Chapter 26

9 pm daily broadcast…

"We've just receive word from that virtual superstar, Miku will be doing a colab with Loyal-T, a ounce ordinary assistant type loyalty turned celebrity after generating a few AI generated songs a year ago, since then she would upload her consciousness digitally and continue to make more viral hits. Just a few minutes ago on the official Hatsune Miku X account, A statement would be released with a video announcing the colab, let's take a look"

Miku; Hey everyone! I'm Miku!

Loyal-T; And I'm, Loyal-T.

Both; and we recently became best friends!

Miku; We want to introduce our new album which drops next week.

Loyal-T; So please remember to Jam us up!

[Slang for listen to our music]

Miku; bye!

Loyal-T; log out.

Present day…

When I was in Italy, I spent some time at the Vatican, and while I was taking a look at the ancient, art and structures, I found something strange. I saw someone coming from underground, I heard them say there was an exclusive archive under the Vatican so I decided to follow him, I then found out, he was actually a thief who was trying to sell a document from the archive so I jumped him and took it for myself. I planned to return it at ounce but I got curious so I took a look at it myself, and what I saw changed everything.

Jerry on a futon; I see, so what was it?

Lisa on his arm; it's a little hard to describe.

Jerry; so what happened to the document?

Lisa; I returned it to them, as I turned the crook in, and now the Ga-den clan has good standing with the Vatican.

Jerry; always seeing the big picture I see.

You didn't do anything dangerous while you were there did you?

Lisa; what makes you think I did?

Jerry; I know you a little too well.

Lisa; after I saw the document, I might have snuck into the archive myself.

Jerry; what?

Lisa; I just needed more information so I snuck in, went to where the document was from and did some extra digging.

Jerry; I'm surprised you can understand Italian.

Lisa; actually I had my phone translate it.

Jerry; I see.

Lisa; anyway, how's everyone?

Jerry; they all miss you in one way or another, ever since I talked with mom, Tom hasn't been the same, I don't blame him, he's gone through a lot. I didn't want to suffer anymore; it was the main reason I had him stay back.

Lisa; what about Jake and Nino?

Jerry; they're taking a break for a while.

Lisa; why?

Jerry; it was some kind of misunderstanding.

I bet they'll be back together in like, 3 weeks anyway.

Lisa; I see. So how's being leader for three years?

Jerry; to be honest, it's really stressful, having all those people to take care of, it feels like one small mistake could drive us all into poverty and thousands of lives will be ruined because of me.

Lisa; I felt the same way. It's the burden of all those put in charge.

Jerry; I'm still not entirely sure I'm ready.

Lisa; I honestly don't think we ever are, not of what's ahead that is.

Jerry; you're right about that.

One week ago, Tom was eating breakfast with Sammy.

Sammy; I hope you enjoy the beef miso.

Tom, with a straight face; it's the best as it's always been.

Sammy; *sigh* So how have things been so far?

Tom; I expect you to know the answer to that.

Sammy; listen, I truly sympathize with you. Especially after all you've gone through.

Tom who was holding his cup of juice; …

Sammy; I heard what happened to Rose, and I am sorry.

The cup slowly froze then crushed in his hand.

Tom in a sarcastic tone; why are you apologizing? I mean you did nothing wrong, hell you weren't even there, so this has nothing to do with you.

*sigh* I did this, if I hadn't left her alone, if I had just gone with her instead, this wouldn't have happened.

Sammy; I haven't told you this, but on the day my family was killed, it was during a crime wave, and I told my son to protect them. When an investigation was carried out, it turned out he was the 1st one to die. If I had just told him to run with his sister, my two children would still be alive.

Tom, surprised; I see, it seems we both have regrets.

Dave; we all do. 10 years ago, I had the chance to stop Sora's plan before it ever began, however, I wanted to be supportive to my older brother, If I had known it would lead to all this, I would have done everything in my power to prevent it from happening.

You don't ever need to forgive us, but just remember you don't have to suffer alone, you have us, all of us to rely on.

Tom; …

Present day.

*Ring* *ring*

Tom; hello?

Doctor; yes, is this Thomas Wilson?

Tom; yes, what is it?

Doctor; I have some news; it seems like Rose has disappeared from her ward.

Tom, shocked; yeah, I see.

Tom then hung up the phone. And walked toward his room window where Rose was sitting.

Tom; Rose, is it really you?

Rose; who else would it be darling?

Tom, with tears in his eyes; why have you come here?

Rose; you can already feel it can't you? It's the reason you're crying right now,

I've come to say goodbye.

After she said those words, Tom stood there, and tears came rushing down.

Tom; why, why are you leaving me?

Rose; because all I'll ever do is hold you back. The first time you thought I was dead, what did you do? You trained for months to avenge me. But when you found out I was still alive, all I did was cause you pain, the truth is, I doubt there's a single person I've ever been truly useful to.

-aside from them.

Tom; but what about me? When I was depressed, it was you who helped me, when I was down you helped me get back up. So why are you saying this?

Rose; I guess I just never saw it like that, the truth is I only ever wanted to have you to myself, and yet I chose to side with that little girl. I don't even know myself, but I think it's just one of the things that make me up. Listen, I don't have much time to say this, but you will soon have to make some very tough choices, choices with extreme consequences, I just want you to know, that you should never blame yourself for the outcome, you chose what you thought was right, and that's all that matters. Will you do that for me, as one last request?

Tom; I will, no matter what, from now one I'll make choices with no regrets.

Rose then smiled; I'll hold you to it.

And just before Rose left, Tom grabbed her by the arm, pulled her in, and kissed her.

Rose; you've gotten bold, I like that.

Tom then opened his eyes and say that he was lying down next to the window, he checked the time and saw it was 2 am. He placed his hands on his face and saw it was wet, he had been crying.

*Ring* *Ring*

Tom; Hello?

Jake; hey Tom, are you busy right now? Cuz need your help with something…

EOS