Butterflies And Dragons:
Chapter 53:
Blue and Red
Admiral Kensuke Tanaka went to the top of the cliff overlooking Etajima and looked toward the horizon. He could see nothing but trees full of cherry blossoms on the island and on neighboring Honshu. A strong gust and a flurry of fresh pink petals welcomed him into the morning, which dawned the start of a new school year and new hopes and dreams for the men and women of one of the greatest nations on Earth. And the sun rose in all its grandeur, while a certain Dave Rodgers tune played in the background.
"When the cherry blossoms bloom like this," he said, grabbing a handful of petals and taking a generous whiff before tossing them into the ocean, "I feel alive. I feel ready to take on the world and die for my country."
"Do you?" A voice.
The admiral turned around. It was Kongou, dressed in a kimono. "Ah, Kongou, it's you. Or should I say, Karen?"
Karen Kujou was her real name as she relaxed on the cliff, sitting in a wariza position, kneeling. "Admiral, would you like to lay down for a moment?"
"I'd like to lay down with you like this anytime I want," he said as he lay down with Kongou, caressing her soft face and giving her a kiss. "When I am with you, I yearn to be alive and ready, I yearn to be on fire for you."
She giggled. "Oh hush Admiral, you know you wouldn't want it any other way. So...how's Akagi doing?"
"They recently upped the training regimen and are wrapping up their enrichment studies," he replied. "Fubuki and Shimakaze have been keeping score. Fusou and Yamashiro have been filming their technique and form and position of their shots."
"Hmmm..."
"The American-based shipgirls have been providing background of the competition at the Games. And Little Kaga is working on improving her helicopter carrier skills over at the Port of Los Angeles. All in all, I think the girls are wise to accelerate preparations for the meet and they have been simulating 70m rounds to sharpen their form."
"Who's looking the best?"
"From what Fubuki has been telling me, Souryuu has improved her accuracy significantly but Kaga remains the most consistent of the four. I already sent Akitsushima and Akitsu Maru to scout the event area, the Sambodromo, for any tuneup meets and the playing condition. Both of them are expected to return on the fifth with their report. There is some bad news, though."
"What bad news?"
"The Zika virus is actually the presence of Abyssals invisibly affecting the drinking water of the area where the Games will be held. I am scheduling a meeting next month with officials from the JMSDF to consider bringing the entire fleet to Brazil as cover for the girls heading ahead of us. But we will need to sail over there and that may take one week since we also need to stop for resupplying. The trip would be in mid-July."
"Oh, so I am planning to go with you, Admiral?"
"There is just one issue with that: expectant shipgirls will have to stay behind. Kitakami, Ooi, Kashima, Suzuya and Kumano will have to stay here while they are pregnant. Kisaragi is still growing and will have to stay here, but Mutsuki will be heading with us. If you play to be...you know what I am talking about, you will have to stay here too."
"I don't mind, Admiral."
"Are you sure?"
Kongou looked up. "It's nice to not have to fight every now and then. I can ease the flames of burning love for the sake of motherhood over cups of tea. I do want Hiei, Haruna and Kirishima to do their best if they have to head out."
The Admiral thought about it, then said, "I need you to do some special work for me. You're going to be doing less expeditions and battling, and more teaching. Follow me."
"What, we're taking in students?" asked Kongou.
"For the first time in history, we will be bringing in female recruits to show that there can be female admirals in our KanMusu Division. I want you to meet them."
"Fantastic!" she said in English as she followed the Admiral to the auditorium, where an assembly of new recruits welcomed her, the Admiral, Nagato, Mutsu and Ooyodo.
She wanted to be of use to the world, like Fubuki. That was the ideal of Akeno Misaki, with her short brown twin tails tied back in yellow ribbons. She and her childhood friend, Moeka China, had dreams of being out on the open seas, or at least commands some sort of fleet. Anything to prove to her family that she could be somebody in the military.
