The head of the room said he would wait. He waited until he was about to die before Kofushimi's epiphany came.
Fushimi said that he was working hard. He was working hard to hone himself just to be able to walk side by side with the room chief.
The head of the room said: Fushimi-kun, I will let you go free
Fushimi said: I don't want your protection like a captive, sir, let me walk beside you, not behind you.