"Yes."
"That's good."
Gongsun Ce removed his glasses.
"The hero is tired. His clown sidekick is tired too," he said softly, "Everyone has graduated from their second adolescent phase; it's time for the heroics to end."
The doctor put down the last pill and pushed the medicine box toward the young man, looking into his eyes.
"You really have grown."
"I've just become more cowardly."
"Learning to compromise is also a form of growth." The doctor stood up and picked up the medical kit, "This house call is on the house. If you don't want to undergo psychological therapy, just spend more time with that newcomer."
"Hey, I just had a bout of being too nice."
The doctor turned back and looked at his unaware face.
You're much better when you're joking and talking with that girl than when you're alone. She's a fresh visitor in your life who doesn't remind you of past sorrows.
The doctor didn't vocalize these thoughts, simply stating,
