We're all sorry

The first thing that appeared was overhead footage, presumably shot from a security camera, as there was no sound, of my parents confronting the CEO of Jantar, Erwin Jantar, at Jantar HQ. A groan began to manifest in my throat until my mother's voice began speaking over the footage.

"When we heard what you did, we were furious, flying off to Mongolia as fast as we could to get you out. We faced even more grief when not only did the company refuse to budge, but the courts ruled in their favor. The deepest cut though came from you, who ordered that company to turn us away if we ever came to fetch you. Rage, slowly turned to grief, as your father and I deemed you to be practically dead. We didn't trust that tech, believing it to all be a scam, and you to be dead."

The scene changed to that of a courtroom with a gavel being slammed down.

"With your loss, we then turned to attacking Jantar, seeking to ring them for all their worth and prevent anyone from falling victim like you, but we lost everywhere. The court of law, the court of public opinion, all we were faced with was hostility, mostly from your own followers. They believed we were entirely in the wrong and that your wishes should be respected. They also believed you weren't dead. One day, a girl who claimed to have traveled with you showed up at our place."

Footage of someone walking up to the front door of the house was then shown.

"And this here was Hana's house... Well, here we go," Meredith's voice rang out as she rang the doorbell.

"Her name was Meredith, and she came to apologize."

Actually hearing the desperation in Meredith's voice as she apologized like crazy was soul crushing. If I didn't know of her true feelings, I might have actually thrown the phone away in rage, thinking everything was some sick joke from her and my mother. But since I knew that she had a heart despite still retaining all that mischief I hate, I began to cry.

"Meredith, unsatisfied with not being able to apologize to you, proclaimed her intent to us to enter stasis so that she could. We tried to talk her out of it, but she firmly believed the company was legitimate. And even if it wasn't, dying in the pod next to you would at least bring her peace of mind. We asked why she would go so far, to which she replied..."

"I can't live with myself knowing I can't apologize proper. But fate's smiling down, cuz Hana ain't dead, she's just in stasis. Thus, I gotta just wake up a few months earlier than her, and BAM! I plan the most epic apology ever by tricking her into thinking I'm gonna shave her head, but then I end up going bald instead! Though if she decides to join me in baldness out of free will... It's on her."

So glad I know that's genuine, otherwise I'd be hunting that bitch down to slug her.

"Still, even if you could apologize, why would you abandon this era?" my father asked.

Meredith put her finger on her cheek as she began pondering her response. "Well, I was enjoying things, but then Dorm Lavini became prime minister, so screw this era."

Dorm-who?

Before I could ponder that irrelevant topic my mother's voice-over came back.

We couldn't understand her reasoning, but we decided to trust her. Before she left, she proposed we try and have Jantar preserve some of your treasured belongings. The thought of returning to that place disgusted us, but we wished to at least see you, so we did. Meredith served as mediator in a sense, though Erwin Jantar, didn't seem to hold grudges..."

...

As Hana watched the video, I downloaded copies to watch myself. It was effortless to do it, as once Hana turned on the phone and went to the Viewtube page, I was able to hack my way into accessing the private videos in order to see things myself. I had an idea of what it's contents were thanks to the notes, but seeing the old man himself, caught me off guard.

"If you wish to have those items preserved and be given to your daughter upon her revival, that is completely permissible. You may even specify when we be allowed to give it to her," Erwin stated.

I decided to speed through everything, hoping things wouldn't be too heavy, but my fears were confirmed when I finished everything. Hana was going to be heartbroken, and unlike with her phone, there wasn't an easy fix in a nearby oasis. Before she got through everything, I had to think of a way to keep her from falling into despair. I don't want to lose her, and I don't think she wants to lose herself either. So before she breaks down in tears, I'm gonna find the answer to saving her.

...

"During our mediation, we were permitted one more glance at your notes. It still pained us what you said, but with clearer minds, we stumbled upon he line stating you wished to visit home if it still existed..."

That was the moment it felt like my heart stopped as 100% if my mind truly became engaged to the video.

"Seeing that... It truly made use cry. We didn't mean to hurt you, we just thought your dream wasn't a sustainable life-path. And perhaps, we also were afraid we'd never see you again if you traveled the world. The world is a dangerous place, at least in our time. The thought of something happening to you kept us up at night, but depressingly enough, that reality came to be. I know you may be sick of it, but I have every right to reprehend you for making us worry ourselves to death! We were heartbroken when we saw that video of you going into stasis! We... We loved you, so it hurt so much... even though it was years ago."

"Years ago"?

It was then the scene shifted to an old lady sitting before a gravestone in a setting similar to that... at the back of the house...

As my mother's voice spoke through the lips of the old woman, my heart started beating rapidly as I charged towards the back.

"Your father has passed, so too will I shortly. But at least we watched over this house to ensure it truly was preserved, like Erwin Jantar promised. I'm sorry, and so is your father. The house is now your forever home to return to. Don't worry, we'll both still be here, even if it's underground. Hana, we're sorry..."

A cold wind blew as I came face to face with two grave stones in the back. They bore the names of my parents, Mana Mangetsu and Hodaka Mangetsu.

"Hana, we're sorry we couldn't be here to welcome you back. At the least, we hope that if you see this video, you'll have woken up and be home once more."

And with that, the video ended and my heart shattered to pieces. Tears, tears, tears. That's all I can think of... "I'm sorry... I'M SORRY!"

...

As Hana took off running, I went pale as I followed her to the back of the house. I still hadn't thought of anything, and I was out of time! Logically, the best thing to do was leave her be for a bit, which I did, but when she began wishing aloud to go back in time, I internally panicked.

There were many instances where people coming out of stasis were stricken with grief after learning their loved ones had long since passed, but I was not the one that dealt with issues like that. Selena was the one for that, but right now, I felt I'd punch her if she showed up. Ms. "By the book" might seem nice and caring at first, but all she cares about is fulfilling the protocol. Maybe that's why I hate her so much, but if she's the only one that can save Hana, I'll call her over.