America.

  The Land of Opportunity.

  Here, Jin had found not only a sliver of hope but also numerous opportunities. Mr George Armstrong, the Chief Executive Officer of the ACPS, had set the path for him, and Elise had guided him.

  It had been three weeks since then.

  Nevertheless, tonight would be the last night he’d spend in this land. By this time tomorrow, he’d be with his daughter once again. Thinking about that, Jin got even more antsy.

  Seven years.

  How much had his baby grown since then? He missed all those years, and he was going to make it all up to her one way or another.

  “Will the girl be coming?” Bahamut, who perched comfortably on the sofa while watching television, asked. “I want my cinnamon croissant.”

  “Maybe. But no promises, though. Please look after Viridiana for me, alright.”

  The carbuncle was drinking milk from her plate at the corner of the room, and once she finished, she ran all the way to Bahamut and nuzzled under the godlike creature’s wing. Bahamut let out a dissatisfied grumble that only died down when Jin promised to bring Elise over, together with extra bags of his favourite offering.

  Also, as a thank you, Jin wanted to spend his last night with a special dinner date with Elise. Fortunately, the girl happily agreed to his sudden request earlier in the day.

  “Are we going to Chateau Le Mond?”

  “The what?” Jin said as he led her, hand in hand, through the streets of New York. “No idea what it is.”

  Elise might try to hide it, but it was a look that Jin knew. The man cracked a grin.

  “I’m going to bring you to my most special place in New York. Somewhere we can see the whole city.”

  Elise perked up. “You mean The Pinnacle. Wow!” She fixed the lace of her evening dress and picked up her speed. “When did you ever get a reservation? The waiting list is six months long.”

  “Ah. We don’t have to wait even six minutes. I know the guy.”

  To Elise’s utter dismay, it was not The Pinnacle that she ended up in. Nor at any peak whatsoever. Jin took her to a roadside hotdog stand by the park near the Empire State Building.

  She sighed. “I guess I should have expected this. This is you being you, Frank.”

  “Hmm? Did you say something? Anyway, yours done.”

  Jin pressed a steaming hot dog into her hand. A touch of sauce dropped onto her cleavage, and Jin wiped it off apologetically. Elise blushed as his fingers brushed her skin, sending a jolt through her body.

  Yet, her sigh deepened.

  “Did I do something wrong, Elise? Is the food not to your liking?”

  “N-No. It’s not that. It’s just…”

  The girl didn’t say anything else, fiddling with her purse and then the hem of her beautiful and sexy evening dress. A few guys who walked past them catcalled from afar.

  Jin, now annoyed, returned them a death stare. It quickly became hostile, and other guys tried to approach Jin, but stopped mid walk. With him looking like a descendant of Thor himself, the wannabe thugs backed away.

  Jin didn’t miss the opportunity to flip them off. That exchange made his companion giggle.

  “Dumbarse. Can’t these shitheads leave girls alone?” He turned to Elise, slightly worried about his date. “Are you alright?”

  The girl nodded, still holding her laughter in. “You’re funny, Frank. What would you do if I were in a bikini instead of this dress?”

  “Nothing.” Jin shot the question down. “Why? Do you want to wear a bikini while walking around town? At night? With these pervert monkeys around?”

  Elise laughed. “Silly. Not that. I’m just asking.”

  “No harm asking. But to be honest, I would rather see you dress like this. Not a bikini. You’re already beautiful, and now, with the dress, you become even prettier.”

  “Oh? So, you noticed? When?”

  “Since I came and got you.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Does one need to compliment the stars every time they twinkle in the sky?” Jin knew exactly what he needed to say. After all, he was once a married man. “You’re my guiding star, Elise. So, no. I won’t compliment you. But I do need you.”

  Elise was about to gobble Jin up right at that moment. But she held herself, holding Jin’s arm instead as tightly as she could.

  “You’re so hard, Frank.” Elise quickly covered her mouth when it came out sounding rather wrong. “I mean, your muscles. I swear. I’m not thinking of anything else.”

  Jin laughed. “No worries. Touch as much as you want. If that makes you feel much better.”

  “Oh, I will,” Elise teased. “You’re so much more fun. Unlike Liam.”

  “Liam? Who’s that?”

