Capítulo 4: The Light Calm Before the Strong Storm

- Ne! Ne! Aniki! Let's play hide and seek?!

Said the young boy who had put his hands on the table, leaning over it, keeping his face just a few centimeters away from Satoru's face, almost falling on top of him, causing the dishes to jump slightly from the sudden movement.

- Yes, Aniki! Let's play! We will!

Said the girl with her radiant and sparkling eyes that squandered her enthusiasm at the idea.

- Sorry Nakajima-kun, for they always end up bothering you so much to make you play with them.

Her sweet, soft voice came from a not-too-tall but elegant woman with long, straight blond hair that was tied in a side braid that fell over her shoulder from her shoulder to mid-bust. And she still had a beautiful and delicate smile that made that woman look like a true angel with crystal blue eyes.

- It's okay, Kurihara-san. I'm already used. And even if I denied they wouldn't leave me alone anyway. Probably would follow me around until I accepted. So at least it ends up being tiring bros in the end.

When he finished, Satoru took a deep breath wearily, remembering how he seemed to have only had time to sleep since he met the brothers two weeks ago.

- HA! HA! HA! You are right! We know all too well how these two can work! Surely they learned that from their older brother.

The man who had his two big hands on the heads of the two children stroking them and ruffling their hair causing some strands to be misaligned. He had a wide smile going from ear to ear and his booming voice echoed through the dorm giving the impression that he could be heard by everyone without any difficulty. His body was robust with very well defined muscles demonstrating the clear result of the training he was supposed to do. The moment Nakajima sees the bright eyes and wide smile, he understands from whom the two brothers had inherited most of their features. It seems that this is a hereditary factor with no chance of salvation. The resemblance between the father and the children was easily visible. However, there was a big disagreement between the three, since the father also had straight hair, however, dark brown like the hull of a tree and it was combed to the right side forming a topknot with the strands very well aligned, as if it were natural. that they do not mess up under any circumstances. In addition to the fact that Nobuo-san had a stubble on his chin, his body was bigger and with much more defined muscles than Hiroki.

- HA! HA! HA! Looks like you'll be busy again today, Sachin! Hey! How did they learn from me?!

- HA! HA! HA!

The Kurihara family's laughter was loud, so some people turned to look at them. With the exception of Nakajima who continued with a neutral expression, everyone burst out laughing.

From the day they met two weeks ago, the brothers went to see Satoru every day, making him willing to play and participate in their pranks and pranks every day without exception. He was even obliged to accompany them to the three simple meals and barely enough food to keep them on their feet throughout the day. Although at first he always vehemently denied it and complained a lot, accepting it after much insistence on the part of the brothers. To everyone's astonishment and surprise, including himself, in the last few days he had realized how he had become used to the always irritating and energetic presence of the Kurihara family and that he had not been complaining or denying their constant invitations.

However, on Wednesday of that week, when they return to the dormitory after breakfast, the soldiers who had accompanied them remain in the room. It is then that suddenly the door behind them opens and 7 more soldiers enter the room. Of the 7 who had entered the room, 6 began to group with the 8 who were already in the room, being positioned in formation and alert. Yet their rifles were pointing at the ground.

The only soldier who hadn't grouped was in front of the group of soldiers standing between them and the people in the dormitory. This soldier also wore a different uniform from the others. While everyone's uniforms were a t-shirt that was a little tight to the body and a pair of loose-fitting pants, but still tight at the hem and waist in a very dark green stained in irregular patterns of dull green. His outfit, despite being the same shade and model, he had a beret with the same shade as the rest of the uniform, in addition to the fact that under his left shoulder there were two medals, one being gold, and the other silver with ornaments of different colors. The gold medal had a thin, shiny red ribbon attached to it while the silver medal had a blue ribbon and another yellow ribbon of the same fabric. Already below his right shoulder was written his surname: Takahiro.

This different soldier of the group didn't carry a large weapon, the only weapons that were visible he was carrying were two dull brown-handled pistols that were stowed in their holsters each on one of his thighs. His body also had a fair amount of visible muscle, not short but not the tallest of his group, with a shaved side part of his hair showing. He carried a dark green clipboard with him in his hands. The look he directed to the people in the room who were waiting for his speech with expressions that showed curiosity and at the same time fear for the novelty that could bring a small relief of hope or another endless storm that would take it all over again.

Alternating his gaze between the clipboard and the crowd in front of him who were watching him intently, with a voice that possessed a calm and monotonous tone, he then began by saying:

- The names that I will say next must gather their things and form two lines in front of the door. One will be made up of women and children only, while the other will be made up of men only.

- And where will these people go?! What will you do with them?!

