Chapter 91: A Lazy and Warm Day (Our Bonds -Season 2-)

The cold wind smacked me in the face as soon as I got off the bus. This winter is killing me...!

"I wonder how Zuihou and the others are doing."

As per tradition, the shipgirls and I get three days off for the New Years holiday. Usually the girls would use these three days to do whatever they want. Like go shopping and spending their freshly given New Years money, go on a short trip, or simply spend the time sleeping in their rooms. For me, I will take this time to go home and spend some time with my family. Just like my brother, they have a house in Osaka. I tend to visit them a few times each year, but I couldn't find the time to do so last year. Thanks to the appearance of Azur Lane, Red Axis, and the Sirens.

I greeted the Guard Fairy and walked through the gate. The familiar sight of the base's red brick walls and shiny roofs greeted me with glee. Just kidding. Buildings can't greet or smile. In fact, the place is sort of lifeless. I don't see anyone running around and frolicking like they use to. Looks like everyone is either still on their holiday or hiding from the cold. Even Mamiya's café is closed despite it being in the afternoon, when the girls usually have their tea break.

I strolled through the heated hallway of the main building. Thank goodness for modern technology! I want to take a warm bath and a short nap. It's not like I woke up early or anything along those line. There is still a few more hours before the national holidays ends and it's back to reality. I just want to spend a little bit of those last few hours in bed.

I took out the keys to my office... Huh? I could have sworn I locked the door? No. I did lock the door. I checked the pigeon hole next to the door. That's where I hid a spare key just in case I misplaced mine.

Gone. I only a few girls where I hid it. That means...

I slowly turned the door knob and opened it slightly. I don't remember setting up a kotatsu in the middle of the room before leaving. Neither do I remember placing a plate of oranges on it nor letting a petite girl with long brown hair and a camo coloured miko outfit sleep under it.

I walked over to the napping girl,

 "Oi. Zuihou. Wake up.

"Mnh~" (Zuihou)

I only told Zuihou, Shigure Prinz, and Shioi where I hid the spare key, since they are the usual visitors. Though, usually I leave the door unlocked at night so others may come in. 

I crouched and poked my girlfriend's squishy cheeks,

"Hey. Come on. Wake up. You are going to catch a cold like this."

"Nm~ Mmm~" (Zuihou)

She rolled over to her side and a little gap appeared in her miko robe. Just a little more and I can see her bra... Alright alright. Save your indecent thoughts for later, Keita.

"Zuihou. Zuihou! If you don't wake up, I gonna play a trick on you."

I gave her a light shake. God. that line was so cringey!

"Nnh... Hmm~?" (Zuihou)

Zuihou's eyes opened a little bit. I can see her peeking at me.

"Ad...miral...? Ehehe~ Admiral♪" (Zuihou)

Zuihou reached out and wrapped both hands around my neck. Her already-loose kimono slipped from her shoulder. She is wearing a pink camisole today, huh. It's cute.

"Woah there. Still half-asleep?" 

"Unn... Give me a good morning... kiss..." (Zuihou)

What a great welcome home gift!!!

Zuihou puckered her lips and I moved in to give her a smooch.

"Nn~ Unh?" (Zuihou)

Zuihou looked at me with a confusion written all over her face.

Ah. She awake now.

"PYYYYAAAAA!!!!" (Zuihou)

That's a scream I never heard before...

"Ad-Admiral?! How come you are here?! Wait-! Don't look!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou quickly covered her chest. Even though I have seen her naked, or in more compromising situations, plenty of times, she still acts shyly. How adorable. 

"It's my office. Of course I would be here."

She turned away to fix her clothes,

"Admiral, you meanie! Kissing me all of a sudden is not fair!" (Zuihou)

 "You were the one that asked for a good morning kiss."

"That's... I was barely awake so that doesn't count!" (Zuihou)

She sometimes gets picky over the smallest details.

"Geez! I wanted to be the first to greet Admiral when he comes back..." (Zuihou)

Now she is sulking...

"You still can, you know? You're the first girl I have met ever since I've returned."

"Eh? Really?" (Zuihou)

I stood up.

"Yep. I haven't seen anyone else since I walked through the gate. I wasn't expecting to see you in my office." 

"It's cold outside. Maybe everyone is hiding in their rooms?" (Zuihou)

"I'm assuming that's the case. Or they are still on their holiday. Oh well, as long as they come back today or tomorrow morning, it should be fine."

Even if they come back a day or two later, I can just leave that part out in my daily report. As long as they are happy and stay out of trouble, I can give them an extra day or two.

"Then..." (Zuihou)

Zuihou is twiddling her fingers sheepishly. What is she thinking? Ah. Don't tell me...

"Welcome home, Admiral." (Zuihou)

Yep. Knew it.

I hugged her tightly,

"Eh?! Wai-" (Zuihou)

"I'm back, Zuihou."

I can feel her embracing me as her hands moved along my back.

"Unh... I missed you, Admiral." (Zuihou)

"I missed you too, Zuihou."

It's warm...

We stayed like this for a while, before hiding underneath the Kotatsu. This is heaven~

"How was your family? Are they doing well?" (Zuihou)

"Yeah. Mom and Dad are healthy. Mom has a bad knee, but she hasn't let that stop her from being active."

