Chapter Thirty-One

As the former flagship of the Sakura Empire, I was no stranger to formal gatherings, being surrounded by kansens and dignitaries of foreign nations, and navigating the labyrinth that often was the social etiquettes of other cultures. Tonight, however, was one of the first times where I was nothing more than a guest at a party. In the past, I was often either the host, or the visiting dignitary for whom the party was being organized. It was a rare occasion where I could attend an event and go almost completely unnoticed. Not that I was invisible, of course; three small Sakurans dressed in kimonos were always going to stand out at a Royal Navy event, but for the most part, all my sisters and I got was the occasional sideways glance.

For me, snaking our way through the crowds and clusters of chattering kansens was of little consequence. It did not, however, escape my notice that Choshu clung to me rather tight as space became more and more limited. To be surrounded by so many people from Azur Lane had to be nerve-wracking for her. All the streamers, bubbly drinks, and violin-humming ambiance could not override years of honed, martial instincts.

Seeking some refuge in familiarity, we managed to find Akagi again; not that it could ever be difficult to find somebody that had a veritable cloud following behind them. She was conversing with King George V, whose expansive crimson ball gown was a stark contrast to Akagi's slim-cut dress. Both already had a glass of champagne in hand, but while the scene appeared little more than cordial socializing, I could see my fellow Sakuran's tails were already growing tense and tucking in close.

"Captain DeWolf personally asked for my attendance, and I have no intention of going back on my word," Akagi said, a sweet smile barely concealing her fangs. "If your fellows in the Royal Navy take issue with that, then it should fall upon you as the senior kansen to keep them in line. Aren't you people known for stiff upper lips, or something to that effect?"

For her part, King George V was doing her best to keep Akagi's words from getting under her skin. Still, even she could only force a smile for so long, and I feared what might happen should she reach the limits of her patience. "Akagi, I'm not trying to be your enemy here. I'm just asking for you, in light of some lingering sensitivities, to be mindful of how you conduct yourself tonight. Everyone knows you can be a little…"

"'A little' what?" Akagi replied, daring the other kansen to finish that sentence.

One need not be a master diplomat to know it was time for an intervention. "Ah, good evening, King George V," I said as my sisters and I approached. "You are looking most lovely tonight. On behalf of the Sakura Empire, I extend my sincere appreciation for your hospitality tonight."

It was one thing to squabble in a semi-private conversion, but in front of mutual friends, both were forced to call a truce for the moment. "We're honoured by your presence. And it's quite a relief, too; I heard some of the most dreadful rumours about you and James having some sort of tiff in the marketplace."

"Er… yes, the captain and I had a disagreement today," I answered with a generous interpretation of the truth. I feared she knew more than she let on, if only to see how I defended myself, but I wanted to avoid embarrassing the captain. "We had to part ways, though, so I do wish to speak with him as soon as possible in order to properly apologize for my behaviour."

"You're apologizing to him?" Choshu asked in disbelief. "He should've known better to bring up such a sensitive subject with a lady."

"What exactly happened?" King George asked, her curiosity piqued.

She wasn't the only one intrigued, as even Akagi's ears began to twitch. "Yes. Do tell. I'm curious what could upset someone as patient as you."

"It… it is a personal matter." This was not the conversation subject I wanted us to get stuck on. "H-has the captain arrived yet?"

Fortunately for me, King George V was polite enough not to push a sensitive matter. She already had her plate full contending with Akagi, who had taken the opportunity created by my arrival to slip away. "No, he hasn't yet," she answered, followed by a sigh when she noticed Akagi's tails vanishing into the crowd. "I'm hoping he hasn't found an excuse to bail on us."

"But this party is for him," a confused Mutsu remarked. "Who would choose not to attend a party? Especially one this nice!"

"When it's not work related, James tends to shy away from being the centre of attention," King George V explained. "We had to trick him to get him to his birthday party the last time we all celebrated it."

"Should we assemble a hunting party?" Choshu suggested.

An amusing thought, to be sure, and we would have no shortage of volunteers, but that sounded extreme. "Only if he does not arrive soon," I replied.

"I will keep an eye out for him, and if he does not arrive soon, then I will personally drag his sorry butt here," King George V reassured us with barely restrained amusement. She swept in behind us, and started to usher us towards the various refreshment tables where other kansens congregated. "You three should enjoy yourselves while things are still calm. We made a few desserts specifically from James' homeland that you must try."

The mentioning of desert lit a fire in Mutsu's heart, her eyes lighting up as she grabbed hold of Choshu. "Come on, we gotta try them before they're all gone!" she exclaimed. Poor Choshu did not even get a word in response before she was pulled along like an unruly beast of burden, her pleas for patience going unheeded. One should never underestimate a girl's desire for sweets.

I was just about ready to follow after them when George's hand tugged at my shoulder. "Is everything okay with James?" she asked, now able to speak more freely. "I heard you tossed him through a window."

