No need for any warning, just the standard chapter. Enjoy :)

Chapter 4: Glimpse of the Radiant Sun

Upon arriving at the Hospital, Mono's ears perked up at the sound of coughing. Turning around, he could see his yellow-raincoat-clad friend covering her mouth as she quietly coughed. She had been coughing more often now. At first, Mono believed Six was getting ill because of what the Bullies had done and the rain outside. However, that wasn't the case. In other areas they'd been to before entering the School, Six would keep her voice quiet so that he wouldn't be able to hear her coughing. But the empty rooms caused an echo and he could hear it clearly. Was it because they were getting closer to the Signal Tower?

Cough, cough, cough...

Someone once coughed like that and had tried to make no big deal of it. While they tried not to lie, but also to instill hope, that person who would cough occasionally eventually left him all alone without intending to. Her name - the number that should have lived...

Worried over Six's health, Mono placed a hand under the girl's bangs, trying to feel if there was a fever present.

"Mono...? What are you doing?"

"Checking your temperature to see if you have a fever," he answered.

No rise in temperature. No fever. Strange. Looking at Six with a frown, the boy simply held her hand and together, they came across a double door. Pushing the doors open, Mono had expected there to be floors in front of them. Losing his footing, the boy leaned forward, his eyes widening as he was about to fall into the unseen darkness. His scream echoed around the room. Before he could fall, Mono felt a pair of hands grasping onto his arm. Looking up, he could see Six as she struggled to pull him to safety.

Panting while laying on the tile floors, Mono muttered, "Thanks, Six."

The girl flashed a brilliant smile that clearly said: You're welcome, before taking the initiative. Jumping onto the bed with ease, she climbed up the side of another before jumping onto a bed hanging higher up. Mono could feel his jaw drop, completely in awe at how graceful Six had done all of that.

"You can do it, Mono!" Six cheered brightly.

Getting up, the boy took a breath before jumping from the end of the floor and onto the bed. He wasn't good at this type of thing and was far from graceful compared to Six. There was a close call when he jumped into the higher bed, clinging onto the railing at the foot of the bed. Following Six as she climbed the sheets up to the top of more beds, Mono couldn't contain his astonishment, as she made this look so easy. Regardless, he followed until he reached an upper floor. Taking the light source, the boy put it in another slot and the next set of doors opened. Six was looking down, immediately noticing the cable attached to the elevator there was loosened.

Turning to face Mono, she warned, "We have to be quick. The elevator could fall once our weight is added."

Nodding in understanding, the children jumped at the same time.

Creak...!

Quickly, they noticed a vent and ran over to pull the cover off. Once Six had climbed in, Mono followed. They just made it in time as the elevator got disconnected from the cable with a snapping sound, falling with a grinding and creaking screech. By the time he dropped out of the long tunnel, Mono's surroundings were pitch-black and he couldn't see anything in this room.

"Six?" he called out.

"I'm over here." He heard her voice, but it was echoing all across the room.

"Where?"

There was a whistling sound and Mono followed it until he felt a pair of hands holding his arm. Turning, the boy squinted to see that it was indeed Six. Holding her hand, the children wandered around the Hospital until they found a flashlight. Picking it up, Mono examined the item.

It should work until we make it out of here...

Directing the flashlight with one hand while holding Six's hand with the other, Mono navigated his way through the dark, cold room. Eventually, they came across a room with light, so he put the flashlight away. Eyeing the vending machine, Mono jumped and pulled the lever and a soda can dropped out of the machine. Picking up the can and walking towards a cell door that required a push of the button, the boy tossed the can at the switch.

Beep!

The door slid open with a grinding sound as Mono held Six's hand. Together, the two entered the next room.

~oOo~

Walking into the main hall, the TV screen suddenly buzzed to life as the Transmission started to play. Clutching his ears, Mono could hear the voice of the man again. Allured, the boy placed a hand on the screen as the image of the corridor appeared once more. Trying to straighten out the image, Mono could feel the frequencies shifting and changing as he tuned the Transmission. It took two attempts until he appeared into the hallway.

