"Let me get this straight...Before, Spee said you wanted to take over the secretary duty from Zed, just for the day...? Alright, I have no objections, but something is bothering me...What's with that getup?"

For the commander, Deutschland wanting to be the secretary is already surprising enough, though not necessarily shocking. The fact that she showed up wearing a maid costume, however, is nothing short of disturbing.

Said heavy cruiser, whose face is sporting the deepest shade of red, let out an undignified snarl as a response, and the commander wondered whether staying in the room with her would be a good idea or the end of him.

"Why, serv - I mean, master...of course. Let the gre - I mean, this Deutschland be of service."

Finally, she smiled, the commander noted. The smile, though, seems more obnoxious than sweet, the kind that would make Prinz Eugen proud.

And speaking of Prinz Eugen, said girl is peeking through the door with a very self-satisfied look on her face before skipping into the room.

"Oooh, I see you went through with it."

"...So you do have something to do about it, huh."

"Aaah, you make it sound bad, herr kommandant. You see, during the party last night, which you sadly missed, our sweet Deutschland here lost the drinking contest against me, and we both agree beforehand the loser has to, well, do anything the winner wants."

Hearing this, Deutschland let out another angry snarl.

"I swear, Eugen...when I get my hands on you, I'm going to wring that thin neck of yours. Very slowly."

"Ah ah, Dee, not in front of herr kommandant...and especially not when I still have that photo with me. But since I'm not a bad girl...how about...you do this, and I'll give you the photos by the end of the day? So you can throw them to the bin or whatever."

'A photo...? Just what did they do last night...? Also, trusting Prinz Eugen...? Bad idea, Deutschland.'

"Auuugh...Fine. But you better keep the end of your bargain, or I'll take them myself, even if I have to tear your limbs!"

"Oooh, violent as ever. Well then, auf wiedersehen, herr kommandant. I won't take more of your precious break time."

And with that Prinz Eugen left the room; her laughter echoing in the hallway.

"Well, uh...Eugen's the same as ever. You okay, Deutschland?"

"...Hmph. Can't be helped. Someone as dignified as I am should keep true to her words. So...I brought some coffee. Come and get it...mas~ter."

The appellation, the sweet tone, all feel out of place, and the commander shivered as if hell itself had frozen over. But he hands her the cup anyway.

"Hmm, this is quite good." The commander said after taking a sip; he noticed Deutschland seemed to perk up at that.

"Really?! *ahem* I mean, of course, it is. I made it!"

"Oh, you do? Maybe you can make it for me every day..."

"Heeeeeh?!"

"Whoa, don't suddenly screech like that; I'm joking! Joking!"

"Well! You shouldn't joke around with me - I mean, certainly, master."

"...One more thing...You can just act like you usually do, I guess."

"Ahh, you're quite understanding for a lowlife. Very well."

With that, the clearly relieved Deutschland placed the coffeepot at the desk. It was cracked and looked like it was dangerously close to shattering; no doubt it was because she suddenly tightened her grip on it, right after the commander's request.

"And is there anything else you need me to do?" she asked; it sounds more like a demand than a question.

"I don't know. Can you do paperworks?"

Deutschland's expression twisted into something akin to disgust; though, in all fairness, most people would do the same when asked to do the dreaded desk job.

"Hmph. Me, unable to do such a simple task? Preposterous."

"...I see. Get on to it, then."

An hour passed, intermingled with frustrated groans, before Deutschland decided she had enough sorting through the myriad of documents.

"Augh! Is there no end to these blasted papers?!

"Well, since we're almost done, you can stop and take a break if you want. You seem tired." The commander replied in a most reassuring tone. 'Better not tell her Zed can do it twice as fast...'

"Heh. As if the great Deutschland would tire herself from some menial paperwork!"

"I see. Carry on then, o great Deutschland."

Thirty minutes passed, and the commander noticed it has gone gradually quieter; a glimpse at Deutschland revealed that despite her earlier boast, the girl had fallen asleep.

'You are actually cute when asleep, huh?'

A knock interrupted the commander's thought, and he realized he had been watching the sleeping Deutschland longer than what he thinks is appropriate.

"Uh, come on in."

A somewhat short girl is by the door, bringing several pieces of paper with her. She adjusted her posture and saluted.

"Kommandant, Admiral Graf. Spee, has returned."

"Oh, Spee. Welcome back. Did you bring the reports with you?"

"Of course. Here it is..."

"Thanks. Something the matter?"

Graf Spee took a glimpse of her sleeping sister. "Deutschland. Is she alright?" she inquired.

Noting the concern, the commander replied, "Ah well, I think so. She's just...mentally drained, I think...?"

"I see..."

"In any case, I guess I'll dismiss her once she wakes up. Is there anything else, Spee?"

"Everything you need to know is in the report. If I may ask something, though..."

"Yes?"

"...Did Deutschland do a good job?"

"She did...great. In her own way, yes."

"I...see. That's a relief. Deutschland is always putting up a tough front, but often she can't handle pressure really well."

"Oh. Well, but as you can see, she looked peaceful here while she sleeps, no need to worry."

"Thank you, kommandant. One more thing. Prinz Eugen asked me to bring this along and give it to you. I don't know what is inside; she only says it is a surprise."

It was a small envelope.

'What is this...?'

"Well then, kommandant. I'll be taking my leave." Graf Spee turned around to leave, but not before giving a faint smile towards her sister. The commander waited until she was out of sight, and slit the top of the envelope, and found a photo of sleeping Deutschland, grinning like a fool and surrounded by empty beer glasses.

The commander smiled and put the photo back inside the envelope. It's a shame, he thought, that it would inevitably be torn apart by the girl when she wakes up. He also reminded himself to keep the fact that he saw the photo a secret for the sake of his well-being.

"Seriously, Deutschland, getting worked up earlier for something like this. What's in the photo is not that different from what you are doing right now...As I said, it's cute, though..."