Hello again, here is the new chapter, a little bigger than the other two, hope you all are enjoying this story as much as I do.
The admiral turned back after reading the letter, wondering how this would affect the base capabilities. He decided to follow Hatsuharu into the factory to check out those fairies and how they work. He has seen those little girls at other places like helpers, but a big factory may be quite much for them. So the man speeds up the pace and managed to get at the factory right behind the ship girl.
-Oh! Hello again commander- Hatsuharu turn to greet the admiral, then she put the box on the floor to let out the fairies.
-Hello commander! - the small girls shout at the admiral in order to be heard and then jump out of the small box.
-We will work hard to make best ships! - They all made a vow in respect to their now admiral and went inside the factory running at the most speed they could with their small size.
-See? I told you they were eager to work- Hatsuharu smiled and turn to face into the admiral. She gazes upon the man in uniform and felt a bit more relaxed, with the feeling that the admiral was someone trustworthy and interesting.
-They seem to have fun… but are they reliable? - He could hear their laughs being an echo inside the factory.
-You have not seem them in action?... you may be surprised- she pull out a fan from her clothes and opened it up to cover her smile.
The factory already got some resources left for when it would be the first time to be opened. So with haste a pair went to the heater to start it, pretty quickly the sound of an engine fills the interior while also turning the lights on, finally the base would have a better supply of electricity running through all the buildings.
-Very well I guess they know what they are doing- The admiral suddenly felt better now that something looks like may actually work at the base.
-Don't worry about them admiral- The purple haired girl seems happy to finally see them reached their goal.
-Fine I´ll check them later- He sighs and turned to the road to walk to his office.
-Wait commander we will go with you- Hatsuharu walks side to side of him, as she didn't really know much of the base.
-Sure…- The admiral remembered that Hatsuharu was now part of the base too.
-It seems like the base is really new… so there are many things to do- she comment her thoughts for watching it now more clearly, as the base is no more a ghost town but is still in need of more people.
-Yes it's my first day here, I arrived yesterday at afternoon, so I haven't done many things aside from arranging things here and there- the admiral explained to her his status and how that was all he could do with no more personnel.
-I see… so we get to choose our room now- Hatsuharu asked realizing there were many buildings and as all are empty it could be easy to choose any room.
-Yes you can, maybe you can be in the same building as Murakumo- he answers concerned, because it's better to get one building full and then use another for new recruits.
-A special type destroyer is here? - She didn't expect to hear a name like that.
-Yes, she was already here when I arrived… you know it's good to have another person here, it was kind of strange being only two of us- The man honestly felt like that yesterday, not because it would be weird to be with a girl, but maybe of what could happen if they were left alone for too long… just maybe.
-Admiral you sound so rude saying that…- the ship girl giggle to the answer.
-Guess you are right I'm sorry. But I think it's better to have someone to talk more freely now- he didn't think that was he said sound bad anyway.
-Oh, are you interested in us? - Hatsuharu replied with a gentle smile.
-Sure… I mean it's nice to…- The admiral suddenly felt nervous when the pretty purple haired girl smiled like that.
-What are you doing? - A sudden voice questions the admiral as he stops his steps in that instant.
-Oh! Special type we are glad see you- Hatsuharu turn back to see the other ship girl in the base.
-A new girl? you can't wait a day even if I'm here… geez- Murakumo felt angry at the time because her special place as the first ship was suddenly stolen by the now second ship.
-I'm sorry she just arrived from HQ- the officer tried to explain the situation as he wasn't really expecting her too.
-Fine. My name is Murakumo, guess you heard from me- She tried to understand the idea, but she couldn't stop being a bit proud and pushy to the new girl.
-Yes, we remember that name. Guess you have heard from Hatsuharu too…- Having heard the name of various other ships, and the special types, it wasn't that hard. However, she also pointed her proud name to her.
-Yea I have…- The air turned dense and a strange aggressive aura surrounded both girls, maybe they both were mad at the other, perhaps one of jealousy and the other for being treated disrespectfully.
