Dark theme after dark theme. Actually this is meant to be in this fic from the very beginning. I thought I should tell you finally, about that "adultery" case that happened in the naval base. So here it is. I split it into two parts because it turned out longer than I expected, and it would be even longer. First I would like to apologize if anything in this part of the fic offend anyone. I am very sorry.

I also change the rating into T. I apologize. I did not expect the story to be like this. Ah, dont worry, however, after all the hardships... there will always be sunshine.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kantai Collection or any of its character. I do not own any lyrics or songs or poetry I used in this fic. They belong to their respective owner and are credited as such. For songs in Japanese, however, I translated them myself.

Various things gradually get troublesome
Shall I just end it by ignoring it?
I am getting sick of being asked "Are you sick?"
can you just quietly end it?

Scop feat Hatsune Miku - Irony

"THE F-"

Loud snapping sounds and sickening crunch, then suddenly someone wrapped her half naked body roughly, but protectively. Her hands instinctively clung to the body of her saviour and she lost control of her own. It shook. Uncontrollably.

Harsh breathing. Numerous whispers of her name. And strong, protective hug.

It's over.

"ASHIGARA-"

Her sister's body suddenly tensed up, building power.

Another sound of impact, harder this time. It wasn't her sister's doing, since all those tensed muscles' movement were halted immediately.

Guns clicking and clanking. From the corner of her eyes, she could see a 46.1cm barrel.

"Stay, Ashigara," Nagato's voice felt like a steel that pressed down on all other emotions in the room. "Stay."

The hug tightened instead, and she could feel her sister's body shook with anger.

"Nagato-san."

"Stay."

"BUT HE-"

"S T A Y."

Her hand clung desperately to her sister. Her voice wouldn't come out. There were only tears and unimaginable layer of fear. And pain. Shearing, hot pain spreading all over her body.

"All of you ship girls… attacking superiors who-"

The guns clanked again and suddenly the admiral was silent.

"Ooyodo, call the military police. This should end."

- Weapon -

"Your station will be a bit challenging more than most, Tendouji-kun."

The Grand Marshall rubbed the tip of his nose and continued to read the document. He brushed his chin then looked at Airi, who stood on the opposite of Grand Marshal desk. Neat white moustache above his lips obscured a bit of his lips movement but Airi thought he was trying to give her a smile. He failed miserably.

"Adultery case, on top of many other misdeeds, have been committed by the past admiral. There has been signs of defiance in those ships, to no surprise. Considering some of our capital ship girl are there, we cannot scrap them. It will be too much of a controversy for us to handle."

His right index finger tapped the table.

"... Please subdue them."

Subdue.

Such "flowery" word.

Airi bowed, curling her hands into fist. She would dread reading tonight's documents.

"Understood, Grand Marshal."

XXX

Despite the air of early spring being rather cold and crisp with a tint of winter, cold sweat trailed down her neck to her white collar. Her hands were linked together tightly, trembling. She bit her lower lips harder, trying to contain herself.

To no avail.

In front of her were the steps leading outside the heavy cruiser dorm, to white stone path leading to the sidewalk with trees shading by the side. It would only be a few minute walk to the main building, whose tall tower displayed the large clock they all refer to every time and quite visible even from the port.

Admiral's room. Admiral's room. Admiral's room. Admiral-

Several men walked around the compound. They didn't look at her. Or did they?

It's only in your head. Be calm.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Is not.

Thump. thump. Thump thump

They looked at her. They talked between themselves.

Thump thump thump thumpthumpthumpthump

Is true.

"You're made for this. You want this."

They passed by.

Her breath hitched.

It became harder and harder to breathe. Her breathing quickened.

Her stomach churned uncontrollably.

She wanted to throw up. And to curl into a ball somewhere.

But this was her job. It was not exactly a job, too. She just had herself listed to go to the Admiral's room for the first day of first interview. However, stepping out of the dorm turned into a struggle foreign to her. The prospect of meeting human was such a daunting notion that the anxiety practically ripping her in and out. It had been so long since she went out to the open too… and so long since the last day she ventured out alone.

She knew, she knew that it would be okay. She knew it, but...

But her whole body did not agree with her. From the back of her mind something whispered. From the back of her mind something pushed all these thoughts on her, that someone may come, may hurt her, may rip her, may turn her world around, destroy her… kill her.

She hated this. She hated being fearful.

She hated herself.

