[For perhaps the first time since they'd spoken about his problems at all, Ryou says something perhaps a little too blunt.]

I'm not a fool Noa.

[It doesn't sound offensive. Just plainly spoken.]

This is a power that came with my monstrous identity, and of all the powers that I have, it is the only one that could do some good. I take into consideration that there are consequences with it, because I feel the pain that I take from them.

...I just didn't let go of a friend's hand fast enough because I didn't realize I had to.

[Ryou closes his eyes after that, as if he didn't want to look at Noa afterwards. He probably shouldn't have laid it out that way.]

But no. I can't tell you more than you already know and assume. I apologize.