[Memory]
"Kojou, what do you think?"
"Huh?" I reply to the unknown voice.
"Were you even listening?" Choukai asks.
"Uhhh...I kind of zoned out for a while." I say.
She sighs. "Anyway, what do you think we should name the puppy?"
Why is she springing this on me? "...Well...ummm...I-I don't really mind...whatever you decide on I'm fine with."
"How very diplomatic..." Atago remarks at my expense.
I start to reevaluate my surroundings, given that Choukai has turned her attention back to the others. Maya looks like she would rather be anywhere else. Atago is still conversing with Choukai and Takao is...nowhere to be seen. Where would she go?
...What's that noise? Sounds like...clunking of plates and trays. It's coming from the kitchen. Probably Takao...I can't stand this heavy atmosphere ever since I gave my opinion so I'm leaving.
They haven't stopped me, so that's good.
I enter the kitchen and, sure enough, Takao is handling the washing up as well as...eating some of the leftovers.
"Hey, Takao." I casually say.
"Uwaaahhh!" She's surprised at my sudden arrival, so much so that she drops the bit of food she had in her hand.
"Sorry..." I say. "Didn't mean to scare you."
Takao facepalms with a blush, but still smiles. "Oh my god...Kojou, you didn't hear anything, correct?"
"C-correct." I affirm.
Takao removes her hand from her face. "What did you come out here for?"
"Well, I zoned out a little while ago and when I zoned back in, you were gone. Also, I heard you making a racket in here." I explain.
"Not that I don't appreciate it, but why did you come to see me personally?" She asks while returning to her cleaning.
"When I zoned back in, I was being questioned by Choukai about the name for the dog." I say. "Apparently, my answer wasn't satisfactory as a heavy air was draped over the room as soon as I said it."
"So, your using me for solace, is that it?" She's overly curious.
"I guess so..." I say.
"Well, I'm honored to be your source of comfort, even if just for today." What is she on about?
"Uh...yeah." This conversation crash landed.
An awkward silence takes over the kitchen.
[Azur Lane]
"Hang on, give me a second to collect myself." The Commander straightens himself.
"Are we ever going to reach a conclusion to this canine debate?" Takao asks.
"I'm getting there..." The Commander replied.
"Oh, Takao, don't rush him." Atago says.
"I-I'm just a little curious..." Takao retreats slightly.
The office door opens.
"Excuse me..." A maid enters. "Oh, I didn't know you had company, Master."
"I guess I did keep it a bit secretive..." The Commander addresses her. "What did you come here for, Belfast?"
"Simply to check on you, Master." Bel calmly states. "You've been working hard recently, and I wanted to make sure you're fine."
"Thanks, but I'm okay." The Commander replies.
"Then, is there anything that you or the ladies would like right now?" Belfast seems ready to comply at any moment.
"Water, please." Atago requests.
"Same here." The sisters answered sequentially.
"I'd like a coffee." The Commander jumped in.
"Very well." Belfast prepared to head to the refreshment room. "I shan't be long."
[Memory]
"...Kasumi..."
"That...good..."
"What...think...jou..."
I'm tired.
"Kojou!"
"Huh?" I zone back in.
"What's with you recently?" Choukai asks, with a lot of concern in her voice. "You've been spacing out more and more."
"Ah, well..." I scratch my head. "If I told you the truth, it would upset you."
"Now I HAVE to know!" Choukai pressures.
"If you insist..." I take a deep breath. "It's what happens when I'm bored."
"If that's the case, then..." She comes over to me. "We'll just have to get you more involved."
"N-no, that's not what I meant..." I mutter.
"Let's think of a topic that Kojou's interested in!" Choukai tells my other sisters.
"Wait, we still haven't gotten his verdict on naming the pup 'Kasumi', have we?" Takao interjects.
"That's true." Atago agrees, then turns to me. "What do you honestly think?"
"Kasumi actually doesn't sound too bad." I answer with as much enthusiasm as I can muster. (Which isn't a lot...)
"Right." Takao then addresses everyone. "Are we all in agreeance that our new dog should be named 'Kasumi'?"
Nobody protests.
"Then, her name is now Kasumi!" Atago says before Takao. "Thank you everyone for your help."
"Much obliged..." Maya stands. "I am now returning to my room, unless you have further business with me."
"No, no, you're free to go." Choukai sounds defeated.
"Hmph." Maya wanders away and up the stairs, out of sight.
I take this new silence as an opportunity to excuse myself.
"Sorry, everyone, but I'm a bit tired, so I am heading to bed now." I rise to my feet.
"Oh, alright then!" Choukai perks up, despite the fact that I'm leaving. "Goodnight, Kojou!~"
"See you in the morning, Kojou." Takao says.
