Chapter 30 Hiroshima in April

Kei drove the men through the country side, stopping off at scenic areas near the mountains to refuel on charcoal chips and wait for the car to warm up to resume the journey for their schedule meeting with Wiesmen's Operations Manager in the company's medical engineering factory located at the East End of Hiroshima City.

Tama was also able to enjoy the countryside rest stops by stretching her legs and foraging the wild growing or ploughed fields the car parked next to for her snacks.

Eiji had expected her to run off into a farmhouse, field or forest and never look back, even when Kei had tried to chase her off. She always returned to him and the basket bag unperturbed. Deep in his heart he was grateful for her devotion and made it his duty to give her lots of pats and cuddles despite what the other men thought of him for doing it.

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She was still and quiet in the car, using the time to take her naps.

Driving in the luxurious black car did turn heads whenever they stirred up dust through drive-by-towns and villages. As soon as people realised the car carried Germans, it seemed to be a plausible excuse for them to continue with their business and leave them be. Especially when they never stopped to break in any of the human habitats along the way.

Kei grumbled about having to drive stupid soldiers into the city and hoped they'd get lost once he dropped them off the whole time. Regardless of the man's grumbles he was still driving them and making sure they had adequate rest stops. Eiji was beginning to wonder if the man was all talk in the end.

It was close to evening when they finally arrived to Hiroshima City. The place was a huge and bustling metropolis like Tokyo, Eiji concluded as he observed the town from the car window. They drove through busy paved roads congested with other vehicles, people on bicycles, human powered sidecars and taxis and new modern bus-like trams that ran on rails through the main streets.

The car carefully manoeuvred through wide paved streets where the many round street lights and lamps created a pretty picture of glowing archways across the tops of buildings. The place was a thriving hustle of pedestrians in richly dressed springtime kimonos, conservative traditional robes or dark, stylish western suits and wide brim hats. People moved through, around and in and out of blue-white or colourful shop norens. Or around displayed wares and street pedlar carts.

"Ooh! A Momiji Manju shop I've heard so much about!" Hans beamed with delight when they drove past a colourful banner of a sweet's shop as they turned a corner to drive away from the cosmopolitan bustle, and into more conservative and quieter streets.

Kei drove them towards a line of industrial buildings and warehouses along the city's north-east banks of the Ōta River.

Their road trip ended before a western modern building, fashioned with french lattice cornices on white framed windows that ran rows along the building's grey-brick walls.

He angled-parked the car out the front of the building's concrete stone steps, which ran up to the square porch and burnished oakwood double doors.

They exited the car, breathing in the fresh spring air. Tyne relished the cool breeze coming off the river and the smell of brine mingled with the scent of sweet flowers. A gentle warmth could still be felt from the setting sun that was leaving fine streaks of orange, yellow and azure-blue against a gradual night sky.

Eiji smiled at the sight of a glistening river against the three-way T-shaped Aioi Bridge that joined East to West and tramlines to the main city.

"Hiroshima is a beautiful city," Tyne said wistfully in Deutsch.

"Beautiful evening!" Hans exhaled also in Deutsch.

Kei clicked his tongue, annoyed, and headed for the building without caring if they were following him.

Eiji checked on Tama's condition and felt relieved that she was still sleeping in the bag.

They approached the oakwood doors, acknowledging the passing well-dressed locals in their western suits with cordial nods and tips of their hats.

Eiji quickly slicked back his hair and smoothed down his suit, trying his best to look professional for the place, despite his slightly broad jacket.

He followed the men in Wiesmen's Headquarters.