[Azur Lane]
"I'm curious as to what jobs we had..." Atago spoke from the sofa.
The Commander sat up.
"Hold on...I think I can recall it..." He pondered deeply.
"Yes!" He exclaims. "Choukai, you worked at a daycare. Atago, you had an office job of some sort. Takao, you were a cook at a restaurant somewhere. And finally Maya, you were a literature historian."
Silence engulfed the room briefly as the Takao sisters processed the information.
"I would love that job here!" Choukai said loudly.
"Mine doesn't seem too bad..." Takao thought to herself.
"That is too boring!" Atago proclaimed.
"Same here!" Maya called out.
"I can't help it." The Commander kept cool. "It's a universe away now."
"I know, I know, it's just..." Atago sighed.
"There's no way I could stick in a job like that." Atago and Maya said at the same time.
"Well, obviously there were some minor differences in your personalities, but you are mostly the same." The Commander observed the distressed cruisers.
"Minor?" Maya glared at him. "I think that's pretty fucking major, don't you?"
"Okay, Maya, calm down..." Takao once again tried to resolve an outburst of anger.
"Is everyone fine with me continuing?" The Commander asserted the others.
"Yes." Was the simple reply.
"Don't complain if it is embarrassing or out of character, there's nothing I can do..." The Commander leant back.
[Memory]
The cake is ready a bit too early.
Choukai still doesn't come home for another 3 hours.
I take some foil and cover the cake with it.
Better hide it.
Don't want just one sister scoffing the whole thing on her own.
I carefully lift the delicate cake on a tray and get it in a secure position.
That was the easy part...
Where am I going to put this?
I guess the best place would be my room.
But going up stairs with this would be risky.
Ah, what choice do I have!?
I begin slowly approaching the half-spiral staircase.
"Kojou." I hear the Butler call to me. "Let me help."
He takes the other side of the tray and helps me get it all the way to the top without dropping it.
"Thanks!" I say with as much enthusiasm as I can manage.
"No need to thank me..." He remarks as he begins descending the stairs again.
Now I have it here, might as well finish the task.
My desk is a mess, but I have no other surface to place the cake on.
I use the underside of the tray to swipe a lot of the untidiness off.
The cake takes its place.
I sigh in relief.
At least, I hope it's good...
Baking is hardly a difficult profession when it comes to recipes like that.
I've probably still found a way to screw it up...
Negative thoughts...disperse!
There is a slight suspicion in me that even if it is gross, Atago, Choukai and Takao will still say it's delicious.
They're just too soft to criticize me.
Maya...I'm not sure...
She will be honest...I think.
No use dwelling on it.
I am exhausted.
Making that cake took a lot out of me...
I collapse on my bed and shuffle under the covers.
Just a nap...until Choukai gets back...
Yes...just...that...
[One Sleep Later]
"...lo!"
Someone...is yelling.
"...ello!"
I...recognize that voice.
"Hello!"
It's Choukai.
I force my eyes open and call our to her.
"I'm here!" God, my voice is grovelly.
"Oh!" I hear her sigh heavily. "Don't worry me like that!"
"Sorry, I was a little tired." I explain.
"I gathered." I hear her start to retreat down the stairs. "Come down and see me when you're ready. I might have something for you!~"
What a coincidence!
I scan my room and confirm that the cake is still on my desk and is untouched.
Surprising...
The air outside my bed is cold.
I grab my dressing gown and begin to descend the stairs, keeping a firm grip of the oak banister.
The only gripe I have with this surface is that it can be very slippy with certain types of footwear.
I reach the bottom and walk to the living room.
"You've emerged." Choukai is resting on the cushiony sofa.
"Yep." I look around. "So, what did you bring me?"
"I'll get it in a minute." She sits up straight. "First, I want to chat with you."
What have I done now?
"For?" I ask aloud.
"Nothing." She pats the sofa. "I just want to know you better as you have shut yourself off more in recent years. I have no idea what you're into nowadays."
I silently seat myself next to her.
"What do you like?" Choukai shuffles a bit closer to me.
"I thought you would know that..." I turn slightly. "Video games...very recently, cooking...naval history..."
"You've never done any cooking before..." She eyes me carefully. "Did Takao inspire you?"
"It's just...I'm not good at academics or athletics, so cooking might be my only way to get a job in future." I remain determined.
"Kojou...being a cook..." She smiles. "Heh, I'm finding it hard imagining you as a chef."
"Thanks..." I remark sarcastically.
"Hey, I didn't say you couldn't do it, I just never would of guessed that you were into food." Choukai defends herself.
"I know." I smile back. "Just thought I'd tease you a little."
"Kojou, that's not very nice.~" She feigns hurt.
