Ryan stepped out of the medical room in the military hospital with his naval cap in his hand, the wound on his eyebrow sutured.
He was walking slowly, staring down at the shiny floor, his steps echoing in the corridor, when for the second time that day he heard someone yelling his name and running toward him.
Lucia hugged her cousin tightly which Ryan returned. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't come earlier. Are you alright?" she asked, noticing his forehead.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious." calmed her Ryan.
"Forgive me, I couldn't prevent it. I could have helped..."
"You saved us cousin. Literally. If it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't be standing here now. Thank you." replied Ryan gratefully.
"But..."
"Don't be harsh to yourself." silenced her Ryan. "Come now, let's go home." he took her arm.
Soon the American cousins were sitting together at the table in the living room of Ryan's apartment.
"I assume you know what happened to us." said Ryan.
"I do." nodded Lucia. "God, it's terrible Ryan."
"Well. I guess it could have been worse." sighed the young man. "But I still don't know what happened to you during the battle."
"Two bombers and one fighter." said Lucia.
"Three kills in your first battle? That's not anything cugina!" bumped Ryan Lucia on her shoulder praisefully.
"Grazie." said Lucia and she finally smiled. "I'll mark it on my plane. What is it?" she asked when she saw him.
Ryan was looking down at the tabletop, visibly thinking. "Ah, it's nothing."
"I don't think so." said Lucia doubtfully.
"Trust me please, I'm okay." waved it off Ryan.
Lucia let out a breath then placed her hand on Ryan's, turning face to face to him. "Look. I know I can't replace what you lost, but to some extent I'm also your sister too. If there's anything, anything you want to talk about, you can talk with me about it, okay?" she said kindly.
With her words, she finally made him to smile faintly.
"Uhm. It's not really something that I've ever talked about with you or with anybody else." scratched Ryan his head.
"You're making me curious. What would it be?" asked Lucia.
"There's... a girl..."
"Kirishima?"
"... Yeah..." nodded Ryan.
"I knew it already." smirked Lucia. "I knew when I saw you two together."
"Okay, there you go, you were right. So, what do you suggest?"
"It's obvious, invite her to somewhere!"
"And you think that's that easy?" raised Ryan his eyebrow.
"Ah Jesus, how can it be that you men aren't afraid of so many things, but you panic when you have to talk to a girl?"
"Honestly, I'd rather choose a hurricane out in the sea..."
"Still, listen to me and do it."
"I see what I can do." nodded Ryan. "She's right man!" he thought to himself. "Don't be a goddamn coward!"
"And anyway, if our friend, James had the courage to talk to that Hiei without fear - I mean, okay, that was probably just recklessness – you really do not have reason to be afraid. Kirishima is even nice."
"I'll figure out something." surrendered Ryan.
"I guess you now need a bit of calm and silence after everything, I don't bother you longer." said Lucia and she stood up from the table. "But I repeat: if you ever need me, then come to me. If you want to talk about something at 03:00 a.m., then come to me at 03:00 a.m."
"I'll take your word for it." smiled Ryan as he stood up too and hugged her once again. "But do not worry, bene? I'm fine."
"Bene, bene cugino." folded Lucia her arms around him. "Prenditi cura di te stesso. (Take care of yourself.)"
"Sì, sì!"
The next day
"You summoned me Admiral?" asked Nagato as she entered the office of Admiral Hirayama.
"Yes, I did Nagato, come in." gestured the Japanese officer. "I've been notified that a convoy of merchant ships, heading to Nagasaki was attacked by Abyssal submarines 100 kilometers west of Okinawa. They are escorted by JMSDF ships, but they already lost four freighters and the enemy is shadowing them. We must send some of our destroyers there if we do not want to lose all of them before they reach port."
"I'll immediately create a task force Sir." nodded the battleship.
"Tell them to waste no time, they shall rendezvous with the convoy as soon as possible. Sail there at best speed before the enemy decimates those ships. Moreover, I'm getting reports that the weather is deteriorating in the entire region, from here all the way down to the Philippine Islands. It looks serious, and the last thing I want is to lose the convoy or some of our shipgirls to a heavy storm. Send them out and escort the convoy into safety."
"Understood Admiral, it will be done." saluted Nagato. Admiral Hirayama returned the gesture and when Nagato left the office he stood to the window, facing the ocean. In the far distance he already saw dark clouds gathering on the horizon. If it continues like this, their destroyers and the merchant ships will only have a few hours to reach Nagasaki before Neptunus unleashes his wrath.
X
By the evening the sky was thundering over the island, lightnings zigzagged between the dense, black clouds.
Then came the rain. It was so heavy that within fifteen minutes rivers were flowing through the streets of the base and water was pouring from the eaves.
Ryan was sitting at the table in the living room of his apartment with a cup of tea, rubbing his eyes, being exhausted by the latest events.
It felt nice to be alone a bit, being in peace, listening to only the sounds of the storm. In fact, it was even a bit calming.
It lasted until he heard a gentle knock on the door.
"Who could it be?" he wondered. It was already late in the evening, not to mention the weather.
