A/N: The reunification process began and Japanese forces are going home. Final chapter before the epilogue.

Theme song: Two Steps from Hell - Men Of Honor (Extended version)

Hope you like this!

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The wind of change go straight, as Korean War is no more.

After an intense negotiation started almost immediately after Kim's death, the two Koreas agreed to signed not just peace, but also reunification treaty on February 25th, 2019, in the Peace House in the Joint Security Area, also known as Panmunjeom. Since the round of negotiations began the South Korean government has began socializing the new proper naming of their country as unification approaches, as just Korea, with the new official name, Korean United Republic. Representatives of Coalition Forces along with China and Russia attended and also signed the unification treaty.

The stipulation of the Treaty of Panmunjeom restrict presence of combat forces other than South Koreans in the north of the 38th parallel and after Chinese demand, a creation of a new demilitarized zone in the Chinese-Russian-Korean border, while the security regime in the new DMZ is far more relaxed compared with the old zone. To manage the transition especially the reconstruction of the former North Korea, the region was transformed into a semi-autonomous entity named Autonomous Region of Koryo (ARK). The treaty also demanded a gradual reduction of foreign forces present in the south, subject to further bilateral negotiations with the Government of the Korean Republic especially in case of the United States Forces Korea or USFK.

The new autonomous region will incorporate remnants of North Korean Ministry of People's Security and some former KPA members who didn't commit any war crimes into a new police force, named Koryo Autonomous Police Agency (KAPA) under the authority of Republic of Korea National Police Agency (KNPA).

In case of the KPA, most officers above Lieutenant Colonel/Commander, are discharged. Further vetting for war crimes and human rights violations resulted in only 9500 KPAGF officers retained by the South Koreans, after one rank demotion. Also, all soldiers above the age of 55 and 90% female personnel of the KPA were discharged.

In addition, all officers and personnel in the KPA Strategic Force, North Korean missile force, are either discharged or for those who want to serve in space related expertise and not commit war crimes, were transferred into the civilian space agency KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) after renouncing Juche, the rest are interned pending trial. The biggest part of the Strategic Force, its nuclear weapons program, must be immediately dismantled.

Korean People's Army Navy ratings and officers are mostly employed in a newly formed organization called Korea Mine Clearance Agency of KMCA to clear remaining naval mines in the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan, under supervision of both Republic of Korea Navy and Korea Maritime Police Agency (Coast Guard). The United States Navy and Japanese National Navy also provide assistance. Some also used in shore duty of securing naval materiel for the South Koreans.

For the Korean People's Army Air Force, considered as one of the most loyal to Kim, its surviving pilots, with 35 are from fighter aviation, are interned for a while in a purpose-built barracks in Osan Air Base. They faced only two choices. Renounce Juche and you can either serve in the United Korean Air Force or civilian sector, or facing trial and imprisonment. In addition, No Fly-Zones, imposed in the wake of Kim's death will be lifted to allow humanitarian aid to flow more smoothly.

About remnant forces that refuse to surrender, collectively called "holdouts", the treaty stipulated that all subsequent pacification and counter-insurgency operations to be led by South Korea, with involvement of foreign powers are restricted to "assistance" role. Many operators of the Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (KPASOF) become the core of the insurgent group, named themselves New Korean Revolutionary Army; testament of their undying loyalty to Juche, others disappeared; allegedly fled Korea to countries like Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, or joined several rebel and terror groups in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Prosecution of high level political, military, judicial, and economic leadership of the DPRK will be conducted by an International Military Tribunal for North Korea, located in Pyongyang.

All at all, the transition will be painful, but an eternally divided Korea is an anathema for a more peaceful Asia.

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March 1st, 2019

Citizens of the great Tokyo metropolis lined up the street of the city for commemoration of the "Victory Day over Korea" or VK Day.

The parade was opened by a motorcade consist of Tokyo Metropolitan Police motorcycles and police cars followed by JNA military police vehicles, along with engines and ambulances from the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department.

