As Nagato and Katori entered the building, Naka was just getting off the stage. The light cruiser was beaming with happiness, surrounded by a bunch of destroyers inviting her to play together or presenting small gifts like drawings.
"Aah, just like good old times – soldiers entertaining one another with drinks and songs!", Nagato suddenly became filled with nostalgic enthusiasm. "Maybe I should try it too? Are there any songs about our heroic deeds, Katori?"
"I don't think there are that many except a few treating about Yamato.", Katori giggled seeing the ever serious Nagato suddenly brighten up.
"Oooh, my junior sure was exceptional, but does it mean nobody remembers us anymore?", the battleship sat down on a bar stool.
As soon as they took their seats, they were approached by Houshou who handed them their menus alongside two glasses and a jug of water, promising to be back in just a moment.
Unsure, Nagato started browsing the menu. It was very simple, yet the characters were written with care and elegance, and despite lacking any sort of cover, the sheet was in near perfect condition. She could immediately tell that this place was treasured by each and every Shipgirl.
"Some do, but for most that time is hard to even talk about. Others simply don't care.", Katori didn't seem sad about it. As a matter of fact, she found that war to simply be evil, but decided to keep her thoughts away from Nagato. At least for the time being. "Lessons were learnt and that's the most important I believe. Heroes and villains will always be subjective."
"If you put it this way… Still, I find it sad that those who laid down their lives for this country are not remembered. Whether it was wrong or not, we all fought and died for our homeland.", battleship's response was surprisingly tame.
"We've got an unlikely second chance to change this. If you wish we were seen as heroes and remembered a hundred years from now, it's all in your hands.", Katori wasn't hungry for glory, but such perspective filled her with joy which showed with a wide, unexpected smile.
Just as Nagato opened her mouth to answer, the cruiser put a finger at her lips and pointed at the stage.
The battleship didn't recognize Kaga immediately. Her usual hakama was swapped for an exquisite, blue kimono, and instead of the trademark sidetail her hair was arranged in exquisite coiffure. In awe of how this usually grim-faced woman can look so beautiful, Nagato was unable to take her eyes off of the carrier, completely failing to notice Akagi sitting in front of the stage, as if the song was dedicated to her.
Her trance was broken when the singer let out the most beautiful voice she's ever heard, and despite spending most of her life bound to her steel body, she managed to visit multiple geisha houses in cities she docked at. None of the mistresses of the past could even hope to sound this beautifully.
Completely enchanted, Nagato was only able think of one thing that could compare with this new image of Kaga. The sea. Grim and cold at first glance, terrifying and relentless to those who do not know it. Its wrath taking lives and destroying entire cities. Yet despite all that, an endlessly beautiful object of worship and passion of uncounted generations. Seducing men and spirits alike with its charm and soul-touching song. It was as if the ocean itself took form and stood on that small stage in an unknown izakaya.
Suddenly Nagato felt somebody's palm on her shoulder and instinctively tried to grab it and throw the assailant over her shoulder.
"Nagato? Nagato?", Katori voice finally reached her and she stopped her hand at the last moment.
"Ah, my apologies, Katori. I spaced out it seems."
"Oh? I never took you for somebody to get immersed in music. Full of surprises I see.", Katori whispered, uncomfortably close to Nagato's ear.
"Ah!", Nagato quickly turned to face somewhat amused Katori.
"Now that you're back to the living, I hope you won't mind me placing your order? You were so entranced with Kaga that even Houshou couldn't get to you."
"Ah… No, I actually hoped you could recommend something, as it's my first time here.", Nagato was still out of it.
Their chat was yet again interrupted by a loud ovation coming from each and every corner of Houshou's izakaya.
"Oooh! This is going to be fun!", genuinely excited, Katori shouted over the crowd and pointed at the stage. There, Nagato saw none other than Vice Admiral Hara, accompanied by tall, western-looking girl.
"Vice Admiral's going to have a speech? I can't wait!", oblivious Nagato let out overly enthusiastic shout.
"Speech?", the cruiser barely withheld laughter. "They're going to sing. Don't tell me you've never heard about their duets?"
"Sing? Indulging in such things with his subordinates is not something a commander should do.", Nagato wasn't impressed.
"Don't be so stiff, those times are over now. And it has great effect on the morale.", Katori made a mental note to work on her student's archaic attitude.
"If you say so, I guess it's fine. Who's the girl with him anyway? Doesn't seem to be a Shipgirl.", battleship pointed at Hara's companion.
"Oh? You really need to take a break sometimes, Nagato.", the cruiser hid her face in her palm. "It's Atlanta, she's come here for the exchange project. I'm sure you've heard of it."
Not knowing how to answer, the battleship decided to focus on the scene and see what all this fuss was about. Even Kaga didn't receive such an ovation.
