17 Bond

Okazaki Kimura already arrived at his office and sees Aoba, Yayoi, and Uzuki already waiting for him there. He opens the door and enters the room. The moment he closes the door, Aoba greets him,

"Welcome back, Kimura"

Kimura smiles and then sits down in his chair. He then gives them the briefing regarding their mission as the offensive division for their large-scale operation. Aoba, Uzuki, and Yayoi nod to show that they understand their role in that operation. And then, Kimura says,

"We can't lose now because that operation could become the cornerstone of humanity to fight against Abyssal."

Aoba could see that Kimura quite stressed a bit about this operation, something that she never sees from Kimura. And because of that, the aura at Kimura's office suddenly become really heavy. Kimura observes around him and sees Yayoi and Uzuki that quite restless. He then looks at Aoba and could see that she is really worried about Uzuki and Yayoi that can't cope with the expectation given by him to them. Kimura then closes his eye and asks,

"Yayoi. Uzuki. Are you worried that you can't achieve the expectation at this operation? Are you worried that you will be the one who messed up?"

Yayoi and Uzuki look down and that shows Kimura their worry about the operation. Not only him, but Aoba also understand them and pats their shoulder. Kimura then smiles and says,

"Well, you don't need to worry! Even I worried that I will mess everything up. But, I believe we could do this together, even for future operation!"

Aoba smiles at Kimura that shows his courage to fight his worry, and that really makes Uzuki and Yayoi surprised. Kimura then stands up and walks to them. He then asks,

"Then, who agree with me?"

Aoba the first one to walk near Kimura and smiles at him. She then says,

"Aoba agree with you, Kimura. Our Unit already passed through many battles together. Aoba believes even if that a small-scale, or medium-scale, or even large-scale operation, we could fight them without any problem together."

Uzuki and Yayoi still really worried, until they see Aoba and Kimura's face. They see them smiling at them and that really soothe their feeling. Little by little, the two of them become calmer and they start to walk towards Kimura. Uzuki then says,

"Yes, I believe we could do it, pyon~"

"We could do it," says Yayoi

Kimura smiles at them and immediately hugs the three of them. Aoba, Uzuki, and Yayoi really surprised with that, but they already used to it. Kimura then says,

"I'm happy to hear that from the three of you."

The three of them laughs together until they hear someone knocks on the door. They could hear,

"Admiral Okazaki, please order your unit to prepare themselves at the dock. We will commence the operation soon."

"Yes, I will," answer Kimura

After that, the person already leaves that room. Kimura takes a deep breath and says,

"Did you hear that? Let's go to the dock."

"And while we are in the mission, Aoba will protect both of you," says Aoba

Uzuki and Yayoi look and nod to each other. Uzuki then smiles and tugs Kimura's shirt. She then says,

"Then, let's go... Father."

At first, Kimura didn't hear that, but little by little he understands what Uzuki just said and he immediately says,

"Wait... Uzuki... What did you just call me?"

"Ahahahahaha... Isn't that good for you, Papa?" ask Aoba as she teases Kimura

Aoba then feels someone hold her hand and looks beside her. She could see Yayoi looking at her and hears,

"Mother, thank you for protecting us... I feel really safe by together with you. Let's go to the dock together."

This time Aoba the one who surprised with that. She then looks at Kimura that really embarrassed. Then, Kimura smiles and says,

"Well... That's alright if you call me that..."

"Uuuuu... But, still that embarrassing..." says Aoba

Kimura then smiles a little bit and ask them to follow him to the dock to prepare themselves. After arrived at the dock, they separated their way and Kimura gathers with the other Admiral at the offensive division. When he gathers with them, they just hear something shocking for him.

The reason is the leader of each division. The offensive division will be led by Grand Admiral Ichijo Mo with flagship Mutsu, the defensive division will be led by Admiral Yanagi Tadahisa with flagship Houshou, and the reconnaissance division will be led by Admiral Viltus Amarov with flagship Harusame.

Kimura immediately asks,

"Is that true? Viltus become the leader of the reconnaissance division?"

"Yes. They just announce it. And he is the only new Admiral that lead the division." answer Akihiko

"That's must be really hard for someone as young as him." continues other Admiral

"I doubt it! I believe he asks his father to assign him as the leader after all his father is one of the high ranking officers." says another Admiral

"And I believe he whines at his father to make him like that."

Everyone laugh really hard at him, except Kimura and Akihiko. Suddenly, one of the Admiral says,

"Oh... Oh... I remember that rumor."

"Which rumor?" asked another one

"The rumor where he tried to date one Ship Girl. It seems he couldn't find a real woman and choose the war machine. What a loser!"

Kimura remembers that rumor created by Viltus to protect him and looks at Akihiko that holding his anger. All the Admiral around them are laughing to Viltus and that makes Kimura can't hold his anger anymore. But, before he could say anything someone pats his back and hears,

"Kimura, could you follow me now?"

Kimura looks behind him and sees Haruto and Megumi stand there. Kimura wants to protect Viltus, but Haruto glance at him and that really surprised him. He then accepts it and starts to walk to Megumi. Akihiko also joining him. Haruto ask them to go first to the reconnaissance division, while he has something else to do there.

Kimura, Megumi, and Akihiko nod and start to walk there. When they are walking there, Kimura asks,

"Why did Viltus do that for me? And why his idea is effective?"

"It's simple, everyone already hates him as half-blood Admiral. And with his relation with Admiral Yanagi Tadahisa, of course, everyone thinks that he cheats to enter this Naval Base," explains Akihiko

"But that one isn't true!" shouts Kimura

"We know about that... And he already knows the state of what happens at Yokosuka. That's the reason why he made that rumors because everyone already hates him." continues Megumi

"But, why did everyone let me go? I know that they already know what happens with me and Aoba."

"They blame Viltus and thinks that the one who should repent is Viltus, not you. I already hear a lot of people expressing their hate towards Viltus, not only in our division but also the other division," says Akihiko

Kimura can't hide his anger from everyone, but he can't do anything about it as Viltus already prepared for anything. And then, he remembers something and asks,

"Then, why are we going to the reconnaissance division place?"

"Haruto really curious with Viltus' premonition. I don't know the reason why he wants to know that," answer Megumi

Kimura really surprised to hear that from Megumi. Viltus' premonition about a male figure that suddenly showing himself in his dream. Kimura closes his eye for a while and then they arrived at the place where reconnaissance division gathers. But, they didn't find any command ship there. Akihiko then asking one of the mechanics,

"Is the reconnaissance division already go?"

"Yes, they are." answer the mechanic

Kimura looks at the clock there and sees it already fifteen minutes since the division go. Megumi then sighs and then says,

"It seems we can't hear more about that premonition."

"We could ask him later, I don't want to make him tired before the main mission start," says Kimura

"I think you are right. I will tell Haruto about this."

"Yes. Akihiko, let's go back to our command ship. I believe we will move soon."

"Alright."

Akihiko, Megumi, and Kimura looking at each other and smiling. They then separated to walk towards their respective command ship. Because their battle will start soon.