"Barrage! Fire! Open fire!"
"Yes, Ashigara! I hope this is enough…"
"They're returning fire! Everyone dodge!"
"Aah!"
—
"Ha-gu-ro! What are you doing closing your eyes in the middle of a battle!?"
"That's… because it's scary…"
"Then you should open your eyes and dodge!"
"Wahhh! Ashigara, stop!"
"Go dock already!"
That Haguro… How did she become such a scaredy-cat?
Even though she sank their flagship at Java and stood her ground one to five at Malacca…
Now she always acts so helpless… she can't even fend off her fans.
Telling them not to look is only going to make them more excited, you know?
"She looks like she needs help."
"Myoukou, we can't keep babying her forever."
"Maybe not, but we can help her whenever we can."
"Even if she doesn't need it?"
"As long as she wants it."
Haa… alright.
"Haguro, come on."
"Ashigara… thanks…"
"Seriously, what are you going to do without me?"
"…Mm."
—
"Still, Haguro sure is popular."
"One more, please! What, jealous?"
"Hmph. The 'Hungry Wolf' isn't interested in boys who like little girls."
"Then, is the 'Hungry Wolf' interested in a drinking contest with the Nachi Falls?"
"Eh..? That might be too tall an order even for…"
"What, afraid you'll lose?"
"Grr… Of course not! Bring it on!"
—
Ugh.
"I'll stay here with Nachi. Haguro, you look after Ashigara."
"Yes, Myoukou."
Damn it. I'll beat her eventually.
"Ashigara?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do you keep challenging Nachi in drinking contests?"
"Hmph. That's obviously… to win."
"Then… who won?"
"…Nachi did."
"Hehe."
"Jeez… always asking why…"
"…"
"And overthinking it… there's no reason other than victory."
"Ashigara... are you...?"
"Listen, Haguro… you need to get it together, alright?"
"…"
"We're not always going to be there for you, you know."
"Can we not…"
"What are you going to do… when we're not around?"
"…"
"You're going to have to learn to fend for yourself."
"…"
"Haguro, are you listening?"
"Just stop it already."
"Haguro?"
Eh? She's crying..?
But… this is for her own good.
"Enough about that already! I don't want to think about that!"
"Sooner or later, you're going to have to!"
"Then why sooner!?
"So you can be prepared!"
"Why… who would want to prepare for that!?"
"Haguro! You can't run away forever!"
Damn it. She ran away.
Aah. Damn… I can't walk straight…
—
"Ashigara! Your little sister has been found!"
Is this… a dream?
"Haguro..?"
Of when we first found Haguro?
"Ashigara..?"
Ah… don't cry, Haguro.
It's alright… we're here now…
—
"Myoukou, why did you leave Ashigara with Haguro?"
"Even though I knew they would have a fight, right?"
"Right."
"Somehow… It seemed like something we should let happen."
"Then, as usual, I'll look out for them."
"Thank you, Nachi."
—
"Mmm… Myouko? How long…"
"It's alright, you've only been out for a half hour."
"Where's Haguro?"
"Nachi is looking for her."
"Jeez… You should just let her learn for herself. What's she going to do if she's assigned to a fleet without us?"
"She'll manage. It's not our job to show her what the world would be like without us in it."
"That's..! That's not what I meant…"
That's right, isn't it? Back then, Myoukou was the only one who survived.
And Haguro…
She sure cried a lot back then, when we first found her.
I'd forgotten that face, since she's smiled ever since.
I get it. For her, there's no other reason than family.
And she's been holding that fear all along.
—
"Ashigara! Your little sister has been found!"
Once again, huh?
"Haguro…"
"Ashigara..?"
"It's alright, Haguro. It's alright. We're here for you."