Hi guys! After a LOT of time, I present you with the next chapter for Japan's Trauma :D I spent a lot of time writing this one and I really liked it. I was planning on updating earlier, but my internet was being a bitch and wouldn't let me load anything.
Also, the Nazi!Germany fic is already up so I would appreciate if you check it :) warning are inside the fic.
I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 11
Relief?
Yamada Misaki
Meeting place, secret location
August 10th, 1945, 2:00 am.
Five days before Japan's surrender
After a lot of time trying to find Honda-donno and finding him sitting outside, I spent even more time trying to convince him of returning to the meeting room. He didn't want to see the Emperor for the time being and he is really angry, but still, it was important for him to be present in the rest of the meeting. I practically drag Honda-donno to the meeting room and take our places. Now, he also refuses to speak to me and is doing his best to ignore the other people in the room. Well, I have to accept that I also try to ignore the Emperor's presence. I feel uncomfortable every time the Emperor glances this way and I have to suppress the angry blush that tries to surface.
Once everyone has regained their places, Anami and Kiichirō stand up and kneel in front of the Emperor, representing both postures of the cabinet. Suzuki takes the lead and approaches de Emperor's side.
"Your Highness, having exposed and debate the postures, it has become clear that only you can and must decide the future. The cabinet requires you to decide between the two postures" states Suzuki before backing away from the Emperor.
The time has come. I feel extremely nervous and I can tell Honda-donno is nervous as well. I hope the Emperor decides what's best for everyone. It still worries me how is Honda-donno going to react after hearing the final decision. The last thing I want is for my master to threaten the Emperor in front of all this people.
My hands start to sweat slightly and I try to calm myself by breathing deeply. I glance at Honda-donno and notice his anxiousness and a glimpse of fear in his eyes. He fears that the Emperor will continue the war. I have the same fear. After several minutes of heavy silence, the Emperor stands up and everybody in the room pays attention to him. I give him all my attention and bow my head slightly to show respect.
"I have given serious thought to the situation prevailing at home and abroad and have concluded that continuing the war can only mean destruction for the nation and prolongation of bloodshed and cruelty in the world. I cannot bear to see my innocent people suffer any longer [...] I swallow my tears and give my sanction to the proposal to accept the Allied proclamation on the basis outlined by the Foreign Minister" states the Emperor with a hard voice before sitting again. By the way he said it, it must have hurt him. But it's only natural, no one likes accepting defeat.
A sigh of relief escapes Honda-donno and one half of the cabinet seems happy two. A small smile appears on my face and I turn to look at my master who seems to be about to cry. I place my hand upon his shoulder and give it a light squeeze. My master turns to me and gives me a look I hadn't seen for a long time.
"Your majesty, you also bear responsibility for this defeat. What apology are you going to make to the heroic spirits of the imperial founder of your house and your other imperial ancestors?" everyone is surprised by Kiichirō as he asks the Emperor the question that he has probably feared the most. By surrendering, he has dishonored, in a way, the very first member of the Imperial House: Emperor Jinmu. If he doesn't apologize, more misfortunes and tragedies will fall upon Japan.
The Emperor refuses to answer and leaves the room looking troubled. Shortly after, the half of the cabinet who wanted to continue the war start arguing and disagreeing with the Emperor, saying he is a traitor and has been brainwashed by the Allies. To my surprise, it is Honda-donno who stands up to the accusations against the Emperor.
"The Emperor has chosen wisely by thinking about his people. Since the day of his birth, he was granted the gift knowledge and strength, do you plan to go against those divine powers? Besides, what do you think you will achieve if this war continues? Do you want to exterminate Japan's people?" shouts Honda-donno angrily. He slowly walks up to Anami, who seems like the leader of 'war' half of the cabinet, although it is obvious that the War Minister doubts his position. Anami counter with a weak argument and backs away from Honda-donno feeling threaten. Suzuki then asks for Honda-donno to stand back and continues to convince the rest of the cabinet to accept the Emperor's will. Eventually, the rest of the cabinet comes to accept the surrender conditions.
It took a long while to convince everybody, but Suzuki, with the help of Honda-donno and Kiichirō, has finally done it. I look out the window and notice for the first time that the sun is already up, but it's still early. Today's sky is so clear... maybe it has always been that way, but... I think it is perfect for today.
After a few other conditions were established, everyone agreed on sending the telegrams to the Allies which said that Japan accepted the Potsdam declaration but will not accept a change in Japan's government. Kiichirō was the one assigned to send them and he started doing it without wasting a second. At that moment, Honda-donno walks up to me and smiles lightly. I receive a lot of messages coming from that smile. It means that he is relieved, that the worst has already past and that he is getting better, but it also means that there is something he still has to do, something that will not let him relax completely if it's not done. What could it be? Maybe he needs to meet with America... I hope that's not the case. If they meet, the anger will flourish again. Even though I feel troubled, I return the smile and make the silent question. He notices it and waves his hand dismissing my question.
"Don't worry" he says before returning to where Kiichirō is.
No, this doesn't feels quite right, how can he ask me not to worry?
Please review! I want to hear if you liked or hated this chapter, as well as other things you would like me to correct :)