Commander
6:00 AM. "So, you're really leaving Bismarck?" I asked the Iron Blood battleship as she stood at the edge of the port with Roon and U-556. The sun had only risen a few minutes ago, giving the seas a warm, golden hue as seagulls flew overhead. The skies are clear and the ocean is calm: perfect for sailing long distances. Eugen woke up early just for today to see her friend off but I would have thought Tirpitz would be here to see her sister off… I guess not.
"Ja. Orders from the Fatherland, Commander." Bismarck replied. Roon approached me and gave me a huge hug.
"I will be back, alright, my Commander?" She said. "So for now, don't look at any other girls, alright?"
I shot my eyes over at Eugen to see her smugly trying to hide her laughter. Does she or does she not mean what she said yesterday?
Upon seeing my gaze cast on her fellow heavy cruiser, Roon glared at Eugen, which made her smug smile disappear. "Don't you lay a finger on my Commander, or I will crush you!"
Eugen regained her composure and replied: "Hmm? Make sure you get back safe first, Roon. Then we can talk about this, klar?"
Roon begrudgingly pulled away upon Bismarck's command.
"Not to worry, Commander! I, U-556, Parceval of the Seas, shall ensure both Lord Bismarck and Roon returns safe and sound!" U-556 declared as she ran around Bismarck in glee. I spot a smile on the Iron Blood battleship before she turned around and stepped on the ocean.
"Auf wiedersehen, Commander, Eugen,"
Bismarck's eyes seemed to light up as she glanced over my shoulder. With a smile, the trio finally left the port. As I turned, I felt a slight chilly breeze hit my face.
"Eugen," I called out to my secretary. "Did you feel that icy breeze?"
Eugen smiled and replied. "That, my Commander, is a quiet, reserved sister wishing our flagship good luck."
As I finally understood, Eugen eagerly took my arms. "So, Commander, how do you want to be trained by me today?~"
I giggled as we paced towards the infirmary where Eugen's room continues to serve as my office while my own residence is still unavailable.
"You don't have any work today, Eugen," gently removed her hands. "If you don't mind, I would like you to go get Graf Zeppelin from the Iron Blood residence today. I'd like to speak to her by, say, 0800 hours?"
Eugen looked at me with confused eyes. "Hmm? What kind of a job is that, Commander?"
Does she find this task mundane?
"Hey, Commander?" She called out to me. "Just don't work too hard, o-kay?~"
Eugen pressed her lips on my cheek as she ran off in the direction of the Iron Blood residence.
She never gets tired of teasing me, does she?
6:24 AM. I stopped by the Sakura Empire residence in order to seek out a certain fox girl who is fond of devising clever ways of carrying out her missions. Recently, due to her unstable health, I made Amagi go easy on the missions she was taking but… she asked me to play a game of shogi to decide if she would obey me or not.
I would rather not say how many times I asked for a rematch… She still hasn't lost at all anyway…
I crept along the Japanese bonsai to avoid a certain other fox girl and a certain bird from noticing my presence…
6:31 AM. I finally reached Amagi's window without any problems. I normally wouldn't do this but… the last time I visited her a week ago, I almost ended up in the infirmary myself with how much Akagi and Taihou were pulling on each my arms. It was only when Amagi arrived that Akagi finally gave up. Taihou almost kidnapped me until Nagato herself commanded her to lay off… I can't guarantee that I'll be so lucky every time.
I knocked on Amagi's window. No response. Amagi usually responds quickly…
6:40 AM. I decided to sneak into Amagi's room to see if she was alright. Her room was as tidy as I remembered, only she has a new painting of the seas hanging on her wall. It must be Tosa's work.
"Amagi? Are you awake?" I looked around the room looking for the fox lady. "Are you here?"
"Oh? Commander?" I heard Amagi's voice coming from inside her bedroom barred by her bedroom's shoji*. "My, how unexpected. Please wait for me there. I'm getting dressed."
I sat on the zaisu** across Amagi as I saw a slight irk on her face. "Is anything wrong, Amagi?"
Amagi knelt on her own zaisu. Oh! I forgot that I'm not supposed to sit like this. I corrected my sitting posture immediately, bringing a smile to the fox lady.
