Chapter 81: What the Doggy Brought In

The sound of thunder rattled against my window, accompanied by the rain pounding against the window pane. Will Shigure be alright with this weather? She likes the rain but has an intense fear for thunder. Once I'm done with these three, I'll go check on her.

I have the two strangers, now fully clothed and with their modesty intact, sit at my sofa while I deal with this mischievous puppy.

The one called Mio has long raven black hair with a red streak and a weird 'lemon' hairclip holding it in place. In contrast, the one called Fubuki has medium length snow white hair which grows slightly past her shoulders and an ahoge. Both of them have their hair tied in a low ponytail. Mio-san is the taller and bigger one, from waht I saw earlier. I think she might be bigger than Prinz Eugen. Ahem, moving on... Their outfits are rather similar. Both are wearing a belted dress, albeit in different colours. Fubuki-san has a blue top and white skirt while Mio-san's one is entirely brown. 

"Ouch! That hurts! I'm sorry~!!" (Tokitsukaze)

I grinded Tokitsukaze's head in between my knuckles as she yelped in pain.

"Gosh! You should know better to let two civilians in without permission! Let alone let them use the bathroom in my office. Hell. Why didn't you lock the door?!"

"They're- Oww!! I'm sorry!!" (Tokitsukaze)

"Um... Excuse me... Don't you think you are too rough with her?" (Mio-san)

"That's a little too much, isn't it?" (Fubuki-san)

"Why aren't you two angry? If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have that embarrassing incident."

"Isn't that's kind of yo..." (Fubuki-san)

"Wai- Fubuki...!" (Mio-san)

I can see Mio-san blushing extremely hard, while Fubuki-san, though her face was also red, had this doubtful and unimpressed expression on her face. For some reason, it feels like she is blaming me for that. I mean, it was partially my fault for staring...

"Geez."

I released Tokitsukaze from my torture and gently rubbed her head,

"Don't do that again, okay?"

Yes... I'm sorry, Commander..." (Tokitsukaze)

I can see the tears in her eyes. She is like a sad puppy. I held her tiny hands,

"So long as you are know what you did wrong and apologize."

"But Fubuki-san and Mio-san are not civilians." (Tokitsukaze)

"Eh? What are you saying?"

"Tokitsukaze-chan is right. We are technically not civilians, Admiral-san. That's kind of a weird nickname, don't you think? Commander... It's like you are the boss or something." (Fubuki-san)

???

"Fubuki! Can't you see his shoulder epaulets?! There is a full yellow bar and two sakura flowers there. He is the Admiral!" (Mio-san)

"Ah! Oh no!! How should I do? That was totally an insult, wasn't it?!" (Fubuki-san)

"You two..."

"Eep!" (Fubuki-san) 

"Hiee!!" (Mio-san)

The two girls stiffened up. The fact that they know how to read the shoulder epaulets means they have some knowledge of our organization. And that familiar reaction is something personnel with a lower rank in the military would have. 

They must be...

"Name and rank?"

"Yes!" (Fubuki-san and Mio-san)

The two girls stood at attention and saluted,

"Sub-lieutenant Nekokami Fubuki of the 423rd Training Company, reporting!" (Nekokami Fubuki)

"Sub-lieutenant Ogami Mio of the same 423rd Training Company, reporting!" (Ogami Mio)

I knew it. They are IJN personnel. Tokitsukaze was right about them not being civilians, but that still doesn't mean she can just bring them in without authorization.

I returned their salute,

"Admiral Tokomaki Keita of Maizuru Naval District. At ease." 

"See?" (Tokitsukaze)

"You're right. They are not civilians. But this still counts as unauthorized entry. They could be punished for that." 

"Yes... Eh? Admiral is going to punish them? It's Tokitsukaze's fault?" (Tokitsukaze)

Oh crap. She is going to bawl.

"I-it's alright. I will let it slide just this once. So don't cry, okay?"

I gently stroked her head. Hopefully this calms her down.

"Unnn~" (Tokitsukaze)

Works like a charm.

"I see. So that's how we can control them." (Nekokami)

"Hey, Fubuki!" (Ogami)

I'm just going to ignore that comment.

"Anyway, done with practice?"

