"….Have you no trust in me, master?"
"Aahh... Uuuuhh…." Shit! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! That was a bad question! Alert! ALERT! Cold sweat is actually running down my back! "Of course I trust you, hahahahahahaha….. How about we eat some breakfast, Sheffield? Come on, I know you are hungry." I grab Sheffield's shoulders and hurriedly push her out of my room.
"…master, I haven't clean your room yet."
"Uhhmmm….. you can clear it after you have some breakfast." I close the door behind me and turn Sheffield's body toward the stair and push her toward it. "Nobody can work properly with an empty stomach, right?" We both then start descending the stairway rather fast and before Sheffield could react, we already hit the first floor. "…..but a maid-" "No, no, no Sheffield. Isn't it a maid job to follow your master command?"
"…yes." Sheffield's body finally lighten up which make it is easier for me to push her out of the building. "…master, may I ask you something?" "Yes?" "…..about your experiment with the wisdom cube last night?" Sheffield ask as she glance back toward me. I immediately covers her mouth with my hand as my head scans around us. It's pretty crowded but I can let out a sigh of relief as it seems that Sheffield's voice is to low to be picked up by anyone other than me.
"Ah…..." Should I tell her the truth? Nah….. I didn't tell Stella or Belfast then it's only fair to not tell it to Sheffield too. I just need to fabricate a story that she would buy but I can't do it now because in her mind I was doing something illegal and it would be weird for me to tell her casually. "After breakfast okay? Inside my office." I put my index finger on my mouth and wink at her. "Please don't ask that kind of thing in public, okay?" I take my hand off Sheffield's face.
"…..yes, master. As you wish." Good. I already plant inside of her that this information is classified. If she is a good maid, she would close her mouth shut.
XxX-XxX
Aaaaaaaaaaaannnnd done, that should be the last document that Stella give me for today. I put the document back into the stack and slack my body into the chair. "Nnnnnyyyyyaaaaaaaahhhhh…" I meow loudly as I stretch my body. I hear the tiredness left me in a loud unison crack as I stretch my body.
"…..master…." Sheffield call me and I immediately turn my head sideway like a cat smelling food. "…excuse my rudeness, but may I ask about the wisdom cube?" Ah, I completely forget about that. Still, I never thought Sheffield would ask something like that. She looks and sound like a reserve girl that would rather hide her curiosity than to outright ask. Well, she has been quiet this whole time so my impression of her wasn't unfound of.
"Okay, so ummmmm…I don't know where to start honestly." I tilt my head to the side, pretending like I was thinking. In reality, I already knew that I have to hide it from her and I just need to make a good believable story. "Okay, can I ask you what did you see last night?"
"…your body glowing, master." Sheffield answer. My body glowing huh? Just like what Stella and Belfast said two days ago.
"Okay, so there is a chance for me to maybe able to connect with the wisdom cube." Sheffield's eyebrows and the corners of her lips frown down. I need to make it more complicated so she wouldn't suspect it to be a cover up. "Yes, I know it sound stupid and not conclusive but that is what last night experiment was for." Sheffield's head ever so slightly nod. I am starting to get better at reading Sheffield's body language. "Last night was the second times I touched the cube, the first time happen a day before and that how I found out about the Wisdom cube."
"….I see…." Sheffield, it's okay if you don't get it sweety. Not even me gets it too and I am the first person POV here!
"When I first touch the cube, something happened to me but I can't remember them." Lies. "Stella and Belfast both said that my body was glowing just like you did but there was something else, something much bigger that happened at the same time in the inside." I think I just identify Sheffield's confuse face which mean I am doing a great job at lying. "There is this force and sensation inside of me that told me to touch the wisdom cube again and the problem is that I can't escape so I enlist the help of Belfast."
"…I see…." She either don't believe me or don't understand. Whichever it is, I don't care as long as she doesn't know the truth for now. Sorry Sheffield, I don't think I can share important information with you or anyone yet. "…..then I shall excuse myself master. I shall deliver the documents to master Stella." I smile at her as she picks up the stack of papers and exited my office. Sheffield is suspicious of me. She probably will try to ask Stella and Belfast about this. That's fine but the thing that I am not fine with is if she asks the other girls. Rumor will grow and soon enough it will be hard for me to conduct experiment with the wisdom cube without eyes all over me. She is a maid so there is a big chance that she wouldn't ask anyone and a bigger chance if I specifically ask her not to.
"Yawn….." I yawn as my body start to enter a relaxation state. Talking about Stella, should I leave my office and visit her? I mean she is next to me so it wouldn't take too long but there's also a chance of someone coming into my office and it would be bad if I wasn't here when that happen. Beside, Stella might be still doing some paperwork and my arrival might disturb or even distract her. Yeah, I guess it is best for me to stay here.
*Knock *Knock
"Excuse me, commander Igo. May I enter your office?" Ah, this is Souryuu's voice if I recall. I believe I did promise her that we would talk on a later date but we don't really set it up. So maybe she is here to reap that promise.
"Come in, Souryuu." My office's door opens up and come in Souryuu with someone else. Is she her sister? This woman that Souryuu bring with her has a pair of bunny ears just like Souryuu's just with different color. Her expression has almost the same seriousness with Souryuu but if Souryuu is secretary-type seriousness, this woman has a coach-type seriousness. Those fierce eyes feel like it would judge me for sitting all day instead of exercising. "Good morning, how can I help you today, Souryuu?"
"Good morning, commander. Before anything, I should introduce my sister to you." Bingo. She is her sister. "Come on Hiryuu. Introduce yourself."
"Yes! My name is Hiryuu and I am an aircraft carrier from the Sakura Empire. It's my honor to meet you, commander!" Hiryuu said out loud as she bows her body forward. It's feel weird to be treated like a proper high ranking officer. I mean I understand how high the rank of an Admiral is but on the past, I never been really comfortable with formal relationship. I would joke around and let my underlings called me just by my actual name and I will always feel uncomfortable whenever someone has to bow like she did.
"Ah, you don't need to bow. A normal greeting is fine for me. So what bring both of you here?"
