Unlocking

"That's why I've called you into my office today."

Jasper's heart began to beat swiftly. "Is this it?" He thought to himself. "Is he finally going to…?"

"You have led your team even more tremendously than the last time I'd met with you. You're right, you have all been going up. So too has the economy, and the overall attitude of the public. The Cardinal Nexus is now being seen in a bright light, and it's all thanks to you seven. It's absolutely 'virtuistic'!"

Jasper was brought to chuckle. "Yeah… Sir, it's officially been a month now…"

"I know."

"May I ask about my request?"

Minister Harrison shook his head. "You don't need to. Due to you and your team's unbound success, I've already decided to grant your wish. Wardell will receive the extra commission on his account, and his sister, Lesley August, well…"

"Well...?"

"She's already being treated with Cardinal Nexus medical technology."

Jasper's jaw dropped. "Already!? You mean—!"

"Your team's progress was bound to rise no matter what happened. So I'd already made my decision a week ago. A week ago, I sent a team of doctors and nurses from our medical facility to her ward. She's now being treated using advanced equipment, and according to what I've heard, her locked-in syndrome is easing up."

Jasper didn't know what to say. He was shocked, but even happier. Leaving the meeting in a rush, he returned to HQ where he pounded on Wardell's dorm door.

"What!?" He opened the door. Seeing that it was Jasper, he saluted.

"There's something extremely important I need to discuss with you right now."

"What is it?"

"Remember that deal I'd made with Minister Harrison a month ago?"

Wardell was suddenly flushed with emotion. "Wait… Did you…?"

"I just came back from talking to him."

"And…?"

"Your sister has been provided with doctors and nurses from the Cardinal Nexus. She's already been treated on in the past week using advanced medical technology. According to Minister Harrison, she's slowly but surely being brought out of her vegetative state."

"R-Really?" A tear dropped slowly from Wardell's eye. "You're… kidding, right?"

Jasper shook his head.

Suddenly, Wardell's tear drop turned into a stream, and that stream turned into a complete waterfall of emotion. Everything he'd been holding inside for so long finally came to pour out with his tears. His love for his sister, which had been withheld since her initial injury, could now be flourished.

"I think you should see her again. I'm sure she'd want to see you too."

Wardell fell to his knees. "Thank you!" He sobbed immensely. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much Jasper, sir! I can't thank you enough. I can't, I really can't! How can I repay you? How? Please, tell me…"

Jasper shook his head again. "No… I didn't do this with motive to gain anything in return. To see you finally happy once again with your remaining family; that would be enough to pay me back. It'd make me so, so happy." He now shed a tear.

"Jasper…" Wardell whimpered. "Come with me. Come visit Lesley with me. I need to show her who her hero is…"

"Wardell, you are her hero. You're the one who's been training, and fighting nonstop in my team to guarantee her safety. Do not disregard your efforts."

"But if it weren't for you, she would never be able to see daylight again!"

"I could say the exact same to you."

Wardell's eyes grew. "Please come to Jenzaya District with me. Come see Lesley."

Jasper now nodded. "I'd love to meet her."

The two smiled through the teariness in their eyes.

The sun would dim peacefully tonight. It indicated the end to a day of joy, of peace, and of upcoming happiness.