Time: 09:00
Date: 18th August
Location: Helipad
The past week has been absolute hell for me. Paperwork I goddamn hate paperwork, I thought my hand would fall off due to the amount that I had to sign. But it had to be done in order to signify that I would be officially assigned to my Auntie's fleet. Speaking of Auntie since she was ahead of me on the paperwork, damn she was fast, she had left and went back to her fleet to tell them of a 'big surprise' would be coming soon.
I swear that Auntie saying 'big surprise' was a jab at me somehow and it really irritated me to no end. *sighs* Anyways I was now waiting on the helipad on top the hospital with my Kaa-san, Yoko-nee, Max and Zuihou waiting for a helicopter that would take me to Niigata.
I had phoned ahead to Auntie to let her know that I didn't want to be picked up and taken to the island straight away once I got to Niigata as I wanted to explore and familiarise myself beforehand. Auntie understood completely and she said that is was good to familiarise myself since I would probably be going there on shopping trips that happen regularly.
Auntie then went on to say that when I was ready to head to the island, I should go to Hakusan station where a train will be waiting to take me at anytime to the island. I was happy with what she had told and was looking forward to seeing everyone at the base.
It was about 15 mins later before the helicopter showed up and landed on the helipad, but due to some delays during the flight the pilot had to refuel for a good 10 mins or so.
"Okay my dear, please be safe and make sure to listen to your Aunt okay" Kaa-san said Hugging me one last time
"I will" I responded
"And don't you dare forget to write" Yoko-nee said wiping away some tears
"Don't worry sis I will"
"Good luck kiddo and kick some Abyssal ass for me" Max said getting a giggle out of everyone and Lastly it was Zuihou's turn to which I went over to her and gave her a hug and said
"Thank you for teaching me everything Zuihou" she blushed in response and replied "You are most welcome Izumi"
I then broke off the hug and a last minute picture was taken with all of us to remember this moment and then the helicopter's rotors started to spin up signalling that it was time to leave.
After another round of goodbyes, hugs and kisses, I boarded the helicopter with my luggage and took a window seat and with one final wave from both parties the doors closed and the helicopter took off.
"Well there she goes" I said blowing my nose
"Don't worry Kaa-san she will be fine I promise, Auntie Aria will watch over her in our stead" Yoko said reassuringly whilst rubbing my back
"Okay let's head back inside, it's getting windy" Max said
We all followed her inside and headed to the cafeteria and we all got some hot chocolate to warm ourselves up. As I took a sip of my drink and said to myself 'Fair winds and following seas Izumi"
Location: Skies over Niigata Airport
Time: 12:00
Man saying goodbye to my family and friends really sucks, I was crying for a good 5 mins before I calmed myself down. Once I did though, I pulled out a book from my bag and started to read. Eventually though I got bored of that as well and so I resorted to looking out of the window and taking pictures of the passing landscape.
Okay what was to be a trip that would have lasted just over an hour has nearly lasted two, according to the pilot there had been a screw up at the air traffic control center and we had been put into a holding pattern waiting for permission to be granted so that we could land. It did give me a chance however to plan out my trip around Niigata.
"Okay this is the pilot speaking, sorry for the delay we will be landing shortly" the pilot spoke through the intercom snapping me out of my thoughts.
'Finally' I said happily to myself as I made sure the my seatbelt was buckled properly. We then landed a few minutes later and so I unbuckled myself, grabbed my luggage and then left the helicopter quickly. Seeing as soon as I got clear of it, it took off again going over to the nearby fuel yard if I remembered what the pilot said correctly.
There was a airport bus waiting nearby, so I hopped onto it and a few minutes later I entered the main terminal. Now seeing as I had to wait a little while before being cleared by airport security, I decided that I may as well get something to eat in the waiting area. So I did.
It took half an hour before I was given clearance and with that now given, I made haste and left the airport. I called for a taxi and waited a little bit before it arrived, I got in and told the driver where I wanted to go which was Niigatakengotoku Shrine. The reason I chose the shrine it because that it was close to the train station where I would be heading later in the day in order to head to the island.
It was at this point during the taxi ride that I sent my Auntie a text message that I was on my way to start exploring the area, I then close my phone and looked out of the window at the cityscape was passing by.
