Author's Note: SURPRISE! Hahaha The FASTEST ever update I have ever done for this fic! Good news, fella, my last assignment was over (although I have 4 more journal translations but lets not talk about that) and I also got my JLPT result, so I thought, hey, why don't we make use of those 2000 something words (9 pages?) of small excerpt I made last time but didn't use? And I ended up typing all day and this is what it turned into. This is unproofread by the way, fella, even by me. But ah well :3 Anyway, I hope you enjoy this time as well, since I feel really good having this typed.

See ya around till next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kantai Collection or any of the songs whose lyrics I featured in this fic. I did, however, translate Japanese lyrics into English myself.

How long has time hid me away?
Even the faint light continue to remember pain

Somebody, please, I beg of you to tear off my wings
If it is freedom that I cannot choose
then I want to live my entire life without it

Amano Tsukiko – Torikago

Accompanied with a long deep sigh, Heishi put down his screwdriver on the table. Slowly, he folded his arms on the table and leaned on to them, staring at a 12.7 cm high angle gun in front of him.

"We were born to sink. And reborn to sink again."

The engineer had his eyes on a small scratch on one of the gun's barrels. A scratch. It might have hit something hard enough to have that deep scratch. That was battle though. They battled with real shells, real gun, real enemies who were out to kill them.

"They promised him promotion. We sink and he got promoted."

Ten years. He had been working in the base for over ten years. He was young back then when he came, a fresh graduate from nautical engineering. He came to the navy merely because there was job vacancy. Before he knew it, he was stationed here in the small Kanmusu base, under Admiral Kumazaki until his passing. He watched Kanmusu come and go. He had experienced many sinking... He did not realized he, too, thought that it was something that could not be helped.

One hand idly taking his screwdriver, he made it stood on its pointy end.

"We criminalized those in pain because of that, but did not point the gun at ourselves."

Times like these makes him wondered why he even there in the first place.

"I figured you have not had your lunch."

A paper bag was suddenly placed at the edge of his table. Knowing the familiar voice, he quickly made a move to stand up, but a hand touched his shoulder, telling him to remain sitting. By the order of rank, Hakurei-sensei had higher rank than him, being the central researcher.

"Thank you very much."

She gave a nonchalant smile then leisurely sat on a sofa near him. The researcher then took a nearby destroyer shell, examining the sleek appearance. She did not say anything else and merely sitting there. A while later she took off her armband and began to spun them.

Heishi, of course, remembered his job. He stood up to approach his computer.

"I will print Shiranui's—"

"Some things we can't change. Other people among them. We are all selfish little shits."

Was it melancholy in her voice? Heishi could not identify. She did not continue her words though and merely looked up at the ceiling. Silence dawned onto them both while Heishi went to his computer and searched to print and file Shiranui's data. Shiranui had finished her examination a while ago, done by other engineers, under Admiral Tendouji's own eyes. Heishi remembered when she was finally released. Shiranui passed his place that time. He could not understand the thoughts inside those purple eyes, though it seemed she had found what she was looking for at the time she went to his room.

"If Kagerou finds her answer, maybe Shiranui will too."

Was that the answer she was looking for?

He did not even know the question the destroyer had.

The printing machine made clanking noises as the cartridge went left and right writing the data. For a while that was the only sound between them. The papers went out rather slowly, printing numerous graphic... and mostly graphs. It was a raw data of everything, not even interpretation was printed. Hakurei-sensei herself asked for it when they talked about it last time they had a phone call. Not that Heishi could actually interpret the whole thing as well. At least, he knew, not as deep as Hakurei-sensei could.

"Airi..."

Heishi moved, looking back to find the researcher looking at the ceiling. Her eyes fell on Heishi's eventually, and she continued, catching her armband in her hand.

"Have Airi told you anything about her plans?"

"... which one?"

They talked a lot. By the metal graveyard, they conversed about so many things, even random ones like how her brother when he was young would love to have a horse of his own and almost sold his bike believing he could afford one with that much money. Admiral Tendouji talked to him of her aspirations and dreams, what she hoped the base would be and what she hoped the military would do. With those are also considered to be"plans"...

"That she would construct the Kongous again."

Now that he did not hear. At least not in detail. She did say that she was thinking of getting a boost on her firepower and her surface fleet so as to support Admiral Kudou better, but he did not know it would be both of the Kongou sisters. Perhaps he was just late for this.

