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imsvg · 7 years

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Finding You Chapter 2: building

Fandom: Hibike! Euphonium/Sound! Euphonium Pairings: Kumiko/Reina; Natsuki/Yuuko; implied Asuka/Kaori/Haruka; Nozomi/Mizore; Hazuki/Shuuichi Summary: Two years have passed since Reina left after their second-year. Two years have passed and Kumiko is now a freshman in college. Two years have passed and she receives a letter from Reina. Two years have passed but something Kumiko thought she lost is making its way to her. Words: 4,760 Previous Chapters: 1 | Links: FF is here! AO3 is here!

i rec reading on AO3 b/c it’s much easier to read it on there. oh, and see if you can spot the two references i made in this chapter

The next letter from Reina came a week after Kumiko delivered hers.

Kumiko,

You wrote a lot more than I expected. I’m quite glad you did, honestly; it reminds me of the times you would run off on tangents on our monthly hikes. I’m pleased to hear that everyone we know from band are doing well.

That, obviously, includes you too.

What degree are you working towards? I initially planned on majoring in instrumental performance and making a living off of that, but I heard that Taki-sensei received an offer to play in a prestigious orchestra that’s based in Tokyo. Although he won’t be leaving until a few more years, I’ve decided to become the next band director for Kitauji. It’s one of the reasons I’m back in Uji.

Speaking of Kitauji, I dropped by the other day. It looks just as I remembered it, but something is inherently different about it. I honestly can’t describe it, but when I walked around, it felt so surreal. It didn't feel real. I thought that if I looked away, if I even blinked, it would have faded like a mirage.

Maybe it’s the homesickness talking, but I really missed Kitauji. Sometimes I wonder what my senior year might have been if I didn't leave.

Maybe if I stayed, I wouldn't feel this way towards it.

On a much lighter note, it seems that the company that creates those strange instrument creatures (you know, the ones that Kawashima-san loved—or is it loves? I would think that she would have grown out it, but she never fails to surprise me, if I’m being honest) sponsors the band, now. I think Taki-sensei has mixed feelings about it.

Write soon,

Reina

Kumiko reread the letter, taking in every syllable.

Reina’s words were so raw, so honest, it took Kumiko aback. She thought she would have needed to peel back layers of protection covering Reina’s feelings again, the same way she did during their first two years of high school.

It seems that wasn’t the case. Or, at least, to Reina it wasn’t.

Well, of course Reina would have it easy, Logic began as Kumiko reached out for her lukewarm mug of coffee. She was the one who left, after all.

Kumiko had a hard time forcing the coffee down her throat.

She downed the rest of her drink, and rose from her seat, leaving the letter on the table. After a quick shower, she decided, she would begin working on her reply.

Hopefully.

-X-

Call Transcript

Hazuki Katou → Kumiko Oumae

1:35 PM

HK: Ku—mi—ko—chan!

KO: Hazuki-chan! It’s been a while.

HK: [laughs] Right? It’s hard to believe that summer’s already here! Next thing you know, it’s going to be the holidays, then spring comes, and it’s a whole new school year! Then we’re going to be second-years in college? Funny how time flies, you know?

KO: [chuckles] Yeah, yeah, I get it. What’s new with you?

HK: Nothin’ much, really. Just tryna get through school. [laughs] Sometimes, it feels like I never graduated from high school. I’m still in the same place, still seeing some of the same faces, still hating studying. It’s hard to believe that’s been already a year since we left from Kitauji.

KO: [chuckles] Some things never change.

HK: I guess. [chuckles] What’s new with you? I haven’t seen you in ages.

KO: Nothing really. I mean, school ended for me too. Now I’m just…whittling the hours away by myself.

HK: Eeeeh? Really? By yourself?

KO: Well, yeah, by myself.

HK: Thought you would have gotten another girlfriend or somethin’ by now.

KO: [laughs nervously] No, no, not…yet.

HK: That's a shame. You’re real pretty, Kumiko-chan. Bet you could get any gal you set your mind to.

KO: A-ah, I guess. [nervous laughter] Thanks?

HK: You can probably find someone at the Agata Festival!

KO: It’s already that time of year?

HK: Mhm! I think it’s…in several weeks, or something. But the town’s already making preparations for it. I think they’re really upping their game this year.

KO: I don’t see why. [chuckles] The Festival’s the same every year.

HK: How would you know? You haven’t been home in ages! [laughs] Say, you should come over! Stay over at your folks’ house, reconnect with people. You know, so that you’re not a hermit for the rest of vacation.

KO: Maybe I will.