He opened the door and he saw a completely drenched Kirishima standing out there. There was literally no dry spot on her, her hair, her clothes were all wet, her glasses were covered by dozens of little drops.
"Jesus Kirishima, what are you doing out here in this bloody weather?"
"H-Hi Ryan." she bowed slightly. "Sorry for bothering you, I was coming back from the docks when this storm caught me. The battleship dormitories are still a bit far from here and I saw the lights in the window. And I thought... May I perhaps... stay here until the rain stops?" she asked shyly.
"That's not even a question Kirishima, come in quickly." said Ryan and stepped aside to let her in. "God, you are soaked to the bone." he said as Kirishima entered the apartment and he closed the door. "Wait a second." Ryan opened the cupboard and took out a towel. "Here you are. And you find the bathroom there." he said, pointing at another door. "Take a hot shower and dry yourself."
"Oh, this towel will be enough..."
"Do not argue with me Kirishima, get in there and warm yourself up before you get pneumonia." said Ryan firmly.
"A-Arigato."
A minute later Kirishima was standing in the small apartment's bathroom. "He's such a gentleman." she thought to herself as she was peeling off her clothes. She then stepped into the bathtub and turned on the water. She let out a long sigh as the hot water fell on her slim body, it felt very nice.
She spent minutes in the shower, in the hot, steamy air. When she warmed up enough, she dried herself along with her clothes. When she exited the bathroom, she immediately felt a mouth-watering smell in the air.
"Ryan?"
"Take a seat, I'll be there in a few minutes!" he shouted from the kitchen.
Kirishima sat down, waiting for him. Soon Ryan appeared with two plates, filled with a tasty looking pasta dish.
"Here you are! Some Italian spaghetti alla carbonara!"
"Oh! I heard of it but never tasted it." said Kirishima. "It looks great."
"And it tastes even better. Help yourself!" said Ryan and took a fork.
"Thank you very much!" said Kirishima and took a bite. "Wow, it's delicious! You cook well Ryan." she complemented him.
"Thanks very much. Unfortunately it's not totally the real one, I only had bacon to work with. The real carbonara is made with guanciale, that's made of pork cheeks, rubbed with salt and spices and then cured. But yes, I think it's still quite good."
"It's actually so good that I want to learn how to cook it." stated Kirishima.
"I'd be happy to teach it to you." smiled Ryan.
"For example, how much cream do you need for this?" asked Kirishima, but she already knew that she said something wrong. Ryan's face darkened within a second and he slowly looked up from his plate.
"Could you repeat that please?"
"Uhm... You don't need cream for carbonara?"
"For carbonara you don't need any, any, any cream. All you need is pasta, eggs, parmigiano cheese, pepper and guanciale. The sauce is made from the eggs, the cheese, and by playing with the heat."
"I... see. Sorry..."
"Come on." chuckled Ryan. "You know I'd never bite your head off."
"I know that Ryan, you are too kind for that." said Kirishima, realizing only then what she just said, and she immediately felt her cheeks heating up.
"The only one who's too kind here is you." replied Ryan. The compliment felt good to him though.
Not knowing how to react, Kirishima just smiled and said: "Thanks for the dinner."
"Your very welcome." replied Ryan kindly.
There was this strange silence between them again.
"Huh. It's still raining." noted Kirishima, looking out the window. In fact, it was only getting worse, and soon it was like the Biblical flood out there.
"Yes. You know what? You can sleep here." said Ryan.
"Eh... What?" Did he really say that?
"Look out there, it will obviously not end tonight, even if you run, you will be soaked again when you reach your dormitory, and I will not let that happen."
"You already helped me a lot Ryan, I don't want to be a burden." tried Kirishima to wave off the offer, but she had to realize that she will not succeed.
"Now listen to me. You'll never be a burden for me." stated Ryan, leaning over the table. "I will not let you out into that storm and I help you with the greatest pleasure. So I don't want to hear any more objections."
Kirishima looked into Ryan's blue eyes. She knew when he was not joking, and now he was not joking. And she also know that he will not accept a "no" as an answer. "I'll repay this to you somehow Ryan. Thank you very much." she said gratefully.
"You don't need to do that Kirishima, it's all natural. And of course as you are the guest, you can take my bed, I prepare clean bedclothes. I'll sleep out here on the couch."
Kirishima wanted to protest, but she knew that Ryan will not back down, so she played along.
"I'll be here if you need anything. Will you be comfortable enough sleeping in your uniform?"
"I'll be fine." nodded Kirishima, watching him as he grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from the dresser for pajamas.
"Can I do anything else for you?" asked Ryan.
"I'm fine Ryan. And thanks again for allowing me to stay."
"No problem at all Kirishima. Anytime. Have a good night!" he grinned slightly, leaving the room, and closing the door behind him.
Kirishima yawned from exhaustion, and she decided to hit the bed. She placed her glasses on the nightstand, then took down her boots, her uniform and skirt.
She then lay down on the wide bed, pulled the blanket over herself and turned off the small lamp.
However, sleep avoided her.
Half an hour later Ryan was lying still awake on the sofa in the living room. And he couldn't ignore the quite sound coming from the bedroom.
