Bound to the Blue Sky

Chapter 5: Unfading Polka Dots and a Thread Bound to the Blue Sky

"You didn't abandon the work entrusted to you, Kiyo-san. You fought hard through that era. I truly respect you for that."

At Shota’s warm words, the heavy burden in Kiyo's heart began to melt away. Then over the weekend, Misaki, who had been using social media to trace Yoko Hoshino's footsteps, came running in with excitement in voice.

She had gotten in touch with Yoko's granddaughter. After recovering her health back home, Yoko had opened a small sewing school in her local town and had continued to operate a sewing machine for the rest of her life.

Furthermore, Misaki revealed an astonishing truth.

"Yoko-san said that shortly after returning to the countryside, she watched television for the first time at a neighbor's house. When she saw the female announcer wearing that polka-dot dress, she instantly knew: 'Ah, that's the dress Kiyo-chan sewed.' Seeing its flawless tailoring gave her the hope and strength to live, inspiring her to sit at the sewing machine once again."

Large tears spilled from Kiyo’s eyes. Neither the letter nor the caramels had made it in time. Yet, the "suit of armor" that Kiyo had poured her very soul into sewing had traveled across the airwaves to reach her distant friend, saving her heart in the most beautiful way.

Kiyo tenderly hugged the faded little caramel box to her chest. Outside the window, the same clear, endless blue sky from all those years ago stretched out above them.

📖Reversechapter：https://note.com/ttukumoo/n/nb1c37875d292?
🌐OriginalJapanese：https://note.com/juicy_laelia8513/n/n6e1bd031b3b1

"Thank you so much for reading to the very end!"💗