Chapter 39: Friend

What should I do? I need to find an opening to talk to Zuihou. If I can jus-

My phone started ringing. Oh what now?! I already have enough problems to deal with. I answered without looking at the caller display.

"Hello?"

"Is this Admiral Keita? From Maizuru Naval District?" (???)

Who is this? Only my family and a few close friends know my rank in the IJN and where I'm posted. This is an unknown number and the caller tried to confirm my name and rank, so this person is definitely not someone I know.

A scammer? No, they won't even know my name in the first place. The voice kind of sounds familiar...

"Who is this?"

"Oh, right. I should have introduced myself first. I'm Suwanto Ao, from Azur Lane. We only met during meetings and through the screen." (Commander Ao)

I guess I can trust him, but...

"How did you get my number?"

"Admiral Zain patched me to Grand Admiral Rondo and he gave me your personal number. Is that a local practice? No offense but it seems risky." (Commander Ao)

"No. It's not local practice. That guy is just an idiot."

Rondo, you asshole!

"Sorry. There are a lot of scam calls recently. Had to make sure you weren't one."

"I... noticed. It happened with Admiral Zain as well. I guess having so many countries still above the sea has its cons as well." (Commander Ao)

Excuse me... What?

"Remind me again, what did the Sirens do in your world?"

"Sunk a whole bunch of countries and massacred billions. I believed I mentioned this during our first meeting, right? Or did I missed that part out?" (Commander Ao)

Oh right. He did. Something about Venice and half of Southeast Asia becoming Atlantis and Russia being a smaller county.

"No no no. That's right. I remember now. Sorry, just a little mentally preoccupied with some things."

"Oh. Should I call back later? Or you can call me back once you're feeling better." (Commander Ao)

"It's okay. It's okay. Let's start from the top. Nice to meet you. I'm Tokomaki Keita, Admiral of IJN Maizuru Naval District. This is our first time speaking with one another."

"Yeah. It is. Firstly, I want to thank you for giving Enterprise and Ark Royal the coordinates for Brunei Anchorage. Because of that, I was able to reunite with my beloved and kickstart our search for the rest of our members. If it weren't for you, I would have been at wits end and just rotting in Brunei." (Commander Ao)

"It was just a coincidence. I didn't know you were at Brunei when I gave Enterprise the coordinates... Wait, who did you say was your beloved?"

"Enterprise. She is my wife." (Commander Ao)

...

"You married a shipgirl? I didn't know your world had the same practice as us."

"Nah. It's just me. I am the only male in charge of a all-female coalition force. Sparks are bound to fly when you and your partner spend years working together and start developing feelings for each other. At least, that's what I believe." (Commander Ao)

"I agree with you on that part. I'm kind of in the same boat as you."

"Ooh. Looks like we have at least one thing in common." (Commander Ao)

"You can put it that way. How is the rebuilding coming along?"

"Slow, but we are getting there. My girls are scattered around this world and some have blended into society. Take this Kansen, Long Island, for example. We picked up her signal and found her lounging in a small apartment in New York. I can't even fathom how she managed to get an apartment on her own, let alone all the game consoles scattered about the room. And just the other day, we found Queen Elizabeth having tea with the actual Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace along with Warspite. Those two Kansen had been staying with royalty for months. It's one surprise after another. I managed to negotiate a deal with the US president to let us build an artificial island near Hanalei Island in Hawaii." (Commander Ao)

"What? How did you do that?"

The current US president, Steven Armstrong, is known for being extremely patriotic, arrogant, stubborn, and batshit insane. His plan and speech to 'make America Great again' was a global sensation when it was first published in the papers, not because it was a great plan, but because it was a mad and stupid one. To quote the man himself, he wanted to make the country 'a land of the truly free'. A nation of action, not words. Ruled by strength, not committee. Where the law changes to suit the individual, not the other way around. Where power and justice belong in the hands of the people. Where every man is free to think and act for himself. This kind of ideals tend to destroy the country should it be realized, and that's what should have happened to the USA. Instead, I heard it thrived when Armstrong executed his grand plan. The US became isolated from the world and all attempts for negotiation, be it business or militaristic, were shot down by Armstrong himself. The media stopped making reports about America and the last thing I heard was the American Military became privatized.

"Let's just say I promised him some upgrades to his nanomachines and proved my strength." (Commander Ao)

What does that even mean? Did he fight the President of the United States?

