"T-this...can't be."

Shion's knees felt weak enough for him to stumble to the ground. Fortunately Karan saw this and she hurriedly ran out to help her son.

"Shion! Oh my, what's wrong? Is it really that depressing to lose a pet?" Karan helped him up and embraced him gently, stroking his hair. Despite being comforted by his mother, his tears fell down.

Unintentionally.

Involuntarily.

Reflex.


If he is here in No. 6, living the life that he had always wanted to escape from ever since that fateful day, where is Nezumi?

In the Western District? Watching him using those rats of his?

It was fine for Shion to see things get back as they were, except for one thing. Then he and Nezumi wouldn't be the way they were, when they escaped from No. 6 together.

That would be more hellish than climbing up a mountain of corpses.

No. Not all of them were corpses.

But instead of the having the urge to vomit, today's hellish feeling is much worse: wanting to die.

But he can't. What about Karan? Shion knew he couldn't leave her alone. Back then he was forced to leave her alone, but now he has to make a decision, and Nezumi is not beside him to help him with it.

"Help me...Nezumi..." Shion sobbed, leaning on his mother's chest. Karan had no choice but to continue comforting her child, despite not having a clue about what's happening to Shion.

She simply assumed that he lost a pet.


They promised they'd meet each other again. And yesterday was that day that they met. Shion was overjoyed, and now he and his mother are not alone anymore with Nezumi around.

He made him smile.

He made him laugh.

He stole his heart.

With only actions, only Nezumi was the only one who saw through him, understood him when they were at the worst of worst situations.

"All I wanted...was you to stay by my side..."

Shion still sobbed. Karan held her son and she walked with him towards the bakery.

"Shion...why don't we just...look for Nezumi-san, alright? Just call the office and tell you have to go somewhere," Karan smiled gently, trying to cheer Shion up.

Karan thought that it is wee bit impossible to look for a pet rat. Rats look alike. But some have easily distinguishable characteristics that make them unique as compared to other rats, like coat color and some spots. But the 'rat' that they're supposed to look for isn't as small as she thinks.


It's possible that Nezumi is in the Western District, and Shion wants to see him. Right now.

"Mom, is there an easy way to go to the Western District?"

Hearing those two words that start with 'w' and 'd' respectively made blood rush to her head.


"What are you thinking?! Are you escaping a crime you made?! It's dangerous there!"

"But Mom...I'm sure," Shion's eyes lightened up.

"Nezumi is there."