The last tomato - Hiroshima told in his own words: (11)

　
(11) The last tomato

My father came back a little past five oclock next morning. Maybe he was tired with all-night work and he sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of the kitchen for a while. He sat straight suddenly after a while and summoned me. And he said to me, "Shigenori, Go to the field and take and bring a tomato." I noticed his mind. His eyes were gazing only at one point intently, keeping sitting straight. As for it, although I was still only a second grader of a middle school, I understood that the father opted for preparedness.

I took a tomato and handed it to him. The father squized the tomato into the teapot and began to make juice. The tomato was one of my elder sister's favorite foods. Since Reiko is a child who likes a tomato very much ...." The father, whispering so, finished making juice, came to the head side of the elder sister and put the exit of the teapot to her mouth.

The elder sister drank, raising sound and said, "Delicious and delicious". As for man, he will be thirsty if he is burnt or largely injured. People dying due to the atomic bomb were also dying, asking "The soldier, give me water. The soldier, give me water". However, if water is given, he will die. So nobody gives water, saying, "If you drink water, you will die. So you do not drink water".
They asked, "The soldier, give me water. The soldier, give me water. It does not matter that I will be dead. praying to the soldiers with their hands joined.

Although my elder sister also wanted water, I did not give water, since it was known that she would die if I gave. I soaked cloth with water, and made a lip of the elder sister wet. The elder sister regained the lull state.
Then the father again went to the elementary school for the activity of the relief squad. Around nine oclock the elder sister's breath became confused.

The father did not return yet. Close to the head side of the elder sister were there myself, the grandfather, the other elder sister, my elder brother's bride with her newborn child embraced. She called, Father. Father. in despite of absence of her father. We looked into her face by our turns and encouraged her. However, it seemed she could not notice us. Probably, her eyes could not see already. She said, "Mother will come to pick up me soon." I thought that the elder sister was ready for dying.

In a while, she said, "Father, I am going to die. Allow me to die before you."
The grandfather encouraged her, "What do you say?. Be brave. I would die instead of you if it is possible.... Although.." but his voice became tearful from the way. So I could not hear it.

I said "Elder sister -- be brave. I will become a pilot of navy airplane and revenge for you absolutely. Therefore, elder sister, hold out! ". However, our words of encouragement were also vacant and my elder sister took over her breath.
9:40 p.m. on August 7 .... It was the quiet last moment.

(To be continued)