That was how Elson found her.
He had come to check on her after learning that she had a major assignment today.
As he had promised Justin when he accepted his request, he would try his best to support Kathrine, who wished not to show her weakness to her friends.
This young lady, who always acted so tough, was now breaking down in front of him.
She hadn't locked the door, and when he knocked, he could already hear her crying from inside. He slowly opened the door, making sure it wouldn't hit her, and stepped in.
He stood beside her as she continued to cry. She didn't even look up at him. He didn't know if she realized it was he who came in, or if she simply no longer cared.
Looking at her, he knew she had failed.
He remembered the focus she had while working on that assignment, the amount of effort she put into it, and he couldn't help but recall the times he, too, had failed.
The countless hours he spent practicing for a performance, only to end up last.
To be honest, Justin had the talent, while he barely had any. The only reason he was able to get to where he is today was that he persevered.
But there were many times he, too, broke down behind closed doors.
He didn't say anything at first.
He simply walked closer, sat beside her, and gently pulled her close.
Kathrine knew it was him.
He had told her he would come visit after her class, since the event he attended that day was nearby. He wanted to hear about her progress.
Though she hadn't wanted him to see her like this, in the end, she couldn't hold it in. Everything felt even heavier now.
All she could do was cry.
She cried into his shoulder like a child, defeated and broken.
"I'm tired," she whispered through the tears.
She finally admitted that she was not fine.
After all this time, she could no longer keep up the façade. She was tired, and she felt completely defeated.
"I keep giving everything I have, and it still feels like I'm not enough. I feel so lost that I don't know where to go anymore."
She truly wondered if this was what Beatrice had felt back then.
But that wasn't right. She mustn't compare, they were different people in different fields.
Elson's voice was low and firm.
"You are enough," he said.
"And I'll remind you every time you forget. Even if you're lost right now, don't think too much. One step at a time. Take things slowly."
Kathrine cried her eyes out without saying anything more.
After a few minutes, she was seated at the dining table while Elson asked for permission to move around the kitchen.
"How about your roommate?" he asked as he made some hot chocolate for her and prepared a light meal.
"Overnight project," she replied.
She felt lighter than before, though still a little embarrassed for crying like that in front of him.
"You must really treasure Justin," she commented.
"Hmmm?" he responded.
"You're helping me so much," she said.
Elson understood what she meant.
"Well, it's true that Justin asked me to help you out. Since I was here and a bit older than you guys, I guess I was his best choice, he knew me, after all. But right now, I just think I should support you."
He walked over and placed a simple dish and a mug of hot chocolate in front of her.
"Because I once passed through the same stage as you. I was overwhelmed by the talents around me, so much pressure and stress that I broke down."
Kathrine was just about to take a sip when he said this, causing her to look up at him.
"Having a younger cousin as talented as Justin is very difficult for the older ones," Elson smiled.
Kathrine blinked.
She knew how talented Justin was, after all, she had seen him practice countless times. Even now, the competition he was preparing for was one of the most difficult.
But she hadn't expected to hear that he was even more talented than his cousins.
Not that she'd heard them all perform, but hearing Elson say that made her pause.
He sat down opposite her.
"Our grandfather plays the violin, and most of us grew up idolizing him, wanting to be like him. We all wanted to become great violinists."
"But if I remember correctly…"
Elson and Justin were the only ones who played the violin, the rest played other instruments.
"Because Justin was born with such monstrous talent for it. He wasn't the youngest, but five of us were older than him," Elson explained knowingly.
"And that's how you went through this stage?" Kathrine asked slowly.
Elson nodded, "I went through it, and felt like my small wins were nothing. Sometimes they brought me joy, but most of the time, I turned away from them, thinking they weren't enough."
Kathrine looked at him, because that was exactly how she was feeling.
"I thought maybe it just wasn't enough. Maybe I wasn't enough to become a good violinist."
Kathrine kept staring at him, making him chuckle.
"Yes, Kathrine. We may have our differences, but I've felt the things you're feeling. As for how similar, I can't say, but I did feel like giving up on my childhood dream."