"Uhm, sooo… We're supposed to have a competition. Atlanta here will represent Maya who can't sing and has to use her friends to get back at people.", admiral began their introduction with a healthy dose of cynicism. "Now, about the rules…", he paused and let his opponent continue.
"We'll each choose one song to perform and the winner will be decided by popular vote, so make sure to scream your lungs out when it's my turn, Destroyer Divison 6!", she pointed at Akatsuki sisters enjoying their juice, sitting at bar stools which were obviously lowered too much.
"If I win, Maya will spend the next month helping Houshou in the kitchen. If I lose, I'll reveal my most embarrassing secret to the entire fleet.", Hara tried to continue, but that last sentence caused a loud cheer from the audience, encouraging Atlanta.
So that's how far their loyalties go…, he thought to himself and handed the second microphone to Atlanta who just finished arranging her song with already drunk Ashigara, who they've tricked into becoming a DJ for the night.
"Today's performance will be a little bit different, but I hope we can still swipe you off your feet!", Atlanta shouted to the microphone in broken Japanese.
"You show him!", Maya shouted from her lodge, filled with more energy than usual.
The cruiser then approached Hara and exchanged a few whispers with her commander, causing his expression to turn more and more amused.
"This one is dedicated to our beloved admiral.", she turned her microphone back on and signaled Ashigara to let the music flow.
A melody made of piano and tuba soon hit Nagato's ears. Before she could make up her mind about the music, her thoughts were drowned in a powerful, low voice coming from the stage. Surprised, her first thought was that Hara and Atlanta mistook their turns, but she quickly realized how wrong she was.
Hit the road Jack
And don't you come back
No more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack
And don't you come back no more
Light cruiser's voice while certainly not as beautiful or well trained as Kaga's, carried a very specific depth to it, that Nagato couldn't begin to describe. She didn't need to however, as her goosebumps revealed everything to her companion whose face was now painted with a mixture of pride and amusement. The best was, however, yet to come.
What'd you say?
The voice quickly turned masculine, as Hara picked up his microphone. Wasn't each of them supposed to sing one song? Nagato felt lost.
"Oi! You traitor!", Maya shouted over the music, only to be shushed by virtually everybody in the building.
Amused, Atlanta continued with the chorus, gesticulating towards Hara, as if to let him know he's no longer needed and should pack his bags and go.
Oh woman, oh woman don't treat me so mean
Vice admiral picked up the cruiser's act, got on his knees and kept singing as if begging for his woman's mercy. However, Atlanta would have none of that and quickly turned on the heel.
You're the meanest old cruiser that I've ever seen
This line seemed to struck a chord with the 6th Destroyer Division as they let out a loud cheer in near perfect unison.
I guess if you say so
I'll have to pack my things and go
Admiral hung an invisible bag on his shoulder and headed towards the exit, accompanied by mixture of cheers and pleads for him to stay. With satisfaction beaming from her face, Atlanta continued with the chorus, telling Hara to finally get out. As the chorus ended, Hara quickly run back to Atlanta to beg her for yet another chance.
Now baby, listen baby, don't you treat me this way
'cause I'll be back on my feet some day
But the cruiser remained unrelenting, causing goosebumps on Hara's skin with her next line.
Don't care if you do, 'cause it's understood
You ain't got no money you just ain't no good!
She kept singing not even looking at the man at her feet. She swung her hand absent-mindedly and turned on her heel once again, to head towards the bar.
The performance went for a little while longer, accompanied by comedic act between commander and his subordinate. As soon as the music went silent, the room was filled with cheers. Some sided with Atlanta, others with Hara, but one voice raised above all others.
"I call dibs on the admiral, hic!", drunk Ashigara let her tired-to-be-single side show. "I don't care if he's useless and broke!"
"I think Ashigara's had enough.", Hara burst with laughter.
"So, now that you've already lost, how are you going to defend your honour?", Atlanta straightened her back and pointed at the Vice Admiral, challenging him to give her his worst.
"As if this shitty admiral has anything like that to defend! He'd better hit the road at last!", a shout coming from the end of the room rose above the chatter.
Hara was, however, unmoved, and proceeded to tell Ashigara what he's going to sing. Despite her companion's protests and attempt to stop her Nagato, not very interested in her superior's reaction or lack of thereof, would not have it. She snatched her forearm out of Katori's grip without even looking and rushed towards the unruly Shipgirl.
On the other side of the room, Akebono's face revealed a mix of satisfaction at jabbing at Hara, and anger at being, yet again, ignored. Thinking of yet another insult, she was finally persuaded by her friends to come back to the lodge and finish her serving of takoyaki. However, as she turned around, a figure at least a head taller arose in front of her and without a word meted out a powerful punch, sending the destroyer on the floor with loud wham.