The second group consist of itasha car owners and (legal) motorcycle club members served as volunteer escorts for the oncoming troops.

And the main part began with color guards carrying Japanese flag and standards of the Japanese military, followed by Army (including the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, the Japanese Marines), Navy, and Air Force personnel.

Crowds are throwing scrap paper and flowers into both Japanese and allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen from the United States, Britain, France, and others, as they are marching through Tokyo as the band played various march songs from Allied nations participated in the reunification.

"Takeshi-nii!" cried Nagi upon she saw her brother was present in the column, while her (and Takeshi's) parents following, relieved that their son had survived the war.

The column were soon followed by Komatsu LAV and Australian-made Bushmaster MRAP tactical vehicles leading the procession of Japanese and allied military vehicles of various kinds including American M1 Abrams, British Challenger 2, and even Russian made T-90 tanks used by the Indian Army.

The most exciting part of the march, however, is the flypast. JNA helicopters leading the procession with a formation of CH-47 Chinooks, V-22 Ospreys, UH-60J Blackhawks, and UH-1 Hueys followed by gunships such as AH-1J Cobras, OH-1s, and AH-64DJ/EJ Apaches. American Chinooks, Apaches, Vipers (AH-1Z) and Blackhawks along with MQ-9 Reapers and Elbit Hermes 900 UAVs followed the Japanese formation.

Following the helicopters and drones, Air Force and Navy transport and multi-engined aircraft were unveiled. C-130s, C-2s, C-1s, C-3s, and American C-17s, trailed by airliner-based aircrafts such as Japanese E-767, American E-12 AWACS, KC-135, KC-767 and KC-46 tankers, along with purpose-built P-1 maritime patrol aircrafts and Shinmaywa US-2 amphibians. Followed the Japanese and American formation were six A400Ms with each two were British, French, and German along with two Indian C-17 and two Indonesian A400Ms. Two American B-1 and two B-52 bombers are the last to fly in the multi-engined aircraft formations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rG0PDQDVuM

As the band plays the Japanese Air Force March "The Fighter in the Sky" (video embedded) a formation of four JNAF F-15J Eagles soared overhead in V formation. Kousei led the formation, followed by American F-15X from the 67th Fighter Squadron "Fighting Cocks". Emi, in the meantime, is Kousei's element leader.

The Eagles were soon followed by stealth fighters, consist of both American and Japanese F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightnings, each flying in an eight-ship formation followed by Korean KF-25s and F/A-18 Hornets, both "classic" (A/B/C/D variant) represented by the Canadians, Filipinos, and the US Marine Corps, and "Super Hornet" (E/F) flown by the Japanese, Australians, and the US Navy.

Trailing the Hornet formation was F-15E Strike Eagles from Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the United States. Tsubaki and Watari, flying one of the F-15Es felt truly honored to be part of the formation as it fly above the Shibuya district.

European contribution to the flypast include four-ship formation of French Rafales and a joint sixteen-ship flight of Eurofighter Typhoons from Britain, Germany, Spain, and Italy followed by Hungarian JAS-39 Gripens along with Polish, Belgian, and Dutch F-35s.

In respect of Russian-made warplanes contribution to the Coalition cause, a joint formation of Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian Sukhoi Su-30 Flankers also flew above Tokyo.

After the Russian jets, sixteen Mitsubishi F-2s followed by eight USAF and eight ROKAF F-16s passed the city in full view of the crowd.

The flypast was closed with JNAF Blue Impulse aerobatic team in their T-4 trainers leading the formation of several Asia-Pacific and NATO military aerobatic teams such as USAF Thunderbirds, USN Blue Angels, RAF Red Arrows, IAF Suryakirans, ROKAF Black Eagles, and RSAF Black Knights.

The nation, and the Free World in general, is celebrating.

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After the celebration, it's time for memorial.

A day after the parade. Kousei, Emi, Tsubaki, Watari, Takeshi, and their soldier friends are going to Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, which was heavily trafficked as almost everyday, Japanese soldiers who had fallen in Korea are being repatriated and buried at the cemetery.

