A/N: Hello there. Seems like I decided pretty quick! Welcome to King George V's chapter! Nothing much else to say other than, well, I hope you enjoy!
Already in a navy-blue polo shirt, black slacks, and rubber shoes, I was geared for dinner in the town. I just had to wrap this last manifest up and it'd be a matter of waiting for my "date" to show. A few more mismatched entries here and there, and we were good to go. Having a moment to breathe, I cast a glance at the clock. Ah. We agreed on 8 tonight, right? So, in 3…2…1…?
2000 hours. Almost on the dot, three quick knocks rap on the doors to my office. I save my documents and shut the computer down, smiling to myself while I get up and walk over to the source of the knocking. "Commander?" King George V calls in from the other side, her voice still somehow clear even through the thick wood planks of the doors. With my grip around the handle, I twist it and let the structure swing inwards, revealing the woman behind.
She'd likewise opted for more casual clothing, a modest white and red blouse with matching pants. Her feet were covered by a pair of some decently solid-looking brown boots. Her things were kept in this convenient-enough-looking handbag. Pocket supremacy? Aye!
Even with the change of attire though, her blue ribbon remained in the side of her hair. Commitment to the system. Gotta love it. Perhaps noticing my eyes running up and down her form, she smirked at me, though perhaps the intended teasing effect was lost when her cheeks colored slightly. "Yes, I had a few pointers from Howe. She chided me, saying that being in uniform might be a little unfitting for something like this." Classic Howe. She was surprisingly good on the streets.
I chuckled lightly. "Suits you." George's blush deepened a little, but her bravado was still in the equation. "My thanks, commander. Shall we?" Smiling, I oblige. "Let's." Over the threshold, I shut the door behind me, and we made for the exit.
Once outside, the opportunity to take in a nice, lengthy breath of fresh air presented itself enticingly. I decided to seize it. "Feels good to do that", I remark. George hummed next to me, breathing in herself. The cool wind was incredibly refreshing after a particularly long day shortened marginally with the help of Z23. That and the discussion I had with Oklahoma and her squad during lunch earlier. I wonder what they're up to now? Probably just hanging about with each other. Inside, I sincerely hoped that they'd be able to find their own peace as I did. For psychological benefits that could eventually help boost our war effort against the Siren, in whatever way it could. "Are we just going to stand around here or-?" George joked next to me. Snapping out of my thoughts, my mind was returned to the present. "A-ah! Yep, sorry. Just thinking", I stammer hastily.
We finally started our walk to the rec centers up from the installation proper. Unlike the more official military stuff of the base, those areas were open to the public. They had restaurants, a cinema, and other amenities that would simply go underused and maybe even outright wasted if it were only reserved for Azur Lane personnel. Even though there were quite a lot of us. Me and the Kansen aside, hundreds of support staff kept the operations going, a lot of them going largely uncredited, to my chagrin. I always make sure that they're recognized for their efforts whenever I am, and that they're equally commended and treated as such. Oop. Going off on a thought train of your own again. Take it back.
Deciding to focus fully on what I was doing now, I racked my brain for topics of small talk I might be able to bring up. Unfortunately, my mind came up dry right then. Urgh, come on, think for a sec. Friendly treat, something big happened earlier, could talk about where we're going… Uncannily, as if reading my mind, King George V piped up. "Commander", she said. "Yeah?"
"If you don't mind me asking, where are you taking me?" I'm seriously starting to think she's got an implant in her head. "Oh! A little hole in the wall I stumbled on a while back. They'd decided to start opening locations here, too. So, I offered them a lot since we needed a replacement for the old shawarma shack, remember?"
"Mm. That still doesn't quite answer my question satisfactorily though, sir." She looked at me, crimson eyes narrowed as if peering into my soul. "Ah, sorry. It's a place called Mesa. They mainly do Filipino food." She tilted her head, perhaps taken a little by surprise. "Filipino?" I nod and smirk at her. "Yup."
"Hm. That's certainly new. And if a little bit surprising", she mused. I chuckled at that. George continued, "Actually, scratch that, it is surprising. How and why are suddenly eating Filipino cuisine, of all things?" Fixing her with a slightly bemused expression, I ask, "Wait, how is this so shocking? It's just Filipino food!" She simply shrugged before explaining, "We have quite a few cuisines at the base because of all the shipgirls, sir. Italian, French, English, German, I could go on. Not Filipino!" I raised an eyebrow, trying to connect what she was saying. "Well, granted, but is it such a revelation that I'm familiar with Filipino?"
