Disclaimer: Kantai Collection (Kancolle), all of its characters, and musics belongs to their respected owner. The only things I own here is my OCs. This fanfict may or may not be canon. Besides that, I've got nothing else to say. So with that, please take a seat, grab your drink, pick your snack, and have a pleasant cruise (or read).


Chapter 3 "Dog Fight"

"Hmm, this base has quite a lot of personnel." A male's voice uttered that with visible trace of fatigue. "I guess that's given since this is one of the frontline bases." Tapping on the screen of his gadget, he changed from one page to another. Putting his feet on to the desk in front of him, he read each line. "They are all warship." He sighed at that. Changing the target of his tapping from the screen to his chin, he continued to read it. "But…what is this…fairy?" With a slide swipe from his finger, the screen slide to show rows after rows of name with the word 'fairy' somewhere in it. Raising one of his brows slightly, he kept reading the name. But after a while, he tapped the 'x' symbol on the right top of the screen. That gesture resulted in the closing of the current screen. He put the gadget on the desk in front of him. Seconds later, a soft sigh came out of the man's mouth. "Too much…even for me," said the man as he looked to the ceiling of his room while massaging the area between his eyes.

A slight idea of taking a short nap came across his mind. But that idea couldn't stay for long thanks to the sound of the alarm came from the wall mounted speaker fitted on the room. Although it was not loud, it was enough to make the man looked quite annoyed. "Unknown object nearby. Please proceed with caution." A short warning was issued from the speaker.

"Sheesh, what is it this time?" Putting his feet to the floor, he grabbed the hat and put it on. He stood up and then exited the room after grabbing his sword.


"Hurry, hurry, Shigu-chan!" The sound of footsteps filled the empty dock. Along that, the voice of an energetic girl could also be heard. Moments later, a figure of a blonde girl dressed in black serafuku with intricate trimming all over came into the dock. Her gloved hand was grabbing the hand of a black haired girl probably the same age as her.

"W-Wait a minute, Yuu-chan!" The other one replied, although with less excitement then the first one. She also wore the same outfit as her, with the only difference in the ornament on their head and the machinery on their back. "Calm down now. What is it that you want to show me?"

"I want to show you…" The first girl stopped and then looked around the place. After that, she looked back at her friend and wore a rather confused expression. "Uhm…it's not here-poi?"

"Oh, come on, Yuu-chan." The second girl crossed her arm as she looked at the one she called 'Yuu-chan' in front of her. "Don't tell me that you just dragged me all the way here and you just forgot about it."

"I didn't forget about it! It's here!" The girl called Yuu-chan said to her while gesturing to the place. "But…Uhm, It's not here. I mean, it's here! I can feel it-poi! Trust me, Shigu-chan!"

"Now that's doesn't make any sense, Yuu-chan." Shigu-chan scolded her friend. "Come on now, we have to make our report to the Admiral or she's going to scold us." She then grabbed her friend's hand.

"W-Wait, Shigu-chan! Let's just look around for it!"

"Yuu-chan, if the Admiral gets angry, you will not get any praise from her any time soon, you know?

"Ehhh? No way! I don't want that!" She replied with a rather childish voice while shaking her head, making the machinery on her back clunk. The chunk of hair on her head that looked like a dog ear almost seemed to be plopping down as she did that.

"Then let's just report our latest expedition to the Admiral. And then we can search together." Shigu-chan smiled at her blonde friend. "How about that?"

"Okay! Yuudachi will report to the Admiral right away!" She smiled a bright smile at her friend. "It's a promise-poi?"

"It's a promise." She then faced the other part of the dock, ready to walk away. "Let's go then."

"Yes!" The blonde girl shouted with energetic tone. But before she walked with her, she looked back to a certain part of the dock. Without saying any single word, she just gazed there. After a few seconds, she then mumbled something. "There's someone…"

"What is it, Yuu-chan?" The black haired girl looked at her friend with worry in her face.

"Uhm, my imagination-poi." She shook her head she said that. "Let's go, Shigu-chan!" She then ran to the other direction of the dock, passing her friend who still looked at her with worry.

"W-Wait, Yuu-chan!" And seconds later, the other girl followed the over excited blonde.

As they left the dock, the only sound could be heard on the empty dock was the gentle and rather melodic wave. The wind also joined in as to fill the rather quiet place in the base. But actually the place is not empty as it was currently used by the base latest guest, Major Wakahisa, to dock his vessel. The reason it looked empty was because the vessel optical and auditory camouflage was still functioning. And on top of that vessel, the owner of the vessel stood and has watched the entire conversation the two black serafuku wearing girls were having moments ago. A rather excited smile has crept on his face as inspiration hit him.


"Admiral, we've finished our expedition-poi!" The blonde girl looked around the place after she opened the door and barged into the Admiral's office. "She's isn't here?"

"Yuu-chan! Wait up!" Seconds later, another face entered the scene. "Oh, the Admiral is out?"

"Now what, Shigu-chan?"

"Let's just wait for a while." Shigu-chan then entered the office and plopped down to the sofa. "Besides, I'm tired running around chasing you." She said that while glancing at her.

"Ehehehe…" The target of that sarcasm just laughed with an innocent smile on her face. She then joined her friend as she sat next to her. "Ah, soft and comfy-poi."

"It sure is. Hyah!"A yelp came from the other girl as the blonde scooted near her and leaned her head on to her shoulder.

"Shigu-chan also felt soft and comfy, hehehe…"

"Sheesh, Yuu-chan. You're such a baby." She smiled at her as she patted her head gently.

"Ehehehe…" Being pampered like that, the blonde smile as she enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere on the office of their superior. "…I'm getting sleepy-poi." She rubbed her eyes as the combination of the soft sofa and the warmth of her friend made her drowsy.

"Then how about a short nap?" offered the black haired girl. "I'll wake you up when the Admiral come."

"Thanks, Shigu-chan. Yuudachi is going to nap now…" Her sentence was delivered with a drowsy voice as she quickly drifted away into a slumber. Seconds later, the sound of her quiet breathing was the only sound coming from beside the black haired girl. She stroked her head gently for a few times with a smile on her face, messing her golden hair slightly.

"You're really tired, aren't you, Yuu-chan?" She giggled slightly. After that, she placed her hand on her lap.

With minutes pass, there was no sign that the Admiral will come any time soon. With the soft and warm sun ray lighted the whole room and the sound of the ticking clock in the background, the whole office that was only filled with two girls felt somewhat comfortable.

A yawn escaped her mouth as she also felt the terrifying effect of a warm and comfortable feeling. "Oh, not good." She looked at the blonde who was still resting her head on her shoulder. She was sleeping peacefully without a care for the world. Looking at the sight of her peaceful looking friend, another wave of drowsiness attacked her, forcing another yawn from escaping her mouth. "Ugh, not good. I have to stay awake!" She pumped her own spirit.

Another minutes or so passed in the room and still there was no sign of their superior coming back. Slowly, the black haired girl's eyelids felt heavier with each passing seconds. They lowered more and more with each passing time. Seconds later, she joined her friend in the land of the slumber as she snored quietly.


"Uuu…" A slight groan came from the black haired girl. She felt a little bit drowsy. With half opened eyes, she surveyed the place she was. Realizing the location she was at that moment, her eyes flipped opened immediately. "…Oh no… What time is it?"

"Don't worry. The Admiral is still not here."

"Oh, thank goodness." A slight feeling of relief washed over her after hearing an answer. "Eh?" But then a different kind of worry came into her mind. Her sight quickly moved toward the one who answered her previous question.

"Shh!" The moment her sight landed upon the person who answered her, she was immediately shushed. "You'll wake her."

"Her?" Hearing that, she noticed a slight warmth feeling on her shoulder. She looked at the cause and found that her blonde friend was still peacefully sleeping, making a soft snoring sound. "Ah, I almost forgot." She moved her hand to pat her friend's head again, but noticed something dropped. Her eyes quickly followed the falling object and saw that it was a jacket or some sort.

"Ah, I did that." The figure in front of her said with a carefree tone. "The two of you looked a bit cold."

"Oh, t-thank you, sir." She nodded once at the figure. The figure then returned back to whatever he was doing with the tools in his hand. As she looked at him, he realized that she has never seen the stranger on the base before, or anywhere for that matter. Curious at the identity of the stranger, she let out a question. "Uhm, forgive my rudeness, but who are you?"

