Disclaimer: Kantai Collection (Kancolle), all of its characters, and musics belongs to their respected owner. The only things I own here is my OCs. This fanfict may or may not be canon. Besides that, I've got nothing else to say. So with that, please take a seat, grab your drink, pick your snack, and have a pleasant cruise (or read).
Chapter 7 "Princesses' Arrival"
Inside the Abyssal Admiral's office, the usual sound of ticking clock has another company. It came from none other than the Abyssal Admiral himself, Ren. He kept tapping his own desk while looking at his tablet which lied flat on top of his desk not far from his finger. Behind his mask, he wore a rather uncomfortable expression with an anxiety inside his mind.
"Admiral, are you okay?"
"I'm…not okay, Wo-kun." Although he was trying to say that he was fine, he decided not to play tough in front of his secretary that showed sharpness most of the time. "I'm worried about the Hime class abyssal getting here."
"Why, Admiral?" She asked while tilting her head to her side without changing her expression.
"I've never meet any of them and I'm just not sure that I can handle them."
"Don't worry, Admiral. You can do it." She gave a slight nod. "Wo believes that you can, Admiral. As the one chosen by the Administration, Wo believes that you have the ability to do that."
"…You really trust the Administration that much, eh?" She gave a nod. "Then let me ask this question to you, Wo-kun. This base has two Fleet Girls as part of the crew. How do you think they will react to that?"
"How they will react? Wo thinks they will give different reaction."
"Will most give good impression?" She shook her head, making her silvery white hair swayed. "…Figures. That's what worried me the most. Uhm, scratch that. What worried me the most is whether they will follow my order since I'm…you know."
"Wo thinks the Admiral doesn't need to worry about that. Since it is the Administration's direct order, they will follow you."
"Do you think so, Wo-kun?"
"Wo thinks so, Admiral." Hearing that, he let out a sigh and then leaned his back onto his chair.
"Then I'll believe you for the moment, Wo-kun. Still," a sigh came out of his mouth again, "I'm far from–Wuah!" A sudden vibration from the tablet startled him, making him almost fell backward with his chair. Thankfully, Wo managed to caught his chair in time, preventing the disaster. "Thank you, Wo-kun." She just nodded at his words. "I guess…this is about them, eh?"
As he picked up his tablet, he swiped his finger on the screen and immediately noticed a single notification for a message. After tapping it once, the screen displayed the message. The moment he read the content of the message, he paled and dropped his head face first onto the desk, making a loud thumping sound.
"What is it, Admiral?" Clearly not affected by her admiral's strange behavior, the abyssal secretary asked while leaning slightly to him.
"They…arrived."
"And?"
"We have to find them ourselves." He lifted his head from the desk. "They arrived in a different time and the message did not state the correct time. It is said that we have to find them first and them guide them."
"Understood." Wo then looked to him. "Is the Admiral going to ask the others or do it by yourself?"
"…Let's just do it by the two of us first." He stood up after pocketing the tablet. "I…don't want to make a commotion. I don't want to disturb the others' work."
"Wo understands, Admiral."
"Ah, Admiral!" A voice made the two snapped onto the direction behind them just as they were in the middle of searching the base. "I was about to contact you."
"Hmm? What is it, Ri-kun?"
"I'm don't know what to do with the Hime class abyssal in the dock that is getting worried about–"
"D-Did you just say Hime class abyssal?" Behind the mask, Ren's eyes widened as he heard that name.
"Oh? Yes, I did." She gave a nod. "The newly arrived one, you know. I think she call her–E-Eh!?" She couldn't finish her words as a pair of strong hand grabbed her shoulder, startling her.
"Good work, Ri-kun!"
"O-Oh?" Still wearing a confused expression on her face, her reply came out as a question.
"Show me the way!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"…Is that…her?"
"Yes, Admiral." Ri walked in front of him. "Come on, she's waiting."
"…Right…" He turned around to look at his secretary that was standing nearby with her trademark expressionless face. "Wo-kun, is every Hime class abyssal that…large?"
"They differed in size, Admiral."
"…I see." A gulp came from him as he steeled his heart to meet his first Hime class abyssal. The reason he was feeling a bit unsure and worried is the fact that the moment he entered the underwater docking area his eyes could already see the figure in question.
Her figure stood tall on the edge of the dock. Her very long white hair swayed from left to right as she looked from side to side with worried visible on her face. Another thing that took his attention right away besides her tall built is the existence of a single horn in the middle of her head that reached upward. Besides that, Ren could also see a pair of red eyes that glowed slightly also darted around anxiously. She placed her big clawed hands in front of her magnificently large bust, making a slight clanking sound each time the tip of her claws touched each other. Her outfit, however, felt strangely less menacing–although still strange– compared to the other abyssal he have saw as it only consists of a short ribbed dress with a metallic ring collar for the top paired with a pair of detached sleeves that have a metallic edge near her claw.
As he walked closer to the abyssal in question, she seemed to fail to notice him as she still mumbled something incoherently while fidgeting greatly. This made it possible for Ren to take a few seconds to gaze at her height that far exceeded his own. He felt smaller and smaller as he look at her more. Together with that, his confidence also became smaller and smaller as he realized the difference between the Hime class abyssal and the non-hime class abyssal.
"Admiral."
"O-Oh, yes." Wo's voice snapped him out of his own world. He let out a small cough to recomposed himself and also with a slight hope that it will earned him her attention. But she was still in her own world full of worry. "Uhm…excuse me?" She didn't react to that. "Hello?" She still didn't react.
"Try to get closer, Admiral." Wo suggested.
"E-Er, o-okay." He took a step forward toward her. "H-Hello, excuse me."
"KYAAAAHH!"
"E-Eh, what's the–GUAHH!"
What happened right after that small greeting really startled everyone in that room. Even the usually expressionless Wo widened her eyes at what happened just then. It seems that due to her being in her own world full of worry, the tall abyssal didn't realize anyone entering the room. Because of that, the sudden foreign voice and the realization that someone is near her, she reflexively went to defensive mode and swiped her hand toward the newly arrived source of voice.
Absolutely never expected that to happened, Ren's whole body went flying after being hit by a powerful swiped courtesy of his newest guest. The force was enough to make him flew toward the other side of the room. Fortunately for him, there was no sharp object along the way or he will be impaled in a moment. He only stopped after his body hit the wall and then fell onto the cold floor.
"A-Admiral!?" Both Ri and Wo ran toward him, fearing the worst happened to their superior. Behind them, the tall figure followed with timid step.
"…*cough*…guh…" Ren, feeling pain all over his body, tried to lift himself up. It was a slow and painful effort but he is finally able to stand up while supporting himself on the wall. "That w-was *cough* crazy. Eh?" He suddenly let out a stupid voice as he realized that the HUD of his mask showed a small notification on the middle of his sight. It says 'Damage Sustained', which made him slightly worried. But then it also displayed 'Activating Pain Stabilizer' and 'Activating Recovery Booster' under it with a blinking font. Together with that, Ren realized that the pain he felt from the sudden attack decreased with each passing second. He then let out a breath of relief at the fact that his mask also possessed several emergency functions when he is hurt. After a while, he could feel stand normally and then proceeded to dust off his clothes without a bit of pain left in his entire body. "Ugh…I am thankful but…I am also getting scared of the Administration more and more."
