Reader x Japan: Fields of Hope

You looked at each other and smiled as soon as you found Kiku and yourself in a tremendous reunion after a tragedy that left a big scar in the lives of people in Japan...

Their hope was drowned and washed away by the tsunami waves,
their souls were shaken by the tremor of the earthquake
as if the souls were told to leave their shells.
Their desire to forget what happened on March 11^th of 2011
could not possibly be done...

Everyone was carrying their daily busy routine. You were feeding Pochi outside your house as usual. somehow, Pochi looked rather uneasy that day. he kept moving side to side, back to front and barked constantly.

"What is it Pochi? You want to go for a walk? We'll go after this, okay?" You said sweetly to the beloved pet you and Kiku owned.

You made your way to your mini garden to weed some grass that started to grow in your favourite flower bed. All of the sudden, something in the flower bed caught your guard off and you screamed on top of your lung. That caused your husband to rush out the house to check on the situation.

"What happened?! Are you alright?!" Kiku asked, worried. He helped you to get back on your feet.

Chills crept up your spine, tears welled down your cheeks. You were too surprised to say anything. You pointed towards the flower bed. Kiku peered through and saw patches of earthworms wriggling out of the dirt.

'Strange...' he thought. This had never happened before ever since you guys moved to that house.

While he was lost in his own thoughts, Pochi tugged his pants and placed him back to reality. Kiku knelt and pet Pochi.

"He has been acting like this since morning. I don't know what's up with him..." you finally got your voice back to explain that to Kiku.

"How about you go and take him out for a walk? Maybe that will calm him down..." Kiku replied.

"What? Why me? I can still feel my legs shaking! I think you should take him out instead."

"I'll consider it..." he said but he was not looking into yours.

"So it's a 'No'??"

"I got some works to do... Besides, do you think you're brave enough to get rid of those earthworms?" He turned to you with his serious face.

A little argument took place as you and Kiku could not see eye to eye with each other.

At last, you could not take it any longer as Pochi was getting more and more jumpy by the second. You opened the door and Pochi made a sudden streak. Due to your surprise, you chased after him. You went out with a feeling of upset with Kiku over the little argument you guys had awhile ago.

Kiku was about to step inside the house when a flock of birds flew frantically in the sky above his head. The uneasy feeling he had since he saw the earthworms were getting stronger and stronger.

Out of the blue, an earthquake happened and the roads started to crack.

"OH NO! ________!!" Kiku rushed out the house without hesitation to get to you.

All of the neighbours' pets went out of hand. The barking, meowing and chirping were out of tune.

High and low he searched for you but were in vain. He went to every possible places that you would be at. He was going further to search for you but an officer with the other safety unit prohibited him to do so.

"I'm sorry, Sir! But you cannot pass this area!" The officer ordered.

"B-but my wife! She could still be there! If you could just... Please!! Kiku tried to get pass the officer.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure that there is no more people in this area. Please, sir, you have to listen. I'm sure she is safe!" the officer assured him.


He got no other choice. The area must be evacuated immediately and all residents should be on higher grounds. Especially after the siren alarmed an upcoming 10 feet tsunami.

Meanwhile, you who chased after your dog without noticing how far you had followed him were thrown on tenterhooks when you found yourself merged in a sea of people. You were glad that you dog ran up to the higher grounds and saved your life. But... What about Kiku? Where is he? You could see no signs of him. You broke into tears and regretted that you had quarreled with him over something so simple and went out of the house without apologizing. You cried your eyes out for a couple of days.

Two weeks had passed. Pochi still remained loyal by your side and seemed to understand your situation. One day, Pochi was not in his usual position. He was standing in front of the door instead of lying quietly by your side or on your lap.

You opened the door and Pochi dashed out like he did before. It made you surprised and worried.

"Pochi!!!" you followed him.

Somehow, you got the feeling that he wanted you to follow him. He was leading you somewhere.

You were horrified to see the gruesome view of the vast land with buildings' and vehicles' carcasses buried in thick mud. You had no idea where Pochi was taking you but you kept on following him.

You realized you were walking down a route you are familiar with. Where you can see the mountains are, the position of the sea from that spot where tall buildings of the main city usually blocked the view are... You were about to recognize where you were at that moment when suddenly you caught a glimpse of a figure about a hundred meters from where you were standing. Pochi wagged his tail and looked at you before he barked. You felt your feet rooted to the ground. It was Kiku! He seemed to not notice your and Pochi's presence there. He was on his knees in front of your damaged house. You can barely recognize it anymore but you were positive that was your house. Kiku looked very devastated at that time.

Before you could make any moves, Pochi as usual made the first step to run towards Kiku and pounced on him merrily. Kiku was very surprised indeed! He raised his head and immediately saw you. Without wasting anymore seconds he got onto his feet and ran towards you to pull you into his arms. You two embraced each other tightly.

"I'm sorry..." You said, sobbing.

"It's okay. As long as you're safe... I should've never let you go... I'm sorry" Your dearly husband said and kissed your forehead lovingly.

You cherished each second, each breath that you take, each heartbeat that you hear from his chest.