From a viewer's perspective, Zhong Min found himself deeply immersed, analyzing the plot through his own lens.
"So... the official info says the Light Orbs have mysterious powers. Does that mean they can cure Ushio's illness?!"
He typed out his speculation in the fan group chat while watching the episode.
But the group's reaction was swift—and intense.
"That's BS. If the Light Orbs can cure illnesses, then Nagisa Furukawa died for nothing, didn't she? Think about it—Tomoya already collected like seven or eight orbs just from resolving earlier events. If those things could heal people and he just didn't know... and Nagisa died because of that... That would be unforgivable."
"Exactly. Keep fantasy stuff out of modern drama. If Jing Yu the Butcher wants to save Ushio, he can just do it. Why complicate things with Light Orbs? Probably just a setup for Season 3."
"Season 3? What else is there to tell?"
"Like, what if Tomoya, Fuko, and Ushio form a new family? I'd absolutely watch that."
Reading the fan group's reactions, Zhong Min sighed and gave up on the Light Orb theory. He refocused on the story.
The plot had shifted.
Ushio, bedridden from her worsening illness, could no longer go outside.
Tomoya had quit his job and was taking care of her full-time.
And then—summer passed.
Her condition worsened. She couldn't even get out of bed anymore.
Still, her biggest wish remained:
"I want to go on a trip. I want to go with Daddy."
"I want to ride the train with Daddy."
But her health made it impossible for Tomoya to take her out.
And just like that, autumn slipped by.
During this passage of time, past supporting characters returned for brief appearances:
Akio, Sanae, Fuko, Youhei, Misae, Tomoyo—
After all, this was the second-to-last episode, and Jing Yu was clearly giving everyone a final bow.
A long talk between Tomoya and Akio helped soften the despair that had built up through Ushio's illness arc.
But in the end—
As Zhong Min watched, an uncomfortable feeling took root.
The story transitioned from autumn to winter.
And Ushio's condition grew even worse.
She could no longer even speak properly—barely able to whisper her wish.
"Daddy… I want to go on a trip…"
"We'll go once you're better."
But Ushio's expression turned sad.
"I want to go… now."
"After you get better…"
"No… it has to be now. Just the two of us."
They looked at each other, saying nothing, but everything was conveyed in that silence.
In the fan group:
"Wait, wait, wait—what is this? Is this her 'final burst of energy'?"
"Does Ushio know… she doesn't have much time left?"
"Shut up! Don't jinx it! She's just been stuck indoors for too long. Anyone would want to go outside after being bedridden that long."
"I hope that's all it is. God, I don't even want to keep watching."
"I'm so conflicted right now. On one hand, I really sympathize with Tomoya... On the other hand, I really want to punch Jing Yu. He made Tomoya the most tragic character—and then made him that tragic. What the hell, man?"
"I swear, if Ushio dies—I'm done. Blacklist. Never watching another one of his shows again."
But despite all the viewer protests, the story continued down the path everyone feared most.
Tomoya dressed Ushio in a beautiful outfit, making her look like a little doll.
"Let's go. We're going to have fun today, okay?"
He masked his sorrow behind a smile.
This was the one wish his daughter had held onto for over half a year.
Even though he knew it was dangerous to take her out in such heavy snow...
He couldn't say no.
Tomoya gently held Ushio's hand.
The two walked slowly through the snowy streets, headed toward the train station.
"Still okay? Ushio, if you're not feeling well, tell me."
But they hadn't even made it a hundred meters from the house before Ushio couldn't walk anymore.
The background music shifted—sorrowful, melancholic.
Snow began to fall.
Exactly like the night Nagisa Furukawa died.
All these callbacks, all these layered echoes of the past—everything pointed to one conclusion:
That Ushio, like her mother, would meet the same end.
Tomoya's face was filled with anguish as he held Ushio's hand and continued walking.
And then...
She collapsed in his arms.
"Daddy… Where are we? Are we on the train yet?"
Ushio was delirious.
[This drama will not have any more tragedies]
Zhong Min's hands clenched into fists.
That quote—Jing Yu's reply in the Qingyun comment section earlier today—
Had he lied?
Was it all just to mess with the fans?
"So dark… Is it nighttime already?"
When Ushio hugged Tomoya and said those words—
Zhong Min broke down completely.
She couldn't even see anymore?
"Daddy... I love you the most."
That was Ushio's final line.
In the very next scene—
Ushio, nestled in Tomoya's arms, drew her last breath.
No sound.
No movement.
Nothing.
Zhong Min's heart sank.
Sank deeper.
Snow continued to fall.
The camera lingered on the snowy field, the father and daughter embraced, Ushio's faint smile—
And then, everything faded.
When Zhong Min came back to his senses, he realized tears and snot were pouring down his face.
And in the fan group—
Everyone was stunned.
"What the hell was that?!"
"I can't take it anymore—I'm sobbing!"
"Jing Yu, I swear, this is WAR."
"This guy has serious issues. He must be emotionally starved or something."
"Why? Why did it have to be like this?"
"Even Ushio? You monster."
"Anyone remember that comment Jing Yu-sensei left this afternoon?
'This is a heartwarming drama. It won't be a tragedy.'
He was talking out of his ass."
"Complete bullshit. I can't. I just can't with this."
"Where's my 40-meter-long sword? I'm tracing his IP to find his house!"
"Anyone wanna form a team to surround Jing Yu's film set tomorrow? Let's go. Sign-ups open now."
"I'm never watching his shows again. One-star review. No excuses."
"This one's unforgivable. When Nagisa died, at least we had Ushio to carry the emotional torch.
Now even Ushio's gone…
Forget it."
"I won't be able to sleep tonight. Jing Yu, how are YOU sleeping tonight?!"
Compared to the backlash from Nagisa's death, this wave of rage was on an entirely different level.
After Episode 11 of Clannad Season 2 aired, the internet erupted.
By 9 PM, the first viewers had finished the episode.
By 11 PM, every major drama forum online had been taken over by furious Clannad fans.
That night, the entire TV drama scene—
It was in absolute chaos.