Knock, knock. The door opened a few seconds later.
"Oh, sorry, I chose the wrong moment." said Lucia.
"Never mind cousin. Come in." replied Ryan, whose half face was covered with shaving foam.
"You came home after your duty ended again, right? Don't you think you're overworking yourself?" asked Lucia as he entered the apartment.
"Don't worry, a bit of overtime doesn't hurt." replied Ryan as he went back to the bathroom.
"A bit? Let me guess, you came home late in the night. You must have enough rest Ryan. You can't do your duty properly when you're exhausted." said Lucia and sat down on the sofa.
"You sound just like a big sister, you know that?" teased her Ryan from the bathroom.
"I might be just your cousin and I might be even a bit younger, but that doesn't mean that I cannot be worried about you or give you some good advice."
"Oh my. When did you start caring me about so much?"
"Since the beginning, for that's what a loving relative does."
"I'll blush in the end." joked Ryan who in mean time finished shaving and came out of the bathroom. "Would you like a coffee?"
"Yes please." nodded Lucia.
A few minutes later Ryan came out of the kitchen with two steaming mugs in his hands.
"Grazie." said Lucia as she took one of them.
"Prego." replied Ryan and sat down next to her.
"By the way, someone was looking for you yesterday." said Lucia and took a sip of her beverage.
"Who would it be?" asked Ryan.
"A Japanese shipgirl, Kirishima, if I remember her name correctly."
"You do, I met her before." said Ryan. He was silently wondering. Kirishima here?
"Hmm? Are you playing Cupido with some of the local shipgirls?" smirked Lucia teasingly.
"Hey, come on!" rolled Ryan his eyes. "It's nothing like that, we are just sort of friends."
"Alright, then could you tell me about your friend?"
"She's very clever and brainy, or rather intelligent, I really enjoy talking with her. Kind, open-eyed and attentive."
"And pretty?" asked Lucia.
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you hear yourself? That's not really how you talk about a simple friend."
This indeed made Ryan to think. At first his mind denied it. Okay, they always had good conversations and he was very impressed by her. Okay, he truly enjoys being with her. Okay, they always have good time together, but... But he couldn't lie to himself. He couldn't deny that something was moved deep in his soul and heart.
He sighed. "Good, I surrender. I think I like her."
"Yes! Victory is mine!" cheered Lucia, fisting the air. "Was it so hard to say it?"
"Hey, it's not like I've ever experienced this before!" replied Ryan.
"Anyway, go and find her." encouraged him Lucia. "This is great cugino (cousin), gather your courage and talk to her."
"I see you suddenly turned into an adviser... Let's drink another coffee then I head out." agreed Ryan.
"What, you need tonic for the nerves?" asked Lucia teasingly.
"Something like that."
"Let me ask something; how's it that you men aren't afraid of so many things, but you instantly start shaking when you have to talk to a girl?"
"Believe me, that's something that only we can understand." replied Ryan. "Let's proceed, shall we?"
With Lucia behind him, he opened the door, but didn't have the chance to step outside, for the exit was blocked by none other than Kirishima.
She was standing there, once again with her fist in the air, ready to knock, but once again, she didn't have the opportunity to actually knock; Ryan preceded her.
"Oh, g-good morning to you Ryan! You too Lucia-san."
"I wish you the same Kirishima." said Ryan, just as surprised as she was. "What a coincidence, I was about to go to find you, Lucia told me you've been looking for me."
"Indeed, I was here yesterday, but you were currently on duty." nodded the fast-battleship.
"Sorry for not being here, but now I'm at your disposal."
"I just wanted to ask if you had a bit of free time, I'm off-duty right now and I was wondering if you'd like to look around the district with me." said Kirishima. Seemingly she was calm, but Ryan noticed how she was clenching her fists due to the nervousness.
He almost smiled, noting how cute she was. "With the greatest pleasure Kirishima, I swear, a talk with you is more than enough to brighten my day." said Ryan, making Kirishima to instantly feel her cheeks heating up.
"I don't bother you any longer, have fun you two!" waved Lucia goodby to them and left them alone, but she didn't forget to give a small, knowing grin to Ryan.
"So. Do you have any particular plans for where we should go?" asked Ryan.