*buzz* *buzz* *buzz*
'Hmmm' I said to myself before noticing my phone was going off, I picked it up to see I had a text message from of all people Izumi. It seems she arrived safely to which I smiled happily.
"Is something the matter Admiral?" a voice asked
"Yes everything is okay Ryuujou, you see my niece is coming to visit today, which I've told everyone about" 'I'm Thankful that the real reason has still not come to light, at least not yet'
"She just texted me to say she arrived safely but was delayed at the airport due to landing issues" I groaned at this because I knew how notorious that damn airport was with screwing up landing permissions for aircraft even on a good day.
"She is now starting her own tour around the city till she's ready before heading to the train station and then she'll head here" she finished saying.
"I can't wait to meet her" Ryuujou said excitedly to which I giggled in response at her antics and I couldn't help but smirk looking forward to how all of my ship girls would react when the truth became known.
The past couple of hours since I arrived at the shrine, has been amazing. My tour around Niigata was full of sights, sounds, and food, my god the food. I also at one point, due to what I was wearing, I was confused for a shrine maiden. However I decided it was time to head to the island so off I went to the local Hakusan Train station, where Auntie said a private train would be waiting for me.
I entered the station and headed over to the designated platform, where to my surprise I saw an old friend. 'A KiHa 25 It's been a while and it's even in sado Island livery to boot, nice touch. Thank god I still have all of those operation manuals stored on my laptop never know when I might need em'' I said to myself giving the DMU a once over. But then I noticed something weird, there was no driver present and the DMU was locked down.
So off I went into the station in order to find someone, hopefully the station master, that could tell me what had happened to the driver.
"Hawawawa…. I finally made it back" I said to myself as I took a seat on a bench. Hi there my name is Inazuma, a short brown haired and eyed girl. Also I'm pretty well known as one of the very first ship girls alongside Houshou-san, Samidare and Yuubari.
Now I bet you are wondering as to why I'm here resting at the train station. Well by the Admiral's order I was to wait here for her niece to arrive and escort her to the Island. Thankfully my Admiral had provided a photo of what her niece looked like so that I could find her easier.
But seeing as I had some time before hand, since I came early with the driver, I went to the nearby sweet shop to pick up some of my favourite chocolates for me and my sisters back at base.
I have now been waiting 5 minutes inside the station on the lookout for this girl and then I spot her walking away from what seemed to be the Station master with a complexed look on her face. So I decided to follow her and get her attention somehow.
"Well now this is just great, just freaking great. Well I can't blame the woman for rushing off to a family emergency, but would it kill her to call for a replacement driver" I said out loud to no one in particular.
You see I had just gotten back from talking with the station master and she informed me that the driver had indeed had rushed out of the station on a family emergency, but since there was no replacement driver available and she didn't have a number for the base. Which meant that I was screwed, partially anyway.
'I guess I'll have drive the train myself, but first I should phone Auntie to let her know what has happened' I said to myself, but I was pulling my phone out in order to make the call, a voice got my attention
"Excuse me, are you Izumi-san?" I then looked up and saw a short, brown haired and eyed girl, wearing a sailor uniform
"Yes that is me and may I ask who is speaking please" I asked in a polite manner
"Hawawa…. I'm sorry my name is Inazuma and I have been asked by your Aunt to escort you to the island" She replied
"Well that's very nice of you Inazuma-san but we have a major problem that needs immediate attention"
"And what is this problem?" she asked
"Well we have no driver, she had to leave immediately for a family emergency and there is no other driver present that can take us to the Island" I replied
"Hawawa, that's not good what do we do!?" Inazuma said starting to panic
"Easy there Inazuma-san I'll just call me Auntie to see if we can get some help from their end" I said calming her down before pulling my phone out again.
But just as I flipped the lid of the phone, the screen went dead and no matter which button I pushed my phone was having none of it.
"Ah crap, phone's out of juice. Inazuma-san you wouldn't happen to bring a phone of your own did you?" I asked but all I got was her shaking her head in response
"I guess it's time for plan B then" I said pulling out my laptop and bringing up the manual for the KiHa.
"What's plan B?" Inazuma asked puzzled
"Well I take control of the train and take the two of us back to the Island" I replied
"EHHHHHHH!" Inazuma Yelled
"Well it's either we take the train ourselves, or freeze our butts off on the platform after we make a call using the station phone" I said, Inazuma then quickly agreed with the former plan then the latter.
