Pathway to Japanese Literature

Sakai Kinzo (48)

Wife: Iku (45)

Daughter: Kayo (24)

Son: Tetsuzo (18)

Daughter: Miyo (16)

Employee: Shoichi (30)

Other Characters

Narration: In a backstreet of Tokyo's Yamanote district lived the Sakai family—clockmaker Kinzo and his household, who maintained a modest shop—at the heart of this story.
The imperial capital had already established alert controls in preparation for enemy aircraft attacks.
It was a muggy midsummer night.

Dozens of clocks of various sizes lined up at the shopfront were all ticking in unison.
Soon, a music-box alarm clock began playing a peaceful melody.
This was what Kinzo, the master, was repairing at the shopfront.

In the back room,

“Who works at such an hour... Father is truly a peculiar one...”

“Tetsu, shouldn’t we wake you up already?”
“If you have to rush out suddenly like that, you won’t eat dinner and will go hungry.”

“Well, hunger’s hunger,” Iku said, “but he hasn’t slept a wink since last night. I’ll fix some rice balls and have them ready.”

“Kayo seems rather listless somehow.”
“No, I’m not!”
“You’ve got to put on a braver front at times like this—otherwise what’s the point?”

“When it comes to that,” Iku remarked, “Mr. Shoichi’s military service shows—he’s so brisk about things. As if he were off to some festival...”

Kayo: “That’s right—he’s not exactly normal either，but if he acts like that，people will think it’s strange．”
“He’ll be thought a coward，you know！”

“A coward? Him, of all people...”

“Who knows what he’s really like,” Kayo said. “For an eighteen-year-old kid, he’s got some nerve... But traveling all around Hokkaido with just five yen in pocket money—that’s not something anyone could pull off.”

Iku (suddenly shrill): “Ah! You scared me!”
“You’re such a nuisance, Miyo!”
“What’s the point of putting that thing on now?”

Miyo (through gas mask): “I just borrowed Brother’s for a bit.”
“I’ll put this on and charge into the poison gas.”
“It’s heavy.”

Iku: “Because Brother will scold you again...”

Miyo (removing her mask): “Is there really a war?”
“It seems so much like a lie.”
“But Father’s sitting there in the shop with such a calm face.”

Kinzo (for the first time): “Miyo...”

Miyo: “What is it?”

“Go wake Tetsuzo and bring him here.”

“He’s sleeping so soundly.”

Kinzo: “Just go wake him already.”

The sound of winding a clock’s spring.
The music box began to play.
The sound of Miyo running up the stairs.

“Brother.”

Tetsuzo………….

Miyo: “Brother...”

Tetsuzo………….

Miyo: “You poor thing...”
“Hey now! Brother! Get up!”

Tetsuzo seemed to bolt upright.

Miyo: “Oh my, you don’t need to be so startled.”

Tetsuzo: Damn it...

Miyo: “Father told me to come wake you up.”

“Old man, what’re you doing?”
“He’s fixing the alarm clock.”
Kayo (coming upstairs): “Tetsu, you must be sleepy.”
“Damn right.”
“Old man, what do you need?”

“Kayo dear, you don’t seem very lively.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“I’m sure of it.”

“Tetsuzo! What’ve you done with your gas mask? This thing… Put it on properly.”

“You mustn’t quarrel with Father,” Kayo said. “Just say ‘Yes, yes’ to whatever he tells you—(pause)—Tetsu, why are you zoning out like that?”

Tetsuzo suddenly stood up and began descending the stairs.

“Father—you need something?”

“Well, sit there.”

“What does it matter what time that clock shows? They’re saying to hurry up with Mr. Matsuda’s pocket watch already. He’s in the warning squad—they must be struggling without a proper timepiece.”

Kinzo understood.
“I already gave him a replacement earlier.
By the way—something wrong with your body?”

“Why?”

“That gloomy mug of yours.”

“How’m I supposed to look cheerful during a war?”

