To Forgive or Not To Forgive. OMORI (Sunburn)

Part 10: We're All Friends

Let's turn back the clock a bit. Maybe a few hours from the last chapter. Sunny, Aubrey, and Hero aren't the only ones affected by the events of late. Let's see what the others are doing...

Polly didn't care who was at fault. Nor did she care who started it. To her, all that mattered is to keep Basil and his friend safe. At the very least, she's glad that Basil is better. When she picked Basil up from the hospital, she was surprised to see how calm he was. He was free from stress it seems. That look of depression, the stress over the years, coping with the death of his grandmother, all of the build up seems to have magically lifted away. She can't imagine what has happened. When she asked Basil about it while driving back, he simply said that a weight has been lifted. For as long as Polly can remember about Basil, he was a kid that barely talked or showed any positive emotions regarding the outside world. Whatever happened at the hospital, seemed to have a positive effect on him. Now that she and Basil have some time alone in the house, she wanted to have some small talk.

"So, is Sunny ok?" Polly asks as she sips some tea from the kitchen. "If I remember correctly, he's your childhood friend."

"Yeah." Basil said as he rubbed his black eye. "We might be different, but he's someone that I won't forget. I'm sure he will be fine if Aubrey is with him."

...Aubrey...

"Isn't she the leader of those rowdy Hooligans?" Holly asks in a distasteful tone. "Why is someone like her with you?"

Before Basil can answer, he sees a look of anger growing in Polly.

"Now that I think about it, isn't she also your bully?" Polly asks Basil in a more harsher tone. "I swear to god, if I ever see her face..."

"You've met her before."

"I have?"

"Yeah. She came to visit me yesterday." Basil said. "She's the girl with the pink hair."

Polly took a moment to think back and her mind clicks. She remembers the four young ones that came by to see Basil. Two boys, a girl, and a young adult. The girl with the pink hair did strike her as intimidating, but the way she acted wasn't very 'bully' like. Polly remembers the girl speaking out to Basil, but she never understood why. She guessed that she apologized to him.

"That girl is pretty mature." Polly said as she sipped her tea. "She went through the trouble to apologize to you despite everything.

"She's actually a pretty sweet person." Basil said. "Well, it was. She's a bit more rough as time went on."

Polly can see that Basil wasn't just making a story to make himself feel better, but something from the heart. Something he rarely does.

"Aubrey was actually the reason why I met all of them." Basil continues. "I owe her a lot to be honest."

Polly just nods and continues to sips her tea. She has known Basil for a few months and it was rare for him to speak his mind out truthfully.

"By the way, what is your relationship with the kids currently?" Polly asks as she puts her cup in the sink.

"I believe that we'll be back on good terms." Basil said. "At least, we're close to."

At the very least, she's glad that Basil is in a good mood, despite the events as of late. Polly was about to speak up, but stopped from the noise of the doorbell. Polly and Basil look at each very confused. It's pretty late and people of Faraway barely get out at this hour, let alone visit others.

"Were you expecting anyone?" Basil asks Polly.

"No, you?"

"Of course not. I was in the hospital."