Chapter 5 : Wood

Part 1

And all training in the next day. The next day aswell. Even the next day. Fatigue acc.u.mulated, in the middle of the night, they collapsed and didn't move even a bit. But, there are significant meaning of repeating the training. The longer you don't do anything else, the more the skill will go down drastically.

“Hmmm…?” Kagerou twists her head. She wondered what Satsuki asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it's somewhat smooth," then she laughed ‘Ahaha.’

The fleet movement goes smoothly. Today, 14th DesDiv used a stuffed toy that was supposed to be a fleet and was repeating escort training. Until now, it didn't go well. They also often hit the fleet, and it felt awful. Their movement became more agile, they even able to feel a good sense within the fleet.

There's no point of showing troublesome att.i.tude that will only ends in vain. For a moment it was doubtful whether if everyone was replaced by another person.

"Satsuki has also improved a lot. Hey, is your fleet movement already better than me?"

"It's because Kagerou teach me how to do it."

"I do not think so, it was due to Satsuki efforts."

"Yeah, actually, I practice alone in the middle of the night," Satsuki laugh like she was embarra.s.sed.

"But it's not only me. Everyone did it on their own. "

Nagatsuki will do sh.e.l.ling. The model of the Abyssal s.h.i.+p that had attacked the fleet was wrapped in a water pillars.

“That’s it.”

Kagerou is impressed. Satsuki pierced it’s flank.

"Well, the result has come. "

Arare voices which issued 之-Movement echoed. Her little voice is same as ever, but at crucial times she had do it properly. Us.h.i.+o also has become quicker at the 之-Movement . While admiring, Kagerou still wondered.

"Why are everyone motivated, I wonder? "

"Why not?" Satsuki was looking at her as she grinned.

It is a good thing to improve the teamwork of the destroyers. But there is still something missing. Kagerou turned his eyes prior to that, Akebono seemed to be bored.

"Hey Akebono, show me your motivation, don’t you think it would be nice to show? "

"Why I should show my motivation to you?"

That is awful feeling to listen to Akebono.

"It can’t be helped, in the first place. "

"But isn’t it nice to be number one? It's fun"

"I didn’t have that kind of interest."

‘This girl, I really can’t do anything to her,’ Kagerou thought.

At a point, although the att.i.tude of speaking out hostility by speaking is disappeared, it was hard to say their distance shortened. She tried not to think about Akebono for a while. Whether she complains, they aim for higher target.

"Well, today we will do fleet escort through the end," Kagerou told everyone.

"Because there is no more day for the Special Exercise, let's improve even a little here and aim for the first place."

"If you say that way, would we also do sh.e.l.ling and torpedo attack?" 

Listening to Nagatsuki, Kagerou admitted.

"Yeah, if you don’t do it all, it's meaningless."

"Because it is a real ammunition, we need some fleet girls for guiding."

"So, I also asked the Kongou-san to do it again."

She pointed to the pier direction.

There was Kongou, Hiei, Haruna, and Kiris.h.i.+ma.

Each of them is staring here with a wonderful appearance.

Kongou had a tea cup today as well.

“You did it well.”

“Well, if you asked me to do it, I’d like to talk to Atago-san.”

‘Hahaha,’ Kagerou laughed.

Actually, someone said "As mischief is dangerous, so battles.h.i.+p girls must absolutely see".

As it’s four battles.h.i.+ps, it can’t be said that it was regarded as dangerous so much.

"The other day was hard, but if we train well here, Kongou sister will be impressed, so we can make a point of it and it will be a topic in the navy base."

Kagerou clapped her hands and put a fighting spirit.

“Then let's do our best!”

Everyone move towards their position. The fleet role, as usual, with "Zekamas.h.i.+" written in a renshouhou cannon dolls. In the real escorting mission, the s.h.i.+p is much bigger, there are so many figures if it becomes a fleet. The fleet girls position are separated quite away from each other. The s.p.a.ce between the dolls and the others separated as much as possible, to make sure there’s not much difference from the reality.

But, there's no use worrying about it now. It is an opportunity to show off the results of the training so far to Kongou-cla.s.s sisters.

The towing function switched on. When the dolls got a random movement as time went on, the fleet's course change. Kagerou and the others must follow it.

“Ready.”

Kagerou arrived at her position.

“Here we go. Don’t leave the fleet!”

In accordance with the the dolls advance, Kagerou and the others also sailed. After a while the towed s.h.i.+p maneuvered. Turn to the right in the same way. Then return the rudder, this time to the left. Next to the left is right. They was doing the 之-character movement.

The fleet girls din’t collide. There is no collision. They weren't off guard as before. To keep distance of each other position, they pay attention to the surroundings.

“How’s it Kagerou? I can do it, too, right?” Satsuki said.

"Good," Kagerou replied. Everyone else is also the same.

Akebono who was the only one complaining, also plays her role properly.

Kaguro looked ahead. It is almost time for the next stage.

A shadow is visible on the sea surface. It came.

"Enemy on 10 degrees right!" Kagerou shouts. 

Everyone said "Eh?"

