Hi, everyone! I wanted to thank you all for the support on this story. I've been enjoying my time writing this and it means a lot that you all like it too.
Chapter 3: Love on the Rocks
The sun shined brightly for another day, paired beautifully with the calm ocean waves. Shoukaku yawned loudly in protest of her current mood. "Ugh, why did you want to come back here not a full day after you challenged Enterprise?" Said Shoukaku with a noticeable pout to her cheeks.
Zuikaku paused not knowing how to spin into words that which she secretly desired. "Sis, I know this is hard to explain, but I must see her again…" Her cheeks turned red when she turned around to spot her older sister giving her a question mark look. "I mean, if I'm ever to get to her current level, then I must see how she operates during fieldwork. I realized how much of a fool I am for only understanding her legend and never seeing how she achieves her fame."
Shoukaku understood her words better. "Ah, I see. So, you want to tag along with her and be her little sister, is that right?" She said with narrowed eyes.
Zuikaku forcibly stopped her movement, frantically looking at her sister. "Oh, come on that's not what I meant! I want to join her in her fieldwork and see how she operates—that's all! I most certainly don't plan on trying to be her sister!"
The older Crane sister reveled in her little sister's words. "That's good to hear. Because just the thought of losing my sisterly status to the Grey Ghost would completely break my heart," she said with a show of comical hurt.
Zuikaku sighed. "I hope you coming along wasn't because you felt threatened by her," she said flatly.
"Not really… but, if you do want to perform at your best, we are a pair that always stick together," she giggled with a sisterly tone to it.
Zuikaku would never say this out loud, but she wished that one day she could develop a power that could help her fight at her fullest without the need for assistance. This was not to say that she didn't want to be paired with her sister, however, she desired a day where fighting alone at her fullest could be an option.
A short time later, they made it to the docking area of Azur Lane. Ever since all the four major factions declared that there would be a better line of communication and assistance, numerous groups of Iron Blood and Sakura Empire had made their presence known in Azur Lane.
There were a few Sakura Empire locals that filled the base that made the crane sisters stand out less, and rumors floated around, mostly from Prinz Eugen, that Z23 had found herself in the group of Laffey, Ayanami, and Javelin. Of course, knowing Z23, she would never confess it outright, so it was a secret by the group if that fact did hold weight.
They walked past the beach and deeper into the island-like base where giant trees and a park stood. "Hmm, these trees might not be cherry blossoms, yet they do have their beauty," said Shoukaku.
Zuikaku didn't pay much mind to the area as she was actively looking for Enterprise. She had to calm herself down a bit when she started to realize that her actions could be identified as stalker-like.
"Well, this is a surprise," said a voice from behind them.
Both crane sisters turned around quickly to come face to face with Hornet, Enterprise's little sister.
She gave them a wide friendly grin. "We've been getting a lot of Sakura Ships dropping by but you two haven't been on land much. Come to think of it, you both were doing some training battle with my sister the other day."
"Yes, that was us. We've met in the past under more serious situations…"
Hornet held out her hand to block where that conversation was going. "Nah, let's forget about the past. No harm done to anyone and that's the way of battle in the end. Yesterday's enemies could be today's allies and all that," she said with her carefree smile.
Zuikaku felt happy and light at how forgiving she was. "Thank you, we should introduce ourselves officially as allies. This is my older sister, Shoukaku, and I'm Zuikaku," said the brown-haired carrier with a friendly smile. Shoukaku's greeting was a little more passive with her merely giving the blonde aircraft carrier a quick wave from behind her younger sister.
"So… Shou and Zui, nice to officially meet you two, I'm Hornet, and if you'd like, Miss Hornet is fine too," she said with her hand extended.
Shoukaku stared daggers at Hornet for using the nicknames that were only reserved and meant to be used by them.
The younger crane could feel the burning intensity from behind her, and she playfully but nervously laughed, accepting the handshake.
"What brings you two here today anyway?" Asked Hornet.
"I'm actually looking for your sister," said Zuikaku with a faint red blush that went undetected.
"Whoa, really? What for?" Questioned Hornet.
"Well… I want to learn from her how to be a stronger fighter. Your sister is remarkable, and the title of Grey Ghost doesn't give her enough justice to her legend…" She found her words carried more momentum, like a boulder rolling down a hill. "… s-she should be called Majestic Ghost if you asked me." Once those words had passed her lips, she sucked air back in a futile attempt to undo the words she brought into reality.
