Kagerou, Batsubyoushimasu! Volume 1 Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Second Moon

　The admiral is the most distinguished person in the naval district, as he oversees and gives commands to the shipgirls. Still, the destroyer girls often addressed him as “Commander” instead of “Admiral.” Sometimes, Kagerou did the same.

　Kagerou was told that her assignment to the 14th Destroyer Division is the truth, and it shattered her hopes of it being a mistake to smithereens. The first thing the admiral said to her when she once again reported her duty on her arrival was, “Take care of Akebono properly.”

“‘Properly,’ is it…?”

　Kagerou couldn't help but to say that, even though she knew that it's useless.

　The admiral nodded.

“She's a good shipgirl.”

“She had just blasted the office, though…”

“Thanks to that, I can indulge myself. I guess I'll go to Houshou-san’s place today.”

　He seemed to be in high spirits, so Kagerou saluted silently and walked out. In addition, the office will be reconstructed with prefabricated structures once again as if to prepare whenever any trouble comes again at any time later.

　What should she do now? Currently, there is nothing she has to do because it is her first day of reassignment. She could've relaxed in her room, but that would only make her indignation toward Akebono pile up instead. Besides, there is still time before dinner.

(That reminds me, there’s also other shipgirls in the 14th Destroyer Division, right…)

　She unfolded the sheet of paper she received from the admiral.

“The first one is… Satsuki, huh?”

　She had never actually met her, but she had heard of her. If she’s not mistaken, the girl is a Mutsuki-class, but she seems unusually daring and resolute.

“This girl seems reasonable.”

　So where is this reasonable shipgirl? She could ask the personnel department, but she wanted to take the quickest way.

　She entered the Naval District Office building again. Conventional wisdom holds that the person who is well-informed about that sort of thing would be there, no matter which naval district it is.

“Pardon my rudeness.”

　Kagerou stood in front of an opened door to a room and raised her voice. As expected, she is still nervous. The person back in the Kure was frightening, and every shipgirls was sweating bullets from just walking past her.

　She doesn’t dare to enter before she gets the permission. Then she added while standing in the hallway, “I want to ask a question, if you don't mind.”

“It’s okay. Don’t just stay there, you can enter, come in.” 

　The droopy-eyed^[1] woman inside responded while beaming a smile.

　She is the heavy cruiser Atago, the second ship of the Takao-class. It’s almost impossible to not catch sight of her bright blonde hair and her imposing chest armor no matter what you do. She stands out among the heavy cruisers, many of which have magnificent breasts, and there are tons of her portraits circulating around in the public.

“I offer you my gratitude.”

　Kagerou thanked her, but Atago slightly tilted her head.

“Sheesh, there’s so many Kure girls that are too formal, don’t you think? I wish you would talk to me like you would to your big sister more.”

“Well, I am the first ship of my class.”

　She wanted to say that she doesn’t have a big sister with that, but Atago smiled wryly.

“That's not what I meant.”

“Atago-san is the secretary ship. That would be discourteous of me.”

　The woman before her eyes waved her hands to brush it off.

“It’s fine, really. The Admiral's policy, you see, is all about shipgirls being friendly with each other. We are all family here.”

　Kagerou said, “I understand,” and started releasing the tension out of her body. She’s grateful since it’s easier for her to do it that way.

　A secretary ship is, simply put, a position that serves as assistant to the admiral, assisting in everything ranging from construction and development to schedule and health management. It’s a role for the shipgirl with the closest relation to the Admiral.

　There’s nothing the secretary doesn’t know. The secretary ship in Kure Naval District was calm but scary, even knowing where every single screw went. If someone wasted ammunition, she would grill them on why they did that until dawn.

　A secretary ship requires a slightly different capability than shipgirls who only have to fight. For example, leadership, negotiation skills, or administrative processing competence.

　Atago, however, didn’t seem to fall into any of these categories. If Kagerou had to venture a guess, she would say that it was like Atago was “Being responsible for sex appeal.”

“So, what can I do for you, I wonder?” 

　She said in a fluffy^[2] tone of voice. Kagerou felt that something wasn’t quite right.

