Author: Hey there, fellow admirals! How's you're event going? I hope everyone has maintained their sanity up until now, because I almost lost mine. Clearing E4-H was a pain, but Suzutsuki was worth the agony and rage I felt trying to get a successful Last dance. I cleared the event in five days and I already got Shion-chan and Tsu-chan while clearing the Transport phase on E-2 and E-3 so I was saved the pain of endless farming.
Fall season has already started...
Now that fall has started, I feel great unease as this season reminded me my worst experience. Well at least the ship girls are having their fun.
"Potatoes?"
Not just the destroyers, I found Commandant Teste eating steamed potatoes. How come everyone is eating potatoes in this base?
"What's with the potatoes?"
"I heard it's a Japanese thing. Apparently the destroyers said hot steamed potatoes are best eaten in this season"
I had enough potatoes back in my home country. There's a lot of potatoes there. I guess I could try some local potatoes in Japan.
"Would you like some potatoes?"
"Maybe later"
Rather than be bothered by that awful memory in the past, I should focus on enjoying my current life.
"Commander~" Fumizuki waved her hand
As I am going to head back to my office, the Mutsuki class ran to me. Fumizuki, Mikazuki, Kikazuki, Uzuki, Minazuki, Yayoi all ran to me
"Commander, we just came back from an expedition" Mikazuki reported
We brought back a lot of resources, pyon"
They all share this one look and I think I know what it means. They're faces are too pure and bright to ignore.
"You guys want head pats, do you?"
"Yes please!"
They all raised their hands and answered in perfect sync. As they lined up, I gave the six of them head pats as some sort of reward.
(Ha ha ha. These destroyers...)
There's so much bliss on their faces right now and it warms my heart seeing their smiles.
"Commander"
Someone kept pulling my sleeves. When I looked behind, most of the destroyers in this base gathered up.
"Don't tell me..."
I could just twitch my mouth seeing my destroyers wanting the same thing as the Mutsuki class.
"Alright. Line up for head pats"
"Yaaaayy!"
These destroyers have been doing great since the beginning so this I can see this as a small reward for their hard work during sorties.
"Uuuugghh! I never thought giving head pats to all the destroyers can be so tiring"
It's probably my hand that is tired from giving them head pats. When I entered my office, Richelieu is there impatiently waiting.
"Slacking off in a busy day, admiral"
"I'm not slacking off"
"No excuses. You have to prepare for the operation"
Right. I never thought Fall season is going to be my busiest season...with an upcoming small scale operation.
"The destroyers all wanted head pats and I couldn't say no to them. Well I couldn't say no to a head pat request"
As I sat into my chair to deal with these numerous documents and reports, I notice Richelieu having a restrained expression.
"Hmm? What's the matter?"
Rather than answering, she turned away, but not before I saw her flustered expression.
"Richelieu, don't tell me you want a head pat too"
"N-non...I mean Oui - Oublie ca!"
If she wanted a head pat, she could have just said "Yes" and not act denial and tsundere about it.
"I still have to prepare for an important sortie as the main fleet's flagship!"
She hurriedly left the office and used the scheduled sortie I assigned to the main fleet lead by Richelieu as an excuse. It's true it's almost time for her to sortie to Aleutian islands.
Later that afternoon...
Richelieu reported to me after their successful sortie on Aleutian islands. I sent the main fleet to intercept to movement of an enemy fleet. Like any other sortie...they succeeded.
"You found no installation there?"
"No sign of any Demon or Princess class. Just plain nuisances" She looks disappointed
"Well Teste's fleet did report they can't identify the presence there if it's a Demon or Princess so it's not a surprise no one showed up"
"I'm quite disappointed, ma amiral. There were no challenge after all"
The last Princess our base encountered was Light cruiser Princess during the transport operation in Kolombangara. Yamato told me how Richelieu punched the Princess' face.
"Well I guess I have to report to the headquarters no Demon or Princess class is spotted on Dutch harbor"
"Sadly no one is there"
Richelieu have been sighing in disappointment for the past thirty minutes. Even though I know why she looks so disappointed, surely there's a bigger reason behind that.
"At least everyone returned with only little damage so it's fine"
"That too. Richelieu is fine the mission ended easily"
Even if she says that, she still looks disappointed she didn't fought enemies at her level.
