Chapter 38 Summary

Germany announces its unconditional surrender, and H realizes that Japan will now have to fight the combined forces of the allies alone. To anyone living in Kobe, including H, it is obvious that there is no way for Japan to win the war. Although defeat is apparent, no one is allowed to speak of it for fear of reprisals from the secret police. Japanese people feel that to admit the possibility of defeat is to destroy the national spirit.

Several instructors at the school are being sent to the front. Instructor Hisakado, a favorite of H's, is one of the first to receive his notice. A few days later, H's physics instructor, Mr. Nakata, receives his notice also. H feels disappointment to see Hisakado leave, but he has no such feelings for Nakata. Nakata and H have a mutual dislike for each other...