Curious how quickly a rumour could become misshapen. "I did not throw the captain through anything," I informed her, but then beckoned her closer so I could whisper the rest. "I may have hit him, and knocked him into some tables as a result."

Whatever worry she had in her expression melted in an instant, which in turn allayed many of my own fears. She knew DeWolf better than I, so she was a good gauge for what I needed to worry about. "Occupational hazard when working with kansens," she reassured me, followed by a pat on the shoulder. "Make sure to apologize when you see him, and it'll be water under the bridge in no time."

"Then I will take your word for it," I said as I breathed a sigh of relief. "If you see Captain DeWolf, please let him know I wish to apologize to him at his earliest convenience."

"If he's coming, I'm certain he'll be looking for you. He's probably as worried about the whole thing as you are."

"He is worried about how I hit him?" I replied with obvious confusion. Given that Enterprise also expressed worry about me when I injured her, I was beginning to think that this could be one of those intractable cultural differences that would forever elude me. "I suppose you will now tell me that this is just typical behaviour for him."

She laughed for a moment. "I like to think that it's only surprising because we kansens are so used to the cruelties of war that genuine kindness and empathy can seem alien to us." Once the novelty wore off, her expression softened and she gave me a gentle smile. "Before I forget, I want to thank you, Miss Nagato. For being there for James. When I heard he was getting posted here, I was afraid he was just using this to run away again. I was afraid he had given up."

There was that sensitive topic again: the one with the Iroise Sea at the heart of it that I was still too afraid to press for answers. Alas, a party was not the appropriate time to try again, despite my lingering curiosity. "I believe you give me too much credit," I replied. "I have simply provided what support I could. Anyone else could have done the same." The only things that I had done for or with DeWolf that might have been different were things that wound up being far too embarrassing to consider. I had been so undignified before him on numerous occasions already, and I refused to think that those were what she had been referring to.

"You got him to ask you to be his secretary ship," she answered back with a slow shake of her head. "The position by its nature requires a stronger bond than just commander and subordinate. He wouldn't have let just any kansen in." She regarded me with a curious stare, not so much admiration, but a sort of wistful longing, as though she were looking less at me and more through me to something more profound. "She really would've liked you."

The abruptness of her going from wistful to cheery left me unable to react beyond a quiet nod. "I thank you once more for your generosity," I said with a deep bow. "I hope your evening goes well, and… I apologize in advance if Akagi causes any problems."

"Akagi's her own person. You're not responsible for her actions. Now go and mingle, I insist. It sounds like you could use an opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself."

King George V gave me little choice after that, and sent me on my way with a few helpful shoves in the general direction that Mutsu and Choshu were last spotted in. The lingering fragments of our conversation still drifted through my thoughts like flotsam, but it was just another piece of a large puzzle that I was slowly putting together. I couldn't let it distract me, though, for I still had much to do tonight, and as the saying goes, one who attempts to chase two hares will catch neither. I found my sisters standing at a nearby snack table, whereupon an assortment of pastries, sandwiches, tarts, and other appetizers had been arranged across silver platters. Choshu was busy helping herself to a sample of literally every item available, while Mutsu was conversing with another kansen unfamiliar to me. She was a small, slender girl, and judging by how elegant her fur-trimmed, white dress was, and how the way she tied her hair into short twin tails gave her an air of childlike innocence, I suspected she must have been one of the Royal Navy's destroyers.

"Oh, Nagato!" My sister waved me over the second she spotted me. "I want you to meet my new friend! This is Norfolk. Norfolk, this is my big sister, Nagato."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," I greeted, polite and dignified. While I didn't recognize the face, the name was familiar from my work with Captain DeWolf. "You are from the County-class of heavy cruisers, correct? You were assigned to my sister's training squad." It would explain how the two met and became acquainted.

"I-it's nice to meet you, too," Norfolk replied. For a brief moment, her hands moved as if about to draw down a hood, only for the rest of her to remember that her current attire didn't include such an accessory.

"Your dress is quite lovely," I complimented, hoping to ease some of the girl's nervousness.

"Oh, th-thanks. My sister picked it out for me. Yours is very pretty, too."

"As was mine. It would appear that we have both been blessed with wise sisters."

Before Norfolk could respond, Mutsu interjected by seizing her friend by the arm, much in the same way she had grabbed Choshu a short while ago. "Hey, is your big sister here, too? I always wanted to meet her! Are the two of you a lot alike? Do you share a dorm room?"

The poor girl must have not been accustomed to so much attention, as she almost froze on the spot. One could almost see the fight or flight instincts trying to settle on a proper response as her eyes darted around the room. "Uhhhh, ummm… w-well…" she stammered in desperation.

"What does she look like? We can go search for her together!" Mutsu offered, although it was not so much a request as it was a warning. Norfolk was still fumbling a response when my sister began to drag her away. "We'll be back in just a moment!" she announced before the two of them disappeared into the crowds.

That just left me alone with Choshu, who was more interested in her pastry than anything. "I almost feel sorry for the girl," she commented between mouthfuls.

