Chapter Text
In Headspace there is a section called Otherworld, in Otherworld there is an area called Junkyard, and Junkyard was a large place full of . . . Well, junk.
It was kind of maze-like, the smell made it even worse, and the fact that there were enemies attacking the gang was the cherry on top of the worst cake ever, or at least a really bad cake.
But despite this, Omori and the gang still had fun, smashing piles of rubbish that blocked their way, throwing balls a scarecrows, convincing machines to do your bidding, diving in for trash, and cutting down cones.
Yeah, it was a great adventure for Omori and gang, however . . .
“Man, my legs are getting tired . . .” Hero announces, huffing in exhaustion.
“Come on Hero, just a few more minutes and you can make it!” Kel encourages.
“Actually, my legs are starting to hurt, can we sit down somewhere?” Aubrey asks, holding her legs.
“I agree, I think we should rest, but I don’t want to sit on the floor.” Cris chimes in, giving a glance at the dirty floor, “Omori, what do you think?”
Omori nods, agreeing to sit down, though he’s not exhausted.
“Alright, we can rest . . .” Kel huffs, looking around, and spotting something, “Guys! Look!” He points towards a couch.
“Well, I don’t see any better options . . .” Cris shrugs.
“I just want to sit somewhere . . .” Hero pants, “Come on, let’s go.”
The gang had to climb some ladders, but the managed to push through the tiredness, well, Aubrey and Hero did.
Eventually, they reached the top, Aubrey and Hero flopped down on the couch. Cris, Kel, and Omori just sat down on the couch with Kel sitting on the arm.
“I know that Hero doesn’t exercise . . .” Kel chimes up, getting a glare from Hero, “But Aubrey? You’re tired?”
“Shut up Kel, I use my legs when it comes to swinging Mr Plantegg.” Aubrey argues.
“That sound stupid.” Kel sticks out his tongue.
“You’re stupid.” Aubrey also sticks out her tongue.
“Guy, please calm down . . .” Hero sighs.
“Oh my . . . Look at the moon . . .” Cris speaks up, making everyone turn, and . . .
“Whoa . . .” Aubrey has stars in her eyes.
“It looks so close . . .” Kel is amazed, “I bet I could throw my ball at it.” Kel chucks his ball in the air, but it comes back down. Kel grumbles, and chucks it again.
“You’re not going to hit it Kel . . .” Hero says, yet Kel ignores him, continuing to throw his ball. Hero sighs, and turns to the moon, “You know what, this is relaxing.”
“If it weren’t for the smell, I would stay here for hours . . .” Cris chimes in, “Say Omori, do you think it’s beautiful?”
Omori glances at her, moonlight shining on her face . . . Omori nods, nearly blushing at the fact that he still has a crush on Cris.
And then the gang stop talking, taking in the beauty of the moon, and the calmness, all the while Omori takes in the same thing for Cris.
— — — — — —
In Pyrefly forest, the gang sit around the picnic blanket.
“One . . . Two . . . Three . . .” Hero closes his eyes, scared of all the spiders.
“Come on Hero, spiders aren’t all bad.” Mari chimes in, “They’re harmless unless they feel threatened . . .”
Hero’s breath hitches, and Cris speaks up, “I don’t think it’s working Mari . . .” She then turns to Omori, “Say, who did you get over your fear, Omori?”
Omori stares at her, thinking for a moment, but then shrugs.
“Darn . . . Sorry, Hero . . .” Cris turns, looking apologetically.
“It’s fine . . .” Hero croaks out.
“Come on, stop being a baby.” Kel speaks up.
“Kel, don’t say that.” Aubrey argues.
Before Kel could say anything, a spider falls out the tree.
“AAH!” Hero screams, trying to scramble away.
“Now Hero, what did I say?” Mari asks, “Here, let me show you how to prove that you’re not a threat.”
Mari offers her hand, and the spider crawls on her.
“See, Mari can do it.” Kel points out.
“Everyone has different methods of overcoming their fear, Kel.” Mari replies.
“Oh, so what Omori did to get over his fear might not have worked for Hero?” Cris chimes him.
“Maybe, maybe not . . .” Mari tilts her head from side to side, “Anyways, I better put this back to its home.”
Mari stands up, goes to the nearest tree which is outside the picnic blanket, then comes back.
The gang don’t notice anything wrong, however, Omori gives Mari a look.
“Ready to go, Omori?” Cris snaps Omori out of his thought, holding out her hand.
Omori nods, takes her hand, completely forgetting about Mari leaving the picnic blanket, and focuses on the fact that he’s holding Cris’s hand.
— — — — — —
The gang all collect round, showing their tickets that they ‘burrowed’.
“Hey, it looks like we can all see Sweetheart’s Quest For Heart.” Aubrey points out.
