Umm... Hi? I apologise for not updating . I know it has been a month or more, but stuff happened and I couldn't write and also I got a major writers block and the list goes on... Sooo, I wrote a chapter which is very important, it may be short but I felt that it couldn't be larger because it will lose its meaning, so... yeah, sounds lame even for me :p
Also, thank you all, beautiful reviewers for telling me if you are liking the story and what can I do to improve it. I apologise for the grammar and orthographic mistakes there may be, since I don't have a proof reader or anything of the sorts, I can't correct all the mistakes, but I do my best to correct the majority.
Thank you again tomaso for pointing out my stupid mistake of misspelling 'Potsdam' and the typing errors. Also, when I asked for the location where the meeting took place, I meant the Suzuki cabinet meeting in Japan, but thanks for answering anyway :)
Please enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 10
The Emperor
Yamada Misaki
Meeting place, secret location
August 10th, 1945, 00:10 am.
Five days before Japan's surrender
We have arrived to the meeting place. I recognize all of the faces that are now discussing about the Potsdam Declaration. Among them all, I pay special attention to Korechika Anami, the War Minister, and Suzuki Kantarō, the Prime Minister. Suzuki is currently exposing the four conditions against surrender, which seemed to have been proposed by Anami according to what other generals say. However, Honda-donno isn't paying attention. He seems desperate and has been looking towards his Highness since we arrived. Finally, the four conditions have been exposed, but before Anami could address the Emperor, Hiranuma Kiichirō spoke. He exposes many arguments, most of them based on internal problems, that suggest that surrendering is the best option.
Now, the cabinet is divided into two different postures. Both, Anami and Kiichirō are preparing to address the Emperor, who has a trouble face. Before anyone can speak, Honda-donno stands up, facing the Emperor. Contrary to what he looked like while traveling, the Honda-donno now has regained his strength.
"Your Highness, a word with you" commands Japan with a cold dried voice. Anami and Kiichirō look towards Honda-donno and Anami even tells him how disrespectful were his words towards the Emperor, but his Highness quickly shuts the War Minister and orders for everyone to leave the room. Naturally, Honda-donno keeps me in the room.
"Speak what you must" says Emperor Hirohito without moving from his spot. His expression has become neutral and his body is rigid.
Contrary to all my expectations, Honda-donno does a pleading bow. He arcs his back so that his forehead is touching the floor.
"Please, stop this war!" my master is shaking again. A horrible feeling fills the room and I have a sudden urge to scream and cry. The Emperor is not really affected and remains silent.
"Pleas, I beg of you...Hirohito" the Emperor reacts to his name and again, the troubled expression surfaces "Your soldiers are dying, the townspeople suffer from hunger, thousands of people died because of those bombs! You cannot continue with this madness!" Honda-donno has raised his body lightly and endless tears flow from his eyes. With one arm, he covers the areas of his body that have been damaged.
The Emperor looks at me and, although I know that I mustn't look the Emperor in the eye, I can't help maintaining eye contact with him. He seems to be looking for an answer, probably for one I don't have. He finally turns back to Honda-donno, relieving me form my nervousness and leaving guilt behind.
"Can I take your word in this? Must I trust your judgement?" asks the Emperor returning to his neutral self. Honda-donno raises his body so that he is sitting on his legs. He is confused and the tears have stopped.
"What do you mean Hirohito?" Japan carefully composes himself again.
"Are you really doing this for the sake of my people? Or are you doing this for you? Aren't you being selfish?" accuses Emperor Hirohito cruelly.
Japan's dumbfounded face turns into anger and without previous warning, my master stands up and grabs the Emperor by the shirt. I'm about to protest and try to control Honda-donno, but for whatever reason, I can't move.
"What do you think you are saying?! Have you forgotten I am Japan itself?! I wouldn't be saying this if the people weren't suffering!" he shouts right in the Emperors face, who is angry but also terribly scared "You think you know what's happening, you think you know what your people need, but, guess what? It is I who truly knows what's best" Honda-donno lets go of the Emperor, takes two steps back and breathes in deeply. It somehow seems calculated, maybe it has happened before. Silence follows Honda-donnos actions... The emperor regains his place and tidies himself a bit.
"Stop this war" commands Honda-donno. I know it's an ultimatum. I know this is what Japan has been suffering for; I myself have been witnessing his pain. He speaks the truth, yet the Emperor doesn't believe him.
"I'm afraid your vision has been clouded by pain, I cannot trust you with this" declares the Emperor.
"Damn you Hirohito!" screams Honda-donno before storming out of the room. I stand in my place, unable to move until the Emperor looks at me again. I can feel his stare burning holes into my body and the guilt and embarrassment consuming my soul.
"I'm sorry! Please excuse me" I say before leaving the room to look for my master.
Please don't forget to review, I really want to know what do you think of this chapter.