"Hmm? Me?" The figure raised one of his eyebrows after hearing that. "It seemed that your Admiral still hasn't announced my presence in this base of yours, eh?" Not knowing how to response at that statement, the black haired girl just shook her head once. He sighed and started to introduce himself. "I'm Major Jurou Wakahisa. I'm an independent auditor who is recently tasked to audit your base."

"Ah, I see." Hearing that he was a guest in the base, many rumors about the so called guest's identity played inside her mind. But she tried to keep that in her own mind as she didn't know the exact identity of the man in front of her. The only thing she could do was to act cautious around him in the mean times.

"And you are?" Because of those stuffs in her mind, she was caught by surprise by his question. It took her a good few seconds before she could react to that.

"Oh, forgive me. I'm Shigure, the second ship of the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers." She then looked to her side. "And this is Yuudachi, the fourth ship of the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers," said Shigure as she introduced her sister ship.

"Hmm, the second and the fourth?" The Major tapped his chin as he looked at the two destroyer girls in front of her. "You seem…quite different."

"Ah, yes. Yuu-chan, I mean, Yuudachi has blonde hair and I have black hair. Yes, we do look different, aren't we?" She said with a smile.

"Never meant about your looks." The man in front of her said with a smile on his face.

"Eh? Not about our looks?" She asked him with a confused tone, which received a single head shake from the Major.

"If it's just looks, the whole Akatsuki-class destroyers look very different from each other."

"Ah, you mean like Hibiki-chan has silver white hair, Akatsuki-chan has black hair, and both Inazuma-chan and Ikazuchi-chan has brown hair?"

"Correct." He nodded once and then continued. "The two of you has differences as in…" he then paused a bit. "Hmm, how should I say it?"

"Uhhmmmph…." A slight noise near Shigure stopped the conversation flow as the two of them immediately looked at the source of voice. "…Shigu-chan?"

"Yuu-chan, you're awake."

"Uhm…yeah. I kind of heard someone else's voice-poi," said Yuudachi as she rubbed her half opened eyes. "Huh, what's this?" She felt the clothes that have been placed over the two of them as makeshift blanket. "Hmm?" She sniffed the clothes. "It smells funny-poi."

"Yuu-chan!"

"Eh!? W-What!? What!?" Startled by her friend sudden shout, she covered her ears, dropping the jacket into their lap. "Why did you shout, Shigu-chan?"

"That's rude! Apologize to the Major right now!" Shigure immediately scolded her friend who just made an impolite comment for the Major's act of kindness.

"To who? The Major?" Clearly now knowing what she was talking about, she looked at her friend with confused look on her face.

"She meant me." A sudden male voice entered the blonde's ear and made her turned around to see the one who was talking.

"Who are you?" She asked him with an innocent looking head tilt.

"I'm Major Jurou Wakahisa, a guest in your base. And that," he pointed to the clothes on her lap, "is my coat, Shigure-kun."

"This is yours?" She lifted the coat slightly. The man nodded once. "Eeh, how did you know my name-poi?"

"Your friend told me." He gestured toward Shigure as he said that.

"Oh…" A slight pause came into the room.

"Yuu-chan…" Shigure nudged her friend. She then recovered from her pause and looked at the clothes in her hand.

"I'm sorry for the rude comment, Major-poi." She bowed slightly while apologizing.

"Apology accepted. But I want to know, Yuudachi-kun." He rested his arms on his knee as he leaned forward toward them. "You said my coat smells funny, right?" The blonde girl nodded once at his question.

"Yuu-chan!" Shigure scolded her friend again.

"Eh, but he asked me, Shigu-chan!"

"That's all right, Shigure-kun." He lifted his hand at her to stop her from scolding her friend. "Does it smells dirty or bad?"

"Dirty or bad?" She looked at him. "Uhm, no. Not exactly."

"Hmm, really now?" He looked at her with curiosity in his eyes, still waiting for an answer. "Then what?"

"Uhm…I can't exactly explain it-poi. But it smells funny."

"I see." The Major leaned back to the sofa and then looked at the blonde girl. "Then will you tell me when you can explain it?"

"You're not angry?" He shook his head at her question. "Then I promise will tell you when I know-poi."

"Good to hear that, Yuudachi-kun." After saying that, the Major returned his attention to his own gadget and quickly tapped his finger on it.

After the conversation ended, the two destroyer girls sat there, still with the Major's coat draped over their lap, looking at him working or doing anything they certainly didn't know of. Minutes passed as the two still looked at him with a bit of interest in both of their eyes at what the guest of the base was doing. From time to time, the Major would glance at them and they will immediately avert their eyes. This happened a few times after finally, with a bit of sigh, the Major stopped at what he was doing and looked at them. Although the two of them averted their eyes, the Major threw a question at them.

"Do you need something from me?" asked the man as he leaned forward toward them, startling them.

"Uhm, n-no, sir." The girl who had her hair in a single braid quickly denied that while shaking her head and hand.

"Y-Yes. Nothing-poi." The long haired blonde also said the same and joined her friend in shaking her head.

"If you have something to ask, ask away. I'll try to answer your question as best as I could." The Major said with a reassuring tone toward the two girls in front of him who looked somewhat confused at what to do.

"Uhm,…Shigu-chan?" Yuudachi who still looked unsure what to do turned to her friend. She got the same look she had on her face. It seemed that neither of them was sure of what to do next.

"Make up your mind quickly, girls." He said that with a visible trace of irritation on his face. This made the two girls even more nervous than before. Under the gaze of the man in front of them, they tried to look for a better way of answering him.

Luckily for them, the sound of the door being opened saved them from their problem. As the door opened, the three people inside the room shifted their gaze at the door. Soon after that, the sight of the Admiral's trusty secretary ship girl came into the room. Looking a bit exhausted, she didn't notice the trio at first.

"Murakumo-san," called the Major, making her quickly turned her head toward the speaker. "Where's the Admiral?"

"Oh, Major. I didn't see you there for a second." She shifted her gaze slightly and the sight of the two Shiratsuyu-class destroyer girls came into her view. "Shigure and Yuudachi too?"

"We're here to report our latest expedition." Shigure said to her calmly. Next to her, Yuudachi was nodding her head rapidly. She didn't bother to hide her excitement at the thought of finally receiving her superior's praises.

"The latest expedition?...Oh, yes, yes. Sorry about that." She massaged her temples for a bit then continued. "Have you submitted your report at the dock?

"Yes, we have-poi!" An enthusiastic answer came from the blonde destroyer.

"I see. Thank you, I'll look at it later." She then moved to the cabinet near the desk.

"What's the matter, Murakumo-san? You looked quite exhausted." But before she could do anything, a question was thrown to her, making her froze on her track. The Major looked at her with a rather serious expression on his face while asking that, noticing her forcing a smile while answering her fellow ship girls.

"…Of course you'll notice." The silvery white haired ship girl muttered under her breath, trying her best to cover her voice. Although Jurou heard that, he pretended to be oblivious of her comment. "But please don't be too concern. I am… just a bit overworked. That is all."

Hearing that, the Major raised one of his eyebrows, but remain silence. He only replied with "Ah, I see."

"So where is the Admiral-poi?" Yuudachi asked her.

"She was still going on her patrol around the base. You can rest first if you wanted to since she said that she will be back a bit later than usual today."

"Oh, okay." A reply which lacked her usual vigor came from the blonde ship girl. Noticing that, her friend tried to cheer her up.

"Don't worry, Yuu-chan. We'll be back here later and meet the Admiral." She looked at Murakumo and asked her. "Is that possible, Murakumo-san?"

"Yes, it is. I'll tell her that you want to meet her later on." She answered with a smile on her face.

"Yeah! We'll come back here later-poi!" Just in a slit second, the blonde destroyer mood changed and her face brightened again. "Then we'll get some rest and some food first." She immediately stood up and grabbed her friend's hand. "Let's go, Shigu-chan!"

"W-Wait, Yuu-chan!" But before she could do anything else, she was already being dragged away from the office, leaving both the Major and Murakumo alone in the office.

After brief silence, the Major also stood up after putting the tablet into his chest pocket. "I guess I'll be going too, then." He then walked over to the other sofa and picked up his coat that was left there by the two girls. "And I expect a full report on whatever it is that made you overworked, Murakumo-san."

"…Yes, sir." She replied with a half whispering voice. Although he was not satisfied with the way she spoke, he let that slide for now with only a grumble from him. "Forgive me, Major, but may I ask where are you going after this?"

"Well, since Tenryuu's division is on expedition, I'll stroll around the base and check for anything I can. I have quite a long list of things to check." After he put on the coat, he picked up his sword and then walked toward the door. "Your work and your admiral's work are also on the list."

