Chapter 2

Promise

Today, everyone sees Hakai at the naval base's cafeteria. It is easily distinct Hakai with another person there. He is the only male there. His face a little pale and his hair are white. He also wears an eyepatch on his right eye.

Right now, he eats cafeteria breakfast menu. Grilled fish, some vegetable, and rice. Today breakfast portions are smaller than yesterday. It is because most of the resources there are used to repair their naval base. The reason of destruction is someone didn't hold back at training. He looks at his breakfast once more and says,

"The portion here... become more and smaller... everything... I think... I must... FARMING ?!"

Hakai then sighed, and eats his meals. After finished eating, he drinks his tea and hears another explosion. Hakai think,

"Again... Again... Another explosion... My meals..."

Suddenly, someone pats his back. He looks back and sees 'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' stood there with their meals at their hand. 'Ooyodo' smiles and then says,

"Could us sit here ?"

"Of course, there is no distinction between us."

"Thank you, Admiral."

'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' then sits with him. Hakai then continues drinks his tea. Not long after that, they hear another explosion. Hakai looks towards training grounds, and mumbling something,

"That girl..."

'Ooyodo' try to hold her laugh after sees Hakai's expression. Meanwhile, 'Kaga' just ignore the explosion, and continue to eat her meal. After finishing their meal, they continue to eat their dessert. A very nice cake. Hakai, who quite annoyed by the explosion, looks towards 'Ooyodo's' cake. 'Ooyodo' sees Hakai looks towards her cake, she leans towards Hakai and then says,

"Admiral... Do you want to grab a bite ?"

"No... I just..."

"If no... Then, why you look towards my cake ?"

"I only..."

Suddenly, Hakai's stomach growl. 'Ooyodo' tease Hakai a bit, and says,

"Do you want to grab a bite, Hakai-san ?"

"..."

"Then, says 'aaaa'..."

Hakai sighed a bit, and then open his mouth. But, the one that enters his mouth is 'Kaga's' spoon. 'Ooyodo' surprised with 'Kaga's' action. Meanwhile, Hakai says something, but none of them hears it. 'Ooyodo' then says,

"Why you do that, Kaga ?"

"You are too slow... I take that opportunity because of that."

"You know... I will..."

"Ohhh... you will what, Ooyodo ?"

Hakai continues to sigh and try to arbitrate them. He then says,

"Stop this childish act, OK. It's enough with that girl actions, please don't add another problem to my life today."

'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' turned their face away with an annoyed face. After that, Hakai takes the plate and says,

"You guys... Hmmm... Wait... How could both of you get this cake? Right now we are low on resources..."

"We already order this from yesterday, and give our chef the ingredients needed to make it."

"Where you get that ingredient ?"

"From nearby village..."

"Oh... From nearby village... Wait... I don't remember you have any money... How could you buy this ingredient ?"

Silent falls there. Hakai then asks the same questions, but they still keep their mouth tight. At the end, 'Ooyodo' says,

"Kaga-san... We have another plan right..."

"Yes... We have another plan. Sorry, Admiral. We want to go now."

They stand up and start to walk away. Unfortunately, they forget something. Hakai looks towards their seat, and see something familiar. His card. Knows their mistake, 'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' run as fast as they could, while Hakai only could shout to them,

"Ooyodoooo! Kagaaaa !"

Everyone inside cafeteria looks towards Hakai angry face. Some of them sighed the other laughs after looks at Hakai face. After that, Hakai sits down and eats cake left over there. Not long after that, head of the cafeteria walks towards him, and says,

"Admiral, please don't be too hard towards them. I know they still new here, but..."

"Whatever... It's no use for me to keep angry... Hah..."

Hakai looks towards the cake, and then at the head staff. He then says,

"Oh... If you meet with them, tell them please meet me at my office. I have some works to do."

Hakai then left the cafeteria towards his office after giving the head staff dirty plate.

Three hours later, Hakai hears knock on the door. Hakai then calls those who knock the door in. After the door open, he sees 'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' stand there with the face of fear.

Hakai then smirks towards them, and stand up from his seat. He then calls them in once more, then closes the door. After that, he pat both of their backs, and says,

"So... Do you know why I call you here ?"

'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' keep silent from that question. They feel a very threatening aura from behind them. Hakai asks that once more, but still no answer. He then moves towards his seat and sits there. He looks towards both their eyes, and says,

"Don't worry, It's something simple. I will go for a while again. I want to get some rice for this base and create a farm. It is because of our resources still in the red state."

"Then... You want us to..."

"Ooyodo, please lead this naval base again. And this time, Kaga please help her."

"Sir, yes sir..."

"I will find a very good seed for us... Yes, a very good seed... And I believe, it will need some time to find it. I hope, I could find it soon."

