PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT! YOU NEED TO OPT BACK INTO RECEIVING EMAIL ALERTS EVERY TIME YOU LOGIN FOR NEW UPDATES, REVIEWS, FOLLOWERS, AND FAVORITES!

Review responses:

ladyluck1668 - Yes, the "see you later, maybe never" is from BLACKPINK's song "See U Later"! I have no idea how crimes and sentences work either, but this isn't modern day, so there's less law and order. But did you notice that Alice kept avoiding Shun's questions? That says a lot XD

MagicxMusicxMelody - I'm glad you think the same about Alice, too! When in doubt, just (relocate and) move out!

CookieDecor22 - Hey, Shun can say anything he wants, and nobody would question it! Anyone can say "go to hell" in any situation, but to add "best wishes" in front is uncommon, but I'm glad I found the right place and time to use this combination. And you are right—I like to reuse backup plans across stories so that everyone knows it's my style XD

pretty-on-point - If your request for (specifically) Julie to perform more arson is legitimate, then I will consider in the distant future! But anyone can set things on fire, if the time and place are right XD Sorry, I ultimately decided against another hotel suite scene and left the ending somewhat open-ended instead!

cherry-tree-of-life - Sorry, but they're not officially together! But at least they don't have to worry about anyone like Shadow in the future! More like...do be worried that Dan might throw a tantrum and abanding Runo & Marucho just to visit Shun ^-^"

-x-

Me: Happy 1st day of spring! Here's a triple update for everyone! As mentioned previously, this is the last chapter of this story! (and I haven't finished a story in a LONG time...)

Runo: Therefore, you have no idea what to say anymore.

Me: Yeah... I'll save my energy for introducing my other new story that I published during this triple update. This last chapter is kind of short. As usual, I don't own anything except for the plot.

Chapter 12: A Look Back and Ahead

xXx

Runo scratched her head multiple times as she read the wanted posters on the market square's bulletin board. "Can you believe this? Now we finally know why the police suddenly came to arrest Volt, Lync, Mylene, and Shadow's other associates at the ferry station. The police even wrote 'FOUND' in red over one poster."

"Runo, read the fine print," Dan complained. "The police said they would offer a reward if someone found these people, but the police ended up finding these people themselves at the ferry station. Nobody gets the prize money!

Marucho shook his head. "Who knows? Maybe someone tipped the police off previously and now received the reward money already. I'm more interested in what crimes the police will charge Shadow's associates for. Considering that they decided to turn against him in the end, maybe Shadow struck a deal with the police to expose his associates for a lighter sentence. He certainly still has a lot of tricks up his sleeves."

"How conceited of him..." the brunet murmured.

"But will he actually be executed?" the bluenette asked.

Their blond colleague shrugged as he led the way to the post office. "Whether he continues to be charged for 'illegal firearms trade' or not, I believe that more of his former associates who got double crossed will speak out now. At least Joe and Julie did what they could to help all of us before going back to their respective hometowns. However, it's still everyone's words against each other." After speaking with the post office desk clerk for a few minutes, Marucho showed his friends a beige envelope. "We just got a letter from overseas...written by Shun!"

Dan, Runo, Marucho—

Greetings from Bayview. I ended up relocating to a completely different country, but the one-way ferry ride only took six hours. To me, it felt like a typical train ride across the countryside, but on water instead. Alice and I arrived about two weeks prior to the date I wrote on this letter, but she's staying in her vacation home by the sea while I live and work in the city. I clearly underestimated her when she said that we would be starting afresh. She has a head start with all the money from home, and even the vacation house was from her grandfather's will. But who am I to judge?

Otherwise, we're doing well. I was fortunate enough to start a new job as a land surveyor in the city. Current projects include renovating the local orphanage and locating spots to build more affordable housing. Everything looks legitimate so far. The most important part is that room and board are included. The locals say that the sea breezes keep the weather and climate fairly cool and consistent here, but the fog can be unpredictable. However, I haven't seen Alice since a week ago since she's busy with renovating her vacation house and also managing her new small business. Again, who am I to judge?

I might come back to visit if my time-off request is granted. I'm still new to the area, after all. I'll send another letter when the time gets closer. Let me know how things are going at home. My address is on the envelope's top left corner. Also let me know the date you actually received this letter, so I know how fast or slow mail travels across countries.

All the best,

Shun

"At least somebody is doing well over there," Dan mocked jokingly. "Shun's first few days there make me want to go to Bayview too."

