We'll Be Seeing Someone Familiar Soon / Chapter 88: Wait, What Do You Mean, "Try to Protect Yourself"? (5K8)

"Being influenced by others is a sign of an unsteady heart," she said.

"For example? Why does one's heart have to be steady?" he asked.

"Because one must protect others. Unsteadiness means hesitation, and hesitation leads to failure," she said.

"Was that your own choice?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

"If you need to protect others, then shouldn't you also allow others to protect you?" he asked.

"...Logically speaking, yes," she said.

"If someone is strong enough to help you, then can't you be a little less steadfast? Can't you let your emotions affect you like this?" he asked.

"...No," she said.

"Why?" he asked.

"...Because it is not permitted," she said.

"By whom?" he asked.

"By myself, by my beliefs, and by everything my father taught me," she said.

"Then I hope those beliefs can be set aside for now. We can take it one step at a time, all right?" he asked.

"How?" she asked.

"Try some things. Shopping, entertainment, spending money, occasionally sleeping in, letting your body relax instead of always being chased by what lies behind you," he said.

"That is a waste of time," she said. "Placing one's hopes in another person is a gamble. You cannot be sure they will always be there, so once you lose them, there is no recovery."

"But for the people you protect, it seems to be the same. They have to accept everything left behind after you leave," he said. "In the end, it is because you cannot trust yourself. You think that accepting someone else's protection will make you weak."

"I..."

She gradually fell silent.

"But I think you are far stronger than you imagine yourself to be, Saria." Feeling the warmth radiating from her, Gerald spoke gently. "The fact that you can keep these emotions buried