"Why can't I say thank you?"
Kaito slumped over his desk. In the corner of the club room, he was troubled alone.
Hiyori quietly approached. "Do you want to thank someone?"
"Someone lent me notes yesterday. But when I saw them today, I couldn't say anything."
Sora put down a book. "Why couldn't you say it?"
Kaito looked up. "I don't know. I tried to open my mouth, but it felt strange."
Hiyori sat next to him. "Psychologically, that's quite common."
"Really? It's not just me?"
"Not at all," Sora answered. "There are mechanisms that block honest emotional expression."
"Mechanisms?"
Hiyori began explaining. "One is fear of vulnerability. Showing gratitude means admitting you relied on someone."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Some people feel it hurts their pride," Sora supplemented. "Especially in cultures that value independence."
Kaito thought. "True, admitting I needed help feels a bit frustrating."
"That's one defense mechanism," Hiyori said. "To protect self-esteem, you suppress honest feelings."
"But they helped me."
"Yes. That's why conflict arises," Sora drew a diagram in her notebook. "Your true feelings want to thank them. But defense mechanisms get in the way."
Kaito looked confused. "So what should I do?"
Hiyori smiled. "First, notice the mechanism. You've noticed it now, haven't you?"
"Does just noticing solve it?"
"It might not solve it completely," Sora said honestly. "But understanding gives you choices."
Kaito had a serious expression. "Choices?"
"Whether to express gratitude or not. You become able to choose consciously," Hiyori explained. "Instead of being controlled by unconscious reactions."
"But when I try to say it, there's still resistance."
"That's natural too," Sora acknowledged. "Long-standing habits don't change easily."
Hiyori spoke from another angle. "Kaito, when someone thanks you, how do you feel?"
"Happy. Obviously."
"Then they probably feel the same."
Kaito became quiet. "You're right. If I express gratitude, they'd be happy too."
"When you think about it that way, not saying it is a loss," Sora said.
"But I missed the timing. Isn't it weird to say it now?"
Hiyori shook her head. "It's never too late. Actually, gratitude expressed after time can leave a deeper impression."
"Really?"
"Because it shows it was a thoughtful word," Sora supplemented.
Kaito stood up. "Okay, I'll try saying it tomorrow."
"Good luck," Hiyori encouraged.
"But," Kaito sat back down, "there are other things I can't be honest about."
"Like what?"
"Like apologizing, or showing weakness."
Sora nodded. "That's the same mechanism. Fear of showing vulnerability."
Hiyori said gently, "But honesty isn't weakness. Rather, it's strength."
"Strength?" Kaito was surprised.
"The courage to acknowledge your feelings and express them," Sora explained. "That's evidence of psychological maturity."
Kaito pondered. "I never thought of it that way."
"No one is perfect," Hiyori continued. "Sometimes we need help. Being able to admit that is true strength."
Sora wrote in her notebook. "Honesty = Self-acceptance + Trust in others."
Kaito looked at it. "Accepting yourself and trusting the other person."
"Yes. Both are necessary."
Kaito took a deep breath. "It's difficult, but seems worth trying."
"Take your time," Hiyori encouraged.
"Being able to talk here today is already a step," Sora said.
Kaito laughed embarrassedly. "True. Normally, I wouldn't tell this to anyone."
"That's self-disclosure," Hiyori acknowledged. "Practice little by little in a place you trust."
The sunset began outside the window.
"Thank you, both of you," Kaito said naturally.
Hiyori and Sora looked surprised.
"Ah," Kaito noticed, "I just said it honestly."
"Wonderful," Hiyori applauded.
Sora laughed. "That's the first step."
Kaito nodded happily. Being honest is difficult. But not impossible. Today, he learned that.