"I admit, I wasn't really thinking about that." replied Kirishima.
"No problem, because in that case I have an idea. Do you see modern-era warships often?"
"Not really, the average ships of the JMSDF are stationed at other bases."
"And when did you see American ships the last time?"
"You mean non-shipgirl ships? Quite a long time ago." said Kirishima.
"Then let me show you some modern-era warships that are – in addition – Americans. What do you say?" asked Ryan.
"I'm already excited." smiled Kirishima.
"Great! Andiamo then!"
"I'm sorry?" tilted her head Kirishima.
"It means "let's go"." explained Ryan.
"Ah, I see. You actually speak Italian?"
"My family didn't forget its origins; each generation taught it to the next one."
"That sounds great. And another thing I envy you for Ryan, it would be nice if I could speak it too. Unfortunately, I only speak English other than my native language." said Kirishima.
"The same goes for me as well actually." replied Ryan modestly. "I know a bit of German, but other than English, that's all. Plus a few Japanese words and expressions."
"Then here's my offer: I'll teach you Japanese if you teach me Italian." winked at him Kirishima.
"We made the deal." smiled back at her Ryan.
The two walked along the seashore until they reached a smaller warehouse where Kirishima already saw masts towering on the other side of the building. They came around the corner and she now saw the warships of Task Force 99 anchoring at three long moles.
"Let me introduce you our homes at sea." gestured Ryan at the ships.
"An impressive sight for sure." said Kirishima admiringly.
"What about taking a closer look?"
"You don't need to ask twice." replied Kirishima excitedly as they approached the mooring site.
"First of all, here's the big girl. Kirishima. Meet the USS Abraham Lincoln, fifth ship of the Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carriers."
"That's for sure something I've never seen back then." said Kirishima, looking up at the gigantic vessel. "How big exactly she is?"
"317 meters long at the waterline, 332.8 meters in overall. Her maximum beam is 76.8 meters."
"So I thought it with a good reason that she's the biggest of her kind I've ever seen. What about her displacement?" asked Kirishima, who was already in awe.
"105.959 tons." replied Ryan. For him it was natural, but for Kirishima these parameters all sounded fantastic.
"And how fast can all these tons travel?"
"Well, at full speed she can make over 30 knots, driven by two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors and four steam turbines, generating 260.000 horsepower."
"What could I say? It would be hard to find any word right now." said Kirishima in disbelief. Amazing. Just amazing. She had to realize that she had failed to notice how much advancement shipbuilding went through after her time.
"Yeah, that's surely not anything. By the way, Lucia serves here. But as she's a pilot I guess you already figured it out."
"Then I think I know who I should ask, if I'd like to learn about your warplanes." said Kirishima looking up at the carrier's deck, where she saw the tails of multiple fighter jets.
"I think she'll be more than happy to answer all your questions."
"I'll remember that." said Kirishima, then she suddenly stood into attention and saluted the Abraham Lincoln.
"I used to do that too." said Ryan. "Even if I'm not sure that she sees us."
"Trust me, she does." replied Kirishima knowingly. She then remembered the last time she was standing on the deck of her own ship and slowly the expression on her face changed from curious to sad as the memories of the Ironbottom Sound came up.
"Are you alright?" asked Ryan who instantly noticed the change in her mood.
"Y-Yes, of course! Can we go further?"
"Sure." nodded Ryan. He didn't want to ask her unpleasant questions, but he knew that something was up with her.
They went further to the next mole. Half of it was occupied by two massive ships, with graceful hulls and robustus superstructures.
"Who would these two sisters be?" asked Kirishima.
"Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers USS Bunker Hill and Princeton."
"Hm. They look less armed than I would expect from a cruiser."
"Maybe from the outside. But appearances can be deceptive, they've got quite an impressive arsenal; namely 122 cells of Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, currently loaded with RGM/UGM-109B Tomahawk anti-ship missiles with active radar homing; furthermore, eight RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, two 127-millimeter lightweight gun, two 25-millimeter Mark 38 gun, four 12.7-millimeter machine gun, two Phalanx Close-In Weapon System and two Mark 32 324-millimeter triple torpedo tubes." finished Ryan the listing.
