A/N:

Now that Kadokawa's giving some love to the Americans (I thought I'd never see the day), I will write a story on Iowa in the next entry. But for now, this is for Pikaru-kun. You did say I could choose the genre, so you can probably guess what I'm about to write.

-Akyuu no Joshu

I like sitting here every evening, on this small knoll near the base.

It's just a quick six or seven minute walk from the base dorms. I can come here whenever I want. Well, almost. We have to get up early every day for drilling, training, practice, expeditions, and sorties...whatever the Admiral needs us to do for the day. So I can't come out here when it's dark, because of curfew. We always need lots of rest, after all, as ship girls.

This is like my little secret spot in the base. It's such a perfect spot for a little picnic. There's a little grass here that grows really well and has the greenest green color you'll ever see that's so comfortable to sit on. It's the kind of grass that you can lie on and fall asleep on within seconds. I've tried it myself, and it works every time. It's so relaxing to take a nap here. It's also got such a great view; you can see the entire front of the base that's next to the sea, near the piers and the docks, including the Admiral's office. But the view of the sea is by far the best part, because the local terrain makes it so that this spot is a small overlook that hangs above the docks and out into the ocean. On sunny days, it's such a wonderful view - the blueness of the sky and the sea is so entrancing that I feel like I'm being slowly pulled into them as I'm looking out to them. And with a little bit of sea breeze draping my hair behind my neck and tickling the backs of my ears, I could probably sit here forever, watching the sky and the sea. I suppose it isn't too surprising that I would be perfectly content if the rest of the days in my life were to be spent sitting here, gazing into the warm, comfortable panorama, with the sunlight pressing gently against my cheeks and healing my soul.

Because this is my favorite spot in the base, I try to come here whenever I can. It's like my little retreat, my little oasis that I know I can always return to for a little bit of minor rehabilitation from the stress and the tedious work and training throughout the day. It's the greatest feeling in the world when we return from an expedition or a sortie and I can sneak past the Admiral and Ooyodo-san (who would yell at me to go dock to repair my injuries if they caught me) and come here. There was one time when I did do just that, and I managed to arrive here just in time to see the sun set, and the view was nothing short of amazing. I loved the view, and even though it wasn't my first time seeing the sunset, for some reason I just remember that day's sunset the most. Maybe it was because I was tired, and I was so grateful and happy to have come in time to see it. The nap that I took right there that evening was the best nap I ever took; I fell asleep as soon as the back of my head rested against the soft grass, and I remember the blankets of wind burying me in their coolness. If only I could heal my wounds from sleeping in this place, with the soothing ointments known as sunlight and wind. Then I wouldn't have any need for the docks...but I guess that's not really how it works, hee hee~

I do remember that after waking up from that nap, I suddenly found myself back in my dorm, in my bed, in a clean uniform. It didn't seem like anyone brought me back, so I think I might've just walked back when I was really tired, so I probably can't remember.

Now that I think about it, I don't ever think I've ever told anyone else about this place. It's like a naughty little secret I have. I only stumbled upon this place by pure chance because back when I was first posted to this base, I decided to go exploring around the base's facilities. Those were the days when it was only me, Fubuki-chan, the Admiral, and Yuudachi-chan. Those were fun days, but there were lots of times when Fubuki-chan was busy doing her duties as secretary ship girl, and Yuudachi-chan was sleeping because she loves sleeping in. So to pass those times by myself, I would explore, and I found this spot. It feels a little exciting to know that I have a secret place like this all to myself that nobody else knows.

But nowadays, now that our fleet has been growing bigger and bigger, I've been starting to grow feelings of guilt that I'm not sharing this place as I should. Now that my sisters have joined us here in the base, I always feel torn between spending time with them and spending time by myself here in this place. Besides, like anything else in life, enjoying myself alone here in this little spot of mine has been growing...a little stale, admittedly. The enjoyment isn't anywhere near as much as it was before because I know the feeling I get when I look out at the sea here very well already, but at the same time I feel bad because I've developed a bit of an emotional attachment to this place. It's like the grass here and the ocean speak out to me whenever I come, welcoming me like they're my friends too. Maybe it's time that I stop keeping this a secret all to myself. After all, that's just being selfish, isn't it? And as the lead ship of my class, I always need to try to set a good example for my sisters. So now, I do think that I will one day bring all of my sisters here and maybe even have a picnic here together. While I'll definitely be a little disappointed that I won't have this little gem all to myself anymore, I do recognize that I've enjoyed this place for myself enough. It's time to share the happiness I've cherished with everyone at base.

Hm? A rustling behind me? That's strange, I don't think I've ever seen any animals here before...

...oh no, wait, those are...those are footsteps. Uh oh, did I get found out? Who is that, anyway?

"Is it here, Admiral?"

Eh?

Kisaragi-chan? Satsuki-chan? Ki -

Wait a minute, why is everyone here? H-How did you all find out about this place?

"Yeah, it's here. This used to be the spot where Mutsuki always hung out at whenever she wanted to relax or just be by herself. I could see her from my office."

Huh? Why is no one...talking to me?

Hello? Can anyone hear me? Kisaragi-chan? Admiral? Mochizuki-chan? Please, anyone? This - this isn't funny...

...why does everyone look so sad? Did something happen?

"I should have told her when I had the chance. I thought giving her a second remodel was sufficient enough to convey the message, but now I know it clearly wasn't enough."

Admiral? What are you talking about? You never gave me a second remodel...

...he's putting a little crescent patch in front of a little bunch of red carnations next to me. It looks very worn and smudgy...

I've...never seen those flowers grow here. Since when did they...?

"I know you girls - not just you girls, but everyone else at base - are all working towards getting ones of your own, but...I hope you all can understand and forgive me if I put the first one here."

"Not at all, Admiral. Please..."

I watch the Admiral as it pulls out a small black case from inside his uniform coat pocket and put it next to the yellow crescent patch. It looks really expensive...

The Admiral stands back up. I've never seen him with that kind of expression on his face. It's like he's trying very hard not to cry. Pulling his peaked hat over his eyes, he murmurs,

"...I'm sorry, Mutsuki. It's...it's about time that I moved on too. All of your sisters have. I can't be their Admiral if I can't at least be enough of a man to do the same. Just know that while I loved the whole fleet, it was you I loved the most. I just didn't expect to lose you so...so quickly. And for that, I'll always have to live with that. Please forgive me, Mutsuki..."

This doesn't feel like a joke, but I don't want to believe it. I lunge my hand out at the Admiral's. I'm here, I'm right here; there's nowhere else you need to look at. Those words - I want you to say those words to me, Admiral! I -

My hand just goes right through his. At that moment, the Admiral turns around and slowly walks away, and my sisters, one by one, after giving their final glances at the carnations behind me, also follow him.

I...I guess I wasn't...supposed to hear those words...after all...