This chapter is really interesting to me because, as the translator says, Shion was 100% right about Akira. As an over-correction to what happened to her in the past, she really is constantly worried about making sure other people like her and pushes her own needs and desires aside in order to please them. But where Shion went wrong was in assuming that Akira deep down wants to shittalk her friends. She genuinely thinks they're great people and doesn't really mind helping them out. If Shion had went at this from the direction of "you can be mean and rude to me and I won't mind," she might've had more success.
Anyway Shion is one of my favorite minor characters so I really enjoyed how this chapter focused on her. I also liked Natsumi's participation since she's the one in the friend group who's gotten the least attention so far. Thanks for the translation!
I do believe that that was exactly what Shion was implying. She was trying to give Akira an outlet where she doesn't have to try to please everyone.
This because early she suggested to Akira to hang out with her every now and then, and then she used to exact same "every now and then" when suggesting to Akira that she didn't mind her being blunt/harsh with her.
Ultimately, Akira refused because even Shion is part of her friend group, and as much as Shion may be okay with it, Akira wouldn't be feel comfortable doing it because it would remind her of the times where she was bullying Nana.
Maybe I didn't phrase that correctly, if that was the case I apologize.
Also, Shion is too one of my favorite characters of this manga. Along with Kikuchi, Shouma and Aoi.