Ethan grumbled and lay back down on the bed. He had a face that seemed about to cry, but in the end, he didn't shed a tear or express his sorrow. He was still very inexperienced at expressing his feelings honestly.
When I saw him close his eyes, I left the room. I carefully closed the door and paused, noticing Vincent leaning against the wall.
I just blinked, frozen in place, and Vincent turned his head toward me. Though he didn't show any particular expression, his face clearly had many questions. I immediately bowed my head.
I thought he would speak to me right away, but when I glanced up, Vincent was looking straight ahead, not at me.
There's another person who is not good at expressing feelings honestly.
After some hesitation, I quietly approached Vincent. I couldn't just walk past him standing there like that.
A moment of silence passed. Vincent didn't look at me, and I just stared at the floor. Just as the silence was becoming tedious, the words I had been waiting for finally came out of his mouth.
"How is he?"
It's hard for him to ask, but he still inquired about Ethan's condition. I don't know what they talked about in the room, but it was clear that it wasn't a warm conversation.
I hesitated to say he was fine. The memory of Ethan's distorted face suddenly made me feel irritable.
"He cried a lot."
"......"
I regretted saying something unnecessary.
"Just kidding."
Vincent looked at me with bewilderment.
"What are you doing?"
"......I thought I should let you know."
"What?"
"He didn't shed tears. But from what I saw, it seemed like he was crying inside. It looked like he was crying his heart out."
"......"
What exactly is the relationship between Ethan and Vincent? Ethan was reserved in his words, but I knew their awkwardness wasn't just a simple emotional issue. It wasn't something like resentment, blame, or guilt that could be clearly defined. Deeper and more complex emotions were entangled between them.
Vincent must be a precious friend and someone he feels guilty about to Ethan. And what about Vincent?
"After he calmed down, he is now sleeping."
I calmly answered the question he was curious about. His gaze lingered on me for a long time, seemingly displeased. I pretended not to notice and bowed my head even lower, staring at the floor.
"Did he say anything else?"
"He said you were a very precious friend, one of a kind."
"That's not what he said."
He immediately contradicted me. Honestly, I had exaggerated a bit.
"I heard they had a big fight."
"Did Ethan say that?"
"Yes. He said their relationship became distant because of it."
"......Did he say anything else?"
"No."
I held back, fearing that if I said more, he might suspect that I, a mere servant, knew too much. Vincent didn't ask any more questions.
Another uncomfortable moment passed.
What was Vincent thinking while waiting for me to come out? I understand that when someone is precious, you become more cautious. That's probably why he doesn't pour out his feelings. He might hide his true feelings to avoid hurting the other person.
Vincent must see Ethan as a precious friend, someone he resents, and also someone he feels guilty about. I could faintly sense his feelings.
He was still leaning against the wall, not moving, even now. Though silent, it seemed he still had more to say.
I hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Forgive me if this sounds rude, but don't suppress your emotions too much. I'm worried they might become numb."
His gaze fell on me again.
"And if you hold back too much, you might get sick. Sometimes, even if it hurts the other person, it's better to express your true feelings."
There must have been a lot that happened between them, and they must have accumulated many emotions. They should have resolved these issues as they arose, but from what Ethan said, it seemed they didn't even have a proper conversation.
I had observed this just a moment ago. It seemed like this had been going on for five years.
I felt so sorry for them that I spoke up, despite the risk of overstepping. To mend a relationship, you have to open up to the other person first.
"Maybe you should have a loud argument. You are friends, after all."
I believe they will understand each other's true feelings.
Then, a sudden thought came to me, and I blurted it out.
"Or, you could even have a fistfight."
"A fistfight?"
He repeated the unfamiliar word.
"Yes. Violence is bad, but sometimes it's a way to vent and clear your mind."
I didn't fully understand it, but I had seen men who had a fistfight and then acted as if nothing had happened the next day. They had bloody noses and bruised faces, but they said it helped them vent their pent-up frustrations. Since Ethan and Vincent are men, I thought this method might work for them.
"A fistfight......"
Vincent quietly repeated my words.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Surely he wouldn't really consider a fistfight, right? I felt a bit uneasy and added, "Maybe just some bruises, no blood, would be enough." Then I quickly said that resolving things through conversation would be best, but Vincent seemed to only half-listen to my last words.
As Vincent fell silent, deep in thought, the corridor was filled with silence again. I blinked and looked at the floor, occasionally raising my head to glance at Vincent.
Was he upset? He might think I was being presumptuous. After all, I had crossed a line between us.
His expression gradually worsened, making me anxious.
However, contrary to my expectations, a sudden laugh broke the silence.
"Surprising."
"Excuse me?"
"I thought you would say something like, 'Reconcile quickly' or 'Resolve it calmly through conversation.' People usually say that in such situations."
I was taken aback by his words.
"Me?"
Why would I say something like that? I didn't say anything like that in Ethan's room earlier. I didn't even offer any words of comfort.
I wasn't there in that moment. I could understand their pain but couldn't share it. Advice and comfort can only come from someone who has experienced the same pain. Offering words without understanding their pain would be arrogant and could cause more harm.
"I don't know the details of your relationship. I don't know what you've been through or what wounds you carry. I can't even begin to understand. These are things I can say because I'm not directly involved. How can I only say nice things when it's difficult? Whether to endure the pain or express it outwardly is up to the person involved. No matter what choice you make, I have no right to judge."
"......"
"You can continue as you are. It's not ideal, but you don't have to force yourself to change."
A broken relationship is hard to mend easily. If being honest with each other could immediately reveal their feelings and heal their wounds, it would be wonderful.
But it's not that simple. A person who wants to be honest and one who wants to run away can't meet on the same page. This is the root of the current awkwardness.
However, if you don't try, there will be no chance for improvement.
"But if you want things to change, you can take it slowly. It's a process that takes time. Slowly, even if it means arguing, you can face each other properly. You can raise your voice and even hurt the other person. If you wish, don't be afraid to approach. Bit by bit, change will come."
"......"
Just as you once said.
I bowed my head even deeper. His gaze on my cheek felt intense. It seemed to carry some emotion. When I glanced up, Vincent was looking at me with a strange expression.
"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm just surprised."
"Excuse me?"
"Once before...... someone said something similar to me."
I don't know who that person is, but they must be quite admirable.
Vincent turned his gaze away from me and looked straight ahead. His slightly lowered eyelids trembled.
"If you wish, can you return to the way things were before?"
His heavy voice revealed his struggle. I smiled slightly, remembering what Ethan said before I left the room.
"Vincent and I should have talked things out properly after he found out everything. But we missed that chance. Now, even having a normal conversation is difficult."
Ethan said this with a bitter smile. Is there a right time to be honest? Ethan regretted not facing Vincent properly. And now, Vincent is also thinking about their changed relationship. It was reassuring to know they felt the same way.
"You can't go back to the way things were."
"......"
"But you can build a stronger relationship in a new form."
A broken relationship can't return to its original form. Even if you try to piece it back together, the scars won't disappear.
But if you rebuild it, it can become stronger than before. It won't be easy, but it's not impossible.
"If you wish."
Yes, if they wish. I can't do anything for those who have already left. But if they are still alive, what can't they do? There will be a moment when a broken relationship becomes strong again.
I smiled bitterly, thinking about this. I had never had such a relationship myself. But the words I spoke to him were sincere.
"You're strange."
Suddenly, a harsh comment came. What, what's strange about me? I looked at him in bewilderment. Vincent, who had been staring at me intently, turned his head and slightly furrowed his brow.