"What's the range of such missiles?" asked Kirishima, who now had a feeling that these ships are absolutely not a joke, but a force that the enemy has to reckon with.
"Well, in the case of the Harpoon the operational range is 124 kilometers, but that's quite small. As for the Tomahawks, this version is able to hit a target 1446 kilometers away."
"Quite short you say?" asked the shocked Kirishima. "My main-guns maximum firing range is 34.450 meters, and the effective range is far shorter! I can only dream about to shoot that far!"
"That may be true, but you face the enemy more face-to-face than us. And I highly respect you for that Kirishima, you'd better know that."
"I'm just doing my job Ryan, that's what I was born for." waved of the compliment Kirishima.
"Still, what you do is very brave, I tell you. Actually, I think you are way braver than me." praised her Ryan.
"Don't say that, I'm sure you've got quite enough courage inside you." assured him Kirishima kindly.
"I hope you're right. Because the thing is, I've never been in a real battle before, after being appointed as first-officer we did some exercises along the Californian coast and then we sailed over here. So yeah. My baptism of fire is still yet to come."
"I see. Can I ask what your feelings are about your future first battle?" asked Kirishima.
"It would be hard to define it. But I have a strong hunch that it's nothing like the movies." said Ryan.
"Do you remember what I told you before? You are a good officer Ryan, you'll be fine." encouraged him Kirishima.
"I really hope you're right. And Kirishima."
"Yes?"
"Thank you very much."
"For?"
"For being so kind and saying such things to me." he smiled once again at her, making Kirishima to feel as if there were butterflies in her stomach again.
"That's just natural, you are my friend Ryan, of course I'll always support you." said the young woman.
"Speaking of friends. Come, let me show you my best friend after you and James." said Ryan and led Kirishima to the last mole, where most of the destroyers were anchoring and Ryan stopped at one of them. "And here she is. USS Milius, nineteenth ship of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers."
"Again, she's capable of more than her look suggests I guess." presumed Kirishima.
"If a 127-millimeter gun, ninety vertical missile launching cells with Tomahawks, two Harpoon missile launchers, two 25-millimeter chain guns, four 12.7-millimeter guns, two Phalanxes and two triple torpedo tubes sounds capable for you, then yes."
"In short: I really wouldn't like to fight against her in a battle." said Kirishima. This was just amazing for her. Back in the old days no destroyer, not even the strongest one was armed so much and with such weapons, able to destroy targets from hundreds of kilometers. All these things were so knew, so strange, yet so interesting for her.
"Luckily for you she will fight on your side. She's a wonderful ship; strong, fast, reliable, she'll always stick with you. Feel free to trust her." said Ryan, praising his ship.
"She definitely looks something that can be trusted. Not to mention that she looks pretty good." complemented Kirishima the Milius' look and graceful lines.
"And I think she's also lucky."
"How do you mean?"
"You see her hull number?" asked Ryan.
"Yes, 69." nodded Kirishima.
"Emperor Vespasianus, one of the best Roman emperors in my opinion came to power in 69 A.D. I think that's a good omen."
"Why, what did he do?" asked Kirishima.
"He literally saved the Empire, bringing it back from the abyss after Nero's reign of terror, financial crisis and a year of civil war." explained Ryan.
"Oh, I understand now. Then may this number bring luck to your ship."
"My sweetheart is very very lucky for sure."
Kirishima the asked something that caught him off guard. "As for sweethearts... I didn't ask if a girl is waiting for you at home."
Ryan jumped a bit at the question before responding.
"Not really, I don't have anyone else than my family and my friends." he said but wondered why she suddenly asked such a question. "What about you Kirishima? Any lucky guy in your life?"
"The same goes for me. I never really had the opportunity for that anyway." replied Kirishima.
This stunned Ryan very much. Kirishima seriously never had a relationship? "Now, that's strange." he noted.
"Why are you saying that?"
"It's hard to believe you never had someone before, you're too pretty and kind for that." Ryan said what was in his mind. A second later his mind registered what he just said, and it was now he who turned red. "Uh, s-sorry..."
"N-No, it's alright. It was nice from you. I... I take that as a compliment." Kirishima interrupted, blushing just as much as he. "Say, c-can I show you around too?"
