Anonymous Writer: I don't want to write this letter.
Anonymous Writer: But I promised myself that, once we could talk as equals, I would persuade you to accept my decision.
J: coughs Sure is dusty in here.
J: I gotta clean up.
Dust on the ground shimmers in the sunlight.
Anonymous Writer: I thought I would have the courage to confront you, then.
Anonymous Writer: I thought I could tell you how foolish and selfish you were. I thought I could make you proud of me by going to places you've never been and seeing what you've never seen.
Anonymous Writer: But now, when faced with a mission that could put my life at risk, I realize that I'm not as brave as I thought.
Anonymous Writer: My hands are trembling. My body wants to run. I don't want to lose everything I have.
Anonymous Writer: I don't want to die nameless, especially now that I'm so close to the life I've always wanted.
J: Hmm? When did you get this hole? Ah, sorry, buddy.
J: I shouldn't have kicked you.
Anonymous Writer: I keep thinking about what I told you that day. About how some people would sacrifice themselves if they had to.
Anonymous Writer: I remember the scared look on your face when you heard that. I was so proud of myself at the time.
Anonymous Writer: I thought, "Finally, I managed to scare him."
Anonymous Writer: But now I wish I could go back and stop myself. I know that scaring you is nothing to be proud of.
Anonymous Writer: I only did it because I knew I was the only one in the world who could hurt you.
Anonymous Writer: ...
"Knock, knock, knock ..."
Anonymous Writer: And now that I've established myself, I can talk to you as an equal.
Anonymous Writer: But I've found myself doubting my decision. When my colleague knocked on my door, urging me to prepare for our field mission ...
Anonymous Writer: And he called out my name, "Paulina! Paulina!"
Anonymous Writer: How I wished he were you.
Anonymous Writer: How I wished for you to open that door and protect me.
Anonymous Writer: But that thought only lasted for a moment. Then I understood where my fear came from, and why you were so scared when I talked about sacrifice.
Anonymous Writer: I realized that even though countless people are suffering out there, even though my colleagues have sacrificed their lives, even though more and more children have become homeless ...
Anonymous Writer: I'm not as brave as I want to be.
J: Phew. All fixed, finally. You're looking much better now, buddy.
The old hole in the door has been patched with wooden planks.
Sputnik: Mr. J, are you really selling the restaurant?
J: Don't worry about it. A new, even better guy will take over.
Anonymous Writer: But I also understand that someone has to step forward and stop this tragedy. Otherwise, our world will fall apart, leaving nothing but sadness and pain.
Anonymous Writer: A single drop of water can't form an ocean, a single piece of tile can't build a roof, nor can a single person put an end to a war.
Anonymous Writer: For a long time, humans and arcanists have been on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Anonymous Writer: Faced with this catastrophic event, we may all perish unless we stick together.
Anonymous Writer: But in the grand scheme of things, I'm just a blip on the radar.
Anonymous Writer: Yes, I'm just a weak, cowardly human.
Anonymous Writer: But I'm also a member of the St. Pavlov Foundation.
Anonymous Writer: I can finally truly say those words with conviction.
Anonymous Writer: "Some people are willing to deal with pain, even willing to sacrifice themselves if they have to."
J: This is a good spot.
Anonymous Writer: Piece by piece, we'll build a shelter. And one day, the rain will stop.
Anonymous Writer: We can't save those we've lost, but I believe that one day we'll reach a new era.
Someone waves from outside the door.
Legers: We should go, J.
J: ...
He takes down the photo, folds the letter, and smooths it out.
Then, he slips both into his chest pocket.
And just as she had once, he pushes the door open to leave.
