Kallen held Yae Sakura close, feeling the trembling in her arms gradually subside into calm.
"Sakura, although I wasn't here before and missed so much... it's not too late now."
Kallen said to Yae Sakura, "From now on, I'll stay by your side and face those hardships with you."
"Kallen..."
Hearing those words by her ear, Yae Sakura grasped the hands holding her.
Kallen's words gave Yae Sakura a little more courage.
"Can I... still face those things?"
Yae Sakura wanted an answer from Kallen.
"Of course you can."
Kallen answered Yae Sakura. "Sakura, your younger sister probably wouldn't want to see you remain so despondent either."
"Your sister... she must have been a gentle child, just like you, Sakura?"
With such persuasion, Yae Sakura finally calmed down.
"Kallen... and Kiana."
Yae Sakura brushed her fingers across the corner of her eye, inadvertently wiping away the tears there. Then she turned to Kallen and Kiana. "Thank you."
"You don't need to be so polite, senior sister Yae Sakura!"
Kiana was a little embarrassed. "Helping you is what we should do. There's no need to thank us like this."
"No. If you hadn't come, perhaps I would have kept living in guilt over the past."
Yae Sakura shook her head. "I want to end Yae Village's Sacrifice Ritual. For Rin... for what Rin once told me, I must truly become a Miko who can protect others. This kind of ritual can no longer continue."
"Kiana, Kallen, please... help me."
Yae Sakura pleaded with Kallen and Kiana. "Even if I lose the power of a Miko... for Rin's final wish, I must end this absurd Sacrifice Ritual."
Kiana and Kallen exchanged a glance, then nodded.
At this point, Yae Sakura had completely resolved to join Kiana and Kallen in ending the Sacrifice