“Ew, Sweetheart . . .” Kel complains, “It’s so girly.”
“It’s not that bad . . .” Cris argues softly.
“But it’s pink!” Kel argues more powerfully, “And it’s about dating!”
“I’m guessing you think the same thing when it comes to Hero and Mari . . .” Cris gives Kel a look.
“Huh? What?” Hero perks up at his that, “M-Me and Mari aren’t dating . . .”
“Oh come on bro, it’s so obvious . . .” Kel rolls his eyes, “It’s gross too, don’t you agree Omori?” Kel looks at Omori expectantly.
Omori stares, glancing at Cris, who looks between the two. Then Omori shakes his head in disagreement.
“Huh? What?!” Kel huffs.
“HA! Looks like you’re all alone in this one, Kel!” Aubrey smirks in victory.
“Oh no, you got it all wrong . . .” Kel waves a finger, “You see, I don’t have cooties, whereas the rest of you do!”
“You still believe in cooties?” Aubrey raises a brow, looking at Hero, who just stares in the distance.
“Yeah, it’s real, and it’s dangerous.” Kel leaves no room for argument, then turns to Omori, “Don’t worry Omori, it isn’t too late for you!”
“Ugh, whatever Kel.” Aubrey rolls her eyes, “Let’s just go and see Sweetheart . . . And stop complaining, Kel!”
Kel gives Aubrey a glare, but Hero steps in, “Alright everyone, let’s go!”
The gang then proceed.
However, in the back Cris asks Omori a question, “Do you believe in cooties?”
Omori shakes his head.
“I know, Kel is just being so childish.” Cris chuckles, smiling, “Anyways, let’s catch up to the gang.”
Omori nods, staring at Cris’s smile . . . Maybe he does have cooties . . . He doesn’t mind.
— — — — — —
“Oh drat, lost again.” Kel puffs, staring angrily at the slot machine, “I swear this thing is rigged.”
“If you think it’s rigged, why not get off it?” Aubrey points out.
“I’m bound to win at some point.” Kel spins again . . . Kel loses again.
Hero sighs, “Kel, please, I don’t want you to get addicted to gambling.”
“Just one more time, I can feel it.” Kel replies, not waiting for an answer, and spinning the slot machine again.
It was a loss.
“Damn it.” Kel face plants, and Omori pats his back, showing sympathy.
“Maybe you’re just unlucky.” Cris suggests, getting a look from Kel.
“Well, at least I’m not as unlucky as you are when it comes to card games.” Kel argues.
“Oh? Really? I bet you that I can win!” Cris steps in, inserts the clams, and spins the slot machine.
“Tch, I bet one million clams you won’t win.” Kel smirks like he’s victorious.
However . . .
Cris won 5000 clams!
“WHAT?!” Kel shouts in surprise.
“So Kel, about that one million clams . . .” Cris folds her arms, smugly smiling.
“Eh . . .” Kel scratches the back of his head, “Omori, can you give-”
“You can’t ask Omori, that’s so rude!” Aubrey cuts Kel off.
Kel looks everywhere, then his eyes land on the slot machines, “Oh, I know where to get one million clams.”
“No!” Hero stops Kel, “Look, let’s just all continue our adventure, shall we?”
“Alright, but Kel owes me one million clams.” Cris says, and Kel pouts.
And with that, the gang continue, unknowing that Omori influenced the machine.
— — — — — —
At the Mustard sub, the gang all eat burgers.
“Man, these are so good . . .” Kel takes a bite of his burger.
“Kel, please don’t speak with your mouth full.” Hero reprimanded.
“Yeah Kel, it’s disgusting.” Aubrey adds in, getting a glare from Kel.
“Hey guys, I brought you more food.” Mari appears with a combo meal on her hands, “My treat of course.” Mari places the combo meal on the table.
“You’re the best Mari.” Kel says, this time without food in his mouth surprisingly.
“Yeah Mari, thank you.” Cris chimes in, chewing on her burger slowly.
“It’s my pleasure.” Mari smiles, sitting down on the table, “You know, we never really get to get like this . . .”
“Well that’s because you usually stay at the picnic blanket.” Kel points out, “Actually, why don’t you come with us on our adventure, Mari?”
“Sorry, but I can’t go long distances because of my knee.” Mari answers Kel's question.
“But how are you here?” Cris asks, “What about the picnic blankets? They’re usually far apart?”
“I’m wherever I’m needed . . .” Mari replies, smiling.
Cris gives Mari a look, but decides to shrug, and accept the answer. She then turns to Omori, “Something wrong, Omori?”
Omori is staring at Mari with an intense look.
“Something the matter little brother?” Mari raises an eyebrow, “You know that I’ll be safe, you shouldn’t have to worry about me, alright?”
Omori is hesitant, but decides to take Mari’s answer with a slow nod.
