Leaving the Island

Jilan clapped her hands, feigning sudden realization. "Oh, I see. So, you treat me like a stranger, and feel guilty because I, a stranger, was dragged into the battle. But you didn't apologize to Midoriya and the others who were also injured, because you consider them your comrades."

Jilan deliberately spoke in a sorrowful tone, "So that's how it is. We fought side by side, but you didn't treat me like a comrade? That's really disheartening."

"No, that's not it!" Melissa shook her head frantically, instinctively trying to explain, "Of course I consider Mr. Jilan a partner, but you were unconscious after taking that drug to save my father, so!"

Jilan interrupted Melissa: "Being injured for your comrades is only natural, isn't it? Your father was willing to leave with the enemy to save Dr. Sam's life. If it weren't for Dr. Sam, none of this would have happened, and your father would still be a respected researcher. So, do you want Dr. Sam to apologize to you?"

Melissa was stunned. Although Dr. Sam had done such a thing, she seemed to have never blamed him subconsciously. Dr. Sam had never intended to harm his father; he only wanted to use their hard work to make a living. Moreover, Dr. Sam had admitted his crimes and taken most of the responsibility, which was why Dr. David was able to stay on the island temporarily, while Dr. Sam had been extradited to the United States.

Melissa's expression wavered, and she said softly, "Dr. Sam has his reasons too."

"That's more like it." Jilan snapped her fingers. "Since you forgive Dr. Sam because of his reasons, I'm even more so. After all, Dr. David did it for All Might, so it can't be said that it's completely unrelated to me. Whether I took the Stock Solution or went into a coma, it was all my own choice."

Melissa's eyes reddened, then she smiled and said, "Yes, I understand, Jilan. Thank you. I won't say those kinds of things again."

"Sure enough, I'd much rather hear thanks than apologies." Jilan laughed, reaching for another mango. "Now, would you like to eat this mango?"

Melissa understood what Jilan meant. It turned out that Jilan had initially offered her fruit to test whether she considered him a friend or a partner.

"I'd love to!" Melissa said instinctively, then looked at the bright yellow mangoes and said helplessly, "But, Jilan, I'm allergic to mangoes."

"How about those bananas?"

"I really like eating it!"

Jilan watched Melissa eat her banana in small bites, smiled helplessly, took a banana herself, and sat down beside her. As she peeled the banana, she said softly, "Melissa, you should know that your father has touched a nerve with the United States authorities this time. Even if Dr. Sam takes the lion's share of the responsibility for this terrorist incident, your father will definitely not be released easily. So, you need to be mentally prepared."

Melissa nodded silently. Unlike Midoriya, she wasn't someone who could run forward simply by focusing on the person she admired. She had grown up on I-Island and knew about the power struggles between various countries behind the continuous progress made by scientists on I-Island. Even if her father could get a reduced sentence, he probably wouldn't be out of prison for another ten years or so, unless her father was willing to secretly work for the authorities.

But Melissa has now made a decision: whichever her father chooses, she will respect his choice and will wait here for him.

"Melissa, you are a very talented inventor. I believe your father also saw your talent, which is why he dared to make this choice regardless of the consequences. He believes that even without his protection, you will definitely be able to grow." Jilan looked into Melissa's eyes and said earnestly, "This is what your father told me himself. So, believe in yourself. Even without Quirk, you can still achieve remarkable results. You will always be his pride."

"Is there anything else you need?" Standing in the plaza outside the reception hall on I-Island, the police officer asked Jilan with his hands in his pockets. "Once you leave, you won't be able to come back until next year. Would you like to bring back some souvenirs for your friends? Don't be shy, I'll pay for them. Although I don't have as much money as donating a corpse, I can still do this little thing."

"No need," Jilan smiled and shook her head. "My friends have all been to I-Island, so I don't need to bring any local specialties. I came to I-Island I all alone, so I don't need to buy anything extra for myself."

Jilan's passport and other belongings were in the hotel where he had stayed the previous night. Hisako had brought them out for him when she visited Jilan before and placed them on the bedside table in the ward. Therefore, Jilan did not need to apply for anything and could pass through security directly.

"Alright then." The officer didn't say much, glancing at his watch. "The cruise ships that were previously docked at I-Island have all left, and the airlines transporting passengers have all evacuated from I-Island Island. Apart from the weekly transport ships, no other ships can come to I-Island. But don't worry, I've already spoken to a private company, and they have a private plane leaving the island for Japan today, which you can take."

I-Island is difficult to enter but easy to leave. As long as you have the idea of leaving the island, you can leave in various ways. However, once you leave, you cannot come back. You can only wait for the annual I-Island Expo to return and apply for a temporary residence permit.

Jilan squinted and said, "No matter what, I'm an important sample for your FBI. You're just entrusting me to someone else like this? What if the plane explodes halfway and crashes into the sea? There'll be nowhere to retrieve my body."

"You didn't sign a contract with us either, did you?" the officer retorted. "If you sign a contract now, I'll send a whole fleet of planes to pick you up and send you back in style."

Before Jilan reply, the officer glanced behind her and gestured with his chin, "Enough with the nonsense. The person you're waiting for has arrived. Just follow her."

Jilan turned her head and saw a girl carrying only a suitcase, dressed in shorts, a short-sleeved shirt, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses—a casually dressed person—walking towards her. She smiled wryly in surprise, "So you're the one leaving the island?"

"What, are you surprised to see me?" The girl shoved the suitcase into Jilan's hands, put her hands on her hips, and said to the officer, "I'll take care of this guy. You can go."

"Well then, Miss Alice, goodbye. Who knows when we'll meet again?" The police officer seemed quite familiar with Alice and, unperturbed by Alice offense, turned and left.

"The nuisance's gone. Now, let's talk about what's between us!" Alice nodded, quite satisfied with the officer's attitude, then turned to Jilan with a smug smile. "Didn't expect that, did you? You're flying on our plane today!"

"Indeed." Jilan nodded frankly, without saying another word, and walked towards the hall while rummaging through her passport in her backpack.

"Hey, wait for me! You're acting so arrogant even though you're on my plane!"