Before the Battle

Family name 6/17

Three days later I returned to Kashima.

I didn't want to. The time with just Shira was amazing, and we both needed it. Unfortunately, everything must come to an end, and I couldn't put off my duties any longer.

The drive back to town proved to be much more problematic due to the snow drifts and took me twice as long. I had to be at the headquarters by ten o'clock, so I only went to my apartment to change my clothes.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and wondered how noticeable the purple spots on my neck would be. I pulled the collar of my black uniform coat up as high as I could, hoping it would cover the worst of it.

I noticed the piece of paper peeking out of the back pocket of the jeans I had just taken off. I pulled it out and unfolded it. The sight of our two names written in Shira's handwriting brought a smile to my lips.

The sight reminded me of our conversation about my family, and I went into the untidy bedroom and took an old children's book from the back of the bookshelf.

It was old and worn, given to me by my father for my fifth birthday. It was the only memento I had of him.

And there was another treasure in that book of colourful pictures. A photograph of my family. I wanted to show it to Shira.

With mixed feelings of sadness and nostalgia, I stared at the picture of my father in the red uniform of an Imperial officer and my mother holding my sister, who was still an infant at the time. And I was standing between my parents. My eight-year-old self, looking proudly at my father as he heroically headed off to battle.

And he never came back.

With a sigh, I put the photograph back and pushed the book back on the shelf.

I should do it. Go home, try to make up with my mother, make things right somehow.

The phone beeped, alerting me to an incoming message. I smiled with joy as I read the sender's name. Shira.

But the smile didn't stay on my face for long.

Taira, I have to leave Kashima. A friend of mine needs help, I can't refuse it. I may not be able to contact you during this time. I'm sorry, but it will only be for a few days.

The prospect of being separated wasn't pleasant. But I understood that he too had responsibilities.

Okay, be careful. I'm thinking of you.

I sent a quick message and he replied even quicker:

And I'm thinking of you.

The words made me feel a little better and I put my phone back in my pocket.

*

"I have heard some interesting information, General Imara," the black-haired Imperial officer I met in my office at the headquarters smiled at me mysteriously.

I had spoken to him often recently as we discussed the details of our cooperation. Each time he was kind and helpful, but my feelings towards him were ambivalent. He was the one who had told me what had happened on the base that night, he was one of the commanders who had led the attack on Shira.

His name was Daichi, or perhaps Daisuke. But his rank was Colonel, so I called him that.

"That captain who loves you so much..."

"Who? Marat?"

"Yes, him. He was here two days ago, asking questions again."

It wasn't anything new.