"Apologize?" Sayo's words somewhat surprised Chiba Yo.
"Why would you apologize to Mr. Himejima?" Chiba Yo asked, puzzled.
"The one who caused Mr. Himejima to be imprisoned… was me…"
Sayo's voice trembled, tinged with a sob.
After hearing this, she struggled internally for a long time, but finally mustered the courage to say it. Once the words were out, she felt a great burden lifted.
"I am that little girl he protected all night… but ultimately identified him as the murderer…"
After hearing Sayo's two sentences, Chiba Yo was shocked, but he didn't make a sound. From Sayo's appearance, she was clearly very remorseful. The fact that she felt this way indicated she wasn't a bad person. Chiba Yo wanted to hear what she had to say.
"But what I said at the time referred to the demon that attacked everyone… Others thought I was talking about Mr. Himejima… I was too scared at the time and didn't dare to open my eyes to see what was happening, and then I fainted…"
Sayo began to explain, then her voice dropped again.
"But even so, it was still my fault that Mr. Himejima was thrown into prison… To be treated this way by the child he desperately protected… He must have been in a lot of pain, and it's only natural for him to be disappointed…
It's all my fault… Everyone respects Gyoumei-sensei so much, but I almost caused him to lose his life… Waaah…"
Sayo covered her face and cried as she spoke. Her way of addressing Gyoumei also changed. In the past, they all called Gyoumei "sensei," but after Sayo learned what she had done, she felt she was no longer worthy of calling him that.
Now, due to her unstable emotions, she unconsciously reverted to her old address.
Hearing this, Chiba Yo roughly understood why Sayo would give out Wisteria flower sachets to passersby for free. Most likely, it was due to the guilt she felt over what she had done, wanting to atone for it.
Of course, this was also because she herself was a kind person.
Chiba Yo gently took Sayo's hand and wiped away her tears, then softly said:
"If you explain the situation clearly, Mr. Himejima will definitely forgive you. After all, it wasn't your fault. The main reason was Kaigaku, who let the demon in.
Since it was a misunderstanding, then explaining it will resolve everything. Mr. Himejima was indeed in great pain because of this, but that's because he thought you deceived others into identifying him as the murderer. If he knew the truth, he would also let go of his past burden and find salvation."
After hearing Sayo's words, Chiba Yo felt that Gyoumei's emotional burden should be able to heal this time.
Sayo looked up slightly upon hearing this, her tears wiped away by Chiba Yo, who then withdrew his hand.
After a moment of silence, Sayo thought clearly and said:
"Thank you… You're right, I must explain it clearly to Gyoumei-sensei."
Chiba Yo's words slightly eased the guilt in Sayo's heart, and she regained her composure.
"Can you arrange for me to meet Gyoumei-sensei?" Sayo asked Chiba Yo.
Chiba Yo had already considered how to handle this matter. Taking Sayo directly to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters was not very realistic, as the location of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters was a secret and could not be easily revealed to others.
If Gyoumei and Sayo were to meet, Gyoumei would need to be informed so they could meet elsewhere.
Besides that, there was another method. If Sayo was willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps, then there would be no problem. Although being a formal member of the Demon Slayer Corps was quite dangerous and might be difficult for an ordinary girl, being a Hidden member was very suitable.
She wouldn't face much danger, and the benefits were quite good, only slightly less than a swordsman. If she became a Hidden member, her life would definitely be better than it was now.
Of course, these choices were for Sayo to make herself. If Sayo wanted to be a swordsman, Chiba Yo would also respect her choice.
Moreover, besides meeting directly, writing a letter could also clarify the matter.
To be honest, given the actual situation, writing a letter was the most suitable method. After all, as a Pillar, Gyoumei had a very busy schedule every day, and even Chiba Yo found it difficult to meet him. Writing a letter would avoid these troubles; he could just have the Kasugai Crow deliver the letter to Gyoumei.
"It's not very easy to meet Mr. Himejima. I'm not sure where he is right now.
If you want to see him, I have two methods here.
I can convey this message to Mr. Himejima, and you can arrange a place to meet.
Alternatively, you can also join the organization that Mr. Himejima and I are part of. This would make it easier to meet Mr. Himejima, and our organization offers very good compensation.
However, both of these methods would take a relatively long time. I think you could write a letter to Mr. Himejima first to explain the matter, and you can meet later."
Chiba Yo replied to Sayo.
"Our organization's name is the Demon Slayer Corps, and our job is to slay demons. However, there's a Hidden unit in the organization responsible for logistics, which generally doesn't face much danger and has good benefits. I think it's quite suitable for you."
He then further explained the Demon Slayer Corps to Sayo.
"If I can't see Gyoumei-sensei immediately, then I'll write him a letter first. Also…" Sayo replied after hearing Chiba Yo's words, then she bowed to Chiba Yo and said somewhat apologetically:
"I'm sorry… If I can meet Gyoumei-sensei, I'll go anywhere, but I don't want to join the Demon Slayer Corps. I want to stay here…"
Over three years, she had developed deep feelings for the people here, and she didn't want to leave.
Although she didn't plan to join the Demon Slayer Corps, she would continue to make Wisteria flower sachets here and give them to passersby.
"It's alright, what you're doing here is also fighting against demons. There's no need to apologize," Chiba Yo said to Sayo with a smile, respecting her choice.
"Thank you…" Sayo was somewhat touched by Chiba Yo's understanding.
"Then you should start writing the letter to Mr. Himejima now. I will also convey your wish to meet him. If Mr. Himejima agrees to meet you later, I will write to let you know," Chiba Yo said to Sayo with a smile.
Sayo nodded upon hearing this, then found paper and a pen in the room and began to write the letter. Chiba Yo turned his back, not looking at the content of the letter.
After a long while, Sayo finished writing the letter.
"I've written everything I want to say to Gyoumei-sensei in there." Sayo folded the letter and handed it to Chiba Yo.
"I will deliver it to Mr. Himejima." Chiba Yo took the letter and carefully put it away.
After the matter was settled, Chiba Yo and Sayo returned to her stall together. Zenitsu was still minding the stall for Sayo.
After saying their goodbyes, Chiba Yo left with Zenitsu.
Once they were far from the market, Chiba Yo called his Kasugai Crow, then tied the letter Sayo wrote to the Kasugai Crow's leg.
"Deliver this letter to Stone Pillar, Mr. Himejima."