After getting reasonably healthy with her artificial body, Acma was summoned as a witness for a lengthy trial investigating Martine. The man had committed many terrible crimes, of which conducting illegal human research that created the fearsome Elutia and her puppets had caused serious damage to the world. After the verdict for Martine was decided - permanently imprisoned as everyone expected - Acma herself was put on trial for her involvement in G-Day. She was sentenced to six months in prison at first. The sentence was changed to one year of probation in Balamb after her horrendous battles against Hyne's monsters were published.

Acma seemed happy with this punishment. She was immediately brought on the first train from Esthar to Fisherman's Horizon. Her escort was no one other than Raddie. They would stay at Sean's for a few days before taking the ferry to Balamb.

"That's the bar where Seifer pulled a prank on Quistis!" Acma proudly showed Raddie. "Then I restrained him with my lasso and commanded him to go to Galbadia. Who would have thought? I played such an important role in their romance. And they're expecting a child together!"

"You never cease to amaze me with how much you had done during the two years at Balamb Garden as a spy," Raddie shook his head in disbelief.

"I was working hard for freedom. And look at me, after all these years, I still have one more year in captivity before really knowing the taste of freedom..."

"It will go fast. There're tons of things to do in Balamb. It's changed a lot since the last time you were there. You'll get your real freedom in no time," Raddie trailed off.

"What's wrong?"

"What? Nothing. I think it's good for you to catch up with everyone before living the hermit life you'd wanted."

"That's... not exactly my plan," she bit her lip.

"Then what is?" he asked.

"What's yours?" she asked back.

Raddie was struck by her implication that she no longer wanted to live alone. And if he was not mistaken, she was curious about his next move. After years of chasing after her and getting pushed away repeatedly, he'd told himself each time it would be the last. She always had her own agenda, but too nice to give him a verbal rejection. Therefore, she always chose to take actions, either by restraining him with her lasso or putting him under Sleep.

"Why do you care?" he asked her back once more.

She really seemed to panic this time.

"Um... Although I'm no longer a SeeD, much like a criminal escorted by a SeeD, we're still partners. Besides, I need to pay back your help somehow. I don't want to owe you..."

"You don't owe me anything. Everything I've done for you, I've done voluntarily."

"Raddie..."

"Please."

He cut her off. He didn't want her to feel obligated to pay him back. Because then, the moment she thought she'd paid off the debt, she'd leave without a trace. She thought she would do him a favor. In reality… He no longer knew. Maybe it was a real favor if she would just leave him.

"Didn't I owe you a date in Balamb?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"You said that you were going to take me to Rendezvous, didn't you? Of course... if you still want to do it. I understand if you no longer..."

"Okay!" he immediately confirmed.

"Okay. Great!" she smiled, and Raddie couldn't believe he sensed nervousness in her voice.

"Thank you... Um..."

"What now? Tell me?"

Acma shook her head and began to cry. "It's just... I'm not the girl you asked out years ago. Like I said in Ragnarok, I don't deserve you. You're such a nice person, the best friend one could ever ask for. And I'm, full of lies, a broken doll. You know my baggage with Zyma..."

"Oh Hyne! Acma," Raddie held her close, a courage he of years ago would never have had. But he'd changed as much as she had, for good and for bad. One thing was certain, if it were not for her, he would not have become the man he was.

"My foolish partner, I'm no longer the clumsy boy jogging around Garden calling you 'Instructor'. I'm a joined officer of both Esthar and Balamb. It's been a long journey in which I spent most of it with you, seeing you move forward despite horrible things that happened to you and your friends. I'm just happy that I grew up with you. Hyne, I can't imagine go on a date with 17-year-old Acma who bargained with Chocoboy for an hour over 1000 Gils. And Zyma… I miss him, too. I respect your love, your past that made you who you are. Are we clear on that?"

Acma burst into more tears upon hearing Raddie's words. He patiently wiped away her tears and gave her his ultimatum.

"But here's the deal, Acma. I can't chase after you forever. The ball is in your court. Give it some thought, and let me know when we get to Balamb, if you really want to have that date together. Are you clear on your assignment?"

Acma nodded repeatedly, then leaned on Raddie once more.

Once they reached Balamb Garden, Acma and Raddie split. Raddie had to report to Garden Committee on a different mission, leaving a new SeeD to escort Acma. The new SeeD was none other than Devie, who participated in two SeeD exams with Acma. Devie, now at the age of 18, was as loud as in the old days, although he deliberately tried to tone it down when reporting to his supervisor.

Devie escorted Acma to visit her old friends at Garden. Unfortunately, Trepie #23 was out, giving her more time than she would want to visit places that reminded her of Zyma.

They first met outside of Xu's office to start their mentorship. His inventory room that she had taken over was no longer used for storage, being converted into four ordinary dorm rooms. Her room was assigned to a cadet as expected. The new occupants of the suite had redecorated everything, making it hard for Acma to recognize the cozy place where she cooked, had dinner, and played Triple Triad with Trepie #23 and Zyma.

She walked to the Training Center. The simulation room that she had built with Timeth remained, though it looked unused. Zyma usually sold items near the dock just outside the Secret Area. Acma would complete her assignments while he did his trades, not wanting him to escape his mentorship duties.

Standing on the old, worn wooden dock, she looked down at the creek and realized how big the fish had grown. Zyma usually killed the fishies by throwing cards like Shurikens, then ate them raw for dinner.

She stood there, murmuring things as if she was talking to him.

"So I don't know what happened to you. I can never know. But if you were still alive in this world, you would find me by now, right? I don't want to move on at all if you're still out there waiting for me. And I don't want to hurt him either. I... Do you think I'm selfish? You surely do. Because I know I am. Zyma... You know I've always loved you. I don't have to explain this anymore, do I? I promised you I'd be your GF in our next life. I'll keep that promise. How about this life... my new life I didn't know I'd have? Can you... give me a sign? Do I have your permission to move on?"

She waited and waited. Nothing happened. The world no longer had magic.

Devie called her from afar, signaling the end of the visit. She walked a few steps, then stumbled upon a huge rock near the dock.

The rock where Zyma often hid his Gils.

Curious, Acma lifted it up. She immediately burst into tears at the sight of the glowing card safely enclosed in a Ziploc bag.

It was her own Triple Triad card that she had given to Zyma before G-Day. He knew he couldn't keep it with him. He must have left it here, knowing one day she would find it.

He wanted her to find herself.

samaqi: What do you think of this sign? I took inspiration from How I Met Your Mother, in which Tracy (the mother lol) asked the sky for a sign whether to accept her boyfriend's proposal, because her ex died. I think whenever someone asks for a sign, yes, they debate between options, but they clearly know the answer they want, it's just that it's harder to break the news.