"Yep." (Tokitsukaze)

"Then you are free for the day. I want to talk to these two for a bit. Head back to your room. Or play some video games in the entertainment room. We are still on standby so you can relax after completing your practice session." 

"Okay~ Then, I will go look for Amatsukaze-chan and Shimakaze-chan to play!" (Tokitsukaze)

"Ah." (Ogami)

"Wai-" (Nekokami)

And there she goes. Now then...

I look at the two girls who have stiffened up. They must be feeling nervous. Can't blame them for that.

"Relax. I'm not going to bite."

Sine they are not on duty and in civilian attire, I can treat them as civilians, not military personnel. 

The bathroom door opened and Prinz Eugen wearing a red tracksuit with the jacket unzipped came out. Her hair is down and visibly damp.

"Phew~ I'm back to life~" (Prinz Eugen)

"I didn't know you had that jersey."

"I bought it a while ago. This is the first time I'm wearing it." (Prinz Eugen)

"Did you get it from your room or was it hiding in my wardrobe?"

"I put it in your wardrobe. Just in case." (Prinz Eugen)

"In case of what?"

"!!! That's-" (Prinz Eugen)

Prinz Eugen covered her face with both hands. 

What? What is it?

I can feel the suspicious gaze of the two girls.

"Und noch wichtiger: Wer sind diese Mädchen?" (Prinz Eugen)

"Pudding-chan, I can't understand German..."

"Mo-more importantly! Who are these girls?" (Prinz Eugen)

"Wow! A German shipgirl! You are so cute!" (Nekokami)

Huh?

Nekokami-san's eyes were sparkling. She circled around Prinz Eugen like a cat circling around its prey. She is moving around like some kind of creep...

"Eh? Eh?!" (Prinz Eugen)

"Young lady~~ You are so pretty~~ Can I have touch you~~?" (Nekokami)

She is even speaking like a creep...!

"EEEHH!!!??" (Prinz Eugen)

"Alright. Down, girl!" (Ogami)

"Ouch!" (Nekokami)

With one swift punch to the head, Ogami brought Nekokami to her knees and back to normal. The white-haired girl clutched her head in pain.

"Mio~ That hurts~" (Nekokami)

"That's because you acting like some pervy old man." (Ogami)

"What's with these two?" (Prinz Eugen)

Prinz ran to my side. I feel a little tug on my sleeve.

"Beats me. That's what I want to find out as well."

I clapped my hands,

"Alright. Why don't you-" 

A thunderous roar reverberated through the office.

"Hyaah!" (Ogami)

Holy shit! That made me jump!

"Woah! That was a big one." (Nekokami)

"That scared me." (Prinz Eugen)

Is Shigure all right? That was huge. 

"Let's get back on track. I assume Tokitsukaze brought you in but you have to catch her attention for her to do that."

"Yeah. You are not wrong about that. We were hanging around outside to see what our future training place would look like." (Nekokami)

Hm?

"Wait. What do you mean by your future traini-"

There was a knock on the office door. Now what?

"Come in."

"Admiral! Come quickly! Shigure is- Who are you?!" (Zuihou)

It was Zuihou. And I knew it.

"Both of you, stay here. I will be right back."

I left the three girls behind and followed Zuihou quickly through the corridor.

"Who were those two?" (Zuihou)

"I will explain later. Right now, where and how is Shigure?"

"Over there. Just right around that corner. Yuudachi is with her." (Zuihou)

Just as she said, as soon as we turned around the corner, I spotted Shigure cowering on the ground. She is curled up into a ball and on the floor. Yuudachi was sitting quietly next to her, with a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Admiral-san!" (Yuudachi)

"I got her. Shigure? It's alright. I'm here."

I can hear Shigure's soft yet battered breathing.

"A-admiral...?" (Shigure)

Shigure immediately clutched onto my sleeve with one hand. She is shaking really badly.

"We were on our way to your office when the loud one came poi." (Yuudachi)

Looks like she can't move. She is completely paralyzed in fear. 

"Let's get you somewhere safe."

I scooped Shigure up and carried her backed to my office. Her back feels damped and cold.

"Get the door for me."

"Poi." (Yuudachi)

Yuudachi opened the door and the sound of girls chatting loudly filled my ears.

