Kagerou, Batsubyoushimasu! Volume 1 Chapter 5 Part 1

Chapter 5: Wood

Part 1

　They trained again in the next day. The day after that as well. And even many days later they still trained. They accumulated fatigue and would collapse in the bed at night, not moving an inch. Nevertheless, that repetition was meaningful. The more time they spent doing nothing, the lower proficiency they would get.

“Hmm…?”

　Kagerou tilted her head. Thinking that perhaps there was a problem, Satsuki asked, “What’s wrong?”

“No, it's just, somehow it has become smooth.”

　’Ahaha,’ she laughed.

　She was referring to their fleet maneuver. Today the 14th Destroyer Division was repeating their escort training using stuffed dolls as the substitute of the convoys.

　So far, things hadn't gone quite smoothly. They constantly bumped into the convoys, which made them realize the challenges awaiting them.

　But they had become nimbler at the movement and now were able to maintain a proper distance of the convoys. The troublesome attitude wouldn't appear as long as they didn't waste their breath arguing. For a moment, there was even a doubt of whether everyone was being replaced by someone else.

“Satsuki has also improved considerably as well. Hey, aren't you already better than me at fleet maneuvers?”

“That's because Kagerou's way of teaching is very good, you know.”

“I think it's more about Satsuki's own effort though.”

“Well, yeah, I was practicing by myself in the middle of the night actually,” Satsuki smiled bashfully. “It's not just me, you know? Everyone has been practicing on their own.”

　Nagatsuki performed shelling. The Abyssal Fleet dummy that attacked the convoys were enveloped in columns of water splashes.

“It hit the target.”

　Kagerou was impressed by her improvement, while Satsuki poked her in the side teasingly.

“Hey, the results are showing, you know?”

　Arare's voice resounded as she issued the Z Maneuver. Her voice was still soft as ever, but she properly voiced it out when it mattered. Ushio's motion during torpedo strikes was getting quicker as well.

　Despite feeling impressed, Kagerou was still wondering.

“Everyone is so motivated, I wonder why.”

“Why indeed.”

　Satsuki looked at her while grinning broadly. It was a good thing since they had improved their teamwork as a destroyer division. However, there was still something missing. 

　Kagerou stared at Akebono who was looking bored.

“Hey Akebono, show me your motivation more, don't you think it would be great?”

“… Why should I show my motivation to you?”

　Akebono said in a way that indicated that it was too tiresome to talk.

“There's no point in trying to earn the first place.”

“But isn't it nice to get first place? It's fun.”

“I'm not interested.”

　This girl was the only one who was hard to manage. At some point, she no longer exuded hostility when they conversed with each other, but it was hard to say whether they had become closer. She tried not to think about Akebono for the time being. They would aim higher no matter what that girl complained about.

“Alright, let's go through with convoy escort today,” Kagerou told everyone. “There's no more days until the special exercise, so let's try to improve as much as possible today to aim for the first place.”

“When you say ‘go through’, you mean including shelling and torpedo strike?”

　Nagatsuki asked, to which Kagerou admitted.

“Yup. It's meaningless unless we do everything.”

“Don't we need a shipgirl to supervise us since we're going to use live ammunition?”

“That's why we are going to leave it to the Kongou-san sisters to watch over us again.”

　She pointed in the direction of the pier. 

　There were Kongou, Hiei, Haruna, and Kirishima on the pier. They were watching over, each in their own way. Kongou brought a teacup today as well.

“You managed to do it huh.”

“Well, Atago-san asked them to do it, and they agreed.”

　‘Hahaha,’ Kagerou laughed. The truth was, she was warned, ‘Accidental friendly fire is dangerous, so I'm making sure that the battleship girls must absolutely watch over.’ The fact that the four of them had to watch over was enough to show how dangerous it was being regarded.

“It was terrible the other day, but if we trained well today, the Kongou sisters would be impressed. If we managed to do that, we would stand out, and we would be the talk of the naval district.”

　Kagerou clapped her hands to motivate them.

“Well then, let's do our best!”

　Everyone moved to their position. As usual, the Rensouhou dolls with ‘Zekamashi’ written on them played the role of the convoys.

　In actual escort missions, the ship would be much bigger, and if it was a convoy, the number would be much greater. The shipgirls positioned themselves a quite distance away. Although they tried to keep the distance between the stuffed dolls as far apart as possible, there inevitably would be a discrepancy in reality.

　There's no point in worrying about it now. This was their chance to show off the results of their training so far to the Kongou-class sisters.

