The Nemesis

Himari's Discovery

Sumiko, a fifteen year old girl,  was building a sand castle out in the beach. It was quite late in the evening. Aya, her mother was cooking in the kitchen. Hiroto was  reading a book on the most complicated surgeries ever done. Izumi was in the room, trying to paint a picture. She had no creative inspiration for the past week. She was staring at the blank canvas, pondering what to do. The situation has become pretty grim.  Though, Izumi tries to camouflage her sensitivity, by being bold and strong on the outside, but all this macabre news had affected her tender mind badly. 

Himari, Izumi's neighbour and best friend, was reading the newspaper. She said, "USA has joined the war, Fuyuko."

Aya said, "Of course it would, wouldn't it? Cant blame them though. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour first."

Izumi said, "Mom, just because you stayed in America for two years, doesn't mean you have to always take their side. Don't you remember the bitter experiences in USA?"

Aya said, "But what about the good ones? Think of Jasmine, Mrs. Johnson, Aaron. What about these people? Our neighbour Mrs. Collins. They were good to us, darling."

Aaron Collins, son of Mrs. Collins, that name always made Sumiko blush. Aaron must be seventeen by now? Wouldn't he? How is he doing? 

Alas, they are never going to find that out. 

Aya went on, "Japan is fighting a war without a cause. And no matter how patriotic I am, I cant justify their actions. USA is our future. We cannot enter into wars with it."

Izumi felt disgusted. Himari could sense the growing discontentment, so she quickly changed the topic. She said, "What's there for dinner?"

Aya said, "Takikomi Gohan."

Izumi said, "Thats because she invited you, Himari. Otherwise all we get to eat is Nikujaga."

Himari laughed.

Sumiko, finally completed the sand castle. She saw the waves were getting higher and ferocious. A storm was brewing. Lightning crackled, thunder shook the earth, and the sky was pitch black overcast with clouds. Dense fog had wrapped the place. The beginning of a a thunderstorm. So much damage it will cause. Destruction will strike this lone coast again. 

She was deep in thoughts, when Aya called out, "Sumiko, dinner is ready. Come on."

Sumiko decided to come back later and rushed back home. She cried out in delight, "Takikomi Gohan. Yess!"

She quickly sat down. Aya served her. Izumi was eating silently. Suddenly the sound of waves became more ferocious. Himari said, "Let me go take a look. Storm is brewing, it seems."

Himari went out in the balcony. After sometime, there was a loud commotion. Something smashed against the rock. Himari let out a scream. Hiroto was brought out of his reverie. He kept the book down, and asked, "What is it, Himari?"

Himari said, "There's...there's an injured man, out there. Washed ashore."

Hiroto immdiately kept his book down and decided to go the spot to investigate. He said, "Injured, you said? Aya, come with me."

Hiroto and Aya rushed downstairs and went out to inspect. Yes, a man indeed. But to their shock, it was a white man.  A man who was slender, but strong.  He had crashed onto a rock. A prisoner of war? Of course. He must be a POW. 

Aya said, "Oh my god. He is white. He is foreign. American, by his looks. I know."

Hiroto said, "He has quite a physique. A prisoner of war with such a good built? How?"