Chapter 10 has finally been uploaded. Final term is only 2 weeks after mid-term. Seems legit. =P

Anyway, very much appreciative of cko02, gvintheodore for reviewing as always. You two have been my encouragement for the whole time. Honestly, I couldn't have thanked you more.

More chapters to come. If you have any suggestions, criticisms or any feelings about this story that you want to express, please leave a review. I read all of them, especially constructive ones.

Disclaimer: Everything in this story is fictional and has nothing to do with reality. This fiction is just for entertainment, don't take it seriously

Chapter 10: Art of adjustments

21st of October

It was the day right before the day of battle, and the day Hiroshi came to Saoux to give out provisions for the infantries. Knowing the tendency to wake up late into noon, Hiroshi intentionally arranged the time late to 1100. But ironically…

"Fuck! I'm late!"

It was 1105, he was 5 minutes late, 10 if counting the time he spent for preparation. As he arrived at the harbour, Yamato, Mutsu, Ooyodo, Nagato and Naka were already there and, obviously, waiting for him.

"You're earlier than usual sir." Mutsu said in a sarcastic way, mocking his daily lateness.

"It's quite clear that you've taken sarcasm into your manner of speech to me." Hiroshi replied with irritation.

"I'm telling the truth, you're usually 20 to 30 minutes late. Today you're really early." She wasn't backing down. Hiroshi could feel his vein popping on his head.

"That is the end of the line. As your CO, I order you to stop this, immediately!" He responded strictly

"Geez. You should learn how to take up a joke sir."

"And you should learn how to not make a joke that angers me. Now we're truly late, come on."

They then proceeded to board a small transport ship, which had been docked there since the previous day. After getting on the ship that Hiroshi noticed that his secretary ship did not board, so he walked over to the deck and saw her still standing there.

"Are you coming?" He said to her

"No sir, I think I'm gonna stay and watch over the base. Mutsu and Ooyodo could handle it there." She replied

"Alright, I'm counting on you."

"Take care of Mutsu for me please."

Hiroshi gave a thumb up in response before turning away. Soon, the boat departed.

A few hours later, they arrived at the Eastern Coast of the island. Much different from the dark and infertile Western side that was occupied by the Abyssal, the East had more 'signs' of human life, but they weren't much, partly because the troops weren't allowed to cause any commotion, as the other side of the island were more than 2 dozens Abyssal ships ready to unleash hell on anyone dared to get close to them. But the main reason was that they were demoralized due to under-provisioned, which had thrown them into a state of near confusion. That was why they requested Hiroshi for help a few weeks ago.

The ship smoothly docked into the harbour and let the five guests onto the island. From afar, a man, dressed in an officer's uniform, ran to Hiroshi's position with a face full of relief. Hiroshi stopped walking, and the man stopped in front of him, and both gave each other a salute.

"Major General Yamada Senichi reporting for duty!"

"At ease."

"Sir, thank god you're here! We're starving to death!" He expressed.

"And whose fault is that?" Asked Hiroshi, surprising Yamada for a few seconds. He then continued with a guilty voice

"Sir, I know how busy you were when you received my request but please sympathize with me, the supply ship that I called was-"

"Sunk. I know. I already knew everything." Hiroshi finished his sentence

"Then why do you ask if you've already known everything?"

"To see if you knew your incompetence in this. And it seems that you don't."

"…Sir, look. I'm sorry for not being capable to keep the troops intact, but I can't do much he-"

"Can't do much?! Look! You have lands, crops, and manpower! Can't you at least grow some food for these soldiers?!" Hiroshi snapped angrily at Yamada, rendering him silenced and vulnerable to his guilt. The girls behind him were also surprised and a bit fearful of his fury.

Yamada, after being introduced to Hiroshi's wrath, bowed down deeply and exclaimed loudly.

"Admiral, I'm really sorry! I've seen the errors of my way! My uselessness has caused trouble for you, this is my responsibility! Please allow me to redeem myself!"

'…'

"…"

"…"

For about a minute, he still remained as he had. Hiroshi's eyebrows lifted slightly. It wasn't something he would see normally see every day, or recently. It would be wrong to say that no one has ever lowered themselves that much to him, but those kinds were rare. Because of that, Hiroshi's eyes narrowed slightly and said

"Rise…and look at me."

Yamada did the exact thing Hiroshi said, the two eyes met.

Hiroshi's glare was as intense as usual, but behind those two steel cold grey eyes were a series of complex logical reasoning with the purpose of studying this man in front of him. This man, before this encounter, was labelled by Hiroshi to be the same as most generals in command, incompetence and completely lack of empathy. And his failure to come to the aids of his comrades in one previous battle sealed him that label. But somehow that didn't apply to him today.

