"It's me." "It's me."
Lin Yan nodded slightly and tilted the umbrella forward, shielding the boy completely from the rain overhead.
Kurapika looked at him, at that face as cool and composed as ever, and his taut body finally relaxed almost imperceptibly.
The terrifying aura of hatred and malice emanating from him slowly receded into his body like an ebbing tide.
The frozen air around them began to flow again.
The noisy music resumed in the bar on the corner, as though that suffocating moment had been nothing more than an illusion.
"Let's find somewhere to sit," Lin Yan said.
Kurapika fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
Sharing one umbrella, they walked into the rainy night.
They finally stopped at a twenty-four-hour teahouse that was still open.
There were few customers inside, and the teahouse was quiet.
They found a corner by the window and sat down.
Lin Yan ordered a pot of tea, and its delicate fragrance soon drifted between them.
Kurapika had not spoken a word the entire time.
He simply lowered his head and stared at the steaming cup before him, his thoughts unreadable.
Lin Yan did not rush to speak either.
He knew Kurapika needed time to settle his emotions.
He merely filled Kurapika's cup in silence.
Only after a long while did Kurapika slowly raise his head.
His face was still somewhat pale, but his eyes had regained their usual calm and reason.
"Thank you."
His voice was a little hoarse as he continued, "Just now, I almost..."
"I understand."
Lin Yan interrupted him, looking at Kurapika with calm eyes. "Everyone makes their own choices."
As Kurapika looked at the man who had once guided him in the breathing technique and reassured him in the Trick Tower, his tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.
He