“What do you plan to do in that state? Are you trying to run away?”

“…!”

“Why, don’t you want to talk to me? You don’t want to scream for help, answer my questions, or just have a conversation with me?”

Frustrated by her silence, Ren ground his teeth. Her indifference seemed to negate his usefulness to her.

“Yeah, right. You probably still see me as someone to exploit, as trash. That’s why you never let me hear your voice.”

Sharti’s back hit the wall as she backed away.

Ren looked down at her, running his hand over his face, feeling pathetic for clinging to her and for not being able to express himself better.

“I’m just a patient, after all. I have no right to ask or question since I’m dependent on you for protection and help. But at least, couldn’t you talk to me through notes? Without any explanation for not calling for help, not calling me, you’re preparing to run away from me…”

Pouring out his emotions in exasperation, Ren realized the truth. He wanted to check her body for any injuries, to ask gently why she hadn’t called him, to reassure her that it was okay not to call, that he had come anyway, that she needn’t worry.
He wanted to tell her it was okay. That he had come even though she hadn’t called, and she needn’t worry.

Even though his priority should have been to wait for and soothe the frightened Sharti, Ren couldn’t help but see his own behavior as pathetic, selfishly pushing Sharti into a corner.

“I’m lecturing as if I’m somebody important. Just spouting nonsense.”

Ren tried to compose his mixed emotions, roughly brushing back his sweat-drenched hair.

“…I intended to apologize for discovering you in danger too late, to say I was worried about you… But, ha, sorry. I was acting no better than that bastard, deserving such treatment.”

Ren turned his back to her.

The thought that Sharti wouldn’t change even in future dangers drained his strength.

Having crossed the line, he had no right to stay any longer.

“Firstly, outside…”

“This, thi… this…”

Ren stopped at the unfamiliar tone of her voice. Sharti was covering her mouth with her hands, murmuring.

“I… didn’t want you to hear this kind of voice…”

“…”

Ren’s teal eyes widened as he looked back at Sharti, her shoulders trembling as if sobbing.

“Yes, I didn’t want to call you. Unlike you, who lost your memory, I remember who I am. I know why I have to live in hiding, why I must keep my identity secret. I’ve always lived expecting something like today’s incident. Every day I wake up imagining meeting someone who threatens me.”

Her suppressed crying sounded like a monster’s noise.

She was ashamed and resentful of having to use her dreadful voice so long and extensively.

But she couldn’t stop.

Years of pent-up pain overflowed.

Tears rimming her eyes, Sharti suddenly looked up at Ren fiercely.

“You think being threatened was better? I… I was confident to handle it alone. Everyone flees when they hear my voice! They cover their ears and cringe! I was confident I could overpower them in that moment!”

“…”

As Ren hesitated, Sharti took a step toward him.

It wasn’t Ren’s fault. He did nothing wrong. So, this was just Sharti venting her frustration.

“I’m not righteous, weak, or stupid! If you hadn’t appeared, I would have dealt with whoever threatened me with my own hands!”

Her anger and sorrow mixed into an outburst.

Ren was speechless.

Her teary eyes, glowing crimson, seemed like a blazing sun.

Her vivid anger was thrilling.

“I only use this horrible voice for such purposes. I didn’t want to remind myself or let others know I have such a voice…”

“Why?”

“…”

“It’s not horrible at all.”

Sharti stared blankly at Ren.

He blinked dumbly, looking at her.

“I like it. Sharti, your voice.”

Sharti furrowed her brow.

“You call that a comment?”

She lowered her voice again.

“I have no memories, so I can’t compare voices. To me, there’s no basis for comparison.”

“There’s no need for comparison. Even a child can tell my voice is horrible.”

“Well, maybe my broken head perceives it as just a unique voice.”

“…”

Ren grimaced with a faint smile.

“I wanted to hear my name called in your voice.”

“…”
It was absurd, utter nonsense.

It had to be a misguided attempt at consolation.

Of course, Sharti didn’t believe him. She wasn’t naïve enough to be swayed by his words.

“It’s true. I promised, didn’t I? Not to lie.”

Ren was casually suggesting that when he injured his head, his hearing was affected too.

Sharti was at a loss for words, unable to immediately retort.

For a moment, she was slightly convinced.

‘…It’s those eyes!’

Since the moment he heard her terrible voice, his round, teal eyes had been sparkling with clear light.

His expression seemed genuinely happy, causing Sharti to lose her aggressive stance.

The sharpness of her emotions towards Ren gradually dissipated.

She didn’t feel the need to react sensitively to his unbelievable words.

‘It’s just sweet talk, empty words anyway.’

Neither Bireta nor Birena had said anything similar after hearing Sharti’s voice.

Ren wouldn’t be any different.

‘If it sounds so terrible to my own ears, how much more repulsive must it be to others.’

She had long since given up on hope and expectation.

Sharti swallowed her bitterness.