"Two days ago, I believe I promised I want to know you better and since I am free right now, I decide to come here and maybe help out with your works but it seems that you're slacking off, commander." Souryuu said to me in a stern voice, almost as if she is scolding me. She even puts her hands on her hips and walk toward my desk.
"Well, Souryuu. I might look like I am slacking off but actually, I have done my work." I said to her as I look up on her face with a smug smile on my face. Souryuu smile at me before she glances back toward her sister.
"Hiryuu, we are going to have an exercise after this right?" Hiryuu nods at her sister question. What is she planning? "Well then, how is it commander? You're free right? Would you be a good commander and oversee our exercise?" Hmmm… I never really seen a shipgirl fight before so this would be a prime time to see that but if Souryuu ask it like that, I feel like there is something behind it. "or are you just a slacker who won't do anything on your own and depend on your maid?" She said that as her head turns back and she focus on the door. Why is she glaring at the door. "You may come in, maid."
"…." The door opens up and come in Sheffield with an annoyed expression. Well, for anyone who see her now would probably think she has her usual plain expression but I'm more adept at reading her face so I know that she is annoyed. Sheffield ignores Souryuu and Hiryuu as she walks toward me and stand beside me.
"So how about it, commander? Will you come?" Well, guess there is something that I would gain from this so why not? How bad can it be?
"Sure. Where exactly will you do this exercise? I don't think Stella trust me with a car yet so I have to rely on Sheffield to drive me somewhere."
"Near the Sakura Empire's Island. We'll be waiting for you there, commander." Souryuu waves her hand to me and walk out of my room. Hiryuu soon follow her after she give me another bow. I thought I told her not to bow her head to me. She isn't a good listener huh?
"How is it Sheffield? Will you come?" I turn my head to my right and look straight at her face. "Did Stella told you something? Did she give me another task?" Sheffield shakes her head. "So, why are you angry? Souryuu? Are you angry because she found you out?" Sheffield expression deepen. She probably didn't expect me to call her out. I shouldn't tell her how I manage to read her since I believe she would ask for forgiveness and train herself even more to not move a single muscle on her face. And that is bad.
"…." Sheffield's eyes glued on to me. "…. Sort of." Sheffield avert her eyes to the side. Did she just act like a child? Aawwww…. That's adorable.
"Well, the exercise can wait or I can even attend another one if you don't feel like it." "…..no master, you shouldn't-" "'Put your feeling into my consideration'? Yeah, I already heard that before. Belfast said that to me and I would answer the same way. I will and that's my command." Sheffield shows me a troubled face. I know this isn't how you suppose to be a master but I never been one and I am not sure I am comfortable to be one. It's just…..too distance for my own comfort. "How about we wait for fifteen minutes?"
"….I shall brew you a tea for the journey." Sheffield excuse herself as she leaves me in the room alone once again. I lean back on my chair and relax. Hmmmmmm…. Sheffield is really different from Belfast, huh? Even if both of them are a maid, the way they handle their emotions seem to be completely different. Is there a maid school or training course? If there is I would like to see one for myself.
XxX-XxX
"Making a girl wait….. is that your hobby commander?" Souryuu teasingly ask me as I stand next to her on the edge of a pier. I am currently a couple of meters away from the shore of the Sakura Empire Island, watching an empty water with the HQ island on the background.
"Hobby is something that you can do. The thing is, I don't have a girl." I answer her tease jokingly. "So, I thought you are going to be participating in the exercise."
"It was decided that I would be accompanying you, commander. I hope I can help your work, whatever it is." Souryuu really sound like a secretary. Hell, I wouldn't be surprise if she is one. Her aura just scream work, job, paperwork and no sleep. "Now, please stand back. It would be wise to not stand at the edge when an exercise is happening." I did what she told me and the next thing I know is that she brought out her rigging. She put her right hand inside her left sleeve and pull out 2 cards, one between her index and middle finger and another one between middle and ring finger.
"What is that card for?" I ask and a cheeky smile form on her face. "Oh no. Sheffield, please protect me." I said to Sheffield who was standing behind me. Sheffield summon her pistols and stand in front of me. "Souryuu, don't try anything stupid." It may look stupid that a big man like me hiding and making a sweet cute girl like Sheffield as my shield but she has a bigger chance of living if things go south.
"Ahahahaha…. Calm down commander." Souryuu try to cover her giggling mouth. I would calm down if you tell me what you're going to do. Souryuu throw the cards in the air and it flew high up into the sky before flame consumes them. Did she burn it or was that accidental? And why is it still flying? The flame keeps rising up and out of nowhere, 2 propeller-driven aircraft emerge from the blaze.
"What the…" FUCK!? I ask to no one in particular. HOW DID THOSE SMALL CARDS TURNS INTO FULL SIZE PLANES?! Wait, are those actual size plane or they're actually just toy planes? "….are those real?"
"…..yes, it is master." Sheffield answer me as she puts away her pistols. The planes fly on a circle pattern above us like a condor eyeing its prey. Souryuu waves her hand and the two planes fly in the opposite directions. It keeps flying before suddenly diving down toward and empty water. Its speed keep increasing before it releases a bomb. The planes pull up before two big explosions happens at the corner of my eyes.
"Cool firework, Souryuu." I said to her while still hiding behind Sheffield. I understand now how these girls are could be more effective than normal ships but still, there is an ethical question of using these girls as basically a living weapon. The shockwave of the explosions slowly dissipates and behind each of those explosion, stand a fleet of shipgirls. "Souryuu, are they going to use live rounds?" I ask her as I see the two fleets moving toward each other.
"It's okay commander. I understand your concern but we believe that this is the best way to train." I start seeing more planes in the sky as aircraft carriers from both side release their planes. The fighters of those squadrons fight against each other as both side try to establish air superiority. The battleship firing shells after shells at the enemy while also weaving and blocking. The frontlines ships battle each other at close range as they unleash rounds and torpedoes at each other. A handful of them manage to hit the other while most just fly away.
"Wouldn't the torpedoes be a game over if they actually hit?"