"A-Are you okay, Admiral?" Ri's voice of worry came closer to him.
"Fine, actually." He then moved his body around. "A bit surprised, but fine. Geh!" The moment he saw the tall figure behind Wo and Ri, he instinctively took a step back to the point that his back meet the wall behind him.
"I-I'm sorry!" The big abyssal bowed her head immediately, making her very long hair almost touched the floor while a certain part of her body bounched magnificently in front of his eyes. "I'm sorry! P-Please forgive me!"
"T-That's fine." Due to her rather unexpected action, Ren stuttered his reply. "But try to be more careful next time."
"Y-Yes!" She lifted her head up and then looked straight at him. "Uhm…you are?"
"I am the Admiral in charge of this base."
"E-E-Eh!?" She took a step back as she heard that with surprise visible on her face. "P-P-Please forgive me, Sir! I'm really sorry!"
"It's okay. Don't mind it." He waved his hand in front of him.
"A-Ah. I forgot to introduce myself!" She then put her feet together and then straightened her posture. "I am Seaport Hime, an Abyssal Aviation Battleship. Everyone usually call me Wanko."
"Abyssal Aviation Battleship?" He tilted his head to the side.
"It means that she can utilize abyssal aircraft unit while can also take the role of a battleship, Admiral."
"Ah, I see. That is a very magnificent ability you have, Wanko-kun." He said that while nodding his head repeatedly.
"Thank you, Admiral." She gave a short bow. "Uhm, A-Admiral? I know that I have just been assigned here, but can I ask for assistance?"
"Assistance?"
"Y-Yes. May I explain first, Admiral?"
"Very well. Let's hear it."
"Thank you, Admiral." She gave a short bow again. "Uhm, you see, we arrived here in a different schedule due to our equipment and all. I was here the second one schedule to arrive. The first one is my younger sister, Airfield Hime. Since I didn't found her, I thought that she is just exploring around since she is a curious girl and all."
"Okay, but that is not your biggest worried, yes?"
"Yes, Admiral. The one that worried me the most is the last one scheduled to arrive, our youngest sister, Northern Ocean Hime." Her expression darkened as she said that name. "Usually she will wait for me, but…"
"She didn't appear even after you wait for long, right?" She nodded. "I see. Is there any chance that she hasn't arrived?"
"I have received confirmation that the transport vessel for her has arrived, Admiral."
"You do?" Just as she said that, a vibration came from the device he put inside his pocket. He took it out and found that it was a message notification. "…I have a guess." He opened the message and let out a sigh. "Yup, she arrived."
"Eh? How did you know?"
"The Administration told me that all three Hime class abyssal have arrived safely in this base." He shook his head as he put the device inside his pocket. "Well, as long as we know that they arrived, they are in here. I'll ask the other to be in lookout."
"Oh, thank you, Admiral!" She bowed her head to him. "You are a lifesaver." She then beamed an honest smile at him, taking him by a surprise.
For him, this particular abyssal showed a much more humane trait compared to the other ones he have encountered. Although the other did not exactly become a complete machine, they are rather stiff compared to her. That made him thinking. Is that the difference between a normal abyssal to a Hime class ones?
As he thought that, he turned toward his two other subordinates. The two, noticing his gaze, tilted their head to the side, showing their confusion at his action. He just let out a sigh.
"What is it, Admiral?"
"No, nothing." He then looked toward the tall abyssal. "Wanko-kun, let me ask the other first. And please tell me her characteristics so we can find them much faster. "
"Understood, Admiral!"
"Can I leave that to you, Harusame-chan?"
"Leave it to me, Irako-san!" The knife on her hand then proceeded to make a patterned sound as she chopped the carrot. "Like this, right?"
"Yup, you got it!" After that, Irako left the pink haired destroyer to continue with her job and moved to another part of the galley to look after the boiling pot.
For a few moments, the sound of boiling pots and the rhythmical sound of Harusame's knife hitting the chopping board became the music that is played inside the galley. Both of them were busy with their own chores that they didn't realize that a figure has entered the galley by then.
"Done!" Harusame exclaimed happily as she finished the carrot on her hand. After putting it aside into a prepared bowl, she reached onto her side to take the next carrot. "Eh?" But her hand never found the vegetable in question. As she looked at the place where she left it, she noticed that it was gone. "Huh?" She then looked around the table but found not a single trace of it. Although a pile is still there, it's not the ones she was in the middle of preparing. Those were for another dish.
"…Hard…"
"Eh?" A sudden unfamiliar voice startled her. She looked around again but found no one except Irako who was on the far side of the room. She was humming to herself while occasionally stirring the content of the pot. That made Harusame wondered even more about the strange voice she heard.
"…Strange…"
"There it is again!" She couldn't help but feel slightly worried about the identity of the voice. The fact that the place where she is in at the moment is anything but a normal base made it even worse for her. But since the other fleet girl didn't seem to notice that strange voice, the thought of her becoming crazy ran across her mind too. "N-No, no, no!" She shook her head, making her pink hair flailed around. "It might just be fatigue! Yeah, that's right!" She tried to convince herself about that. "So I'm completel–"
"…Weird…"
"…I r-really need to sit down, aren't I?" She shook her head and then put down her knife. "To think that I'm so easi–AHH!" After screaming, she slipped down and fell onto her bottom. "Y-Y-You…" While on the floor, she pointed onto the figure that startled her.
"Hmm?" The figure in question tilted her head while staring at her with her pair of red eyes that glowed slightly. She wore a white sleeveless dress and on each side of her head were two small triangular horns that stood out from her long white hair. She was holding a carrot with her mitten covered hands. "…Why fell?"
"E-Eh?" Being questioned by the strange figure, Harusame was unable to give an immediate response. But after a few seconds, she has recomposed herself that she was able to analyze the situation. "I was surprised."
"Surprised?" She titled her head to the other side as she asked. "By what?"
"Ehm, you, I guess." She pointed at the girl that called herself 'Hoppou'. The girl in question just pointed at herself while starting at her intensely. Being the object of her sharp stare, Harusame couldn't help but pulled her body back slightly. Together with the fact that the stare came from a pair of glowing red eyes, she felt a sudden nervousness invaded her mind. "S-Sorry about that."
"Hmm? It's okay?" The response that came from the little girl came out as a question.
As Harusame picked her own body up, she realized that the girl in front of her is fairly small. Even though she herself is not tall, she is still taller than her. Hoppou only stood only a little bit more than her shoulder. She also realized that her face looked young, even younger than her. Her eyes that showed a child innocence also added more to her feeling of a little kid.
