She said my jacket was not enough for the cold weather, and allowed me to borrow a fur coat. It was the one as if a hairy animal twined around my neck. I did not quite prefer to bury my face into it. However, since I thought it was rude for me to decline the offer from her, I decided to wear it and went outside. She gave me the rough geographical information about a route to pass through the grassland.
“Do you want me to come along?” She asked.
“No, that’s okay. I will be back soon.”
I started walking. When I looked back on the way, she was still seeing me off at the door of the cabin.
What I wanted to check most was the runway. I was walking on the slope. From the place around the cabin, the grassland was gently sloping downward. There were few flat grounds. Still, the short runway, which was about 200 meters short, was constructed in the vicinity. Beyond it, a grassy land stretched endlessly. The biplane could take off from each direction. Only when the wind blowing from the mountain was strong, I should be careful because the plane would be carried away downward. If not, it would not be so difficult. However, of course, I imagined that the variety of weather conditions that would enable me to fly would be limited, compared to that for the flat lands. Actually, fairly strong wind is blowing now like it is dancing around.
Only the higher part of the mountain behind me could be seen. The vicinity near the road was cloudy and vague. I could recognize from the distance that just the area of the cabin and the hangar appeared to be elevated, with the white rock formation below them. The grassland spread below me, and I saw a pond, located hundreds of meters from me. And then, I saw a blackish forest. All other things in the view were encased in hazy mist, and they appeared to be connected boundlessly with the clouds in the sky.
While staring at the view, I could mistake it for the place away from the ground, namely heaven. Kusanagi might have shot me in the phone booth of the train station. The train might have changed the destination, and I have arrived at heaven, perhaps. In that case, she is no longer in a trial. She might have died in prison and have come here. That is what I would imagine.
However, if this place were heaven, then I would have expected more people to welcome me. I mean, I believe that not a few people among my acquaintances should have been transferred to heaven.
I walked to the end of the runway and turned back. Then, I went down on a small path in the deep grassland to the opposite direction. Occasionally, small white rocks appeared on the ground. Were they fragments falling from the rock face above? As I walked for a while, I entered an open space with a hollow land and a muddy place was in it. I saw a house-like building beyond it. That is probably the house next door. The distance would be about 500 meters from her cabin. Can the neighbor hear a gunshot from the distance? At least, if the biplane takes off, the neighbor cannot hear the sound.
The sky was sunk in gray as usual, and I could not see the sun. The air was wintry. But, it did not seem to be about to rain. The temperature was not below zero. I even felt the wind was a bit warm.
I saw something flying. It’s a bird. I stopped walking and followed the flight track. While making a banking move, it maintained its altitude. It appeared to climb up with the ascending current. Is it a hawk? It might be looking for prey on the grassland. Although I waited for a while, it did not descend.
After walking for a little more while, I found a blackish rock formation, and sat on it to take a rest. Only because the road was not flat, I was more tired than expected. I thought I could walk forever, unlike flying. It was not quite the case. Walking also tired me out.
I looked up at the sky. I could not find the hawk anymore. If it were an enemy aircraft and I lost it, it would have meant an extremely dangerous situation. But I need not worry about it. Recognizing the fact made me chuckle. I was surprised I could actually laugh alone. Moreover, it was when I was on the ground.
I looked around. The hawk fluttered its wings and took off. Its hunting seemed to be done. It was holding something.
I put both hands backward on the ground, and looked up at the sky.
It was when I noticed it.
One aircraft appeared from the clouds and was approaching me. Then, I heard the delayed engine sound.
It descended to the altitude near the ground, choked the engine, and headed along the slope for the direction of her house. It gained the altitude and started turning.
It’s a fighter aircraft.
I was shocked. Then, I hid myself behind the rock. But, I am not on the aircraft now. I need not to hide. Fighter aircrafts do not shoot at ones on the ground.
The aircraft was already fairly far from me, and I could see her getting out of the cabin. She must have noticed the approaching aircraft.