Kinzo: “You can’t do it because you’re clinging to life.”
“Hey! If you’re a man, act like one—show some backbone!”
“Japanese men work gladly for their country without making excuses.”
“Aren’t you part of the Civil Defense Corps?”
“They entrusted you with the poison gas squad’s crucial duty.”
“You think you can fulfill that role with that funeral parlor face?”
“First off, that look’s downright shameful!”

Tetsuzo: “First off, there’s no ‘poison gas squad.’”
“It’s called the gas defense squad.”
“And when you say my face looks like I’m at a funeral—honestly, that’s exactly how I feel.”
“Something like sadness, something like frustration... To put it bluntly, there’s nothing remotely worthwhile about it.”

“What’s not interesting about it?”
“This war—if we’re civilized people, shouldn’t we fight a war worthy of civilized people?”
“But isn’t aerial warfare itself proof that civilization has advanced?”

“Intimidating defenseless women and children from the sky—that’s bandit work! Barbarian work!” Tetsuzo spat.

“No use spouting that drivel,” Kinzo countered. “We men must... those women and children need...”

“If my voice could carry a thousand miles!” Tetsuzo shouted wildly, veins bulging at his temples. “‘Hey you bastards! Got no shame?!’ That’s what I’d holler!”

Kayo’s practical tone cut through the fury: “Tetsu. Eat your rice.”

“I don’t want to eat anything.”

“You’ll get hungry again in the middle of the night, you know. The relief shift isn’t until eleven, so there’s still time.”

Tetsuzo forced down what might be his final meal.

Kinzo found it incomprehensible—letting food stick in your throat just because enemies were attacking solved nothing.
What a hopeless fool he was.

Silence.

The sound of waves mingled with the telephone's ringing.

“Ogasawara Island, five kilometers east—yes, receiving you.
“Enemy’s main fleet… yes… possesses two aircraft carriers… yes… To Chiba Watch Post Headquarters… ah… due to wireless telegraph malfunction… yes… yes, understood.”

The sound of the waves gradually faded, and once again, the tick-tock of clocks.

Talking about whether you like or dislike war won't change a thing.
Exactly.
If we must go to war，then there's no path but victory.
If we lose，that's it—we're no better than dogs and cats.
If there were nothing but half-hearted men like you，even a winnable war would become uncertain.

“You say that，Father，but what are we supposed to do?”
“Whether it’s bombs or poison gas，the enemy’s tools aren’t things that make for a proper fight，you know.”
“The enemy planes—our military’s trying to shoot them down.”
“That’s all well and good.”
“But what are we even doing down here on the ground?”
“We can’t even take up arms and face them head-on—all we do is scramble to avoid getting killed.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Kinzo said. “You’re only thinking about yourself. Why don’t you call it ‘keeping them from killing us’? You’re not protecting yourself. Protect your compatriots. Protect the Imperial Capital. Protect the country of Japan. Don’t you understand that?”

“I understand all too well,” Tetsuzo replied. “What I’m saying isn’t about why we work. Even if we’re both working, I’m just saying there’s no vigor in being passive.”

“What?” Kinzo barked. “No damn vigor!”
“My wording might’ve been rough,” Tetsuzo said. “Then how should I put it?”
“Best not say anything at all.”
“So I was staying quiet, wasn’t I? You’re the one prying with pointless questions.” Tetsuzo’s voice hardened. “I don’t need false bravado.”
If folks wanted their hearts aligned, Kinzo thought, they oughta at least shout it out proper-like.

“Heave-ho, heave-ho—that’s what you mean?”

Damn it—even I can’t just sit idle forever! If there’s ever an opening in the Civil Defense Corps, I’ll go anytime—you tell ’em that.

“I already know that without you saying it.”

“Kayo! You say you don’t want to eat, but you’re eating an awful lot.”

“Brother, where are you going with your lunchbox…?”

Tetsuzo: “Mother, Hattori’s son is in the same squad as me.”
“Yesterday he tried to propose some comrades-in-arms pact and even bought me lemon tea.”
“He’s such a softie.”

Miyo: “You’ve already parted your hair, haven’t you.”

Iku: “Even with such a big shop—their son joined the poison gas squad?”

