To My Sunflower - Chapter 98

Ryōsuke’s mind lapsed into a memory of being a medic on the front lines during Pearl Harbor attacks and reasons that led him to pumping Akira’s heart for beats.

His country had just air-raided American fleets. His training on the island became a reality when his squad had faced casualties and orders for regrouping onto the carriers. His instincts took over as he became a medical machine. Living and breathing on sheer will for the sake of his people and the island’s people. He forwent his own safety to ensure the medical aid and attention of soldiers and civilians impacted on the ground; before he was ordered onto a carrier back to the mainland.

It was only when the carrier broke through Japanese waters that he was able to think for himself. His grief for Sean had hit him hard, but he didn’t express it for fears it would lead to questions from others.

He had lost Sean to the war under the flag of his country’s enemy. The man he loved was a dead enemy corpsman. Two taboos that shouldn’t happen during wartime. So Ryōsuke made a promise to himself. He would make up for his loss of love, the shame of bedding an enemy and those he couldn’t save. By dedicating his life to saving others and bettering medical science. He would be a better human for others.

It was a reason he had volunteered for the refugee escort runs from the east coast major cities to the country. His journey had landed him at Nagano where he accepted duties as a medic, doing rounds across the prefecture with army recruiters as an examiner for conscripted and enlisted recruits.  Before their encampment was attacked by secret police, and he haphazardly found himself as the resident doctor for the small village. And all other remote communities that were desperate for medical aid.

He recognized expressions behind Hinata’s eyes similar to those he held. He wasn’t going to let another good man lost to war. He’d do his damnedest to save the life of the man’s love.

Akira groaned to consciousness. Ryōsuke sighed with relief.

“Hinata?” Akira weakly whispered.

Hinata gripped his hand. He gave him a loving smile.

“My… beautiful Hina… Are we have pork stew for dinner? Pork stew. You’re everyone’s strength.. Hinata. I… love…Be strong… Hinata.” Akira’s words ended in a slur.

His eyes fluttered to a close again. The hand that Hinata held went limp.

Ryōsuke felt his blood rise with panic when he recognized the man was having a stroke.

He checked his heart rate and breath. Both were extremely weak. His reactions saw him compress onto Akira’s heart again and forcing air into his mouth.

He tirelessly worked at reviving the man. Akira wasn’t coming around. His skin was going cold.

“Akira?” Hinata’s eyes welled with tears.

Ryōsuke continued his pumping and force-feeding of air despite knowing that Akira would never respond to them.

Hinata could see. The good doctor’s efforts was a wasted one.

“NO!” Ryōsuke yelled out before forcing another round of air into Akira’s lifeless mouth.

“Stop it! He’s gone!” Hinata cried and pulled Ryōsuke off him.

“He’s gone.” Hinata cried again.

Ryōsuke slumped to the ground. His whole being feeling defeated. What good was a doctor who couldn’t save lives?

“You did your best Kominato-sensei. Thank you for doing your best.” Hinata bowed before Ryōsuke then lowered himself over Akira’s lifeless form.

“The blame is all mine. His life lost is my doing.” Hinata soberly declared through his tears. “Akira died because of me. I…”

Hinata rose and raced out of the hospital. He ran through the fields and sprinted blindly across meadows leading back to Mimaki Village.