Looking at his expression, Hakurei-sensei raised her eyebrows. She raised her shoulder then walked towards the printer, taking the paper that was already out and examined them. She took a brief look at them and moving her lips a bit as it seemed she saw something she had predicted would appear.

"Perhaps she would have a long talk with you about that."

With that, the printer, too, had finished printing. She took the papers then nonchalantly waved them before she went for the door. Right at the door, she stopped.

"Oh yes... one more thing."

Heishi turned to look at her, nodding politely and asked, "Yes?"

"I suggest you start calling her with her real name."

"... I'm sorry?"

Her who? Admiral? Which of her name was not real? He called her Admiral Tendouji, like anyone did. Wasn't Tendouji her name?

Seeing his expression, Hakurei-sensei sneered.

"I just figured it would be appropriate, considering she did not see you as "Lieutenant" anymore."

Not as...

"... W-Wha-"

"See ya later, Lieutenant Kouseki."

With that, Hakurei-sensei disappeared from his sight.

~~ The Promise ~~

The sun shone high by the battleship and carrier dormitory, the only dormitory that was mostly unchanged from the day of Admiral Jiro. Unlike the other dormitory, which was made in mixed western-eastern style two-story building with white painted porches and white fence separating the garden and the public walk, the battleship and carrier dormitory was a one story, distinctly Japanese styled building. Its roof slanted with distinct curved at the end, its blunt end decorated with intricate carving of mythical creatures. The front door was a polished black wooden door on elevated porch with stone steps leading to it.

Surrounding it were low stone fence with roofed top. The road towards the main door were smooth stone slabs on beautiful green grasses. Assortment of flowers bloom at the side of the fence, courtesy of Haruna and the privates. Haruna tended to the flowers every time she could in between her tight sortie schedule as a mean to relax herself, much like Haguro. The privates, being avid fans of Haruna—like many other staffs, would tend to the garden when she could not. Being a naturally friendly, kind, and gentle person, Haruna easily was the base's population's princess. Almost no one would say no to Haruna's request. Kongou at times commented that Haruna could practically made the whole base her kingdom. The girl herself, naturally, denied such a thing happened.

Going to the battleship and carrier dormitory always made Airi felt that small pang of homesickness. Her own home being a mansion that housed both her family and the temple disciple, was made in almost similar fashion, just older and considerably larger with it connecting to the temple it self. While the dormitory garden was just a beautiful small patch with small pond and assortment of flowers lining the side with beautiful moss covering much of the patches, her own home had its own patch of stone garden. Stone garden was not among her preference, as it reminded her of her religious ancestry, so she was much more fond of her family's moss garden at the other side of her mansion. The battleship and carrier dormitory gave the same vibe, albeit a bit different with all the colorful flowers decorating the edge of the garden.

Airi arrived by the front door with a sigh. She rather disliked summer in the base. The sea made the air filled with salty odor and humidity which sticks to skins, something she extremely and utterly disliked. Growing up in Kyoto's dry summer climate did not help her dislike at all. Tightening the hairband at the base of her high ponytail, Airi then took the doorknob and turned it around.

The front door opened with a small creak and a ring of bell hanging on its top, opening to a small front room which leads to elevated tatami matted room. At the side were small wooden rack for shoes with guest slippers and the residence's distinct slippers. The only slippers still by the rack were Akagi and Nagato's, as both were out on a mission in other base for a few days, and also Kaga's,who seemed to have not been back after talking to Airi earlier today.

A board with the name of the residents plastered on the wooden wall with hanging wooden tablet giving info of their whereabouts. The same board was present in every dormitory.

As expected, Kongou and Haruna were present.

A sliding door that led to the inner hallway opened.

"Ah, Admiral?"

Haruna came from inside the house, seemingly coming thanks to the ringing bell. A gentle smile quickly came to her face and she bowed deeply. Airi returned with a small bow, progressing to the elevated floor with Haruna's friendly, "please, please come in! Thank you for coming, Admiral."

"I see that Kongou is here too."

"Oh yes, Oneesama and I were enjoying tea inside. If you would, please join us for a while. Oneesama had her black tea, but I can make you some green tea, if you prefer to, Admiral."

"Please, that will be really great."

