[ All the hurt, tangled in a tightly-knotted ball. One tug can tighten the grip, so careful precision is needed. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much experience in untying the knots of the heart, so he'll have to improvise, so to speak, and hope his words get through to her. ]

Then that is what it means to live. One cannot live without hurting or being hurt. It is through such things that one can grow and learn.

[ He holds up a hand, and then runs his fingers gently through the bangs in front of his eyes. ]

Perhaps he will finally learn through this. The both of you.

[ But his fingers are still on her face, his sleeve ready to brush away any misty eyes or teary stragglers. ]