Actually, to say something rather outrageous, the old man's son did harbor some resentment toward the two elders.
The moment he learned that something had happened to his son, his vision had gone black for an instant.
But...
The two elders weren't strangers. They were his parents. Aside from getting angry for a while, what else could he do?
He couldn't even show his anger in front of them.
The old woman sat dazed on the bed for a long time.
"...It was my fault."
She murmured.
"It was my fault..."
"If only I hadn't..."
"Mom!"
The old man's son shouted, nearly losing control.
The next second, seeming to realize he had lost control, the man took a deep breath.
"Mom, don't say that."
His voice was low.
None of us wanted this to happen...
"...Don't say that..."
"Dad, keep an eye on Mom."
"I... Lele..."
For a moment, the man couldn't bring himself to say that he had to go take care of his son's funeral arrangements.
The old man nodded in understanding.
"Go ahead."
"I'll stay with your mother."
The man left.
But the unnatural atmosphere in the hospital room didn't dissipate when he did.
The old woman lowered her eyes.
The old man was silent, too.
After a long while, the old man placed a hand on the old woman's back and gently patted her.
"We've let the children down."
"I know you feel guilty and regretful."
"So do I."
"...But next time, don't show it in front of the children."
"Otherwise... wouldn't we just keep reminding them... that Lele is gone?"
The way their son and daughter-in-law had acted made the elders realize how much their behavior had hurt them.
They deliberately held back their emotions.
When they returned home,