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 6 "The Plan"

"TIRREEEDDDD!" A rather loud shout came out of the Admiral's mouth as she slumped forward into her desk. With her head planted on to the desk, she sprawled her arms. What followed after that is a few groaning sound that came from her mouth.

Inside the office, her desk was filled to the brim with stack after stack of document that needs to be checked and signed. Even after working for a few hours, the mountain of document refused to decrease. The Admiral felt that her stamina is at her limit and she needs a break. But she also knew that taking a break while there is still a mountain of paper to be done will not make her mind able to rest.

"I know, I know."

"There are just too much!"

"I know, I know."

"How can this pile of document arrived in such a short notice!?"

"I know, I know."

"…Err, Murakumo-chan?" Hearing the same monotonous reply over and over again, The Admiral lifted up her head.

"I know, I know."

"…Are you okay?" The black haired admiral glanced at her secretary ship with slight worry in her mind. She then noticed that her secretary ship that stood by her side had displayed a very disturbing condition. Her head arrays had move back and forth while emitting a dim red glow. Her flowing silver hair had turned rather untidy with a few strands standing up here and there. And the most disturbing part of her looks was her eyes. She had a hollow gaze that seemed to fell on the wall of the office and it has shown almost no sign of life. "Murakumo-chan?" Noticing her odd behavior, the Admiral stood up and waved her hand in front of her eyes several times.

"I know, I know." Sadly, that action of hers yielded no reaction whatsoever from her, which worried her much further. A 'tsk' sound came from her mouth after that.

"…And you are the one that always said that I overworked myself." She then reached for Murakumo's gloved hand and grabbed them gently while her other hand grabbed her slender waist. With a slow but steady movement, she guided her forward step by step. After a few minutes, she managed to get Murakumo to her destination, the sofa in her office. As gently as possible, she guided her to assume a sitting position, which was a task much harder to do than she expected. But after a few seconds of trying to figure out the best way, she managed to get her to sit down properly on the sofa. Along the way, Murakumo didn't show an ounce of response. It was as if she completely turned into a walking corpse.

After wiping the sweat off her forehead, the Admiral slowly pushed Murakumo's body so that she leaned her back on to the sofa. She then covered her eyes with her hand slowly. She let out a shudder as that act made her remembered a few bad memories of her past. With a few head shake she managed to put back the memory inside the back of her mind. To get that memory out of her mind, she focused on her current task and found that her secretary has closed her eyes. For the finishing touch, she pulled out a handkerchief. After spreading it, she put it on top of Murakumo's eyes without covering her nose. Shortly after that, the breathing of the silver haired girl had slowly changed into a calm and slow breathing. She couldn't help but smiled at the sight of her usually strict and disciplined secretary sleeping soundly the moment her eyes were covered.

"What a caring leader." At the sudden entrance of voice, she snapped her sight to the door and found the speaker. "Not that I expect anything less from you."

"Senpai, if you were there, you should help me," said the black haired girl with a rather wry smile.

"And take the privilege of taking care one of their own subordinate?" An exaggerated tone came out of the man. "I would never do that." He then also added a few exaggerating gesture to accompanied that tone of his, which made her quite annoyed.

"Funny. Very funny, Senpai." The black haired girl then walked back to sit behind her desk once again. "So, what do you want? I'm pretty busy."

"Really? I couldn't even tell?" Still with his exaggerated tone, he teased her again. This earned him a glare from the female admiral. At that, he just shrugged and then went closer to her desk. "Well, enough of the jokes." The Major then took one of the papers on the stack. He flipped it so that he could read the content. The Major frowned as soon as he read the content of the paper. Noticing it, the Admiral just glanced at him.

"The situation is not exactly the best for all of us." She then took another paper and started writing on it. "It seems that the abyssal is getting a bit more active each day."

"To think that they have managed to broke through the defense line. They have become much fiercer." She then let out a sigh after saying that. "The girls' mission is becoming much more dangerous than before."

"…Much more dangerous, is it now?" He tapped his chin as he heard that statement.

"You have something to say, don't you?" The Major just glanced at her with a slight smile, which soured up the Admiral's expression right away. "That expression of yours just shouted of evil scheme to me."

"Really now? Well…now that you've mention it." He then opened his trench coat and slipped his hand inside. After that, a paper was produced from the inside and he gave it to her. "It's not an evil scheme, sorry to disappoint you. Read it and approve it."

"I don't have any choice? Sheesh." She took the paper and then read it. Her eyes widened after that. "W-What is this!? Are you su–"

"If it is to keep them alive, I'll do anything." He then leaned forward toward her with his hand on the desk. "And I know you'll do the same."

"…I will do the same. But how are you going to–"

"You only need to approve that order and I'll do the rest." He then grinned at her. "You don't need to add any more works for yourself, don't you think so? And I'm also sure that Murakumo-chan there wouldn't like another extra batch of document." The man said while gesturing with his thumb to the hibernating fleet girl on the sofa. At that, the Admiral could only let out a sigh.

"I'll approve it. But!" She pointed at him. "You have to promise me that you will not do anything reckless."

"Can't give you any promises, but I'll try."

"…Let's hope that this will work, Senpai."

"We have the same wish in that matter."


"Hibiki-chan, are we going to do it?"

"We are." The silver haired fleet girl nodded at her friend's question. "We could at least know how her condition is at the moment. After that, we will plan our next move."

"…Hibiki-chan, are we going to be able to do it-nanodesu?"

"We will." She gave a short and confident nod toward that question with nothing but uncertainty. "All we need to do is just stay quiet and then keep a close eye on her. As simple as that."

"Hibiki-chan…you seem to be a more motivated to do this than yesterday." Ikazuchi said to her as she looked at the sight of her usually stoic and silent friend that has stuck her own body flat onto the wall. "Did…something happened?"

"…Let's just say that my short talk with the Major has…motivated me." The statement was delivered with a tone filled with conviction and resolution. "For now, we don't have any choice except this."

The other three looked at her with a serious gaze and each and every one of them realized that although their friend wore the usual expressionless face, a slight determination could be sensed from her eyes. But together with that, they could also feel another feeling from her. It was either anxiety or fear. Because of that, they were at lost at what to say in front of such a different Hibiki.

"…Hibiki-chan, are–"

"Shh!" Inazuma was unable to finish her question. Hibiki put out her finger in front of her mouth, signaling them to keep down their voice. "I can see Yuudachi-chan."

"W-What!? Umf!" The shouting Akatsuki was muffled by two sets of hand courtesy of brunet destroyers. She flailed her arm around for a few second and then tapped their shoulder to make them know that she will not do that again. After releasing her mouth, she let out a breath and then flatten her body together with her three sister ships.


"Shigu-chan." The blonde destroyer's voice was firm yet weak at the same time. It was such an uncharacteristic of her to let out a voice like that. Together with that, her face showed a slight frown at the sight of her black haired sister ship that refused to turn her face toward her. With her back facing Yuudachi, Shigure stared onto the horizon without moving an inch.

"…What is it, Yuu-chan?" Although it was delivered with a calm voice, Yuudachi felt a sense of sadness from her voice. "I thought you were going to get something to eat."

"Not without you-poi." Yuudachi walked to her side without looking at her face. The reason for that was that she herself is afraid that the moment her eyes laid upon her friend's face and found a face that is full of sadness she will be the first one to break down. With Aoba's word inside her mind, she is determined to not show her close friend her worry as best as possible. "Let's get back, Shigu-chan. It's bad to miss your meal-poi."

"I'll be right there...soon. I want to be here for a while."

Once again, Yuudachi noticed that her response was a bit weird. It was as if she was not answering the blonde destroyer's question but instead answering whatever she looked at the end of the horizon. The thought that her words failed to reach her close friend and ship sister ignited a fire inside her heart. Unconsciously, Yuudachi clenched her fist into a tight one that her hand started to turn white. After that, a question that appeared on her mind came out of her mouth.

"…What are you waiting for-poi?"

"Huh? Waiting?"

"Whenever you stand in this pier and look at the horizon like that, Yuudachi sense that Shigu-chan is waiting for something-poi." A brief pause came from her before she continued. "Or…someone-poi."

"…Waiting for…No." Shigure shook her head, making her breaded hair flailed gently. "I'm not…waiting for something…or someone."

A brief silence swept over them. Not a single word came from any of them. While the two just stood there with both of their attention turned toward the endless horizon, the sky darkened gradually. After a few seconds, the first droplet of water fell on the ground. Gradually, the small trickle turned into a steady rain that lacked any wind blowing.

While both of them knew that the rain has fallen, none of them made any sign of moving from their position. On the pier, the figure of the two stood still, bracing the impact of the rain. As one would expect, their clothes started to get wait. Together with that, their hair started to be in the same situation. Strangely, the flaps on their hair still able to stood proudly.

Then a sudden change happened. One of them showed that their shoulder started to trembled. It was Yuudachi. But no, the reason was not because she felt cold. In fact, she would say that inside her she felt very hot due to the boiling rage that started to happen.

"Why...were you lying to Yuudachi-poi?" Her simple question contained a tone that was a mix of anger, disappointment, and anxiety. "Shigu-chan…why were you lying-poi?"

"…Lying?" Instead of an answer, Shigure let out another question to no one in particular. "About what, Yuu-chan?" Then it was pointed at her close friend.

"Everything-poi." Yuudachi's answer was given without waiting a single second.

"…I didn't lie, Yuu-ch–"

"What are you waiting for-poi?"

"Yuu-chan, I'm not wai–"

"Who are you waiting for-poi?"

"No, I'm not wait–"

"Are you really going back with Yuudachi-poi?"

"Listen, Yuu-ch–"

"Why are you shouldering the burden by yourself-poi?"

"There's no bur–"

"Do you have to do it alone-poi?"

"…"

"…Why, Shigu-chan?" At that last question that didn't get any reply, Yuudachi turned her head to face Shigure who still had her face pointed at the horizon. The only sight she could see was the side of her black haired friend's face. With her red eyes, she noticed that her friend show an almost non-existent expression and emotion on her face. It was as if she has turned into a lifeless doll. Instead of feeling sad, a surge of anger exploded throughout the blonde's heart and mind. Without warning, she grabbed her friend's shoulder and turned them toward her, forcing her to look at her.

"Y-Y-Yuu-ch–"

"Don't call me that if I'm not the one in front of your eyes-poi!" Her grips on the shoulders tightened to the extent that her nail started to dig into the skin under the fabric. "DON'T EVER DO THAT-POI!"

After that shout, for a split second Shigure widened her eyes. But in the next second, it returned to the usual size and she immediately averted her eyes from the blonde's red eyes that seemed to gaze deep into her mind.

