"I..."
The boy anxiously tried to explain his behavior just now.
But he had always been tongue-tied and poor with words, and in a situation like this, he only fumbled even more.
His mouth opened and closed.
Only a few meaningless sounds came out.
"Don't rush."
Xiao Xiao smiled reassuringly at the boy.
"I understand."
"I don't think there was anything wrong with what you just said."
"If there's something you disagree with, just say it."
"That's good."
"Don't you think it'll make it much easier for us to communicate?"
Xiao Xiao's lips curled into a smile.
I-is that so?
The boy wasn't sure.
He stared blankly at the big brother.
"Of course."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"Do you like always having to guess what other people are thinking?"
"Or would you rather they just tell you directly?"
The boy pressed his lips together slightly.
When the big brother put it that way...
Suddenly, it all became clear to him...
He naturally preferred it when people told him things directly.
Because he wasn't a very smart person.
Even though he was sensitive,
he wasn't at all good at figuring out what other people were really thinking.
He could sense changes in their moods,
but he couldn't tell what had caused those changes.
And that only made him feel more flustered and helpless.
Sometimes he wondered, if only he were a little smarter, would...
So many things be different?
He remembered how his grandparents were always telling him...
Why wasn't he more quick-witted?
Why was he so stupid?
Why didn't he take the initiative more often...
But...
Even when they said that...
He had no idea what he was supposed to do.
How was he supposed to take the initiative?
Even he couldn't stand how awkward and