Etajima was her one big opportunity. Since the base was opened up to allow female students to command the Kantai Collection when they graduated, an influx of recruits applied. She was among the select few that made the cut and would enlist at the newly-formed Etajima Girls' Marine High School and KanMusume Academy. The thrille of the open sea, the wonder and beauty and peacefuless of the Pacific energized Akeno. She wanted this to be the beginning of the rest of her life.
Akeno got there by jet scooter to the base. She earned her license to operate this type of craft one year ago so that she could move out of Tokyo and live on the island of Etajima. She liked eating bananas and was snacking on a few before she arrived with the others in her class.
A new yellow cat that the Admiral purchsed, the Failure Penguin and Miss Cloud were seated across from the Admiral, who made his speech. Behind the Admiral were the entire KanMusu that were active, dressed in their uniforms, the destroyers at the front, the cruisers in the middle, the carriers and battleships and other ships in the back.
"Young ladies from across our wonderful nation," he said, "THe Japanese Marine Self-Defence Forces, the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Government of Japanese, His Majesty the Emperor, my self and the entire Kantai Collection welcome you, distinguished cadets, as our very first class of the Etajima Girls' Marine High School and KanMusume Academy, the world's first-ever Kantai Collection training centre that allows young women to use the KanMusu as a means of protecting our waters and promoting the name of peace throughout the world. I am the Admiral of this fleet and your headmaster, Admiral Kensuke Tainaka. My subordinates are Battleship Nagato, Battleship Mutsu and Heavy Cruiser Ooyodo.
"I want to congratulate you wonderful ladies for taking the first step in your new future as members of a special branch of our naval forces. There has been change these last several months regarding my role with the JMSDF. It has been recommended that I, with the help of this fleet, train the new wave of commanders to carry on this tradition of empowering women as instruments of peace throughout the seas of commerce. I have chose all of you to be my successors.
"Your journey will not be easy. There will be bumps, bruises, highs and lows. But don't lose your way, don't lose heart. When you graduate, you will form a team of commanders built to operate this fleet here, and also in our outposts in Germany, Italy and the United States, the Blue Mermaids.
"Make this your moment to shine and be amazing. May the fates be on your side, and may your fleets that you bring to battle become the best in the world. And don't let your ships be sunk. Good luck! Nagato, the floor is yours. Please."
The new girls looked at each other, talking amongst themselves with a look of cautious optimism. The Admiral looked at Akeno, who was staring at him with a blush. He nodded and winked, as if to say, "This might be a busy day for you. Hang in there and have fun."
Akeno had no idea but she had to conclude that he knew something she didn't. The cherry blossoms continued to bloom outside the hall. A massive flock of seagulls flew overhead towards Hiroshima, a glorious sight of avian supremacy to behold.
"Recruits!" exclaimed Nagato's booming voice, causing the girls to sit still, intimidated for a few second. "Good morning. I am Battleship Nagato, Admiral Tanaka's secretary ship and one of the deputy headmasters of this academy. The curriculum at Etajima combines that of a normal high school education in this country with a special curriculum designed to train your military knowledge and skills of handling members of our fleet so that you will eventually form our Blue Mermaid wing of the JMSDF.
"You will be divided into classes and assigned a shipgirls from a list of volunteered members of the KanMusu. There are some ships that will not be available to be selected for your training due to obligation in the United States, they will be indicated in your course materials provided at the end of this meeting. The shipgirl that you are assigned to will need to be taken care of to the best of your ability, as if you're taking good care of a classmate.
"Remember, these are real women going into battle, and your are their support. A number of ships have chosen to withdraw from duty to teach you the fundamentals of your role. Having your ship sunk could resuit in disenrollment, so you need to really watch out for your shipgirl. All shipgirls have been giuen at least one upgrade to accomdate to users of your level. You will using your jet scooters to observe the action and communicate with your selected fleets in the event you are chose to do an exercise or a special mission.