　The towing boat was switched on. The boat would move randomly from time to time, changing the convoy's course. Kagerou and the others had to follow the convoy closely.

“The preparation is complete.”

　Kagerou reached her position.

“Well then, let's go. Stay with the convoy.”

　The dolls advanced, and Kagerou and the others also sailed along in accordance.

　After a while the towing boat turned to starboard. Doing the same, they turned to the right.  Then the boat turned to portside, this time they went to the left. 

　Left, then right. They were carrying out the Z Maneuver.

　The shipgirls didn't collide. They weren't being negligent like they used to be. They kept their distance from each others' position, all while paying attention to their surroundings.

“How’s it Kagerou? I'm doing it properly, right?”

“You're really doing it well, you know,” Kagerou replied.

　It was the same for everyone as well. Even Akebono who always complained was also doing her role properly.

　Kaguro looked ahead. It should have been almost the time for the next stage. 

　A shadow was visible on the sea surface. Here it comes.

“Enemy on 10 degrees to the right!”

　Kagerou shouted. Everyone said “Eh?” in confusion.

“It's raid attack training! Prepare yourself!”

“I never heard about this though?!”

“It won't be raid attack training if I told you in advance, will it?”

　After silencing Satsuki's complaint, Kagerou increased the rotation speed of the main engines.

“We will let the convoy escape. Nagatsuki, smokescreen!”

“Me?”

“Hurry up!”

　Nagatsuki advanced, starting to generate smokescreen between the attacking ship and the convoy.

　Suddenly, the attacking ship flashed.

“Enemy ship opened fire!”

　Kagerou issued the warning. Columns of water splashes emerged around Nagatsuki. It wasn't flashy because the shells were practice shells, but it was still painful when it hit.

　Nagatsuki's sailing became unsteady. The smokescreen was still half-way incomplete.

“Nagatsuki, come back!”

　Satsuki, who went back from the front position, poked at Kagerou.

“Hey, the one who attacked us, it's Atago-san isn't it?”

　Kagerou responded, “Eh?” then used her binoculars to check.

　The one who played the role of the enemy and attacked them was a shipgirl clad in blue uniform..The size of that breast was certainly that of Atago’s.

“What is she doing? Even though I already asked her to introduce us to someone decent to be our enemy…”

“Kagerou, you're actually happy, right?” Satsuki said.

“Just be careful, I don’t think Atago-san would hold back against us.”

　Satsuki returned to her position. 

　Nagatsuki also returned while being drenched. The smokescreen that had been generated was still half-finished and it was already clearing up.

“The enemy ship is approaching…”

　Arare messaged them. She seemed to be able to see Atago very well from her position.

　Columns of water splashes emerged closer to the dolls which replaced the convoys. It seemed like Atago was shelling happily. She must be excited to be able to participate in the training. Come to think of it, I also felt like that when I played the role of the enemy ship.

　She briefly looked around the girls. Even though it was a training, the enemy was attacking, so there was a somewhat uneasy atmosphere drifting around them.

　Kagerou immediately said, “We are going to intercept it. Ushio will stay behind to provide direct support, the rest of us will go ahead and prevent Atago-san from attacking the convoy. Use that opportunity to let the rensouhous—I mean the convoy to escape.”

“With only 5 people?”

“Our opponent is a heavy cruiser, you know. We are going to strike all at once and then run away.”

　Even though the heavy cruisers were inferior to the battleships, they still had impressive striking power. Even if they engaged her directly, the chance of them succeeding would be slim. Therefore they would rely on numbers.

“Ushio, I'll leave the rest to you.”

“Um… O-Okay.”

　Although the voice was somewhat unreliable, for the time being, it was alright since she answered.

“Prepare for surface actions. Maximum battle speed on both—”

　Suddenly, there was a loud noise from behind.

　It was a bombardment sound. She hurriedly looked back. She tried to check with her binoculars. A ship's silhouette could be seen.

　It was a heavy cruiser's silhouette. She wore the same uniform and had equally large breasts as Atago. She had a gentle look on her face, but her bombardment had no mercy.

“It's Takao-san…!”

　Kagerou groaned. Atago probably had called her because she's a shipgirl of the same class. Atago was attacking from the front while Takao was attacking from the rear. Although it's a common tactic, it's effective when it's actually done.

　The convoy had been caught in the middle.

　Kagerou looked ahead and behind repeatedly.

　What should she do? If they split their forces between the front and the rear, they might be able to defend against both threats, but there was a high chance of them failing and getting the convoy annihilated. If they counterattacked against Atago alone with full force, their chance of success would rise, but that would allow Takao to attack as she pleased. 