"Shigu-chan, why are you acting like this-poi?"

"…"

"Why are you acting like there's no one that will help you-poi? Why do you believe that you have to stand all alone-poi? Why do you have to shoulder that burden without saying anything-poi?...Why-poi?" A barrage of questions kept coming out of her mouth. With each question thrown, her tone gradually turned from angry to sad. On her eyes could be seen desperation in trying to search for an answer from the one she believed to be her close friend that will go with her in thick and thin without any complaint.

"…" Unfortunately for her, only silence came from her friend. Not another movement came from her.

But with each question, a thought that Shigure still believe on Yuudachi as her close and important comrade in arm begin to dissipate more and more. Yuudachi's resolve started to waver, as if it was washed away by the torrent of rain that hit both of them mercilessly.

"Why…won't you answer me-poi?" Her voice was so weak that among the noisy rain it was almost inaudible. "Yuudachi will…surely hear you-poi. And…do her best to help-poi."

"…Just…" The moment word escaped the black haired destroyers' mouth, a sliver of hope rekindled inside the blonde's heart and mind. "…Just…leave me alone."

Even though Shigure's voice was weak and quiet, for Yuudachi it was louder than any thunder that she has ever heard. The impact of the words was more than enough to extinguish the already wavering hope and resolution inside her mind absolutely. She heard a cracking sound. Whether it was a real one or an illusion, Yuudachi didn't know. Whether it was from the breaking of her own heart or her friend's heart, Yuudachi didn't know.

"…A-Ah…y-yes…" With the same empty eyes as her friend, Yuudachi looked at her friend that had brushed her away with a single statement. She felt her grip loosened because of the loss of energy from her own body. Her glove covered hand slipped from Shigure's shoulder and then she found them hugging her own body.

The objective of that action was not something Yuudachi knew. Maybe it was to make her cold body a bit warmer. Maybe it was to make her broken heart stay in one piece. Maybe it was to reaffirm herself of her own existence. She didn't know. Not because she wasn't trying to look for answer. But because her heart and mind had shut down completely after hearing that answer from the one she considered as her best and closest friend, from the one she considered to be the closest ship sister she ever had.

Without saying anything more, Yuudachi's feet started moving away from Shigure's. Not a single word of goodbye came from her mouth. It started as a slow walk that burst into a full sprint onto the opposite direction of the pier. With that, the only figure that stayed present in the pier is the black haired Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, Shigure. All alone with her back that showed nothing but loneliness.

"…This is…for the best."


"Hawawa! H-Hibiki-chan!?"

"Calm down, Inazuma-chan." The silver haired destroyer tapped her friend's shoulder to calm her down at the sight of their friend escaped the scene after shouting. "Let's quickly follow her."

"Got it!" The first to take off was Ikazuchi.

"Ugh, running in this rain is not what a lady should do!" And after that was the black haired Akatsuki. "I hate getting in the rain!"

"Hawawa! C-Calm down, Akatsuki-chan." Behind her, Inazuma followed her closely. "This is for our friend-nanodesu."

"…I know, I know." A weak reply came from her. Then the two started to chase the fleeting figure of the blonde destroyer.

Hibiki who was on the rear also started to settle into a running position, getting ready to chase them. But a sudden sight in the edge of her eyes stopped her in her track. With a swift motion, she snapped her sight to the new actor of the stage on the heavy rain.

"Major?"


A heavy sigh escaped Shigure's lips and she looked to the dark and rainy sky. The feeling of her face being showered by the cold rain felt somewhat appropriate for her state of mind that seemed to be cold and empty. After that, she muttered again.

"…This is for the best…"

"Who's best?"

An unexpected question came from behind her. That made her turned around in an instant and the figure in front of her made her eyes widened.

"…M-Major?"

"That's me, Shigure-kun." A small smile appeared on his face as he stood at the other end of the pier. But for some reason unknown to her, that smile of him incited a small fear. She almost sure that in the back of her head something had shouted 'Run away! Escape! Get away from him!' over and over again. But Shigure shook that thought away from her own mind. "What's the matter, Shigure-kun? It's raining, if case you didn't notice. It would be best to get inside, no?"

"Err…I'm fine, sir." The sweet and caring tone of her superior sounded rather strange for her at that moment. It was slightly menacing for her, which was a strange thought to have. "I like being in rain. It's somehow…relaxed me."

"Oh, is that so?" He then walked toward her. The moment he started to move, Shigure took a step back. This sudden action of hers confused her. She didn't realize that she had put up a guard in front of him. "What's the matter, Shigure-kun?" His question snapped her into reality once again. It was a question that she would really love to get an answer too.

"Uhm…no, nothing, sir." She answered together with a shook of her head. "Uhm…I guess, I will go back inside. It is rather cold after all."

"Oh, is that so?" A calm tone came from the man.

"Y-Yes, it is, Major." She nodded quickly and then started to walk into the base, struggling to maintain her emotion and pace to avoid running out of the place. "T-Then, I'll be seeing you, Major." She then stopped near him and gave a light bow toward him.

"I see. Then, be careful, Shigure-kun." He smiled at her while waving at her.

"Thank you, sir." She then walked pass him after saying that.

"Ah, one more thing, I almost forget, Shigure-kun." At that statement, a chill struck her neck and it continued to spread all over her body instantly. She shook that away, thinking that it was probably because of the rain. "Bite your teeth, will you?"

"Huh?" Hearing a strange order, she turned her head to look at him only to see a scene she would never imagine. "Argh!"

A clean hit landed perfectly on her body. Due to the fact that she had turned her body head around, the hit that was supposedly hit her back landed slightly closer to her side. But the impact was nonetheless persisted completely as she had not tried to avoid him or shield herself from the surprised attack.

After being hit by a powerful kick courtesy of the male officer, the black haired destroyer's body was sent tumbling over the wet and slippery floor, only to stop after hitting the wall that the Akatsuki-class destroyer hid behind not long ago. The moment her body hit the wall, a loud impact sound was heard together with a slight vibration of the wall. A few spots of the paint that was already worn out peeled out and fell on top of her together, making her much more miserable looking than she already was.

"*cough* *cough* W-W-What happ–Ugh, my back…" Her mind was moving in circle. She didn't know the reason that made her deserved to be kicked like that. Although she has been avoiding him for the past couple of days, that still didn't make a good enough reason to be kicked like that. Then the thought of her being unable to do her job as intended came into her mind. She knew that she might deserve some kind of punishment. But being kicked like that certainly isn't the first thing that came into her mind. She was so confused that she failed to notice the fact that the Major had stepped closer to her. Because of that, the sight of him that was only a few steps away from him startled her.

"Get up." What further startled her was the fact that there was no trace of the previous calm and caring tone in his voice. It was delivered with a cold and merciless attitude. "I still have more for you."

That statement scared her more than she had thought. The memory of their previous battle that resulted in victory for the pair of destroyers came into her mind. No. To call it a victory is not exactly right. If not for the rule he had placed, they would have certainly meet their complete defeat.

"…Why?"

"Reason, eh?" He tapped his finger on his chin and then tilted his head. "I thought of beating some sense to you, Shigure-kun." He then smiled at her. For her, it was the smile of the dead ripper that sent fear inside her mind. The sound of splashing water came into her ear as he walked closer and closer to her. "With that said, get up."

With quivering legs, she tried to get up. But while still half way in standing, another kick was unleashed toward her side. She rolled on her side and stopped not far from her previous position. A groan of pain escaped her lips after that. Even though there was no sign of bleeding, the pain that ran across her body was intense enough to made her let out a groan.

"…Ugh…"

"Get up." Ignoring the sight of her groaning in pain, the Major yet again gave the same command as before. "We will spend some more time together, Shigure-kun." His words were soft and low compared to the surrounding ambience, but it was loud enough for Shigure to realize that her time with her superior will be anything but pleasant.


"O-Oh no…" Her trembling voice escaped her mouth as she kept herself from screaming at the sight of her comrade being beaten by her superior. It was a scene that Hibiki could never imagine.

From her time with him, he had shown nothing but pure caring attitude. Of course from time to time he had shown a strict and discipline fitting of a military officer. But there was not a single time she had seen him showing a violent act that seemingly done without any reason.

It scared and startled her so much that she hugged her own body to keep herself from trembling more and more whenever she heard the groan of pain that came after the sound that came from the punch and kick that fell on her friend. She was a bit thankful that the heavy rain had covered the sheer sound of violence that happened not far from her place. She couldn't even tell whether her face was wet because of the rain or the tears that was shed for her friend.

"…I…have to get the others." With that in mind, she got up from her position and then ran toward the other, hoping that they can help her stop the rampaging officer from killing Shigure, one way or another.


Amidst the heavy pour, the blonde haired destroyer ran with all her might. There was no particular destination for her at the moment. The only thought that filled her mind was the rejection that came from her close friend and sister ship. For her, that simple and short statment of 'Leave me alone' was more than enough to break her heart and resolve to keep being her support.

She rejected her pure and honest goodwill to support her. She brushed her away. Was it because she is too weak? Was it because she is too annoying for her? Was their friendship only to that extent?

Those thoughts swirled inside her mind. She could feel her eyes flared up and tears had trailed down long ago. It had mixed with the rain that hit her face as she ran.

"Waargh!" A yelp came from her as she slipped on the wet and slippery ground. The sound of her body hit the wet ground was heard. Her clothes were drenched from head to toe. The white scarf that she always wore had been painted with dirt, making it lost the usual pristine white color. In addition, the blonde hair that usually gave away a radiant bright golden look had become disheveled and dirtied with soil and mud. Despite being in that condition, Yuudachi felt strangely that the condition suited her quite nicely. A weak and useless girl like her deserved that kind of look. "Uuu…Shigu-chan…*snif*…"

"Yuudachi-chan!"

"Hawawa! Y-Yuudachi-chan! Are you okay?"

"Are you hurt? Say something!"

A barrage of worried words came from behind her. She immediately got up and looked behind her, hoping that one of them would be the black haired girl that had just rejected her. But alas, the only black haired girl was the first of the Akatsuki-class destroyer, Akatsuki. She looked around and saw that Shigure was not among them. That fact hurt her heart.

"A-Are you okay?" The first to get near her was Ikazuchi. "You're not hurt, right?"

"Y-Yuudachi-chan? Calm down-nanodesu." Inazuma pulled out a handkerchief and then started to wipe her face. "Ah, there's so much mud on you-nanodesu."

"Ugh, if only we have some umbrella or something. This rain is really not appropriate for a lady like me."

Each and every one of them showed their own way of caring for her. She knew very well that the Akatsuki-class destroyer were a bunch of good and caring people. They couldn't bear seeing anyone hurt and thus they will help anyone in their moment of needs.

