The facility was nothing like Haru expected.
No white walls. No sterile rooms. No machines humming in the background.
Instead: gardens. Open spaces. Comfortable meeting rooms. Places designed for conversation, not observation.
The woman who had visited — her name was Dr. Reiko — led them through slowly, answering every question honestly.
"The old organization is gone," she said. "Most of the researchers left after the fracture. Those of us who stayed... we wanted to do better."
Haru studied her.
"And the equipment? The machines?"
"Locked away. Accessible only by unanimous vote of the oversight committee — which includes representatives from the community."
Aiko raised an eyebrow. "Us?"
"If you agree, yes."
They walked in silence for a while.
Then Kenji spoke.
"What about the others? The ones who don't want to come?"
Reiko nodded. "They're free to stay home. We'll provide support remotely if they want it. No pressure. No coercion."
Haru stopped walking.
"Why?"
Reiko met his gaze.
"Because we finally understood what the doctor learned at the end. That healing can't be forced. It can only be offered."
She smiled slightly.
"And because my brother was one of you. He taught me that."