As Sunny walks along the sidewalk, the gentle warmth of the morning sun casts long shadows across the familiar streets of Faraway Town. His steps echo softly against the pavement, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat. Despite the peaceful surroundings, a subtle unease lingers in the air, amplified by the presence of something unseen trailing behind him.
With a faint sigh, Sunny raises a hand to weakly pinch himself through the bandages wrapped around his arms, a habitual gesture to ground himself in reality. His eyes scan the familiar yet somehow distant scenery, lost in thought as he murmurs to himself.
"Feels strange, being on my own like this after so long... Walking alone, trying to remember the way back home."
As Sunny continues his walk, thoughts swirling in his mind like leaves caught in a gentle breeze, he encounters a scene that momentarily distracts him from his inner turmoil. Two figures, with a distinct orange-ish tan and familiar fraternal features, catch his attention. They are the twins, Bowen and Daphne, who work at the bakery side of Othermart in Faraway Plaza.
The sight triggers memories of past adventures as Omori, where encounters with similar characters were commonplace. However, his reverie is interrupted by the complaining voice of Mikhael, one of the local troublemakers. He overhears Mikhael addressing Bowen and Daphne as his older siblings, a fact that surprises Sunny momentarily.
As he observes the interactions between the twins and Mikhael, Sunny's mind drifts back to his recent private chats with Basil. They had discussed the delicate balance between revealing the truth and maintaining the status quo with their friends. The sight of the twins and Mikhael's banter serves as a reminder of the complexities of relationships and the hidden layers beneath seemingly ordinary interactions in Faraway Town.
Then, he stopped walking as Mikhael glanced at Sunny. "He-hey!!! You're one of Boss and Kel's friends,right? Sup? Please help me stop my siblings pampering me!!!" As the familiar hooligan declared (his skin color is slightly darker than his twin sibling in terms of tone), he wants to make sure his blonde wig doesn't fall off.
Sunny pauses, taken aback by Mikhael's sudden acknowledgment. He nods in response, confirming that he is indeed acquainted with Boss and Kel, though he remains cautious about getting involved in Mikhael's familial dynamics.
"Hey Mikhael," Sunny greets him cautiously, "I'm not sure how much help I can be with your siblings, but I can try." He eyes the blonde wig precariously perched on Mikhael's head, noting the effort the hooligan is putting into maintaining his disguise.
Sunny's thoughts drift momentarily to the complexities of family relationships, contrasting Mikhael's plea for assistance with the hidden struggles he and his friends face, both in the real world and the dreamworld. Despite the whimsical nature of Faraway Town, there are underlying challenges that everyone navigates in their own way.
Then, the fraternal twins stop as Daphne Muttered, "did Mikhael just address one of the other people of faraway? Right Bowen?"
Bowen nods as he stop poking over Mikhael with a nod to utter calmly "yes dear sister, Daphne….this one he is from the Miyamoto residence…you hear they are friends huh?"
As Daphne calmly stops cuddling over Mikhael and turn to a stand still near Sunny "I wonder if deep down Mikhael, our little brother, didn't just befriends his group and that delinquent leader Aubrey—"
As Bowen continues, "Yet also befriends this teen who seems just recently left his house after 4 years, I heard..."
Sunny feels a bit exposed under the twins' scrutiny but tries to maintain his composure. "Yes, that's right," he confirms, acknowledging their observations about him and his connections to both the Miyamoto residence and Aubrey's group. Despite their rough edges, Sunny understands that Mikhael and his siblings have their own complexities and bonds, similar to the dynamics within his own friend group.
As the twins exchange knowing glances, Sunny wonders about the rumors they've heard, realizing that his recent emergence from four years of seclusion has become a topic of conversation among the townsfolk. He's not entirely surprised; Faraway Town has a way of making even the smallest details part of its colorful tapestry of stories and gossip.
Sunny offers a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "It's nice to meet you both, Daphne and Bowen. Mikhael here has been quite the character in Faraway Town."