But their main purpose are to pay respect to one of Tsubaki's friend, Kashiwagi Nao, fallen in the Battle of Munchon months before.

Despite wearing civilian clothes, they started with a military salute in front of her grave.

Kashiwagi Nao

Captain, Japanese National Army

Aviation Branch

24 March 2000 - 4 August 2018

Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class

Red Cordon (1)

Operation Dragon's Fire

Loving daughter, A good friend

Tsubaki knelt upon one of her best friend's headstone and said, fighting her tears in the process. "We won the war for you. You are in the better place now, Kashiwagi-chan. I swear that you will never be forgotten. Because soldiers never die, they just fade away."

Unexpectedly, Nao's parents, together with her brother, Okada, fifteen years old, were also come to Chidorigafuchi for the same purpose.

"Ohayou" Nao's father, Kashiwagi Takuma, greeted the soldiers gathered.

The soldiers replied and bowed in respect. But the bereaved patriarch soon execute a military salute, and they returned in kind.

"I maybe not looked like one, but I also was one of yours back in the mid-eighties. I was in the Rikujo Jieitai for five years in the artillery before starting my own business, and later, a happy family, including her."

Watari replied. "Thank you for your service, sir."

"On the contrary, it's me who must give my gratitude to all of you. Young, and with a long future, who are willing to sacrifice their own dreams for this great nation. I think this war is pretty much a rude awakening for this country, long washed with complacency during our good days (referring to the 1960s-1980s Japanese economic miracle) even as we are facing mass ageing of our people. I maybe not much a religious man but to be honest, whatever god you believe are using this event for our own good." Takuma continued.

"We'll ensure this will never be forgotten." Emi replied.

Both Kashiwagi's family and Kousei's friends took turn to pay their respect. Along with Kashiwagi, three more alumnus of Sumiya Junior High, Kousei, Watari, and Tsubaki's almamater, has paid the ultimate price over Korea.

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Kousei and his friends continued their memorial trip. This time, back to Totsuhara, to Kaori and Saki's grave.

Kousei was the first to put flower on their graves, before straighten himself up for another military salute.

"Kaori, Mum, we won our war. Korea will soon be a whole nation again and Japan are less dependent with the Americans now. I can hear you playing your violin up above greeting our fallen brothers and sisters in arms with Mum playing the piano in a symphony above the sky.

Especially for you Kaori, It has been four years since you left me but I'm happy now. Because that's what you want. You'll certainly proud of me!

I remember you had said to me that I'm not unable to play, but just to find reason to run away. You know what? That word caused me to not run away when the draft came and I do it all, training and flying and ruling the sky, it's because of you.

I also realized that along with piano, airplane is a part of my life now. I, and Emi, are no longer just musicians. They said that once an Airman always an Airman despite retirement or resignation. So, aviation will always be part of my life and Emi's, along with Watari and Tsubaki.

Kousei moved to Saki's grave. "Speaking about playing in Europe, Mum, I might need to cast it aside for a while as the service still need me, Emi, Watari or Tsubaki. In fact. Watari had said to me that he found military life are better suited for him, while eventually the rest of us will be back to civilian one. Life events changes you, am I right?" He chuckled slightly.

Emi continued "Saki, Kaori, now you can celebrate with us as we vow that your sacrifice will not be in vain as we rebuild our life together. Look at us as we continue our service watching the skies of this archipelago! Our music will always be colorful."

Takeshi. "I don't know you well, Kaori, Saki, but I just say thank you for returning Kousei that I know into the world he belongs. And I believe you are inside us too in our recent battles we have, in land, in air, and in sea. I proud to fight alongside my friends and in honor of one of my noble ancestors, Hattori Hanzou, served honorably under his master, Ieyasu Tokugawa. I vow to always make my music as noble and as colorful until the day I returned to them!"

