The moment the washroom door closed, the room felt even smaller.
Heavier.
As if the air itself had thickened.
The sounds outside continued—scratching, shifting, something dragging across metal—but now they felt distant compared to what was happening inside.
Stefan stood still.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Because he already knew what this conversation was about.
Nami stepped closer.
Her voice low.
Controlled.
Nami: "We don't have much time."
Stefan exhaled slowly.
Stefan: "I know."
She looked toward the washroom door briefly.
Then back at him.
Nami: "If we don't get stronger… we die."
Her words were simple.
But absolute.
Stefan ran a hand through his hair.
Frustration building inside him.
Stefan: "You're asking me to turn him into a puppet."
Nami didn't deny it.
Didn't soften it.
Nami: "I'm asking you to survive."
That hit harder.
Because it wasn't wrong.
Another loud impact echoed from outside—closer this time.
Something slammed into the main bunker door again.
The structure shook slightly.
Time was running out.
Nami stepped even closer.
Her voice softer now—but stronger in meaning.
Nami: "Listen to me."
Stefan looked at her.
Nami: "You didn't choose this ability."
She placed her hand lightly on his arm.
Nami: "But you have it."
Her grip tightened slightly.
Nami: "And right now… it's the only thing keeping us alive."
Stefan's jaw clenched.
His mind was fighting itself.
Logic vs morality.
Survival vs humanity.
He looked toward the washroom door.
Kiran was inside.
Alive.
Trusting them.
That made it worse.
Nami spoke again—
This time quieter.
More personal.
Nami: "If he becomes a risk… you said you'd change him."
Stefan nodded slightly.
He did say that.
Nami: "This isn't different."
Stefan immediately shook his head.
Stefan: "It is."
His voice was sharper now.
Stefan: "He hasn't done anything wrong."
Nami didn't argue.
Instead, she said something else—
Something colder.
Something real.
Nami: "And the mutants outside?"
Silence.
Nami: "Do you think they'll wait for him to make a mistake?"
That question lingered.
Unanswered.
Because it didn't need an answer.
Stefan closed his eyes for a moment.
The system interface flickered faintly in his vision.
The option still there.
Waiting.
> [CONVERSION AVAILABLE]
He opened his eyes again.
Slower this time.
Calmer.
But different.
Something had shifted.
Not completely.
Not fully.
But enough.
Stefan: "…If we do this…"
His voice was low.
Controlled.
Stefan: "…there's no going back."
Nami nodded.
Without hesitation.
Nami: "I know."
Another impact echoed outside.
Closer.
Louder.
The door creaked slightly.
Time was gone.
Only choice remained.
Stefan looked at her one last time.
Then toward the washroom.
Then back.
And in that moment—
He understood something clearly.
This world wasn't asking who he wanted to be.
It was forcing him to decide.
Stefan: "…We wait."
Nami blinked slightly.
That wasn't what she expected.
Nami: "Wait…?"
Stefan nodded.
His voice steady now.
Stefan: "If he breaks… if he becomes a problem…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
Stefan: "…then I'll do it."
Silence followed.
Nami studied him carefully.
Then slowly nodded.
Nami: "Alright."
It wasn't full agreement.
But it was enough.
For now.
From inside the washroom—
A quiet voice came.
Kiran: "…Can I come out now…?"
Neither of them answered immediately.
Because outside—
The scratching had returned.
Right at the door.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Patient.
And this time—
It didn't stop.