The door closed softly.
The sound lingered longer than it should have.
Shunya stared at the wooden frame where Naomi had stood moments ago. Her words still pressed against his chest, heavier than the pain in his ribs. You matter. Not because you fight. Not because the system adapts. But because you exist.
Exist.
The word echoed strangely in his head.
He did not notice Vikoria at first.
She stood just outside the door, hand still resting on the handle, listening to the silence inside. She had not meant to hear anything. But she had heard enough. Voices lowered. Tension sharp enough to bleed through walls.
She waited a moment longer before stepping in.
Shunya turned his head when he sensed movement.
"Oh,Vikoria!" he said quietly. "You are here, I thought you were resting."