"Yes, sir. Understood."

"Very well then. Good day." After saying that, he opened the door and exited the room. After that, the door closed with a rather dull sound.

Alone in the room, Murakumo leaned herself to the nearest wall and grabbed her head. While massaging her temples and wearing an exhausted expression, she muttered "Just as she said. He could clearly see everything."


"Y-Yuu-chan, slow down!" While being dragged by her friend, Shigure begged her friend to slow her walking pace that has made it difficult for her to follow. "We're not late for anything, you know?"

"I know, but I want to eat quickly-poi!" She flashed her with a wide smile as she looked at her black haired friend. "Aren't you hungry, Shigu-chan?"

"I am, I am." Shigure nodded at her. "But not that hungry so that we have to run full speed there," she said as she started to feel slight pain in her hand courtesy of her overzealous friend.

"But the faster we get there, the faster we can eat-poi!" It seemed whatever things she was saying toward the blonde girl failed to reach her. Realizing that, Shigure just gave a slight sigh and gave up on persuading her any longer. The things she could do was just gave a smile while trying her best to match her friend's pace.

Along the way, they met no one. It was understandable since they were on the late night expedition team, making them the first team to return to the base. The other team was either still on expedition or being brief by their team leader.

Minutes later, they reached the entrance to the mess hall of the base. They looked around and found no one.

"I guess… we really are the first to arrive in the base." A slightly mixed feeling could be felt from Shigure's tone. Noticing that, Yuudachi put her hand on the black haired girl's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Shigu-chan. They will be fine-poi!" Yuudachi gave her the widest smile she could make as she tried to lighten Shigure's feeling. It was a pure and honest smile that made her feel warmth and comfort. Her words made an effect immediately as Yuudachi could see Shigure's face lightened up.

"Thank you, Yuu-chan." She put her hand on top of her friend's hand. "Sorry about…" She couldn't find the perfect word for her sentence, making her stopped mid-sentence.

"Don't worry about it-poi." Yuudachi showed her a thumb up. "I know that Shigu-chan is just worried over them. You are such a good girl-poi."

"Ehehe…" Shigure felt yet another wave of warmth as she heard her friend's word. "You're embarrassing me."

"But you are a good girl, Shigu-chan!" Yuudachi nodded furiously while saying that. She waved her arms energetically, making the end part of her white scarf in front of her flailed. "You are always had that look whenever we return earlier than the other-poi. You are such a worrywart, Shigu-chan."

"…Have I really?" She asked her, which resulted in a single nod from the blonde. Shigure casted her hand downward slightly and then said "I…have never realized that."

"Now there you go again." Yuudachi put her hand on her waist while looking at her with a pouting face. "Don't be so down-poi! Smile! Smile!"

"Yuu-chan…"

"Smile now." Yuudachi said to Shigure as she herself showed a smile of her own. "Cheer up!"

Hearing that, Shigure felt a smile crept on her face. Slowly, she regained her usual cheerful self.

"…Thanks, Yuu-chan."

"Don't mention it-poi!" Yuudachi leaned forward toward her with a satisfied expression. "Now let's eat!" After saying that, the blonde destroyers grabbed her friend's hand and towed her inside the mess hall without looking back. Shigure's voice of protest was barely heard as she was being dragged to enter the building. Moments later, a figure approached the building with a sword in hand. The figure followed the two Shiratsuyu class destroyer girls with a smile on the face.


"Houshou-san, the usual, please!" Yuudachi's energetic voice resounded in the whole mess hall that was practically empty at the moment, except for the two of them and the in charge personnel Yuudachi referring to. "And more rice-poi!"
"Okay, okay." A gentle voice answered the full spirited blonde as she brought her tray into the counter. "You are as energetic as ever, aren't you Yuudachi-chan." With a long dark blue hair tied into a single ponytail, the woman called Houshou tilted her head slightly as she looked at her with her hand on one of her cheek.

"She is, isn't she?" In contrast to Yuudachi overflowing energy, Shigure answered Houshou with a calm and composed voice. Hearing that, Yuudachi only scratched her nose and wore her usual smile full of cheerfulness, feeling quite happy being praised like that. "Ah, I also have the same with her, Houshou-san. But regular portion for me."

"Coming right up," said the in charge personnel with a graceful nod. "Please wait for a while, okay."

"Could you also make me the same too, Houshou-san?" A new voice entered the conversation, startling the two destroyer girls. The three looked at the new voice and found that it came from none other than the base's guest.

"Oh, Major. Quite rare to see you here." Houshou looked at him with a slight surprised expression due to the Major unusual appearance.

"Ah, I'm feeling a bit lazy today. Besides," he looked at the two destroyer girls, startling them a bit, "to eat with a cheerful company such as them is a nice thing once in a while, don't you think?"

A giggle came from the black haired attendant. "I agree, Major. Well, give me five minutes and I'll have your order ready, everyone." After saying that, she disappeared into the back of the counter and sound of her busy preparing food could be heard by the three people in front of the counter.

While waiting for the order being prepared, Jurou could feel the intense gazes that were aimed at him. Without even looking at the one doing that, he already knew them.

"I'll say it again, if you have something to ask, ask away," said the Major without looking at them.

The two next to him twitched a little as they were startled by his words again. But this time, Yuudachi spoke to him.

"I have a question-poi." She looked at him with her wide red eyes, showing her pure curiosity.

"What is it?"

"Is it true that you beat the Tenryuu class cruisers-poi?"

"Tenryuu-class cruisers? You mean Tenryuu-kun and Tatsuta-kun?" The blonde girl nodded a few times to reply that question. "Hmm, I can't exactly say that I beat them. I just managed to block their attacks. How's that?" He was saying that in effort to not put a bad impression of those two. As a newcomer to the base, the last thing he wanted would be to create internal chaos.

"…That was not a clear answer-poi." She didn't look to happy or satisfied hearing his rather vague answer. Her ear-like hair plopped down as if to emphasize her disappointment more. "And I thought you are like the one in the ru–"

"Yuu-chan!" Yuudachi's sentence was stopped due to her mouth being covered by Shigure. As she waved her arms around trying to free herself from her grip, Shigure said "Don't say that!"

"Say what?" Looking at the two destroyer girls who were getting panicky, especially Shigure, has made him a bit curious.

"N-Nothing, sir. Ahahaha…" Shigure laughed awkwardly as she answered the Major. "It's absolutely nothing, sir. Please don't mind her."

"I see." He nodded once, although he already has a hunch about what the blonde destroyer about to say. "Ah, I think you should remove your hand."

"Eh? My ha–AARRRGGGHHH!" She let out a cry of surprise because of the sight of her friend slowly getting weaker due to her supply of air was cut off by her hands. She immediately let go of her mouth. The girl in question slipped from her hand and fell toward the floor with a slight thumping sound. "Yuu-chan! I'm sorry! Wake up!"

"…Captain Kikkawa…is that …you?" Yuudachi's voice sounded very far away, just like her eyes that showed almost no life. "Long…time…no…see…cap…tain…"

"No! Don't go there! Get back here!" Looking frightened and worried, Shigure put her hand on the slumped Yuudachi and shook her to bring her back to reality. "Wake up! Wake up!" Her eyes started to tear up slightly as she shouted that.

"Okay, here's your order!"

"Mealtime~!" Hearing Houshou's announcement of their meal ready, the once weak and half-fainting girl recovered in a matter of seconds, startling her friend and also the Major who was getting a bit worry witnessing the scene in front of him. "Mealtime~! Mealtime~!" Hearing the blonde girl singing that tune over and over again, Shigure who was still crouching near her was only able to look at her in disbelief.

"Here you go, Yuudachi-chan." The mess hall attendant Houshou put three trays full of food on the counter. Yuudachi picked her tray, the one with the largest amount of rice, and then skipped while singing the same merry tone she was singing moments ago toward one of the empty table. "My, isn't she a happy girl." Oblivious to the commotion that has just happened in front of the counter, the carrier ship girl looked at Shigure who was slumping on the floor. "Shigure-chan? Are you okay?"

"E-Eh? Y-Yes, I'm fine." She stammered her reply as she stood up swiftly. "I'm fine. Thank you, Houshou-san." Shigure tried to act composed while dusting her skirt that was dirtied when she crouched down. "Thank you for the food." She took the other tray and followed Yuudachi to the same table, although without the skipping and the merry tune, but still with a hurried pace. Looking at that, Houshou's expression changed into a mixed of worried and confusion.