"I am simply grateful that she is making new friends. I always worried that my sister was too dutiful towards me and neglecting her own happiness."

"Bah!" Choshu scoffed, sending a flurry of pastry flechettes in my direction. "She adores you, and if anything, she worries that you won't be happy unless she's there for you."

"I… I would be just fine without her," I insisted, if only to deny the stinging truth to her words. "I am not that dependent on her."

My counterpart just chuckled to herself. "Is that why you still talk like you're as rigid as a main mast?"

There she went teasing me again. "I am simply being diplomatic," I answered, along with a roll of my eyes. "Not that it helped. Miss Norfolk was still intimidated by me."

"It's because you're too stiff," Choshu scoffed once more, and then shoved one of the pastries she had been sampling into my hands. "Not every conversation needs to be 'diplomatic' or dignified. As the westerners would say, you should let your hair down and just be yourself. Now try one of these; they call it a butter tart."

'Just be yourself', as if it were so simple. If one were to ask anybody in the Sakura Empire, they would have always known me to be polite and dignified, or 'stiff' as Choshu said. My position demanded such etiquette, after all, as my every word reflected not just upon myself, but the empire as a whole. Such was what it meant to be the Flagship of the Fourth Combined Fleet and the divine oracle. I simply could not be as carefree as Mutsu or Choshu. At the very least, though, I could enjoy the pastry that had been given to me, and so I took a small, testing nibble from it. From the name I had expected something simple and savoury, but instead it was exceptionally sweet, and from the hint of maple I could taste, it was one of those items from DeWolf's homeland that King George V had spoken of.

"At least you appear to be handling yourself well thus far," I eventually continued on in our conversation.

"Do remember that I spent a long time losing a war. I've learned how to not show what I'm feeling," she answered back. "But if you must know, I am feeling… unsure of myself." She paused for a moment and seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time staring a hole into the centre of her half-eaten tart. "All this music and cheeriness makes me wonder if it's right for me to be here. Should I really be living so decadently when so many people I knew went to the bottom of the ocean? My brain knows I shouldn't be feeling guilty, that I should just eat this tart and be happy, but the rest of me is starting to realize…"

"That it was the people that made life worth living," a familiar voice cut in. It startled us to the point we almost got whiplash with how fast we swung around to find Captain DeWolf standing before us. "You go through life telling yourself that you're doing it for things like honour and glory, or duty to your country, or even just the satisfaction of a job well done, but when the dust settles and you find yourself standing alone, you come to realize that it was the people who stood with you that mattered the most. It wasn't honour that carried you along, it was the hope of seeing those peaceful days together. So when the peace finally does show up, and you've got nobody to share it with, it's easy to find yourself wondering–"

"Why did it have to be you," Choshu finished the thought, to which DeWolf gave a sober nod. "I don't suppose you know how to make that feeling go away?"

"No, not really. It gets quieter over time, but it never goes away entirely."

While the two of them were able to share a moment of solidarity, I couldn't help but fret and worry now that he was here. I would have thought I'd have a moment or two of advance warning, but it appeared it was just as King George V had described: he came searching for me. "C-Captain DeWolf, when did you arrive?" I asked, straining to maintain a calm composure.

"Snuck in through the side door. If I came in through the front, I would've just been ambushed," he said as he gestured to a hallway tucked in the back corner of the banquet hall. "I literally have been here long enough to grab one of… whatever this is." He gestured to the champagne glass he had in one hand, with which he took a curious sniff from. "Honestly, I think this is just apple juice."

I was relieved that the captain held true to his word and attended the event, and not just simply stopping by for a few seconds to make a token appearance. He had broken out the full evening dress for the occasion, complete with the black tailcoat, gold laced trousers, and a bow tie atop of a pleated dress shirt. I had not seen such a level of regalia in quite some time, even if it did remind me of a certain Antarctic bird. He looked stiff and square-off in his evening attire, which I suspected was due to the fact that he's likely had little reason to wear it lately. On the bright side, it meant everything was pressed and shined to perfection, including the array of medals that lined the left side of his chest. I was not familiar with the honours and awards of the Maple Monarchy, but it was safe to presume it took an exemplary person for a young officer to achieve so much in an age where kansens did the vast majority of the fighting.

"I'll give you two a moment to talk," Choshu said as she excused herself, despite my silent prayers for her to stay.

It was the moment of the night I dreaded the most, but I had no choice but to steel my resolve and remember King George's reassurances. My pride as a kansen of the Sakura Empire demanded that I take responsibility for my misdeeds. As much as I feared what punishment may come, I was more afraid of the uncertainty that hung in the air between us. All I needed to do was apologize in a polite, dignified manner.

"Sir, I wish to–"

"I want to apologize about what happened in the marketplace."