"It would deal a massive damage, yes, but most of them wouldn't succumb just because they have been hit by a single torpedo." Is that so? But it would still deal damage right? And a massive one at that. These girls would still get hurt by this exercise and what are they going to do when an enemy attack after this? As much as I want to compliments their commitment to train but there is still hole that I can poke through and sadly, that hole is a big one. "We understand the risks about using live rounds but we believe that a fake training wouldn't prepare us for a real battle."
I mean it kinda did, for the most part. I know that people might joke around when you are using fake one but the purpose of the training is to familiarize the personnel with the weapons and tools. I understand that it's useless for shipgirls since they are 'born' with their riggings. You know what? I am just going to keep my mouth shut, I am still a newbie about this.
I watch the girls fight it out from the safety of Sheffield's body. How many shells did they fire? How many stray torpedoes that explode randomly? How many planes did they shot down? How and where did they store all of those ammunition? And similar questions flew around my mind as I watched the girls battle. The sound of engine and explosion ripple through the sky as the battle goes on until the exercise was stopped by Souryuu.
"That's enough!" Souryuu command as she throws 2 more planes. The planes dive down while shooting its machine gun at the center of the battlefield, making a curtain of bullets. "Everyone come back and we will hold a meeting after this."
""yyyyessss….."" the girls yells tiredly as they slowly make their way toward the pier.
"So how was it, commander?" Souryuu ask me as her planes comeback to her and transform back into cards.
"Impressive. But this is coming from someone who never see you girls in action so if you want a more legit review, you have to ask someone else." I answer her as I walk out of Sheffield's shadow. Souryuu chuckle at me as my body outline grow out of Sheffield. "What? You were suspicious you know?"
"Ahahahahaha…. I am sorry commander but I would never thought you would hide behind a maid." To be fair, she is a shipgirl and I am pretty sure Sheffield has a higher chance of winning than me if Souryuu is coming for my live. "Can you evaluate them as if they are normal ships?"
"Hmmm…" Evaluate as if the girls are ships? First of all, how the fuck can I do that? The girls movement are to agile for a ship. I saw one of them immediately change course with a very sharp angle. Heck, one of them immediately move 180 degrees from where she was heading which a normal ship wouldn't be able to. They are also dodge a shell coming at them even when it was aiming exactly at them. I saw one of the girls bends her back so far that her skin almost touches the water surface. She did dodge the shell if you're wondering. "Yeah no, I maybe need to see multiple shipgirls engagements to make a concrete grade. But if you still want my evaluation, I evaluate your exercise just now as good."
"Hehehehehehe…I guess that's good enough." Souryuu giggles. She snaps away her riggings before turning back. "Now, commander, may I ask you to turn around." Huh? Why is she-
*SNAP
A snapping sound was followed by a blinding flash of light the moment I turn around which make me instinctively cover my eyes.
"That's a good picture!" A girl said with a relax voice as she lowers her camera. This girl has a bright metallic blue hair with two ponytails. Like all the shipgirls from Sakura Empire, she has a pair of animal ears and a tail that shares the same color as her hair. "Oh! And I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Aoba! It's nice to meet you, commander." For someone who has such relax voice, her facial expression sure is cheeky.
"Nice to see you too, Aoba. Are you the one who document the exercise?" I ask her.
"Not only that! I am one of the reporters of this base!" She said as she brings out a pen and a notebook. She then inches her way into me before asking. "Now commander, you are the new hot sensation lately so may I ask you a question?" She was already writing something on that notebook of hers even before I answer her. I peek at the note and see that she was describing my physical appearance.
"Sure."
"Then, out of everyone you have met, who is the most beautiful?" Landmine! Landmine! Gurl, you just push me onto a landmine! She is a reporter right? Meaning my answer will be heard throughout the base and if I said something wrong, my image would be ruin with no way of repairing it. Soooo….. how am I going to answer her? I guess I just need to play it safely.
"Of course Stella." I said proudly.
"Yes, of course….." She writes it down on her notebook and I manage to peek. 'the commander like to play safe' Bitch! She reads my mind! "I shall change my question to-"
"Aoba that's enough." Souryuu said as she walks forward between me and Aoba. She extends her left hand and protect me behind her enormous sleeve. "The commander has a schedule to meet Lady Nagato." Excuse me what? I never agree to this! Lady Nagato?! Who is that?! Souryuu is giving her the title of 'Lady' which mean that Nagato is a high ranking girl right? "So how about it commander? Shall we walk?"
"Uhm…..." I eyed Sheffield to ask whatever it is okay and she nods. "sure…." Souryuu smiles and lead the way as we walk down the pier and enter the Sakura city. Souryuu guide us through pebble road between the buildings which gives me more than enough view of the architecture.
Most of the buildings here are made out of wood with similar architecture. You can see pillars made out of wood as the most prominent feature of these buildings. On each corners, between the walls, as decorations and etc. These pillars are everywhere. Other than the pillars, these building also has those papers sliding doors.
"You sure are an eye catcher, commander." Souryuu commented while glancing toward the side. I turn my face toward where she is glancing and see people peeking from the window. All of their eyes are looking at me. It feels like they stripping me down with their eyes which make my body tremble under the intensity. "It's okay commander. You're Lady Nagato's guest so your safety is guaranteed."
"It's just my normal instinct." I glance back and see Sheffield getting closer to me. Honestly, having Sheffield next to me is the best reassurance for my heart, even though I've only met her yesterday. Her plain expression makes me think that she can take anything that'll come at me and keep me alive even though I am pretty sure these girls wouldn't even think about it.
"You really are close to your maid huh?"
"To be fair, she is the only one here that will protect me without a second thought." I answer Souryuu's question with confident. As sharp as Sheffield's tongue is, she is a proper maid when it comes down to it.
"You know I will also do that." Souryuu mutter.
"Aw… Souryuu love me… It warms my heart…. I wonder what Hiryuu will say if I said that her sister love me more than her?" I teasingly said to Souryuu and I could see a little smile form on her face. "Or is it just because your job?" I jokingly ask her with a down toned.
"Well, I guess this is my first homework to you, commander." Souryuu said like a teacher. Come on! Homework! I don't want to do that! "Don't show me that face, commander." My eyes widen up and I notice that Souryuu was looking at me. "As a new commander, I think it's best for you to be able to read the girl's heart and make the best choices. A good relationship between the commander and his soldiers is important after all."