"Uhm, who are you?"
"Hoppou!" She said with a loud voice. "Hoppou is…uhm… Abyssal A…Avi…viaon… uhm… avuion….uhm …Aviation! Abyssal Aviation Battleship!" She then let out an honest smile after saying that, clearly proud of having able to pronounce that completely.
"Abyssal?" The moment she heard that she stated herself as an abyssal, Harusame felt cold sweat pouring from her forehead. "Abyssal… Aviation… Battleship?"
"Uh huh! Yup!" She nodded several times. "Abyssal Aviation Battleship, Hoppou!"
"Uhm…o….okay…" She tried to digest what she just heard, but she found it quite difficult to do it in a short time.
"Pink haired onee-chan?" She then heard her saying that with a questioning tone.
"Eh? Pink haired onee-chan? Me?" As Harusame pointed at herself, Hoppou nodded. "What is it?"
"What's this?" She then put forward the object in her hand.
"That? O-Oh! So you're the one that took my carrot!"
"Carrot? This thing?" She tilted her head as she pointed at the carrot with her mitten covered hand. "What's this?"
"Uhm, a carrot?" She still looked at Harusame with confusion clearly plastered on her pale face. It took several seconds for Harusame to find a good way to explain it. "Uhm, it's food. You know, you eat it?"
"Food? Eat it?" She looked at the carrot and then tapped it several times. "But it's hard."
"Un, it is a little bit too big." She scratched her head as she looked at it. "Give it to me. I'll cut it into bite size bits."
"Hmm? Okay!" She then gave it to her opened hand. Harusame then put the carrot onto the chopping board on the table and proceeded peeled the carrot first and then cut into long stripe. While doing that, she noticed that the abyssal near her kept staring at her work. She even moved her head from side to side to follow her motion of peeling the carrot. She also nodded her head each time her knife hit the chopping board. Seeing that, the word 'cute' and 'adorable' popped into her head.
"Ah, done!" Harusame then piled up the carrot sticks onto a plate and then give it to her. The girl just looked at it with an awed expression. After a few moments of admiring the stack of carrots, she then picked one of it and then looked at it closer. "Try it." Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and revealed rows of sharp teeth, which surprised Harusame. The thought of 'cute' and 'adorable' have another addition. Scary.
"Uhm! It's good!" She exclaimed happily as she continue eating the carrot stick.
"I-Is that so?" A wry smile appeared on her face. Seeing that expression, she really at lost at what to think of the new abyssal she have just encountered.
Actually, even her whole view of how an abyssal should act has been shattered the moment she came into their base. When she looked at Ru and Ta for the first time, she felt that her time has come and she only wishes that her death will be a quick and painless one. When she saw Wa, the one in charge of Irako and her, she thought that she will be a ruthless one that will have no second thought of punishing her the moment she makes a mistake. When she meet the Ri and Chi, she thought they will toyed with her, maybe even experimented with since she also heard that Chi is the one in charge of the base's machinery. She also couldn't forget the fear that invaded her mind when she look at the figure of Wo, the one that is rumored to be a ruthless killing machine that always wore a cold expressionless face even when ripping her fellow fleet girl apart. But all of that couldn't ever compare to when she meet their admiral. The moment her eyes meet his, she swore that if a nightmare can be real, than he is the very personification of it. Dreadful and menacing looking, she felt awe and fear at the same time when facing him.
But all of those shattered completely. She couldn't be more baffled by the real fact that she faced every single day she spend with them. Ru acted professional whenever she works with her but can be gentle when talking with her. Ta, although often tease her and the other personnel in the base, always carries a smile that reminded her of a friendly older sister. Their supervisor and caretaker, Wa, acted like a dorm mother that is strict yet kind. The newest addition to the base, Ri and Chi, acted so friendly with everyone, including her. She couldn't forget the face they showed when they first taste her food. They showed a glint of expectation when asking for more and disappointment when she told them that everything is gone. She received praises after praises from them. For Wo, well…She realized that she is just an expressionless character, or at least when she is not eating. When she is eating, she is no different from them. As for their admiral, she still sees him as a mysterious character that showed very little of himself to her. But at least she is not entirely scared of him.
"Pink haired onee-chan?" A sudden voice and a tug on her uniform snapped her out of her own thinking. She lowered her sight and saw that is was Hoppou that did that. "It's gone."
"O-Oh, yeah, it is." She once again let out a wry smile. "Do you like it?" Her question was answered with a single nod from the abyssal. "Okay, then–"
"Hoppou wants more."
"Eh?" The abyssal then pointed to the plate of carrot on the table with eyes full of anticipation. "N-No, no, no. We can't do that. The other will not have their share." She shook her head at the request.
"Hoppou wants more." But she still didn't let her go and showed no sign of backing off before getting what she wanted.
"Err, you see, it's not–"
"Hoppou wants more!" Together with that shout, her eyes let out an intense glow all of a sudden, surprising the destroyer. She took a step back but failed to gain any distance due to her uniform still being held by the abyssal, quite strongly for that matter. She then realized that even if she looked young and childish, she is still an abyssal at core, making her a very dangerous person anytime.
"W-Wah!" Harusame suddenly fell backward onto her bottom again as the hand that held her uniform released her all of a sudden. While on the ground, she looked at the sight in front of her with opened jaw as fear started to invade her mind.
Hoppou, still with her pair of glowing eyes, lifted her hands. At the tip of her hands, a small black object started to appear. It grows bigger and bigger until the size of her head. Then a cracking line appeared from top to bottom, opening it. Out of the black hole-like object came out a dark colored ball. While she tried to understand what's happening, the ball opened in in the middle, showing rows of sharp teeth and a fierce roar. It then released a cloud of smoke from its opened jaw, scaring her even further.
"HOPPOU WANTS MORE!"
"AAAHHHH!" Harusame narrowly avoided the thrown ball that proceeded to hovered with its opened jaw toward her, clearly trying to take a bite of the pink haired destroyer. The sight of the incoming danger paled her face even further. She wasted no time to scramble for safety as she saw the flying ball flew straight at her. "H-H-HELP!"
"E-Eh!? W-What's happening?" Hearing the ruckus, Irako turned her attention away from her boiling pot toward the source of the chaos. "W-W-What's that!?"
"I-Irako-san, get away!" Harusame ran pass her and Irako immediately ducked away from the flying ball's line of flight. It flew above her and continued to chase after Harusame that continued to ran away for her life. "H-Help me!"
"E-Er, y-yes. U-Uhm, how?" She then looked around and noticed a figure that was glaring at Harusame with glowing red eyes. "A k-kid? N-No, an abyssal?" Even by just glancing at her, she realized the identity of the white haired girl. The pale skin and also glowing eyes were enough for her. "H-Harusame-chan, why is she angry?"
"S-She was eating the c-ca–UWAH!" She dodged the flying ball by ducking away. "The carrot stick I gave her, but she al–NO, GET AWAY!" Once again she managed to dodge that narrowly. "She ate all of it! I don't want to–WOAH! Stand down a bit would you!?"
