"Ugh" I wake up feeling like a someone whacked me in the Head with a sledge hammer and my nose felt like Niagra Falls.
"You ended up getting sick, thats a big surprise." Says Irako in a matter of factly tone.
"Shuthd it." I moan with my runny nose.
"I want to keep you here for another day to monitor your vitals, thank goodness you collapsed under shelter or you could've gotten a lot more serious symptoms, not limited to hypothermia, flu, me-"
"I gethd id!" I shout, sniffling.
"Well guess what, you aren't exactly the most expendable being on this island. As a matter, you're the least! We care about you Teitoku, more than any other admiral we've recieved before, you're hard working, you put others before you in terms of priority, and you are by far the most damned stubborn person we've met aside from inspectors."
The room goes silent.
I sniffel.
"I understand you care about me, but the reason I do stuff like this is because I care about you guys just as much, you're all I have on this goddamned piece of rock in the middle of the damn ocean, several hundred miles away from the nearest significant civilization, I want you to know how much that means to me, I'd probably go batshit insane if it weren't for you guys giving me all the comfort and companionship you guys do. I love all you guys, and actions speak louder than words." I begin to cry
The room goes silent again until Irako breaks the silence.
"Ahem, I'd argue about how much we love each other but that right there is contradictory and irony in itself."
"I just *Sniffle* wanted you guys to know how this island is my litteral world as there is nothing that else that extends out for hundreds of miles, and you guys are all I have to fill it."
"I know, I know, there, there, no need to get any more emotional on me then you already have. Being the only human on this island with a bunch of ship girls is hard."
"As long as I have you guys, it isn't."
She rubs my head and smiles.
All of a sudden a theres a knock on the door.
Irako opens the door and I quickly wipe my eyes.
Its Kongou, Hibiki and Ooyodo.
"Welcome, welcome, he's right here."
"You've got visitors, Teitoku."
"I can see that." *Sniffle*
(I'll try to rationalize what I'm saying from my sickness from this point on and omit the sniffling, for your sake and mine.)
"Hey, Teitoku, Hibiki has something to tell you." Kongou says snarkly
"Urusai, baka." replies Hibiki.
Kongou just counters with a smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't show up last night, I was too... embarassed to show up, and felt really guilty stressing you out while assisting you."
"It's okay Hibiki."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Kongou butts in.
"HEY TEITOKU, HOW ARE YOU DOING?"
I smile
"I did I ever mention how much I love your accent with english words?"
"IS THAT REALLY SO!?"
I chuckle.
"And how are you doing Ooyodo?"
"Peachy as ever, but its a little lonely up in the command room."
Now wearing a mischivious face "Ooyodo is feeling LONELY up in the command center?"
"Shush, Kongou." Replies Ooyodo and Hibiki.
"NO FAIR, you're both teaming up against me."
"Now, now, girls, I know you can't get enough of me *Sniffle* but please behave yourselves for my sake."
"Hai, hai."
"Ah, I heard Hiei made some curry for you, hoping you'll get better." says Kongou
I jolt upwards.
"Irako, I'm perfectly fine, I'd like to return to work."
"No can do, I'm keeping you hear to make perfectly sure your vitals stay stable."
"Aw, do you really not want to try her curry that badly?"
"Kongou, I've heard the rumors about Hiei's curry..."
"Aw..."
"I'm glad you care about me Kongou, but if you want to help me, you'll feed the enemy that curry."
"True, I ate that curry once, and my stomach was NOT happy with me."
"Ooyodo, how are things going on around the base without me?"
"A lot of the Kanmusu are worried about you but they seem to be handling it well, expect more visits."
"Not on my watch." Spouts Irako, "I have to limit the amount of visitors he can see. Sorry, regulations, he should be back on his feet tommorow."
"I'll be dancing soon enough." I say.
"Glad to hear that." Says my secret girlfriend, giving me a smile.
"Kotori treating the troops right?"
"So far no questionable actions with the fleet."