I mean she is right, but does she really need to do that? Even a normal human would understand that concept. Making it a homework and all. Uuugghhhh… you know what? I am just going to abuse my power. "You do realize who has the higher position here?" I smugly said to Souryuu. "As your commander, I command you to tell me the truth."
"Oh my commander," I don't like where this is going…. Stop… Stop! STOP! "Are you planning to ravage me?" What the fuck!? WHY THE FUCK!? HOW THE FUCK!? Souryuu giggles at me from probably my expression which I bet is a surprise face. How can I not be surprise? I thought she was a logical woman but she just did something absurdly illogical that it broke my image of her. "That was an example commander."
"Huh?" I look around and see all the girls still looking at me.
"I wonder how these girls would react if I yell out for help from you." Ah… She is blackmailing me! She is using the fact that the Sakura's girls are closer to her for her advantage! "Especially Aoba over there." I see Souryuu glancing behind me and I look toward where she is looking. I see a camera lens peeking from the edge on one of the building. "So commander~ Please do your job properly."
"…you're going to get it." I said to her begrudgingly and she just cutely tilt her head left and right. She is so confident that her plan is perfect huh? Fine! I will learn not only learn about her feeling, I will also learn everything about her and use that information against her. Hehehehehehe…. Prepare yourself, Souryuu! I will be your worst nightmare!
We keep on walking up the road until we arrive on the foot of the hill. On the top of this hill is where the pagoda castle is located and if we want to get up there, we have to climb the stone stairs in front of us and god lord! Do I really need to climb this stairs? Wasn't there a road that lead up to the castle? I swear I saw a road when we toured here two days ago.
"Souryuu, can we take the easier path? The asphalt road?" I ask Souryuu as I feel cold sweat running down my back. I can't even see the end of these stairs! Jeez, come on! I will cry! I genuinely will cry if we have to do this! "Please~~~"
"No commander, Lady Nagato expect you to come from this direction." Uuuuuuggggghhhhhhh… UUUUWWWAAAA! I am crying! I sniff my nose up and close both of my eyes. I hate stairs! I would rather walk 10 km on a flat terrain than to climb up five stories on stairs. "The expression your showing is very unbecoming of a leader, commander." Tell me about it! "Come now, commander."
Ugh… fuck… fine… I raise my right foot and put it on the first stair and every single energy on my body suddenly vanish. If there is a sniper around here, can you kill me right now? I want someone to kill me before responsibility force me to walk up these stairs.
"…..shall I carry you, master idle?" Sheffield whisper to my ear. You know what? Sure! Carry me Sheffield! Lift me up like I was your princess and safe me from the stair monster! I wish I could say that out loud and actually jump into her arms. If it wasn't for the Aoba who is still following us from behind the trees.
Sigh….. I guess I can't. I raise my right hand and pat Sheffield's head and said. "Thanks Sheffield, but not now." I continue climbing up the dreadful stairs with all the stamina I could muster. Come on body, don't fail me now.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Huff…. Huff….. Ugh….. Fuh…. Shit…." With a very exhausted pants, I slowly reach the top of these stairs. I can see Souryuu waiting at the top, looking down on me. "Don't you dare look down on me Souryuu! Huff…. Pufff…. It's all because you are a shipgirl and I am a normal human….. Huff… Pufff… Aaahhh….. Fuhhhh…." With heavy legs, I finally reach to the top with a victorious smile. "God damn! Why do you build something so annoying and unneeded!?"
Souryuu giggles at my angry tantrum. Damn you ship! You'll pay for this! "You can just ask me to carry you halfway through you know?" Why didn't you say so!? If she just said it, I would genuinely scream 'YYEESS!'. I don't even give a fuck about Aoba when we were climbing up the stairs, I was wishing someone would end my pain.
"…..weak." Sheffield, I could hear you! I don't even have enough energy to retort back at Sheffield right now. I can only remember about this and give her payback in the future. Sheffield walks forward and hands me a water bottle.
"Thanks Sheffield." Well at least she is being useful. I take the bottle from her hand and take a large sip from it. You can hear the loud gulps coming from my throat as I drink the entire bottle down. "Ah~~~ Thank you for that Sheffield." Sheffield bow her heads and take the bottle from my hand. It's empty though? Meh~ Whatever.
"Oh my~ Oh my~ It seems that our special guest has arrive~" 'Sultry voice befitting of an older woman' is the only description that I can give to the mysterious voice. I turn around to look who it was and I see two women wearing almost the same outfit, one of the things that differentiate them is their lower wears where one of them use mini-pencil skirt while the other use mini-frilly skirt. Now, I need to know which—The earlier voice definitely fit the pencil skirt one. "Good morning commander~" Yep, it hers.
"Good morning ladies." I said to them as I scan them even more. Just like Arizona and Pennsylvania, both of these girls wear the same outfit which mean that they are sister. Both of them has a pair of animal ears, you can clearly see it on the pencil-skirt woman but you need to look very thoroughly on the frilly skirt one as her black animal ears blend pretty well to her black hair. "Uhm, may I know your names?"
"Ufufufufu~ How adorable~" This woman is dangerous! Each and every words that come out of her mouth feels like it raises my lust level by ten. Being in a room just with her will definitely cause me to go insane!
"Atago, that's enough." The other woman with a serious voice. I am intimidated by her posture that is always focus on her katana. It feels like she can cut a bullet from an unexpected assassin or something. Always ready even when everyone else is calm and steady, guess she is that type of person. "Greeting commander, my name is Takao and my class is heavy cruiser."
"Good morning, Takao. I am commander Igo and I assume that she is your sister?" I ask them and Takao wryly nods. Yeah... they are so different from each other even when both of them are sister.
"Aaahh~~ How smart~" Thank you for the compliment, Atago. "Well then, shall we play a game?~~" NOPE! Don't like this! DO NOT LIKE THIS! I am being surrounded by shipgirls and this woman want to play a dangerous game from the sound of it.
"Atago, maybe now isn't the best time for that?" Thank you Souryuu. Can't believe I said that but here we are, Souryuu save my live. "Weren't you two here to escort the commander?"
