Page 85 of The Gods Will Sing Our Song

“Hello, Mrs. Hamada,” I say. “Is Ren here?”

“He’s not,” she replies. Her eyes narrow and she scans behind me, as though looking for him. “He’s at the hospital with Cosette.” Someone else might tell me it isn’t safe to be out right now, but she stares blankly at me.

“Can I leave a note for him?”

She shrugs and steps aside to let me in. “You come here often and never stay long.”

“My mother doesn’t like me out, but I come to visit Ren,” I say, not having expected the comment. Mrs. Hamada nods and she glances out the door again, as though still looking for him.

“He’s a good boy,” she says, so forcefully that I pause.

“He is,” I agree.

“A good boy.” She repeats it again. “But a stupid boy. And you’re a smart girl.” Her face is so empty that I cannot read it. I can only hear the catch in her voice, a snag where her worry betrays her.

“I like Ren,” I say. “I like him a lot.”

Stiffly, she fiddles with the crochet. Her shoulders arch and she stares at me as though I’m beneath her. Then, abruptly, she walks away into the apartment.

“Did Mr. Nomura come back last night?” I ask. “They were after him yesterday. He came to the library to hide.”

“Don’t know.” Mrs. Hamada acts like I’m asking after a stranger.

I abandon any hope of establishing a rapport with her and cross to Ren’s bed. I’ve sat on it with him many times before, but I’ve never been here without him. My eyes catch on his things, which are arranged atop a dresser. Everything is placed with intention, as though each possession is a treasure to him. Emi’s Les Misérables is there. A bookmark bisects the pages. The bookmark has never moved, not since Emi died. There’s also the cord from which his pendant once hung. He’s draped it across the corner of the book, like a rosary or a string of prayer beads.

Mrs. Hamada clears her throat.

I’m taking too long. Quickly, I pick up a pencil and remove the sketch from my pocket. It’s the one I did of him. I always meant to keep it, but I’ll draw another one. I write,

I came by and wanted to say I love you. Also, keep this sketch. I finally finished shading it, and think it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever drawn. Particularly because I had such a handsome model. I’ll see you soon. Stay safe.

Hastily, I say goodbye and leave. Outside, Mr. Wozumi stands with the kids, letting them get a little fresh air after being cooped up in the barrack. They bound about while he stands like a sentinel, scanning around every few minutes for trouble. The kids call me over to the pond, which was finished a few weeks ago. I’m usually rushing by to see Ren, but today I stop to quickly admire it, knowing I need to get back.

It’s lined with rocks, and ice crusts over the water. Deep below, perch, minnows, and carp nestle, protected from the cold. Three islands rise from the pond, and I know from the kids that below the surface, there are fish tunnels and water lily boxes. Mr. Wozumi is planning on ordering Japanese water vegetables and water lily seeds to plant next spring.

“It’s a fish mansion,” Jace declares, gesturing to it with his ever-present sword. “Biggest and best one you’ve ever seen.”

“I think you’re right,” I say.

“What are you going to fill it with?” a soft voice asks. Ethan is near my elbow. He’s so quiet, I didn’t hear him approach. “You said we can fill it with anything. What are you going to fill it with?”

I look from his sweet brown eyes to the pond, remembering how I told the children they could fill it with courage and bravery. But what would I use? Especially after last night? I smile at him.

“That’s a good question, Ethan. I’ll think on it, and I’ll be certain to tell you once I figure it out.”

Rumors fly. The death tally is elusive at first and changes throughout the rest of the day. None dead. Twenty dead. A child dead. Then, before nightfall, it clarifies. One dead and one likely to die, both rioters. Our own. A young man hovers on death, likely to succumb to his injuries. Nine others were shot.

I know the victim who died. He went to Mrs. Hata’s classes and was in my grade. He was gunned down in the firebreak. He was only seventeen.

Part Three

Dawn

夜明け

Chapter Thirty-Two

Ren