HK: You should! Midori-chan’s coming over, too!

KO: No way, is she really?

HK: Yeah!

KO: All the way from London? Damn.

HK: Oh, oh! And guess who I saw recently!

KO: Uh…Shuuichi?

HK: [incomprehensible stuttering]

KO: I’m…I’m sorry, what?

HK: K-Kumiko-chan! Ho-how’d you find out?

KO: …Find out what?

HK: Oh. O-oh….

KO: Is there…something I’m not getting here?

HK: Oh…I—[laughs nervously]—I thought you knew.

KO: Knew what?

HK: Well…er…Tsukamoto-kun and I are together.

KO: [sputters and coughs] I-I’m s-sorry—[coughing fit]

HK: [worried] A-are you okay, Kumiko-chan…?

KO: Y-yeah, I’m just—[clears throat] taken aback, is all. How long have you guys been…together?

HK: Not long. I think this is our…fourth month?

KO: [hums] You never stopped likin’ him, huh?

HK: [titters] Y-yeah, guess not. You—er—don’t mind, do you?

KO: O’course not. Why would I?

HK: A-ah—mm—no reason….

KO: [sighs] Hazuki-chan, you know I never liked him that way. You don’t have to worry about me being upset. Just ‘cause he’s my childhood friend doesn’t mean we were anything more than that. Don’t worry, okay? ‘Sides, you two make a good couple. I’m happy for the both of you. [laughs] Although, I am surprised that he managed to get someone as pretty as you.

HK: Thanks, Kumiko-chan. [laughs quietly] But that wasn’t what I was going to tell you.

KO: What is it, then?

HK: I saw Reina-chan!

KO: O-oh?

HK: Mhm! It seems she’s back from studying abroad. She was taking a walk around the river. I wanted to go up to her and say hi, but Tsukamoto-kun and I were on a date. She looks…the same, but different at the same time. I mean, yeah, she cut her hair, but there’s something more to it that I can’t really describe it. If you saw her I think you would understand what I mean.

KO: That so?

HK: Mhm. Mm…Kumiko-chan?

KO: Yeah?

HK: Mind if I ask you a question?

KO: What is it?

HK: Do you two…still talk? Like, I know the both of you had a falling out back in high school when she left, but I was wondering if…you know—a-ah, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to! I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t, you know, opening up old wounds.

KO: No, it’s fine. [chuckles] We’re talking to each other. Kind of.

HK: Really? No way!

KO: Kind of is the key phrase here. She sent a letter a week ago, and we have this correspondence going on between us. Sort of.

HK: Ooh, letters! How romantic!

KO: [stammering] I-I g-guess? [chuckles nervously]

HK: Never thought Reina-chan would be that kind of person. You know, because it’s so convenient to just call or send a text.

KO: Yeah, I get it. But, then again, she was always one for the unconventional.

HK: [laughs] Sounds just like her.

[The sound of a door opening is heard, followed by muffled speech is heard in the background]

HK: Ah? Already? Okay. [whispers] Talk to you later, Kumiko-chan. I better see you at the Festival!

KO: [laughs] Sure, sure. See you, then.

Call End

2:03 PM

Kumiko locked her phone and set it aside.

Seems like everyone’s finding love, hm? a part of her pointed out as she reached for a pen. Maybe she found someone new, too.

Kumiko’s hand froze in mid-air.

Slowly, she set her hand down and stared at the blank stationary in front of her. Kumiko would be lying if she said that the thought of Reina having another person in her life didn’t bother her.

Wait, Logic chimed in, if, hypothetically, Reina did—and I’m not saying she does—but if she did, wouldn't have she mentioned it by now? She was never one to beat around the bush.

She didn’t mention the day she was leaving.

But look! Optimism added her voice as Kumiko took a quick glance at Reina’s recent letter. Look how she wrote those words. Look at that tone. You took Literature, didn’t you? How in the hell could she have someone when she wrote like tha—

“Ah, shut up!” Kumiko cried out, silencing her thoughts. She slumped in her seat, her forehead hitting the desk with a faint thunk.

“Why is it so hard to write?” She sighed and turned her head, her cheek resting on the cool parchment.

The sight of a familiar potted cactus greeted her.

Kumiko felt a small smile curl her lips. “At least you never left my side,” she muttered.

The cactus said nothing.

“It’s dumb,” Kumiko continued, “that I can’t be honest with Reina anymore. I mean it’s not dumb—it’s understandable, isn’t it, since she left and all?—but I hate how I can’t just go back to what we had. I mean, look”—she sat up and gestured to Reina’s letter—”at how she can just open up like nothing happened between us. Why can’t I do that? Why am I so s-scared?”