“I want to know where the shipgirls of the 14th Destroyer Division are. To start with, I want to look for Satsuki.”

“Satsuki, that energetic girl, isn't it? She’s a shipgirl who’s more like a little brother than a little sister, you know?”

“Can you tell me where she is?”

“I won't tell you.”

“Pardon?”

　Kagerou reflexively asked again. Atago was puffing her cheeks out.

“I told you to think of me like a big sister, haven’t I?”

“Right.”

“That’s why I'm not going to tell you, unless you're going to ask me like you would ask your big sister.”

“No, but …”

“I don't like it if you don't call me ‘Big Sis.’” 

　She made a fist with her hand and shook her body in a gesture like a child throwing a tantrum. Each time she did that, her chest swayed like a ship motion test.^[3]

　Kagerou couldn't afford to admire its size, and was simply at a loss for words.

“……”

“Come on, say it.”

“… Uh, I don’t have a big sister…”

Atago ignored the objection, then as if she had a good idea, said, “Then how about this? Just add 'Big Sis’ after the question.”

“Huh?!”

　Kagerou couldn't believe her ears: Is there a bad disease spreading around in Yokosuka? Perhaps the sea breeze from the Pacific Ocean is to blame.

“Call me ‘Big Sis’ and I'll give you the answer.”

“But…”

“Come on, call me ‘Big Sis.’”

　Atago was beaming widely. However, despite that gentle expression, Atago was never going to tell Kagerou if she didn't do what was told.

　Kagerou gave up. She took a few deep breaths. Then she opened her mouth.

“P…Please tell me where Satsuki is… B…Big Sis…”

“That’s no good. Put more emotions in it.”

　Atago’s puffed out cheeks haven't returned to normal. In desperation, Kagerou said, “Tell me where Satsuki is, Big Sis.”

“Mm, so cute!”

　She suddenly hugged her. Kagerou's face was buried in her cleavage.

“Mgh—”

“Kagerou-class truly has good performance but is also cute. I'm so glad you finally called me ‘Big Sis.’”

“Mghmgh—”

“I'd do anything for my cute little sister.”

　Atago picked up a pen and scribbled something on a piece of paper, then she handed it to Kagerou as if to push it to her.

“Here you go. I've written where everyone is for you. How about a thank you?”

“…Thank you.”

“Not like that, you remember?”.

“Thank you, Big Sis.”

　Atago beamed.

“Well done. Maybe we should have a picnic together sometime.”

　Kagerou muttered, “I don’t want to, Big Sis,” and immediately left.

 

　According to the note given by Atago, Satsuki is in the dock.

“Still being docked? I wonder if she is injured?”

　Kagerou quickly headed for the dock.

　Within a few minutes, a small, clean, and modern building came into view. It's a facility exclusive only to shipgirls.

　The official name of the facility is the "Shipgirl-Exclusive Medical Treatment Facility," but the shipgirls called it the dock. Shipgirls who have been severely injured in the battle with the Abyssal Fleet and judged to be in need of medical care are sent there. After all, they are the only ones who can fight the Abyssal Fleet. Therefore, a large budget was given for medical treatment.

　Kagerou received a visitor's pass at the entrance and entered after being given a brief explanation. She knocked on the door marked <1>.

There’s an answer of “You can enter,” so she opened it.

　It was a spacious private room. The windows were large for daylighting and lined with several flower arrangements. To ease the boredom, a TV and radio were provided, and she was surprised to see that even tropical fish were kept in the room. Hanging on the wall was a landscape painting. It’s a painting of a meadow somewhere, meant to soothe the battle-weary mind, but she heard that some shipgirls sometimes hang a painting of “Okinoshima Waters” battle scenes to keep their spirits up.

　There’s a bed in the middle. But no one was there.

“Huh…?”

　It was empty. There should be a reply from before, but where’s the shipgirl who replied?

“Over here, over here!” 

　There’s a voice from the other side. Kagerou turned to the other side of the bed.

　The shipgirl was there. She must be Satsuki, right? But it was difficult for her to say with certainty. 

　Why? Because she was doing push-ups in a tank top.

