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------ Have a great life -------

"How is this possible?" she choked out, her voice a tremble of hope and fear.

Duck managed a weak smile, his own eyes glistening. "It's... it's a long story, Mrs. Taylor. But the important thing is that Max is awake now."

Max looked around the room, taking in the unchanged faces of his mother and friends. His mind was a jumble of questions and emotions, but one feeling stood out above the rest: gratitude. He turned to Duck, the only constant in his tumultuous journey. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Duck squeezed Max's hand. "You don't have to thank me, Max. I just did what any friend would do."

Max's mother stepped closer to the bed, her eyes never leaving Max's face. "What happened, Duck? How did you do this?"

Duck took a deep breath, his eyes darting to the device and back to Mrs. Taylor. "It's...complicated. I've been studying biomedical engineering, trying to find a way to help Max. And I think I've found it. But we need to be careful, it's not something the hospital can know about just yet."

Her eyes searched Duck's face, a swirl of emotions crossing her features. Fear, hope, and a mother's fierce protectiveness. She nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Okay, Duck. We'll keep this between us. For now."

The days that followed were a blur of tests and therapy sessions for Max, his body struggling to relearn the basics of movement and speech. Duck was by his side every step of the way, his presence a constant source of comfort amidst the medical maelstrom. Max's strength grew with each passing day, and the fog in his eyes began to clear, revealing the bright spark of intelligence and humour that had been buried for so long.

Duck's secret remained safe, the group of friends forming a tight-knit circle of trust around him. They had all noticed the subtle changes in Duck since the accident, the way he seemed more...powerful. But they had accepted it as part of his mysterious charm, never daring to question the source of his newfound confidence. The Chuchu System remained a whisper in the back of Duck's mind, a silent sentinel watching over him as he navigated the complexities of his new life.

As Max regained his strength, so did their friendship. They shared stories of the years that had passed, Max catching up on lost time with a mix of awe and trepidation. Duck had grown into a man, his shoulders broader, his eyes filled with the wisdom of his experiences. Yet, the bond between them remained unchanged, a testament to the depth of their childhood friendship.

One evening, as they sat together in the hospital courtyard, the warmth of the sun setting on their faces, Max finally found the courage to ask the question that had been haunting him. "Duck, tell me about the system. What is it really?"

------ see you again -------

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