Kumiko hated hearing her voice crack.

Maybe you should talk to someone, Something suggested.

The thought was sudden, but Kumiko didn’t dare argue, not when the familiar sting of tears was prickling the back of her eyes. She cleared her throat, and reached out for her phone. She ignored how her heart was pushing against its stitches, threatening to break them.

With a quick input of her password, Kumiko sent out a text.

2:09 PM

kumiko: natsuki-senpai?

natsuki: Whats up kid

kumiko: i

can i

talk to u about smth?

natsuki: Sure

But i think i remembered telling u to call me

Not txt

kumiko: you dont mind, do you?

natsuki: Ofc not

I was just playin w/ u lol

kumiko: oh okay

natsuki: So what do u need

kumiko: ah well

it’s just

tbh idk how to start lol

natsuki: Just start w/ the problem

kumiko: well reina’s been sending me letters

okay it’s only been two but still

it’s been really hard to reply to her

natsuki: Y

kumiko: honestly it’s b/c im scared

natsuki: Of what

kumiko: opening up to her again

she’s talking to me like nothing’s happened

like she didn't leave

and i cant bring myself to do the same thing

natsuki: So ur scared of talking to her

Is what ur tellin me

kumiko: basically yeah

natsuki: U no

If ur not comfortable w/ talking to her the same way u used 2

U dont have to force urself

Forcing urself to be comfortable will make u uncomfortable

But it seems u already no that lol

Take things slow and soon ull be talking to her like u used too

I no itll b hard

But being able 2 be at ease w/ the other person is important in any relationship

And thatll come eventually if u let it

kumiko: it looks like you’ve had a lot of experience w/ this lol

natsuki: Dont tell yuuko but

One of the reasons i acted like an asshole 2 her back in the day was b/c i didnt no how to talk to her

And b/c i thought she was annoying as shit

I always thought she was cute but

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

kumiko: those are very natsuki-like reasons lol

natsuki: U cant deny that yuuko is an acquired taste

kumiko: okay i guess you're right lol

natsuki: Can i ask u smth now

kumiko: yeah what is it?

natsuki: U said u were gay rite

kumiko: yeah

natsuki: Were u and reina an item or smth

kumiko: yeah

we kept it under the covers-ish

only a handful of people knew, like asuka-senpai and midori-chan and hazuki-chan

i dont think any of her family knew

but we were somewhat open w/ affection like holding hands and stuff

you know?

natsuki: Yeah i no lol

I kinda called it tbh

But it wasnt my business and idc who ppl date anyways

As long as ure happy and safe

kumiko: mhm

natsuki: She must have meant a lot to u huh

kumiko: …

yeah..

it sucks that things went the way they did…

natsuki: Yeah

It rly hurt u a lot huh

When she left

kumiko: was it noticeable?

natsuki: Kinda

U always had this zoned look on ur face when no1 was talkin to u

And u were quieter

kumiko: you're surprisingly observant

is it your vice-president intuition kicking in lol

natsuki: Lmao i guess

U pick up things after a while

kumiko: yeah i get it

natsuki: Plus i think i got it from u lol

kumiko: yeah?

natsuki: Yeah

U have this weird ability to read ppl sometimes

kumiko: wish i could read what reina was thinking back then

or when she writes to me now

so that i know why she left in the first place

natsuki: Ull figure it out

Maybe itll be clear sooner or l8r

Ask when ure ready

kumiko: yeah maybe

thanks natsuki-senpai

for letting me talk to you

i would have gone to asuka-senpai but she gets a little too blunt sometimes lol

and as much as i love her she’s useless when it comes to these kinds of things

natsuki: Anytime kid

Oh btw this is offtopic but

R u going to the Agata Festival

kumiko: i was thinking about it

are you?

natsuki: Yeah

Yuuko’s been begging me to take her

I think its so that she can see kaori again lol

kumiko: or maybe she just wants to spend time w/ you

you know

since you’re her girlfriend

natsuki: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Who knows

Anyways were planning on leaving in two weeks

So we could have a week to chill before the actual festival

U wanna come

kumiko: sure

natsuki: Cool

Ill txt u more deets l8r

kumiko: sounds good to me

i’ll ttyl then

better start on this letter lol

natsuki: Got u

Ttyl

Kumiko locked her phone, and reclined in her seat. She stared at the ceiling, noticing how, despite the summer heat around her, her chest felt considerably lighter. Like someone came and took a weight she never knew she was carrying.

Just build up to her, Something whispered. You can do that, right?

