Unexpected Winner
Houshou's restaurant nears closing and most have left for the evening, except for a small gathering of patrons relaxing and chatting about events on sorties. Logistics, weather and more importantly gossip around the base. Having returned late from an expedition.
"So now that we are all here care to explain how Kaga won over Zuikaku?" Came the question on a majority of minds only set free with the courage brought about by warm courage of sake. The chatting stops as all eyes fall on Hiryuu, the brown-haired carrier lightly gripping a cup in her hand as she leaned on Souryuu, who for her part had a mouth full of fish sticks and was reaching for more when the question dropped.
The carriers around the table lacking the couple in question looked about each other. It was no secret that some of the younger carriers had been pursuing Zuikaku with intent, but had been unable to get the carrier's attention. Her famously oblivious nature towards subtle gestures had been seen by most on the base and some present at the table now exchanged looks before.
"If we knew that we wouldn't be here right now." Kisaragi moaned with her head on the table, normally the little carrier would be more reserved but some liquid courage helped.
"So true" came the muffled response of Zuihou
Souryuu arched her back causing Hiryuu to lose her balance and fall over, Souryuu swallowed what was in her mouth "Did you really need to ask that?"
"What its been almost a year now and I still have no idea how it happened I mean before they were like cats and dogs and now." Still, on the floor, she raised her hands in exasperation. Rising up to a sitting position "I mean aren't you curious as to how this happened?"
Souryuu was about to deny but then "Alright I admit I am curious too."
"Me too!" came the reply from the two young carriers "Shoukaku you must know what happened to make them change that much."
Shoukaku for her part had been drinking some water looked over at the four set of eyes directed at her. She flushed slightly at the sudden attention and gave Akagi a nudge in the side. Akagi for her part had been devouring the fish sticks with Souryuu and had made use of the others pause to polish off most that was left on the trail. Normally she could have finished it all in one go but the last time she did that Houshou had lectured her.
Having realized that she was expected to give a response she simply stated
"Fubuki"
"Fubuki?"
"Fubuki."
"Alright, how did Fubuki do it?" Souryuu asked
"To be honest I am not too sure of the details she gave Kaga some advice and the rest just seemed to have fallen into place."
Looking next to Shoukaku "and you're ok with this I mean all things considered to let them just."
"Zuikaku chose to go with Kaga of her own accord, there is no way I could tell her not to."
"I see."
"And if Kaga hurts her in any way I will just have to sink her."
"..."
"ALRIGHT moving on, why was no one surprised that Shoukaku and I are together."
There was a collective shrug "it just seemed normal." stated Hiryuu
"I am not sure how I should feel about that," Akagi said
Katsuragi suddenly jumped "I say we ask Fubuki how she did it!"
"Yeah!" came the reply form Zuihou before the two ran out of Houhou's