"Raid attack practice, prepare!"

"I never hear about it!?"

"If I said about that, we might not do the training."

When Satsuki's complaint was shutted down, Kagerou increased the speed of the main machine.

"I will let the fleet escape. Nagatsuki, smokescreen!"

“Me?”

“Hurry up!”

As Nagatsuki moved forward, she began trying to spread a smokescreen between the attacking s.h.i.+p and the fleet. Suddenly, the s.h.i.+p attacking s.h.i.+p shone.

"Enemy s.h.i.+p firing!"

Kagerou gave a warning. Water spout around Nagatsuki. It is not a flashy thing because it is a simulation bullet, but it still hurts after it hits.

Nagatsuki's cruising become unsteady.

The deploying of the smokescreen become incomplete.

"Nagatsuki, come back!"

Satsuki who came back from the front poked Kagerou.

“Hey, the one who attacked us, isn’t it Atago-san?”

“Eh?”

In answer, Kagerou look using binocular. It was a fleet girl wearing a blue uniform who become the enemy and attacking. The size of that breast is certainly Atago’s.

"Why is she… She only told me that she’ll introduce someone who is good to become the enemy!"

"Kagerou, you liked it right?"

"Be careful, I don’t think Atago-san is holding back."

Satsuki returns to her usual position. Nagatsuki also came back drenched.

The smokescreen remained halfway and it was already clear.

"An enemy s.h.i.+p is approaching ......"

Arare is contacting us. She seems to be able to see Atago well from her position. A waterspout approached the fleet instead of the dolls. Atago are sh.e.l.ling happily. Kagerou wonder if she’s excited to be able to partic.i.p.ate in the training. By the way, she felt like this when she played the role of an enemy s.h.i.+p.

Roughly, the fleet girls look around. Even though it was training, enemies were attacking, so some uneasy air was drifting.

"We will intercept Atago and Us.h.i.+o will stay for support, The rest go to front, hold back Atago-san, in that chance then fire....... We will let the fleet escape. " Kageru said immediately.

“With only 5 people?”

"The opponent is only a heavy cruiser, hit and run away at once."

Even though it is inferior to a battles.h.i.+p, heavy cruiser has good firepower. Even if we make straight fight, the chances of winning are thin. Then we will rely on number.

"Us.h.i.+o, I leave it to you."

"Eh...... Okay."

Although it was an unreliable and low voice, Kagerou glad that she responded for the time being.

"Surface action, here we go. Both sides advance, maximum battle speed!"

Suddenly, it was a loud sound from behind. It was sh.e.l.ling. Kagerou look back in a hurry and check with her binocular. She saw a s.h.i.+p. A heavy cruiser's silhouette. Wearing the same clothes and big breast as Atago. She looks gentle, but her sh.e.l.ling has no mercy.

"It's Takao-san!"

Kagerou is groaning. Because she’s fleet girls of the same cla.s.s, it probably why she’s called by Atago. While the Atago is attacking from the front, Takao attack from behind. It was tactics. Although it’s common, but it’s effective when it's done. The fleet has been sandwiched.

Kagerou looked at the front then looked behind.

'What to do?! If we split our forces back and forth, we may be able to prevent both of them to wipe out the fleet, but it was also likely to fail. Although it increases the possibility of being able to counter-attack Atago if we used full force counter-attacks only to Atago, but it will allow Takao to attack us.'

The leader is Kagerou. She has to make a decision.

"... ... We’ll concentrate the attack ahead!" She said.

"We will fight back Atago-san and let the fleet escape, but someone may be attacked by Takao-san ......."

"You abandon us!?" An objection came from a surprising place.

It was Akebono who shouted.

"Even though the fleet is destroyed, you abandon us and escape!? Both escort and the fleet should be saved."

"I’m not abandoning you. But if we divide into two, we may be wiped out. So to survive even a little....... "

"Heartless. Why don’t you even try!"

"What? I’m trying to do it."

Kagerou is suspicous, Akebono did not exactly show any enthusiasm until just before, but she began to get angry as a sudden fire.

"I’m trying to save the fleet!"

"You didn’t! You said to abandon us!"

Akebono’s making a fuss.

"You always say you are a friend!"

"It's strange for Akebono to say that. Because you're unmotivated, so don't intervene. "

“If you go with such poor girl, you will want to mouth something about it! After all, it’s impossible for you guys to escort.”

“It’s not impossible. Hey, when we discussing this, the time will only flow…”

Akebono put her face closer to Kagerou.

“Because it’s annoying, then don’t do it from beginning!”

Anger was blown. It was an outburst energy.

Kagerou confused. The other fleet girls, too, are watching suprisedly.

"Because we will escort the fleet for Special Exercise, so let's not to stop doing this."

"You only need to decline! No one will hurt!"

"We are Fleet Girls, decline and you will not be one of them."

Kagerou is gradually irritated. 'Why does this girl make such noise? Is it so bad to have an escort mission? To the point that I became detestable?'

“Ah, Akebono-chan……”

Us.h.i.+o trying to calm Akebono with her words somehow, but she wasn’t listening.