DeWolf's interruption smashed apart any semblance of coherent thought I had. I wasn't sure whether to be insulted, outraged, or relieved. Why did everyone have to keep insisting on apologizing or worrying over me when I was the one that was inadvertently hurting others? I felt guilty enough about my misdeeds that I did not need the added weight of being exempted from responsibility. I was not some child that needed to be protected from every hardship. I was a battleship, for heaven's sake, not some delicate wallflower!

I couldn't take it anymore. I had to say something–something firm and resolute.

"You big dummy!" Not my most elegant choice of words, but I was still too worked up to think straight. "I have been worried sick about how I would apologize to you, and now you are attempting to apologize to me first even though I am clearly the one who is in the wrong!" The next thing I knew, I was already pounding away at his chest in a furious fit. Thankfully, I had enough control over myself to avoid a repeat of what happened in the marketplace, and the only damage inflicted was to the creases of his mess uniform. "You insensitive buffoon! You cur! Rapscallion!"

I only ceased in my admittedly frivolous assault when I realized his reaction was not that of anger or confusion, but instead something that I had not yet truly seen from him before: he was laughing. It was not the sharp, throaty laughter of mocking or derision, but light and playful; a feeling born from amusement that floated through the air like cherry blossoms on a morning breeze. For a man who always seemed to conduct himself based on how he thought things should be, it was a rare moment of sincere expression. Surprising, to be sure, but more startling than that was how it made me almost envious of him. When was the last time I just simply laughed because something amused me? And when one stopped to think about it, what about this situation would not be seen as amusing? Here I was, the former flagship of the Fourth Combined Fleet, throwing a childish fit because somebody had the audacity to be concerned about my feelings while at the same time fretting over their feelings.

If only I could be so care-free.

At the very least, though, it gave me enough pause to calm down that my furious pummeling had settled into a gentle, rhythmic love tap. "Good grief, sir, you cannot just toy with a maiden's heart like that," I said, followed by a sigh heavy enough to sink a cruiser.

"Well, what else am I supposed to do?" DeWolf said in a lighthearted protest. "Clearly I said something so upsetting that you launched me across the yard. I forgot to consider that different cultures can have different boundaries. I honestly didn't think talking about a futon was such a faux pas."

"Futon?" I repeated with a strange, sinking feeling in my gut.

"You know, for sleeping in," he explained. "I was told a number of girls from the Sakura Empire had trouble adjusting to the navy provided beds, so they ordered their own futons from Akashi's shop. I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable about anything, I just thought–"

"You bought me a futon?" I blurted out. How in the world did an order for a futon get turned into the horror that arrived at my door this morning? It wasn't like the captain to lie, or for Akashi to make such an egregious error, but somewhere along the line, a terrible mistake had been made.

"Was that not what came to you in the mail?"

"No, it was a–!" I cut myself off before I finished that sentence and embarrassed myself further by shouting out that the captain had sent me lingerie in the middle of a crowded banquet hall. In fact, even just admitting the truth felt soul-crushing at that instant, for if his intentions had been pure from the start then I sullied his honour so much with my own thoughts. "P… perhaps ignorance is Buddha," I murmured. "It… it very much was not a futon, sir. Let us leave it at that."

"If that's what you want," he agreed, much to my relief. "And for what it's worth, I am sorry for making you uncomfortable… even if I'm not sure what the exact reason was."

"And I sincerely apologize for my actions and behaviour," I replied as I bowed deeply. "I will not hold any ill will if you wish to have me resign my post as your secretary."

I would've stared at the floor for the rest of the evening had he ordered me, but instead he just eased me back upright. "Come on, now, there's no need to be so drastic. You're hardly the first kansen to take issue with me. Disagreements happen, but next time, please use your words. I know you girls are used to settling disputes in a particular manner, but I'm soft and spongy."

"Perhaps if you spent less time sitting at your desk, you would not be so soft," I remarked, before giving the captain a poke in his stomach. However, even with a gentle nudge, I could tell he was rather firm beneath the layers of dress and uniform. I had seen the scars he wore with my own eyes, so despite his insistence, I knew he was not as frail as he made himself out to be. Still, he chuckled and recoiled at my touch.

"Maybe we should start putting some PT into my schedule then."

In hindsight, it had been foolish to worry so much. It went exactly as King George V had described, although it did leave me wondering what other disagreements he might've had working with the Royal Navy. Somebody must have been worse than me for him to brush our incident off so easily. For the time being, though, I could just find solace that despite my best efforts, our relationship would continue as it had.

With the tensions resolved, DeWolf helped himself to a few of the butter tarts. "Make sure I don't eat too many of these, or I really will become soft," he said before taking one down in almost a single bite. "I tell you, Georgie can make damn near anything delicious. Well, except bell peppers. God, who in the world thought those were worth cultivating?"

"She is talented, but you should always eat your vegetables, sir," I said and nodded in agreement. Her culinary reputation continued to astound me. "I am relieved that you still decided to attend despite what happened."

He gave a modest shrug. "I wouldn't have heard the end of it if I tried to skip out. Plus from what I heard, Choshu was counting on all of us to attend. I didn't want to let her down."