In the bedroom Kirishima heard a slight knock on the door. After a few seconds of hesitation she stood up from the bed. She touched the door handle and almost opened the door when she suddenly remembered that all she was wearing was her sarashi and panties. She blushed and rushed to the chair where she placed her clothes. "Yes?" she asked as she quickly dressed up.
"May I come in?" she heard Ryan's voice from outside.
Kirishima – now dressed – opened the door. "Yes?"
"What's wrong?" asked Ryan.
"How do you mean?"
"I hear that you are just twisting around in the bed."
"I... can't sleep somehow." admitted Kirishima.
"Come." said Ryan gently.
A few minutes later they were sitting together on a sofa with mugs of tea in their hands.
"So what is it?" asked Ryan again.
"Well. The thing is, I do not really like storms." said the fast-battleship, looking out the window. The storm was still raging.
"That's something I can understand. But I think there is something else."
"..."
"..."
"Ryan, you are so kind, probably one of the kindest persons I ever met in my life. But the fact that you are American just... brought back old memories. It's like my old and new lives are clashing."
"I see..."
"Please don't misunderstood me! I have nothing against you. On the contrary. And I know that there are many good persons among your shipgirls as well. But I also know that I met some of them on the battlefield in the old war. I keep asking myself about that time. And I also ask that why did it have to happen in the first place? The former enemies are now our friends. So couldn't we've been friends back then as well?"
Kirishima was staring down, and then she suddenly felt Ryan's hand on top of hers. She looked there and saw the young man looking at her understandingly.
"You saw and experienced much more things than I did." he said calmly. "It's totally understandable if you are confused. But remember: the past is in the past. And while it shall not be forgotten it shall not be treated as present. Like you said: you have a new life now full of opportunities. If you feel that you made mistakes back then, now you can correct them. But please, do not think anything wrong of herself. You are a good person Kirishima, kind and honorable. Do not feel bad."
"If you say so." said Kirishima and a small smile appeared on her lips.
They talked for hours before they both felt tired enough and went back to sleep. This time Kirishima fell asleep almost immediately. She was happy that she could talk to such a great companion, and Ryan was happy, because he could help someone who mattered to him.
But one thing still bothered them: When would be the right time to ask it?
X
Kirishima woke to the sunlight coming in through the window. The storm finally moved away.
She yawned, stood up and got dressed.
She left the room but Ryan was nowhere to be found. What she found was a plate filled with fried eggs and bacon. There was also a cup of coffee, and a note.
"I went jogging with James and Lucia. Bon appetite!"
"He's also so thoughtful..." she thought and she wasted no time to make the breakfast disappear.
Not long after this Ryan arrived back. "Ah, good morning!" he greeted her.
"Good evening Ryan! Thanks for the breakfast."
"Your very welcome. Just a minute, I quickly take a shower."
Ryan finished soon and he ate his own breakfast.
"I should go now, my sisters might be worried." noted Kirishima.
"Of course. I will go and visit my captain in the hospital and the Milius in the drydock." nodded Ryan.
"I can't thank this to you enough Ryan. You were very sweet." bowed Kirishima standing in the door.
"Remember this: my door is always open to you." said Ryan kindly. "Come on! Ask her out!"
"I'll remember that." smiled Kirishima. "Come on! Ask him out!" "Bye bye!"
"Bye bye!" waved Ryan. "Damn it man!"
"Shit!" cursed Kirishima under her breath.
In the end, Kirishima didn't have to search for her sister for too long, she found them on the square.
"Oi Kirishima!" waved Kongo. "We are going to Mamiya, would you like to join us?"
"Yes Onee-sama, but I'm not hungry."
"How could that be?" asked Hiei.
"And where were you during the night, I was getting worried." added Haruna.
"Everything was good with me. I couldn't get home before the storm reached us. Ryan allowed me to stay at him for the night."
"Oh! See? I told he is a nice guy." said Haruna.
"Meh. I bet he made you sleep on the hard floor." sniffed Hiei.
"Not really. He gave me his bed." said Kirishima.
"WHAT?!" the three older sisters shouted in union, even Haruna was shocked.
"Did I hear it right?" asked Kongo.
"I knew it!" yelled Hiei. "All he wanted to get close enough to you and then just..."
"SILENCE RIGHT NOW!" Kirishima shouted at them. The other three indeed went silence. "He gave me his bed and he slept on the couch, that's all! He selflessly gave me shelter from the storm, gave me warm food and bed, and if you think that's bad, then I feel sorry for you!"
Kongo, Hiei and Haruna froze down, they've never seen their youngest sister like this.
After a few seconds even Kirishima felt a bit ashamed. "I... I'm sorry." she ceremonially bowed to her older sisters.
"Well... Let's get to Mamiya now." Kongo said confusedly and went ahead, her three sisters following her.
Haruna stayed a bit behind with Kirishima. "No Kirishima, it's me who should ask you for forgiveness. But tell me: did you ask him?"
"N-No. Not yet..."
"Don't worry. Your time will come."
And Kirishima really hoped that the time will come as soon as possible.