I smile
"Well... send me some of the paperwork my way, and I'll see what I can get done, as I'm going to be teetering on insanity from this headache with nothing to take my mind away from it, excuse the pun."
"Can do, Teitoku."
"Anyway it was nice talking to you, but soon enough I'll have a tray of paperwork for me to finish while I'm here so I won't be entirely useless, paperwork is fine, right Irako?"
"Paperwork is fine, as long as you take it easy, unless you enjoy worsening headaches?"
I sigh,
"Fair enough."
"Well take care Teitoku, We'll see you tommorow." Kongou says.
They leave the infirmary and it's just Irako and I left.
"You seem really close to the girls."
"I'm suprised you don't know, as apparently thats the word around town."
"I never was one for rumors, it was Mamiya who always dug into those kinds of things."
"I see..."
"Ever since I was created I never really took off interacting with the other ship girls, but Mamiya approached me and all of a sudden we were best friends before I even knew it."
"Good to hear, I wasn't too much of a social guy during my time in the JMSDF, I had one guy I was really good friends with but I never really caught on with anyone else other than my direct commanding officer. The reason being wasn't very good with people in high school, I only really began studying how people interact during college, I then decided to join the JMSDF after I recieved a two year degree and tried hitting it off, but as I said I only really became good friends with one guy, whose name I can't even remember anymore, mind you. I was a goodie-two-shoes and always did what I told, and ascended the ranks, but by the time I was getting bored of the job, I was offered a post here, and you know the rest."
"Interesting."
All of a sudden another knock hits the door.
"Come in." Irako says
It was Ooyodo with the paperwork, looking stunning as ever with her fashonable eyewear.
She hands me the paperwork on a tray with a pencil and pen and whispers in my ear.
"I'll see you tonight."
With that she smiles and quickly skits out the door. Leaving me wondering what she had planned for tonight.
I turn to the small stack of paperwork in front of me.
'Holding back, I see..'
I get to work on the stack.
"What do you even do with those papers?"
"Signatures, mostly, file reports to command, requisiton forms... etc."
"Could I request something?"
"As long as it isn't something ridiculous, sure, I'll ask HQ."
"I'd like to ask for some new medical supplies as the alcohol wipes and some gels have expiry dates, and the blood bags will expire soon."
"The alcohol wipes and medical gels are already on the resupply, I'll ask about the blood bags."
"And could you bring in a subscription of shounen JUMP?"
"The newest edition is in the R&R room."
"R-Really?"
"Yup."
"I read it while I was in the lab, and never got the chance to read it again. I had no clue it was in the R&R room."
"I'm suprised you missed it, very bottom right of the rack behind the table on your left when you walk in."
"Thanks Teitoku."
She turns to head outside.
"One condition though."
"Huh?"
"It stays inside the R&R room."
"I'm gonna go ahead and take a break then, there's a button on the wall to your left if you need anything, and there's a pager in my skirt pocket that will keep track of your vitals as long as wireless Electrodes are stuck to your chest."
"Wait there are Electrodes on me?"
"Yep, open your Dress Coat."
I open my Dress coat to see lo and behold, the wireless electrodes on my chest.
"I don't appriciate you sexually harassing me while I'm asleep."
She smiles and shakes her head.
"I'll be going now, have fun."
"Oh this paperwork will be more than enough."
"Don't think about going outside either... the pager will beep if you leave the infirmary."
She leaves.
And so I'm left alone, filling out paperwork, anticipating whats happening tonight.
"Hmm requisition forms... requests for a living puppy? Denied, we don't need anymore beasts on this island you already have enough of one right here, hehe. But in all seriousness, there would be no need for guard dogs on the island. We already have a top notch security system here. Ah, request for a game console for the R&R room from Shimakaze, 'I wish to requisition a game console for the R&R room to utilize for recreational purposes, I have noticed Teitoku enjoying a video game on his computer during his free time as well'"
"Approved."
"Now let's see what else we have."
I work on paperwork untill the afternoon when the stack is completed.
"UGH SO BORED!"
My childish urges begin to well up as I toss and turn.
I hear the door open and in comes a jolly Irako with a cart with a food tray on it.