"Yes. I'd never taken you for any sort of foodie." I laughed at the comment. "I wouldn't think I am either. I just happen to like Filipino." George merely sighed and shrugged, deciding that the topic had closed. Fair enough. I didn't give people a lot about my background when I introduced myself around here. It was all just tours, duty, academy, blah blah, I'm in charge, don't do anything stupid and we'll be fine. I wanted to save my personal details for someone who I felt would see them as building blocks to my overall personality and not a singular, defining detail to evaluate me off of. If that makes sense.
This time, I started the exchange. "Oh, yeah, uhh…" George looked at me, eyebrow raised. I continue, "Thanks for earlier. I needed that, they needed that. I was being serious when I said this was a little treat for you." Half-truth. I kind of was, but it was mostly just to get her riled up. She needn't know that, though. "Oh, it's all well and good, sir. Just looking out for my sisters-in-arms, is all", she replied matter-of-factly. I smiled while tracing the contours of her face as she turned her gaze ahead of us. She did harbor genuine concern amidst all the sarcastic little potshots she might take at you here and there. I found that remarkably endearing.
Eventually, we found ourselves at the glass doors that lead into Mesa. A waitress was at the front to greet us. I said, "Reservation number 14?" She nodded and looked through her spreadsheet. "Oh", she started, "You're the commander of the base?" I smiled and nodded. Unavoidable, I guess. "Yup." She wrote something down on the paper before admitting us. "Alright! This way, ma'am, sir", she said while opening the doors. Once we were inside, we were escorted over to a table for four in the corner, right up against the wall with two couches for seats, which I made sure of. Couch seats, best seats. We sat down and she left us with the menus.
"Alright", I breathe out, opening mine up and searching for what I was craving. Ah, the classic. Nothing beats this.
...
Well, I can think of a few things that might. Anyway! Definitely going for that. Now, what can I get for a drink? George, who was sat across from me, was doing the same and poring over her menu. She seemed to be reading intently. Looking up from my copy, I observed the expressions her face took on. Chuckling at what I found, I joked, "First time seeing some of that?" She sighed, mildly exasperated. "Yes, actually. The second surprise of the evening."
"Ha!"
She snorted. "What would you suggest, sir?"
"What are you feeling, something meaty, soup, seafood…?"
"I could go for something solid."
"Alright then, you could try the Adobo. I think that might be right up your alley", I recommended.
"Hm. Very well. I'll trust you on that", she replied as she shut the menu and set it back down on the table, eyes glinting slightly. Grinning, I reply, "You'll be glad that you did." Right on cue, a waiter came up to take our orders.
"Good evening, guys. Have we decided yet?"
I went up first. "Yep, I'll get the Chicken Binakol soup, a bowl of the steamed rice, and two Hoegaarden's." He nodded, jotting the items down on his notepad. When he finished, he turned to George. "And you, ma'am?" She nodded and said, "The ahh…Adobo?" The waiter, kudos to him, took it in stride, not even breaking a smile and keeping his cool. "Alright", he replied, writing it up. Unfortunately, my guard wasn't quite at 100 percent and I let a little giggle slip past me. George shot me a glare that immediately stopped me from saying anything else. Her mouth opened, preparing a verbal salvo before I was saved by the server. "Just to double-check, alright? One Chicken Binakol, a bowl of steamed rice, the Adobo, 2 Hoegaarden's, and just the usual glasses of water to tie it off, I'm assuming?"
We confirmed that his summation was correct, and he excused himself to go relay the order to the kitchen, leaving us once again on our lonesome. I leaned back and took the silence as an opportunity to take in the feel of the building. The lighting was cozy and warm, the interior minimal, clean, and free of a lot of unnecessary clutter. There were these full-wall windows that gave us a lovely view of the night sky outside. The diners added a nice human touch to the place, the soft murmurs of casual conversation filling most of the ambient noise. This was joined with the sweet sound of a speaker playing, surprisingly, Filipino music.
