"Sunny joins the Hooligans"

Part 4

Returned to the empty solitude of White Space, Sunny blankly stared towards the nonexistent ceiling. Awaiting the arrival of his monochrome doppelgänger... yet it didn't show up. Perhaps it didn't expect him to arrive so suddenly, or perhaps it was currently preoccupied within Headspace... but that wouldn't make sense. He stood up, glancing around the empty space. It looked exactly the same as he remembered it every time he woke up here. The white door stood strong too, casting a faint shadow. Sunny felt drawn to it, even outside of Omori's body. Hesitation was visible as he approached the doorway, receiving a feeling that he shouldn't open that door.

Yet curiosity would triumph against dread, and he grabbed the Doorknob. Pulling the door open, his vision was briefly blinded as the scenery was now filled with vibrant and warm colors. It felt like a children's playroom. Cards, toys and occasionally food were scattered around the interior of the Bedroom. Tilting his head upwards, the presence of the Big Yellow Cat cast an intimidating presence... but it quickly subsided. Sunny felt safe around him, protected. Such is the purpose of this great beast. He took a few steps inward, exploring the interior of this room with genuine curiosity, touching and flipping around anything he came across. This childlike exploration continued until a new sound came from above him. The sound of footsteps rapidly tapping, descending closer and closer to him.

Sunny instinctively backed up, awaiting the approach of these figures from the Stairway. Curiosity and concern swirled behind his typically blank expression, now featuring slightly widened eyes to represent these emotions. When the sound finally reached the bottom, he was greeted by... three kids. Well, 2 kids and a teenager. "Hey, dude! You're back!" Kel immediately ran up to Sunny in preparation to hug him, abruptly coming to a halt when the realization came to him. "Wait... something's different about you..." Kel trailed on, holding a hand beneath his chin as he looked Sunny up and down. His eyes squinted lightly before it hit him. "I know! You have a new haircut!" Kel snapped his fingers, now displaying a prideful expression.

Aubrey watched this with an annoyed expression, proceeding to punch him in the Shoulder. "No, you dummy! Look at him! He's taller! And his... everything is different! I..." Aubrey trailed on, briefly struggling to get the words out. "I didn't know Omori could get any MORE handsome!" Aubrey exclaimed with sparkling eyes and a gasping expression, running up to Sunny and throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. He looks down at the two of them. They felt so familiar... yet appeared so different from what he remembers. He placed a hand atop Aubrey's head, unsure of how else to respond. Hero then approached, taking a moment to observe Sunny's appearance.

"He does look a little different... but that doesn't mean he's any different from the Omori we all know! Actually, I have an idea! Since Omori is here now, let's surprise Mari with his sudden changes." Hero stated, prompting Sunny's expression to shift lightly out of curiosity. "I'm... Omori?" Sunny asked with an innocent voice, pointing at himself. "Yes, that is your name. Are you sure you're okay? We can wait until you're ready to leave!" Hero replied with a smile, displaying his parental traits as usual. Kel awaited his response, sticking his tongue out towards Aubrey in disgust towards her hug. "N-No... I'm ready." Sunny replied, which then prompted Aubrey to release him; But still hovering around him. "Alright then! Let's go and see Mari!" Hero said before placing himself behind Sunny, along with Aubrey and Kel.

He glanced back at the three of them, initially confused why they placed themselves behind him. Then it occurred to him, Omori must be the leader of the group. Well... in a situation like this, the best course of action was to go forward. So that's exactly what he did, leading the group up the Stairs and outside the Neighbor's Room. The Big Yellow Cat observed them with curiosity. "Hm... the Dreamer shows his true form. Perhaps something is going to happen." He said, becoming silent once more within this empty room. Reaching the light at the end of the Stairway, Sunny managed to climb out through a hole in a Stump, taking a bit of effort to do so. Yet the others seem to climb out just fine. He glanced around, observing his surroundings. They now stood within a Vast Forest.