She had no qualms about black tea, but she sure loved green one better especially with the atmosphere of the whole dormitory. Haruna led her to the common room, which passed small patch of hallway sandwiched by formal living room and library, to an open space of the beautiful inner garden. Surrounding the open space were rooms with paper doors. One room housed two personnels; with Akagi and Kaga in the same room, Kongou and Haruna in another one, and finally Nagato having one room for her own alone. Other rooms were the common room and an empty room which previously was occupied by Kirishima and Hiei.

One of them was opened, the one Airi identified as the common room.

"It has been a while since you came, Admiral," Haruna said as they walked. Airi smiled at her remark. It was true. She should have spent more time with her bigger ships. The battleship's eyes brimmed with curiosity, which was softened with her always present silent understanding. As always, the beautiful battleship was very sharp. "Is there anything in particular you would like to talk about with me and Oneesama?"

"Indeed I do."

There was no need to hide anything to them. They were her precious main firepowers... and the sisters of whom she would like to construct.

"I need your permission for something."

XXX

Walking under the bright sunlight, Kanon squinted her eyes reading the papers she just got. Some of the graphs seems unchanged but as expected, some of them—

"Ah."

The engineer who escorted her and led her way towards the main building halted his step when they arrived at the middle garden. Kanon moved her eyes from the papers to see what made the engineer stopped. A while later she gave a knowing smile.

Shiranui stood in by the middle fountain and by the bench, Kagerou sat waiting. The purple eyes of the standing Kagerou class moved to Kanon and stayed there. Silently, Shiranui lowered her head. Kagerou, standing up, did the same.

That was a bow to a superior.

Kanon extended her hand and patted her escort's shoulder.

"I guess you may dismiss yourself and go back to the factory, bro."

"But—"

The researcher smiled.

"It seems I have others to escort me around. Thanks for your help."

XXX

Erasing Kongou's lipstick from her face, Airi got reminded why she did not wear make up today. In front of her, cirlcing a low table in the middle of tatami room, sat obviously sparkly eyed Kongou and apologetic Haruna. She had just received her share of kisses and loving from the nameship of Kongou class, as always whenever she met the battleship, and finally the charade was over.

"So, Admiral, what is it that you would like to talk about?"

With her previous excitement finally died down, Kongou asked with her serious voice—although the tone still had the tilt of her high spirit. When Airi met her the first time, those eyes had totally different light in them. The first she met her, what she met was fire. Black, burning fire with overwhelming distrust. Kongou, however, was more calculating than hating. That was the only thing that gave Airi enough conviction to try and approach her, until she finally gained the battleship's trust.

Airi sincerely felt blessed she was loved, but she sure hoped Kongou realized just how powerful she was as a battleship, really.

"I want to ask for your permission, Kongou, Haruna."

Kongou raised her eyebrows, tilting her head. She folded her arms.

"Permission?" Her confusion was well founded. No superior asked their own subordinate for permission.

"You know, I have a vision that I would like to realize," Airi began, placing one of her hand on the wooden low table and beginning to make circulating pattern. "I will need strength. Firepower. And speed."

Both seemed to have understanding printed on their eyes. Airi smiled.

"Yes, I would like to ask for your permission to let me construct Kirishima and Hiei again for this base."

The expression that came to Kongou and Haruna's faces were quite indescribable. After a pause Airi continued.

"I believe they are the right battleships to be made to further advance this-"

"What if we refused?"

Kongou's voice made Airi froze. Haruna also turned her eyes on her sister, but she said nothing.

Airi looked into Kongou's dark blue eyes, finding hard, solid gaze. The return was not what she expected, although she did think there was a possibility it would come up.

Her voice so much different with the one she used to greet the Admiral, Kongou asked again,

"What if we denied? Will you still push regardless?"

XXX

"I did not expect you both to meet me so early," Kanon said, resting her back to the bench's back. Kagerou sat beside her, did not say a single thing. Shiranui sat on her other side remained silent. Yes, this other Kagerou ship definitely was not a good escort for guests. The destroyer pointed to her back pocket.

"Your badge."

Ah. She saw that, huh.

It was not surprising. Kanon did flash it right in front of Shiranui's eyes a while ago. She had that bit of hope that Shiranui did not see though.

"Are you a researcher from the central, Sensei?"