After that, Hakai walks towards the door and pats both of their heads. Right before he left, he says,

"Oh... After I back here... Both of you will work at the farm for a whole month... To change what you already use... Goodbye."

Hears that, 'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' looks with each other with a surprised face. Meanwhile, Hakai focused his mind, to find a good seed... for their naval base.

"This cake... Is really delicious..." says Suzuya to her sister.

That day, Mogami, Mikuma, Kumano, and Suzuya get their respected holiday because of their good deeds at several last mission.

Mogami then smiles to Suzuya, and says,

"Ahahahaha... Suzuya, you always say the same thing when you eat cake..."

Suzuya doesn't really cares what Mogami says, and continue eats her cake. Meanwhile, Kumano and Mikuma also eat their respective meals. Mogami then says,

"It seems... It's already an age since we are going out together like this..."

Her other sisters nod after hearing that. After that, Suzuya stands up and move towards the counter. After seeing Suzuya action, Kumano says,

"You want to order another plate ?"

Suzuya only smile after sees Kumano's reaction, and then nods to her. Kumano then sighs. Suzuya spins, and says,

"It's been a long time since we eat here... And, we never know when we will eat her again, right ?"

Kumano sighs again after hear that, while Kumano and Suzuya only laugh. After Suzuya finishes eating her cake, all of them left that cake shop, and start shopping for some clothes.

From the start, three of them have some plan. A plan to makeover Mogami, and make her more feminine. Most of the time, only Mikuma the one who chooses Mogami's cloth. And mostly, Mogami rejects Mikuma's suggestion. Meanwhile, Suzuya and Kumano only laugh towards them.

They wander around the shop for around four hours, after that they start to go back to the naval base at Tawi-Tawi. But, suddenly Suzuya stops in front of one new cake shop. She interested with cake shown at the stall.

Kumano, who sees Suzuya stop moving, walks towards her, and says,

"Do you want to eat another cake, Suzuya ?"

"Yes... This cake... Looks delicious..."

"Ok... If you want to eat again. But, I think you should concern about something..."

"About what ?"

Kumano sighs, and says,

"About your weight..."

Suzuya suddenly froze after hearing that. She looks towards Kumano, then looks at the cake at the stall, and then looks at Kumano once more. She then says,

"But... But... I want to try this cake... The cake seems tasty..."

"Are you sure you want to try it today? We don't have much time here..."

"But..."

"Ok... Ok... At the next holiday, let's all of us visit this store..."

"But... I want it today..."

"Oh... Come on, Suzuya. I don't want to see my Suzuya become fat all of the sudden because eating too much..."

Suzuya then looks away from Kumano because she quite annoyed. Kumano only sighs after seeing Suzuya's reaction. Not long after that, they hear Mikuma called both of them,

"Hoooiii... Did both of you still need time? We will miss our bus if both of you still stand there..."

"Just a little bit more. Give us some time." Kumano answered.

Kumano then looks to Suzuya, who still looks to the cake at the stall. Kumano then drags Suzuya, and says,

"Next holiday... I promise you... We will visit this store..."

"Ok... But you must keep your promise..."

"Yes... I will."

Suzuya then smiles to Kumano. Kumano then says,

"But, please remember about your weight. Especially after you eat those cakes. I don't want to hear your complaint about your weight."

"Sir, yes sir."

Suzuya only laugh hears Kumano's plea. After that, they start running to Mogami and Mikuma, who already waiting for them for a long time.

But, at the intersection, Kumano collide with a man who just buys something. Both of them fall to the ground, and then Kumano looks at the man. A man with white hairs and eye patch to cover his right eye. Kumano then says,

"Ah... I'm sorry... I'm..."

"That's alright. It's my fault, not see my path."

Suzuya then looks back, and says,

"Kumano... Hurry up... Mogami and Mikuma are awaiting both of us..."

"Ah, wait a minute..." Kumano answered.

She then looks towards the man. But, she didn't find him there. She looks around, but she only sees empty roads. Kumano then shakes her head, and start to run to Suzuya, who already arrived near Mogami and Mikuma.

One week already passed since then, and they start their usual duty as ship girls. Mogami and Mikuma went back to their respective units. Both of them at the different units from Suzuya and Kumano, who are in the same unit.

Today, Suzuya and Kumano join war practice to fight Abyssal. And at that war practice, Kumano sees something odd with Suzuya. She saw Suzuya is easily hit by rubber shell, and really hard to maneuver. After finishing war practice, Kumano walks to Suzuya, who quite dejected by her performance. Kumano takes a deep breath, and says,

"Suzuya, what happen? It's really odds for you to get hit really often like that..."