"Recently, you've been looking disappointed"
"That is because the Abyssals I've been facing are small fries"
"Oh..."
"I wish to get stronger so I can defeat Yamato"
"What...?"
Richelieu doesn't look like she's joking. The reflection in her eyes alone at enough to tell me...she's not joking.
"Why do you want to beat Yamato anyway?"
"..."
"Richelieu..."
"I-it's a bit...personal"
If it's personal then I won't bothering pestering her to tell me. I'm not that kind of admiral.
"I see. Then whatever your reason is, I hope you can fulfill it soon"
"M-merci"
Why is of every time she flusters, she looks away...sometimes covering her face with her beret. I could never understand how she really feels...
The next day...
I've done some of the reports and documents I need to fill up, but there's still so much work to do.
"It's been months since I became an admiral..."
While alone in my office, I brought out the Iron cross a certain old lady sent me as some sort of gift.
"I would always tell the ship girls how trust is vital to the fleet..."
The way I look at those girls everyday, I would see how they put their trust in me as their commander.
"I feel like a horrible person for hiding the truth"
As far as they know, I'm just an unusually young admiral from Germany sent here in Japan.
"I wonder...if I'm the only one with secrets"
With the people I dealt in the past, I can tell who has something to hide and who does not. I suspect there are ship girls here with secrets, but that's just my personal theory.
"As long as those girls doesn't come here...then my secret will remain sunken"
I can't bear ruining both of our lives. I don't want...to destroy her current life. It will destroy her current happiness and I would never do that.
"...Just like her"
I gently tucked in the Iron cross and rested my back on my chair. Old wounds may hurt, but it's not enough to put me down. I learned to tolerate and live with it after all.
(I need some fresh air)
Bringing my peaked cap along with me, I decided to stroll around the naval base. Today is cold as well with the arrival of fall...then winter next. While I thought about the season, I heard a dreaded sound
"...!"
My legs weakened the moment I heard a familiar sound. Luckily I didn't collapse on the ground.
"Relax...just relax. No one's bombing anyone"
The sound of carrier based aircraft's flying to the sky triggered an old trauma. I'm still not used to that...even though it's been months already.
"I have to get over it"
Even if I tell that to myself, I keep having the same reaction every time I would hear the sound of aircraft's in the sky.
"Admiral, is there something wrong?"
The moment someone tapped my shoulder, my entire body jolted and I almost jumped up.
"Ah...CarDiv 01"
They have their equipments. Right...at this time of the day, they launch CAP planes around coastal waters
"You look pale, admiral?" Akagi inspected me
"I-it's nothing. Your aircrafts just startled me ha ha ha"
"Oh? Admiral doesn't like aircrafts?"
From the way Kaga says it...there's a hint of suspicion in her stoic and neutral tone.
"I just have bad experience. That's all"
"Did admiral got bombed before?"
"...No"
Before Akagi could say anything else, I fled from the scene since Kaga is really staring at me with suspicious eyes.
"Going out for a walk at this time was a bad idea"
I kept thinking about that memory as I sat on the beach, clearly bored.
"..." I sighed
I have to admit I feel 'homesick' since I miss my country and seeing certain people.
"To begin with...it all begun because of her suggestion"
Ever since that painful realization, I fell into depression and deep self loathing. That was some time ago and I have to forget about it.
"I wonder if they're doing just fine? Well...knowing them - I know they're just fine"
I laid into my bed, finally able to relax after a day's work. I barely had time to rest all day so my body reached it's limit by afternoon
"It will be two years ever since that unforgettable day"
Someone was lost two years ago...and according to that old lady, she emotionally broke down and cried. To think she would distance herself and refuse to talk to them for days. She couldn't fight properly because of her grief...is what that old lady said.
"To think it took her some time to finally move on since that day"
I laid on my side and closed my eyes. I drifted within my own consciousness, reliving a memory.
"It's rare to have this peaceful sight, no?" My sister looked over the horizon
"Yeah. It takes our mind off from the horror of this war"
"Hey, hey. Don't get all depressed now"
She took off my cap and waved it in the air. It makes me think how she can be so happy knowing there's a war going on.
"If you're worried about that...you don't have to"
"Nee-san?"
"Ever since we lost our parents, I swore I would look after you and wouldn't let anything happen to you"
"..."
"Because that's what big sisters do!"
