After a few days of rehearsing, We began our real show in front of the audience tongight.

We played our roles. Iris' character and mine ran away from the forest where we met Sumire's character named the Witch. She invited us to eat her candy cottage.

As were done eating, we fell asleep. But we woke up only to learn we were the witch's dinner. I freed myself and Iris from the cage. Then I helped Iris shove the witch into the oven.

"Can we go home, Hansel?" Iris asked me.

"Yes, let's go home together, Gretel," I agreed.

As we walked into the forest, the curtains fell down.

My performance on stage was so successful it exceeded my teammates' expectations and those of the audience. When we returned to the dressing room, they congratulated me for my excellent acting. Iris hugged me cheerfully to express her congratulations although I didn't return the hug.

I heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Maria inquired.

"It's me, Ohgami," the reply came. His voice made my heart pound with enthusiasm.

"Come in, Taichou," Maria responded.

The door opened to reveal the taichou who entered the room. "Hi, girls. I watched your performances. Great work, girls."

"Leni, Have to admit your performance was superb," he added.

"I am inclined to agree with the ensign," Sumire concurred

"I've got to go. See you tomorrow morning at simulation practice session," taichou chuckled.

Next Day.

After completing our battle simulations, I left the training room. On my way, I caught up with taichou.

"Taichou?"

"Yes, Leni?"

"Uh, well…can you…" I muttered.

"I what?"

"Can you go with me on a date?" I said nervously.

"You've got to be kidding!"

"No, I am."

"Oh, well, Leni, you see…."

"If you don't want to come with me on a date, that is fine by me," I said. Taichou, please say yes. Please say 'I want to go with you, Leni.'

"Uh, well, Leni if you insist, I'm happy to go to on a date with you."

"Thank you, taichou," I replied "When and where will we go on a date?"

"I hear there is a carnival opening in this city. Would you like to go there at one o'clock afternoon?" he suggested.

"Yes, taichou. It sounds acceptable."

Two hours later.

I started to dress myself properly for our date. As I was about to look at my reflection in the mirror, I heard a knock on my door.

"Leni? I'm here, Leni. Are you finished," my taichou called. I called back "Yes. I am coming."

When I opened the door, he gasped as he stared at my bright blue yukata adorned with silver stars.

"You like my yukata?"

"You look stunning in that outfit."

"Thank you. Shall we go now?"

When we went to the carnival, taichou asked me where I want to go. I asked for a ride. He suggested we go to a Ferris wheel. I conceded to his suggestion and took a ride with him in the Ferris wheel. I stared at the breathtaking view from our seat above.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he complimented the view.

"Yes and the breeze is cool," I agreed.

It took at least five minutes for us to remain in our seats. As we disembarked from our seats, he asked, "what's next?'

"What is next? Do you like another ride?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"Well, before we go on a other ride, I suggest we try a shooting game."

"Sure, Leni."

I spotted and chose the game of goldfish catching. Taichou was happy to play with me. Unfortunately, unlike me, he was unsuccessful at catching goldfish. I won a teddy bear prize for catching a boatload of goldfish.

"That was fun," taichou laughed cheerfully.

"Yes, Taichou, it is. Why don't we go riding on a row boat?" I suggested, pointing to the automatic Swan-looking rowboat ride.

"Good idea, Leni."

When we went there and sat in an automatic boat ride, I asked Taichou. "Can you kiss me?"

"Wha-what? What are you talking about?"

"Taichou, you know what I am saying."

"But you're very young."

"I do not care," I replied. "I insist."

"But people will stare at us."

"Not in the tunnel where young couples kiss in the dark. That is why it is called Love tunnel. When we reach the tunnel, will you kiss me?"

I grimly stared into taichou's nervous eyes until he conceded "Okay, I'll kiss you when we are in the tunnel."

"Good."

I said it when our boat began to enter the tunnel. Then I called him to kiss me. As the darkness covered our eyes, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. His kiss felt extremely nervous as if he was a boy inexperienced in the ways of men and women and kissed for the first time.

I continued kissing him until we came out of the tunnel. Then I released him and asked "How was it?"

"Um, it was a wonderful kiss, Leni."

"I agree. It was my first and best kiss."

April 1926

When General Yoneda informed me and taichou about his promotion, I was extremely proud of my taichou.

Unfortunately, the bad news outweighed the good news as the General also told us taichou will be assigned to France as an exchange student. At first I was hesitant to let him go but I knew it was for his own good. Who was I to value my happiness over his education? Because of Europe's advanced naval military and leadership tactics, I firmly believed that if he went to France, he would come as even better leader. So I encouraged him to pursue his studies. I had to put down my feelings for my taichou's sake.

Before taichou was about to head for the dock, I came to his room and extended him a letter. I asked him not to open the letter until he was on the ship.

"I see, Leni. Thanks for everything," he said.

"No problem, taichou."

Later, my teammates and I waved at him who stood on the ship and returned our farewells. Then each one of us saluted at taichou.

The end.

My letter:

Dear Taichou

The year 1925, May.

When I was transferred to the TeikokuKagekidan - Hana-Gumi., I met with the Taichou for the first time. The year 1925, August. My first time at an onsen with everyone in theHana-Gumi. Many things happened. When I think about it know, it was a little embarrassing.

The year 1925, September.

Taichou rescued me after having been controlled by Suiko. Having first met the Taichou, something inside me began to change, at least a little bit.

The year 1925, December.

The Christmas performance. The Taichou chose me for the lead role. My birthday was celebrated for the first time. At the church with Taichou. It would be a day I would never forget.

The year 1926, January.

 New Year's alone with the Taichou. And, the final battle. This one year spent with the Taichou......many things have happened. The Taichou has changed me. The Taichou's existence in my life has been great. No doubt, from here on as well...... Once again, congratulations on your lieutenancy promotion.

I will be waiting for the day when we can meet again.

From

Leni Milchstrasse

TeikokuKagekidan Hana-Gumi