Six days later, Japan announced its unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces and with World War II at an end, American troops were stationed all over the four islands. With no news of his parents whereabouts, Jinpachi remained with his grandfather. After 6 months with no word, he resigned himself to the fact that his parents had likely been killed by the bomb, and so he and his grandfather finally went to the Shinto shrine to say a prayer for their departed souls. "Jinpachi," his grandfather said upon their return home.

"Yes?"

"Sit down, my boy," he entreated, patting the floor beside him. When he had seated himself, he told his grandson, "You will go tomorrow to your uncle HIdeyori's house." Seeing the look of sadness in Jinpachi's eyes, he explained, "I am too old to look after you properly. Your uncle lives in Tokyo and that will be the best place for you now that the country is rebuilding. You can get an education there and your uncle is better off than I am." He took Jinpachi's hand. "I also don't know how much longer I'll be around," he said affectionately. "I am 85 after all."

The boy didn't look too pleased about that thought either. "If you think that is best, Oji-sama, I will go."

"That doesn't mean I don't want you and your uncle to visit myself and your grandmother from time to time," he gently chided.

Jinpachi smiled a little at his statement. "When will I go?"

"In a few days. Your uncle needs some time to prepare."

He was relieved that he would have some time to adjust to the idea. It would be hard to leave his grandfather, as he had always been very attached to him.

Two days later, standing on the train platform, Jinpachi tried not to cry as he said goodbye to his grandfather. The old man also was finding it difficult to see him off and tried to wipe his watery eyes without being too obvious. Taking Jinpachi's hand, he placed a handful of coins in it. It wasn't a lot of money, but Jinpachi knew that his grandfather didn't have much to begin with. "This is for you. Buy something nice to eat when you get to Tokyo", he encouraged.

"I will." Boarding the train, he took a seat by a window and nearly began to cry when he saw his old grandfather hobble to his window. Waving his thin arm shakily, he walked alongside the train as it left the station as quickly as he could. "Goodbye, Oji-sama," Jinpachi said softly. Sitting down, he said a small prayer requesting that his grandfather be kept safe and in good health for many years.

Getting off the train, Jinpachi was amazed at what he saw. Though he had heard that Tokyo had been in the process of rebuilding after the end of the war, he could never have imagined that so much could have been accomplished in only half a year. He had expected to see a city that looked much like his home had but instead, he found himself in a bustling metropolis. The people here wore western clothing and the men had their hair cut very short. Groups of American soldiers were scattered here and there, maintaining a watch on the denizens of Tokyo. The buildings in the city were larger than anything he had seen in Hiroshima and it was so much more populous than he had conceived. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, he looked around for his uncle.

"Mishima, Jinpachi?" a deep voice behind him said.

Turning around, he saw a slightly overweight man with a large mustache and short, slicked back hair. "Uncle Hideyori?"

"Konichiwa!" He smiled welcomingly at the boy. "How was your trip over?"

"Fine, thank you," Jinpachi said, feeling shy.

"Well," he continued, "come with me, we have a lot to do."

"A lot to do?" he parroted.

His uncle laughed at his confusion. "Well, you're six now, and your grandfather told me you don't know how to read or write. We have to get you enrolled in a school. And I'm going to show you how I run my textile mill. I don't have any children, so when I'm gone, you'll be my successor." He put a meaty arm around Jinpachi's slender shoulders. "Let me tell you, Jinpachi-kun, there's nothing like the feeling of working for a living."

Excited at the thought of getting both an education and a job, Jinpachi bowed to his uncle in gratitude and felt less nervous about his relocation to Tokyo. Though he thought he couldn't be any more amazed at what he saw, his mouth fell open when he saw his uncle's house. "Tsaiko-des!" he exclaimed, seeing what appeared to him to be palatial accommodations.

"This will be your room, nephew." His uncle showed him a room that was large enough to fit his grandfather's entire hut.

"Arigato," was all he could say.

"You're welcome. Well, get washed up and have a rest. You've got a big day tomorrow." His uncle patted his shoulder and left the room.

Walking to the middle of the room, Jinpachi sat on the floor and suddenly felt very lonely. Though Tokyo was beautiful, he couldn't help missing his grandfather. Taking out the handful of coins he had given him, he pulled out an old handkerchief and tied the money inside it. Placing it under his bedding, he again said a prayer for his grandfather's health before falling asleep.

konichiwa: good day

tsaiko-des: amazing