Kumiko sat up and reached for her pen again. Once the tip touched the paper, words began to form on the page. Words turned into sentences, which took shape into paragraphs, and before Kumiko knew it, she had to reach for another piece of stationary.

Reina,

I went into college undecided. Right now, I’m getting all the general classes out of the way, but I took a music composition class as an elective. It was an interesting experience; it made me remember why I loved music and euphonium so much in the first place. I might take extra classes on it.

If I’m being honest, I’m surprised that you decided to become a teacher. I never would have expected that from you, considering how well you received the underclassmen when they came in. You would always rant on and on about that whenever we went on our hikes, too. Especially when you got frustrated at the “lack of commitment” from the underclassmen during our second-year. But, you know, we pulled through in the end. We managed to get a gold at Nationals that year (but then you complained on how it was a dud gold and not real gold, and that reminded me of a particular scene back in the middle-school).

It’s hard to believe, yet at the same time, I can picture Band Director Reina perfectly. You would be similar to Taki-sensei, I think. Overly-serious, with a stoic face and straight voice. You would give tons of tough love to the slackers and the ones who weren’t improving as quickly as you would like, but your harsh words would carry good intentions.

Writing that made me realize how much I missed Taki-sensei and Kitauji. Maybe I’ll drop by when I come by in a few weeks, around the Agata Festival.

Speaking of the Festival, are you planning on attending with anyone? Me, I don’t really have plans to attend, honestly. Midori-chan is coming back from England, so I might be with her—maybe. I heard from Hazuki-chan that the Festival is going to be more lively this year. How much more lively, I wouldn’t know—I haven’t gone the last couple of years.

Maybe if you go, we can run into each other again.

Kumiko

Finishing her signature with a flourish, Kumiko glanced over her letter with a touch of pride and lots of satisfaction.

She certainly wrote much more than she had expected.

But, underneath her contentedness, there was a nagging question in the back of her mind, prodding around for answers.

Why did Reina leave in the first place?

You can ask her once you’re ready—just build up to it. Like Natsuki-senpai said, Something assured. And then you’ll be able to find the answer.

Kumiko pulled out an envelope from her desk drawer, folded the letter into thirds, then tucked it into the envelope. As she wrote down Reina’s address followed by her own, Kumiko noticed a budding feeling in her chest. It made her feel jittery at the thought of sending this letter to Reina, while at the same time, an unbridled sense of anticipation filled her when she thought about the possible replies Reina’s letter might hold.

-X-

Reina’s reply came a mere two days after Kumiko delivered hers.

Oh, Kumiko,

If that was your way of trying to find out whether or not I have someone else in my life, the answer is no, I don’t have anyone to go to the Festival with. But, if you’re in Uji for the Festival, then perhaps we can go together—that is, if you’re not busy with your plans with Kawashima-san.

(At this, Kumiko pictured Reina curling her lips into the subtlest of smirks, and she had to pause reading to gather her flustered self)

But, you know, attending the Agata Festival wouldn’t be so bad. It’s been two years since I’ve attended it, after all. I doubt that there will be any groundbreaking changes, but I think I’ll still go. For nostalgia’s sake, you know? Coming back to Japan made me realize how much I’ve missed everything. I suppose you can say that the Agata Festival is one of them. I’m not one to linger on these types of things, but when you leave the place you once knew for a whole new world, you’ll start to miss the flavor of familiarity. Sure, there’s the thrill of trying new things, but that can only last so long.

You know how they say you can never truly appreciate something until it’s gone? I think I understand what they mean now.

Anyways, it’s a pleasant surprise to hear that you’re still involved with music. Music composition is a very interesting choice of study. I remember I took a class on it in my time abroad. I didn’t find it quite as enjoyable as actually performing, but I’m still going with it. Maybe somewhere along the line I’ll actually like it.

Speaking of music, have you watched Kitauji’s performance in this year’s Sunrise Festival? I’m surprised at the rapid growth of the group, if I’m being honest. They’ve improved a lot since our second-year performance with them. They nearly doubled in size—instead of 40 people in the band and only a handful of color guard, it’s almost an 80-piece band. I didn't get a proper count of the color guard, but there was a considerable amount. Their diagonals were a bit off, but their steps were together, and all of them were on beat. The sound was amazing as well—loud, bold, yet majestic. If you ever decide to drop by Kitauji when you’re in Uji, I’m sure Taki-sensei will show you the tape. I feel a sort of quiet pride exuding from him every time I mention it. You’ll understand what I mean if you do.

Awaiting your reply,

Reina

It’s almost comical how our letters to one another are getting longer and longer. Kumiko chuckled, taking out a sheet of stationary.