"You d-don't want what?"
"I don't want to give everyone's share! ARGH! GET AWAY!" She then ran to the opposite side again to avoid the flying ball.
"E-Eh?" Hearing that last sentence didn't exactly made her understand the real situation. But she did get the gist of it. Seeing that the flying ball didn't even try to chase her, it seems that the anger was thoroughly targeted at the destroyer that was running around for her life. She then racked her brain for anything to do with her. With her limited information, she couldn't really know what's best for her.
"I-IRAKO-SAN! WATCH OUT!"
"WOAHH! OUW!"
Harusame almost knocked into Irako. Thankfully she was able to move away in the last minute. But due to the sudden movement, she lost her footing and crashed onto the wall. Together with that, the cupboard opened up and a small box fell onto her head. Crouching down while rubbing the place where she was hit by the object, she moaned in pain. But then her grimace turned into a gasp as her eyes lay upon realization of the identity of the fallen object. She immediately took the box and then ran toward the direction of the furious girl. She prayed that this will work with her. If not, she will join Harusame in running from her anger.
"H-Hey you!" She stopped near her. Hoppou switched her attention toward Irako. Irako couldn't help but felt fear invaded her as soon as her eyes met with the glowing pair of red eyes. But she hardened her mind and tried to keep herself calm. "I h-have something g-good for you."
"…Something good?" Still with her glowing eyes, she tilted her eyes slightly.
"Y-Yeah. Look." She then showed to her the colorful box she held in her hand. "L-Look. It's interesting, isn't it?" Her voice came out as a stutter and sounded anything but convincing.
"..Really?" Fortunately, the white haired girl took her word as she put her hand down. The moment she put her hand down, the plane stopped chasing down Harusame. But as it is still floating with menacing aura around it, Harusame could not put away her guard and still be on caution. "What is it?"
"What is it? Uhm…candy?" Irako looked at the box and luckily know she recognized the name of the brand. "It's candy!"
"Candy?" A glint of expectation appeared inside her eyes. "What's that? Is it good? Hoppou doesn't know."
"It is, it is!" Irako nodded with cold sweat started to pour out of her forehead and a wry smile plastered on her face. "L-Look." She immediately ripped out the cover and pulled out one piece of pink colored candy into her hand. The moment she the candy is let out, Hoppou's eyes looked at with an intense gaze. "Do you want it?" She nodded as her eyes still glued strongly onto the piece of candy in her hand. "T-Then, s-stop chasing Harusame."
"Harusame?" She titled her head to the side again, showing that she didn't understand what she was talking about. Irako then pointed at the girl in question. "Pink haired onee-chan?" Irako nodded. "Okay!" She raised her hand and then gestured toward the flying ball to get back to her.
The flying ball faced Harusame for a second and let out a growl before flying back onto Hoppou's hand. The moment she saw that, Harusame that was cornered onto the wall slipped down onto the floor, losing her strength altogether.
"Hoppou stop the plane. Blue haired onee-chan will give Hoppou candy now?" The flying ball that Hoppou referred to as plane hovered above Hoppou. From time to time it faced Irako while opening its mouth that is full of sharp looking teeth, as if saying 'Don't dare make fun of her' to Irako. Being pressured like that, she nodded and then put forward the candy toward her. She immediately took it. For a few seconds the white haired abyssal looked at it with curiosity visible inside her eyes. Even the plane kept hovering around her hand, seemingly also curious at the sight of the candy. After that, she then placed the candy near her mouth. But before she was about to bite it, Irako shouted.
"Don't bite it!" Her shout stopped her. She then glared at Irako, making her flinch a bit. "I m-mean, you don't bite it. You put it into your mouth then let it melt without chewing it." She looked at Irako for a while and then put it into her mouth whole.
For a while, Irako just looked at her with worries swirling inside her heart. Harusame also stared at the girl that was eating the candy, hoping that she will not go on another rampage like that again.
"Hmm!" The sudden sound the girl let out made the two took a step back instinctively. "It's good!" She beamed a bright smile as she said that. Both Harusame and Irako then let out a breath or relief. Irako then walked closer to her.
"Ne, Hoppou-chan. Do you know what else is good?" She looked at her and then shook her head. "It is today's lunch. But you see, you have to let Harusame-onee-chan keep the carrot." For a while she stayed silent. Although Irako looked calm, she was a bit panicking inside.
"Can Hoppou eat more candy then instead?" Irako smiled as she expected that reaction.
"You can. But then you will have no room for lunch. Are you sure you want to miss lunch?"
"Hmm…" She went quiet again. After that, she shook her head. "No, Hoppou want to try this 'lunch' too." Another breath of relief came out Irako. She then started to stroke her white hair gently.
"Good girl, good girl." As soon as she did that, she realized that what she did might anger the abyssal in front of her. But to her surprise, she didn't show an angry face. Instead, she purred quietly and even went closer to her, asking for more. Even the plane started to hover around her too, purring like a cat. Seeing that, Irako couldn't help but let out a small giggle while continued to stroke her gently. Not far from her, Harusame also let out a small smile. She was happy that she was not the target of the girl's anger and also could continue her job. She also mentally noted the way Irako appease the girl's anger and hope that she could do it as good as her in the future.
"Understood, Admiral." A sudden voice came from the direction of the door. The two shifted their eyes and then came upon the sight of Wa that was lifting a crate on one hand while pushing the door of the galley. "I will contact you when I…" She stopped in her track and then shifted her gaze onto the sight in front of them. "Ah, Admiral, I found our guest. And...it seems that lunch will be a bit late."
"Good, thank you for the hard work, Wa-kun." Ren closed the communication and then looked at the three abyssal next to him. "I've told everyone about it, Wanko-kun."
"Oh, t-thank you so much, Admiral!" She bowed to him slightly.
"And we already found her."
"E-Eh?" They looked at him with widened eyes, except Wo that is. "A-Admiral, what did you just say?"
"Ah, I said that we already found your little si–GUHH!"
"Thank you, thank you, and thank you!"
"W-Wanko-kun please re–UMPH!"
Ren was unable to say anything since he was overwhelmed by the sudden embrace of the tall abyssal. With her strength, she lifted her admiral effortlessly to the point the that his feet didn't touch the floor at all. Ren was embraced strongly and was silenced by her huge asset to the point that it was hard for him to breath. The message of 'Oxygen Intake Level Critical' popped out over and over again on his HUD with flashing red color. She was too happy and repeatedly saying things along the line of 'I'm so glad' and 'thank goodness' over and over again, ignoring Ren's plea to release him.
"U-Uhm, W-Wanko-hime." Ri tried to call her but she was still too happy to release him. She looked at Wo that only stood near them without showing a sign of helping. Ri felt slightly panicky at the sight of her admiral being crushed by the tall abyssal. She panicked even more that his secretary didn't even move a finger to help him. "W-Wanko-hime. Wanko-hime!"