For some reason, Mono could hear the sound of a ticking clock. It grew louder as he took a step forward and if he strained his ears, he could hear the man's voice again: Come and open the door, Mono...

Just who are you? And how do you know me?

An amused chuckle could be heard, I've known you for a very long time now, child, for I am the Thin Man.

Why must I open the door?

You must open the door, Mono. Your future as well as Six's depends on you opening the door that lays in front of your eyes...

Running down the hall, Mono felt his speed being slowed down. The closer he was getting to the door, the stronger the Transmission was affecting time. Just a few more steps. Before he could reach it - however - Mono could feel himself being pulled back. Landing on the tiled floor, the boy looked to his left to see Six. She had pulled him out of the Transmission again as the TV shut down. Looking at her, the boy could not tell if he should thank her for pulling him away from the screen or be a little upset with her for interrupting something important.

Picking up the tension in the air, the girl turned her gaze to the floor, "Sorry, Mono."

He blinked. Why was she sorry? Did she misunderstood his emotion for anger? Did she think he was angry at her for pulling him away from the Transmission?

Shaking his head, he replied, "No, you don't have to apologize. Thank you for pulling me out."

"Do you remember this time?"

Indeed he did. He remembered everything. The boy told her about the voice he had heard - that it belonged to the Thin Man. For some reason, Mono disclosed the idea that the man was the one behind what was happening around the city. The information came around so easily, like he was supposed to know.

"The Thin Man wanted me to open the door," he told her.

His friend turned her gaze to the TV, her expression fretful. She looked like she was dreading something after what Mono had told her. Turning her sight back at him, she warned, "Mono, whatever happens, please don't tune the Transmission the next time it happens."

Concerned, he inquired, "Why?"

"Something is telling me that what is behind that door is something horrible..." she answered.

Mono was shocked. The Thin Man's voice, while there was no hostility in it, was asking him to open the door - that their future depended on him opening it! Could it be a trap? Was the Thin Man lying so Mono could release whatever lay behind the door? However, the boy couldn't find a way to avoid it.

"I don't know if I can follow through with your warning, Six," he answered honestly.

The girl became puzzled as she asked, "Why?"

"Whenever the Transmission happens, my head is overwhelmed with pain and tuning it makes me feel better."

At the response, Six warily looked at the screen once more. Shaking to herself, she sighed, deciding to not talk about the subject any longer. Not sure what to do, Mono held her hand, hoping that it would ease her mind a bit. It worked. She gave him a faint smile. The tension slowly lowered as they explored the main hall.

~oOo~

The Thin Man could feel it as he sat waiting. This seventh reality was already changing. When Mono was in the hallway, the Thin Man could sense something changing with his past self. He was remembering something important. An old, forgotten memory. But what was the memory concerned with?

No, that can wait, the Thin Man told himself.

What puzzled him was how fast everything was progressing. Why was this reality changing so quickly? Despite everything playing out in the same way as the sixth reality, something was changing. There were some differences, but they were minor. It wasn't just Mono who was remembering memories he shouldn't have remembered, Six was affected as well. There were times when she felt bothered by something she could not describe, or her eyes would look more mature as if she was remembering something. However, much like how Mono would remember before forgetting, Six was the same way.

Just what was going on?

Could it be me? Despite my limited actions, could it be me who is causing this change? The Thin Man wondered to himself. Will this happen again? If so, when? Why?

Sighing, the Thin Man looked down as a small, incorporeal box appeared, floating in the palm of his hand. It was half the size of a building block, so to a child, it would be like holding a small present. The box was decorated to look like the night sky. A full moon was on the lid and there was a hole to insert a key. However, a literal key wasn't required to unlock the box. During his time, waiting for Mono and Six to meet, the Thin Man had been amusing himself with an old children's story someone'd once told him at the orphanage, which led to him creating this moon box.

The story started with a boy finding a box and a golden key in the snow. It ended with the boy unlocking the box and the reader left waiting, not knowing what would happen until the box was opened.