Both Shoukaku and Hornet looked at her with wide eyes at the powerful comment. Shoukaku remained silent with her thoughts painting her mind with sisterly jealousy.
"It's rather refreshing that my sister has a big fan like you. However, if you're looking for her to teach you, then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Sis may be a champion, but she doesn't take pride in her combat abilities. Nor does she take in students." Hornet could see the noticeable hurt in Zuikaku's eyes, making her feel bad that she had to crush this girl's dreams. "Hey, cheer up, listen, my advice for you is to put your name on a supply run that she's going to be doing today. It's a small run, so only Enterprise and Belfast are currently the ones on it. I'm sure she won't object to extra help. And if you want, you can ask her personally, but due be ready to get shot down… pun intended." She made a giggling smirk at her unintentional joke.
The brown-haired girl's face lit up from the info. "You have my thanks, Hornet. Don't worry, I can handle rejection and all I want is to talk to her." If she had to be honest with herself, the excuse of telling her sister that she wanted to learn from Enterprise was a false one. There was a part of her that wouldn't mind having sessions with Enterprise about combat, but that wasn't her true goal. She wanted to get close to Enterprise to be able to understand her better and see if her feelings would still carry over after she did.
All three of them were able to get along rather well. None of the three were aware that a certain maid had been hidden behind a tree, some good distance from them, as she watched the situation unfold before her eyes.
The look in the eyes of the maid was filled with an unhealthy amalgamation of uncertainty and contempt. If it was up to her, she wouldn't need Zuikaku to tag along for a small job that they were going to undertake. The part that she was uncertain about was if this fact had been based on her logic or jealousy. She quickly walked to the cafeteria for her morning meal and the chance to find Enterprise in there.
Time advanced from the fateful encounter that Belfast hadn't been fond of. The sky was blue and cloudless, and the water beneath her didn't pose a problem in the sense of harsh waves. She reluctantly turned her head around to see Enterprise gliding behind her. Then she looked to Enterprise's left and right to see Zuikaku and Shoukaku.
Enterprise noticed Belfast look back and gave her a friendly acknowledgment, causing the maid to look away.
The Eagle Union carrier's face dimmed a bit from the response. Before she could do any further reaction, Zuikaku glided rather close to her.
"Enterprise, thanks for allowing us to tag along," she said brightly.
"It's not a problem. Of course, it does feel like we're too fortified for this supply run," she said as she scratched her cheek.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Shoukaku and I didn't have any missions today and might as well have too much firepower than too little," laughed the younger crane.
"Enterprise would have been more than enough for this," cursed Belfast under her breath to help with her annoyance.
"That may be the case. You probably won't get any combat action with this one if that's okay with you," said Enterprise to Zuikaku.
"Don't worry, Enty. I'd rather take a slow and boring supply run than being on standby with nothing to do." The brown-haired carrier felt like countless spotlights were hitting her face after she said that. The looks that her sister, Belfast, and Enterprise gave her were enough to heat her with embarrassment.
"Enty…?" Responded Enterprise along with Shoukaku.
"Enty, indeed. Just yesterday you strictly called her Grey Ghost. What's the sudden change from that, to Enterprise, and now Enty?" Said Belfast who called her out.
Zuikaku's heart weighed heavily and no number of lies would help her out of this. Alternatively, she decided on speaking with half-honesty. "It's not a crime to give a nickname to anyone. Enterprise, I… truly respect you as a fighter from our battle yesterday. Forgive me if it was rude to call you by a nickname. I only do that to people I respect."
"Very well. I have no problems with nicknames. It's rather new and refreshing to be called like that. Yes, it does feel very human," she said with a smile.
Zuikaku blushed that her feelings were accepted by Enterprise. On the other spectrum, Belfast felt an unhealthy amount of seething flooding into her that could have been seen as a hot aura. To her, while she should have been ecstatic to hear Enterprise speak very positively about human-like topics, the fact that it was used to help get Zuikaku a leg up on having the permission to use a nickname on her was too much.
"Huh? We should hurry up before the supply ship leaves us in its wake. Time to speed up, Shou, Zui, and Bel," laughed Enterprise as she picked up speed.