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere." Runo dragged the brunet by his ear as Marucho led the way out of the post office. "I'm pretty sure we'll do just as well as Shun. But no mail from Alice, Marucho?"

"We never actually told Alice what our physical address is, or even let Alice know how to find our hideout. And you two have always kept her blindfolded on the way here, right?"

"But I don't think Shun bothered to keep it a secret when he brought her over to pick up the fake passports," Dan recalled. "If Alice wanted to write to us, then she would have, right? She could also ask Shun for our address."

"Shun's letter just mentioned that he hasn't seen her in over a week," the bluenette reminded.

"Oh. Oops. What do we do now?"

"Go home, of course!" was Marucho's answer. "We're short one person at home now. I need both of you to help with the orphans, chores, and other money-making tasks."

Dan and Runo sighed as they followed the blond home. "Why can't we be as lucky as Shun...?"

-x-x-x-x-x-

Stopping by the front steps of a large house under construction was a short girl with pink pigtails and a navy school uniform dress over a white collared shirt. "Miss Alice, a customer placed an urgent special order!"

The redhead homeowner saw her visitor from a second-floor window and ran downstairs immediately. "Did you bring the order form, Nene?"

"Of course! Here's the packet." The visitor unclasped her portfolio and let Alice grab the papers for herself. "This man would like you to create a hairpin with this list of details."

"That's not difficult at all. Looks like he gave us a flexible deadline."

"He said the hairpin will be an anniversary present. Do you need anything else from me before I return to the store?"

"No, that's it. Don't forget to complete your homework for school!"

As soon as Nene left the premises, another visitor stopped by and asked, "Who was that?"

"Shun? What brings you here?" Alice embraced her raven-haired visitor warmly and then saw his suitcase. "Wait, where are you going?"

"I'm taking the ferry back home, remember?"

The redhead's face turned pale immediately. "I am so sorry. I completely forgot. I've been so busy with the store and my house. But your manager finally approved your time off? For how long?"

"Every time I come over, you always say you're so busy, so we don't talk for long. I plan to take the ferry tonight, so I stopped by before noon to talk to you before I take off."

"In that case...let's walk and talk to the top of the cliff and back. Your suitcase seems rather light, though."

"I'm not leaving for that long since my manager only approved two weeks off for me. I can't leave my work unattended for too long."

"No wonder... But now you know what an actual day job is like. Speaking of day job, the girl who was just here is Nene. She works part-time at my jewelry store and sometimes helps with chores around my house."

"Why part-time? Does she have family obligations?"

"She's still a student at the secondary school in town, which is why she was wearing her uniform. On weekdays, Nene comes to work after classes have ended and completes her homework there when it's not busy. She's very passionate about the art of jewelry, but I only have her working as a cashier because of her academics. I pay all my employees twice a month, in case you're wondering."

"You know, I haven't seen you as often as we used to ever since moving here. This is the first time that you've told me so many details about your jewelry store. But why jewelry?"

"My father actually worked in the jewelry business when he was still here, but only as an employee for the owner. We didn't lose a whole lot when he passed away, especially since Grandfather was still here to financially support me. Even though I didn't get to see everything that he did, opening my jewelry store was surprisingly smooth."

"That's because you had a lot of money to begin with."

"But money isn't everything. Yes, I spent a decent amount on construction costs for the physical store front, but hiring employees and building reputation requires a lot of work my end. You can't use money to buy that. We also offer jewelry repair services, custom orders, melting old jewelry to make new...you name it. That's basically what I've been working on this whole time that we haven't seen each other."

"Have you considered expanding into the city?"

"I don't know yet. I prefer to stay local for now. How's the city treating you?"

"Not bad at all. As land surveyor, I'm technically a city government employee, so the benefits are excellent. I don't worry about tomorrow as much as I used to, if that's what you're concerned about. I still haven't arranged all the furniture yet, but I made sure to hang up the spring painting you gave me. Thanks for not letting me stay here when we first arrived."

"Shun, I can't believe you still hold a grudge about that! Prior to arrival, I haven't been to this vacation house in a long time, so I need to clean and eventually renovate the place. What kind of a host would I be if I let you spend the night over in a dusty, unkempt—"

The raven-haired visitor dropped his suitcase and immediately embraced the heiress. "It doesn't matter anymore. I know you wanted to start over again, so it probably wasn't a good idea to let me come over. I'm beyond proud that you finally found something that you love doing instead of worrying about finding someone to marry."

