In town, he encounters civil insurrection following the killing of an American soldier, presumably by one of his colleagues who is now missing.

When Akira returns to his home and his dog Monk in a half-destroyed church, the missing soldier appears from behind a curtain and points a gun at him.

Eventually, the soldier asks Akira to take him to the sea, for unknown reasons, and on their way there, they form a bond and become close friends.

He asks Akira to cut the rope, hoping to float up in the air and from there, to see his mother one more time.

Akira reluctantly fulfills his request and they all watch the soldier, buoyed on his airborne balloon, as he approaches the sea.