But at that moment, their caring attitude actually hurt her more than she would have thought. No, they were not the one to be blamed. In fact, she should be thankful that they were near her so that they can help her who has slipped on the ground. They have showed nothing but care and gentleness with her as their fellow comrade in arm and friend. Against them, she could only feel gratitude. But that fact still hurt her since the one she longed to receive from is none other than Shigure. All she wished for was that she will accept her goodwill to help and support her. Sadly, all she received from her was rejection and a pair of cold and empty eyes that refused to look at her.

"…Uuuu…"

"W-What is it, Yuudachi-chan?" Inazuma who heard her small sniffling sound came toward her. "A-Are you h-hur–HAWAWA!" She shouted in surprise as the blonde destroyer suddenly hugged her and started to cry and wail.

"Uuu…wwaaaa!" The sound of her crying had come out even louder than the rain. It startled the three other destroyers to the extent that they could only look at Yuudachi with blank and confused expression. They racked their brain for a way of calming down the crying blonde.

"Y-Yuudachi-chan…"

"She*hick*…S-Shigu-chan…rejected my help…" She then started to spill her frustration. "S-Shigu-chan said *hick*… to leave her alone-poi!"

"…Yuudachi-chan…" Inazuma could only spoke her name with a hint of sadness.

"…Yuudachi is weak..s-so*hick*…Shigu-chan doesn't need Yuudachi-poi!"

"W-Weak? Of course, you're not weak, Yuudachi-chan."

"…If Yuudachi is not weak*sniff*…Shigu-chan would not r-reject Yuudachi-poi."

"Uhm…" Unable to give any more comment, she looked at her two friends for any help. Unfortunately, the two of them also showed the same expression as her.

"…Y-Yudachi always tried to do her best…b-but*hick*…Yuudachi is still weak-poi. And…useless-poi." Stream of tears continued to pour out of her eyes as she let out her frustration. Her hug became even tighter than before. With each words of self-mocking, her tone went more and more depressed. Depressed at the fact that she was unable to help her friend in her time of need. Depressed at the fact that she wasn't strong enough. Depressed that she wasn't smart enough to convince her to accept her goodwill. "Yuudachi is…*hick*…just useless-poi."

"Yuudachi-chan…don't say that." While gently caressing her drenched back, Inazuma continued to do her best to calm her down. But the blonde destroyer kept crying and crying, pouring every tear she had. "I'm sure…that Shigure-chan doesn't think like that."

"A-Are you sure-poi?"

"I'm sure-nanodesu." Inazuma answered with a tone filled with certainty.

"T-Then…*hick*…why did Shigu-chan rejected Yuudachi's help-poi?"

"…Uhm…girls?" Once again she looked around and the other two but all she received was their shaking head that showed they had no better answer. "Err…I'm sure…she had…other reason-nanodesu?" She scolded herself mentally for making her answer into a question.

"…Like what-poi?"

"Uhm…err…" Her mind went blank. No answer came onto her mind no matter she racked her mind.

"So…Yuudachi really is…weak and useless…poi…" Her voice was so weak that the three could feel only pity for her. There was no sign of the 'Ferocious Hound' from her any longer.

Suddenly they heard a sound of hurried footsteps coming from the direction of the pier. The four looked at the source of the sound and they found a girl with silver hair was running to their place.

"G-Girls!" Her usually stoic expression was nowhere to be found. Instead, she wore a slightly tired and worried expression that they have only seen her wore whenever they were in dangerous battle. She then stopped only a few steps away from them. Her ragged breathing showed that she had run with full strength to catch up with them. Together with the way she support her hand on her thigh, Hibiki showed that something was not right. "H-Hury...*huff*…h-help..*huff*…"

"Calm down, Hibiki-chan." Akatsuki turned toward her with worry visible in her eyes and voice. It was unusual for Hibiki to lose her cool and calm like this. Hibiki shook her head in between her heavy breathing.

"S-Shigure-chan…*huff*…help…"

"Shigu-chan!?" The mentioned of her friend's name made Yuudachi jumped toward her and grabbed her shoulders. "W-What happened-poi?"

"S-She's…*huff*…being beaten up…by the Major…"

"WHAT!?" Her shout echoed in the place. "T-The Major!? B-Beaten up!?" Hibiki nodded at that. At that instant, Yuudachi's eyes that showed no energy all of a sudden flared up and she felt a surge of anger fueled her entire being. "DAMN IT!" She then took off into a sprint toward her previous location without caring for anything but the safety of her best friend.

"Yuudachi-chan!" Inazuma stood up and started to follow her. "Wait up-nanodesu!"

"Don't lose her!" Ikazuchi also followed her shortly.

"H-Hibiki-chan, are you okay?" Hibiki nodded at Akatsuki's question. "Should we–"

"Yes, we should." And then Hibiki pulled Akatsuki's hand and they also sprinted toward the place where they have just seen Shigure.


"GUARRGH!" Shigure once again let out another groan of pain as she was thrown onto the wall back first. The accumulating pain was almost unbearable. There were sign of bruises all over her arms and legs. There were probably more under her clothes as the Major's attacks mainly consist of kick and punch targeted at her side.

Although from time to time Shigure also threw her own punch and kick, her mental and physical state made those attacks of hers could be avoided effortlessly by her superior. The moment she threw a punch or kick, she was hit even harder as she made her guard open. If she stayed calm, she could manage the attack by either parrying them or avoiding them completely. But her rate of doing that was no more than one out five attempts. With that said, it was certain that she had received most of the attack with full force. Combined with the fact that Shigure is anything but proficient in fighting barehanded, the fight had become a one-sided beating for her.

"Get up." The same cold and merciless order resounded on her ears. She then tried to get up using her remaining strength. But, just like many times before, she was kicked on her side and left tumbling sideways. Fortunately she managed to block the kick with her arm. But that could only reduce the force so much.

"*cough*…ugh…" Her groan once again could be heard together with the coughing that came from her inability to breath normally due to being kicked over and over again. She tried to stand up again but her legs quickly gave up and she could only sat with her back glued on to the wall behind her.

"Can't get up?" His words contained neither worry nor care about her condition. It was just a statement of how weak her condition was. "Pathetic."

If they were in everyday condition and situation, she would certainly retort with 'What do you mean by that!?", "How dare you!?", or something along those lines. But at the current condition, she couldn't help but agreeing with his word. While sitting on the cold and wet ground, she held her other hand that felt very painful that her eyes were winching with each stinging torrent of pain. In short, the word 'pathetic' really suited her looks and condition. She almost let out a laugh for that thought.

"I guess that is the extent of your strength, Shigure-kun." At that, a slight hope of her ordeal finished flashed inside her mind. Then the sound of button clicking came. She looked up and saw that the Major has unbutton his Trenchcoat that he always wore. After a while, the front of the coat had revealed something that Shigure has not only saw, but felt. "I'm disappointed at you." And with that statement, the sound of metallic ring from the sword that hung from his belt. Amidst the dark and poorly lit area the two were, the blade showed such a radiant light that seemingly cut off the bleak atmosphere. Seeing that, the slight hope of being released from her ordeal flew off into oblivion. It is either she will be cut up like a useless doll or being skewered to death.

At that thought, fear and anxiety filled her mind completely. Her eyes had shown nothing but those dreaded emotion. The thought that she will leave just like that scared her. Not knowing what she will face next. Will a fleet girl like her enter an afterlife? Is there even an afterlife in the first place? Or will she just wander like an endless soul, not knowing what to do? Or will there only an endless darkness and sorrow awaits her? She doesn't know any answer for those questions.

But in the next second, those emotions were gone. Another feeling replaced those. Resignation. She felt that whatever happen next, she deserve that fully. For the only ship that came out as a survivor of many battle. Being called a 'Lucky Ship' for so long by many people whose faces she couldn't even remember. She laughed at that ironic title.

What lucky ship? For being able to survive all alone while all her comrade went down the cold and dark sea? For her, that was anything but lucky. She saw that as a sin. And in front of her, she saw the one that will carry out the proper punishment for her. For leaving her comrade dying without unable to do anything. By being the only surviving one without being able to save any one of them. The beating she got from the Major is appropriate. She truly believed that with all her heart and soul. That is why in the face of the sword that will carry out her final moment she experienced such a calming sensation.

"…Will I meet you…Yamashiro-nee?" A quiet mutter came from her. "I guess…there's no way any of you...will want to meet me, right?" She continued to mutter that with a hint of sadness and a mocking smile on her face. The moment she finished saying that, her arms felt limp and useless.

A slight clank sounded as the sword was pointed toward her. She then closed her eyes, awaiting her moment. In her heart, she bore absolutely no hard feeling for her would be executor. In fact, she felt thankful that he was the one doing it. She didn't know why, but she felt that he would be the perfect person to do it. And she was also thankful that her close and dearest friend, Yuudachi, was nowhere near her. That will be the best.

For a second, the air felt stiff and it was almost that the rain itself stopped for her. The only sound she could perceive is her breathing that sounded calm and also his that strangely sounded the same. She then said 'Thank you' and 'Good bye' inside her mind. For whose those were, she couldn't even know.

After that, the wind started to move together with the sound of a thrusting arm. It was so fast, but for her that moment felt like an eternity. The sound of metal parting the air entered her ears and she waited the moment the blade will made impact on its target.

Then a sound of the blade implanted itself on its target resounded on the place. A slight vibration also came from the impact.

"Open your eyes."

"Huh?" The tone of her executor came out colder than before. It only confused her even more. Why could she hear his voice? Why does she still feel her arm? Her legs? Her head? Isn't she pierced by the blade?

"I said open your eyes." At that, she slowly opened her eyes. Drenched from head to toe, there stand the one she called The Major with an expression she had never seen before. It was so cold, yet contained a mix of emotion she couldn't really tell. "Your left." She quickly turned her head to see her side and a silent gasp escaped her mouth. There she saw a pair of black eyes stared at her own. The blade that was supposed to pierce her had implanted itself deep into the wall, inches away from her head, leaving a small line of crack near it.

"…Why?" She asked him after turning her head toward him.

"You are annoying and utterly irritating for me." He then looked down to her. "You insulted the privilege that were given to you. The you right now have not only let down the one they who have fought bravely before you, but also they who are still fighting the battle with you and also yourself."

"I…insulted my privilege? What–"

"Don't you dare say what privilege that is!" His shout shut her up again. "It is the privilege that was given by the sacrifice of your comrade! A survivor!" He then reached onto her collar and brought her to a stand. "Don't you dare sullied their effort by mopping around and feeling depressed! That's the last thing any survivor should do!"

"I'm not sullying their effort!"