“Sorry about this,” she said, staring at the floor. “I had just started training, so I couldn't just stop.”

“No… That’s fine, but…”

“Do you want to join me?”

“Me?!”

“It feels nice, you know? Let's do it.”

　Kagerou stumbled over her words. Push-ups and punishment runs are notorious within the naval district. Shipgirls who make mistakes are forced to do them at every opportunity. Therefore, no shipgirl has a good impression of it.

　Satsuki, however, seemed to be different. Kagerou looked for an excuse to refuse, but she was in a hurry, so she had no choice but to put both her hands on the floor.

“Then let’s start from the beginning. Oneee.”

　She moved her body while matching Satsuki’s voice. 

“Twooo.”

　Whoa, as expected, my body feels heavy, Kagerou thought. This kind of muscle training quickly loses its effectiveness if you skip out on it. When she was a shipgirl candidate and was forced to train in Etajima, she had to do this kind of muscle training every day, but it had been a long time since she had done it, and her body was creaking.

“Teeen. So, what are you doing here?”

“I… I'm Kagerou. I was assigned to the 14th Destroyer Division.” 

“Fifteeeen. Ah, so you're the shipgirl who's going to lead us. Me^[4], I’m Satsuki, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too… Uh, hey, Satsuki, is basic fitness training mandatory in Yoko District dock?”

“Nah. It's not.”

　Twenty. While shouting that, Satsuki said, “It’s my hobby. I get injured whenever I sortie, but I have so much free time in the dock, so I do this.”

“Doesn't an injured person have no need to do push-ups? Destroyer's injury can be treated with a little time in the dock, you know?”

“Thirtyyy. Because our body is our only asset, so we have to train like this.”

“But that doesn't mean… you have to make me do it, too…”

“Fortyyy. I'm not just doing it with you, I'm doing it with everyone who comes to visit me. But how do I put this, everyone all quit halfway through and left me. Before I knew it, there were no more girls to train together with, and I was assigned to the 14th Destroyer Division.”

　’Ahaha,’ Sasaki laughed.

　I see, so that’s how it is, Kagerou thought as she felt both her arms gradually trembled. This girl, she is testing the other shipgirls like this, isn't she? She's testing my ability to see if I can keep up with her. There’s no doubt many of the other shipgirls shouted, “Don't be stupid,” and quit. Of course they would be pissed if they came to visit her and were forced to do push-ups.

　This girl is as much a leftover as Akebono, Kagerou lamented in her mind.

　Then Satsuki continued her counts.

“Forty nineee. Forty eiiight.”

“Hey wait! Why is it the training corps style?! Normally, you end at fifty.”

“Huh? Are you already exhausted?” Satsuki said with a calm tone. “I thought you could do a little better since you were from Kure.”

“Grrr…” Kagerou gritted her teeth. With that, a fire was lit. “I'll keep up with you no matter how much!”

　Let's do this. Yes, as Akebono has said, the Kagerou-class has confidence in their physical strength. Back in Etajima, Shiranui and I were doing push-ups endlessly while everyone around us was already falling down. We are different from those who are exhausted on the way because of their short cruising range. If it's a match, then why not accept itt?

“Thirty nineee. Wow, Kagerou, not bad!”

“Thirty eiiight! Come on, keep counting!”

“Thirty seveeen. Of course I will.”

　When the count reached close to fifty, the numbers steadily dropped, and just when it seemed like the count would reach zero, it would go back up again. It was a never-ending stubborn competition.

　Satsuki finally stopped counting when they were dripping with sweat.

“Fiftyyy. Whoa, I'm tired, so tired.”

　She counted fifty, but it was actually close to two hundred. She got up and picked two towels from the bed.

“Here, you can use this.”

“Thanks.”

　Kagerou received it while trying to act as calmly as possible. In reality, she was unsteady on her feet and her hands were shaking, but she was determined to not raise the white flag.

“Kagerou is quite good. Until now, I've never met another shipgirl who could keep up this far with me, you know,” Satsuki said with admiration. 

　Kagerou wiped her sweat.

“Heh. So Yoko District girls don't have much physical strength, huh?”

“Ahaha. You really said it eh. So, did you come to invite me? Can I really leave the dock?”

