The policeman didn't even look tired. Just bored.
"Kid," he said, leaning back in his chair, "we deal with normal people."
"Everything you just told me, that's out of our hands. The guy you're talking about, black suit, tie — that's Gift Society."
"They run things. We don't get involved."
Silence.
"So that's it?" Ari asked.
The man shrugged. "That's it."
Ari stepped out of the station feeling crushed.
He texted Chae anyway.
Are you okay?
Where are you?
Please answer.
The messages stayed unread.
He called. Once. Twice. Again — nothing.
He barely slept. When he did, it wasn't rest, just drifting in and out, staring at the ceiling, replaying the moment she disappeared. Over and over.
By the second day, he stopped expecting a reply.
He sat on a wooden bench outside the store, defeated, the bag at his feet, the ice cream melting slowly in his hand. He didn't rush it. Didn't care.
That's when someone spoke.
"Yo." 👋
Ari turned.
A guy stood there, hands in his pockets. Black hoodie. Relaxed posture.
"Hey," Ari said.
Silence stretched.
"You Ari?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. I'm Mikey."
Ari nodded.
Mikey studied him for a second, then smiled. "You look like shit."
Ari let out a weak breath. "Yeah. Rough couple of days."
Mikey tilted his head. "You went to the cops?"
Ari nodded again.
"Let me guess," Mikey said, "they told you it's not their problem."
"..."
Ari looked at him. "Where's Chae?"
"She's safe," Mikey said instantly. "She asked for you."
That was enough to make Ari's chest tighten.
"She's... okay?"
"Physically? Yeah. Mentally?" Mikey shrugged. "New life, y'know."
Ari stared at the ground.
"So," Mikey continued casually, "you wanna see her?"
"I'm not sure she wants me there."
Ari looked down.
Mikey tilted his head. "Doesn't change anything. Let's go."
Ari hesitated. "Do I have a choice?"
Mikey smiled. "Not really."
Before reaching the room, Ari felt it.
A presence.
A tall, middle-aged man stood down the hall, watching him. His eyes lingered on Ari for a second too long.
Then the door opened.
"Ari!"
Chae rushed to him, hands on his face. "Are you okay? You look horrible."
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "What happened?"
She let out a short laugh.
"I woke up here. They asked questions. Tests. Apparently... something's wrong with me, haha. I can teleport now. Kinda crazy, right?"
"Why haven't you replied to me?" Ari looked at her phone right there, on the nightstand beside the bed.
Chae scooted over a bit to hide the phone. "Haha, sorry. They just gave me my phone. I called my parents first to let them know, and then you showed up."
"So, when are they letting you go?"
"About that... they're not letting me go, haha."
Ari interrupted her. "They can't just take you."
"I know, but I can't leave. My gift's classified as special. They want to train me."
"This is... what I wanted, Ari. I will finally have a stable life, and most importantly, a purpose. I can actually change things here. I matter here."
"You matter to me as well," Ari said. "I care so much about you, Chae."
She looked down.
"I'll miss you. I really will. But I don't think we'll be close like before."
That one hurt. Ari just stared — mouth half-open.
"I'll try to visit," she added. "Please... take care of yourself, okay?"
Ari felt it settle in his chest.
He smiled anyway.
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry" he said. "Good luck, Chae."
He walked out alone.
Mikey looked at Chae for a brief moment, then followed Ari, making sure he left without any trouble.
Once outside, his gaze dropped to the ground. His eyes were wet. And inside, everything felt empty.
She chose them.