Hiroshi continued to glare at him. Yamada returned the stare down with an unflinching look and a serious expression on his face. With every seconds that both their eyes locked onto each other, Hiroshi could feel the former impression of that man fading away, and that he was trying to carve another impression on Hiroshi's mind. It would be a rare sight if he managed to do so, but Hiroshi wasn't convinced just yet. He had to see for his own eyes what he did instead of just words

"Then show these girls the way around here, and then gather the troops at somewhere spacious."

"Yes sir!" He escorted the girls away as he finished his sayings.

Approximately 30 minutes later, nearly all of the 12000 troops at Saoux had gathered at the large camp ground. As expected, they all looked weary, soulless and ready to lend their fate to God at any moments. Their provisions all had run out, combining with not having been paid since they were stuck on the island for months. So everybody had hoped that with the arrival of Admiral Lanne, things would change, and Hiroshi knew exactly the weight of his job here.

He looked around and found a pretty high spot that he could stand there firmly. He walked up to that spot and everybody's gaze soon headed that way.

"Soldiers." He said with a loud and clear voice. "Look at all of you. You're naked, poor and miserable. For a member of the JGSDF's Elite Corp, how defeated and inglorious you are…But today and tomorrow shall be the change of everything, the chance to prove yourself worthy with the title you bear."

He paused to let the word sink and then continued

"To your right is the food court, supply, ammunition that will be the pivot for your own well-being today. Tomorrow, you will be led on a journey of your life. I will be the one who leads you, each of you, to your most fertile states, you will find there…honour, glory, fame, fortune."

Murmurs and cheers started rippling among the assembled infantry, as Hiroshi smirked.

"Can you do that?! Can you prove to me and yourself that?!" He stated loudly, touching one sensitive ego of these men – pride. In response, from the cheers from previously turned into a huge hurrah rumbling across the camp ground. With every reactions of those men positive, Hiroshi was convinced that the first part of his plan had succeeded.

"Because of the limited workforce, I will need some of you to help once you've fulfilled your own enjoyment. Be sure to live yourself today, because tomorrow will be the journey of your life. Now let the feast begin!"

Hiroshi stepped down from his position and met up with his ship girls and Yamada. There, he began his instruction.

"You make sure everything went on smoothly without any ruckus." He addressed Yamada.

"Yes sir!" He immediately complied and paced away.

"Yamato, you know your role. Don't be shy to ask for help if needed. Naka, it's not your yet so help her out."

"Roger." Yamato said

"Roger…" Naka did the same, but apathetically.

"Ooyodo, you assist them as well as soon as you're done with your work."

"Youkai." Ooyodo replied

"I'll watch for enemy's movement. I hope to see some good work ladies. Begin your work." Hiroshi ordered

"Hai!"

And so it began. The camp ground at that time was extremely crowded and lively, and filled with the divine aroma of delicious food. It wasn't surprising, however, as the cook this time was a battleship known for her full course meal. No wonder officers and soldiers at that time called her a hotel. Initially, her work was slightly overloaded due to having too much hungry stomachs to feed, but eventually, the soldiers and officers started to help. Those who can cook assisted her, while those who can't but willing to help assisted in other stuffs. Naka, even though a bit dispirited at first, was pretty helpful during the meal preparation, along with Ooyodo, after having finished her equipment set up. Everything went pretty well, much to the relief of the Major General. The 12000 hungry and demoralized men reduced little by little, and by the end of the day, laughter, smiles and praises for the cook Yamato kept resounded among the camp ground without ends, fading all the depression that lingered.

All this, Hiroshi wasn't there to experience it, but he could sense it from a distance. He was on a small hill near the camp, all alone, observing the island's West Side with a binocular. No signs of anything unusual. It seemed that despite all the things happening at the camp, the Abyssal there still didn't recognize that their enemy was right at their doorsteps. The lanky Admiral lowered his binocular with satisfaction. But he wasn't ready to leave yet.

Hiroshi turned around, so that his back was facing the slope of the hill, one of his leg bent. He pressed his arm onto the hill slope to push himself up so that he was in a sitting position, his eyes blinked up towards the sky. The sun was drowning slowly in the horizon, painting the sky an array of pink and orange while the clouds lined up in front of it to let themselves being shone on for however long they can. The pale, young moon could be seen in the opposite direction of the old, setting sun, in which Hiroshi found himself staring at it for a while. That sky, in less than 20 hours, would turn into a killing zone. And so would the island.

'Would everything be like this forever if the war hadn't happened?'