　Kagerou was the leader. She had to make a decision.

“… Concentrate our attack ahead!” She finally said. “We are going to repel Atago-san and let the convoy escape. Some of the convoy might be swallowed by Takao-san attacks but—”

“You're abandoning the convoy?!”

　An objection appeared from an unexpected place.

　The one who was screaming was Akebono.

“The convoy is going to be attacked, and you're just going to abandon them and escape?! Both the convoy and the escorts should be rescued!”

“I’m not abandoning them. But if we split our forces, wouldn't we all might be annihilated? That's why I'm trying to let us survive as much as possible…”

“How heartless. Why aren't you trying to put effort in?!”

“Huh? But I’m trying, though?”

　Kagerou was feeling suspicious. Akebono, who had shown no interest in doing anything until just before, suddenly burst in anger.

“I’m trying to save the convoy.”

“No, you're not! You said you're going to abandon them!”

　Akebono was making a fuss.

“Even though you're always saying friend this and friend that!”

“Don't say weird things, Akebono. You aren't motivated yourself, so can you not intervene?”

“I'd be tempted to at least talk this much if I were with this lousy bunch! In the end, it's impossible for you guys to be escorts.”

“It’s not impossible. You know, the time we spend arguing like this will only flow…” 

　Akebono brought her face closer to Kagerou.

“It's troublesome, so just don’t do it from the start!”

　It was a blow of anger. A sudden outburst of energy.

　Kagerou was bewildered. The other shipgirls were also watching in surprise.

“We're going to escort a convoy in the exercise, so we have to do it, don't we?”

“Why don't you just refuse to participate in it?! That way no one will get hurt!”

“We are shipgirls, you know, what are we supposed to do if we refuse to participate in the exercise?”

　Kagerou was gradually getting irritated. Why is this girl making a fuss? Is doing an escort mission that terrible? Does she hate me that much?

“A-Akebono-chan…”

　Ushio was trying to calm her down somehow, but she refused to listen.

“As I thought, you're also that type of person after all. In the end, it's a pattern where the moment you couldn't do anything, you would abandon your allies! It would have been wiser had you not do it in the first place!”

“I will not abandon my friends!”

　Kagerou was furious. She yelled back undauntedly.

“Cut it out already, this big idiot destroyer!”

“You guys are even more of an idiot! And not just an idiot, you're heartless too!”

“Well, then let's split in two! We all might be annihilated in the end! But when that happens, I will tell you that it’s all your fault!”

“There’s no way the Kagerou-class has that kind of courage! Coward!”

“Who's the coward huh?!”

　Kagerou's vision turned red.

　My head is dizzy with anger. Why do I have to work this hard with this girl as my companion? Is there any other unruly destroyer girl like her? Even when I can come to an understanding with the others, this girl is the only one who I can't deal with. 

　I've tried my best to understand her somehow, but I'm about to reach my limit.

　She instinctively clenched her fists. Seeing that, Akebono continued.

“Ha! Are you going to hit me? Try it. There's no way the Kagerou-class can do something like that anyway!”

　Slap. 

　A dry sound resounded on the sea.

　Akebono touched her cheek. She was stunned.

　It was the same for Kagerou. She unintentionally stared at her own hand.

　The one who slapped Akebono wasn't Kagerou. She hadn't done anything. Despite her not doing anything, the sound resounded.

“Akebono-chan… Please stop…”

　It was Ushio who muttered that while holding tears in her eyes. She was the one who slapped Akebono.

“Stop being selfish…!”

　Akebono was dazed, but immediately lifted her eyes and yelled.

“Now you've done it!”

　She punched Ushio.

　Being a shipgirl, of course she didn't just keep quiet, she would fight when she got angry. In the outsider viewpoint, the footing was awful since they were on the top of the sea, but at such times in particular, the shipgirls' stabilizers would display their tremendous power, contributing to their owner's brawl. There was an unspoken rule where they should never fire their armaments, but conversely speaking, everything else except that was allowed. The cuteness of leaving a mark with a slap immediately disappeared, then it turned into a clash of fists. The riggings they equipped quickly transformed into blunt weapons as that happened. 

　Punch, kick. Punch, kick. Pretending to punch, then kick again. Akebono's rampage was within imagination, but Ushio also rampaged quite considerably. They brawled as if to vent their frustration up until now.

　Akebono's punch grazed Ushio, and it hit the absentminded Arare.

“Hurts…”

“What are you doing?!”

　Nagatsuki was enraged. She was about to finish saying “How dare you to lay a finger on Arare…!” when a kick had hit her.

