"That sounds really tough."

Although he said so, the captain just chuckled.

"Yeah, today we had two consecutive flights since midnight. Although they weren't very long, it was already nearly 5 in the morning by the time we finished. Even though we rested shortly afterward, now we have this flight. Honestly, I'm a bit sleep deprived."

Saying that, the co-pilot couldn't help but yawn.

The captain nodded sympathetically.

"Yeah, looks like you only got a few hours of sleep. No wonder you don't look too well-rested."

"Ah, yeah, but even so, it won't affect our work. After all, we're carrying the lives of so many people. Even if we're tired, we have to push through."

Saying that, the co-pilot shook his body and regained his composure.

"You're right. That's our duty as pilots. By the way, did you ever think about how tough it would be before you entered this profession? Although the salary and benefits are great, did you only choose this profession because of the high pay?"

The captain teasingly asked, with a hint of malice.

"Well... the way you put it, Captain, I feel like you're the one who chose this profession for the high pay."

"Oh, did you figure me out?"

"... Even if I didn't, it wouldn't be too difficult."

"Is that so? Well, never mind me. How about you? What was your reason?"

The captain cleverly changed the subject.

"As for me..."

The co-pilot scratched the back of his head anxiously.

"If I have to say, it's probably because I've loved airplanes since I was a child. I used to always get lost watching planes in the sky."

Hearing this, the captain exclaimed in surprise.

"Behold, a passionate young man with dreams."

The co-pilot just looked somewhat troubled.

"Captain, can you please not speak so loudly? It's embarrassing even if no one else can hear."

"Oh, sorry. It's just that there are so few like you nowadays, I couldn't help it..."

"..."

"Right, right. So what about now? I'm really interested in how your mindset as a passionate young man has changed."

"... You always call others 'passionate young men'. Captain, are you doing this on purpose?"

The co-pilot half-opened his eyes as he said that.

"Well, don't sweat the details."

Since the captain said so, the co-pilot couldn't say anything else. Instead, he started to seriously contemplate.

"Well, now... I think it has become a sense of responsibility."

"So, it went from a mere longing to a sense of responsibility? That's quite a dramatic change. It could make a great TV drama. It would definitely be an inspiring show, and maybe you could even win an award. I'm sure you'd have no problem getting the Best Actor award."

Faced with the captain's highly imaginative thinking, the co-pilot could only respond with a face full of frustration.

"Captain, can you be more serious?"

"Ah, sorry, sorry. Please continue."

"... Actually, when I first became a pilot, it was purely out of longing."

Saying that, the co-pilot's expression changed. It was no longer relaxed but rather horrifyingly serious.

"When I flew a real plane for the first time, I felt an invisible pressure. It was only then that I realized flying a plane wasn't just a simple job as I had imagined. Every single life is in my hands, and if I make a mistake, it could lead to unimaginable and terrible consequences. That kind of pressure takes your breath away."