"Are you really going to sleep without giving Big Sis a hug?" Atago suddenly stands up and outstretches her arms.
"Uh..." I look over to Choukai and Takao, trying to plead with my eyes.
"Gotcha!" Ugh, my message didn't reach them...
I swear Atago is an human-sized, walking, talking vice.
"Sweet dreams, Kojou!~" Atago says as she squeezes the oxygen out of me.
[Next Morning]
I have woken up so early, that it's still dark outside and inside. Due to my luck, I won't be able to sleep again for a couple hours.
"Ugh..." I quietly grumble as I get up.
My phone says it's 4:43am. That's too early for anyone, including Choukai, the most proactive of us all.
I peer into the empty, dark hallway and am just about able to see that my sisters' doors are all closed, a sure sign that they are still asleep. Or...at least in there.
The journey downstairs is one I make as quietly as I can. God forbid I wake up Maya early...
Right, now I'm down here, what should I do?
Guess I'll just get a drink and stay on my phone until someone gets up...I stop to pet Kasumi as she sleeps. Quite peaceful.
I leave Kasumi and head to the kitchen to fix a drink. Wait, the light's on? Meh, it's not unlike them to be clumsy at times. I'll turn it off when I'm done.
...Clunking? That means that someone is definitely in there. Takao's the only one who knows how to cook, but there's no sizzling or oven noises, so it's not her. I've never known Atago or Maya to get up before they need to. That leaves Choukai as the most likely candidate.
I take a deep, but silent breath before entering.
"H-hello?" I quietly say.
There's no response for a little while. "Is that you, Kojou?"
Hold on, that can't be Maya, right?
I round the corner.
"M-Maya." I manage to say without being to loud.
"Kojou." She sips her own drink. "What a surprise."
"I could say the same." Neither of us move. "Why are you up?"
"Simply because I'm hungry and thirsty." As if on cue, the toaster finishes. "I didn't sleep at all last night."
"Oh..." I think for a second. "Why not?"
Maya turns around. "I don't know, myself. It's frustrating."
"So, what have you been doing?" I ask.
"Writing, as always." She replies. "I'll be going back to my room soon, so if you have anything important to say, then do so now."
"I...don't have anything like that to tell you." I step aside to let her walk past me.
"Then, have a good day, Kojou." That's the nicest I've ever seen her.
Still, no sleep is not good for her. She didn't even have anything like coffee...Well, I can't do anything, so might as well continue about my early morning.
[Azur Lane]
"Commander, you're portraying me to be quite a nasty, lazy person." Maya says with a slight irritance.
"I'm not, that's how you were in that reality." The Commander looks at her with conviction. "I'm not going to lie to you."
"There is a time and place for both truth and lies." Maya continues.
"Yeah, but I'm recounting a story to you." Commander says. "I'm not about to make up lies to suit anyone."
"How do we know that?" Maya asks.
"You don't have to believe me, but I'm telling the truth." The Commander proclaims.
"You-Mmmppfffff!" Choukai restrains Maya and covers her mouth.
"Sorry for her attitude, Commander." Choukai says.
"No problem." Commander sits up fully.
"If I may say something, I think Kasumi is a really cute name." Atago says. "It's the name of that little shy destroyer we have back over at the residence."
"I was thinking that too." Takao agrees.
"It's quite a strange coincidence indeed." Commander says.
"Also, I think it suits a Pomeranian." Atago adds.
"Me too." Takao and the Commander say at the same time.
"If you're alright with it, you can continue, Commander." Choukai turns to face him. "I think Maya's calmed down a bit."
"Thank you, Choukai." Commander addresses the room. "Any questions before I resume?"
Silence was the deafening reply.
"Well then, here we go again..."
[Memory]
"Oh, Kojou!" I'll know that voice anywhere. "You're up early."
I switch my phone off and turn to Atago, who is still in pajamas.
"Well, I woke up at quarter to 5 in the morning." I explain. "And I can't get back to sleep very easily."
"Rough..." Atago ponders for a bit. "I know! How about an energizing hug?"
"I don't mean to be rude, but I'll pass." I answer quickly.
"Awww..." I can tell she's just feigning hurt to try and guilt me.
"I kind of want to go back to bed soon anyway." I elucidate. "Also, you like hugs too much."
I check the time on my phone again.
"You're up a little later today anyway." I call to Atago. "Any reason why?"
"I have today off." She replies from the kitchen. "I wasn't told why specifically."
"Let me guess, you're planning to drag me off somewhere today, right?" I jokingly ask.
"I was, actually." She comes back into the living room and seats herself next to me. "Today's supposed to be nice, so I was thinking...the beach?"