"E-Eh!?" Fortunately, the Hime class abyssal heard that. She looked around and she didn't found her admiral, only to notice that she was holding the one she was looking for. "W-What!? S-S-Sorry, Admiral!"
"…W-Wanko-kun…a-a-a-air…"
"O-O-Oh! Yes, yes!" She released him immediately. But since she was also in panic, she released him too sudden only to realize that she was holding him away from the ground, making him fell on the ground with a loud thump. He let out several cough while Ri and Wo surround him. "F-Forgive me, Admiral!"
"T-That's okay, Wanko-kun." He then stood up with the help of Ri and Wo. "I know that you are glad that she is found. Don't worry." As he could finally breathe air normally again, he mentally noted that he will have to be more careful in dealing with her. The fact that her action contained not a trace of malice made it much worse since he could never predicted her action. All he could is to just be as cautious as possible.
"Are you okay, Admiral?"
"Fine, Wo-kun. Fine." He straightened his posture and then looked at the tall abyssal that was wearing worried expression. "Ah, I think it is best for you to get into the galley. Ri, could you guide her there?"
"Yes, Admiral!" She nodded at his order. Ren also nodded at her.
"T-Thank you, Admiral. And…forgive me for my actions previously." Wanko bowed her head again as she apologized.
"Don't worry about it. Go now. I'm sure she is waiting." The two then gave him a salute and then moved toward the galley with Ri as her guide.
Ren waved his hand as the two walked down the corridor. As they disappeared from his sight, he let out a heavy sigh. He then shook his head as he remembered the trouble he just went through moments ago.
"What is the matter, Admiral?"
"…Nothing…is I would love to say," said Ren as he stretched his back, making a slightly cracking sound. "I am worried. Really worried."
"About what, Admiral?"
"About the Hime class abyssal." He let out another sigh. "I have only with her, Wanko-kun, for a few moments and I have already been put in dangerous situation at least twice."
"But the Admiral looks fine."
"Sheesh, do you think I look fine?" Wo gave a firm nod after he asked that. "…That reminds me, why didn't you help me when I was…almost crushed by Wanko-kun?"
"Wo doesn't know what to do." Her answer came very quickly without a hint of hesitation. "Wo tried to think a way to help the Admiral but didn't come to anything even after thinking."
"And? You just stood there without trying something like Ri-kun?" She nodded again.
"Wo doesn't know Wo can help by doing that. Wo might even make the situation worse."
"…You know what, forget this conversation." Ren let out a heavy sigh after realizing that the conversation will not move to a useful direction any time soon. "…But, I really am worried that I will not be able to handle them. My body to be specific." The thought of that made him shuddered. He knew too well that she didn't mean to hurt him, but the fact that she almost crushed him to death remains.
"Don't worry, Admiral." Wo nodded again. "The fact that you are still alive is the proof that you can handle them well."
"…Why do I feel not even a bit of relief after hearing that?"
"Wo doesn't know, Admiral."
"You are…never mind." He shook his head. "We have to find two of them. If we find the last one, that it is al–Hmm?" A sudden buzz sounded in his ear. He wondered who is it from.
"Ah, Admiral. This is Chi."
"What is it, Chi-kun?"
"Are we supposed to have other guest except the one that the Admiral is looking for?"
"Huh? Other…oh, yes. We should have." Then he realized the direction the conversation is going to. "Is she with you?"
"Yes, Admiral. She is." A mix of happiness and worries swirled inside Ren's mind. Happy that he will be able to find the last Hime class abyssal. Worries that he might not make it out alive.
"Ah, thank you for coming, Admiral." The moment the masked wearing Chi laid her eyes on her admiral, she let out a happy voice.
"…Is she here?" Ren looked at the ever familiar door that stood in front of him.
"Yes, yes." Chi nodded several times. "Ru-nee-sama and Ta-nee-sama are with her at the moment."
"…Tell me, Chi-kun. How did you meet her and why…this place?"
"Oh! Yes, of course." Her tone sounded much more excited than before. "I was in the middle of finishing the maintenance the machine in this place and suddenly both Ru-nee-sama and Ta-nee-sama contacted me and said that they will come with her, saying that they are currently giving her a tour of the whole base. They also said that since she was alone at that time, she wanted to have a tour before greeting you, Admiral."
"…And…why this place?"
"Ta-nee-sama said that she might like this place." Chi beamed an honest smile at that, clearly proud that the place she is in charge of being the place for the newest guest's destination for their tour. "I don't know why."
"Maybe it is just unique." He let out a sigh. "After all, none of you have ever heard a bath before, right?"
"Oh, yeah. That must be it." Ri nodded several times.
At the moment, Ren and his two subordinates were standing in front of the bathing facility's door. Just as Ri mentioned, she saw the last of the three Hime class abyssal with Ru and Ta going into the bathing facility just as she was about to leave the place after finished maintaining the machinery in the facility. She had met the three of them and the three of them went inside the facility after she left the facility. Just before she could take another step, Ren informed her about the case with Hoppou. She then realized that the new guest she had just met have similar characteristic. She also remembered that both Ru and Ta also mentioned that she is also a Hime class abyssal. She then decided to contact her admiral just to ask for confirmation. That then led to the present where the three stood in front of the facility.
"How long has they've been here?"
"Uhm, not long. Probably about the time when Admiral announced about the missing Hime class abyssal."
"Hmm, okay. I guess…but…" A sudden feeling of discomfort ran in the back of his mind. The short moment he spends with the other Hime class abyssal have surely made an impact that his body and mind will not forget. Especially his body since he was almost crushed twice. With that weighed in his mind, he came to a fast conclusion. "I'll wait for them here. Yes, that would be the best."
"Huh, what do you mean by that, Admiral?" Ri gabbed his hand and then started dragging him into the facility. "I think it would be better to get in and meet them right away."
"C-Chi-kun, d-don't drag me–Wo-kun! Why are you opening the door?!"
"Wo also thinks that it will be better to meet her as soon as possible."
"W-Wo-kun too!?" She nodded and also joined Chi in grabbing their reluctant admiral into the bathing facility. "W-Wait! W-Wait I say!"
"They aren't here?" Wo said with her usual cold tone while looking around the place.
Noticing that they aren't there, Ren let out a breath of relief. The last thing he need at the moment is being in a misunderstanding with the newly arrived Hime class abyssal. Since he absolutely has no information about them except that they are the stronger part of the whole abyssal force, he really feels the need to be as careful as he could.
"I guess they are in the bathing area."
"Then Wo suggests we entered the bathing area."
"Understood, Wo-nee-sama."
Hearing their conversation behind him, Ren let out another sigh. He wasn't sure that will be a good idea since the moment he entered the bathing area, trouble is bound to come, whether he want it or not. Even though he has no concrete reason behind it, his instinct screamed that to him.
"You girls, I think it is be–W-WOAH!" When he turned his body around to speak with them, he let out a shout due to the scene in front of him. "W-W-What are you doing?!"