Suzuya looks at Kumano, and start crying out loud. She then jumps to Kumano and hugs her. Kumano at first confused with Suzuya attitude. But, later she feels something. She then says,

"Suzuya..."

"..."

"Is it just me... Or you become heavier than last time..."

"..."

"And your cheek a little bit rounds..."

Kumano takes a deep breath, and says,

"What did you eat for this entire week? When we take our day off ? Especially after we eat those cakes..."

Suzuya doesn't answer Kumano question. Kumano sighs, and then says,

"If you don't want to answer my question that's alright..."

"..."

"After all, I know what happen..."

"Are you..."

"I will help you... create some diet schedule for you..."

Kumano smirks to Suzuya. Suzuya only froze hears that. Suzuya then says,

"A diet... Ahahahaha..."

"But, if you don't start the diet now... your performance will drop... And we will never get another day off..."

"Ah..."

"Do you want our plan to visit that store failed, Suzuya ?"

Suzuya shakes her head after hearing that. Kumano then says,

"I will meet you at your room this night. I will create that for you."

Suzuya starts to cry and nods to Kumano. Kumano then sighs, and smile to Suzuya.

That night, Kumano devise some plan for Suzuya diet schedule. After she finished it, she walks to Suzuya's room. In front of the room, Kumano knocks the door, and after hearing Suzuya's permission, she enters the room.

After Kumano enters the room, she quite surprised with Suzuya condition. She reads a book and eating some chips. She also sees some chips bag scattered around the room. Suzuya happily waves to Kumano. Kumano then screams,

"SUZUYA !"

"Ahahahaha... Kumano, why are you screaming like that ?"

"This also the reason why you..."

"What happen to me ?"

Kumano then looks towards the ceiling and then walks to the front of Suzuya. She pinches Suzuya cheek and stomach. After that, she says,

"I'm 100% you will become fatter than this."

"Ah..."

"Are you sure you want to draw Admiral's attention with your chubby body ?"

Suzuya's body and mind are like stabbed with a lot knife in her body after hearing that. Suzuya then only laugh a little. After that, she jumps to Kumano and says,

"What... What must I do ?"

"I know, what you must do !"

"What is it ?"

"You should start your diet !"

"Diet ?! I don't want it..."

"You must !"

"Ok..."

"Don't worry Suzuya, I have done create your diet schedule !"

"Eh ?"

Kumano shows the schedule to her, and Suzuya quite shocked. Suzuya then respond,

"I... I can't eat my snack after 9 PM ?!"

"Yes, of course..."

"But... But..."

"You can decline it, but remember... If you really want to impress admiral, better you do it."

"Uhhh..."

Suzuya sulking after hearing that. Kumano then pinches her cheek, and says,

"If we get another holiday, I will be the one that pays for the cake at that shop. For all four of us."

"Is that so ?!"

"Yes"

"Thank you very much, Kumano"

Suzuya then hugs her and start dancing around her room. Kumano only smiles watching her reaction. After having another chat, Kumano left Suzuya's room."

The next day, Suzuya start her diet schedule. And Kumano always watches her. She also already has permission from the admiral to stay over in Suzuya's room. At some point, Suzuya wants to surrender and start to smuggle some snack into her room. Unfortunately, Kumano knows it. She then throws it away, and start lecturing Suzuya.

At the start of the diet, Suzuya quite sloppy at training because of she quite tired. But, after several weeks, Suzuya already back to her previous form. She could maneuver through bombardment and torpedo salvo at training. She also moves faster than she used to be. And, from there, all the missions are given to Suzuya also give a positive result.

And, today Suzuya meet with Kumano who taking a rest. Kumano sees Suzuya happy face and then smile at her. She says,

"Ara... Something really good just happens to you..."

"Eh..."

"I could read it from your face."

"Ahahahaha..."

"What happen, Suzuya? Tell Kumano please."

Kumano teases Suzuya, who quite embarrassed. Suzuya then respond,

"Admiral just praise me... He praises me... After all missions, we have done... And my performance."

"That's a good thing, no ?"

"Yes."

Kumano then pinches her cheek and say,

"You know, this time I envy your body. Really smooth. Really fit. And all..."

"This is because of you..."

"No, no... Everything depends on you, and you really cooperative with the schedule. You have done it well."

"Ehehehe..."

Both of them laugh together. Not long after that, Kumano lets Suzuya sit down and drink tea with her. Kumano laughs a little, and says,

"I remember the several first days of your diet. You always hold down under your blanket, so you will not wake up for morning training."

"Of course... Morning training... You know, I am not a morning person."

"Not only that, you also try to smuggle some snack into your room, and try to eat that."

"Ahahahaha... You knew it..."

"Of course... your snack crumb is scattered around the room."

