11 Great Phoenix

"At the end, both of them didn't come with us, huh?"

That's what Kimura says to Viltus that night. Viltus only smiles and ignores him as he follows the other walks past the small forest in front of them. Because they already used to sneak towards the Ship Girl dormitory, the three of them already know their own task when walking towards there.

Viltus becomes the one who incapacitated the guard, Haruto the one who spots them, and Kimura the one who leads them. And because they already did it a lot, Kimura and Haruto already adapted with Viltus that suddenly gone and shows himself behind them.

After Viltus gone again to do his task, Kimura seems deep in his thought. Until he hears Viltus ask him after he comes back from incapacitated the guard near them,

"What in your mind, Kimura? It's really strange for you to look like that."

"Ah... It's nothing," answer Kimura

"When you say nothing, that means there is something. Just tell it to us if that one is a big problem."

"Ahahahaha... Thank you, but you don't need to worry about that," says Kimura

Viltus and Haruto look at each other and only could sigh after hearing that answer. Viltus then remembers something and says,

"Kimura, I remember that you took leave one week ago."

"Ah, yes. You know I am quite saturated with my work recently," answer Kimura

"Heee... That's something strange comes out from your mouth," says Haruto

"Hey, it will become really strange if Viltus the one who says that!" protest Kimura

Haruto and Viltus laugh a little bit about Kimura reactions. Both of them then looks at each other and tried to bait Kimura about something. So, Viltus says,

"If I remember correctly, I see you bring a small box with you and you put it inside one of the drawers when I visit your office several days ago."

"Wait, how you know about that?!" ask Kimura

"So, that's one is true," says Haruto

Kimura really surprised when he knows that he takes the bait. Haruto and Viltus clap each other hand and then Haruto says,

"Then, the rumor about you already dating Aoba. Is that true?"

"About that, I'm not dating with her yet," answer Kimura

"Yet?"

Kimura then smiles at both of his friends and then he says,

"But, at least both of you already knows it. I already in love with her."

Viltus and Haruto smile at Kimura that tells his feeling for Aoba. After that, Viltus takes a deep breath, looks at Kimura with a serious face, and says,

"Kimura, you should understand one important rule here. You are prohibited to fall in love or date Ship Girl. If they find out that you are dating a Ship Girl or even marry her, I believe they will scrap her instantly and you will be fired from here."

"Viltus..."

"And we also know that we are different from Ship Girl, especially me. They are a weapon, not a living being. Their task is to fight on the front line. That's the reason why they create that rule."

"..."

"You should understand the consequences when you do that, Kimura. So..." says Viltus that suddenly

interrupted by Kimura,

"Why did you make that fake serious face, Viltus?"

"Eh?"

"Of course I already know about that rule and I already know about the consequences. But, I don't care about that! I will fight that rule, as long I could stay with the one that I love!"

"..."

"Because for me, Aoba is everything..."

Viltus then laughs really hard and that really surprised both Haruto and Kimura. After that, Viltus says,

"I know about that..."

"Then, why are you asking me that?" ask Kimura

"Well, I just playing around with you. But, if it is me in the past, I will take you down as you already

break the most important rule here."

Kimura can't hide his surprise when hearing that from Viltus. After that, Viltus looks at Haruto and says,

"So, I could take the conclusion that the inside of that small box is.."

"A ring," says Haruto continuing what Viltus's says

"Ahahahahaha... You got me there," says Kimura embarrassed

"But, you are quite unique. The reason is both of you aren't dating yet, but you already give her a ring. And you want to give her an engagement ring. You are really something, Kimura," says Viltus

"Uuuuhhh... That ring is used to make sure no one comes near her," explains Kimura

"And that shows your relationship with Aoba," says Haruto

Knowing that he is on the losing side, he says,

"Uuuuhhh... Maybe we should continue now."

"Yeah... Yeah," says Haruto and Viltus as they walking behind Kimura and mock him a bit.

They continue to walk and talking about Aoba until they arrive at the dormitory, Kimura suddenly says,

"Ah, I remember that Aoba says that one new Ship Girl is coming to that party."

"Wow... Another new friend," says Haruto

"But, why are you showing us that worried face?" ask Viltus

"Well, Aoba says that she is almost the same with you the first time you here. Really strict about the rules."

"Is it? Then, is that safe to invite her there?" ask Viltus again

"You don't need to worry about that. What we should worry now is the guard around here," says Haruto

Kimura and Viltus looking at Haruto and agreed with him. When they arrived at the back door, they feel something unusual there. There is no guard in sight and when Kimura puts the key on the doorknob, he finds out that the door already unlocked. Viltus then says,

"Isn't it something really strange for the door already unlocked and there is no guard around here?"

"Maybe they are taking an early leave?" says Kimura

Viltus can't deny that possibility and follows Kimura that already enters the building first. When they walk past one room, Viltus could hear some voice from inside them. But, because Kimura asks him to

walk faster, Viltus didn't care about that room anymore.

When they arrived, a lot of Ship Girls are waiting for them, including Aoba. But, some of them are really surprised to see some Admirals join their party. When Aoba walking towards them, Viltus and Haruto passed her and says,

"Enjoy this night."

Aoba really confused with both of them and looking at Kimura to ask what really happens. Kimura didn't answer her and only smiles a little bit. Aoba then seeing Viltus already gathering with the drunkard gang and Haruto goes to another part of the room to gather with some Ship Girls. Kimura then looks around and asks Aoba,

"I could see some of them really enjoys it."

"Not everyone..." says Aoba

"Is it about that new Ship Girl?"

"Yes."

"Where is she?"

