Hey, it's me again. You're not bored of this right? I'll start revamping the earlier chapter soon! Oh, by the way, the anime's ending is quite rush, hmm? And really, like, lots and lots of things just got pulled in together it's almost unreasonable. So the Admiral's on the LSC spree to get Taihou that he had gone and fid the resources himself? What's the point of sinking Kisaragi!? To bring in the game mechanic!?
A/N : KanColle is Kadokawa's. I just mess with them and only the OCs are mine.
"Commander, the main fleet is back from the joint operation's mission. Do you want me to call them to brief about the rescue operation right away?" Even when the report papers made her eyes tired, Hiyori still looks up to her secretary without squinting. Her heart feels a little bit uplift by Goddess of the Luck's beaming smile. There's another reason why she still has Yukikaze as her secretary ship aside from the fact that she did her work splendidly contrasting to her childish personality.
"Ah, please let them proceed following the normal routine, that matter can wait just a little bit longer. But tell them to come as soon as possible, okay?" Yukikaze nodded and carries her given order with a delight, and healing smile. After waving farewell to the little Destroyer, she looks back down to the paper with darkened expression.
At the top of the front page in this report she wrote, is something that won't be submitted to the Navy HQ quite often. It's a report of the new type of Abyssal sighted.
This one is about the Pursuing Demon, about Ageha.
It has been three days since Yuudachi and Shigure were captured. She can only hope that the Abyssal's Admiral won't do something crazy to them like feeding them to Ha-Class or I-Class. Despite it being the enemy's word – Ageha's – she heard, she still believes that they will be alright to this moment.
Hiyori sighs with her dry throat and reaches to a cup of coffee beside stacks of papers. But just as the cup's going to touch her lips, the door to this room is swung open by the owner of the following, cheery exclamation.
"HEY! Admiral! Are you lonely that I'm not here for almost two weeks!? But don't worry now, I AM BACK DESU!" With her mouth gaping apart, the shock from sudden booming voice nearly made her coffee go wasted on the papers she has been working on.
"At least knock before coming in. But aren't you a little bit too fast? Resupplying and docking can't be this fast, right? And Yukikaze just reported to me a little while ago too." She puts down her cup and smiles at the noisy fellow in front of her.
"Welcome back, Kongou-san."
"OH? NICE SMILE desu ne? And I thought you'd be disheartened when Yukikaze-chan told me about what happened during the Sav Island's campaign. It seems like my worry is for nothing, NE?" Puffing her chest up proudly, the name-ship of Kongou-Class Fast Battleship smiles brilliantly while announcing her return.
"It looks like the fairies reported that you are our fleet's MVP, hm? Don't go around stealing all the juicy experience from the Flagship because you can, okay? Furutaka-san will cry." That urges the Battleship to lets out a small laugh while averting her eyes to the stacks of work on Hiyori's desk.
"Hmm? That's a lot of works you've been doing there. Is all that about the rescue operation? It's the first time something like this happen after all." Pointing at the papers, Kongou has a questioning look on her face while the Admiral shakes her head.
"It's mostly about the mission, but this one here is not. It's still related to the mission, though." She has little time observing Ageha when they met, but she can still remember her feature well enough to draw a rough sketch of the Little Demon. All she can squeeze out from her little brain about the newly sighted Abyssal is listed in full detail inside this report she's handing over to Kongou.
"OH? NEW TYPE? Now this will be interesting… Geh, Submarine!?"
Hiyori softly laughs it off. Of course, what can be the Battleship's nightmare other than an incoming torpedo salvo she can't do anything with? Battleship can't attack Subs after all.
"That one's sighted on the campaign by me. To say 'sighted' is a little bit off the point, let's say we met and talked for a few minutes, that'd be better." This fact had shaken Kiso once when the Cruiser heard about it for the first time, but it plays out differently for this person in front of her. The Battleship has this surprise look on her face but Hiyori doesn't see any doubt in her eyes.