Maybe it’s all part of building up to each other, Something mused. Kumiko silently agreed as she reached for a pen.

Unlike her last two replies, Kumiko didn't hesitate to work, her words filling up page after page.

-X-

Before Kumiko knew it, she established a comfortable correspondence with Reina. She received Reina’s letters at unpredictable times, sometimes two days after she sent her own reply, other times a whole week. Nevertheless, Kumiko found herself stopping by her PO box with anticipation every morning. If she was especially restless, she would even check her mailbox multiple times a day. Once that letter arrived, however, Kumiko made sure to reply and deliver right away.

Even if it meant going down to the lobby near the dead of night.

“Going to deliver something so late, Kumiko-chan?”

“Guah!” Kumiko nearly jumped out of her own skin. Whipping her head around, she saw Gram staring at her behind the counter with a smile, brown eyes twinkling in the bright light of the lobby. “G-Gram! I—uh—didn’t see you there.”

Gram chuckled. “I can tell.” Her gaze drifted to the lone envelope that Kumiko held in her hands. “Bills?”

“A-ah, no.” Kumiko scratched the back of her neck. “It’s, uh, a letter.”

“A letter?”

“Yeah. For someone.”

Gram looked back at Kumiko, her smile never wavering. “It looks like your generation knows how to write letters after all.” There was an amused lilt in her voice, and hearing it made Kumiko smile crookedly.

“Admittedly, it wasn’t easy.” She chuckled. “The first couple of times took me much longer than it should have to write.”

“That’s how it is with a lot of things,” Gram said with a knowing nod. “I was the same, you know.”

“Really?”

Gram nodded and turned to the small picture frame that sat on her desk. Kumiko followed her gaze, craning her neck to get a better look, and saw the faded black-and-white picture of a young couple., The man was meticulously dressed in a suit, hair slicked back. His arm was around the waist of a young woman dressed in a flowing kimono, her black hair tied back into an elaborate bun. While at first glance their expressions seemed stoic, Kumiko noticed that both their lips were curled into the subtlest of smiles.

“Hideo-san had to find work, oftentimes abroad, especially in the beginning of our marriage,” Gram began. “We would write letters to one another, but in the first few years, I struggled to figure out on what to write. What do I say to someone that I barely knew, yet at the same time, someone I was supposed to share my everything with? We were an arranged marriage, and we didn't get to meet face-to-face until our wedding day.”

“Sounds…tough.”

Gram laughed, her voice rich with nostalgia. “It was. Our letters to one another at first were sparse, both in quantity and quality. But over time, we—how do I say this? We—”

“Built up to one another?”

“Yes,” Gram said with a nod. “Something like that. Our responses to one another grew and grew, and so did our love.” Gram looked at Kumiko, and Kumiko noticed how her brown eyes shimmered in the light. “Love finds its way, Kumiko-chan. It always does.”

Kumiko’s stomach churned, as if it had a hard time digesting the sudden sweetness in Gram’s voice. “That so?”

Gram let out a breath of amusement. “You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Wha—I never said tha—why would you assume—”

“It’s fine, Kumiko-chan,” Gram said with a laugh. “It’s hard to believe it when love hurts, like so many things in life.”

Kumiko’s words died on her tongue.

“Love is never easy. I’ve learned that the hard way. But”—Gram reached over to cup Kumiko’s face; she melted into the calloused, yet gentle touch—”it’ll always find you. Whether it’s through a passion or a person, developed or spontaneous, love will find you. And when it does, it will stay. Do you…understand?”

Kumiko pursed her lips to keep them from quivering as she gave a faint nod. “Yeah, I—I think I get it.”

“Good.” Gram lightly pinched Kumiko’s cheek before pulling her hand away. “You’ve been hurt by this person, haven’t you?” Her eyes drifted to Kumiko’s letter.

“Yeah. She, uh, left. To study abroad. Didn’t really say anything about it, though.”

Gram hummed and gave a knowing nod.

“But she sent me a letter a couple of weeks ago saying she’s back in Japan, so….” Kumiko shrugged and looked down at the letter in her hands. “My friend told me to slowly build up what I used to have with her. I found it a little hard at first, but I’m getting used to it now. I even look forward to getting letters. But, it’s just that—I don’t know—I just I think she’ll leave again, and this time, she’ll never return.”

“Well,” Gram began, “if she came back in the first place, it must mean something, hm?” She raised her eyebrows and a playful smile tugged her lips.

Kumiko chuckled. “Yeah, I guess….”

“Is this person someone important to you?”