Chuckling to himself, the Thin Man shook his head at the story. At the moment, the two outcomes of Mono's fate rested inside the box. Many times, the box would open and Mono would fall into the loop. That was because as the golden key, Six would be the one to open the box and decide his fate. Hopefully, she would pick the other outcome when she took a peek inside.

As for the girl's future, the Thin Man had made another box - a physical one - and it appeared next to its counterpart. This one was decorated in blue with a sun on the lid. It also had a hole to insert a key. Much like before, the sun box was created from another inspired story.

A young maiden was given a box, but was forbidden from opening it. Despite being warned, she opened it out of curiosity and unleashed evil into the world. Horrified with what she had done, the maiden shut the box, trapping one small thing inside: hope.

While there was nothing inside the sun box currently, the Thin Man hoped that Mono would open the box should he escape from the loop, to help aid Six's future. She was the closest version to his Six and he wanted the two of them to be happy in this seventh reality.

Sighing, he muttered to himself, Only time will tell, won't it?

~oOo~

Walking hand in hand, the children looked around the second floor of the main hall. There was a faint light that shone against the dark tiles. Just when they were about to explore the locked room near the stairs...

"Ow!" Six hissed.

Turning on his flashlight, Mono shone it down on the ground. There was a bunch of broken glass on the floor and Six's left foot was dripping red blood. Seeing this, Mono let go of Six's hand and stooped down in front of her. Lifting the girl up, he started to carry her over his shoulder.

"Eep!?" she squeaked, not expecting to be carried. "M-Mono? Put me down..."

"You cut your foot," Mono replied, walking down the stairs with his arms wrapped around her back.

"I-It's fine! I can still walk on my own!"

"That won't do. You'll only worsen your injury," the boy argued as he turned to reach the X-ray room.

He could already pick up what exactly she was feeling as she shifted around, wrapping her arms around his neck: B-But it's embarrassing...

Was she getting flustered? Who knew Six could be so adorable? Oh, how the tables had turned. He recalled how she tended his grazed leg back at the Wilderness. Now it was his turn. Hehe.

Plopping Six down on a chair, Mono first gave her a wet rag and instructed her to gently clean her cut to remove any dirt or blood. The girl complied as she took the rag and started to dab lightly on her left foot. Meanwhile, the boy began to search the drawer. With a click of his flashlight, he could see the inside of the space. It was a mess! Many supplies were scattered about and Mono had to dig around to find what he needed. It was frustrating trying to find something as simple as antiseptic and medical gauze.

The Doctor who owns this Hospital should be fired! What kind of person is he for not even tidying his medical supplies?!

Eventually, Mono came out with the items he needed as Six watched him curiously, having already finished her task. Lifting her left foot, Mono examined the injury. It wasn't so bad, just a small line of red. Luckily, there were no pieces of glass embedded in her cut. Tearing the tip of the packet and getting the antiseptic, he looked up at Six. She was looking at him in apprehension as her body became tense.

"I won't lie to you, Six, but this is going to sting a bit," Mono warned. "Just... bear with me."

The girl took a deep breath before exhaling, giving him a nod, "Mm-hm..."

As soon as he applied the antiseptic on the cut, Six hissed in pain as she gripped tightly at the sides of the chair. Her cut flared in pain as she felt a burning sensation on her foot.

"Six, I know it hurts, but you have to keep still!" As much as he couldn't stand seeing his friend in pain, Mono knew he couldn't rush disinfecting her wound. Otherwise, the injury would get worse than it was now.

"Is it nearly over, Mono?"

"Just give me a few more seconds," he replied. "There."

Taking the bloodied cottoned away from the wound, Six sighed deeply as she finally leaned back against the chair. There was still that prickling feeling, but the worst part was over. Picking up the medical gauze, Mono started to wrap the fabric around Six's foot.

"Mm...! Mono, you're wrapping it too tightly."

"Sorry, Six, but it's so the bandaging won't get loose and to keep your wound clean," Mono insisted. Maybe we should consider getting shoes despite what a nuisance they are...