During our conversation, we had lost track of where Choshu had wandered off to, but as it soon became apparent, it was not very far. There was an audible thump as DeWolf lurched forward like a new sailor caught in a sudden swell. "I do not blame you for wanting to see more of me," Choshu boasted, emerging from behind the captain still with one hand upon his back. "After all, I do look rather fetching, wouldn't you agree?" She skipped out to stand before him and gave a slow spin with outstretched arms, causing the hanging sleeves of her furisode to dance around her. "This is the part where you're supposed to say I look gorgeous. Or you can just stare in dumb-founded silence at my beauty. Both are acceptable."

"You both look lovely tonight," DeWolf answered without missing a beat. Oddly enough, I found myself feeling a bit warmer all of a sudden. I quickly reminded myself that he was just being polite and heeding the advice that Choshu gave him earlier.

Despite his best efforts to keep a low profile, his chances of remaining hidden in a party where he was the only man in the building were always going to be somewhere between abysmal and non-existent. "There you are, James!" King George V exclaimed as she and her rose regalia emerged from the crowds. "I have been looking high and low for you. I should've expected you to play the sneak."

"Can't blame a man for trying."

King George V chuckled and shook her head. "No, I suppose I cannot." Her confidence undeterred, though, she swept in swiftly and hooked an arm around James'. "I'm afraid I am going to have to borrow the dear captain for a little while. As the guest of honour, he has a duty to greet all of the girls who have gathered here to welcome him. And you can both understand how much force might be required for that."

Neither of us put up any resistance as she stole our escort away. "You have our blessing to give him a swift kick in the butt if required," Choshu jested.

"Please don't joke about that: she will kick my ass."

That, I did not doubt in the least.

However, she was not the only person with an interest in the captain that evening. No sooner had King George V wrapped her chains around him, did another, fluffier woman emerge. "Captain DeWolf, thank goodness I finally found you. I was beginning to worry you had left me alone in this den of lions," Akagi said with feigned relief. Her eyes immediately fixated on his already-linked arm, and, not content to let anyone get the better of her, least of all a member of the Royal Navy, she claimed sovereignty over his other arm. "Aren't you lucky, sir; a flower upon both arms for you."

Whether it was the intrusion or just the fact it was Akagi, but King George V frowned and tugged the captain a bit closer to herself. "James has obligations to his guests," she informed her newfound rival. "They're all Royalists, so I'm certain you wouldn't be terribly interested in it. We won't take too long."

Unfortunately, a battle of wits was precisely the kind of challenge that Akagi relished. With a mirthful chuckle, she simply pressed herself up against DeWolf even moreso, to the point where she was practically shoving his arm into her bosom. Personally, I didn't like either of them trying to monopolize him, but without a position of objectivity, I opted to remain neutral. Plus it had been far too long of a day for me to get between the two of them. Even if their disagreement became heated, it wasn't as though they'd risk harming DeWolf.

"So, even the great Knight-Commander can get a little jealous," Akagi mused with playful mischievousness. "Do you really think just using his first name gives you ownership over him?"

King George V, normally calm and poised, let out a subtle, frustrated growl under her breath. "This isn't about possession; it's duty and obligation. Tonight is about honouring Captain DeWolf, and I want it to go smoothly."

"And you think my presence is going to upset that?" Akagi replied.

Judging by the tightening creases in the captain's coat, both kansens were keeping a firm grip on him. However, he remained silent, perhaps to avoid agitating them further.

"Yes, I'm worried that you might upset somebody by being your usual self."

"Your dedication is admirable, but unnecessary." Her tails began to sway more actively behind her, and while it wouldn't have been noticeable to most others, I could see a few were quite intentionally brushing against DeWolf's leg. "Captain DeWolf asked for my presence because he wants me to mingle with you Royalists. If I'm able to show you all the softer side that our dear captain sees, then hopefully we'll all get along better."

The skepticism on King George V's face couldn't have been any more prominent if she had been using signal flares and a marching band.

"Be on your best behaviour, Akagi," DeWolf cautioned.

"Of course, of course," she reassured him. "I'll be a good girl for as long as you need me to be."

I had my concerns, but I once again chose to stay silent. If she were being sincere, then casting doubt upon her now would only sabotage her efforts. A naive hope, perhaps, but as I was already pushing Choshu to change for the better, then I had to at least afford Akagi the same benefit. Plus, Captain DeWolf was getting more adept at handling her idiosyncrasies. He didn't flinch nearly as much as he usually did when Akagi first moved in close. Her actions still bothered me, though, but not for the usual reasons. Regardless of how I felt, I had to let others have the captain's time. To be so selfish would've been unbecoming of me.

