Chapter 13: Second Sino-Japanese War: Arrival
"So I guess the admiral's trip is a no go?"
"Man, it must be so nice to be able to ask for a vacation. I wish we could have one too."
"You're dreaming. We can't even ask for a half day."
"Weapons don't need vacations anyway."
"Don't worry, I'll bring a guidebook of the area!"
"Wha...we're not going on a vacation...!"
"Have we got enough food in at least...?"
"Hey, so you really went ahead and had a perm."
"I really regret that decision."
"Nice timing, you won't need to grow it out, this war would straighten it back in no time. Now the waves are getting rougher so can you please stop doing your hair?"
"I won't fall! My new equipments handle well in any weather!"
"You still have a good head of hair, but if you keep doing that, you'll go bald."
"Fleet girls can go bald...?"
"Everyone, shut up already."
The casual banters among the fleet girls followed our journey to the war main base like the buzzing of noisy bumblebees.
After an hour or two, I wish they would just stop, because despite our wide formation, it was starting to hurt my ears.
However, I knew why they were not capable to keep their mouths closed.
It was a truly pleasant and dreamy weather to sail, although we were all guided straight to hostile enemy areas by the fleet girls who had known this route beforehand. The waves, great and small, were crawling away from us, forming steady patterns that reminded me of a rhythmic pulse. The symphony that was forged by their sounds and the seagulls over our heads was unmatched by anything else that nature had ever heard. The soaring birds casted shadows on our wake beneath the rays of sun. In my opinion, the heavenly bodies always shone the brightest over the ocean. The seas and their vastness are truly magical, living beings that were cherished by every fleet girl.
And the greatest irony of all was, a fleet girl's whole purpose in life was to make those seas a dark and bottomless mass grave.
These contrasting features are the heartbeat of our whole lives.
On one hand we are just fun-loving normal girls, going about our days without a care in the world. We train together, sleep in bunk-beds, and help ourselves to more servings of food when the staff aren't looking. On the other hand, we were doomed by the heavy hand of the Navy to become the tools for the height of inhumanity.
While I was busy daydreaming, I spotted a destroyer a few distances away from me slowly straying away from the formation.
Since nobody else seemed to notice, I decided to take the initiative and called out to her.
"Hey, destroyer!"
The fleet girl, who has long straight hair and wears a blue-and-white sailor uniform, turned her face to me and sleepily raised her eyebrows.
When she didn't seem to notice what she did wrong, I added, "You're going off course."
"Oh," she looked at her feet in surprise, "Right, thanks for reminding me."
"No problem... uh..." I replied, but as she came back to our formation with her black hair fluttering against the wind, I realized that she looked rather familiar.
She was wearing the same uniform as the Fubuki-class, so she was probably one of them.
"Hatsuyuki-san...right...?" I said hesitantly.
"Oh..." It seemed that she recognized me around the same time. "Kaga-san, right? I haven't thanked you for saving me from a car crash back then, thank you."
Hopefully she would never notice that I was actually the one behind the wheels.
"N-no problem," I cleared my throat, "Where's your division?"
"They're going ahead. I'm not really in the mood to lead the squadron's way, so they leave me behind," she yawned, "Why do we have to depart so early...? I still want to sleep... This is too much like hard work..."
...how could this girl be the flagship of a destroyer division anyway?
She always looked like she just hauled herself off her bed.
"We have to arrive there quickly, you know," I told her, "You shouldn't be slacking off."
She didn't answer for awhile, making me think that I had offended her somehow. Perhaps I shouldn't have laid a guilt trip like that.
But her face was completely devoid of emotion when she said, "You're so pumped up after getting that bento from your girlfriend."
My jaw dropped open, but she cut me off when I was about to give a response, "Relax, I'm not teasing you or anything...I'm just warning you."
That was quite an unexpected thing to say. "Warning me...?"
"I think you are too hasty in taking your relationship further. It's best that you understand who we are and be careful about being close with another fleet girl."
Her tone was much more serious than I thought it should. What was she hinting at...?
"And why am I supposed to be careful?"
She didn't answer me for a moment, her eyes fixed on the guns she was holding.
"...you've already met the members of my division, Fubuki and Shirayuki. There was actually one more member that you haven't met. 4th ship of the Fubuki-class destroyers, Miyuki."
To be honest, I had never heard of that name before. The only members of the 11th Destroyer Division that I knew were those three.
