"Am I really that abnormal?"
The woman seemed to notice her own condition as well, but she still forced out a smile.
Embarrassed?
No.
She simply did not want to appear so dispirited before Riko, a girl with an angelic face. But after living in this cave for so many years, even her voice had become weak and lifeless... Well, that had nothing to do with the environment here. Her voice had always been rather low.
Still, perhaps because she had not seen a normal human in many years, the sight of Riko left the woman somewhat excited, to the point that she began rambling nonsense.
"How many years have I lived here?"
"I don't remember."
"Still, in Nami Village, I may be the only human resident. Since I was worthless and couldn't survive outside, I could only stay here and wait for death..."
"No, that doesn't seem to be the reason. It was because everyone in the village was a Fallen One, and I didn't fit in with them. Many people had even forgotten how to speak, so I hid here and waited for death..."
"Or perhaps it was because I ate that thing too, yet I was the only one who was forgiven... Maybe I felt guilty and no longer dared to face my former companions, so I hid here—waiting for death."
Riko: -_-||
In short, it all came down to one thing: waiting for death.
"Do you know Namiki?"
After calming down, Riko took hold of Mahaha's tentacle and signaled for her to remain quiet before preparing to ask this somewhat unhinged woman a few questions.
"Mahaha!"
Though Mahaha could not understand Riko's words, she seemed able to sense her emotions. After letting out a cry, she fell silent.
The woman said, "Of course I know her.