"And why are you pitying yourself!? Why are you hoping to die a little sooner!? Why are not trying your best!?"

"I am trying my best!"

"Then why did you lost to me!?" His word struck her again. "I am a normal human being! An existence that is weaker than you! A fleet girl!" His hand let go of her collar and shoved her back on to the wall. "Aren't you an existence that should be stronger than any human? An existence that is strong enough to fight the abyssal fleet? An existence that have the duty of not only protecting human, but also the whole world from their menace? And yet you are defeated by a mere human."

"…I…n-no…I…" She could only stammered without making any sense. Her eyes showed nothing but confusion.

"Your heart is in confused. Your mind is in chaos. You've become weak." Her eyes twitched at that assessment of his. "You are so weak that mere words could hurt you."

"…I'm…weak?"

"Yes. Those comrades of yours that have left you as a survivor have left a weak one as the sole survivor." She bit her teeth at that. "Frustrated? Because of you being weak or because you can't rejoin them soon enough?"

"…What do you know about–WAA!" She couldn't finish her question as a fist landed inches away from her head. It has landed to the right of her head. At the moment, her head was between a fist and a sword, both inches away from her head. She then realized that the Major had closed in on her that she could feel his breath on his face.

"Don't you dare say that I don't know what it is to be a sole survivor. Of being a single one left of a unit. Of being left to fight without the presence of my precious comrades." He lifted her chin to make her look at his eyes. "Never." When she looked at his eyes, she sensed the same emotion she had carried every single day. But unlike her, his eyes didn't show a single hesitation and confusion like hers. They were proud and confident.

For a few seconds, they stayed in silence, making the sound of rain that poured even harder as the only sound that filled the place. Then he let go of her chin and walked back a few steps. He then pointed at the sword that was still stabbed onto the wall.

"Pulled it out." He said to her with strict tone. She followed his words. The moment she touched his sword, the same emotion as the one she had when she had the dream in her admiral's office came into her mind. But she shook that thought at the moment and focus on the sword. She then pulled it out with a single motion. "Look at the hilt and read the name." She looked at the hilt and read the name out loud.

"Ryou… Miyamoto." Her eyes widened. "This is…not yours?" He nodded. "Then…this is…"

"It was one of my comrade's. A squad mate." His voice turned a bit melancholic. "He…was shot at one of our mission."

"…I'm sorr–"
"Don't." He shook his head and then looked onto the sky. "There's nothing to be sorry about. He died a warrior's death. Proud and in a glory fitting of a soldier." The melancholic tone turned into a proud one, filled with nothing but admiration. But the moment he turned his gaze toward her, his expression soured up. "And yet you, even after being entrusted the privilege to carry on their duty, be it by their own will or by fate itself, threw that away by pitying yourself. For that…I hate and despise you." His words struck her like a thunder. If it was just from anyone that had not gone through the same experience as her, she would brush that away as empty insult. But to come from one that have experience it, that felt like a slap for her. "…Especially because you reminded me of my old self."

"Huh?" The last statement was let out with a quiet voice that she almost missed the statement. She could only hear the phrase 'old self' from that. The Major then took off the scabbard on his belt and put it forward toward her.

"Take it. Put that inside." Once again, Shigure couldn't give any other reaction but to follow his command. As she put the sword inside the scabbard, a slight 'click' came from the scabbard as the hand guard met the end of the scabbard. She noticed the same name was etched on to the scabbard. She kept her eyes glued onto the name for quite some time.

"…Major, are you–Eh?" A voice of confusion came from Shigure as she was about to ask something. The reason for that confusion was that the Major had placed his coat onto her drenched body without her realizing it. Although the coat itself was already wet from the heavy rain, she could feel slight warmth enveloped her body.

"…The you right now is weak and confused. You are lost. But thankfully, you are not a lost cause." He showed her a small smile. The one that beat her up mercilessly had showed her a smile that showed understanding. "Your confusion is right and justified. But your reaction to that is wrong and dangerous. Take those, reflect on yourself. And return those to me at the end of this day. You can find me at your admiral's office." After finished saying that, the Major turned his body around and started to walk away from her. She could only look at the figure that was showed how enigmatic he is for her. For a second, he acted like a merciless killing machine, executing punch and kick so efficiently without wasted movement and also without any sign of hesitation. At the next second, he turned into an understanding superior that shared the same experience and could pierce her confusion.

"Really now…what a strange pe–Major! Your right!" She shouted with the loudest voice she could muster at that moment. The reason for that was because she saw an attack that will hit his superior.

"Huh? What the!?" Hearing her shout, the Major looked to his left and quickly put up his guard. "Gurgh!" A hard impact landed on his arm and the force of the impact pushed him back slightly. It was painful but he managed to keep his balance. After noticing the sudden attacker, he let out a grin and then let out a swift kick that landed on the attacker's arm.

"Ugh!" A yelp of pain came out of the attacker's mouth while being thrown sideways. After standing up, a shout came from the attacker. "HOW DARE YOU HURT SHIGU-CHAN!"

In front of the howling blonde destroyer, the Major didn't show a single worry. He just waved his arms to eased up the pain with a grin still plastered on his face.

"Impressive, Yuudachi-kun. A nicely executed flying kick." He then slammed his fist together and then assumed a fighting position. "Yup, I hurt your Shigu-chan. You have a problem?"

"Y-YOU! I'LL KILL YOU-POI!" She also assumed a fighting position, ready to fight the one that dare to hurt her dearest friend. The flap on her hair seemingly pointed higher than usual just as the tension she had. "I'LL KILL YOU-POI!"

"Hahahaha! I like your spirit, Yuudachi-kun!" He looked at her with a slight excitement on his eyes. "Bring it on!"

"GET READY YOU DA–Ouch!"

"Eh?"

The yelp of pain from the blonde was not due to an attack from her opponent. It was from a straight chop on her head courtesy of the black haired destroyer. The two fighters shifted their attention to her. It shocked both of the fighters that were brimming with spirit. It was as if their burning will to fight was doused away in an instance.

"S-Shigu-chan!? W-Why did yo–Ouch!" And another chop landed on her head mercilessly. "I-It hurts-poi!"

"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT!?" And another chop landed again. "TELL ME NOW!"

"E-Eh? I w-was helping-poi?" Yuudachi showed a rather unsure expression as same as her statement. Complimenting her uncertainty of the situation, the hair flap that had stood up proudly moments ago went down.

"No you're not! Who asked you to help!? Why do you jump into conclusion easily!?" At that last statement, Yuudachi frowned and then glared at her friend.

"You don't tell Yuudachi anything but blame Yuudachi when Yuudachi jumped into conclusion-poi!?" She raised her voice as she said that. "You're not fair-poi!"

"Huh!? Does it really hurt to stay calm and think for a minute before you act!?" Not wanting to back down, Shigure gave a shout at her friend. "There's no need to run around wild like that!"

"At least Yuudachi don't mop around by herself all depress and gloomy-poi!" Like Shigure, Yuudachi also refused to back down.

"G-Gloomy!?"

"Yeah-poi! All you do is being gloomy and depressed-poi! Does it really hurt to relaxed a bit and have fun-poi!? But noooo! Shigu-chan is always sooo gloomy-poi!"

"W-What!?" Not expecting that from her, Shigure's face reddened with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "T-Take that back! I'm not always gloomy!"

"Gloomy Shigu-chan is always gloomy-poi!" She stuck out her tongue at her. "That's the truth-poi!"

"Y-You! You!" Shigure was practically fuming with anger.

"What!? I'm right-poi!" Yuudachi was practically in the same condition as her.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" A loud laughter echoed at that place. It was a laughter that stunned the two bickering destroyers. The laughter came from none other than the Major. He was holding his stomach and had his back hunched forward while letting out a loud laugh. Knowing full well that his reason for that laugh was their own bickering, the two looked at him with a pouting face for Shigure while Yuudachi with a glaring eyes. "Haha…really…you girls really are interesting… Fuah! I almost died laughing back then."

"Y-You! Eh!?" Yuudachi felt a hand grabbed her shoulder while she was going to jump at him. "Why are you holding Yuudachi back-poi!?" She looked at Shigure that shook her head at her.

"We'll see him at the end of this day." Her words are filled with confidence as she said that. "For now…let's go back."

"…Ugh…I don't like this-poi."

"Shigure-kun." The Major called her, making the two looked at him. "You have a good comrade that will get angry for you. And also…" He looked at his back. The two followed his gaze and found four figures were running toward them. "Four others who will get worry for you. Don't you disappoint any of them. I'll see you at the end of this day." He then flashed them a grin and then turned his back at them.

"Hey, wait-poi!"

"Let him go, Yuu-chan. Besides, I need to get into the bath quickly. It's cold."

"Cold? O-Oh, yeah. It is-poi. Eh, is that the Major's coat?" After hearing that, Yuudachi just realized that. Shigure gave a short nod. "Err…He beat you up, right?" She nodded again. "And then he lent you his coat-poi?" She nodded again. "…Yuudachi don't get him at all-poi." She said that while scratching her head.


"M-Major!?"

"Hello there, Inazuma-kun, Ikazuchi-kun, and Akatsuki-kun." The brunet destroyer stopped her feet and wore a surprised expression the moment the man entered her vision. Next to her was the other Akatsuki-class destroyers who also wore the same expression. "Hmm? Where's Hibiki-kun?"

"M-Major!" A slightly trembling voice called her as he was looking around for the silver haired destroyer. It came from Akatsuki who seemed to be standing with a pair of trembling legs, whether from the coldness of the rain or fear of being in front of him. "D-Did you b-b-beat up Shigure-chan?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I did." The three let out a gasp as they heard that answer that came out without a sense of guilt inside. "Oh, there's Hibiki-kun."

"*huff*…M-Ma-*huff*-jor…" Just as he said, the silver haired destroyer made an appearance with a ragged breath. "D-Did you…*huff*…r-realy–"

"Ah, yes, yes, but don't worry." He then stepped aside and pointed at the pair of Shiratsuyu-class destroyers. "They're fine. Don't worry. You can go there." The three looked at each other hesitatingly at first. But then Hibiki tapped Akatsuki's shoulder while gesturing them to go to their friend. The three nodded and then ran toward them, leaving Hibiki standing in front of the Major alone. "You're not going to see them?"

"…Did you beat her…to help her?" Without waiting a single second, he gave a nod. "…I see.."

"You're not going to doubt me?" She shook her head at his question.

"нет (No). You have promised to do all you can to help her and also to tell me everything when this is all over. I have decided to believe that promise of yours, Major." Hearing that, the Major widened his eyes for a second. The next second, his expression relaxed and a small smile appeared on his face.

