A/N: This video above is piano cover for "Hero" by Mariah Carey. And yes, this story is a slight crossover with an idol themed anime, Love Live!

???? August 2018, ???? hour, Pyongyang.

"Well, this is very warm" the first thought inside Watari's mind as he awoke from a long sleep.

"I'm in bed" his senses slowly come back on-line. He felt the comfortable blanket wrapped his body and the equally comfortable bed. 

"I'm definitely in the hospital" his eyes, while not fully cleared, soon saw medical tools and equipments including heart beat monitor and IV needles around him. Moments later, he finally fully aware of his surroundings; he's inside a four-bed ward and he can see two more people occupying two beds. Possibly injured soldiers like him. Outside, it's raining, as the East Asian Monsoon greeted the occupied city. As far as he know, Pyongyang is still under Coalition control.

The door opened and two man in combat uniforms that he recognized the first man as South Korean, further reinforced by the writing "R.O.K. ARMY" (Republic of Korea Army) in his left breast pocket. The second man wears Japanese uniform, he recognize it by the rank and Hinomaru flag in his left-shoulder patch and his left breast-pocket sported "J.N.A.F" (Japanese National Air Force) sewn on it. 

"All vital signs improving, looks good." said the Korean man in English, with slight Korean accent.

"Excellent" replied his Japanese counterpart. Watari took comfort that there was one of his countryman accompanying the Korean, as during training back in Japan he was taught that North Koreans had managed to re-create South Korean camouflage and even unlicensed copies of the latter standard issue rifle, Daewoo K2, as part of their deception effort.

The Korean left the room, while the Japanese remained in the ward. And then Watari realized that his personal effects are meticulously put on a table besides him, which includes photographs of him, Tsubaki, Kousei, and Emi during the academy, and the late Miyazono Kaori.

"Ohayou" said the man.

"Ohayou" Watari replied with a smile.

"Still in pain?" asked the Japanese medic again.

"Some, but much better now" The aspiring footballer replied.

"Good"

"Nan-ji desu ka?" (what time is it?)

"1020 hours. And today is Tuesday, August 28th."

"And by the way, where are we?" Watari asked again.

"This place used to be Red Cross Hospital, a private hospital primarily catering NoKor party elites. As we captured the city, this is now the main Coalition hospital in the city. North Koreans who were unable to be evacuated in time are treated in the separate wing, now as POW, here. Before I forget, let me introduce myself, my name is Souchou (Master Sergeant) Youji Himeno." 

"Do you know what happen to my pilot, and my plane, sir?" Watari continued.

"As far as I have heard, the damage is too extensive due to fire, so it was written off. Speaking of your pilot, here she comes. Oh, before that, I was told by your CO to inform you, that you and her are recommended for Distinguished Flying Cordon due to your actions."  Himeno replied, 

Immediately Tsubaki entered the room and without any hesitation, jumped into Watari's bed and hugged him tightly.

"Em, Tsubaki, please let me breath for a while, okay? I'm just wake up from a long sleep.." he said, still not fully energized.

"Thank Heaven you're okay!! Two days ago I dreamed about you left me, and I stood in your grave. I also saw Kousei and Emi's one too.. " Tsubaki said, still hugging her boyfriend, her voice breaking and tears swelling on her eyes.

 "Worry not, Tsubaki. When we entered the academy back then I promised to never left you, and today, I fulfilled it. How's everyone?" Watari asked, referring to his fellow squadronmates.

"They badly missed you, you big prat. Also Kousei and Emi" Tsubaki retorted.

---

"Speaking of those two, where are they?" 

"In their base in Osan. He said to me that his squadron were still periodically encountered Flankers or MiGs in the DMZ sector threating our forces, along with kamikaze, drones, and infiltration crafts, so both he and Emi couldn't visit us here. In plus side, you need to know we has already been relieved by South Koreans, especially after their 2nd Armored Brigade entered the city yesterday from Koksan. Heavy resistance on their way." Tsubaki continued.

Soon, the rest of the 2nd Squadron pilots and CSOs arrived, in turns, to visit Watari. 

One of them, Lt. Koizumi said. "Slinger, with pleasure, please receive this letter, it addressed to our Squadron specially for you." 

"You know, I'm younger than you and in this occassion, please not to be so formal, okay?" Damn Koizumi being a law student before entering the military and son of a general..

It turns out that the CO's recommendation of Distinguished Flying Cordon was approved by the high command.

"Lieutenant Watari, Lieutenant Tsubaki, you're herebly awarded the DFC and along with that, a promotion, effective immediately, to Captain." said Col. Kenji.

"Thank you, sir" Watari finally stood up, still with hospital clothes, with Tsubaki, for the first time since the mission, and saluted his squadron commander. Four days later he is fully cleared for flying again, to the happiness of Tsubaki.

---

Meanwhile,  August 28th 2018, 1700 hour, Osan Air Base, Pyeongtaek, ROK.

Kousei and Emi entered the Osan AB's Officer's club. They were having another grueling day intercepting light aircrafts used by North Koreans to infiltrate special forces into the South. The Osan AB itself is under the control of the USAF, and so it's O'club, but for gesture of respect to it's foreign partners, the establishment was opened for them too. The cheery American tender greeted the Japanese officers as they went in.

"Welcome to Osan's O'club! Our "not so new" allies is gracing us with their presence! Want some drink? 

Before the pilots ordered their own drink, they are called by a group of Korean F-35 pilots which executed the same air defense mission as the Japanese over the former DMZ.

Without hesitation, one ROKAF pilot said "Want some drink?" in English, after the Japanese are seated.

Both Kousei and Emi said "Of course!"

It's good to know your allies better. Especially your immediate neighbor.

As Kousei and Emi are far younger than the Koreans, the eldest Korean pilot by the name of Capt. Seon Dal-Hwan was the first to offer them mild makgeolli (Korean rice wine) with his two hands.

"Thank you" Kousei said upon receiving his own share of wine.

After all pilots had received their share. Seon lead the joint Japanese-Korean gathering to hit their vessels.

"To reconciliation and reunification, people!"

"To reconciliation and reunification!"

As they drink, Kousei and Emi soon know that Capt. Seo is one of the Korean (and F-35 JSF) aces with 7.5 kills. 

Meanwhile, near their table, there was an officer, American because of his patch, are playing "Diamonds in the Sky" by Rihanna in piano.

After the officer ended his play, Kousei and Emi turned over and clapped at him. He only smiled and soon introduced himself as Maj. Daniel Liu. He soon said "Want to play?"

Both Japanese pilot nodded and soon went to the piano. 

"Kousei, Emi!" It's their flight lead.

Almost immediately numbers of officers gathered near the piano to hear both Japanese play. 

Then, Symphonia 3-1, Honoka, went forward to accompany both pianist with vocal. The 21-years old former leader of school idol group "μ's" (Muse) suggested "Hero" by Mariah Carey to play.

And the collaboration begins.

As the song plays, Kousei thought about heroes that formed him. Especially Kaori who sacrificed her own life while Emi mostly about her own parents, while not forgetting their friends serving in different branches, further helped by Honoka's singing.

Kotori Minami, Honoka's wingman and best friend and fellow Muse member, cannot held her tears while reminiscing their time in Otonokizaka High School (and the idol group).

"I wish Umi, Eli, Maki, and the others were here.." Kotori muttered.

Both Kousei and Emi were advised by their piano mentors before deployment to treat the moments they are able to play as "their last days on earth".

---

"Encore!"

"Encore!"

They felt glad of such appreciation. 

Music is a good way to cope with the hell of war for soldiers. Music also give them hope for an eventual end of the war..

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