"Well then I've read what I've needed to read, so Inazuma-san please wait here whilst I get the keys for the train" I said getting up off the bench, putting my laptop away and then I headed into the station to find the station master.
I then came back with the keys and with Inazuma in tow, we went to the No.1 end of the train and entered the cab with me taking the driver's seat and Inazuma sitting on the opposite side.
After a short while of making sure the train was set up correctly, I called into the station and said that we were ready to depart, It took a few moments for the station master to respond with the all clear signal and with that I slowly increased power and the train lurched forward leaving the station.
I then quickly studied the map and saw that we had to head down the mainline for a little while but when we reached a certain railway junction, we had to take the left rail that led to the overground section.
Inazuma meanwhile was looking around in awe out of the cab windscreen, as it looked like she had never seen the city from a cabin view before whilst I could only giggle to myself, a short while later we reached ground level again and we had to stop for a little while in order to use the trestle bridge leading to the island.
It didn't take long for clearance to be granted and so we started to cross the trestle bridge,
"Just this bit and around the coast and we're home free Inazuma-san" I said increasing power a bit,
"Yep" she said in response as I blew the horn.
Time: 15:00
Location: Sadio Island rail station
"Where are they" I asked in a worried tone, you see both Izumi and Inazuma were supposed to be here over 30 mins ago and I couldn't get ahold of them to see what had happened
"Don't worry Admiral, I'm sure they'll be here….. Oh look here comes the train now" Ryuujou pointed out. I looked in the direction she was looking at and just as she had said there was the train coming into view, however there was something wrong.
'Why is Izumi driving the train, something really must have happened' I said to myself as the train pulled into the station and the two of them got out, but there was no driver with them 'Okay, something must have happened'
"Hi Auntie, we both arrived safely" Izumi said cheerfully.
But I was having none of that so I went over and hugged both of them asking just what had happened. Once I released the two of them from my hug, Izumi went on to explain, with input from Inazuma, that the driver had left the station for an emergency, there was no replacement driver there, her phone had died and lastly she made the decision to drive the train and bring the two of them back to base.
"Well I'm glad that the two of you are safe" I said hugging them again before continuing "But that driver will have a stern talking too, once she gets back about breaking protocol" I said filing away a mental note to pursue the matter at a later time.
Inazuma then had to leave us, due to her being needed for an expedition soon. But just as she was leaving Izumi stopped her and handed over a massive bag of sweets to which Inazuma burst out crying and leaped on Izumi giving her a hug saying thank you over and over again. Once Izumi calmed her down, off she went leaving the three of us on the platform.
"Well you sure made a friend quickly didn't you Izumi" I said smirking
"Yeah I did and I hope to make many more whilst I'm here maybe starting with Ryuujou-san over there" Izumi replied giggling to herself
"Ummm I didn't introduce myself yet, how did you know my name already Izumi-san" Ryuujou said with Izumi pointing at me, Ryuujou then understood quite quickly as to what she was referring to.
"Okay well now that the first of many introductions are now over, let's get that tour started shall we" I said with a spring in my step.
The tour started where they were standing, which was the Train yard which was pretty self explanatory for the group. So off they went to the next area which included the resource generators and warehouse, Izumi just couldn't help herself from nibbling on a lump of bauxite getting a giggle from Aria and a look of confusion from Ryuujou before they moved on.
The next place on tour was Houshou's cafe this got Izumi really excited, as even if she didn't show it earlier when she met Inazuma, meeting one of the very first ship girls was an honour and now that there was another 1st generation ship girl on base made Izumi go hyper with excitement at wanting to meet her. But alas that would have to wait until another time.
The next place on the tour was the dorms and pretty much as soon as Izumi caught sight of the destroyer dorms, her jaw hit the floor over how massive the place was. The school building was nearby but seeing as there were classes on at the moment, that part of the tour would have to wait until another day.
As the group was walking to the next destination, ship girls could be seeing everywhere doing their own things on the base whether it would be going on sorties, as Izumi saw Inazuma heading out with her group, or just having general chit-chat. But when Izumi saw a specific person she bolted and went ahead leaving behind a very confused Ryuujou and a giggling Aria.
As I saw the Admiral and secretary ship Ryuujou with another girl walking past, I got curious as to what was going on, But when the girl Looked at me she bolted and ran to god knows where. However that girl had intrigued me somehow.
