6280. Fubuki, no more playing matchmaker. It's not that it went badly, in fact the couple is very happy you brought them together, but now there's a bunch of other girls who want your help.
Yokosuka.
Fubuki briefly wondered what she was doing with her life. She prided herself on her ability to not be dragged in on to the hair-brained ideas of her comrades, and yet, here she was, hiding in a bush, spying on Akagi. Why?
Love, she thought.
Ever since Akagi had switched rooms to allow Zuikaku to be with her wife, she'd had a longing in her eyes. Fubuki had at first chalked it up to simply being separated from her best friend for the first time since her summoning, but soon she realized it was longing for something else. Or, more specifically, someone else. After that, it had become clear that both Akagi and her crush had feelings for each other, and that both were terrified of trying to act on those feelings.
"Bucky, why are you in a bush?" a voice brought her back to reality and caused her to jump.
"Kongou-san!?" she stammered. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was going to enjoy lunch with Haruna when I noticed a foot sticking out from a bush." she said, grinning. 'And now that I know that you aren't Iku or some Abyssal spy, I'm more or less inclined to leave you alone. Provided you tell me what are you doing."
"Well, I'm kinda spying on Akagi-san so I can figure out how to get her and her crush together."
Kongou blinked, tears of joy beginning to form. "Oh, my little Bucky's playing cupid!"
"Kongou-san! I'm still hiding!" said Fubuki, hoping nobody was paying attention to the battleship.
"Oops, sorry Bucky. Though, come on out of there before someone notices."
Fubuki complied, brushing off the leaves as she stood. Kongou gently led her to a somewhat secluded corner out of Akagi's sight.
"Okay, whatever your plan is, I want in."
"Um, I really don't have a plan."
Kongou sighed. "In that case, follow me."
"Where are we going?"
"Hosho's. We need an expert's advice."
Later...
"Maybe we should have them run into each other on the beach. Neither of them deploy until the end of the week." said Kongou.
"That's really more of a first or second date kind of location. We can't push them too fast, or they'll both clam up." replied Hosho.
"What if we get them to have dinner together?" asked Fubuki.
"That's still a bit big for a first step, Bucky."
"Even if we could convince one of them to ask the other out, they'll be too scared to say yes." said Hosho.
"But, not if you ask them." said Fubuki.
"Huh?"
"What if you ask both of them to come over for dinner tonight. Nothing too fancy, and you get called away right after they get there."
Both Kongou and Hosho's eyes widened. "It might work." said Kongou.
"I could use one of the booths in the corner. The really secluded ones." said Hosho. "And, I could have Mamiya call with an emergency in the kitchen."
"So, it's a good idea?"
"Bucky, it's a great idea."
"I'll call the girls in an hour. Think 1900 would be a good time?"
"Both are practicing till after 1600, so 1900 would be perfect." said Kongou.
"Alright then, Operation Crane Castle is a go." said Fubuki.
"Crane Castle?" asked Kongou with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, it rolls of the tongue better than Operation Bring Akagi-san and Shoukaku-san together so they can confess their feelings for each other."
"Eh, fair point."
The calls went out, and both Akagi and Shoukaku were more than happy to spend some time with their mother. Especially when Hosho promised to fix Akagi's favorite tempura. So far, everything was going according to plan. The three carriers were sitting at the both, happily chatting while Fubuki and Kongou eavesdropped from the behind the kitchen door. Sensing the time was right, they signaled Mamiya, who quickly went out and brought Hosho back into the kitchen.
At the table...
"It's too bad that Hosho got called away. She seemed really happy when the two of us showed up." said Akagi.
"Hopefully, she'll be back soon." replied Shoukaku.
"Speaking of being back. Is Taiho-chan spending the night at Ryujo's?"
"Oh, yes. Shinano's leaving for another Northern patrol tomorrow night, so the girls are saying goodbye tonight."
"That's nice of them."
The two continued to eat in relative silence, breaking only to either complement the food, or wonder how Hosho was doing.
"This isn't working." said Kongou.
"Maybe I should go back now."
"Hold on, Akagi-san's saying something." hushed Fubuki.
"Um, Shoukaku-san?"
"Yes, Akagi-san?"
"I, uh, have to use the washroom. I'll be right back" said Akagi quickly.
Kongou sighed as Akagi left the table. "I'm sorry, Bucky. It was a great idea. Bucky?"
Neither Kongou or Hosho had seen the little destroyer sneak out the other exit and head towards the washroom. Fubuki quietly slipped in to find Akagi lightly banging her head against the wall.
"Smooth move, Akagi. At this rate you've probably ruined tonight, if not your friendship with Shoukaku. What else could possibly go wrong?" she heard Akagi mutter to herself.
"Akagi-san?" said Fubuki, causing the carrier to jump.
"Oh, hi, Fubuki. I didn't here you come in." she said, before realization hit. "You just heard all of that didn't you?"
"Akagi-san, do you like Shoukaku-san, or no?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. Every time I'm around her now, all I see is how beautiful she is. What a sweet and caring person she is. How that smile of hers brightens any room she walks in." she paused, shaking. "But, she is one of my closest friends. What if she doesn't feel the same way? Then I'd have lost a cherished friendship, for nothing."
"Do you know what I see here, Akagi-san?"
"A helpless romantic?'
"I see one carrier beating herself up in the washroom, and one beating herself up at the table out there. Akagi," she said, dropping the honorific."You may find happiness with Shoukaku, you may not. But clearly, neither of you are happy right now. The two of you owe it to each other to at least see where it goes. You may see it as a possible end to a friendship, but what I see is an opportunity to strengthen it, for both of you."
"You think?"
"Yes, I do. Now go out there and ask that carrier out." said Fubuki as she straightened Akagi's clothes.
Kongou and Hosho watched as the Akagi returned to the table and Fubuki entered the kitchen.
"Fubuki, what did you say to her?" asked Kongou.
"I just gave her a pep talk."
"Well, whatever you did, it worked." said Hosho. "Look."
Akagi and Shoukaku were talking excitedly for a few moments, before Shoukaku stopped and hugged Akagi.
"Congratulations Bucky, I think we're seeing the birth of something beautiful."