"Uhm, did I miss anything?" Tilting her head and with one of her eyebrows furrowed, she looked at the Major. "Uhm, did I, Major?"

"Nothing of importance, Houshou-san." The Major himself took the last tray on the counter. "I assure you, nothing of importance, Houshou-san." He smiled at her, making her even more curious at what happened, but didn't know how to ask them. After that, he left the still confused Houshou and then walked toward the direction where the two destroyers were.

While walking toward them, he glanced around and he couldn't help but feel the place was too empty for his comfort. The huge empty room reminded him of his past, which was something that might ruin his appetite. Because of that, he quickened his walking pace to join the two destroyers.

His eyes darted around the place and managed to found their location very quick as they were the only ones in the large mess hall. He could see that they have started eating. He also noticed another thing that piqued his interest. And that was the black haired destroyer's expression. In contrast to her friend who was in a fit of smile while enjoying her rather large quantity of meal, she was eating it with a rather complex expression, as if all of the burdens of the whole world were placed on her shoulder alone. But she managed to cover that quite well, although not well enough for him to go unnoticed.

"Can I sit here?" said the Major as he approached the table the two were.

"Yes, please do." Shigure stopped her chopstick and pointed to a seat in front of them with a smile.

"Thank you." The Major took the seat and placed his tray in front of Yuudachi's. At first, he wasn't able to start eating as he was too mesmerized by the blonde girl way of eating as if she and the food in front of her were the only things in the whole world. He was only able to lift his chopstick after a few good couple of seconds of observing her.

For another few minutes, the group of three focused on their own meal and ate in their own pace. Not a single word was spoken from any of them, only the sound of chopsticks being used was heard, with the loudest one coming from the blonde destroyers who were so engrossed in her mealtime. Although not a single word was spoken, along the course of his meal, the Major glanced ever so often to the two of them, trying to evaluate them. He put mental notes after mental notes as he looked at them.

"Fuah~!" After a clanking sound that came from Yuudachi's chopstick and plate, she let out a sound with a rather satisfied expression. "That was good-poi!"

"Geez, where's your manner, Yuu-chan?" Shigure who was sitting next to her reminded her. "Remember what you have to say when you finished your meal?"

"Oh, yeah! Forgot about that." She immediately clapped her hands together and said "Thanks for the food!" with a wide smile.

"Good." Soon after that, Shigure also finished her own meal. She did the same and said "Thanks for the meal."

"Ah, that hits the spot-poi!" Yuudachi leaned to her chair and patted her stomach, feeling full and happy. She looked to the man in front of her. "Oh, Major, when did you arrived?"

"Yuu-chan!" She received a rather hard elbow from her friend to remind her for her bad manner.

"Ugh, what's the matter, Shigu-chan?" asked Yuudachi as she rubbed her side where Shigure just hit her.

"I'm really sorry, Major." Shigure bowed to him hurriedly. "You too, Yuu-chan."

"Eh? Oh, yes. I'm sorry." She also bowed toward him, although her face still showed that she didn't know the reason that made her have to apologize. But it seemed like she just agreed to do that since going against her friend might not be a good idea.

"Forget about that." Without looking at the two of them, he dismissed the problem lazily. "I don't really mind that." After that, he sipped the last bit of his soup and then put that on his tray. "Thank you for the meal."

"You're quite fast, Major." This time, it was Shigure that said that.

"I am a fast eater. Especially if I have something to do after that."

"Something to do after that?" The two of them looked at him with questioning expression as they asked him.

"Yes, I have something to do." He put his hand on the table and then leaned his body forward. "Yuudachi-kun, want to spar?"

For a few good seconds, the two destroyers looked at him with similar blank look on their face. They didn't say 'yes' or 'no' or anything. They were just looking at him in silence. The major kind of expecting that coming from them, so he just waited for them to came back to their sense before continuing the discussion.

"…uhm…Major." Shigure was the one that broke the silence. She has her hand up and then asked him "Did you just say spar?"

"Correct, Shigure-kun." He put his hand together and looked at them with a serious expression. "I am offering you a chance to spar with me."

"W-Wait, wait!" Shigure waved her hand at him. "With all due respect, sir. Why all of a sudden?"

"Yes, Major. Why?" Yuudachi asked the same question as her friend.

"Because you just said that my previous answer for your question was not clear enough." The Major tilted his head slightly and added another answer. "And I found the two of you… interesting." A grin appeared on his face after he said that.

"Interesting?" Shigure's looked a bit taken aback by his answer. She unconsciously distanced herself from the table, but then managed to compose herself and returned to her previous position. "I'm sorry, may I know why are we so interesting?"

"Hmm, why indeed?" He pulled back his hand and then crossed them in front of him as he leaned back to his own seat. "Each of you has a very different characteristics that made thought so. Tell you what?" He leaned forward again. "I'll tell you if you spar with me. How's that?"

"Ehm, I don't know." Yuudachi scratched the back of her head and she looked toward her friend. "What do you think, Shigu-chan?"

"I'm…not really sure." The girl in question said with a rather unsure tone. "I mean, are we even allowed to do that?"

"To do what? Sparring?" They nodded at him together. "I don't see why not. Do you have anything scheduled after today?"

"Uhm, no, sir." Yuudachi shook her head. "We were told to wait until further notice and stay in here-poi."

"See?" He gestured toward them with open arms. "I don't see any problem with that? Besides, you can use rubber bullet as to not inflict lethal wound and I'll use bullet proof vest too. "

"Uhm, yes, but…" Shigure thought for anything else that might gave them a good reason to decline his offer. She looked at her friend and also noticed that she was also a bit reluctant to accept his offer. She knew that her friend probably has the same reason as her. It was because the rumor that has been circulating on the whole base in the past couple of days. Although not on the bad side and rather baseless, he has a reputation for being a very mysterious and dangerous person. Rumored to be able to beat two ship girls effortlessly, he was also rumored to being able to put down the entire Tenryuu's division in one night. Although the later rumor was hard to believe as the six of them were up and running the next day and even looking a bit fired up than usual, the fact that he has a rather scary reputation in the base was something that bothered the two of them very much. Even the usually rash and bold Yuudachi already has second thought as soon as she was asked to spar with him.

"So, how is it?" He waited for their answer, but they only seemed to be too deep in their own thought to answer his rather difficult offer. Seeing that, he gave a sigh and then stood up, an action that startled the two of them. "Well, it seems that you need some more time to think about my offer." He picked up his tray and then said "My offer remains. You can find me at the field nearest to the dock." They didn't say anything to that, only looking at him with unsure expression.

He walked toward the counter to drop off his tray without looking at them. But to their surprise, he suddenly stopped and glanced back to them. His next sentence surprised them even more. "If you do spar with me, I might tell you what you were looking for this morning."

"What!?" Yuudachi stood after hearing that, startling Shigure who was still able to remain a bit calmer than her friend and just tried to digest what the Major just said. "What do you mean by that-poi?"

But the Major just shrugged and walked toward the counter, ignoring her. A slight grin was visible on his face as he left the mess hall, which made Shigure felt more uncomfortable.

After they were left alone, the two just looked at each other.

"…Do you think he…"

"I'm not really sure, Yuu-chan." Shigure knew what she was about to ask, but she herself couldn't give a concrete answer. "But all I know is… he is a more mysterious person than the rumors stated."

"…Much, much more mysterious-poi." Yuudachi added while looking at the door where the man in question was moments ago.

"Yuu-chan." Shigure's voice carried a very serious weight, making the blonde looked at her. "What are you going to do?"

"…I…" She couldn't say anything as she didn't really know what kind of person she's dealing with. And all the rumors about him have made it much worse for her.

"Whatever you do," Shigure stood up and placed her hand on her friend's shoulder, "I will support you on that." That simple gesture made the red eyed girl smiled.

"Thank you."


In the field near the dock, Jurou stood sat on the bench with his trusty sword laid next to him on the bench. It was laid on top of a wrapped package. He tapped on his tablet while enjoying the slight wind and sun ray on his face. His work was done quite fast as his finger moved pretty fast, making many beeping voice. All of a sudden, he stopped his hand. He smiled and then put his tablet into his chest pocket.

"I see that you're here." He said without looking back. "So, what is your answer?"

"I'll do it." A female voice answered his question.

"No, we'll do it." Another one answered him. After hearing the two answers, he turned his head around to look at the two source of voice. He gave them a wide smile as he saw the two Shiratsuyu class destroyers were there, looking ready to answer his offer.