"What about your brother?" (Zuihou)

"The usual. Nagito is talented at being an annoying shithead. He brought his girlfriend along." 

"Your younger brother has a girlfriend too? How long have they been together?" (Zuihou)

That's a good question... Let's see... He met Rio-san in university....

"Almost five years now, I guess." 

"Wow! That's nice!" (Zuihou)

"Not as impressive as my cousin though. She and her childhood sweetheart have been together since Middle School."

"That sounds nice. To be able to spend that long together..." (Zuihou)

I feel like this subject is going to take a wrong turn...

"Enough about me. How did you spend these past three days?" 

"On Monday, Shouhou, Ryuujou, Ryuuhou and I went to Osaka and spent a night in a hotel there! We went shopping and ate a lot of food!" (Zuihou)

"That sounds fun."

Zuihou nodded excitedly,

"Un! Un! It was! I even bought a new plane model!" (Zuihou)

"Another Type 99?"

"Not just any Type 99. A Type 99 Model 22 variant!" (Zuihou)

"How is that different from the rest of your collection?"

"It has additional stickers to make the plane look weathered. It looks so cool and the legs are just as cute!" (Zuihou) 

"Then the four of you came back yesterday."

"Yep. I slept a little late, but I managed to finish the model." (Zuihou)

"You won't grow with you sleep late."

"Geez! What are you trying to imply, Admiral?!" (Zuihou) 

She slammed her hands on the table in protest. I made her angry.

"Ahahaha! My bad. Sorry." 

I pet her head, which seemingly is enough to calm her down. That mellow expression on her face say it all.

"Muuu~" (Zuihou)

Isn't she a little too easy?

Ah. She is glaring at me again.

"Just now, you are thinking how easy I am, aren't you?" (Zuihou)

Busted, huh.

"Nope. Just thinking how cute you are."

I'm not lying. She really is cute.

"Cu-cute?! Eh... Ueh? I'm... cute?" (Zuihou)

"That's right. You're the cutest girl I have ever met!"

"Kyaaa! Wait! Admiral! Don't just pounce on me like that! You're heavy!" (Zuihou)

Ah. I hear footsteps. Sounds like running. I quickly got off Zuihou, just in time for the door to swing open.

"Zuihou, did you hear? Admiral is- Admiral, you're here?!" (???)

A girl with blue eyes and medium length black hair tied into a braid stood at the door. Her ahoge and hairflaps bounced as she tried to catch her breath. She is wearing a black sailor uniform and a white scarf. She must have just returned 

"I'm back, Shigure."

Shiratsuyu-class Destroyer, 2nd ship, Shigure. A quiet but caring girl who is haunted by her past. She is one of the few who frequents my bed whenever she gets nightmares. Thankfully, the nightmares are not as frequent now. Which means she is recovering. 

As I got out of the kotatsu and approached her, Shigure quickly combed her hair with her hands and stood on attention.

"Welcome back, Admiral." (Shigure)

"Come on. No need to be so formal." 

I can see her relax. Shigure smiled,

"Then, welcome home, Admiral." (Shigure)

I pet her head.

"Shigure, come join us. It's warm here." (Zuihou)

"Zuihou, you are still here? You have been here since this morning." (Shigure)

"That long?"

Zuihou looked away. Her ears became red. 

Was she waiting for me?

Shigure and I returned to the Kotatsu. Shigure took an orange from the plate and started peeling it.

"How was your break?"

"It was fine. I just took a walk along the beach or rest in my room with Yuudachi." (Shigure)

I can imagine her and Yuudachi just rolling on the floor lazily.

"How did you know Zuihou was here since this morning?"

"Admiral?" (Zuihou)

"I was with her. I helped to set up the kotatsu. I was dragged away by Murasame and Shiratsuyu afterwards though. We went to Fashion Center Shimamura and bought some clothes." (Shigure)

She tossed a slice into her mouth and chewed.

"Was it fun?" 

Shigure smiled and gave a nod,

"Yeah. It was fun." (Shigure)

"That's great."

"Ah. He is here!" (???1)

"No fair! You have got the kotatsu set up!" (???2)

A tall girl wearing nothing but a school swimsuit and orange sailor top and a blonde girl with short twintails in grey military uniform walked into the office. 

"Yo. I'm back."

The one is a school swimsuit is Sentoku type, I-400 class Submarine I-401, or Shioi as she prefers to be called. She is a trusted companion who has been with me ever since I took over the bases' operations and management. The blonde girl wearing the grey military uniform with an red iron cross insignia on her left shoulder is Admiral Hipper Class Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen. A bubbly girl who is not afraid to stand at the forefront of a battle

"Welcome back, Admiral. Long time no see." (Shioi)

"It was just three days."

"Hehehe~ That's true." (Shioi)

"How was your trip back home?" (Prinz Eugen)

"It was good. It's nice catching up with the family every once in a while."

Zuihou scoot nearer to me, letting Prinz Eugen squeeze in. Shioi took the remaining spot on my across me. The five of us started chatting about how we spent the holidays, though, I was just simply repeating myself. 

Looks like my plan to take a hot bath and nap will have to wait. 

But even without them, just lazing under the kotatsu and chatting with my girlfriend and best friends is warm and fun enough.