"So, I heard about your encounter with my daughter today. From what I know, you are extremely well-versed in engine technology," Hiroshi began after placing his order.

"Well, it is my interest to find out how things work and gasoline engines happen to be one of the latest technologies right now," Jay replied as he returned the menu to the waiter.

"And Asami mentioned that she heard you saying you could design a better engine. Well, she has been brooding over it non-stop since this morning. After all, she designed it," Hiroshi spoke again, earning himself a glare from Asami in the process.

"Uhh... well… I didn't know that the engine was designed by Asami herself... if I had known…." Jay stammered, mentally kicking himself. He had unknowingly insulted the daughter of his boss. But how could he have known? It was rare to find a woman driving, and even rarer to have one interested in cars and actually design them.

"What my father is trying to say," Asami quickly cut in, glaring at Hiroshi who let out a small chuckle, "was that after what happened earlier today I began to think about what went wrong with the engine." Hiroshi continued laughing to himself, before reaching for a nearby newspaper, subtly removing himself from the conversation.

"Well, actually there is nothing wrong with the engine. Is just that the current design has its shortcomings," Jay spoke up once more. "Actually I have some paper with me right now. I can show you a better design."

"A better design?" Hiroshi quickly lowered his newspaper, becoming interested in the conversation once more. Jay pulled out his notebook and began drawing out engine schematics, explaining his ideas. Hiroshi and Asami eyes widened as they listened to his explanations, the father and daughter duo becoming more and more drawn towards what this young man had to offer.

"...and so I will put the overhead camshaft here, attach the timing chain and viola, problem solved," Jay finished with a triumphant smile on his face.

"That… was… amazing!" Asami exclaimed, while her father heartily slapped Jay on his back, saying, "Now that is why I hired you, young man! This might have taken Asami ten years to figure out!"

"Dad!"

The food soon arrived, and Jay was impressed to say the least. Everything in Kwong's Cuisine was focused on style and aesthetics. All the food was immaculately arranged, focused on being the most presentable as possible. Even Jay's creation back at his old workplace couldn't hold a candle to the food here. Then again, Jay reminded himself that he was an engineer, a designer, an inventor, and not a chef.

"We could always send you all the way home, you know?" Hiroshi said as the satomobile pulled to a halt near the waterfront overlooking Yue Bay.

"Thank you for your offer, but I always like to watch the scenery from here," Jay replied as he stepped out the satomobile.

"Remember to come at 9 tomorrow. You will be introduced to your new team and office," Asami called from the driver seat. Bading them farewell, Jay watched as the satomobile pulled away, before turning to face the sea.

Jay spent some time looking out towards the scenery across Yue Bay, staring out into the open sea. From his position, he could see the statue of Avatar Aang, one of the city's founders, overlooking the bay, much like the Statue of Liberty. Jay would spent almost every night out here, which he found to be able to calm his nerves. After all, he was experiencing the mother of all nervousness, being plunged into a completely 100% foreign place.

As he walked back from the waterfront, Jay saw another figure leaning along the railings. Walking closer, he realised that this figure was Rei. She was leaning by the railings, staring out into the open sea. Jay silently walked behind her.

"Didn't know you enjoy watching the waves too," Jay spoke, breaking the silence of the night and sending Rei jumping in fright. "Jay! You scared me!" She scolded while Jay merely chuckled.

"Yea I come here sometimes too. Watching the waves can be quite relaxing you know," Rei replied, turning back to face the ocean. "Oh and by the way, how was the interview?"

"I got accepted! Normally I would have thought I needed to wait a few days for the results but I was accepted on the spot by Hiroshi Sato!" Jay exclaimed, waving the paper file in front of her face.

"Well, congrats? I mean it is your dream after all isn't it?" Rei replied, giving Jay a weak smile. "So I guess you will not be coming to the restaurant anymore?"

"I promise I will come back to visit and eat, but of course I won't be working there anymore. Can't expect me to work two jobs right? Come on, it's getting cold, let's head back. I still have to pack my stuff," Jay continued, slowly starting to walk away in the direction of the restaurant. Looking at him starting to walk off, Rei told herself, 'No, the last time you didn't tell him because he walked off. It is not going to happen again. This may very well be your last chance.'

"Umm… Jay? I have something to tell you," Rei started slowly, catching Jay's attention. Curious, Jay turned around to face Rei. "Yea?"