A white uniformed marine just walked past the dorm. Male. He glanced at her.

"You're made for this."

She took a step back involuntarily.

No.

That split second was enough for Haguro to close her eyes, one small drop of tear fell from the corner of her right eye as goosebumps trailed all over body.

I'm okay I'm okay I'm okay I'm okay

His look alone ripped away every defenses she built around herself.

"Haguro-san."

A kind, gentle voice. Haguro opened her eyes when a hand gently touched her upper right arm.

Sunlight glinted on the clean spectacle of Choukai, who eyed her with worry and kindness.

"Are you alright, Haguro-san? Don't push yourself."

"A-ah, g-good morning, Choukai-san. I am fine."

She obviously was not. Choukai only looked even more worried.

"I don't think you should push yourself to go if you are not fine. I can help file a permit for you this time. Or shall I look for Ashi-"

"No, no, please, you don't have to, Choukai-san."

Not her, of all people, please.

"Then I can file you the permit-"

"I-I am fine. I-It's only to an interview so…"

But you have never gone out of the dorm for these two weeks…

Choukai's eyes clearly shouted those thoughts loud and clear. She was not one to force herself on someone else, but for now, her grip on Haguro's arm was quite strong and demanding. Haguro found herself being unreasonably mad at herself upon finding how the touch reassured her, how the thought of shelter made her feel much better. That wasn't what she wanted.

That was not what she hoped she would feel.

"I-I..."

"Haguro!"

The familiar voice of her big sister. Haguro felt her heart sank when she saw Ashigara rushed from the stairs, worry painted itself on her sister's face.

She could not even keep her sister in peace.

Choukai let Haguro's arm go and stepped back. Ashigara cupped her sister's face straight away-her eyes falling on the faint track of tears on her sister's face-before hugging her tightly.

"I was so worried! Why did you go out of the room without telling me?"

"I-I'm sorry…"

That was not the answer Ashigara was looking for. The older woman let go off her hug. While still having both hands on Haguro's shoulders, she turned to Choukai.

"Did you help her, Choukai? Thank you very much."

"Ah, it's nothing of such, Ashigara-san. I was on my way to the main building myself."

"Did anything happen?" Ashigara turned her attention to Haguro again, who averted her eyes towards the floor. "Are you okay?"

It was among the hardest question to answer. Nothing happened, but no, she was not okay. But answering that she was not okay would not lead to the outcome she wanted. Nor would saying she was okay change anything.

She wanted to change. The problem was in her, she knew. It was no one else's fault but her.

Haguro's silence elicited a sigh from Ashigara. She gently rubbed her sister's arms. Her eyes turned softer, albeit in pain.

"Is this something you don't want to say to me again?"

Ah.

"I-It's not like that, Ashigara-neesan. I.. I…"

I am scared. I don't want to be scared. I know I should not be scared but I do. Help me.

She opened her mouth, "I-I'm sorry…"

I should not worry you even more.

Ashigara eyed her for quite a long while, from which Haguro avoided eye contact. It was not as if she was hiding something from her sister. Perhaps her sister always knew what was in her head all along. Perhaps she was disappointed at her.

"I will file your leave permit for today's interview."

"Neesan!"

Ashigara furrowed her eyebrows at her. Haguro shook her head.

"I-I.. I will go to the building, Neesan, it will be inappropriate for the Ad-"

"I will not file that permit if I believe you are healthy, Haguro," hushed Ashigara gently. She cupped her sister's face, brushing the damp track of her sister's tears on the cheeks with her thumbs."You're crying. You're not okay."

Haguro bit her lower lips. She could not lie about that. But still…

Ashigara closed her eyes. She sighed again. Haguro wanted to say something but she could not. She knew she had contributed to almost all of her sister's sighs. Normally Ashigara rarely sighed.

The older woman looked deep into her sister's eyes.

"Next time, Haguro. Not now. Please rest in our room for today."

-XXXX-

Admiral Tendouji Airi would never forget those piercing eyes.

Deviant. Stubborn. Strong.

Fierce.

The beautiful lady that looked back at her could easily turn into a beast upon provocation. Perhaps provocation was not even needed, as even now with nothing more than being told to come into the room, Airi could see tendrils of adrenalin rushed into the girl's bloodstream. Those eyes were in the battlefield.

"Ashigara. Third ship of Myoukou Class Heavy Cruiser."

I see.

