Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a parachutist firefighter in Hirado is like riding a rollercoaster that’s on fire. Seriously, I woke up this morning, sun shining, birds chirping, and I thought, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
So, I’m gearin’ up at the station on Kameyama Street, right? Just me and my crew, all pumped up. We’re sippin’ on some coffee, talkin’ about last night’s game. Then, boom! The alarm goes off. My heart’s racin’ like I just chugged a Red Bull. We get the call—fire at the Hirado Castle! Like, are you kidding me? That place is a national treasure!
We hop in the truck, zoomin’ down the streets. I’m lookin’ out the window, and man, Hirado is beautiful. The ocean’s glistening, the hills are green, and there’s that sweet smell of grilled fish from the market. But I can’t enjoy it. Not now. We gotta save the castle!
We get there, and it’s chaos. Flames are shootin’ up like they’re tryin’ to reach the sky. I’m thinkin’, “This is it. This is how I go.” But nah, not today! I strap on my chute, and my heart’s poundin’. I jump outta the chopper, and it’s like I’m flying. The wind’s rushin’ past me, and I’m thinkin’, “This is the coolest thing ever!” But then I see the fire, and reality hits.
I land on the roof, and it’s hot. Like, “I’m gonna roast a marshmallow on this” hot. I start dousing the flames, and it’s like a battle. I’m sweatin’, cursing, and just trying to keep it together. I mean, who thought I’d be fightin’ fire on a historic castle?
Then, outta nowhere, I hear a scream. I look over, and there’s this old lady, Mrs. Tanaka, waving her arms like she’s trying to fly. She’s stuck in her house on Hirado’s Main Street. I’m like, “Great, just what I need!” But I can’t leave her. So, I grab my gear and sprint over.
I bust through the door, and it’s smoky as hell. I can barely see. I’m thinkin’, “This is how I die. Saving an old lady.” But I find her, and she’s clutching her cat, Mr. Whiskers. I’m like, “Lady, we gotta go!” She’s all, “But my cat!” I’m like, “Forget the cat! We’re on fire!”
Finally, I convince her. We make it out, and I’m feelin’ like a hero. But then I see the fire’s spreadin’. I’m back to work, and it’s a blur. I’m throwin’ water, shoutin’ orders, and just trying to keep my cool.
After what feels like forever, we finally get it under control. I’m exhausted, but I look around, and everyone’s cheering. I’m like, “Yeah, we did it!” But then I see the damage. The castle’s hurtin’, and it hits me. This place is part of Hirado’s soul.
As the sun sets, I’m sittin’ on the steps of the castle, catchin’ my breath. The sky’s painted orange and pink, and I can’t help but smile. I think about the day—how I was scared, angry, and then proud. Hirado’s got a way of makin’ you feel alive, ya know?
So, yeah, that was my day. Just another day in the life of a parachutist firefighter. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well, maybe a day off. But that’s a different story!