Hara sat deep within his favourite lodge at Houshou's izakaya with Akagi following suit and resting her head on the Vice Admiral's shoulder. Last weeks were extremely intense for them. Hara was being thrown between endless meetings regarding Zuikaku's outburst on the Wake Island. After finally persuading both the Americans and his own superiors that scrapping the carrier is out of question, he had to convince the brass that with the Crane in reserves, there's an immediate need for yet another large carrier. On top of this, the United States' Navy has launched a full-blown investigation into the exchange program and its effects on Shipgirls' allegiances, forcing both him and Atlanta to partake in multiple hearings, as well as take a few tests and write some reports.
In that time Akagi effectively took over his duties as the Chief-in-Command of the project. All the tasks and responsibilities they've shared for past months were now on her head with the only person capable of relieving her being Iku. Assigned to office duties after being deemed irreparable by Akashi, the submarine has been assisting with different odd jobs around the base to save her from certain scrapping.
With no time to spend together, Hara decided that it's time to find a deputy flagship. Normally Iku would be his first choice, but such role required the girl to be able to sortie with the main fleet and give orders if necessary. Even if the submarine could sail, she'd either become the target of all enemy destroyers and light cruisers, or stay submerged, unable to command the fleet. As such, both Akagi and Hara had a huge headache trying to choose the right girl for the position of the right hand of the right hand.
With all this, the admiral decided that it's time to take a break and spend some time with his beloved. The idea very obviously appealed to Akagi who for the first time was more interested in clinging to Hara than skimming the menu. Hopeful as he could be, the admiral remained wary and decided that the true test will come once the food is on the table.
"You have no idea how I missed this…", Akagi suddenly opened up, pulling the admiral a little bit closer to his surprise. "I haven't had Houshou's cooking in days…", now that was more like it. "But I do expect a desert after we come back.", she said as loud as she could without shouting, completely confusing her partner.
"I'm not sure if you're aware, but right now everybody could hear you.", Hara pointed at all the eyes now pointed at them, trying to hide his joy.
"Could it be? Are you ashamed of my appetite, Takuya?", Akagi asked with an insulted tone.
"Uhm… No, that's not it. I'm actually surprised by it."
"Hey, lovebirds, people are trying to eat here!", a ginger haired head wearing a blue beret appeared from the adjacent lodge.
"Maya-chan, could you keep your girlfriend in your lodge?", Hara threw not even looking at the ginger head now looming above him.
"Sowwy… Hawa-san, but… Houshou's… mackerel is jusht too… good", the cruiser answered between bites, unfazed by admiral's request – they were off duty after all.
"She has your hat…", Hara commented nonchalantly, grinning at the thought of what's coming next.
"She what?!", Maya shouted at the top of her lungs and Atlanta's ginger head soon disappeared behind Hara's and Akagi's backrest, leaving only muffled sounds.
"Now, that's taken care of."
"What is it with Maya and that hat anyway? She doesn't seem like the type to get attached to clothes.", Akagi asked, ever curious about her subordinates.
"It was a gift. Long before you joined us, and shortly after I'd become the C-i-C, the 6th Destroyer Division girls were feeling homesick."
"Don't you dare start telling that story!", Maya shouted. "Ouch! Don't bite me!"
"Maya, under the pretence of not wanting to listen to their crying anymore, commandeered one of the cargo trucks and drove them home, so they can spend at least few hours with their mother." Hara continued ignoring the protests. "I thought the HQ would rip all of us apart… A few days later a package came to the base, addressed to me. The note only said that if Maya doesn't get that hat, Ikazuchi's anchor will end up my arse… I can fight the HQ, Americans or even the Abyssal, but that woman scares me to death.", Hara explained.
"Ooh, now I want to meet her. Maybe she can teach me some tricks.", even without seeing them the admiral could imagine the spark in Akagi's eyes. His secretary was a teaser, a trait so contrasting with her serious attitude and diligence when on duty.
"Ouch! I'll knock you out!", Atlanta seemed to land another underhanded blow on Maya.
"Cough, cough! Do you two want to get punished?", inquired a new voice from behind, instantly stopping the fight.
"Here comes another woman that I find too scary to handle…"
"I thought so, ehehehe… Now, behave yourselves girls.", the girl teased, heading off to Akagi and Hara. "You haven't visited Iku in weeks, admiral! Do you want to get punished too?"
"I'd rather give our order, Iku. Akagi's dying of hunger, I'm afraid she'll eat me soon.", that last statement made the carrier bite her commander on the neck.
"Om nom nom."
"Akagi-san, do you want to get punished as well?", Iku's eyes lit up with murderous intent, but Akagi only laughed.
"I think I'll pass and ask for chashumen, saury set and some takoyaki.", the flagship made her order.
"And you, admiral?"
"I'll have mild seafood curry and a serving of akashiyaki. Also, two beers, please.", Hara politely asked, waiting for the submarine's confirmation.
"If that's everything, I'll be on my way."
"Thank you, Iku."
"Oh, one more thing!", Akagi pulled at the sleeve of waitress's kimono. "Thank you for helping me out over the past few weeks! I greatly appreciate it.", she smiled radiantly, making the submarine blush.
"Iku, off I go!", filled with enthusiasm after getting praised for her work, I-19 let out her signature launching line.
"She's doing unexpectedly well, isn't she? I'm not sure I could keep up such an attitude in her situation.", Akagi commented after Iku disappeared behind the bar.