The crowd began to stir with the announcement and while some shouted countless and incessant questions to Takahiro. Several cores of murmurs and conversations superimposed on each other formed a real uproar.

- Silence! We'll just take them to another dorm!

- But why should only they go?! That's right! Say what you want with them!

Ignoring the comments and screams around, the soldier in the beret begins to pronounce several names, being men, women and even children, all of the most varied ages. The moment he started to speak his first name the screaming subsided a little and they started to hear him again almost as if they were being hypnotized by a snake before the right ending, hoping and praying that his name or that of someone they knew wouldn't go away. was pronounced. Out of the 12 names that had been pronounced, the names of Satoru and Emiko had been called out.

- No one will leave here! - shouted all of the angry crowd.

In the middle of the crowd, a woman who was hugging a girl started to speak, despite not being screaming, everyone started to pay attention to what the woman was saying, the crowd was completely silent to hear her. The desolate woman was Kurihara Saki who was hugging Emiko tightly.

- Are you saying that you expect me to simply hand my daughter over to you without even knowing where you will take her or what you will do to her?! What kind of MOTHER would do that?! -She could see in the way she pronounced the word mother the fury she felt at the offense directed at her.

Despite the peaceful voice, her emotions and feelings were evident in every one of her words, all her sadness, anger and indignation were conveyed so that everyone could feel a thousandth of what Saki-san felt at that moment. But they remained silent, for there were no words that could comfort that inconsolable woman.

- If you'll excuse me, Sergeant. - It is then that one of the soldiers who was in formation near the door places himself next to the soldier in the beret, he was a few centimeters taller than Takahiro, but he did not have medals in the left corner of his uniform as such, all he had was his name in the left corner, which name was Kazuma with a sly smile he continues - These are direct orders from the Government! Any resistance will receive due punishment! It's quite simple, you have only two options: Come with us quietly and behave as we say or - Private Kazuma paused for a moment, intonation at the last word before continuing - We will gladly take you by force!

As soon as he finished, he quickly raised his HK 416 rifle pointing it at the woman's face and then switched it to that of the daughter in his arms who didn't see what was happening, as she was facing her mother. .

The commotion returned, accompanied by more murmurs and much louder screams of revolt and indignation.

- What do you think you're doing?! Pointing a gun at an innocent girl?! You monster! Go away! We don't want you here! Get out! - The crowd shouted euphorically with force, who took a step forward to get closer to Saki and her daughter.

With this act, the weapons were raised and the crowd began to be in their sights, which despite some surprise remained beside Saki and Emiko.

- Put down your weapons!

- But, Sergeant! - Said one of the soldiers who showed his surprise and doubt as to the order he had received.

- It's an order! - Takahiro speaks louder almost screaming.

Sergeant Takahiro steps forward and places his left hand on Private Kazuma's left shoulder, bringing his mouth close to his ear while keeping his gaze fixed on the woman and her daughter.

- Ne, Kazuma-kun... - He starts whispering so that only Kazuma could hear him. - You were always so hard in training, weren't you? Always trying to get everyone's attention, wanting to stand out. So I considered you possessed the least bit of intelligence in that slug-shit brain of yours. Take a good look around you and try to understand the situation you are putting us in! - The Sergeant's voice was no longer in the usual peaceful tone, he started to speak in a more serious way letting his anger at that moment flow in his words, Kazuma didn't need to turn around to know the angry expression that Takahiro was doing - Look what just raise your fucking gun did! You fool!

Still looking straight ahead and with his weapon raised, soldier Kazuma swallowed the superior's rebuke, however it didn't take long for the scathing smile to reappear on his face.

- What's the matter Sergeant Takahiro?! I'm just following orders! Just like you.

- Following orders?! Of course! If you want to tarnish my reputation, I'd have a lot of fun watching a worm like you try. However, this is neither the time nor the place for it! As you said, we follow orders and at the moment you answer to me! It seems I should remind you, that insubordination is a crime! Even for you. If you are put on trial there will be no one for you to cry to save you. Did you happen to forget that Kazuma?!

Kazuma remained still without moving, even his breathing was imperceptible.

- If you're bored, put that fucking gun down and get back in formation! Now, Soldier! - The Sergeant ends up shouting the last word and his voice echoed in the room making everyone who was talking instantly silence both soldiers and the crowd.

In the next moment Kazuma lowered his rifle and headed for his place in the formation with the rest of the group still in formation, his disgust at that humiliation situation was visible.

- Despite the way this idiot acted, he is right to say that these are direct orders from the government, so even if they don't want to or resist, we will take them at all costs. And in case some of you are thinking about the slightest possibility of immobilizing us and taking our weapons or even killing us, GO AHEAD, COME! Because even if they manage to kill us it won't make the slightest difference, others will come and do you really think they left their little riot without any punishment?! Have they forgotten who feeds them? Give them water?! Does it give them all the basics they need to live?!