"At that time, the Fubuki-class were special class destroyers intended to become the most powerful in the world, but nobody had proven that yet. Obviously, that burden made us all anxious, and we weren't too keen to go out in a sortie. But Miyuki was different. Out of us four, Miyuki was the one who was the most excited for battle. Although she was the youngest of us all, she was the guiding force of the division, like a big sister who simply loves to take the lead. She trained really hard, she wasn't afraid of failure, and she could never wait to sink an enemy ship as a special type destroyer. Little by little... the way she always childishly gunned for the top and did nothing by halves spread to the rest of us. She gave us all courage, and we went on to prove that we are indeed, the best destroyers in the world."
"...She sounds like an excellent child," I remarked, "...but how come have I never heard of her?"
"Because she's dead," she answered with a grim tone, "On 29th June three years ago, Miyuki accidentally collided with destroyer Inazuma and sank. She never saw a single battle in her life. She never made any of the accomplishments that she had always wanted. Her memories... her motivation... all the hard work and training she had ever done... Everything, everything went down with that single accident. She sank, just like that, and none of us ever saw that coming."
She sped up a little, leaving me agape behind her. For a second there, I wondered if she shed a tear, but there wasn't even the slightest change in her expression when she turned her head to me and continued speaking.
"It's okay if you want to pursue a romantic relationship with Akagi-san, but what could happen in the future is anybody's guess. The simplest mistake could sink even the strongest carrier. When we fight a more powerful enemy one day, a hemorrhage of ships would be inevitable. You must know how to handle yourself in this business. We've had enough on our hands without dealing with this kind of thing. The Navy isn't particularly supportive of romantic relationships between fleet girls. Once they have got something on you, they could do a hatchet job on your attitude anytime they want to. You might have Akagi-san with you now, but you'd better prepare yourself for an uncertain future with her where either of you might not come back home to see each other for another day. Happiness like yours is temporary. That is just the reality of our lives as fleet girls."
Happiness like this cannot last.
Tragedy was always waiting for a fleet girl under the guise of love.
There was nothing that awaited us in the end of this war but a great deal of pain.
I have been taught about that again and again.
By how I was separated from Tosa.
By how Akagi could never meet her sisters ever again.
By how heart-rending tales and untimely death are common occurrences in the life of every fleet girl, much more than that of a human.
And I never learned a thing, not even with Hatsuyuki's hard-hitting speech.
Because I was utterly blinded by how addictive, how intoxicating that happiness was, no matter how hackneyed it all seemed to be.
Akagi-san is in love with me.
Akagi-san returns my feelings.
At that time, for my shallow, lovesick mind, nothing else could possibly matter.
War bases around enemy waters were usually secluded, built in secret, and were much smaller than their mainland counterparts. We already knew what we were expecting, and as long as the base was at the very least livable, even if it was nearly unfit for human habitation, our only concern was how safe it was so we would not experience any surprise attacks, and how much we were required to get our hands dirty. For the humans, fleet girls were practically free extra labor for exhausting and time-consuming physical work.
It was nearly midnight when we arrived at the plain and camouflaged building. Some of the younger fleet girls were not too used to the long journey and only wished to rest immediately. It probably felt like a sortie and a half for them, but they gave their most confident salute when they lined up for the briefing. Battleship Mutsu, who had arrived there before us, gave us a brief description of our respective tasks for the next morning before we were allowed to sleep in our rooms.
"Carrier Division 1 and 2, prepare for a sortie at 2 am sharp. Split your aircraft for strategic bombing missions and military operation support along the coastal area."
If that command sounded simple, it was only before we knew that we would be attacking a coastal military airfield, while providing cover for the landing troops.
We would be literally launching a direct assault at enemy planes.
Even so, the battle would mostly take place in the air, so as long as we could sail to the coast undetected, keeping the ships and the troops out of harm's way was the main priority of the mission. Several fleet girls were temporarily detached from their divisions for this purpose. I recognized some of the names, like Mutsuki-class destroyers Mutsuki and Mikazuki, Ayanami-class destroyer Sazanami, and Shiratsuyu-class destroyer Samidare.
"We most likely won't receive a lot of resistance from them, but it wouldn't do us any harm to provide the fleet with more anti-air defense."
"Oh, me! Me! Let me do it!"
The girl who volunteered was a short-haired brunette wearing a sleeveless dark blue sailor uniform with white collar and skirt. She was wearing a red tie around her neck, and was nearly jumping up and down in excitement.
"Right...uh... Maya-san? It's great that you're willing to help out," Mutsu called her, "You would escort 2nd Carrier Division, okay? That girl beside you is the flagship, Kaga-san."