“Yeah, that’s right, I’ve received Atago-san’s permission.”

　Kagerou was informed of Satsuki’s location and also given the permission to let her leave the dock at the same time.

　Satsuki was delighted that she could finally leave.

“So Atago-san finally allowed me to leave huh.”

“You should be grateful. I put my body on the line for that.”

“Did you, by any chance, call her ‘Big Sis’?”

“Yeah I did.”

　Sasaki looked surprised, then burst out laughing.

“Everyone is trying to escape from her since no one wanted to call her that, and yet you did. You’re amazing.”

“What?! I thought the other shipgirls also did the same…”

“Kagerou is the first one to do that, you know?”

　I've been tricked, Kagerou lamented. No wonder Atago was extremely delighted.

“Well, forget about it. From now on, you'll have to follow my instructions, okay?”

“Yep, no problem.” Surprisingly, Satsuki answered readily. “You kept up with me till the end of my push-up session. So I'll follow Kagerou's lead.”

“Okay, then.”

　Kagerou rolled up the towel.

“I'll return this after I wash it.”

“You can have it. I'll be leaving the dock tomorrow, so let’s do push-ups together again sometime, okay?”

　As expected, Kagero replied with, “There’s no second time, sorry.”

 

　Kagerou sat down outside the dock. As she was leaving, she glanced over and saw that Satsuki was preparing to do sit-ups. This docked patient, are you really an injured person?

　She took a deep breath for a while then stood up. Now, let’s go to the next. I had to go and meet those people whose whereabouts I am not even sure.

“Next is… Arare, huh…? Arare?”

　For a moment, she thought that she had read it wrong, but there was no way to mistake Atago's beautiful handwriting. It was indeed Arare.

　The writing said that she was usually in the study room, so Kagerou went there right away.

　The study room is inside the destroyer dormitory. As for the destroyer dormitory, it is a lodging place where destroyers live.

　Naturally, it’s the study room exclusive to the destroyers, and each person is assigned a desk where they can study and do research. 

　There are many desks in the destroyer dormitory study room. This is because there are many destroyers. The carrier dormitory and battleship dormitory have the same size but fewer desks, so they can be used more spaciously. There have always been calls to protest about the arrangement, and each time the answer was “The study rooms will be expanded if the displacement^[5] is exceeding the limit,” and the protest was never successful.

　Kagerou entered the study room and headed toward the back, slipping through the cluttered equipment. There were gun turrets and torpedo launch tubes placed here and there from being borrowed by shipgirls since they had to make constant reference to the manuals when examining their equipment. There was even a Type 90 torpedo with its warhead removed and a Kanhon-type turbine lying around among them.

　She skillfully slipped through them. Such a thing doesn't trouble her, because back in the Kure, there were a lot of hammocks being hung around to the point of it resembling bunk beds, and gun barrels were placed on them.

“Oh, there she is.”

　She approached the shipgirl she was looking for.

　Arare was facing her desk. She was small even among most of the destroyers, many of which are petite girls, and her figure was also slender. Since it was indoors, she had taken off her one-of-a-kind destroyer girl hat, and her slightly wavy hair could clearly be seen.

　She looked the same as she did back in Kure.

　Kagerou became happy and called out to her.

“Arare, hey, Arare!”

　Arare turned around. It’s a youthful but well developed face.

“It's been a long time, isn’t it!?”

　Arare stared at Kagerou. She was silent for a while.

　Eventually, she tilted her small head.

“… Who…?”

　Kagerou almost flinched over.

“It's me! Kagerou! We were together in the 18th Destroyer Division back in Kure, weren’t we?!”

“Oh…”

　It’s unknown whether Arare remembered or not, but she nodded.

“Now that you mention it…”

“Have you remembered it?”

“Maybe…”

　Arare was still murmuring things that made Kagerou feel uneasy. 

　Kagerou and Arare were in the same destroyer division together in Kure. The other members were Shiranui and Kasumi. Kagerou was proud to be a member of that group where she could call them her close friends.

