Kaito stood still, his heart racing. Mixed feelings swirled inside him like a storm. A sense of gratitude washed over him—he had never believed the impossible could become real. He touched the familiar fabric of his clothes, reminded of the sight he had sacrificed for this chance. No regrets lingered, just a warm glow of hope.
When he heard his daughter's voice again, a smile broke on his face, spreading like sunshine. To embrace her again, pure joy flood his heart. Nothing in the world could equal that moment. Yet, a whisper of doubt crept in, leaving him wondering how he should truly feel.
Being blind was a heavy weight, a truth he couldn't escape. The vibrant colors and stunning sights were forever out of reach. He imagined the laughter and beauty others experienced and felt a sting of envy sneak into his chest. But deep down, he remembered—the choice was his, and he had accepted it.
His mind raced with questions for Ryuk, each one sharper than the last. He knew Ryuk held the answers he desperately sought, but the path to find him was clouded in uncertainty. Should he return to the place where they first met, where he had opened Ryuk's seal? The thought tugged at his heart.
Lost in his thoughts, Kaito forgot to move his cane. It suddenly struck something solid, and he stumbled forward, hitting the ground with a thud. Just before leaving, Mina had handed him the cane and placed dark glasses on his face. Grateful for these tools, he couldn't imagine braving the world without them.
"Ouch!" he gasped, the shock of the fall shooting pain through his hip.
"Oh dear! Such a child! You've bumped into mister!" a woman exclaimed, her voice filled with concern as she hurried toward him. "I'm so sorry, mister. My child can be a handful, he didn't see you," she help him stood up, her tone apologetic and warm.
"Now, say sorry to mister!" she urged, looking at her child with a frown.
A small voice quivered nearby, "I-I'm sorry, mister! I didn't mean to be naughty, I didn't really see you," The innocence in his words made him smile.
A warm smile spread across his face as he stretched out his hand, feeling around until he gently touched his hair. "It's alright. I was mischievous when I was a child too," he said, his voice soft and understanding.
"You've got to stop moving around! Even a blind person you've bothered! Look at him, he looks like he's heading to work! You should feel some embarrassment!" the mother scolded, her voice sharp and filled with annoyance.
Her words pierced through him, and memories of his own mother flooded back, her angry voice echoing in his mind. "I'm okay, really," he assured her. "Children have a natural mischievousness in them. He apologized, and he sounds sincere," he added with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, mister! You're so hardworking! Are you still working in your situation? My goodness, my husband, he has complete body and senses, but he's very lazy to find a job!" she groaned.
He bit his lip, knowing he couldn't prove he wasn't truly blind before. Who would even believe him? How could he explain that he had returned to the past and only became blind in this timeline? No one would believe him; not even Mina.
"W-Well, that's the way things go," he replied, his voice faint. "Life is hard, so we have to work hard," he added, trying to sound confident despite the weight in his heart.
"That's true," the woman agreed, nodding slightly. "We should prepare for old age and our retirement. Whatever happens, we should be ready," she continued, and from the sound of her voice, he guessed she was around his age.
He smiled shyly, feeling the weight of the conversation lift a little, but then she spoke again. "Where are you going, mister? I'll help you get there," she offered, her tone kind and reassuring.
He shook his head gently. "No need for that. I'm close. I work at Yugen Realty, just over there," he said, pointing in the direction with a faint smile.
Earlier, when he got off the train, he had asked for directions to his job. Now, he knew he had to memorize the path carefully. Being blind meant he needed to learn how to navigate his environment, and if he wanted to protect his daughter, he had to adjust quickly.
"Oh, we're really close to your work now. I'll take you, mister! It's also our way. So don't worry," she insisted, a bright smile lighting up her face.
Kaito considered the offer, a flicker of hope lighting up his thoughts. Life had become a challenging puzzle, and accepting her help felt like a welcome reprieve from the struggle.
"Okay, thanks," he said, his voice steady but tinged with relief.
She gently took hold of his arm, guiding him while her child babbled happily beside them. Kaito kept his focus, sensing the world around him with each careful tap of his cane.
"We're at your work now. I'm really sorry again, mister. Have a good day!" she said, and Kaito felt her bow slightly before she stepped back.
"Ba-bye, mister!" the child chirped. "Bye, be safe! Thank you again!" Kaito smiled in the direction of their cheerful voices, feeling warmth in his heart.
Reaching out, his fingers brushed against the cool glass door of the company. Without a guard in sight, he pushed it open and stepped inside confidently.
A comforting scent wafted through the air, the familiar bamboo fragrance of the building reassuring him. He breathed it in, grateful to know he was in the right place.
Familiarity washed over him, easing his nerves. He had navigated this building for decades, each corner a memory etched in his mind. However, the thought of being an assistant manager prickled his confidence. What did he really know about that job?