Suzuya only sticking out her tongue out. Kumano looks at Suzuya again, and says,

"But, now you feel it yourself. You are better now, and you smile often."

"Yes... You are right..."

"And now, like I stated before, I envy you..."

"Ahahaha... Kumano, you could use your diet schedule... Maybe we could train together."

"Ahahaha, You right."

Suzuya looks at Kumano for a while, and then says,

"Kumano, thank you very much... Thank you for everything."

"That's not a big problem. If it for you, I will do everything."

Both of them laugh again. After that, they drink the tea and the cake in front of them. Finish eating the cake, both of them start walking in the garden near there.

While they walking around the garden, they see a lot of people walks past them. The garden is located near the sea, and have a lot of plants there. On one side of the garden, there stands the administration building where their Admiral works. From the garden, they could see the room where their admiral works.

Suzuya and Kumano walk really slowly and feel the wind that blows from the sea. The scent of the sea really calms one heart who tired of the endless war. Not long after that, they hear someone call them,

"Suzuya, Kumano... Did both of you also try to feel the wind from the sea ?"

Suzuya and Kumano look behind them and see Mogami and Mikuma. Both of them nod and smile. After that, Mogami and Mikuma walk to them and start chatting. Suzuya, who a little bit bored with the conversation, looks to the Admiral place. She sees one white hat and one black hair.

Suzuya knows something is odd. She focused her sight on the window, and see the black hair is someone she knows. A girl. A girl who also Heavy Cruiser like her. It is Chikuma, who stand in front of the Admiral.

Suzuya sees the Admiral stand up. He then hugs Chikuma and kisses her. Suzuya quite shocked sees that. She is thinking,

"Why... Why Admiral with Chikuma..."

When she looks at the window again, the window already covered by a curtain. Suzuya bites her lips, knowing the truth about her beloved Admiral.

Kumano, who finished chatting with Mogami and Mikuma, looks at Suzuya and sees a devastated face from her. Kumano walks to her, and says,

"Suzuya... What's wrong ?"

"..."

"Suzuya... Hey... Suzuya !"

"Ah... No... Nothing happened..."

Suzuya forced her smile to Kumano. Kumano stares at Suzuya, and says,

"You are lying..."

"No, I'm not..."

"Yes, you are... Suzuya, please tell me... What happened ?"

"..."

"Suzuya..."

"Kumano, could you leave me alone for a while, please..."

"Eh ?"

"Could you ?"

Without hearing Kumano's responses, Suzuya left them and start walking to her room. She enters the room and locks it. She then lays down on her bed, and start crying. She then says,

"Of course... Admiral has someone he loves... Why I am really stupid like this... Thinking there is no one love Admiral..."

Suddenly she hears a knock at the door. She ignores it first. The knocker quite persistent, so Suzuya says,

"Who is that ?"

"It's me... Kumano."

"Kumano..."

Suzuya walks to the door, and then says,

"Kumano, please... Leave me alone... for a while..."

"But, Suzuya..."

"Please, Kumano..."

"No... I will not leave you alone..."

"..."

"I will help you. If you have a problem just tell it to me."

"..."

"Suzuya..."

"Kumano... For this problem... I can't tell you..."

"Eh? Why ?"

"It... Quite complicated..."

"Suzuya..."

"Please... Leave me alone, damn it... You will not understand this feeling in my chest !"

Kumano quite devastated by Suzuya's respond. Then she says,

"If you say so..."

"..."

"But, remember I will help you. If you need me, I'm in my room."

Kumano left and walks to her room. Meanwhile, Suzuya walks to her bed, lay down there. And then continue crying,

"Why... Am I not telling her... About this problem... Why... It is best if she... You are an idiot... Suzuya..."

For one straight week, Suzuya avoids meeting with Mogami, Mikuma, and especially Kumano. Every time she sees Kumano, Suzuya walks to different directions from Kumano.

Mogami and Mikuma try their best to help Kumano to find out what happened with Suzuya. But they never succeed, as Suzuya also avoid them. Until one day Mogami bumped with Suzuya. Mogami holds Suzuya shoulder, who wants to walk away, and says,

"Until when are you will avoid us ?"

"..."

"You must remember... We are your sisters. We will help you..."

"..."

"You will kill us with all questions inside our head... with your action. Just tell us. Or you will regret it later..."

"..."

"Suzuya, please..."

Mogami sees Suzuya, who looks away from her. Suzuya then starts walking again, left Mogami who still cannot say anything else.

One week later, Suzuya called into the Admiral's room. Inside the room, she sees Chikuma, Akebono, Ushio, Oboro, Sazanami, Nagara and Natori. In front of them, their AdmirIt is a reconnaissance and destroy sits with the document in front of him. Seeing Suzuya arrived there, the admiral stands up, and says,

"Everyone already here. With this, I will start the meeting."