When it turned and descended toward the ground again, it dropped something small. It was falling straight toward the ground.
As the engine sound was getting louder, the fighter aircraft climbed up. In an instant, it disappeared into the clouds. It was a splendid climb. Only a few types of aircraft could execute such a maneuver. I had seen that particular aircraft type in the past. I could not recall the name, though. It might be a remodeled version or a new model that I did not know. It might be mounted with a new engine. It is not the model my company uses. This means that it’s an enemy aircraft.
Is this area in such a region? I was stunned. It might be in a neutral zone, I had thought. I understand that bombers pass through any regions. However, if fighter aircrafts enters this area, then it means that there is an airbase or an aircraft carrier on the sea, not too far away. Ocean? It can’t be. The sea has got to be very far from here. But, of course, this area is not quite outside the flight range from the ocean. The notion of their reaching here is not impossible.
Or, is there an organization that uses the fighter aircraft for purposes other than for war? For example, for what? It is not for mail delivery, is it? It is like operating a combat tank to plow a field.
The aircraft appeared above the clouds.
I let my eyes follow the track. The crisp shadow of the aircraft was running on the white clouds.
The one let its wings go vertical, and it made a turn. I too fell in the same direction.
We both looked above to locate each other, and my body was being pushed against the seat.
My left hand holding the throttle lever was waiting.
My right hand holding the control stick was standing by to make the next move.
The airframe creaked, the air whistled, and vapor was streaming at the edge of the wing.
The windshield chattered. The polycarbonate was being warped.
A feint maneuver.
Then, bringing it back immediately.
The radius of the turning circle gradually decreased, and the acceleration increased.
Cutting into the circle.
The opponent was coming.
The concept of up and down had already vanished.
We passed by each other, so closely that the wings almost made mutual contact.
It was too close for shooting.
Looking back.
I made the quick observation of the space behind me desperately.
High throttle.
Which way?
Left.
Roll and turn over.
Start diving.
That was the downward.
The airframe was vibrating.
Is one of the cylinders grumbling?
The opponent was ascending toward me.
Roll over, and go inverted.
However it may turn out to be, now is the time.
I let it slide with the rudder, and made the adjustment.
The one was sliding obliquely, too.
Come on.
My right hand was waiting.
Bring it on.
I shot.
I saw the sparks flying off from the other’s machine guns.
I banked to the right immediately.
The world seemed to be revolving in the opposite direction.
I pushed down the elevators.
Engine slowdown.
Trying to locate the opponent.
Where is it?
Inversion.
Where?
I found it behind me.
It’s fast.
It is climbing.
Up.
Entering the stall.
Just go down faster.
Am I about to be shot?
Facing the ground, I was falling.
High throttle.
I was being absorbed.
Making a roll by using the torque effect.
I let it dive fast.
The one was flying toward me from my side, but I managed to dodge it.
Falling even more.
Shall I choke the engine?
I followed the opponent.
It started turning steeply.
It is too late for me to recover.
I lunged into the clouds.
At the time, I opened my eyes.
I was having difficulty in breathing. My pulse was beating fast.
I felt as if the opponent was just about to appear from the cloud before me. I’m relieved. It already isn’t around here. By the way, why did I make a mistake? No, it could not possibly turn so steeply. Despite the fact that it was just my own illusion, I was getting too pessimistic.
I tried to stabilize my breath. I shook my head, and ejected the delusion that was possessing me. Indeed, this is the delusion, which I suffer from when the drug efficacy wears off.
The aircraft I saw earlier is also just an illusion?
I looked at the direction of her cabin.
I found her walking toward me. She was still more than 300 meters away from me. There was no way that she could recognize my current coordinate.
I went down from the rock to a narrow path.
Then, I climbed up toward her.
“Sagara.” Her name poured from my mouth. Is it the second time?
Of course, her name is Sagara. She is a scientist.
Why have I come here to rely on her?
I had to think about the reason.
-5-