"After all, you also like that type. It's a pattern that you can not do anything and abandon your ally! It is clever if you do not do it from the beginning!"

"I will not abandon my friends!"

Kagerou wa furious. She returned Akebono yelling.

“Then I'll do it! This big idiot destroyer!”

"You are much idiot! Not just an idiot but also a cold hearted! "

"Well then, I’ll divide it in two! The last may be annihilated, but then I will continue to tell you that it’s your fault!"

“There’s no such courage within the Kagerou-cla.s.s! Coward!”

“Who’s the coward?!”

Kagerou turned red before her eyes.

'My head is dizzy because of anger. Do we have to work hard so far with this girl!? Is there any other Destroyer like this?! Even if we can talk with everyone else, we can’t do anything to this girl.'

'I have made an effort to understand her somehow, but it’s almost impossible.'

'I do not know', Kagerou was clenching fist. Looking at it, Akebon says even more.

"Haah, are you willing to hit? Please try. Kagerou-cla.s.s can’t do anything you know!?” 

Slap. 

Dry sound echoed on the sea.

Akebono holds down her cheek. She stunned.

It was the same for Kagerou. She stared her own hand in spite of herself.

It was not Kagerou who raised her hand to Akebono. She hasn’t done anything. Even though she did not do anything, the sound rang.

“Akebono-chan… come on…”

Us.h.i.+o is dazzling while holding tears in his eyes. It was her that we gave a slap to Akebono.

"Selfishness’ only ...!!"

Akebono had been agape, but immediately she lifted her eyes and shouted.

“You did it!”

She hit Us.h.i.+o.

'As a s.h.i.+p girl, of course I don’t mind being obedient and I get fight if I get angry.' Because it's on the sea, the footing is bad by the outsider viewpoint, at such time, Fleet Girl's Navigation Stabilizer were exerting tremendous power, contributing to the conflict of their owners. It is an tacit understanding that you can’t fire, but conversely you can do anything else. The cuteness of making a mark in the slap immediately disappears, fist and fist collided each other. The equipment that has been dressed up turned into a blunt object as that happen. 

Punch, kick. Punch, kick. Kick then show off to kick again. Akebono's rampage is within the imagination, but Us.h.i.+o's is also considerable. Her scolding was as if to clear the past depression.

Akebono's punch grazed Us.h.i.+o. And the absentmindedly Arare got hit by it.

“Hurt…”

"What did you do!"

It was Nagatsuki who’s in rage. "I will give Arare a hand..." Nagatsuki said, the kick hits the mouth. [TL's note : What the h.e.l.l Nagatsuki?]

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

Nagatsuki, whose face was red, joined the group. The torpedo tube sways like a sword, Mutsuki-cla.s.s is weak because it was poorly balanced and the manufacturer was suspected for lying for not receiving new orders.

Akebono was kicked. Next to her, Us.h.i.+o also was about to grab her. Instead, it’s Arare. She was joining the fight before long. It seems that the previous punch hit. You can see the seriousness from the fact that that Fleet Girl’s hat has been put on the back. I have never seen her angry so much at Kure. In an attempt to compensate for the disadvantage of her small build, she is kicking out a tornado-like kick. 

"Uwaa, great. You're stressed up. "

Satsuki who tried to remain a spectator the sidelines was also dragged. Turned upside down, her face was thrusted into the sea surface. Her eyes when she got up is lifted, whoever was. .h.i.t her. Apparently, it’s a slender but trained muscular body. There may be a secret pride that won’t her let to be defeated by a regular destroyer girl. Everyone joined the fray with energy. 

A street fight appeared even though it was above the sea level. Kagerou turned pale, she realized that she is in the middle of training and she's likely mourning to G.o.d.

"Hey, stop! Heavy cruisers and battles.h.i.+p people are watching! Stop…” Saying that, Kagerou's face was struck by training torpedo that struck by someone from somewhere. Kagerou was knocked down by the somersault hit.

She barely held her ground.

She slowly picked up the fallen torpedoes.

"Th... These stupid people!"

Any reason was gone and everything looked like an enemy. This world is hopeless and dark. If I don’t beat these guy I can’t be a bride for sure. If that’s the case, I would flatten out absolutely everything. All of you are the paving stones of my life. 

Kagerou, who threw a torpedo, entered the fight and there was none to stop her.

Atago who was looking at far came. Next to her, Takao came close as well.

The two were staring at Kagerou and others fight in a state of astonishment.

“It’s strange. Quarrel between Destroyers, I haven’t see it after a while.” Takao looks at Atago.

“What to do?”

"Yeah ... it's my duty as a secretary s.h.i.+p to stop them."

Atago exhales. Takao heard it.

"How are you going to stop them?"

"Like this," Atago with her 20.3 cm guns turned to the Fleet Girls who were fighting. "Okay everyooone. If you don't stop within three seconds, I’ll shoot okaaay? One, two…” She said while smiling.

“Three.”

When Takao thought that she was strangely whispering, she had intended to shoot from the beginning. Kagerou and others were wrapped in a huge water pilar.

