Replica Colossus and a Sweet Surprise
Kim Jian stared at the opened box, too stunned to speak.
Inside was a familiar external armor-equipped Colossus.
"The real thing?"
The contents were the parts from the Colossus Mark 2 piloted by Afro Sass, the war hero who'd skyrocketed to fame, including those used in the fusion.
"...A signature model, huh."
The pilot's signature was laser-etched on it. And right there, Kim Jian's own name as the owner.
"Nah, no way they gave me the actual thing."
Kim Jian examined the Colossus closely.
"As expected."
It looked identical to the one from the shoot, but slightly smaller. It was a replica, crafted to be nearly indistinguishable from the real deal.
"I really thought it was the actual Mark 2 for a second..."
Relief washed over Kim Jian, mingled with a twinge of disappointment. He wouldn't have accepted the genuine Mark 2 from Dr. Sau even if offered—it would've been too much. But the embarrassment of getting excited over what turned out to be a replica hit him. Good thing he was alone when he opened the package. Anyone else around, and it'd have been mortifying.
"This is way too expensive..."
Kim Jian ran his fingers slowly over the smooth surface. The joints in the external armor gleamed with precision machining, down to the tiniest details. Even a quick glance screamed luxury. It wasn't just some robot figurine—it was artwork. The detailing would wow anyone, subculture fans or not, and even a layperson could tell it held serious value.
A replica or not, this was Afro Sass's ride, the machine that gained legions of fans through the war. In movie or comic terms, the protagonist's mech. It boasted visuals, performance, and rarity far beyond mass-produced models.
"I've gone and accepted something precious."
Sell it to collectors, and he'd rake in a fortune. But Kim Jian had no intention of parting with it unless absolutely necessary.
-Kyuuut!
The lounging spirits couldn't resist their curiosity. They swarmed the Colossus Kim Jian had set on the floor, circling it. Some climbed onto its shoulders, others pried open the cockpit to squeeze their tiny bodies inside—each playing with the new toy in their own way.
"Hey, cut it out. What if you break it?"
Kim Jian gently pinched them between thumb and forefinger, relocating them. Strangely, even the fire spirits didn't burn, but he decided not to dwell on it.
"Dr. Sau, really. She didn't have to send something like this."
He said that, but a smile lingered on his face. Truth be told, a banker accepting gifts from a loan client wasn't the most ethical look from the outside. But with one-sided presents like the smartphone case from the ancient elves, it was hard to refuse or return them without ignoring the gesture.
"Yeah. I approved the loan because I believed in her potential, not for stuff like this..."
Not a bribe. Kim Jian muttered to convince himself.
"Wonder if there's a manual."
And sure enough, there was. The included instruction booklet detailed energy charging methods for operation, maintenance tips, and more.
"Hmm... Way more complex than a plastic model..."
It wasn't a toy—it was a weapon capable of lethal force, even if only in limited scenarios like facing space monsters. Made of special alloys, no rust issues, but it needed regular upkeep.
"Huh."
As he cleared the box, thinking he'd emptied it, something rattled. Reaching into the corner revealed a flat envelope.
"What's this..."
Inside was a letter sealed with wax bearing the clear imprint of the Nanoi Federation's emblem.
"Dr. Sau's so thoughtful. Not 0.1-dimension specs—she even wrote it in a size I can read easily—"
-Whirrr!
The moment he unfolded it, Dr. Sau's hologram shot into the air. This was no ordinary letter.
Kim Jian was thrown by her uncharacteristically bubbly demeanor—far from her usual calm intellect—but he listened patiently. Nothing major followed. Just Dr. Sau, twice as cheerful as usual, flashing a quick grin and goodbye.
But hearing her thanks didn't feel bad at all. He'd provided the key idea to resolve the crisis, even if no one else knew. Bankers were just money lenders to most people. Only the insiders knew their behind-the-scenes role. And it would stay that way.
Processing Flat Sharpendora's loan had led to the camera appearance purely by chance. Kim Jian hadn't thought much of it, nor did he crave universal acclaim from Dimension 0.1.
Still.
"..."
Why did Dr. Sau's message stir this feeling?
"Kinda embarrassing, maybe."
Kim Jian's solemn gaze alternated between the letter and the mech. The spirits looked up at him curiously.
-Whirrr!
Seconds after the shy-waving hologram faded, the box's bottom slid out like a drawer.
"What the—"
Realizing the plain cardboard had a hidden compartment, Kim Jian cautiously pulled the handle. Inside: a finger-sized chocolate sculpted as the Colossus.
"Whoa... How could I ever eat this?"
Kim Jian had no idea. It was April 31st. In some Earth nations (Dimension 3-1), women gave chocolate to crushes on Valentine's Day. Their dimension had the same tradition, just on a different date.
* * *
-Shiiiieek!
The roar of a jet engine echoed across the Kikiwai Dimension Airport runway.
Weekend morning, a week before Golden Week. HR's youngest, the stunning dark elf Mira Levrier, strolled Terminal 1 under the brilliant sun, wide-brimmed straw hat shading her face.
"Dodged a bullet not overdressing."
Kikiwai's climate clashed with Linden's spring. Even scatterbrained Mira knew it was tropical.
"Whew."
First flight. Exotic air mixed with sea breeze. She inhaled deeply.
She'd scored vacation time now thanks to her caring HR colleagues' consideration. And booking business-class tickets plus a suite at the 7-star Grand Larryert Kikiwai? Simple.
"Package deal was a lifesaver..."
Mira sighed in relief, recalling the comfy seats. Bankers earned well, but a standard-price 3-night-4-day Kikiwai trip—with 7-star hotel and round-trip business class—would've broken her. Thanks to Kim Jian and others' heroics, the Kikiwai limited luxury package was just 10% off. She swiped her card boldly. She'd even splurged on a Colossus for Nanoi's aid perks—regifted to her robot-obsessed kid cousin.
Her money went to a good cause. Satisfied.
But as she headed for a taxi, her expression darkened.
"Right... the ice pack."
She'd forgotten how the island heat would melt her bag's contents. Her face fell.
"...Hope it didn't melt. This weather? Probably did..."
Before the taxi, she cracked open her suitcase. A long sigh escaped.
"Hing, what now..."
All-nighter handmade chocolates: melted mush, unrecognizable.
This week was Saint Phalantini's rite—women gifting chocolate to close men. Not specifically for Kim Jian. Just... he'd worked so hard saving the world. She knew. Wanted to share sweets, chat, grab tea since she was visiting. Surprise him. See him.
"Huaang."
Tears welling, Mira boarded the taxi.
"Sir! To Grand Larryert Kikiwai, please! As fast as you can...!"
"Yes, right awa— Ma'am, everything okay?"
-Shake shake
"......"
Suffocating silence. The driver just drove—fast and quiet, as requested.
"Fine, I'm an adult. Money fixes it."
Plan B: Check in, then shop. Search showed two top Huuriten chocolatiers in downtown Kikiwai.
Melted handmade? Buy fancy ones instead.
"Screw it, chocolate's not that pricey! I'll buy 'em all!!"
Ignoring the driver's psycho-stare in the rearview, she yelled.
A first-year banker's salary and credit card? High-end chocolate was no match.
-Riiiing!
Steel ing her resolve, Mira breathed deep and called Kim Jian. Connected.
"Hey! Jian oppa! It's me, Mira! Huh? Tomorrow after work? Oh, vacation! Perfect timing! Why so sudden? Hehe. Guess~?"
But she'd forgotten one thing.
"Huh, no? I'm in Linden right now? Why? Just... um... wondering how you've been after so long—"
That countless others would line up for chocolates for lovers, family, friends.