People began to look at each other, probably involuntarily and uselessly searching for an answer, a small, tiniest spark of hope in some look that would tell them the answer to this difficult and cruel decision they had to make.

Saki subtly pulls Emiko away from her body and crouchs looking straight into the girl's eyes:

Emiko, it's okay! You'll just sleep somewhere else for a while. Not to be afraid! You're already big and sleep alone, right?! - The tone of Saki's voice was calm and light like the peace of a sweet sea breeze after an intense storm.

- But I don't want to go, Mom! I do not want to go! Why can't I be with everyone?! Why?! I want to stay here!

Saki-san tightly hugs her daughter who starts crying. The hot tears that flowed from the girl's eyes and fell sometimes on the floor, sometimes on her mother's clothes, leaving her clothes with several black dots scattered and of varying sizes, along with her panting and trembling breath, they were hot and warmed her, but they were heavy tears. of sadness, farewell, loneliness and insecurity of a girl who feared what the future had in store for her...

Nobuo-san Hiroki and Yoshi approach both of them and hug them tightly, with Nobuo-san enveloping everyone in his cozy bear hug.

As they walked away, everyone started to look at each other with discreet smiles on their faces, they were simple masks to hide the deep tightness in their chests and sadness they felt in their hearts.

Yoshi was now with his arms clasped, looking annoyed at the news of his younger sister. He is the first to speak:

- You should celebrate, Emiko. You'll probably have a room all to yourself.

With the same cheerful and playful tone as always and her radiant smile with closed eyes, she approaches and strokes her sister's head:

- Besides, there's no reason to be sad. We'll still see each other at meals, so you can tell us everything!

As soon as Hiroki walked away from Emiko it was Nobuo's turn to speak, as he customarily ruffled his dear daughter's hair with his big warm hand before starting to speak:

- We will always be here for you! It doesn't matter if we're together or not. We will always be with you. Right here. - Pointing at Emiko's heart with the index finger of her left hand. - Never forget that.

Despite the uncharacteristically solemn and calm tone of his agitated father, his broad smile was the same.

Walking away from everyone with his backpack on his back. After a few steps, Emiko turns around and sends a wide and bright smile to all of the family who were watching her. Soon after, she turns around again, now heading towards the lines that formed near the door in front of Takahiro.

Satoru with the two backpack straps on the left side also starts walking. However, he is stopped by a hand on his right shoulder. It was Hiroki who was looking at him seriously, the glint of his eyes no longer radiant as they used to be, which caused Satoru some surprise and strangeness for never having seen him with that kind of expression before or even imagining that he could make an expression like that one. Approaching Nakajima's ear, he starts whispering.

- Take care of her for me. For us.

Sketching a slight sarcastic smile and sneering eyes, Satoru responds in a relaxed tone that was commonly used by Hiroki to talk to him, with a startled expression begins to speak:

- AW~ How scary! Since when can you make such a scary look?! It's not like you to be like this! If Emiko sees him with that grim expression, she'll be scared!

Eyes a little wide in surprise at himself, Hiroki remains still, unresponsive, just watching.

- Of course I will. IDIOT!

Giving a light punch to Hiroki's right shoulder for a moment he was so surprised by Satoru's attitude that it made him go into shock thinking about what he had done to his introvert and grumble Sachin. But in the next moment his glow had immediately resurfaced and his smile had returned too. Soon he was punching Satoru's left side as usual.

- Take care. And don't worry.

Also leaving for the queue, he stood next to Emiko. After calling all the names again checking the list to confirm that he hadn't forgotten any, the door opens after Takahiro makes a series of gestures that were not visible, as he had his back to his daughters. As soon as it was opened, he along with his group of soldiers and the two lines began to walk.

- AHHH!

As soon as the group of twelve people and the six soldiers leave and the door closes Saki collapsed to the floor in tears with her hands on her face she started screaming and sobbing as her tears streamed down her face and fell onto her clothes staining them more. still making the places where he had fallen dark like his inconsolable soul that was torn apart inside, for they had stolen a part of him. As Saki's weeping was heard throughout the dorm she was now in complete stillness only to be broken by those so Saki lamented having a part of her violently ripped away.

Nobuo, Hiroki and Yoshi were close to Saki. Nobuo hugged her tightly while Hiroki and Yoshio who were standing next to their parents snuggled up hugging their mother on either side, there wasn't a single soul that wasn't empty inside, for even those who weren't taken, those who remained felt the terror of being the next to be taken.

Both groups lost in thought trying to find a way to get rid of these feelings and chase away the terrible thoughts of what the future was in store for those people...