"If that guy shows up around here... it would be best to keep Oliver and Gouten away from the conflict," Baldur said.
"Honestly... I think Oliver and Gouten could be on par with that guy," Max replied calmly. "But yes, I'd rather they not get involved. I don't see any need for them to go through that."
Baldur looked at him intently, then smiled slightly.
"You've changed a lot, Max. To think that just two days ago you were still the same grumpy Max as always..."
"It's not that," said Max, looking down at his own hand. "I've been feeling... heavy lately."
"Are you sleeping well?" asked Baldur, concerned.
"Of course I am."
"Then something is blocking you... Have you apologized to Oliver yet?"
Max frowned.
"What does that have to do with feeling heavy?"
"The body acts in very strange ways when there are repressed emotions. Even if you're not aware of them."
Max was silent. He slowly closed and opened his fist.
"Actually... I felt light when I fought Gorgo. It was like... a release. A moment of clarity."
"Maybe, but don't confuse that relief with resolution," warned Baldur.
"Yes... I know I should apologize. But I don't think that will solve anything." Deep down, I feel like it's right to treat him this way. My instincts tell me I should push him to his emotional limit.
"You may be right," said Baldur. "But this is not the time or the way to do it."
Max looked down again.
"All right..."...
That memory haunted him all day... and the next morning as well.
Max was sitting on a bench in the middle of the town's main square. In one hand he held a bag with the missing tools.
His back was straight, leaning against the back of the bench, and his eyes were lost in the clouds.
"What does it mean to be human?" he murmured softly. Why is Mr. Baldur so emotional and sensitive with the kids? They're not even related by blood, and yet... he's more of a father to them than I am as a brother...
"He's strong... stronger than me... but he restrains himself," Max muttered with narrowed eyes. "He doesn't train to be a soldier... what led him to that level and that control?"
He looked down, feeling a knot in his stomach.
"Damn it... I'm in a deep hole," he muttered angrily. "This heaviness makes me want to sleep..."
Yawning, he stood up and walked back home...
Two hours passed...
Oliver and Gouten were watching TV. They wouldn't be training today: Baldur had given them the day off, as he was going to visit Kawaki in the hospital.
After a short nap, Max left his room and entered the main house, where he found the two boys. They looked at him silently; Max frowned, confused.
"What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?" he asked.
"You put your pants on backwards," Gouten replied, stifling a laugh.
Max looked down and noticed the mistake, letting out a snort of annoyance.
"Damn... how annoying..." he muttered as he headed to the bathroom.
When he came out of the bathroom, Max was wearing his pants correctly.
"Oliver... do you have a moment?" he asked, looking away and scratching the back of his neck. I need your help with something...
Oliver swallowed, incredulous.
"Why not me?" interrupted Gouten, with a hint of annoyance.
"Because I don't feel like putting up with you. If you took things seriously, I'd take you," replied Max, frowning. Gouten said nothing.
"I'm coming..." Oliver said quietly, standing up and walking behind Max as they left the house.
Just before walking out the door, Max grabbed a coat and threw it over Oliver's head.
"Wrap up warm. It's still autumn."
He quickly put on the coat and walked silently behind Max. They both crossed the forest, their footsteps muffled by the fallen leaves.
Oliver looked at his brother's back: that lost look, his neck bent forward and his shoulders slumped... It wasn't Max's usual posture. Something was wrong.
They reached the shore of a quiet lake. Oliver stopped and watched Max as he picked up a stone from the ground.
"What are we supposed to do here?" Oliver asked, peeking out from under the collar of his coat.
Max looked up with a slight, sad smile.
"What's wrong?" Can't a guy spend time with his brother?" he said, throwing the stone hard. It flew through the air, hit the opposite shore, pierced the bark of a tree, and lodged itself in the trunk. "Oops... I got carried away."
Oliver stood still, stunned by Max's confession.
"I know what you're thinking..." Max continued, turning to look at his brother. "This isn't like Max..." And you're right. I'm a terrible person, very closed off with you guys.
He looked down, his hands in his pockets.
"When I try to be different, I just end up confusing you..."
"It's not that... it's just weird to see you..."
"Vulnerable?"
"Yes... We're used to seeing you serious, upset, or angry... Sometimes you smile, but very rarely..."
"Hey... you sound so mature... Are you really six years old?" Max laughed. "In the city, I ran into kids your age who just pick their noses or ride bikes..."
Oliver scratched his cheek when he heard the comparison; he didn't know how to react.
"This is so weird... it makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it?" Max asked as he threw another stone. It bounced on the water four times before sinking.
Oliver remained silent, staring at the ripples spreading out.
"Damn..." Max muttered. "Doing this seriously is hard."
"Relax... you don't have to force yourself," Oliver finally replied in a low voice. "I can tell you're uncomfortable too."
"No... this is necessary," Max said, walking over to Oliver and sitting down next to him.
Oliver, unsure, imitated him and sat down next to his brother.
"I'm sorry," Max began, his voice soft. "I said hurtful things to you, things that were uncalled for. I'm supposed to be your brother... I should protect you, not belittle you."
"Oh... I understand," Oliver replied, smiling slightly. "Don't worry, Max. I know you didn't mean any harm..."
Oliver felt a momentary sense of relief, but Max raised his hand, as if to stop him.
"I called you 'weakling' and I apologize," he continued. "There's nothing wrong with being weak. We're not all born with the same strengths; maybe I excel at different things, with different abilities. Just... don't torment yourself over stupid things like that."
Oliver's smile faded. His gaze darkened.
Although Max continued talking, his words were drowned out by the critical thoughts swirling in Oliver's mind.
Max noticed the change in Oliver's face, without understanding what was happening.
"Hey... are you okay? ...
"Yeah... I just got cold..." Oliver lied, burying his head in the collar of his coat to hide his gloomy expression.
"Yeah... it's getting chilly, actually..." Max said, looking up at the sky, noticing the steam escaping from his breath. Let's go home... I bought some chocolate... maybe we can have a cup... if Gouten didn't drink it first...
"Yes..." Oliver replied in a broken whisper. He walked beside Max, his eyes fixed on the ground, feeling the weight of his own thoughts.
"This conversation led me to a conclusion... I haven't made any progress... not even training with Baldur... I'm still weak... weak..." Oliver thought, as each step seemed to sink him deeper into his own sadness.