I instantly regretted standing on that spot right now.
"Kaga...Kaga-san...? I get to work with Kaga-san? Woohoo!"
Strangers getting overly close to me was basically the worst thing ever, and I found that attitude hard to take.
And Maya didn't waste anytime to do precisely that.
Before I could escape to my room, she followed me down the hall and started talking to me like we had been friends since forever.
I couldn't get a handle on someone like her, but I wasn't able to ignore Akagi's advice to me.
"Get along with everyone, okay...?"
Maybe I was too hasty in deciding that she was only a nuisance.
it was about time I learned to be friends with more people.
And who knows, someday they might come in handy.
"I wonder if they would let us walk around once the land is ours. Their markets are great, you see, and I know a good way to haggle with the locals. Just say what you want, and I can get it for you at half price in no time. I mean, they only allow us one serving a head, that's ridiculous! That won't be enough for a standard carrier like you. You'll need to buy your own food."
"Maya-san...I appreciate your kindness, but-"
"This area is interesting. There are creepy places around here that will make your hair stand on end... like that forest where some people went into, and then were never heard of again. It'd be hella fun if we could make a test of courage there for us fleet girls!"
"That does sound fun, but-"
"Oh yeah, I heard you're from Kobe, Kaga-san! Me too!"
"Eh? Is that so?"
"Kawasaki, right? Same with Haruna-san! Maybe we should go back together to Kobe some time. Do you have any plans for that?"
"I...I think..." I said, remembering my promise to Akagi back then, "Yes, I think so..."
"By yourself?"
"No."
Once again, my mouth seemed to work against my will when Akagi was on my mind.
My abrupt answer halted the happy-go-lucky girl in her tracks.
"Really? With whom?" she asked with an interested tone.
She looked like an excitedly curious puppy.
I knew I couldn't run away from this one.
She seemed like the type who would chase me around until I gave her a satisfying answer, so I gave up and replied to her without looking, "I happened to promise Akagi-san I would bring her there."
It was obvious that I had started a topic that I would rather never mention at all.
"Hey, hey, what's your relationship with Akagi-san anyway? Are you two going out?"
"We're...we're not."
"Now, now, don't lie to me. You guys were totally like a newlywed couple back there. Everyone knows. No need to hide it."
"I don't want everyone to know."
"It's too late, Kaga-san. You should just relax and tell me!"
"Tell you what?"
"About your relationship! Did you go on dates? Did one of you pay or you went half and half? Did you give her the hard stuff? Did you kiss?"
"That's-"
"And also about the most important thing!"
"What...?"
"How far you've gone with Akagi-san!"
My jaw instantly dropped open.
"We're not together!" I exclaimed.
"Don't keep it a secret. We're all grown women anyway. We know what adults do on bed!"
I didn't like where this conversation was going. "No, Maya-san, we didn't go that far."
"You mean haven't. You're one lucky girl, you realize that?"
"What are you talking about now?"
"Akagi-san is popular, you know? She's been heard to have more than one or two secret admirers. A girl like her is hard to come by. And you're the one who get to sleep with her. Even I'm jealous!" she said, her shoulders heaving with laughter.
"Don't joke about that."
Hearing my sharp response, her mouth was unexpectedly tucked into a wicked grin. She slid closer to me and cooed, "How fierce. You seem like an uncaring girl who always has her head in a book, but you're actually the protective type, aren't ya? Does that mean if I touch Akagi-san, you would punch me?"
"You can expect more than that," I gave her a look of utter disgust, "And get your hand off me."
There was something in the way she said it which convinced me she would do that just for the hell of it.
It was probably the first time in my life that I wanted to shut someone up in a headlock.
"So scary," she smirked, "And you haven't slept with her even once?"
"A lot happened. We've been distant these past few years. We have a lot to catch up to before..."
"Before you can bed her," she interrupted me with a sly smile, "Fair enough."
I frowned at her and said, "There's much more to a relationship than having sex."
Her smile grew even wider as she got too close to me for comfort. "Sure, I know that. But tell me, Kaga-san... all this time has it crossed your mind to touch her...? To help her off with her clothes...? To feel that smooth skin against yours...? Have you ever had dirty thoughts about Akagi-san...? Something that is so unfit of Kaga-san to have...? You want...no, you hanker to bed her, don't you, Kaga-san...?"
I didn't know what she was aiming with all these questions.
Maybe she had ever seen me staring at Akagi in the wrong way.
But it would be a complete and utter lie if I said all those impure things she said never appeared in my head.