"Thank you for remembering, Commander. I thought you'd forgotten the proper decorum…" Amagi poured green tea on a teacup and offered it to me. I turned the teacup slightly as I drank slowly. "So, what brings you here?"
"Well," I placed the teacup on the kotatsu***. "I would like to confirm if the fireworks are ready for tonight."
Amagi giggled. "I see, so Prinz Eugen's awakened, I take it?"
"Yeah… she's back with her usual antics as well." Amagi laughed reservedly with her hands covering her lips.
"Well then, I better make sure the destroyers set the fireworks up where I told them to." She drank her tea. "Other than that, I think it's fine."
I nodded approvingly.
"By the way, Commander," I took a sip as Amagi began asking me: "Are you going to pop the question tonight?"
Thank the gods I didn't get any tea on the chuckling Amagi.
"N-No!"
"Haha… you're as easy to read as ever," she stood up to clean the mess I made after spitting my tea on the floor. "Still, to go as far as to organize something like this…"
I myself don't understand it, either. I don't dislike Eugen—only when she stirs trouble with the other factions. She's pretty capable but aloof. She's responsible but carefree. If only I can read her mind as well as Amagi can read mine…
"Amagi!" She began coughing up a storm as I grabbed a glass of water for her. "Are you fine?"
"Daijoubu—I mean, yes," she instinctively answered. "I apologize for my health, Commander but, I am feeling better. I take it you don't have time for a game of shogi today… still please consider visiting me and my sisters more often. Akagi misses you a lot, you know?"
She always has her sister's well-being on her mind, doesn't she? Moreover, her condition… I don't think it's getting better. I asked Vestal to take a look at Amagi's condition several times but the results are always the same: there's absolutely nothing wrong with her body and her mental cube. It seems that Amagi's condition is hidden to even the most advanced medical technologies… Vestal even suggests that it may be an innate condition that comes from her mental cube itself.
"Sure, Amagi. But please take care of yourself…"
Amagi picked up her parasol and strolled out her room. "Care to join me for a walk, Commander?"
I shook my head. A lot of preparations have to be made for tonight. As much as I enjoy our talks about history and war strategies, I don't have much free time today.
"Then I'll see you tonight, Commander. Akagi will be here soon so, if you need to leave early, now would be the time." She giggled. "I'll tell Kashino to drop by your office by, say, 0800 hours? Since Prinz Eugen isn't with you, you must have sent her to go get Graffy—I mean Graf by that time, right?"
She really is a better planner than me. "Y-Yes. Thank you for your help, Amagi."
She turned to leave, strolling gracefully and unhurriedly amidst the falling cherry blossoms found in the inner court of the Sakura Empire residence gardens just outside her room. I forgot how beautiful she looks under those petals in fall. If only your sister was more like you…
Eugen
The Commander's acting awfully suspicious today. Usually, he'd work me to the bone: asking me to go get his mail, or to pick up the commission rewards, or update the files he reviewed the previous night. Today, he issued no such orders: he only told me to get Graf to come see him by 8 AM today… I wonder, did I tease him too much last night?
I approached the Iron Blood residence for the first time after two weeks. The exterior looked mostly the same ignoring that one hole where my room used to be. About a dozen men supported by scaffolding are raised to the second floor where it is found, presumably working hard to restore it.
Honestly, I would prefer staying a bit longer with my adorable Commander… hehe just joking.
"Eugen." A chilly voice came from the hall where Bismarck's office is found. "Do you need anything?"
I turned to see a short and silver-haired version of Bismarck wearing what looks like an elegant, long, white ball gown. "Tirpitz? And you wore that without your sister seeing how gorgeous you are~"
Tirpitz, unmoved by my joke, asked again: "Do you need anything, Eugen?"
She is so like her sister.
"Well, the Commander told me to get Graf to his office by 0800 today." I replied. "Still, what's with the outfit?"
Tirpitz turned slightly, as if she wanted me to evaluate how she looked in the gown.
"I simply wanted to try out this gown Bismarck bought me a week ago," Tirpitz happily replied. Wait… she's smiling? Maybe our Lone Queen of the North is not so lonely anymore with her sister around. Way to go, Bismarck.