The two destroyers stare at each other silently as the admiral was caught in the middle of their mute battle. But just as all that hatred appeared, it suddenly vanishes when Murakumo remembered why she searched for the admiral in the first place.
-Admiral the storage got no more food than these disgusting rations! - She turned to the man and throw at his feet a can of the same ration she ate a while ago.
-What? - He could not understand the problem with the rations at all, they were soldiers and like that they should be thankful for not eating dirt and saltwater.
-Rations… we dislike those things. Commander you better get something else to eat later- Hatsuharu also turned to the admiral as she covers half of her face with the fan.
-Really…- The admiral didn't really couldn't help with this problem at all, and he could not ask anything to HQ, because of that emergency.
-You promised! - Murakumo yells at the admiral, she was really expecting what he said in the storage.
-Guess I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, Murakumo, can you show Hatsuharu the place and let her choose her room- The admiral accepted his responsibility and picked up the can. He said and dismissed both girls.
-Yeah yeah, just leave now please- The silver haired girl just wanted for him to leave to keep on believing him.
-Thanks admiral, we are eager to see you later- Hatsuharu recovered that gentle smile as she said farewell to her commander.
-I'll see you at the entrance of premise B! - The admiral waved his hand and started to run into the building where his room was.
"Guess I'll have no choice…" he thinks of a fast solution, and the first thing that came into his mind was right inside one of the boxes with his stuff.
-Better find it quickly- he pass through the door after quite a run. And so he took of the things that was kept inside, it was a white bag with red stripes, inside was a small case, with a few fish hooks and a fishing rod.
-Fishing at the docks wouldn't be hard…- The man wasn't really expecting to use it this early, as his plan was to use it in quiet days when there would be no battles, training or whatsoever. He wasn't an expert at fishing, just another amateur so he could need to relay on his luck to catch something.
He took what he needed and walked to the nearby dock. At first he thought of other places, but as the base was new and not many people came here in a while, perhaps there would be fish around the area.
The man assembles the fishing rod as fast as he could, took one of hook and use a piece of food from the now opened can as bait. After he throw it into the water he waited. He could perceive some movement in the water but nothing happened, so he got no other choice but to sit down at the edge of the dock.
-No, I better be really lucky so please bite- the admiral was in a hurry so he wanted for anything to bite, but still nothing came to. After ten minutes the man railed in the hook, just to realize the bait was gone.
Knowing that two girls depends on him, filled him with determination, so he took another piece to use as bait and throw the hook into the water, yet this time a bit farther ahead.
And so the long wait started again but…
-Yes! Got one- The man yells when the fishing line started to move, so he pulled it just to realize he just caught his first fish of the day. So after using the same bag as containment for the fish, he proceeds to get another one.
-Let me catch another- he says to himself as he if he was summoning lady luck by his side. However, the time flew again and this time it took more to get the fish.
-Oh boy! Come on this is a bigger one- The admiral felt that the strength of the fish was a lot more than the first one, so he stands up to get be able to get a better grip, however this fish was so strong he almost fell at one time, but to him this was a very important moment so he would not lose against a single fish.
So he pulled with all his might and was able to pull something, yet this time it was a smaller fish. So know he could be able to cook something for the two girls, that maybe at the time where quite impatient.
And so he picked up the bag and all his stuff the best he could and started to run into the rendezvous point. And just as he turned the corner the admiral saw both girls waiting outside the premise
-Oh my! - Hatsuharu exclaimed as surprise to see his superior looking like that.
-You, just how long do you plan on making me wait here! What's that, what's your intention? Geez... Hurry up! - Murakumo was angry for waiting for that long, even if she was accompanied by another ship girl.
-I'm sorry Murakumo, didn't think it would take too long to get some fish around here- The admiral was ashamed because of how long it took him to get them.
-Fish? - Murakumo did not expect such thing to happen, so she didn't know what to answer.