Hiroshi shook his head. Now is not the time for this kind of stuffs. The war had already begun 6 years ago and it's not the time to think of something that could never be realized. He thought it would be better to think ahead, to the future, of how to end it. It was easier said than done, though, and for all the time in his career, thinned Hiroshi's patience, and still continued to do so.

'No time to worry about that.' Hiroshi thought to himself as he turned himself around again, but this time crouching on the slope. He didn't use his binocular this time, as he preferred to use his bare eyes. Still nothing. The other side of the island was as silent as a grave. Nothing's moving, no signs of life. It was so peaceful that hardly anyone would bother to stay at this slope while everybody else is having fun at the festivity nearby. But the thought of leaving this post and join everybody didn't cross his mind one bit, despite the lust of joy nearby.

Simply because he couldn't leave his post.

Hiroshi sighed, watching the sun slowly sinking down into the horizon

Suddenly, he felt a presence of someone familiar coming from behind. In response, he turned around.

It was the tall pretty auburn-haired girl that he always knew. She strolled to him, her parasol still above her, carrying with her two food plates that was placed on a small inox tray. Her walking posture was as elegant as usual, as expected of an iconic battleship of Japan. On her face was a gentle and slightly visible smile that Hiroshi could barely see, but it made her appearance more sweet-tempered.

"Are you done with your work?" She said as she walked to his right side.

"It is never done. Not until this day is over." He replied.

"You haven't eaten, have you? Here, my full course meal, just for you…" She said shyly as she placed the tray right next to him

Hiroshi looked at the food plate. It was grilled chicken with simple white rice with an addition of some pineapple slices and fresh lemon. It couldn't be called a 'full course meal' because it…simply wasn't full course. It was just one plate of food after all. It was probably her way of saying her best try in making it or that she was trying to show off a bit. But that isn't important right now.

He lifted the plate from the tray along with the spoon. Taking a spoonful of the chicken rice, he ate it.

"Is it good, Onii-chan?"

All of a sudden, he could feel a surge of something inside of him. Was it the tastiness of the rice, or the dull pain of memories in his chest, he couldn't distinguish between. But all he knew was that the nightmare that haunted him for 6 years had returned to haunt him again.

'Why would I left her that day?' The question ran through his mind unconsciously. He couldn't stop thinking about it every time he was reminded, even though he had told himself not to afterwards. His conscience is turning on him, like an evil spirits, and even he couldn't stop it.

"Is it good?" A voice interrupted his train of thoughts. It was Yamato who pulled him out of his trauma, which he thanked quietly. Still emotional from the remembrance, he only nodded so as not to let her see his weakness.

"Really?"

He nodded again, this time a bit crookedly.

"Hey, are you alright, you look sad?" She asked with concern. It seemed that he couldn't completely hide his emotions, his eyes were getting glassy. But he didn't let it fall.

"No no, I'm fine. I'm just a bit worn out that's all." He reassured

"Are you worried about the battle?"

Hiroshi shook his head. "About everyone, and you."

"Me?"

"Yeah, of how to bring you all back safely. Winning isn't a problem, the problem is to win with everyone safe."

That could never possibly be done. Winning a battle without casualty is literally impossible, not to mention a major decisive battle. That is something that any realistic and experienced general like Hiroshi should know. But a part of him wanted it that way, his naive self. That's what makes his complexity, even he couldn't understand it.

Yamato smiled with great kindness as she said

"I'll…no, we'll be sure to return to you, so don't worry about it. It won't do anything aside from putting you on the edge of a razor."

'Edge of a razor…' Hiroshi chuckled when he realized his sayings were referenced.

"…I feel much better now, thanks."

"I'm glad I could help. Now let's go. Naka-chan's show is probably starting."

"But I have to watch out for them." He said looking at the Western Side

"I'll ask someone to take over. You've done a great work for today. It's time you stretch yourself and relax."

"Hmm…Alright."

"Admiral, let's." She gave yet another smile

"Is this VIP seat?" Hiroshi asked as he looked at the few plastic chairs that were placed a little bit higher than the camp ground. VIP it may not seem for a live concert, but compared with the soldiers, whose seats were only dirt, it was VIP indeed.

"Senichi-san arranged it for you, and for us as well. He thought that he should return the favour for all of our help." Replied Yamato

'That guy…' Hiroshi chuckled.

"I usually prefer to sit with them, but ok, since that guy had done us a favour."

The trio sat down on their 'VIP' seat, and waited for the show to begin, with Hiroshi praying that she won't give away their position.

"Has everybody prepared for Naka-chan!"