“You!”

　Nagatsuki, whose face turned red, joined the fray. She violently swung her torpedo launchers like a sword, and her rampage made them wonder whether the manufacturer lied about the Mutsuki-class being weak because of the poor balance so that they could receive more orders.

　Akebono got kicked. Ushio, who was holding her, also got kicked. It was the work of Arare. She joined the fight at some point. It seemed like she held a grudge against the previous punch that had hit her. It was clear that she was serious by the fact that she wore her one-of-a-kind destroyer girl hat backward. Even back in Kure, she was never seen being pissed off this much. To compensate for the disadvantage of her small build, she was unleashing a tornado-like kick.  

“Whoa, great. You guys must have been very stressed out.”

　Satsuki who tried to remain as a spectator on the sidelines was also being dragged. Turned upside down, her face was shoved into the sea surface. Her eyes twitched upward when she got up, throwing punches regardless of whoever had hit her. Although she had a delicate appearance, it was still a trained muscular body. There might be a secret pride that wouldn't allow herself to be defeated by ordinary destroyer girls. She joined the fray with the energy that seemed to say ‘I'm going to beat all of you.’ 

　A street fight-like quarrel unfolded even though they were on the sea. Kagerou turned pale, realizing that they were in the middle of training, she was almost overwhelmed.

“Wait, stop! The heavy cruisers and even the battleships are watching you know! Stop—”

　In the middle of saying that, Kagerou's face was struck by a training torpedo that was thrown by someone from somewhere. She was almost knocked over.

　She barely managed to stay on her feet.

　She slowly and carefully picked up the torpedo that had fallen.

“Th... These idiots bunch!”

　She lost her reasoning, and now everything looked like an enemy to her. This world is such a dark and hopeless place. I'm sure I won't be able to be a bride unless I beat them all. If that’s the case, I'm going to beat them senseless and flatten them to smithereens. Every last one of you are going to be the stepping stones in my life.

　Kagerou swung the torpedo, entering the fray, and thus there was no one left in their group to stop themselves.

　Atago, who was watching from afar, moved closer. Next to her, Takao approached as well.

　The two were staring at Kagerou and others quarrel in dismay.

“This is troubling. Quarrel between destroyers huh, it's been a while since I saw it.” 

　Takao shifted her gaze at Atago.

“What should we do?”

“Let's see… Stopping them is my duty as the secretary ship, isn't it.”

　Atago let out a sigh after saying that. Takao asked her.

“How are you going to stop them?”

“Like this.” 

　Atago aimed her 20.3cm twin gun mounts at the quarreling shipgirls. 

“Okay everyone~, if you don't stop within three seconds, I’ll shoot okay~? One~, two~…”

　She announced while smiling.

“Three~.”

　That's strange, did she intend to shoot from the start with that soft voice? The moment Takao thought that, Kagerou and the others were enveloped with huge columns of water splashes.

　At the Yokosuka Naval District Office Building. Inside the secretary ship Atago's office room.

　Each of the 14th Destroyer Division members were standing in a row while drenched wet with bruises all over their body.

　Atago was sitting at her desk. 

　She didn't look to be particularly dismayed. She had the same smile as usual. It was strangely scary since she didn't say anything and just stared at them silently.

“…About this deplorable event…”

　Atago finally opened her mouth. Kagerou was startled.

“U-uh… Well…”

“Be quiet. I'm not saying that there haven't been quarrels between shipgirls, but I think having a fight in the middle of training, not to mention right in front of the secretary ship was unheard of.”

“But…”

　The gaze leaped to stare at Kagerou. Being faced with the sharp look and the smile, she hurriedly shut her mouth.

　“And not only me, but Takao also witnessed it. The Kongou-class sisters as well. With so many people witnessing it, it's impossible for me to pretend that nothing had happened. Would you choose the punishment yourself? Or would you rather let the admiral decide?”

　Everyone shuddered. It would no longer be a trivial matter if the reports reached the admiral. The punishment would change, and a heavy detention would be a pretty light punishment, but in the worst case scenario, they would get stripped of their riggings and be used as modernization materials and then expelled from the naval district. And then, their names and portraits would circulate around, becoming a laughingstock.

　Ushio opened her mouth.

“I-It's…my fault…”

　That was the trigger, and everyone started to talk as if a dam had just broken.

“I don’t want to enter the detention barrack! The one who started it was Akebono!”

“I was only being dragged in it. I'm not responsible for it.”

“…I don't want… to be punished…”

　Akebono was silent. She was staring at the ceiling discontentedly.