Tetsuzo: “They took the ones with good noses.”
“They passed the test, so what can you do?”

“Oh, what kind of test?”

The sound of the all-clear siren gradually faded, and the sound of the waves grew louder.

Coast Watch Post near Inubōsaki.
The sound of the waves.

A: “They’re here! They’re here!”

B: “Wait. Calm down and listen.”

C: “Distance?”

A: “Confirmed.”
“Take a reading.”

“Show me the flashlight.”
“Hey, messenger!”

The telephone rang.

Voice: Choshi Second Watch Post report... 8:50 PM, northeast 2500, three heavy bombers, altitude 3000, advancing south along the coast.

The telephone rang.

Another voice: Tōgō Air Defense Watch Post Headquarters report... 8:52 PM, east of Naruhama 3000, three heavy bombers, altitude 2500, advancing south along Kujūkuri Coast........

The telephone rang.

Another voice: “Is this the Kanto Defense Command?”
“This is the Chiba Watch Post Headquarters.”

The telephone rang... (overlapping with the previous statement)

Defense Command

A: Another voice—Alert Officer!
Emergency blackout...

B: Another voice—This is the Defense Command.
Commander's order: All units assume combat positions.

C: Another voice—The squadron is to sortie immediately.

D Another voice: Firefighting and poison gas defense units—assume alert positions immediately.

Overlapping with this came the distant roar of artillery.
When the artillery fire faded, there remained only the familiar tick-tock of clocks.

“Oh right, right! Earlier when Father was out, that person—you know, the reserve Major General—stopped by,” said Kayo. “The clock still isn’t ready… With Mr. Shoichi gone too, I didn’t know what to tell him.”

Kinzo had replaced the rusted hairspring. He was adjusting the timing now, but they’d have to wait two or three days regardless. Damn these trembling hands. Enemy planes didn’t scare him one bit, but he’d be damned if he could get used to these air raids.

Suddenly, the siren’s wail.

“Ah, the lights went out...”

“Stay still.”

Iku: The lights came back on again.
What’s that siren…?

“They’re here.”
“The planes are here.”

Iku: “Wait… You… Is that really true?”
Kinzo: “Quiet! Did you close the storm shutters?”
Kayo: “The light upstairs.”

Amid the siren's wail came the voices of alert squad members shouting "Air raid! Air raid!"

At an unspecified location came the searchlight unit commander’s orders.

Assume designated positions.

Target: Engine roar in eastern sky.

Speed forty.

Commence operation.

Prepare to illuminate.

The searchlight unit squad leader issued his command.

A: First Squad listened clear.

B: Second Squad listened clear.

C: Maintaining speed forty.

A: Commenced operation.

(The sound of a generator vehicle’s engine)

A: Prepare to illuminate. Transmit power.
First Squad illumination ready.

B: Second Squad illumination ready.

The searchlight unit commander’s orders.

Coordinated illumination.

Commence ten-second illumination.
Stand ready, measure.
The searchlight unit squad leader barked commands.

A: Coordinated illumination. Commence ten-second illumination.
B: Stand by, measure.
C: 052, 43 (Gunner's Report)
A: Illuminate.
The searchlight unit commander ordered.
Target sighted.
Tracking target.
Sound detectors monitor eastern sector.

The anti-aircraft gun unit commander’s orders.

Target: Heavy bomber within searchlights in eastern sky.

Altitude twelve hundred.

Commence firing.

Speed ten seconds.

Bearing five hundred.

Five rounds.

(Five consecutive cannon blasts) The sound of loading shells.
Fire.
The sound of shells tearing through the air.
The sound of explosions.
The sound of shell casings falling.
The roar of airplane engines.
The rattle of machine guns from aerial combat, then a devastating bomb blast.
A scream.
Following that lingering echo, once again, the clock's tick-tock.

“Kinzo, are you going out?”
“Alright, I’m counting on you.”
“Sis, the canteen…”

“Kayo, be careful.”

“Brother…”
(Her voice breaks into a sob.)

Again, the sound of bombs—two more in succession.