Kagerou's voice had a tint of disappointment in them. Kanon sighed.

Blew the cover, I did. Sorry for that, Airi.

"I am, yep." She answered lightly. Kagerou's eyes flashed with something but she did not voice whatever it is. Kanon continued quickly. "But it is true that I am Airi's best friend, you know. You won't find anyone closer to her than I am! Really."

Well that might be debatable but that was true. I guess. Kagerou tilted her head and Shiranui remained silent.

Bah. So much for trying to gain trust.

Kanon sighed.

"Kay, kay, what do you want to know?"

Kagerou scrutinized her face rather openly. Kanon did not mind. She did "trick" them a bit.

"Are you... called to spy on us?"

"Spy?" Kanon laughed. "Spy is such a negative word now, isn't it?"

Beside her, Shiranui silently pointed at the stack of data on Kanon's lap. Until now, both of the destroyer did not make any attempt to talk of the stack of data. Kanon smiled. She raised them then gave some of them to both of the destroyers. Both took them with confusion-at least Kagerou's face showed confusion. Kanon had completely dropped the hope of trying to understand Shiranui at this moment.

"Would you like to hear the long story or the short one?"

Lifting her eyes from the graph, Kagerou looked into Kanon's eyes. She seemed to calculate some things.

"... Long...?"

"I see." Kanon nodded. She furrowed her eyebrows. "When I was in the kindergarten..."

Kagerou's face quickly changed.

"Um, not that long."

"Then from primary school?"

"Eh? N-not that long either."

"Highschool?"

"Mmmmmm..."

"Okay, then university!"

Kagerou sighed. She put the data she had in her hand on Kanon's lap again.

"From here, please."

XXX

Airi took a deep breath. She looked into Kongou's eyes.

"... Yes, I will."

Something changed in the battleship's eyes, something that stirred a cold feeling in Airi's heart. The battleship's voice sounded light, but there was that cold in it that made Airi clenched her fists.

"Then you have no need for our permission, ne."

"Technically I don't. Indeed."

"If you would just do what you think is right regardless of our answer... there is no need for this meeting. Nor for our answers. You have every right and power to do that."

And you are no different with the others.

Somehow it felt as if that statement lingered in the air. Airi could almost taste it coming. Kongou stayed silent, waiting for the obvious explanation from Airi. The admiral closed her eyes then opened them again.

"Perhaps I worded it wrong. Perhaps I should have said I wished for your understanding."

"Will that even change anything?" The words came in a fast, matter-of-factly manner. Kongou's eyes remained impenetrable. "Would that be to your advantage?"

"It will be," Airi answered confidently. She smiled. "Tremendously. It will be. The main reason I come is to explain and to beg for your understanding."

When Kongou was in this side of herself, especially on the presence of her sister, Airi was always reminded about who she really was as a warship. She might always goof around and become the ice breaker in many occasion, also added tints of humor and lightheartedness, but she was more than capable of being serious. Kongou was also more than capable to be assertive and decisive. She was, after all, the sister Haruna both loved and respected.

"Although I know I am the command in this base and that I have the authority to assert whatever decisions I made, I would like to hear your opinions and insights, especially in things that I believe will directly affect you as well," Airi began slowly. She looked into Kongou's eyes. "I will explain to you the reasoning that I have, and why I think it is essential. It is also true that it might be because I have my own personal goal and idea. It is also true that regardless of any personal emotional feelings I might have it will not change the very fact that I am the absolute voice of this base and that I will not hesitate to use it for things I believe is right."

A change finally came in Kongou's eyes. Airi smiled and continued.

"However, I would like to be given a chance to ask for your understanding and to hear your opinion. Although explaining may not mean much, but I hope that you will come to understand my motives and wishes. I do not wish that any of you will think of yourself as insignificant. I wish that by this, your understand that your opinions matter to me and thus is why I seek them. As powerful as I am being the command of this place, I would like to establish understanding and cooperation between us in my every decision."

The silence after spanned for what seemed like an eternity. What came to the Kongou class battleship's face was, unexpectedly, a very gentle, very loving expression.

Airi felt like a knot in her insides untied itself. She find herself raising her eyebrows at the radical change.

Kongou broke a grin.

"That sounds a lot better, Admiral. Ne, Haruna?"

