The next 24 hours for Ken felt like a blur. At first, he thought that he'd lucked out with his two kids since they rarely cried or fussed despite being newborn.
However, he was mistaken.
Seemingly every 30 minutes, Natsuki or Kenji were crying for food. When asking the nurses, they assured him that it was completely normal and will naturally change after Ai begins to produce more milk.
Thus, Ken did the only thing he could do; look for ways to help. Between soothing his newborns and scouring the internet for solutions, he finally found a few ways to assist.
As a result, Ken's internet ads were now filled with breast pumps and other weird paraphernalia.
[17:36:54 remaining]
It had been over 30 hours since he won the World Series. For the first time since, Ken finally had the opportunity to open his system.
Ai was sleeping soundly, curled up in the hospital bed. Natsuki and Kenji were also asleep, though Ken didn't know for how much longer. If he wanted to accept the mission rewards, now was the time.
#MISSION: Final Showdown
*Task 1: Throw a Perfect Game [Completed]
*Task 2: Win the World Series [Completed]
REWARDS:
>System Integration [Claim Rewards]
As Ken stared at the mission and the glowing Claim Rewards button, he finally understood that it was the end. The journey had been long and arduous, but he was satisfied.
He started feeling sentimental.
What would life be like without the system?
Though he had kept Mika at arm's length recently, a tinge of sadness assaulted Ken.
'Mika… It's time.' He said softly in his mind.
[Affirmative]
'Are you sad? What will happen to you when I accept the rewards?'
[I'm… not sure]
The uncertainty in Mika's voice caused a lump to form in Ken's throat. Would Mika cease to exist after this? Or will she be forced to move to the next host?
Ken shook his head, trying to get rid of the sadness in his heart. This is what he needed to do, right? After all, this was the end goal of the system. Otherwise it wouldn't have made sense to give out the mission in the first place.
'Thank you for everything you've done for me, Mika.' Ken said, slowly standing to his feet and bowing.
Of course, Mika wasn't in the room with him, but it was the gesture that counted. Or at least that's what Ken thought.
As he raised his head, a translucent figure appeared in front of him.
Shock ran through Ken as he recognized the figure.
'Mom!?' he squealed inwardly.
The woman looked exactly like his mother, though she appeared to be a bit older. In fact, it reminded him of his mother in his past life.
The figure shook her head and smiled.
[Since this is our final goodbye, I wanted to appear in front of you at least once]
The lips of the ghostly figure did not move, yet Mika's voice still echoed inside of his head. Ken was filled with questions, but before he could ask them, Mika's hand brushed against his cheek.
[Forgive me Ken, I wanted to take a form of someone you love dearly…]
'So she's not my mom?' Ken felt a sense of relief flow through him. If Mika had been his mother from his previous life, he wouldn't know how to proceed from this moment on.
'We are friends Mika, there is no need to take such a form. Show me the real you, just this once.' Ken said to her softly.
[I have no tangible form…]
'Then show me your essence. You have seen every facet of me throughout these 7 years, don't you think you owe it to me?' He reasoned.
Mika looked unsure for a few moments before nodding slowly. In the next moment there was a blinding light that filled the room, forcing Ken to shield his eyes.
Thankfully, his sleeping children and wife didn't seem affected by the light pollution.
When the light finally began to dim, Ken laid his eyes upon the form. A brilliant white dove hovered in the air, an olive branch in its beak.
"So beautiful…" Ken muttered, unconsciously moving closer towards it.
He reached out, stroking the pure white feathers atop her head. The touch caused the dove to shiver, but it did not shy away.
The dove was a symbol, Ken knew this. Oftentimes doves were used by seafarers to detect land in the vicinity. They would fly from the boat and return with a branch, signifying that there was land nearby.
There were even mentions of using doves in the bible for this purpose.
Ken felt his soul quake.
Mika, the dove. The one who was sent to guide him to land after he had drowned in the middle of the ocean. If not for her, would he have been lost forever? Filled with regret?
Ken wasn't sure if this was what it symbolized, but he now knew that Mika had never been his enemy. She was both the system, and not the system.
In fact, Ken felt like she was another entity entirely. Perhaps an Angel, sent to save him at his lowest point.
With his mind reeling, Ken did his best to compose himself. Taking a step forward, he brought Mika into his arms and gently hugged her.
"Thank you for trusting me Mika…" he muttered, feeling his body fill with warmth.
[…]
[Thank you Ken…]
The two stayed like this for a while, silently enjoying each others company. It was soon interrupted by Natsuki who began to fuss. It looked like she was moments away from waking up.
Without a word, Mika flew over to Natsuki and hovered above her. Warm light cascaded down from Mika's body, covering Ken's daughter.
Instantly, her tiny body began to calm down. A tiny smile pulled at her lips before she went back to sleep.
[I will bless your children as a parting gift. Rest assured Ken, they will never grow sick or weak with this protection]