"Vestal is drawing out plans for the base while Nagato is going around trying to get the rest of the Crimson Axis to stop fighting. She managed to get some members to turncoat." (Commander Ao)

Maybe this is a good time to bring that up...

"Say, since we are on this topic, there is a Sakura Empire Destroyer staying with us."

There was a brief silence on the other side,

"Who? and how long now? Has the Crimson Axis attacked yet?" (Commander Ao)

"Shiratsuyu class Destroyer, Shigure. She has been staying with us for almost three weeks now. And no. We haven't been attacked by Akagi's forces yet. The only time we fought was that time when Ark Royal attempted to kidnap Satsuki from my side."

I can hear a sigh of relief from the other end,

"It's hard to the Crimson Axis isn't doing anything. They should know one of theirs are with you. They must be planning something big. Has Shigure done anything suspicious?" (Commander Ao)

"Surprisingly, no. She sticks to Fusou and Yamashiro. I should probably tell you what she said to me when she first came here."

I told Commander Ao about Shigure's memories, her reason for coming her, and what she has been doing till date.

"Huh... Enterprise mentioned that she has been seeing visions of ships being destroyed and a girl that looks like her surrounded by fire. Is it the same as what Shigure experienced?" (Commander Ao)

"I... have no idea. I know she had a nightmare once but that's about it. And the nightmare is basically the same one my Shigure has constantly experienced. The whole part of being the only survivor of the Nishimura Fleet." (Commander Ao)

"Hm... Okay... Do you want me to take her off your hands?" (Commander Ao)

"If she is agreeable to that idea, that will be great. I highly doubt she wants to join you guys right now. She might even become hostile."

"Good point. So, what do you want to do?" (Commander Ao)

"At the very least, I plan to discuss this with her first. Then work out something from there."

"Shigure is kind of like Yukikaze and Yuudachi from the Sakura Empire. They are wild and tend to act on emotions and instincts." (Commander Ao)

"I can see that. I have experience dealing with that kind of behavior. My Yuudachi is sort of like that as well. Though she behaves more like a puppy."

So it's like dealing with a more aggressive version of Yuudachi.

"Whatever you plan, I wish you success. I will be here if you need help." (Commander Ao)

"Thanks."

We chat for a bit more, mainly about our own shipgirls and their antics. The door swung open and a puppy barged in excitedly,

"Admiral-san, it's time for dinner poi!" (Yuudachi)

It's dinner time already? How long was I on the phone?

"That was a good chat. I will talk to you again some other time. Bye."

"Likewise. See you." (Commander Ao)

I hung up and put my phone back in my pocket. Yuudachi walked up to me,

"Admiral-san, who were you talking to on the phone?" (Yuudachi)

I pet her head,

"A friend. Let's go. What's for dinner?"

"Jellyfish sushi and seafood ramen poi! Zuihou turned our catch this morning into a feast poi!" (Yuudachi)

"Is that so? As expected of Zuihou. She makes good food."

I still need to find a way to approach her. Like with Shiggy, I cannot like this matter drag on.

--------------------------------------

"Wow. This is amazing!"

"Right? All thanks to the great me! I'm totally a MasterChef now!" (Suzuya)

"Suzuya only placed da sushi on da plate." (Ryuujou)

"I expected as much."

"Oi, flight deck. Don't mention anything unneccessary." (Suzuya)

"Who are ya callin' a washboard McDonald's employee?!" (Ryuujou)

"I didn't say all that! What are ya, delusional or something?" (Suzuya)

Ignoring those two, I looked around for my target. There she is. Zuihou is eating with Shouhou, Shigure, Shiratsuyu and Shioi.

Ah. We made eye contact!

And she immediately looked away... I would like to get up and walk over to her table but I need to think about the TPO.

I watched as Zuihou got up from her table and walked over to Prinz Eugen's. She greeted Prinz Eugen and the two Italian sisters. Looks like she is asking Pola about something and Zara looks like she is trying to tell Zuihou that whatever she is proposing is a bad idea, judging by all that hand gestures she is doing.

Speaking of which, there are a lot of bottles on their table. Do those all belong to Pola or are they sharing the alcohol?

"Admiral, are you listening?" (Suzuya)

"Eh? Uh... Yeah?"

