You know, life ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Well, guess you don’t need me to say it, do you?
Especially if you live down here.
But the hard days are almost behind us!
Tomorrow, we’re high-tailing outta Jail and going to the surface!
Honestly, I don’t know how it all happened...but who cares!
I get to see the fabled sun with Boss!
I’m so excited, I can hardly sleep!
Maybe I’ll take a walk.
Oh, it’s Mamoru.
Maybe he can’t sleep too.
We’ve never said much to each other, but I’m so excited I’ll talk to anyone. Just take a deep breath.
“Hey Mamoru!”
“Oh, hello Clara.”
Something tells me I snuck up on him. He seems startled.
I didn’t see him all afternoon either.
I wonder what’s goin’ on.
“You ready for tomorrow?”
“Oh. Well, we’re planning on staying back.”
“WHAT?!”
“We...? All five of you?”
Hikari, Kaede, Itsuki, and Takumi.
I’ve talked to ‘em all once or twice back at the Dawn.
Mamoru’s rubbing his neck. I spotted a deep wound on it under his hand.
“I mean, look at us. We could go up, but who knows what trouble’s awaiting us.
Or how they’ll receive us,” replied Mamoru nonchalantly.
“Wait. Were you all hiding so I wouldn’t find you?”
“Well, I said we’re staying back—”
“You can’t!” I screamed reflexively.
Because... Because!
“I heard a little bit about you guys from Boss. He told me you fought hard, and that you were only nicked a little.”
I can see it’s a deep wound, but I couldn’t care less!
“We’re all on the same side! Injuries and casualties happen. I could’ve lost an arm or two by now.
Your scratches aren’t that bad, Mamoru. Come with us!”
With that, Mamoru waved me off and left.
He’ll join us... Right?
　 ◯ Two shadows observed Clara and Mamoru interact. One clicked his tongue and ran after Mamoru.
The other followed behind him, sighing.
“An old man’s indiscretions.”
“Whoa! ...Oh, Miko. It’s you. Who you callin’ old?”
“Just you. Don’t worry. Leave it to the kids. I’m sure Little Mermaid and Otsuu are close to convincing Hikari by now.”
“Yeah...true,” sighed Haru.
Hearing Mamoru and the others opt to stay behind troubled him.
“Our escape’s only happening if they’re with us. That’s cruel, but we ain’t got much choice.”
“I know. If anyone should stay, it’s you,” responded Miko in jest.
Joke or not, this statement stung Haru.
“You’re right. I ain’t got much use up there.”
His remark caught Miko off-guard. Silence hovered between them.
“Hey Miko?”
“What?”
“You think I deserve to be up there? Past aside. Don’t I get to see the sun too?”
There was a faint tremble in his voice, as if he were giving a confession.
“Why don’t we save it for later?” replied the Dawn scientist. She returned a stern but kind expression.
“At the very least, Haru, you’re responsible for Clara.”
His eyes widened.
“Why don’t you take her to sea? I know she’ll love it.”
“Haha...”
He couldn’t help but laugh.
The thought of his dumb apprentice never failed to ease the tense grip around his aging heart.
“Don’t stress too much, or else—”
Miko interrupted him with a curt yank of his bangs.
“You’re going gray,” giggled Miko before turning and walking away.
“Pft. Gray...”
He twirled the tuft of hair Miko had grabbed and gazed upward.
“All he ever wanted was sunlight...”
He let his stare upward linger for a second more before remembering that his sky was still nothing but darkness.