She returned my cal and proudly told me that. It's her confidence that makes me smile even when I'm depressed.
"I promise I'll be there for you. Always!"
"Nee-san..."
"I promise you!"
"It's a promise"
We made that promise with bright smiles on our faces. That was years ago...I'm sure everything changed ever since...ever since...
Oh how the beast has fallen
The scenery changed when I heard a sadistic laugh echoing. A voice I could never forget rung my head.
They left me...they left me...to rot at the bottom...
"It's you..."
I want to go back...I...want to see her again...
"No...you can't..."
"Must...go back...I...must go back..."
The desire, I can see it in the Abyssal's eyes. She was longing so badly. I Lt strangely resembled mine. To be with the one person whom I call my sister and the only family I have left...that's what I want.
"You can't go back..."
...
"...Because there's no one to go back to"
Everything happened so fast. The next thing I knew, I opened my eyes. I don't always have bad dreams, but when I do...it's hell of a pain.
"I almost overslept..."
Relieved, I let out a sigh as I knew Richelieu wouldn't drag me out of the bed. I looked at my phone only to realize today is the day four fast battleships are going to be assigned here. Good thing I set a reminder on my phone.
"Crap, crap crap crap!"
I hurriedly get ready or my secretary will get angry if I were to miss breakfast. After putting on my coat and wearing my cap, I dashed out of my quarters.
"Admiral, I thought you're going to oversleep again. I was planning on dragging you out of the bed"
Even though I can make my own breakfast, Richelieu keeps insisting to be the one to prepare my breakfast. She is a very good cook so I don't mind her cooking on some occasions.
"Bon appetit, ma amiral. You can't meet the new girls with an empty stomach"
"Dankeschon!"
Before I take a bite, I stopped my current action and turned my curious head towards Richelieu.
"Is there something wrong? Does the meal does not suit your taste?"
"No. That's not it"
"Then what's the matter?"
"You're not eating as well"
My words confused her simply by looking at her reaction to what I said. Is something I said odd for her?
"Why don't you sit beside me and eat together"
"W-what?"
"It's better to eat with someone you like, you know"
Richelieu's cheeks blushed and her hands shook. I just don't understand how she feels sometimes...
"O-oui. I shall accept the offer"
I wanted to be in a good mood so I can remove the image of the Abyssal I saw in my dream from my thoughts. It charred to my memory like blazing fire that smolders everything.
"You got something on your cheek"
Seeing the piece of rice on her cheek, I removed it with my thumb and she blushed again...for an unknown reason.
"Merci" She looked away
It's rare to see Richelieu break away from her aggressive and confident self once in a while. That makes it more adorable to a great degree. I wish she'd become more open. I like to get the to know the real her.
Later...
While the main fleet is sortieing in the Aleutian islands, I reviewed the post sortie reports on that area. There were movements of several enemy fleets there, but it was thanks to the counter attacks recently...their movements have waned down.
"Oh. It's almost time"
I arranged the papers back into the folder for 'Area 03'. As I was about to put back the folder along with other folders, knocking interrupted me.
"Buuuurniiiiinnng Looooveeee!"
Someone dynamically burst through the door...by kicking it open, almost breaking it. It was a good thing I had the doors 'enhanced' because of certain ship girls habit of breaking doors.
"English born returnee, Kongou has arrived desu!"
"Kon...gou...? You mean you're the nameship of the Kongou class fast battleships?!"
"That's right!"
My impression towards her is already an energetic and really loud girl who likes doing dynamic entrances. Why can't they just send a decent ship girl once in a while?
"It's fine if you're a woman. I can swing that way too"
"Nee-san, you shouldn't just kick the door like that"
Three more girls at the same age as her wearing the same uniform entered the office. You're telling me...these four are the Kongou class battleships.
"Haruna is alright with it"
"Kongou-oneesama that was amazing!"
By the way they act...it makes my destroyers seem more mature than these adolescent fast battleships.
"Take a look well, admiral! We are the four Kongou class sisters!"
These four posed in the middle of my office like ridiculous characters from televisions. They're like teenager sized destroyers...with large caliber guns.
"We'll be in youre care, desuuuu!"
"How unfortunate..."
I'm rendered speechless at what I'm looking at now. Can I just send them back where they came from and exchange with someone else.
Why did I even accepted this job...?