they proceed to go to the park, and Monk notices a cyan Slugcat, who looks at him and winks. he blushes, for he does not know how to handle romance, or indeed, any social interactions at all, due to his years of solitude. the cyan Slugcat, only a couple years older than Monk, then says to her mother "that yellow cutie over there? he's my future boyfriend! <3" her mother, Alexis, scolds her, saying he's barely fourteen while she was halfway to her seventeenth birthday, and that she should look for someone more her age. the teenaged cyan girl (who is actually Rivulet) uses those puppydog eyes and pleads with her mum, and she says fine. but you need to wait until he's a little older, he doesn't seem mature enough to foster a healthy relationship. Rivulet giggles and exclaims "yes!" before running over to Monk and shyly introducing herself to him.
Monk is taken aback by the attention from the cyan Slugcat and doesn't quite know how to react. He's never had a girlfriend or even close friends, and the idea of a romantic relationship seems foreign to him. Nevertheless, he's intrigued by Rivulet and finds her shy introduction endearing.
As his family talks and catches up, Monk and Rivulet take a walk around the park. Rivulet tells him about her adventures in Rain World and how she's always dreamed of finding someone who shared her love for exploration and discovery.
Monk listens intently, nodding along and asking thoughtful questions. He finds himself becoming more and more comfortable in Rivulet's presence, and before he knows it, they've spent hours talking and exploring the park together.
As the sun begins to set, Monk realizes that he's developed a deep connection with Rivulet and knows that he wants to see her again. He summons all his courage and asks her if she'd like to explore the world with him, to which Rivulet eagerly agrees.
With newfound confidence and a sense of purpose, Monk sets out to explore the world with his new companion by his side. Together, they will face danger and adventure, but also find love and companionship in each other.
as Monk goes to sleep, he notices a frilly silhouette watching him and then running away. one moment he is confused, the next he is asleep. he has a dream that precludes his entire life with his budding romance with Rivulet. he sees them getting married and having a Slugpup, and them dying in a car crash, before he wakes up in another cold sweat, this time in the middle of the night.