"Lunch time!~" She exclaims.
"Ooooo, I smell food, whatcha got for me?"
"Some of Hiei's curry."
"Sounds delicious." I say with sarcasm. "But in all seriousness what is it?"
"A surprise from Mamiya."
She set the tray on my lap.
"All right, Idatakimasu!"
I dig into the soup on the tray.
"Mm!"
I taste the strong taste of Tomato soup with some added basil, simple, but effective for fighting colds.
"It's good, really good! Give my regards to the chef."
"Glad you like it."
"I'm glad I like it as well, otherwise I wouldn't."
"You're a comedian aren't you?"
"If I want to."
"How are you feeling?"
"Bored, very bored, as a matter of fact, could you get my cellphone and headphones from my room, my key is on the counter over there."
"Gotcha , Teitoku, stay right here."
She ran out the door and 2 minutes later she comes back with the cellphone and the headphones.
"Thank you." I say to her
"Ah, I see you finished it all."
She takes the tray.
"As it was delicious, and as I said before, give my thanks to the chef."
"Can do. Uhh, Teitoku, mind if I go ahead and return to the R&R room? I was reading manga as I noticed it was time for your lunch."
"Knock yourself out."
"Thanks Teitoku, if you need me, you know what to do."
"Jam on the button until it breaks or you come?"
"Very funny, Teitoku." She scorns with her hands on her hips and a dispproving look.
"Have fun."
"I will."
She waves and runs out the door.
Nothing except me here
I put in the earbuds.
'Finally...'
I selected a song, lay down and close my eyes.
"Fly away now, Fly away now, Fly away~!"
Did I mention I was a fan of Retro Otaku goods?
'I fucking love Teddyloid, too bad he's around 50 years old now and moved on to other things now, like his family.'
Nowadays, Otaku goods have extended into the VR market which is doing phenomnally well, with the Occulus Rift V2, luckily nothing like SAO ever happened.
But you can never beat a good story, even if it's on paper, especially the feeling of paper in your hands.
I start shaking my head back and forth.
"Heart stood still, when we first met, I thought we'd be together yet, you're using me for your own games, but now I'll never feel the same again~!"
I open my eyes and see Mutsu staring down at me with Maya and Shimakaze at her side.
I turn down the volume and take out the earbuds.
"Is that how you think about me?" Mutsu asks quizzically with a mischivious look on her face.
"When did you come in?"
"You'd compare with Naka, you know that?"
"Shush, now tell me."
She chuckles
"When we came in you were already singing."
"Ugh, you never heard any of that."
"Whatever you say, Teitoku~."
"Ugh."
"We wanted to see how our singing idol of a Teitoku was doing."
"I'll never live that down will I?"
"Nope."
'Damnit'
"I'm doing great, thanks for worrying about me."
"We can see that just fine."
"I see Irako has you stuck in bed for the day."
"Against my better judgement, yes"
"Sucks for you..."
"Yes it does."
"How many visits did you get?"
"Suprisingly not many. I guess they'd rather they'd rather spend their lunch eating rather visiting their wonderful teitoku."
'Now that I think of it, how did Kongou and Hibiki get out of class to come visit me?'
"Anyway, we just popped in to see how you were doing and we've still yet to grab lunch."
"Take care Teitoku." They all say.
"Bye!~" I wave from my bed."
And once again I'm alone.
I insert the headphones back in.
I hit Irony by ClariS and Listen.
"Sonna yasashiku shinai de donna kao sureba ii no~!" I begin to sing
I notice a certain Kanmusu sitting at the door.
"Get out of here Mutsu, I'm busy."
She laughs and runs off.
I spend the next few hours listening to music and playing with my phone
All of a sudden the door swings open.
"Dinner time~!" Irako shouts
I manage to hear her over the loud music and take out my headphones.
"Yo!"
"How are you doing?"
"Annoyed that I wasn't able to get out of this place all day."
"Good to hear."
"You don't take pessimism very well do you?"
"I just ignore it." She says as she places the tray on my lap.