Everyone focused their mind on hearing the mission briefing. He says,

"We just get a new mission. Our target is located 1246 KM from our naval base."

Their admiral holds his breath, and says,

"There are four enemy divisions, and each of them consists of Ta Class Battleship and Ri Class Heavy Cruiser. Your task is to destroy those four divisions. But, you should stay sharp. I also get a report that, the Abyssal unit that destroyed Rabaul Naval Base lurking around here."

Silent fall inside this room. That news is really surprising, as Rabaul destruction is a big loss to Navy. Their admiral then says,

"But, I believe with all of you. You will back in one piece."

Everyone nods after hearing that. Their admiral then says,

"Your mission will start at 1200 hours. Now, all of you could disperse."

After that everyone leaves the room, except Chikuma. Suzuya, who sees that, only bite her lips.

Suzuya goes back to her room, to calm her mind. But, suddenly she hears someone knocks the door. She stands up and opens the door. After opening the door, she sees Mogami stand there.

"Suzuya... Could I come in ?"

"..."

"Suzuya ?"

"Just come in... Mogami-nee..."

Mogami enters the room and sits beside Suzuya. She looks at Suzuya face, and says,

"I heard you will join a very dangerous mission. Am I right ?"

"Yes."

"Are you ready for that mission ?"

Suzuya nods. Seeing Suzuya's response, Mogami only sighs. She then looks at the ceiling and then looks to Suzuya again. Mogami pats her head, and says,

"So... Are you already meet with Kumano ?"

"..."

"So, you still not meet with Kumano... You know, Kumano really worried about you..."

"..."

"Why you really stubborn about this...If you could open up a bit, we could help you..."

"I'm sorry..."

"You should say that to Kumano, not me."

"..."

Mogami then holds Suzuya hand, and says,

"Suzuya... please... please... meet Kumano before you start your mission. To clear this misunderstanding..."

Suzuya looks away after hearing that. Mogami then sighs, and says once more,

"Please, do that... I will wait for you... After the mission end."

Mogami leaves Suzuya's room. Meanwhile, Suzuya looks to the ceiling and thinks about what Mogami just said before. She closes her eyes for a while and looks at the clock.

"Almost the time..."

Suzuya leaves the room and start walking to the meeting point. She walks, and stop in front of someone's room. Kumano's room. She looks at the door and walks near the door. She remembers what Mogami just said, and try to knock it. But, right before it, she stops, shakes her head, and said it to herself,

"It is almost time... I must go now."

She then walks away from there and continues her walks to the meeting point.

At the meeting point, Suzuya sees all the members of this mission already gather there. She also sees Chikuma and her Admiral. Suzuya only passed through them, and enter the docks.

Inside the docks, she walks into one of the mechanics, and ask,

"Is my equipment ready ?"

"Your equipment... Ah... Two 20.3 CM Twin Gun Mount, Air Radar type 13, and Zuiun already ready."

"What about my catapult ?"

"Of course it is. Are you underestimating me ?"

"Ahahahaha... Of course not."

She then wears all the equipment, and then ask again,

"How many is Zuiun that we will use ?"

"Five Zuiun."

"Five ?"

"One for reconnaissance at each zone that guarded by the enemy. While the last one used for reconnaissance while all of you retreat back to the base. It is because of that rumors."

"That Abyssal who annihilated entire naval base. The one that killed Kaga, Takao, and Atago."

"Yes."

Suzuya then thinks a bit about something. She mumbles,

"Why they take some time to show themselves again? If they could annihilate entire Rabaul Naval Base, they could destroy this naval base too... I believe they have their own motives..."

"Maybe..."

"Ah... I'm sorry... I only talk to myself..."

"Ahahahaha... Don't worry about that."

"Thank you for your information. Oh, before I forget... Are all this equipment already approved by the Admiral ?"

"Of course"

"Ok, then... With that, Suzuya already ready to sortie."

Suzuya then prepares herself at the catapult. On her left, stand Nagara and Natori. They already prepared for this mission. Suzuya looks at them and says

"Are you ready for this mission? This mission will be a smooth run like usual... Even though the rumor about that Abyssal around."

Nagara smiles to her, and says,

"Of course... After all, we have our naval base MVP of all time... Suzuya."

Suzuya quite flustered by Nagara's praise. Suzuya looks away from them with embarrassment. And when she looks at the front dock, she sees a figure. A man's figure. The man has a white hair. His eyes focused towards her, and then that man makes a sign to keep silent. Suzuya then asks,

"Who... Who is that..."

"Suzuya, what happened ?"

"Ah... Natori. Someone is standing there..."

