Don't know if could be called a blessing in disguise—the family adopting Sayo was a well-off grain merchant household. At minimum, could guarantee her food and clothing without worry.
When we arrived there, saw Sayo playing with nearby children.
Perhaps still hadn't emerged from shadows. Or had concerns. Sayo silently hid to the side. Didn't join the children's games.
Gyomei said he held no expectations. But keen ears failed to capture familiar laughter. Still couldn't help quietly asking me, "Is Sayo... alright?"
I truthfully relayed, "That child wears very thick clothes. Face also has color. The family adopting her shouldn't be mistreating her. However, looks quite spiritless."
Materially speaking, should be living better than the past... But this girl's face had no smile. Instead looked somewhat depressed.
I carried purchased konpeito. Distributed to children. Incidentally inquired about Sayo's matters from them.
From children's feedback—no one should be bullying her. Just that she often refused others' invitations. Gloomily shrank in corners. Ignored everyone.
"I'm someone Sayo knew before. Can you call her over to say a few words?" I gave the oldest child several more candies. "Don't worry. Right at this position you can see. If I plan to take her away, you can shout for help."
The leader playing with these children was very responsible. He vigilantly looked at me for a long time. Seemed to want to see my face clearly through the hat shading me from sun.
However, didn't succeed. He thought a bit before saying, "I'll call her over. You mustn't do strange things."
I smiled and nodded. Watched him run back. Walked beside Gyomei, deliberately said, "Do you think this child is selfish?"
He silently chanted scriptures. Too lazy to acknowledge me.
Before long, Sayo walked over. Looking at us concealing appearances with cloaks. Hesitantly shouted toward Gyomei, "Teacher? Is it Teacher?"
Gyomei stepped back. Before I could react, he suddenly turned, hurriedly leaving.
Sayo instead seemed to confirm something. Chased his retreating figure, running. While running, shouted loudly, "It is Teacher, right! Teacher, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Tears rolled down her face. Melted into snow, traces no longer visible. She strived to chase that tall figure ahead. Suddenly staggered. Fell forward.
I hurried forward, prepared to pick her up. Who knew—Gyomei returned. With faster speed, helped her up. Stroked her reddened forehead, asking, "Are you alright?"
Sayo hugged him tightly, wailing. "Wahhh—Teacher—Teacher!"
She cried truly too sadly. Constantly sobbing. Cries heart-wrenching.
I lowered my head searching for a handkerchief. Just heard several angry shouts behind me. "Hey! Bad guys! Let go of Sayo!"
Looked back—sure enough, that boy brought several other children chasing over. Faces full of anger, glaring at us.
He only held a rock in hand. Other children even only had time to ball snow into spheres, gripping them. Nervously, awkwardly confronting us.
Forget I was a demon—even if I truly were a malicious bad person, their resistance wouldn't have any effect.
But their actions—in my view, funny and adorable. The courage they harbored not one bit less than swordsmen facing demons.
Therefore, I also held respect, politely explained to them—we absolutely weren't bad people luring children.
The boy leading the charge was called Hirano. Young age, but acted methodically. Very measured.
He found an eave to avoid snow. After hearing me finish explaining Gyomei and Sayo's matters, Hirano thought a bit. Also said to Sayo:
"Don't cry, Sayo. If there's a misunderstanding—while adults come, explain clearly. You're not an ungrateful person, right?"
Sayo already wiped away tears. Still sat on Gyomei's lap. Tightly gripped his clothes. Intermittently spoke that day's truth. "The person I mentioned... was the guy who broke in. Killed everyone. Not Teacher..."
Realizing she said the wrong thing—Sayo was already adopted by new parents. Heard them talking about the monk adopting her actually being a murderer. Only then understood why Gyomei disappeared.
Even though she strived to explain to adults—the murderer wasn't Gyomei... But because the demon already disappeared, she couldn't produce other evidence. And Gyomei was already imprisoned. Adults didn't take her words to heart.
Saying this, tears surged out again. Cried breathlessly. "Clearly not Teacher. I, uh, if I explained clearly, Teacher wouldn't... wouldn't..."
Gyomei reached out to wipe away her tears. Expression on his face very gentle. He gently patted Sayo's back like coaxing a child. Tone tender, said, "It's alright. It's alright. Doesn't matter now."
Hirano took out a handkerchief from his chest, handed it to Sayo. Stood before Gyomei. "This matter truly was Sayo's fault. I also apologize to you together with her... Because after hearing this matter, I also believed you were the murderer. Very sorry. Also, Monk sir, thank you for saving Sayo."
Gyomei didn't speak for a long time. When I glanced over—only then discovered his eyes brimmed with tears. Silently weeping.
"Doesn't matter... As long as this, it's enough."
He was someone completely different from his appearance—heart very soft. Just children's apologies and gratitude could reconcile with those days imprisoned.
Perhaps what Gyomei wanted from the start was only this. Fortunately, he obtained what he wanted.
I silently stood to the side like a pillar. Hirano hesitated a while. Together with Sayo, stepped forward to embrace Gyomei.
For a moment—as if even snow stagnated.
After everyone calmed their emotions, immediately had to face parting.
Gyomei politely declined the request to visit adoptive parents together with Sayo. Just carefully instructed her—live well. Let go of past matters. Just focus on what's before you.
Sayo tearfully asked, "Will Teacher come see me again?"
"Will come..." Gyomei said. "When Sayo grows up healthy, becomes an adult—I'll come visit Sayo again. You must also promise me this."
As parting gifts, I distributed all wisteria sachets on my person to the children. Instructed them not to play in deserted places after dark. Wherever they went, must wear wisteria.
After untying his heart's knot, Gyomei looked in even better condition. After departing, proactively inquired about the demon-slaying organization.
I introduced the Demon Slayer Corps to him. Also said the person we'd meet was the Demon Slayer Corps' leader.
"Do you plan to join the Demon Slayer Corps? Really thought it through?" I asked.
"Yes." He silently chanted requiem sutras. Seemed to pray for those deceased children.
After Sayo's misunderstanding, Gyomei already believed my viewpoint. Believed children should have wanted to help him. Because of this—he felt angry about these children's deaths.
"Previously, I only considered demons legendary creatures. Now know such detestable beings truly exist in this world." He spoke seriously, solemnly. As if making a grand vow before Buddha. "For a world where children can grow up carefree—I must slay every demon in this world, one by one."
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