They nod as they both synchronize to lean on Mikhael's shoulders preventing him to escape as Sunny continues "so your Uhh aware Mikhael also calls himself the maverick when being in public when I first saw him way back with the rest of the hooligans (Kim , Vance , Angel , Charlie and Aubrey)?"
As Mikhael silently felt it's to be expected Sunny still indirectly doesn't like him as he is quite a bit of a narcissistic briber.
Sunny notices Mikhael's discomfort but chooses to focus on the lighter aspects of their interaction. "Ah, the maverick, huh?" Sunny says with a hint of amusement. "He does have a flair for the dramatic, doesn't he?"
Daphne chuckles softly, releasing Mikhael from her grip. "We've heard stories about Mikhael's escapades from Aubrey and the others," she admits. "He's quite the character."
Bowen nods in agreement. "Indeed, Mikhael keeps things interesting around here. But I suppose every group needs someone like him."
Mikhael, feeling a bit relieved at the change in topic, grins and adjusts his wig. "Hey, I'm just adding a bit of spice to this town, you know?" he quips, trying to lighten the mood.
Sunny smiles, appreciating the banter. "Spice indeed," he chuckles. "Well, it was nice catching up with you all. I should probably head back now."
Then , Sunny was surprise when the twins approach him with syncing body language despite different words they utter.
As Bowen spoke "You think Mikhael shouldn't hangout with his older siblings anymore Sunny right?"
As Daphne added "Along we just want to spend time with him during free-time due to us already working part-time to help our famille (French word for family) as members of the Fournier (family name) family for generations…"
Both twins has a straight face.
Sunny nods understandingly, realizing the twins' concern. "I see where you're coming from," he replies thoughtfully. "Family time is important, but so is personal space and independence, especially for someone like Mikhael who values his own identity."
Bowen nods in agreement. "Exactly. Mikhael needs to find a balance between spending time with family and pursuing his own interests and friendships."
Daphne smiles gratefully. "Thanks for understanding, Sunny. We just want what's best for Mikhael."
Sunny nods again, smiling warmly at the twins. "No problem at all. It's always good to look out for each other."
Mikhael, who had been silent during this exchange, looks a bit touched by the concern of his siblings. "Yeah, yeah, I get it," he mumbles, trying to play it cool but clearly appreciating their care.
Sunny bids them goodbye and continues on his walk, feeling glad for the chance to catch up with Mikhael and the Fournier twins.
As he left , Mikhael blush as the twins tease despite their deadpan voices of he still was their little brother despite recently having the outside opinion from someone that they never interacted before nor is friends with Mikhael (but connected prior due to being friends with Aubrey)
The twins chuckle softly, their teasing evident in their deadpan voices. "Looks like Mikhael's made quite an impression on his new friend," Daphne remarks with a playful smirk.
Bowen nods in agreement. "Seems like it. Who would've thought our little brother would be making friends outside of his usual circle?"
Mikhael tries to brush off their teasing, but he can't hide the slight blush on his cheeks. "Come on, guys, it's not a big deal," he mutters, trying to maintain his tough facade.
The twins continue to tease good-naturedly as they walk back home together, enjoying the banter and the rare moment of camaraderie with their younger sibling.
Back to Sunny, finally breathing much better, to spot his familiar house, the Miyamoto residence. He takes a moment to reflect on his newfound sense of ease, realizing that maybe Hero, Kel, and the rest of his friends were right all along. "My body just needs time to adjust," he thinks to himself as he approaches his house and notices Mari's carefully maintained picnic basket displayed near the door entrance.
With a deep breath, he feels a sense of accomplishment and relief. "I can do this," he whispers to himself, feeling a renewed determination to continue stepping out of his comfort zone and embracing the world outside his home.
He used his personal house key to open the door gently. A familiar creature awaits him. He kneels and smiles at Mewo, the familiar black cat sitting in front of him. "Aww, Mewo, did you miss me?" he asks affectionately, stroking the cat gently. "I hope you didn't feel too lonely when I was away for the day." Mewo responds with a soft purr, seeming content to have Sunny back home.