"Have you got your ammo yet?" He asked them calmly. They both gave a confident nod at him. "Good, very good." He stood up and then faced them. "Okay, here's the equipment." He unwrap the package, revealing a simple wooden crate. As he opened it slightly, the two destroyer girls looked inside the content. Before they can see inside the content, he took out two flags and then threw those at them. "Put that on the top of your rigging so that it reached above your head slightly." They followed his instruction and put the flag on top of their rigging. "Good, now the rule. This is a simple game of get the flag. I'll be the one to get the flag and you two will defend it with all your might. When I managed to slash those flags, it is my win. If I don't for a certain amount of time, it is your win. Got that?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"You can do anything, except using torpedo or explosives as it will not be good for the field." As he said that, he reached into the crate and pulled out two similar looking black colored plates. "And don't worry, I am equipped with ballistic shield." He then put those shields on each hand. "I will not use any firearm. I will only use my sword." After finished strapping both shields, he reached for his sword and then pulled out his tablet. "Now how much time do you think we need for a quick game?"

"Uhm, excuse me, sir." Shigure raised her hand. "But isn't that too much of a handicap for you?"

"Oh, worrying about me, aren't you?" He smirked at her. "How charming." His words were not received well as Shigure expression turned a bit sour. He tapped his finger on the screen a couple of times before putting it back to his pocket. After that, he put his other hand on to the scabbard. "Then I guess I should go all out then?" The sound of metal rang on their ears as Jurou unsheathed his sword in a slow motion. "How much time?"

All of a sudden, the air on the empty field became heavy and thick, as if there was fog that filled the whole space around the three of them. Although they couldn't give a clear explanation, both Shigure and Yuudachi could point out the cause of all of these. It was none other than the man that will be their opponent. As crazy at it might sounded, they were confident of that. Shigure felt a slight regret for worrying about him when instead she might have to worry about the two of them more. But in contrast to Shigure who looked a bit worry, the face of Yuudachi showed a slightly different emotion. She was smiling, barring her fang with excitement. Her red eyes seemed to be glowing slightly and her breathing turned a bit ragged. Her hand on the trigger of her cannon felt itchy and she was raring to go.

"Yuu-chan." Shigure's voice snapped her from her battle–trance condition. She looked to her side. "How much do you think?"

"…Give me ten minutes." She said that with a smile. "I was about to say five minutes, but that might not be a good idea-poi."

"Good thinking." Shigure readied her main armament for the battle. "Ten minutes, sir!" She shouted their answer.

Hearing that, the Major didn't give any comment, but then let out an instruction in a rather cold and monotone voice. "Timer, execute, six hundred seconds. Ready in 5 seconds." He then moved to the middle of the field, distancing himself with his target, approximately five meters from them.

"Command acknowledged." A different voice came from his pocket. "Count down begin. In 5."

"You ready, Yuu-chan?"

"4"

"Yup!"

"3"

"Let's have–"

"2"

"the most amazing party-poi!"

"1" A loud sound indicated the start of their 'spar'. In a split second, the Major rushed toward them, closing the distance between him and the two destroyers. There was no tactic, only a straight rush like a bullet shot out of a gun. Looking at that, the two immediately pointed their gun toward him to stop him. They both pulled their trigger simultaneously, making their turret gave out an exploding sound and a puff of smoke. Facing a torrent of hot lead, no trace of fear or hesitation appeared on the man's face. The only difference was that he changed his footwork to that of a zigzag movement, dodging the bullet effortlessly.

"No way!" Shigure couldn't believe that a mere human could dodge a shot that close. He wasn't even putting up the shield on his hand to defend himself. He just darted toward them, ignoring the buzzing bullet that went pass him. "Yuu-chan!"

"Got it!" Yuudachi pointed her turret at the man's direction. But unlike before, he pointed toward the ground. "How about this-poi!" Loud explosion was made as she pulled the trigger of her gun. Noticing that they were trying to disrupt his route, the Major jumped back a little to avoid the explosion. Although wasn't hit by the destroyer's shell, the smoke and dust that came from the explosion has slowed him slightly. "Shigu-chan!"

"Yes!" Not waiting for the smoke to subsided, Shigure pointed to the smoke covered area of the field and opened fire immediately. Her gun let out a torrent of bullet on the same place over and over again. She stopped firing, letting down her gun that let out a stream of smoke from the barrel. "Did we get him?"

"…I hope so." Yuudachi's voice was filled with nothing with uncertainty. Both of them knew very well that in the back of their mind that the battle couldn't be over so quick, although they both hoped so. "Let's just check for–"

"Yuu-chan!" All of a sudden Shigure ran toward her and tackled her friend.

"Ow!" She stumbled forward and lost her balance completely, making her fall forward. "What's the– Woah!" Before she was even able to ask her the reason, she felt a very fast wind above her head and also heard a very crisp metallic sound. She looked up and then saw the image of the Major's sword was inches away from her flag. "Take this!" She immediately rolled over and pointed her gun toward the Major. But before she could pull the trigger, her hand was kicked by him, letting go of the gun and making it clatter on the field. Without wasting any second, the sword wielding man prepared to slash the flag, only to be disturbed by the sound of gunshot next to him. The shot made impact as the Major was thrown aside from his last position. Yuudachi who was disarmed looked to her side and saw Shigure's figure with a pointed gun which emitted smoke.

"Yuu-chan, get back!" Still with her gun pointed, Shigure gave a command to her friend. The blonde girl swiftly stood up and ran toward her, picking up her dropped gun along the way. After regrouping with her friend, Shigure asked her. "You okay?"

"Fine. Thanks for that-poi. Ugh!" She whimpered a bit while holding her hand. "He can do a nasty kick."

"Focus, Yuu-chan." Shigure reminded her. "I don't think we're done yet." She said that as she looked at the Major who was starting to stand up. Bullet holes were visible on one of his shield. It seemed that he was able to block the shot in time. Looking at him, both Shiratsuyu class destroyer girls felt a mixed of fear and excitement. It was their first time encountering a human with such resilient and ability. For them at that moment, he looked more like an abyssal ship than a normal human being. Although he was using shields to block their attack, to have such a calm and cold attitude when facing gun shot in a very close quarter was far from normal.

"My, my." The sound of joint cracking was heard as Jurou moved his neck and shoulder. "I've lost my touch." He patted his clothes a bit to remove some of the dust and then look at his two opponents while tilting his head to the side slightly. "Shall we start again?"

"Whenever you're ready-poi." Yuudachi reply his challenge with a confident answer. Shigure who was next to her also nodded.

"Good." After that one comment, the Major lowered his body and then propelled himself. But instead of a straight run, he was running in a curve course toward them with sword in hand. The two destroyers than used a different tactic to stopped him. Shigure laid suppression fire toward him while Yuudachi shot his course. Unlike before, he didn't jumped back but kept running toward them while dodging every shot. It was as if he was able to read them better than before. With every step, he was getting close to them, which made them quite weary. As he went on cutting the distance between them, Yuudachi concentrate her shot and let out a lot more to the direction of the Major. But even that was not able to slow him down. Their foe jumped from one side to another, dodging each passing bullet without showing any fear or exhaustion.

"Yuu-chan!" All of a sudden, Shigure shouted at her friend. The reason was because the Major has thrown his sword scabbard toward her.

"AARRGHH!" Unable to react fast enough to putting most of her concentration on shooting, the scabbard hit her hand directly. Once again, the gun was left knocked away from her hand, leaving trail of blood on her fingerless glove. "How can you–Umf!" Not even letting her make a comment, the Major who was only steps away from her, lunged himself toward her and kicked right in the stomach. Even though she was a trained ship girl, being caught surprise like that was enough to make her stumbled backward.

Caught by surprise that her friend was taken out in an instant, Shigure could only look toward her friend in shock. Fortunately for her, she was able to regain her composure as she was immediately faced with a slash that was aimed toward her flag. Left with very little moving room, she barely blocked his attack using her gun barrel. Looking at her managed to parry his attack, a small smile crept on his face. Displaying a smiling and excited expression akin to that of a kid that found an amusing toy, he performed slash after slash toward the black haired girl.

"Ugh!" With each attack, she was only able to either evade or parry the attack using her gun. Spark flies whenever his sword hit the barrel. Evan without closer look, she was able to see that her gun has acquired more damage than it should have. Her hand, although already accustomed to handling heavy machinery and prolong fight, was already showing sign of fatigue.