"Ah, indeed," Haruna, although did not seem to thought she would be referred by her sister, agreed. She smiled at the Admiral. "I think I would prefer this as well."

Prefer. Airi raised her eyebrows. She looked to Kongou, who still had that grin on her. The battleship changed the grin into smile.

"'Permission' sounds like you are lowering yourself. That saddened me, Admiral. I am proud to be your ship. You gotta show your own pride too! You worth much more than that. You better make everyone know your place and theirs, Admiral. It's ambiguity is unsettling."

Ah.

The battleship grinned again, leaning towards Airi. She winked.

"We are all your ship! We need your command. We need you to always be our head. We need you to always see us from above. You can see better than us,and let us believe it so, Admiral. You have no need to ask for permission to us."

Her eyes turned into a gentle glow, Kongou continued.

"Don't lower yourself to be in the same level as us. We should never be."

Well. So this was her purpose.

From the very beginning, Kongou had no intention to oppose her on anything. She merely tested her, pushing her to regain her greater foothold.

It is very embarrassing to say, but she was being lectured by her own battleship. Sighing, Airi went back to her original purpose.

"So, do I have your words?"

"On?"

"The construction."

Kongou laughed. She raised her shoulder while folding her arm.

"Eh, Admiral, I thought it is pretty clear. You don't need it too, no?"

Airi scowled.

"Can't you at least make me feel better, Kongou?"

The battleship gave her crisp, lighthearted laughter. She smiled gently. Briefly meeting eyes with her little sister, she looked back at Airi.

"Admiral, Haruna and I have complete trust in your decisions. Of course we agreed. We both want to meet our sisters ourselves."

She paused. Her eyes seemed to go back to somewhere far for a while, then back to Airi again. She smiled.

"But that intro you did took my interest."

"Intro?"

"About that plan you said," Haruna finally took her turn. She smiled. "If you do not mind to disclose it to us, it would be our honor to hear of what you have in mind, Admiral."

XXX

"I have heard of that from Lieutenant Kouseki."

Kagerou raised her index finger when Kanon finished her story about the welfare constitution. It was supposed to remain a secret until the time Airi disclosed everything to all of her ships. It seems their Lieutenant already let it out.

So much for secrecy, Kouseki. So much for that.

"So you are researching for this? But why must you not tell us?"

"So that I can keep other feelings away from alluding the research," explained Kanon. "People will talk more when they don't feel suspected. If you feel like you are being researched, anyone would naturally set up a defense. Like, 'I am not ill' or 'I am okay' or anything like that. You will then naturally try to hide any kind of inkling to that path. I try to not let that happen. That is why I never present myself anything more than a mere... doctor."

Kagerou's face changed into understanding. She must have felt that way as well. The girl closed her eyes and sighed.

"That isn't nice though, Sensei."

"That isn't," Kanon shrugged. "But necessary. At least me and Airi believed so."

"It could have been better if you explained it to us all."

"It might be, it might be not, Kagerou," Kanon grinned. Kagerou furrowed her eyebrows. "There is hardly anything really right or wrong in this world, really. We just do what believe are the fastest, most objective way to gain data. At least what *I* strongly believed in."

Airi had said the same thing Kagerou said,but she eventually said that she believed a researcher's words on research. Kagerou did not reply back. It appeared that she found everything made her displeased but she seemed to not find any reason to further be mad either.

Unlike her sister, Shiranui remained silent all the way. She seemed to listen to every word, observing every movement. Kanon had no telling what she might think. With her previous near-transformation incidence, this silence turns increasingly unnerving but Kanon had nothing else she could do but pray.

This turns so. Very. Troublesome.

Although she wasn't one to follow every single order there were in the world, Kanon still was someone who would like troublesome people stay clear from her. One of the reasons she befriended Airi was because Airi was the least troublesome among other girls. Airi did not comment on her fashion sense. Airi did not comment on her queer liking of books and interest. Airi did not rub her the wrong way on whatever those unimportant things most people would tell her. To be honest, this was the first time Airi caused her troub—well that's a lie. When she was in her prankster mode Airi caused her a LOT of intentional trouble but to be fair, not those emotionally burdening ones at least.

For your friend, Kanon, come on. …. Ugh. Or at least for science, Kanon. Science. Hang in there.

"Why do you agree?"

