DISCLAIMER: I don't own SHizNat, Nagi, Mai, Mashiro and Searrs Foundation. They all belong to SUNRISE.
WARNING: Un-edited
I'll try to update my other fanfic, The Aesthetics of Forbidden Love next week. But now try to enjoy this new one.
Chapter 1: Conquered
September 23, 1972, National Diet, Tokyo:
Homura Nagi declared Martial Law in the whole of Japan. He arrested all of his political opponents, affirmed a dictatorial system all under his rule and new set of constitution. To prevent 'international intervention', particularly of the West, he, immediately after his martial Law declaration speech, implemented within 24 hours the 'Closed Border' System across the nation. All navy, air and military forces of the country, athwarted the geographical and territorial borders of Japan and blocked all possible exits and entrances in the country.
All media: radio and television, telecommunication, and useful big business establishments were sieged and under the control of the central government. High schools and Universities were subjugated under military control and surveillance to prevent the widespread of ill knowledge or any backlash information against the regime of President Nagi Homura.
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My countrymen: I will lead this nation into a new decade, a decade of peace, harmony and prosperity, I will bring forth a Golden Age a lot better than our very own Hei-an...
All the shops in Bunkyo were all close, boarded with plywood and electric posts and embankments all over downtown Tokyo screamed with the posters of revolution.
… I hear the cries of the people, even of the uninformed, the naïve, and of the young, in which hindered, silenced by the corrupt and bourgeoisie culture of Amakudari by the bastard old men who refused to step down due to their greed for money taken from the taxes paid for and laboured by the diligent Japanese populace. I am here to eradicate the unnecessary burden with grace and courage of being manipulated and crippled by the dirty old fools of the same dirty old regime. Together, with me as your Guide, we will cure the nation's ills and rectify our errors...
Chaos pervaded the universities and classes were haphazard and often suspended.
… My dream is your dream, my legacy is your legacy, with these, in our beautiful land of Japan where the sun rises, and our future is in bravura and all clear ahead!
Barrage of bullets from the AK- 47s of the military is the first thing every Japanese will hear in the morning, a dead body either from a gunshot or starvation is your afternoon greeting, and at night, scream from a woman being rape by a number of soldiers or men bullied to death by men in uniforms is the new oyasuminasai of the neighbourhood.
December 14, Fujino Corporation, Kyoto:
It is difficult for me to relate this story because it concerns a woman for whom I have always had the deepest affection. I am convinced that I loved her as I had never loved anyone. If I did leave my life of comfort and wealth to be with her as I promised her, it was all for her. I know now that she was right and yet, I have not really changed. Am I a coward? Or did I really love her enough?
Every day, I go through the deadening monotony, undertaking the same old thing for the last five years. The company I have inherited from my father have prospered by any measure in spite of inflation, political turmoil, and all those pernicious disruptions in business under Martial Law. Besides, aside from being an economic power, my family is also known for our political clout too. My grandfather in my mother's side is a former World War II decorated general, hailed hero and was a Senator under the Liberal Party of Homura Nagi. Just like my father said, "The Fujinos are untouchables."
I still persist although no longer pleased with what I am doing. Why then? For family tradition? I have no choice? Or is it because I don't want to risk something against the norms of society, the government, and my family name which will not bring Natsuki back to life? I don't want to think anymore. I want to die. Actually I killed myself several times but I was always saved by medicine out of different scenarios of 50/50 chances of life. And now, my parents have me guarded 24/7 even while brushing my teeth in front of wherever bathroom sink afraid of all my suicide attempts. My head and my heart are in tumult and I wish Natsuki was here to ease the pain….
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It was summer in Japan and I was busy with exams, term papers, thesis and Student Council activities, but at noon, I religious went to the garden behind the building of Fuuka High school, in front of the Residence of Directress Kazahana Mashiro. Under the biggest Sakura tree in the garden vicinity overlooking the bed of roses Natsuki and I like so much. At one time, she said she was going to Tokyo for some academic research to do… alone. It was the worse news that I have ever heard from her. She will be leaving, I will not be able to touch her, kiss her small, cherry-red lips, and smell the sweet fragrance of her body mix with gasoline due to her motorcycling hobby. And aside from that, Tokyo is now considered as the 'Forbidden City' for many Tokyo outsiders like Fuuka because it is where the central dictatorial government resides. Now, serious doubts crowded my mind. I am badly worried of Natsuki.
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It was during the graduation ball that I presented the Bulgari engagement ring to her. She took the ring from my hand and said,
"You don't know how much I Love You, Shizuru. Truly, words are not enough to express the Love I am feeling for you… Aishiteru. "
A warm and glorious blush decorated my face. It was the first time she told me that, and… she gave the ring back. I was shocked. Why? She said she love me but why give the ring back? I cannot understand.
And then, she disappeared. Her friends and I searched for her everywhere including Tokyo. I even use all my family connection just to find her but we could not find any trace of Natsuki. 5 months have passed and I officially inherited the company from my father. I busied myself with piles of papers, business negotiations, paying our monthly 'security net' money to the government as per instruction of my father; to forget that Natsuki was missing for almost 5 months now and my heart is breaking for that fact. And also to have a good and concrete excuse to several suitors and oimiai my parents are arranging for me to meet. Yes, my parents don't know about Natsuki and I have no intention of telling them for I know that they will strongly disapprove her as my lover and (desired to be my) companion in life.
