No.6

The brain is a tremendous system, comprised of ten billion nerve cells.

It can be said that what we generally call the "soul,"

is just a result of the basic electrical and scientific process,

whereby neurons and synapses communicate via neurotransmitters.

However, as demonstrated in the previous experiment with the rat,

this process demonstrably occurs in other animals besides humans.

Once sensory input links to corresponding data,

the rat acts, driven by the survival mechanism known as fear...

Hey!

Why are you talking during my presentation!?

Well, the wind's really picking up.

The Moon Drop might start to cry.

Don't freak out, man.

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Was that an insult?

You shouldn't get too cocky about being selected for the gifted course.

Not when you wear clothes from last century.

Now, that's an insult... You want a piece of me!?

Safu...

What on earth is going on?

Let go of him, Safu!

Get off him!

Drowned Rat

Honestly...

You should become a martial artist, not a neuroscientist.

You weren't listening, were you?

To my presentation, Sion.

Humans are unique, in that society

provides us with a sense of self.

In other words, human uniqueness is based upon

the existence of an ego.

Say, is today the big day?

Huh?

Yeah.

Isn't that why you invited me along?

Not for that... The typhoon.

Oh!

It's supposed to pass through No. 6 tonight.

I'm pretty excited...

It's the best present I could've hoped for!

What are you talking about?

Anyway, let's hurry!

W-Wait, Safu!

I'm so glad you're here, Sion.

You've grown so tall.

It's been too long, Grandmother.

Hey, Grandma...

Yes, I know... It's finished!

Sion, happy birthday!

Huh? For me?

Hey, you still remember?

The first time I wore one of these to school?

You were the only one who said anything nice.

You told me it made you feel warm inside.

Oh...

That's what I said, huh?

I was going to give you one matching mine,

but your name is Sion.

So you're named for a purple flower.

Yep. Thanks!

Thank you very much, Grandmother.

I hope that you'll continue being Sion's friend,

once you're enrolled in the gifted course.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll go start baking the cake...

I'll give you a hand.

It's fine!

I did most of the prep work this morning,

so I just need to throw it in the oven!

I'm so glad that you liked your present...

Oh...

Yes, ma'am.

Since I couldn't do anything else for you.

Please, Grandma...

Sion! Come here for a sec.

Look!

Amazing, isn't it?

Wow...

Your grandmother made all of these?

You bet.

Some of these were made back when I was still growing.

Aren't they gorgeous?

That's why I don't need

any of those clothes made from special fibers.

Isn't that right, Grandma?

After all,

I never knew anything else I could do for you.

Here in No. 6, Chronos,

everything is provided for us.

Aside from gardening and knitting,

I can't think of anything to do

tomorrow or the day after that.

I'll come back for my bike tomorrow.

Okay.

Your present will get ruined.

But technically,

this is a present from your grandmother, right?

I have a present for you, too.

What is it?

Why are you doing the same thing my mother did?

It's not the same.

Mine was a behavioral expression of the emotional desire to reproduce...

The Moon Drop is crying!

It's been forever since the last time I heard the Moon Drop cry...

I guess typhoons aren't all bad.

A blister...

Huh?

A blister on the earth... Just like a blister on your skin.

Don't move.

Don't move.

I have experience with these situations.

I can treat your wounds.

Treat them...

You understand what that means?

What is it, Mom?

Did you leave your window open, Sion?

Window...

Oh, yeah.

Don't do that. You'll catch a cold.

Got it.

Oh, Mom...

I need to write a report,

so don't disturb me.

A report?

The gifted course must be difficult.

I guess so.

Well, I have a lot to do...

I'll eat dinner later.

I see.

Don't push yourself too hard.

We need to stop the bleeding.

You're enrolled in the gifted course?

Starting next month.

Impressive.

You must have a high IQ.

Are you making fun of me?

No way.

A Rank A classification from your age-2 exam

would have landed you in the best educational institution out there.

And if you've been selected for the gifted course at age 12,

that's pretty damned elite.

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Local anesthesia.

Wait a second...

Why is that necessary?

For the stitches.

Stitches?

You ever done this before?

Of course not.

I'm majoring in ecology.

But I do have a basic understanding of the process for suturing blood vessels.

Basic understanding, huh...

Your arm should feel numb soon.

Press this gauze against the wound.

You're pretty weird.

Wh-Why?

You haven't even asked for my name.

Oh...

But I haven't given you my name, either.

It's Sion, right?

Like the flower?

My mom used to really love trees and wildflowers.

What's yours?

Rat.

Huh?

That's my name.

Rat?

That doesn't feel right...

Doesn't feel right? Why?

Okay! I'll stitch you up.

How'd you get hurt?