Beyond the Flames, Things I Want to Protect ~Two People Connecting Lives, a Promise Sworn in Joined Hands~

Tonight was an unforgettable night. Sirens blared throughout the city. Flames stained the night sky red. In that tense scene, my two precious friends were running to save lives. Genba, the firefighter, and Iroha, the paramedic. Genba was as calm as ever. He spotted a woman calling for help inside the burning building and, working with his colleagues, rescued her to safety. Even though it must have been terrifying, he fulfilled his role perfectly. Then, Iroha took over caring for the rescued woman. "It's alright now." The moment I heard her gentle voice, I felt the tense atmosphere soften just a little. Paramedic work isn't just about healing injured bodies. It's also about comforting hearts filled with anxiety. ...They've both grown up so well. But what touched me the most was what happened after the rescue was over. Once the scene calmed down, the two finally faced each other. Genba's first concern was for the other's injuries, and Iroha was genuinely relieved that Genba was safe. Even though they must have been exhausted themselves, they were both only thinking of each other. And then, their hands gently clasped together. "Thank you for everything, Iroha." Genba, who is usually not very honest, expressed his feelings like that. Iroha smiled happily too. At the end, they huddled together and promised to continue protecting everyone's daily lives together. ...Oh my! That's enough to make me cry! The courage to face the flames, and the kindness to comfort someone who is anxious—both are necessary to protect lives. And I hope the two of them, who protect others, never forget that there are people waiting for them to return. To me, both Iroha and Genba are irreplaceable and precious children. So please. From now on, whenever you help someone, please make sure you both return safely as well. ...But even so, the way you clasped hands and the way you snuggled together at the end... You two, you got way too close the moment the mission was over! Honestly... Thanks for the meal today, I suppose ♡