[TL Note : Let's call this a part, shall we? Because after this, the 14th DesDiv is likely to get some punishment from Atago because they all have been summoned to the Office

My bad, I should've cut the part right after the scolding from Atago]

Yokosuka Naval District government office building. Secretary s.h.i.+p Atago's room.

The members of the 14th DesDiv had bruises in their faces and lined up with their heads wet.

Atago sits at her desk. She doesn't seem to be particularly astonished. It is the same smile as usual. It was strange and scary to staring without turning. 

"...This time is a deplorabe event but..."

Atago opened her mouth. Kagerou heart's pounding.

“U-uuh... you’re right.”

“Be quiet. I wouldn't say that there is no quarrel between Fleet Girls, but I believe that it was unheard of to have a fight in the middle of training and in front of the secretary s.h.i.+p."

“But…”

Her gaze leaped to glance at Kagerou. Contrary to the sharpness of the smile, she shook her mouth.

“Not only me, but Takao also witnessed it. Everyone of the Kongou-cla.s.s, too. There are so many people looking at it, and nothing can be said to be innocent. Will you choose the punishment yourself? Or will you ask the admiral to decide?”

Everyone shuddered. It’s no longer just a report when it reached the admiral. Heavy detention was the pretty one, the worst was the armour being removed and being used as material for improvement and be thrown out from the Naval District. Your name and face photo will be circulated, and it would become a laughingstock.

Us.h.i.+o opened her mouth.

"Th...that's my fault..."

This was the starting point, and everyone started to talk as if a dam burst.

“I don’t want to enter the detention barrack! The one who started it was Akebono!”

"I was only involved. I am not responsible."

“...Being punished is…unpleasant…”

Akebono was silent. I was looking at the ceiling while being at a loss.

Atago sighed for the first time, seeing the destroyer Fleet Girls who offered their self-defense.

“...Good grief…”

The Destroyer Fleet girls was still continuing to chatter. Voices grow louder and louder.

Atago said in astonishment.

“That’s right. If you want the fight in the middle of training to be overlooked, you have to be disciplined. Fortunately, because no one was seriously injured, so I don’t mind, but going out is prohibited for the time being.”

‘Eh?’ voice. Even though there are food and entertainment facillities in the Naval District, but still, it’s more relaxing in the outside.

Kagerou slipped her mouth instantaneously.

“No matter how you look at it, that is a good fortune for a quarrel punishment.’

"Kagerou-san, I'm going to make punishment for you a bit heavier. Because you’re the leader."

“Wh, why I’m the one….!”

“Be quiet.”

In a clear tone and glint in her eyes, Kagerou lost her word.

"You may leave."

Everybody went out from the Atago’s room to the corridor.

Remained silent, they headed towards the Destroyer Dormitory from the government office building.

Everybody had an atmosphere that indicated it’s troublesome to open their mouth.

It seems so troublesome to even walk. 

Kagerou narrowed her eyes at the sunlight and looked up at the sky.

‘It is fine. It's late evening, but the sky is still blue. Surely this blue sky would continue as far as the Kure port. Beautiful and pure air color.’

‘It has become vain.’

‘I did a quarrel in front of Atago. I kicked in front of Takao. I took a kick in front of Kongou, screamed in front of Hiei, grabbed each other in front of Haruna, and sprinkled by seawater in front of Kiris.h.i.+ma.’

‘There is no way to stand a good reputation with a such thing. It’s a level that can be labeled in the lowest rank Fleet Girl as stupid destroyer team that had beaten each other fellow's. And that's why it's barbaric. The worst thing was that I can’t handle it in my group.’

‘I was full of motivation in the morning. In front of a secretary s.h.i.+p and battles.h.i.+ps, I should have been making a decision to show nice things this time.’

‘Nevertheless, why did this happen?’

Kagerou dominated by Emptiness. Her heart was hollow and empty.

Suddenly, emotions welled up.

It was sadness.

‘I believed that what I did until now, what I learned at Etajima, what I trained at Kure, was that it would work everywhere. I've sworn to do my best in the letter to s.h.i.+ranui. It turned out to be sad, knowing that they all were meaningless.’

Kagerou was depressed. Tears appear in her eyes.

"U…u…uuu…... "

Even if I tried to endure it, it didn’t stop.

"I’m… sorry... everyone ..."

Those who heard it stop their feet. Kagerou said in tears.

"I am... I'm an idiot.... I'm just putting fruitless effort... I've sworn to do my best, but I can't do anything... I'm just forcing..."

Emotions came out one after another. I realized that it’s shameful to cry in public, but I could not stop it anymore. 

"Even both Nagatsuki and Arare are... doing it properly... Satsuki too, Us.h.i.+o too, and Akebono too... Everyone, everyone are splendid destroyers..... I am... because I am not doing it properly... because I’m annoying... Even though I’m the leader... Even though I’m a destroyer…”

She's crying. The tears dropped and wet the ground.

"I’m sorry... I’m really sorry..."

The feeling of tension lost, my emotions is overflowing endlessly. My immaturity, my heartlessness, my heart is bursting.