“Good!” Mari perks up, “Now then, shall we continue eating?”
“Wait, is that Spaceboy on stage?” Aubrey speaks up.
The gang all turn to the stage, and sure enough, Spaceboy is there, singing into the microphone.
“You know, I always wanted to perform on stage.” Mari says.
Omori goes back to staring at Mari was an intense look, meanwhile Cris looks at him with confusion and concern.
— — — — — —
The gang all sit around the picnic blanket, looking at Basil’s photos.
“Whoa, look at this one!” Kel perks up, pointing to a photo.
It was a photo of Basil and Omori at the garden, both smiling.
Aubrey is curious, then she gasps, “Omori is smiling.”
“What?” Hero looks over, “Huh, well that’s a rare sight . . .”
“It looks like you’re having a lot of fun in the photo Omori.” Cris points out.
“Say, who took this?” Basil asks.
Everyone looks at each other, and no one answers.
“Mari?” Basil turns to Mari.
“No, I didn’t take this . . .” Mari shakes her head, “But regardless, I’m grateful that my brother’s smile is ingrained forever.” Mari smiles, “You know, you should smile more Omori . . . Omori?”
Omori hugs his legs, looking at the photo like he wants to burn it.
“Don’t worry Omori, it’s not that bad.” Kel attempts to show support.
“Not that bad?” Aubrey gives Kel a look, “Kel, phrasing!”
“Hey, don’t worry about it, we all have embarrassing photos.” Hero reassures, “I mean look at me covering my face at the sight of the spider . . .” Hero shivers at the memory.
“If you don’t like it, I can throw it out Omori.” Basil tell him.
Omori observes his friends, staring at him with, knowing that they will still care for Omori no matter what.
He then makes eye contact with Cris.
“You know, your smile is kind of cute . . .” Cris blushes, glancing away nervously, “That’s just me though, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Omori sighs, and then nods. Besides, it’s just a photo, what harm could it bring?
“Alright, we convinced him!” Kel pumps his fist.
“Kel, you’re going to make him reconsider.” Aubrey argues.
“Guys, please . . .” Hero waves his hand.
“Look at you being all responsible~” Mari teases, causing Hero to blush. She then turns to Omori, “I’m so proud of you Omori for making this decision, that just indicates to me that you’re growing up!”
Omori doesn’t respond, only giving Mari a look before standing up.
“Oh, you’re ready to go to my house?” Basil chimes up.
Omori nods, and the gang all stand up.
What sort of new adventure awaits them-
“Hey Omori.” Cris whispers, “I’ve noticed that you gave your sister some strange looks . . . It was the same at the Muster sub . . .”
What? Cris wasn’t supposed to remember that?!
“Omori . . .” Cris’s voice sounds like it’s in water as the darkness surrounds Omori.
“Sunny . . .” Someone said, putting their hand on his shoulder, “When I said that you’re growing up, I really meant that . . . You’re probably confused, so I’ll just say this . . .”
“Happy birthday Sunny.”
NO, GET OUT, GET OUT! GET-
Sunny wakes up, heavily panting
That dream . . . It wasn’t real, it’s not his birthday, it’s not July 20th.
And yet . . .
Sunny checks the calendar.
July 20th.
Sunny’s throat closes, darkness swarms his vision, he’s unable to stop shaking.
Suddenly though, the phone on the nightstand flashes red, one new message displayed on the screen.
Who could it be? His mother doesn’t call so late. Kel . . . It’s not Kel’s number. It could be a scammer, though Sunny would be both impressed and annoyed at how determined they are to sell their product.
Regardless, Sunny reaches over and grabs it, brings it to his ear, and presses the button.
Hey Sunny!
It was Cris.
I hope that everything is okay over there, boarding school is really great!
She sounds excited.
The ocean is so great to swim in, the beach is beautiful at both day and night, and I’ve made lots of friends!
Sunny ponders if she needs-
Of course, I still miss you guys, being away for so long makes me wonder how you’ve all changed.
Sunny knows that there was no change to him.
In fact, I’ve dyed by hair blue, so you could say I’ve changed a bit.
Sunny images a blue haired Cris, finding it surprising how well it fits her.
Regardless, I’m not here to ramble about me! I’m here to say Happy Birthday, Sunny!
Right . . .
Anyways, if you have time, we can call at lunch . . . Oh wait, time zones are different!
Sunny hears her humming.
I don’t know, I’ll speak to someone about the time zones, and I’ll make sure to tell you when you can call me.
Sunny looks out the window at the sky, sun starting to come up.
Whelp, I’ll call you soon! Bye Sunny!
*Click*
The call has ended and Sunny sighs, placing the phone back.
For moment, everything is calm, everything is peaceful.
Until he remembers it’s his birthday.
Sunny hugs his knees to his chest and starts to cry.