Sergeant 2nd Class (SSGT/Nitou Rikusou) Sawabe Tsubaki

The last month of the year is here, and to our surprise, everything is white when I opened my eyes.

You're right, snow in the desert! 

"No way!" said my gunner/relief commander Leading Private Tadano Aichi, upon we're outside the troop carrier we slept at.

But no way this will mean rest, as we went for yet another combined arms exercise. Along with Americans and some Europeans, we learned to appreciate a set of new allies from South East Asia. 

As much as I can count, here, a brigade worth of troops from tropical country of Indonesia with their patch of red and white flag that were getting themselves familiar with part of the whole Coalition's "Arsenal of Liberty" and the climate of the Northern Hemisphere in general alongside their counterparts from the newly-democratic Vietnam, proudly with their yellow-red colors of their flag.

"We got drilled on how hot and rain alike is our friend back at home, but for sure our instructors means snow as well." said one Indonesian with a smile, a subdued black chevron on his shoulder - which I learned quickly that it means that he's an NCO with the same squad leader responsibility as we had MRE time as usual. 

"Same as usual" that's what Watari told me, as he managed to reach my position just in time for chow.

The second day of the month was the same thing altogether, when in the sudden, some scumbags out there who call themselves real Americans and against this war let managed to slip flying hostile drones packed with explosives inside our training ground.

--- "We got hostile drones. This is not a drill!! 

On the radio, I could hear one American asked "What the f*ck? Engage!"

In the meantime, even in acknowledgement of such threat our shiny brand new Type 22 troop carrier had been fitted with wire cages overhead I took no risk and hollered on the intercom. "Troopers, dismount and find some cover!" ---

Two Americans lost their life in the process, and many more were injured by the blasts, including Staff Sergeant Morishima and his systems operator Specialist Hinaki Takayama - an expert in operating and troubleshooting small drones as well as other digital systems like the tactical tablets - a new position rolled out GDF-wide after the first invasion and the subsequent mobilization.

................

But our duties must go on, and on Saturday, December 6th, a memorandum came from Japan.

Some say it was belated, but I don't mind. The perks of extra pay was too good to pass, especially for sake of my mum, with my extra chevron as Nitou Rikusou (Sergeant 2nd Class) - officially translated to English Staff Sergeant similar to it's US Army origin - was given in order for us to follow the American practice of bumping up their squad leadership.

And when it's time for togetherness moment between allies - a black American NCO rose up. 

"Let's have some dance battle" 

"I'm in!" I was the first to respond, followed by exchanges of other things related to it's arrangement, then came the deals. Even several officers are more than happy to let off steam - although this one would as I have seen on how Americans did many more things - an enlisted affair primarily.

Weekend arrived, I hope everything I learned back in college club are still there after all this time... Yet every concern in the open was dashed by a certain someone.

"No worry, Sergeant" That smile of his. "Just like back then". It's not far from the NCO barracks, I can say. 

"Oh, not again, call me Tsubaki for this time, please." 

Shichou Tachibana went on to sat near me and Watari. 

"Our folks at home are gonna have quite a collection by the time we're back in Japan, sarge" 

I nodded. 

"Also, according to the news, and some of our officers, you'll be happy to know..

...that Shin-Godzilla 2 is still playing on theaters...

"It was worth our money, you know that" replied Watari at the corporal, who then smiled.

"Some lowlifes on the internet think that in this situation we cannot be normal, what the f*ck is wrong with them?" Tachibana asked. "Those things are the reasons we fight"

"Not only that, but you're right" I replied.

"Anyway" Tachibana asked again. "How's our Lieutenant doing?"

"On their way to LA for a performance with Lieutenant Kousei and our own band - and many more bands from our allies." Watari answered. "It's on the same time as what we're going to do here with the dance battle."

"Wish I can be there in LA, if only no such damn quota" 

"Don't fret, Shichou, the MWR room are open for the livestream, you know." It was Sergeant Kitazawa, Kousei's tank gunner, who had appeared behind Tachibana.

And not for long it's about time we're heading to the designated arena - the stage has been set, open air, troopers were in circle ready for the free for all...

The DJ was just your typical American soldier.

"People, ready to dance???" 

"Bring it!"

I stepped forward on the center of the circle, facing my American opponent, a dark skinned female Corporal, their equivalent to rikushichou.

"Give your best" that American soldier smiled at me. 

"You too" 

Our fists made contact with each other, sign of respect, and music started... 

Looking at the American who move first and I found myself missed my school, where during cultural festivals I often lead the trio of breakdancing-loving teachers - a math teacher, a chemistry one, and myself. The school - a private one - where I am part of has quite a strong focus to the arts, in fact, it's Kousei's almamater.

My turn came, and not for long my body did what I want it to be. Every energy released also radiated a desire for us to come back alive and to win, how we had so many things to share with the world, and most importantly, on how people from different places can simply be... together. Intermingling between officers and lower ranks was the order of the day....

"Yeah!"

"Sugoi!"

It's addicting... I want to dance more and more, and not just me, as Watari also stepped in, facing another American Big Red One kid, this time European in looking. The guy might not be 20 yet corresponding with his single chevron insignia - private E-2 - rank.