"You look wonderful!" I replied. "Better watch it, though. Those dogs outside want meat and you're smoking, Tirpitz."
Those men outside… I don't like them. They look like they came from the Union, too. Maybe I just have an issue with Union men and their toys but…
Tirpitz stood back up straight and brought out her guns. "They'll have my guns to talk to if they try anything funny."
Ah… so like her sister. Always going straight to the punch.
"By the way, Bismarck told me you're in-charge," I smiled. "Then, we'll be in your care, Tirpitz."
She blushed a little and replied: "I'm no where near as capable as my sister when it comes to leading… I would appreciate your help with that, Eugen. I understand you have a lot of combat experience I lack, too."
I patted Tirpitz on her back. "Don't worry. We'll support you. Then, I'll be seeing you later. Auf wiedersehen, Tirpitz."
I decided to pay my elder sister a visit before reaching Graf's room on the third floor. Hipper's room is found right next to mine, only further in the hallways. As I walked briskly to her room, I pass by my own and spot those men attaching new lights on the ceiling.
Just make sure those things don't explode, Union boys, or I'll blow you up myself.
Without knocking, I stealthily opened the door to Hipper's room.
I spot my sister handling her electric guitar and going at it with all her soul. How adorable!
I took a seat in front of Hipper who closed her eyes as she made her soulful rock performance. Once she finished, I put my hands together. Honestly, my sister should consider becoming an idol instead. I've heard that idols make loads of money… even flat ones.
"H-HUH? How long have you been there? Dummkopf!"
I might need to get Vestal to look at my head again.
After getting kicked out of Hipper's room slightly deaf at her yelling at me and slightly concussed over her fist hitting my head, I finally got to Graf's room.
"Graffy~" I knocked on her door. "It's me, Eugen. You don't hate me so much you won't open the door, do you?"
After a few seconds, the door creaked open. "What do you want?"
I can recognize Graf's blood red death glare anywhere—even if she opened her door ever so slightly.
"Guten tag, Graffy~"
"Ugh… I told those three to stop calling me that," our aircraft carrier mumbled. She's probably referring to the time she, Illustrious, Amagi, and Yorktown got together on a tea party once. Yorktown called her "Graffy" then… and I have been calling her that ever since hehe~
"Anyway, Graf," I straightened. "The Commander told me to bring you to his erm… office by 0800 hours today."
Graf opened the door fully. Ah… there they are. The only pair of chests I am jealous of in the entire base…
"Ehem." Graf noticed me staring at her oversized assets, giving me the death glare again. "You're free to stay in my room, if you'd like."
Wait… what's this? Graf Zeppelin: the aircraft carrier who hates everything and everyone aside from Zeppy actually invited me in her room? Something is definitely up!
"Hmm? Alright, Graf," I chuckled. "What's going on? The Commander's up to something, I can tell."
Graf cast her eyes away as she tried avoiding eye contact. Guilty, are we?
"Say, you wouldn't be doing anything with the Commander, would you?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Eugen." Graf stepped out of her room.
"Mommy!" Little Zeppy came rushing out trying to catch up to the already-departing Graf Zeppelin.
After hugging Zeppy, Graf carried her. "Watch Zeppy for me, Eugen."
"H-HUH? Wait, why do I have to watch a child on my day off?" Wait, I suddenly sound like Hipper now!
Graf gave me another one of her death glares as Zeppy did the same in her arms.
And thus, began my life as a secretary and as Zeppy's temporary nanny…
After playing with the annoying little carrier, Zeppy finally fell fast asleep on Graf's bed. I can't imagine what having a child must be like… I can't even take care of myself well. How am I supposed to take care of another person?
The sun is going down as well. Zeppy and I had our lunch together a few hours ago and, mein gott, was it a terrible experience. The little carrier would make her little planes fly around, messing with my hair and turning Graf's room into a mini warzone. I had to catch all the little bombs they kept dropping all over the place if I didn't want our bigger carrier to drop me off her plane!
"Eugen." Graf Zeppelin finally entered her room bringing… my black gown? "Get dressed."