"Yes, let's make haste. It's not wise to make Lady Nagato waits." Takao said as she walks toward the castle. Me and Sheffield follow these sakuran women toward the castle and eventually inside the castle after Takao opened up the door and let us in but not before asking us to go in barefooted.
Paper doors are everywhere in here. Hell, I believe most of the rooms that we passed through as we walk through the first floor hall were covered by paper doors. The fragrant on the air is thick with the smell of sakura, either they pour an entire truck loud of sakura perfume or they have a very good ventilation in here. There are also minor elements that are mixed with the sakura smile but I can't put word as to what it is. Whatever it is, it's making me calm and cozy.
"Commander~" Atago called me out and I jerk my head up and tilt it sideway as an answer. "How adorable~" She is pampering me like crazy. Atago slow down her walking pace until she is beside me. She then whispers erotically to my ears. "Want to play with big sister's bosoms?" Wouldn't I!? Of course I want to! But that doesn't mean I can just scream 'YES' at the top of my lungs, especially when I feel Sheffield's stabbing stare on my back.
"Ahahahahahahaha… please don't joke around with such mature topic like that Atago." Please tell me you aren't joking. If you are serious then I can prepare a plan for a date where just for the two of us. "I may take it literally and who know what will happen then."
"Big sister is not joking, my dear commander." She whispers again but with more lust in her voice and it seems that there is also some wetness in her breath. "Tonight, how about it? I will sneak in to your room and~~" I glance toward her face and I can see that she is licking her lips like she was looking at a delicious prey. She is going to eat me tonight! Nnnnnoooooooooooooooooiiiiiiiicccceeeeeee! But I don't think I can survive her if we really are having sex tonight. That eyes of her is glaring with an intense lust for me and that lust alone is bigger than anything I could emit.
"Ehhh?" I grunt uncomfortably. I try to move away from her but every time I slide to the side she double down on me and approach me. This is our first meeting and yet she's already this intense. This must be a prank right? Yeah! No one would act like this to a person she just met. But what if it's true. How am I suppose to do this?! SSSTTEEELLLAAA! YOUR GIRLS ARE CRAZY!
"…." As if she detects my uncomfortableness, Sheffield walk forward and step in between Atago and me. Thank you, Sheffield! You're the best! I don't hate Atago or anything, it's just that she is too wild for me so I would like to create a physical border between us, for now. At least until I can read her mind. FUCK! Can't believe I agree with Souryuu on her homework here! "….please keep your head out of the toilet, master immoral." You know what, Sheffield? I'll let you have this one.
"Aaawww… is the cute little maid jealous?~~ Don't worry, big sister will be gentle with the commander." Jeez woman, calm down. I am thankful for Stella right now. She is the one who ask the maid to be my escort and it seem, that was the best idea that has come out of her head.
"Atago!" Takao yells with a strong voice. "That's enough! You're making the commander uncomfortable!" Takao pinches Atago's ear and pull her forward. Man, these two women couldn't be any more different or is Takao more dangerous than Atago but she just knows how to hide it better? I am afraid to know about that actually. I am just going to let the sleeping lion sleep.
"I am sorry about that commander." Souryuu whisper to me from the other side. "Aoba has been writing some 'stuffs' about you in the newspaper and this is one of the reasons that Atago act like that." So does that mean Atago is calmer on every day basis if it wasn't about Aoba? Curse that- "And no, Atago isn't any different from usual. She is just more…'frontal' because of the writings." So you're telling me that Aoba save me from what could possibly a dangerous trap of an older woman?! Thank you AOBA! I have to bought her something as a gift later on.
"Thanks Souryuu and thank you Sheffield." I pat Sheffield's head again. She is just shorter than me so I always instinctively put my hand over her head and pat her like she was a child. I hope she doesn't mind it. "By the way Souryuu, is there something that I shouldn't specifically do or say when I'm near Lady Nagato?"
"Hmmm….. I don't think there is anything special other than the usual…." Souryuu thought to herself and at that moment I ask the same question to Sheffield.
"…My knowledge of sakuran custom is still limited and I would ask for your forgiveness, master." Sheffield answer apologetically. I am not angry at her or anything so I just pat her head again and reassure her that it was okay. I don't want a perfect human as a maid because she would make me feels like shit. "….." Sheffield stares straight at my face but it's weirdly comfortable. I keep on patting her hair and my hand eventually move toward her face and start stroking her cheek and occasionally flip her bang. I don't know whatever it's instinctively or not, but I could feel Sheffield lean in more toward my hand. "...pervert..."
"You really are close with her huh?" Souryuu comments beside me and I just smile to her.
"All you need to do is ask Souryuu and I'll give it to you too." I said to her teasingly.
"I'll rather earn my reward, thank you very much." Souryuu answer confidently. I kind of feel flattered by the fact that she thinks my attention is a reward. "So be prepare commander, you may heard a lot of achievement from now on." … I wonder how will Stella react if someone said that to her. She probably laughs it off and continue on. Heh! I am here being all embarrass by a simple sentence.
"Sure… just don't overwork yourself." I said to her as we both walks up another stairway onto the second floor and walk down another hallway toward another stairway. Ugh… Curse stairs! Why won't they use lift like Eagle Union did?!
"Hey~ Hey~" Atago whisper to me as she sneakily moves closer to me. Sheffield grab the hem of shirt and pull her body closer to me while Souryuu walks as close as she can to me. It feels nice to have bodyguards but I don't know how to feel by the fact that they are protecting me from their own comrade. "Commander~~" And with a single pull of her hand, both Sheffield and Souryuu efforts were useless. She grabs the front of my shirt and drag me forward with an enormous amount of force that I was bewildered.
"….How?" I ask to her and she just smile seductively. I am afraid… My muscles actually tense up. It might be best to follow her request because if she ever use that strength again, a couple bones on my body might be broken.
"That's a secret, tehe~" She cutely said which is the opposite of what just happened. Her hand capture mine and she pulls me closer to her side. She then pulls that hand and transfer it to her other hand while her earlier hand crosses my back and landed on my waist. She pushes her face into my personal space and land her nose on my nape.
