[ Her expression softens into one of gentle sympathy. So that’s what’s going on… ]

I know what you mean. It’s definitely hard sometimes.

[ She falls back a little, close enough to Rinku to quickly pat her arm in a gesture she hopes will be reassuring. ]

My brother says monsters are not that different from us, in the sense that they’re just trying to live their lives — but you’re right, if we let them do that, they will hurt people. We’re defending our territory, same as they would.