"May I hug you?"
After a moment of hesitation, Shade asked her:
"As a farewell, just one hug."
The Black-Haired Lady took the initiative and gave him a gentle embrace:
"Go on. Don't linger here. I belong to the past, and you belong to the future."
She saw him downstairs, and they bid each other farewell again in the entrance hall. Neither could say a word as they looked at one another. At last, Shade's lips moved, and he embraced her as well:
"We'll meet again."
"We will, Shade."
(Little Mia running.)
In the dim Time Transfer Station, Thomas Bennett, who had returned behind the counter, looked up when footsteps came from above the stairs.
He saw Shade return with a wistful expression and teased him in a hoarse voice:
"I've seen that expression on countless faces. Looks like you ran into something troubling in the past?"
"It really is troubling. My original thought was right: traveling through time only brings more regrets. Perhaps some things are better left unknown."
"A profound conclusion."
Shade had already come down the stairs to the 1st Floor:
"Aren't you curious whether I found Anthony Winslet in the end?"
He asked Bennett behind the counter, but the latter shook his head indifferently:
"What does that have to do with me? I've seen too many stories here. Your story of being entrusted to find someone isn't particularly interesting. Of course, if you're willing to share whether you met the teacher of the teacher you mentioned the first time in 1821, I'd be happy to make you a pot of tea."
"No, I really did go to find Anthony Winslet. I don't want to share my private affairs."
A brief laugh seemed to come from behind the mask:
"Then are you finished? I'm closing up as