I narrowed my eyes and stroked my chin, listening to the rhythm. It was soft and gentle, guitars and acoustic instruments largely filling the sound, with only subtle uses of electronic implements. This was one of the main things that I loved about Filipino music; it was rare that there was any synthesizer, and much of the composition is acoustic. Some people may not prefer it, but I thought it added a nice, down-to-earth tone to the songs. The vocalist was, unsurprisingly, singing in the Filipino language, voice gentle and firm. Finally, I recognized the track and my face lit up. Ah! Damn, I used to hear this one all over the place! Just can't…place the title…
Satisfied that I'd at least been able to recall hearing it before, I turned my attention to George, who also seemed to have noticed the speaker piping into the cacophony of the restaurant's ambiance. She had a mildly perplexed look on her face, though she did nod to the beat. Realizing that my gaze was on her, she cleared her throat and blushed ever so lightly. "What language is that d'you think", she asks me. Chuckling I reply, "It's in Filipino. Although sometimes it's also called Tagalog."
She tilted her head and her eyes widened slightly. "Don't tell me you can understand that." I chuckled and had a reply ready before I reconsidered and thought about it for a moment. Now, hang on. There weren't any Filipinos on the base, right? Does that mean… "Wait a sec", I begin, voice tinged with a hint of mischievous intent, "You can't understand Filipino, can you?" George, naturally, shook her head. Well, duh. Of course, she can't, genius. "And no one else can speak it back at base, yes?"
Now she narrowed her eyes at me and craned her neck back a little. I get to my point. "So this means that I can actually say whatever the hell I want about you guys…and no one would know." She sighed heavily, finally connecting the dots and facepalming. At this, I pushed the joke by cackling evilly at my newfound power. George looked back at me, staring daggers. "Don't you dare", she threatened.
I snickered. You can't stop me now. It's too late! "At bakit? Sino yung manghuhuli sakin? Wala namang magpipigil sakin, ah." She started to laugh with her mouth shut, coming out as short breaths as a tight smile curved on her face. "I swear, sir if only I could punch you right now…" Giggling, I continue the gag by feigning shock and a miffed look. "Nako po, huwag naman!" Now, she held up her fist threateningly, still laughing through shut lips. Holding up my hands in surrender, I concede. "Fine, fine, I'll stop." Slowly, she put her fist down, signaling that the topic was concluded. Again, as if on cue, the waiter showed up, this time with a tray of food in his hands. "The Adobo? This is for you right, miss?" He asked, lowering the plates to the table. "Mhm", George hummed in reply, pushing some things aside to make way for the delivery. "And the bowl of rice", he added, setting the product down in front of me. Finally, the food was settled, and the waiter walked back. George picked up her utensils and inspected the dish.
"Curious", she remarked, before taking some chicken meat and placing it gently on her plate. Then, with a spoon, she grabbed a little rice, which caught me off. "Oh, you're actually taking some rice with it?" She simply shrugged at my comment. "I don't usually bother with rice, but I can understand if certain dishes deem it necessary. I'll just have it with one bite and see if I can do without." I nodded at the gesture. Sometimes people would just drop the rice entirely. At least give it a shot, you guys. Be like George.
With a cut of the meat and some sauced-up rice in her spoon, she brought it to her face and took a whiff of the food before finally eating it. She chewed with a speculative expression, slowly allowing her taste buds to register the flavor, before swallowing. She wiped her mouth with a cloth and took a moment to gather her thoughts. I just sat there, anticipation building, waiting for the moment of truth. Finally, she nodded approvingly. "My, that's good."
I clapped my hands together once in triumph. "Hot damn!" George chuckled and took another spoonful as the waiter returned with my dish. "Sir, your chicken", he told me, gently settling the bowl – no it's more of a pot – in front of me. "Ah, thanks", I replied. The man nodded and opened it, allowing the aroma to float out of it, and put the soup spoon in, leaning it on the brim. When it was all set, he bade, "Enjoy your food!", smiled, and walked away to serve some other diners.
"Ah, yes. It's been much too long", I commented, putting some rice into my own smaller bowl and pouring some of the soup in. I grabbed a piece of the chicken for good measure and threw in some of the leaves and papaya. Taking a moment to simply enjoy the scent, George stared at me before tittering. "What", I asked before scooping some up and eating it. She said, "I'm curious, sir. How did you find this place? Actually, rephrase. How are you so familiar with the Philippines?"
Swallowing, I wipe my lips with the napkin and reply, "I actually served in the Philippines for a good while. Sometimes, when we were allowed out in the towns, we'd hit this place up." George nodded eyebrows raised as she connected the dots. "Oh! That also explains why you know how to speak the language, I suppose?" Ding ding! "Yup. Some officers we had with us at the time were natives. So, they taught me the ins and outs of it. I still remember most of how it works, though some deeper things might fly over my head now and then."