"I see. Спасибо(Thank you). For putting your trust in me." He then putted his hand on top of the girl's shoulder. "Now go there and help them. You can share our story if you want to. In fact, please do as she will need all the help she could get to make her understand her own situation."

"хорошо(Okay). Understood, Major." She said with a nod. She then ran to meet with her friends. The Major then let out a sigh and then continued to walk away from the scene.

"Run along now. I'll see you later."


After getting out of the heavy rain, the two Shiratsuyu-class destroyers and the whole Akatsuki-class destroyers decided to have a discussion about their friend's problem. Of course it was held after they took a dip in the dock to warm their body after being in the rain for too long and also for Shigure to recover her bruises and scrapes, which actually didn't take too long since her injuries were far from serious.

The place they decided to hold their discussion is the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers' room. They didn't waste any time after hearing that the girl in question, Shigure, agreed to do it. At first, silence filled the room as no one dared to start the discussion. They were just sitting on the floor with the Major's sword and Trenchcoat placed near them.

"First…we have to…I guess apologize since we have been tailing the two of you for quite some time." Akatsuki said so after noticing that the atmosphere was too tense. "I guess…we're sorry." Akatsuki lowered her head to them.

"We're sorry." The other three also said the same and lowered their head to the two.

"No…that's fine. All of you were doing it since you were worried, right?" Shigure let out a small smile.

"Yeah, so Yuudachi think it doesn't matter-poi." She nodded at Shigure, agreeing with her opinion.

"хорошо(Okay). I'm relieved to hear that." Although she said that, her face showed her usual expressionless face. "Uhm…for now, can I share what I discuss with the Major? He did say that the two of you, Shigure-chan especially, might get some benefit from it." Hearing that, Yuudachi looked at Shigure, which the later gave a nod.

"Please go right ahead, Hibiki-chan."

"Спасибо(Thank you). Then let's start with his question for me."

After that, Hibiki explained everything that she discussed with the Major. She didn't left a single thing hidden from them. From his question about what fleet girl really is, to a hunch that they can read mind, to his promise to her that she will hear everything from him when everything is resolved.

The other just stayed silent and listened to her seriously. At the end of her explanation, the room once again fell into a silent. Each and every one of them kept digesting the stuff Hibiki explained with various thoughts swirling in their mind without uttering a single word. While they were pondering in silence, Hibiki noticed that Shigure's eyes had showed a bit of understanding, unlike the other. Because of that, she felt a bit relief.

"Uhm…Shigure-chan and Yuudachi-chan, I think next we have to think about at the time when the two of you ran away from the Admiral's office." Hibiki asked them since neither of them were going to say anything if nobody push them to do it.

"O-Oh, yeah, maybe that's right-poi." Yuudachi's voice was a bit uncertain as she said that. "So, Yuudachi will start then-poi." She took a deep breath before starting. "Yuudachi and Shigu-chan had a…spar with the Major that day and it was very tiring-poi. We were going to give our report to the Admiral but she was not there. We took a nap there and the Major had used that to cover us-poi," said Yuudachi while pointing at the Trenchcoat. "That time, Yuudachi saw a dream. A good one-poi!" Her hair flap started to move up and down as she said that. "Yuudachi saw the Major stand together with a lot of people and also the Admiral while Yuudachi stand beside them-poi. They were all smiling-poi!" The other listened at her story with clear interest in their eyes. But Shigure looked at her with a rather startled expression. "Then…Yuudachi woke up and…" She didn't continue her words. The blonde just looked at her close friend with a rather sad expression.

"…I guess…it's my turn." Shigure clutched her hand in front of her chest and steeled herself. "Just as Yuu-can said, we took a nap inside the Admiral's office after the Major put on his Trenchcoat on us. Just as her, I also…saw a dream. But…it is slightly different." She closed her eyes, trying to remember the memory that made her felt the emotion she always hated. "I…saw the Major…and also our admiral stand together while I stand next to them. Just like Yuu-chan's story, they were with a lot of people. But…they walked away from the two of them…disappearing from their sight, one by one. After a while, the three of us are the ones left. I glanced at the Major and saw him…looking upward with a blank look. While our admiral…she…she…"Her shoulder trembled. But it stopped. She looked at the cause of that, which was the blonde's hand that grabbed her shoulder.

"…Are you…able to continue?" Hibiki asked her after seeing her condition. Shigure looked around and noticed that the others seemed to be ready to cry. At that, she nodded at Hibiki and took a deep breath.

"Our admiral…she looked forward…with red bloodshot eyes, tears trailing down her cheeks. I couldn't do anything but stay silent. And then I noticed the Major moved forward and crouched down. I follow him and…" All of a sudden Shigure's eyes widened. She then jumped onto the place where they set the sword and Trenchcoat aside. The other girls followed her with confusion on their eyes. After rummaging on the Trenchcoat, Shigure's hand stopped. "…No way…so all of them are…"

"What is it, Shigu-chan?"

"It's this." Shigure took out something from the inner pocket of the coat. It was a simple box that seemed to be old and worn out. "At that time…I saw the Major picked up several objects that I couldn't really tell. It was put into something he took from his Trenchcoat. But now…I can."

"What is it?" Akatsuki asked with her attention toward the box. "Is it inside the box?" Shigure nodded and then opened it. The moment she opened it, the other girls let out a gasp.

"They are…knifes." Just as Shigure said, inside the box are three knives. One has chipped blade, another one has a broken hilt, and the last one has no blade at all, only the hilt was left. "After that, I woke up and a surge of loneliness rushed toward me and I was reminded of my own memory."

"Your memory? Do you mean your memory as…" Hibiki couldn't finish her question. The sad and lonely look she gave was enough for her. "I'm…sorry, Shigure-chan."

"No, don't be. Don't say sorry as…" She paused for a second and then let out a small chuckle that surprised the other. "I see…so that is what he meant." Shigure closed the box and then put it inside the coat again. She folded the coat and then took the sword with her too.

"S-Shigu-chan?" Yuudachi felt rather worried seeing her friend's weird action. "What are you doing-poi?"

"I'm going to see the Major. I want to ask him a question." She then shook her head. "No, I have a lot of question."


"…Are you okay, Shigure-chan?" Ikazuchi asked with a worried tone.

"Err…actually, I'm not so sure now…" Her shoulders trembled again. Anxiety showed very clearly on her eyes. But then a confident hand was placed on shoulder. "…Yuu-chan."

"Don't worry-poi! I'm with you-poi!" She let out a grin at her, showing her canine fang proudly.

"We're with you too, Shigure-chan!" Akatsuki chimed in.

"Yup! You can depend on us too!"

"Nanodesu!"

"хорошо(Okay)."

"…Everyone…" She looked at her comrades that showed nothing but caring attitude toward her who showed hesitation. She wiped the tears that almost fell out of her eyes and then looked at the door. "Got it! I'll do it!" She then grabbed the door handle with confident and turned it. With a swift motion, she opened the door, not wanting to lose the resolution she had. "E-Excuse me!" But her voice still trembled and she stuttered her greeting. "E-Eh?"

"E-Eh!?"

"What is it, Shigu-chan?" Because the black haired destroyer just stood there without showing any intention to enter the room, Yuudachi peeked from her shoulder to see what cause that. The other four also peeked and each and every one of them, Yuudachi included, let out a gasp.

"G-G-Girls!?"A flustered voice came from the inside of the Admiral's office. Their admiral's voice didn't enter their mind as their brain was too preoccupied at digesting the scene they saw in front of them.

Inside the room, they saw both their superiors were on the same sofa. That alone might not be a surprising fact for them. The fact that made them gasped in surprise is the position they were.

Their black haired admiral had her body fell on top of the male officer with one of her knees on top of the sofa right next to his waist while her other foot was still left on the ground supporting her weight. Both of her hands were on top of the man's chest while the Major's hands were positioned on her waist that making it looked like he was hugging her. His face was slightly hidden by the black haired of the admiral that draped down onto him. The usual flat top hat that the Major wore was on the desk together with her navy hat, side by side. If one observes even further, they could see that the admiral's sleeves had been left unbuttoned, just as his sleeves were.

For a few moments the six girls just stood there with gaping mouth. Their head was processing millions of thought after seeing their admiral together with the Major.

"A-A-Ah, w-w-were, sorry!" A slam could be heard as the door of the office was closed with such a force after Shigure shouted her apology, waking up everyone from their trance-like condition.

"S-Sory for disturbing you-poi!"Yuudachi also yelled her apology.

"W-We didn't see anything!" Akatsuki's shout came out as stutter.

"W-W-We'll keep it a s-s-secret! Promise!"

"N-Nanodesu!"

"U-Uhm…да(Yeah). хорошо(Okay)."

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE YOU GIRLSS!" The door slammed open, making the girls jumped backward and slammed their back against the wall in surprise. They looked at their admiral who showed a flushed face and bloodshot eyes, glaring at them with a slightly trembling shoulders. "GET INSIDE! NOW!"

"Y-Yes, ma'am!" They all shouted their response in unison and then rushed inside, making a loud sound of footsteps. Inside, their eyes landed upon the male officer who smirked at them, making each and every one of them averted their eyes while slightly blushing. Noticing their blushing, the Major grin went wider. Then then sound of coughing came from the Admiral, making them hesitatingly shifted their attention to her. With a still blushing face, she started speaking.

"So…f-first, it is all just a misunderstanding." She cleared her throat. "I tripped and he was just– "

"Going to have some fun with her." The Admiral let out a choking sound as she heard him say something unbelievable. The whole room's attention shifted from the female admiral to the male officer. "And just when we are going to get into the fun part. The veeery fun part."

"SENPAIII!" Her scream filled the whole room as her face reddened even further from ear to ear.

"It's been a while since she did that and I was sooo looking forward to it, you know?" He smirked and winked at the admiral, making her blushed even further. She glared at him with reddened face due to a mix of fury and embarrassment. He glanced that the other girls had the same blushing expression as their admiral. None of them was composed enough to look at their superior and opted to averting their eyes somewhere else. This made his grin even wider than before. "Why are you guys so quiet? Never seen a relationship between a man and woman before?"

"SENPAIII!" After hearing his suggestive comment, her shout became even louder. One could also see that the girls had started to emit smoke as they were too embarrassed and certainly not used to talk about that kind of things. "NOT ANOTHER WORD FROM YOU!"

"Okay, okay." Being glared at by her didn't make him lose his composure. He just waved it away like nothing. "Shigure-kun."

"Y-Yes?" Not exactly prepare for him to call her, Shigure stuttered her response. Hearing that his tone has been devoid of any of the previous mischievous feeling, the Admiral could only let out a heavy sigh. She just stood next to him as the man leaned his body forward while looking at the black haired destroyer.