Skipping work wasn't an option. Despite the daunting reality, he clung to life's necessity—bills to pay and meals to share. Even if Mina escaped Ryo's grip, hunger remained a constant threat if he don't go to work.
Skipping the elevator, Kaito opted for the stairs; walking the small space alone felt safer with each thoughtful step. Suddenly, he felt a rush of movement, and a hand clasped onto his arm.
"Kaitoooo…!" a familiar voice called out, and he gasped, instantly recognizing Mori's excited tone.
"Mori?" he called back, a sense of excitement and surprise flooding him.
Mori leaned in, taking a deep breath. "Hmm, you always smell so good! Why aren't you taking the elevator? Let me help you with that!" she said, her voice cheerful and bright.
Without hesitation, he allowed her to lead him into the elevator. Inside, he focused on his surroundings, his fingers gliding along the smooth metal buttons. He counted each beep as the doors shut and felt the gentle hum of movement as they rose. The building was only eight floors tall—he could handle that.
Guided to the fourth floor, he recognized the familiar space. In this timeline, he was in the marketing department. "When you have time, drop by our station, okay?" Mori whispered, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
He figured her job must still be the same. Back when he was a sales agent, they were on the sixth floor, and so many memories rushed back.
"Of course," he replied, a smile creeping onto his lips.
"I'll come get you at lunchtime," she added, her voice warm and friendly.
"Sure," he replied, nodding his head slowly.
As Mori walked away, he felt beads of sweat forming on his skin from the stress of his new job. Where should he head now? He felt relieved he knew most of his coworkers, even if they weren't in the same department. They all shared the same company anyway.
The feeling washed over him, like a junior high student on their first day of school, standing alone without his parents nearby for comfort.
"God, give me strength," he whispered, a grimace forming on his face. Suddenly, he felt undeserving of asking for help or praying. He had made a deal with a demon, letting darkness invade his life.
A wave of sadness crashed over him, despite not being a religious man. But he held onto the hope that every step he took was for the sake of his child, pushing him forward.
"Good morning, Mr. Takashiro! You're already here, as usual, you're always early. Let me help you get to your station!" a cheerful voice called out, cutting through the morning haze.
The voice was unfamiliar, yet it sparked a feeling that it belonged to Mr. Tanaka, the manager of the marketing department at Yugen Realty.
"Mr. T-Tanaka? Good morning," he stammered, forcing a smile as the name rolled off his tongue.
Mr. Tanaka didn't seem surprised at all, confirming Kaito's guess. Although they had never worked closely together, their paths had crossed in the same company.
Mr. Tanaka guided him to his station while Kaito used his cane to explore the area. He settled into the swivel chair, his heart racing. An assistant manager—what could he possibly do without his sight? It felt overwhelmingly impossible!
"You can do what you like during these hours, Mr. Takashiro. Later, I'll give you a project and explain what I need from you. Sound good? Feel free to grab some tea, we have lots," Mr. Tanaka said before stepping away.
Kaito found Mr. Tanaka to be pleasant. He focused on the scents and the arrangement of objects at his station, needing to hide the uncertainty of his new role from those around him.
Moments later, whispers floated over from a nearby desk. "Really? Are you serious? You must be joking with me!"
A woman's voice responded confidently, "I'm not joking! Yokai's are real! My uncles can back me up, they live in the mountains, remember? Some take children's souls, and others just want to kill."
Kaito's eyes widened, his heartbeat quickening at the mention of yokai. Ryuk was a yokai, and the idea ignited a flicker of curiosity inside him.
"If that were true, we'd have seen it on news, on social media. That's just a mountain story," the other woman scoffed, her laughter ringing out like a bell.
"Tsk! If you don't want to believe, that's your choice. But I am telling you, yokai's are real," she retorted, a spark of determination in their voice.
"Alright, let's say it's true. How do your uncles escape? And what about the others living in the mountains?" the other woman questioned, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
"They brought in someone to drive the yokai away from the mountains. That way, the yokai wouldn't set foot there again. He's a supernatural hunter, and he's incredibly skilled!" her voice tinged with excitement and amazement.
"Is there really such a job? That person must make a fortune!"
With a proud grin, the girl smirked, "You're mistaken! He doesn't charge anything. He simply loves getting rid of the yokai and lending a hand. And let me tell you, that supernatural hunter is super handsome, even if he is a bit older!"
The two young women burst into laughter. "Oh goodness, you're so predictable! As long as he's handsome, it's all you care about!" the other girl teased, rolling her eyes playfully.
Kaito's heart surged with new hope. Meeting the man his coworker spoke of could lead to a chance to talk to Ryuk again. He had so many questions that only Ryuk could answer before continuing with his mission.
Taking a deep breath, he cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Uh… sorry for eavesdropping. But… where can I find this supernatural hunter?" he asked, his voice steady as he sought the answer.