It was late in the afternoon, and he had just finished his shift in the pet store. Feeling the need to "vent" to his friend, he quickly left for the cemetery. Having left the flowers and burned some incense on Sano and Baji family graves, he was crouching in front of the Baji's grave, mentally confiding in his dead friend, which helped him deal with whatever inner problem he might have had.

Being deep in thought and imaginary conversation with Baji, he didn't even hear the approaching footsteps. Only when the person who came was close enough for him to feel their presence, he turned his head away to see what's going on. A meter away from him stood a woman in her late 50's, dressed fully in black, with a bouquet of white lily flowers in her hands.

- Who are you, young man? - the woman spoke politely, but her whole presence oozed suffering and pain that's beyond understanding for the most people.

Kazutora recognized her, even though it's been almost 15 years since he last saw her. The shame upon realization that he failed to visit and apologize to the one person he needed to the most, overwhelmed him completely.

- Hanemiya Kazutora, madam! - he instantly kneeled down in front of her, bowing his head to the ground in deepest apology.

- Ah, it's you... I didn't recognize you; you've changed a lot since I last saw you hanging out with my Keisuke. You are still friends, I see. - a faint smile audible in her voice filled with pain.

Kazutora was left for words. He didn't dare say anything, he had nothing to say. He had no right to speak, even! He just remained still on the ground, tears forming in his eyes.

- You know, Kazutora-kun... so many times I have wondered: "How could you?!", I imagined the moment I'd see you and how I'd react... I actually prayed I'd never see you, for both our sakes. Mother's pain upon losing her only child... that's not something you'll ever be able to experience! And that's unfair! What is mere ten years in jail for what you did?! But strangely enough, I don't hate you. I don't feel anything upon seeing you, actually.

"Baji died protecting me; To the very last moment, he was protecting me, and I... I..." - he couldn't even finish the thought, and speaking was utterly impossible. He wasn't able to suppress the tears anymore, and he stopped trying.

For about a minute, there was silence, broken only by his crying. His back lightly twitched with each sob.

- Raise your head, please. I cannot talk to you like that. I understand that Keisuke wanted to protect everyone. That boy was just that kind... He loved you guys above anything else!

- Mrs. Baji... - Kazutora faintly uttered through a sob. - Mrs. Baji, please let me be of service to you! Please allow me to repent by taking care of you! I'll consider you my own mother from now on! Please... - his voice broke. - I'm begging you!

She couldn't help being moved by his gesture. He was sincere in his offer, she could tell. He meant each word seriously. Maternal feelings rose inside of her once again, and she started crying as well.

- Damn you, kiddo... how can I say no to you when you're like that? Get up, please, you'll catch a cold.

Kazutora slowly rose his head to look at his new "mother".
- I am beyond grateful, O-kaa-san! - he burst into tears again.

She extended a hand towards him to help him stand. - Come on, get up! Let's go back, I'll make you something to eat. You're so skinny! - she let out a small amused laugh while wiping her own tears.

Kazutora obediently accepted. There was no way not to, that would have meant he offended her and her good will.

- I'm sure Keisuke is happy now, watching us make up from above. - she smiled.

- Yes... - his voice was barely audible.

. . .

That night he had nightmares about Shin'ichiro's death, for the first time since he had left the jail. "This is something I have to live with" - he thought to himself, "There's no escape from one's responsibilities and sins. Bear with it however you can, Hanemiya Kazutora, you deserved it!"