　Atago sighed for the first time, seeing the destroyer shipgirls defending themselves.

“…Good grief…”

　The destroyer shipgirls were still continuing to defend themselves. The voices steadily grew louder.

　Atago said in dismay.

“That's enough. Overlooking the fight in the training is against the rules. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, so it won't be a serious problem. For the time being, you are prohibited to go out.”

　They were surprised. Although the naval district had food and recreational facilities, going outside was still more relaxing. As a destroyer division, it was a valuable time to spend their day off everytime they rotated out to go outside.

　Kagerou quickly interjected.

“That's quite a harsh punishment for a quarrel no matter how you look at it.”

“Kagerou-san, I'm planning to make your punishment a bit heavier. After all, you’re the leader.”

“Wh-Why I’m the only one—!”

“Be quiet.”

　Kagerou was at a loss for words due to the clear tone and the glint in her eyes.

“You may leave.”

　Everyone went out of Atago’s office room to the corridor in succession.

　They headed towards the destroyer dormitory from the office building in silence.

　Everyone was giving off an atmosphere of ‘It's too troublesome to talk.’ To an extent, it seemed like walking itself was a hassle for them.

　Kagerou squinted her eyes at the sunlight and looked up at the sky.

　What fine weather it is. It's almost evening, but the sky's still blue. Surely this blue sky extends as far as the port of Kure. The color of the air is so pure and beautiful too.

　She felt empty.

　They had a quarrel in front of Atago. Exchanged blows in front of Takao. Kicked each other in front of Kongou, yelled at each other in front of Hiei, grappled each other in front of Haruna, and got splashed with seawater in front of Kirishima.

　There is no way we can get a good reputation with something like this. We are at a level where we will be labeled as the worst ranked shipgirls and stupid destroyer division who fought with our fellow members. Moreover, our superior will also find out about it. The worst thing is that we can’t handle it among ourselves.

　I was full of motivation in the morning. I was determined to show great things in front of the secretary ship and the battleships this time.

　And yet, why did it turn like this?

　Kagerou was filled with a sense of emptiness. A void had formed in her heart.

　Suddenly, an emotion welled up inside her.

　It was sadness.

　I believed that with what I had achieved so far, what I had learned at Etajima, and even what I had been trained at Kure, I could pass anywhere. I've even promised to do my best in my letter to Shiranui. Knowing that everything only ended in vain, my grief has become evident.

　Kagerou cast her eyes down. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“U…u…uu…”

　It didn’t stop no matter how she tried to hold it back.

“I'm…sorry…everyone…”

　They stopped on their feet when they heard it. Kagerou said while shedding tears.

“I am… I'm an idiot… I'm only putting fruitless efforts… Even though I promised to do my best, I can't do anything… I'm just pushing you around…”

　Emotions overflowed one after another. She was aware that crying in front of others was unbecoming, but she couldn't stop it anymore.

“Despite Nagatsuki and Arare are…doing it properly… Satsuki too, and Ushio as well, and even Akebono… Even though… Even though everyone is a splendid destroyer… I am… because I am not doing my best… Causing trouble… Despite being the leader… Even though I’m a destroyer…”

　She was weeping. The tears dropped and wet the ground.

“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry…”

　The feeling of tension vanished, and her emotion was overflowing endlessly. Her own immaturity and her miserable self mixed together and made her feel as if her heart was about to burst.

　Kagerou could only express those feelings through crying.

　The shipgirls were staring at Kagerou.

“…That's not true!” Nagatsuki said suddenly. “I'm the one who should apologize. Even though Kagerou was so kind to me… I still…didn't have the confidence in myself. I should be the one…”

　She also shedded tears.

　The other shipgirls also started to cry.

“Me… Me too… If Kagerou wasn't here, I would only be all alone by myself! Kagerou gave me confidence, you know!”

“It's the same for me. Because Kagerou-san welcomed me… So I can go this far…!”

“… Kagerou… wasn't in the wrong… I myself…”

　Satsuki, Ushio, and Arare were all crying as well. Kagerou's words resonated with their feelings, their eyes brimming with tears.

　No one enjoyed being a failure. No one was happy to be humiliated.

　Everyone was frustrated.

　They didn't want the 14th Destroyer Division to be labeled as losers.

　They embraced each other spontaneously. They were crying as they hugged each other.

　Only a single girl kept her distance.

　She stood still while looking away.

“This is why I don't like destroyers…”

　There were no tears in Akebono's eyes. It was impossible to catch a glimpse of her heart.