Kagerou could only express those feelings by crying.

The Fleet Girls were staring at Kagerou.

" That's not true!"

Suddenly Nagatsuki said.

“It should be me who should've apologize. Kagerou was so kind to me ... I still wasn’t confident in myself. I’m…”

She also shed tears.

The other Fleet Girls too, they were shouting unanimously.

"I ... I was absolutely alone if I there’s no Kagerou! Kagerou gave me confidence!"

"This is true even for me. Because Kagerou-san guided me... so far......!"

"... Kagerou isn't bad ... I’m sure..."

Satsuki, Us.h.i.+o, and Arare too were all crying. Being moved by Kagerou words, they were pouring tears in their eyes. 

There’s no human being who's enjoying to be left behind. There's no human being who's happily exposing their shame. 

Everyone was frustated.

They didn't like the 14th DesDiv being labeled as a loser.

They hugged each other spontaneously. They were crying while holding each other.

Only a girl was keeping her distance.

Being left standing still from the sight.

"I don't like destroyers because of this..."

No tears risen in Akebono’s eyes. No one could get a glimpse of movement of her heart.

Part 2

On the appointed day of the Special Exercise.

The weather on this day was cloudy. According to the Naval Base weather station, it would be cloudy throughout the day. The waves were a little high. It’s unkown whether it would rain or not, so don't forget to bring an umbrella when you go out. 

As for Fleet Girls, getting drenched was their business, and because it's seawater, it’s salty no matter where it is. It’s often difficult to distinguish between wakame seaweed and salted hair. Instead, rainy day was rather welcomed. So there were many girls who didn’t use an umbrella.

Of course you wouldn’t carry an umbrella at sortie times. 'Spirit is to accomplish the mission when there were typhoons and squall while drenched,' they said.

Kagerou looked up overhead. The clouds were still high. It wouldn’t be raining for now.

“...Why is the weather is all I care about, I wonder?”

I muttered to myself. Actually, I knew the reason.

It's because I was anxious. I wanted to somehow distract my mind. I wanted to concentrate in the training, but it couldn't be said that it was sucessful. I failed one after another, until we got in a fist fight in front of Atago and the battles.h.i.+p sisters.

Was it possible to be in the first place?

Kagerou shook her head. No no, I'm going to be pessimistic, what should I do? At least, only our friends.h.i.+p has increased. Excluding only Akebono. If everyone cooperated, we should have good results. Excluding only Akebono.

She turned around. All members of 14th DesDiv were in alignment. As usual, Akebono was still facing the other side, I could only think of her as such existence.

"... Well, we're going to get along."

“Hmph...”

Akebono snorted her nose.

"It's not good either."

Atago was sitting on a stand on the beach like a coast guard. She held the ewatch a number of times, and wrote something on the notebook. White waves ahead. The destroyers have returned. Atago turned the hand mic on.

"Please come up. The score is being calculated."

After exchanging conversation for a while, Atago talked again with a hand microphone.

"6th DesDiv results. 220 points."

‘Oohh’ voice came from the onlooker. It was the highest record until now.

As expected from the 6th DesDiv, of course those voices would come. They were the representative of the destroyer girls in the Yokosuka Naval Base.

Many Destroyer Divisions departed to the sea around the Naval Base with some time differences. Kagerou and others were the next in the order.

"Next. 14th DesDiv."

“Yes.”

On Atago's call, Kagerou got up and replied as if snapped out from reality.

"Please depart."

At that call, Kagerou looked at everyone's face.

“Setting sail! Let’s go!”

Everyone entered the sea from the pier. They put their feet on the sea surface.

“Both sides advance! Full speed!”

As they got on the waves, the 14th DesDiv went on. 

This special exercise was, to simply put, just about escorting a fleet.

After joining, they would protect the convoy and return to the Naval District.

Of course it didn’t end with just that alone. The Fleet Girls who were designated as the enemy were waiting on their returning journey, they in reality carried out raid and bombardment training. The key of this exercise was how to escort the fleet from the attack and return.

As for the Fleet Girls who were the enemy, there’s an exercise control officer, who checked the movement of the Destroyer Divisions strictly. Also, as the fleet has been told about the exercise, the instructions would be purposely be made to be wrong and confusing. Among them, there’s also a fleet that plotted on "How to get rid of the escorting destroyers," at the other time, it's "Because the chicks in the cargo would die due to stress, please refrain from evasive action," or "Because more than twenty pregnant women were riding in the fleet, during the torpedo attack, I noticed every single one was born," like that, it has been reported too.

The Fleet Girls a.s.signed as the Abyssal Fleet role were also undauntedly used pale makeup and put on a dark coat. Like Abyssal Fleet on a daily basis, howl practicing was also there that's why it's like genuine.

"Who are the one who's a.s.signed as our enemies role?"

To Satsuki’s question, Kagerou remembered that she was told in advance.

"Hmmm, it's the Kongou-cla.s.s sisters."

"Aren’t they battles.h.i.+ps?"

Satsuki was surprised. Nagatsuki who’s lined up next to her also suprised.