Soon, Tsubaki's turn "Kaori-chan, like Emi said, you can celebrate this victory with us. You will be always live with us like your last letter said. Our road ahead might be dark. But we believe that the stars will guide us into that future.

Watari's turn. "It needs courage to sail over uncharted waters. you said. We had proven it now after months in the air. And our journey are still continued even as this war has been ended. All of killings we made and sweat we shed are not in vain. Saki, Kaori, keep looking us as we reach the stars!"

The rest of the group take turns to pay respect.

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March 3rd, 2019. Jeong's Korean Restaurant (San Jung).

Kousei, Watari, Emi, Tsubaki, and Takeshi are gathered in San Jung. Jeong's Korean restaurant to dine together celebrating the Victory Day, wearing their uniforms.

"What's up?" Jeong are the first to greet them.

"Good as always, Jeong-san" Watari replied to his best friend.

"Glad to see you all survived!" he exclaimed.

"You must be proud that you all had done your part in the reunification" a voice said. It's Haruka.

"Yeah, ha ha ha.. "

"Kousei, Emi, Takeshi!" It's Aoki and Makoto, wearing civilian clothes.

"Am I late?" It's Jiro Mizutani, the only one in the close group that was exempted from draft.

"None at all, Jiro. But I think you are in Naha?"

"This is weekend, and my family are currently here in Tokyo so it's good to meet you all, save and sound." he replied.

"Konbanwa" a female voice. It's Kaori.

"I'm happy to see you in one piece, Kaori" Takeshi greeted.

"As a fellow infantry I'm glad to see you too" The drummer replied.

"Alright people, dinner time!" Jeong called.

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As they are eating and celebrating the end of the war, they reflect how their lives are changed as the result of the war and what it will effect their own dream. But what matters now in the table is they are alive and well, and the nation is standing stronger than before as peace once again rule it.

Kousei stood up and raised his sparkling fruit juice and said "To peace, kanpai!"

"To peace, Kanpai!" The gathering of friends replied, clinking their drinks.

After long minute of chatting and celebrating, the place began to clear as they are return to their place of rest. To Kousei, Watari, Emi, and Tsubaki, it will be their respective family house to catch up with their own family before returned to Yokota to resume their duty.

As they reached the door. Kousei suddenly muttered. "To be honest, despite we're in uniform over the time, I believe you are looking good as always. This war is over and we might be still pilots. But for today we deserve some affection within each other. Up close and personal" After saying that, he went over and hug his girlfriend and fellow pianist-aviator, appreciating her figure inside the uniform. Especially her short (due to regulations), but silky black hair.

Emi, flustered on his move, immediately crashed her lips into Kousei's one.

"Yeah! Way to go mate!" Watari cheered, while Tsubaki stood still.

"About time I see you two kissing. Even back in school you are not this bold." Takeshi said.

"Nothing can separate us now, my love". Emi whispered on Kousei's hear, still embracing each other, as they began their way home.

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Meanwhile, Honoka, Kotori, Umi, Eli, and the rest of the former member of Muse are commemorating the VK Day with a shrine visit in Akihabara, named Kanda Myoujin, which one of it's older members, Nozomi Toujou, which was not drafted, are one of it's miko (shrine maiden).

"We wish peace reigns upon our nation" The leader, Honoka, are the first to pray, followed by the rest of the idols with their own life.

They later gathered in a circle, then one of the former 1st year, Rin Hoshizora, said.

"Our country had won this war, so let us bring this victory to our life-nya!"

"Victory always!" The nine young girls cheered.

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And so the new era of peace began.

Time will answer about if this peace will last for a good amount of it. But all of men and women of Japan who participate in Korean War wished that it will be a Peace in their time, with challenges on its own especially, uncertain economic climate and the ageing of it's populace...

A/N:

1. Red Cordon only exist in my imagination and it's Japanese equivalent for United States Armed Forces' Purple Heart awarded for those who had wounded or killed in action in combat scenarios.

2. What do you think about this ending? Tell it in the comment section below and don't forget to click the star to vote!