"WOW! That must be a thrilling experience, isn't it?" To meet and talk with the Abyssal like that, how was it? The rumors said they are like us, is it true?" Can't Kongou doubt her for a little bit? Or is it that the report is already enough to fool her that such thing happened? It's necessary that subordinates need to trust their superior, but a blind trust is a bit too extreme. In Kongou's case, Hiyori doesn't know if it's that the Battleship really trusts her or it's just a front she puts up.
"You believe it? No one believes it the first time they heard it though. That's new. I wonder how will Furutaka-san react." She receives the report paper back from Kongou after she skimmed through it to get brief information. Despite that Battleships can't attack Submarines, they'll still need to know about their information to put up a countermeasure.
"Heeh? I'm first then? That makes me HAPPY DESU!"
*Knock Knock*
"Oh? This one knows how to knock, it seems. …Come in!" The door is once again opened, but this time it's slowly and the person herself doesn't barge in like Kongou. Instead, she peeks a little with her sparkling left eye before emerging from behind the wooden obstacle.
"Furutaka, reporting in!"
The owner of this soft, yet firm voice is the pride and joy of Rabaul's Forefront Naval Base, Name-ship of Furutaka-Class Heavy Cruiser, Furutaka. After remodeling several months ago before heading off to joint operation to subdue the Princesses in Operation KON, she seems more active than normal when Aoba's around. But the girl seems meek when she's in front of Hiyori. She doesn't know why but all is well, if it doesn't affect the performance then she won't pry.
"How is the new rig?"
She seems a bit disappointed that the first sentence from her superior after a long campaign is about her gears instead of her well-being. Furutaka hides her displease and answers with clear voice, leaving no hint of her emotion in it.
"As good as it's my own body, the searchlight did give me some trouble in the night battle, though. Over all, its performance is the best I've ever used." With that, Hiyori put her arms up doing a steepling pose to hide her expression.
"So you're alright then, that's good. I thought you might have a problem with it so I asked. If that's the case then there's no worry. Welcome back, Furutaka-san." Furutaka's eye gives off a small glitter as she was taken aback by her superior. The Heavy Cruiser glance sideway while doing her best to suppress a huge grin. Who'd have known that such question was concerning her condition?
"OH MY, Admiral is such a tease."
"Now, now, if you two are here already then I'll brief about the rescue mission fast and get it over with." The young Admiral finds the documents she wants from the piles of papers and hands it to Kongou and Furutaka. Letting them skim through it while she starts explaining.
"We still don't know about the enemy's fleet composition and their exact location since the Subs I sent as a Scout Fleet still hasn't come back yet. But as I know right now, we'll have to deal with at least two of Princess/Demon-Classes. One is Southern War Princess and another is Submarine with a ridiculous ability to jam our sonar."
The mentioned ability of Ageha caught both of the girls off their guard. They know how much their technology has progressed so far, but to think that an Abyssal can jam sonar is a little bit too much to digest.
"If it involves a Submarine then we'll have to take many Mid-sizes with us in this operation, right?" Only Light Cruiser, Light Carrier, Destroyer, those that can launch seaplane can attack Submarine. Their equipment is not suitable for an antisubmarine warfare. And enemy Subs is needed to be sink first and foremost, their presence in the battle is like a predator lurking around a stag's lair.
"We'll need a report from our Subs first to determine the exact location and calculate our resource consumption. I can't have our resource depleted right now that this campaign might be a bit long."
Hiyori sighs.
She lent her main fleet with the strongest girls in her base to her colleague in doing the joint operation, she didn't deplete any resource doing so. But the reason this base's resource was running low during the past week is because she was developing a turbine for the Destroyers. There's a lot of 'Puff and Penguins' in the storage room right now so…
Yeah, they'll need to use the resource sparingly.
"If the amount of the enemy's big, we'll need to use a combined fleet. But on the other hand, the amount is manageable, one fleet will be the main fleet and another will be supporting fleet." After that, she laid back against the backrest and closes her eyes, resting it after a consecutive of reading.
"After they come back, I'll send you two the composition, choose the girls you want in your fleet. Furutaka, you'll be equipping with the searchlight, in case if the battle got dragged out too long, drawing the fire from the Destroyers."