"Once again, you surprise me commander", George replied, crimson eyes glinting softly. "But then, what is your native language?"
"Ah. English."
She squinted. "So where are you from?"
I gave her a smirk and chuckled. "Good question. Another time."
Her face took on disappointment, but she shrugged it off, nonetheless.
We spent a few more minutes eating in silence, occasionally giving a little comment on the food or shooting a quick wisecrack. We also ended up actually drinking a fair bit and started to feel some buzz taking hold. I was still coherent enough to stop, though. This is a restaurant, not a pub. Don't embarrass yourself.
Evidently, George was much the same way. She set her bottle down and asked, "I'm curious, sir. That means you can understand what the songs playing now are saying, right?" Swallowing, I take a quick sec to listen to the track. Hearing that it was still Filipino, I reply, "Yeah." She continues, "So then, can you translate for me?" I take a moment to think. The song now sounds pretty friendly. Something along the lines of "don't be afraid, don't you know I'm right here beside you?"
…
Hm. Nah, it'd probably be better if we can translate a song from start to finish. Yeah, let's do that. I reply, "Yep, I could. But if you want me to, then I'd suggest we wait for the next song to start playing so I can get you the message from beginning to end." George thought about it and agreed. Nodding, we let the current track play out and wait for the next one to begin.
At last, it happens. The melody is instantly striking. Happy-go-lucky, acoustic guitars, and a bubbly drumbeat that makes it sound skippy. When it registers in my head, I curse myself under my breath. "Dammit", I murmur. Swiftly looking from her plate, George eyes me up. "Hmm?" Taking a deep breath, I try to reply. "Oh, ahh…"
She smirked. "Oh, another song started. Why, is it recognizable to you? Or is the language it uses too deep?" Not wanting to take a fall, I retort, "...No, I should be able to translate just fine, thanks much." No! Why?! You had an out!
"Oh! Then why the little curse?"
Blast. I could tell her why, but…
Before I could think of something though, the transition started. I knew that was my cue, and so, apparently, did George. "You're up", she said, eyes shining.
Welp, I think to myself. Count your lucky stars, I guess. The first few lines begin. "If this sounds cheesy as shit, remember I'm just eyeballing the lyrics."
Huwag kang maniwala dyan, 'di ka niya mahal talaga
"…Don't trust him, he doesn't really love you."
Sayang lang ang buhay mo kung mapupunta ka lang sa kanya
"Your life will only be wasted if you go with him." Instantly, I feel my cheeks heating up.
Iiwanan ka lang nyan, mag-ingat ka
"…He'll only end up leaving you, be careful."
Dagdag ka lamang sa milyong-milyong babae niya
"…You're only another option among his millions of other girls." Oh, it's the chorus. Ohh, damn...
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"…I-instead, you could just be mine." Damn, did I really just say that?!
Iingatan ko ang puso mo
"…"
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"So…" Aaand, we're done.
At wala nang hihigit pa sayo
"…"
Before the words were even out of me, I wince. George, cheeks a little rosy, raises an eyebrow and smirks. Shit. "Whoa. What happened there, sir?"
Desperately trying to get out of it, though at this point I knew I was far, far, too late, I plead, "Okay, do I really have to translate this song? Let's just wait for the next one…"
"Ah-ah-ah! You said this song, so you will translate this one. Go on then, I think the next verse is starting.
Well. No way out. Taking a deep breath, I listen to the lyrics and continue to translate them as best I can with the time restrictions.
'Di naman ako bolero katulad ng ibang tao
"…I'm not a liar like some other people out there." Sure, you're not, buddy.
Ang totoo'y 'pag nandyan ka, medyo nabubulol pa nga ako
"Truth is, when you're around, I…I jumble my own words up." …
Malangis lang ang dila nyan, 'wag kang madala
"He's just a smooth-talker, don't be fooled."
Dahan-dahan ka lang
"You have to be careful."
Baka pati ika'y mabiktima
"Maybe even you'll become a victim."
'Wag naman sana!
"I'd really hope not!" Shit, here it comes.
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"…You could just be mine."
Iingatan ko ang puso mo
"…I…I promise to be careful with your heart." Is it possible for cheeks to spontaneously combust?