"Did you find the box?"

"B-Box–Oh, yes, yes, Sir. I did." Still caught up by the previous event that involved her superiors, she didn't catch his question at first.

"Focus, Shigure-kun. Jokes time is over."

"You're the one that has been joking all these times!" is what every single one of them shouted inside their mind. As if knowing that, the Major just grinned for a second and then returned his expression to the usual one.

"So, did you open it?" She nodded at his question. "Put it here," said the Major while tapping on the table. She followed his order and put the box on the table just like he said and then retreated back to her previous position.

"…This is…" The Admiral looked at the box with slightly widened eyes. And then sense of sadness and loneliness could be seen from her gaze. The others who noticed that also felt the same feeling permeating their heart. The Major opened the box and then took out one of the knives. The Admiral also took one of the knives. "…You've kept them with you for all these time, Senpai."

"Of course." He then put the knife on his hand onto the table. He then took another one and placed it onto the table next to the first one. He then looked at her and she placed the last one next to the two.

"…It's just like you to keep them, Senpai." A sense of melancholy was dripping from her tone. "…Really just like you…"

A moment of silence washed over the room. The girls who were standing on the opposite side of their superiors noticed that the air around them felt rather heavy and no one dares to break the silence. They could only wait for them to start the conversation with their head hung down.

"Shigure-kun." Hearing her name called, she lifted up her head. "These knives…are also what my past comrade left me with. These knives…have seen their proud and gallant way of life. I kept them as a reminder of how they live their life and fought to the last second o their life." He then looked at her with a gaze that is full of resolution and pride. "I will say it again. They have lived their life proudly and gallantly. And I, as their comrade, will carry on their legacy. Not with sorrow, guilt, or self-pity, but with pride as same as theirs." She couldn't say anything against his statement that carried his confidence and resolution. A mix of shame and embarrassment filled his heart as she heard that. "Shigure-kun, Yuudachi-kun, forward."

"Y-Yes!"

"P-Poi!"

The two then walked forward slightly. He then stood up and walked toward them. He gazed at the two nervous looking destroyers. He then grabbed the coat that was on Shigure's hand. After he put it on without buttoning it, he also took the sword. But instead of putting the sword onto his belt, he turned around and then gave it to the Admiral, which shocked her.

"T-This is! Is this…" He gave a slight nod.

"Shigure-kun. Do you remember the name engraved on the sword?" asked the Major without turning around.

"The name?...Uhm…isn't it Ryou Miyamoto?"

"W-Wait!?" Ikazuchi shouted the moment the name was thrown. "Miyamoto? Isn't the Admiral's family name is Miyamoto?" Her question shocked the girls. A smile appeared on his face as he turned around to look at them. "So…the owner of that sword is…" Their attention shifted onto their admiral that held the sword while giving it a gaze of melancholy. She nodded at them.

"He is my…older brother."

"He is my… comrade." He then looked at the Admiral and then gave nod.

"He is our mentor." Their voice overlapped with each other. It was a statement filled with feeling of longing, yet a sense of pride, admiration, and respect could also be sensed from their voice.

"Shigure-kun," he called her name again. "Just like you, both I and your admiral have walked the path you walked upon. I hate to admit it, but we have been in your situation too. Feeling guilty and weak, not knowing what to do. Lost and…lonely." He let out a heavy sigh after that. "I was so stupid that I…almost let one of my friend died. That was stupid of me." A wry laugh escaped his mouth. "Thankfully, her brother managed to beat me out of my confusion. Literally." Another laugh could be heard from him. This time, a chuckle also came from the Admiral.

"…Major…" Shigure looked at him with eyes of curiosity. It baffled her more after hearing that he had walked the same path as her. In her eyes, she gained a new kind of respect for the one named Major Jurou Wakahisa.

"Shigure-chan." This time, the one that called her is her admiral. "I've been observing your performance for these past couple of days." A tense aura struck the girls as they heard their admiral stated that. "Unfortunately, yours has been more disappointing than ever."

"..Yes, Admiral." The flap of black hair on Shigure's head plopped down, making her look like a scolded dog.

"Yuudachi-chan."

"P-Poi!" Yuudachi quickly straightened up herself after hearing her name being called. Together with that, her blonde flap twitched and stood up.

"Yours has also been disappointing." That was enough to let out a gasp from the blonde. "With your constant worry about Shigure-chan, you acted recklessly without any clear direction, charging ahead while also focusing yourself to Shigure-chan's surrounding too much. I don't know how that is even possible."

"…Poi…" Just like Shigure, her hair flap also plopped down. The girls could only look at their friend who displayed the same scene as when a dog is being scolded by its owner.

"Because of that, I will pull the two of you from the front line effectively from today until I deemed your performance has improved."

"W-What!?" Yuudachi and the Akatsuki-class destroyers, except Hibiki, shouted in surprise at their admiral's decision. Shigure could only cast her gaze downward with depressed looks on her face.

"B-But Admiral, I ca–"

"My decision is final. I will not argue about it." The black haired admiral glared at her, making the blonde tried to shrink her body. They were painfully reminded that although their admiral is a caring and gentle woman, she is a person that is strict and upholds discipline whenever commanding her fleet. Nobody in the whole fleet could argue when she decided something. Besides a bit intimidated by her presence, the whole fleet realized that her decision is always made with the good of the whole fleet in her mind. With that in mind, they couldn't really argue with her. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am." The Shiratsuyu-class destroyers gave their answer, although they lacked their usual vigor. Hearing that, the Admiral let out a sigh and then picked up a paper from her desk.

"Now to move on to another matter since all of you are already here. A base not far from ours will be constructed and it will serve as a main supply cache and outpost for the frontlines. It is required since we have report that the Abyssal fleet has been moving in a very disturbing way and some has even been able to disrupt a supply line behind the front line." That news made the girls looked even more distressed than before, especially the Akatsuki-class destroyers since their primary mission is supply expedition. "Report has it that it has even…kidnapped a couple of fleet girls after a successful ambush."

"Kidnapped?" Akatsuki shouted. "I-Is that even possible?"

"Sadly, it is. We have a survivor fleet reporting that it even sent out a distress signal to lure the fleet. This has…never happened before." The Admiral put down the paper onto her desk. "Although it has been only one report that suggested this, a warning for all bases has been issued. We will reorganize the current fleet composition, especially the supply expedition." Then a hand was raised. "Yes, Yuudachi-chan?"

"Uhm, but we aren't in any supply team-poi. I mean, does that have anything to do with us-poi?""

"Uhm, no, you aren't. Well…" She then glanced at the Major. "For the two of you, I will let him explain."

"Eh, the Major?" Shigure asked them.

"Yup, me." He then let out a cough before starting his explanation. "Shigure-kun and Yuudachi-kun is pulled away from the frontline, which is true. So at the moment you are in the reserve fleet. That particular base that will be used as a supply cache and outpost is in need of extra personnel. This is where you will come in."

"Eh? We will be helping them-poi?" He nodded at her question. "Shigu-chan and Yuudachi?" He nodded again.

"Uhm, but Major, is it wise to send me there? I mean…I did…"

"Ah, you seem to misunderstand that. You will not be sent there alone."

"Uhm, yes, I will be with Yuu-chan, right?"

"You will be with her, correct. But not only her."

"There's someone else-poi?" He pointed at himself. "Y-You?"

"Correct." He nodded. "I will go there with you and I will train both of you along the way and also while we're there." They gave him a look that seemingly questioned their decision. But he ignored that and continued talking. "Both of you," said the Major while gesturing toward the two Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, "both of you possessed different strength but same weakness."

"Different strength?"

"Same weakness-poi?"

"Yes. Shigure-kun, you are an individual who can think calmly and rationally. Your attack is precise and your movement has been fully calculated. You will do well to become a field tactician. While you, Yuudachi-kun, has a more terrifying way of fighting. Wild and unpredictable. It is a combination that any foe will have hard time facing. You also relied on instinct, making you more unpredictable for some." He then paused for a bit, looking for their reaction to his assessment. "While you have different strength, your weakness is basically the same. This is where you are weak." He then pointed at his chest. "Your spirit and heart."

"Our spirit…"

"And heart-poi…"

"That's right." He nodded. "Your body is strong, but your spirit and heart is weak, easily swayed by emotion. I'm not asking you to become an emotionless killing machine. That will make you lose the more significant part of your life which I will ask you to value more. This might sounded like some kind of empty lecture, but I can say that after fighting both of you in three different occasions. First is our spar. At that time, if we disregard the condition for winning, you will definitely lose to me, a regular human being. At that time, the two of you were busy gauging my ability and the moment I startled you and make you lost your calm, your fighting went bad. Very, very bad." They couldn't give anything to say against that except kept their head hung low.

"…And the second?"

"Uhm…" He looked at the Admiral first with a slightly worried expression. But since the Admiral didn't know the reason for that, she just looked at him with a confused look. "Well, I guess she'll know sooner or later. The second is when I…beat you up."

"Y-YOU WHAT!?" Hearing that his senpai had beat up one of his subordinate without her knowing, she shouted right away. The other girls backed away instinctively after hearing that, not wanting to be the one who will become the target of her outburst.

"Ow! That hurt! No need to shout."

"Y-YOU BEAT HER UP!?" She seized his collar right away. "Ugh…w-why? J-Just to make a point?" He nodded without showing even an ounce of guilt. "Y-You…I-Isn't that…I give up." She massaged her temple after releasing his collar and sat on the sofa. "I…need some rest after this."

"Ah, you'll do that. I'll take care of the rest." A grin appeared on his face. Only a snort came from her as she heard his comment. "Well, where were we? Ah, yes, the second one. That time, you were so weak that you absolutely held not a speck of challenge for me. The cause of that is because your spirit and heart has weakened by your mental problem. A weak spirit will lead to a weak body. Do you understand?" The girl in question nodded weakly. "If you go to battle like that, you'll be in pieces in a matter of minutes, if not seconds." A slight pause came as he took a breath before continuing. "Then the next is you."

"P-Poi! Y-Yes!"

"The third is when you were going to…hmm…avenge Shigure-kun. Yes, that's the word. Your flying kick was so powerful that I was pushed back quite a bit. That was a painful one. If you go to battle with that kind of resolution, you'll sink a few enemies, I can guarantee that."

"Yes, of course-poi!"

"But then you'll be sunk by the next shot."

"E-Eh?" Not expecting that the praise will be short-lived, she was unable to give a proper reaction.

"The reason is when you were in that state of mind, you are only focus on attacking without spending any effort to defend or dodge, using only instinct without any wisdom. In a short battle, it will bring a devastating blow to the enemy. In long term, you will be one having the devastating blow. Not to mention that with your way of fighting, you might break formation and risking wasting any strategic advantage. Do you understand?"