"Where ?"

"There..."

When Suzuya looks in front of her again, the figure disappeared. Natori then looks at Suzuya, and says,

"Suzuya-san, are you alright? Or maybe you are still tired..."

"Don't worry... I... I'm alright..."

"If that's so..."

Suzuya tries to convince Natori once more until Natori really sure that she is alright. Suzuya then sighs, and then try to calm herself. Suddenly, Chikuma pat her shoulder, and says,

"Suzuya... Please stay calm... After all, you will lead us in this mission as a flagship."

"Eh ?"

"You didn't know that ?"

"No... It's new for me."

"Admiral forgot to tell you that at the briefing. So, we ask Kumano to tell that to you. Is she not telling you about this ?"

"No... She doesn't..."

"Now you know it. Admiral has big expectations from you on this mission."

"Yes."

Suzuya then looks down, and says to herself,

'Kumano...'

Suddenly, their Admiral says something that makes Suzuya focused again.

"All of you will sortie thirty minutes from now! Please come back alive from this mission !"

"Sir, yes sir !"

Thirty minutes later, Suzuya looks at everyone and says,

"Leave everything to Suzuya! Let's sortie !"

Everyone shout and follow Suzuya's lead. They are moving towards reconnaissance zone. It needs around one hour to reach that area. After that arrived at the designated area, Suzuya and Chikuma launch their Zuiun and start their reconnaissance mission. All of them hold their breath until suddenly Chikuma says,

"My Zuiun just report to me. They found the enemy location. They are 2000 KM from us."

"Thank you Chikuma. It seems all of them move away from the first location stated by Admiral... Ah, wait a minute."

Suzuya gets a report from her Zuiun and tells that to everyone.

"My Zuiun report to me. Enemy spotted. North of us, around 2700 KM. Why they move away from here ?"

"I don't know..."

"I hope... It's not a big deal... Everyone, let's move to the north west first..."

Everyone follow her lead and start moving. After several kilometers, they feel the rain pours into them. The wind blow really fast, and their sight is limited. Suzuya then says,

"What... The report doesn't tell about rain will fall here..."

"You are right..."

"If the rain continues to fall... We can't launch our plane..."

Suzuya then looks at everyone and says,

"Everyone change our formation in double line... Check your surrounding... If the enemy sighted, we will change back our formation. Always ready for the enemy ambush! Chikuma... Let's light our searchlight now..."

Chikuma nods after hearing Suzuya's order. All of them change the formation and move cautiously. Until, Akebono says,

"My radar just read something ! Enemy nears us !"

"Thank you very much... Where is it located ?"

"Eh... Wait, I think my radar is broken... Why I only read one ?"

"What ?"

Suzuya looks around and says,

"Stay cautious... The enemy could attack us from anywhere they like..."

Suddenly, Suzuya and Chikuma hears a plane voice. And then they see the Abyssal's plane. Suzuya then says,

"Wait... There is no report any Aircraft Carrier sighted here... And why they could launch their plane in this area? Everyone, use your anti-air gun... and change formation to diamond formation... Now !"

All of them change into the diamond formation and use their anti-air gun. Unfortunately, no plane destroyed. Suddenly, one of the planes dive towards them and hit Akebono. Suzuya then says,

"Akebono! Everyone protects Akebono now !"

While they move, Chikuma says,

"Why... Why they could launch it... Why..."

"Chikuma, stay focused! We need to find our enemy position first !"

"Ah... You are right..."

Suddenly, Suzuya's radar gives warning about incoming torpedo. When Suzuya looks behind her, the torpedo aims to Chikuma.

"Chikuma! Dodge the torpedo now !"

But it is too late. The torpedo hit Chikuma. Chikuma rotors and paddling is broken, and she can't move from there. Her equipment also broken. Suzuya rushes herself to Chikuma and checks her. Chikuma then says,

"The Abyssal is there..."

"There ?"

"Just like Akebono says... It's only one..."

"Impossible... How could the enemy launch planes AND torpedoes? I never hear about them have a Seaplane Tender Class ?!"

"Or maybe... It's that Abyssal..."

Suzuya then looks at the direction Chikuma points. She hold her breath, and says,

"Everyone... let's retreat now... Protect Chikuma and Akebono."

Suzuya then help Chikuma to move, while Nagara helps Akebono. They start their retreat. But, the enemy still attacks them, and one by one getting hit by the enemy. Most of Suzuya's unit could move, but they a little bit slower. Then, Suzuya stop for a while, and says,

"I will hold it... All of you... Retreat now..."

"Eh..."

"Don't worry... Right now, only me the one who still could move freely. And my equipment still intact. I could maneuver through that Abyssal attack. And, if all of you already far from me... I will start to retreat."