The documents in front of her had written detailed data of this heavy cruiser. She had good battle record and impressive achievement. The big note on her file however, said that she could be aggressive.

Especially with what happened.

Only a complete idiot did not feel how the tension turned heavy. Airi could see from the corner of her eyes how Shouhou gripped her documents tighter. Just like how it was when it was Haruna's time of interview.

This was the sister of the victim, the one who filed for her sister's leave permit earlier today.

"Nice to meet you, Ashigara. As you might have known, I'm Admiral Tendouji Airi."

The heavy cruiser bowed as acknowledgement. A curt, wary bow.

Airi eased a smile. With Shouhou here, any kind of personal question will be inappropriate.

Let's do it as always then.

"Is there anything you would like to ask of me in order to improve the base?"

A look of puzzlement.

All of these girls gave almost same reactions. Confusion, bewilderment, puzzlement. There could be more than a dozen possibilities of what they expected out of this interview. However it seemed questions of improvement had never crossed their minds. It seemed none of them expected normality.

Something seemed to stir inside Ashigara's eyes as her mind settled onto something. Her voice was clear and firm.

"Replace all male staff in this naval base with female staff."

Oh?

At the side of admiral desk, Shouhou took a sharp breath. At times like these, Airi was glad she had a rather placid expression most of the time.

"That is quite a serious proposition, Ashigara. I would have to assess this alongside the board. What would your official reason be?"

The reason should be pretty obvious for Airi but she had to have the heavy cruiser said it formally. In the world where law binds you, somethings must be in black and white.

Ah I just ignited a spark.

A flame burned inside Ashigara's eyes.

"So that my sister can be at ease again."

Without a change of expression, Airi wrote it on her notebook in silence. She could feel Ashigara following her movement. There was also this prickly sensation of being scrutinized... Or even preyed on by a beast.

I like this ship.

Right when she thought of that, Ashigara's crisp voice broke the silence.

"... You know."

"Of what, Ashigara?" Airi added a period and looked up to meet the yellow, smart eyes of the heavy cruiser.

"They must have told you what happened to my sister."

The pupils inside those yellow eyes widened. She was fighting an invisible battle.

"They indeed did." in great detail, Ashigara, dear, in great detail. Airi had no intention in anyway to dismiss what happened. She just felt it would not be appropriate to address it with third person around. However, since it was out…

Airi put away her pen and looked deep into the heavy cruiser's eyes.

"I am very sorry. I apologize in the name of the navy for being oblivious about him all this time. I will do my utmost to better this headquarter and make up for whatever the past admiral had done to you. I am here for that purpose."

Ashigara curled her hands into fists. She visibly grit her teeth. Those anger in her eyes, they burn even Airi's own emotions. She may never be able to understand the depth of Ashigara's anger for being there at the scene, for having the victim as her own only little sister, for all accumulation of anger, disappointment, and exhaustion. She fully understood she would never be able to, even though she had a little sister herself, or that she too, was wholly female. Merely imagining already felt so horrid and painful, that she could not imagine how it was for this cruiser and her sister. She also understood that the mental scar would also follow them even longer than any physical wounds. What happened was horrible, awful, and appalling. Airi personally was disgusted and ashamed. It could have been prevented. But they did nothing.

Slowly, she rose.

Then bowed her head deeply.

"Admiral!"

Shouhou's voice was clear, a sound of bewilderment. With her facing the surface of the desk with everything on it though, Airi could only guess what was the expression of both Shouhou and Ashigara. Not that she actually cared. All she actually wanted to do was to apologize.

Human are foolish, selfish creature.

There was silence.

"... I do not require your apology, Admiral Tendouji."

"A-Ashigara-san!" gasped Shouhou, clearly surprised at how explicitly defiant Ashigara's statement was.

"Apology alone will not heal my sister. And it isn't you who is at fault."

Soft muffled sound of boot stepping on carpet. Airi opened her eyes then straightened her body to see the view she figured she would see.

Ashigara had turned around and walk for the door. Her fists were trembling. It may have been more than anger inside those fists, just like what she contained in her eyes. The worst was, she might not know to whom she could direct all those emotions to.

I am very sorry.

"Please do come to me, when you have any request."

Although from the change of how her back straightened Airi could see that Ashigara listened, the heavy cruiser just walked out of that door without any other word said.

-XXX-

It would rain again.

Yesterday was sunny. The day before yesterday was rainy. With how the sky seemed heavy with all the dark cloud, today would be raining again.

