November 3, 2023,
I never thought I would be writing a second entry today, but there have been some developments that trouble me, so much so that I need to air my grievances here again.
Kongo brought us sandwiches dinner, along with a bulletin meant specifically for me. When I answered the door she asked if the could spend some time alone with Haruna. Of course, I obliged, and took the bulletin and a sandwich to gnaw on.
Leaning against the railing, I began to read, and it was disturbing to say the least. A flurry of Abyssal communications was intercepted that indicated a possible counterattack coming from the south. It was expected that the defense line would hold, but there were instructions to evacuate shipgirl casualties and non-essential personnel tomorrow morning, a full 2 days earlier than expected. The defense will be overseen by the commanders of the northern force (the command chain Kongo is part of). On top of that, since every available shipgirl would be needed on standby, my command ship will be sailing with only light air cover across the Sibuyan Sea until nightfall, where we would be expected to return the way we came via the Palawan Passage to rendezvous with my base's guard fleet the morning after.
Sending a ship unescorted through contested waters is one thing. The fact that from the wording it was implied that only Haruna would be withdrawn along with me and my command team is what concerned me the most. It is clear that someone higher up is aware something is amiss, and they want to recall everyone in my command chain to commence investigations as soon as possible.
Maybe I am just being paranoid, but the nature of the shipgirl programme gives me good reason to be. They clearly aren't fully human, yet human enough to love and be loved, to carry out a woman's most intimate functions...
Maybe I am just overthinking things. Maybe High Command decided that Haruna was in a good enough shape to act as escort for our way back, and that they just aren't aware that she isn't ready to take to the water yet.
I was not acutely aware of how long I was lost in thought, sandwich in hand, vaguely aware of the muffled sobs coming from my room. Kongo eventually snapped me back to reality as she was leaving my quarters. It occurred to me then that Kongo was reports to someone who is chummier with High Command, so I tried to gauge how much she knew that was going to be problematic, to say the least.
She assured me she was here as a sister, for a sister. Despite indicating that she knew vaguely what was going on, she assured me it would be something she would keep with her until we are ready to talk about it. With that said and done, we exchanged salutes, and I watched as she disappeared down the corridor.
Currently I am sitting on the edge of the bed at the desk, Haruna limply tugging at my shirt every few minutes. Every time, I turn around, just to meet her eyes staring listlessly into mine, a few straggling tears glistening in the dim light. She hasn't said a word to me since that day, and I can only hope that she would open up to me soon.
It's a long way back to base, and the road to recovery is even longer.