The sun rose gently over Amegase, spilling golden light across the fields Mamoru and Gyomei had helped till only days before. The air was cool, brimming with warmth from the voices of the villagers who had gathered at the edge of the path.
Mamoru, Gyomei and Onimaru stood before them, packs prepared, ready to continue their journey. But no one in the village wanted to let them leave without a proper farewell. The villagers carried baskets overflowing with rice, vegetables, dried meats, fruits and food they had gathered as gifts .
"Take this Mamoru, please. It isn't much, but it's from our hearts," said an elderly woman, bowing deeply.
Another villager added, "You gave us more than food or strength . Come back to us, come back soon."
Children tugged at Mamoru's clothes, their eyes bright with tears they tried to hide"So don't forget us okay come back again."
Mamoru knelt down, ruffling the boy's hair. "I could never forget this place. I promise you, I'll come back."
Onimaru snorted proudly, his ears twitching as several children hugged him tightly. He bore it with unusual gentleness, allowing the smallest ones to bury their faces in his thick white fur.
But the moment that struck deepest was when a group of villagers stepped forward toward Gyomei. In their hands was a string of prayer beads, crafted with care, each bead dyed a deep crimson.
"We heard your story, Gyomei-san" said one villager, his voice trembling. "What happened to you was cruel beyond words. But those broken beads you once carried… . We wanted to give you new ones. We chose red for the courage you have . "
The beads were placed gently in Gyomei's large hands. He bowed his head, his lips trembling as he held them close. His massive frame shook ever so slightly, and for a brief moment, tears glistened in his sightless eyes.
"Thank you…" his voice was thick with emotion, each word heavy. "This kindness… it is more than I deserve."
The villagers protested, shaking their heads. "You deserve more than you've ever been given, Gyomei-san."
Touched beyond words, Gyomei placed the beads around his neck. The red shone vividly against his broad chest, a symbol of renewal born from the compassion of those he had saved.
The farewell was long, filled with tears, laughter, and promises. Eventually, Mamoru, Gyomei, and Onimaru began walking down the dirt road, their figures growing smaller against the horizon. The villagers waved until they could no longer see them.
For a time, they walked in silence, the sounds of cicadas filling the summer air. Mamoru glanced at Gyomei beside him his hands clasped together in prayer, the red beads glinting softly in the sunlight.
"Gyomei," Mamoru spoke suddenly, his voice quiet but thoughtful. "What does fairness mean to the world?"
Gyomei did not answer at once. His head tilted slightly upward as if he were listening to the wind. The silence stretched until Mamoru thought perhaps he would not answer at all. Finally, Gyomei's deep voice rumbled softly:
"Fairness does not exist in this world. The world never promised anyone that it would be fair."
Mamoru's lips parted, ready to respond but no words came. He closed his mouth, lowering his gaze to the dirt path beneath his feet. His mind turned Gyomei's words over, searching for some flaw in them, some light to counter the heaviness of that truth. But there was none.
He kept silent, his chest heavy with thought.
Beside him, Gyomei walked on, his beads clicking faintly with each step. Onimaru padded quietly ahead of them, his white fur gleaming in the afternoon sun.
The three figures moved onward , the laughter of Amegase now only an echo in the wind.