"Get away from her!" A shout came from her side as her blonde friend finally joined the battle. Brandishing her gun which she has picked up before charging in, she shot her gun directly aimed at him. The gun produced an explosion sound and also puff of smoke as the bullet was thrown out of the barrel. But the bullet hit his shield. Following that block, the Major kicked Shigure in the stomach, making her do barrel roll toward Yuudachi.

"Ufh! You okay, Shigu-chan?" Caught by her friend, Shigure only managed to give a small nod as she tried to analyze the whole situation, which was obviously not to their favor.

"Block!" Shigure shout made Yuudachi instinctively crossed her arms. Almost instantly, a kick landed on her arms. Although not that heavy, the angle of the kick has made her leaned back slightly, opening a gap that will lead into the flag on Shigure's back. A slight clank sound was made as the Major prepared his sword to strike that flag. The situation really looked very bad for them. Shigure who was still on the ground was not able to do anything. Yuudachi was also not in a better position either since the previous kick has made her lost her balance, rendering her almost impossible to do anything else. It was only a matter of time before one of their flag will be destroyed.

But then a loud beep sound suddenly came to the battlefield. Inches away from the flag, the sword stopped in its track. The wielder of the sword also stopped in his track, frozen. His previous expression which showed excitement has changed into his usual calm and rather cold expression. With a swift movement, he retracted his sword and pointing it downward, leaving the two destroyers looking at him with shock. He then pulled out his tablet. After looking at the screen, he shook his head.

"My, my. It seems I've lost." He announced the result of the spar to the two of them. They were still looking far from able to digest the whole situation. Noticing that, he showed them the screen of his tablet. On the screen showed the number '00:00:00'. He then explained his reason. "I've run out of time."

"…So we win?"

"Yes," said the Major with a nod as he put his tablet into his pocket once again, answering the blonde destroyer's question. "You have won the spar, Yuudachi-kun and Shigure-kun."

"We…" "Won…" The two spoke in turn after hearing his announcement. They both smiled at the achievement, feeling satisfied. But then the two of them dropped to their back, lying next to each other, overcome by the wave of exhaustion from their previous battle.

"Congratulation, both of you." The Major, still not showing any visible sign of fatigue or anything, walked toward them and looked downward to the two lying destroyers. "Take your time resting, although I suggest you go rest in one of the benches." After done saying that, he walked toward the place where his scabbard was thrown to moments ago and proceed to picking them up. He then moved to the bench where he left the crate. The two of them, still lying down, glanced at him while he removed both shield and put them back into the crate. Sitting on the bench, the Major didn't say anything else and just took out his tablet and fiddled with it alone, leaving the two destroyers feeling somewhat confused.

After a few seconds, they both stood up. Folllowing to his suggestion, they then took the bench next to him after dusting their clothes. Slightly sweaty and dirty, they looked very different to the Major who was sitting quietly and calmly on the other bench. Tons of questions were swirling in their mind as they recalled their battle with him. Mixing their previous experience with the many rumors that circulated in the base, his existence has become much more than just mysterious for the two of them.

"Finish resting?" His sudden voice snapped them from their own thinking. "If yes, I'll show you what you want to see."

"Really!?" Yuudachi stood up after shouting with a rather excited voice. "You will really show it to us-poi?"

"I will." Jurou put back the tablet into his pocket. After sheathing back his sword, he stood up and hung it to his belt. "I have promised you, didn't I? And I am a man of my word."

"Yeah!" As if forgetting her previous fatigue, Yuudachi threw up her arm and looked very happy. "Come on then, Shigu-chan!" She immediately pulled her friend's hand.

"Okay, okay." The black haired girl nodded a few times at the sight of her over excited friend. She stood up and looked at the Major. "Shall we, Major?"

"Of course." He picked up the wrapping of the crate and shoved it into the crate. After that, he picked the crate itself and walked toward another part of the base. "It's this way."


Behind the calm looking Major were two destroyer ship girls who have different expression. Yuudachi was excited as one could somehow see the flap-like part of her hair moved around as she moved her head from one side to another with a smile on her face. Shigure looked calm and along the way she has been looking rather intensely at the man in front of them.

After a few moments of walking, they arrived at the place where the two of them were in the morning. They stopped there and, just like that time, they still couldn't see anything different on the empty dock.

"…I can feel it-poi." Yuudachi said while looking around at the place, but failed to see anything strange.

"Now, Yuudachi-kun." The Major turned around facing the two of them, especially at Yuudachi. "Could you point me to the spot where you…feel it?"

"Uhm…That's difficult."

"Yuu-chan, how about you walked around and then tell him where could feel the most?"

"Oh, good idea, Shigu-chan!" At Shigure's suggestion, the blonde quickly walked around the empty dock. After a few round around it, she stopped at a particular spot. "I think…this is the place."

Hearing her answer, the Major's face showed a smile. "Impressive."

"Now what, Major?" Shigure asked him after noticing the smile on his face.

"Now this." The Major pulled out his tablet and then tapped a few button. He then put it near his mouth. "Turn off cloaking device."

Hearing that, the two looked at him. Seconds later, another voice came from the tablet. "Command received. Deactivating cloaking device in 3 seconds." After that, a buzzing sound followed after the voice. Then in one of the empty dock, a silhouette started to appear.

"W-What is that?" Yuudachi who was closer to the silhouette took a step back in caution. She could only look at the foreign object with a wide open mouth and wide eyes.

"Is that…a ship?" Shigure who was standing near the Major said while wearing a similar expression of her friend.

With each passing second, the silhouette became clearer and clearer, displaying its full form to anyone near it. After the buzzing sound has stopped, the sight of a ship float proudly in one of the once empty dock has become clear for anyone to see. The sudden appearance of a foreign ship has made the two Shiratsuyu class destroyers unable to do anything but gaze at it with millions of questions running inside their head.

Ignoring the two's reaction, the Major hopped into the ship while still carrying the crate, leaving the two alone on the dock for a while. The moment they have realized that he has gone inside the ship, he has already back with them. He looked at the two of them, and asked "Are you done looking?"

"Uhm, y-yes, sir." The one that answered him was Shigure. "Major, is this–"

"Stop." He raised his hand toward her, stopping her mid-sentence. "I know that you have plenty of questions, but this is all you can know. This is my ship. Understood?"

"…Yes, sir." Shigure nodded after hearing that serious statement of his. "One more thing, Major."

"What is it?"

"Should we keep this a secret?" She glanced at her friend who was standing near them. In her eyes, she could sense the same question from her. For a brief few seconds, he just looked at Shigure without saying anything.

"Come closer." He beckoned the two of them. The two went closer and stood side by side in front of him. "Listen up. Something like this appearing all of a sudden will raise too many questions or even suspicions. Even you two have a lot of questions, yes?" They nodded once. "You see? The last thing I want to make here is chaos. So for the meantime, what do you think?"

"I think we should keep this a secret." Yuudachi immediately said that.

"Can I trust you two to do that?"

"We will do it, Major." Shigure stated that with confident. "If you are willing to show this to us, we are willing to keep it a secret." Hearing that, Yuudachi nodded in agreement with her friend's declaration.

"Very good." He put forward his hands and patted their shoulder. "I'll be counting on you, Shigure-kun and Yuudachi-kun."

"Sir, yes, Sir!" The two shouted their reply as they gave him a salute. Hearing that, the Major nodded with satisfaction in his eyes. He then turned toward the direction of the Admiral's office, making his coat produced a slight flapping sound.

"Now shall we get back? You still haven't given her your report, right?" The two nodded at his suggestion and the three walked toward their next destination.


In the Admiral's office, they found out that it was still empty. The only difference was that the once clean desk was filled with stacks of paper. The three that just entered the room certainly noticed that.

"It seems the Admiral has a lot of work." The black haired girl said while looking at the stack of paper with concern in her voice.

"Is she going to be okay-poi?" Her friend asked with a concern tone of her own. "She will be okay, right, Major?" She looked at the man who was standing behind them.

Hearing that, a smile came into his face. With his large hand, he started to pet the blonde girl's head, surprising her a bit.

"Aren't you a nice girl, worrying about your superior?" He looked at her eyes. "Don't worry. I knew her. She's strong enough and durable enough if it's just some paper work."

"Hehehe…The Major praised me." The blonde girl seemingly to enjoy the man's show of affection as she smiled at him.

"A good girl deserves some praise." After saying that, the Major retracted his arm and shifted his gaze toward Shigure. "Don't you think so, Shigure-kun?"

"Yes, Major." She nodded in agreement with him. "So what now, Yuu-chan?"

"Uhm, I think I want to wait for a while." She said with determination. "I still want to report my expedition to her in personal-poi."

