Chapter 2: Salute
Asashimo is currently having a nice peaceful walk around the naval base; she wears her usual purple school-girl dress, white long sleeve blouse with her blue bowtie, grey pantyhose and a pair of brown laced boots. The little Japanese destroyer appears to be bored, probably because she no particular thing to do today.
"Men I hate this kind of days, I hope the commander sends me on a mission already…" Asashimo sighs after talking to herself, "maybe, I'll just go to Mamiya's place and get something nice." she puts her hands behind her head and proceed walking leisurely.
A few moments later, Asashimo sees an unfamiliar face; she meets the American Kanmusu who was probably lost her way inside the naval base. The American destroyer had a map with her but it doesn't do any good since it was written in Japanese which she has trouble understanding it. The American destroyer looks at Asashimo with her innocent chocolate eyes while Asashimo glares at her, showing some hostility to a former enemy.
"Hmp, why are you looking at me, what do you want?" Asashimo asks.
Though Asashimo was rather rude as she talked to the girl, the American Destroyer wasn't disturb by Asashimo's nasty attitude. She approaches Asashimo without having any second thoughts. She stands up straight and gives a salute to her fellow Japanese Destroyer as a sign of respect.
"Ah, a-American Destroyer USS Johnston DD-557, good morning fellow ship girl!"
Johnston greets her fellow Kanmusu with her positive and uplifting attitude; though Johnston's Japanese wasn't that good, she tries her best to communicate with the destroyer. Asashimo stared at the girl with her conspicuous eyes.
"Say, do you know where can I get to the Captain's office?" Johnston asks without any hesitation.
"Captain… you mean the commander right?"
"Uhm~" Johnston nods at Asashimo with a cute smug on her face.
Asashimo thought for a moment, she realizes that this girl is the American Kanmusu which probably everyone has been talking about lately. Asashimo smiles at the girl; it seems that she has something in mind.
"Eh, why sure, I'll show you the way…" Asashimo offers her help to the American destroyer.
"Ah thank you very much, wow, people here surely are nice!" Johnston smiles innocently. "And they said back at home that I should watch my back from you guys." The American destroyer added with a hearty laugh.
"Yeah-yeah I know… by the way, my name is Asashimo." Asashimo also smiles but it seems that she is plotting something mischievous to the poor newly commissioned destroyer.
"Nice to meet you… Ashasimo!" said Johnston cheerfully, but the she somehow stutters as she tries to pronounce Asashimo's name.
"It's Asashimo!" Asashimo corrects, Johnston just follows Asashimo without having any hesitation.
Meanwhile, Yukikaze arrives at the main gates recently. Yukikaze wanders her sight around the area; she was looking for the American Kanmusu but it seems that she couldn't find anyone here. She scratches her head and sigh.
"The commander said that the American Kanmusu will arrive here, I wonder what took her so long." Yukikaze was slightly worried.
Yukikaze sits down on a nearby concrete barrier and there she waits for the American Kanmusu to arrive.
Moments later, a delivery truck arrives in front of the gates. Yukikaze stares at the truck curiously, she notice that it was the truck that delivers resources to the naval base every day. Then she sees Akashi wearing her orange maintenance jumpsuit with a pencil on her ear while carrying a clipboard with her, Akashi handles the maintenance of the riggings in the naval base, she could also do some useful upgrades for the equipment if the base had enough resources.
Akashi seems to be talking at the driver then several minutes later, she points her thumb inside the naval base, the truck proceeds. After the talk, Yukikaze decided to approach Akashi.
"Good morning Akashi-san!" Yukikaze greets Akashi.
"Yo, Yukikaze-chan, what brings you here?"
"Ah, well you see I was looking for the American Kanmusu, the commander said that she will be arriving today. Did you see her around?" Yukikaze asks.
Akashi ponders for a moment, "Now that you've mentioned it, I did saw Asashimo with a rather unfamiliar girl heading to the warehouse area… you should hurry since that Asashimo brat might up to something again." Akashi answers.
"Ah, thank you Akashi-san." Yukikaze bows her head at Akashi.
Akashi crosses her arms and smiles at the little destroyer, "you really look excited meeting this American Kanmusu, is she something special?" she asks.