"Uhn!" I accidently moan and I could feel Atago become more agitated from it. She took a deep breath of my neck and sent a quake up my spine. Shit…. This is bad! My breath turns heavier and heavier by the second. I try to pull my body away and Atago retaliate by pulling me closer. "S…toop…" I quietly grunt.
"….master.." I can hear Sheffield's voice behind me. I later feel two little tugs on the back hem of my shirt. Can you girls pull me harder please? That little tug won't do shit.
"Good~ You smell so good, commander~" Atago mutter behind me as she sniffs me deeper. Her hand that was on my waist goes lower and she slaps both Souryuu's and Sheffield's hands. Her hand then moves to my ass and grip it hard. "Quite the exquisite property you have there." She whispers to me as she licks her lips.
"Oh my Atago, is that so?" Souryuu suddenly said out loud as she walks forward. She grabs my other hand and position her body just like Atago, just without the hand on my ass. Takao who was unaware about everything that transcended just now turn her head and see Atago beside me.
"What are you doing, Atago?" Takao asked as she draws her katana. Is she going to kill her?! Wait no! I have to stop her! This could turn horribly wrong since we are inside a castle.
"Ah! She is massaging my arm. She notices me massaging my shoulder earlier and offer herself for the job." I can feel Atago frantically kneading my arm with both of her hands. She is ultimately nervous which is understandable because her sister is showing her blade to her. Souryuu on the other hand was giggling while also massaging my arm. "See?"
"….if it's with your consent then I shall let it be." Takao sheath her katana back as we reach another stairway which we promptly climb to the third floor.
"That is so sweet." Souryuu whisper to me jokingly. "If you spoil us too much then we might think you like it, commander." Souyuu puts enough pressure on her fingers to soften my tense muscle. I can feel her other arm slowly moving deeper into my back but before she can land it somewhere, Sheffield suddenly embrace me from the back.
"….careless…. pest…." Sheffield said silently as she buries her front body into my back. She is protecting me, she definitely protecting me from both Souryuu and Atago. I shouldn't be surprise about that, the thing that I need to be surprise off is the thing on my back. Her breasts are pushing on to me and I can feel it warmth and tenderness on my back muscle. "…master idiot….." I'll let that go too since she pushed her breast onto me. Good job, Sheffield. Now to only grow that breasts of yours and we will be golden.
"Hmmm~ The little maid wants to join? Well, I'll let this one slide since commander just saved me." Atago said as her hands climb my arms. You know you don't need to keep up the massaging act? Well, it's good so I'll just let her do it. "Hey commander," Atago calls me as she looks me in the eye. She hugs my arm and bury my bicep between her boobs. "Want to book a hotel tonight? The night life here is amazing you know?"
I turn my face and ask for Souryuu reaffirmation and she just nods while saying. "Yes, but I believe you shouldn't push yourself if you don't want to. There's always next time." Souryuu also hugs my arm and keep it between her breasts. Man, this is just my day, isn't it?
"Hmmm, I don't really have any plan for tonight so I might do that, but can Sheffield come to?" I slightly glance to the back to try to see Sheffield's face but her body is so close to me that's impossible for me to see what expression is she making. "Sheffield?" Sheffield didn't answer verbally but she nods. Good, I have someone that I can rely on. "Sure, where is the hotel and when should I book it?"
"Two rooms right? Just leave it to big sister~" Atago answer gleefully. She hugs my arm tighter and pull my arm deeper into her body, my hand is literally in front of her vital area. If I touch it, either accidently or deliberately, my sexual life would be dead. I need to be careful.
"Then I shall set you a schedule for tonight, commander." Souryuu fixes her glasses like those smart-ass anime character. "Please look forward to it." I shall. A night out in the Sakura Empire huh? A long deserved vacation after years of work. Honestly, this whole 'Admiral of Azur Lane' thing is like a vacation with a bit of work between them. This has been the best offer in the entirety of my life.
The five of us reach the stairway and climb it to fourth floor. This floor is a bit different as there is no other rooms just like the lower floor. Instead, this floor is consisted of a single huge room with a couple of women inside of it. Souryuu, Atago and Sheffield release their hugs from me the moment we reach this level which mean this place is seriously serious.
"Welcome to our castle commander." A commanding and wise voice of an older woman said the first greeting. The voice come from a woman with side ponytail. Her posture, her standing and her face are all firmly saying that she has been through a lot. I knew about it since I have seen that kind of face earlier on in the war while I was still a new recruit. She bows her upper body as she introduces herself. "My name is Mikasa. It's an honor to meet you."
"it's mine too." I said to her. Oooh… She doesn't have an animal ears just like the others, instead she has a pair of horns on the side of her head. She also has a katana just like Atago and Takao. There is nothing particularly outstanding. A normal size breast and a clean pair of thighs. Hey, I am not saying she isn't beautiful, is just her body isn't bombastic. She wears a very formal black outfit with a long white cape. "Shall I call you miss Mikasa?"
"Mikasa alone is fine." She said. She then elbows the person next to her who was nervous beyond earthly bound.
"Uuumm….. Hello! My name is Kashino and I am a transport ship." The woman said in a very shaky voice. Should I respond? I am afraid she would faint the moment I open my mouth to answer her. Her shaky body also emphasize a part of her body that make my eyes wide open. Her humongous stupidly-big extremely ginormous GARGANTUAN Badoonkahonggaghoos! Holy fuck! How strong is her back to be able to carry those massive jupiter-like booooobas?! There's a part of me that want to ask her 'do you need help to carry those titanic breasts?' but I know Sheffield would shoot me and Takao would slice my head off if I did that for real. "Uhm….. Ack… Yes! It's an honor to meet you, commander!" Her animal ears twitch cutely. From what I can see with my naked eyes, she has a pair of cow ears and a cow tail. I see…. So her breast correlate with her animal persona huh? So can I milk her?
"It's nice to meet you too, Kashino." I talk back to her and she vibrates more. Calm down, Kashino! The more you move your body, the more tantalizing your breasts become. Seeing her vibrate like that, I whisper to Souryuu. "Should I stop talking to her? She seems to be very nervous."