"So you'll really make us both a flagship? Against the fleets that may have Subs?" Kongou speaks out her uncertain thought about Hiyori's decision. If they'll really be the flagships of this operation then the consumption will be huge, that's the opposite of what their superior wants. Even though the fleets will be mainly composed of mid-size ships, the costs will still be enormous.
"It's inevitable. Don't forget that there'll also be the infamous Southern War Princess too. Although when the result's in, there may be a change in the composition. But if nothing is out of ordinary, the flagships of both fleets will be you two."
The only thing remains after that conclusion is silent.
"Admiral, you look so worn out."
"That's right. You need to take as many rests as you can while it's possible. You'll get sick otherwise, if that happens then I'm not HAPPY DESU!" Hiyori's speechless when her subordinates remind her of her own health so many times in such a short period. Is she supposed to be happy that they really care for her? Or is she supposed to be mad got ordered around by them?
At this point, she doesn't know anymore.
"Well, if you say it that much then I'll just get some rest. Coffee's making my eyes feel so tired right now, too much caffeine is no good. Arrrgh, I want a long vacation…!"
There's a sea surrounding the base but she can't get any ease and peaceful time building a sand castle? She's not a kid anymore, but it's alright to play around once in a while, right? She can play with the 6th DesDiv too if she wants to, that way her reputation will still be in the safe zone she can manage.
"Well, that can happen when we rescue those two, NE? Ah, Admiral in BIKINI! It's BURNING LOVE! Uehehe…"
Yeah, now she remembers why she hasn't taken a break for as long as she came to this base with this Battleship.
"Ah, if the Admiral's taking a break then I'll have to tell Aoba to…"
And there's a reporter in the fleet too.
'Hah, I wonder how the other Admirals are able to become successful naval officers with a fleet full of a troublesome individuals like this.'
It has been three days since that battle with Southern Ocean War Princess, or would he have to say, Southern Ocean War Demon? Or would it be Southern Ocean Demon? According to Japanese Admiralty, they are listed as different entity even though they're the same person who changes her clothes.
Right now, in front of him, it's hard to find an appropriate name to call her now that she had let her hair down, wearing only a light cloth, and has been sleeping like a log from that moment since.
"If your subordinates would love you a little and volunteer to do something like taking care of you instead of me. You bit my hand off and now I have to nursing you back to health. What kind of bullshit is this?" Hisoka sighs and using both of his hands to sit the unconscious girl up, leaning her on the headboard with a soft pillows.
Yes, both of his hands.
Apparently, Abyssal recovers with ridiculously high speed. Wo-Class just somehow sewed his lower arm back and wrapped it, telling him to wait about a day and he'll be fine again. And tadah! There's only a stitch mark left on his arm.
She did tell him to find some protection for his hands like gauntlet or metal claw, but he decided to go against her advice and leave it as is. He can cook better this way, having those captured Destroyers helping him making a curry three days ago was a totally mess. He'll need to do everything on his own starting today onward, now that he's able to use both of his hands.
"Now eat, you little devil."
Hisoka scoops up a spoonful of grated apple porridge and helps this wooden spoon finds its way through that slightly parted lips. It's given that when there's something entering one's mouth, the taste is the only factor that decides it's edible or not. But of course, something sweet for a weakened Princess seems to be edible for her.
Even when she's unconscious, she still swallows it.
That's the power of his cooking that can even tame the wild and uncontrollable Airfield Princess.
Thinking of this, it makes him smile and softens his expression in front of the sleepy girl who might not even remember being fed when she's wide awake. But that's his fatal mistake, because of when he looks up from a bowl with another spoonful, his eyes meet hers.
"Oh? You're awake."
That's the only thing he can mutter out at that moment.
"Now I know why my mouth's so sweet. Is this some kind of payback? You want such petty revenge that much?" With a 'bleh' sound, she makes a disgusting face and curls up her legs, hugging it beneath the blanket. It's not just his imagination but he swears there's a hint of satisfying smile at the corner of this girl's mouth. Her words mean nothing now that her action contradicts.
"Hmm? So you don't like it? I'll give it to some Destroyer when I see them then." As Hisoka puts the spoon down, he heard a single sound of protest and lets out a smug grin.
"….You heard nothing."
