Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Final Episode] The Weather is Fine Today, Though the Waves are High ②
<Before we begin the main story>
This episode was first published on a certain web novel site on March 8th of this year. Two months later, on May 14th, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 trainer aircraft crashed into Iruka Pond in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, and the pilots on board, First Lieutenant Takuro Ioka (31) and Second Lieutenant Shota Amitani (29), were killed in the line of duty. These two elite Eagle drivers desperately controlled the aircraft until the very end to avoid involving people on the ground, guiding it into the pond. It is a tragic coincidence that this mirrors the situation of Toshio in this episode, and I am deeply saddened by it.
I pray from the bottom of my heart for the souls of these two men who remained pilots dedicated to national defense until the very end, upholding their noble intentions.
[Final Episode] The Weather is Fine Today, Though the Waves are High - Imperial Japanese Navy Vice Admiral Saneyuki Akiyama ②
"What is that? That's hilarious!"
Misuzu laughed until she was holding her stomach.
It was the usual chat time after lunch before the afternoon duties resumed.
"Oh, come on, it's not a laughing matter. I really thought my heart was going to stop."
Even though she puffed out her cheeks, she wasn't actually angry.
After that, his older sister, who was a company employee, joined them, and his family wrapped them in a warm atmosphere that eased Yuhi's tension.
It was a very fun and lively moment, and for Yuhi, who grew up in a strict household, it was a picture-perfect scene of a happy family gathering.
According to him, his parents and sister also liked Yuhi very much, and they were apparently pestering him about when he would bring her over next.
"Then I guess the information control is lifted."
"Information control?"
"Yes. First Lieutenant Kadoma went around telling everyone not to say anything unnecessary to you, Yuhi."
"Huh? Why?"
This was news to her. Is that why she hadn't noticed even a little bit?
"Isn't that because he wanted you to like him for who he really is, Yuhi?"
Yuhi blushed involuntarily as Misuzu peered at her with a grin. Perhaps that was one of the things he called being "fair and square." He always faced her head-on. He was always straightforward with her.
"That's... I wouldn't mind any version of Toshio..."
"Kyaa! Yuhi, you're so cute!!"
Misuzu suddenly hugged her.
"W-wait, Misuzu-chan!"
"Oh man, if I were a guy, I would never let you go. You're just too cute. First Lieutenant Kadoma is a lucky man."
"Oh, stop it."
As she peeled Misuzu off with a bitter smile, Misuzu playfully clicked her tongue.
"You two must be lonely, right? Not being able to see each other for two whole weeks."
Toshio was sent on a two-week business trip to Hamamatsu as a temporary instructor, once again at the request of the Air Self-Defense Force.
With a fighter squadron being established on the second Nagato-class ship, the Mutsu, he could not refuse the request from the Air Self-Defense Force, which was losing ten more fighter pilots to the Maritime Self-Defense Force, which could not keep up with training.
It was certainly lonely. Very lonely.
When I was alone, I never felt such loneliness. I had intended to live my life on my own, gritting my teeth and relying on no one, but ever since I became involved with Toshio—no, ever since I fell in love with him—I feel like I have become terribly weak.
However, on the other hand, everything he gave me was so significant to Yuuhi that, even if it meant trading away my strength, I could no longer imagine being apart from him.
“Yeah. But Toshio said, ‘It’s a good thing to be in demand while you still are.’”
“Oh, that’s some classic positive thinking.”
Although, on the Sunday before he left, he had made love to me so intensely I nearly fainted. He also never failed to make his scheduled calls starting the next day. Remembering our sweet conversations, I smiled to myself.
Is it okay for me to be this happy? I gently touched my neck.
Huh?
It’s gone. The pendant Toshio bought me for my birthday, which should have been there, was missing.
“No way... oh no, why!?”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s gone! My pendant!”
“Calm down, Yuuhi-san. Is it caught inside your clothes?”
Soothed by Misuzu, I snapped back to reality. It was there. It had just gotten caught around my stomach.
