But precisely because of this, their mourning for old friends over the years, and the despair following the deaths of their loved ones, became all the more evident. It felt as if all their heartfelt efforts had been in vain, their sincerity washed away. Yet, ironically, upon meeting old friends again and witnessing those familiar smiles from the past, they no longer had the heart to blame the helpless, life-altering twists of fate. All that remained was resentment. Ah, the fickleness of destiny!
If reunions between friends were like this, it was even more so for those who had never gotten along. In the past, they would haggle over the smallest things; their animosities and grudges were countless, tangled with deep-seated resentment. Now, upon meeting again, one could only imagine what sort of incidents might occur. Perhaps, in an instant, the atmosphere would become charged, thick with the metaphorical smell of gunpowder.
