Risa Amagi collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
Mitsuko didn't know how to comfort Risa Amagi, so he could only stay by her side.
Gradually, Risa Amagi's sobs subsided.
As if asking Mitsuko, and also as if asking herself: "Do you know what despair feels like?"
Mitsuko replied in a low voice, "I know. Just like you right now, it's as if you've fallen into an abyss. The air is humid and stuffy, your thoughts are dark, the world is without light, and the last ray of light in your heart has been swallowed up. You feel like you're forever trapped in darkness, unable to escape."
"So how did you get out?"
"I haven't gotten over it..."
Risa Amagi looked up at Mitsuko.
Mitsuko braced himself on the ground, looking at the half-moon in the sky, and said, "I have never come out of the darkness. I am trapped in the darkness, but I cannot sink into it. If I keep looking back, I will never be able to look forward. It is because of the consequences that I have become who I am today."
Risa Amagi did not respond to Mitsuko, curling up in silence.
Mitsuko's eyes suddenly narrowed.
Are you here...?
Just like with Junpei Ogiya that time, even though there was no one in front of him, it felt like someone was there.
Risa Amagi's gaze was fixed straight ahead.
"Daigo...Eita..."
In Risa Amagi's view, her husband Daigo and child Eita were looking at her with smiles.
Daigo, holding Eita's hand, came to Risa Amagi: "Risa (Mom), it's been a long time."
Risa Amagi stretched out her trembling hands and stroked Daigo and Eita's cheeks: "Am I dreaming...?"
Eita reached out and placed his little hand on the back of Risa Amagi's hand: "Daddy and I are right in front of Mommy right now, and Mommy's hand is stroking Daddy and me on the cheeks."
Risa Amagi suddenly hugged Daigo and Eita tightly, bursting into tears: "I'm sorry, I'm not a good wife, nor a good mother, I'm so sorry, so sorry..."
Daigo and Eita gently wiped away Risa Amagi's tears.
"How could you not be a good wife and mother? I left too early, leaving all the burdens of life on your shoulders. You worked hard to raise Eita, taking on all the things I couldn't do. As your husband, I should be the one apologizing."
"Mom, I also want to apologize to you. I was so useless. If I had listened to you properly, eaten on time, and worn more clothes when it was cold, maybe I wouldn't have gotten sick and I could have stayed with you all this time."
The family of three reunited, sharing their longing, regrets, and apologies with each other.
The figures of Daigo and Eita began to gradually become illusory and transparent.
Risa Amagi cried out in terror, "Daigo, Eita, don't leave me! Please, I can't live without you!"
Eita buried his head in Risa Amagi's arms with great reluctance: "I hope I can be your child again in the next life. I will definitely listen to you and wait for you forever."
Daigo embraced Risa Amagi and Eita with his broad arms: "Risa, I'm sorry for you and Eita in this life. I hope that in the next life, the three of us can be together again, so that I, as your husband and father, can take on the responsibility and protect you and your son."
Daigo and Eita released Risa Amagi: "Risa (Mom), goodbye."
Daigo and Eita completely disappeared from Risa Amagi's sight.
Risa Amagi sat on the ground, lost in thought for a long time.
Mitsuko didn't disturb her, but waited.
Soon after, Risa Amagi came to her senses, stopped crying, turned around, and knelt down in front of Mitsuko.
"I know it was because of you that I was able to see Daigo and Eita again. Thank you so much."
Mitsuko helped Risa Amagi up and extended his right hand to invite her: "You are no longer a demon. Come with us and let's find a place in this world where there is no killing, no discrimination, no filth and ugliness."
Risa Amagi said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I can't agree to that..."
Mitsuko paused for a moment, then asked, puzzled, "Why?"
With a happy smile, Risa Amagi said, "Although I am looking forward to the place you mentioned, it is not a place for me, because my place is waiting for me."
The day I lost my loved ones wasn't the hardest part; it was the days that followed, when they were no longer around. I can't bear those days anymore.
I know this is escapism; I carry too many sins on my shoulders, but I've already sunk into darkness, and I no longer have the courage to look forward and move forward to atone for my sins.
After a long silence, Mitsuko asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Risa Amagi nodded and apologized to Mitsuko, "I'm sorry, child, I've disappointed you."
Mitsuko shook his head: "There's no such thing as disappointment or loss. I can't force others to follow my path. Since you've made your decision, I respect it."
Risa Amagi reached out and tenderly stroked Mitsuko's cheek: "Even though this is our first meeting, I feel like I can sense the pain in your heart. It's like your heart is being torn apart. Child, you must be enduring immense suffering..."
Mitsuko's heart trembled, and he found himself somewhat craving the warmth of Risa Amagi's palm.
"Child, I still don't know your name."
"Katō Mitsuko..."
"Mitsuko... it symbolizes unwavering spirit and cherishes beautiful memories... what a wonderful name... I hope you can achieve your wish and find the place you dream of." Risa Amagi sincerely wished Mitsuko well.
After a moment of silence, Mitsuko looked up at Risa Amagi and asked, "Do you need me to give you a ride?"
"Is it okay? Won't it cause you any trouble?"
"No, because I'm used to parting. Compared to the painful departure of being burned by the sun, I hope you can see your loved ones with dignity and without pain."
"What a gentle child." Risa Amagi gently hugged Mitsuko.
After embracing for a while, Risa Amagi released Mitsuko and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Mitsuko."
Risa Amagi was ready, and finally offered her blessing: "Mitsuko, I hope you can be treated gently by this cruel world."
"I also hope that you can reunite with your loved ones and find happiness again."
Mitsuko raised her Nichirin Blade, her eyes showing no sadness or grief, only a blessing: "Farewell, Risa Amagi..."
"Thank you... Well then, goodbye, Mitsuko Katō..."
As the Nichirin Blade slashed down.
Risa Amagi's life came to an end, and her body gradually turned to ashes.
As Mitsuko gazed at the shapes of the clouds in the night sky, he seemed to see a family of three holding hands.