　Arare was reassigned before Kagerou. However, Kagerou didn’t know where Arare was reassigned to. After all, Arare was taciturn, so she didn't tell where she was going to be transferred. Kagerou ate a lot of anmitsu^[6] from Arare bad habit of treating others, but sometimes she suspected that Arare being taciturn was a way for her to avoid being questioned.

　Still, Kagerou was relieved to see a familiar face.

“Arare, you also joined the 14th Destroyer Division too, huh?”

“Yeah…”

“I'm really glad to see my old friend.”

“Me too… well…”

　For some reason, her tone of voice was as if she was keeping her distance, but Kagerou didn’t mind it.

　Kagerou spread her arms.

“Can I hug you?”

“That's a little…”

“It’s fine, right?”

　Hug. She pushily hugged her. Somehow, it feels like I’m becoming like Atago-san, she thought, but she continued to hug her since she was still deeply moved by their reunion after a long time.

　Arare silently complied. She wasn't a very assertive girl in the first place. 

“Hey, Arare, I was worried whether I would be all alone in Yoko District. The docked boku-ko^[7] girl suddenly started doing push-ups the moment I entered her room, and I’m being forced to deal with a shipgirl who has an awful personality.”

“That's Akebono…”

　That antagonistic girl is a celebrity, apparently.

“But I'm glad Arare is here, you know? Why are you in the 14th Destroyer Division though?”

“The destroyers were being assigned… Somehow I kept quiet… Then I was told to join the 14th…”

“Well, you don't talk much, don’t you? But I'm with you, so it's all right.”

“Which part is ‘all right’?”

　Along with that voice, she was suddenly grabbed by the collar and pulled.

　When she turned around, another shipgirl was there. It's a girl with fluffy hair and twitching eyebrows. The strong-willed facial features and tone of voice reminded Kagerou of a knight or a feudal warrior rather than a shipgirl.

　When Kagerou saw the dark-ish sailor uniform, she was instantly struck with realization. Isn't this girl a Mutsuki-class?

“… You must be Nagatsuki, right? As expected of the 14th Destroyer Division’s members.”

“That's right. You’re Kagero, I take it?”

　Nagatsuki said with a not-so-friendly gaze.

“Just when I entered the study room, the unresisting Arare was suddenly being hugged. Are you some new kind of molester?”

“No, I'm not! I'm just rekindling our old friendship.”

“There's no need to do it like that, don’t you think?”

　Nagatsuki quite bluntly cut in between Kagerou and Arare. 

“This is Yokosuka, not Kure.”

“I’m now also part of Yoko District, though.”

“If that's the case, there's other destroyer divisions. You can just join them.”

“I was ordered by the admiral, there’s no helping it.”

“That person will do whatever you say as long as he gets Houshou-san or Ikazuchi to pat him on the head. Go bribe them both.”

“Why would I go as far as to do that?!”

　Kagerou reflexively raised her voice. Nagatsuki continued with a bit of emotion in her cold gaze.

“The 14th Destroyer Division was originally just me and Arare. It belongs to us, where we would then discuss how to be the best destroyer division with just two of us. Then you and Satsuki were reassigned here, and even Akebono also joined. Of course it would have been a blow to our morale, don’t you think? That’s why, get lost.”

　Somehow, I’m starting to get the picture.

　That is to say, Nagatsuki viewed Kagerou as a nuisance. It’s like when the two of them were trying to build up various things by themselves, then an outsider came in and acted like a friend. I guess I could say it's as if someone kicked you on the face.

　Well, I felt sorry for them, but I also had my own issue to deal with.

　Kagerou cleared her throat deliberately.

“I am the lead ship, so I'll have you to obey me.”

“What did you say?”

　Nagatsuki looked surprised. It seemed she hadn’t heard about it.

“Why does a destroyer lead a destroyer division?”

“Go ask the admiral. Anyway, from now on, I am the one with the most authority in the 14th Destroyer Division, and I won’t allow any insubordination.”

　As expected, what I said feels a bit too much, even for myself, but I couldn't think of any other words to say. Kagerou herself disliked the idea of talking arrogantly like that, but she didn't have the luxury of time to persuade Nagatsuki. Though imperfect, it’s still an organizational structure, after all, surely she wouldn’t go against her superior, right?