"Nice try..." I roll my eyes at my sister's antics.
"Be kinder to me." She grips my arm playfully. "I care for you a lot.~"
I brush her off.
"And this is how you repay me...~" She giggles a bit and swiftly embraces me.
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard this before..." I say from the fleshy cage I've been locked in.
She retracts her arms. "I'll go and get my gift. Don't move."
And she's gone.
I'm actually lowkey excited for whatever she went out of her way to buy.
Not exactly expecting anything too expensive, but I'm not good at speculation so I'll try not to focus on that.
...Argh, I cannot think about anything else!
It better be something good, cause I'm getting so worked up, mentally.
I hear her approaching the living room.
Here we go!
She's carrying...
Is that...a puppy carrier?
"Ready?" She asks while placing her hand on the gate.
"Y-yeah..." I'm slightly bewildered.
She opens the latch and reaches inside.
I hear her muttering.
"Come on...come on..."
A few seconds later, her arm retreats with a Pomeranian in her hand.
It's cute!
"Hello!" Choukai says to the pupper in a high pitch.
She giggles a little before coming over to the sofa and sitting next me.
The Pomeranian starts licking her face.
"Oh...stop it..." She smiles as she tries to move her head out of reach of the dog.
I turn my attention to the doggo.
It's your pretty typical Pomeranian.
Seems very curious and playful...
Looks like Choukai didn't take into account my energy levels which are usually pretty low.
"Kojou!" I jump.
"Y-yes?"
"Would you like to have her on your lap?" Choukai holds the puppy out to me.
"Of course." I reply with conviction.
I take the dog and bring her close to me.
Getting the feeling that she can sense my apprehensiveness.
Her fur is incredibly soft...
I know we have the guard dogs outside, but never before have we had a pet like this.
I don't know how to feel.
On one hand, I'm pretty content with a nice, small fluffball roaming the house.
But on the other, I know the dog is going to incorporate more responsibilities, which I've been happy without for the past couple days.
My contemplation is broken by a repeated, warm, damp sensation on my chin.
"Hey..." I say gently.
I look down and see the Pomeranian desperately trying to reach my face with her tongue.
"Oh, all right then..." I give in and let the licks come.
"You two seem to be getting along." Choukai says while entering the room.
I didn't even notice she left...
"Yep, she's definitely the playful type..." I reply through dog licks.
Choukai giggles and sets a drink down for herself and me.
"Does she have a name?" I ask, finally having a second to breathe.
"Not yet. I wanted us all, as siblings, to come to an agreement on that." She sips her drink.
"I see." I resume focusing on the dog.
"Why? Did you have some ideas?" Choukai inquires.
"No." I block my chin with my hand. "I was just curious."
"Ah. Well, I hope you continue to bond." Choukai shifts closer to us both.
"Do the others know about this?" I pass the Pomeranian back to Choukai.
"Only our parents..." She holds the dog to her chest. "It's a surprise for our sisters."
Wonder how they are going to react...
Choukai suddenly kisses the poor pup.
"That's a bit risky..." I remark subconsiously.
"How so?" Choukai looks at me.
"Uh...because you didn't know how she would react to that." I quickly make up.
"But...she's so fluffy and cute." She lifts the dog up to her face and nuzzles with her. "She would never hurt anyone."
"I-if you say so..." I lean back a bit.
"Oh no!" Choukai sits up straight. "I forgot to get food and drink and a bowl for her!"
"How do you even manage that?" I ask while a subtle smile of amusement creeps its way onto my face.
"I guess I was so eager to show her to you I got caught up and didn't think about anything else." She places the Pomeranian on the floor.
"If you want, I'll come with you." I stand as well.
"No, we need someone to watch her." She begins getting ready to go out.
"The Butler can do that." I follow her. "Please, Choukai you don't understand how badly I just want to go somewhere right now."
She sighs. "Okay, go upstairs and get ready. I'll notify the Butler."
"Thank you, Choukai." I move the fastest I've moved during the time I've been off school.
I don't want to spend too much time thinking about what to wear.
Throwing on some basic clothes, I barrel out of my room and down the stairs.
"That was quick!" Choukai is waiting by the door already.
"I didn't want to delay you too much." I explain as I put on my shoes.
"Well, thanks." She looks a bit confused.
"All right, let's go!" I quickly approach the door.
Choukai opens it and we both step out.
"We're taking my car." She tells me on the walk down the entrance stairs.
"Okay." I affirm simply.
[Azur Lane]
"That's adorable!" Atago remarked somewhat loudly.
"I want one in this life..." Choukai lamented.
"All I want to know is, what did we decide to call it?" Maya eyed the Commander who watched all four Takao sisters.
"Patience..." He said. "It will all be revealed soon..."