"But... Suzuya, the one that you will fight..."

"I know."

"That's almost the same as suicide !"

"I know... But, how in this world I could know if this could work without trying it?"

"..."

"Don't worry... I will back with all of you..."

"Suzuya..."

"Do you underestimate me? Suzuya, MVP for this mission ?"

"No..."

"Good... Now retreat now."

Chikuma still persistent to stay. So, Suzuya says it to her,

"Chikuma... Retreat now... I believe our admiral can't live without you..."

"Eh..."

"Ahahahaha... You think I didn't know about it? I saw it..."

"..."

"At first I want to tell our superior about your relations... But, I'm a hypocrite if I do that..."

"Eh..."

"I will say it to you... I love Admiral... And I envy you... Really envy you..."

"Suzuya... I..."

"But now, I could a little bit calm my heart... I hope you could be happy with Admiral... If someone doesn't like it, just meet me. I will punch them right in their face."

"Ahahahahaha..."

"Now... Chikuma... Retreat... I believe in you... Make Admiral happy ok ?"

"Yes... And you must go home after this..."

"Of course."

Suzuya then orders Natori to hold Chikuma and continue their move back to the naval base.

Suzuya hold her breaths, and then says,

"Show yourself now..."

In front of her, stand a man. A man that Suzuya saw before departed from the dock. She asks him,

"Why suddenly you stop firing at us? Isn't that your only opportunity to wipe us out ?"

"Well... You know... I wanted to hear what all of you are talking about when you stop there... Also, It's quite boring to attack someone who stops and talk like that... You know... Where the pleasure in that ?"

"..."

"Well... Step aside... I remember you said you will hold me... How in this world you could hold me ?"

"Hold you? I want to hold the Abyssal that attacking us... Not a man like you..."

Suzuya suddenly knows something. That man also stands on the water like her. That man then smiles to her and says,

"What Abyssal ?"

"The Abyssal that launches those planes... And firing us with torpedoes..."

"Ah... That planes huh..."

Suzuya prepares her main cannon and aims to him. Suddenly that man laugh, and says,

"Do you mean... This plane ?"

That man suddenly covered with black mist. And that black mist changed into a catapult at his shoulder. At the catapult, a plane already stationed there. The same plane that Suzuya saw before. That man then says,

"Ahahahaha... Look at you... Suddenly stop talking... Are you surprised? Or you don't believe it ?"

"..."

"I will show you... It is real... Hope you could move away in one piece."

"Eh.."

"Sink"

Without warning, that man launches the plane to Suzuya. The plane didn't drop any torpedoes or attack using the gun. The plane just moves straight to Suzuya. Suzuya moves to her right, but the plane still hits her left arm. She can't feel her left arm, and her equipment is destroyed.

That man then smiles and says

"Ah... You could avoid it... Impressive... But, I wonder..."

"What..."

"I wonder if Kumano could avoid that like you ?"

Hears 'Kumano' name from that man lips, Suzuya screams,

"What will you do to Kumano ?"

"Oh... I don't know about that, though... I still not thinking about it..."

"What do you means..."

"But... I believe it will boring if I kill Kumano too... After all you still not meet with Kumano, no ?"

"Why you..."

"I know everything... I know everything in this world..."

"..."

"Ahahahaha... What's with that complicated face... Ah, I know... Maybe I will kill Kumano after this..."

"I will..."

"You will ?"

"I will not let you near Kumano... I will not let you... Killed her !"

"Oh... Is that so..."

"She is my precious sister... I will not let you... Killed her... I... I will end you here. Right here. Right now !"

"Oh... Interesting... How you will do it ?"

"..."

"Ahahahaha... You only could talk big... But no action... Annoying."

Suzuya then looks at him and then smirks to him. That man suddenly smiles, and says,

"Ah... That face... That face that I need... The face full of life... Not like that empty eyes..."

Suddenly an explosion occurs at that man. Suzuya just fires her 20.3 CM main guns at him. Suzuya looks at him, who still stand there unscratched. He looks at her, and says,

"Ahahahahahaha... This... This is a pain... It's been a long time... Since I feel it... So... this is a pain... Ahahahahaha..."

Without warning, Suzuya attacks him again. This time using her torpedoes and main gun. Suzuya then says,

"You monster... I will not let you pass me... I will not let you destroy my naval base... Or kill Kumano !"

After the smoke gone, that man looks at Suzuya with a happy face. He then says,

"Ok... Ok... I will not target any of your sisters... Mogami... Mikuma... Kumano... No... I also will not destroy your naval base."

That man then points to her, and says,

"But... I want you..."

"If you want me... Kill me first..."

"Suzuya... You know... That's really simple..."

