When you downplay what you want, people tend to mirror that energy. “I mean, it’s not a big deal, but…” or “I don’t want to be a problem, but…” These sound harmless, but they signal uncertainty. They give the other person permission to dismiss what you are saying.
Asking clearly does not require you to be forceful. You just have to make sure that you are not diluting your message with fear of how it will land. Sometimes clarity is what turns a no into a maybe and a maybe into a yes.
When you state something plainly, you give others something to work with. A clear ask makes it easier for the other person to understand what you need, where the boundaries are and what they can do next. That makes the whole situation less awkward for everyone. Apologizing too much only makes things blurrier.