  The girl’s cheerful face turned disgusted in an instant. “You remember the one whom I told you about? That stalker?”

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  “Ah. I see.” Jin leaned in closer. “If he tried anything funny, my pickaxe is waiting for his skull.”

  Elise playfully slapped Jin’s arm. “Thank you for that brutal but lovely thought.”

  “You’re welcome, milady.” Jin bowed his head slightly, teasing Elise.

  “But he’s ACPS’ Star Rookie,” she continued. “You can’t do anything to him. And neither can I, unfortunately.”

  “We’ll never know until we try.”

  “Honestly, no. Don’t. Being with you here like this already makes me feel safe.” Elise swallowed a lump in her throat. “Uhm, Frank?”

  “Yes?”

  “Are you really going back tomorrow?”

  “Yeah. First thing tomorrow morning,” Jin answered, his attention now directed toward the hot dog stand as the seller called to him after having finished the previous customer’s order.

  The silence lingered on until Jin received his dinner. Then, he brought her to a nearby bench. By this time, Elise had fallen into deep thoughts, not touching her food one bit.

  “Are you too shy to be seen with me?”

  Jin’s words startled Elise back to life.

  “S-Shy? Why should I be shy being with you?”

  “I mean, I know this is a favourite place for couples to date in the city. And I know we’re not exactly a couple.”

  “I don’t mind. I’m happy to be with you. Wherever you want.”

  Jin nodded with a smile. “Three weeks ago, I met Mr Armstrong on this very bench. And through him, I met you.” Jin said, his voice soft. “With both your help, especially you, Elise, I managed to earn and save enough money to go back and see my daughter and friends.”

  “Oh?” Elise bowed her head down and kept her silence while fiddling with the wrapped, warm hot dog in her hands.

  “I’ve said my thanks to the boss earlier today. And tonight, I want to enjoy the first scenery I saw when I returned to the world with the ever-beautiful Elise.”

  “Come again, Frank?” Elise asked. “What do you mean by returned to this world?”

  Jin’s words slipped out before he could stop them. “I-I mean…”

  He hesitated, suddenly too aware of the weight of his words.

  “Being inside the RIFT does that to you. It’s a crazy place, you know. Makes you forget which world you’re in.”

  “That bad?” Elise asked, concern growing on her face.

  “It could be worse. One minute, you feel like you belong there in the first place. Then bam. It’s over. A lot of people never make it out.” His gaze dropped to his still-wrapped hot dog, his thumb tracing the edge of the wrapper. “I got lucky. Got a second chance.”

  Elise leaned in, her hands on top of Jin’s. For the first time, the man had let down his guard. “I didn’t know you were sentimental, Frank.”

  Jin smiled. “Sentimental? Nah. Too old for that.”

  “Again? Oh, come on.” She tilted her head, a teasing smile cracked on her face. “You’re what? Mid-twenties? Not exactly old. Unless you’re one of those guys who hits mid-twenties and starts calling himself ‘over the hill’.”

  Elise pointed at herself, pretending to be offended.

  Jin let out a dry laugh. “I guess so. But you’ll be surprised.”

  “Oh?” Elise’s teasing curiosity didn’t waver. “Surprise me then. Maybe tell me something about you.”

  Jin turned, met her gaze with his and nodded once. Elise smiled, finger tapping her chin with exaggerated movement as if she had already prepared a long list of questions and was trying to find the best one to start with.

  “Well. Tell me about your wife-” She paused, now seemed less sure of herself. “D-do you still think about her?”

  “Every damn day.” The admission came out rougher than he intended. Yet, it was the truth. The only truth. “Not a day goes by that I don’t.”

  Elise’s smile deepened but quickly disappeared. “So… that means you never”–she paused her thought for a second, but braved on–“After she died, you never dated anyone? Not once?”

  Jin rubbed his beard, the calloused pads of his fingers catching on the knots of the braids.

  “Like this?” He gestured between them, the air thick with unspoken tension. “No. Not since she-” He cut himself off, collecting his thought. “It has been sixteen years.”

  Elise burst out laughing. “Oh, Frank.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “I’m surprised, alright. Surprised at how you’re terrible at math. Sixteen years ago, you’d have been what? Eleven? Twelve? And if your wife is younger than you, something is wrong. Very wrong.”

