Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Disaster Approaches Like a Tsunami (3)
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Cherry blossoms bloomed in wild profusion at a traditional ryokan on the outskirts of Fukushima City.
The sign read "ryokan," but it doubled as a rather upscale entertainment venue.
A few geisha in kimonos woven with vibrant silk threads plucked shamisen strings, singing soft, melodic tunes.
Once the nameless song ended, the geisha settled beside their assigned guests.
"Oh dear me! I, Nakamura, have worked at Tokyo Electric Power for thirty-five years, Chairman Han!"
"Ah, yes."
After three or four hours into the drinking session, President Nakamura's face was finally flushed red.
Clutching the waist of the lovely hostess, he unleashed his own brand of passionate rant.
"In those thirty-five years, minor incidents were inevitable, weren't they? But an organization runs on its people, doesn't it?"
"Well, sure."
An excuse for why he had blocked me from entering the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.
A torrent of lies and self-justification poured out uncontrollably, like sake spilling from a bottle.
"Self-preservation! No matter what others say, I protected my people and the company I belong to—like my own body!"
Worthless words. I gave vague replies and kept refilling his glass.
"I get it, at least for now. That's why we're here to clear up any misunderstandings, right? Like men."
"Kuh... As expected of Chairman Han, a true Yamato warrior! Kanpai!"
Calling a perfectly healthy Korean a Yamato man—hell, it was a relief he didn't spout nonsense about "Japan and Korea as one."
President Nakamura, now drunk enough for his nose to turn strawberry-red.
At last, the self-preserving drunkard let out a final gasp and embarked on a long journey to the land of dreams.
"The Yamato sons lay down their bodies, extending through Japan's veins! What flows there is no blood. It's the rush of electricity, brighter than light!"
Some bizarre company song from Tokyo Electric Power, apparently.
Only then did I relax a bit, down the water in my cup, and speak.
"He's finally out."
"Um... should we move this guest to the next room?"
The venue madam, her face full of dismay at President Nakamura sprawled out like a giant letter "大."
I pulled a check from my wallet and handed it to her.
"Just lay out a futon here and leave him be. He and I... we'll be leaving soon anyway."
My gaze shifted sideways.
He, too, hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, his face as composed as mine.
"Isn't that right, Director Watanabe?"
"If I planned to stick around here, I wouldn't have come in the first place."
"My eyes didn't deceive me. Then..."
Cherry blossom petals drifted profusely through the open shoji screens into the courtyard.
I stood, extended a hand for a shake, and opened my mouth.
"Care for a smoke? I'm not a smoker myself, but I could use some fresh air. Let's step out."
* * * *
"Help me out, Director Watanabe."
"Yes...?"
Under a full moon shining brightly, its light slowly descending through the halo, I cut straight to the chase with Director Watanabe, who hadn't even lit his cigarette yet.
No merchant's tongue or politician's rhetoric would work on this man—it was obvious.
Of course... we didn't have much time left either.
"Let me get straight to the point. We need to inspect the plant interior in detail. As soon as possible—ideally right now."
"That's... quite bewildering. You're making such unreasonable demands without any explanation."
No matter what, I had to see inside the plant. Only then could the robots enter.
Director Watanabe exhaled a long plume of cigarette smoke laced with bewilderment. Watching him, I fell deep into thought.
How on earth could I convince this man?
"If I pushed with 'the Prime Minister approved it, so we should proceed...'"
"......"
The bulldozer approach.
But it wouldn't work on a stickler for principles like Director Watanabe.
He held authority over access control to the nuclear plant, and no amount of personnel threats had ever made him budge.
So.
"You'd refuse, of course? Just like you did with that strawberry-nosed guy passed out in there."
What was needed now was a plainer, more straightforward tack.
I lit a fresh cigarette and placed it in his mouth, replacing the one that had burned down.
Before he could even inhale the gray smoke, I resolved to drive a wedge into his heart.
"Because you don't bend to external pressure, you're even talking to me now. That's why I'm telling you this."
"......?"
No beating around the bush, no fabricated plausibilities, no weighing pros and cons on a scale.
With a man like this, all I could do was state the facts plainly and sincerely, within the limits of what I could say.
With a short sigh, I let slip my earnest words.
"The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant... it's dangerous. No, it will be soon. If we don't act, it'll spiral out of control."
