Chapter 100 - Hinata-C POV Days of Pearl Harbor (1/2)

Shuu fell asleep at the table as soon as the meal was over. Aiyama-san had mentioned on the man's stomach bruises at his sides.

”Seems he had been kicked and punched in an interrogation.” She frowned. Her eyes lingered on the young policeman's sleeping face.

”Why would the secret police do that?” Hinata copied her frown. ”I don't understand. The war is over. They were never like this when it was occurring.”

Aiyama-san faced him. ”Do you know why they thought you were holding traitor documents?”

Hinata shook his head baffled.

”Then they must be acting on orders of desperation. Something worse than air raids happened to the Chūgoku area. I've heard on the radio at the hospital.” She sighed wistfully. ”A lot of American soldiers seem to occupy that place too.”

”The enemy?” Hinata gasped. ”They're still here?”

Aiyama-san's frown deepened. ”They're _not_ the enemy anymore. At least, not what the news reporters are saying. Still, so much uncertainty.”

Hinata raised his brows, perplexed by the short tones to her voice. Was she angry with him?

”I'm sorry Aiyama-san. I didn't mean to offend.”

Aiyama-san sighed and relaxed into an expression of apology.

”Would you like to go for a light walk?” She offered him.

Hinata nodded.

They rose and eventually left the house for a stroll around the block. However, they didn't go as far as the hospital. Hinata found himself unwilling to move further. It was too soon for him.

So they returned to the house and sat on the front porch to talk. Relishing the warm autumn breeze that stroked their skin. The bugs were staying away from them,  keeping their buzzing and flitters around lanterns near the upward eaves of the roof's corners.

”About earlier. It's I who should apologize.” Aiyama-san bowed before Hinata.

”No. Why?”

Aiyama-san explained on why she seemed to be short with earlier. Hinata's eyes widened with surprise when he avidly listened to her tale.

She was once a nurse for the Imperial Navy. Trained at Hiroshima's navy base to be stationed on a cruiser that was planned to leave Japanese waters for an unknown location and purpose. The year had entered 1940, when she had completed her training to become a qualified navy nurse for her assignment.

”At the time, no one, except the higher ups, knew where my squad was destined.” She sighed and continued her story.

Her destination ended up being a place called Pearl Harbor, and her orders were to oversee the Japanese second generation on the island. Those who were being drafted for the Imperial Navy.

”I felt lucky that my assignment was away from front lines. It was a good job and the people were wonderful.” Her face relaxed into a fond smile.

”I met my husband at a bar there.” She dreamily recounted the moment she was wooed by a soldier of a nearby facility ”At first I was weary of his smooth smile. He won me over eventually.”

They were married within a month of meeting each other.

Just over half a year into their newlywed life,  new Imperial Navy cruise ships had docked near the island's shores. She was excited to be able to catch up on what was happening to her hometown from sailors of one of the cruisers, who had been given some free time to stretch their legs on land whilst awaiting further orders.