Aoba then points at one part of the room. There stands a girl with brown short hair, wearing a unique white shirt with a red skirt and wearing a bike short. On her stomach, there something like a plate for protecting her from any attack. Kimura walks towards her and says,

"My name is Okazaki Kimura, one of the Admirals assigned at Yokosuka. Nice to meet you."

But there is no response from her. So, Kimura ask her again, but this time she says,

"I wonder why there is some Admiral joining this party. I remember that there is a rule that stated

regarding Admiral and Ship Girl shouldn't interact outside working time. Why did all of you doing that?"

"Is it wrong to interact with Ship Girl outside working time? I think not as with that we could know each other much better," answer Kimura

"That one is unnecessary, as the working time already sufficient for that."

Kimura really surprised how stubborn is the Ship Girl in front of him. Just like Viltus back then that working according to the rule. When he looks at Viltus, he could see Viltus that smirk at him as if he tells him that he is right. But, Kimura smiles a little bit and then looks at the Ship Girl in front of him once more. He then says,

"Well, in this party that rule isn't applied. So, you don't need to care about it."

The Ship Girl looking at him with a cold gaze and that really reminds him of the gaze given by Viltus' eye when he first tells his intention back then and Shiro's everytime he asks for help regarding the document. He then tries to regain his composure and asks,

"So, what's your name?"

"My name is Taihou, the first of Armored Aircraft Carrier Taihou Class." answer the girl

The girl named Taihou looks at Kimura and then continues,

"But, even if you say that in this party such rules aren't applied, aren't we still inside Yokosuka Naval

Base? Of course, those rules always applied here."

"Oh come on... Please don't become the second Ka... I mean Viltus, here." says Kimura

"I don't care! You as the Admiral should be the one who follows the rule, not break them!"

Kimura can't respond at all as he doesn't know what should he do next. Taihou then continues,

"I'm sorry about this, but please leave this room as this party is designated for Ship Girls only."

"Unfortunately, I can't as I the one who asks Aoba to hold this party," says Kimura

"Is that so?"

"Yes. So, I will stay here even if you say no."

"Then, I will report this to Military Police. I hope you prepare yourself for any punishment that will come, Admiral."

"Hey... You can't do that!"

"I could... After all, I hate a person like you."

Kimura really surprised and walk back a little bit. Everyone looking at Taihou and Kimura and most of

them can't help Kimura as they know how stubborn Taihou is. But, Viltus already stands up and walks

towards him. He then says,

"Hey, could you talk a little bit nicer to him? He already tried his best to convince everyone to gather

here, including me."

"Hooo... So, when one Admiral can't say anything the other one will fight me," says Taihou

"I'm not doing that."

"Whatever."

Taihou the walks passed Viltus and pushes Kimura away. Viltus who sees that then says,

"Wait up."

"What is it? I don't have any more time here," says Taihou

"I could understand regarding the rule that you says so many times and I know this idiot already break a lot of it."

"Then, why did you let him do this?"

"At least, give him the chance..."

"I don't want to do that."

"At least... Don't push him like that."

"As I said, I don't care."

Taihou looks behind her and now her gaze fixated towards Viltus that also giving her a cold glaze. His blue eyes really piercing through Taihou's eye and that makes her prepares for anything. Taihou then says,

"Those eyes... So you are not a pure breed."

"If yes, then why?" ask Viltus

"You know, you shouldn't eligible to apply to become an Admiral here."

"Because I am not a pure Japanese?"

"Yes. The one who leads us should be a full Japanese. Not a half-assed person like you."

"I can't believe this. As soon as you scared with my gaze, you suddenly become a racist."

Taihou couldn't hide her anger when she hears that. Viltus already knows about that, so he continues,

"So, what would you do? Calling the Military Police here?"

"No... I will not do that. I will break you personally." answer Taihou

"That's the spirit, Flat Chest."

"So, you really want to make a problem, Ad... Mi... Ral?"

Both of them smiling each other and takes make everyone really panic, especially Kimura and Aoba that already evacuate him from near them. Taihou suddenly takes out a knife and thrust it towards Viltus.

Viltus easily move away and hold her arm and push her towards the wall. Taihou really surprised with that and start to attack him once more. Viltus easily dodge it again and now pins her down on the floor. Taihou then kicks him and prepares to attack him once more. Viltus smiles and prepared for anything that Taihou will throw soon.

Everyone really scared of what really happen until one Ship Girl stands up. She walks towards Viltus and hits him on the head. After that she says,

"Could both of you stop fighting? Did you forget that there is a lot Destroyer here?"

Cold sweat now running through Viltus and he didn't dare to look at Houshou's face. He knows that he will face Asura's Wrath soon enough. What he hears next is,

"Admiral Amarov, do you want me to scold you again?"

"Ummm... Houshou... You know..."

Viltus then falls on his knee as fear comes into his mind and body. Taihou who sees that smiles and says,

"Thank you, Houshou. I really appreciate your help."

"Who says that I will only scold Admiral Amarov?"

Taihou really surprised and she could feel the same feeling that Viltus feels now. She also lost her

strength and falls on her knee. Houshou then smiles and says,

"Could both of you follow me, please?"

"Yes, we will," says Taihou and Viltus together

With that, the fight already ended and everyone continues what they do at the party. Meanwhile, Aoba looks on Kimura face and asks,

"Are you alright, Kimura?"

"Yes, I'm alright. You don't need to worry about that," says Kimura

"It's good to hear that."

"Then how about we continue today party?"

Aoba nods to Kimura's question and both of them starts to stand up together. And at the same time, the door opens and everyone inside the room could hear one woman says,

"So, this is what you do here."