"Jason..."
Bruce wanted to say something, but every word felt so pale and powerless.
An apology from him could not simply erase all those years of neglect.
He had seen Jason's brash, unruly exterior, his exceptional intelligence, and the ferocity with which he fought. He had always thought that taking Jason off the streets and bringing him to the manor, giving the boy a comfortable life, a good education, and the Wayne Family's protection would be enough to change things.
Yet he had never looked deeper into those seemingly peaceful school days, never asked how this boy had slowly found his footing by defending himself with a willingness to take his attackers down with him.
Guilt weighed heavily on his heart, and Bruce's voice grew hoarse.
"I didn't know you'd been through all that... You never told me..."
And somehow, he had simply turned a blind eye.
Jason shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned, as if the days when he had been cornered by bullies were nothing more than old newspapers that no longer mattered.
"It's all in the past."
Jason avoided Bruce's guilt-filled gaze, turning his face away in discomfort.
"Besides, I didn't have a choice. Back then, no one was on my side. Showing weakness would've only made them push harder. And I didn't lose out, either. Those little brats all got hurt worse than I did."
Miaomiao only half understood, but she could faintly sense the bitterness buried beneath Jason's careless words, like a cold, silent current deep beneath the sea.
She took a few small steps forward and gently tugged at Jason's arm.
"It hurt a lot back then, didn't it?"
Jason went rigid. He looked down into Miaomiao's clear eyes, and most of the thorns he had wrapped around himself instantly softened.
"It stopped hurting ages ago,"