Choshu and I waved goodbye as the good captain was hauled off to fulfil his 'obligations' as the guest of honour. Among the first people they encountered was Admiral Hipper. I couldn't tell what he said to her, but it made her flustered and riled her up. Hopefully he remembered to compliment her choice of dress. One had to wonder with such requirements of him, who really served who at this naval base. DeWolf appeared less like an officer, and more like a prize being shown off to would-be rivals and competitors. I decided to chalk it up as a cultural difference and left it at that, for if I spent any more time pondering the issue, I would wind up eating my weight in butter tarts.

"I'm surprised you didn't object more to them monopolizing your captain. I would have thought you would be more upset about it," Choshu remarked between mouthfuls of more butter tart. I've lost count of how many she's had thus far; every time I look she had a fresh one in hand as though some fairy were dropping them off for her. "If you're not careful, somebody's going to steal him away."

I refused to let her obvious attempt at teasing get under my skin. "You speak as though I have a legitimate claim over him," I replied. "He is free to spend his time with whomever he chooses, and I recognize he has obligations and duties to perform as acting commander."

"So you're not denying that it bothers you."

"Not for the reasons you are insinuating," I replied.

"Really now?" she challenged back. "I may not have known you for very long, but I've hung around you enough to notice how you're always watching him when he's around; how you always hang onto his every word; how you're always taking into consideration what would help him or be better for him." She then smirked with a sly chuckle. "And don't think I didn't see what you two were up to in the bathhouse. He had you on his lap like a little kitty cat."

Of course she saw that. How could I be so naive as to think I could've had a truly private moment with DeWolf. "S-so what if I am? It is not as though I can do anything about it."

"Hard to solve a problem if you won't admit it's there."

"Speaking of problems that need solving, how are you faring? You disappeared for a short time while I spoke with Captain DeWolf."

An air of smug satisfaction began to waft from Choshu's being as she puffed out her chest. "I'll have you know I had the most engaging discussion with a Royalist without a single issue. I think her name was… Nimi, or something close to that."

"Miss Nimi is not from the Royal Navy," I informed her. "She is a member of the Iron Blood."

"What? But she's always hanging out with that purple-haired Royalist girl, and that sleeping rabbit."

"Yes. Because they are friends."

Physically and mentally deflating, Choshu groaned and comforted herself with yet another butter tart. "Damn it. That would explain why she had no issues talking with me. She already saw me as an ally!" she exclaimed.

"Plus, she is quite friendly and outgoing, or so I have heard," I added. Despite technically being a failed attempt, it wasn't as though Choshu knew at the time. It was still a step in the right direction. "Since Captain DeWolf is preoccupied, may I suggest we go and 'mingle' with the other guests, as Miss George suggested."

With a groan, Choshu scanned the crowds. "Fine, but only because I can't keep eating tarts all night." Her tenacity was admirable, even if she continued to remain unenthusiastic. Her eyes swept back and forth across the room, and I feared in her boredom that she would just pick the worst possible choice for sheer amusement. "How about… her? She seems harmless enough."

The girl in question was diminutive in stature, but looked too old to be a destroyer. I did not recognize her, although her long, lavender hair had a familiar look to it. I was certain I had seen her before, perhaps crossed paths in a meeting, but I could not put a name to it. She stood alone near a table lined with diced fruit and some sort of chocolate-fountain. It was curious to see such a girl by herself, as the intricacies of her white gown, adorned with ribbons and bows, suggested she put a lot of effort into dressing well for the event. People who cared about parties to such a degree did not usually spend their time alone.

"I have no objections, although I do take issue with describing her as 'harmless'," I replied. What made me most curious, however, was that the girl carried with her some kind of large, stuffed toy in the shape of a winged horse.

"Do you know her?"

"I am afraid I do not. She is of the Royal Navy, though. I know I have seen her before with other Royalists."

"What kind of leader are you that you don't know who's who?" Choshu remarked as we started our walk over.

"As the former flagship, I know the prominent figures of each faction, but I do not know every face," I replied. "It is not uncommon for kansens of opposing factions to have never met outside the crucible of combat." It was part of the reason why DeWolf's vision focused so heavily on bringing the kansens together in times of peace. Conflict was a poor way to get to become acquainted with other people, and in the absence of understanding, rumours and half-truths flourish.

Just as we were getting close, however, my companion halted in her tracks. With an anxious glance, she nudged me forward. "Maybe you should say hello first," she suggested.

Obviously, she was just stalling, and I couldn't blame her. As accustomed as I was to the ins and outs of diplomacy, starting a casual conversation with a near-total stranger was still hard on the nerves. The Royal Navy remained the main reason as to why I still wore an inhibitor collar, so there was still a chance she could resent my presence. Maybe she would find me too stiff, too awkward, or just plain boring. After all, I could have very little in common with the average Royalist kansen. There were times I felt I barely had any common ground with my fellow Sakurans. Despite all of those misgivings, though, I had to push on. If someone as reluctant around crowds as DeWolf could manage mingling with these people, then so could I.

Steeling my resolve, I made my approach. "Good evening. Are you enjoying the party?"

