And the winners are...

"Lights! Camera! Audience! Action!"

The lights were dim, the stage was set, and the spotlights found their focus.

This was it! The grand finale!

And I had no intention of letting it pass by without leaving my own mark on this fake dating show. They thought they could scheme behind my back for all these years without consequences?

Airi will get the last laugh!

The show's cheesy jingle now begins playing. The sound of applause from the hologram audience was replaced by the cheerful clapping of a smaller group of individuals, consisting of my parents, Tom, and Naomi.

That wasn't the only major change. Instead of Brainy, Yukako was now emerging from the shadows as the new presenter, dressed in a crimson Santa dress and matching hat.

"Welcome back to 'Pick a Brain & Fall in Love!'" The little girl's smile was radiant as she observed the audience before her.

"Due to some unexpected events, Brainy could not be here today with us." Yukako casts a disapproving look in Naomi's direction, who struggled to contain her amusement.

As the spotlight continued to shine upon her, Yukako resumed her speech. "And also because of some unexpected incidents," her gaze shifting towards Issei, who was also trying to suppress his own laughter. "We have to end this dating show earlier than expected."

"As you all know." Yukako looked towards my direction and smiled. "The past few weeks were quite fun. And... I've learned that sometimes it's not right to judge books by their covers." The crowd then responded with another round of applause.

"Only sometimes?" Issei whispers; his question is met with my muffled chuckle.

"Without further ado," Yukako announced, her voice full of excitement, "let us welcome the two pairs of finalists who have captured our hearts." The applause grew louder as we prepared to join her on stage.

While we climbed the stairs that led to the stage, I couldn't help but be drawn to the magnetic presence of Xava, who was standing beside Sam. Earlier, Issei had revealed to me that Xava was Sam's girlfriend in real life.

Her appearance was remarkably similar to Sam's alien characteristics: the overly large, spherical eyes and a head that seemed almost too large for her delicate body. However, there was one difference that immediately caught my attention—her skin was pink!

The spotlight grew brighter as we approached the stage, and Naomi was jumping up and down in excitement.

"Ok, let's get this over with..." Yukako rolls her eyes after glancing at her sister. The small girl then gestures to us to come closer.

This was my chance!

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Before you announce the winners," the audience's eyes turned to me, "I have a confession to make." Yukako looked taken aback by my unexpected request.

"Sure, what is it?" She replied, looking concerned.

"Remember the day when you announced Tom's departure?" I glance at the alien who was standing in the front row. Yukako nodded.

"Well, on that very evening," I revealed, "Issei and I went on a date, and we used telepathy."

Yukako's eyes grew wide.

"Yes, we broke the rules," I smirk. "It is only fair that we accept the consequences and withdraw from the contention." I then glance at Issei, who responded with a hearty laugh and a thumbs up.

Confetti then begins to fall all around Sam and Xava. The pair looked speechless as Naomi ascended to the stage with a pink, heart-shaped monitor in her hands that showed the text '1 million HP' illuminating the screen. The show's jingle that accompanied the announcement filled the basement as the small crowd erupted in applause.

"T-Thank you so much! I—I don't know what to say! This is incredible! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Sam says with teary eyes.

Issei then pulls me away and whispers into my ear. "You are incredible." I blush and glance back at the alien couple. "I didn't do much." He then shakes his head. "You did! Sam would have never accepted that amount of HP from me, not in a trillion years!" He laughs.

"I hope it's enough to buy some land on Mars."

"It's more than enough." He whispers back, and we return to the stage, congratulating the winners.

With a tender pull at my hand, Issei then guided me towards the staircase that led to the upper level of the two-colored house. He explained that this was their first home on Earth after the revival. He wanted his sisters to have their own space. And he also told me that my parents lived with them for a little while.

"Come, I have a surprise for you." Issei says before he opens the door to the blue side of the house. He told me to close my eyes, and I did.

"Alright, you can open them."

Now, in his outstretched hand, there was a minuscule, crimson tube. The words "Airi Cosmetics" were engraved in gold.

"Merry Christmas," he spoke with a smile.

Taking the tube from him, I studied it. As I uncapped it, my suspicions were confirmed—it was indeed my lipstick.

"Issei, where on Earth did you find this?"

"Remember the businesses I mentioned that I own?" His voice was filled with pride. "This is one of them. Your parents were quite helpful in providing me with all the details."

"You have way too much free time on your hands," I reply, shaking my head. As I twist the lipstick tube, I observe that it was my favorite color, also.

"Isn't it ironic that I don't need it anymore?" I let out a sigh.

"There are humans who still use lipstick, and besides, who says you can't wear it also?" With a gentle touch, he took the small tube from my hand and brought it to my lips, applying it with care. As his eyes remained focused on the task, I couldn't help but blush.

"Done!" He exclaims with a look of triumph. I take a quick peek at the mirror hanging just beside his front door and am met with an image that is nothing more than a disaster!

The application is uneven, the smudges reach beyond the contours of my lips, and there are some stray marks on my teeth!

"You did this on purpose, didn't you? Now I look like a clown!" I frown and he laughs. He then grabs my chin and looks into my eyes.

"Incorrect! You look like my next girlfriend."

I roll my eyes.

"You have some strange taste in women; no wonder you're still single." I chuckle.

"Ouch, that hurt!" He laughs. "Now let's take that lipstick off of you." He says before leaning in and capturing my lips in a slow, deep kiss, effectively removing the lipstick.

As we pull away, I can't help but laugh at the sight of his face that was now full of lipstick smudges.

"You need to work on the formula; it seems to leave quite the marks, and it's not exactly smudge-proof." I laugh.

"Why don't you take your company back and fix it yourself, Miss Know It All?" He suggests with a smug smile.

"It's tempting. How much do you want for it?" I cross my arms.

"One billion HP, and it's yours!"

"No, thank you!" I reply, my eyes wide. "I think I'll pass on that investment opportunity."

"Are you sure?" He leans closer, his gaze intense and his voice low. "Because your brain used to be worth the same."

"No way!"

His words hang in the air, leaving me speechless.

"However, I'm open to negotiations." Issei moves even closer to me. "Become my girlfriend, and we'll see where we go from there." He whispers.

"I know the world is now safe and there aren't any real dangers that you need protecting from," Issei keeps whispering. "However, from my experience, I know the future is always unpredictable."

"I don't like to waste time, and I'm serious about you. So please give me a chance to prove that I am a humanoid worthy of you." He then takes my hand in his.

"You've already earned a place in my heart, Issei." I step closer to him until there was no space left between us. "How could I refuse the man who has given me a second chance at life?" I then reached up to kiss him, our lips touching gently. 

And in that moment, as our lips part and our gazes lock, the curtain falls on the final chapter of "Pick a Brain & Fall in Love." However, our story was nowhere near the end but rather transforming and evolving into a timeless romance that would continue to unfold in this harmonic future.