All three in their own way were left dumbfounded. Belfast blushed as this was the first time Enterprise had ever called her by a nickname.
Zuikaku had the brightest grin that could have been used as a lighthouse light and Shoukaku felt defensive by someone other than her sister calling her by that nickname.
Belfast immediately picked up speed giving the crane sisters a moment to speak. "Zui, you never use nicknames for people you respect," said Shoukaku sternly.
"What? O-Of course I do. Y-You probably never noticed," she said nervously as she picked up speed as well.
Shoukaku puffed her cheeks out in frustration and begrudgingly picked up her speed.
Enterprise felt an ominous sense in the air that forced her to scan the area around them. Her intuition was right when she noticed a small group of black ships in the far distance. "Everyone! We got Sirens heading for us!"
All the others became serious at the sight of the enemy encroaching on them.
"Pfft, they're lesser Siren ships. I doubt they have the firepower to take us all on!" Zuikaku blasted past Enterprise to show her the power she held. "I'll make quick work of them!" she boasted happily.
Belfast felt a surge of envy knowing that Zuikaku had the firepower to take them all on. She unknowingly bit her lip and blasted away from Enterprise.
"Ha, this group doesn't even deserve to be destroyed by my blade." She readied her planes and unleashed the full force of their power from her runway rig, growing in size after taking off. Also, upon takeoff, they ignited with fire that could've been described one way as a wave of burning phoenixes. Some dived headfirst and others fired torpedo bombs with their combined attacks resembling a violent meteor shower.
Belfast; who couldn't stand and do nothing, proceeded to use the full stock of her burning shells at her disposal.
"Huh? What are you doing?!" Asked Zuikaku, irritation clearly shown on her face.
Belfast brazenly smiled that had a mixture of a smirk. "It would be unbecoming of the head maid of the Royal Navy to not take the frontline. My dear enemies… this may be very painful," she allowed herself a full smirk as a barrage of flaming shells curved downward and exploded everything that came into contact.
Zuikaku stood shocked for a slight second as she witnessed the light cruiser's all-out assault that could rival a barrage hit from a heavy carrier like her or Enterprise. To not be outdone by a light cruiser, she increased her assault on the lesser Siren ships.
Enterprise and Shoukaku were horrified at the sight they were seeing that put into words, would be like a violent meteor shower and a hailstorm taking place at the same time. The hailstorm-like appearance was Belfast's burning shells that, while smaller in size than Zuikaku's planes and torpedoes, had more quantity.
Enterprise heard a yell from Shoukaku as a burning shell missed her by a few meters. Enterprise then saw a burning payload from a dive bomber from one of Zuikaku's planes, hitting the water close to her and the supply ship they were assigned to protect. "Stop this! Your assaults are straying from the targets!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.
The roaring sounds of explosions and desperate gunfire from the weakening Siren ships drowned out her voice. She drew her bow and quickly shot down a couple of payload bombs and burning shells that threatened the integrity of the supply ship. "That is an order! Halt!" She roared but still caused no change to the two.
Shoukaku readied herself for more bombs heading her way. However, Enterprise had reached her limit. "Enough!" She summoned a handful of arrows and launched them all at once at the incoming danger. Her arrows fired powerfully from her bowstring and split into smaller arrows upon the air.
Belfast and Zuikaku stopped their rampaging when they witnessed the sky ignite with fire, and the debris of their bombs and fragments of planes fell around them. Fortunately for them, the firepower of Enterprise had reduced the metal into small pieces, so that the fallout wouldn't be too disastrous. They did get stained with oil and soot which were a cause of their dismantled planes and burning shells.
Both hesitantly looked at Enterprise who wore a disgusted expression that neither of them had ever seen.
"What has gotten to the both of you?! Unleashing full force on a small Siren fleet—really? You put our supply ship and your allies in danger on a literal carpet bomb attack that wasn't even warranted. If you go around flexing uncontrolled power like that, then you're no better than the enemy we face."
Enterprise's words cut deep into the two love rivals who could do nothing but look down in shame.
Enterprise took a deep breath and turned her back on them. "Since I'm the acting leader of this supply mission, I order you both to return home and get cleaned up."