Once he was done, he stood up, offering a hand to his friend. Six took it as she slowly slid off the chair, wincing in pain when her foot made contact with the floor. After giving her a few minutes to get used to the feeling, and to mess around with the X-ray machine, the two went to the next room that contained a lot of toys.

~oOo~

"Be careful, Mono."

"I will."

After Six had given him a boost into the room, Mono found himself feeling... lonely. Aside from being alone at the School, the circumstances between separating from his friend then and now were different. At the School, they were forced to separate. Here, they had to since there was no other way for Six to join him. After being by her side for so long, the feeling of being alone felt... it felt like sinking into an endless abyss.

Taking out his flashlight, the boy cautiously walked around, noticing the strapped-down mannequin body on the table. Trying to ignore all of the darkness and gloom, Mono started to focus his mind on Six's question back at the elevator. He was puzzled when she'd asked what his dreams were all of a sudden. It was just abrupt. But perhaps she was simply curious. Regardless, he was glad that she had asked him that question because he got to see a glimpse of the real her and her dreams.

In that big, happy dreams of hers... he belonged. A very beautiful dream. What should his be?

Rattle, rattle, rattle!

Coming out of his thoughts, Mono shone the light at the table as the mannequin's arm left its body, scurrying along and getting lost in the pile of abandoned body parts. He'd have to think more about his dream later as he pulled the box away. The more he ventured into the room, the closer the crawling hand scurried towards him. Hearing the rattling sound, the boy dashed quickly to the metal cage, climbing up to reach the vent. The hand was following him like a spider wanting to catch its prey. Crawling inside the vent, Mono crouched as quickly as he could; the hand made a leap - barely touching the ends of his coat. Making it to the other end, the boy hoped that it couldn't follow him through the vent's cover flap.

Bang, bang!

It could not.

Evading the crawling hand, Mono entered the next room. Dust was falling from the ceiling as the hand was using the vents to navigate around. Taking cautious steps and directing his flashlight, Mono continued. Up ahead, he could see a light source sitting on the table. Even better, there was a hammer nearby, too! With a banging sound, the hand broke through and fell not too far from the boy.

Picking up his pace, Mono grabbed the hammer and swung. Missed. Swing. Hit. The hand, injured once, retreated to the discarded body parts, hoping to find an opening to escape the child. Having noticed the hand lifting a few fingers, Mono became aware that that was when he should strike. Waiting for it to return, they both dodged the other. Three fingers were up! Now was his chance! A second hit. The process repeated. On the third try, the hand stopped moving. For good measure, Mono landed another three hits to make sure it stayed dead. Panting, the boy dropped the weapon before taking the light source. Breaking the fragile glass at the bottom of the door, Mono went to where he'd started before he was separated from his friend.

"Six?" he called out, walking to where he'd last seen her.

However, she wasn't at that spot. She must have moved. Suddenly, Mono heard the sound of cracking and followed it with the light source in his hands. Back to the room with the hanging parts, he found Six sitting on the floor, breaking and twisting the fingers of a mannequin's hand. He stared at her, somewhat curious and disturbed at the same time. Was this... her way to pass the time?

As if she felt his presence, Six turned her head to meet his gaze. Neither knew what to say as the girl slowly stood up. So, deciding to keep quiet, Mono turned to head back to the main hall. She must be feeling awkward since he could hear her stumble on a body part as she tried to follow him.

~oOo~

After placing the light source on the other side of the room to gain access to a new area of the Hospital, Six had given him another boost to the room. As he traversed the room with lots of Patients, Mono started to ponder to himself. Alone, again. In the dark with Patients reaching out to get him if he didn't direct his flashlight at them. It started to cause memories to resurface.

The orphanage... a dark and gloomy place. He'd been discarded like trash by his birth parents in favor of them wanting a daughter. The teasing, the bullying... no one wanted him. Everyone hated him. The world wanted to see him fail... it stole someone important to him. He couldn't even remember who that person was. Why did he forget in the first place? Trying to remember would only hurt his head, so the boy stopped thinking about it for now.