'Who was that girl, even though I got a brief glimpse of her when she passed by for some reason I feel that I should know her from somewhere but where?' I thought to myself.
"Yamato are you okay?" A voice said snapping me out of my musing
"Yes Yahagi I'm fine just thinking about somethings" I replied
Izumi was currently catching her breath, counting her blessing that Yamato hadn't fully caught on to her at this point. It was then she grabbed some water from a fountain and saw that Aria and Ryuujou had caught up, Thus the tour continued.
The next place caused Izumi to start drooling uncontrollably and that place was Mamiya's sweet shop. The smells coming from inside was intoxicating to Izumi seeing as she had a major sweet tooth. Ryuujou had to pull her away in fear as it looked like Izumi was about to raid the shop at any moment.
The next two places on the tour was the docks, which had been modeled after a very traditional japanese bath house, and a place that confused Izumi. Akashi's Arsenal was based in a small warehouse type building, now she didn't know who Akashi was at this point or even what an arsenal does. But Aria had said to forget it for now and move on.
Meanwhile it seemed that the whole base was alight with rumours flying around about the mysterious girl that had been seen walking around with their Admiral and Ryuujou. Everyone was curious and wanted to know, but all that was settled when Inazuma reminded everyone that the Admiral's niece was visiting for few days. It took a little while for everyone to remember what the Admiral had said a few days prior before another huge conversation erupted.
This is what exactly Aria had wanted them to think about Izumi but it still was only half the reason why she was here and that was gonna be revealed a little later in the day.
The tour was then finished via a quick going over the Main HQ. Izumi saw where everything was located including the comms/radar room, where a girl unknown to Izumi was stationed, recreation room, war room and lastly the Admiral's office. This point due to being on her feet for a large amount of the day, Izumi couldn't stand any longer and she collapsed on the couch whist Aria and Ryuujou sat at their respective desks.
"So what do you think of the base Izumi?" Auntie asked
"I love this place already, and I can't wait to get settled down for the long haul" I immediately covered my mouth at my mistake with Auntie going wide-eyed at my slip-up.
"Long-haul? Admiral I thought you said she was only staying for a few days" Ryuujou said staring half-lidded at Auntie causing her to sweat drop.
"Ah screw it, she was bound to find out eventually, heck I already think that Yamato has caught on as well" I said getting up off the couch gaining Ryuujou's attention
"What are you talking about Izumi-san?" she asked confused
"Let me formally introduce myself, I am the fourth ship of the Yamato class and the first ship of the Super-Yamato class, Battleship Izumi at your service, I have been assigned to this fleet and it will be a pleasure working with you Ryuujou-san" I said before sitting down once more.
Ryuujou didn't respond at first as she took in all of the new information that she had just learned and when it finally clicked….
"EHHHHHH, your niece is a ship girl!?" She yelled luckily no one else was in the building barring the various fairies that were flying around. Auntie could only face fault whilst I was laughing on the couch at her reaction.
"Yes, that is correct Ryuujou my niece is and will be the most powerful ship girl on the base from now on. However with this information that you have now been made aware of, you are not to speak of it to anyone until after the reveal at dinner time and that is an order, do I make myself perfectly clear" Auntie said in a stern tone.
"Yes Ma'am" Ryuujou replied standing up and saluting.
We then spent most of our time in the office, with me being put to work sorting out my arch-nemesis, paperwork. I swear my poor hand is really going to fall off this time.
Even so I was thankful to Auntie for allowing to work in her office, because if I remembered correctly from what Kaa-san had told me, is that Secretary ships are changed at the Admiral's discretion and so there was a chance that I may become one someday. So this was a perfect chance to learn the tricks of the trade so to speak.
It seemed that time was at a standstill for us, because we were only snapped out of our work when my tummy decided to let out a Lion's roar. Startling the three us and when we checked the clock we realised that it was time for dinner.
"Well I guess I know where we are going next" Auntie said giggling uncontrollably. Thankfully we had tore through almost all of the paperwork that needed to be done, so we all left the office and made our way to the cafeteria.
Once we arrived I saw that everyone else was here in their own groups chatting away with each then went and got our food before we headed over to Auntie's table and started to tuck into our food.
