Years passed. Now Miku was alone. Freedom had its price, and starting this path wasn't easy, but she regretted nothing. She was very grateful to Ray, who, despite their breakup, didn't destroy her career, even though he had the means to do so.
Now Miku had free time and was playing with her daughter, tossing the little one up. Happy childish laughter filled the room.
"Mom, will you take me to the next concert?"
"Of course," Miku said tenderly, smiling softly at the girl.
Preparing for the next tour took several months. At her concerts, the girl not only sang but also danced. The genres of her songs varied greatly: they could be lyrical songs with meaning that touched many souls, or pop hits.
After breaking up with Ray, her main direction became lyricism.
Samantha called Yuno to ask for advice on what to give Ray for his upcoming birthday.
"Your mother and I have already come up with what to give him. I know you don't have any assignments coming up, so you can come. We have something to discuss. Just don't tell Ray or your mother about this, okay?"
Aside from operations, all Samantha did was constantly train with her unit. She and Yuno didn't see each other often, but during the time she had lived with them, the girls had become very close, so Samantha decided to meet her friend.
A couple of days later, the girls met at a small café to talk. After hugging, they took a table in the corner.
"Good to see you. How's your last injury?" Yuno asked with concern.
"Don't worry, it's just a scratch," Sam replied with a tender smile.
"Glad you're okay. I know a crucial stage is coming for the 'Devils.' Dad asked me to go into the field, so after his birthday, I'll be part of your unit for a while."
"Yeah. Our people have managed to infiltrate the governments of some third-world countries. The election race is in full swing."
"Our people need protection. Besides, one of the candidates has promised to destroy the drug cartel that's like a cancer to his country. We're ready, but the last war with the cartels cost us dearly," Samantha said sadly.
"I know. This might sound selfish, but I'm actually glad Dad is confined to a wheelchair. Otherwise, I'm sure he'd be in the front lines," Yuno said with a heavy sigh.
"Yeah, I understand you. Many years have passed, but people still tell stories about him. Some are very hard to believe. But let's get back to the question of what to give him."
The continuation of the conversation turned out to be very awkward for Samantha. She thought that after everything she had been through, it wouldn't be easy to embarrass her, but it turned out that wasn't the case. The conversation made her think deeply.
When Yuno finished speaking, Samantha needed a few long moments to compose herself, and she said:
"I need to think."
"Of course. You have three days. Call me if your decision is positive. I'm sure Mom and Dad will be very happy if you can come — if you find the time."
"Wear this." Having said that, Yuno handed her a package. "Sorry, I don't have much time. Mom and I are busy preparing a surprise for Dad."
Samantha admired Ray and respected him. There were several reasons for this. One was that she could see her mother was truly happy with him. Samantha was sure that after what they had been through, there would be no men in this world who could make her mother happy. But despite her initial fears and doubts, she was glad such a person had appeared in her mother's life.
Ray's strong body and her mother's sweet moans still haunted her dreams. Although many years had passed since she had seen that scene, remembering her mother's moans full of pleasure and her genuine joy whenever Ray was near, Samantha often caught herself wanting to experience something similar.
According to the elders, any conflict with the cartels cost them dearly. She was very strong — thanks to Ray's training and advice, she had become one of the best. And if speaking of her generation, she was the best. But even so, she wasn't sure she would survive the coming war with the cartels. And she wanted to know if she could experience the same thing as her mother.