The keepsake of youth.

Synopsis

The story takes place in the midst of the Greater East Asia War. Rokurou Atsutani is assigned to Rabaul Air Base, a fortress on the front lines feared as an impregnable stronghold of the air corps. There, he meets Tsune Kotohira, the Five Stars of Rabaul. Though an exceptionally skilled pilot, Tsune's constant brawling and troublesome behavior have made him difficult for his superiors to handle. Rokurou is assigned to partner with him aboard the Gekko night fighter. As they live and fight together, Rokurou gradually comes to understand Tsune's kindness and the feelings he keeps hidden, and finds himself drawn to him... "Will you die with me... up there in the sky?" With the shadow of defeat drawing ever closer, the two struggle to survive amid the brutal realities of war. (Source: Shogakukan, translated)

Anime adaptations