Gyomei Himejima's enormous transformation left Sayo stunned.
But when she saw his eyes, clouded white, she once again felt that familiar kindness.
Her heart miraculously calmed, and tears began to fall.
Sayo had imagined countless times what she would say when she found her teacher, Himejima.
But now, she was too choked up to speak.
Gyomei Himejima sensed where Sayo was and slowly crouched down.
Then he reached toward the sound of her sobbing and gently stroked her head.
At that moment, Gyomei Himejima suddenly thought of the Transparent World that Mr. Yoriichi had taught him.
As if struck by a sudden flash of insight, Gyomei Himejima felt that he could actually "see" the world again.
He "saw" the small figure before him, sobbing softly, her body trembling.
"Sayo..."
Tears slowly flowed from Gyomei Himejima's eyes.
"It's so good to see you again."
Those words seemed to flip a switch, and Sayo immediately burst into loud sobs.
"Teacher, I'm so sorry!"
"I-I've always wanted to apologize to you, to explain what happened that day."
"We children had made a promise."
"Because you couldn't see, we would protect you if there was danger!"
"The ones who ran outside were actually trying to find someone, or something they could use as a weapon!"
Her sobs grew louder.
"And I'm sorry! I was too stupid to make them understand what I meant."
"It was that demon who killed everyone. You saved us..."
Gyomei Himejima reached out and hugged Sayo.
Her tears soaked a patch of his clothes.
Sayo spoke through her sobs.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you for fighting for me!"
After so many years, Gyomei Himejima finally heard the words he had most wanted to hear.
Lin Yoriichi couldn't help musing to himself.
*With the mood already built up like this, why couldn't