Dale easily lifted the leather couch, smiling at how light it felt. Ever since improving his muscle density, Dale couldn’t help but test his strength every chance he got. Effortlessly he carried the couch to a corner of the spacious apartment, sitting it next to a large assortment of boxes and bins. These boxes contained everything Dale had owned, save for a small bag of items he would take with him.

Buzzing came from the door, leading Dale to make a mad dash to the entrance. As soon as the door was open, a young woman with dirty blonde hair tackled the law student in a bear hug. The two cheered as the young woman picked Dale off his feet and swung him around. Behind the first woman, another with short brown hair stepped inside and shut the door.

“It’s so good to see you!” Dale said as he placed his friend Elise back on her feet.

The blonde woman punched Dale in the arm “What the hell is wrong with you? Leaving without saying anything?”

“Sorry,” Dale apologised but didn’t look regretful “Things happened so fast. I was out of cell service before I even realized how far we were going”

“That sounds like kidnapping,” another voice noted, bringing Dale’s attention to the brown-haired woman.

“Mindy!” Dale cheered and wrapped the smaller woman in a hug “It’s great to see you”

“So you’re really moving?” Elise asked, looking at the packed boxes and barren apartment.

“I am,” Dale nodded “I fly out tomorrow”

“That soon?” Elise questioned, “You said you got back yesterday”

“I was only given some time to get my stuff settled,” Dale shrugged “Time is money, you know”

“Do you really want to work for a company like that?” Mindy asked “They don’t sound very considerate”

“Oh, I’m sure,” Dale nodded “It’s a tough job but I’m ready for it”

“How have the parents been?” Mindy asked hesitantly.

“As expected,” Dale pulled out his phone and showed the screen, “A lot of voicemails about the mistake I’m about to make”

“To be fair, this is a big move,” Elise said “It pretty much came out of nowhere”

“It was a rush for me too,” Dale nodded, “but after talking with Mr. Logan, I couldn’t turn down the offer. This is my dream job!”

“I didn’t realize they were opening a weeb legal office in Korea,” Elise teased

“Don’t be mean,” Mindy chided lightly, but smiled at the joke.

“I have to get it out now,” Elise defended. “He’s going to the other side of the planet. With no cell service,”

“Yeah that’s weird,” Mindy said “I thought South Korea had pretty advanced phones and internet”

“They do,” Dale nodded. “However, the area I’m moving to had a landslide recently that knocked out cell service. I will reach out as soon as I can.”

“That’s a little sketchy,” Mindy pointed out

“I promise it's fine,” Dale said

“Who’s that lady on your home screen?” Elise asked suddenly,

“Oh,” Dale looked at the screen, his eyes growing sad “That’s Bertha, she was interviewed at the same time as me”

“She looks like your grandma,” Elise noted “I thought it might be her”

Dale laughed “Yeah I was a little shook when I first met her”

“Will you be working with her?” Mindy asked.

“No,” Dale looked at the ground “She, passed away during the interviews”

Mindy and Elise both gasped at the news.

“That’s terrible,” Mindy said

“How did it happen?” Elise asked,

“She passed in her sleep,” Dale said, still looking at the ground

“I’m sorry, Dale,” Elise said, pulling the man into a hug, which Mindy soon joined. Dale hugged his two friends closely, letting out a sigh that might've been a sob. The three let a moment pass before separating.

“Thank you so much for being here,” Dale said “I really appreciate you coming to help me”

“Anytime” Elise smiled

“We’re always here for you,” Mindy said

“I suppose we should get moving,” Dale said, heading over to the boxes.

“Wait, I’ll go pull the truck up,” Mindy said, grabbing one of the lighter boxes.

“We’ll follow in a minute,” Elise said.

Mindy gave a nod in acknowledgement and stepped out the door.

“Are you sure about this move?” Elise asked suddenly,

“I’m positive,” Dale beamed “This is everything I ever wanted”

“I’m glad you’ve found that,” Elise said “But South Korea is so far away”

“I’ll visit,” Dale promised “Next time I'll be able to stay for a weekend, we’ll do whatever you want. My treat,”

“This job must pay you well,” Elise noted

“You have no idea,” Dale smiled “You know how I always felt I was meant for something more?”

“Are we talking about you being a protagonist in a light novel or you making a difference in law?” Elise asked.

“Maybe both,” Dale smiled. “This will be my greatest adventure”

Elise laughed “I bet it will be. A few of us are starting new adventures”

Elise scratched her nose, drawing attention to a ring on her finger.

“What is that?!?” Dale asked seriously

“You would know if you answered my calls,” Elise teased

“Did Mindy propose?”, Dale asked, his voice growing higher in excitement.

“Mindy proposed,” Elise confirmed.

Dale let out a shout of joy and grabbed his friend, lifting her and spinning.

“That’s amazing!” Dale said “Congratulations”

“Thank you,” Elise said, laughing

“I’m so happy for you guys,” Dale said when he stopped spinning “Do you have a date set?”

“We’re getting close to deciding,” Elise said “but we won’t be doing it till next year. That better be enough notice to get off work”

“Oh,” Dale suddenly frowned “Well, it's not really a put in a request kind of job. More like have some free time between jobs”

“Dale,” Elise's face fell “Come on, you're my best friend. I need a best man”

Dale’s face contorted at the guilt he felt “I’ll speak with Lance when I return. I’m sure he can help me.”

“Thank you,” Elise said “I understand if you can’t do the typical best man duties but at least be there for the best day of my life”

“I will” Dale promised

“Let’s head down,” Elise said, grabbing a box.

Dale nodded and grabbed the largest of the boxes.

“Have you been working out?” Elise asked, “You seem stronger”

“I have!” Dale beamed “Just wait till the next time I’m here. I’ll be twice the strength of an average human”

“Will you now?” Elise asked pleasantly

“Well, that’s the goal anyway,” Dale smirked.