Forced to go through the day.
It's the day of the Sakura Empire feast where everyone from other nations is free to attend. The venue is lively and packed with kansens everywhere. There are those who are glad they could meet friends from another nation and there are those who wish to enjoy the food offered left and right.
"It's rare to see you on free occasions, Bismarck" Richelieu approaches her
"Richelieu? I would say the same thing to you, I suppose"
They are both respectable leaders, but now they're both relaxed and focused on enjoying the event. Bismarck quietly stands in one corner as she's happy some of her subordinates are enjoying themselves such as the U-boats running around carrying different kinds of snacks...then there's Prinz Eugen gulping down sake alongside Ise and Hyuuga.
"I was with Jean Bart earlier but she disappeared all of a sudden. When I found her, she's looking after the overly curious young ones" Richelieu giggle
"Well, I didn't lose my sister. Instead, she got dragged away when she tried to escape"
Bismarck turns her gaze a bit to the right, silently looking towards Victorious grabbing Tirpitz's sleeves and quickly pulling her back every time she tries to suddenly walk away.
"It seems your relationship with your sister has improved" Richelieu warmly smiles
"Having a younger sister who's like a polar opposite of you can be challenging...especially if they tend to be self-willed" Bismarck smirks for a split second
"I guess you and I have some similarities"
For Richelieu, she looks over at Jean Bart angrily at Le Mars and Maille Breze stuffing too much meat at once and nearly choking.
"It took one...incident to make me rethink about what I've been doing and what I must do" Bismarck lowers her gaze
"That incident. It's the same one where your sister gained an uncontrollable ability, nearly killed you, and was imprisoned for a year"
"..." Bismarck refuses to answer
"It escalated because I believed I did what's for her best. Tirpitz wanted to die but I ignored her request"
"Although I would do anything to save Jean Bart, but God wouldn't forgive me if I disrespected someone who accepts death"
"Then in the Iris Libre's teachings, that makes me a sinner"
"I do not make the final judgment. As for my personal opinion, I believe people who seeks atonement deserves forgiveness"
Richelieu is aware she isn't present or aware throughout the whole incident, so doesn't bear any form of hatred towards Bismarck. All she could see is the lingering guilt and how it still follows her like a shadow even when their life has returned to normal.
"You wouldn't know how much someone or something means to you until they're gone. I never thought I could lose Tirpitz just like that, so I refused her wish to pass away on her own terms" Bismarck crosses her arms
"You never told her about your sincere thoughts? Despite your intimidating and proud front, you showed me a gentle and thoughtful side today" Richelieu is genuinely proud
"Even now, I still find it difficult to be honest with her"
"It can be awkward indeed"
The two watch over their respective younger sisters spending their time in the festival since. Namely, Bismarck lets her guard down and gently smile seeing Victorious pull Tirpitz to stall grilling juicy beef.
"Tirpitz! Tirpitz! Their meat is really tasty" Victorious gnaws on the slice of beef
"You've been shoving food into your mouth ever since we came here. At this rate, you'd get a flabby stomach" Tirpitz shakes her head
"That's mean!"
"You enjoy yourself way too much"
"Well, this is a festival. Of course I'm enjoying myself especially you're here, dummy!"
Victorious hands over barbecue to Tirpitz who reluctantly accepts. She couldn't refuse or actually leave Victorious just seeing how she's enjoying a feast who has to be dragged out of the room for tea time.
"It's not always that we can go outside and have fun aside from tea times" Victorious shows a bright and cheerful smile
"I wish it's always like this..." Tirpitz whispers
"Don't think about anything. Just have fun!"
"Right..."
Tirpitz sneaks a glance to the right, uneasy at the hostile gaze blending in with the noisy crowd. Her movements are restricted as of the moment since Victorious keeps her from walking away even by a few meters.
Thirty minutes later...
After binge eating different kinds of foods at once, it finally takes a toll on Victorious stomach. She's forced to rest on one side away from the energetic crowd and continuous celebration.
"Ugh...no more meat..." Victorious sits while holding her stomach
"I told you to stop munching on everything" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"I got carried away with how I want to enjoy this day"
"That's the top heavy Illustrious class for you"
Although it's somewhat amusing to see the consequence of Victorious not listening to her, the gentle smile on her lips is a sincere one.
"Did you have fun? Even if you had to drag me all over the place" Tirpitz looks away
"Of course I had fun because my stubborn friend stayed!" Victorious regains her energy in mere seconds
"Right..." Tirpitz chuckles
"I enjoy the little things in life. What I just wanted today is for you to enjoy yourself"
"You just wanted me to have fun?"
