"Did you hear their side out?"
Hana opened her mouth, her voice dropping into its standard, flat register. "Why do I need to hear their side? It's my decision to make. They just need to be aware of it and accommodate it."
Ren smiled nervously, his white-furred ears twitching at her absolute, unyielding stubbornness. "Well... that's true. But then again, if it's a decision that directly compromises their lives and their position, you should still hear them out. Even if you have absolutely no intention of changing your mind, you should still listen to what they have to say. It makes them feel valued, and it helps you understand how their minds are calculating the situation."
Hana went completely silent, staring down into the wooden bowl. The broth was entirely gone now, leaving only a faint residue at the bottom.
Why do I have to listen to their side? she thought, her internal database drawing a complete blank. She didn't get it.