After a few minutes, Naka finally showed up on stage, beginning her show with her own spectacular song, followed by a loud cheer from the audience. It was a bit loud, but Hiroshi managed to calm himself down and tried to enjoy it. As if she was a hypnotizer, every single one of the audience were immediately attracted by her high-toned yet strong voice. It wasn't just her costume that gave every men on the camp ground a look out, her great voice adjustment was so skilful that she didn't need instruments. Only her voice was enough to compensate for the lack of music.

She finished her first song, then her second, then her third. And yet she didn't show any signs of fatigue. Every songs were in a style very different from each other, but she could switch and adjust herself effortlessly to each style. One after another, she never failed to keep these exhausted soldiers entertained, and it didn't take the entire show to wipe out all the exhaustion in the minds of every soldiers on the island.

"She is a really good singer, isn't she?" Yamato complemented

"She has passion for it, and she enjoys it too. A bit of a shame that she wasn't allowed to express that until now." Ooyodo seconded

Hiroshi's eyebrows lifted in concurrence. And then his lips formed an upward curve. He knew perfectly sure, at that moment, that everything went well for everyone.

"Kya-ha! Thank you for being with Naka-chan for this whole show! Now! For my last song, I want one of you to come on stage and sing with me!"

"Now this is new." Hiroshi commented, surprised with her sudden statement.

"Who wants to come?!" She yelled. Numerous hands were raised in return. Naka looked around for a while before pointing at the far end of the camp.

"Admiral! You're the chosen one!" Hiroshi's eyes widened in astonishment. Another surprising statement. He asked himself if he just raise his hand without his acknowledgement. No, he didn't do anything.

"Come on! Come on stage with me! You're the star!" She cheerfully called for him, while looking at him expectantly. She couldn't be plotting something, she probably just curious or she wanted to return the favour. Hiroshi didn't like singing, but he couldn't refuse her now, could he? It might have an adverse effect on everyone.

"Alright…" He grumbled as he walked to the stage, in everyone's clapping, mostly in envy.

As he stepped on stage, Naka immediately started singing. She intentionally chose a popular song, so that everybody else could sing with her. The first verse, second verse, and then the third verse, she sang gracefully. But Hiroshi didn't sing.

"What's wrong?" She stopped singing and asked.

"I don't know that song." He bluntly claimed. Naka's face at that moment was truly the definition of surprise.

"You don't know it?! That's the most popular song in history!"

"I'm not much into that."

"How about 'My heart will go on'? You must have known that song?"

Hiroshi shook his head, an answer so blunt that Naka's jaw almost dropped.

"Crazier by Taylor Swift?" He shook his head again.

"Love Story?" Still no.

And it went on, to the despair of the singer on stage. It ended, eventually, with both of them picking a very uncommon song that Naka had heard somewhere before.

"Alright! So let the final song of the show begin!" She shouted once more, erupting yet another cheers

She began by singing the first and second verse fluently and gracefully. It was a song for two people, either males, females or both. She sang first so that Hiroshi could get used to the song pace and rhythm. The second verse ended, followed by a pause filled with rhythmic claps, and it was Hiroshi's turn. Another surprise was unfolded…

His voice was literally the opposite of Naka's, not because he is male and she is female, because it was totally horrible. Even though he was given a few seconds to catch the rhythm, his singing was completely off-track. In other words, he was a tone-deaf, no more no less. Even Jaian would have to bow to this 'show'.

"He is…" Ooyodo glasses almost broke.

'Admiral…' Yamato tried to cover her ears. Everybody else did the same, including Naka.

Luckily, the verse didn't last long, and an awkward silence followed at the end. They were speechless. Some actually clapped for him, obviously not for real.

Hiroshi was immediately aware of the situation. His own eyes hardened into a glare, and was targeted at Naka. The star of the show, a few moments ago was full of confidence, shrank back instantly at his stare. She hastily moved aside so that Hiroshi could come down. No one dared to say a word in response.

"That was the most embarrassing moments of my life." Hiroshi growled.

"It's hard to believe. You have such a clear and inspirational voice." Yamato stated

"That doesn't have anything to do with rhythm and songs. Now would you all please just forget about it? Before I have to make you forget about it" His voice got strict. The girls could only nod in compliance.

They arrived at the harbour after a short walk, where a small boat was docking.

"It's late now, so as soon as you arrived at Chinatsu, make sure to get some rest, especially you Yamato, since you'll be fighting tomorrow."

"Hmm!" Naka and Yamato nodded as they boarded. The boat soon departed.

"You as well Ooyodo. Go."

"Hai!" She saluted and then walked away.

That concluded the final activity of the day. Overall, aside from the incident at the show, everything went accordingly to what Hiroshi had planned. Now all that awaited was tomorrow's battle, the Battle of Saoux.

I'm sorry but my song list is very limited. Please sympathize.