Or tonight?

Whichever would not matter. At least not now.

Haguro took a deep breath and held it in. They said your happiness evaporated with all your sigh. She wondered if anything would still evaporated away from her anymore.

Her eyes roamed around the room. She lived here together with her sister. It was empty, despite being quite spacious. There were their working desk-Haguro's had books of naval warfare and novels stacked neatly while Ashigara's had several of her sake bottles, documents, and even cup ramen mixed together. Other than that and the chairs and table near the slide windows facing the back garden, the room was empty. At night, they slept by the floor, taking out the futon neatly folded inside the closet. Sometimes they took out the kotatsu as well. Some tangerine in winter night, with sake that her sister somehow able to bring back from somewhere.

Haguro once again cast her look at the sky.

If it rain, she would need to take out the bucket from the janitor room and placed them to contain the leak around the dorm. Previous admiral had ignored their complaint about the condition of the dorm. The ones who actually volunteered to repair the roof had been the mechanics and several guards instead. Still, if the rain was heavy, some place would still leak.

It would be better to take precaution.

She finally stood up, placing the book that she had been staring for hours without even reading back to the table.

Placing buckets around the hall was the only thing she could contribute to the naval base for now. Perhaps she should mop the second floor as well… Last time she found one of the board looked badly shaped…

Placing a bucket under the usual leaking spot, Haguro heard footsteps and voices from the stairs. The heavy cruisers had come back.

"Oh, placing the buckets again, Haguro?" Maya was the first one to arrive at the second floor, Choukai and Suzuya only a step behind her. "My bad. Thanks as always!"

"It is my pleasure, Maya-san."

"Thank you, Haguro-san," Choukai bowed slightly to her, to which Haguro quickly replied with a, "no, no, please." Suzuya pat (or rather, smacked) Haguro's back, saying a cheerful, "Thankies, Haguro-san!" with her usual outgoing attitude. She and Maya continued their banter, walking past Haguro after friendly "see ya around!" "bye!"

Rubbing her sore back from Suzuya's pat, Haguro extended her neck.

"Where's Neesan?"

"Oh, she's talking with Takao-neesan downstairs. They will be here in a moment," Choukai took several buckets from the corner near Haguro. The youngest of Myoukou Class gasped, preventing Choukai to take more. A series of "A, Choukai-san, don't-" "No, no, please allow me to help." "You must be exhausted-" "It is alright" courteous exchange happened right away, ended with Choukai finally taking two buckets away from Haguro. Right at that moment, Takao and Ashigara came.

"Ah, Haguro, thank you," Takao smiled upon seeing the buckets lining. "Dependable as always."

I am not.

"C-Choukai-san also offers help so…"

Takao laughed. She put a hand on Haguro's shoulder.

"Come on, you should take more credit on what you do," She said kindly. Ashigara nodded. "You're always helping us like this. Be proud of it!"

Proud?

"A-Ah, no. I-I was free a-and…A-And this is the only thing I can do.."

Smiling, Takao shook her head and laughed, patting Haguro's shoulder.

"Oh come on, what are you talking about? You're a great ship, Haguro."

"N-No, I…"

I can't even walk out of the dormitory.

Takao gave her a firm grip.

"Your power, my dear. Like always, we'll be counting on you as always at the sea as well."

Sea? Like always?

Her hands, joined by the chest, gripped each other so hard it seemed like they would crush each other.

What sea?

"And besides.."

What power?

I am now useless.

"... it's the only thing I can do."

Takao blinked, realizing how Haguro instead shrunk. Ashigara narrowed her eyes.

"Haguro?"

"I-I'm sorry…" Her voice sounded clearer, but unsteady. Somehow it sounded as if she was talking to no one. "But... T-This… is the only thing I can do."

Ashigara clashed her teeth.

"Haguro."

Ignoring her sister's calling, Haguro grabbed the remaining four buckets by the corner.

"Haguro-"

A swift bow.

"Please excuse me."

"Wait!"

She ran away.

Takao put a hand in front of Ashigara, halting her step.

Haguro's back disappeared by the corner.

-XXXX-

"What do you think of Ashigara-san, Admiral?"

Airi looked up to meet Shouhou's rather nervous eyes. They had been talking for quite sometime about trivial things, laughing and chatting away. Airi understood that being the first day of them working together, they were still building trust. With every exchange of words and gestures and stares, they were gauging each other.