"But—but…" They both desperately tried to force words out, but their disgrace weighed them down.
"Save your breath. Shoukaku, you can help me finish this mission or you may be released," she said calmly.
"Hmm, if it's okay with you, I'll finish the mission. My little sister needs to think about what she did," she said in a seldom and real-like disappointed tone.
Zuikaku trembled, never experiencing her older sister with a grave tone paired with her disappointed face. The closest she ever saw her sister being at this level was when she accidentally broke her flute a few years back during some training.
For Belfast, while there wasn't anything specific that was meant for her, she could feel the link of trust she had formed with Enterprise start to bend. In the end, her actions made her see that she wasn't more concerned about her love status rather, she was more concerned about her friendship status. She feared that if she broke this friendship bond, then Enterprise would deviate away from what she truly wanted her to be… human.
"Then let us set sail," she said as she signaled to the supply ship to return to its designated path.
Shortly after that, when the older crane sister and Enterprise were merely a black speck, both Zuikaku and Belfast exchanged a furrowed look at the other.
The tension in the air felt heavy, and the burning destroyed remnant ships didn't help as an occasional explosion would go off.
Zuikaku released her breath as a sigh and moved past Belfast to head to Azur Lane to wait for her sister.
Belfast watched her go with half-focused eyes. She wanted to scream and let her intense anger in her heart be heard at the fact that this was all because of the Sakura Empire carrier.
It was Zuikaku's fault for seeding this jealousy in her and it was her fault that she partook in this assault. She now wished that she let Zuikaku do it alone, so Enterprise would have been only mad at her.
It was her fault... her fault... and yet, while she gazed at her reflection that had a piece of metal stuck to her hair and black soot on her face in the oily water, she could see the hideous face looking back from the other night. "Is this me?" She said to no one but the darkest parts of her.
(Enterprise)
The supply mission was a success and the providers of the mission were greatly excited. They were owners of a new food place that operated in the Sakura Empire but due to personal reasons, they liked their supplies dropped in a small landmass outside of Sakura Empire territory where from there, a fellow shipgirl friend would make the rest of the trip.
Long story short, Enterprise was carrying a box of pastries gifted to her by the shipgirl and from the mission providers when she returned to Azur Lane.
"Hmm, smelling those delicious pastries back here fills me with hunger," said Shoukaku sweetly in the hopes that Enterprise might take the hint.
"You're free to take some," said Enterprise.
"Really? You are too kind Miss Grey Ghost." She reached into the box and pulled a pink frosted pastry from it.
"Well, that's a new name," responded Enterprise amusingly.
Shoukaku longly gazed at the pastry with her eyes filled with happiness. "My sister is the one who highly respects you. I, on the other hand, just acknowledge you as an ally." She bit the pastry with delight.
Enterprise was saddened when she remembered the harsh talk, she gave them when she parted ways with them. "Please, take some for your sister."
"Oh, is that okay?" said the Sakura Empire with crumbs near her mouth.
"Yes, even though she and Belfast acted out of line, they still had good intentions. And... I would feel bad to keep these all to myself."
"Miss Grey Ghost, your heart isn't truly transparent as your name would imply," she said with a giggle.
"I'm just trying to make things right." She said sheepishly.
"Hmm, I will take some for Zui, however, this shouldn't be to make amends. She acted dangerously and I'm going to make sure her ear is pulled before the day is done. Before that happens, I would like that you could also talk to her."
"Me?"
"Yes, I'm not sure why Zui is acting out of place, and I can only imagine the most terrible of things." She paused, thinking that all these attempts to impress and be around Enterprise were her little sister desiring to be the sister of the strongest Eagle Union, despite what Zuikaku had stated. That thought put her on edge, but knowing Enterprise, the Grey Ghost wasn't looking for that.
"She's acting out of place? Could that explain the sudden interest in me? Maybe I shouldn't have fought her."
"Oh, Zui can be very persistent. You would have still fought her regardless or suffered having her camped outside your room. I believe that she wishes to study under you perhaps," she said, holding back her personal issues.
"Study? I'm not much of a teacher." Responded Enterprise.
"It's only food for thought, Miss Grey Ghost. We're supposed to be back home before nightfall, if you see her, please give her a second of your time."
"What about you?"
"I think I'll go find Akashi and Ayanami for a bit," she said happily.
