Mourning Spring

1995 was a tough year for Japan. It started with an earthquake in January. Over 6,000 dead in southern Hyogo Prefecture. Many more displaced.

In February, an MSDF helicopter fell into the Bungo channel. Eleven dead.

And then, March 20th happened.

It was seven in the morning. It started out as a normal day. People were trying to get to work. Sangenjaya was no different.

“Have a good day, sweetie,” Momma said.

“Thanks,” Poppa said. She waved as he headed out the door. Yumi headed off to school. Toshiki went to work too. Nice and normal. Monday was supposed to be normal.

However, everything changed with five people.

Chiyoda Line. Marunouchi Line. Hibiya Line. Poppa was supposed to go to Ikebukuro that day. He had a business meeting. Poppa was to take the Marunouchi Line. He’d be gone all day.

Then the day got thrown off.

Around eleven, the phone rang. Momma was washing a large daikon.

“Coming!” she called. Momma jogged over to the phone across the room.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Turn on the news,” Sam said in a grim tone.

“Why? What’s wrong?” she asked. Sam paused.

“Just turn on the news,” she said. “Do it!” She hung up before Momma could reply. Knots formed in her stomach. She hurried to the TV and turned it on. The news sent her into horror. The Aum Shinrikyo attacked the subway. The cult used a chemical unnamed at the time. Momma thought she was going to faint.

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The attack was all over the news. Fear gripped the nation. Yumi and her mother had no way to contact Poppa. They weren’t the only ones worried.

Annabel stared at the phone on her desk. Her brother was supposed to come out to see her. She didn’t know what train he was on.

Mami’s new boyfriend was supposed to be going home this morning. He said he would call when he got home. Now, she was looking at the TV.

It was bad. Really bad. Reports kept coming in. No word on who’s dead or injured. Everyone was on edge.

Toshiki, Don, and Miyukizi were staring at the screen. The veteran remembered Poppa.

“Oh…” he said. Don turned his head. Toshiki pointed to the screen.

“Yumi’s dad,” he said. “Yumi’s dad, he was going to Ikebukuro today.”

“Oh… Oh no…” Miyukizi said. The three went silent.

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Fourteen would be dead. Over a thousand injured. The weapon was determined to be sarin.

Yumi came home to her mother looking panicked.

“Momma!” she shouted. The girl ran over to her mother. Momma didn’t speak at first. She stared off into space. Yumi didn’t know what to do.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

“I’ll get it!” Yumi said. She ran over to the phone.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Yumi?” a familiar voice asked. Her heart jumped into her throat.

“Poppa?” Yumi asked. Momma lifted her head.

“Hey sweetie,” Poppa said.

“Where are you? Are you okay?” she asked. Momma ran to her side. She tried to listen. Her daughter held up the phone.

“I’m fine,” Poppa said. “I’m at a net café.”

“Net café?” Momma mouthed.

“Were you on the train?” Yumi asked.

“No, I was on my way to the station when I realized I left my wallet behind. I tried to go home but traffic was blocked. It’s crazy here in downtown,” Poppa said. Momma collapsed to the floor. She let out a loud wail of relief. Yumi felt like falling out too.

“Hello? Are you still there? Hello? Hello?” Poppa asked on the other line.

Poppa was fine, but Annabel and Mami wouldn’t be so lucky.

Two more phone calls were made. Annabel’s brother got caught in the attack. He was taken to the hospital. Annabel couldn’t see him until the next day. Her brother would survive but have long-term injuries. She might have to take care of him. Still, he would live.

Mami wouldn’t know what happened to her boyfriend for days. She wouldn’t know until she saw the news. Her new boyfriend didn’t make it. She wouldn’t be the same.

The subway attack was just the beginning. 1995 was only going to get rougher.