Seven Days After the Earthquake
On the seventh day after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Space Force's temporary bus service began operations.
At the time, Tokyo had no public bus system, and there were no regulations in place for bus operations. To address this, the "Temporary Bus Operation Imperial Decree" was issued and implemented immediately.
In the original timeline, bus services in Tokyo didn't begin until January 1924. Back then, Japan had no domestically produced buses suitable for public transport, so they were urgently imported from the U.S., with services starting over four months after the earthquake. Until then, transportation relied on horse-drawn carriages.
After discussions between the Space Force and the Tokyo municipal government, eight bus routes were established. Debris clearance was prioritized, and by the seventh day, the buses were ready to roll.
To prevent overcrowding and ensure safety, 150 buses were deployed from the start. Each route operated from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with buses running approximately every 20 minutes.
"The next bus will be here soon, so please don't push! It's dangerous!"
A conductor called out to passengers trying to force their way onto the bus.
The buses operated with a two-person crew: a driver and a conductor. The crew consisted of students and graduates from the Space Force Academy's comprehensive course, most of whom were women. To ensure safety, all crew members were appointed as Space Force Corporals and carried handguns and military swords for self-defense during their shifts.
"What? A woman's driving? I'm too scared to ride! Don't you have any male drivers?"
A man in his fifties shouted.
Discriminatory remarks like this were commonplace. Corporal Murata Mitsuko, the driver, sighed, thinking, "Here we go again."
Murata Mitsuko, whose name literally meant "third daughter," had two older sisters who had been sold to brothels before she could even remember them. She herself had been on the verge of being sold when the Emperor's decree and the establishment of the Space Force saved her.
Her parents had essentially told her, "We don't need you because you're a girl." Now, passengers were discriminating against her for the same reason. Was being born male really so special? Did being a man automatically make someone superior? These thoughts haunted Murata. Still, she considered herself lucky not to have been killed at birth. The memory of her parents' nervous smiles on the day she left for Tokyo made her feel sick. Perhaps her parents had been happier selling her for cash.
"Hey, old man! What did you just say?"
A young male passenger spoke up.
"That's right! These ladies are working hard for all of us! Who do you think you are?"
"Why don't you try driving, then?"
Passengers began shouting, glaring at the man who had complained.
"W-what's with you all? Siding with women like that…"
The man tried to argue back, but his words only fueled the anger. The passengers, many of whom had lost their homes or jobs, were on the verge of violence. If their pent-up frustration erupted, the man might have been lynched.
"Let's get him!"
Someone shouted, and young men began stepping off the bus to confront the man.
"Please remain calm!"
Corporal Murata and the conductor stepped between the passengers and the man.
"Everyone, calm down! We will not tolerate any disturbance of public order in the capital!"
Their firm demeanor calmed the passengers.
"Now, you should leave quickly."
After urging the man to leave, they got everyone back on the bus and resumed operations.
The Space Force's navy-blue uniforms were sharp and stylish. The makeup, guided by Takashiro Soryu, achieved a level of elegance comparable to the 21st century.
"When you step onto the battlefield—or the workplace—always ensure your appearance is impeccable."
This was Takashiro Soryu's philosophy, a reflection of his dedication to professionalism.
Despite being female soldiers, the bus crew wore handguns and military swords at their hips. Their appearance inspired admiration among the city's women and captivated the hearts of many young men.
Occasionally, army soldiers and non-commissioned officers also rode the buses. They always saluted the driver and conductor before boarding. Upon closer observation, it became clear that the same soldiers often boarded buses driven by specific crew members. In the army, fan clubs like the "Space Force Corporal So-and-so Fan Club" had sprung up.
The bus drivers and conductors received love letters from men almost daily. For many, it was their first taste of popularity.
The Emperor's Decree
"Your Highness, it seems that female bus drivers are facing heartless discriminatory remarks. Some passengers have even gotten into arguments defending them. While no violence has occurred yet, I believe we should take some measures."
"Indeed. It's unacceptable to discriminate against women who have worked so hard to master driving skills for the sake of the nation. I will petition the Emperor to issue an imperial decree."
And so, the Emperor issued a decree:
"In this time of national crisis, We are saddened by the discrimination against working women."
The decree specifically mentioned "national crisis" and "working women" to avoid broader societal upheaval at this stage. However, the Crown Prince Regent and Takashiro Soryu were determined to abolish legal restrictions on women's rights as soon as possible.
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A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 44!
Unfair discrimination against women is truly despicable.
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