"She's been taking this better than me or the other submarines, to be honest. This girl never stops surprising. I wonder where she gets all this strength from…"
As Akagi opened her mouth to answer, Naka entered the stage directly in front of their lodge. To Hara's horror, she's modified her uniform once again. The usual black stripes of her vest were now covered with retro-reflectors, and the white puffs on her shoulders turned pink. Probably a laundry accident.
"One, two, one two. Mic check!", the light cruiser shouted enthusiastically, deafening the entire building. "Oops, that's too loud.", she quickly turned down the microphone feeling Houshou's glare. "Everybody! Thank you for coming today! As always, I, the fleet idol, Naka will entertain you with singing and dancing! However! Today is a special day as I'll be performing my newest song, just for you, my most special fans!"
"We're your only 'fans'!", Maya shouted.
"That doesn't make you any less special, kyaha! Now, please enjoy. '2-4-11 Love'!", Naka signaled visibly resigned Jintsuu to let the background music flow.
After several seconds of jumping and dancing, Naka began singing. The lyrics were yet another simple song about unrequited love. Though not really up Hara's alley, the track made several younger destroyers gather under the stage to cheer on their idol. Seeing this the cruiser doubled her efforts, visibly overjoyed about making somebody happy with her music.
"Thank you!", Naka shouted after finishing the song. "I can already see Kaga-san's burning stare, but I want to perform one more song. This is dedicated to a very special person… not just to me, but all of us!", with these words, Naka began performing a slow ballad addressed to Hara.
Not a love song, the lyrics were reminiscing about different situations that Naka and Vice Admiral shared. From the day he recruited her, a regular girl with naïve dream of becoming an idol, to endless expeditions and escort missions, which made everybody laugh, to all the large-scale operations he entrusted her with. The song ended with a simple "it's good to have you back, Admiral". Unexpected to Naka, the performance was rewarded with a heated applause, however nothing was as gratifying as the sight of Hara's eyes tearing up. Leaving the mic for Kaga, Naka ran to Vice Admiral and Akagi to hug both of them.
With Kaga preparing for her usual enka performance, Maya decided to grab the opportunity to pay the admiral back for revealing her secret.
"Oi, Hara!", she leaned out of her lodge and shouted right into his hear.
"Oi, Maya-chan!", Hara shouted back. "It's 'admiral Hara'…", he added resigned.
"I challenge you to a duel!", a devilish grin spread across her face. "We're having a sing off!", she resounded after a short pause.
"Sure thing… But Maya, you can't sing…"
"Don't worry, I have a secret weapon today!"
"Are you going to ask Naka to be your champion?", Atlanta appeared next to her girlfriend.
"Better! I choose you, Atlanta!", the heavy cruiser exclaimed, throwing a stress ball at the American's face.
"What the hell was that? I'm not your pokemon!"
"Quiet, Bulbasaur! You're going to avenge me!"
"At least make me a Pikachu… Nobody likes Bulbasaur…"
"I'll promote you to Pidgey if you win."
"Eeeh… Sure, I haven't sung with admiral for weeks now…", Atlanta's face, contrary to her voice, beamed with enthusiasm – their rock'n'roll and blues duets were extremely popular among the Shipgirls.
"Ha! Prepare to meet your end, asshole!", Maya stuck out her tongue at Hara.
"If we're choosing champions, maybe I should ask Kaga to represent me?"
"No, no, no. I challenged you, no running away!", the heavy cruiser knew carrier's vocal abilities very well. Truth be told, everybody did. Before joining the Shipgirl Project, the 3rd Carrier Division's flagship was an up and coming star of traditional song. Combining powerful and seamless voice with years of practice, there were very few singers in the entire Japan who could match her. Atlanta wasn't one of them.
"If I win, you're not leaving Houshou's kitchen for a month, remember. Now quiet.", Hara pushed both cruisers back into their seats.
The fukusa in these hands, the colour of vermilion
If I open these eyes and gaze at the face
Rest these wings and we will overcome the stormy seas
Kaga began her song, not letting her eyes wander away from Akagi who was now sitting in seiza in front of the stage. Ayano, as that was Kaga's human name, inherited the feelings of respect, admiration and love that her spirit counterpart had for the current fleet flagship. This pushed her to try her hardest to become a worthy member of the legendary 1st Carrier Division. Now, for the first time, she had a shot at fulfilling her dream.
Face the ocean, this one wish
This is the pride of a million koku
Cape Kaga
Another thing that Ayano inherited from Kaga, was her immense pride. Naturally very humble, this new trait was one of the biggest challenges that she had to overcome in her early days as a Shipgirl. Unable to control random outburst of arrogance, she's decided it's better to stay quiet. This, however, led others to think of her as cold and unlikable. Evening's at Houshou's were the only opportunity to show her softer and friendlier side.
In the battle of this night too
Unable to swallow my pride I should not be able to back down
Such is the heart of a woman
As she finished her usual opening song she took a deep bow, returned by Akagi. With the flagship heading back to her seat, Kaga proceeded to introduce a new song.
"I've written this song with help of Yura-san, to express my undying gratitude to the Akizuki-class destroyers who not only have been my immovable object throughout endless battles, but an endless source of joy. Thank you."
"That's a lot of words for Kaga.", Hara noticed.
"With Zuikaku moved to reserves, she's become very enthusiastic about the possibility of finally returning to the 1st Carrier Division. I guess it's her way of venting her emotions.", Akagi smiled, taking her chashumen and once again cozying up to the admiral.