"Um no, I just want to become her friend that's why I wanted to meet her." Yukikaze replies honestly.
"Heh, friendly as always I see."
"Ah, anyway I should be leaving now… bye-bye for now, Akashi-san!"
Yukikaze waves her hand at Akashi then leaves the main gate, Akashi smiles and waves back. Then Akashi wipes her forehead with a small towel and proceeds inside the base.
Asashimo and Johnston arrive at the warehouse area of the naval base. The warehouse area is several hundred meters away from the main command building. There were six warehouses in this area. Though it was very questionable to find the Admiral in this place, Johnston continues to follow Asashimo without being hesitant until they arrive to an old warehouse, which is the farthest to the command building.
"Um, Asa... himo, is the captain really here?" Johnston asks while observing the surrounding.
"Of course he is here; he's always been there looking for some spare parts that might still be useful." Asashimo answers, "- and my name is Asashimo, can you get it right?!" she corrects Johnston about her name.
"Ah, eh s-sorry about that…" Johnston apologizes.
Before Johnston arrives in the naval base she was ordered not to cause any trouble in her new naval base, so she tries to avoid any conflict as long as she can and be friendly to her fellow Ship Girls in the naval base.
"So the captain is like a mechanic... that's cool, I really want to meet him more!" Johnston pumps her little fists, she looks very excited.
"Beats me... just be quiet and follow me."
"Okay~!"
Moments later, Asashimo stands near the double doors of the old warehouse and slams it with her hand.
"Alright we're here; the commander is probably inside this old warehouse, you should go in."
"Eh, then what about you, aren't you going to follow me?" Johnston asks.
"I'll probably stay here; you're the only one who wanted to meet the Commander, right?" Asashimo answered. Johnston agrees then she approaches the door.
Johnston looks at Asashimo before entering, "By the way, thanks for helping me, ah… ah-Asasi-!"
"It's Asashimo!" Asashimo immediately interrupts and corrects Johnston again.
"Oh yeah right, Ashashimo!" Johnston replies, yet she still said it wrong, Asashimo looks a bit annoyed but she just shrugs at the American destroyer.
"Yeah-yeah whatever, you should go inside now, he's probably waiting for you." Asashimo smiles back.
Then Johnston proceeds inside the old warehouse, Asashimo immediately closes the main door.
"Heh-heh, I never thought that this one was a total sucker hah-hah…" Asashimo smirks, showing her mischievous attitude.
Asashimo quickly picks up a rusty metal beam on the ground attach it to the handle bars of the double door which could trap the poor destroyer inside the warehouse.
"That would hold her." Asashimo wipes her sweat with her arm.
As Asashimo going to leave the place, Yukikaze arrives unexpectedly. Yukikaze wanders her sight through various place like she was looking for something, Asashimo was quite surprise to see Yukikaze.
"Ah, Yukikaze what brings you here?" Asashimo asks while she tries to block the door with her body so Yukikaze wouldn't see the metal beam she used to lock the door.
"Ah good morning Asashimo-chan… I'm looking for the American Kanmusu, Akashi-san said that you were with her moments ago, where is she?" Yukikaze smiles at Asashimo, while Asashimo was getting a bit nervous.
"Wait, why do you want to meet this girl?" Asashimo asks.
"The commander tells me to pick her up at the main gates so that I could lead her to his office." Yukikaze replied, Asashimo scratches her head.
"Well she's not here anymore so go play around somewhere else… can't you see I'm busy here." Asashimo replied. Yukikaze approaches Asashimo, Yukikaze notice that Asashimo looks a bit restless, she approaches her fellow destroyer.
"Asashimo-chan you seems a bit… edgy… is there something wrong?" Yukikaze tilts her head in an adorable manner and stares at Asashimo; Asashimo puts on a nervous smile on her face.
"N-no, this is nothing… j-just too much sugar I suppose." Asashimo answers.
"So you've been eating a lot of Mamiya ice cream lately."
"No not that… b-but anyway, just get out of here; there's nothing to see here!" Asashimo shouts furiously at Yukikaze.
