Vol. 1 Chapter 1: Prologue

With the sun at its zenith, Tokyo was radiant with a resurgence of vibrant movement this way and that. Cars filled the street lanes, sometimes paused for minutes due to the sheer saturation of traffic.

All skyscrapers lined up neatly against the straight roadway, they reflected sunlight outward, creating a panoramic view competing with the ocean's expansive blue waters.

Drawn away from the hustle and bustle of city movement, a household of modesty is visible. A brick-laden house in a currently quiet neighborhood presented itself to the beholder, where this story's protagonist resided.

Constant crackles could be heard; it sounded like someone was cooking. Indeed, Takashi Ishikawa was preparing a homemade pizza on the solar-powered oven, awaiting completion any second now.

Bolton Radical, his best friend, was sitting at a table in the living room, upholding their conversation at a rather high volume. In Bolton's hand was a sketchpad, where he poured out his unending imagination as a manifestation of colors onto its pages.

As he spoke, he continued drawing his artwork. "Dude, take off that jacket!" he scolded. "There's no need to force yourself to suffer when it's this hot." The chocolate-skinned boy could hardly understand. 

A jacket was heavy, not only in weight but as an insulator of heat too! As a result, ignoring it was out of the equation; he wanted to grasp what Ishikawa's thought process was while adorning himself in such overcompensating clothing.

"Why don't you try guessing?" Ishikawa issued a challenge to his friend, swatting his own purple hair in the process. "If you get the right answer, I'll give you five-hundred yen. Yeah?"

"What the hell?" Bolton was left bamboozled by this response. "... Okay, but don't pussy out once I get it right! I know you're broke right now, Ishikawa."

'What confidence,' Ishikawa thought inwardly. 'Am I that easy to see through?' Seeing the lack of hesitation in his friend's behaviour brought about a sense of embarrassment. It's not like the answer was particularly noteworthy or unique, but it wasn't exactly the type of thing one could guess at first try.

Bolton scratched his head, considering the challenge. "Alright, let's see... Is it some weird fashion statement or maybe a superstition?"

Ishikawa chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite, Bolton. Think deeper."

Bolton squinted, trying to decipher the mystery. "Is it some cultural thing? Like, wearing it for good luck or to show respect?"

Ishikawa grinned, appreciating his friend's attempts. "Getting warmer, but not quite there."

Bolton snapped his fingers. "I got it! You're secretly a superhero, and that jacket conceals your super suit!"

Ishikawa burst into laughter, "If only life were that exciting, my friend. But no, not a superhero."

Bolton sighed, "Alright, give me a hint, man."

Ishikawa leaned in, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "It's a musical choice, Bolton. A nod to my favorite artist."

Bolton raised an eyebrow. "Music? Seriously? Alright, let's narrow it down. Is it related to Michael Jackson?"

Ishikawa nodded, impressed. "Bingo! Now, why do you think I'm wearing it in this heat?"

Bolton grinned triumphantly. "Thriller! You're trying to channel the King of Pop vibes!"

Ishikawa tossed him a 500-yen coin, laughing. "You nailed it, Bolton. Thriller jacket for the win!"

As they shared a good-natured laugh, little did they know that this lighthearted moment would soon be eclipsed by the shadows of war and tragedy. With their laughter echoing through the living room, Ishikawa and Bolton continued their banter, blissfully unaware of the impending storm. As the homemade pizza finished baking, filling the air with a tempting aroma, the two friends settled down to enjoy their meal.

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As they savored each slice, Bolton couldn't help but bring up another topic. "Hey, Ishikawa, did you hear about those rumors? People talking about war and stuff?"

Ishikawa paused, a subtle shadow crossing his face. "Yeah, I've heard bits and pieces. It's hard to believe it could happen, though."

Bolton nodded, his tone more serious. "I hope it's just talk. War's no joke."

Ishikawa finished his pizza and wiped his hands on a paper towel. "It's never easy, Bolton. But we have to do what we can to prevent it from affecting us."

Bolton nodded, his eyes distant. "I know. But sometimes I wonder if we're doing enough."