Enterprise stood there with the remaining pastries in her hands. She felt at a loss and started to regret how things ended with her and the other two.
She made her way out of the dock area to find herself face to face with Zuikaku. "Huh...?" Enterprise could see the shyness that poured out of Zuikaku as she couldn't even look at the Eagle Union carrier in the face.
"Zuikaku... were you able to get cleaned up?" She said mostly in an attempt to make small talk. She found it hard to approach what happened and a part of her still felt fired up regardless of her guilt.
Zuikaku then did something completely unexpected to Enterprise. She went up to her, got down on her knees, and lowered her head until it was mere inches from the floor.
"What are you doing?" Declared Enterprise.
Zuikaku looked up at her with a face that could only be described as a wounded puppy, and it did succeed in making the white-haired carrier sympathetic.
"As a Sakura Empire ship and Fifth Carrier division member, I… Zuikaku, am deeply ashamed of the actions that I took under your command. This is how I must beg for your forgiveness," she said with deep sorrow.
"Z-Zuikaku, I accept your method of apology but please get up. The ground here at the docks is rather messy."
Zuikaku nodded and smoothed her red dress out when she picked herself up. "Thank you, Enterprise."
Enterprise was at a loss as she scratched her head. With the brown-haired girl forgiven, the Eagle Union ended up finding herself being offered dinner with her.
(Zuikaku)
This is a date. The one sentence on a maddening loop played inside her mind. Her face was bathed in crimson and she had the urge to bite her fingernails.
They were now sitting in a ramen shop waiting for their food to be ready.
The box of pastries was given to some of the younger shipgirls like Bogue and her baseball friends and Mutsuki along with a few others who had been visiting from the Sakura Empire.
Zuikaku found it endearing by Enterprise's kind act. She grew to understand that the Eagle Union Carrier had a kind heart and an honest smile.
"I'm not much of a pastry eater but I do like a donut once in a while," said Enterprise with her small talk that made Zuikaku giggle on impulse. She found herself relaxing and her hands stopped fidgeting.
"Oh, really? I never tried one before and I wouldn't say no to one if given the chance. For me, Dangos would be one of my favorites."
"Ah, Dango. I haven't had one of those but do know of them."
"Perhaps we can make it a plan to purchase some and enjoy the company with each other," said Zuikaku with a red blush on her cheeks while she playfully connected her fingertips.
"I don't mind. I'll be sure to send you a message at my next available time."
"I'll like that very much!" She said with a sharp intake of breath due to her excitement. She was practically counting the days when it would happen.
They received their noodles and they both did a quick silence before starting.
Enterprise noticed in the corner of her eye how the Sakura Empire carrier energetically ate her noodles. She took a taste test and immediately found herself enjoying the dish.
"Wow, it's not the Sakura's style of ramen, yet it's so good," cried Zuikaku with comically happy tears in her eyes.
"This is the first time I'm eating ramen," said Enterprise.
"Say what?! What food do you normally like?"
"Umm... well, these days I've been trying out new dishes that the cafeteria in the academy has. In truth, I didn't care for food in the past and it was all purely for sustenance."
Zuikaku didn't feel like her place to comment on this new fact. "Not to worry. I can be your food guide if you like. Have you thought about coming to the Sakura Empire? I can show you foods that will knock your hat off."
Enterprise unknowingly blushed while she subconsciously fixed her hat to avoid it from falling off. "That would be an experience, minus the hat knocking part. I have been meaning to visit Akagi. How is she though?"
Zuikaku felt a little jealous at the change in topic. "She's been... quiet. She was being watched after the truth that she was working with the Sirens got out. To just put it out there, I never liked using Siren technology. Sure, it was easy to manipulate but it felt like we were playing with fire."
"Fire... now I thought that would be up your alley," laughed Enterprise softly as she couldn't hold back the joke.
"So, you joke, ha!" She was more embarrassed than angry, and she grew happy at the moment they had. "Like I was saying, Siren technology has been put on a more intense observation and Lady Nagato is even thinking outright dismantling all the mass-produced ships."
"I... haven't realized this," said Enterprise who felt happy and proud that the Sakura Empire's views were changing.
"Hmm. It's not posing any difficulties. Not even Akagi is stirring up problems about the outright dismantling of them. She's changed ever since the Orochi warship was taken out and was rescued by you."