Focusing on his task, the boy passed through a corridor with many hands reaching out for him. A few doors broke down as Patients crawled towards the boy, only stopping when he aimed his flashlight at them. Despite that he was scared, Mono found his reflexes doing very well. It felt like he knew when they would try to ambush him in the dark.

Very soon, he ended up in the shower room. Taking some time to take a break after the chase, Mono decided to reflect more about himself. Being alone was unbearable. Whenever he was with Six, Mono found himself bursting with many emotions he'd never felt at the orphanage. Joy... hope... bravery... Love.

Love? That was a very rare emotion. From what he could remember, Mono felt he was loved once. But when? Where? His parents hadn't. The orphaned children hadn't. Especially not the Director. A fuzzy image started to appear in his mind. That girl. Golden hair... green eyes filled with light. Her name represented life. That was all he could remember. If he pushed for more, his head would hurt.

So, Mono decided to think more about his adventure. Back when he had broken into Six's prison in the Hunter's basement, the drawings she had marked on the walls had caught his attention. The Signal Tower. It was affecting her more than just making her cough. It was also distorting the city... that knowledge had come to him very easily. Back at the swamp in the Wilderness...

While it wasn't really the right time for him to ask, Mono did so anyway, "Six, is something bothering you?"

Unsure whether she should disclose or not, she simply nodded her head, "Yes."

"Well, what do you plan to do once we escape the Hunter?"

"I have to reach the Pale City. The Transmission has been affecting me and I have to reclaim something I lost..." Six answered. "But... I'm not sure if I can go... by myself."

"Then we'll go together! After we defeat the Hunter!"

Looking back at it, Mono had to admit how naive he was. It wasn't easy reaching the city and it was probably going to be difficult shutting down the Signal Tower. And yet, he was determined to bring down the heart of the city. Part of his heart was telling him in desperation: End it! Bring it down! Free them! Free us! Free yourself! Free her!

It was odd. They weren't exactly his feelings - almost like they were the feelings of others. Could they be the Glitching Remains' pleas? The Signal Tower was the source of the Transmission. It had taken so much. It turned the city dull and lackluster. Mono couldn't recall a time when the city was different - filled with life. Adults would become so cruel that it was hard to distinguish them from the monsters in this world and children would either die or be taken away. His head would hurt at the humming of the Transmission and his dear friend would cough more.

I will end this. If it will stop this insanity... end this suffering... for you, for me, for Six, it will be worth it!

Sighing to himself, the boy stood up. Break time was over. It was time to continue. After getting a mannequin out of the wheelchair by having it follow him into the shower room and halting its movement with light, Mono found himself in a dark room with many mannequins.

With his flashlight ready in his hands, Mono ran further into the room - a route already pictured in his head. The moment he heard footsteps, he aimed the light at a moving Patient. Backing up while aiming his light, the boy took a quick look at his surroundings. Just a few feet away was a boarded-up hole. It was large enough for him to get through, but not for the Patients. Turning his attention back to the mannequins, Mono continued going down his route. Once he was close enough, he turned around and dashed for the hole. Without light, many Patients were running after him!

Sliding at the last moment, the boy made it through as arms reached out, but couldn't grab him. Panting, Mono looked around what room he was in. Ah, this was where the light source was located. Throwing a ball at the hands, he turned away and walked to the bars. Six was sitting on the floor on the other side of the cell.

Relief and delight were on his face as he called out to her, "Six!"

Hearing his voice, the girl stood up, turned around and placed her hands on the bars, "Mono."

Was it his imagination or was Six looking at him with sadness in her eyes? Despite that they were close, she was becoming distant again... like she was at the Hunter's cabin. That look in her eyes as if his presence was bringing back sad memories... shaking his head from the thought, he told her, "I'll make this quick."

"Mm." She gave a nod, getting up on top of the bucket.

Pulling himself onto the stool, Mono jumped and pulled on the lever. Electricity was sparking from the chair, traveling to where the light source was. Too much of the current flowed in one spot that it overloaded, disconnecting the light source and landing on the ground with a clunk. Picking up the tiny light, the boy threw it at the chute. Jumping and holding onto the handle, Six obtained the light source as it bounced to her side of the cell. Picking the item up and inserting it into the slot, the cell door opened and Mono rushed out, happy to leave the room behind.

