The protagonist is back in the real world, confused as to how he returned. His shadow no longer speaks to him, though they are finally reunited. The man is unhappy, feeling as though life has no meaning and the world around him is bland. He misses having a purpose as the Dream Reader in the walled-in town, and he finds his work pointless. He wonders if there is another version of himself still in the town, continuing with his life, unaware of him. Feeling the need to start on a new path, the protagonist quits his job, though he does not know what to do next.

One night, the protagonist dreams that he works in a library. It is a normal library, and he enjoys the work, feeling that he is moving in the right direction. In the dream, on a table, is a blue beret. Before he can put it on, the protagonist wakes from the dream and realizes his next step is to work in a library.