-Yes, now I only need to cook them so please, can you wait a little longer? - the man asked for more time to prepare what he got in mind.
-Wait more? I don't…- she was interrupted by Hatsuharu, who put her hand on her shoulder and wink her eye.
-Don't worry Admiral, we can both wait a little longer- She replied to the commander.
-Geez… fine, but it better be a great dish for me to forgive you- Murakumo accepted and move her hand to let him know she was still fine.
-Thanks It will not take too long, promise- He was determined, after all he was the one in charge of the base and everything that concerns it, so he went into the premise and started to prepare something. It was a good thing this kind of base got a built in dining room, that in the future will be able to feed all the fleet, yet at the moment, was empty as everything else in the island.
He was lucky that the fairies restored the electric supply, so he was able to use the kitchen. Even if it was really big for him alone, all he needed right now was some fresh water, salt, and perhaps anything he could find in the cupboard.
The admiral was able to find some dried vegetables and some spices, like pepper and garlic, things that could last long with no expiration date. And so he began his work as chef too, lucky for him, he was stationed during his service, so everyone on that place did every job needed, including the kitchen. He was quite prepared even if he didn't know too many dishes, so he thought of the easier thing he could do with this few ingredients.
He opened a few shelfs looking for a cooking pot, so when he found one of medium size, he pours some water on it to boil it, put some garlic and added the dried vegetables. He then cleaned the fish with the help of a kitchen knife, washed it and cut in small pieces, and then he put the fish heads inside the pot of boiling water too, as its this part is the one that gives the most taste to the soup.
-Only a bit more and it will be done- the admiral was waiting for the right time, so when a few minutes pass he took all the fish pieces and add them to the soup, and then he lowers the temperature and call the girls to the dining room.
-Hope it tastes good- Murakumo smelled the air and wonder what he did, but still was too proud to ask, so she sit down on a chair near the kitchen, Hatsuharu did the same, but she was quite happy.
The admiral looks for a pair of bowls and spoons, serve the soup for both of them and then give it to them. Both ship girls look at the bowl wondering how it would taste, so Hatsuharu were first to took the spoon and eat it, but to her surprise it was pretty good.
-It's not that bad- Murakumo said after taste it too, she was really hungry so perhaps even the rations from noon would taste like heaven.
-You are quite amazing admiral!- Hatsuharu smiled to him and realize it was the best thing for her to be transferred into this base.
-He's not that amazing… but I forgive him for now- The other girl didn't admit that she was amazed at how the man was able to do such a dish in the best way he could and yet it tastes like nothing she got before.
-You are not angry?... I mean this is just fish in some weird stew- The commander didn't believe that such a simple thing could be so good.
-Of course not admiral… We think it's really tasty because you made this for us. Right Murakumo? - She compliment the cook, after all this showed how much he cared for them.
-Guess so…- Murakumo couldn't say no more as she blushed again, so she tried to ignore it eating again.
-It's my duty as admiral… but thanks- The admiral was grateful, after all this base was now his new home.
-But admiral… what are you going to eat? - Hatsuharu questioned as the man didn't serve himself a bowl.
-Don't worry about me I´ll eat a ration later… there is still some soup more left for both of you- he was in such a good mood he forgot he didn't eat anything.
-We thank you admiral- Hatsuharu bowed to him and continued to eat, as Murakumo couldn't find the valor to look into the admiral face.
And so after both girls finished their food, they helped the admiral in cleaning the kitchen, then they take leave into their rooms.
The admiral was happy because he was able to do something useful, so now that feeling like that he went into the factory to check upon the fairies and whatever they were building. But as he gets close to the door he notices that the box that brought the fairies was outside of it. And so the man in with uniform arrived to find that inside the box was something strange, a thing that clearly wasn't there the first time, and also was not expected at all.
A stuffed penguin and a fluffy cloud.
He picked up the box and take it into his room, where he rests and then falls sleep, however feeling that something was a failure that day.