　Nagatsuki, however, disobeyed her.

“I refuse.” She said as if trying to protect Arare. “I refuse to accept you as the leader. The 14th Destroyer Division is mine and Arare's alone. Stay out of it.”

“What a strange thing to say. Don't you originally belong to Sase District? Since you’re a Mutsuki-class, you're supposed to be together with Satsuki instead of Arare.”

“I don't need that muscle training maniac, I've decided to team up with Arare.”

　Nagatsuki had a look in her eyes that seemed to say ‘I won’t listen to anyone else's opinion.’ Akebono was rebellious, but in this girl's case, she was being obstinate. Kagerou later learned that these kinds of personalities were the reason why they were sent to the 14th Destroyer Division.

“We don’t need you here.”

“Well, I do need you.”

“No means no. Arare, let's go.”

　Nagatsuki pulled Arare along. Arare followed her while still being absent minded.

　She didn’t even have the time to stop them. They went away somewhere as Kagerou stood still.

　Her mouth bent downward. Why are all the girls like this? Does the admiral have some kind of grudge against me or something? Telling me to do something about the leftovers, I can’t just make a unit made up out of losers, you know?!

　Will something similar happen again? She wondered immediately after. Only the taciturn Arare is somewhat better, but there’s an antagonistic girl, a muscle maniac, and an obstinate girl. I'm sure I'm also being included in the category somewhere, too.

　After lamenting her fate for a while, Kagerou left the study room to look for the last member.

　The last remaining member of the 14th Destroyer Division was Ushio.

　She was fed up with the thought of ‘Do I have to go through all the trouble of searching for yet another troublesome person again?’ but it seemed that it wouldn’t be the case. The girl in question came from the other side.

　The destroyer shipgirl rushed over to Kagerou as she stepped outside to go to the harbor and immediately bowed to her.

“Excuse me, are you Kagerou-san? Of the Kagerou-class destroyer?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“I, my name is Ushio.”

　Kagerou said, “Oh,” and was kind of disappointed because she had achieved her goal rather easily.

　Ushio's appearance looked docile and timid. Depending on the angle, she looked as if she was about to cry.

　I wonder if it’s yet another extreme personality again, Kagerou thought. In general, destroyers tend to have a big-headed attitude in contrast to their small appearance, but there’s also a lot of them who will be silent till the end of the century the moment they stop talking. As the english name “Destroyer” implies, they are said to have an eccentric personality perhaps because they have made it their goal to destroy large sized ships whenever they encounter them. That was a case on the other side of the ocean, but she heard that there were many among the same class who behave like oddballs on purpose.

　The destroyer shipgirl before her eyes was—she doesn’t know how to explain it—so timid that she didn't seem like a shipgirl at all.

　Just to be sure, Kagerou asked her.

“You are also a member of the 14th Destroyer Division, huh?”

“Yes. Um, thank you for taking care of me.”

　Reflexively, Kagerou replied, “No, no, it's my pleasure,” and bowed her head in return. The girl is an extremely polite shipgirl.

　Ushio raised her face. With just that alone, her chests swayed.

　Kagerou genuinely murmured to herself, “Even though you’re a destroyer…”

“Is there something…?”

“Not at all. Now then, with this I’ve gathered everyone…”

“Um, do you know where Akebono-chan is?”

“Who knows. Pretty sure she’s somewhere around, don’t you think?”

“I’ve been looking for her for a long time, but I can't find her…”

　Ushio restlessly was looking around as she spoke.

　Kagerou thoughtlessly answered.

“I'm sure she’s on the Naval District Office building rooftop or something.”

“I heard she got into a fight with another destroyer girl there. Even though I always tell her to stop throwing jabs at anyone she sees…”

　That’s exactly what she did to me, Kagerou thought. It seems she wasn’t just picking a fight only with her who was a newcomer, but also with everyone else equally.

“Enough about that. I have met her directly.”

“But Akebono-chan is finally able to be included in a destroyer division. Until now, everytime she joined a destroyer division, she’s always getting kicked out… Oh, there she is.”

　Akebono was a little further away, near the training ground.

