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You keep staring at the Red Button through the plastic protector covering it so you won’t make a mistake that you’re going to regret for the rest of your life… Protection is always good and necessary but now its usefulness has run out. The end is near.
Without saying a word, you grab Vera and give her the longest hug you have ever given to another person who isn’t part of your family. You hold her dear. You do love her, and in a moment, you’re going to lose the reasons why you do. Why you fought harder than ever before. But it’s all for the greater good. Hers, not yours. Don’t make a mistake, you don’t matter, your happiness doesn’t matter. It’ll always come behind everyone else’s. But this time it’s fine, you made this decision and saved someone you loved because of it. It pains you deeply that you won’t be able to spend more time with her like this. This is how it always goes, this is how always it is, this is the life of Johnny Ando, and it su—
“Johnny.” Vera grabs your wrinkled face swimming in negative emotions after the hug, and pulls the magic cord from the back of your neck. “Please, don’t look so sad.”
“Look who’s talking.” You point out the tears running down Vera’s face by wiping one away with a finger.
“Give me a break!!! This is harder than I thought, and I knew it was going to be the most painful thing I have ever done.” Vera gets angry one last time.
“Of course, Vera, but you’ll have to give me one too.” You smile in response. Vera wants to smile back but struggles...
“Can we do this… <span class="mu-i">at the same time</span>?” Vera is ready to pull the trigger to delete your memories with her magic phone.
With the Red Button in hand, you nod back. “On the count of 3.”
“You count.” Vera demands.
“Fine, ehem…” You clear your throat to gain more time together. “3… 2—”
Vera gives you a surprise kiss one final time as your memories begin to disapp--r
You he-- V-ra’s vo—e on- las- --me <span class="mu-i">“Ke-p -oing you- best -nd I’ll b- al-ays ch-ering -or y-u, o-ay…?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">[End of Flashback]</span>