Yukikaze starting to doubt about Asashimo's intention, then she notices that there is a metal beam attach on the handle bars that seems to be blocking the main door of the warehouse.
"Hmm, that metal beam is blocking the main door…" Yukikaze approaches the main door and observes it, "… this thing shouldn't supposed to be here, if Akashi-san sees this, she'll be mad for sure." Yukikaze said to herself, Asashimo was alerted since Yukikaze might discover her mischievous prank.
"Wha… h-hey Yukikaze, I told you nothing see here so move along, shoo-shoo!" Asashimo quickly grabs Yukikaze and gently pushes her away from the door.
"W-wait Asashimo… w-what are you doing?"
Yukikaze tries to resist but Asashimo insist of pushing her away. While the two girls struggle against each other, all of a sudden…
CRASH!
"What was that?"
Yukikaze was alerted by the loud crashing sound that appears to be coming inside the warehouse; meanwhile Asashimo tries to avert her eyes away from Yukikaze. Yukikaze looks at her fellow destroyer conspicuously with her nonchalant eyes.
During the time when Yukikaze recently arrived at the warehouse area, Johnston is looking for the Admiral and hasn't realized that she was tricked by Asashimo. The warehouse if full of old and broken ship girl riggings and other equipment that were stacked together. The whole place is also very dusty. Even though the old warehouse had some few holes which allow the light from the outside to enter, the whole place was still a bit dark.
"Men, sure is dark in here… maybe there's a power switch nearby." Johnston wanders her sight around the warehouse.
Then she notices a small power box not too far from her position, she immediately approaches it. The power box was more than two meters high against the wall; it's a bit far from Johnston's reach. Johnston thought for a solution, she again observes her surroundings and notice metal folding chair nearby. Johnston immediately climbs on the chair and uses it as a pedestal to reach the power box, Johnston switches on the power but the lights didn't turn on. Johnston decided to open the power box and notice that the fuses were missing.
"Hmm, no use… looks like I just have to call the captain." Johnston climbs down on the chair and proceeds inside the warehouse.
"Captain, are you here?!" shouted Johnston, but she didn't get any responds.
"Captain...?"
Johnston began to worry; she takes a deep breath and sits down on an old rigging nearby, "He probably left the place already…" then she picks up her pendant again and stares at the picture, "Captain Evans, what should I do… should I gave up my search?" Johnston talks to the picture again.
"No, I won't give up so easily… Ashashimo said that the captain is here, I just have to search for him carefully."
Johnston stands up; she pumps her fists while her eyes sparkle with determination. Then suddenly a small mouse dashes through the destroyer's feet.
"KYAH!"
Johnston was surprised. The little destroyer staggers and accidentally bumps on one of the stacks of old riggings. The riggings fall down to the floor and created a loud crashing sound that can be heard inside the entire warehouse. Johnston immediately crouches down and took cover so that she could protect herself.
Moments later, Johnston slowly opens her eyes to see if it is already safe to move now. It appears that Johnston created a huge mess inside the warehouse, the riggings were scattered all over the floor.
"Men, what a mess… if someone finds me here, I'm dead for sure." Johnston worries.
Johnston slowly stands up from her position but she didn't notice that there was another stack of old riggings which about to fall from her. All of a sudden, somebody immediately opens the main door of the warehouse. More light enters and brightens up the place.
"Ah, there you are!"
Yukikaze exclaims at Johnston while she enters the old warehouse; the American destroyer was also surprised by Yukikaze's sudden action. Then Yukikaze saw the stack of riggings, Yukikaze quickly rushes Johnston to rescue her.
"LOOK OUT!"
Yukikaze shouts loudly which alerted Johnston, Johnston turns her head and looks above, she could see the stack was already trembling. Yukikaze quickly pushes Johnston away from her position and rescue her from the falling riggings. The two girls fall on the ground but neither of them were seriously injured, the impact creates another loud crashing sounds and more mess.
The two girls were coughing because of the dust; Yukikaze slowly raises her body from Johnston.
"A-are you alright?" Yukikaze asks, while coughing.
"Y-yeah… t-thanks for the help there…" Johnston tries to raise her body; she brushes her clothes to remove the excessive dust. The two girls sit down and share glance at each other.