“Yeah,” Kumiko said, “she’s an important…friend.” Kumiko forced the word out, and ignored the way her heart winced in her chest.

“Your eyes say otherwise.”

Kumiko’s ears were suddenly ablaze, the shame of lying to Gram consuming Kumiko’s face in a red blush. “U-uh—w-well—”

“You’re still the same to me, Kumiko-chan.” Gram said with a growing smile. “Love has no boundaries. Never be ashamed of loving another person, regardless of who they are.”

Kumiko’s lips pulled into a crooked smile. “Thanks, Gram.”

Gram’s smile turned into a grin as she chuckled. “Anytime. Ah, before you go, I have something for you.” Kumiko watched as Gram shuffled off into the back of her office, rustling about, until she returned with a Tupperware container full of food.

Kumiko’s stomach growled when she saw the chicken katsu and rice inside.

“Thanks,” Kumiko said as she reached out for the food. She could feel the slight warmth of the rice tickling her fingertips as she held it. “You know, you don’t have to do this, though.”

Gram shook her head. “It’s fine. I want to do this. I love cooking because it reminds me of Hideo-san. I would always cook for him whenever I had the chance.”

Kumiko’s heart ached when she saw Gram’s shining eyes drift towards Hideo-san’s picture, a nostalgic smile on her face.

Her love never ends for him, Something whispered. Maybe she’s right. Maybe love does stay.

The thought left warm feeling in her chest.

“Thanks, Gram,” Kumiko said quietly.

Gram looked up at Kumiko. The beads of tears that were collecting in her eyes sparkled in the light, and in that moment, Kumiko thought that Gram looked like the beautiful young woman in the picture.

“Enjoy the food,” Gram said, the smallest of smiles tugging on her lips.

-X-

you remember

the first meal you cooked

together

she was home

alone

“no one’s here?” you asked

“yeah, but it’s okay,” she said

as if it was normal for her to be

alone

you tried not to let that bother you

as the both of you prepared dinner

together

the drone of the tv playing,

the clatter of cutlery,

the ruckus of pots and pans,

the sizzle of the meat,

all of that was just background noise to you because you focused on

how she looked

how she laughed

how she spoke

because it was moments like these, you realized

that she looked genuinely happy,

and sparkled in the moonlight

like an angel

flung out of space

you prepared the food

together

you set the table

together

you ate

together

laughed

together

you spoke

together

you were happy

together

“the food tastes amazing,” she said

“yeah,” you said, “it does.”

but in the back of your mind

you wondered

how often she ate her meals

alone

and how bland they tasted

whenever she ate

alone

because people always say

meals taste better when eaten

together

#oumae kumiko #kousaka reina #i write #kumirei #hibike #hibike! euphonium #sound! euphonium #hibike fanfic #fanfiction #nakagawa natsuki #katou hazuki #angst

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alegriaspain · 5 years

Text

What Are False-Flag Ops, and Why?

False flag operations are covert operations conducted by governments, corporations, or other organizations, which are designed to deceive the public in such a way that the operations appear as if they are being carried out by someone else. The name is derived from the military concept of flying false colors; that is, flying the flag of a country other than one’s own.

The term comes from the days of wooden ships, when a ship would fly the flag of its enemy before attacking one of its own navy’s vessels, with the aim of creating a provocation to justify a false counterattack. Because the enemy’s flag was displayed it was called a “false flag” attack. Flash forward a couple of centuries. The term “false flag” has become a metaphor for any attack carried out clandestinely on one’s own forces and cloaked in the colors of an enemy in order to justify an unjustifiable “counter-attack,”–an intentional own goal, if you will.

People who denounce these events are frequently called “conspiracy theorists,” derided as being paranoid, fear mongers, and irrational, sometimes rightfully so. But when it comes to being suspicious of a potentially deceitful authority, that skepticism should be warranted; especially if there is a historical precedence. Often theories about government operations that sound the most heinous or absurd are those where the most scrutiny should be applied. (Source: Gaia.com.)

In this article we’re going to discuss two kinds of false-flag operations, those that have been confirmed and acknowledged later by their authors and those which show all the symptoms of false flags but whose authorship is still in doubt. The former will serve to establish the veracity of the phenomenon. The latter are more interesting.

Who Does It? A Prime Example

Due to the clandestine nature of their work, we can’t really produce a definitive list of the false flaggers in the world, past and present. But, given the opacity, low cost and terrifying efficiency of basic false-flag jobs, it’s safe to assume there are many.