For a brief second, the girl looked surprised that somebody had actually spoken to her. "O-oh! Miss Secretary Ship. Good evening," she replied. I didn't know her name, but she clearly recognized who I was. "I'm fine. Um, t-thank you for asking." She was polite, if a bit timid from a lack of confidence.

"There is no need for lofty titles; you may simply call me Nagato. I do not know if you have ever had the chance to meet, but this is Choshu." I gestured for her to make her approach.

"Good evening, it is an honour to make your acquaintance." Choshu's bravado came off a touch strong, and when she snapped a quick bow, the other girl visibly recoiled, like a small animal startled by a sudden movement.

"My name's Unicorn. It's a pleasure to meet you both," she replied. Though hiding more behind her toy, at least she wasn't scared off completely by our sudden approach.

Of course, then came the true difficulty: making small talk. "So… this fountain? I presume it is not just for decor," I asked, turning our attention to the nearby attraction.

"This? You use it for dipping," she explained. To demonstrate, she picked up a nearby slice of apple skewered on a toothpick, then held it beneath the velvet chocolate curtain.

"Interesting. May I try?" Once Unicorn stepped aside, I decided to make my inaugural test with a strawberry. I watched, fascinated, as the chocolate slowly layered over the fruit. I worried it would be a bit too sweet, but it was surprisingly mild, and accentuated the strawberry's natural flavour rather than simply masking it over. "Mmm, it's quite delicious."

"You have a little bit on your cheek," Unicorn said, politely pointing out the location on her own face.

"Anyone else have an urge to just shove your face in there and open wide?" Choshu mused, still staring at the towering chocolate cascade.

For a brief second, I wondered if she was about to do just that. Thankfully, the observation managed to crack the lingering tension as Unicorn broke into a quiet giggle, which quickly spread to my colleague and I. Once we were all laughing, not only did I feel a lot more at ease, but even a little embarrassed that I had been so tense in the first place.

"Ambercrombie did that once, but then all the maids yelled at her for it," Unicorn said once we had calmed down. "I think it'd probably make a big mess. Illustrious would get mad if I got my dress covered in chocolate."

It was a sentiment I understood all too well. Mutsu would throw a fit if I ruined the kimono she spent so much time picking out for me, although she would probably also be amused that I would do something so childish on a whim. With the newfound levity, the three of us were able to talk more freely, and my worries about common ground or coming off as boring became distant thoughts. Unicorn was quite curious about what life was like in the empire. As she was an aircraft carrier, she was interested in learning more about how our carriers lived and trained. She had taken part in Akagi's 'training session' and despite half of it being less about training and more about Akagi's ego, she admitted it was an interesting, if frightening, learning experience. In the Royal Navy, carriers, while powerful, were still often regarded as a supporting element whereas we in the empire often utilized them as the point of the spear.

"You know Akagi really well, right?" she asked after a lengthy discussion about the First Carrier Division. "Is she… normally so scary?"

"A cornered fox is a dangerous animal," I replied. "But when relaxed, they can be quite friendly. I like to believe that Akagi is not bad or scary by nature, but when she feels threatened, she does not hesitate to protect those that she cares about. Sometimes she can be… overzealous in that regard, which can lead to false impressions."

"I see," Unicorn murmured with a slow nod. "I heard some of the others say that Akagi is 'only here to drive a wedge between DeWolf and the Royal Navy', but from what you've said, she sounds a bit like Illustrious or Ark Royal. Maybe our sides aren't too different after all."

"As a certain commanding officer would pontificate, 'we have more in common than what sets us apart,'" Choshu quipped, even throwing in her own interpretation of the captain's mannerisms as she waved around a half-eaten marshmallow on a stick. "He'd probably throw in a pretentious-sounding quote from Shakespeare in there as well, and a half-baked reference to maple syrup."

While I felt the impression needed work, Unicorn found it amusing enough. She giggled and nodded along. "Do you like being his secretary ship, Miss Nagato?"

"I do," I answered without even needing to give it thought. "The work is very rewarding, and I find Captain DeWolf to be pleasant company."

Choshu then leaned in behind me, and turned her talent at impressions upon me. "And I like the way it feels when he pets my head," she quipped in a feigned haughty tone.

"Ch-Choshu! I do not sound like that!"

At least our newly formed comedy duet was well-received, as Unicorn was doing her best to avoid laughing too overtly at my embarrassment. "I guess he's become just as popular as Captain Cunningham was," she remarked.

Though I was just about to unload a stern lecture on my cohort for airing my embarrassing moments in front of others, the casual mention of Cunningham took all of my attention away. "You knew Captain Cunningham?" I asked. While I couldn't ask King George V or DeWolf about her as both sounded uncomfortable with the subject, perhaps with Unicorn I could find some answers. "I have heard of the name from others, but nobody has ever told me much."