What is this feeling...?
“It’s okay. Something like this can be fixed easily.”
That wasn’t it. A nameless, swirling anxiety filled my chest. Just then.
A shrill siren suddenly blared throughout the base.
“An emergency call...?”
“Incoming message from Hamamatsu Control! A T-4 trainer piloted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Kadoma of this base has gone missing off the coast of Omaezaki! Rescue teams, launch immediately! I repeat!”
No way... what did they just say...?
It felt like being struck in the back of the head. The blood drained from my face, and my vision went dark in an instant.
“Yuhi!?”
Misuzu hurriedly caught Yuhi as the strength left her body and she collapsed.
Toshio...
Yuhi lost consciousness right there.
Thirty minutes earlier.
Bird strikes have been the cause of numerous aircraft crashes to date. While climbing after takeoff, there was no way to avoid the massive flock of birds that suddenly flew up in front of them.
The impact of a bird colliding with an aircraft flying at high speed is considerable; the front windshield was cracked and stained with bird blood. And unfortunately, it seemed they had sucked birds into the air intakes on both sides, and after causing small explosions, both engines stopped completely.
It was a precious aircraft purchased with the taxpayers' money, but it was obvious at a glance that recovery was impossible. Gritting his teeth, he immediately sent out an emergency call. Fortunately, they had maintained a certain altitude, so they wouldn't crash immediately. From here on, every single decision would be critical.
“Hamamatsu Control to Checker 07. Is a return to base possible?”
“I judge it difficult. The hydraulic system is still alive, but both the left and right engines have exploded, so it's only a matter of time. I cannot drop it on residential areas. I am turning the nose toward the sea.”
The area around Hamamatsu Air Base is a residential district. He could not risk the lives of the citizens he was sworn to protect on a gamble.
“Understood. We will dispatch a rescue team immediately, so please contact us once your heading is set.”
“Thank you.”
He turned the nose toward the sea while the rudder was still slightly responsive. Since they were already in a glide, the altitude was gradually beginning to drop. Now that the engines were stopped, a reckless sharp turn would lead directly to a stall and a crash.
In the front seat was a student in the flight training course. In this extreme situation, it would be a disaster if they panicked and did something unnecessary. The uninhabited hilly area was approaching. If he was going to shatter the canopy, it had to be now.
“First Class Airman Iinuma, bail out first.”
“No! I don't want to!”
“Oh, come on, you're in the way! Go quickly!”
“...I'm sorry!”
“Don't cry! If you don't fix your posture, you'll break your neck! Your body will be torn apart!”
“Yes!”
When Iinuma made up his mind and pulled the lever, the canopy shattered, and the front seat was ejected forcefully along with a blast of flame. There were no houses in the vicinity, so the debris shouldn't cause any damage. However, there was no time to catch his breath.
“Checker 07 to Hamamatsu Control. I have had First Class Airman Iinuma bail out. Please pick him up.”
Now then. This is bad.
The flaps were becoming difficult to operate. If things continued like this, he wouldn't be able to return from the turn. The sea was far in this direction, but it couldn't be helped. He returned to level flight.
Please, hold on.
Even if he couldn't be saved, he wanted to at least activate the ejection system at the very last moment. To prove to the crew members who worked so hard day and night to maintain the aircraft that there were no mistakes. But.
The altitude is dropping. At this rate, I'll barely make it to the sea. The T-4's ejection system is designed to work even at zero altitude and zero speed. However, I cannot reach for the ejection lever until I am certain I won't involve anyone else.
I'm sorry... I might not make it.
The person most precious to me, whom I promised to protect no matter what. To think that I, of all people, might be the one to make her cry.
I'm the worst.
What flashes through my mind is her grumpy face from when we first met. Is this what they mean by 'good things never last'? Even though we finally managed to be together after so much effort.
Yuhi――――――!!
A few minutes later, the T-4 Toshio was flying disappeared from the Hamamatsu Control radar.
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Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 1] It is Important for a Commander to be Optimistic First | Kyo