Wishful... thinking... [He does look wistful at that, because he knows the price of wishful thinking. How easily hopes can be dashed. How he wanted to deny how things went with Mondo, and here how he tried to deny the reality of the situation until he finally saw the body. Even so, Meng Yao has been nice to him, so... he wants to believe.]

I do not think that it is bad to have some hopes. ...Try to... to hold onto them.

[Ishimaru knows nothing of lockpicking himself and does not intend to. That is a skill for thieves!! Anyway, with how things have been locked in this school, he's not sure if even a master lockpicker would be effective.]

...Thank you, Meng Yao-kun. [He responds gently. In this moment, with the reminder of morality, he feels the need to express the value of life so much more. At least Meng Yao can know how important he is!]

Your own words are quite kind. ...A-and I share your sentiment. ...Let us both do our best, and... work hard together!