"Yup, there's neither earthquake nor thunderstorm here."
Her grumbling stomach is the reason she's trying so hard to hide her blushing face right now. He still doesn't know why Abyssal can still blush red when their blood is black? Is it because of some kind of chemical reaction with the blood or something?
"Hunger should eat. No complaining and just let me feed you. Sweet things gonna make you all lively again in no time." He ignores every complain coming from this girl and shoves a spoonful of porridge in when she's trying to speak something.
"…"
"Delicious? I almost tame everyone in your fleet with foods, you know? Just kidding… If you want a second, just speak up and I'll get it ready for you." Looking at this cheeky princess eating quietly with him feeding her like this destroys the image of menacing Abyssal he had.
"Are you a cook or what? Stop trying to be an Admiral and just go to the kitchen would be a pleasure." That one comment gives him a slight chuckle. Hisoka puts the earthenware bowl down and keeps quiet, glaring at the girl in front of him who had just finished her first meal of the day.
She has her hair down and has this meek and sloppy look on her face. It's like she not the same person who munched his hand off with her rig and shot barrages of cannon shells at him.
Is this her true self when she's off duty?
"What are you looking at? Don't stare at me." Her glare is weak and not hurting at all. It seems like her hate directing to him has already gone for time being. Why? The reason of her action is still unknown to him and he may not have a chance to ever know it.
"How are you feeling? You healed fast but it must be hurt when I…"
"Yes. It did hurt a lot. You nearly grind a hole in my skull and pierce my stomach with that cane! It's healed but it did hurt back then. Well, since you got hurt because of me too, I guess I'll just shrug it off." Hisoka sighs in relieve that she doesn't hold any grudge against him. Now he doesn't have to worry that he might got hit by cannon barrages and turn into a beehive.
"So about those two, can you let me handle that matter?"
It's not like he took care of her to ask for a favor. This is just a side benefit. He took care of her because it's because of him that she was unconscious for three whole days.
"Just do whatever you want. But I want them away from my base as soon as possible. You don't know how persistent humans can be when they want something and they must have it." He agreed with her on this matter. Unlike him who care about the consequence of what he's doing. The top brass of IJN doesn't really mind about having the Abyssal roaming around when they have Ship-girl at their disposal.
"Their ambition is too high, it's almost limitless."
He knows that all too well.
But their superior is someone he also knows well too. Even though his daughter is a little too unpredictable but according to how she did things in the past. She'd have sent a scouting squadron full of Submarines here already. It's good that he can issue some command to this girl's subordinates to carry out his plan.
What plan? It's a plan to ensure that this base will not be found.
It's a bit risky for both of the Destroyers Ageha kidnapped, but that's the only way he can divert the Scouting Squadron from finding this place. It's a risk for their future as a Ship-girls, he used their rigs, scattering it around at the bottom of the ocean, misleading anyone who wants to know where they are away from here.
"You look like you have a plan."
"I do have one, but hell, the Princesses are not going to be happy about this." His words hook her up and get her eyes all sparkle. For this mischievous girl, something like raiding some naval base would be really interesting.
Yes, he did plan to let them go back.
After he can test how Hiyori will fair against an unknown first.
He's still wondering what kind of command she'll give once the Scouting Squadron delivers what they have found to their Admiral. She'll be mad for sure, to see something like 'You're fooled (laugh)' written on a paper addressed to her.
He can hardly stop laughing thinking about it.
"I'll just let them go. It's not like I want anything from them or their superior. You also just want to dispose this anchorage off of them Ship-girls, am I right? But it's no good to lay a hand on my secretary to vent off your anger, okay?"
"Ah, what a waste. You're too soft for an Abyssal, just like Seaport and Airfield. Seems like you're on a good term with them too, right? Ah, there's also Battleship Princess too." It's true that he's on a good term with the mentioned three, but he doesn't think that they're soft though. If it's just an appearance, then he'd admit that Seaport is soft. He's a man too, okay?
"Well, if I'm soft then what's with this look on your face? You're smiling, Princess." The said Princess just shrugs at his word and lays down on her bed again. It's bad to sleep right away after finishing your meal but he has to let her be, she's weak and he doesn't want to get violated verbally.