Miyo: “Father...”

“It’s alright, alright...”

The sounds of bombs, gunfire, machine guns, and propellers did not cease for some time.
Here and there, screams could be heard.
The voices of alarm squad members and traffic squad members.

Alarm Squad Member A: Please refrain from exiting homes whenever possible.
Traffic Squad Member: Evacuees must maintain clearance on the road's right side.

The fire truck siren.
Whistles, wooden clappers.

B: Poison gas bombs have been dropped near Second Elementary School.
Please prepare your gas masks.

C: Since this area is downwind, please put on your gas masks quickly.

A: Please prepare quickly.

The clamor of evacuating crowds.

“Tetsu’s squad is going,” said Kayo.

“Speaking of the poison gas squad, that’s right,” Iku replied.
If he’s wearing that mask, he should be alright.

I couldn’t care less about Tetsu.
“Hurry up, you all—put on your masks!”
Where did I put the paste brush?

The sound of knocking on the front door.

Is that you, Kinzo?

“Master, it’s me.”
“It’s Shoichi.”

“Ah, Shoichi. What do you intend to do?”

“I must say, this area is dangerous,” said Shoichi. “It would be better to evacuate. It seems to be intense poison gas. Regular gas masks appear useless—people are getting taken out one after another.”

“Where are we evacuating to?”

“Therefore, I’ll guide you,” said Shoichi. “Hurry—everyone needs to come out now.”

The crowd’s screams mingled with artillery fire, growing ever more violent.

“I’m calling it off, Shoichi. We’re not moving.”
“Wherever we go, we’d just get wiped out again—same result.”
“More importantly—aren’t the rescue teams swamped already?”

Shoichi: “Ah, they’re busy alright, but the rescue teams are preparing to evacuate now.”
“After all, they came all at once in a rush…”

“Alright, I’m heading over there. The aid station’s at Asahi Market, right?... Never mind that. You go patrol the other sectors.”

“Hey, Kayo—handle what’s left here.”

“Father, even if a half-sick person like you goes, it won’t make any difference.”
“Quit your blathering! Carrying a kid on my back—even I can manage that.”
“If they’re short-handed, there’s this thing called reserve squads. Someone like you going would just get turned away anyway.”

An explosion roared nearby.
Miyo and the women let out piercing screams.

“Ah, a plane crashed!” Shoichi shouted.

“Enemy?” Kinzo barked.

“I don’t know... Ah! It’s burning! Burning!” Shoichi’s voice rose in panic. “This is bad!”

“Where?”
“Where?”

For a while, the sound of artillery fire and the roar of propellers.
The crowd's clamor, the telephone's ring.

Voice: Defense Command Headquarters staff officer.
The main enemy aircraft force is retreating toward Chiba, while a portion is heading toward Tokyo Bay.
Allied fighter planes are in pursuit of them.
Status?
No, we still haven't received any reports from that area.
Status?
Ah, I see. Do we know the name of the enemy aircraft carrier?
Well, that's just splendid.
No, it's nothing major.

The telephone rang.

Voice: Shimoda Watch Post report.
A formation of over thirty enemy bomber aircraft, led by its vanguard, was currently advancing north over the southern tip of Ōshima.
Altitude three thousand.

The telephone rang.

Another voice: Part of the naval air squadron would immediately sortie and intended to intercept them over Ōshima.

The telephone rang.
Amid a subterranean-like uproar, the ticking of clocks persisted.

The voice of an alarm squad member.

A: Enemy aircraft have retreated.
However, we must not let our guard down yet.
Emergency control measures will remain in effect.

B: The aid station is fully staffed.
It would only cause more congestion, so we must ask that everyone please refrain from offering assistance.

C: Since poison gas is heavier than air, do not take shelter under the floorboards.
If you notice a smell, immediately press a wet cloth to your nose.

Kinzo: "See there? Nothing can be done about it."
"Things getting settled quick shows real greatness."
"Hey—this way won't work."
"I'll bring the workbench over here. Kayo, give me a hand."

Iku: "With this lighting..."
"You..."