To those asked "will this reach home?" the answer is way too obvious in our current age with the air of freedom permeated every part of our being that day.

...................................................................

1/LT Kaori Arima

The same day of weekend

Here we are, Walt Disney Concert Hall, after a seemingly forever travel using armored buses courtesy of the Americans. 

Never in my mind I'll step here with Kousei.

"Did you know that the acoustics of this very building was designed by a Japanese?" An unforgettable question at me and Kousei from Major Hoffman during our bus ride. 

The story started from a dinner table discussion between us, officers and some invited NCOs on a cold night on December 10th.

"Let's have some joint performance" said the bandmaster of the Nerima Division band by the name of Major Toshihiro Aoyama to his counterpart of the America's famous "Big Red One" divisional band, Major Joseph Hoffman, whose Japanese was surprisingly good. It's not the end, when the American major faced Major Aoyama and said "Well, I heard your division had a lot of musicians outside the band... Early Christmas gift here, folks. The people need our love and music is, well, one of its means."  

And I decided to respond.

"Major Aoyama and Major Hoffman"

"At ease" smiled Aoyama, and my husband besides me also had the same reaction.

"One of your rapper named Ice Cube told the world that music is freedom, anyway."

"Exactly my point, Arima-san." it's Major Hoffman who replied. "And we shall do it in the open. Those rebel drones are not going to stop us!"

"Any addition, by the way?" It's my husband who asked.

"One of it will be the 40 ID Band. Cal Guard. They are anxious to do their thing after several months being used as predominantly drone busters, facility guards, and prisoner security, as well as softening up those people IYKWIM..." After a chuckle, Hoffman continued. "...There also will be the 1st Marine Division Band... then, a representative traditional group from the Indonesian Air Force - some of them are pilots... and many more"

With the current situation, this moment did not mean the relaxation of uniform and protection requirement; helmet and armor remained on at all times. 

"Earth to Kousei." It's yet another round of hug for Kousei, in which I saw him often pacing alone, looking at the mirror oblivious to everyone. "Just tell me everything."

"Kaori" my tanker husband started. "Just thinking on how this can be our last time playing together. And before you said don't even think about that, let me tell you something... It's about my last time Togetsu-san messaged me... I am sorry to not yet telling you about that."

I remembered how both of our fellow teachers in House of Melody did not make it out alive, but this is somehow a new blow, but truth has to be heard...

"...He told me that when you have your opportunity to play... think that these can be your last... simple as that."

"...Which explain back in Japan how you literally hugged it when we're back home at first..." I answered. 

At the backstage "You're ready?" asked my platoon sergeant. It's time to went up, to that spotlight that's awaiting the two of us.

My eyes were focusing on my husband, similarly clad, sitting on the piano. His smile was as bright as ever, more powerful than any armor can hold, including in our war machines. 

Our singer was a former idol and a singing teacher, 1st Lieutenant Kaori Sakuramori. 

She's also a good pianist, and one of her nicknames within fans was the "IGDF songstress", due to her father's factor; Major General Akihiko Sakuramori, retired two years before the war but was reactivated as Deputy Chief of Staff of the GDF Reserve Command. An activated reservist, her duty station in the Division was in the target acquisition battery of one of our divisional gun artillery regiment and a qualified drone operator.

"No, don't be like your husband, overthinking things..." my mind ran, further into that time when everything was better... 

"Show the courage of Japanese people, everyone" said Major Aoyama at us before our departure from the desert camp to LA.

I put on a smile on everyone, before it started. The atmosphere was quickly transformed - as we're bringing the audience atop our wings to a more colorful world... A world when war seems to not exist at all, thanks to the song choice that the singer chose for us, contemporary in type, and commonly used by my students, too.  Despite the harsh reality out there and even wish from me, Kousei and everyone that we could turn back time to the point that we won't even need to wear the uniform, armor, and to kill someone... 

Sure, this shall reach our people who cannot be present here, as well as those recently fell victim to those dastardly drones... That's what my husband added to the mix within the music itself. A blend of Japanese traditional and modern flavor was what made this composition unique. 

The ear-pleasing time was not only ours. Examples include a couple of Indonesian pilots and enlisted airmen brought a piece of Gamelan show - a traditional percussion set with variations include Balinese and Javanese ones, followed by a contemporary band performance by American marines as well as the Cal Guardsmen, largely playing marches like the always famous From the Halls of Montezuma for those leathernecks, as well as the dedicated musicians of our Nerima Division e.g. it's orchestra as well as it's Singing Sergeants - who mostly sung popular Western song in this performance. Not done yet, another group of American Marines stepped in with something else - a set of drums and flutes. Not just simple drums and flutes, but a particular model of wooden flutes and drums commonly used by Native Americans, which explained the tribal garb worn by the new group.

"These are the Tribal Voices Sub-Group of the President's Own..." explained one marine in a brief fashion as the music went all over the place. "All are Indigenous... volunteer... "

"Thank you for everything" was the closing message of our music, and theirs too - Americans, Indonesians, British, Canadian, Vietnamese, Koreans... and many more.

..........................