Six pulled the light source out of its slot and followed Mono out of the room. While she went ahead to insert it to the elevator, Mono took the other source and did the same. The elevator should work now since both indicators were green. Pulling the lever, the doors opened. Holding Six's hand, Mono entered as the doors closed behind them.

~oOo~

Beep!

Why must the cell door make a loud noise? Hearing the sound, the Doctor roared as he crawled from the ceiling to see where the noise was coming from. Immediately as the cell door opened, Six ran ahead, leading the way as Mono followed her. Unfortunately, the Doctor growled, having spotted them. Crawling faster, the monster knocked down many shelves and items fell with a clang. Managing to avoid getting crushed as toilet paper rolls pelted against his back, the boy jumped down the flight of stairs. He could feel the Doctor's hand grasping out for him, barely missing.

Looking up ahead, there was a row of beds. Ducking, he crawled as fast as he could, hearing the Doctor crushing them as the supports collapsed under his weight. At the end of the beds, he could see that Six was starting to get tired as her stamina ran low. Catching up to his friend, he grabbed her hand before breaking into a run, pulling her along with him.

There was a large incinerator ahead of them. Letting go of Six's hand, he climbed in as she stayed behind, ducking under the door to evade the Doctor's gaze. Jumping out of the metal plate and into the ashes, Mono tried to reach the small vent underneath the door of the incinerator. The Doctor growled, reaching his arms out to feel the ashes, trying to find him. If the boy didn't hurry up, the metal plate would collapse and the monster's weight would crush him! Stupid ashes! Why did they have to slow him down?

"Mono!" Six called out in a quiet voice, not wanting to direct the Doctor's attention onto her.

She was on the other side, pulling on the covers that blocked the vent. Having pulled two of the thin scraps of metal off, she was struggling to pull the others off. Rushing over as fast as he could, Mono pushed against the metal. He broke free.

"Six, close the door!" he yelled as he scrambled to his feet.

She did as she was told and pushed the door closed. The Doctor banged against it, roaring inside. Jumping onto the lever and pulling it down, the incinerator activated. Six turned to face him in surprise before she set her gaze at the fire, memorized by the light and warmth. Panting from all that running and adrenaline, Mono sat down near his friend to catch his breath. So much was happening. Would it ever end? After warming himself by the fire, Mono once more found himself puzzled by Six's odd question.

"Mono, when you look at this fire, what do you see?"

Looking at the warm, orange hue, a pleasant picture formed in the boy's mind. Though he didn't see it as often as he would like to, he could never forget the beauty of it. How the sky would shift its warm color tones from a bright scarlet to blushing pink to coral orange as the sun melted into the horizon. Then the sky would change to colder colors, from pearly purple to midnight blue as the stars started to shine.

"It reminds me of the sunset," Mono answered as he got up to his feet.

Again, he caught that look in Six's eyes. She was softly talking to herself as she gazed sadly at the incinerator's small glow, "The sun is always alone, isn't it?"

It wasn't really a question, but more like a statement. The boy frowned, not understanding why Six would bring up the topic. It was true that there could only be one sun. If there were anymore, the world would become too hot to live on. The girl had muttered something to herself and Mono had heard it. However, it felt like he wasn't supposed to. And yet, it was ringing very clearly to his ears: "Just like... me..."

Alone?

What had happened to her that she believed she was alone? Or had she always felt lonely? Was it because he would leave her while trying to get the light sources? No, there was more to it than that. However, he wasn't sure on what to say since that last remark wasn't meant to be heard. He simply called out to her, "Six? It's time. We should get moving."

"Okay."

The girl complied as she got up to her feet. Giving him a boost to reach the lever, she immediately went inside the elevator. When he had gotten down, he barely missed it. It was quick, but he saw it. It wasn't his imagination. Resignation. Her face was distorted with sadness and resignation. As the elevator doors closed and it ascended, Mono tried to understand that face Six had unintentionally revealed. It was like she was resigning herself to a life of loneliness, like she was about to give in to fate. The thought of it made Mono feel downhearted. Living a life of loneliness... wouldn't that be very sad?