"She's seen the true face of the Sirens. She realized that they were using her in the end," stated Enterprise who looked at her reflection in the hot liquid of the ramen. Akagi was a victim of the Sirens much as she was one too.
"Yeah, you might have a point. Iron Blood is still relying on them but there are talks that the dangers now outweigh the benefits. Huh, what's with the smile?"
The deep expression Enterprise had while she looked at her ramen didn't last long shortly after she heard the news on the Iron Blood. "It's nothing. I just... I always thought that all of us would never see eye to eye. That we would end up thinning our numbers until the Sirens would take us out at our weakest. At one point, I came to the realization that my war would never finish until all enemies were defeated, including you all. It was like a never-ending perpetual cycle of warfare. Like a well-oiled machine, it would continue due to my efforts in trying to stop it until I would be the one to end. I can breathe easier knowing that the true enemy is what matters now and that friends like you have my back."
Zuikaku jumped out of her chair with tears in her eyes at the peek behind the curtain that was the Grey Ghost. "I am honored, Enterprise. You will never fight alone as long as you got me," she said boastfully. She longed to hug her and tell her sweet things but that would be going too fast.
"I should be the one honored by your words."
They exchanged small talk for a few more minutes, then, the topic changed. "Enterprise... you probably forgot but I'm sorry."
"About what happened today?" Said the Eagle Union with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, that but another thing I said yesterday. I brought up the mind control thing when I challenged you and I feel bad that I reminded you of that. The reports said that you were not acting on your own will, and I used it to stir your heart into fighting me. I apologize for my shameful tactics."
"Very well. I accept your apology. The influence the Sirens did only worked on me because I allowed myself to sink into despair over my conclusions of war. I use it more as a reminder that I don't want to be like that. The life of a machine that I thought I had no way out of was only a means to numb myself from the world. I hate how foolish I was and am thankful for the people around me," she unknowingly smiled at an image of Belfast that had entered her mind.
"That's so awesome that you can think positively like that."
"Since we're apologizing, I also want to apologize too about what happened today," said Enterprise.
"No, I deserved to be scolded by you about what I did. I put you and my sister in danger and the mission would have failed if you hadn't stepped in."
"That may be true. Still... I had no right to compare you and Belfast to the Sirens." She seriously gazed at Zuikaku that made the Sakura Empire Carrier feel like she was in the presence of Takao. "You are indeed strong, but you are also very hot-headed."
"What!?" Blurted Zuikaku frantically after swallowing some hot liquid broth.
"You used excessive force than it was required to take out those ships. You can't do that especially when you are with allies and undertaking a mission. Even someone like me can fail a mission if I don't bring common sense into battle and have a clear mind. Without those, I'm just a machine with a gun."
"I... I get what you mean. I wouldn't open a can with a missile and all that. Tact was required and I threw that to the wind."
"Yes. You did. I was angry and disappointed, yet I know that it can't be solved if it's not talked about."
"I won't allow myself to fall to that crude way of fighting ever again."
Enterprise smiled. "Good, and I plan to hold you to that since I want you to join me in sorties."
"Huh? Come again?!"
"I know it's sudden, but I see the potential you have. You've been persistent in following me because you want to learn from me, right?"
"Well... darn, I do." She strongly believed that at worst, this was a soft lie and that it did make sense with the way she was acting.
"I didn't take students because I preferred to work alone. The consequences that they could get hurt would have been too much for me..."
"Are you saying that you wouldn't mind if I got hurt then?" Said Zuikaku with a sunken face.
"What? No, I'm saying that you're durable, strong, and very persistent. I wouldn't have to worry about looking after someone who can keep me on my toes."
"Then yes, rely on me as much as you can, Enty!"
(Enterprise)
With their meal completed, Zuikaku politely departed from Enterprise to catch up with her sister. It had grown dark outside that Enterprise decided on heading back to her room. A warm feeling had filled her heart that she was able to correct a heated mistake on her part. She looked over on the opposite side of the road from the noodle stand to see Belfast standing politely in the dark with her eyes deep in thought.
They made eye contact which made Belfast pretend to look at the sea over her shoulder.