"I feel like you've been restless recently, so I was really excited when you actually came here"
"It doesn't take much to make you happy, huh..."
Tirpitz reflexively pats Victorious on the head, somewhat seeing her as an amusing and energetic child.
"I thought I want to forget the incident a month ago, but I realized I don't want to after all" Victorious' tone shifts to a gloomy tone
"Victorious?"
"I want to remember it, so we don't make the same mistake"
"..."
"While I want to keep it as a reminder, today I just want to make more happy memories with you"
"Happy memories..."
Tirpitz's thoughts drift all of a sudden, shifting to her actual memories where not a single moment of it is remotely "happy" ever since her failed resurrection. She blamed her friend for being responsible - living as a vengeful ghost ever since.
"That's right. I, too, want to remember the best moments with you. Even moments like this..." Tirpitz pets her in the head
"When you say sweet things, somehow it makes me worry" Victorious drops her shoulders
"Why is that?"
"You always looked like you're staring at something else and hiding sadness again"
"The battleship Tirpitz never knew happiness. That's why this life is like a dream that should have come sooner"
The horrible memory follows in her new life, but she doesn't want anything to hinder her present.
"..."
Tirpitz gazes up at the sakura tree providing them shade as she couldn't explain the slight sting in her heart seeing the innocent smile on Victorious.
(Even if they fail to discover me, can I really tell her the truth one day?)
To Tirpitz, finding the courage to confess is as difficult as having others learn who she truly is. She's afraid of how they will react, but more importantly...she fears her mistake being repeated.
"I really shouldn't be thinking about it right now. Today is a festival after all" Tirpitz mumbles to herself
"Don't look so down. I just want you to not think about anything"
Victorious pinches both of Tirpitz's cheeks, upset that the latter is quietly distracted with a sorrowful thought.
"My, we have a rare guest here~"
The peaceful moment is interrupted by Akagi's arrival. Tirpitz frowns at the red fox appearing in the least moment she expects while Victorious tilts her head out of curiosity.
"Bismarck is here to build a friendlier relationship with the Sakura, but they say her younger sister is awfully reclusive and distant. To see the Lonely Queen of the North out of the fjords is such a rare chance, no?"
Akagi makes it obvious she's mocking Tirpitz even if she tries to sound relaxed and enthusiastic, especially with her stretching smile.
"The first Carrier Division's Akagi. I don't believe we met each other before" Tirpitz doesn't have her usual calm tone
"You're right. I only met your sister, but I've always been curious about the mystery behind the Lonely Queen of the North"
"Tirpitz didn't care about that nickname?" Victorious mutters to herself
(This is troublesome. I can't fight anyone here, and I just can't leave with Victorious witnessing this)
Tirpitz doesn't care the slightest about being mocked by her infamous nickname as she's more focused about handling Akagi without alarming Victorious.
"Is there something you want from me?" Tirpitz relaxes her tone
"More than a year ago, an incident occurred in Iron Blood. A wrong order nearly cost you your life, but the Sakura caught wind Bismarck used a mysterious means to save your life" Akagi slowly says it
"Ah, that near death accident. What about it?"
"It's not by ordinary means because it granted you the ability to uncontrollably entomb everything in unliving ice...so big sister threw you in jail until that naive carrier asked the Royal Navy for help" Akagi shifts her hostile gaze to Victorious
Out of the instinctive protectiveness of both the body and consciousness, Tirpitz stands in front of Victorious, but the latter still peeks her head.
"Just what did Bismarck used to overcome your death?" Akagi takes a step closer
"What?"
"Your wisdom cube was on the brink of destruction, but you're in peak shape in just a month. Not to mention, an unknown META was involved which was killed a month ago"
"Why don't you ask Bismarck? I don't remember much because I was unconscious when I nearly died. It was classified information, even to me" Tirpitz is getting displeased
"Let me get straight to the point: there's something different about you. Both your presence and scent is different. It's confusing since you're a normal kansen but you carry the dread of a META"
Akagi can only determine by her instincts so while she senses the body is indeed that of a normal kansen, the danger of a META still reaches her.
