6 months Later

Akihabara

Alan' s Apartment

Six months had passed since the harrowing two-day battle that claimed the lives of 2567 people. Countless others lost loved ones and faced their own struggles before the conflict was resolved through what could only be described as a divine intervention.

I found myself thrust into the chaos without understanding my purpose, yet somehow, I played a role I never imagined my humble life could bear. Despite the turmoil, the outcome brought about a lasting peace.

Numerous sacrifices were made that day to ensure our survival, and we can never truly repay those who gave their lives, including Kazuya Mishima and Jun Kazama Mishima.

Though I never had the chance to know them well, I will forever hold their memory close to my heart.

While we cannot undo the loss we've suffered, we can find solace in cherishing the moments we shared with them, carrying their legacy forward with a smile on our faces...

After delivering a heartfelt eulogy, Alan descended the stairs. Jin approached and embraced him before offering his own words in memory of his parents.

Many others came forward to express their thoughts and gratitude for the saviours of our world.

After the final tribute, Alan stood up and made his way to the window to smoke, gazing at the setting sun as he reminisced about his family, now remembering them with peace rather than agony.

"What's on your mind, Alan?" Lee rolled up to Alan in his wheelchair, his hand cast resting on his chest.

Alan extinguished his cigarette upon seeing Lee and addressed him,

"Just the usual thoughts."

Lee then turned his wheelchair toward Alan with a sudden strained effort to bow, expressing,

"Alan, I want to apologise for involving you in this mess, a situation even I wasn't able to handle. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, if possible."

Alan knelt down to help Lee up, his eyes filled with empathy as he responded to Lee's apology.

"You don't need to apologise. You didn't force me into anything, and besides, I believe you've already faced enough consequences for your mistakes." He glanced down at Lee's cast as he spoke.

"Perhaps, but I still feel like it's not enough compared to—" Lee began, but Alan interrupted him.

"Take it easy on yourself, Lee. And speaking of which, I've been meaning to ask you something. Do you know what happened to that Akuma guy? He seemed to disappear after Claudio appeared. He could have been a huge help."

"Oh, right. You're not aware of that. After everything settled down, I had all the footage from the camp surveillance recovered. It turns out that after talking to Jin, Akuma just vanished into thin air, almost like a ghost."

Lee showed Alan the footage on his smartphone, and Alan reacted with interest, raising his head with a thoughtful expression. "Hmmm... interesting."

"Hey, by the way, do you know where Jin is?" Alan asked.

"Jin? I think I saw him heading to your balcony on my way here," Lee replied.

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"Thank you. Excuse me for a minute, would you?" Alan cut in, then walked away from the window.

As he moved through his drawing room, he saw many familiar faces with smiles, relieved as if the incident had never happened and they were always this close to one another.

There was Lars and Alisa, who were playfully arguing about bread, resembling the banter of a newly married couple.

The King brothers and Marduk were engaged in an eating competition with Paul, Forest, and Marshall Law, all of whom smiled warmly upon seeing Alan. He couldn't help but wonder if there would be enough food to satisfy their appetites.

Meanwhile, Nina and Anna Williams, looking healthy, were in a heated debate over what Steve should eat, prompting Alan to cringe at their contentious relationship.

Across the room, Yoshimitsu was engaged in lively conversation with Zafina, who looked calm and comfortable despite missing an appendage and Kunimitsu, exchanging friendly smiles with Alan as they chatted along.

Hwoarang was charming both Asuka and Lillie, who appeared to be vying for his attention. Alan observed them with amusement as they engaged in their playful competition.

On the other side, Shaheen, Lei Wulong, Bryan, Dragunov, and Raven were playing Russian roulette with a gun, initially causing Alan some worry until Shaheen reassured him with a gesture that everything was safe.

Eddy, Christie—Eddy's girlfriend, Julia Chang, and Ganryu were engaged in conversation, resembling two newlywed couples enjoying each other's company.

Finally, Alan reached his balcony and spotted Xiaoyu, who was five months pregnant and beginning to show her baby bump.

She smiled at him upon noticing his presence.

"Hi, Alan-san," Xiaoyu greeted him warmly. "That was a very good speech. I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for all of us."

Xiaoyu bowed, showing her eternal gratitude to Alan. He quickly responded by helping her to stand back up.

"No, Xiaoyu, you shouldn't do this at this phase; it can hurt the baby," Alan said with concern.

"Sorry, Alan-san, I guess moodiness is catching up with me," Xiaoyu apologised.

Alan responded with a modest smile and then asked Xiaoyu,

"Where is Jin?"

"Ah, he's there," Xiaoyu replied.

Xiaoyu pointed at Jin, who was standing alone on the balcony, gazing silently at the setting sun. Alan approached him, followed by Xiaoyu.

"Am I disturbing something?" Alan's words brought Jin out of his reverie. Jin turned towards Alan and greeted him.

"Alan, forgive me, I was... just..." Jin started to explain, but Alan quickly intervened.

"Don't worry, I understand," Alan said, sensing Jin's emotions. Saving him from further explanation.

"I just wanted to thank you for letting me do all this. I just wanted to be of some help," Alan expressed his gratitude, looking at Jin and then turning towards the main hall full of guests.

"Don't be so modest, I insist. You have helped more than anyone could ask for and keep endearing us with your graciousness. You know all this," Jin said, then moved to Xiaoyu and knelt, touching her baby bump and putting his cheek on it.

"Wouldn't be possible without your help."

Suddenly, a four-leaf clover came flying and rested on Jin's nose.

Xiaoyu, overcome with emotions, exclaimed,

"Oh, Jin! It's a four-leaf clover! Quick! Make a wish! Make a wish!"

Seeing Xiaoyu so excited, Alan joined in, saying, "Come on, Dude, make a wish..."

Glancing at Alan and Xiaoyu, Jin picked it up gently, rising up, he blew gently on the clover and then raised it towards the setting sun, which had become an afterglow.

He proceeded to make his wish, while looking at at the horizon,

"I wish for a world where fighting, hatred, and evil do not exist. A world where my family, my friends, and everyone live in harmony and happiness, enjoying new emotions, adventures, and experiences everyday. I wish to be born to my parents again, to my grandparents and great-grandparents, and grow up knowing them better," Jin said, before turning the clover to Xiaoyu.

"I wish to be born in a world where I will meet you and instantly fall in love with you."

Jin then moved the clover to Alan's direction and continued,

"I wish to be born in a world where I would have a best friend like you."

Finally, he shifted the clover to the main hall filled with their friends and said,

"I wish to be born in a world where I would meet all of you in better circumstances and befriend you."

Raising his hand again, Jin let the clover go and muttered his final words,

"I wish to be born in a world where I would stay happy, always."

And with that, the clover soared towards the glowing horizon. As the laughter and chatter of the people in Alan's house gradually began to subside into a serene calm and the clover disappeared into the unknown horizon, a story came to a close.

The End.