@MeiraEve No, I don't believe they actually were that close, other than physically, momentarily. Soujirou probably didn't quite realise what he was doing and especially what it looked like.
@Askorti Yeah. She would be ready for it, should Soujirou ever get over his hesitation and approach her. It certainly didn't take Chiyo much to reach that state, though, just one look at Soujirou's face and Soujirou standing up for her.