Wasabi was on his laptop, working on paperwork. But when he went to check the date on his phone, he let out a confused “Huh?!”
His screen was plastered with notifications from Youko—multiple emails sent one after another as recently as one minute ago. But the most recent was a missed call notification from seconds ago. What was going on? Conscious of his colleagues’ prying eyes, he surreptitiously checked his emails.
—Help me!
—I’m trapped in the OST building!
—Hinako’s with me!
“What?!”
Just then, the wall speaker started beeping. “Outbreak in Nagakawa City, Nishikubo district 3, block 20, building 9.”
That was the same address as the OST building! In a blink, Wasabi donned his firefighting gear and ran out to the pumper.
“The closest hydrant got moved 100 feet south to accommodate the new apartment complex!” he reported to Yamashiro, the driver.
“You’re sure of that?”
“Yes, sir!”
After the fire at Hinako’s place, Wasabi had spent his days off patrolling around abandoned buildings, including the OST.
“The girl I love is in danger!”
“I beg your pardon?”
The fire trucks all set out at once, blaring and honking in response to the fire call. The gravity of the situation was starting to sink in, and the squad captain looked angrier than ever before.
“Our ladders can’t get close enough. If the fire reaches the dead tree inside, the whole place will burn like a damn incinerator!”
Sure enough, once they arrived, they found a pillar of fire flourishing in the open air, stoked by the wind.
“Found it! Thank God no one’s parked here!”
Yamashiro parked the pumper in an alley near the hydrant. They’d have to climb a set of stone stairs to reach the building. Meanwhile, the abandoned firework shells continued to shoot into the night sky unattended.
“Fireworks again?!” the squad captain spat. “Take the hose and climb up as high as you can! The elevators are out of commission!”
“Yes, sir!”
Then someone called out code 252: trapped civilians.
“They’re on the fifteenth floor! Check the other floors as you go!”
“Yes, sir!”
Once the hose was connected to the water source, the firefighters carried it up the stairs. The front of the building was packed with fire trucks and ambulances.
“Those iron doors are locked tight! Use a rescue saw and cut your way in!”
How had the culprits wormed their way into this building? One of the firefighters made a triangular cut with the saw, then reached through and unlocked the door from the other side. Meanwhile, Wasabi and his squad captain ran around to the back of the building.
“We’ve got traces of a break-in on the east side. We can get in through there!” the squad captain reported.
Inside, the central area of the building was a column of pure flame.
“Is anyone in here?! Say something! Anyone?!” Wasabi called, but there was no response. Together with his squad captain, he ran up to each floor, calling for survivors…but soon they hit a dead end.
“We’ve reached the thirteenth floor, but we can’t proceed due to firework sparks! I repeat: unable to proceed! Over!” the squad captain shouted into his lapel radio…but the fireworks were so loud, it was unclear whether HQ could even hear him. “Damn it… Masks on!”
The captain reached down and grabbed the mask dangling around his neck. Likewise, Wasabi donned his mask, pointed the hose, and…
“Captain, I’m not getting any water out of this thing!”
“What?! I’ll go have a look! You wait here!”
Clapping Wasabi on the shoulder, the squad captain took off back down the stairs.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team was hard at work on the lower floors.
“Current status of our informant is unknown! The fireworks have spread the fire to the stairs between the fourteenth and fifteenth floors. No 252s observed on other floors! We’re told there were more than ten trespassers present when the fire broke out. Investigation ongoing!” the lieutenant reported over the radio.
Wasabi was waiting on standby on the thirteenth floor when water shot out of his nozzle unexpectedly.
“Whoa!”
The momentum was so powerful, it whipped the hose right out of his hands and slammed him in the face. Clutching his nose, he fell backwards onto his rear.
Whatever had been blocking the stream previously, it was gone now.
Wasabi lowered his hand to find the hose flailing like a raging dragon, facing off against the flame pillar without any backup. But for as temperamental as this dragon could be, it was his trusted partner.
“Rrrrgh!” Wasabi leapt onto the flailing hose, and after wrestling on the floor with it, he finally regained control of the dragon’s muzzle. Together, they rose up. “RAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!”
Aiming the hose, he blasted away at the encroaching blaze.
Out on the terrace, Hinako leaned against the pillar farthest from the fire and rubbed Youko’s back as she buried her face in Hinako’s lap.
“It’s going to be okay. I called the fire department, and they’re right outside,” said Hinako. “They’re going to save us.”
Just then, a massive firework exploded in their ears. Youko flinched and let out a little shriek. For as strong-willed as she could be, she was still just seventeen years old, hiding her weakness behind a tough-girl persona.
Truth be told, even Hinako wasn’t sure if they would make it out of this one. The lower floors were practically a sea of flames, and it was starting to spread to the terrace.
What about Minato?
He might be able to put out the fire, but it would surely use up the last of his energy to do so…meaning he would never come back.
His words echoed in Hinako’s ear: Give me a call whenever you need me.
No! I can’t! Squeezing her eyes shut, Hinako shook her head. If I summon him now, I’ll never see him again!
Just then, Youko started to tremble. “Oniichan…!”
She was crying. She had tried her hardest not to cry—not even during the funeral—all out of consideration for her parents, not to mention the memory of her beloved older brother. But now, at her weakest point, Youko begged for his help.
Closing her eyes, Hinako remembered what Wasabi had told her: If you keep acting like this, he’ll never be able to pass on.
Yeah, you’re right. This is what Minato would want. With a deep breath, Hinako looked up at the scarlet-tinged night sky. Please, Minato, save us.
“I see you there, looking at the water… Glittering sapphire as far as the eye can see.”
As she sang, she could hear Minato’s voice from somewhere: “Hinako… Thanks for calling me.”
“Minato!”
“When my wish was granted, I was given the chance to stay with you for a little longer. Now it’s time for you to grant my other wish and…”
Smiling, Hinako finished for him: “Ride my own wave.”