"Be accountable and be excellent in your work. Once you have proven you can make a difference over the course of your time here and you pass the final examination, you will graduate and be enlisted as active members of our JMSDF Blue Mermaid Wing, the protectors of the KanMusu. Thank you for making history and commiting your heart and soul to protecting our country and upholding the name and legacy of the Kantai Collection. Good luck."
Unlucky streaks were Mashiro Munetani's calling card. Having to deal with bad luck and unfortunate circumstances were in her DNA and it had no signs of going away. She wanted to use Etajima as a way to turn her fortunes around, but even so, misfortune followed her here as she fixed her hair with a blow-dryer in the shared showers of the dorm assigned to the cadets. The new additions to the complex were created thanks to the bauxite gathered from hordes of expeditions over the last several weeks.
"Hey, I wanted to let you know that your clothes are now dry!" said Akeno to Mashiro as she opened the door. "I'll leave them here." She set them aide on a basket. "They're also ironed. You should be able to get to class on time, and now you know not to slip on banana peels."
"I'm going to be changing so can you leave, please?"
"Sure!" And before she took off. "Let's be friends, we go to the same school! See you!" Akeno closed the door. Mashiro looked on, frustrated.
The Admiral looked on as the recruits met the members of the KanMusu. Some posed for selfies. Others were doing Vine and Instagram shots. A few parents were also on the ground to meet the shipgirls, who talked about their past existences. Curry samples from Destroyer Group 6 were being distributed, and a number of visitors actually were eating at Mamiya's Bar despite it being school hours.
Generally, the restaurant would be open to the public after school hours, but for this day, the public were allowed to enjoy the world-class cuisine as prepared by Mamiya, Irako, Yamato and Houshou, with Taihou providing some good drinks for the adults. The notable absence of Akagi, Kaga, Souryuu, Hiryuu, Fubuki and Shimakaze was apparent, and some members of the fleet told their tall tales with the Butterflies and Dragons. High above, the Rising Sun flag could be seen all over campus and the vicinity.
11 different ships has volunteered to be the flagships for the different classes. "Holy cow, you got the Musashi!" Akeno said, disappointed she wasn't part of her team.
"I did, I guess..."
"Yes, young lady, she is with me," said Musashi heading over to them, dressed in her outfit. "Battleship Musashi, good morning to both of you."
They bowed and shook hands. "Pleasure to meet you," they both said.
"I've got the full package and you, Ms. China, will be my commander, so you are going to have make sure I put on a strong showing so that you'll be on the books here when you graduate. Think you can handle it."
"I'll do my best," Mocha said, with a salute."
"I'll see in you in a bit and meet the others on my team. Thank you."
"As for you, Mi-ke, you've been assigned to command the Akatsuki," Mocha said.
"It doesn't like she's ready, she feels a little bit drowsy," said Akeno, doubly disappointed. "You're commanding a battleship, but I'm commanding a destroyer? That doesn't make any sense..." An unconfirmed runor suggested that it was alledgly Akatsuki's nature to take a gamble on a untested rookie and allow the shipgirl to teach her the final tooks of the trade. "I wanted to be vice-captain with you. Bummer."
"The roles are the same, no matter what. However, because it's a destroyer, you will get to bond with your flagship more because you know more about it faster. I believe everyone has the same team of people to support the ship, if I'm not mistaken.
"Larger ships are also more difficult to handle, too."
"But it's all worth it. I guarentee it. That's why we're here."
Akeno nodded. "But I only here because I barely passed the exams! I knew the Admiral was up to something when he said I was going to have a busy day! He wasn't kidding!"
"You'll be fine, don't worry about it. Here's the Akatsuki, coming." Akatsuki arrived with her rigging, accompanied by Ikazuchi, Inazuma and Hibiki. "Sorry I won't be able to join the rest of you."
A reassuring hand. "No worries, I can manage without you by my side. I realize that this is the ship I was destined to be with, so I will do my best to give everything to her."
"I like that from you. You never change, even after all these years, and that's what makes you special."
"New friends, new adventures...that's part of being young. That's part of life."
"We're all fighting for the same cause. We're all on the same team, so you can't have any bad feelings about it to begin with."