Even that time when Akagi unintentionally touched my nipples was enough to cause a violent reaction to burst inside my mind.
I couldn't deny the filthy thoughts that Maya suddenly reminded me.
Akagi's effect on me was as strong as back then, even with all those years when we grew apart, maybe even stronger.
Akagi...naked in the docks.
Akagi...with her wet hair and red gingham pajamas.
Akagi...suddenly groping my breasts from behind.
Akagi...with her eyes sparkling with tears when I leaned down to kiss her.
No other girl could have this effect on me, and we harmonized so naturally with each other.
I love her both mentally and physically.
I wanted her all to myself, to be touched by my hands and my hands only.
Sometimes I felt like I was being harnessed by this feeling, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
I needed her, I missed her, I wished to be by her side in all my waking moments.
And that was why I had to come back home from this war safely to heal the wounds that I left.
That meant that the entirety of my fleet, including Maya, had to play a part in assuring our security.
"...Maya-san."
Maya, who was still waiting for my answer with an eager expression on her face, looked up to me with raised eyebrows.
"Maya-san...why do you volunteer to provide the fleet with anti-air protection?"
She gaped at my unexpected question. "Why...uh...I just feel like it...? I've always liked anti-air defense."
"Is your performance..."
"No, no, I'm just average at that part. But I just like it, you know...? I don't have exceptional anti-air defense or... anything... I thought it'd be cool if I could do it ...and everyone told me I am being delusional because I'm just not that great in that area...And it really sounds like I am being greedy, wanting an upgrade like that...I mean, they've told us over and over that we are all lucky to have a roof over our heads... Um... That sounds totally lame, doesn't it...?" she fidgeted awkwardly.
"I hear what you're saying," I replied without missing a beat, "But you're wrong. And I'm fine with having you in the fleet."
She blinked at me a few times, as if she was making sure if she heard that right.
"Really? You're a fleet carrier! Shouldn't you want the best anti-air protection possible?"
"I wasn't born a carrier. I was a nearly scrapped battleship back then. I know how it feels to want to be good at something," I told her, "And if you want to be an air defense cruiser, I think that you should make a go for it. There are no hard and fast rules about this. Mutsu-san and the Admiral have left this mission in your capable hands. You might be halfway decent, and you might not be happy about your current skills, but those are not an excuse to give up your dream. You need to believe that you have it in you. Those people might think a dream like that is ridiculous, but why follow the herd? Hold your head high and ignore what those people were saying."
She stared at me open-mouthed, and her face turned into a pinkish hue.
"Um...whoa...thanks," she stuttered, "You're right. If I don't give up, I might be able to become an air defense cruiser one day! People might diss me...but what the hey!"
"No half measures," I added with a pat on her shoulder. She might be brash and loud, but I could tell she is conscientious girl at heart.
"No half measures," she agreed, her eyes glimmering, "...Gee, Kaga-san, did you know you're not bad yourself, in spite of your haughty face?"
"Eh?"
"I'll have you know, Akagi-san isn't the only one with secret admirers," she winked at me, "Go back and rest. I'll be giving you a hand with your fleet in a few hours."
It was my turn to gawk at her, but she only waved at me and left me alone in front of my designated room.
It was when I realized that I had less than an hour to prepare myself for the sortie.
Secret admirers, huh...? I thought, putting my bag in the corner of the room, I guess I used to be one myself.
But now I know Akagi is in love with me.
The only way I could cherish it was to survive this war and return to the safe haven in her arms.
11 August 1937
2nd Carrier Division departed Sasebo for China and provided escort to troop convoys.
14 August 1937
ROC (Republic of China) Air Force bombed the IJN flagship, armored cruiser Izumo.
In what became known as "Black Saturday", bombs from ROC Air Force aircraft accidentally fell in the Shanghai International Settlement, killing 3000 civilians.
Japanese planes responded to the attack on the Izumo and the ROC Air Force shot down six Japanese planes, while suffering zero losses. On 1940, the Chinese government would later announce August 14 as "Air Force Day".
The Chinese government then issued the Proclamation of Self-Defense and War of Resistance, explaining the government's resolve against Japanese aggression.
The Battle of Shanghai officially began.
15 August 1937
Kaga joined 1st Carrier Division's Ryuujou and Houshou in the East China Sea as part of 3rd Fleet, and began supporting military operations along the central China coast around Shanghai and further inland.
Their carrier-based aircraft, alongside the heavy-medium land-based bombers, were sent to sortie against the defending Chinese air force.