"Eh? So this entire base is managed by shipgirls and the Admiral?" (Ogami)

"Yep! Admiral has rejected numerous posting orders to Maizuru base. I heard HQ has to post the men elsewhere." (Prinz Eugen)

"Does that mean we will be rejected as well?" (Ogami)

"Sounds like he is trying to keep you shipgirls to himself. You know, like in those harem anime." (Nekokami)

The three girls were on the sofa, chatting away.

"I will reject you posting orders if you keep talking nonsense."

"Woah! Admiral! That was a..." (Nekokami)

"Who are you?" (Yuudachi)

"Yeah yeah. I will introduce them in a bit."

"How many times have we heard that question already?" (Ogami)

"I don't know. I wasn't keeping score." (Nekokami)

"What happened to that girl?" (Ogami)

"I will explain later. Give me some space, will you?"

Ogami-san and Nekokami-san stood up and moved out of the way. I sat on the sofa and gently stroked Shigure's head. She is still trembling.

"There there. You are safe now."

"Is she alright?" (Prinz Eugen)

"For now, no."

There was a flash of light outside the window. I quickly covered Shigure's ears with my hands. A short moment later, the sound of thunder rumbled through the room. I can feel Shigure gripping tighter onto my shirt. I continued stroking Shigure's head while Zuihou sat next to me. The three shipgirls are visibly concerned for their friend.

It will take a while to calm her down. For now,

"Ogami-san, Nekokami-san, please introduce yourselves to Zuihou and Yuudachi. After that, explain how did you enter the base."

"Okie~" (Nekokami)

"Yes!" (Ogami)

Following their reintroduction, the two girls gave their explanation.

As it was a Friday and since the 423rd Training Company had completed their curriculum for the week, they were released early. The two for them were informed that they will be posted to Maizuru Naval District for their training program, so they decided to take a look at what their future training place would look like. That's when Tokitsukaze found, befriended, and led them into the base to play. I swear, Tokitsukaze is way too friendly for her own good. Well, halfway through their little playtime and tour, it begin raining heavily and they were drenched. The bath in the docks were full, so Tokitsukaze offered to use my bathroom instead.

And so, here we are.

Damn it, Rondo! You didn't tell me I would be taking on more than 1 cadet-in-training. He will be hearing from me later.

"I see. So Admiral saw you two naked." (Zuihou)

Of all the things she can focus on...

"It was so embarrassing I could die!" (Ogami)

"I will never be bride!" (Nekokami)

I can feel Zuihou's intense glare...

"The door wasn't locked! How was I supposed to know someone was inside?!"

"But you kept staring..." (Nekokami)

Kh! She got me...

"By the way, the girl you are holding, is she...?" (Ogami)

"A shipgirl? Yeah. Shiratsuyu-class Destroyer, 2nd ship, Shigure. She is..."

"She is already asleep poi." (Yuudachi)

I looked down to Shigure sleeping soundly. Shigure's breathing is normal, and she has stopped trembling. Yuudachi gently poked Shigure's cheek.

"I'll be right back."

I stood up and carried her to my bedroom. I placed Shigure on her side and grabbed a spare towel from my wardrobe. My bad, Shigure, but I'll make sure not to see anything.

I lifted her shirt and wiped the sweat of her back. I am tempted to unhook her bra but let's not do that. I will just wiped the rest of her back. Once I'm done, I tucked her in and left the bedroom.

"What caused her to be like that?" (Ogami)

"She is scared."

"Of what?" (Nekokami)

"The thunder." 

"Eh?" (Ogami)

"Even though she is shipgirl?" (Nekokami)

I sat on my chair at the desk.

"If you think all shipgirls are strong and fearless, I highly suggest getting rid of that perception. Sure, they are tough and the only ones capable of destroying the Abyssals, but they are just the same as you and me. They have their own worries, fears, emotions... I'm sure the academy taught you that they are not just living weapons."

"Yes..." (Nekokami)

"Is this an effect from her history?" (Ogami)

"In a way. You are aware of the term PTSD, right? Shigure's case is something similar. She can handle the sound of gunfire but other loud noises, especially thunder, tend to freak her out."