"I don't know if you want to move or not, but there's an abandoned facility suited for living outside any of Princesses or Demons' jurisdiction. Far west from here, there are small uninhabited islands you might fathom."
Hisoka nods at her words, utters her to continue.
"It's Phoenix Islands. A group of small islands you'd like to make as your operational base, your daughter will have a many playgrounds too." The latter part made him grinning like a mad man. And the speaker who had just realized what she had spoken, she's also blushing with the same shade as of a ripe tomato.
"It's okay to have soft spot for a cute kid. I, too, have one. Fufufu." He said before gathering up everything and gets up. It's about time he has to make dinner for those who wants to eat, mainly the two Destroyers, Ageha, and Wo-Class. And some of this Princess's subordinates recently became a part of dinner table too.
"See you around soon, if you still feel like resting then I'll bring you a lunch in an hour or so. Be a good girl, okay?" Hearing her scoff as he's heading out, it gives him yet another smile on his face.
Hisoka makes his way to the kitchen he had cleaned with all his effort back when he reached this anchorage. All the materials he brought were also stored there too, but right now it's almost depleted because of two unforeseeable gluttonies.
Right about now, those two should be playing with Ageha at that place where he fought Southern War Princess…
And as he was about to go and ask what they want for lunch, he was stopped by a loud noise of something clashing together outside of the building. It came from the place he was heading, and to tell anyone the truth, he's now having a really bad feeling about this.
Yuudachi did ask him to teach her sword. And Ageha is the type who would play with everyone she likes too. He only hopes that Shigure can stop any of them…
Hisoka turned to the kitchen to put what's in his hand into the sink and rushes out from the main building to where the sounds came from. The faster he walks, the louder those sounds become.
When he reaches the place,…
"Argh, those two idiots are really fighting!"
Looking at how Ageha and Yuudachi going at each other with a metal pipe in their hands, he almost freaked out on spot. Seriously, metal pipe!? Who on earth gives kids metal pipes when they're fighting with each other!?
He stops to digest the situation a little bit and sprints up to the said person who has many deformed pipes lay wasted beside her.
"You idiot! Why did you let them fight!? Wo-Class!?"
But contrasting to his fuming attitude, her calm and cold posture gives him a headache. Is this girl really someone he knew in the past? That person won't stand still with her hands clenched deciding who to root for when kids is fighting in front of her!
"Eh? What's wrong with it? Wo?"
"Everything! Why did you let them fight each other in the first place? And why metal pipes!? They'll get hurt!" Just as he was about to ignore Wo-Class and stops this mess, Shigure who had just noticed his presence grabs his arm, stopping him from doing so.
"Please let them fight. If not then Yuudachi wouldn't be able to calm down, I want to stop it too but there's no choice." Now this girl doesn't seem to have told him something yet. Her vague way of putting all the reason to stop him from interfering has him hooked.
"What about it?"
"Umm, you see, Yuudachi is about to reach the stage she can be remodeled. In my case, I was able to be remodeled right away, but her case is different considering where we are right now." His brows rose, as well as the level of his curiosity about all this. Now that he looks at Shigure again, she seems different from when they last met at Yokosuka Naval District. She looks a bit older, more mature, and has this feeling of being a grown up unlike her sister.
"So you were remodeled already, then with Yuudachi's case, it's like she has too much energy to stay still?" With Shigure nodding, he sighs and decided to stay back from the fight. Looking at both of them going ham, he can't swallow that they're Destroyer and Submarine.
The loud bang and the dent they left on their pipes are at least about Battleship level power. If he remembers correctly, Destroyer Yuudachi has really high firepower that can rival even Battleship. But in Ageha's case, who knows how many hard times she has given to her opponent with her extra limbs.
"Ah, by the way, it's about a time for lunch. What do you want to eat? Oh, that's right! I'll make the winner's favorite! Let's go with that!" He intentionally speaks louder on the latter part to end this as soon as possible. I won't be funny if they're all bruised.
And then they go nuts…
"And Wo-Class! Stop! Put that pipe down right now!"
"Eh? But what about my favorite? Wo?"