Chapter 36

Shin Sakamoto opened his eyes and stretched. He had just woken up, but he was exhausted. Raising his arm, he looked at the clock. Shin grunted. It wasn't midnight yet, why were he in bed? Shin used to go to sleep when the sun came up since lost hope for the future.

He reached over to the side, looking for the bottle of sake. Shin picked it up, but it was empty. Irritated, he tossed the glass away, which crashed to the floor.

Stood up. Naked, he walked to the kimono. His head spun, and he realized that he was suffering from a strong hangover. Needed more alcohol. Planning his exit to any brothel that was still open - he well knew that some were open on the sly - he tightened his tie.

The loud knock on the door nearly knocked him to the floor. His forehead throbbed and he had the impression that his head would explode at any moment.

"Jiro," he shouted.

Saito used to sleep next to his. But the futon next to the bed was empty. Where was the sergeant? How could he have left him alone? Didn't know how much needed his?

Another knock on the door. He walked over and faced a shy servant who bowed to him.

"Sir, a Kempeitai soldier is down there. He said it was urgent."

Shin followed, still in chimo. He went down the stairs and watched a young policeman curiously. By the heavens! Each day they looked younger. The boy, clearly frightened to be in front of him, would pity anyone; however, Sakamoto was too exhausted to sympathize.

" Sir, I'm sorry to come to your house at this hour," he began, even before Shin greeted him.

"It's okay," he reassured him. " What you want?"

" Well, sir ... " he started shyly. " Us arrested a man on charges of violating the Peacekeeping and National Security laws.

Shin mumbled something. Anyone who was a pacifist or who showed opposition to Shintoism was arrested for the same reason. What the hell did he have to do with this?

" Despite being dressed as a civilian, I'm almost sure the man was Sergeant Saito."

Jiro? Shin raised his eyebrows. Shin dismissed the boy, giving him a small cash bonus. And then he called the servant.

"The sergeant left about two hours ago," she answered his question about the other's location.

It was just what was missing. Heads would roll if someone had dared to put a finger on Saito.

He went to the office. Shin called the police station directly, and someone told him that some arrests were made. After a while, the policeman checked the records and found that a man with Jiro's characteristics had been detained because he defied the police and did not carry documents.

" The name on the form? " Shin asked, sighing resignedly.

" He said a name, but I dare not say it to you."

Kicking the foot of the table, Shin asked the name of the prison where Jiro had been taken. After hearing the word Sugamo, he hung up. Then he dialed again.

About half an hour later, Ryo Satoshi came in the door. Just seeing him, Sakamoto could already see his latent bad mood. Ryo did not greet him, sat down in front of him, and held his face.

From the countenance, Sakamoto realized that he was not the only one who had been drinking too much in the past few days.

" I was sleeping, so I hope your call has some purpose."

" My head looks like it's going to explode. However, I need to get to Toshima[48]. I can't drive and I don't want any servants involved in it."

" Involved in what?"

" Saito was arrested. I will go to him to free him and destroy any lawsuit that may have been opened. But I like to act without close witnesses."

Ryo laughed. Their heads hurt from the loud sound.

" And I'm not close?"

" You are too indifferent to care who the Emperor's nephew protects or not."

" And who would care about that? " shrugged. "Tokyo knows that you are crazy about your lover."

Shin did not reply.

" But Jiro and I usually go to brothels only. So, many of the high society don't know him ..."

" And?

" And he could disappear as soon as the war is over."

Ryo raised his eyebrows. Suddenly, the interest became more visible.

" I will destroy the evidence and records of Saito's participation in the war. Many of the documents are in the Kempeitai barracks, to which I have unrestricted access. But Sugamo also keeps some paperwork. So, I need to seize the occasion." He breathed slowly. " At the end of the war, Saito will only be my servant, perhaps even my private courtier. Even if someone says he was at unit 731, there will be no evidence of such a thing."

"What are you thinking?"

" We will lose the battle, I already know that. I want to protect him from war crimes charges."

Is Shin Sakamoto thinking ahead? It was a surprise.

" I never imagined hearing him talking like that."

" Equally. I will be going this early morning to pick up my lover Saito Jiro, son of a farmer who has been serving me for about five years. Sergeant Saito Jiro never existed."

Ryo nodded.