"That time, they should have seen what we did, so they took over the role of the enemies, I guess.”

"Are they trying to punish us, I wonder?"

“It’s strange that Fast Battles.h.i.+ps come out to attack a convoy to begin with. Well, there are some that are Pocket Battles.h.i.+ps though.”

"It’s all about being able to respond to every event, right?"

Kagerou replied, but she didn’t know the truth either. Was there any meaning to be pleased with it? She also wondered.

She examined a glimpse of Akebono appearance. She remained silent. Even after that fight, only she who’s stubbornly still didn’t open her heart.

"Hey Kagerou, hey!"

“...Huh? Ah, I’m sorry."

"Is it already at the place where the Exercise started?"

Kagerou hurriedly compared it to the sea map. Certainly, it was supposed for the Exercise to start from here.

The main machines stopped. There’s almost no wind, and there were only Kagerou and others in the large ocean.

They were waiting for a while.

They waited, but the convoy did not come.

She looked around, but there weren’t any figures and even shadows. She stretched her back and examined as far as she could, but far from cargo s.h.i.+p, she couldn't even see Seagulls.

Kagerou felt dizzy.

“What is this…”

"I wonder if we are being scolded?"

Satsuki lamented. It’s miserable, however I couldn’t deny it.

"Arare, can you ask to YokoBase with Radio?"

"... For now, it's supposed to be sealed off… We might get a penalty...... "

"If that’s it, then as for how should we do the Exercise, I don’t know."

It seems that she was convinced, Arare remained expressionless and began to communicate with the Naval Base.

After replying with a few whispers, Arare reported to Kagerou.

"... Return back......"

"Ah, after all when the Exercise was already started, I wonder if I was hooked?"

Arare shook her head.

"Something like... there’s a real a.s.sault on the fleet...... the exercise is canceled......"

"Eeh!?"

Suprised, Kagerou contacted and confirmed it by herself.

What Arare said was true. Yokosuka Naval Base was at big fuss up and down.

The fleet that 14th DesDiv was supposed to escort was quite large and full of real supplies.

Safe route have been chosen, for the sake of the Exercise, and it was supposed to be borrowed a little.

It was Abyssal Fleet that shouldn’t have been appeared there. At first, the crew of the fleet seemed to think that it was an elaborate joke.

Fortunately, the Abyssal Fleet that have attacked were less, they were reconnaissance s.h.i.+ps. However, the main force who received their notification eventually attacked. The fleet lives was regrettable. That’s why the emergency signal was scattered all over, they were evacuating at full speed.

It's not an Exercise anymore when this happened. The 14th DesDiv were ordered to return and Yokosuka Naval Base has sent out a fleet of interceptors.

Kagerou briefly explained to everyone.

To her surprise, it was Akebono who was the first to bite at it.

"What's going on now? Where is the raid?"

While startled, Kagerou answered.

"Wait a second…… The fleet is waiting. It looks like the rest is unknown."

A contact was sent from Yokosuka through the auxiliary vessel radio station. Because it’s interrupted from time to time, she couldn’t easily grasp the detailed situation.

"The Kongou-cla.s.s sisters are going to intercept them. I don’t know well the place. If I intercept the 3rd Communication Channel, I wonder if I can predict it?"

"But we have nothing to do with them," So Nagatsuki said. Kagerou agreed.

"Well, it's canceled, so it's good to leave it here. Let’s go back."

Kagerou operated her main machine.

"The course is to Yokosuka… wait, hey.”

She turned to the back.

While everyone was in a row, only Akebono remained behind.

Kagerou was amazed. I wonder if this girl would still play truant.

"Don't lingering."

Unusually, Akebono made a word in a hesitant tone.

"...Hey, Kagerou. For example, only for example, if we are also be told to have to go intercept, what will you do?"

"That again. Isn’t Kongou-san sisters has departed?"

Kagerou made a puzzled look. Akebono said still.

"But because the fleet is attacked, isn’t it natural to go to help? "

"What, did you come up with another new fools joke?"

"I don't like fooling around, because it's a real battle..."

“In the recent training was also the same, but this time around, what’s the purpose for objecting what I said?”

“Th, that’s not it!”

"It's a violation of order. Akebono will go to detention barrack, and if that’s not enough, we will also be involved. Just stop it.”

“Wrong! That’s why!”

"If you're motivated, I'd like you to do it earlier. It's meaningless now."

“......”

Akebono casted her eyes downward and biten her lips.

Kagerou jerked her chin.

“Now, let’s go back.”

Akebono was still lingering. Kagerou only took a glance.

"......Aa, Us.h.i.+o. Watch over Akebono so that she can't raise her weird mind."

Us.h.i.+o extended her hand.

“Akebono-chan……”

She refused to take it.

"Don't touch! …….I knew it already!"

Everyone took a course to Yokosuka.

As expected, the fleet’s feets got faster. If four battles.h.i.+ps has left , it would be fine, I thought, but I became anxious. When we returned, suddenly Atago's figure couldn't be seen. Because she's actually Admiral's secretary s.h.i.+p, I wonder if she carried out the mission herself? The area around the pier strangely were messed up, the Destroyer Fleet Girls who were supposed to do the exercises exchanged talk loudly.

