[When he holds her hands she relaxes, which is funny because Nariko wasn't entirely sure of when she'd tensed up so horribly in the first place. While he talks she makes sure to listen to his voice, to really take it in and accept it as something reliable, solid. It's calming to sort of ground herself in such a tiny way.

Of course his question threatens to unravel it, but at least he's saved her the trouble of saying it on her own.]

She did. They, ah, [Why is she tearing up? This is stupid. It's not something to cry about anymore.] they screamed at each other in the library and she just - just stabbed him with that stupid letter opener. [She always hated that thing. Who the fuck used a letter opener? Pretentious shits like her mom.] Twenty-nine times.

[Her free hand presses at her forehead.] I just stood there. I just - I was useless, I hated her. I hate her. But I could have - I tried to, but it was. Y'know. No one can really make it through that, so I just. [Screamed and cried hysterically until one of their neighbors had the sense to call the police.] I just kept pushing at his throat and he just kept bleeding.