Chapter: The Final Departure
The next day, Jin was wandering through a park, carrying Lily on his shoulders. The dullness was still etched on his face, and questions continued to pour into his mind. He walked aimlessly.
Lily: "Papa, why are you sad?"
He smiled slightly as he replied, "Sometimes adults face some problems, Lily, and that makes us feel sad sometimes."
She was silent for a moment. "Papa, why is Mama yellow sad because you married Mama white?"
Jin: "Mama felt like we didn't care about her anymore, but that's not true. I love you all."
The young man fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Lily, are you sad because I stay away from you so much?"
The little girl smiled. "Lily is sad because Papa wasn't there for her birthday for two years, but she isn't sad at Papa. I know you don't want to leave me."
Jin froze in his tracks for a few seconds. He then lowered her from his shoulders and took her into his arms, lifting her toward the sky. He looked at her for a moment before tears streamed down his face, and he hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry. I truly don't want to leave you."
The girl laughed. "Don't cry, Papa. You are a good person. Don't you always say that people misunderstand things? So, Lily is doing what you said; I won't try to misread people's intentions."
The young man smiled through his flowing tears. It was a grief born of pain mixed with an overwhelming joy at her words. He had truly raised her well despite his absence. He felt a surge of relief, knowing more than ever that he had chosen two women worthy of being mothers.
He asked her, "Lily, Papa has to leave again. Will you forgive me?"
Lily: "On one condition: it must be the last time."
The boy laughed, his heart feeling a bit lighter because of his daughter's words.
Later, at home, he met with his friends and bid them move, and now he was alone with only his family. Aileen was sitting there, grief still dominating her. He knelt on his knees before her and took her hand.
"Will you forgive me?"
She was silent for a long time. "I... I don't know."
He placed his hand gently on her cheek and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"At least... don't hold anger toward Shuang. If you were in her place, you would have acted the same way."
She remained silent, gazing at him. He continued, "At least... be well for our daughter's sake."
She looked into his eyes and answered, "Fine. If it's for that, I will certainly do it."
He stood up, embraced her, and kissed her forehead. Shuang-Yu and Lily joined in, embracing them both.
He asked them, "I am leaving for the last time. Can... can you forgive me?"
They all answered, "Yes."
He said his goodbyes. This time, he was determined that it would be the last. No matter what he faced, no matter the obstacle, and no matter the question, he would overcome everything. He was not prepared to break another promise; he didn't want them to feel sorrow because of him ever again. Four months remained of the period Hans had promised to reveal all the secrets he sought. All the threads were becoming clear before him, but he knew he needed more patience.
And so, the young man departed for the last time. But he did not know... that this time would be the harshest of them all.
Jin left his home and wandered for a long while before reaching the Tower. He was thinking: Should I go meet the Director? Or Director Albert? No, should I go meet the Association President? Maybe go confront Hans and Borin? "Damn it, I don't want to see anyone," he muttered.
He was in no mood to talk at all. He felt only one thing: Rage.
Everything began to irritate him—the secrets, the events, the people. Yet, he tried to suppress his anger until he reached the Tower. He wandered through the city for a bit after entering. Fury and killing intent were visible on his face, when suddenly...
A System window stopped him. He looked at it in bewilderment.
[System]
Do you wish to unleash your rage?