Forgiveness

Back on earth,

Kyo returned to his house and saw Ken sitting in a weird position and staring at the tv. He sighed,

"The first thing you do after coming back is watching anime?"

"I can't help it it's the final season of Rainbow Six stars. I ain't gonna miss this no matter what."

Suddenly Kyo threw a bag at him and responded,

"Get some clothes from the market. The clothes I gave you are only for battle."

Ken after watching headed out and saw Akame training in the backyard. He called out to her,

"I was planning on going to the supermarket to buy some clothes. Wanna go?"

Akame replied while sighing,

"And how does that benefit me?"

"I will treat you to some black tea."

She laughed,

"You think I will fall for your temptation. I have already tried all types of tea on your planet. You have to try better than that."

Ken replied in a sarcastic voice,

"Oh, I was just inviting you cause I heard there was this new special tea available that just arrived today! Oh well looks like I will have to try it on my own... Such a shame..."

"Wait! Fine...I will go with you." Akame suddenly shouted while being flustered. She gave in the temptation.

They both reached the supermarket. Ken picked some random clothes and bought them. Even the shopkeeper asked if he would like to try them but ken denied it as it would waste too much of his precious time. Meanwhile, Akame was aggressively staring at the coffee shop. Ken sighed and pulled out his wallet.

"Here. Since you came all this way with me, get any stuff you want."

Akame without hesitating took the money and entered the shop. Ken stayed outside. Suddenly his phone started to ring. He pulled it out and started to walk across the hallway.

"Yes, who is this?"

"So you finally came back."

Ken immediately recognized the voice.

"Ryu? what's with the sudden call?"

"Well, I wanted to know the exact date we will be departing."

"That's something I don't exactly know either but dad said that the ship would be ready by next week."

"Alright then. I will see you soon"

"Yeah sure."

Ken cut the call and murmured to himself,

"Well, That was an awkward conversation."

While walking he suddenly bumped into a girl. The girl fell. Ken quickly tried to help her out. But after getting close and seeing the girl's face his eyes widen. He gasped,

"Jessica"

It's none other than the girl he used to love. The girl who betrayed her. The girl who changed his view of society. Jessica got her focus back and looked back at ken the same way.

"Ken?..."

Meanwhile, Akame was inside the shop drinking five cups of coffee. She noticed through the window that Ken was nowhere to be found. Taking the coffee in hand she started to walk in one direction to find Ken. Ken on the other hand was standing close to an empty narrow corner with Jessica. Jessica pulled a cigarette out of her purse and started to smoke.

"Never thought I'd see you again. Well after what happened I guess no one would," she responded in a deep and depressing voice

Ken smiled,

"Yea. It was a lot to cope with."

She looked back at Ken and smiled herself.

"I'm glad that you're still able to smile. I thought that event scared you for life."

"Well, it kinda did. It also helped me to get a better view of society as a whole. So I guess it's a win-win situation for me."

She giggled,

"You're something aren't you. Even turning a tragic and hopeless story into an inspiring one."

"I guess it just depends on how you view it."

"I guess."

"So how is your life going? Probably really good since you have such a rich boyfriend." Ken asked.

"Not really. We were never a thing, to begin with."

She threw the cigarette to the floor and stomped on it.

" I did what I did cause he said I would regret it if I didn't listen to him."

She looked at Ken with eyes filled with regret and sorrow.

"To be honest, I wanted to say sorry to you for so long but you moved away and I never got hold of you. You must have hated me for a long time huh."

"It's ok. We can never disobey the strong. We are in a shackle of our own ideals. So I don't resent you or anyone. I decided to move forward without regrets until I realize my dream"

"Your dream?"

"To change society as a whole."

"I see."

She could see the determination in Ken's eyes. She responded,

"Well, I guess best of luck to you."

"Where are you headed?" Ken politely asked.

"To find a job I guess. My parents can't keep on feeding me they said. So here I am."

"Then take this."

He handed a card to her.

"This is my dad's card. He has some good connections. You might be able to get a better job than you're hoping for." he smiled at her. She felt guilty and decide to return it but Ken wouldn't accept it.

"I can't accept this. After all, I did" she mumbled.

"It's ok. Even after all you did that doesn't change the fact I loved you." he smiled at her. She could not help but blush.

Ken took his leave. Jessica started to tear up. She started to recall a memory.

On the day of the incident...

"You expect me to do that to my boyfriend?!"

Jessica yelled at that rich kid.

"Chill girl. Before you say anything further let me show you something interesting."

A picture of her dad was shown to her.

"This is your dad, right? He works under my dad's company. One word and I can get your dad fired. You already live in a poor environment. I wonder what would happen if you're dad lost his job? Will, you're family be the same?"

"Wha..."

"Chose wisely. The family you have known for 15 years or a random boy who you know for only a couple of months."

Back in present

I still regret to this day what I did. Even though so much happened you haven't changed at all Ken. No matter how much your tone change, your heart is still the same. You always helped others. That's the part of you that made me fall in love with you. I wish I could still be with you... Who am kidding...you deserve someone better and I know you will one day find that person...

Jessica left as well but with a smile on her face.