"What are you Wales now, Graf?" I joked. "You've earned more of my respect though… how do you deal with this little twerp?"
Graf tossed me my dress, which I caught mid-air. "Do you want to drink or not?"
Did she say… drink?
I hurriedly got dressed and fixed my hair. Graf wouldn't let me out of her room without first doing so… Just what exactly is going on? Is she simply tricking me into wearing my favorite gown for fun? That's not like Graf…
Graf exited the bathroom of her room dressed in a black party gown. It had a lot of embellishments that go from her waist to her skirt which extends to about an inch above her feet. The top of her dress has a plunging neckline that emphasized her bountiful mounds. Show-off.
"Let's go. The Commander's waiting."
I walked out of the dorm with Graf Zeppelin, her mounds bouncing about in danger of spilling out of her ball gown.
"You really don't fear exposing yourself… do you Graf?"
"I didn't really buy this for myself." She replied. "Illustrious, Yorktown, and Amagi forced me to buy it. Well, I shouldn't complain. It's a bit more comfortable up here than my normal attire anyway."
I really want to slap her breasts now…
After exiting the dorm, I saw about a dozen rows of roundtables arranged neatly in front of the Iron Blood dorm. Each one of the roundtables had a barrel with a tap on it. C-Could it be?
"Do you like it?" The Commander surprised me as he suddenly popped up right beside me. "As thanks for you hard work and for saving my life…"
"Commander… I—"
I looked up to see colorful fireworks adorning the night sky. Red, gold, silver—all the colors you can imagine, covering the sky like a garden of beautiful flowers! Y-You… you went this far…
"Have as much beer as you want, Eugen," I could cry as the Commander said: "Servus!"
The Commander took my hand and guided me to a table where Tirpitz, Z23, and Hipper were sitting. Graf Zeppelin followed closely behind as Z46 sat next to Tirpitz.
I was still dumbfounded. For the first time since I came to this base, the Commander… he's truly exceeded my expectations… I knew he was up to something but nothing like this!
I took my seat next to Nimi and the Commander was about to sit next to me, too when suddenly, a fox lady grabbed the Commander by the arm.
"Commander~" Akagi twisted her tails around the Commander as he was helplessly whisked away to where Kaga, Amagi, and Tosa were sitting.
"Someone looks happy," Prince of Wales, wearing a red gown, smugly commented as she passed behind me. "Good evening, ladies."
Everyone from my table nodded to her.
"Get out of here, Wales!" I joked. "Don't you have more chips to dunk your tea in?"
Wales let out a pretty loud laugh. "Well, I do prefer tea but… a little liquor won't hurt. Anyway, enjoy your night, ladies." She said before joining the rest of the tea-swigging club at their own table.
"Frau Eugen," Nimi addressed me as I began filling my mug full of Oktoberfest beer. "Please take it easy… I know we haven't really experienced Oktoberfest since we've never been out of this island but do remember your condition… h-hey please listen to me!"
I ignored Nimi's pleas as I downed several mugs of beer in one go. It's not enough… I want more!
After several mugs… everything started spinning… why do I feel like sobbing? Nimi, Z46 and Hipper finally slammed their cute faces on the table… haha… amateurs… HICC!
"Eugen. That's quite enough," Graf tried to stop me from drinking another mug.
Tirpitz stood up and tried turning off the faucet that supplies drinks? Liquor? Eh, whatever, to my mug. Sad for her, I'm just getting warmed up!
She sighed and scratched her head as she left me in the care of Graf Zeppelin. Hihi it's quite a rare sight seeing a battleship carry two drunk destroyers and a flat cruiser… haha lightweights… hihi… HICC!
After everyone's gone home, only Zeppelin and I were left drinking.
"You know, Graffy hihi…" I said. "How did you get your boobs that big? You're always showing off those things… I sometimes wanna touch 'em…"
Graf grabbed my hand on the way to her right breast. "Do so and you end up in the infirmary again."
I giggled—HICC! "Graffy… what the hell do I dooo?"
She put her mug down for a second. "Explain."
