the reciprocity of this chapter is incredible. it's because mika confessed her true feelings about shima's rejection to nao that nao was able to ask goro-chan to come visit her home with her next year. and the only reason mika even feels comfortable enough to be open and vulnerable about her feelings is because nao has always extended kindness to her that she feels safe in her presence. nao herself may not have had a person to confide her struggles to when she was growing up, but she's not going to let these kids, or her present self, suffer like she did. it's about sharing to trust and sharing to not be alone.