Tears were like a torrential rain, washing away the fire in her heart. Amid the extinguished ashes, Hesta saw the heavy shackles upon herself for the first time.
These shackles, heavy as boulders, had pressed upon her back day and night, yet she had never noticed them at all.
Because there was always something new to do before her, and new people constantly appeared and departed around her. After each encounter and parting, fate always left behind more tangled, sharp knots for her to unravel.
In her daze, she accepted them all without question.
Now Chiba had given this feeling a name. Hesta tried to understand, but her tears only came faster, and the confusion in her heart grew heavier. By the end, Hesta was even a little dazed. She neither remembered nor cared why she was crying; she only felt that every tear was steeped in pain.
Chiba said nothing. She stood to one side, neither stopping nor comforting her.
After a long while, Hesta finally exhausted the last of her strength. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked so weak that she might faint at any moment.
Chiba came closer. "Finished crying? Do you feel any better?"
Hesta shook her head. Frowning at Chiba, she asked, "What exactly did you come here for today, Miss Chiba...?"
Chiba raised her right hand. A silver key ring spun lightly on her fingertip, like a magic trick.
"Ta-da."
A small key hung from the ring, identical to the one Shawn had taken.
In an instant, Hesta felt her eyes grow hot again.
"It's only a key. Don't dwell on it," Chiba said calmly. "As long as people are still here, you can have as many keys as you want."
She placed the key beside Hesta's hand. "I came today