Symphony in the Sky (A Your Lie in April AU and AH fanfiction)

Contemplations and Revelations

A/N: Because I have not able to found good videos or explanations about Japanese military funeral traditions and drills, I decided to once again took liberty and imagine it on my own.

And please bear in mind that my mention of Yasukuni Shrine and usage of Imperial Japanese-era patriotic songs in this chapter are not intended to glorify totalitarianism and militarism.

Enjoy!

---

Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, Tokyo, August 9th, 2018.

Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, originally built to commemorate unknown and unidentified Japanese Pacific War casualties, has now assigned another function, as the main final resting place for the newly raised Japanese National Armed Forces service-members akin to American Arlington National Cemetery. 

The 4th TFS has been assembled for the funeral of two of their pilots, Captain Alberto Akizuki and 1st Lieutenant Daisuke Matsunaga. 

"This is what I felt, and much worse than this, when I lost her after the competition." Kousei commented. Yoshiro can only nodded and reflect, as his fellow squadron-mate refers to his past with Kaori. Emi maintained her stoicness as always, while Natsuki replied. "I also felt the same when I know he's gone, but to be honest, time and music helps me to let him go".

Kousei looked at Matsunaga's wife, Tomoe, and her two sons as they arrived at the burial spot. 

"Ohayou gozaimasu, Matsunaga-sama. Watashi wa Arima Kousei-desu" Kousei greeted her and bowed in respect.

"Ohayou, Kousei-san." She sniffed, while trying to smile. Emi is behind him and said her condolences to the bereaved wife. Kousei soon added his own condolences as well.

Then Captain Nara arrived and faced Tomoe, with tears formed up on his eyes. "This is my condolences for you, Matsunaga-sama. He gives her an envelope; presumably containing money. The Symphonia 4 lead soon went away for a while to met with Akizuki's family, some had come far away from Peru to attend the funeral.

Everyone was seated until the urns containing the ashes of Akizuki and Matsunaga arrived on the National Cemetery, located not far from the infamous Yasukuni Shrine, accompanied by a bugler playing "Comrade in Arms" a solemn song dated back to the First Sino-Japanese War, in 1895 (video above). Upon the arrival of the urns, brought by 4th TFS ground crewmembers, along with two folded Japanese flags, the attendants stand up in reverence.  

---

Lt. Col. Hamada stood up to give two of his pilots the final farewell, stood beside him are Father Luke Takahashi, the squadron's Catholic chaplain, and Noboru Takeshita, the squadron's Shinto priest (Akizuki was a Catholic while Matsunaga a Shinto).

"Today, we stand here to pay our last respects to two of our brothers, Captain Alberto Akizuki and 1st Lieutenant Daisuke Matsunaga, who paid the ultimate price for the people of Japan as proud members of the National Air Force." 

After minutes of describing the service career and records of both pilots, the Colonel concluded his speech by mentioning their posthumous awards. "In recognition of their service, Captain Akizuki will be buried as Lieutenant Colonel, while Lieutenant Matsunaga will be buried as Major. Along with two-rank promotions, Maj. Matsunaga will be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Fourth Class and Distinguished Flying Cordon (1) along with a 1st Class Citation and a 2nd Military Memorial Cordon. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Akizuki will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Fifth Class, 2nd Class Citation and 3rd Military Memorial Cordon. Both Akizuki and Matsunaga will also awarded the Korea Defense Campaign Medal."