Of course it would, you should know that, Mono. His inner thoughts chided him.

He had been alone many times before meeting Six. So he understood the feeling. However, he didn't want to be alone. The boy could tell that she didn't want it either and yet, the little hope she had... while it was enduring, it was also fleeting. When she had asked him about his dreams, was she secretly trying to convey a message to him? Looking at Six, she was currently huddled in a corner, drawing on the floor with her finger.

Instilling hope was dangerous. It built too many expectations and if they couldn't be fulfilled, they would plunge oneself into deeper despair. At the same time, without hope, one might commit an action that they could not take back - a dying flame flickering in the dark until it became no more. The boy felt uneasiness in his heart.

Six, why must you have to endure so much pain all by yourself? If you continue to push yourself, I'll lose you forever. I fear you'll never come back. I don't want that! Despite you never expressing much, you're crying out for help, aren't you?

Mono thought back to what the girl had said. The sun was always alone. It was bright and colorful against the azure sky. The sunbeams would offer warmth and light that everyone enjoyed. However, no one could ever touch the sun or get too close to it. If they did, those rays became so intense that they burned. Not even the clouds could offer the sun comfort as they melted under the golden rays. That was why the sun was always so distant, alone as it stood in the sky. Enduring, enduring, until one day, it would die.

The boy thought back to how he wanted to be like the moon back in the Wilderness. The moon hung in the night sky with plentiful stars as it reached out to comfort with its silver beams. However, the sun and moon could never touch one another, always at the opposite sides of the world. The moon had twinkling stars - reminders of the sun - that accompanied it during night as the astronomical object shifted through its phases. However, the sun had nothing, doomed never to touch anything. A very pitiful existence.

What stood in front of him was a sad, lonely sun.

~oOo~

Eventually, Six rose up as the elevator reached the ground floor. When the doors opened, Mono immediately grabbed her hand, much to her surprise.

"M-Mono?"

He tugged her along, quickening his pace. She wasn't used to holding hands while being fast on her feet unless they were being chased by a monster. With the confusion she was probably feeling, she stumbled a bit. They passed the mannequins in the waiting room and went into a room with a window. Letting go of her hand, he turned to face her. The girl appeared small, becoming tense. Mono briefly wondered if what he'd just done had caused her to think she did something wrong and that he was mad at her.

"I'm not upset with you, Six," he started and eventually, the girl relaxed. "We're in this together. You don't have to be alone. So don't give up."

At this remark, the girl started to fidget and become flustered. The sight was surprising to Mono. Six never really felt uncomfortable during a serious situation. If they didn't have to worry about the Signal Tower, he would have found it amusing.

"But, I'm..." she paused, unsure if she should reveal the cause of her worries.

She didn't have to talk about things that would make her upset and Mono wasn't going to force her to say anything if she didn't want to. He just wanted her to talk a little about what she was feeling to ease her burden a bit. He didn't want her to endure her sufferings by herself.

"Six, remember what I told you after we defeated the Hunter?" At this question, she gave a nod. He continued, "You're my friend and that wouldn't change."

"Sometimes... friendship doesn't last long. We'll eventually drift apart, only remembering each other in our memories. Even the happy moments are destined to fade, lost in sorrow." Six mumbled before looking up at him. "When you told me that you're my friend, I was happy. I was hopeful... so much so that I've forgotten... about my fate."

"Your fate?" Mono questioned as Six started to look down at the floor, her body trembling. "Six, whatever your fate is, we'll get through it together."

"But I'm... selfish." her voice was small. "I'm twisted. I'm not the sweet girl you might see me as. I'm... tainted."

That word, tainted, rang in Mono's ears. He hated that word. He didn't want to hear it, recalling how the Bullies were delighting at the thought of dissecting his friend. For her to say that word, the Bullies must have told her about it when she was in the bathroom.

"Six, you're not tainted."

"They were wrong about you, but they were right about me. The Bullies, I mean." Six replied. Taking a breath, she asked, "Why?"