Enterprise walked over to the maid with a hint of urgency in her step. "Belfast... it's good to see you," said Enterprise with relieved fondness that she was able to see her again the same day.
"It's good to see you as well, Enterprise. Dear me, you caught me staring at your dinner plans," she said embarrassed and hateful at herself for allowing her eyes to spy on them.
"Huh? You were staring? You should have come over, Belfast."
Enterprise was smart, yet Belfast could tell the Eagle Union was oblivious to romantic vibes in the air. The dinner that she had with Zuikaku might as well have been a date. She had seen how Zuikaku's face had lightened up with every word they exchanged. "I don't think I have earned that right. After my actions today."
Enterprise's eyes softened with regret. "Bel, I'm sorry about what I said to you. You don't deserve to be compared to a Siren and it just confuses me why you would act that way. You've told me that a woman should act with grace and elegance with everything they do. That it's unbecoming of her to falter in her actions."
Belfast smiled sadly. "I did say that. My word, this feels very reversed when not too long ago I was the one scolding you for your crude actions with your health."
"You're... a true friend, Bel. One that I couldn't live without. Talk to me. Why did you act that way?"
Belfast could feel the unbeatable waves of concern and passion with each word that the Eagle Union spoke. They weren't words from a lover but a friend that could compete with equal footing. "Well, it was a matter of the heart. A stupid matter that I now realize doesn't mean anything of value. I am indeed your friend, Enterprise, and you are my very good friend, too."
"Why do you sound defeated?" Cluelessly joked Enterprise with relief and fondness to hear those words from the maid.
"Oh, I'm just tired. Thank you for bringing things into perspective."
"Y-You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll treat you to something,"
Belfast felt Enterprise's hand interlocked firmly with hers. She more than anything wanted to cry alone, however, the warm smile on Enterprise's face would have made it a crime to decline... even if that face was secretly hurting her.
(Sometime later)
The night had completely taken reign of the sky. In the dock area, Zuikaku had finally caught up with her sister who was talking with Ayanami.
"S-Shou! I'm so glad that you waited for me," she said with caution.
"What kind of big sister would I be if I let you traverse these waters at night?" She said too sweetly than Zuikaku felt comfortable with.
"An angry one?" She said hoping to break the mood with humor.
"I don't want to bore poor Ayanami of concerns unrelated to her and it's already dark, so no time to lecture you. We can save that when we get home."
"Hi, Zuikaku." Said Ayanami who looked confused and curious about what happened.
Zuikaku sighed in acceptance of her sister's words. "Hey, Ayanami." She replied tiredly.
"Hey, Zuikaku, isn't that Belfast?" Said Ayanami, making the brown-haired girl turn her head. She locked eyes with Belfast who stood below a lamp light with her ever proper pose.
Zuikaku could see the stoic expression on the maid's face that made her cautious about her reasons here. "Give me a second. She looks like she wants to talk."
Zuikaku moved forward making sure that she remained serious to challenge the tone in the air.
"Belfast, right? The passing maid." She said with her arms crossed. She referenced the time they first encountered each other under the heat of battle with her and Enterprise. A part of her was compelled to thank her on the day she rescued a wounded Enterprise from her burning blade. If that wasn't the case, she would have never realized her feelings.
"Indeed I am. A pleasure and pardon my lack of introduction when we met today," she said with humbleness and sincereness.
"Okay, then I'm Zuikaku, Fifth Carrier Division of the Sakura Empire," she said pridefully and as a means to play along with Belfast.
Belfast showed no interest and remained with her fixed stare at the heavy aircraft carrier.
Zuikaku bit her cheek as she wasn't getting anywhere. "Listen, don't mean to be rude, but... it's getting late, and I can tell with that determined face of yours that you're not here to exchange expired formalities, right?"
"Very perceptive, Miss Zuikaku. While I genuinely wanted to undo my rude mistake from before, that is not my main reason as to why I am here."
"Oh, good. I thought I was reading the air wrong."
"Whatever you are looking for with Miss Enterprise—I'm sorry to say that you won't find it," said the maid abruptly and stoically.
Zuikaku felt her heart stop and her breath leave her body for a quick second. "W-What could you possibly mean by that?"
"You should know what I mean. We are kindred spirits regarding what we feel for Enterprise," she said calmly.