In the first week of August, shortly before university classes began, I received a call from Tokiha Mai, Natsuki's roommate in Fuuka Dormitory and best friend, who told me that Natsuki was back. I immediately went to the dorm but I saw no Natsuki for she left as soon as she heard Mai talking over the phone with me and have told me that she was back. I was devastated but not disheartened. I called again that night but was told she was asleep. She was avoiding me.
At the opening ceremony of the university, Natsuki's junior years in college, I waited for her at the doorstep of the School of Social Sciences and Anthropology, her college building, and this time there was no escape. I heard the roaring of a machine, a motorbike to be exact, and there I saw the same navy- haired girl wearing the same jeans and hooded blouse riding the blue painted beast. She had become thinner and she's looking at my way, at me with uneasiness in her emerald eyes.
"Why are you avoiding me?" I asked coldly.
She averted her gaze away from me and turned around before she replied,
"I will see you at our meeting place."
"No! I will not leave you till you tell me what is wrong." I angrily retorted back.
She bit her lower lip. It is one of the 'cute' expressions of her and sometimes it is my reason for teasing her…. but not today. Now, I find it so damn annoying!
We went to our secret spot in the garden and sat under the shades of the Sakura tree. Silence enveloped us for a while and then slowly and tearfully she began the story:
"As I told you, I went to Tokyo. And I also told you that it was for academic research. All of them were true; you know that I will never lie to you. "
Silence.
"They're all dead, Shizuru…"
Another Silence.
"…And I am the only one alive. "
Under my faltering mask I asked, "Who are dead?"
And again Silence.
"Who are dead, Natsuki?" I softened my words a bit.
"My mother and our comrades..."
She looked at me with the most fearful eyes I've ever saw. Yes, I adore those fearful and naïve puppy eyes of her but this time, it is hollow and dark. What happened to my Natsuki? What had she done?
She continued,
"I joined mother in Tokyo who is working for Iwasaka Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical corporation in disguise, working under and with a 'foreign interventionist' group named Searrs Foundation. Searrs is a bunch if CIAs and CIA informers, formed to liberate Japan from the clutches of Homura Nagi. Training and Familiarization is what we call the activity I went through with them.
One evening, on our way to the port where my mom and some of her comrades will drop me on a ferry back here in Fuuka, the weather became unfavourable to let me travel in water so we bivouacked in an abandoned warehouse just few meters away from the port. We settled and prepared ourselves for a nap when suddenly we heard rattling of uzis and a shout telling us to come out.
The armed men in our team readied themselves and their guns for defence and….."
Silence.
Natsuki stopped as if she was grasping for oxygen to breathe.
Irritated with prolong silence between us,
"And then?"
"My mom told me to escape and go to the port alone using the small door they saw after checking out the warehouse by one of her comrades, but I refuse. We are outnumbered so my mom has to fight too and I, stubborn as ever, won't let her do it alone.
One of the soldiers throws a flash bang grenade with sleeping dose in it. It was too late for us to escape.
I woke up and was horrified when I saw my arms and feet were handcuffed. And the worse of all, a soldier with crew-cut was above me looking at me like a dog in heat…"
My heart skips a beat. Is my Natsuki….
"… He started to touch me. I fought but he pointed the tip of his gun in my forehead, 'One more move like that and I will shoot you.' But I did not cooperate. I got him pissed enough to growl like a tiger and I was waiting to be shot but was not. I opened my eyes and was surprise that I was still alive. I followed the point of his gun and horrified with what I saw… "
I moved closer to her. Hold her hand and squeeze it with affection. Giving her the signal that everything is alright. Yeah, everything is alright.
"…He fired at my mom. He killed her instead of me. I want to scream but no sound came out. He looked at me with menace. I was so angry for what he did that I tried pushing him with all my might but he just laughed at me. He tore my clothes like an angry beast and forcefully spread my legs open…"
That was it. She breaks down and cries. I almost flinch in my sitting position after hearing that. I want to stand up, grab my naginata and slice the crew-cut guy into pieces. How dare she touch my Natsuki! My precious Natsuki! My and only Mine… My natsuki!
"…He started pushing, it was disgusting! I felt my body was like a limp, I saw my sex already coated with blood because it was already painful and he won't stop! I barked at him telling him to stop but again he continued thrusting. My body jerked out due to exhaustion and everything became dark."
Her hands were cold and trembling. I had listened with anger mix with sorrow. I want to scream at that very moment to release the tremble inside of me. I want to destroy not only the cockroach, I have decided to call him that, who violated my Natsuki but also the men with him who killed her mother and friends.
She looks like an abandoned puppy, so helpless, like a child who needed sympathy, and it is not just sympathy, she needs to be loved.
I told myself that I will not let those people, especially the one who violated my Natsuki live until tomorrow. As soon as I reach my office I will call all my family's connection, hire a killer if it is a must or I'll just do it myself for revenge.
I face her again and this time with all the gentleness and love I had for her,
"My Natsuki…"
Then pulled a small box from my skirt's pocket and asked her the same question the night before she went away,
"… Will you marry me?"
TBC
This story was inspired by the Martial Law regime of the Philippines in the 70s. I got the idea after I eavesdropped on some old folks talking about their experiences during the Marcos Era or Martial Law who are sitting behind me inside the bus on my way home.
The date Homura Nagi declared Martial law in this story is the actual date of Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.