“I’m back,” and Kagerou who said it incidentally got no responses.

“Eep! It’s serious!”

Satsuki, who went to stock information, rushed back.

"Kongou-san sisters seem to have been unable to meet the enemy. The compa.s.s is going amiss."

Kagerou and others all said "No way..." The point at which Abyssal Fleets appear was fixed, the Fleet Girls aimed at that and proceed toward the battle. Nevertheless, this time they went off route and went to a completely different point. This was expressed by the Fleet Girls as "The compa.s.s is going amiss."

The cause was unknown, and although several teams were formed for clarification, none of them came to a conclusion. The only thing that has been found is "It’s the Fleet Girl’s, but for some reason, we don’t know what is it." There were a lot of Fleet Girls who tried to escape from the troubles by praying to the shrines and temples, as so to speak, it was a destiny and couldn’t be helped by humans hands.

More than that, the Kongou sisters seemed to be stuck with that compa.s.s involuntarily.

“Then, what should we do?” Satsuki asked.

But could we make it in time? Kongou sisters were likely to fight in a different place. It's need to be noticed that taking injury was possible, it couldn't be helped that one must be put in dock for recovery. Thus, being carelessly hit, the fleet's whole survival would end, right?

Kagerou asked Satsuki.

“What about Fusou-san and Yamas.h.i.+ro-san?”

"It looks like they are dispatched to Okinos.h.i.+ma waters with the aircraft carriers. While Ise-san and Hyuugsan are on a business trip to Maizuru Base."

In other words, the number of Fleet Girls who could go to help were too small. 

If there were no large s.h.i.+ps like battles.h.i.+p or carrier, the battle will be much more disadvantageous. If you stood up against opponent like Abyssal Fleet with inferior firepower, at any rate it became difficult.

Kagerou kept silent. She should've understand this urgent circ.u.mstances event.

Not only the girls, but the destroyer Fleet Girls were whispering here and there. Everyone was worried about the situation.

A broken voice was heard from the speaker.

"......Is the mic volume okay? Check, one, two, imitating Kiris.h.i.+msan. Okaaay everyone, pleeease listen to me."

It's Atago. Sat on the above pier post, her voice was being carried away.

"As you know, a fleet loaded with supplies is currently under attack. Various rumors are flowing, but I will only tell you that I'm dealing with it with all of my energy."

The destroyer girls listened to Atago’s voice while holding their breath.

"As I mentioned earlier, the Special Exercises have been cancelled. Everyone of destroyer fleet girls, please return to the dormitory and wait. "

The Fleet Girls became astir. Among them were the voices of whether they should keep silent like this was also risen up. Atago’s voice continued as we saw through it. 

“This is an instruction. Beware that violators will be penalized according to the rules. Big Sis don't want to do that. That's all."

The noise continued for a while, but because it’s an instruction, it couldn’t be helped. The destroyer Fleet Girls returned to the dormitory.

Kagerou was hesitating whether it’s okay to return as it was.

Why my chest is restless? Was it a bad premonition? For some reason I’m being literally uneasy.

I didn’t know the source of my anxiety yet. Was it the rumors from the destroyer girls?

Was it Atago’s broadcast?

But it was quickly backed on by Arare.

She was pulling Kagerou clothes.

“.......It’s bad....Akebono...is gone……”

"Huh. She’s gone..........gone!?"

Spontaneously Kagerou shouted.

"Isn't she together with Us.h.i.+o!?"

As for Us.h.i.+o, her face was pale and fl.u.s.tered. 

"Ju-just some time ago she's here. While I'm listening to Atago's broadcast, she's gone unnoticed......"

Arare asked to Kagerou.

"......What should we do...?"

"Even if you ask me 'what should we do', anywhere she escaped from the Naval District, she'll be chased by the likes of Fritz X you know?"

[TL's Note : An anti-s.h.i.+p glide-bomb used by Germany in WW2 (and sank Italian battles.h.i.+p Roma). It’s the first precision-guided weapon deployed in combat and the first to sink a s.h.i.+p in combat. More info here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_X]

There were certain number of girls who quit being Fleet Girls because the training was different in the Naval District, they thought the training was hard on their own image. The quit itself wasn't particullary difficult, after completing the prescribed procedures and returning the equipments, even receiving the salary until that time and going home was fine. There were also cases in which Fleet Girl who thought too much silently escaped at night. In that case, there's a possibility that they would carry the equipments and ran away, so they would be chased.

"She finally ran away. Isn't she's so cold to us?" Satsuki said. Nagatsuki too agreed.

"If you have spent so much together, you can deepen your friends.h.i.+p, but it looks like Akebono can't really understand it, eh?"

"Uncooperative, isn't it?"

A loud voice rebuked at Satsuki who expressed a plausible impression.

"That's not right! Akebono-chan isn't that kind of person!"

Everyone stared at the owner of the voice startledly. 