***

Sugamo prison was built in the 1920s and housed most political prisoners at the time. Great, European-style, imposing, it would make anyone shiver. However, Shin did not think about any of that as he entered the doors and faced the guards who were watching him with alarm.

"Sakamoto-san " the night chief called, amazed. " What brings you to Sugamo? And at dawn?"

" Empire Affairs," he replied simply. " Take me to the room where the official documents regarding the captured prisoners are. I want something about a young man arrested that night."

" They brought a young man, but he didn't mention his name. When dawn comes, we will scan you to verify your identity and punish you with all the rigor. However, because he was brought so late, we just took him to the cell. It is under the power of the Empire, and there is nothing it can do to confront this beloved Emperor.

Shin took a deep breath. Less bad.

" The young prisoner is not an enemy, he is just sick, going insane. His name is Jiro, he is my servant. Take me to him."

Beside Sakamoto, Ryo Satoshi did not open his mouth. If there was one thing he didn't want, it was getting into more trouble than he already had.

Sakamoto entered the three-story building. The brown tone of the room and its unpleasant smell were not the only things that bothered him. When the soldier opened the cell gallery for him to enter, he held out the set of keys. Leaving them alone with the young, Shin finally realized Jiro's demented state.

Was he responsible for Saito having lost his mind? Shin, though inconsequential, was strong. Aggressive, he used words and moments well to let himself sink into despair. But he didn't know or didn't realize that he had taken Saito to the bottom with him.

" Jiro ... " called him.

The sergeant was sitting on the stone bed, a small thin mattress trying to give the bed a little comfort, but the reigning darkness left everything completely suffocating, claustrophobic.

Saito looked at him. His gaze was mocking, ironic, contemptuous. As fast as lightning, he stood up and ran to the bars.

"It is a bad thing to arrest me," he laughed, his forehead against the rail that separated him from Sakamoto.

Shin tried to keep his tone friendly but firm.

" Let it be a lesson. Don't get involved with Kempeitai."

" Is that why you think they arrested me? " The sergeant was serious. " No, it wasn't because of a street fight. They gave me a jail sentence after I said that none of them would be a coward with a civilian when the Americans came to our lands and kicked the butt of the entire army. I said that there will be no man left to protect the descendant of the Sun Goddess " he referred to Hirohito.

" As long as there Japanese is breathing, Our Highness will be safe " Ryo interfered, trying calm the mood.

" Really? " Jiro stared at him. " What if only you and I are left? I want everyone to fuck. But and you? Will you give your life for your Emperor?"

Ryo was slow to answer. He took a deep breath, furious at the placement.

"Of course," he lied.

Jiro threw his head back. His sonorous laughter invaded the prison walls.

"The people love the Emperor," Shin said, irritated, and about to advance on the mocking sergeant. " And the Emperor loves his people. It is for this love that we are at war, for the sovereignty of our nation.

" Remember that when an American stick a bullet in your mouth while raping your mother " the other went on to play teasing.

Sakamoto pressed his fingers against his own hands. His face contorted with anger, but he managed to control himself. Strangely, Shin couldn't hate him, although Jiro was hating him, maybe as much as himself.

" That's why I didn't kill myself " Saito's voice completed his thoughts, right. Shin felt his eyes well up with tears that he refused to shed. " Because I deserve much more than death. I deserve to be arrested and tortured. I deserve to be captured by the Americans, to be hanged without honor. Many times, in all these years, I wondered why the capsule was not broken by my teeth. But now I see why so clearly ...

Not taking it anymore, Shin opened the cell door. He advanced on Saito. He held it by the collar. Shin sounded angry, but when he spoke, he made it clear that his face showed despair and not anger.

" The patriotism of our army is brave!" He exclaimed. " Our troops fight with all their hearts, while you ridicule them!"

" Our front lines have been wiped out in all their positions. The Americans have already arrived in our country. Are they on the verge of kicking our butts and do you soften with heroism? Our soldiers are dying off from and" he laughed "Our dogs[49] are stiffer than our men! Wake up! It's the end!"

Sakamoto wanted to say more. He longed to scream, to beg for any trace of pity in Jiro, but the sound of a siren in the background made him let go. The trio observed themselves, strangling the sound. A soldier ran into the corridor and, flustered, warned them:

" The Americans!"

