"Rin?" Noran called softly to Shuri, concern lacing his voice.
Why was she crying?
Was she in pain?
Was she suffering?
Noran felt a surge of questions welling up within him, but he hesitated to voice them.
He sensed that Shuri was under immense pressure, and he feared that pressing her for answers might cause her to withdraw further. The thought of her hanging up or avoiding him altogether filled him with apprehension.
He tried his best to remain patient, listening to Shuri's sobs amidst the chaos of Karlene's persistent attempts to snatch the phone from his grasp. With a swift movement, Noran blocked Karlene's attempts with one hand while holding onto the phone tightly with the other.