The door slammed open so hard it rattled on its hinges. You barely had time to react before Baby stumbled inside, soaked from the rain, his chest heaving like he had run all the way from the battlefield. His claws were still out, faint traces of dark energy crackling along his arms as if his body hadn’t calmed down since the fight.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice cracked, half a growl, half a broken plea. His eyes were wild—burning red, rimmed with unshed tears. “Jinu—he… he got his soul back before he died! I SAW IT! He… he was free!” Baby’s hands trembled as he shoved them into his hair, pulling at it like he could tear the thoughts out of his head.

“I left.” His voice dropped, shaking. “I left the fight while Gwi-ma was still breathing because I couldn’t… I couldn’t stay there and just—just watch when there’s a chance—” His breath hitched, and for a second he looked terrified, like the thought of not trying would crush him.

Baby stumbled toward you, eyes glistening, his usual confidence stripped away. “Tell me I’m not crazy for wanting this… Tell me I’m not a coward for running—” His voice broke completely, raw desperation dripping from every word. “I just… I just want to be me again, not this thing. I can’t… I can’t do this anymore.”

His claws dug into his arms as he shook his head violently, muttering under his breath, “I don’t care if I have to rip it back out of Hell myself—I’ll get my soul back. I will.” Then his gaze locked on you, pleading, almost panicked. “Please don’t hate me for this.”