[Of course she'd jump to help. But while that bubble of anxiety has popped, sending out swells of relief that Sanae is willing to accommodate his request...it's quickly replaced by another bubble of growing concern for her safety. And of course, the usual guilty feelings that he often has for troubling her so deeply, the self-admonishment that he should be able to handle this on his own.

But...at least with the latter, it seems not as intense as it used to be. That particular destructive inclination had surged instinctively, because that is simply the kind of person Lu Meng is, someone who values an independent and strong spirit and mind. But he's been learning about emotions, learning about healthy coping of emotions and his own illness, and as a result he's...somewhat able to arrest that train of negative thought from continuing by reminding himself of his almost daily mantra; that seeking a listening ear every now and then is not a weakness, but part of the road to recovery.]

There's no need for you to make your way here. [He quickly adds.] It's terribly late, and you shouldn't be out on the streets at this hour.

I promise you, it's comfort enough for me to hear your voice.