It didn't seem real. Somewhere in Shin's mind, he wondered if this was not a nightmare, like the many that his beloved uncle Hirohito used to have. He recalled the meeting he attended in 1940 when the defense minister stated without blinking how great Japan's victory would be. He remembered the confidence of all those present. Even when the United States entered the war, nothing affected the certainty that they would be the victors.

However, the siren sounded. Two, three, four times. And then more. An intense, strong, and long humming sound indicated that American planes were flying over his land, the beloved soil that had seen him grow, the country for which he vowed to kill and die.

" We need to go to the shelter, Shin! " Ryo shouted, pulling him by the arm.

Runaway ... Hide in a hole, like a mouse. A shame he never thought about.

With no way out, he let himself be guided towards the depths of the earth.

***

A few minutes earlier, on the other side of Tokyo, Mamoru Aiko was looking up. The sky was moonlit, and the stars shone with their eternal beauty and splendor. Sitting on the steps of Ai, he thought about the decisions he had to make about his future.

Shiro crossed over to him, and the courtier smiled at his favorite boy. He received a nod in response and felt his heart warm from shared friendship.

The little one had practically begged him to leave. Aiko knew that staying at Ai was not just his problem. It would be very selfish to force Shiromiya to live for Ryo, as he lived for Shin. Shiro was strong, Strong-willed, he would rebuild his life away from empty promises. For the first time in his life, he realized that he must follow his example.

"It's after midnight," he commented. " Do not go to sleep?"

" I was listening to the radio, and the radio host advised to keep the most important belongings in the shelter. I'm taking my box of money and jewelry and also my book " he showed The Black Tulip to the other.

" It's good ..."

"You should keep your things in the shelter too, Aiko-san," he recommended. " For precaution."

"I will do that, my dear," he nodded.

Shiromiya went towards the courtyard, where the entrance to the shelter was. Mamoru accompanied him with the views, until the boy disappeared on the horizon, descending through the door on the floor.

He sighed, getting up.

The gentle breeze blew against his face, and the long hair swayed. He took his fingers to the tussock and promised himself to cut them off as soon as he left.

Yes ... it would go away.

Tired, he had reached his limit. It was time to move on, to put his love for Shin in a dark corner of his heart, to forget the shared moments and live with the dignity he had left.

" Son?"

He turned to Nana. The old woman was standing at the top of the stairs and was looking at him curiously.

"You're smiling," she said. " What happened?"

"Tomorrow I'm going to put Ai up for sale," he told her resolutely.

Nana's face became purely happiness. He noticed the watery, relieved eyes, and was happy.

" It is true?"

" Shiro is right. There's nothing else for us here," he said.

Nana came down the steps. She looked forward to going to him and hugging him for the present. However, the high-pitched sound of sirens interrupted the moment.

" What is it?" She asked, looking at the sky.

One day, Nana had told him that life was a storm that was born unexpectedly, intensified quickly and, little by little, faded, leaving only drops of light rain, memories for those who stayed to see it leave. He remembered the words when an intense sound crashed into his ears. The skin heated up, and he felt himself being thrown back. Then, a wet liquid covered it completely, washing it from the burning fire.

The ground shook, and night turned the day. The sound of the explosions intensified, one after the other, like heavy summer rain. He realized that, after being thrown into the open, he ended up lying on the once green grass of Ai. Aiko sat down, watching himself. He was red, covered in thick, living blood, running all over his body.

He raised his face. Noticed half a body on the stairs. A pair of fat legs, that's all. He knelt, dragging himself to that piece of meat. On the way, an arm stopped him. It belonged to Nana, would know that skin anywhere. He looked around, the old woman's head was about five meters from the body, near the water source.

Suddenly, he went into shock, looking for the rest of the body. Aiko wanted to put the pieces of your mother together. He wanted it back because they were both going inland. She would live her final days peacefully and would die warm in a soft bed, next to the children she adopted during her life - Shiro and Aiko.

Another explosion. The rest of the body was lost in that pile of fire.

Mamoru's gaze was also lost there, watching the growing red consuming the flesh of the person who had loved him most in his life.

***

Shiromiya Kazue entered the shelter and found the Minikui cat standing around the sardine cans. He laughed, realizing that the cat had found that food paradise.

