Shin nodded as he slowed down and then parked right before Alessandra's house.
Alessandra's house had a 2nd floor with a balcony. It was a very cute house and an ideal one for Shin.
Shin and Alessandra got off the car and entered her house.
"Come inside." Alessandra said as she opened the door for Shin.
Shin nodded and then he proceeded to take off his leather shoes.
"Hey it's okay. You can wear them." Alessandra said.
"Are you sure?" Shin asked.
"Yeah"
Shin stood up and entered the house.
What greeted him was a very modernly designed house. It was pleasing to the eyes.
'I wonder If I could buy a house for myself? I've always wanted to have houses on various locations...' Shin thought to himself.
Laughter could be heard from the balcony.
"Is it them?" Shin asked.
"Yes. Come on let's go up"
Shin stood there but he didn't move. He didn't know what to say. He hasn't seen these people for almost three years. Was he nervous? Yes. They were friends with him yeah but as time passes, things change.
"Hey. It's okay" Alessandra said as she smiled at him.
Shin smiled bitterly and then said with determination.
"Let's go."
He might as well meet them. It's not like he did something wrong to them. Why was he so nervous?
The duo went upstairs with Alessandra leading the way.
"We're hereee" Alessandra shouted.
"Oy! What took you so long?" A guy who had spiky hair and a buff build said. He had a tan color and he wasn't that handsome but the sight of him would make you feel safe. He was about 5'10 in height and he had yellow eyes. Obviously an E rank SMB. This man was Frank.
"Sorry. I got held up by something." Alessandra said with a smile.
"Hey Alessandra who's that behind you?" Then a girl with two ponytails said. The girl had a light skin tone and at a height of 5'4. She had yellow eyes. An E rank SMB named Jane.
"Hi guys" Shin said with a smile.
"Who are you?" Another person said. This person had long hair and a skinny body with glowing yellow eyes. He was Paul.
"Doesn't he look a bit familiar?" Another girl said. She had a short hair and yellow eyes. The cute girl called Irish.
"Oh my..." A girl with glasses said as she finally recognized him. She was someone who sat in front of Shin. That's why she was the first one to recognize him. She was also someone who was particularly close to Shin amongst Shin, Jay and Zii. Her name was Clementine or Clem.
"SHIN!" Clem said.
"Shin who?" Frank said.
"Shin Salazar..." Irish said as she stood there speechless.
"That SHIN!? I knew he looked familiar!" Paul said with shock.
"SHIN!" All of them got up from their seats and then rushed towards him and gave him a big hug.
"Shin we've missed you!"
"Dude how are you!?"
"Why did no one inform us that you were awake!"
"Shin! A lot of sh*t has happened! Man oh man. Ang dami mong namiss!"
"Shin! When did you wake up!?"
"Okay calm down everybody. One at a time" Alessandra stepped in to stop them from "harassing" Shin.
Shin looked at the scene and he felt warmth inside his heart.
'My worries were unfounded.' he thought.
"Let's sit down first..." Shin said as he gave an awkward smile.
They all sat down.
"Let Shin talk first" Alessandra said.
"Thanks." Shin said.
Shin looked at them in silence. After a few moments, he began to talk.
"I don't know what to say... It still feels so unreal to me."
"The day that I woke up. I couldn't find Jay and Zii..."
The group's mood suddenly turned sour at the mention of Zii and Jay's name.
"After that, I was out for almost three years."
"And there were monsters, portals and crystals. Even magical powers!" Shin said as his voice loudened. Finally, he took off his shades and then let them see his glowing orange eyes.
"I slept for three years then I gained superpowers..."