LOVE PROMISES

A week after the death of great Captain Yoriko Doru, the greatest commander in Japan's history, the military found itself at a loss for choosing a replacement. The new leader would need to be an expert in strategy and combat, yet the replacement was speculated to be a very young and inexperienced pilot.

"I need a reliable pilot to strengthen my fighter squadron and fill Captain Daru's position," Ichiru Daichi said firmly to one of his subordinates.

"Excuse me, sir, but if I may suggest a candidate, I know someone who would be perfect to replace Mr. Yuriko Daru," a lieutenant proposed, offering a clue about the potential replacement.

"Who is it, Morita?" Marshal Ichiru inquired, curious about the lieutenant’s suggestion.

"He is Ryota Yamazaki. I've witnessed his strategic prowess, and I am confident he could replace Mr. Daru or even exceed his capabilities," Lieutenant Morita said, his tone full of conviction.

Ichiru began to show interest. The name Ryota Yamazaki alone suggested that he might possess extraordinary authority and charisma, making him a suitable candidate to take over Daru's role as the master of strategy and combat.

Ryota Yamazaki worked as a pilot for an international airline in Japan. Not only was he a skilled pilot, but he was also an expert in aircraft mechanics. His strategic intelligence had been apparent during an air force selection process several years ago. However, his young age had led to his disqualification. Now, at 23, he was eligible to participate in any military selection or recruitment.

Morita's admiration for Ryota's strategic abilities left a lasting impression, prompting him to introduce Ryota to Marshal Ichiru Daichi.

"So, he's an international pilot?" Marshal Ichiru asked Morita.

"Yes, sir, but I assure you, his skills far surpass those of an ordinary flight crew. He is an expert in aircraft mechanics as well," Morita explained.

"Very well. Have him come to me," the Marshal agreed.

When Ryota received the summons to the Japanese Air Force headquarters, he was astonished. It felt as if his childhood dream of becoming a member of the air force was finally coming true. He was recruited as both a combat commander and a fighter pilot, replacing the late Captain Daru.

However, the role he was assigned was extremely dangerous. He was soon to be sent to China, where fierce battles were ongoing, to fill the position left vacant by the fallen Captain Daru.

"Please, don’t go. War is dangerous, and I fear something terrible might happen to you," his mother pleaded, anxiously watching Ryota pack his clothes into a large black suitcase.

"Mom, I have to go. I’ll do my best in this mission. Just pray for my safety and that I return home soon," Ryota replied, smiling at his mother.

"But the battlefield is perilous," his father added, trying to dissuade him from going to the frontlines.

"Trust me, Dad, I’ll be alright," Ryota said, reassuring his parents and seeking their blessing to join his country’s air force.

Ryota’s parents sighed in resignation, reluctantly accepting his departure to the war. His dream of becoming a fighter pilot was now a reality, and he would leave the next day for a mission against China.

On a bright morning, with the sun shining beautifully, a military vehicle was parked neatly in Ryota’s yard to take him to the headquarters where he would serve with the Japanese government. Armed with determination and his parents’ blessing, he left his home to defend his nation.

"Are you ready?" an officer asked.

Ryota simply nodded and smiled, signaling his readiness for whatever lay ahead and accepting the consequences that might come.

Meanwhile, in an emergency tent draped in white cloth, doctors were overwhelmed with the influx of injured war victims. The tent was filled with the sounds of suffering as doctors rushed to treat the wounded. The small hospital behind the tent was equally chaotic.

"Nippon has attacked again. They’re targeting civilian settlements," shouted a Chinese spy to a guard, requesting help.

"What happened? Explain it to me," demanded a soldier on standby.

"They are seizing our property, taking livestock, and abducting all the village girls," the spy answered in a panicked and terrified tone.

Dr. Fen was shocked by the grim news. She accidentally dropped a tray of medical supplies she was carrying, tears streaming down her face. Her heart ached anew.

"When will this end?" she wondered silently, her chest tightening as if something heavy was pressing on it.

"Doctor Fen, are you alright?" asked a soldier who came to help her.

"I’m fine. You go and assist them. They need your help," Fen said weakly, struggling to remain upright.

Several soldiers intervened in the tragic situation. The number of war casualties kept rising, overwhelming the doctors, and there was no place left for rest. Hearses shuttled back and forth, transporting the dead soldiers and civilians. The country was once again enveloped in grief.

"Fen, please protect the children and secure all the patients. Nippon forces are heading this way," Chen said, gripping Fen’s shoulder and looking into her eyes with concern.

"Chen? Wait," Fen said, holding onto his arm as he prepared to leave.

Chen remained silent, gazing at the innocent girl he had always admired. It was heart-wrenching to think he might die before ever proposing to her. Chen loved Fen deeply, but she saw him only as a dear friend, unable to reciprocate his feelings.

"Be careful and stay safe. I don’t want you to get hurt. Please come back alive," Fen pleaded as Chen prepared to go to the front lines. Chen nodded, gently stroking Fen’s hair before donning his uniform and bulletproof helmet. He left her behind.

All patients and children were secured in the basement of the small hospital, which was considered a relatively safe hiding place from enemy attacks. The sounds of gunfire and explosions would not reach this room.

"Chen, be safe," Fen whispered to herself, hoping for her friend’s safety.

As the rumbling sounds of distant artillery grew louder, Fen’s heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination. She glanced around the basement, where frightened children clung to each other and the wounded lay in silent agony. The small, dimly lit room felt like their last sanctuary from the chaos outside.

Up above, the once serene hospital was now a battlefield in itself, with soldiers and medics scrambling to cope with the ever-growing number of casualties. Fen’s thoughts were consumed with worry for Chen, Ryota, and the countless others fighting in the raging storm of war.

Just as she tried to steady her breathing and offer words of comfort to the frightened children, a deafening explosion shook the ground, followed by an eerie silence. The walls of the basement trembled, and the air grew thick with dust. Fen’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered if the worst had come.

Suddenly, a shadow fell across the basement entrance, and the dim light revealed a figure standing there. Fen's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the silhouette, but the figure remained obscured by the dust and darkness.

Who was it? Was it Chen, returning with news? Or perhaps someone else from the battlefield? The tension in the basement was palpable, every eye fixed on the mysterious figure.

In that moment of uncertainty, Fen felt a shiver run down her spine. The war was far from over, and with the ground shaking beneath them, she couldn’t help but wonder what the next hour—or the next moment—might bring. Would the conflict finally find its resolution, or was there more upheaval yet to come?

As the figure stepped into the light, the questions in Fen's mind were only beginning to unravel, setting the stage for a new chapter in a story that was far from finished.