Here we’re going to confine ourselves to those carried out by our very own British and American “intelligence” services, MI6 and the CIA. We can trace their modus operandi from the end of World War II and follow it down to our own days.

As the war was ending in 1945 Churchill’s secret service, foreseeing possible future dangers, created secret arms caches and clandestine military organizations–so-called “stay-behind units”–all over Europe against the possibility of a Russian military takeover attempt. These groups included all sorts of anti-communists, including recently-recycled high-ranking Nazis. The CIA got involved early on, first with financing, then eventually spearheading the project. On 27 January 1949 Sir Stewart Menzies, head of MI6, set out the grand strategy in a top secret and personal letter to Paul-Henri Spaak, the Belgian Socialist Prime Minister who was later to become secretary-general of Nato. It was the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that assumed command of the stay-behind movement and its derivatives.

This sounds like a boring story of corporate restructuring until we consider the unspeakable atrocities carried out over the following four decades in the name of “anti-communism” during Operation Gladio, as the NATO-run terrorist enterprise came to be known. What was the rationale for all this mayhem in the middle of the world’s most civilized continent? The thinking went that blaming all the senseless bloodshed on left-wing extremists would convince European citizens to reject Communist election candidates, who had gained credibility for their role in the fight against Nazism. This was particularly the case in Italy and Greece. It sounds ridiculous, but there you have it. As we shall see, the same twisted ideology could have been at work 30 years later in the United States.

Operation Gladio

Operation Gladio was one of the most egregious terror campaigns of the 20th century. Though it was massively important for its extension all across Europe, for its long lifetime, its heinous tolls in human life and its authorship under the umbrella of NATO, the operation was virtually buried in international news coverage, especially in the United States. For example, did you ever hear of it?

Among Gladio’s most notorious operations was the Bologna Massacre, the suitcase bombing of the Bologna train station in summer of 1980 which resulted in 80 dead and some 200 wounded. Vicious, seemingly senseless assassinations were also carried out in other countries, notably in the Brabant province of Belgium between 1982 and 1985 where 28 men, women and children were murdered at random. The attacks included senseless gun killings in supermarkets, whose victims on one occasion were a whole family of five.

The Gladio terrorist attacks remained inexplicable mysteries and rumors for years, until 1990, when Italian president Giulio Andreotti revealed the existence and structure of the Gladio group, which included right-wing terrorists of all stripes, as well as elements from the Italian–and other European countries’–armed forces. At the head of the operation, according to Andreotti, were NATO and the CIA. Andreotti’s declarations were confirmed by an Italian judge and the former head of Italian counterintelligence.

Why wasn’t this seemingly earth-shaking news–NATO, the world’s most important international military security organization organizing terrorist attacks against civilian European objectives–lavishly disseminated by news organizations around the world? Not only was it not disseminated; it was hushed up. Power has its ways and means.

What’s Going on Here?

Inevitably, the question arises: What possible reason can there be for such horrendous and apparently random violence, perpetrated under the auspices of NATO and the American and British clandestine services? It is the Italian terrorist, Vincenzo Vinciguerra, author of some of Gladio’s most sanguinary actions, who gives us the most convincing answer from his prison cell:

When you were on the Right you were not supposed to attack the State or its representatives. You were supposed to attack civilians, women, children, innocent people from outside the political arena. For one simple reason: To force the Italian public to turn to the State, turn to the regime and ask for greater security. This was precisely the role of the right in Italy. It placed itself at the service of the State which created a strategy aptly called the ‘Strategy of Tension’ insofar as they had to get ordinary people to accept that at any moment over a period of 30 years, from 1960 to the mid-eighties a State of emergency could be declared. So, people would willingly trade part of their freedom for the security of being able to walk the streets, go on trains or enter a bank. This is the political logic behind all the bombings. They remain unpunished because the state cannot condemn itself. Source: Gladio Timelines

(In April of 2018 I posted a four-part article on Operation Gladio, which you can find here.)

A False Flag on the High Seas

Another on-the-record false-flag operation was The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, in 1964, a major turning point in United States military involvement in Vietnam. As a result of President Lyndon Johnson’s false announcement to the nation of August 4, 1964, that the USS Maddox had come under attack by Vietnamese torpedo ships. This seemingly insignificant lie gave rise to the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which laid the foundations for 11 more years of war, thousands of American dead and maimed—and millions of Vietnamese. The familiar pretext of the communist threat was used once again, this time to justify a despicable unprovoked war on a little sovereign country in far-off Southeast Asia. (Source: Ohio History Central.org)