This question was a really amiable progress. She knew her good feelings stems from things more than a handful amount of ice cream from Mamiya's best dessert.

Ashigara.

She remembered the fierce, strong eyes.

"I like her," Airi smiled. Shouhou showed an expression of surprise. "Her battle record is admirable, and I can see that she is a daring person. Most of all, she seems really caring. We will always need a strong personality."

Shouhou seemed to hesitate for her next words.

"You do not think… what she did was impolite, Admiral?"

"Well, certainly it may not seem pleasant," Airi laughed, surprising Shouhou yet again. She smiled. "But it is justifiable and understandable. I mean if I were her… perhaps I would do the same, if not more."

If my sister were to suffer that way…

Cold steel seemed to press down to her chest the moment the thought came to her mind. Her movement of scooping the ice cream stopped.

"She had been robbed off her rights to unleash her anger to the one she is furious at. If I don't know where I should give out my anger, Shouhou, those feelings will just stay there and rot. That, alone, is frustrating."

-XXX-

"Ittekimasu."

The door swung close with a click after the whisper.

Haguro opened her eyes. Several hours before daybreak.

She had never really fallen asleep. She knew her sister knew. Perhaps her sister also knew that she knew. She would not know. There were too many things that left unsaid between them after the incident. Too much hesitance, too much fear.

Even between them sisters, they pulled away from each other.

The only thing that Ashigara said tonight in their room was, "The Admiral is female and seemed like a good person." to which Haguro replied, "I see." and their conversation just stopped there.

Another night with silence.

They were not usually like that. Their room used to be a lot more cheerful. It was hard to believe that hardly three weeks ago they took out the koutatsu and had a drinking party with the Takao Class and Suzuya. Everyone was cheerful. Even with their unfortunate condition, they could always find ways to enjoy themselves. Even if the rain battered the window and numerous buckets lined up the hall containing leaking rain water, they could wash away their exhaustion by being together.

It just changed. Too abruptly.

It was her fault. Her own fault.

She was weak.

She shut away from all of them and they were falling apart. They were falling apart because of her. And she could not make it right. She did not know how to make it right…

Neesan...

Energetic, cheerful, strong, and kind... Now all that Haguro could feel from her was boiling deep hard anger.

Her sister changed. She changed her sister. She altered her. It was her fault.

Today, her big sister had left for a mission.

Mission.

Haguro grabbed her futon tighter, finding herself curling into a ball.

The fact that she was alone in the room made her uncomfortable… and the fact that her sister left her alone for a mission made her felt left out.

They usually sortied together; Her sister checking her equipment, and she, her sister's. Without the two oldest ships of their class, they only had each other.

"I am Haguro, the last of Myoukou Class Heavy Cruiser."

She buried herself.

She was supposed to be... A weapon.

Strong and dependable.

Yet all she managed to be was something worse than scrap metal.

Sounds of struggle. Huffing, groans. Painful moans.

On the floor, were ripped clothes, screws, pipes, a bit of blood. Cold table pressing hard to the front of her exposed body. All his bodyweight on her, subduing her from the back. What was inside her screamed louder than her own mouth stuffed with white admiral cap.

Rough tugging.

Kisses.

Bites and licks.

Tears.

"I order you, Slut.."

His breath quick and hoarse on her ears.

"MY order. Isn't obeying ME what you do? You're made for this."

Her body did not work as she wanted. Her strength weakening and faltering, and the scream in her head was deafening.

"You're made for THIS."

A hand between her legs. She jolted as fear jumped to her heart and muscle. A blinding explosion of anger.

"MMMH!"

He reacted. A hit to the table. Chest against cold steel, forcing air out of her lungs. She coughed into the cap, with all her tears and screams and sobs.

It hurts. It hurts.

Unfamiliar wildfire spread all over her.

And above all, pain.

"HAH! You say no but your body is honest."

Her brain screamed.

For him to stop.

"You fucking want this! You fucking like this."

For herself to stop.

"Your body wants this. You're made for this."

I am a weapon.

Help me.

"Your body is honest."

It lies.

You're disgusting.

"Your body is honest."

I lie.

I'm disgusting.

-XXXX-

"Good afternoon."

Tending the front garden of heavy cruiser dorm alone, Choukai jolted from surprise and turned to look behind, to the sight of smiling Admiral Tendouji. She stood there with her white uniform and cap, seemingly really interested in what the heavy cruiser was doing. Curiously, Shouhou seemed to be nowhere.