"We're all going to be Blue Mermaids, so let's give it our best!"
"Live, protect and sail the sea. That's the spirit of the Blue Mermaids!" The optimism was there, the energy was high, full steam ahead. Akatsuki saw the two of them with their pose and flashed her signature doyagao, acknowledging that fact. This lady was set to make a lady out of the new girl of a commander. Signed, sealed, delivered, onions. On the plaza of the campus joining the two sections, flags of every nation were planted, as well as all the 47 prefectures of the country. In the background as some shipgirls adjourned to run laps in their gym uniforms, a song penned by John C. Fogerty and stolen by the Argentines was playing.
"I see a bad moon rising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.
Don't go around tonight,
Well it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.
I hear hurricanes a blowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.
Well don't go around tonight,
Well it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.
Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.
Well don't go around tonight,
Well it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.
Don't come around tonight,
Well it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise."
Fubuki woke up. The sting of the April sun shocked her bleary eyes as she got up. "Huh? Why am I in my uniform?" She noticed that her clothes were a bit dirty. Then she looked around. Tragedy. Calamity. A living hell. Houses toppled over. Children crying in vail for their mothers. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Loss of life.
"No way, this can't be..." She went to a young girl, covered in blood as she tried to revive her mother. "Are you all right? What happened?"
"She is not breathing, please save her!" she cried.
Fubuki gave the lady CPR and felt a faint pulse. A number of first responders came in to try to revive her. "I'll let you take it from here," she said, as she got up and watched the medics try to revive her.
No time to lose, no time to waste, she had to look around. "Why aren't Akagi-sempai, Ken-kun and the others here to help? This is terrible!" Fubuki cried, tears comimng out of her eyes. She passed by the scenes of disaster, more toppled houses, more people killed, the scenes of relief efforts amassing at every turn.
She noticed that a house was close to falling off its foundations. She tried to run and escape the building but she tripped and fell. Fubuki would not make it in time. The heavy stucco and wood were closing in. It was over...
...or was it?
Breaking in cold sweats, Fubuki immediately woke up, breathing heavily, her eyes bulging as she realized she was back in her dorm room, Shimakaze and Little Kaga sleeping next to her, sandwiching her. "A...dream?" She was wearing a shirt and white side-tie panties, and she had a headache.
"Mmmmm...Fubuki, are you okay?" murmured Shimakaze, not knowing she was fondling her chest.
"Is the remote next to you?"
"Got it," Little Kaga said, and she turned on the news.
"Prime Minister Shinzō Abe mobilized 3,000 personnel of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to assist local authorities with search and rescue and recovery efforts," said the news anchor as the NHK broadcasted scenes of the cadets and KanMusu helping with search and rescue and recovery efforts.
"Who are those people helping Ken-kun?" Fubuki said.
"New faces," Shimakaze said as she watched one of the cadets being interviewed.
"I was originally going to train controlling Akatsuki as her commander but then the situation changed and we ended up having to assist with humanitarian efforts. I think this is a good experience for all of us and we are happy to assist in the relief efforts," Akeno said in her interview as she delivered goods to the victims.
"She reminds me of you, even though I don't know who this person is," said Shimakaze. "Looks like a cool person as well."
Fubuki smiled. "I hope not too many lives were lost. Oh my look at that shrine, it took some damage. Ah, there Mutsuki-chan and Yuudachi-chan helping rebuild the shrine. I like my fleet, and those new faces seem to like assisting with stuff over there. Really cool."
A lot of events were events were going on in America. The college basketball and hockey seasons were wrapping up. A boxer was calling it quits in Las Vegas. An auto race was taking place in nearby Long Beach. A basketball player was retiring from the game as a winner. But none of those events mattered to the Butterflies and Dragons. They would be informed of the efforts of the KanMusu and Blue Mermaid cadet wing to assist the Kumamoto earthquake victims but they were assured that their services wouldn't be needed and that they could continue their training as usual.
END CHAPTER 53