Suzuya pouted,

"You're not. I know you want to go for another round with Zuihou but have some self-control and do it in your room, okay?" (Suzuya)

"Oh. What is this about? Wai- You two done it already?!" (Ryuujou)

"Like I say, it's not like that! Dammit Suzuya. Stop spreading weird ideas to everyone."

The gal just playfully stuck out her tongue.

"Anyway, I was saying, can I get shore leave tomorrow? There is a clothing sale in Tokyo I wanna go." (Suzuya)

"You don't have anything scheduled for tomorrow, right? Sure. Just-"

"Be back by 10.30pm. Yay! You're the best, Admiral!" (Suzuya)

"Yeah yeah. Flattery won't get you anyway. I ain't giving you extra allowance."

"Gh. You figured it before I even say anything." (Suzuya)

"Cos you always do this. In the first place, didn't you receive a big bonus a while back? Or have you spent it all?"

"Ryuujou~" (Suzuya)

"Nah. I ain't gonna help pay for ya clothes!" (Ryuujou)

"Stingy!" (Suzuya)

By the time I'm done eating, Zuihou was nowhere to be seen. I asked Shouhou if she knew where her sister went but even she can't give me an answer.

"Looks like I have to wait till tomorrow..."

Or if I'm lucky, she will come to my room later.

Keep dreaming, Keita. After what I did, her not coming to my room is very much expected and deserved.

...Or so I thought...

"Admiral~" (Zuihou)

When I returned to my office after getting some documents from Ooyodo, I heard some noise coming from my bedroom. Inside was Zuihou on my bed, wearing an unbuttoned loose shirt and white panties. Her face is red and she is rather giggly.

"Zuihou? What are yo-"

She clumsily crawled out of my bed and staggered towards me. She hugged me and snuggled her face against my chest,

"Admiral~ Ehehehe~" (Zuihou)

"Z-Zuihou..."

I can smell alcohol. Is she drunk?

Zuihou took my hand and shakily placed it in the middle of her chest. I can feel her heartbeat.

"Touch me. Feel me." (Zuihou)

She took my other hand and slowly brought over to her lower body. Her hands shook as she did it.

No. As tempting as it is, this is wrong. I quickly pulled my hands back and away from her,

"Zuihou, why are you acting like this?"

Zuihou flinched and looked down, averting her eyes.

I know how Zuihou is when she is truly drunk. She becomes fearless and more sadistic. This was something she shares with the previous Zuihou as well. She doesn't act like this when she is drunk. Don't get me wrong, this is good too, but she is clearly forcing herself.

"What's wrong? Why are you doing this?"

Silence... Her body trembled slightly. I pet her head gently,

"It's okay. I can wait."

Zuihou immediately pushed herself against me,

"...good..." (Zuihou)

"Excuse me?"

"Yesterday... when you did that... It felt good... It was even better than t...~~~" (Zuihou)

Her voice trailed off at the end there.

"You're not...angry?"

She shook her head,

"N-no... I was happy. It felt as though I'm finally your woman." (Zuihou)

That's one hell of a stretch.

"So you don't hate me? Then why were you avoiding me the whole day?"

"I can't help it. Every time I look at Admiral, I remember last night. It was embarrassing! But I wanted to feel like that again..." (Zuihou)

"So you pretended to be drunk?"

"Ugh... I thought maybe you will do it again if I look like I'm drunk. And purposely got some wine from Pola to do this..." (Zuihou)

Is that why she spoke to Pola earlier? And what makes her think I will do that to her if she is drunk? If she really was drunk and came onto me like that, I will be doing the opposite. I have my own morals.

"Don't only couples engage in these kind of acts? It feels weird when non-couples do it."

At least, that's my personal opinion.

Zuihou glanced up from my chest,

"Then we just need to become a couple." (Zuihou)

"That's not... I don't-"

"I know, Admiral. Take your time. I will be waiting." (Zuihou)

I know I sound and look like a coward. Or maybe I'm just giving myself an excuse. I'm not ready to enter a relationship with Zuihou yet. Not with the other Zuihou still occupying my head and heart.

Zuihou stepped away from me,

"I think I better head back to my room. I suddenly feel very awkward." (Zuihou)

"I'm sorry."

"No. I'm the one that should apologize. I was being selfish and embarrassed." (Zuihou)

The room is silent.

"See you tomorrow, Admiral. Don't stay up too late. Good night." (Zuihou)

"Zui-"

As she walked past me to exit the room, I noticed tears in her eyes.

How am I supposed to react if you're like this? What should I do?