"…Y-Yes-poi." Her hair flap plopped down together with her mood.

"Although all of those are just an opinion of mine which might not be exactly true, there is no harm in trying to deal with any risk of negligence as early as possible. Hear this, Shigure-kun and Yuudachi-kun." He stood closer to them and looked at them with eyes full of confidence. "You two possessed strength far more than you can imagine, I can vouch for that as I have not only seen it, I have experienced it from our spar. Your weakness as of now is that you have weak spirit and mind that is swayed easily. I will train you and forge you, both physically and mentally. I will teach you all I've learn from my journey as a soldier. I will also forge your way of thinking so that you will carry the pride of your past, present, and future comrade without shame. What is your answer?" For a few seconds the two looked at each other's eyes. After they gave a nod, they looked straight at the Major. They put their feet together and then gave a salute.

"Sir, yes, Sir!" It was a response filled with resolution. Hearing that, a loud laugh came from the Major.

"Marvelous! Truly marvelous!" He put his hands on their shoulders and grabbed them with a confidence grip. "My training will be hard but I guarantee that you will be able to take it."

"Sir, thank you, sir!" Another smile appeared on the Major's face and then he retreated back slightly and stood near the Admiral.

"You will depart two days from now. Packed your stuff carefully since you will stay there for quite some times. We also need to prepare some supply for your journey since travelling there will take some time." She then stood up and then looked at the six girls. "That's all for today. Do you have any question?"

"I have, Admiral." A hand was raised from one of them.

"What is it, Hibiki-chan?"

"Can I volunteer myself to be with them?" Her words sent out a wave of gasp from the girls. The never expect that question from her. Sure enough, the other Akatsuki-class destroyers were the most startled ones. Before chaos happened, the Major clapped his hand once, making a loud noise to silence them.

"Care to give any reason?" The Admiral asked her while folding her arms.

"хорошо (Okay). After hearing the Major's explanation, I felt that I also have similar weakness in me. Just as Shigure-chan, it is probably connected with my…history." She went silence for a few seconds while holding her chest and hung her head down. The other girls could only gaze at her with a slightly concerned face. "Fortunately, I have been able to control it. But after hearing it, I fear that it might just be a matter of time until my emotion disturbs my ability to make a proper judgment."

"Hibiki…" Akatsuki held her hand. "Is that…really true?" A small 'yes' escaped her mouth.

"B-But you never told us-nanodesu." Inazuma's voice was weak and filled with the same anxiety as her sister ship.

"Actually…I have never thought about it that way." She then looked up and then pointed her eyes at the Major. "Until the Major mentioned it. I'm actually quite glad that I could hear that kind of view. It is just as you said, Major. There is no harm in trying to deal with any seed of negligence as early as possible."

After finished saying that, no one dare to say anything. The girls looked at their superior, awaiting their answer. The Major glanced at the Admiral and she only gave a shrug. Then the Major opened his mouth to deliver their decision.

"You're in." He looked at the girl and each of them gave a different reaction. The Shiratsuyu-class destroyers seemed to show a bit of relief as they will have more comrades that they have known for a while in their mission. While the Akatsuki-class destroyers showed a rather dejected tone as they will be separated from their sister ship for quite some times. The girl in question, however, only gave a single nod without showing any emotion whatsoever. But the Major could see in her eyes that a slight glint of excitement appeared in her eyes. He then took a seat next to the Admiral. "Just as them, you will depart two day from now. Prepare everything and…try to convince those light cruisers, Tenryuu and Tatsuta. I believe they will make some kind of commotion the moment they heard that decision of yours."

"So any more question?" They all stop their commotion and shook their head. "If there's no question, you are dismissed. And don't tell anyone about this except Tenryuu and Tatsuta."

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am!" They all gave a salute to her and then exited the office in an orderly manner. That left the two alone in the office. They all gave a slight sigh after that.

"Tiring…So tiring…"

"You're right on that." The Major gave an agreement to her comment. "See? I told you that girl will request that."

"I actually saw that coming too." She then leaned her body forward while massaging her temples again. "She already started to show the sign. I'm actually glad that she is able to realized it by herself."

"I guess that is the result of having good friends around her and also…" He then put her hand on her shoulder. "A good leader too. Don't you think?"

"Heh, it is rare for you to compliment me, Senpai." She let out a wry smile as she looked at him. "But if that is true, than I am glad that I can lead those girls to a better future."

"I'm sure you can do it. Especially if you still hold on to your brother's words so diligently." He then looked up to the ceiling, as if waiting for something. "Really…that guy's word is so hard to forget."

"It is, right?" She then also followed his gaze. "Okay, enough of this gloomy feeling! I have tons of paper to do. Especially since Murakumo-chan is still taking a rest." A sigh then escaped her mouth. She then stood up. "E-Eh!?" But suddenly her vision started to blurred and her legs gave up.

"Watch out!" A set of hands caught her just before she is starting to fall forward. After being caught by the Major, she shook her head to clear up her vision. "You're overworking yourself, Yoko."

"Hehe, it's been a while since you called me that." A small giggle came from her. "It somehow reminded me of my brother."

"Sheesh, that's the first thing that came into your mind?" He shook his head at that. "You never changed, Yoko."

"Hahaha, I could say the same to you." Another giggle came from her. But then she received a worried look from him. "Okay, okay. Don't give me that look, Senpai. You can let me go now. I'm just–"

"Admiral!" A sudden voice entered the room accompanied with a booming sound of the door being opened in one swift motion. A greenish gray haired girl wearing an orange coverall stormed into the office while carrying a wooden crate on one of her hand. Her eyes showed spark of excitement and a smile was plastered on to her face. "I've finished the Major's order! Would you like…to…see…" But the moment her yellow eyes fell upon her superiors, they went wide.

"Y-Y-Yubari!?"

"I-I-I'm sorry to disturb you!" Then the door was closed with a slamming sound. "P-Please enjoy yourself!" Then her voice was covered by the sound of running footsteps.

"YUBARI!" The Admiral jumped out of the room and bolted down the hallway to chase her. "S-STOP RIGHT THERE! IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!" Together with that sound was her sound of running with all her might down the hallway.

The Major that has been left inside the room all alone sat on the sofa and then laughed to himself.

"This base really is exciting."


"So that's the whole story." The Major's voice resounded among the sound of rolling waves that hit the pier. He then looked at the girl that sat next to her. With only the light of the moon illuminating them, he could barely see her violet hair moving up and down as she nodded her head.

"…Hmm… I see…" A small mumbling came from the girl's mouth. "So how long will you be there?"

"Don't know." He just shrugged without showing a single care. "For all I know, we might be there for more than a year."

"Wow…that's quite long." She then leaned back slightly with her hand supporting her while her feet slightly dangling from the edge of the pier. She then looked at the Major. "…Is it going to be dangerous there?"

"Ho, are you worrying about me, Aoba-san?" A small chuckle came from the Major who was sitting next to her.

"E-Eh? N-No! I m-mean, about my friends!" Her face flushed after saying that. "Err, n-not that I'm not worrying about you too, Major."

"Really now? What a caring person you are." He then let out a small chuckle again. "I guess…it will be a bit more dangerous since we don't know the whole reason that changed the way the Abyssal fleet is moving around."

"Hmm…to think that they even kidnapped two fleet girls after ambushing them. And they weren't even combat purposed fleet girl too." She shook her head. "That is beyond scary. I could only hope for the best for those girls."

"So do I, Aoba-san. So do I." A heavy sigh came from him after he said that. "Enough talking about that. I have a task for you, Aoba-san."

"…What is it?"

"You didn't sound excited at all." He snickered at that, which made the girl showed a rather sour expression. "Don't worry, this is not as difficult as you've thought."

"What is it?"

"I need you to collect information in this base even after I've gone." She looked at him with a rather confused look. "Now, now, don't give me that look. After all, my task here still remains. I still need to collect information about this base and its fleet. I need you to collect all the information you can get without blowing your cover as my informant."

"…And what's in it for me?"

"I will give you information I got on the front line. You can use it to help your friend here avoid any risk of danger since our team will probably see the changes in their movement first hand. Oh, I will also still teach you a lot of stuff." He then looked at her with a grin on his face. "You are my first pupil here and I don't intent to leave you half-way."

"…I'm honored,…I guess?" She scratched her violet hair as she said that uncertain-filled statement. "Please don't take that as an insult or anything."

"None taken, don't worry. Besides," he placed his hand on her shoulder, startling her, "just as I saw potential on those three, you have potential too. But on a different field." Hearing that, her face blushed and she hung her head down.

"…T-Thank you." Then he lifted his hand from her shoulder.

"I guess I'll take my leave for now." He then stood up. "How about you?"

"I guess I will too." She then started to stand up but stopped as she saw a hand stretched out toward her. "Thanks." She then took the hand and stood up.

"Don't mention it. Ah, I almost forgot to mention it."

"…What is it?" Her expression then soured up again. Seeing that, the Major chuckled. "Seriously, what is it?"

"Don't worry. It's just something simple. When I depart with them, wait inside the usual warehouse."

"Huh? Then?"

"Just wait there. You'll know what to do at that time." He then started to walk out of the pier. "Just don't forget to wear your earpiece as usual."


On the day of their departure, a group of five people stood near the place where Major Jurou Wakahisa docked his vessel. The group is consisted of the Major himself, the Admiral, Shigure, Yuudachi, and Hibiki. At the moment, the vessel optical and auditory camouflage has been disabled.

"So everyone is here, right?" He asked the three girls in front of him.

"Sir, yes, Sir!" They all gave a salute to answer his question. He then nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Then we will depart soon. But before that," he gestured the Admiral to walked forward. She then opened a suitcase that showed three long objects wrapped in white clothes. "Take them and pull them out."

The three looked at each other. The first to make a move was Hibiki. The other two then followed soon after. After each and every one of them took one for themselves, they pulled the white clothes and then realized it was a brown leather sheath that seemed to contain a sword of some sort. They pulled the hilt and revealed the content onto the open.

"…A machete?" It was machete with darkish purple color on it. The handle was a simple one and the blade was smooth and polished well that they could see their reflection on its. Besides that, there was absolutely nothing eye catching form the machete except the choice of color on it.

"Yes, it is a machete. Pointed them upward and hold still." After saying that, he then walked toward Hibiki who stood on the left most side of him. The girls followed his command did as he say. Then he pricked his finger on top of the machete. They were startled but managed to keep their composure and kept their weapon pointed. The Major then moved onto the next two and did the same. The blood droplets quickly traveled down the smooth blade and then touched their hand. "Now prick your finger on it just like I did." They followed their command again and pricked their finger slightly. Just like before, the droplet of blood travelled down the blade and touched their hand. "Sheathed them." With a few metallic sounds from the machete, the machetes were sheathed down onto their leather casing. They held the sheathed machete on their left.

