CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“ENCOURAGING REMINDER FROM FORMER PRIME MINISTER TOJO, ‘AS LONG AS THERE REMAINS A SPIRIT OF LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR.’”

Showa 20 May 11, NHK Radio morning broadcast

“Good morning, Yuriko-chan,” Sumiyo said as she came out of her bedroom.

“Good morning, Sumiyo. Friday is finally here and Papa will be arriving soon!” I exclaimed as I finished folding my futon.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him, too. Come into the kitchen, and I will make you breakfast before we go to the train station to meet him.”

“Sumiyo, would you mind if I was the first one to welcome Papa? You could drop me off before he arrives. I’m sure he’ll want to walk after the long train ride. That’s what he’s done in the past. His arthritis is always worse after he sits a long time,” I said, hoping she’d allow me that small amount of time with Papa alone.

Sumiyo nodded. “Of course, I do not mind. I know you and your papa need time together. I will drop you off. Then I can have lunch ready when you both return.”

“Thank you, Sumiyo,” I said, giving her a smile. “By the way, it seems much too quiet in here. Where are Aunt Kimiko and Genji?”

“They went for a walk to the pasture to visit the cows. They should be back soon.”

Just at that moment, Aunt Kimiko burst into the kitchen holding Genji on her hip. Stray hairs were loose from her bun, swaying wildly on the top of her head. She seemed distressed and was out of breath.

Genji wailed, “Put me down, Mama! Put me down! I can run by myself!”

Sumiyo looked at me, raised her eyebrows, and then turned to Aunt Kimiko. “Is everything all right?”

“Naomi-san came out to the pasture and told me that the allies are victorious in Europe!” she said between breaths.

“Oh!” Sumiyo and I said in unison.

“It happened on May eighth, but was not announced right away,” Aunt Kimiko said as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

“Does this mean the war is over in Europe?” I asked.

“Yes, it does. But not in Japan,” Aunt Kimiko replied. “The news report stated that Germany and Italy surrendered. But Japan would not do that.” Aunt Kimiko attempted to flatten her hair with her hands. “Sumiyo-san, could you please help me fix my hair again? It fell out when I was running. And Yuriko-chan, please give Genji some breakfast.” She and Sumiyo exited the kitchen toward the bedroom and I could hear them talking in hushed tones.

“Hungry, hungry, hungry …” Genji chanted as he sat at the table.

“Yes, I know, Genji. You only need to tell me once. Please, go wash your hands.” As I ladled miso soup into a bowl, I thought about Germany surrendering. They were Japan’s ally, so now are we all on our own? Papa had said Japan was running out of supplies. How are we to make enough weapons or planes without any other countries to help us? I hoped that the Emperor’s divinity and the patriotism of Japan’s people were enough to save us.

“Yuriko, my soup.” Genji said as he poked me in the side, causing me to jump and spill some soup on to the counter.

“What? Oh. I’m sorry. Here it is.” I placed the bowl on the kitchen table and began wiping the counter.

“What are you going to do today, Yuriko?”

“I am going to pick up my papa at the train station all by myself,” I said.

“Can I come, too?”

“Absolutely not! You’re too young. And like I said, I’m going by myself.”

Genji frowned and looked disappointed. Since I had some time before I left for the train station and could use something to take my mind off Germany’s surrender, I generously offered, “But I will read Norakura to you before I leave for the station.”

•••

Sumiyo dropped me off a half hour before Papa’s train was scheduled to arrive. While pacing inside the station, I spotted a newspaper stand. A newspaper article discussed a city named Berlin falling. I stopped to read further. Apparently for the city to fall, actual troops from the Soviet Union had fought land battles while the United States dropped bombs on the city. I thought back to last June when the United States fought in France against the Germans. Would the Americans land here, too? Who would fight them here? Would the Emperor bring all our troops from the Pacific back to Japan to fight since there are not many left in the country? Or am I really going to have to learn better aim with a bamboo spear? What about gyokusai? I paced again with my fists tapping against my legs.

My worries halted when I finally heard the much-anticipated song of the train’s whistle and the clacking of wheels on the track before I saw the train round the bend. The screeching of the brakes caused me to cover my ears. As the smoke from the engine began to clear, I saw Papa step down from the first-class car. I ran to him. He placed his suitcase on the platform and held out both arms to envelope me in a hug. I could smell his aftershave, and a feeling of calm rushed over me. My world was right again.

“Joya, I am so happy to see you. How have you kept busy this week? I hope you were helpful to Sumiyo-san,” Papa said, his eyes twinkling in the brilliant sunlight.

“Oh, Papa, I am so happy you are here! And I’ve been very busy this week. I helped pump water for our baths every night, and I am responsible for closing the large wooden doors each evening. I make sure that no snakes slither in while we are sleeping.”

Papa laughed as he took my hand.

“I missed you so much, Papa! How was your week?”

“I spent most of my time at the newspaper. Did you hear that Germany surrendered and that the allies are victorious in Europe?” he asked.

“Yes, Aunt Kimiko told us this morning. Does that really mean the war in Europe is over?”

“Yes, Joya, it does.”

“I wish it could be over here, too.” I looked up at Papa.

He nodded his head as he squeezed my hand. And then, in silence, we began our walk back to the house. I decided that for the rest of the weekend, my only focus would be on spending time with my papa.