"Shut up!"
"Don't lift it like that—look, the tweezers fell."
"Hmph... Pass me the cushion."
"Hey you lot, quit dawdling and do some sewing."

“This isn’t a joke,” Iku said. “Do you truly think it’s acceptable to keep acting so carefree?”

“It’s fine,” Kayo countered. “Let Father be Father and do what he wants… He can’t stay calm otherwise.”

Miyo wondered if she could go to the toilet...

Kayo snapped, “You can’t!”

“Don’t be silly,” Iku chided. “Go quickly then.” Her voice sharpened: “And don’t leave the light on!”

Kinzo seemed to have started repairing the alarm again. The sound of winding. Soon, that familiar music box melody.

“I wonder how Tetsu’s doing,” said Iku.

“He does what’s expected of ordinary people,” Kayo replied.

“I wonder what kind of situation he’s in,” Iku murmured. When a son goes off to war, a mother probably thinks she shouldn’t feel like this—but still… It’s different from ordinary worry.

“But Mother,” Kayo countered, “it’s not just Tetsu facing danger.”
“We’re in the midst of war too.”

“That may be so,” Iku said, “but he’s going into poison gas, isn’t he? And no matter how you look at it—it’s different from being inside the house.”

"Shut up! It's because of a mother like you that we end up with layabouts like Tetsu."

"Even I wouldn't say such things in front of that child."

What Kinzo was thinking showed on his face.

“What you’re thinking isn’t everything,” Iku said. “I hope that child will do a splendid job—that’s what I’m thinking too.”

“Splendid work...” Kinzo muttered. “Ah, never mind that... Hey, Kayo! Bring me the oilstone from the front cupboard. And while you’re at it, the winding knob for the mechanical stop...”

“People are still making a commotion outside,” Kayo replied. “Ugh—someone’s crying really loudly.”

As the crying voice gradually became audible, it then faded away—it was the aid station. Various voices. Groans.

“Please move the serious patients to that tent over there.”

“We need more stretchers, damn it!”

“The doctor will be here shortly, so please bear with it a little longer.”

“Oh dear, this won't do.”
“The bandages I just put here—who took them?”

“Hey—isn’t there any Oxyful left?”

“Doctor! Doctor! Please hurry and examine this person!”

“You mustn’t.”
“You must not enter without permission.”
“We will see you later.”
“As they interfere with treatment, all visits are prohibited.”

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts… Ah… It’s agonizing.”

As the voice faintly faded, a shrill telephone ring.

Voice: Oiso Watch Post reports—an enemy light bomber squadron of three aircraft passed through Oiso airspace with astonishing speed.
Altitude two thousand meters, advancing northward.
Advancing northward.

Defense Command Staff Officer's voice: Hey, communications operator! Connect me to Yokohama Regional Command.

The distant rumble of automatic cannon fire. Then a siren wailed.

Anti-Aircraft Commander B target—light bombers within searchlight beams in western skies.

A propeller’s roar.

“Altitude two thousand.”

"Commence!"

"Airspeed at fifteen seconds."

"Course angle six hundred."

"Six rounds."

(Six artillery shots rang out)

A commotion arose that blurred the line between battle cries and screams.

Civil Defense Corps Branch Headquarters Member A barked: "Countless poison gas bombs deployed.
Maintain maximum alert."

Operator B's voice crackled: "Gas defense units! Gas defense units!"

Unit C-1 snapped to readiness: "First Unit, prepare for deployment."

Controller D ordered: "Second Unit, stand by."

Unit E-3 reported in: "Third Unit mobilizing."

Spotter F identified locations: "Asahi Market vicinity confirmed.
Aid station zone established."

Signal clappers rattled urgently over the voices.
Machine gun fire stuttered through the night.

Rescue Unit C: Evacuate the patients!

D: Wind direction?

E: Southeast...

D: Right—the evacuation site is the Sakatake Viscount’s estate grounds.

C: Don’t panic. Don’t panic.

F: Hasn’t the gas defense unit arrived yet?

C: "Mobilize the Rescue Unit's reserve unit."