The Chilean Coup, 1973

Veteran investigative reporter, Seymour Hersh’s 1983 book, The Price of Power, Henry Kissinger in the Nixon White House, illuminates the role played by the American government in surreptitiously sponsoring the military coup that deposed Chile’s democratically-elected president, Salvador Allende, on September 11, 1973, and gave way to a sanguinary military dictatorship that lasted 26 years. It was a classic false-flag operation. From the announcement of Allende’s electoral victory, the Nixon-Kissinger White House felt the imperious necessity to get rid of Allende. (He was to die on the first day of the coup in the takiing of the Palacio de la Moneda. It’s not clear if he was shot by the golpistas or shot himself.) Even before his first legislature convened the CIA was busily distributing arms, money and promises to right-wing elements both inside and outside the Chilean military. All of this activity meticulously adhered to the gringos’ “plausible deniability” procedures. After the coup was over and the military dictatorship installed the Americans solemnly declared that they had nothing to do with it.

How to Spot Them

The catalyst is typically a spectacular event, which is followed by immediate media saturation. Of course this is the nature of news, but there are a few warning signs of a plotted false flag. If the major news outlets are all in sync, reporting on the event without thoroughly vetting the information then there is cause for concern.

Within a relatively short period of time a scapegoat will be named, establishing an enemy with no trial nor investigation into other possibilities. The case will be closed, government action will ensue, and someone will reap a profit.

Be suspicious of any invasion, bombing, or “terrorist attack,” especially if it seems counterproductive for the country or entity that supposedly launched it. In all likelihood it was launched by someone else.

Is the attack used as justification for a fraudulent “counter-attack?” This is usually the case.

Place the attack in the context of the known agendas of different countries or entities. Ask yourself who has something to gain from this attack, even if it’s only to discredit an enemy.

If the false-flag attack is blatantly obvious–to the point or ridiculous–from the point of view of an impartial outside onlooker, it can still be useful to a government wanting to influence its own population, either to frighten them or otherwise prepare them psychologically for the “counter-attack.” People tend to believe what the want to believe or are told to believe, not what they see.

These scenarios work best when the stakes are high. The greater the shock value, the less likely people are to question the authenticity of the event. If someone dares to question the mainstream’s version, they’re labeled crazy, insensitive or unpatriotic. Skeptics are denounced as conspiracy theorists who are disloyal to their country in a time of attack.

September 11, 2001 Attacks — Was 9/11 a False Flag?

Here’s a quick summary of the 9/11 attacks from The Conspiracy Project.org:

First off, for those of you entering the rabbit hole for the first time, a false flag operation is defined as: “A horrific, staged event – blamed on a political enemy and used as a pretext to start a war or enact Draconian laws in the name of National security.”

Were the September 11 attacks a False Flag Operation? Would governments really do this? The short answer is, yes. They do it all the time. So were the September 11 attacks a false flag operation?

Part one of the false flag definition: Did Americans rally against the enemy that the government said attacked us? We sure did. Everyone wanted the head of Saddam Hussein on a stick. Thousands died trying to find the “weapons of mass destruction” Bush and Cheney swore were in Iraq. Of course, there were no weapons. And it turns out Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks.

Part two: Did Americans willingly give up some of their freedoms for a little security? Sure did. Even though the Patriot Act was started before 9/11, it was continued by Bush and Obama under the banner of “National Security.”

The now infamous NSA wiretapping of every single American (completely against the Constitution) was welcomed by many citizens as, again, necessary for our protection.

President Obama decreed it okee dokee to assassinate Americans who are suspected of a crime. And Americans can now be detained indefinitely without a trial.

Where is the outrage!? The Constitution – the law of the land – is no more!

Where is the evidence of a false flag op? Well, most of it has been covered up. Or at least they’ve tried to. For a great in-depth listing of all the evidence of a coverup check out the Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth website. 2,000 architects and engineers say the government explanation for the buildings collapse was impossible.

But whether or not the attacks prove out to be an inside job, the results are very clear.

We’ve been “false flagged” once again.

What Are We Entitled To?

Are we entitled to affirm that 9/11 was an inside job or that President Kennedy was murdered by a cabal of agencies from within his own country? Of course not. But we are entitled to doubt, and to keep on digging. Yes, there are conspiracy theories. But there are also conspiracies.

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Read more rantings in my ebook, The Turncoat Chronicles.

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False Flags–Whodunnit? What Are False-Flag Ops, and Why? False flag operations are covert operations conducted by governments, corporations, or other organizations, which are designed to deceive the public in such a way that the operations appear as if they are being carried out by someone else.

#American False Flags #Government Sponsored Terrorism #Homemade Terrorism #Terror Attack Deception

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