SHE WANTS TO ARGUE. To shout it’s pointless, to shout that she can’t, she can’t fight that man, not because of Eri, she’s gonna die– but the intensity of her words force Eri’s body to move back a few inches before going completely still again. He is still scolding her, blaming her, telling her to come back to him, and Eri knows she can’t refuse but she can’t make herself move a muscle, either. She’s helpless and still, like a doll frozen in place behind the young lady that came to help her. And that’s where Eri stays; behind her. Watching her fight for Eri of all people, fight him. Eri can’t bring herself to even try to hide or run away from the scene, unable to completely obey or disobey either party.
THE FIGHT ITSELF and Eri’s terror of Overhaul prevents her from running to him and she certainly can’t walk silently and stiffly back to him as she would usually do in this place. She’s behind the lady as she’s told but she can’t make herself try to truly shield herself outside of instinctive flinches here or there. As always, Eri is helpless and resigned to all danger facing her, her fear chaining her to where she is.
BUT SHE DOES stay behind the hero, just as she’s told. She stays there and she lets it all happen. Maybe the lady will be okay if Eri just sits here and let it happen. Maybe only Eri will get hurt. Maybe he’ll leave her alone if Eri doesn’t do anything wrong. Maybe she’ll win.