"It must be hard..." (Ogami)

"For who?" 

"For Shigure-chan..." (Ogami)

"Yeah. I agree. She has plague by this condition since she came back to me."

"... Huh? What do you mean by that?" (Ogami)

"Long story. Not one you should be concerned with."

"Umm... I know we are not supposed to be here, but... can we have a look around? Of course. If you want us to leave, we will do it." (Nekokami)

I not that heartless to toss them back out into the rain.

I opened the second drawer and reached in to pull up some tags I could have sworn I kept some here. Ah. There it is. I separated the two visitor passes from the rest and placed them on the desk.

"Fine, I will allow you to freely roam around the base for now, but only indoors. For obvious reasons. You can talk to the shipgirls and get acquainted with them. No taking photos or touching any equipment. The standard military rules. Once the rain stops, I need you to leave. Got it?" 

"Yes! Thank you very much!" (Nekokami and Ogami)

"Wear these around your necks. That way the girls know that you aren't intruders and have permission to move around here. Some of them are strict." 

"If Ooyodo catches you without a pass, she will attack you poi!" (Yuudachi)

"That sounds scary..." (Ogami)

"She won't really attack you, but her scolding is just as terrifying." 

"Yikes." (Nekokami)

"Tenryuu and Tatsuta will attack you. You will know it when you see them."

"I rather not. I still want to live." (Nekokami)

The two girls took the tags and wore them around their necks.

"I heard from Tokitsukaze-chan that there is a store called Mamiya's. Can we go there?" (Ogami)

"Take the sheltered walkway through the courtyard towards the docks. It just right beside it. Although I won't recommend it unless you want to get wet again."

"We can wait till the rain lets up a little. But for now, you said something about games in an entertainment room or something. Can we go there?" (Nekokami)

"Are you here to have a look around your future training place or play video games?"

"Erm... A bit of both? Ow." (Nekokami)

Ogami-san let out an exasperated sigh and lightly hit Nekokami-san's head again. 

"Haahh... The entertainment is on the first level of this building. There may be some shipgirls there so you can still play with them."

"All right!" (Nekokami)

"Haah... Thank you very much." (Ogami)

"Dismiss."

The two girls left the office. 

So I'm going to be training three cadets... I have to draw up a training plan now, don't I? That's annoying...

"Admiral-san," (Yuudachi)

Before I realised, Yuudachi has on her knees and right beside me.

"Woah. Yeah?"

"I'm bored poi. I want to go out-poi!" (Yuudachi)

I pet her head,

"It's raining. You need stay indoors."

"Po~oi~" (Yuudachi)

The human-sized doggy puffed her cheeks in protest. Even if you get angry, there's nothing I can do about this weather.

"Come on now, Yuudachi. Let's play some games." (Prinz Eugen)

"POOOOI! What should we play?" (Yuudachi)

"How about some board games? Mo*opoly? Jin*ei Game? Or maybe U*O?" (Zuihou)

"Jin*ei Game poi!" (Yuudachi)

"I will get the game." (Prinz Eugen)

"Admiral, let's play together." (Zuihou)

Well, since I'm done with work. Why not?

After setting up, we begin playing. It was hilarious seeing the girls make weird decisions when the game throws them a curve. Yuudachi's goal this time was to 'become an idol' but after a few weird decisions, she 'fell into debt, quit being an idol and got married in the end'. Zuihou wanted to get married but ended up turning into a millionaire and retiring in the mountains. Prinz Eugen became a teacher and was successful. I became an accountant but fell into debt after landing on a few unlucky squares...

After a few rounds, Shigure woke up and watched us play. I offered her to take my place but she was content with watching. In the end, the winner was Zuihou but she clearly wasn't satisfied with the results. 

By evening, the rain stopped. Nekokami-san and Ogami-san stopped by to say their goodbyes. I see they have attracted some of the shipgirls like Matsuwa, Ro-chan, Tama, who accompanied them. After dinner, Zuihou, Shigure and I played some card games before going to bed. Shigure was hesitant, and I was expecting Zuihou to reject Shigure sleeping with us, but after a little push from the Light Carrier, the three of us got into bed.

Today was a little eventful, but peaceful. Just how I like it.