"What are you doing; do you know it's dangerous to stay here?" Yukikaze scolded Johnston.
"Ah, I was looking for the captain you see…" Johnston replies immediately.
"Captain… you mean the commander? Why would you think he'll be in here?" Yukikaze raised one eyebrow at Johnston.
Johnston thought that Yukikaze is probably scolding her for what happened, she averts her eyes at Yukikaze and tries to think for an answer.
"Um, A-Asah…?" Johnston tries to pronounce Asashimo's name again.
"Yes, I know that already…" Yukikaze interrupts the American destroyer "Asashimo-chan seems to have dragged you to this mess; she is quite a troublesome girl sometimes, so please forgive her." Yukikaze politely asks.
Johnston replies with a silent nod. Yukikaze stands from her position and gently brushes her dress.
"By the way, my name is Yukikaze; the eighth of the Kagerou-class Destroyer… nice too meet you." Yukikaze smiles brightly at Johnston, she offers her hand to help Johnston stand.
Without any hesitation, Johnston immediately grabs Yukikaze's hand; it appears that Johnston is a type of person that will trust somebody that show kindness to her. Johnston stops for a moment and thought for a while, the name Yukikaze is somehow sounds a bit familiar but it wasn't clear to her, she just immediately brings herself back to reality.
"Ah, my name is USS Johnston DD-557 of the Fletcher-class; I look forward working with you." Johnston also responds with her cheerful grin.
Johnston stand straight and saluted at Yukikaze. Meanwhile Yukikaze also remembered something within her memories the moment she hears the name Johnston. Yukikaze looks at Johnston and gives her a salute. The two felt nostalgic as they saluted at each other, it's like they have done this before but their memories about it wasn't that vivid enough to remember it. The two girls drop their hands simultaneously.
"So you're looking for the commander's office, right?" Yukikaze again asks.
Johnston nods, then Yukikaze immediately pulls Johnston's hand.
"Right, I will take you to the commander… and while we are on our way, you should tell me something about yourself, okay!" Yukikaze winks at Johnston.
"Um, s-sure…" Johnston smiles brightly at the Japanese destroyer.
The two girls leave the old warehouse. Meanwhile Asashimo is hiding behind the door while watching the two girls; she is trying to avoid Johnston since she's the one who brought the innocent destroyer into trouble.
"Hmm, they really look happy together... okay, better get out of here quickly before-"
As Asashimo about to leave the place, the little destroyer didn't notice that Akashi arrives behind her, Akashi doesn't seem glad to find the destroyer in this place.
"Asashimo-chan, what are you doing here?" Akashi asks while raising an eyebrow. Asashimo was alerted but Akashi immediately saw her which didn't give her the chance to flee.
"Crap…" Asashimo whispers to herself, then Akashi notice that the old warehouse door was open.
"Hmm the door is open…" Akashi tries to enter inside the warehouse.
"Ah-ah Akashi-san w-wait…!"
Asashimo shouts at Akashi and tries prevent the woman from entering the warehouse but it was too late. Akashi was shocked to see the riggings were all scattered in the floor, it was surely a mess and it will probably take a whole day to clean this up.
Asashimo was staring at Akashi while already bathing on her own sweat.
"Asashimo-chan… what did you do this time again?"
Akashi smiles at the girl but she was emitting an ominous aura with several veins popping on her head. Asashimo was totally pinned on her position because of Akashi's terrifying presence.
"NOOOOOO!"
Author's Notes
Chapter 2 here, but before that, thanks again for all the suggestions, I really appreciate them all. This chapter introduces Johnston, I somehow resembled Johnston's personality to a typical shounen-protagonist. She's kind and friendly but would easily jumps to conclusion regardless of the situation without having any second thought. Johnston is new in Japanese, so I made her stutter little bit to increase her moe-factor. Also, I apologize for the Asashimo fans there since I somehow made Asashimo played the bad girl role here, I like Asashimo and her boisterous personality and I have more plans for her. Akashi-san also made her appearance, but unlike the rest... she doesn't have anything against the Americans like Yukikaze, expect to see her more.
To sum it all, you get a heart-warming chapter with several silly humors.