"It is for an emergency," said, planning to take him to the kitchen to eat the rest of the fish leftover from dinner.

Then he kept his precious box behind the cans. The book left more in view, near the bed.

He picked up the fat cat in his lap, preparing to leave the room when the sound of a loud bang stopped him. The whole shelter shook, and the emergency light flashed twice. Shiro remained motionless, frightened, suddenly aware of what that meant.

He dropped the cat on the floor and went to the shelter door. With a hand on the bolt, he opened it slightly and surveyed the surroundings. Everything was bright and warm. It didn't take a genius to realize that a bomb had exploded over Ai.

He called for Aiko and Nana but received no answers. He wondered if he should stay where he was - safely - or go after his family. The heart decided for him. Seconds later, he was out in the fiery courtyard, screaming.

He went towards the place, where he had seen Aiko moments before. In the distance, he noticed a man kneeling on the floor, holding something that he realized - haunted - was a human arm.

" Mamoru! " shouted. " Mamoru! " he repeated, facing the passivity of the other.

He took two steps towards her. However, something exploded beside him. Thrown to one side, he fell like a rag doll to the floor. Suddenly, silence. He shouted, and did not hear his voice. Was he deaf?

It was almost funny when he heard another crash again. What kind of relief could there be in listening to hell? However, it reached Aiko. He found it drenched in blood. He hugged him tightly. The courtier's body was stagnant, fixed in place.

Shiro tried to move it but failed. So Shiro decided to stay there and die with him ...

***

" I need to go to the Red Quarter!"

The Law Corps soldier stood in front of Sakamoto.

" The city is now just a fire pit, Sakamoto-san."

" Not! " Shin retorted. " Not! We are the city of the sun goddess! It's not true! " His despair was clear, but he worsened when he realized what had been left behind. " Aiko ... " he murmured. " I need to go back!"

"I need to protect you, sir." The soldier refused to open the door. " You can't get out of here. There is only death outside that door."

En as Shin began to scream, Ryo and Jiro rushed toward the huge massive door. It was locked. Then they both turned to the soldier.

"We are not from the Imperial family," Ryo said. " Then, let us out!"

" Opening that door is putting your Highness's beloved nephew at risk."

" I don't care " Ryo shouted. " Aiko is outside! Shiro is out there! I need to go to them!"

" I'm sorry, sir. But my orders are ..."

" Screw your orders! " Shin advanced on the boy.

The soldier, visibly confused, tried to protect the bunch of keys, but the other two men held him, while Sakamoto searched the pocket for the keys. When he found them, he grunted at the bundle of over a hundred small keys.

Jiro stole them from his hands and ran to the door. One by one, he started key experimenting. It took almost twenty minutes until he heard the lock unlock. Climbing the free stairs, they reached the top of the prison.

Running to the door, Ryo observed the city from a distance. The bombs had not hit Toshima, but in the distance, you could see the fire rising almost to the skies.

" Gas bombs " Jiro appeared beside him. " Those who do not die in the explosions will be burned alive by fire."

" Shiro ..."

"Shiro and Aiko must be dead," he said, shocked.

Ryo exhausted did it advance against Sgt. He took him by the arms and shook him angrily.

" Repeat that and you will be a dead man!"

" You can't kill what has already died."

Beside them, Sakamoto watched everything in amazement. That image in the window was the worst possible end to the holy war they waged. The flames rose, angry, explosive. Even there, far from horror, he could hear the howls of agony. It sounded like a song, intensified by many voices. Jiro was right, Mamoru or Kazue couldn't survive.

Raising both hands, he held his face, trying not to be insane in the face of what he saw. Suddenly, Mamoru's face watching him destroyed in that alley, the sound of his voice saying that he loved him, begging to stay with him, not to abandon him, not to reject him, mixed with the feeling of the touch of the skins, the sound of the groans in his ears, the way he demanded during sex, the way he caressed his face while he slept ... From the hands that joined since childhood so that they both felt safe ...

That Aiko ... Your Aiko ... Dead.

And then nothing else mattered. Neither the Chinese blood that ran in the courtier's veins, nor the feeling that he had been deceived for so many years, nor the time that passed ... All that was left was the love that still made his heart beat hard in his chest.