When it was time for Cassie to return home, everyone noticed that she and Deya clearly didn't want to part.
Smiling, Tyler said:
"If you want, you can come visit us whenever you have time."
"Yes, you're always welcome," Cassie said. It was obvious that during this time, she had overcome her awkwardness around Ray.
Shaking Ray's hand, Tyler said sincerely:
"Thanks for looking after her."
"No problem. I'm sure Prince Charming would do the same for me."
"Don't worry, your future ruler knows how to be grateful," Tyler said with a laugh.
The TV host turned to the man:
"Glad to see you in your new capacity, Mr. President. Honestly, I was shocked that you got over 80%. How do you explain that?"
"I'd like to believe that people who care about the fate of our country appreciated my efforts. I will do my best to live up to their expectations. Right now, one of the main problems is illegal migrants and radical religious movements."
"So you're against religion?"
"The problem with human society is that religion has become a tool of manipulation. Even if it contains correct ideas, it often harms its followers. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses. I believe such religions should be banned, and the children of their zealous followers should be taken away. The same applies to some radical branches of Islam."
"Are you an atheist yourself?"
"Yes, but I believe that religion should cultivate something good in people and guide them toward the light. If it does that, I can stand among its followers. I don't care whether God exists or not, as long as we're doing something good. Right now, the government is reforming education and drafting laws that will strictly control the quality of medicines. Attempts at counterfeiting will carry long sentences and heavy fines. We are also creating an anti-corruption department that will have the right to audit anyone. From now on, any corruption case will be made public."
"If I understand correctly, you want to make officials afraid to steal. But what if your department's employees take bribes?"
"I think anyone can be bought. But if an employee of this department takes a bribe, they will face public execution. If it is proven that any of their relatives knew about it and didn't report it, they will also be held accountable. If it's the wife, the children of that person will be placed in an orphanage where they will be educated."
"Isn't that too harsh?"
"Before I came to this post, the children of corrupt officials and oligarchs lived in grand style. I want to change that. I want a person who works hard to have the opportunity to live decently through a system of social mobility. During this race, there were 15 assassination attempts on me. If I'm not killed, I will do my best so that even a janitor who does their job well can get an apartment. And one more thing — I'm not going to commit suicide."
"We've done good work," said Ray, who was watching TV with Kira, who had managed to return home and was now basking in her beloved's embrace.
"Yes, honestly, I had doubts, but in the countries where our people managed to take power, prosperity began to grow."
"This is only the beginning. It will take time for them to build the foundation of their power."
"You're right, but I'm glad that some of the 'Devils' have been able to come out of the shadows. They are now heading anti-corruption departments. First of all, we chose married couples to take them out of harm's way."
"You're right, we've done good work. How would you feel about Sam and me arranging something like a honeymoon?"
"What about Miku and Yuno?"
"I'll arrange something special for them too. But we discussed it and decided that you've worked the hardest, so you'll be first. I thought a lot about whether we should travel separately, but I decided that in your case, a trip for three is the best option. If you decide otherwise, you can do it one at a time."
"No, it's a great idea. I think Samantha will be very happy. I need to pack and thank the sisters."
Upon learning of their parents' plans, Sam asked anxiously:
"I'm very happy, really, but are you sure this is the right time for this?"
"We're not eternal. I'd like to test the council's work again. If they can't handle it, something will need to be done, or else this whole venture is meaningless."
"How long will we be gone?"
"If everything goes well, a couple of months. You've worked the hardest and have every right to rest. Honestly, it feels strange that I left this job to you."
Ray really felt bad about Sam participating in combat operations, but she was truly good at it and wanted it herself. So he did his best to suppress his fear and anxiety.
Ray was right: Sam was very happy about the upcoming trip. Despite her difficult life circumstances, there was still a childish side to this little one, even if she rarely showed it. Ray found that side of her very endearing.
That evening at dinner, Kira said:
"Thank you, girls."
"No need for thanks. You deserve it," Miku said.
"She's right. I had a similar experience — it turned out to be one of the best periods of my life, so enjoy the moment," Yuno added.
"I'm very happy for you," Deya said.
When her brother was healthy, they often spent time on active recreation: camping in the woods or rock climbing. Her brother saw it as part of her training, but they both knew she enjoyed it. Deya was upset that she had lost that opportunity.
While Miku and Kira preferred a quiet vacation, she and Sam would have loved a trip to the forest. They knew Ray was aware of this and was also troubled by the fact that they had lost that opportunity.