February 18th, 2019. near Mount Paektu.

Kim's gone. Kousei said to himself as he once more airborne with Symphonia 1, directly commanded by Col. Hamada. But some of it's loyalists are still dangerous. Thankfully the Chinese is letting us pass their temporarily occupied territory.

The flight's mission was TARCAP mission over Mount Paektu. In testament of the newly minted, if temporary, cooperation with China, Kousei can saw four PLAAF marked Shenyang J-11Ds in the portside. 

Hamada maintained his own cool, along with his pilots, but their stance show the Chinese that the Coalition means business and if they want to do anything funny, it will be the last thing they ever do. 

Kousei and Emi also know that in front of them, four American F-22s are leading the patrol.

Their objective are enforcements of northern part of the Northern Korea No-Fly Zone, near the border with China and Russia, targeting remnants of North Korean military that refuse to surrender. Speaking of the refuseniks, there are reports already about guerrilla activities targeting mostly Western and Japanese forces in the area, along with KPAF remnants challenging both Coalition and Chinese fighters.

"Be advised we have contact, heading south, bearing 360, Angels 20 and closing fast." said a South Korean Boeing 737 AEW, callsign "San-geo" both in English and Mandarin.

"This is Slayer lead, we're engaging the bandits, Fox three!" said the Raptor leader as his flight started their engagement with the KPAF remnant forces, detected as MiG-29s.

"More contacts taking off from Samjiyon" the AWACS called again.

"Target is identified as MiG-23 and Su-25 fighter-bombers and they are heading towards Chongjin. Intercept ASAP"

"Roger that, San-geo, we're underway" Hamada replied.

"This is Qizhongji lead, we hear you, moving to intercept" said the Chinese flight leader.

"I got a lock, Fox three!" Emi launched two AAM-4s into two nearby Frogfoots, disintegrating it. The rest break off try to avoid the interceptors. But as their escorts are being destroyed by American Raptors, their effort are doomed to utter failure. 

"Great work, everyone" Hamada called as one Chinese scored a final blow by downing two MiG-23 within-visual range.

The Chinese flight-lead replied with respect and admiration to the Japanese, despite their political differences. 

"Acknowledged Symphonia.. I am impressed with your pilots, No wonder one of our air regiments in Korea has been instructed directly from HQ to avoid engagement with yours back then. Hope one day we can meet again in a more friendly circumstances, instead of crossing swords with each other. So be it, Peace in our time." 

"To peace, Qizhongji" The Japanese acknowledging the Chinese's wish as they formed up to return to their respective bases, followed by the Americans.

"Well, this nightmare is just a dream, huh? If anyone still believe God isn't exist, those people might need to reconsider it." Kousei once more reflected to himself, referring to his nightmare.

"Kaori, are you looked at me now inside this beautiful bird of prey?"

---

In a separate location, Japanese Army Capt. Eli Ayase is leading the E company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division atop her Type 96 APC as the battalion watched the ruined city of Huichon. 

The city two days ago has been occupied by North Korean remnant forces, many are fighting as guerrillas, despite many of them were already fallen to the superior firepower of the Japanese. Meanwhile in the northern part a Chinese mechanized battalion also besiege Huichon with the same objective. The Russian-Japanese conscript officer remembered how psy-ops unit attached with her company, mounted in Bushmaster MRAPs, are blasting various kind of Asian traditional and pop songs in full volume especially at night. Including, to her amazement, discography of her former affiliation as a school idol such as Snow Halation and Aishiteru Banzai. 

It somehow works as several KPA soldiers decided to go out from their hidings inside the city and lay down their arms in front of the Japanese. But today the Psy-ops had ceased the music and now they turned to a more procedural instruction to surrender, mostly in Korean.

"Attention to all soldiers from the Korean People's Army, this is Japanese Army, repeat, this is the Japanese Army. As all hostilities between North Korea and Coalition forces has ended, you are hereby ordered to surrender peacefully. Lay down your arms with hands over your head and have someone sent to us with white flag or white cloth and we will negotiate your surrender. The Japanese Army will treat you according to the international law.."

"Incoming!" A RPG-7 rocket almost hit Eli's APC if the driver wasn't able to reverse in time.

"Sniper!" A sharp crack hit another Type 96 in her left-side. 

Now secured inside the APC she contacted her superiors for permission to engage and fire support.

"Blue Hawk 4, this is Fortress 5 actual, we're under fire by the North Koreans inside the city, requesting permission to engage, over"

After some delay she obtained a response. "This is Blue Hawk 4, armored support are inside the city and all cleared to engage"

"Roger that"

She soon dismounted from the vehicle along with the entire infantry company mounted inside the Type 96 and proceeded to engage the North Koreans inside the ruins, in a classic urban combat scenario.

Two older Type 90 Kyu-Maru equipped with urban combat kit and Israeli Trophy APS arrived on Eli's position. "This is Black Bell 1-1 and 1-2, tell us what to do, over."

The tanks proceeded to open fire. Meanwhile, recon drone found enemy mortar positions and an office which has been used as their HQ, just in time as the mortars fired both at the Japanese and Chinese forces inside Huichon.

It's time for the Air Force to work.

"This is Blue Hawk 4, we're requesting air support inside Huichon, with unit sign Fortress 5 and Black Bell 1"

Two 2nd Squadron F-15Es, orbiting in standby patrol for this type of contingencies, near the area responded.

"This is Temple 2-1 to Blue Hawk, we're inbound" Tsubaki replied inside the F-15EJ's cockpit.

She used the helmet-mounted-display's projected map to navigate towards the city. Her ordnance consist of eight GBU-12 Paveway II LGBs, all armed and ready.

With Takeo as her wingman, she guided her Strike Eagle northwards. Both Japanese F-15s then lowered their altitude below the cloud and jettisoned their drop tanks.

"Fortress 5, this is Temple 2-1, We're in position, 500 rounds and eight GBU-12s each. Give us the target, over" Tsubaki contacted.

A female voice then replied, over a voice that sounded like either a heavy machine gun or automatic grenade launcher being fired from an armored vehicle. "Roger that Temple, we're need air support as we're taking fire with mortars, ATGMs, snipers, and RPGs in the ruins."

"Stand by. Can you designate the mortar's position?"

"Negative, we can't see them. We'll the snipers and RPGs"  

"Ryougai"

Tsubaki ordered Takeo to break off and cover him while she looked for the mortars. The backseater, Watari is working with the LITENING targeting pod camera to obtain it's position, concentrating on open areas like public parks or sport pitches (soccer, etc). 

"I see it!" Watari said upon the pod obtained the picture of mortars being fired at the assault force. Tsubaki banked left, and then to the right before executing a long turn to ensure the good amount of space and most importantly, solid return on the laser beam. Watari slaved the pod and engage the laser designator.

"Pickle!" Tsubaki dropped one of her bombs upon obtaining the solid lock. 

"Target destroyed" Watari reported as the F-15 climbs up, pumping flares to confuse MANPADS. Nothing was fired into the Eagle. 

Both Tsubaki and Watari are relieved, but also feel so sudden to see the poison in Asia known as Korean conflict has finally ended.

"2-2, get the next guy then we'll bug out" ordered Tsubaki.

Below, Eli witnessed the destruction of the mortars with her binocular as her company had fully occupied the building which the sniper fire was originated. 

"Khorosho" (Russian for good) the blond girl said with a smile on her face. She won her war, along with her fellow Muse members drafted into the military; Honoka, Kotori, and Umi.

A/N: Vote and comment! One more chapter before the epilogue!