[LOBBY 5]

Masaru awakens to the boring perfection of that little fan in his wonderful white room, but this time, he doesn't relax. He sits up right away and gets out of bed.

So then, that would just leave Kenji, he thinks as he passes down the hall, his mind reeling with the possibilities.

He opens the elevator door, and once again, the doctor is there. He glances over and gives him a respectful nod. The doctor nods back, and he passes by as the doctor exits and he enters. It's almost like they're equals.

He goes to the second floor, checks the rooms, and finally returns to the lobby, where he sees him.

"Kenji," Masaru says.

Kenji stands stalwart, brave, and contemplative as he holds his rifle at a low carry. "Masaru," Kenji says with a light smile. "Good to see you. I guess the others are good to go,” he takes a tired breath, but there’s a resolution there now, something different in the mere sound of the air. “Seems like embracing our fear for the unknown held us back more than we realized, among other things."

Masaru agrees with a nod. "So, let me see," he asks.

Kenji pulls up his sleeve and shows only one black dot left. One final challenge for the veteran.

"Nice," Masaru says, showing his own final dot. "I have to go to The City again. I'm going to take care of my copy."

Kenji nods in solemn acknowledgement.

"So you’re going to be okay?" Masaru asks.

Kenji shakes his head. "Like I said. There are some things a man has to handle alone.”

There's a silence in the lobby. One of the nurse things pass by, paying them little heed, as if it knows they're at a point where they don't need anything from it.

"You don't have to do it alone," Masaru says. "Problems are meant to be talked about."

Kenji looks to Masaru, and for the first time, it feels like they understand each other. "I get it," Masaru says. "I hope it goes well."

"I’m ready now. You showed me that what I needed was just… waiting in me… Do you need help with yours?" Kenji asks.

Masaru is about to simply say “no,” but the irony strikes him as he realizes what Kenji is trying to communicate. The two of them stare at each other, and just as they give a slow, personal nod, Masaru speaks.

"Alright, sir. So it's just in our last fights."

"I think that's for the best. You've gotten everyone else out, now it’s time for you to focus on the end of your journey.”

Masaru nods. "Thanks. I think I know just what to do."

Kenji takes a deep breath, stretches with a groan, and then turns for the door. "Well, I think it's time we faced off with our demons one last time," he says. "It should be pretty quick for me, so if you don't see me around..." He gains a long, curling smile. "You'll know I made it."

Masaru nods, just as the question that's been pecking at his brain finally comes to the surface of his mind. He struggles to find the words as Kenji steps away. "Hey."

The veteran looks back with a cool face.

"You said there is one more person here, right?"

Kenji shrugs. "There was. He went up to his room after a while, never saw him again. I assume he died while I was out."

Masaru blinks. "You didn't check the rooms to see if he was okay?"

Kenji shrugs again. "He was sure of himself. I didn't want to insult him by treating him like a child."

Masaru blinks at the idea. He doesn't agree, but now he understands that's just the way Kenji is. "Alright. What was the room number?" he asks.

Kenji squints. "Uh, can't say for sure, didn't really come to the top of my head...”

The two pause again, and Kenji’s brow raises with realization.

“…But I’ll think about it when I’m at my last one. When I get back… and I think I will because I’m not quite sure who that gunman is yet… I'll write it down for you," he says.

Short on breath, Masaru nods. "Alright, thank you," he says, turning to look deep into the hall where hundreds of doors await on all the floors.

"…Thinking about checking yourself?"

Masaru hums. "I... I don't know," he says. "I'm sure it doesn't really work that way," he says, glancing aside in thought.

Kenji nods with a knowing smile. "Someone important to you?" he asks.

Masaru pauses and gives a long nod. "…Yeah."

Kenji grins and gives Masaru a pat on the back. "Well, boy, if we don't see each other again, it's been nice knowing you."

It makes Masaru feel strange, like talking to school friends on the last day of high school. It feels like a graduation ceremony, and they're all going their separate ways now.

Masaru pats him back.

"Alright, sir. Take care now."

Kenji waves off coolly as he steps towards the black doors. Masaru takes a deep breath and watches him go in.

“One more hurdle, and then the showdown,” Masaru says.

He closes his eyes to reflect on The Copy, what it wants, what he himself wants.

“…Okay,” he says aloud. “I get it.”

The clock reads 8:17 PM.