Two weeks flew by like the wind. Jin didn't even realise how quick time could pass by until now.
For the remaining amount of time he used, on those last few days, he never wasted a moment to be with the ones he held dear to.
Conversations with his mother. Fun banter with Isis. Trying out the new tech that Tora had been making.
In all his honesty, there wasn't enough time. There was never enough time.
From when he woke up, it was those fleeting thoughts that whispered through his head.
"Jin," Nozomi called, shaking his shoulder. "It's time that you wake up and get ready."
"Ah, mum."
He hoisted himself onto his elbows. His muscles still busy waking up.
"Morning," he groggily said. The corners of his eyes felt dry through every blink.
Nozomi used her hand to support Jin. "Don't you think it's about time you knew how to wake yourself up?" she teased. "You're 15. And you've got—"
"—A bright future ahead of yourself," Jin interjected with a slight smile. "I know mum. And I'll try keep that in mind for when I'm up in the clouds."
"Oh you cheeky little..."
Jin's mother wrapped a delicate arm around him and cupped his shoulder.
"You act more like your reckless father every single day."
When she said that, a thought clicked for Jin. A question.
"Mum, do you... really believe dad could be alive up there?"
Her expression twitched. The question trying to ring any sort of answer.
"I can't say. Why?"
"Because I just don't know anymore," Jin faltered. Cracks in his voice seeped through his composure. "All the decisions I've made up have led me up to this point. There were choices I was sure was right. But there was also choices I'm beginning to regret. If everything would've been the same if I just listened to you all those years ago about not stealing."
He found himself leaning against Nozomi's shoulder. Colours of different kinds showed on his face. His mother could recognise all of them.
Most importantly...
"I know I said I believed that dad is alive. But, I really don't..."
Nozomi frowned. "You don't?"
"I was just trying to justify it. I wanted to make it look like it was for the good of our family. I didn't want things to change. However... when I saw them put a gun to your head... you weren't even scared for yourself."
Jin didn't want to remember. But he forced his next words out.
"How else was I meant to react? I don't want to see you leave me too."
"Jin..." she paused. "You see, the thing about life is that... it's a cruel and endless wasteland. You can't afford to look back on the past."
Nozomi herself knew that all too well when she first lost her husband.
"I know I wasn't a proper mother to you since your dad left. However, don't think I ever wished to leave you. It's my life mission as a parent to always prioritise your life above mine."
She rested herself over Jin's head. He was usually much taller than his mother. But, all she could think was how he's reverted back into the small child she remembered.
"The decisions you've made are yours to make. As much as I would disagree with many of them, the one you presented that time had no right answer. Any child in your position would've done the same. And you can't change that."
"But, I..."
When Jin tried to answer back, he felt that those words couldn't break free from his heart. Sensing this, Nozomi's eyes softened. She grabbed hold of one of Jin's hand and pressed something in it.
It was smooth, metalic, and Jin could feel the small cracks of indents. She revealed a necklace; one that held a copper shield at its centre. The cord a course leather.
Nozomi peeled the shield open, turning out to be a cover for a small picture frame with Jin, Nozomi, and Tomoya. It was the entire family—albeit a younger version. The picture had been faded by time but the memories shown were still as vivid.
For the first time in a long while, Jin remembered what his father looked like.
"Huh, where did you...?"
Pictures—like gadgets—were a rare thing to be found in the lower strata. Calling Jin surprised would be an understatement when he saw the picture frame. He couldn't even recall when this picture was even taken.
But judging on how young he looked then, he'd guess he was around 4 years old.
"Your dad made this for me long before. It's pretty, don't you think? When times were much more peaceful and happier for the three of us. He would always proudly say that he'd return back to me no matter how far."
"Wait, why are you—"
"I want you to have it, Jin."
Those few words left Jin frozen. This was likely the last picture Nozomi had of his dad. Hell, it might've been the last picture of everyone together to exist. Why is she giving this to him?
Those exact thoughts shrouded him—leaving him obscurred.
"But why?" he couldn't help but ask. "This is... wouldn't it be better for you to have it?"
"No, its okay." Nozomi shook her head. "Given everything you've been through, I'd say its better suited around your neck than mine. To remind you that the memories we've made are more valuable than any treasure or gadget you could find. Unlike me, you've been a wonderful son. And it pains me that I have to see you go out on your own to an unknown place."
Her mind flickered to her husband, starting to see his image overlap with Jin.
"But, I wish to believe in miracles again. So while you're up there, keep this necklace close to you. Don't forget why you're there. Why you can't give up. You can't change what you've done, but you can look forward to what may be."
She would close the necklace at the palm of Jin's hand.
When she finished talking, time finally felt like it had carried on with its normal pace.
But what was said during those few minutes would stay with Jin. He would never forget it.