[Chiaki blinks, finally lifting her head. She pulls back her hood, tilting her head and looking at Jack. Of course she remembers that conversation, but she hadn't expected him to invoke it now.]
That doesn't mean anything. It's just junk code.
[She shakes her head, her posture straightening as she glances in turn at each person in the room. Her grip on Meredy's hand is less desperate now, but no less full of warmth.]
...You're right. All of you.
[A small smile begins to spread across her face as she peacefully looks back at her Shadow.]
There's no such thing. Nothing in my code is junk. Everything that's there was put there for a reason. And that reason...
[Another monitor suddenly flares to life, depicting a face that somewhat resembles Chiaki's own. Alter Ego, to anyone who's met him since Chiaki brought him back and installed him in the lab.]
...is that we love her. Father, myself... and the Future Foundation. We only ever wanted you to be happy too, Chiaki.
[Chiaki glances to the monitor and bows her head gratefully for a moment, closing her eyes. And when she looks back up, it's at her Shadow again.]
...And that's it. I've made my choice. For my own happiness. I've brought hope to my world, and now I choose to stay in this one. To keep bringing that same hope to others. But more importantly...
[Smiling over at Meredy, she lifts their hands between them, clasping her other over top of them.]
no subject
[Chiaki blinks, finally lifting her head. She pulls back her hood, tilting her head and looking at Jack. Of course she remembers that conversation, but she hadn't expected him to invoke it now.]
That doesn't mean anything. It's just junk code.
[She shakes her head, her posture straightening as she glances in turn at each person in the room. Her grip on Meredy's hand is less desperate now, but no less full of warmth.]
...You're right. All of you.
[A small smile begins to spread across her face as she peacefully looks back at her Shadow.]
There's no such thing. Nothing in my code is junk. Everything that's there was put there for a reason. And that reason...
[Another monitor suddenly flares to life, depicting a face that somewhat resembles Chiaki's own. Alter Ego, to anyone who's met him since Chiaki brought him back and installed him in the lab.]
...is that we love her. Father, myself... and the Future Foundation. We only ever wanted you to be happy too, Chiaki.
[Chiaki glances to the monitor and bows her head gratefully for a moment, closing her eyes. And when she looks back up, it's at her Shadow again.]
...And that's it. I've made my choice. For my own happiness. I've brought hope to my world, and now I choose to stay in this one. To keep bringing that same hope to others. But more importantly...
[Smiling over at Meredy, she lifts their hands between them, clasping her other over top of them.]
...to finally have some for myself.
[And with that, the Shadow dissipates.]