"So what did you do here?" She continues.
"Not much, I got up and walked around, jogged in place for a little, listened to music a little, didn't leave the room as you said."
"Glad you decided not to go against my orders."
"Your word is absolute, my dear dictator."
"Please spare me the harsh commentary."
"Yes, your sire."
I look down at the plate.
"Oooo, Steak!... And... cauliflower..."
"You seem disapointed."
"I hate cauliflower."
"Make sure you eat it all."
"Yes, mom."
"Don't make me slap you."
"Don't make me court-marshal you."
"I'm leaving, I'll be back in 30 minutes."
I sit up
"Hey, whats your problem anyway, we can talk if you want."
"I just got into an arguement with Murakumo."
"You and everyone else."
"You've got beef with her?"
"No, but she was awfully rude yesterday after I said good morning and recruited her to help me with the books."
"As an associate I give her an F for friendliness, excuse the pun." I continue.
"I see..."
"Go off, shoo, shoo, leave me to eat dinner in peace."
"Enjoy."
She runs out the door.
I take a bite of the steak.
"As always, zesty."
I eat the steak and, begrudgingly, the cauliflower.
After I finish eating I wipe my hands with the provided napkin and set aside the tray.
"I'm back!" shouts a happy Irako.
"Whats got you in a good mood?"
"I got Murakumo to apologize, and guess what?"
She points the door with her arms in a V shape.
And in walks a disgruntled Murakumo.
"God help you in figuring out how you did it." I say to Irako "Welcome, Murakumo."
"I didn't want to come here anyway. Hmmph." She declares, moving her head upward and away from me.
"I didn't expect you wanted to."
"Irako forced me to apologize for causing you trouble while helping you."
"And..."
"I'm sorry, okay? Are you happy now?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I will be if you tell me why you're always in a pissy mood."
"Why do I have to tell you that?"
"Because I'm worried about you."
"I mean no disrespect, but I don't really care."
I get up from the bed.
"Well guess what, I do."
"Did I come in here just to get scolded?" She asks Irako.
"No, you didn't."
"Tell me your story."
"I refuse."
"Do I need to make it an order?"
"You're ordering a Soldier to tell them about your personal buisness?"
I wave off Irako and she quickly jogs out of the room.
"I'm ordering you to let off some steam so shout at me as much as you want?"
"Huh, you want me to shout at you? Are you some kind of crazy masochist?"
"No not at all but whatever's in your system I want out, in the easiest and quickest way possible, you always go around with a stick shoved up so far up your ass all you can see is the black in the world."
"How dare you, I try hard enough at this stupid island being a teacher, being a student and doing auxillary work all day! I never get selected for anything important on this damn island."
"You want something important to do? Well then guess what, I'm selecting you to be the main operative of the Operation next week, you wanna prove yourself, then go ahead, show me."
"Agggh!" She screams and punches a hole in the plaster wall behind me.
"YOU'RE A SHITTY ADMIRAL!"
"Not as shitty as your attitude, come on take your best shot, slap me I know you want to, I won't court marshal you, I promise, if this is what it takes to pull that damn stick out of your ass, do it!"
I got what I wished for and got a proper slap in the face. Luckily she held back and didn't cave in half my face.
"AAAAAHGH!"
*SLAP*
"AHHHHH FUCK! THAT HURT LIKE HELL."
I looked at her while holding the right side of my jaw and saw her crying.
"Y-you stupid stupid Teitoku."
She turned and tried to run but I managed to grab her by the collar.
"You stay right here, that's an order."
"You're a damn stupid fucking asshole of a Teitoku..."
She pressed herself into me so hard it knocked the wind out of me.
She weakly threw her arms around me.
I hugged her softly with one arm and rubbed her head with the other.
"There, there, easy now, easy now, its alright."
"You stupid stupid teitoku."
Her tears soaked my Uniform.
"Teitoku, why do you have to be so stubborn."
"I can ask you the same question, I'm just glad you didn't dislocate my Jaw or worse."
"Do you really wanna know why I'm the way I am?"