Zuikaku turned her head back to make sure that Shoukaku and Ayanami couldn't overhear. "Belfast, you must be reading what interests I have with Enterprise wrong," she challenged defensively.
"There is nothing wrong with what you feel for Enterprise. She is... remarkable... strong... and compassionate. She was able to forgive us where anyone else should have suspended us from active duty for a month."
"So, you also... "
"Indeed. My heart now beats for only one. However, this is folly. I've now realized that Enterprise doesn't look for romantic pursuits like I do."
"What makes you so sure? You can't talk for her."
"Indeed. But she is my greatest friend and I know what war she faces in her heart, and it's not love. She's like a flower without a stem floating in a vast ocean. She yearns to find understanding in her life and why she is here floating in this vast ocean. Off on the horizon, there is land that is perfect for her to grow, but on the other side of the ocean, is a storm approaching. The waves would dare carry her to the storm but miraculously, her inner strength finds a way to move closer and closer to land. She is fueled by the things she felt that she needed to discard to save others… by the same things that those harsh waves lack, as they are filled with a reluctant understanding that the direction of the storm is the only way to go. That is her struggle. And the day is approaching when the waves will fully come to understand what fuels the flower as they both rush to shore."
Zuikaku recollected the conversation that she had with Enterprise with a woefulness in her heart. "I see... the storm is her endless war and the land is a world where she no longer needs to fight. The flower is her and her compassionate heart. The waves are her old views on war in which she believed that fighting battle after battle would end war altogether."
"Yes, I believe we do share the same mind. Then you would know what would happen to the flower if it did go to the storm."
"It would lose itself. The waves would swallow it up until the beautiful reason for why she fights would vanish," replied the carrier.
"Her heart always feared that. It desperately questioned her cold answers that she always fell back on and never realized that it was her friends she was ultimately fighting for. In time, the endless battles would have discarded that unformed realization until she truly believed that her reason alone was nothing more than a machine that had to fight."
Zuikaku felt her whole body quiver and tighten up with an amalgamation of anger and sorrow. "Enterprise… damn it… I thought I was stubborn. Screw that! Screw that! She's realized all these things now and knows the value of her friends and why she fights for them. I'm going to be learning under her and it's going to be my duty—no… it's going to be my desire that she never falls ever again. I will always be there to catch her," yelled Zuikaku loud enough for Ayanami and Shoukaku to overhear the last part.
Belfast felt taken aback by the burning intensity of her love rival. "I was wrong to think that you had only fallen for her based on her power alone. I see now that you remain undiminished even after looking behind the fame of the Grey Ghost."
"You can keep your complements, maid. She stopped being the Grey Ghost when I no longer wanted to put her out of commission."
"You still don't understand the whole picture for me being here. I'm not going to stop you from pursuing Enterprise, but I know it in my heart that she doesn't fully understand human emotions at that level. Love is part of that level. I refuse to be the one that forces her to that emotion before she's ready."
Belfast slightly flinched when Zuikaku had closed some distance between them. "Then you are the one who isn't honest with your feelings. You refuse to let your heart guide you to what you want."
"No, I refuse to be the one to undo all the good that I did for her in accepting herself. My deeper feelings could cause our friendship to bend and cause her to close herself off again."
"That won't come to pass. Are you so in love with the amount of progress you made that you won't let your heart take the wheel?"
"Everything I do, I do for her. She needs a friend now more than a lover that she doesn't know how to act around."
"Fine, be her friend. Anyone can have more than one friend, but a lover… now that's a different matter. The only way through an obstacle is forward and I won't let my chance falter. You'll be seeing a lot more of me, passing maid." She gave her a back wave as she joined her sister and Ayanami who looked more confused than ever.
They departed leaving behind Belfast who, under the light of the lamp, had a balled-up fist. "Miss Zuikaku…" she said unable to allow herself to speak ill of the Sakura Empire Carrier.
That's chapter three down! How has the story been so far? I've found myself really enjoying writing the characters and trying to craft the way they speak and think. I'm aware that I could always perfect it, so feel free to ask and give me tips as well. I've been playing more of the game and trying to finish the main campaign along with reading up on the lore and back story. The next chapter will probably be two parts or one big chapter since I want to lay out the full plot of this story before it gets further in because the whole mirror thing in the summary plays a part.