Nurse A: "Here, hold on tight."

D: "Stretchers! Stretchers!"

E: "Make the lightly wounded walk."

Female Patient B: "I can't... I can't go on..."
"My breathing... Ah... It's too painful..."

D: "Steady! Stay steady!"

E: "You'll burn your eyes out!"

Female Patient D: “Please hurry and take me away!”
“The children... the children….”

As that voice faintly faded, overlapping it came a faint artillery shot, the ticking of clocks, an organ grinder.

Kayo: “Miyo... Tie this here for a moment... Ugh, this sleeve is such a nuisance.”
“Father, you really can’t stay here this time.”

“Father’s such a stubborn one—didn’t Shoichi come saying the same thing earlier? They say the disinfectant works so well you wouldn’t fear poison gas at all… Besides, there’s not even a whiff of it yet, right? The military’s strong, our Civil Defense comrades are thoroughly trained, and we non-combatants ought to keep still rather than make clumsy spectacles of ourselves. But rest assured—when real help’s needed, we’ll shoulder whatever comes.”

Iku: “What is that awful racket…?”

The voice of an alert unit member.

A: “A poison gas bomb has just been dropped in front of Asahi Market, but there is no need to evacuate this area.”
“First Reserve Members of the Rescue Unit: Please put on your masks immediately and assemble at the Asahi Market Aid Station.”

“Is it your turn now, Kayo?”
“I’m second.”
Another voice from the alert unit member.

B: Members of the Rescue Unit Second Reserve, please assemble immediately at the Sakatake Viscount Residence Temporary Aid Station.

“Second?”

“That’s correct—the Sakatake Viscount Residence.”

Kayo: “Yes, understood.”
_It must be the aid station relocating._

Iku: “Put on tabi socks.”

“Sis...”
“I’m off now.”
Kinzo kept at it insistently; he had to keep going like that.

The sound of a door opening.
Amid the commotion outside, with the clatter of her sandals, Kayo ran out.

The sound of disinfectant being sprayed.

Gas Defense Unit A: “Hey! This area still reeks! Everyone, get over here!”

B: “It’s bad inside the house.”

C: Is there anyone left behind?

“Hey, Mr. Sakai, where are you going?”

“You guys handle this area,” Tetsuzo said. “There’s still people further in—I’ll go check.”

Thus did Sakai Tetsuzo press forward into the alley of a nagaya.

“Oh! Someone’s collapsed here!” Tetsuzo exclaimed. “Hey there—what’s wrong? Ma’am, don’t you have a mask? You’ve got to get out now!” This was trouble—she couldn’t even stand. “Hold on! Hey—Rescue Unit! Get over here!” His throat burned raw—yes yes, this searing pain—no choice left. “I’ll give you my mask. Now let’s move—quick!” Huffing through the straps, he rasped, “Grab on tight…(coughs)…there.”

Tetsuzo collapsed on the spot, still carrying the elderly woman on his back.

A: “Someone was calling just now... Let’s get out of here.”
“Where’s Mr. Sakai?”
“Can’t be helped... He went off alone... Hey, Mr. Sakai... Tetsuzo-kun...”

The sound of anti-aircraft gunfire echoed distantly... Then far away came cheers of "Banzai!"

B & C: Mr. Sakai... Tetsuzo-kun...

A woman’s voice—unmistakably Kayo’s—called out.

“You’re Mr. Hattori’s son, aren’t you?”
“What happened to Tetsuzo?”

“It’s gotten dark and I can’t see well—but we’re searching,” said A. “We were just with him, but apparently he went into the back here.” “It’s no good—there’s still poison gas lingering here, so…”

B: “Please wait.”
“We’re about to spray disinfectant now...”

The sound of a machine gun.
Then again came the cry of "Banzai!"

Kayo: "What is that black thing?"

A: "Let's turn on the flashlight."

Kayo: "Oh, Tetsu... It's Tetsuzo."
"Tetsu... What's wrong... Why here..."

B: "This is insane—this guy took off his mask?!"

C: "Mr. Sakai... (half-angry) Who the hell is this old woman?"