Shiranui's voice made Kanon almost jumped. It was so sudden, and so right when she was daydreaming too.

That poker face. Man, can this destroyer be even more intimidating?

"Well..."

"Why do you help?"

That was pretty hard to answer. Why?

Kanon sighed. She scratched her non-itchy face with her index finger, looking up to the sky.

Man, it was such a bright day today. But damn, this girl beside me is so damn colder than my lab's air conditioner.

"... Maybe because it is Airi?"

Shiranui narrowed her eyes upon hearing Kanon's answer. The researcher smiled.

"You know, Airi very rarely... take a wrong judgment on something. Although she looks like that, she is a very just observer. When she is mad, it must always be for a very good reason."

"Mad?"

Kagerou looked surprised.

"Admiral can be mad?"

"Well, surprisingly enough, she can," Kanon laughed. "What kind of super saint that can't be mad? Airi is more than capable to be mad."

Kagerou seemed to disagree but she did not voice her opinion. Perhaps she had never seen her best friend showed her anger.

"It was not adultery, Kanon. It is obviously not adultery."

Her voice trembling with rage, Airi continued with barely contained anger.

"It was rape. They merely said that because they dismiss any kind of opinion the Kanmusu might ever have. THAT far. THAT far they are disregarded."

"It's just that, when she was mad, she always have a good reason. And I have never seen her more furious than when she talked about what all of you Kanmusu had been through."

"If I were to one day died or retired... I want my girls to be protected."

Kanon shrugged.

"I may not look like it, you know, but I believe in some of Airi's naive opinions. She can be an extremely stupid and naive person, but she has never been anything but a kind person for as long as I know her—and that is pretty long, mind you. You might not believe me, Shiranui, but your current Admiral has nothing but good will."

Shiranui did not reply. Nor did anything seem to change from her eyes.

This girl... and her poker face seriously.

Kanon sighed.

Well, I give up. I'm never much of a talker anyway.

She gave Shiranui her smile.

"Just know that you have someone extremely furious for your sake. At least, I would like to help such person."

XXX

"So both of them accepted?"

"Yes. I think we can continue now."

The voice on the other side of the phone sounded delighted.

"That's good news," The older admiral laughed. He paused for a while then said softly, "How do you feel, Airi?"

How do I... feel?

Airi closed her eyes. She could not tell him about what happened this afternoon, not on the phone. She had a lot she wanted to tell him, and for once she extremely wanted his insights and guidance. He had been an unbelievably strong ally and a reassuring presence. His opinions were always sound and rational, and he taught her so many things for these whole months they knew each other.

Shiranui's case weighted heavily in her heart. As she talked to Kongou and Haruna about her future plans, Shiranui's grey eyes knocked the back of her mind over and over. Kongou's earlier reply did not help either.

"Don't lower yourself to be in the same level as us. You should never be."

Kongou was undeniably right. Airi thought so as well. It still hurt, however.

What if one day... she would have to betray her own Kanmusu for her plan? What if one day... she became who she never would want to be?

Power is such a delicate, troublesome thing. It makes you able to do what you want yet the responsibility weights heavily. It lures you to your desire, so very strong, and its light could easily blind you. No one is free from mistakes. Thus it makes power even more dangerous.

Yet it is also what she needs. Every ounce of it. For her ideals. For the future she wished to make come true.

"Airi."

Kudou Soujirou's voice gently called her.

Airi opened her eyes. What she saw was a row of books. Naval warfare books and also folders. There was also her files, documents she had not finished.

"Always believe in yourself. No one will believe in you if you don't believe in yourself first."

She closed her eyes again. Yes, that is true but...

"And believe in us and your ships."

There was a smile in his words. And gentle affection.

"We will be with you. Don't worry, you are not alone. If you think you are led astray, ask us. We will get this through together. Hang in there. The big operation might be extremely daunting but it's also a chance. If we work together, we can get through it."

"... I am just afraid that.."

She could not say it. What if...

His voice on the other side of the receiver sounded restrained. She knew if he were there with her, he would have already had his hand on her head and just ruffled her hair silly. What was she thinking? She shouldn't have...

"Airi, just as you are motivated by your love to them... so are they."

Love.

Chills ran through her... and somehow, she could see her vision blurred.

"Will that even change anything?"

"Believe that your ships do love you back."

His voice dropped softer.

