Pushing himself from the wall, Sanzo flicked the remainder of his cigarette to the side before folding his arms into his sleeves. It didn't matter how often he looked directly at the man across from him. It still felt-- odd.

And yet this time, he did not avoid Koumyou. Instead, settling his eyes upon the older monk with intensity. The hesitance was still there in his gaze, but this time mixed with a resolve to see things through.

He was determined to understand who this man was. To see if what he said was true without raising his hopes too high.

He will never raise his hopes too high.

"All right. Do it."