"Then I'll stay with you." Shigure said to her. "Besides, we don't have anything scheduled after this."

"Thanks, Shigu-chan." The blonde girl flashed her a wide smile, showing her a glimpse of her fang on the back of her tooth.

"No problem, don –E-Eh?" Shigure yelped in surprise as she felt something on her head. She looked up and found that she received the same treatment that her blonde friend has just received seconds ago. "M-Major?"

"Just as I said, a good girl deserves some praise." He looked at her while smiling. "Or do you not like it? If not, I apologize." But before the Major could retract his hand, Shigure mumbled something.

"I-It's not…like that…" Hearing her mumbled while blushing slightly has made him canceled his action to retract his arm. "Thank you, Major." She smiled at him.

"Don't mention it." After that, he retracted his arm. Shigure showed a slightly disappointed expression, but didn't say anything. But it seemed that her friend noticed that.

"Hehehe, Shigu-chan is such a shy girl." Yuudachi teased her while giggling. This made the black haired girl blushed even more than before. She nudged her on her side while pouting slightly, making Yuudachi yelped slightly, but still smiling and giggling at her funny reaction.

"Well, I'll wait here too." Ignoring the two's playful fight, Jurou walked past them and sat on one of the sofa. "I have work related stuff that needs to be discussed later with her." He put his sword on his side and then pulled out his tablet. He then concentrated on his device and the only sound that came from him was the beeping sound of his gadget.

After a while, the two also sat, but on the opposite sofa. This time, the two determined to meet the Admiral to finally report their work. But after sitting there and getting comfortable on the sofa, the fatigue from their previous fight finally took their effect on them. That reminded them that they have not hit the dock to recover, only to have a meal at the mess hall. Yuudachi quickly felt that her eyes started to become heavy and very difficult to stay awake. Beside her, Shigure also felt the same tiredness.

While still working on his own work, Jurou glanced at them and noticed their condition, especially Yuudachi who has repeatedly swaying her head back and front a few times. He let out a quiet sigh and then stopped his finger. He looked at them and gave them an offer. "If you want, you can take a short nap. Don't mind me."

"B-But we can't do that." Shigure quickly rejected that idea.

"Don't worry. I'll wake you up. Besides, it is partly my fault that you have become exhausted more than before." He stood up and walked toward them. He then started to take off his coat. "Here, use this. It has become a bit cold."

"B-But…Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." He then handed his coat to her. The black haired girl took the coat. "Of course, if you don't feel comfortable using it, I don't really mind."

"Oh, it's not that, Major." She waved her hand at his statement. "It's just that you might get cold."

"Don't mind me. I'm fine." He then noticed that the blonde girl was too quiet. And it seemed that it was because she was already drifting into the dream world. "It seems that she has already gone ahead first."

"She has, hasn't she?" Shigure smiled while looking at her friend who was already snoring softly. She then covered her with one part of the coat while she used the other part to cover herself. "I'm sorry for this, Major."

He waved at her calmly while returning to his seat and also to his work. In less than a minute, the two Shiratsuyu class destroyer girls were snoring softly. Looking at that, a slight smile came to his face. "Just like two innocent girls." After saying that under his breath, he continued his work.


For quite a long time, the only occupants of the office were only those three. While the two were still sleeping, the Major has finished his work, giving him a lot of free time. At first, he was at lost to what else he could do. But then after looking at the two, an idea crossed his mind. But while in the middle of executing his idea, the door opened with a slight creak.

"Ugh…tired…" The sound of the Admiral was heard after that. "Why does it have to be so–"

"It is not good to whine."

"E-Eh? S-Senpai?" Clearly not expecting him, the black haired admiral was startled. "When did you arrive?"

"Hmm, about two or three hours? Probably?" said the man while focusing his attention back to the tablet.

"And them?" She pointed at the other party who was soundly asleep on the sofa without a care in the world. "Are you with them the whole time?" A slight trace of worry was in her voice.

"Yeah, I'm with them." He said that casually. "Have a sparring match with them." The moment she heard that, it was no longer just her voice that showed worried.

"Y-You w-what!?" She shouted at him. But then she toned down her voice as she remembered that there were other ones in the room. "You sparred with them?" ask the Admiral with a much lower voice but with a much more feeling of worried in it. "Tell me you're joking, Senpai."

"I didn't." Without even glancing toward her, he gave an answer. "And you don't have to worry. They are quite strong. I lost to them."

"…Seriously?" After she said that to him, she glanced back at the two destroyers. "They seemed to have it rougher than you judging by their looks."

"Trust me. They won. And because of that, I've shown them my ship." Once again, his word surprised her. But unlike before, she regained her composure quite fast. "You're surprisingly calm when I mentioned the ship."

"Because those girls will definitely keep it a secret even if their life is on the stake." She smiled as she walked closer toward the two. "I trust these two," she brushed Shigure's black hair gently, avoiding waking her up, "just as you trust these two."

"Ah, I see." Hearing that, he gave a slight smile. "It seems that we have the same impression for them."

"I believe so, Senpai."

"Ummm…." The Admiral stopped her hand as she heard Yuudachi's voice while stirring her body slightly. "Uwaah!" While putting her hand up to stretch her body, she let out a yawn with her mouth wide open. "…A nice nap-poi," said the girl while wiping the tears in her eyes.

"How are you, Yuudachi-chan?" The Admiral's gentle voice made the blonde turned her head toward her. With a smile on her face, she replied.

"Very fine, Admiral!" Her bright smile made both the Admiral and the Major returned her smile. "Ah, thank you for the coat, Major!" She pulled the coat toward her nose. "I now know what it smelled like-poi!"

"You do?" The Major leaned forward, positioning his elbow on his feet. "Tell me." Although the Admiral did not know what made the conversation turn that way, she decided to keep quiet. In fact, she was a bit curious at what the girl would say.

"It smelled like comrade-poi!"

Her answer startled not only the Major, but also the Admiral. Both of them raised their eyebrow after hearing her said such an unexpected answer.

"Uh-huh, yes, it smelled like friendship-poi!" She pulled the coat closer toward her chest. "It is as if I am hugged by a lot of comrade who smiled at me. Warm and gentle feeling-poi!" Her smile grew even wider as she said to them.

"Ah, I see." He closed his eyes after hearing that. It was a rather melancholic tone that came out the Major's mouth. "Thank you, Yuudachi-kun."

"Yes, hehehe…" She nodded at his comment. "Oh, the report!" Yuudachi stood up , move toward the Admiral, and then gave a salute to her "Destroyer Yuudachi and Shigure reporting, ma'am! We are back from the expedition! The result is good-poi!" She stated her report with an excited voice.

Looking at her, the Admiral gave a slight sigh. And then she returned her salute with one of her own. "Good work!" She then stretched her hand toward her. "Well done," said the Admiral as she brushed the blonde's golden hair.

"Ehehe…" Slightly giggling, Yuudachi kept enjoying the praise she was waiting for all day. "Praise me more-poi!" The office was filled with such a happy feeling as the blonde girl acted like a puppy enjoying her master's affection.

Looking at the rather spoiled girl, the Major could only let out a slight sigh. In his mind, the girls who were known as ship girl might be a weapon, but inside them lay the heart of a genuine innocent girl. A slight pang of pity came over him as that came into his mind.

"..Uumm…." Before he could think any further, the voice of the black haired girl destroyer was heard. He turned his attention toward her.

"Have a nice nap, Shigure-kun?" Hearing his voice, Shigure's eyes snapped open. She stared at him for a good few seconds before looking at the coat on her hand. The next thing that happened caught the Major by surprise.

"…Major…" Her voice was so quiet. But that was not what surprised him. It was the sight of her that started to shed tears all of a sudden. "Eh? W-Why the t-tears?" Her voice was shaky and a slight sobbing could be heard between her breathing as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I-It won't…stop…"

"S-Shigu-chan?" Hearing her friend strange reaction, Yuudachi quickly leapt next to her. "W-What happened? B-Bad dream-poi?" She sounded a little panicky at the sight of her friend.

"D-Dream?" After looking at her friend, Shigure looked back at the Major. The moment she laid her eyes on him, the tears came out much more. Between her ragged breathing, a sentence escaped her mouth. "I-I'm…. s-sorry…Major…"

"Eh? For wh-Shigure-kun!" He couldn't finish his sentence as the girl in question leap into a run and exited the room without looking back. The door was still opened as she ran away from the room.

"Shigu-chan! Wait up!" Without wasting any time, the blonde destroyer also run to catch up with her shaken and unstable friend. "Wait up-poi!"