Then , after he let it as it follows him after closing the house' door behind him.
He settles by checking if the house still is not have any sign of robbery or break through (which fortunately not) as he casually lend cat food to Mewo's bowl to let it have a meal before checking his cellphone to read his parents messages that were left behind to address to still not forget his own self care besides chores like checking on Mari.
The thought of Mari still haunts him a little yet oddly at ease trusting she is alright upstairs in the shared bedroom he had with her (her comatose body resting at her own bed with all the needed equipment to nurse her at home)
As he slowly about to go upstairs , the stairs flooring squeaking a bit for some few steps he thought (I wonder if my friends can still hangout for today….my body seems fine now yet , why did I had a good dream then a nightmare? Am I still troubled by something?)
Then when he finally reach the bedroom door, he exhaled when his phobia fades in the backround to see the comatose Mari still as peaceful as ever as he scoot closer to examine if there's any changes at all in her unconscious state "So, It's been 4 years since your case was like this huh Mari?…. I even wonder if you're able to hear this or any of the voices passing by up until now near your ears….Besides hey!!! I hope you don't mind me hanging out with our old friends again….they really are sweet—— and Uhh….I wish you were awake….You can tell me more about how to understand….girls…."
There's mild silence of no reply as expected....
Sunny carefully examines Mari's physical state, looking for any signs of change in her comatose condition. He checks her breathing, pulse, and any subtle movements that might indicate a shift in her condition. As he observes her, he reflects on their past and hopes for her recovery.
Sunny notices that Mari's breathing is steady, her pulse is normal, and there are no visible signs of discomfort or distress. Her face appears peaceful, almost as if she's simply asleep. Despite his longing for her to awaken, there are no immediate changes in her comatose state that he can discern.
Then, suddenly, he sniffles and cries a little as he chuckles nervously, "Ughh….this is so hard…Okay, at least you aren't hurt…"
As, oddly enough, he thought he was hallucinating, yet for a moment it seemed the fingers of the comatose Mari twitched for a moment before no response again.
Meanwhile , back at Aubrey's house with herself and the rest of the group.
Hero gasp as he utters "So , that's how you assemble the hooligans Aubrey? Interesting…..never considered you really are a bossy type huh?"
Aubrey smirks playfully, crossing her arms as she responds to Hero's comment. "Well, someone's got to keep them in line, right? Plus, it's not like they don't benefit from having a leader like me." She winks, teasingly nudging Hero's arm.
Kel chimes in with a grin, "Yeah, Aubrey's the only one who can wrangle them without breaking a sweat. It's kind of impressive, really."
Basil, who had been quietly listening, chuckles and adds, "I've seen her in action. She's definitely got that 'take charge' vibe down pat."
As they banter, Aubrey's expression softens slightly as she glances at Sunny's empty spot, silently hoping he's doing alright on his own for the first time in years.
Then , Basil chuckles when Kel tackles him to utter "Yeah yet it's still 'impressive' that both you and Aubrey manage~ to hide that 'issue' (the time the two are strained) for almost 4 years long to leave me and Sunny out of the blue before we can finally bug him out of the house…"
Basil laughs along with Kel, trying to lighten the mood. "I guess we did a pretty good job at that, huh? But hey, it's great that Sunny's finally out and about. Hopefully, he's enjoying himself and not stressing too much."
Aubrey nods in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it's nice to see him taking those first steps. We'll just have to make sure he doesn't overdo it, though. He's been through a lot."
Hero, always the optimist, smiles reassuringly. "I'm sure he'll be fine. And if he needs us, we're just a message away."
The group falls into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts about Sunny and their shared experiences.
Then , Kel chuckles stretching "Speaking of which hey Hero , besides cooking back at your college before having vacation here for the summer….Your good at 'medical' stuff too right? Any suggestions of a workout routine for Sunny? Since pretty sure he still bothered how his body is so weak compare to all of us…"
Hero nods thoughtfully, considering Kel's question. "Yeah, I can definitely help with that. We'll start with something light and gradually increase intensity as his strength builds. Maybe some basic stretches and light cardio to begin with. I'll put together a plan for him."