"Second ship of the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, Shigure"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Shigure made a salute.

"Fourth ship of the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers, Yuudachi"

"Poi!" Yuudachi made repeated the action.

"Second ship of the Akatsuki-class destroyer, Hibiki."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Hibiki, as the last of three, joined the salute.

"As of now, you will be under Major Jurou Wakahisa command. He is your leader for the rest of this mission and also your mentor. The ritual you've just done is a tradition done in my dojo as a sign that your body and your weapon is one. It also signifies that Major Jurou Wakahisa as a mentor will share your effort to reach your maximum potential along the way. Just like us, you are comrades in arm that risked their life together in these hard and difficult times" The Admiral then gave a salute to them. "Never give up, never give in, but know when to fall back." She then let down her hand. "That is all. Major, if you please."

"Thank you." He then took the stage from her and then looked at the three of them. "May this be a good start for all of us. This is my first command! Every personnel, ready to depart!"

"Sir, yes, Sir!" They let down their hand and then jumped off the pier and landed onto the sea, producing a few splashing sounds as they landed on it and get ready to cruise. "Ready, sir!"

"Good! Await further instruction!" The Major refitted his hat and then look at the Admiral. "See you later, Admiral Yoko Miyamoto." He then gave a short salute. She returned the salute and smiled at him.

"See you later, Major Jurou Wakahisa. Take care of my girls." Then a smile appeared on his face too.

"Leave it to me!" He then jumped onto the ladder of his vessel and moved onto the deck. He then shouted loud enough that the three girls could hear his voice. "Weigh anchor, full speed ahead!"

"Sir, yes, Sir!" And then the three fleet girls started their journey together with the Major.


"Sheesh, this is a bit too much for me, Major."

"Hahaha, don't be like that. I already told you, you are still my pupil, no matter how we started our relationship."

Inside a certain warehouse stood, a single girl with a violet hair stood with a rather wry smile on her face. In front of her was placed a simple wooden box that has been opened. Inside it was a scabbard that could contain a small combat knife. The content itself was on the girl's hand.

"So did you follow the ritual too, Aoba-san?"

"Of course. But did you put your blood on this one too?"

"Of course! I will not discriminate my pupils, you know?" A small chuckle could be heard from the other side of the earpiece. "Since I couldn't do it the same time as the other three, I had to do it before placing it there."

"Sheesh, you are one weird man."

"Why, thank you for the compliment, Aoba-san." Then another chuckle came. "But just to make this clear, your direct superior is still the Admiral, okay? For you, I am a mentor and also an information contact. Do you understand?"

"Got it, got it."

"Answer with a sir, yes, sir!"

"Sir, yes, Sir!" While answering that, she also gave a salute.

"Did you give a salute?"

"Yup, I did."

"Hahahaha! Good, good! Well, I'll be off now. We'll keep in contact, you hear?"

"Loud and clear, Major." A smile appeared on her face. "Loud and clear."

"Good. Major Jurou Wakahisa, signing out!"

Then a slight buzz from her earpiece signified the end of the communication.

"To think, I will have a mentor." A giggle came from her. "A weird one at that."

She then looked at the small combat knife on her hand. She twirled it on her hand and then observed it again. She then put the knife into the scabbard. But instead of putting it into the box again, she hung it onto her belt. She looked at it and then let out a breath of pride.

"Not bad, not bad at all." She then took the closed box, wrapped it with the clothes just like before and exited the silent warehouse. "Let's get busy then! I have a lot of news to cover!"


*In an unknown part of the world

N: Hello hello! N-san here! Welcome in our lovely little corner at the end of the show! And as usual, we have my trusty assistant, Camera-kun, here with me! Say hello Camera-kun.

C: Hello there!

N: I've just been informed that this episode marked the end of our first contract. This also means something else. Tell us what is it, Camera-kun!

C: We're moving!

N: Yup! You're right, Camera-kun! We're moving! And that's why for today, we invite all of the guests we previously have into one segment! Nice to have you here, Imuya-san, Goya-san, and Iku-san!

I: Pleasure to see you again, N-san.

G: So am I-dechi!

Ik: Yup-nano!

N: Well, although I said that I invited all the guests, we only managed to invite the three of you. So…yeah, here we are!

G: Well, although I am a bit sad that you will leave this base, I guess we can still keep in contact-dechi.

N: Wow, wow, don't use that line yet, Goya-san! We are still on the beginning of the show!

G: E-Eh, y-yeah, you're right-dechi!

Ik: Aw~ but I'm just about to share my new rumors with you-nano!

N: Well, I can't say I'm not interested, but let's leave that for later. So since our time is short, let's start with our first question. A very important one since I've been here. Have the three of you ever meet the Major? After all these times?

I: Oh, yeah about that, right? We have seen him, right?

G: Yes, yes-dechi!

N: Oh, when, if I may ask?

Ik: It was when he and the other three girls were going to depart-nano.

G: As I expected, that Major looked quite scary-dechi. The way he stood at the top of the ship like that really gave him an aura of veteran soldier or seasoned killer-dechi.

I: Really? I thought that was quite cool. I mean, he didn't look like any ordinary soldier since his uniform was not like the one we usually see on the base. That's cool, right?

Ik: Iku thinks that he looks too serious-nano. But looks quite manly too-nano. I could really understand why the whole base said the Major could be in a relationship with the Admiral-nano.

I: Oh, yes, yes. The story of their old relationship blooming again after being long separated. Oh, that's a good story.

G: Imuya, you read those romance web novel too much-dechi.

N:…Girls…

I: E-Eh? B-But don't you think that if that is the case, it will be so interesting? I mean, come on, the Admiral sometimes look a bit too serious. Think about it. If she found herself in a little bit of a romance, she might relaxed a little and we can also have a lot of story to talk about, right?

Ik: Hmm, I couldn't say that I disagree with her-nano.

G: Strangely, I can't too-dechi.

N:…Err…excuse me…

I: A-Ah, yes, N-san?

N: I'm sorry to break your rather heated up conversation about your superior's personal life story, but can we focus on the Major for now?

Ik: O-Okay-dechi. Sorry about it-dechi.

N: Don't mind it. I know that talk about that is an interesting stuff between you young girls. So, let's start again. Let's see. You've seen the Major at the time when he was…hmm…Forgive me if I failed to understand, but it seems that you just seen him, not meet him, correct?

I: Yes, that's right.

Ik: We just looked at them from far away since that time we were also going to start our cruise-nano.

N: Oh, I see, I see. But then again, I guess only a few people meet with him, right?

G: From what I've heard, that seems to be case-dechi.

I: But that just made him more mysterious. The more he avoids meeting the others properly, the more rumors are circulating.

N: Really? What kind of rumor this time?

Ik: Well, since that time he was able to win against those two destroyers, some has said that he seemed to be a cyborg-nano. A special type of weapon created for the purpose of fighting the Abyssal together with us-nano.

I: Oh, I've heard that too. But those story were overrated, you know? I like the one when he is supposed to be a soldier specially trained to fight in unlikely condition. You know, like a super soldier, but still fully human all around.

G: Well, whatever the rumor is, we all still believe that he is just a normal human being that have been through a lot of battle-dechi. So the reason he is strong is just because he is strong-dechi.

N: Yes, yes. That's the most normal opinion, yes? So I guess it is quite a pity that he will not be able to see any of you guys for the next…hmm, I'm not quite sure how long will he get back here.

I: I guess that's why our admiral looked somewhat lonely.

Ik: Now, is that because of those three girls or because of the Major-nano? That's the question-nano.

G: Oh, I bet new rumor will spread soon-dechi.

N: My, my, you girls look really excited for that, aren't you?

I: Hehehe, that's understandable, right? I mean we rarely get a story about our admiral, you know?

G: And don't you think that the romantic aspect of it is nice? I mean about a longtime comrade in arms to meet again and their feeling bloom-nano.

Ik: Fufufu~ Today's gossip corner will be crowded-nano.

N: Well, don't count me out as I want to hear it too, hahaha! All right then, since we're on a tight schedule, it seems we have to move onto the next part! Letter reading! Camera-kun!

C: Okay, sir! Here you go!

N: And this is from…hfdt123! Thank you for following the episodes! This is about the Major! He is…not a stereotypical good guy, more like an anti-hero with reasonable flaws and traits. Oh, interesting opinion. So, what do you girls think if he is considered to be an anti-hero sort of guy?

I: Hmm, not exactly agree with that.

G: Agree completely-dechi.

Ik: Not quite sure, but lean onto agreeing-nano.

I: Eeeh? I'm the only one supporting him?

N: Oh, interesting. But I guess that is just that everyone's opinion is different, right?

G: Ah, but I have to make clear that I don't think as him as a bad guy at all-dechi.

Ik: Eh, really? I thought you did-nano.

G: Geh! No-dechi! I just thought that he is a scary guy, but he is not a bad guy-dechi!

Ik: Really? Hmm, but I guess maybe since he has similar intimidating aura as our admiral, he might be mistaken as such much easily-nano.

I: Thankfully, our admiral didn't have such a scary face. Well….that actually made us underestimated her a bit in the past.

G: NOOOO! DOON'T SAID IT AGAIN-DECHI!

I: S-Sorry! Calm down, Goya!

Ik: F-Forget about it-nano! Remove the bad thought-nano!

N: ….Wow…this is getting interesting…

I:I-I'm sorry, N-san. This is, how would I say it? Err…a trauma for some of us. We're sorry for showing it to you, N-san.

N: Err…No, that's fine. I guess that's understandable. Well! Although that felt rather sudden, but this is the end of today's show! Are you all right now, Goya-san?

G: Ugh…better-dechi. I'm sorry for that, N-san.

N: Don't think about it. Okay, I have to tank all of you for being here today! Although it was short, it is always a very enjoyable experience with the three of you. For that, I have nothing but gratitude.

I: The pleasure is all mine.

G: Yes, likewise-dechi.

Ik: But of course-nano! All time with us is fun time-nano!

N:Agreed! So with that, please keep in contact with us again in the future, okay?

I&Ik&G: Of course!

N: Hahaha, what a lovely and energetic girls! With that, this probably the last show in this base, ladies and gentlemen! We might get back here in the future, but for the next, we will probably be in an entirely new base with entirely new story, and of course, new faces! Don't forget to send us your comment (aka Review). Thank you for watching, have a nice day, and stay healthy and out of danger, everyone! Bye!