"If you want to tell me."
"Teitoku, no, Hikomi-san, may I-"
"Go right ahead, there's no one here but us."
"Promise me something, Teitoku, that you won't say a peep to anyone about what I'm about to say."
"I promise."
"PROMISE ME!"
"I PROMISE!"
She was a complete mess at this point.
"Huuah..."
"You don't need to tell me if you don't want to."
"I do..."
"Hikomi-san... our previous Admiral... bullied us, he treated us like shit, I can't say the same for everyone here since nobody wants to talk about it, but every Admiral I've had treated me the same, up until you showed up and changed that."
"Unbelieveable."
"Hikomi, look at me."
I looked down at her crying face.
"Promise me on your heart you won't say anything to anyone..."
"I promise."
"Cross your heart and hope to die?"
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
"Thank you... so much Tei... Hikomi-san..."
"Do you feel any better?"
"Yes..."
"To make this fair, I'll tell you a secret of mine..."
"What?" She looks up in curiousity and finally the waterworks stop.
"Don't tell anyone about this, not even-"
"Not even me?"
I look up and Murakumo turns to see Ooyodo standing in front of the door.
"Erm, how long have you been standing there?"
"I've been here ever since she punched a hole in the plaster."
"So you've heard everything."
"Yup."
"I trust you won't tell anyone this happened?"
"Not a peep."
"Good, Murakumo, this girl here is my secret. Dirty little secret, if you will." I wink at her
Ooyodo smiles and shakes her head.
"You mean?" Murakumo questions.
"Yep, Ooyodo and I are in a relationship."
"That's wonderful!" she exclaims in wonderment "Why don't you tell everyone you're in a relationship?"
"That's because I don't need MPs showing up at my door asking why I'm banging a suboordinate of mine."
Ooyodo chuckles while facepalming.
Murakumo blushes
"S-so y-you two a-are." She embarassingly points to us
"That's right."
"Lewd!"
"So I made you a promise and you made me a promise, so no more of that BS alright, I wanna start seeing you make friends around here, okay."
"Alright, I but I can't make any guarantees."
"Now run along."
She bows.
And before she leaves the door of the room she whispers something.
"Thank you, Teitoku."
And rushes out the door.
Ooyodo turns to me.
"Finally, you didn't tell me you would have company."
"I didn't tell myself I would have company either, it just happened."
"Oh just shut up and kiss me already, you comedian."
I press my face against hers in a sexual manner. Skillfully placing my hands around her head and forcefully pressing her head into mine, it was bliss, how else do you want me to describe it, geez.
I end up walling her in between a bed and an IV and go even more forcefully into the kiss, she presses back just as hard.
"Konbanwa, Teitoku, I've come to take your tray back to the Cafeteria, enjoying this wonderfu-"
Shit
She puts on a frown.
"I don't appriciate you two making out in my infirmary!"
"Um sorry..."
"Visiting hours are over, out, out!"
I nod to Ooyodo and she makes for the door.
Once Ooyodo has left she begins scolding me.
"First of all..."
I got a massive scolding from Irako
"I don't want anything to do with this when the Military police show up at my door!"
"You won't, you won't, I've been careful.
"You better have..."
She turns off the light
"Tommorow, when you wake up you should be good to leave, good night."
"Good night."
She leaves and I'm left alone in the darkness.
"Crap Ooyodo forgot my phone charger."
My phone battery displayed 25%
"Oh well."
I heard a knocking sound, it came from the window.
It was Ooyodo.
I open the window and the screen and let her in.
"Aren't you a super spy?"
"Hush"
I shut the screen and window.
"I couldn't pass up the chance to spend a night with you."
"Won't the Cameras see you?"
"I had Akashi do a little "Maintanence" on the Cameras around this time and about 4:00 in the morning."
"So we have the whole night to ourselves..."
"Don't get too ahead of yourself, you need sleep, we don't need a repeat of what happened yesterday."
"Shut up and kiss me, you comedian." I snark back.
As before, you can probably guess what happened.
[End chapter 8]