"Chairman Han...?"
Did he still lack conviction that he could trust me?
His face took on a subtle, complicated expression.
"For now... I don't quite follow. Even if there's an issue with internal safety controls, I can recheck post-incident..."
"No, no. It's not some minor problem like that. Beyond what people can verify or not."
A bit rude, but I cut him off mid-sentence.
I steadied my breath, staring into his eyes behind the black horn-rimmed glasses, then tossed out the best keyword I could.
Hoping my sincerity would get through.
"Because defying the forces of nature is impossible."
"......!"
And that sincerity... seemed to reach him.
With a rustle, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper, handing it to me.
"The official data from the Japan Meteorological Agency I received showed no issues. Normally, there'd be no need to heed your words, Chairman Han."
"......"
"But."
He handed me the scrap with firm conviction.
"This is data I've personally compiled."
Observation data dense with complex atmospheric science elements.
Scribbled and erased repeatedly, the paper was packed so tightly with notes—traces of Director Watanabe's deliberations—that finding a blank spot was impossible.
"Does this... match what you're thinking? That force of nature you mentioned."
"It's similar to what I know. No, it actually gives me more certainty. Thanks to the data you've shown me, Director Watanabe."
"Then, surely the reason Ammunition Group came to Japan...!"
Director Watanabe jumped to a slight misconception.
But this was as far as I could go. I couldn't babble about regressions.
I raised a single finger to halt his swirling thoughts.
"For security reasons, I can't disclose the source. My apologies."
"Ah... I understand."
"More importantly, isn't there something far more pressing right now?"
The tide had begun to roll in, white waves crashing against the shore under the moonlight.
Breathing in the deep night scent mingling with cigarette smoke, I hurled my final plea of sincerity at him.
"Before this uncontrollable catastrophe becomes reality, please help us prepare in advance."
* * * *
The next day—or rather, just a few hours later, early in the morning.
The air felt heavier than usual.
Inside the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, layered with reinforced concrete, an especially oppressive tension seemed to weigh down on me.
"Here we are."
"The corridors are wider than I expected."
Director Watanabe, clad head to toe in a white radiation suit, guided me through the internal facilities.
This dim place must be second nature to him; he navigated the complex space effortlessly.
"It was designed with safety in mind from the start. Of course... it means nothing if the people in charge up top decide not to follow it."
I followed, sketching the route in my notebook as simply as possible.
I'd measured roughly with a tape earlier—the width seemed just enough for a small armored vehicle to squeeze through.
No major issues for entry.
"Good. It's not far off from my estimates."
"Ah, please wait here a moment."
Either he didn't hear my mutter or something else, but Director Watanabe suddenly halted.
He was fiddling with a security panel nearby.
After a few button presses, a massive steel door groaned open.
"Beyond this door is the reactor. The cooling facilities are there too."
The reactor.
Just a few small rods made from uranium ore.
Yet within those tiny rods lay the power to benefit the world—or plunge it into ruin.
"...Beautiful. Mesmerizing, even."
The reactor submerged beneath the cooling water, like a giant swimming pool.
It emitted a crystalline blue glow, like an ancient jewel sunk in the depths.
"Every time I see that blue light, it feels like gazing at Janus."
Director Watanabe leaned on the railing before the tank, staring entranced.
He referenced Janus—the two-faced god—and extended a hand toward the blue light, continuing.
"It usually brings civilization with its bright face, but once it turns around..."
"......?"
"It'll glare at everything with a face far fiercer than we can imagine."
Janus, bearer of the name nuclear power, still wore a gentle face.
For now, it smiled warmly, radiating beneficial light upon the world... but I knew.
Soon, its icy, fierce backside would weep sharp tears of hatred at the world.
"Not much time left now. We've got to do everything to hold back its terrifying form."
No sooner had I spoken than a faint vibration reached my feet.
It seemed Janus—nuclear power itself—had heard my soliloquy.
What I'd dismissed as mere déjà vu grew uncontrollably stronger, shaking heaven and earth.
"Wha—what? No way?"
Yes. It was beginning.
The Tohoku Great Earthquake disaster brought by nature. And the man-made catastrophe that followed: the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident.
From here on, I would block that onrushing calamity with all my might.
"Earthquake! Chairman Han, this way, quick!"