"Hmm? We are taking off our clothes, Admiral."
"Isn't the Admiral the one that told us to always take off our clothes whenever we enter the bathing area?"
In front of him stood both of his subordinates partially undressed. Wo has her boots removed and also her body suit partially removed to the point that made her breast laid bare for all to see while the bottom part of it was still in the progress of being removed judging from the fact that her hand stopped just at her waist. Besides her, Chi also stood with her gloves and boots already removed. She has already removed her chest piece, revealing a tight suit that covered her chest that is almost completely undone, revealing her pale colored breast. As Ren eyes lay on both of his subordinates that have been undressed partially, he really couldn't hide his surprise. Moreover, they have given a logical reason that came from no one but himself.
"E-Eh? A-Ah, yes, I did. But this is different!" In his confusion, he tried to give a reason, but he himself knew very well that his brain capacity at the moment felt lacking due to the unexpected scene in front of him. "J-Just cover yourself up!"
"Huh? But isn't that a breach of the rule, Admiral?"
"Yes, Wo also asks the same." She gave a nod at her comrade's question. "Wo doesn't see the difference between the condition related with your instruction with the current condition."
"Ugh…you're right but…but…" He took a deep breath and kept chanting 'calm down, calm down…they just don't know…they just don't know…' over and over again. At the moment he has felt tremendous gratitude to the fact that he was wearing a mask that could cover his flustered face.
Ren is a normal man at heart. Although he was not a teenager that was easily swayed by the sight of woman, he will still be affected by them. It is normal. Especially if the ones that stood in front of him could be call a pair of beauty.
As he came into the scene, he realized that he had almost never considered the abyssal under his command to be girls, or girls slightly younger than him by appearance to be exact. To add that, he also never realized that they can be called pretty to some extent. The expressionless Wo with her sharp eyes and also her long white hair can absolutely be called beautiful. She also possessed a body that can be considered to be very proportional and has no excess fat whatsoever. The masked wearing Chi, although her face cannot be seen, she also possessed great body feature. Her body has the same athletic built as Ri. Although her breast area is lacking compared to Wo, she is still a great looking girl.
The moment he was conscious of their healthy looking body, he felt more and more heat risen up onto his face. He tried to avert his eyes from them since in his mind he would be considered a bad leader by them if he turned his back from them all of a sudden.
"What is it, Admiral?" Wo came closer to him, still in her half undress condition. "You have been quiet for some time."
"E-Eh?" The sight of her coming right onto him clearly startled him again. "N-No, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Chi also went closer to him after he said that with her camera-like eye glowing slightly and also started to zoomed in to him. "Let me scan you. Maybe I can tell you what's wrong."
"N-No! I'm fine! Really!" He unconsciously raised his voice as he pushed Wo forward from him. "L-Listen here. Yes, you should undress, that is correct. But you should also realize that you shouldn't do that in front of a man like me just like that."
The two tilted their head to the side without a sign of understanding what he was saying. Out of frustration, he scratched the back of his head only to found that his hand only touched the white hair that came from the mask while his real hair is hidden under his mask. He raked his brain to search for a suitable way of explaining the concept of shame to them. Once again, he felt that the abyssal under his command lacked every day common sense.
"Why shouldn't we undress in front of you, Admiral?" Chi asked with an honest curiosity in her tone.
"Uhm…because if it just inappropriate. Do you know what inappropriate is?" The two shook their head at him, which earned them a sigh from him. "You see…uhm…it is because I'm a man and you are woman. Do you understand that concept?" They nodded. "Ok, so far so good. So…it is not good for a woman to show themselves without proper clothing in front of man."
"Wo has a question, Admiral." Ren nodded at her. "What can be considered proper clothing?"
"E-Eh?" Once again, he was at lost. That is a question he never expected. He couldn't just say clothing that covered most of the skin because some of his subordinates have their equipment and outfit far from that point, like Ta and Ri for example. "Ugh…this is difficult. Do you know the concept of shame? Embarrass?"
"No. What is that?" Both Wo and Chi let out the same response.
"Ugh…that is…err…shame is…let me start with–"
"So noisy! What is the matter with all of you!" The sliding door behind Ren that separate the locker area to the bathing area let out a loud sound as it was opened with a great force. "If you want to come in, come in already! Don't just…eh?"
"Huh?" Ren turned around to see the source of the unfamiliar voice and was stunned at what he saw.
In front of him stood with a proud and confident posture, an abyssal with long white hair. On each side of her head stood a triangular black horn. She was about as tall as Chi and possessed a pair of orange colored eyes. Her face looked rather young, probably as young as Ri.
But that wasn't what surprised him. Her face alone will not be able to make him shocked to the state where he was unable to let out a single word. It was the fact that he could see absolutely everything about her. Yes, she is naked without a single thread covering her from head to toe, making him able to see her smooth pale colored body very clearly. From her breast that was about the same size as Wo's to her stomach that showed a very trained abs even to the area below her waist. It was all clear for him to see.
"W-W-W-W-What are you looking at!?"
"E-Eh? I'm s-s-sorry! I d-d-didn't me–GUAHHH!"
Without even letting him finish his sentence, the girl in question launched a straight kick toward his chest, propelling him backward to crash into the door that lead to the hallway. He tumbled backward a couple of times before stopping as he hit the wall in a sitting position. From his place, he could see that the naked girl closed the door with the same force as before judging from the loud sound it made. He could also see Wo and Chi that ran toward him.
"Uhm…Admiral."
"…Yes, Chi-kun?"
"Is that what we supposed to do? Is that supposed to be what you called shame or embarrass?"
"…"At Chi's question, he went silence for a moment as the usual warning of damage appeared on his HUD. "…It is…similar, but not quite…But I beg you, don't imitate what she did."
"Then what should we do, Admiral?"
"…I'll…think about it later…For now… help me stand up, would you?"
"I-I-I'm terribly sorry, Admiral!"
"No, that's fine." Ren waved his hand toward the repeatedly bowing Wanko who wore a very guilty expression. "It was just an accident. That's all."
At the moment, he was in his office with the three newly arrived Hime class abyssal. In front of him stood the tall Wanko and the one that kicked Ren stood next to her. She was dressed in her outfit that consists of white leotard that has two rows of spikes each along her lower back. On her right arm one could see a glove that covered her entire arm from the tip of her hand to the point of her shoulder. She was tapping her ankle boots with irritated expression on her slightly flushed face. Seeing that, Ren couldn't help but let out a sigh. Unfortunately, Wanko noticed that.
"I'm sorry!" She then looked toward her younger sister that stood next to her. "Come one, Licorice-chan, you have to apologize to him."
"But he's the one that barged into the bath!"
"Did he now?" She looked down onto her with a serious expression on her face. "Tell me, Licorice-chan. Is that really true?"
