"Exactly," Leo nodded. "If you don't acknowledge emotions, they appear unconsciously in other forms. Physical symptoms, sudden outbursts, depression."
Mira's expression changed slightly.
Sora said gently. "Mira-san, you're afraid to express emotions."
Mira slowly nodded.
Leo said. "That might come from past experience. Memories of expressing emotions and being rejected."
Mira's eyes moistened a bit.
"But not everyone will reject you," Sora said. "There are people who will accept your emotions."
Mira wrote. "How should I express them?"
Leo suggested. "Start with small steps. First, name your emotions. 'I am sad.' 'I am anxious.'"
"Next, gradually tell someone you trust," Sora continued. "Writing in a diary is also a good method."
Mira started writing something in her notebook. After a while, she showed it to them.
"Right now, I'm a little scared. But I want to try talking."
Sora smiled. "That's a big step."
Leo said. "Emotions are information. They tell you what you need, what you value."
Mira wrote again. "Is locking away emotions the same as locking away yourself?"
"Deep insight," Leo acknowledged. "Emotions are part of the self. Denying them means denying yourself."
Sora said gently. "Expressing emotions is living authentically."
Mira quietly wiped her tears. Then smiled slightly.
"Today, for the first time, I felt it's okay to cry," she wrote in her notebook.
Leo and Sora nodded quietly. The first step out of the trap of locking away emotions. It was allowing yourself to feel emotions.
"Take your time," Sora said. "At your own pace."
Mira sat with the three of them. In the library's silence, her heart gradually opened.