/* We're back to action in the next chapter */
/* Check out s/12720228/1/Kumano-s-Beef for some insight on Kumano's situation */
The strategic meeting was basically a reiteration of what Hara's said on the helicopter, with some more details regarding formations and positioning. Nothing that shipgirls wouldn't work out on their own anyway, and nothing that won't change some ten times during combat. With the boring part of the school trip over, everybody went their own way.
Suzuya and Kumano decided to invite Maya, Choukai and Atlanta to hang out with Kumano's American friends – Pensacola, South Dakota and Philadelphia. Following USN tradition, a before-sortie-party was to be held at the intersection of Saratoga Boulevard, Langley Avenue and Lexington Boulevard, but despite protests Kumano was adamant about going somewhere less crowded, an idea that introverted Choukai also preferred. As such a decision was made to visit the battleship Missouri – the last warship on Earth, which miraculously survived the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, resulting in otherwise complete annihilation of Pacific navies.
"Hey Suzuya, you are Kumano's sister, right? You must know some embarrassing stories about her!", Philadelphia jumped on Suzuya's back right after arriving onboard. "She's always such a perfect lady with us, but I don't believe this, she must have a dark side to her!"
"Hmm, Kumano's dark side… That's tough… Is she still ordering tons of these thin romance books? Our room is full of them! They make me wanna puke…", Suzuya pouted with an exaggerated vomiting gesture.
"Ooooh, lady Kumano is into harlequins? I knew there's something shifty about her!", South Dakota could barely withhold laughter. "But this would explain her love for meat.", she continued with expression of somebody contemplating quantum physics.
"This explains nothing, my dear Soda. As a real lady, it's only obvious that I need some romance in my life, but this soldier life does not allow me any. As wise people say: twenty sovereigns are worth twenty acres".
"Nobody says that… And what does it even mean?!", Pensacola joined the fray with a puzzled frown.
"Oi, Kumano, you say that, but everybody back home knows you have hots for Hara, but he doesn't even notice you. I'm pretty sure you put his name in all these harlethings of yours.", Maya showed no mercy, accepting Atlanta's high five and showing off her perfect teeth.
"Wait, Kumano… This Kumano… is into your admiral? I can't believe it!", Philadelphia completely lost it and started dancing around like a drunken ballet dancer. "Do you want to take him on a bumpy ride on a stormy night? Penetrate Surigao Strait with him on board?"
"None such thing. My affection for Hara-san is purely professional. And even if it was not, I am not the one in love with my own sister. Did they not teach you that phoenixes and dolphins can never be together, my silly dear?", Kumano tried retaliating. Philadelphia and Phoenix weren't real sisters, but such distinctions meant very little to shipgirls.
"Hey! I'm not a dolphin, you are the one sounding like a mating fish!", Philadelphia jumped into Kumano's face.
"It's a mammal.", South Dakota, used to this kind of shows, automatically corrected her friend.
"I do not sound like a mating fish! It is an elegant and fierce war cry of a lady!", Kumano tried hiding resentment, ignoring South Dakota's yet another correction.
"Wait, wait… You can't mean the Wooo↑ooah↓! sound, right Kumano-san?", Choukai asked letting out powerless, artificially sounding "war cry" and looked at Kumano, but the stare she received in return explained everything. "Well, I'm sorry to break it to you, but… it kinda sounds like a mating dolphin…".
"HA! Told you! You horny fish!", Philadephia jumped with joy. "Wooooooo↑oooooooah↓!".
"It's a ma-... Wooooooo↑oooooooah↓! ...-mal!", South Dakota played her part in this eternal struggle between two dolphins.
"Wooooooo↑oooooooah↓!", Maya followed the suit accompanied by Atlanta, Suzuya, and unexpectedly, Choukai.
While Kumano was getting bullied by her best friends, the party was getting started. Three Akizuki-class destroyers were shocked and stood motionless in disbelief at the amount of food around them. Originally commissioned after the attack on Pearl Harbour, they were used to supply shortages, and even their base back in Japan seemed like some kind of five star all you can eat buffet. They weren't prepared for the riches of America. At least twenty different food stands filled the site, all of them operated by shipgirls not participating in the next day's operation.
Unable to choose, they've decided to stray off the beaten trail and go somewhere less crowded. Unfortunately, the crowd seemed to be following them, and their animated turrets were nowhere to be seen. The sisters were far too gone to notice the latter. Resigned, they've gone for the friendliest looking cook.
