Hamada, a young Japanese man bound by honour and a high sense of diplomacy, was now set to be a symbol of hope for his nation. He was to part-take in a mission as a Kamikaze pilot. Such pilots were a desperate measure of Japan’s pride in not surrendering at the end of World War 2. Japan, having allied with the powerhouse of Germany, believed they were on the path of world-domination. However, the allied forces of Russia, Britain and America were proving to be a much more formidable force than anticipated.
“Hamada, please you don’t have to do it!” screamed Rin as the couple stood under a cherry blossom tree.
Considering where they were, it was the scenery of a heavenly dwelling compared to the rest of the country. Buildings were in ruins from bombs being disposed from enemy planes. Corpses staunched the streets with a vile and odious smell. The occurrence of seeing piles of infant corpses was so common that most people could feel sympathy no more. Hamada had lost his brothers and father during the war so if he didn’t go along with his mission, he believed he was nothing less than a coward. Rin, of cause, never understood the reasoning of a man’s ego.
“I’m sorry Rin, but I have to do it,” said Hamada while taking a cherry blossom and placing it in between her hair.
He knew his mission was suicide. A Kamikaze was just a suicidal pilot who deliberately smashed a plane loaded with bombs into their enemy’s ships. Japanese philosophy believed self-sacrifice to be the greatest endeavour a man could do.
“Why, this silly war is over, your death will be in vain,” said Rin who tried with her absolute best to reason with Hamada, to show that his actions were in vain.
“Remember Rin, when the cherry blossom is in bloom, I will re-incarnate as well so I will always be with you,” said Hamada, ignoring Rin’s pleading. He believed that spending the last bit of time with her was something worth more than any treasure. “Never has Japan had such a more wonderful night,” continued Hamada, with a sense philosophy that was the aura that oozed from him. A full moon in the night sky illuminated the cherry blossoms in that unique mauve colour that brought the best out of the cherry blossom flowers.
Hamada was correct in his description of the night sky. The clustered star-full sky made the Milky Way visible, verifying exactly why the Galaxy was called such. Rin could only cry, her heart too sore for her to respond. She fell on her knees while grabbing at her chest area.
“Oh they’ve come for me, I guess my time with you is over,” said Hamada as he pointed to an army cruiser that was coming their way. A privilege most Kamikaze pilots were given was to spend a few hours with a loved one to say their good-byes before going on their one and only mission.
“No! Please Hamada stay!” screamed Rin louder as she hugged him so tight. She would rather go with him than stay behind alone.
Hamada instead gave her a kiss so magical it appeared under the cherry blossom tree that Rin momentarily forgot the cruel fate awaiting him. He left her in an instant before she could even protest and ran to the army cruiser. Rin’s stubborn nature sometimes eclipsed her reasoning to the point where she just mindlessly wanted to achieve nothing else but her goals. She tried running but in vain, she fell face-first on the ground.
Looking up, her hopelessness was paralysing that she could not even stand up again. Protruding her hand towards the cruiser, Rin could only hold a cherry blossom in her hand for it was now the only link she had to Hamada.
***
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