Ishikawa put a comforting hand on Bolton's shoulder. "Chill out, man. We're just teenagers! If anyone would be worried about that, it should be these damn politicians who make things worse with their retarded decisions."

With a pensive silence holding the room, Bolton suggested, "Turn on the TV, man. We can watch something interesting while eating, you know?"

Agreeing to his request, Ishikawa used the remote, operating the television.

What they saw...

A crusade against injustice was sparked by popular anime creator Hayao Miyazaki, a call to action through anti-war protests. This started when he accepted an interview from CNN very recently.

"Miyazaki-sensei, thank you for joining us today. We have a lot to discuss," the host greeted amiably.

Hayao Miyazaki's voice echoed through the airwaves, reaching the hearts of millions as he addressed the dire situation unfolding. The anti-war protests, inspired by the legendary anime creator's call to action, became a symbol of resistance against the injustice of the invasion.

As the interview with CNN unfolded, Miyazaki's words resonated with a global audience, igniting a flame of defiance against the looming conflict. The host, recognizing the gravity of the moment, continued the conversation, delving into the motivations behind Miyazaki's plea for peace.

"Miyazaki-sensei, your powerful message has stirred the hearts of people worldwide. What drove you to take such a bold stance against the war, and what do you hope to achieve through these protests?" the host inquired, capturing the essence of a world grappling with the harsh realities of conflict.

Miyazaki, his expression reflecting a blend of determination and concern, responded, "Thank you for having me. We are at a crucial juncture where humanity's choices will shape the future. I cannot stand idly by when innocent lives are at stake, and the flames of war threaten to engulf us all."

He continued, his words resonating with a sense of urgency. "Anime has the power to inspire, to unite. Through our creations, we cultivate empathy and understanding. Now, more than ever, we must use this power to stand against the forces that seek to divide us."

The host nodded, recognizing the gravity of Miyazaki's call. "Your influence reaches far and wide, Miyazaki-sensei. How do you envision the impact of these protests on a global scale?"

Miyazaki leaned forward, his eyes carrying a weight of responsibility. "I hope these protests become a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest times, unity and compassion can prevail. It is my wish that the world sees the futility of war and collectively strives for a peaceful resolution."

Even further, the grey-haired man put his wants into words, making the most of this chance to influence viewers. "Taiwan is more than just a source of silicon chips, more than a means for Chinese politicians to manifest their imperialistic tendencies barbarically. It is a land filled with people who want to live their own lives. We Japanese people pride ourselves on our humanity, so shouldn't we show it by standing up for an oppressed neighbour?"

With another pause, he inhaled a fresh volume of air, wiping his slightly sweaty face with a handkerchief. "To all the people watching this, I hope you join my cause. We should find ourselves on the right side of history while we still can."

There was an added depth to his words. Japan had earned itself a muddy reputation through its past warcrimes. This was especially true in World War II, when they forced women into sexual slavery (this was most egregious amongst their other misdeeds). Although the country has apologized numerously in modern times, the past has not been forgotten, and many people still hold a grudge against the Japanese people.

Within the words, 'Find ourselves on the right side of history,' was a reference to the fact that Japan was allied with Nazi Germany and Italy. This, in truth, landed Japan in an even darker light, for they were members of the side considered 'evil' by the rest of the world.

But alas... History is written by the victor.

Miyazaki, a leftist through and through, wanted his country to be part of the good guys this time. Remaining as bystanders was simply not enough if his wish was ever to be realized. Any astute observer would be able to discern this, and this was the intended effect of the man himself.

As the interview concluded, Miyazaki's words lingered in the minds of those who listened. The anti-war protests, fueled by the legendary anime creator's call to action, had ignited a firestorm of resistance against the injustice of war.

Digesting the scene, Ishikawa and Bolton both realized, things were more serious than they anticipated. They were under the assumption that, because Japan was generally peaceful, they wouldn't feel any impact even if there was a clash of nations nearby.

Was Miyazaki overreacting? Or was he doing the sensible thing by using his position of influence to spark pushback against war? These were questions only time could answer.

But for now, they had to focus on their own lives and the future they hoped to create. As the two friends finished their meal, Ishikawa turned off the TV, and the room fell silent once again.

[ End of Chapter ]