"And I owe it all to you. Thank you for teaching me to put myself first and decide my own future." After they let go, Alice led the way back to her house. "Why are you leaving so late? Will there even be ships that will sail that far at night?"

"I just don't want to be on a crowded ship again. Don't you want to spend more time with me?"

"That's not what I meant! I'm sure that Marucho, Runo, and Dan miss you a lot. Don't forget that Marucho wasn't able to send us off at the ferry station because he had to stay home and watch the orphans. If you leave Bayview earlier, then you'll arrive and see them earlier. Never forget where you came from, you know."

"You have a point..."

"Also, how did you get here? Don't tell me you walked!"

"I requested a carriage to bring me up here, but I can just walk back to the ferry—"

"Oh no, you're not. Christopher, are you still here?!" exclaimed the homeowner. Later, a short brunet wearing blue overalls over a white polo shirt dashed out from the garage. "There you are! Is the car working?"

"All fixed! I tested it yesterday, and the engine is much quieter now. Where would you like to go?"

"If you could drive my guest and me to Bayview's ferry station, then that would be great."

"No problem! Please follow me!"

Shun pointed at Christopher in curiously as Alice cleared his confusions. "Christopher works at my jewelry store as well and is also my parti-time chauffer. Don't let his height fool you. He's very knowledgeable with technical tasks."

"I suddenly miss Chris and Soon." The raven-haired visitor placed his suitcase in the trunk before everyone took their seats inside the car. "Should I try finding them when I go back?"

"Only if you have time. After visiting your friends, of course. I still remember their hometown addresses, so finding them won't be an issue...unless they moved."

Once at the ferry station, the pair lined up to purchase tickets just like they did when escaping from Shadow's associates, although Alice wasn't going back. Before checking in at the designated gate, Shun asked, "Is there anything else you need me to do for you while I'm home?"

"Actually, if you can find Chris and Soon for me, then that would be great. Let me write down their addresses right now. I really want to know if they're still there or if they moved away. You weren't here when I gave them their severance pay. It was one of my worst days ever. Anyway, I know I said that we shouldn't forget where we came from, but there's nothing left me back home, other than the inheritance that I will deal with at my own time."

"Makes sense. Anyway, this is for you." The raven-haired passenger handed a folded piece of paper to the redhead, who unfolded it and discovered a key inside. "Here's my local address, and that's a spare key. My neighbors call it 'house sitting'."

"Shun, I live too far from this address. I might just come once a week to do perform general maintenance, so that's only visiting twice while you're gone for two weeks."

"That's better than nothing." He held Alice by her face and kissed her on her lips before leaving. "Is it bad that I miss you already?"

"Then don't leave! Besides, you never accepted your severance pay, so you technically still work for me and can't leave without my permission."

"Well then. Who's holding the grudge now?"

The redhead laughed cheerfully and watched the gate inspector verify Shun's passport and ticket. "Safe travels! Say hello to everyone for me!"

"I will! Take care of yourself while I'm away!"

After the ship blew its horn and set sail, they each returned to where they needed to be and focused on their own upcoming individual tasks to complete.

...

~FIN~

Personal commentary:

- Two weeks might seem rushed for anyone to settle down in a new place, but the setting is not very modern, so a lot of policies and procedures got skipped.

- Similarly, the police take forever to close a case (referring to arresting Volt, Mylene, and all THOSE people) because they're not very high-tech.

- Shun's new occupation as a land surveyor is a reference to "Catch Me When You Can".

- Alice's new occupation as a small jewelry business owner is a reference to all the jewelry she had at home.

-x-

Me: I really don't have much to say, other than "don't do the crime if you can't do the time".

Dan: That can mean a LOT of things.

Marucho: And consequences can be good or bad! Who said that they're always negative?

Me: In case anyone was wondering, this ending was inspired by the last chapters of "Exiled Undercover" (excluding the epilogue), "Reteaching Life", and "Sound of Affinity"—all off which are my previous works! I have an inexplicable affinity for open endings where people go to a utopian place ^-^"

Runo: Leave a review on the way out!

Julie: And also check out her newest story!

Dan: Not another drama genre!

Me: Now I remember! I do have a new poll on my profile closes end-of-day on April 30. Please vote on what concept I should write next! Thank you to everyone again for staying with this story!

𝄞 Nicole - 'Mysterious' 𝄞