I could honestly feel as if I was being watched, so I spared a quick glance behind me and indeed it was Yamato doing the staring. 'It seems that the time is nigh' I said to myself as I continued to eat.
'I just can't get that girl out of my head, just who is she?' I thought to myself. But eventually my curiosity finally got the better of me, so I got out of my seat and….
"This Musashi asks where you are going Yamato"
"Are you okay nee-san" Shinano asked
"Don't worry you two, I'm just going to see the admiral about something, I have a question that needs answering" I replied before heading in the direction of the Admiral's table.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Yamato was making her way over here, I then saw Izumi and Ryuujou take a quick glance before turning to each other and they both smirked. The two of them including me then knew what she was going to ask, Yamato then arrived before speaking….
"Admiral May I ask a question?"
"You may" I replied
"I know that thanks to Inazuma-san that this person is your niece. But for some reason she seems really familiar, maybe she can enlighten me as to why I feel this way" she said pointing at Izumi
"Well my dear niece do you want to tell everyone who you really are?" I asked
"Of course, Admiral" She replied standing up.
"Okay then, attention everyone I have an announcement to make" I said causing the Cafeteria to quiet down gaining everyone's attention.
"Now before I begin can Musashi and Shinano please stand beside Yamato" I asked to which the two of them did
"Okay good, now all of you know that Izumi here is my niece correct and that she will be staying a while?" everyone nodded in response
"Well that was only half-truth" everyone became shocked at my admittance
"Now, now the rest of that truth will be revealed to you all now, Izumi please introduce yourself"
"As you wish Admiral, Hello everyone allow me to introduce myself I am the fourth ship of the Yamato class and the first Ship of the Super-Yamato class, Battleship Izumi at your service and I do hope that we can all get along" She said causing the whole room barring myself and Ryuujou to go wide-eyed in shock about what they had just heard.
"EHHHHHHHHHH!" Everyone screamed together
Izumi then went over to where Inazuma was sitting with her group and then bowed and said
"Inazuma-san I'm sorry for keeping my true nature from you but I was forbade by the Admiral to reveal that information until now, I hope you can forgive me."
"Hawawawa…. It's okay Izumi-san I understand we all have secrets that we need to keep" She said before getting up and hugging her
"Thank you Inazuma-san" they hugged for a few moments before separating and Izumi headed back to the table.
Now everyone knew the legends of the Yamato class trio, but now that an even greater legend was standing with them it can be said that some were really sceptical about whether or not Izumi was telling the truth.
As I started to get comfortable again, I was grateful to Inazuma-san for understanding, 'I must get her some sweets sometime'. It was then that I heard footsteps coming from behind me, so I turned around and saw my sister ships standing there before one of then decided to speak….
"Ummm Izumi-san, is it really true about you saying that you are a yamato class?" Shinano asked
"Why do you ask nee-san, do you not believe me, do you require some proof of what I said" I said acting being hurt by her words
"Oh I'm sorry for making you upset, please don't cry" Shinano said trying to calm me down but then…
"Nah, I'm okay I'm just screwing around with ya sis. If you want proof then proof you shall get as long as it's okay with the Admiral of course" I said, shocking the three girls with my rapid personality changes and acting skills.
"Go stand over there and summon your outfit, but for the love of god please do not fire your cannons in here" Auntie said pointing to an empty space in the cafeteria.
"Okay, will do" I said going over to the empty spot with all eyes in the room concentrating on me, then as with all the previous times I had done this, once more the massive cannons appeared on my back. Once again shocking everyone, that didn't know, at the size of them.
"Is this enough proof nee-chan, everyone?" I said moving the turrets around a little, seeing as they were a little stiff before putting away my outfit.
This had settled any doubts the rest of the ship girls in the room had and as for
the three of them, they conversed for a few moments before walking over to me and the three of them then hugged me all at once
"Welcome back to the family little sister" Yamato said
"Yeah It's good to be back" I said in return, after the moment had finished Auntie had barked about everyone needing to finish their dinner before turning in for the night and so everyone went back to their respective tables to finish their meals.
Once the cleanup had finished and everyone had started to head back to the dorms Auntie had told me that I will stay in a spare room in the main building until a room is made available for me in the battleship dorms.
So after having a bath with my sisters they went their separate ways with me heading straight to my room. I hopped into bed taking a little while before falling asleep, but one thing I did know is that I was going to love being here with everyone.