I sat up straight and raised my head to the pitch-black, or is it bright? I dunno… HICC… sky. "The Commander he… HICC… he went this far for me… but all I ever did was lie to his face…"
I wanna cry… but I'm so happy…
Graf stayed silent for a second, finished her mug, and grabbed another. "Eugen, do you love the Commander?"
I looked at her in confusion. "Love? HICC—maybe? You don't lie to the people you love, right?"
Graf stared at me hard. But her gaze… it's much different from when she glared at me. Her eyes are sorrowful; as if she sympathizes with me.
"I know it's not easy… what you're going through," she answered. "Hold onto him. Don't lose yourself, Eugen. You're lucky to have something to not hate."
Graf looked behind her to see the Commander approaching. She finished her drink and stood up.
"Your mission is over, Eugen," she said. "Please, don't make it any harder on yourself… forget it. Let the alcohol drown out your worries… before you lose yourself and the one you love."
And with that, Graf made her way towards the Commander saying something I can't make out. She then walked towards the Iron Blood dorm.
Commander
"Please take care of her," Graf Zeppelin approached me as I made my way towards Eugen. "She's… going through a lot, Commander. She needs you more than ever."
I nodded before the aircraft carrier walked away silently.
My secretary's drunk. I did tell her to have all the beer she wanted but…
"…Huh? Commander?" She said, her words slightly slurred. "Is that you?"
"Yes, Eugen. Did you have fun?" I said with a satisfied smile on my face. She's cute when she's like this… not that I would love to see her drunk but… there's something charming about her smile right now. It's as if her smile is that of a person without a care in the world; yes, Eugen right now, is the happiest I have ever seen her in all her days in this base. "You seem a little… drunk though."
Eugen tried standing straight only to fumble and lose her balance. Luckily, I was able to catch her. "Me, drunk? No way… well, if I was, Commander," she hiccupped, "what are you planning to do to me?"
Oh no… I'm struggled to carry this heavy cruiser back on her seat that I accidentally…
"Hehe… Commander, that's quite the scandalous expression you've got there... Are you sure you're not drunk, with how red your face is~?"
I'm only blushing because of how close your face is to mine! Not to mention I've fallen on my back with you on top of me…
I carried Eugen and let her sit on her chair properly again. "Commander? So, what do you like about me? My personality... or my body? If you lie, I'll make you take a shot~"
H-How can I answer a question like that? "Eugen, you're drunk. Give me—"
"You want to drink this? Not~ gonna~ share~" she pulled her mug away from my hands. I allowed her to finish one last mug before carrying her on my back.
"Commander~ let's have a drink~ and two more drinks~ ahh... let's keep going~" She whispered to my ear as I carried her back to the Infirmary where we shared a room.
"Eugen, I'll let you drink some more when you get better… alright?" I told her.
"Pfft... You're just too cute when you act all bashful but still can't resist trying to ogle me, ahaha~!"
I decided to stop talking to Eugen until we reached our room. Once we arrived, I carefully laid her on the bed. I… I can see her breast mole…
"You~ lewd~ beast~ Ahahaha~" Eugen said as she pulled my necktie in, making me fall on the bed on top of her.
T-This is bad!
I tried looking away but…
"Commander…" Eugen's tone suddenly changed. "Am I a bad secretary?"
I turned to see Eugen's teary eyes. Why is she crying?
"I… I think I might have done something wrong…" she continued. "Would you hate me then?"
I pat Eugen's head. "No… no way Eugen. You saved my life."
"So, did you do all that just to reward me?" She sobbed some more. "I… I don't need… I don't deserve any reward, you know?"
This is probably just because she's drunk but I remembered Graf's words: "She's… going through a lot, Commander. She needs you more than ever."
"I… I didn't just do that to reward you." I replied while looking into her mesmerizing, amber eyes. "I don't understand it fully but… I think I—"
Suddenly, I felt electricity surging from my lips throughout my body as a wave of warmth came over me. Eugens arms wrapped around my body as our lips softly touched each other, locking into each other like magnets.
Eugen pulled back gasping for air.
"Commander, Ich liebe dich…" She said, her eyes completely locked onto mine.
I pant for a bit… the heat taking over my senses…
"I love you too, Eugen."