"The power I had a year ago belonged to a META. Bismarck used the lingering power of a META to save my life" Tirpitz mixes both lie and truth
"Tirpitz, you shouldn't tell her that!" Victorious grabs her sleeves
"Stay out of this" Tirpitz warns her
"..." Victorious quietly stands behind her
Even when Tirpitz wants to intimidate Victorious into not involving herself, she doesn't sound hostile at all. Victorious believes Tirpitz simply wants to protect her, so doesn't hesitate to comply or argue.
"The power of the META bought Iron Blood enough time to find a solution. Although I'm in top condition again, the influence of META can't be fully removed" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"Why do I have the feeling, you're leaving important information out?" Akagi stands in front of Tirpitz
"This isn't something that should be openly discussed anyway. The Sakura shouldn't be prying into our affairs"
"..." Akagi frowns
"Unless this is out of your personal interest trying to get advantage"
"Now you're mocking me" Akagi giggles
"No. I'm just being cautious both for myself and those trying to scheme and meddle with Iron Blood"
"Now, listen-"
Akagi lifts her hand and points from below, somewhat surprised Tirpitz actually retaliates when she's known to be quiet and passive - someone who doesn't care about arguments and stays quiet even when being scolded.
"What's going on here?"
Fortunately enough, Bismarck walks into the scene and raises her voice when she realizes the two aren't having a friendly conversation. She judges by how Tirpitz is slightly raising her arm as if to protect Victorious and Akagi glaring at Tirpitz.
"It's nothing big. I'm just curious to meet your sister" Akagi immediately returns to her cheerful tone
"..." Tirpitz looks away
"It doesn't look like neither my sister nor Victorious are relaxed" Bismarck sees their tension
"I really am just curious, but I suppose I'll have to politely ask the truth next time"
With Bismarck's presence, Akagi knows she's much like a protective brick wall and someone who shuts down arguments when she's not in the mood. Somewhat annoyed at the intervention, Akagi immediately walks past Bismarck but not entirely giving up on seeking answers.
"What happened?" Bismarck asks the two
"Akagi wants to know what happened in Iron Blood - the whole incident started by Victorious META" Tirpitz sighs
"I'm guessing she was annoyed because you didn't say anything"
"I told her it was the power of a META because she senses one in me. I don't know why she came up with that conclusion" Tirpitz clicks her tongue
"Tirpitz's all fine now and she lost all her META powers. Maybe she's just being paranoid" Victorious pouts
"..."
The thought brings Bismarck to recent discovery of the META's influence and how Tirpitz is seemingly oblivious to it. Bismarck couldn't say anything because both Tirpitz and Victorious remain clueless even when Akagi confronted them.
"Ignore the likes of Akagi. She's the type to deliberately taunt people into slipping" Bismarck assures Tirpitz
"Be careful. She might try to pry into the incident" Tirpitz isn't relaxed yet
"All information is classified. Victorious META is gone, so there's no problem to deal with anymore. Well, aside from Akagi trying to dig into our affairs, there isn't any META to deal with"
It's mostly true for Bismarck, but her current source of concern is the recent discovery of a new META that's speculated to use the same technology as Iron Blood. No one could fully identify the META due to her reclusiveness, sharp instincts, and the flames preventing aircraft from getting close.
"That aside, did you two enjoy your time here?" Bismarck clears her throat
"You two sisters should be spending time, but you just left Tirpitz" Victorious pouts again
"I want the two of you to enjoy your time together. I did enjoy my time here chatting with fellow leaders"
"I can drag Tirpitz for tea time all the time, but sometimes you're too shy to ask her out, Bismarck"
"Well..." Bismarck isn't sure how to explain
Victorious doesn't hold back how upset she is the there's still awkwardness between the two sisters even after a month has passed.
"Since we still have a lot of time, you two should spend the rest of the day together!" Victorious suddenly comes up with the idea
"Victorious, what-" Tirpitz turns around
"Have fun with your big sister, icy dummy
"Wait-"
The excitable carrier immediately flees from the scene - sprinting in a split second that both Bismarck and Tirpitz couldn't react in time.
"I'm going to punish her later" Tirpitz vows under her breath
"She's just looking out for you" Bismarck chuckles
"That's how she always is...and I hope she doesn't change" Tirpitz worries
"Tirpitz?"
"Don't mind it. I'm just reminiscing about...the past"
It's difficult to describe it since her "past" is technically a future in alternate timeline considering the chronological events despite the differences. Even with her worry, Tirpitz finds respite in the peace with her new life, genuinely thankful she doesn't have any hatred to haunt her and anyone to seek revenge.
"I just hope everything stays this way..."
