THE CHILDREN OF MARS
“Do you really think that the Japanese Imperial Army can forever conceal its barbaric acts committed against the helpless Bataan marchers? Your soldiers had killed the weak and the sick marchers. And Japan had rejoiced over such kind of victory? Hiroshi, your soldiers have shown the world what kind of people the Japanese really are. History is against you! You are the children of Mars, a people who love war, gladdened by the sight of blood and suffering of those you have vanquished!”
Hiroshi’s blood surged to his face. He gave Aurelio a sharp look, sending him a message to stop his provocative remarks against the Japanese people. Didn’t Aurelio realize that he was in front of a Japanese military officer?
And yet, friendship prevailed in that moment. Hiroshi gave leeway to Aurelio’s bitter state. His son, Henry, had just died, and the distress of a father was fresh in his friend’s heart.
Softly, Hiroshi told his friend, “No, Aurelio… We are the children of Mars, and as such, we are brothers.
And because we are brothers, we should not fight…”