After Becoming a Counselor for Girls, I Ended Up Producing a Lot of Potential Girlfriends Who Became Mentally Ill - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Counselor’s New Way of Loving

Shizuku’s energy kept rising.

As the night deepened, her actions became more noticeable, as if she was conscious of my presence.

“Just because it’s night doesn’t mean you should let your brain melt.”

“It’s fine, no problem. I completed compulsory education through anime.”

“That only makes me worry more.”

“I heard that if you mess up how to close the distance, people gather around you!”

“I’d recommend taking a look at reality.”

I knew she was joking, but given Shizuku’s current instability, her words caught my attention.

She had declared openly and boldly that she would take daring, cunning actions. It was no wonder I was on edge.

“Of course, this is something only Seii-kun can experience. You need to trust someone to be allowed to mess up the sense of distance like this.”

“If it’s a short acquaintance, they’ll probably just be creeped out and it’ll end there.”

“Maybe that’s why I don’t have many friends…?”

“That’s a rather sad realization.”

Shizuku’s social circle was simple. She showed her true self and left it to others to decide if they liked her or not.

She divided people sharply into those who treated her kindly and those who treated her coldly.

“By the way.”

Shizuku threw out her all-purpose segue.

“Tonight, are you going to sleep in the same bed as me?”

“Are you letting your imagination run wild?”

“Let me rephrase. Would you forgive me if I held you tightly while sleeping?”

It was a highly provocative statement. She was acting remarkably bold.

I could vividly picture Shizuku’s small frame enveloping mine.

“Forgive or not, that’s just improper.”

“I want to be surrounded by a nice scent. I want to know love. Do I need a better reason than that?”

“One-sidedly forcing love can sometimes cause confusion. I have my own feelings, too.”

“Sorry, I’m not used to mutual love.”

She said gently, “It’s okay.”

From our first meeting, Shizuku had always been assertive.

In our first year of middle school, despite my reluctance to interact with people, Shizuku boldly approached me.

She talked to anyone without discrimination. The moment she got slightly closer to someone, she’d enthusiastically show off what she loved.

Her unreserved passion often overwhelmed others, but I found it intriguing. That’s why I decided to befriend her.

Shizuku had quirks, no doubt about it. But that was her charm.

This bold action of hers was just an extension of that. Thinking that way made it a little easier to bear.

“Well then, let’s take a timeout. I’ll go downstairs for a bit, so Seii-kun, think it over carefully!”

“Great, I feel relieved.”

“You’re making me sound like a troublesome girl!”

“How about putting your hand on your chest and reflecting on that?”

She muttered”mean” and went downstairs. I felt bad, but I couldn’t resist teasing Shizuku.

“…Have I changed?”

No, I hadn’t.

I hadn’t changed—I had evolved.

“It’s not me, but the environment around me that’s changed drastically.”

Should I also undergo some sort of transformation? My approach as a counselor might no longer work.

As I pondered, my thoughts were interrupted by the ringtone of my phone.

“Is it Kujo?”

No, it was someone else. A few messages had already piled up. While juggling Shizuku and Kujo’s situations, other matters were progressing in parallel.

With winter break starting, the primary means of communication for consultations became messages or calls.

Regardless, the influence of Kujo lingered. I was constantly reminded of her presence.

As I went through the replies, one message stood out.

It was from a girl named Shiraishi. She was a quiet girl with glasses, known for her beauty, though we weren’t in the same class.

“A troubled guy… That sounds like a real hassle.”

Shiraishi’s consultation was as follows:

She had been approached persistently by a guy named Sasamoto and didn’t know how to handle it. While she’d previously mentioned issues with relationships, this was the first time she had named someone.

This Sasamoto guy had, up until recently, been dating Kujo.

Kujo’s ex-boyfriend was now bothering Shiraishi.

“So, this means that while he was dating Kujo, he was already making moves on Shiraishi…”

The world was small, but this was a bit much.

Kujo’s policy was to maintain a friendly relationship with her consultation partners. While she may have seemed indifferent, this girl had caught the attention of her boyfriend.

If this came to light, could Kujo and Shiraishi remain friendly? A sliver of unease crept in.

Even though Shizuku told me to take it easy, I felt like I was handed yet another assignment.

Before I could even sigh, Shizuku returned from downstairs. Her somber expression had reverted to her usual one.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Huh? Seii-kun, you seem off.”

“So much for hiding it—it’s obvious, huh?”

“Three years sitting on a stone. When it comes to reading your emotions, my accuracy has improved. When it’s you, Seii-kun.”

“I won’t press for details.”

“Your unconscious kindness hurts me.”

She feigned exaggerated sobbing.

“So, after cooling my head, I’ve decided.”

“Decided what?”

“No cuddling while sleeping. Once the floodgates are open, there’s no going back.”

“You’re kidding.”

“It’s true.”

Simply sleeping side by side wouldn’t mean crossing the line.

Even so, if we were to go through with it…

I’d feel like I was betraying the other girls I was consulting. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“I’ll live dishonestly. Yes or yes—choose one.”

“Sorry, but I value the other girls too.”

“You’re overthinking it, Seii-kun. If they don’t find out, it’s no harm to them. On the contrary, it’s a plus. I’d be satisfied, and isn’t that enough for a counselor?”

Shizuku’s unrelenting push mirrored her fiery passion for her favorites.

I wanted to save everyone within my sight equally. I had decided never to show favoritism. In a way, it was a cruel approach.

Shizuku was the opposite—focused, pouring her all into one person.

Her intensity overwhelmed me. I began to wonder if it was okay to prioritize Shizuku’s happiness alone.

Even so—.