"Of course, that would be great!" replied quickly Ryan.
The following minutes were a bit awkward as they were walking back, but the atmosphere was soon eased again. Before long, they were at the square near the running track of the Japanese part of the base.
"I've already seen some parts of the naval district, but it seems to be big enough to still hold new things." said Ryan.
"It sure does, it takes many days to explore it." nodded Kirishima.
"Then le..." Ryan suddenly stopped, and his face filled with anxiety.
"What?" tilted her head Kirishima.
"Jesus Christ help us." murmured Ryan.
Following his look, Kirishima now also saw what caused him to act like this. On two benches, facing each other was none other than James, Lucia and Hiei. James was sitting in the world's most natural and calmest way, even smiling. Lucia on the other hand was nervous beyond imagination, she was squirming and wringing her hands next to James, trying to pretend that she's not even there. Meanwhile, Hiei was sitting with arms and legs crossed, looking at James with a killer look in her eyes, but the young American man kept smiling and looking back at her.
The moment Lucia noticed her cousin brother and Kirishima, she was on her feet and hurried to them.
"Why is our friend playing with his life?" asked Ryan.
"I met him after I left you two and we decided to look around. Then he saw her sitting there and told that we should speak to her. I of course tried to change his mind, but he insisted." said Lucia looking back worriedly.
"And how did it turn out?"
"What do you think? I didn't say a single word the whole time. James was nice all the time, but he didn't achieve any results."
"Try to forgive her, her wounds from the old wars haven't healed fully yet." said Kirishima, trying to say some good words for Hiei.
"I can understand that, but don't you think she takes it a bit far?
"There's your sister with my friend, should we go to them?" asked James friendly from Hiei.
"Yes." hissed the battleship. Their whole "conversation" was like this, James tried to talk with her and ask about her, but all he got as replies were single, unfriendly toned words.
"Hello man, good to see you." greeted James Ryan as they walked up to them. "You too Kirishima."
"Good day to you James-san." bowed her head Kirishima.
"Good. Now as you're here you can finally free me from your blasted friend and get away together with him." grumbled Hiei to Ryan.
…...
"Non pensi che la tua futura cognata sia un po' antipatica?" Turned Lucia to Ryan with a raised eyebrow.
"Certo che lo penso, ma cerca di essere paziente. E lei comunque non è la mia futura cognata." replied Ryan to his cousin.
"Sì, sì, come no." murmured Lucia.
"I'm sorry?" asked Kirishima confusedly.
"Never mind." said Ryan quickly.
"He's exceptionally right Kirishima, don't mind it; or rather don't mind them." grimaced Hiei, looking scornfully at the Americans.
"I am sorry Hiei-san, but why do you dislike me and my friends so much?" asked Ryan, keeping his politeness.
"I seriously have to explain it to you?"
"Okay I admit, I think I know the answer."
"You sent me, my sisters and my friends to the cold ocean floor!" raged Hiei.
"Actually it wasn't me, as I was not yet born in the 40s."
"Who cares?! You are all the same!"
"First of all: no, we are not. Secondly, I have a feeling that you, your sisters and your friends probably sent many ships and sailors from the other side to the cold ocean floor too."
"I don't give a damn! You still slaughtered us!"
"The past is in the past Hiei, and though it shall not be forgotten, the worst thing someone can do is treat the past as present or future. What's more important however, am I right when I think that you're worried about Kirishima?"
"You're goddamn right once again Yank!"
"Why, are you afraid that I'll have a bad influence on her?" asked Ryan still calmly.
"You don't need to worry Hiei-neesan, really." Kirishima also tried to convince her older sister.
"You don't see through him Kirishima!" snapped at her Hiei. "Listen to the older one!"
Kirishima experienced something that never happened before: she was afraid of Hiei. Ryan also noticed that on her and he tried to speak with the other battleship.
"I hereby give my word to you that you don't need to worry Hiei-san, I would never do anything bad to Kirishima."
His voice was full of honesty but in that moment it didn't touch Hiei. "Say Yank..."
"My name is Ryan. Not Yank."
"Whatever! Do you have any siblings?" Hiei now unknowingly touched a sensitive point.
"... I have a younger sister."
"Then you should know it very well how I feel." snarled Hiei.