"Ugh…it's…uhm…no. it's not." Unable to withstand her older sister intense glare. "B-B-But he saw me n-n-n-naked!" With trembling shoulders and an even redder face, she raised her voice toward her.
"Is that really his fault, Licorice-chan?" Once again, she fell backward at the sight of her sister's strong gaze and also firm tone.
"Uhm…it's not! It's not my fa–"
"Licorice-chan."
"…Okay, okay! It's my fault! Happy now!" She then averted her eyes from her while puffing her cheeks that were flushed red.
"Licorice-chan." Wanko let out a sigh and then placed her claw onto her shoulder gently. "Don't be like that. Onee-chan is not doing this to make you guilty. Onee-chan just wants to straightened everything out. Do you understand that?"
"…Yes, Onee-chan." She said that with a rather lifeless tone, which made Wanko shook her head while letting out a sigh.
"I'm really sorry, Admiral. I also want to apologize for Hoppou's behavior. I'm really sorry to you too, Irako-san and also Harusame-chan." The tall abyssal bowed her down slightly toward the two sitting fleet girls that were on the other side of the office with Hoppou.
She was sleeping soundly on Irako's lap while her ball-like plane choose to laid on top of Harusame's hat, snuggled comfortably as it purred softly. The two have a very different expression at that moment. While Irako have the expression of a gentle mother as she continuously stroked Hoppou's long white hair gently with a smile, Harusame was sitting with a stiff expression, worried whether the plane will run rampage again and chase her again.
"That's fine, Wanko-san. It was only her curiosity at seeing something new. Isn't that right, Harusame-chan."
"Y-Yes, what she said." She was unable to give her a proper reply as she was unable to relax while the plane was resting on top of her hat.
"Thank you so much, Irako-san and Harusame-chan." She beamed an honest smile at the two of them, catching the two by surprise. She then looked toward Ren again. "Well, Admiral. Let me introduce us again formally. May I?"
"Yes, if you please."
"Thank you." She bowed her head again. "We are the Hime class abyssal assigned to this place. I am an Abyssal Aviation Battleship, Seaport Hime. Everyone usually call me Wanko. And this girl next to me is my 2nd youngest sister." She then nudged her sister with her big claw slightly.
"Abyssal Aviation Battleship, Airfield Hime, Licorice." Hearing her introduction that was presented with a rather irritated tone, Wanko shook her head again.
"And the last is our youngest sister, Abyssal Aviation Battleship, Northern Ocean Hime, Hoppou. She is still a child so I beg for your understanding for her behavior. But I can assure you that she has great battle potential and ready to get into any mission as you order, Admiral."
"I see. It is nice to have all of you here. Although our first meeting is not the best way possible…," he glanced at Licorice who glared at her with her orange eyes, "but I still believe that we can get along. It is both in my personal interest and also for the good of the experiment that we get along with each other. With that, I welcome you to this base as our fellow comrade."
"Thank you, Admiral!" Wanko gave a salute to her admiral. She nudged her sister and then she gave a salute reluctantly. "The three of us will be in your care and will be under your order, Admiral!"
"Good, good." Ren nodded several times. "Then you are free to leave and to rest now. I will inform you your mission next."
"Understood, Admiral." After Wanko nodded, she grabbed Licorice's hand to get her out of the office. Soon after that, Irako and Harusame followed her leaving the office, leaving Ren alone with his secretary.
Ren leaned his back onto his chair and felt his energy drained. He looked up onto the ceiling as he recalled the crazy stuff he went through in less than a day. From being flung across the room by the startled Wanko, to being hugged to half-dead state by the same abyssal, to being once again flung by her younger sister, Licorice, because of a misunderstanding accident. He also recalled the report Irako and Harusame gave to him about how the two were almost killed by Hoppou just because the girl in question wanted more carrot to eat. He shook his head with fatigue filled his whole body.
"…This has been a rather tiring day." He then glanced at his secretary that always stood with stoic expression. "E-Eh?" But he didn't found the same expression from her.
No, scratch that. He found the same expression, but found a very different feel just from being near her. Usually the abyssal that stood near him always gave out the feel of indifference and calmness that somehow felt unsuitable for some situation they were at that moment. But at the moment, he found that he gave out a gloomy feeling to the extent that she made him felt slightly depressed just by looking at her. Ren could also saw a slight dark glow in her expressionless eyes, worrying him even further.
"W-What's the matter with you?"
"…Nothing…" Even her tone that was usually calm and cold became down and dejected. "…Just…nothing…"
"Huh? This isn't like you at all, Wo-kun." He was sincerely worried about her after hearing her saying something like that. "Tell me what is the matter and we can solve it." Although he said that, he was actually far from confident that he could solve whatever the problem that could make the usually calm and composed Wo turned into a depressed girl.
"…Candy…"
"…What?"
"…Hoppou-hime…ate all of my candy." She then looked at the baffled Ren with a rare serious expression. "Wo was going to eat that later…But…" Her shoulder slumped on her side. "Hoppou-hime…ate…all of them…"
"…Is that so?" Ren who was still baffled at what she had said let out the response in a rather flat tone. "That what made you depressed?" She gave a weak nod. "…You…really made me realized something."
"…What is that, Admiral?"
"…I still don't understand the way all of you think." He let out a heavy and tired sigh as he covered his face. "No…far from it. This job is…getting harder and harder for me." He then let his head slumped onto his desk again, making a loud sound that filled the whole room.
*In an unknown part of the world
N: Nice weather!
C: It is, sir. But is there any need for you to shout, sir?
N: Hmm, being stuck inside that submarine is kind of making me miss the open air. And being in this open stage is kind of making me want to shout. Besides, it's not that someone will hear me. After all…we are in the middle of the sea.
C: You are right, sir. We are in the middle of the sea. But…which sea, I don't know.
N: A good question that even I have no answer too, Camera-kun. By the way, is everything ready?
C: Let's see. It's this…and this…and this…and…this. Done~!
N: Nifty gadget you got there, Camera-kun. I'm glad that you can operate all of those high-tech equipment so quick.
C: Hehe, I'm just one of those tech loving guy, sir. Oh, is that her?
N: Who? Our guest? Oh…yes it is…Dear Lord…
C: …Is she….supposed to be that big, sir?
N: Well…I…honestly don't know. Is that the reason we are given this stage here? Wow…Oh, here she come. Quickly, check everything one more time. We'll go live after we greet her.
?: Uhm, is this the right place? The message said so, but…I don't re–
N: Welcome! It is nice to–WOAH!
?: KYAA! Sorry! A-Are you all right?
N: F-Fine, thank you. P-Please calm down.
?: I-I'm sorry! I d-didn't mean to! Please forgive me!
N: …Uwa…they're bouncing…E-Err! No! Focus!
?: E-Eh? A-Are you okay? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?
N: N-No, no, no. I'm perfectly fine! Hehehe…Ah, yes, introduction. Nice to meet you, I'm N-san and the guy there is Camera-kun, my assistant. It is a pleasure to have you here with us.