"Good afternoon, Admiral."

Choukai hurriedly stood up, taking off her gardening gloves and bowed down deeply.

Having only met her yesterday at the interview, it was still hard for Choukai to process that the one before her was an admiral, her superior. She looked like any of them, being female. Her long black hair looked almost akin to Shouhou, if only it did not have the slight wave in some places. Her posture was also average. Other than her white Admiral uniform and cap and the array of badges by her chest, perhaps Choukai would never be able to remember that she was her admiral.

The Admiral nodded at her with a smile.

"What are you tending to, if I may ask?"

Sweet, polite words.

This was also the reason why Choukai had a hard time reacting to the new admiral: her formality. The words she chose, they were not the imperative authoritative command those admirals used on them. She talked to them almost like talking to an equal. Like colleague.

That gave her a strange feeling of familiarity, yet somehow felt forbidden.

"Nothing special in particular, Admiral. It's some flower seeds we planted some time ago. They have sprouted."

"I see. What flowers?"

"Lilac and Snowdrop, Admiral. They say they bloom beautifully in spring."

Admiral Tendouji gave a wide smile and nodded approvingly. Her brown eyes sparkled.

"Indeed, indeed they will."

She straightened her back and observed the front garden, seemingly thinking of something. Choukai stood there anxiously, wondering what the Admiral was thinking about. Was the garden looked bad? Untidy? Unkept? Would they be punished? Had she not done her job right? Those thoughts circled inside Choukai's head, extending the several minutes into what seems like hours.

The Admiral put her hands behind her back.

"You tend to this garden alone, Choukai?"

"No, Admiral. I usually tend to it together with Haguro-san."

"Haguro, I see… Don't we usually have someone in charge of the garden?"

"No one in particular, Admiral. The previous admiral had cut off the gardening budget for resource gathering."

Rolling her eyes, Admiral Tendouji seemed exasperated at the thought of budgeting. She raised her eyebrows, "He also cut your ration."

Choukai gave an awkward smile.

"Well… about that…"

Admiral Tendouji shook her head. She seemed really displeased. Choukai had never been to other naval base so she would not know how it was in other places. From the time she was constructed, she remembered this naval base had always been like this. Admiral Tendouji gestured towards the dorm.

"Would you mind if I ask you to accompany me around the dorm? Of course, if you don't mind leaving your work for a moment."

"Oh, certainly, Admiral! Certainly."

Dorm inspection did not sound good. Choukai could only hope Maya had tidied up their room… but she would not hope much. Hopefully at least, the ramen cups were all thrown away...

XXXX

Haguro looked up from the book she was reading. Rain was falling. She watched how slowly the back garden was drenched by the rain. Early spring rain was always so calm and melancholic.

She had prepared the buckets minutes ago. The hall would be fine now.

Haguro slowly opened the window. Gentle sea breeze flowed in. It was salty. And damp.

It was familiar.

She missed the sea.

Sea was her home.

Usually there would also be the smell of gunpowder. Sea breeze on her face, splash of sea water. Even high waves felt home.

How long had it been?

Her grip on the windowsill strengthened involuntarily. Her knuckles turned white. All these emotions, they made her wanted to throw up.

Suddenly she heard sounds of conversation from the hall. Haguro tilted her head. Supposedly Choukai was the only one in the dormitory. Did they have any guest? It is strange for any of the other ship class other than cruisers to come…

"... don't think it should..."

"We have told the administration.."

"... that is not nice of them."

A female voice she did not recognize. A new ship girl? There were a handful of other ship girls not yet constructed. Perhaps the new admiral construct a ship for the first time.

A knock on the door.

"Haguro-san? Are you available?"

"Ah, yes. Wait a minute."

Haguro quickly put down her book and rushed to the door. Perhaps Choukai would like to introduce the new shi-

"Good afternoon."

Ah.

White admiral uniform. Badges of honors on her chest. Calm, smart brown eyes. A gentle smile.

"Nice to meet you, Haguro. I'm Admiral Tendouji Airi."

Today might not turned out the way she expected it to be. A mixture of emotions burst inside her. Was it hope or desperation, Haguro did not know which they fall to.

I had been wanting to meet you. I need to talk to you.

Finally. An Admiral.

Finally she would be able to get the permission to be scrapped.

- To be continued -