“Dear God. Okay.” Relief flooded through me. My knees almost buckled. But then I realized he hadn't saideveryone.
My stomach dropped.
I raised my eyebrows. "And Hiroko?"
There was a pause.
My body tensed.
I swallowed. “Kenji. . .is she okay?"
"Tora. . ."
My bottom lip quivered. “W-what?”
"I'm sorry, Tora."
My eyes started to water. "No. What are you. . ? What are you sorry about? What do you mean?"
"She was shot. She died."
The hallway went quiet. I didn't believe it. My mind couldn't process it. “No. . .”
Tears started running down my face.
“I. . .” His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “I've arranged for her body to be transferred to a funeral home. We’re going to give her a proper burial after this war.”
I blinked, trying my best to catch up to this new reality. Feeling fucking weak, I pressed my hand against the wall. "Get back here right now."
"I can't, Tora, but soon."
“W-why not?”
"We can't come back just yet. We're getting cleaned and stitched up. We're still in Tokyo."
No.
“But. . .Tora, we are safe. We can't go back by helicopters. My father and brother are going to be looking at the air right now, since they know that is how we arrived.”
“Then, how are you returning?”
“We're going to get there by boat. We're close to a port. I'll be back by this evening."
I tried to steady myself.
Tried to be strong.
Tried to do what Hiroko would have done.
"Tora. . .I'm so sorry about Hiroko."
"I know.” More tears fell. "Just get back safely. I won’t be okay until you’re here.”
“I’m coming, Tora.”
“I love you, Kenji."
"I love you too."
