Allen's heart trembled.
He immediately stood from his seat and moved beside him. Sitting down, he placed a hand on Aether's shoulder and gently shook him.
"Aether…"
His voice softened.
"She is… just leave it, Aether. Let her go."
Allen swallowed hard.
"She didn't deserve you."
He shook Aether's shoulder again, trying to bring him back to himself.
"Come on, buddy. Don't cry…"
His own voice began to crack.
"Y-You're making me sad. I've never seen you this broke, man..."
Allen had never seen him break like this.
Not once!
He had seen Aether angry. He had seen him frustrated. He had seen him exhausted after working for days without proper sleep.
But he had never seen him completely fall apart.
Aether slowly shook his head.
His red, tear-filled eyes emerged from behind his hands.
"What should I deserve?"
His voice was barely audible.
"What did I do wrong?"
He stared at Allen as though he genuinely expected an answer.
"Why does the world… hate me so much?"
