12, 14, 20, 27, 31, 34, 37

"You'll have to forgive me, Issei." I sigh, my gaze drifting towards the hologram projection of snowflakes cascading all around us. "I vaguely remember that night."

Crossing my arms, I continue to speak, "I was so sad over what my dad did back then... I don't think I even had a proper conversation with you at the time." I sit back on the bench, feeling ashamed of my actions.

"Yes, you didn't." Issei chuckles. "You only stood there for two minutes and gave me all the money you had in your pockets."

"It was some loose change; I didn't have much on me." I say, covering my eyes as I recall my pitiful contribution, "I was too hurt to even think straight; I think I even gave you some gum along with the money."

Issei's laughter grows louder.

"Indeed, but what I found most intriguing was the other item you unintentionally donated to my cause."

"What was the other item?" I lift my gaze and meet his.

"A lottery ticket."

"Right...that was my father's..."

He was the reason why I was crying. He'd promised he would stop gambling, but I found the evidence that night, and that made me storm out of my own fundraiser event, crying.

"Well..." Issei continues with a grin that stretches from ear to ear.

"That ticket was still valid, and I've won."

My eyes grew wide.

"You're kidding! You actually won?" I cover my mouth with the palm of my hands!

Issei laughs. "Yes, as unbelievable as it may sound, I actually won." His attention shifting towards the children who were having snowball fights in the park.

'Wow..." I only managed to say while I looked at him in disbelief. The lottery ticket, proof of my father's weakness, had transformed into a ray of hope for Issei and his family.

"And it was more than enough to help with the cost of treatment." With a sigh, Issei turns his gaze back to me. "After I claimed the prize, I tried to find you, but..." His voice trails off. "Sadly, I found out about your death long after it happened. I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's fine!" I say, my voice trembling while I remember how life was back then. I'm glad I didn't fill up my water tank today; otherwise, I would be fighting back a lot of tears. As I move closer to him, I begin to speak.

"Cheer up! I'm here now because of you, and I'm more alive than ever!"

He looks at me and smiles. The hologram snowflakes seem to pick up the pace as we continue to talk. While I move my feet, I could feel the synthetic snow on Mars crunching underneath.

"I must admit," I say, breaking the silence, "I'm genuinely impressed you remembered me after all these centuries!"

"Remember you?" Issei smiles. "How could I ever forget the person who changed my life with a simple act of kindness?"

I blush a little as I let his words sink in.

"But wait a minute, I just realized something!"

"You cheated!"

I stand up and point a finger at him.

"You had an unfair advantage all along!" I then hit his arm playfully. "You already knew me, and you specifically picked my brain because of this. It's a good thing we're not being filmed right now, or we would both be disqualified!"

"I don't care!" Issei laughs. "I didn't come here to win anyway. I only wanted an opportunity to thank you properly. It's because of you that my family is here today, healthy and happy."

I avert my gaze from his, feeling embarrassed. "But I didn't do anything; it was all luck." I whisper back.

Issei shakes his head and pulls me into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "Shhh!" he whispers into my ear. His deep voice sends shivers down my spine. "You gave us hope when there was none," he continues. "I'll never forget that."

Our eyes meet, and it felt like time stopped at that moment. Then, as if he was remembering where we are and what we're doing, Issei pulls away.

"Don't tell Brainy, but the premise of this dating show is really dumb!"

I can't help but laugh at his unexpected remark.

"Oh, that reminds me!" I smirk. "Now that we're alone and there's no camera following us, how about you tell me how much my brain was worth?"

"Not this again!" Issei hides his face behind his hands.

"Why not? I'm just curious!" I say as I watch him peek through his fingers. "It hurt my ego that the President of Earth revived both of my parents but not me."

"Oh! That revival program was actually my idea, and I'm glad he listened." Issei smirks.

"Really now?" I raise my eyebrow. "And you didn't put in a good word for me?" I cross my arms while Issei laughs.

"No, the timing just wasn't right." He looks at me with a smug expression on his face.

"What timing?" I look at him suspiciously.

"Airi..." He sighs. "You're making me feel bad for not telling you the full story."

What is he talking about?

"But no more secrets!" Issei nods. "How about you come spend Christmas Eve with me and my family at my place?" He now takes my hand in his. "I promise everything will make sense soon."

"I hope you realize that you're asking me to break the rules, right?" I raise my eyebrow.

He glances around the park, as if ensuring no one is eavesdropping on our conversation, "Just don't tell Brainy. She is the strict one." After a brief moment of contemplation, he looks back at me. "Naomi, however, is more understanding. You can talk to her."

"But what about our schedule?" I asked. "Won't Brainy want us to film some special holiday episode?"

"Just trust me. I'll handle her," he says with a wave of his hand. "She's pretty strict, but I'm sure she'll give us a few days off."

"Alright then, I accept your invitation!" I exclaim, already feeling nervousness at the thought of meeting Issei's family.

"Perfect!" His smile widens before letting go of my hand. "I'm really looking forward to having you over at my place."

"There is just one thing..." I reply. "About your kids. What do they like? I'd love to get them presents."

Issei looks at me surprised.

"You're so kind, but you don't have to do that," he chuckles. "They're very spoiled! I assure you they have everything they could possibly desire."

"But still I—"

"No, I don't want to hear it!" Issei interrupts me by placing a finger over my mouth with a chuckle. 

"Now, I need your telepathy password so I can send you my home address."

I roll my eyes before complying. "Fine! But don't think you can boss me around like this all the time!"

"Understood, Airi." He chuckles. "Now, if you'd be so kind as to open your main menu..."

[Permission required]

[Attempt to link Telepathy with Issei]

"My password is 12142027313437."

"Are those the lottery numbers?" I ask while I glance back up at him. He nods and smiles.

That's actually adorable.

"All right, my password is #c30b09." I reply before searching for his username in the sea of names that were currently available in the telepathic network.

[Airi and Issei are now connected.]

"Is your password seriously a color?" Issei laughs.

"Yes, so what?" I reply as I roll my eyes.

'Let me guess, that's your favorite shade of lipstick?"

"How do you—"

[Address sent]

"Done!" He laughs.

And just like that, the file with his home address on Earth pops up in my own menu.

[Issei Disconnected]

"Now let's go back before Brainy starts searching for us!" Issei gets off the bench and takes my hand in his like it's the most natural thing in the world as we make our way through the artificial Winter Wonderland of Mars.