　Ushio called out to her, “Akebono-chan!” Akebono looked with a glance, then ignored her and continued walking. Ushio rushed to Akebono and talked about something.

　Surely, she’s saying something like “You must get along with others,” or something. Akebono seemed to be adamantly unwilling to accept, making a gesture of refusing whatever Ushio was saying. Is she throwing jeers? She’s even swinging her arms around.

　Even from a distance, she could tell that Ushio was starting to become dispirited. Unable to bear looking at it, Kagerou approached them.

“Hey, Akebono.”

　Akebono glanced at Kagerou.

“It’s you again. How meddlesome.”

　She was as foul-mouthed as ever. Her breathing was a little rough, probably from arguing with Ushio, isn’t it? Her whole body was giving off a ‘Don't come near me, don't touch me, and don't try to approach me’ vibe.

　Ushio, by contrast, was teary eyed. Kagerou got really annoyed by that and put her hands on her hips.

“You should be nicer to your friends.”

“Friend? Did you mean Ushio, by any chance?”

“Of course. She went out of her way to find you.”

　Akebono burst out laughing.

“Don't be silly. I never asked her to do that. It's none of her business.”

“Look, she’s desperately looking for you because she’s concerned, if that’s not your definition of a friend, then what is she to you?”

“She’s nothing more than a busybody who’s trying to get me to join a destroyer division when I'd rather be on my own.”

　It’s as if she’s saying that it’s not worth talking about. Kagerou became increasingly annoyed.

“Isn’t she like that because she wants you to be acquainted with everyone?”

“There’s someone like Shimakaze who is running around on her own.”

“That's only because she's the only one with that kind of speed, though.”

　It’s difficult to put Shimakaze in a destroyer division because there’s no other ship of the same class. That’s why she’s being treated differently. Akebono is the Ayanami-class. It’s an improved version of the Fubuki-class, so there are ships of the same class all over the place.

“Destroyer division is a fighting force because it is a cohesive unit. If we were dispersed, we wouldn't be able to escort and accompany the main force, would we?”

　Suddenly, Akebono shouted out, as if there’s something that hurt her feelings.

“Escort?! Don't be absurd! That's something only a miserable and brainless destroyer would do! I refuse doing such a thing!”

“What? That’s a very important mission.”

“You're such a simpleton! Wasting yourself being manipulated like that is why destroyers are being made fun of!”

　Kagerou was confused. Escorting is an important mission for a destroyer. They protect anything that needed to be protected, ranging from large sized ships to convoys. Shooting down incoming enemy aircraft, chasing off submarines, and even rescuing people in distress.

　She was proud of doing these kinds of missions. Her former flagship, Jintsuu, repeatedly instructed her that, “Escorting is an important mission that only destroyers can perform.” She was also proud of the fact that it was thanks to them that the large sized ships were able to display their strength.

　And yet, what the hell with these remarks?

“… Whose fault do you think it is that destroyers are being made fun of?!” Kagerou finally snapped. “It's people like you with your awful personality who are ruining the reputation of the destroyers! And I'm the one who's forced to deal with you, you think I’m a scrap dealer?!” 

“That does suit you. After all, you’re a Kagerou-class. In the end you will just disappear instantly, just like an idiot-gerou!”^[8]

“People hate you exactly because you keep only saying annoying things like that!”

“I know very well that people hate me. Just leave me alone!”

“Even I would like to leave you alone too, but we're part of the same destroyer division! Aren’t we comrades?!”

“If you don't like it, then why don’t you just kick me out?! Atago-san will definitely approve it for you if you just ask her.”

“Yeah, I'll definitely do that, you shitty idiot! I'm gonna throw your riggings over the port and make you a target ship off Wakasa coast!”

“You'd better hurry, you hear me?! Otherwise you’ll get struck by a torpedo before I’ll get smacked with boat oars!”

 　Akebono spat a parting remark, “Freaking idiot!” then turned away and ran off.

　Kagerou didn’t stop her. She was still seething with anger.

“Ummm…”

　Ushio timidly called out to her.

“What?”

　Ushio was startled when she was glared at.