  Jin chuckled. “Guess I messed that up. Silly ol’ me.”

  “Mhm,” Elise nodded. “Silly Frank Stein.”

  Elise reached across the bench, her arms closing around his waist before he could pull away. Jin didn’t. Instead, he let her lean closer, appreciating her warm and grounding embrace.

  “Since it’s your last night here,” she said, her voice brightened like the stars above the night sky. “I’m stealing you. There’s a special place I want to show you. And then”–she grinned, mischief creeping back in–“I want to see Bee and Vee again. No excuses this time.”

  “Sure,” Jin smiled. “After we eat. Come, let’s dig in before our food gets cold.”

  The rest of the night unfolded like a dream Jin hadn’t known he needed. They wandered through the city, its neon and noise a stark contrast to the quiet weight of their earlier conversation. Elise brought him to her ‘special place’, the Empire State Building and ACPS HQ’s topmost floor. And from there, a new world opened to him. Above, he was closer to the sky and below, everything looked so small. So insignificant. Like his troubles.

  He’d spent three weeks in New York with one singular focus – survive, earn and then leave. But now, with his dream one step away from being achieved, he could let himself slow down. Let himself see the skyline, the crowds. To enjoy them. Like how Elise’s eyes lit up every time he talked about anything. Even the mundane stories.

  And for the first time since returning to Earth, he realised the truth. His truth.

  It was not just about his daughter or friends he came back for. The world itself was colourful and flavourful, if only he had allowed himself to slow down and enjoy it.

  ***

  The next morning, at the airport, it was Elise who showed up to send Jin off.

  “You didn’t have to take a day off for me,” Jin said, adjusting the strap of his bag.

  “I insisted.” She fiddled with her purse strap, her voice quieter than usual. “Besides, it’s been ages since I took one.”

  “Alright.” He smiled, ruffling her hair. “As you wish, milady.”

  “But, Frank.” Her fingers left her purse strap, finding the fabric of Jin’s sleeve instead. She tightened her grip. “Are you sure you’re not coming back?”

  Jin paused, his hand lingering on her head. Then, his fingers brushed her cheeks. “Not anytime soon. But-”

  “But?” Elise’s eyes lit up.

  “If you or Mister George ever need me,” he said, “I’ll come. First flight out.”

  “Really?!” Her eyes lit up, her voice pierced through the lobby, drawing looks from nearby passengers. She didn’t care one bit. “So, you will come back?”

  He opened his arms wide. “Sure. I mean, what use would I be? I’m just a poor, washed-up Cleaner.”

  Elise giggled, swatting his arm. “Oh, Frank. Always downplaying yourself.” Before he could protest, she stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Please. Don’t forget us.”

  The intercom crackled in the background:

  < Good morning. This is the pre-boarding announcement for Flight NTK123 to Neo-Tokyo, Eastern Eurolasia Alliance. Please proceed to Gate 8… >

  Jin glanced at the screen, then back at her. “That’s me. Guess I’d better-”

  “Frank.” Elise still didn’t let go of his sleeve. “Remember your promise.”

  He nodded, giving her a thumbs-up followed by more head pats. Only then did Elise let him go. He walked toward the departure gate, and as the security checked for his boarding ticket, he turned to Elise. One more wave.

  The girl replied with some hesitance, but soon, her goodbye waves turned into a loud cheer.

  “Remember your promise!”

  Jin gave another thumbs-up.

  But as he turned away, a gnawing guilt settled in his chest. Elise had misunderstood him on many things. Especially about who he really was. But there was something else, something that he still couldn’t wrap his head around.

  Hopefully, if they ever met again, she’d forgive him for it.

  Jin gave her a final wave midway through the boarding tunnel before he finally disappeared. Elise stood there a moment longer, her fingers pressed to her cheeks and lips where his beard had grazed her earlier.

  However, the two, especially Elise, failed to notice a couple of figures in the café nearby. Wearing trench coats and sunglasses, these were the kind of men who stood out even in an airport waiting area. One of them tapped his vibrating phone – the name Liam etched on the caller’s ID – then nodded to his companion. The other stood before disappearing into the crowd.