?: O-Oh, why thank you. I'm Seaport Hime, an Abyssal Aviation Battleship. You can call me Wanko.
N: Wanko-hime then. Please follow me so we can start our show.
W: O-Oh, okay.
N: Okay…now that we all here, let's start the show! Hello and greetings to all of you out there! You are, once again, with N-san here and Camera-kun there! Welcome to the little corner at the end of the show! And please welcome the royalty of the great abyssal, Wanko-hime! Please wave to the camera if you please!
W: E-Eh? O-Oh, yes. Hello there, everybody.
N: Ah, a smile that befits a royalty such as her, don't you all think so? Now, as you all can see, we are in a change of scenery. From the submarine to this laaaaarge and wiiiide space stage. Isn't that exciting! Well let's not waste our time and start out show, shall we? Now, Wanko-hime, as of our usual routine, we will ask you several questions and you are to answer it as you see fit. If you don't think that you should answer that, then it is fine to say so. Is that acceptable with you, Wank-hime?
W: I think that is quite fine. Please do so.
N: Right, thank you very much. First question then. Is the Hime class abyssal really royalty?
W: Hmm, I think the term royalty here is not suitable for us. Instead of royalty as in someone that came from the royal line, we are just abyssal that possessed more powerful ability.
N: Such as?
W: Such as superior weaponry and also control an almost intelligence possessing weaponry I'm sorry, but it is quite hard to explain in detail.
N: In short, it is just a way of classification. Is that right?
W: Uhm…not quite, but I guess close enough.
N: Well, I'll settle with that. Okay, next. From our information, the Hime class have a much more intelligent than the regular abyssal. Is that true, Wanko-hime?
W: To call it that is once again not quite right. We have more wisdom, yes. More intelligent, not entirely. In fact, most of the regular abyssal showed a much more intelligent than anyone expected at first. It's just that their way of showing it is not easily understood.
N: Hoo, that is very deep. I'm quite surprise to hear that. Can you give us an example, Wanko-hime.
W: Certainly. Do you know that the Abyssal Destroyers of any class is quite skillful in finding mineral deposits?
N: I certainly do not know that.
W: Well, that is true. They have been able to find quite a lot of mineral deposit by determining the geological condition of the undersea bed. They can also tell us in what quality of the mineral. A lot may just shrug it away as it is their instinct, but I believe that it is their way of showing their own intelligent. In fact, it is not impossible for them to evolve into a Hime class too.
N: Oh, is that really true? My, my, I am baffled each time I hear your explanation.
W: Well, the condition to attain that varied, but it is not unheard of. And I also seems to remember that they have a very good memory. It is a trait that will carry on even to their Hime state.
N: Incredible. Well, the third and last question. I believe that you have meet the Admiral.
W: Yes, I have.
N: What is your impression of him?
W: A forgiving, kind, and wise. I am excited to be able to work with him.
N: Hoho, interesting. Well, I would love to talk a lot more, but time is not on our side. So, it is letter time! Camera-kun, if you please!
C: Right! Here we go!
N: Oh!
W:W-Wah!
N: I like this screen of ours! Okay, first one! From GreyMan19! Thank you for following the story! And bathing culture is something new for them. Or is it? Wanko-hime, may we ask your opinion?
W: Oh, bathing culture. Is that what you human call it? Well yes, it is new. Usually we never take notice of something like that. We only clean ourselves using the Bio Cleanser Tube. It is far from comfortable. Fast and efficient, but far from comfortable.
N: Have you use the bathing facility in the base, Wank-hime?
W: I have! What a marvelous experience that is!
N:…I'm sure it is…especially with that b–Ehem! No, clear mind! Clear mind!
W: Hmm? Something wrong, N-san?
N: N-No, I'm fine. Okay, next! It is from Mr. Haziq! It is nice to see you again! We are very happy to see familiar faces with us today! It is quite difficult, I sympathize with the Admiral. Ah, no offense, Wank-hime. I don't mean to insult you or anyone here.
W: Oh, rest assure I understand you. Especially since we already bring them trouble the first day we arrived. I really understand that.
N: O-Oh, is that so? Well, oh, it is a question for I and Camera-kun. Well, motivation, eh? Hmm…The pay is indeed not on the high side. Not much, but quite a bit more than the regular job, I suppose. But what made it worth more is the experience. To be able to meet and interview so many interesting figures is an exciting job, no? Well, that is my answer. Camera-kun, what about you?
C: The gadget. Absolutely. I'm a tech nerd. Besides the exciting meetings, the gadget and devices is what made me stay here. Oh, N-san is also a good boss, hehehe…
N: Why thank you, Camera-kun.
W: You two seem quite close.
N: Well, we go way back. And I mean, waaaay back. Isn't that right, Camera-kun?
C: You got that right, sir!
N: Okay, next! Epsilon Zeta! Thank you for following the story! And it is interesting to see their reaction. Now that made me wonders, Wanko-hime. Is it a trait of the regular abyssal to…hmmm…how do I say it…
W: Ignorant of the way the human live their life?
N: Hmm…clooose enough. May I have your opinion?
W: It is quite right since most of them were imprinted with only the minimal amount of knowledge that will support their role, which is fighting in the sea. But they showed a good response when learning some of the thing they encounter along the way. And they who are fortunate to live their life long enough will develop a more knowledge than they have been given in the start.
N: Hmm, interesting. Then do you think that the ones in your base will also show similar result?
W: Definitely. In fact, they will show is much faster than usual due to the main purpose of the base, which is to give them understanding of how human or fleet girls live their life.
N: I see. Oh, it seems your appearance is being anticipated quite nicely, Wank-hime.
W: R-Really? I'm grateful to hear that.
N: We are happy to hear that too. And…we have two guests' letter! The first is this!...Oh…once again a show of how anticipated your arrival is. And also a question about the bathing facility. Have you seen the Admiral use it, Wanko-hime?
W: Actually , no. I have seen the other use it except him. Or maybe he used it without any of us knowing. That is a possibility.
N: Hmm, I agree. Well the next guest letter! Oh, Wank-hime, do you know all of these names?
W: Let me see…Yes, I know all of them. But…to see them here...It might take a bit more time. Especially with the base's current resource condition. It's just that…you know? The amount needed to run the a base with a lot of personnel is quite difficult to maintain. In fact, the addition of three of us at the same time is indeed a troubling condition.
N: I see, I see. Well, we just hope to see them soon in the near future. Okay, and one last anonymous letter. For that, we can only answer that we will do our best and thank you for waiting. Okay! That's the end of today's session! I, no, we are very grateful to have you here with us and we hope that you can come again.
W: The pleasure is all mine, N-san. And also thank you to Camera-kun too. The two of you worked so hard. It is a pleasure to see hardworking person that give their all.
N&C: Your welcome, Wanko-hime!
N: Well then, I think that is all. Please send us your comment (aka Review). Thank you for watching, have a nice day, and stay healthy, everyone! We'll be seeing you later! Bye!