Read Online United States of Japan by Peter Tieryas - Free Book Online Page A

to the ages of some of your previous liaisons, age disparity has never been an issue.”
    He did his best to suppress his indignation. “Who’s handling her funeral?”
    “Apparently, you.”
    Ben’s mind went back ten years to when Mutsuraga first asked him to look after Claire in San Diego. That was just before everything went to hell and she could still sneak out in the evenings and be safe. Ben assumed she was either meeting a love interest or partying it up in the streets of San Diego. He didn’t expect to find her at an assembly hall filled with Americans who worshipped their Christian God. Claire was part of the choir and they were singing hymnals up front. When he joined the congregation, they welcomed him, saying, “Greetings brother.”
    Ben found the words of the music ridiculously puerile with their adulation for a fictional being. Still, he admired how melodic it sounded. They cried out to their fallen God, begging for succor. Many were penitent, arms up in the air, praying for redemption. Ben zoned out when a preacher shared a soporific message on showing love to their Japanese conquerors. He caught Claire on her way out.
    She bowed, surprised by his presence. “Ishimura-san. What are you doing here?” she asked.
    His first reaction was to ask, Do you know how much trouble you would be in if your father found out? But he presumed that would be counteractive and only incur teenage defiance. “Just curious what you were up to.”
    “You mean my dad sent you?”
    “He did ask me to keep tabs on you.” He looked at the statue of Christ on a cross. “You really believe in this stuff?” he asked.
    Claire, who had been expecting a stern rebuke, answered, “Not all of it. But it’s a powerful message.”
    “In what way?”
    “They tell us to love our enemies,” Claire answered. “‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.’”
    “No wonder the Americans lost.”
    Claire took umbrage at his response. “The winners aren’t always right.”
    “Sorry. I just really don’t understand their value system.”
    He was being sincere and she admitted in turn, “There are things about their beliefs I find unbelievable too.”
    “Like?”
    “Jesus says forgive everything. But I think certain sins are unforgivable.”
    “Like what?”
    “Murder. Crimes against the dead can only be forgiven by the victim. If the victim isn’t alive, the crime isn’t forgivable.”
    “I agree,” Ben said. “How did you find out about this place?”
    “Mom goes here from time to time,” Claire replied.
    Ben’s eyes widened. “Does your father know?”
    She shook her head. “It’s where she comes to clear her mind.”
    “She knows you’re here?”
    “No. She’s not home.”
    “Where is she?”
    “I don’t know.”
    He wondered what Mutsuraga would think knowing his wife and daughter both attended an American worship service. “I should get you home.”
    Claire did not object and they walked towards the subway. Ben glanced at her from the side and saw that her posture, firm gait, and neutral gaze bore similarities with her father. As they got closer to the station, they heard a loud commotion. Hundreds of Americans were protesting and a group of Japanese soldiers in riot gear blocked the road. They were arrayed in a phalanx, shields in place, guns holstered as of the moment. A mecha was in position and two scouters flew above, beaming large spotlights down at the crowd, which was swelling in outrage.
    “What are they protesting?” Claire asked.
    “Two of our soldiers shot an American kid,” Ben informed her. “They’re upset. We should hurry.”
    They both accelerated their pace.
    “Dad says I should learn more about programming porticals from you,” Claire said.
    “I guess I can teach you a thing or two.”
    “Is it true what everyone says about you?”
    “What do they say?”
    “That you turned in your parents when