"Hhmmmm… I guess it's for the best. A proper training for her would be required." Souryuu said. She then eyed the other girls that haven't talk yet and they nod. Both of these girls wear almost the same clothes which could only mean that they're sister ship.
"Good morning, commander. I am Chitose and this is my sister, Chiyoda." Bullseye! They are sister! Both of these sister wears short red skirts that doing a bad job covering their thighs. Their upper clothes weren't any better as they're also showing me a good amount of their breasts. Chitose showing her upper breast while Chiyoda showing her side-breast and inner breast. "Both of us are from Zuihou-class aircraft carrier."
"Good morning, Chitose and Chiyoda." I said to them. I guess the animal features of these girls are foxes since they both have a pair of fox ears and if you need further confirmation, both of these girls have a black fox mask on their head. Chiyoda on the left side of her head while Chitose on the right side. "Is there more people that I need to know before I meet Lady Nagato?"
"No commander, it's just us." Mikasa walks forward from her spot and talk to me. "May you walk forward, commander? We need to bless you first before you're allowed to meet with Lady Nagato." Sure…..? Bless me? Well, both Chitose and Chiyoda looks like they're holy woman from an eastern custom so I supposed it's not really a surprise for whoever know about eastern custom.
I walk forward like Mikasa told me and stand in front of her. "Do I need to do something?"
"Not really, all you need to do is sit here and close your eyes and leave the rest to us." Is this how it feels to be exorcise? "It won't hurt you, commander. You won't even feel anything." Why are you making this harder?! The girl's eyes are boring into me as I stall the procedure even further.
"…okay…" I nervously nod and sit down. I look upward, straight to Mikasa's face and she have this calming and confident expression. That is assuring but I never do this kind of thing. "…Fuh…." I let out a long breath before closing both of my eyes.
"Kashino, the items." I hear Mikasa said as she walks away, presumably toward Kashino. I then hear loud footstep, from Kashino I believe, running in front of me. Then a loud clank could be heard from the position where Chitose and Chiyoda were. "Please proceed, Chitose, Chiyoda." I then hear tiny gentle footsteps approaching me.
"Please relax, commander." "Leave everything to us." Chitose and Chiyoda whisper to each of my ears. I then her them reading mantras in a language that I can't understand but I assume it's Sakuran language. I took another deep breath and let it out as I feel Chitose's and Chiyoda's spell lift all my tiredness away. Is this a placebo effect or does these girls knew magic? I know it sounds silly but these three days alone have been nothing but magic and crazy shits so can you blame me? I assume it was magic. "It has been completed." "You may open your eyes, commander."
"Uh….?" I lift my eyelids aaaaaaaaaaaannnnd…nothing changed, other than this fresh feeling all over my body. Mikasa, who was standing in front of me when I wake up, offer her hand which I promptly took. "I am sorry if it's rude, but I didn't feel anything. Did it work?"
"Yes, it works." She said with a bright smile. "Thank you for not having any ill attention toward us, commander." Uh? What does that mean? I tilt my head to one side to indicate that I am confuse. "The ritual earlier was to detect whatever you have an ulterior motive or not and it seems that you haven't got one."
"Eh? So you read my mind?" Mikasa giggles at my question. "I assume it doesn't huh?" She nods as she holds deep her laughter. Cute….. she is cute….. "But what about Sheffield?"
"Don't worry about her." Mikasa said to me. "A royal navy maid wouldn't cross the line as long as her master didn't order her to do so." I caught Mikasa's eyes glancing behind me, probably toward Sheffield. "Well, shall we move up the stairs?" She grabs my hand and guide me upward. She is very energetic huh? But I can't shake the feeling that she is way older than she looks.
I walk up the stairway with Mikasa's ass in front of me and yet, I can't shake off this overwhelming aura coming from the upper floor. Is this how a game character feel when they're about to fight the last boss? Jeez, I need to calm myself down because if I shame myself in front of Nagato, I would absolutely be destroyed. Calm down Igo…. This is just like reporting to your superior….. superior who have gun and could obliterate me…. Fuck…..
"Lady Nagato, Commander Igo has arrive." Mikasa announce loudly the moment our feet landed on the fifth floor. Why is she saying it like I'm a challenger?! I am here to visit not to challenge, woman!
"Welcome….." …you can put intimidating sound effect here and it would fit perfectly well. The room in front of me has straw mats as flooring and paper as walls and doors. There are a couple of people already inside the room when I arrive her, all exerting dangerous and fearsome aura. Three fox girls, two seemingly normal human and two cat girls, what a merry band of people. The person who contribute the most aura is a fox girl with short white hair.
That girl that I am talking about has a pair of white fox ears and nine? White fox tails. Nine? She has nine tails? Wait how? I've only meet Sakuran who has one tail at most or none so it's a surprise to see that she has NINE! Is it some sort of family thing? Her color pallet mostly consists of the color blue and white with a sprinkle of metal black.
"Good morning, commander~~" Alert! Alert! Danger alert! This voice has a shit ton of emotions behind it and I feel intimidated! This voice could either be ASMR material or nightmare of the night! I turn toward where this voice and coming from and see another nine-tailed fox girls. This time, she has a long dark red hair with a pair of fox ears. Her color pallet is the opposite of the first girl as this one mostly consist of black and red with some white. These girls are probably sister, so that mean I need to be careful with the other one too. Noted!
"Good morning, miss…." I greet her as polite as I can because I don't want to piss her off or get on the wrong foot. She has this calm and friendly face but I can't shake off this dreadful feeling. I hope this isn't how they usually are. Maybe this is just how they react to stranger and they just want to protect Lady Nagato.
"Ah~ Where is my manner? I ask for your forgiveness for not introducing myself~ I am Akagi, an aircraft carrier and I look forward for our future endeavor. Together~~" My spidey sense are tingling! She is just introducing herself but the feeling of intimidation never left the room. Weirdly enough, there is no malicious intents behind her aura, it's just massively big. And it's not only her aura that's big, her breasts are massive and her clothes aren't doing a very good job at hiding them. Her thighs are also look quite plump. "My dear Kaga~ Don't be rude and introduce yourself to the commander."