"Umm… ever since you came here… we have been talking all the time, and uhhh over time I guess I became umm…" Rei stammered as she felt the blood rushing to her face. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself down, she finally said, "What I've been trying to say is that I think I kinda like you more than just a friend."

For a moment, time seemed to slow down for Jay as his mind rushed to process the last sentence he heard. Rei liked him. More than just friends. All this time, Jay had viewed Rei like the little sister he never had, someone he could talk to and trust. Sure, she looked cute as well, with her bright blue eyes and auburn hair, coupled with her cheerful personality. However, Jay had always treated her as a very close friend, never once had the serious thought of them having a relationship crossed his mind.

But deep inside Jay, there was another reason why he didn't think about having a relationship with Rei, or anyone else for that matter. Although he assimilated well into this world, finding himself almost at home in this world save for a few minor inconveniences, Republic City wasn't his real home and Jay very well knew that. Jay still held onto the hope that the chance to go back to his world appear. When that happened, Jay would seize it, no questions asked - after all his place was back home and not here. As such, he aimed to have as little ties as possible with this world. Normal friendships and jobs were fine, but anything more than friends was out of the picture. He had to be prepared to abandon everything and return to his world at the drop of a hat when the opportunity came.

Jay's attention slowly shifted back to reality, and to the girl looking at him expectantly with her blue eyes. There was a slight look of worry on her face, as if she was worried she had said something wrong, and this worry was growing every second. 'Say something to her,' Jay's mind berated itself, but yet the words didn't come out.

"Wow umm, I mean, this is really uhh unexpected? Yea this is really unexpected," Jay stalled as he felt the sweat dripped down his neck while his cheeks grew hotter and hotter. How he wished he was an earthbender, so that he could just tunnel into the earth. He assumed that they were able to do it. 'Quit stalling, just tell her,' Jay's mind scolded again.

"Umm, you are a great person, nice girl and all but… all these while I guess I've been just seeing you as sort of a close friend? Like a sister, but nothing more than that. I'm sorry but guess I don't think I could really work out between the two of us," Jay finally managed to speak, only to regret it a moment later. He could visibly see whatever happiness and hope drain away from her face. "Oh…" was all that she could mutter, before turning away and walking back to the restaurant.

"Rei!" Jay called out after her, but she ignored him and only hastened her pace. He reached for her arm, getting her attention. "Wait," he called her, and for a moment, it looked like she was willing to stop and listen. However, she merely pulled her arm away from Jay's grasp, her hand flying towards her mouth to stop crying as she ran off.

'Dammit,' Jay thought to himself, as he chased after Rei. He followed Rei some distance away, giving her personal space, yet still close enough to help her should anything happen. Although the restaurant was located in a nicer part of the city, it was still not safe to be out at night alone. While the Triads do not pose a threat here due to the proximity to a police station, the nighttime streets were still filled with vagabonds, drunkards and other shady characters.

Thankfully, the walk back from the waterfront to the restaurant was rather uneventful. A few drunkards lined the streets, shouting and cursing loudly, but they were all too inebriated to do anything dangerous. Jay continued tailing Rei all the way back to the restaurant's back entrance, until she disappeared upstairs into her bedroom. Sighing, Jay headed down for a drink.

"Of all things why must this happen?" Jay asked aloud to no one as he sat at an empty table drinking some cherry-berry lemonade. He had tried his best to keep a low profile, trying to form as little links and ties to this world as possible. In addition, he was more introverted than normal, keeping up a slightly cold and aloof personality to prevent his relationships from becoming too close. However, with the recent turn of events, his efforts were all in vain. On the brighter side, he would be leaving the restaurant for his new job, and eventually Rei would get over him. 'Let's hope this wouldn't repeat itself again. Asami is kinda cute though,' Jay thought to himself, before scolding, 'Stop Jay. She is your boss's daughter.' Shaking his head and chuckling to himself, Jay soon went to sleep.

The next day, a small farewell party was held for Jay. In addition to all the original staff, there were many new faces, and although they didn't experience the changes Jay had made first hand, nonetheless they still knew who he was. After all, his name was literally half of the restaurant's name. However, Jay had noticed that a particular someone was notably missing.

Before he left on an awaiting taxi cab filled with all his belongings, Jay handed Chang a sealed envelope containing a letter, saying, "Please help hand this to Rei." After his final goodbyes, Jay left the restaurant. 'I'm sorry it had to end this way Rei, maybe one day you will forgive me,' Jay thought as he left in the taxi cab, heading towards his new flat and a new chapter of his life.