"What?"

"Why are you so kind to me?" her voice shook as she looked up at him, examining him - observing him. "Despite that I am the way I am, you befriended me. Why? Why do you keep risking your life for me? I don't understand you, Mono!"

"Six, did I... upset you somehow?" the boy became confused and concerned. He didn't want to lose his friendship with the girl, but he didn't know what he'd done wrong.

She shook her head, "I hate it... the kindness you give me. Because you kept on being so kind, I enjoyed it... so much that I desperately crave for more. I-I'm afraid I've taken your kindness for granted."

Mono looked at the girl before him. She changed again. Just when Mono thought he knew her - understood her - he saw another side to Six. The boy thought back to the girl when he first met her in the Wilderness. She was capable, if not a little distant, always hiding whatever it was she was feeling. When Six donned her yellow raincoat, she became more confident, determined, more willing to take the initiative. Now, the girl who was fidgeting uncomfortably in front of him looked... pitiful and shameful. The sight made something burn in his chest. What was this he was feeling?

Slowly, Mono wrapped his arms around the girl and she flinched at the contact, "I'm sorry."

"W-What for...?"

"I can't stop giving you my kindness. It's because you have become so precious to me," he answered honestly. He broke up the hug a little hastily before placing his hands on her shoulders, asking, "Can you promise you won't move?"

Six tilted her head a bit, looking at him in puzzlement. But she eventually nodded her head, "Mm-hm..."

When he placed a hand to cover her eyes, she instinctively tensed a bit. It was expected. Mono recalled what that female Bully had remarked about taking away one's sight. Not being able to see was a scary thing because you didn't know what would happen. Her reaction was natural, but he knew she trust him.

"Would it be okay if I take off your hood?"

Silence. Unlike with his previous request, this next one took some time until she gave the okay. With his other hand, he slowly drew back her hood, letting it gradually fall to the nape of her neck. Her face was just like how he'd seen it before. The only difference was that he was slowly starting to catch more of the real her - her true colors. The real her who she tried to keep hidden behind a facade.

After pulling back her hood, Mono internally sighed to himself before lifting his paper bag above his head. Now his face was exposed. For Six to allow him to see her weak side was very admirable. He, however, was not ready for it yet. That's why he had to cover her eyes, so she couldn't view his own weakness - the real him.

He was sure of it now, this emotion that was blooming in his chest. He want to protect her, to cherish her, to love her... While he was no expert on the last emotion...

At the very least, I want to give this girl a fragment of the love I was not granted by life. I want to continue to give this sorrowful girl my unconditional love.

He was slightly taller than her despite that they were nearly the same height. So getting on his tiptoes and leaning in a bit, he kissed the center of her forehead. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she could feel tears start to form in her eyes. Her body became less tense. Much like how he'd held her hand the first time, she didn't dislike it and found it reassuring. This was the same thing... only better.

From her reaction, Mono knew that she knew. His feelings had reached her. After the affectionate display, Mono quickly drew back, pulling his bag back over his head. He then gently wiped away her tears before pulling her hood back over her face.

Six just stood on the spot, her tiny hands slowly raising to touch the spot where he had kissed her. Eventually, she turned her focus on him and asked in a shaky voice, "W-Why...?"

"I told you, didn't I? You're my friend, Six, and I'll never think badly of you," he promised, pointing to his forehead before holding out his hand for her to take. "That is my promise."

Her eyes began to radiate with light as she nodded her head with a small smile. There it was. That beautiful smile. While it didn't shine as brilliantly as the one she had expressed when talking about her dreams, it was still a smile that came from the bottom of her heart.

She took his hand as they climbed up the table to open the window. As they held hands and ran through the rain, Mono thought back to the questions he'd had back at the Wilderness. Why was he doing this? Why was he more willing to risk his life? The answer became more clear now. He had a precious friend worth risking his life for - because he loved her, his first friend.

Looking back at the girl, who was looking downward, the boy looked up ahead in determination. He would save her from this lonely fate of hers. The past and the future were starting to align.