Aubrey adds, "And make sure he doesn't push himself too hard. We want him to get stronger, not exhaust himself."
Basil nods in agreement. "Absolutely. We'll support him every step of the way."
Kel grins, satisfied with the plan. "Perfect! Sunny's going to be a whole new person by the end of the summer!"
With a shared sense of determination, the group begins to discuss and plan Sunny's workout routine, eager to help him on his journey to recovery.
Then , Kel froze as Hero adds "Kel you almost forgot that Sunny and his family need to temporarily move out soon after 2 weeks would passed right? We already spent the 1st week with him…" as this is the 3 week countdown of his temporary move out to the city to leave faraway for a better hospital for Mari
Hero's reminder causes a somber mood to settle over the group. Kel nods slowly, the weight of the situation evident in his expression. "Yeah, I almost forgot. We need to make the most out of these last few weeks together before they have to leave. We can help Sunny prepare for the move too."
Aubrey chimes in with a comforting tone. "We'll make sure everything goes smoothly. And we'll keep in touch, right?"
Basil nods, offering support. "Definitely. We'll stay connected no matter what."
With a sense of unity and determination, the group resolves to make Sunny's remaining time in Faraway Town as memorable and positive as possible, supporting him through his challenges and preparing for the upcoming changes.
Then, Basil awkwardly felt the others staring at him like something eating away as he questioned, "Wh-what?"
As Aubrey nudged him to say a bit pouty, "Still, we almost forgot since we're so focused on the treehouse stuff, time with Sunny…sleepovers and such…Basil, can you lend us his contact info? Since only you have it and he has yours for the past 4 years, to still stay connected despite him being cooped up right?"
Aubrey's request brings a sense of realization to Basil's face. "Oh, right! I completely forgot about that too. Sorry, guys." He fumbles with his phone for a moment before handing it to Aubrey. "Here, I'll share his contact with everyone. We should definitely keep in touch, especially now."
Kel nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely! We can plan virtual hangouts, send messages, and keep Sunny updated on everything happening here. It'll be like he never left."
Hero smiles warmly. "And when he comes back for visits or during breaks, we'll make sure it's a blast. Our friendship doesn't end with distance."
With plans to stay connected and support Sunny through his move and beyond, the group reaffirms their bond and commitment to each other.
Basil nods as he smiles "Mhm!!!! Yet , Guys what's your opinion of his development so far. After these passed 6-7 days so far? Since , it's actually amazing he adjust a lot despite being a shut-in for 4 years…."
The group nods in agreement, each sharing their thoughts on Sunny's development.
Kel beams with pride. "Sunny's progress is incredible! He's more open, less anxious, and even his humor is coming back. It's like he's rediscovering himself."
Aubrey nods in agreement. "I've noticed that too. He's becoming more assertive and comfortable in social situations. It's like he's finding his place again."
Hero adds, "And his resilience is admirable. Not many could bounce back from isolation like that. Sunny's determination is inspiring."
Basil smiles warmly. "I think we've all played a part in helping him readjust. It's not easy, but with our support, Sunny is really blossoming."
With a sense of pride and camaraderie, the group reflects on Sunny's progress and looks forward to continuing their journey together, supporting each other every step of the way.
In some mystery internally Basil thought (Just hold on guys , with this maybe Sunny and I don't need to tell the truth what caused Mari's coma as we are right in the moment not focusing on that right now).
Meanwhile , Sunny was busy replacing his bandage arms again due to sweating or panting in his sleep earlier of Aubrey's place in his house' bathroom as he stop to stare at himself in the mirror to notice the physical state he is in compare to the time he is only in his house for 4 years.
[As Sunny gazes at himself in the mirror, taking in the changes he's experienced in just a few days compared to his four-year isolation. He sees a reflection of resilience and growth, a person who's overcoming challenges and reconnecting with the world outside.
