"How are you holding up, Maxen?"
Maxen stared at Asher's genuine smile, chuckling airily. "I didn't expect such a simple question."
"Most of the hard questions I have in my head don't need your answer," Asher humored, tipping his head in Cosette's photo. "I guess these questions… will remain as a mystery forever. So? Care to spare me a minute for a check-up?"
"Haha…" Maxen shook his head before his eyes fell on Cosette's portrait. "How I am holding up, huh? Well… I am still alive, as you can see."
His eyelids dropped as his eyes glinted with bitterness and sadness. "Though there were times I wished I wasn't. Losing her is something I never thought I could bear, but I have to, and that made it even harder for me to open my eyes every single morning."
