"I…" Finch's gaze flickered, avoiding hers. He didn't want to burden Nina—but he also couldn't bring himself to lie.
"Tell me the truth," Nina said quietly.
He glanced at her, then lowered his head. "…Yes."
A trace of guilt passed through Nina's eyes. "How did it happen?"
"It was torn off by the guardian spirit beast," he explained softly. "If I hadn't severed my tails, I wouldn't have been able to escape."
Then he quickly added, almost anxiously, "This was my own choice. You don't need to feel responsible."
He knew how kind she was. But everything he had done… had been voluntary. He had never expected anything in return.
At most, he had only hoped she might notice him a little more.
Nina fell silent, her emotions tangled. There was guilt… confusion… and beneath it, a faint warmth she couldn't ignore.
Why are they all like this…?
She shifted her gaze to Taru. "What should we do about the spirit pearl?"