"Really? But everybody loved Miss Cunningham," Unicorn replied with a hint of confusion. "She used to always keep a bowl of candy on her desk that she'd give out whenever you came to drop off paperwork. She'd always have a new joke to tell, and she'd always listen to whatever you had to say. One time, when I was embarrassed because I would always carry Yuni around with me, she patted me on the head and told me that she still keeps a little bear with her in her cabin." She practically glowed as she recalled the moment. Even one as inexperienced as I could see there was love in her words, albeit not in a romantic sense. It was more akin to a familial love, like a child to their parent, or an older sibling. It was a reassuring sight since everyone else that spoke of Cunningham was always so melancholic. "And she would always tell me how dependable I've become. She was so nice. I… I really miss her…"

I knew it was risky, but my curiosity had turned into a rolling boil and I just had to. "May I ask what happened?"

As expected, her demeanour immediately went sullen, and she hugged her little friend even tighter. "I don't really know. She went out with the fleet to the Iroise Sea, but she never came back." A remorseful murmur slipped from her lips. "I tried asking big sister Illustrious, but she wouldn't tell me. Although, I heard some of the girls say it was DeWolf's fault–that he was a bad person who ran away to save himself. He's not… a bad person, is he?"

I didn't even get a chance to rebuke the claim before Choshu suddenly cut in front of me. "Now hear this," she said as she gave the stuffed horse toy a poke on the snout, "While I will not deny that Captain DeWolf has his flaws: he can be a bit of a push-over and a fool; and sure, sometimes he can be a bit awkward; and he most certainly doesn't understand a maiden's heart; but I've not met a braver or more dedicated man than him. And I will fight any person who dares say otherwise!"

Though I appreciated her strong, full-throated defense, it had the unfortunate side effect of scaring poor Unicorn, who wasn't expecting such fervour directed at her. "I-I-I'm s-sorry! I-I didn't mean to–"

"It's okay," I interjected. "We know you did not mean ill-will. Choshu was just… over-enthusiastic in her support of the captain."

Realizing her mistake, especially with how Unicorn recoiled and hid behind her toy, Choshu settled down. "R-right. I'm sorry," she said, followed by a quick, but deep, bow. "Hearing a good officer's honour being sullied is an injustice and an unforgivable sin. I did not mean to direct my ire at you."

"I-I understand," a still nervous Unicorn replied. She managed a timid smile back. "You two really care about him. Do you think I could ever be a secretary ship, too?"

My first thought was that she was still a bit too skittish to effectively handle a secretary ship's duties, but when I gave it some more consideration, and reflected upon how the job had helped me cope with some of my shortcomings, it didn't sound like a terrible idea. If Captain DeWolf could help someone as hopelessly sheltered as I had been, then perhaps he could help Unicorn, too. She seemed earnest enough, and it wasn't as though a secretary ship's duties weren't flexible enough to accommodate a kansen's own strengths and weaknesses. There was no reason why she couldn't be. If the port survived DeWolf and I working together without even fully understanding the job or dynamics, then how much harm could possibly come from another person taking the mantle later on?

"Perhaps once things have settled down, I could pass the suggestion along to the captain."

Unicorn beamed with an elated giggle. "Really? Oh, thank you."

Our conversation carried on for a little while longer, but when I noticed from across the room that King George V parted ways with Captain DeWolf, I hoped that I would soon be able to join back up with him. Not that my time spent with Unicorn was unpleasant, but I remained wary of leaving him alone with Akagi still lingering so close to him. However, King George V tapping the side of her glass with a spoon drew all of our attention to the centre of the banquet hall.

"Excuse me everyone," she called out, which prompted the chattering to quickly fall silent. "As you all know, we are gathered here tonight to formally welcome our long time friend, Captain James DeWolf, to our little naval port." She turned to the man in question and raised her glass to him. "On behalf of the Royal Navy and Her Majesty, we are all honoured to have you here with us, and on a personal note, may I say that…" An odd silence suddenly fell upon the banquet hall. Everyone waited and expected her to continue, and yet King George V just stood there in an increasingly tense silence. Normally it wouldn't have been odd, but when someone as charismatic as her was at a loss, it felt like a pebble in your shoe. Her expression softened, morose, but she forced a smile back and raised her glass once more. "It's good to work with you again."

There was a round of polite, dignified clapping, along with a few more raised glasses and the occasional 'welcome' from the other kansens present. Before it could continue on for too long, though, King George V silenced the crowd once again.

"Now, we will soon be opening up the dance floor for the evening, and as is customary in the Royal Navy, we now invite Captain DeWolf to choose a partner for the first dance of the night."

Hushed whispers spread through the crowd. I had never heard of such a tradition before, but then again the Royal Navy always did things their own particular way, as did most navies. One by one, our gazes all turned to the captain, who was already making his way to the dance floor. I would have expected this kind of activity to be the exact reason why he avoided parties, but he appeared to take it in stride. He paused for a second to scan the room, and it didn't elude me the implications of what it might mean for whomever he picks for his first dance. When his gaze settled in my direction, my heart almost jumped out of my chest. He started walking towards me. My heart was racing. Was he really…?

"Would you honour me with a dance?"