Suddenly the catapult at that man gone, and the mist change into a long lance. That man prepares to dash towards Suzuya. Suzuya, who sees that, prepares to dodge his attack. That man starts thrusting his lance to Suzuya. Suzuya can't dodge the attack because that man movement is really fast. The lance pierces through her stomach, and Suzuya starts bleeding. That man then says,

"Looks... It is really simple... Don't encourage me to..."

When that man looks at Suzuya, Suzuya is already aiming her main gun at him. Suzuya then fires him from point blank and hit his face. But, like before, that man still unscratched. Suzuya smile and says,

"Look... It is not that simple."

That man looks at her and then smile. Some of the mist changes into a cannon, and he aims that to Suzuya. That man then asks her,

"So... Any last word ?"

"No... Ah... I have... I will kill you..."

That man smiles again, and says,

"Unfortunately... I can't fulfill your wish... Sink..."

He fires his cannon towards Suzuya face, and destroy her left face. Right before getting hit, Suzuya smile and says,

"I'm sorry... I can't go back... And eat cake with you... Kumano..."

After that, that man lets Suzuya body slide. He then smiles and laughs. After that, he says,

"I appreciate your spirits... I really appreciate it... Like I said before... I will not kill them... I will not destroy your naval base..."

He then looks at the sky, and says,

"But... I'm not sure about OTHER who will attack your base... Ahahahahaha"

After that, that man went in the mist without leaving any trace.

One month has passed since that mission. At one cake shop, all Mogami class ship girls are gathering there. They are eating the cake there. Suddenly, Suzuya ask Kumano,

"Are you sure I could eat all of this, Kumano ?"

"Of course..."

Suzuya then eats all of those cake by herself. Meanwhile, the other three only see her and smile. After that, she says,

"I want to check the menu again. Are you wanting to order anything else ?"

"No..."

"Ok, then"

Suzuya then walks to the cashier, and check the menu. Kumano looks at her, and smile a little. Mogami then pats Kumano's head, and says,

"Kumano..."

"..."

"You still can't forget about her... About Suzuya ?"

"..."

"I know... It already one month... But, please don't show that face again..."

"Mogami-nee... Why is she so stubborn that time... Maybe... If... I..."

"Kumano..."

"You know... My heart still hurts after I heard that news... I... I..."

"Kumano... We know about that... We know how your feeling... And also this Suzuya is not Suzuya we used to know... But, please... Please protect her... Protect her smile... Because only that the same between them..."

"..."

"You once said you would help Suzuya... So, could you help her now ?"

"Yes..."

Mogami then smiles to her. Kumano looks at Mogami and Mikuma, then says,

"I... No, We will find the Abyssal who kills Suzuya... And we will sink it into the bottom of the sea..."

Both of them nod after hearing what Kumano just said. Not long after that, Suzuya arrives at their table, and ask,

"Did I miss something ?"

"No... Let's continue eat now."

"Yes"

Suzuya smiles to three of them and eats the cake she just orders.

Meanwhile, Hakai just arrived at his naval base again. It takes more time than he intended. He walks straight to his office. When he opens the door, he says,

"I'm back..."

Hakai looks at his table and sees 'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' eating their cake. Both of them have a terrified face after seeing Hakai there. Hakai smiles and walks near there. He then says,

"I remember there is a rule about eating at the office... So, Kaga I hope you have a good explanation for this..."

"This... Uh... This..."

"Ooyodo... Do you have any reason ?"

"..."

"No? Then... I will punish both of you... Do you remember about punishment that I will give you before I go? I will add another month for that..."

'Ooyodo' and 'Kaga' only could sigh to their fate. Hakai then smiles to them, and ask them to do that now. When both of them almost leaves the room, Hakai says,

"Ah... I almost forgot... Someone will help you... And I believe she will become both of your friends here..."

"Who is that ?"

"Well... You should ask her by yourself... After all, it is easy finding her. But, don't forget to take her around the naval base."

"Sir, yes sir."

Then both of them leave the room. Hakai walks to his chair and sits there. He then looks at the ceiling and says,

"That one... Quite interesting... Not like at Rabaul... But... I still missed something..."

Hakai close his eyes for a while, and then says,

"But... When will I see that face again... When will I destroy that full of life face again... When... When... Ahahahahahaha"

He then spread his arm, and continues,

"But... Still, I can't enjoy it... Something still missing... Something... Some of it is under my 'Standard'... I'm disappointed... Really... But at least, that face added another point to it..."

He stands up and looks at the sky. He smiles and says,

"So... What do you think? Will I find the missing things? Of course... Maybe... Maybe I could find it... Could I meet that face again? Maybe... But... Who next... That will show that face... Ahahahahahahaha"