I made my way through the greenery that hemmed in the city.

  If the world I had come from was like a dark, deep well, this place felt like a warm Ivory blanket, where even the wind brushed past with a soft touch.

  "There is such a polarizing world on either side of a single tunnel...!"

  If my existence was indeed light that had overflowed from the darkness, as Dr. O had said, then I was meant to live here, holding that light within me.

  It was a world radiating with such vibrant vitality and ivory-colored light.

  A sudden wave of dizziness hit me as I stared at the sky, following the clouds that flowed serenely enough to make my neck ache.

  I didn't know what I was supposed to do from now on, but in this moment, I never wanted to go back to Ebony again.

  I headed toward the address the doctor had given me.

  Standing tall and alone, unblending with its surroundings like a boundary line between Ebony and Ivory, was a massive black monument.

  It was The Monolith.

  After walking for a long while, I reached the entrance and approached the building manager.

  Pretending to know nothing, I cautiously began a conversation with the manager, just as the doctor had instructed.

  "...Hello?"

  "I've come at the recommendation of Dr. O. He mentioned there might be a place for me to stay here."

  "Male or female? ...?! A child or an adult?"

  "..I... I'm a male."

  For some reason, the manager scanned me from my fingertips down to my toes, then gestured for me to follow without even an answer.

  My eyes were drawn to a matte chrome sign that read The Monolith, which seemed inconspicuous compared to the building's grandeur.

  I followed the manager through a side door in the building's sunken area, half a story below.

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  We descended into the basement and passed through two doors. With each door we passed, they became brusquer and cruder.

  Unlike the lobby, the hallways were so tight that two people couldn't pass at the same time, with doors lined up regularly along one side.

  The different air quality, the smell, and the noise from people or things made it feel just like the village I lived in before I crossed the tunnel.

  "This is the basement. Originally, this is where the management Units take their breaks."

  "But, well, it's a waste to let decent spaces sit empty, so the Units lease them out to trusted people on the side to make some profit..."

  "It's ridiculously cheap to live in The Monolith, and the rent is practically nothing!"

  The manager spoke hurriedly, as if rushing me while I looked around.

  "Are you in or out?"

  The question was sharp and irritable.

  Another world existed here, driven by its own sense of indulgence and intoxication.

  As the manager spoke, a door was opened to reveal a room. It was a rectangular, windowless room with a single desk and a single bed.

  "..Um... What about the bathroom...?"

  "Oh, you can use the shared showers in the management office, and for bathrooms, there are some in the 1st-floor lobby or just use the public ones over there."

  "It's a bit inconvenient, but the rent is cheap, and you won't be lying when you tell people you live in The Monolith, right?"

  Hee-ha-ha-ha. Several people in uniforms who had gathered by then laughed as if this trivial matter was something grand.

  "...Ah, yes. I'll take it."

  "Good. Moving in today?"

  "....Yes."

  "I'll give you the rules. Listen up, this part is very important!"

  "Never come down by taking the elevators from the ground floor. Enter through that side door by the sunken area we just used, and when you enter, make sure to check your surroundings."

  "And for mail, use the address for The Monolith, Unit [ MB.U-03 ]."

  "Unit T, the entrance manager over there, will collect it and leave it in front of Room 3. You're Number 3 now, Number 3!"

  "..Yes!"

  "Anyway, nice to meet you. Welcome!"

  Suddenly, this place, where everything was unfamiliar, felt tiring and difficult again. My eyes welled up as if I were about to yawn.

  Why do I feel such longing when things get difficult? Still, I tried to console myself with the thought that I was moving forward, that this was the best choice.

  I stepped into the room and closed the door.

  This windowless, grey box of a space finally allowed my heart—which had been strained and tense during the journey here—to let go.

  I sat down and leaned against the wall for a moment. I don't know how much time passed, but I fell into a deep, feverish sleep for the first time in a long while.

  . .

  The sweat soon cooled, and a chill woke me.

  For a second, I wondered if all of this was a dream, but I quickly realized where I was.

  Was it day or night? I cautiously stepped outside.

  The dark exterior was a peaceful sight, like a room with the lights dimmed.

  Step, step. Cautiously, I climbed the sunken stairs and headed up toward the lobby.

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