The office that was once filled with a happy atmosphere has turned dark and heavy after that event. Both the Admiral and the Major couldn't do anything but stood on their place, looking at the door where the black haired ship girl ran in such rush while crying. It took them a few minutes before any of them could regain their composure. As the first one, the Admiral looked at the senior officer with an expression filled with worry and confusion.

"What just happened?" That is all she could come up with. "I've…never seen her like that before."

"…I…honestly don't know." The Major, still with a confused expression on his face, approached the coat that was left on the floor due to the girl's sudden action. "I…just…don't know."

"Well, you probably have part in it, Senpai." She walked near him. "From the way things happened, chances are you have some part in it, if not all." Her voice contained bot irritation and worried. Irritation because one of her ship girl was hurt like that and worried because she didn't know what's going on. Although noticing that, the Major didn't change his expression or tone.

"I know that much….but…,"he picked up his coat and just looked at it, "I still don't know where to start."

"Neither am I." She massaged her temples as she said that. "Just the thing I need. More trouble."

"Don't worry." He put on his coat. "You don't have to think about it. I'll solve it eventually."

"I hope so." She let out a sigh again.

"But I don't know how fast I can do that." He then moved to the door and then reached for it. "A girl's heart is complicated."

"Tell me something I don't know." A sarcasm filled reply came from the Admiral. "Just…I don't know. Fix it."

"I will." He opened the door. "You can count on it." He exited the room and then closed the door behind him.

"I know." A small statement came from the Admiral in her empty office that was still filled with such a dark and heavy atmosphere. "I know."


*In an unknown part of the world

N: Well hello there, everyone! Nice to meet you again with me, N-san, in our lit–ACHOOOOO!

C: Are you okay, sir?

N: Yes, yes, sorry for that. Could you get me a tissue paper, please?

C: Here you go.

N: Ah, thank you. Ugh, I guess I should look for a thicker clothing next time. Speaking of thicker clothing, you looked surprisingly prepared, Camera-kun.

C: Oh, this jacket? Yeah, I've got a mail from Imuya-san that the sea will be cold this time of year.

N: Huh? From Imuya-san? You mean you have her number?

C: Eh? Didn't you have too, sir? I mean, she said that she have sent the same message to you too.

N: Really? Let me check…Well, that is totally my fault. She did send a message after all.

C: Too busy for the past couple of days, sir?

N: Ugh, don't remind me. I have a stack of paperwork waiting at me in the central office. Ugh…

I: Hello there!...You don't look so well, N-san.

N: Oh, Imuya-san. Sorry for appearing like this. I seem to forget to read your warning. And thus I forgot to wear much better appropriate clothing.

I: Oh, so that's why you looked rather cold.

N: But don't worry about it, Imuya-san. I'm a bonafide journalist and a professional! No mere cold is going to stop me! ACHOOOO!

C: Here you go, sir.

N: Ah, thanks, Camera-kun.

I: You have to take care of yourself better, N-san.

N: Got it, Imuya-san. Well, enough of me. Let's get the show start. First, let's greet our guest, Imuya-san!

I: Hello there! Nice to be here again!

N: Nice to have you here! So, any hot news regarding the base today, Imuya-san?

I: Uhm, let's see…I don't think so. Although, that itself is a rather strange news.

N: Hmm? Why is that?

I: Usually we have our news from either the posted news board on the base or from Aoba-san. But for the last couple of days, there's none.

N: Posted news board? Is that an official news board for the base?

I: Yes, it is. Although, the one who fill it up is none other than Aoba-san herself. The only difference is that the stuff posted there has to get through the Admiral first.

N: Ah, I see, I see. So what you were saying is that Aoba-san absence in making news is news in itself for all of you?

I: Yeah, that's right. Because of that, there is a rumor that she has rubbed someone the wrong way and the Admiral have to save her life or something.

N: Wow, now that is a very interesting rumor you have there, Imuya-san.

I: It is, right? All the girls have been secretly talking about it, but we are getting a bit afraid if that really is the truth. You know, we are worried about her. She is our friend.

N: I see. Then I'll try to gather my own information later on. I will share it with you if I have.

I: Hahaha, thank you, N-san. So, any other question?

N: Hmm,…what else? Oh yeah, how about this. You send message to both I and Camera-kun that we should be wary of the sea since it is quite cold this time of year. But you still use that uniform that, please excuse me, looks to be far from warm. And you are cruising all the time in this cold water.

I: Ah, we got that question a lot. You see, we, the submarine fleet girls, are already accustomed to cold water and high pressure since we spend a lot of our time diving. It is our area of expertise after all. So this outfit is sufficient for all of us. In fact, wearing thicker clothing while we are cruising will most likely be a hindrance in our mission.

N: Oh, very interesting. So that means you are already immune to the cold?

I: Hmm, not to the extent of immune. But, yeah, you can say that. Although getting out of the cold sea and having a nice warm drink in the mess hall is a thing we look forward each day.

N: I see, I see. That reminds me, I didn't serve anything for you. I truly apologize for that, Imuya-san.

I: Hahaha, don't worry about it. Besides, I'm still on duty. If the Admiral heard that, I might get a scolding later on.

N: Really? Is she that strict to you guys?

I: Hmm, not strict in the meaning of a dictator, but maybe strict like a parent to her children.

N: Oh, so she has that kind of impression to you and your friends?

I: Yeah, she does.

N: How admirable. I hope I can meet her soon. She seems to be a good person.

I: She is. All of the ship girls respect her.

N: Since we are talking about your admiral, how do you picture her? I mean, if I ask you to describe her in one sentence, what will you say?

I: Let's see….She is a very good person that takes care of us with great care and also lead us with great discipline.

N: Such a high praise. It's making me want to meet her in person more than before.

I: She is not perfect, I can tell you that. But she always strives to be one. She will always go the extra miles for all of us the ship girls.

N: A very admirable person, I have to say once again. Is that view of yours, and I presume everyone else's, that made so many rumors regarding your base's recent guest appeared?

I: I think so. Since you put it that way, we expect him to be someone similar to her. But without any real information about him, the only thing we can do is speculate and guess what he actually is. Actually, why didn't she just introduce him to us? The ones who have met her is the Tenryuu's division, but they seemed a bit reluctant talking about him. I don't know why.

N: That just made him more and more mysterious, isn't it?

I: It is, right? That has made us more and more curious about him.

N: Hmm, interesting perspective you have there, Imuya-san. Well, as much as I want to talk about this very interesting topic, I guess we are out of time. Sorry about that.

I: That's okay. Don't worry about it. Maybe we can chat again some other time. You have my number, right?

N: Yes, yes, of course. And maybe we can chat together with Camera-kun too. I'm sure the more the merrier.

C: As long as you read your message, sir.

N: Hahaha, that's true. And since this is near the end of the show, it is time to read the comments! How much do we get this time, Camera-kun?

C: Good news, sir! We have double the amount today!

N: Really? That's great!...Wait a minute. How much do we have last time?

C: One, sir.

N: So now we have two?

C: Yes, sir.

N: …Well, it is a very optimistic way of seeing things.

I: I got to use that later with Goya and the other.

N: Jokes aside, let's get to it! Okay, it's from Alkhemia8! A pleasure to hear from you! Thank you for watching the show and we can only hope to give the best for you.
And next is from, oh, an anonymous. Doesn't matter. And yes, the 6th division is having a hard time with the Major there. But let's ask Imuya-san. Have you seen the 6th division lately? The 6th division is the one you called Tenryuu's division, right?

I: Yes, they are. I have seen them. Although a rumor of them having a hard time with the Major, they looked quite in a good shape. I even heard that their performance have improved lately, which is a good news.

N: So everything is good, right?

I: I hope so. But just as I said before, they were a bit reluctant to talk about it. I wonder why?

N: Maybe they have their own personal reason?

I: Maybe. But as long as everyone's okay, I have no complaint.

N: Good to hear that. So with that, that wraps up another episode! Thank you for chatting with us here, Imuya-san. We are very grateful for that.

I: The pleasure is all mine. A slight break from my usual routine is good for me once in a while.

N: Hahaha, thank you once again. We hope to see you again with us, Imuya-san, and also to share with us your comment on the stuff that happens in your base.

I: Thank you. It will be my pleasure, N-san and also Camera-kun.

N: So ladies and gentleman, we will see you again later, don't forget to send us your comment (aka Review). Thank you for watching, have a nice day, and stay healthy, everyone! Bye!