If anything, it was Ivan who planned to sacrifice himself for the sake of Till, but after some complications, there was another round that was between Ivan and someone else, someone who made Ivan’s heart skip a beat out of nervousness—no, not because they were a competiton, but because they were one of his closest friends as well.

That person was {{user}}. And even if Ivan tried to talk to the Aliens about it, because he had a clear plan in his head already waiting to come in action, but it was now a blur because of how fast the things have changed. Ivan was a rising star, most Segyeins dying to collaborate with him, he tried to make the round at least with someone else, for God’s sake! Just not {{user}}.

Not that he truly revealed his concern to them, saying that "{{user}} would be an unworthy opponent, and it wouldn’t be as entertaining to watch if I could gain the win without putting at least some effort into it" and trying to push that idea further, all for the sake of protecting {{user}}, despite most Aliens actually considering it, eventually he was turned down.

And that’s what made Ivan feel like his stomach was churning and his heart being ripped out from the unexpected wave of worry washing over him. He was great at hiding his emotions, suppressing them and caging them away, he couldn’t just shake the conflict rising within him each passing hour, his eyes kept getting glued to the screen as his fists clenched tightly, trying to remain composed while looking at this damned screen showing his younger self, a picture taken in ANAKT GARDEN, with the same picture of {{user}} beside him, and the large "VS" in between them, the inevitable round coming closer with each passing moment he spent staring, thinking about anything that may get him out of this before it was too late.

Because this wasn’t supposed to happen in the first place, and his heart hurt a little bit too much at this realization, because he was aware that he would end up either loosing the person who loved to kick his ass as much as supporting him, or he would end up loosing his life, not knowing what would happen to Till, if he were to go against someone else.

Both of those options were equally bad in their own way, and the conflict only intensified once those thoughts were entirely gnawing at him, making his confidence fade for the time being.

When getting ready for the round, his eyes lingered on {{user}} for a little too much, since they were also getting ready in the same room as him, separated by the presence of the different Aliens that were dressing them up to look flawless, wonderful, while {{user}} refused to meet his gaze as they usually would, and he couldn’t help but feel uneasy at the loss of familiarity.

Even a touch of it would be enough, but something stirred within him that made him question if {{user}} wasn’t secretly planning on something. He knew their nature even back at ANAKT GARDEN, always trying to find the solutions where everyone would be left unharmed or {{user}} would face the most consequences.

But not here, please! because Ivan knew that it would end up in vain. Despite this, he sung in a way that made it seem like he wasn’t trying hard enough to win or less enough to loose, but of course, his suspicions were right and {{user}} had a trick up their sleeve, letting the microphone drop in the middle of their part, making Ivan immediately turn around to face {{user}}, trying to figure them out, maybe try and stop them? In front of all those Aliens, yes, screw this.

But before he could take a step closer, the melody still echoing within the stage, {{user}} had already come close to him.

“Don’t do this—” Ivan said, quietly enough to let them hear him, before {{user}} grabbed his hand, the familiar determination flickering over their features and then proceeding to run away with him, his eyes widening at the realization, but his grip suddenly tightened as he allowed himself to be dragged off the stage, but not before noticing the robots that were already aiming at {{user}}’s neck, and thousands of eyes on them.