"Trust me I know..."
"Doubt it. Do everyone a favour and go home to her!"
"If only I could Hiei-san. If only." sighed Ryan.
"Why? Did you lose her somewhere? Or did she decide to leave and be a vagrant or something?"
Ryan's mood suddenly changed at this point from sad to furious, and he took a few, imminent steps towards Hiei with an ominous aura. "Don't you ever try to say anything bad about Elena." he said with a cold voice.
"What's the matter? Did her absence shake you so much? Just hurry home and fall upon her neck!"
"You don't get it, right? My sister is DEAD! Her grave is the only thing I can go back to!" Ryan yelled.
Everyone who was present was startled by his sudden outburst. Even Hiei was left astonished by what he said. Heavy silence filled the air.
Ryan exhaled and lowered his head, partially regretting his rant. He then felt Lucia approaching him, standing next to him and placing her hand on his shoulder.
"He's telling the truth." she said, sharing Ryan's sadness. "My other cousin is no longer with us."
James was staring down at the ground, knowing exactly what happened. Kirishima couldn't find a word she could say.
Though Hiei tried to hide it, she was just as shocked as her sister. Keeping her expression on, she turned around and hurried away, looking back one more time, then she left the scene.
"Sorry guys." whispered Ryan.
"It's okay mate. I understand it." said James with a commiserating tone.
"Ryan I... I didn't know." said a shaken Kirishima. "I am so sorry."
"Thank you..."
"I'll leave you alone with your thoughts now pal. See you later." said James and left as well.
"I go back to my plane as well." said Lucia. "Will you be alright?"
"Don't worry cousin, I'll be okay." assured her Ryan.
"Take care of yourself." said Lucia and patted her cousin brother's shoulder once again. "E divertiti con la tua ragazza!" she smirked at him.
"Thanks. What... A-Aspetta! Lei non è... ah, al diavolo..." stuttered Ryan after her.
"I can go too, if you need a bit of time alone." offered Kirishima politely.
"We planned to discover the district, didn't we? Let's go then." smiled Ryan weakly.
X
The room of the four Kongo-sisters was unusually quiet during the evening. Kongo and Haruna were chatting, but Hiei and Kirishima were silently sitting in the opposite corners of the room, with Hiei sitting at a table with one of her elbows on the tabletop, staring before herself, and Kirishima combing her hair.
Hiei's mind was in a complete turmoil. She didn't like those Americans, absolutely not. Yet, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Ryan for what happened to his sister, she knew exactly how it feels. Memories came back from the world war. In fact, she was a bit thankful that she was the first to sink, so she didn't have to see her dear sisters perish. She still disliked Ryan and the others but now it was somehow... different.
"Hiei-neesan."
"What is it Kirishima?"
"You should say "sorry"."
"Why, did I do something bad to you?"
"Not to me. You know what I'm talking about."
"Come on Kirishima, use your head!"
"Hey, hey, cool down you too!" interrupted Kongo. "It's not good to argue in the evening. A nice tea will calm your nerves and..."
She couldn't finish, because in the next moment the scream of sirens sounded across the base.
X
Ryan sat up in his bed, the sound of sirens woke him up from his sleep.
"General alert, general alert! Abyssal fleet detected west of the Yakushima Island! All ships and sailors prepare to engage them!" the voice of Ooyodo sounded from the loudspeakers of the base.
The next moment Ryan was out of bed and only a minute later he was wearing his uniform. He then hurried out of his apartment, heading right to the Milius.
Hello everyone, here is Chapter 6!
First, here you can find the translations of the Italian sentences:
"Don't you think your future sister-in-law is a bit antipathic?"
"Of course I do but try to be patient. And she's not my future sister-in-law."
"Yes, yes of course."
"Have fun with your girlfriend!"
"Wait! She's not my... Whatever..."
Special thanks for the Italian translations for CJ Spencer! Have a look at his stories and his YouTube channel everyone, he makes great content.
Thanks to: "TheShowboat", "Roasted-Potato", and "KrossKriss", thanks for the Follow!
Thanks to: "Killconfirmed197", thanks for the Follow and Favorite!
As always, if you like what you read, feel free to leave a Follow, a Favorite and a review.