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"You could just be mine…"
At wala nang hihigit pa sayo
"There is…nothing more to me than you." Ohh, I think it's possible, I think it's definitely possible!
Hindi naman sa sinisiraan ko ang pangit na 'yan
"It's not that I'm badmouthing that...prick." Yeah, I don't know what else that could translate to. Whatever!
Huwag ka dapat s'aking magduda
"Just please don't doubt me."
Hinding-hindi kita pababayaan
"…Because I will never leave you on your own." Okay, you know what? We're too far gone anyway. Take it in stride!
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
With more conviction, I translated. "You could just be mine."
Iingatan ko ang puso mo
"I promise to look after your heart."
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"You could just be mine."
At wala nang hihigit pa sayo
"And there's nothing else more to me than you."
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"You could just be mine."
Liligaya ka sa pag-ibig ko
"You'll find happiness with my love."
Akin ka nalang, akin ka nalang
"You could just be mine."
At wala nang hihigit pa sayo
"And there's no one else to me than you."
The song ended, and I took a few deep breaths to steady myself. I felt a little sweat on my forehead and my heart felt like it would explode. We're done. You're done. It's done. A few seconds later, I'd finally collected myself and was able to look at how George might've reacted. Let's go, yes, yes, laugh at me all you want. However, it would turn out that I was bracing myself for a salvo that would never come.
Instead, I saw George smiling warmly at me, her cheeks a deep red, crimson eyes vibrant, and saying absolutely nothing. All I could do was reciprocate, breathing slowly but surely, uncertain of what would happen next. My eyes couldn't help but run over her complexion at the moment. She looked amazing with the lighting and the smile on her face. We sat there, locked in each other's gaze, unable to move or speak. The ambiance of the diners' chattering and whatever the speaker was playing next died out in that instant. It was just us, our emotions, and our thoughts.
At last, she decided to break the stupor. "Aww. You're so sweet, commander." I laughed. "Shut up…"
"No, I'm…seriously. If you were to say those things to me now, no music or translating, or what have you... Would you mean it?"
Would I mean it? The words rang out in my head as I sat there and contemplated them, juggling them around in my brain. I studied her face, trying to get any kind of a read. It was warm, happy. Almost contented. Waiting. Waiting, perhaps, for my answer. Would I mean it?
Her eyes remained, boring into me. I thought back to our timeline. Meeting her for the first time, having her in the secretary pool, and spending a good few months with her. In the process, we got closer and closer, started meeting up with each other more often. I learned things about her, she did me, and we appreciated that about our interactions. We figured out we both had a strikingly similar sense of humor and played that out as best we could. She was one of the best friends on the base that I'd had ever since. Would I mean it?
I take a deep breath in, deep breath out. Take a sip of the water, put the glass down. Finally, I reply, "Yes."
To that, she straightened up and simply sustained her gaze on me, beaming. Wanting to not just sit here all night, I awkwardly turn around and call for a waiter. "Excuse me!" One notices and nods. "Can we get the bill, please? Thanks."
A few minutes later, he returns with the requested slip. I pay, acquire the receipt, and we were back outside the restaurant in what seemed like mere seconds. KGV was silent the whole time. My voice barely a whisper, I ask, "Shall we?"
She nods slowly and we begin walking back to the installation. After a few minutes of walking, I try to break it with a desperate attempt at bringing a topic up. Before I could execute, I was stopped by a hand gripped firmly around my left wrist. Turning around, I see her holding onto it. "Commander", she says, voice soft. The center was silent, having a scant few others still around at this time. I peered into her enamoring red eyes and see them chock full of emotion. "I…I think I wouldn't mind...being yours", she said.
That tipped me over it. An uncontrollable grin folded itself slowly across my face. "Are you…Wait. For real?"
Wordlessly, she shifted her grip lower to wrap my fingers around hers and hold my hand tight. Chuckling softly, I say, "I'll…take that as a yes."
Hand in hand, we made our way back home. What a night.
A/N: D'aww...
Yep, we'll get to know more about this commander bit by bit! Though the plotlines about his developments with the kansen may not connect between chapters (again, unless I say so), the details about the commander himself should remain the same, or at least as close as I can get them to be. Not gonna lie, this is mainly for convenience's sake.
And yes, I do listen to (a little) Filipino music and (love) Filipino food! Good stuff, good stuff.
Tracklist
Itchyworms - "Akin Ka Nalang"