Basil's internal thoughts reflect a common concern among the group: the delicate balance between supporting Sunny's progress and confronting the truth about Mari's condition. It's a dilemma they all grapple with, knowing that revealing the truth could disrupt the progress Sunny has made but also understanding the importance of honesty in their friendship.
As the day unfolds, they navigate these complexities, focusing on the present moment while also acknowledging the weight of unresolved truths that linger in the background.]
Sunny then felt a migraine despite feeling better. He now feels uneasy again when realizing the many cut and bruises marked on the unwrap bandages on his arms (the bruises are the marks since that day of the accident with Mari and the cuts caused of many of his self-harm and suicidal attempts he did before going outside these passed few days)
Then , he looks over one of his brown shorts' pockets to realize with a blink as he pull the item his personal box cutter.
He starts to contemplates if he should just set it aside back to his pocket for self defense for now or better just not bring it with him due to committing self-harm with it.
Sunny takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision in his hands. After a moment of reflection, he decides to set the box cutter aside on the bathroom counter. It's a small but significant step for him, symbolizing his commitment to avoiding self-harm and focusing on healthier coping mechanisms.
As he looks at his reflection in the mirror once again, he acknowledges the progress he's made so far. Despite the challenges and setbacks, he's beginning to understand the importance of self-care and seeking help when needed. With renewed determination, he leaves the bathroom, ready to face whatever challenges may come his way with a newfound sense of resilience.
Then , he left he contemplates the new promises he made with his friends as he shudders thinking "I wonder if I can still play the violin…I did told everyone I could try and there's no rush for me to start picking it up again….yet , for some reason besides drawing is fun as my recent hobby for 4 years and now….why am I still hesitating to play it again? Is it because I felt I am leaving Mari out?"
Then, he heard a knock on his house' door downstairs that made him jump.
Before he decided to descend the steps and examine what's up, he peek at the window he gasp silently realizing it's Aubrey's Deadbeat mom Ms.Wattson that seems her familiar ragged clothing self yet her demeanor seems full of guilt as Sunny makes sure his new bandages wrap around is arms are well done along with his neckbrace as he gulps to open the door "Ohh…Ms. Wattson, what brings you here?"
As the last thing he recalled for this adult was how his friends tried not to have tension or discomfort when seeing her to have a sleepover at Aubrey's place.
Ms. Wattson: softly "Thank you, Sunny. I appreciate your help that day. It meant a lot to me."
Sunny: nervously "Of course, Ms. Wattson. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
Ms. Wattson: looking remorseful "I know things can get heated between Aubrey and me sometimes. I'm sorry for any discomfort that may have caused you."
Sunny: nodding "It's alright. We all have our moments."
Ms. Wattson: sighing "I just wanted to thank you personally for stepping in. Aubrey means the world to me, even if we don't always see eye to eye."
Sunny: feeling the weight of the past "I understand. Family can be complicated."
Ms. Wattson: nodding in agreement "Indeed. But I'm glad we can still have civil conversations."
Sunny: smiling softly "Me too. It's important to find common ground."
Ms. Wattson: offering a small smile "Well, I won't keep you. Thank you again, Sunny."
Sunny: politely "You're welcome, Ms. Wattson. Take care."
As Ms. Wattson leaves, Sunny reflects on the complex dynamics within Aubrey's family and the challenges they've faced. Despite the tension, he's glad they can still maintain a level of respect and understanding.
Then , as he added before Aubrey's mother left when he said "Also Ms.Wattson Aubrey may not look like it yet she still deeply cares for you okay? Just learn to be close to her current self now…"
Ms. Wattson nods, her expression softening. "Thank you for reminding me of that, Sunny. I'll do my best."
Sunny gives her a reassuring smile before closing the door. He takes a moment to process the interaction, feeling a mix of emotions but ultimately hopeful that things might improve between Aubrey and her mother.
As he heads back upstairs, he can't help but think about the complexities of family relationships and how they impact everyone involved.