The stand was filled with a mix of Mexican and American food, and operated by two older looking girls, probably cruisers or battleships. Uncertain and a bit anxious, the oldest destroyer greeted the Americans.
"G-good evening!", Akizuki said, visibly relieved about not mistaking the basic greeting.
"Oooh! Aren't you girls cuties? Welcome! My name's USS Arizona.", knowing who they're talking to made Akizukis visibly nervous. A fact quickly picked upon by the battleship. "Oh, don't worry, what's in the past is in the past… Oh, right, this is New Mexico.", she pointed at her friend, too focused on the grill to say anything. "So, how can I help you?".
"W-well… We don't want to not impose, so… Have you got any barley rice or can't meet?", Hatsuzuki tried to make an order, with broken English, causing Arizona to burst with cheerful laughter.
"I'm afraid that can't meet is out of stock.", Akizuki sisters seemed disappointed. "But, I can offer you the next best thing! Mexico, get these girls some proper burros, and I'll pour some posole!", she throwed before disappearing in the back.
Burros and posole meant nothing to Akizukis, and Hatsuzuki became anxious.
"Nee-san, what are these burros and posole? I hope it's not something made up, just to feed us leaves and dirt? I mean, this could hurt our mission!", now all three sisters were getting nervous.
"Well, it's not leaves and dirt, but it's nearly just as good, if you ask me.", New Mexico finally said something, moreover, in flawless Japanese. She passed her guests three steamy burritos after spitting out her cigarette on the ground. "I made them extra mild. You girls don't seem to handle spicy stuff too well."
"N-nee-san, is it ok if we eat all this? It's two days' worth of rations… Maybe we should save some for tomorrow?", Hatsuzuki asked in shaky voice, shocked with the portion size, much to New Mexico's amusement. However, Akizuki and Teruzuki were too busy devouring their food to pay attention. Encouraged, Hatsuzuki dug in as well.
Not even half way through the food, sisters' faces went red and sweaty.
"W-water, please!", Hatsuzuki uttered in Japanese, unable to continue, her sisters, however kept going strong.
"Hyaa! I mustn't stop! I must keep eating!", Teruzuki tried to sound cheerful, but the extra mild burrito turned out too spicy for her either.
"Me-xi-co! How many times must I tell you to put out your cigarettes after you throw them away!", Arizona returned carrying three steaming bowls. "Oh… Did you give them your extra mild burritos!?", she stared daggers at New Mexico, quickly putting down the bowls, but her friend just grew more amused. The battleship then reached underneath the countertop for three bottles of water and handed them to each Akizuki sister. "I'm sorry for her, she does that to all newcomers. I'll get you some sour cream to make them edible."
All three destroyers gulped down their bottles like a sober alcoholic, before Akizuki gathered herself to speak.
"There's no need for that, Arizona-san. Mexico-san put her heart into making these, and we can't let her work go to waste!"
"N-nee-san!", Hatsuzuki nearly teared up at her sister's gesture. Only she knew whether these were tears of pride or burrito-induced fear.
While Akizuki sisters were trying to finish their burros, three other Japanese destroyers joined them.
"Uuf, we've found you at last!", Shigure greeted her friends. "We've also brought your Choujuusenchihou… friends.", she put Teruzuki's animated turret on the counter. "They are quite some stars, we had to get past at least twenty girls to get to them."
"Ooooh! Thank you, Shigure-chan, Yuudachi-chan, Fubuki-chan!", Teruzuki uttered through tears and heavy pants, hugging her Choujuusenchihou-kun.
"What are you eating, poi?", Yuudachi nearly put her head in Teruzuki's plate.
"Oh, these are burros and pozole. Also, welcome! I'm Arizona and this is New Mexico. Would you like some too?"
"Poi!", the blonde destroyer shouted enthusiastically, nearly falling from her stool.
"I'll… take that as a yes. Three burros and posoles!", Arizona answered dumbfoundedly. "Mexico, don't you even think about giving them your extra mild food!"
"Sure thing, boss, I'll make them extra spicy this time. New Mexico's special for the Nightmare of Solomon and her friends!", Mexico's face turned somewhat devilish in blunt contrast to Akizuki sisters suddenly turning pale. Shigure's group completely confused, had no idea of an epic struggle between the Nightmare of Solomon and the Nightmare of Hawaii that was going to take place.