"Yes. Good morning commander. My name is Kaga." The white fox said. She looks to be more reserved and calmer than her sister and I hope she wasn't repressing her actual feeling like a dam river. I don't want to find out later on that she is as or even more crazy than her sister. "I look forward for your future work." My future work? Sure….but I doubt I'll do anything different from Stella though. Is it normal for sisters to have revealing clothing? Although not as wide and 'informative' as Akagi's, Kaga still wears a revealing outfit. I think I need to tune my senses about clothing decency if I want to keep working in Azur Lane.
"Now the rude seniors-" "Oh my~ The loud crane is talking." "have introduce themselves, I guess I shall be the next one." This woman must be Akagi's junior. This woman has a long white hair with an ornament of red lotus flower on the left side of her head. She wears a long white yukata with stupidly big sleeves that is in form of some sort of bird wings. Her bright blue eyes are unnervingly calm. Her eyes appear like the very last thing you would see before you enter your forever slumber. "My name is Shoukaku and I'll look forward working with you."
Shoukaku….. and Akagi called her a crane earlier…. And if all Sakuran have their animal feature, could that sleeves of her be an actual pair of wings? "Good morning, miss Shoukaku." She has a noticeably-smaller-than-her-colleagues katana on her left waist and a flute. I wonder what kind of music can she play on that flute? I would like to her hear play it in the future, maybe some classical or calming music. Her womanly parts aren't shy to show themselves even when they are covered by her clothes. A tender-and-big breasts and a pair of deliciously thick thighs.
"You're so polite commander. I hope someone would follow your example." "Oh my~ Quite the rude junior, I have. I am sorry commander, I will discipline her later." Akagi and Shoukaku banter against each other. Hmmmmmmm…. They must be good friends huh? Mikasa's face burn red before she let out a fake cough and both Akagi and Shoukaku stop their bantering. "Then, I believe it's your time, my dear sister, Zuikaku."
"Yes!" What a lively voice befitting a small energetic girl. I am thankful for it though as her voice lifts the atmosphere of the room by tenfold just by her talking. The thing is, it was coming from the one of the sexiest girl here. She wears the same yukata like Shoukaku but she doesn't cover her front so I can see her inner wear which is a red short dress that does a very, very bad job at covering her body. Her dress is supported by a pair of laces that looks like they can break at any moment, especially with that big breasts of hers. Honestly, what kind of material could support that breasts of hers with that width. I swear a lace made out of steel would break if they have to support those breasts. "I am Zuikaku and I am Shoukaku's little sister." She proclaimed proudly as she bows her head. Her ponytailed brown hair brushes her face as it falls down to the side of her head. That's a long ass ponytail.
"Hello Zuikaku and it's okay, you don't need to bow." She is very proud to be Shoukaku's little sister huh? Which mean this girl is also a crane just like her sister. And like her sister, her thighs look stupidly appetizing and unlike her sister, she doesn't wear any high stockings and only wears knee-high socks so I can see her pure and plump thighs. And unlike her sister again, she wears the shortest dress I have ever seen. Heck, I think it's shorter than Enty's skirt. I can already imagine her flashing her panty at me just by walking normally. She also has a katana and it's longer than her sister.
"Good morning milord. My name is Fusou and this is my little sister, Yamashiro." The cat girl with the side pony tail speak out. She and her bob-cut haired little sister bow down to me like I was their gods. Both of these girls wears a similar looking yukata that mainly consist of the color black and red. Other than their expression and hair style, the other thing that separate the two sister is what side of boobs that their clothes reveal. The little sister, Yamashiro, wears a yukata that reveal her side-boobs while the bigger sister, Fusou, wears a yukata that show her upper breast. "It's an honor to meet you." Both of them lift their heads up and show me their face.
"Hello both of you." I said as I wave my hand. I then whisper to Mikasa. "Can I tell them to not bow down to me? It feels weird." Mikasa shows me a troubled face which could only mean 'no'. Sigh…. Maybe I can talk with them personally instead of depending on Mikasa. Yeah…. I just need to get used to it, for now.
"I am sorry commander, but I don't think I can do that." Mikasa answer me as if she was in pained. It's okay Mikasa, it's custom after all, I can't just say don't do it. "Commander, can I ask you to sit down? Lady Nagato is about to reveal herself." Ah…. Sure….. but that other fox girl hasn't introduced herself yet? The last fox girl has long gray hair with black-spotted pair of fox ears and a gray tail with black end. Her face is calm and silent with blue eyes that translate to tranquility. She is calming to look at as her body isn't as expose and her expression isn't as wild as the other girls here, which reminded me of Sheffield. In front of her are 4 katana which is a lot for a single person but maybe she can wield all 4 of those at the same time. I would like to see that.
I sit down on my legs like the girls and soon enough, everyone also sat down. Now that I have calm down and not scanning the girls, I finally have time to look straight in front of me. In front of me is an elevated platform that is covered by a thin silk curtain. Behind that curtain is Lady Nagato. I know this because I can see her shadow on the curtain and I have to say, her rigging is massive. Why is she wearing the rigging is the question I would like to ask her. To intimidate me? To show off the power of the Sakura Empire? Whatever it is, it's achieving its duty.
"Lady Nagato, we are ready." Mikasa said and the next moment, the curtain slowly falls and reveal this 'Nagato' that everyone has been hyping me about. She must be the epitome of eastern beauty since the ladies of Sakura Empire has bombastic body and absurdly high beauty standard. Lady Nagato might be dangerous for me! What if I immediately fall in love by her beautiful face and forget about MIA?! What if I lose my sense because of her body and immediately pounce on her?! I might get my head chop off! Huff….Huff…. I need to prepare myself!
Breath in….. Breath out….. Breath in…. Breath out….. I am ready! Come on NAGATO! REVEAL YOUR BEAUTY TO ME! The curtain finally falls aaaaaannndddd….
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DÉJÀ VU! I have been in this place before!
I can't pick it up!
"What kind of relationship do you have with commander Stella?"
"And I would like to apologize for my associate's future actions."
"Please teach me, commander. I will be under your care."
"Stop being sweet commander!"