[Rei does flinch at the punch, but he doesn't back down. Rin has to know, he has to understand, that Rei can't let this go. He's put them in danger before. To think he's done it again tears him up inside.]

I thought I could let it have me!

[He shouts out his plan (admittedly, not much of one), and it rings around the hallway, echoing off the walls and bouncing back to him. Saying it out loud makes it sound more stupid and unlikely than it had in his head, but he's not giving up. If there's even a chance he could sate the beast before it hurts anyone else, he'll gladly die a thousand deaths.]

They let it out because of me. What if I'm the one it wants, then? Isn't that the way it works in ghost stories? The offender is the one who has to face the monster.

[His voice grows bold again, as he looks Rin dead in the eyes.] So if I let it have me, it might stop. And then everyone will be safe.