Her expression darkened, and her hands clenched into fists. "He was killed by a high-class demon. I couldn't do anything to save him."
I reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Reina…"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned to face me. "Why did he have to die? Why couldn't I save him? I miss him so much…"
Her voice broke, and she buried her face against my chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
All I could do was wrap my arms around her and hold her close, my hand gently stroking her hair as she cried.
The moments stretched, her sobs filling the air with a rawness that made my chest ache. I had never seen Reina like this—completely unguarded, stripped of her teasing confidence. It was as if the floodgates had finally burst, releasing years of pain she had tried so hard to bury.
"It's not your fault," I said softly, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