"Don't worry. None of you will betray each other. You won't. We'll look after each other, okay?"

"... yes."

"We sink. And he get promoted."

"Airi? Are you there?"

"Yes."

"This is their fault. Human's fault."

"I hate how no one say anything. Their silence said he was right."

I'm so sorry...

"... Airi?"

"Admiral, Haruna and I have complete trust in your decisions."

"A thank you gift! We're making a new room for you!"

I'm so very sorry...

"... Airi, Sweetheart, are you alright?"

Pushing her sleeved arm to block her tears, she curled herself.

"We sink. And he got promoted."

"It is also true that regardless of any personal emotional feelings I might have it will not change the very fact that I am the absolute voice of this base and that I will not hesitate to use it for things I believe is right."

She did not need to say it, she knew he understood. He let their call lasted without a word being said. All she heard was his breathing at the other side of receiver, and she knew he only heard her restrained cry.

"Please, shape us however you want us to be."

"You are just as scared as they are."

"The sin of your people is not yours."

Their responsibility.

This was their responsibility.

Slowly, Airi opened her eyes. She rubbed her face with her sleeve, looking down at her unfinished documents. She would not let a single drop of tear fell on her documents.

Not her documents.

"Please don't burden yourself with guilt."

"Believe that your ship do love you back."

"I'm sorry, Senpai. I am okay now."

"... Are you sure?"

"That is their answer to your compassion, Admiral Tendouji."

"Oh, come on, Admiral. It isn't that hard to accept, right?"

"Yes. Yes, I am alright."

He may not completely believed her, but he unmistakably trusted her. His voice was firm when he gave his last statement before they cut their call off.

"I see. I will see you at the meeting then, Airi. Best of luck to both of us."

They would meet each other at the admiral general meeting next month. The day when the big operation would finally, officially, commence—Their last chance to make the Grand Marshall change the now-officially implemented plan with sacrificial fleet to the north.

XXXX

"What do you think?"

Kagerou glanced beside her, to observe Shiranui's face. Her little sister did not said a single statement after they escorted Hakurei-sensei back to the main building. She seemed to have a lot in mind and her mind seemed to be elsewhere.

That was to be expected.

Shiranui had a lot to sort.

Her little sister took a considerable time to answer, that Kagerou thought at first she would not reply. They were just arriving by the destroyer dormitory's garden when she suddenly opened her mouth.

"... She has not betrayed us for now."

Kagerou stopped her steps and looked back. Shiranui looked up, meeting her sister's eyes. Her eyes moved down then back again to her sister's. Uncertain.

"If you deem me unworthy of it, I am willing to take your hate."

"... Is trying enough, Kagerou?"

She was scared. Just like Kagerou herself. They were both scared of expectation. They were both scared of letting go. They were both scared of the future. Giving a small smile, Kagerou extended her hand, taking Shiranui's inside hers.

"More than enough, Shiranui. I am too. I am trying too. We're the same."

Shiranui returned her grip.

She might not be able to express it like the others, but Kagerou understood that for a while her purple eyes turned softer.

From inside the dormitory, barkings could be heard. Kagerou quickly turned around, breaking into a smile as the small body of Kurogane bolted towards them from an opened door. Shigure was the one opening the door to let the dog out—a knowing smile on her face. She shook her head exasperatedly, but did not seem to mind the hassle at all.

Scooping the small pooch into her arms, Kagerou could not hold her laughter when Kurogane started to try licking her face. The little boy's excitement at the mere thought of having her home flooded her with an overwhelming warmth. This dog did not care less about who they were. This dog loved her and that was that. That was all.

Kurogane turned his brown eyes towards Shiranui. For a while it seemed like he froze. Shiranui as well, for a while, just looked at the dog in Kagerou's arms.

This dog barked at her when she was almost converted. He unmistakably could feel the darkness they held.

And yet, now his tail... wagged for them.

The dog barked.

A while later, Shiranui smiled.

Kagerou had never seen her looked so serene in these recent years. She watched as Shiranui gently patted Kurogane and let the dog licked every finger in happiness. The purple eyes were clear when they met her own golden ones.

"Tadaima."

I'm home.

Kagerou smiled, tightening her hug on her dog. That's true. She was just back from expedition.

"Okaeri, Shiranui."

~~~ To Be Continued ~~~