[Eiji snapped back in equal measure.] I can't keep believing that this consistent pattern of events is because of chance and human error.

[Because if there wasn't a cause, then that meant he really was helpless to do anything about it - and Eiji simply couldn't accept that. There had to be something he could do, something tangible and practical and within his grasp. If he didn't have that as a possibility, then what good was he?

Eiji's hands bunched up into fists, tightly clutching the sleeves of his uniform.]

I have to be able to do something about it, Emi. If anything happened to you, I'd...

[The words caught in his throat, but it was clear what he felt. Eiji would be devastated.]