“Tetsu... You tried to save this person...”

The machine guns rattled in a sustained burst. Soon intermingling with this noise came the telephone's insistent ringing.

Hello, hello. This is the Oshima Watch Post.
Our naval air unit shot down over a dozen enemy planes (telephone rings). As the remaining thirteen simultaneously raised white flags (telephone rings), we guided them to make an emergency landing offshore of Nabu Port.
End of report.

This report was twice interrupted by the telephone's ringing and gradually grew fainter.
In its place, the ticking of clocks became clearly audible.

Kinzo: Thank you for your service.
“So Kayo has gone to the aid station with them, I take it.”

“Yes. We were instructed to relay the message that no one should approach that area.”

“If they’ve determined it’s hopeless, could we have the remains brought here immediately?”

“Well, I’m not entirely sure... but I’ll at least convey that part.”

“Your cooperation in this matter would be appreciated.”

The sound of a door closing.

“Father.”

“You idiot! What’s that mask? We’re at war now! What’s the point of you lot staying alive? Isn’t dying just natural in times like these? Presumptuous as it may be—as long as His Majesty remains unharmed—there’s not a soul in Japan who wouldn’t die! Damn you! I won’t have it!”

Kinzo frantically wound the clock springs.

The old door creaked open.
Voices.

“Father.”
“I’ve brought Tetsu.”
“Mother, please lay out the futon.”

Silence.
The tick-tock of clocks.

In the distance, a cry of "Banzai!" rang out.

The telephone's ringing.

Togane Surveillance Unit Headquarters Report.
One enemy heavy bomber with both wings critically damaged had made an emergency landing offshore of Katakai Town on the Kujukuri Coast as of this moment.
The four crew members were immediately taken as prisoners of war.
Furthermore, another plane appeared to have crashed two thousand meters offshore of the same town; however, despite search efforts, its wreckage was ultimately not discovered.

The ticking of clocks.

“Is there any white cloth?” Kinzo asked.

“I’ll get the gauze now,” Kayo replied. “Mother, please fetch water in the metal basin.”
“And Miyo, go pick two bellflowers from the vase on the desk upstairs... Make sure they’re not wilted.”

The radio from the neighboring house crackled to life.

“JOAK... This is Tokyo Broadcasting Station.
We now broadcast news released by the Tokyo Defense Command Headquarters... This evening, in two attacks spanning August 8th at 8:55 PM and again at 9:20 PM, enemy planes totaling thirty-six in number assaulted airspace over Imperial territory. Exploiting the cover of gale-force winds and darkness to skillfully evade our counterattacks, several among them ultimately infiltrated the central area of the Imperial Capital and inflicted some damage. However, through divine favor that advantaged the operations of the Imperial Army and Navy, and owing to the calm resolve of citizens and officials from neighboring prefectures who successfully implemented emergency air defense measures, we have hereby achieved the literal annihilation of the enemy forces from the first air raid...”

Amid this ongoing broadcast, a military band began playing the solemnly majestic Kimigayo March (or perhaps "Umi Yukaba").

Shoichi came running in.

“Master, this is truly dreadful... I just heard about it at the aid station.”
“Hmm. You heard?”
“It’s become quite the talk.”

“I found it,” said Kayo.

“So I heard,” replied Shoichi. “Ah, that old woman was saved.”

“Banzai! Banzai!”

Kinzo listened intently to the cries. “Hey, Tetsuzo! Can you hear that ‘Banzai’? Can you hear that band?”

Suddenly Iku burst into tears.
Miyo began crying too.

“O-Kami-san—there’s no sense crying like this.”
“This was an honorable death in battle.”

“Don’t mind it! If y’wanna cry, then cry!” Kinzo barked. “Cheap tears ain’t the same damn thing.” He turned sharply, voice cracking: “Hey—Kayo! We’re havin’ a victory toast.” His calloused hand slammed the workbench. “Cold’s fine—bring a bottle.”
(His chest tightened like overwound clock springs.)

The military march swelled as “Banzai!” shouts pierced through walls.