05's Dorm
Ivan: He was just about to slam the door behind him.
He wanted to block out the world; to never face it again. But for some reason...he hesitated. He hesitated closing that door.
And in that moment, someone called out to him.
Hitori: "Ivan! Wait!"
Hitori came turning the corner, and running down the hallway to him.
Ivan: "...Hitori?"
His natural curiosity almost takes over...almost. Swiftly his pupil narrows as he stares.
"...What do you want from me...?"
Hitori: "I-I...huff..."
They pant, gripping their knees. "...I was worried about you. What happened back there was, intense...are you alright?"
Ivan: "...No, I'm not. Why do you care?"
Hitori: "Why would I not!?" They say. "Even if you k-killed someone- you had your reasons. You were trying to protect someone you cared about, yeah?"
Ivan: "...I did."
He looks away, tears still dripping down his face.
"But it was useless. The secret, I...It was revealed. I don't know how they knew, but...but it's useless. I failed."
Hitori: ...They're quiet for a good bit. Their tail hangs low, curling around their feet.
"...But you're still here...aren't you?"
Ivan: "What does that..." He sniffles. "What does that mean?"
Hitori: "...Uhm, like, uh," They struggle to find words...until, like a flash from the sun, they hit them. "...Lotus didn't die for his secret, did he? He died to protect you."
Ivan: He feels like his heart just stopped beating, only for something to drag him back to life.
...Were they right? He didn't know. He really didn't. It's true...Lotus didn't need to take the bullet. Lotus could've survived, and he would've died with his secret...unless Paradi was going to tell it anyways.
He remembered Lotus's words.
"You didn't...need to sacrifice yourself for me...I just needed you!"
Hitori: "...Sorry, Ivan," Hitori says, head turned away, "I just...I don't want everyone to give up. I cant bear to see everyone like this, I...I can't! I just want to try to help someone...I'm sorry if I'm not helping you."
Ivan: ...
It hurt to do so, but he was able to give the snail a smile.
"You did help...I just think I need to be alone for a while, alright? I can't give up now...not when I have someone I need to live for."
Hitori: "...Really?"
Their head tilted up again, and Ivan watched as their tail wagged a little, the end of it thumping on the ground. "Okay, I'll let you rest. But, uh...if you ever need anything, feel free to get me, alright?"
Ivan: He nods. "Got it. No worries."
With that, he watched as Hitori waddled back down the hall, and into their own dorm. The small smile he had...it didn't go away. He found the strength to keep it.
Those words he heard when he visited Lotus's room...he remembered them, too.
"Just live."