Tirpitz gazes up at the sakura tree again while Bismarck observes for the first time how sadness and joy is mixed with Tirpitz's gentle smile. Her gaze is also towards somewhere and something, making Bismarck intrigued to what's in her thoughts more than before.
An hour later...
Since Victorious disappears, leaving the two sisters, Bismarck and Tirpitz head back to the festival. They sit across from each other on a picnic table, both enjoying the view of the event while maintaining some distance for some peace and quiet.
"This is taiyaki. It's like a pancake with red bean paste" Bismarck's eye nearly sparkles in amazement
A single bite on the fish-shaped pancake and the rich filling nearly spills out. Even Tirpitz could tell how Bismarck clearly enjoys trying out snacks from another culture by how she rarely bites and takes her time chewing while thinking about the flavor.
"At least you're relaxing rather than thinking about work" Tirpitz bites her takoyaki
The snack Tirpitz chooses is a mixture of everything on a stick she could find, so her plate isn't just full of takoyaki.
"It's a rare opportunity for me to leave my desk and be with my sister" Bismarck lowers her snack
"You could do that every day, you know" Tirpitz chuckles
"This felt impossible before..." Bismarck sighs
"Bismarck?"
"We barely interact and never once we spend time with each other. For sisters to treat each other as strangers..."
Bismarck squeezes her taiyaki out of tension and a single bean spills out and falls on the wooden table. As for Tirpitz, she places the stick back on her plate and pushes it slightly forward to give space for her forearms to rest on the table.
"That's the past and we're in the present. None of that matters anymore" Tirpitz brushes it off
"I've seen other sister ships. They're happy and comfortable in each other's company while we couldn't speak outside of our duty"
"..." Tirpitz lowers her gaze
"Even Victorious, a Royal Navy ship, knows you more than I do"
"That's because I trust her with my life and that's no exaggeration"
"I wanted to learn what's on your mind because I never knew a single thing about you. Before, I never knew how much you despised being openly referred to as the Lonely Queen of the North"
"..."
Tirpitz herself doesn't particularly care about the infamous nickname anymore and just gazes to the right.
"Trying to make up for the lost times isn't something to stress about. We have all the time in the world, Bismarck" Tirpitz calmly assures her
"I wanted for the two of us to be actual sisters and not just by name. An Older sister is supposed to watch over and guide their younger sister, so I immediately intervened earlier"
"This still feels weird..." Tirpitz whispers under her breath
"Tirpitz just as I wish to protect Iron Blood's future, I also wish to ensure you're headed to the right path"
"Are you afraid I'll be like Tirpitz META? Someone who lost the will to live and decided to die like a bloody idiot?" Tirpitz munches on the kebab
"Yes. Ever since the incident was resolved, I feared you would become her in the future so I want to ensure neither you nor I will repeat the mistake"
"..."
Tirpitz squeezes her left hand for a moment, recalling the first sight of her revival being a horrified Bismarck and the last is Bismarck's frustrated tears as she couldn't cut her down.
"We won't make it happen. This future won't end up like that one" Tirpitz is confident
"Tirpitz, don't hide any more of your troubles. I don't want to be there when it's too late" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"I trust you, so I won't face my problems or enemies alone" Bismarck finished three sticks of takoyaki
"So I want to make sure if the META no longer haunts you or not an ounce of its influence remains in you"
Bismarck couldn't muster the courage to confess Tirpitz displayed a bit of the META's powers when she's asleep where she's vulnerable the most.
"I told you before, there's no META in me anymore. Not even her power remained" Tirpitz moves her two fingers and touches her left cheek
"..." Bismarck blinks a few times
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just noticed something for a moment" Bismarck shakes her head
"Don't think too much about the past or the dead META. This is a festival, so enjoy it like everyone else"
"You're right..."
Since Tirpitz doesn't seem concerned or anxious about it, Bismarck sets aside her personal speculations as to not ruin one of the rare days to be with her younger sister outside of Iron Blood.
"Ah, uh...I'm out of takoyaki. Excuse me for a moment while I go get some" Tirpitz looks down at her empty plate
"Sure" Bismarck faintly smiles
As soon as Tirpitz disappears into the crowd, Bismarck tightly curls her right hand into a fist and mutters to herself.
"Something doesn't make sense"
Bismarck hits the table since what's supposed to be a moment of relaxation adds to her frustration over a part of Tirpitz that even she learned in the past. Her heart races, growing anxious and growing worried of the possibility Tirpitz may be facing yet another trouble similar to the deceased META.