The mission was completed successfully. Upon returning to base, I heard people talking about my performance during the mission.

Jett did it again today,

I heard she was incredible today.

There were no words of criticism. That made it even more sickening to hear.

I reorganized my gear in my private quarters. Even if the mission against the other Earth is over, I don't know when I'll have to head out again due to a natural disaster on our own Earth.

Not even a few minutes had passed before a terminal message for an emergency mobilization arrived. Perhaps because I was already prepared, I was able to arrive at the scene immediately.

Please help me...

It hurts, it hurts.

I heard voices calling for help. How many, how many can I save? My body began to move again.

I have no memory of moving to save someone. Perhaps because I don't want to remember the desperation of that moment, or perhaps to avoid remembering the fact that I couldn't save them.

I saved many people from the ruins. The constant sound of screaming made me anxious. And that premonition was not wrong.

I found a child trembling inside a burning building.

It's okay, I'll save—

The building collapsed.

If I had moved instead of talking then, if I had entered that building just a little faster, I could have saved them. I repeated the mistake again, and a mistake meant failure.

I returned to base dejectedly. Once again, my teammates welcomed me.

Jett, thanks to you, more people survived today.

Yeah, get some good rest today. I think you've been overdoing it lately.

Hearing those words, sickening emotions welled up again from the deepest part of my body. I forced myself to swallow them down. I headed to my room. I could still feel the body heat of the trembling child on my fingertips.

After washing up, I lay on the bed. No matter how much I wash, these filthy feelings won't go away. Unintentional sighs kept escaping.

I'll probably have a nightmare again. How long will I have them? This nightmare...

It's always the people you couldn't save that stay in your memory more than the ones you did. I am always miserable. It doesn't get better. The warmth of that child still lingered on my hands. I slowly closed my eyes. I hope I can fall asleep tonight.