“Uh… I'm sorry…”

　She felt guilty when she saw the look on her face.

“Ah no… I should be the one who says sorry. It wasn't your fault.”

　Kagerou suppressed her anger and forced a smile. She was now only filled with nothing but anger toward Akebono, but still, it would be wrong to take it out on Ushio.

　Ushio was still trying to gauge Kagerou's feelings.

“I’m sorry… I should apologize on behalf of Akebono-chan.”

　Kagerou hurried to stop her as she really tried to lower her head.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. It's all Akebono's fault.”

　Ushio looked at Kagerou with an upward glance.

“Umm… Are you really going to kick Akebono-chan out…?”

“I wonder about that.”

　Tears welled up Ushio’s eyes, perhaps because she saw the troubled look on Kagerou’s face. Kagerou panickedly denied it.

“No, I won’t do that. Akebono is still a member of the 14th Destroyer Division. If I kicked her out after everything I have said, it’d look as if I had lost, and that would be frustrating. She’ll stay with us.”

　Ushio patted her chest in relief.

“Thank you very much. I'm relieved…”

“Seems like I need to work on my insult words too, huh.”

　It was meant to be a joke, but Ushio seemed to have taken it seriously.

“Please don’t be influenced by Akebono-chan too much. The atmosphere in every destroyer division she’s been in has all become strained. I think it's better to just watch over her.”

　Kagerou was more impressed rather than concerned by her words.

“Ushio is so kind.”

“Thank you…”

“But you'll just be taken advantage of, so why don't you just cut ties with Akebono?”

　Ushio shook her head.

“I can’t do that. After all, I've finally joined the same destroyer division which accepted Akebono-chan despite all her troubles. I will stay with her until the end. I want to use this as an opportunity to restore the honest girl she used to be.”

“Honest girl? That Akebono?”

　She thought it must be a joke, but Ushio was very serious.

“Yes. I don't know any destroyer shipgirls who are as steadfast and faithful to their duty as she is.”

“That can’t be true.”

　Kagerou couldn't help but laugh, but Ushio had a serious look on her face.

“It's true. When she shelled the office, it’s because the admiral asked her specifically to do that. He told her to destroy only the office so as not to cause damage to others. That way, the admiral can get spoiled by the carrier and battleship girls."

“Oh…”

　Kagerou recalled the admiral saying, “I guess I'll go to Houshou-san’s place today.”

　However, to destroy only the office without causing collateral damage must actually be quite a feat of skill, is it not? Even Kagerou who was caught up from the impact was not injured.

"Hmm… faithful, huh…?”

“I understand what Kagerou-san is trying to say. But I am also responsible for why Akebono-chan has turned out like this. So please forgive her.”

“Is that so?”

　Kagerou asked back, but Ushio repeatedly begged her by saying “Please take care of Akebono-chan somehow.”

Note :

 [1] : Tare-me or Tareme eyes. A style in anime and manga of drawing eyes where they droop or sag at the corners. You can try looking at Atago's eyes design in game and you'll understand.
 [2] : Fuwafuwa. Typically it's something where you just can't take it seriously, whether it is attitude, tone, or gesture.
 [3] : Usually you can see it in anime where the kid will throw a tantrum by saying 'Iya da, iya!'. Also a ship motion test is a hydrodynamic test performed for the purpose of designing a new (full sized) ship, or refining the design of a ship to improve its performance at sea.
 [4] : Satsuki is using Boku which is uncommon for a girl, since it's usually used by young boys.
 [5] : Displacement or displacement tonnage is a term referring to the weight of a ship. The author really loves to throw technical terms around in this novel, in this case it means 'The study room will be expanded once the destroyer numbers has increased exceeding the limit of the room.'
 [6] : A japanese dessert made of small cubes of agar jelly, a white translucent jelly made from red algae.
 [7] : Boku-ko is a term for a girl who used Boku to refer herself. It's really uncommon for girl to use Boku, that's why girl who used it is referred as Boku-ko which literally translates to 'Boku' girl.
 [8] : This is a pun. Akebono is saying antlion which is usubakagerou in Japanese, while usubaka itself means dimwit or idiot.