“I’m home!” I shouted as I remove and placed my shoes at the genkan, then I head straight to the shared living room and dining space.
“Welcome home Kaori! You must’ve been very exhausted today so I prepared you chicken karaage with miso soup on the side. Oh! I also made rice balls stuffed with tuna and mayonnaise just in case you want to stay up late tonight.” My aunt replied.
I appreciate her thoughtfulness and gave a heartfelt thanks.
“My pleasure. I already ate first so eat well~”
“Alright, thank you Obasan. Itadakimasu!” I then started to dig in.
Gosh! I’m starving! It took me one hour and a half from Shinjuku to Kita by train today. We also made some last-minute preparations at work for the chief cabinet secretary’s press conference tomorrow regarding the earthquake. It was hardly felt in Shinjuku but we’re still advised to stay alert *nom**nom*
But right now, I just couldn't help but admire the delectable taste of crispy karaage. (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)
“Ahhh, so delicious!” I said as I finished the bowl of miso soup.
“Gochisousama!” That was a delicious meal that I have gone for seconds.
After dinner, I put all the empty plates, bowls, and utensils on the sink and wash them.
As I was cleaning up, I look around and I realized how this tiny apartment has barely changed since the very first day my aunt Fude and I have moved here from Oshima island. I remember it was not too long ago when I got accepted to I Tokyo University to take up a degree in international relations. My family was very supportive of me and they're able to find me a place in Kita. They also decided that it's better for my aunt, who has type 2 diabetes, to come along with me so she could look for better hospitals for her treatment plus I want to take care of my aunt as well. Since then, I focused on studying hard and reject all those boys who have confessed to me. ╮( ˘ 、 ˘ )╭
My motto is "priorities first" and that mindset landed me an opportunity to be a government intern for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. I'm set to continue working with them after graduation...
Anyway, cleaning is done and I finally get to sit on the couch.
*sigh* "What a day, I better catch up to the 9 pm news."
*presses button & switches channel*
Female Reporter: "Breaking news for this evening. Around 4:43 pm today, a massive explosion happened in Sagamihara in Kanagawa prefecture south of Tokyo which rocked many surrounding cities of Tokyo and some parts of Kawasaki and Yokohama.
[ A footage of the beam flashes on the screen ]
It started as a normal sunny and breezy afternoon when the skies mysteriously turned dark as if it was evening.
Sources stated that the explosion was caused or started by an unknown beam of blue light accompanied by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that lasted for approximately 7 minutes. The blast was followed by a heavy shockwave with exceptionally high heat that has added up to this season. Locals also claimed that they saw body parts and other debris have fallen from the sky on areas close to the origin.
[ A map flashes on the screen ]
Affected areas are Machida, Hachioji, Tama, Inagi, Akishima, Hino, Fuchu, Chofu, Komae, Tachikawa, Kunitachi, Kokubunji, Koganei, Mitaka, Musashino, Suginami, and Setagaya.
As of this time, we have confirmed that all the areas mentioned have felt the tremors and extreme heat as well as power outages, but not all of them are affected by the blast and its impact. It's about how far or near they are from the origin..."
The reporter is slightly interrupted. It appears that she's talking to a person behind the camera and hands her a piece of paper. The reporter looks quite troubled.
"Okay... so *ahem* search and rescue operations are happening right now. Rescuers reported that there is some sort of toxic gas that has mixed in with the air. Due to the current wind direction, it's highly recommended for citizens within the metropolis of Tokyo and also the neighboring northern prefectures to wear a mask when going outdoors. It's better to seal your windows and close your doors at all times. Please stay indoors as much as possible.
For now, that's all the information we have gathered regarding this incident. We will continue to give updates on this matter. We hope for everyone's safety during this crisis.
I am Tanaka Ichika reporting for JHK News Watch 8."
Watching the news about this incident is making me uncomfortable and they say it's getting worst now... I need to buy masks at the store or get them from a vending machine. Maybe I have some left in the medicine cabinet...
"Kaori, I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight."
"Alright Obasan, I'll sleep in a while. Let me seal the windows first."
I should get enough sleep. I don't know what will happen at tomorrow's press conference...
[ The next day ]
As a government employee and one of the selected people to hold the press conference, I should be informed about this matter just in case the media will ask questions from me... but when I've arrived in the press room, the head of the group immediately told us that there isn't enough information yet about the case and advise us not to say anything.
"Eguchi Kaori-chan?" a soft female voice called me.
"*bows* Yes, Sogo-san? what is it?" I asked.
"Have you made follow-ups of press advisories to all media outlets?"
"Yes, it was 11 am when I sent all of them and even double-checked." I responded.
"Excellent, have you ate your lunch?" she asked in a concerned manner.
"Yes, Sogo-san."
"That's good to know that you've eaten well. Let me just go ahead and help escort the media to their respective seats."
"Okay then, you can go ahead." I replied.
I have huge admiration for Sogo Mana-san. She's been working in the cabinet office for 14 years now. She's going to be the moderator for the press conference. It's like she's never gotten tired plus I can see that she's kind and considerate towards her subordinates.
---
The press conference is now starting, cameras flickering while the chief cabinet secretary goes up to the stage.
*The moderator welcomes the press, gives an introduction as well as the rules and regulations.*
"As of today August 21st 20XX, we're done doing our preliminary investigation into we so-called "Enoki" phenomenon based on its appearance. The people of Japan have nothing to be worried about regarding any further incidents related to this disaster as we have concluded that this was a single special case. With that said it isn't an attack from another country nor an act of terrorism nor experimentation coming from us however, we have decided to establish a Special Science Investigations and Researches Division (S.S.I.R.D) to look further on these types of incidents in the future. They will implement risk prevention measures, campaigns, and control regarding the "unknown" that could potentially harm us and this country. This division will consist of excellent scientists that are passionate and are people-centered. We have spoken to some of them about the explosion and such a phenomenon is quite new to them as well. They will make sure to give us the latest reports when there are any. For now, the government's efforts is all about rescue and damage control. There have been many cases of severe injuries and..."
At this point, the people from the media starts to murmur then one of the media outlet's representatives that's seated beside me broke in and he dramatically yelled.
"That's all you guys will say?! What about those people in Sagamihara?! What has been the progress of their rescue?! There's still no clear information..." The media representative exclaimed.
I quickly interrupted, "Sir we aren't taking questions as of the moment. Please if you can settle down for --"
"NO!" He strongly pushes me away that my whole body touched the floor. "We need to know their condition. My-my family is there... I haven't heard of them ever since the incident! Do you think there's nothing to be worried about?!..." The media representative was then grabbed by the security personnel.
"I'm sorry about your family but as of the moment, I have no words to say regarding that matter. I sincerely apologize." The chief cabinet secretary said. "Security, please escort this representative outside of the press room for him to let some air out. Thank you."
Looking defeated, the representative just went silent and tears slowly drip down his face as he is being escorted away.
Sogo-san helped me stand up then I dusted off my skirt.
"Eguchi, are you alright?"
"I'm alright, thank you Sogo-san... It's just that it's saddening and frightening to hear the representative's difficult situation. It had me thinking, what if it will happen to my family as well? God forbid. I just couldn't imagine..." I pondered.
"He had a mental breakdown. This is a tough time for all of us because of the uncertainty. Let's stay hopeful and calm ourselves down or else, we're going to be just like him. Right now, we have important things to do..." Sogo-san fixes her glasses. "From here on out, it's just going to be more difficult."
- End of Chapter -
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