It’s Us.h.i.+o. Everyone dumbfounded at the loud voice that you couldn't imagine from the usually timid Us.h.i.+o.

She herself didn't notice that she's making a loud voice.

"Su...Surely, She's surely went to escort the fleet!"

"No way," Kagerou said.

"Isn't Atago-san has issued sortie prohibition order? After the battles.h.i.+p sisters returned, let's sortie once again."

"That isn't enough.

That girl, didn't hate fleet escorting. Even if she said it makes a destroyer a fool...

That's because ... ... because she knows the difficulties of escorting better than anyone else!"

Us.h.i.+o was already half-crying.

"Akebono and I had once escorted a fleet. Akebono hasn't forgotten about that time even a bit...... If I talk about this....... She would be very angry......but,"

She's started to tell while sobbing.

Once, Akebono and Us.h.i.+o have always been on the same destroyer division.

Of course this time's the same, but it's different than the strained relations.h.i.+p now, they talk normally, they laugh normally, they work hard normally, they were the typical destroyer fleet girls.

However, immediately after the sortie, they suffered a unusual phenomenon. The damages concentrated at Akebono. Although they didn't encounter any Abyssal Fleet, she was damaged somehow by the time of return due to a failure of the main engine or a direct hit of a high wave. In contrast, Us.h.i.+o remained intact.

“Isn’t it just a coincidence?” Kagerou said.

Then Us.h.i.+o replied, "Everyone said that, and Akebono was thinking so at the beginning, but... when we escorted a fleet..."

The expedition was to escort the fleet and it's supposed to be an easy task. In fact, nothing happened with any other Fleet Girls.

As a result, not only Akebono and Us.h.i.+o but also injured s.h.i.+ps have been dispatched.

The fleet name's Teni 6th Fleet. They're a group of transport vessels that stored ores inside their hull. It should have been just going and returning. [TL's Note : Not sure about the name of the fleet, it's テニ六船団]

The cause wasn't clear. It's said that, as matter of fact, the higher ups has overlooked the report that 'the abyssal fleet tends to increase' from the fleet girls who have returned from a forced reconnaissance.

It's not been reported to the admiral in the first place, and the Abyssal Fleet Movement Report at that time that haven't yet been found was hidden in a bunch of reports of the so-called highly cla.s.sified information.

As a results, some people were dismissed by the Secretary s.h.i.+p and it has been improved so that the reports went directly to the Admiral, but everything was after the festival.

The fleet were cruising in the ocean area that was stamped with "Safe" seal approval. The seal of approval itself was already half a year ago and haven't been updated.

Yesterday was fine, so today's also fine, they said, it has been backed up by a dangerous optimism that turned blind from the reality.

When we noticed, it was already too late. Just before, the lookout made a squall with difficulty as an excuse couldn’t be helped. If only we have radar, certainly she said, but we were blocked by a wall called budget deficit and "The development is unaccepted because of the difficulty." 

Only then, Abyssal Fleet was attacking. First of all, the leading fleet girl was. .h.i.t. The enemy detection and the hit of the shot were reported at almost the same time. It meant that they was too close to even escape. 

The abyssal fleet's howl echoed on the ocean. The radio communication of the Fleet Girls and the fleet were running through as if it were being woven. Cannon roars could be heard all around, the sea surface's colour changed as that happened. All information jumped at once, Akebono and Us.h.i.+o, who encounter the enemy for the first time, were on the verge of panic.

"Convoy, don't break the line and direction!"

The flags.h.i.+p of the escort Fleet Girl's voice were barely being noticed.

"Escorting wars.h.i.+p, attack the Abyssal Fleet!"

Afterwards, the Fleet Girls expected to be ordered specificly, but the voice were interrupted. The enemy attacks were intense, so the communication was obstructed.

"Us.h.i.+o, we too, let's go!"

Akebono pulled Us.h.i.+o. Us.h.i.+o agreed at first, but then her feet stopped.

"I......I will stay here..."

"The enemy is attacking, you know? We have to fight back and get rid of it."

"But we can't afford to abandon the fleet ..."

Us.h.i.+o claimed that the mission was to escort, so she couldn't afford to leave easily. But she understood that it's just an excuse.

She didn't want to go. The Abyssal Fleet's roars were frightening. She couldn't help but turn her face. She realized that it's really impossible for a straight-on fight.

You wouldn't have to fight if you're here. There's also a reason to protect the fleet.

But Akebono kept pulling Us.h.i.+o. In contrast to her, the first encounter battle was extremely uplifting for her.

"Let's go, let's fight with the seniors!"

"You should stay here! You can protect the fleet!"

"The enemy is approaching, you know?"

"If you leave your post, it's a violation of orders!"

Us.h.i.+o waved her hand.

"Well ... if you want to fight so much, just go alone!"

More than the violation of orders, the words of going alone resounded heavily for Akebono.

Abyssal Fleets weren't fools, because they're lurking in the route before.

An abyssal fleet attacked. The s.h.i.+p in the front right and the s.h.i.+p in the rear left were caught at the same time.

There were too few things that can be done with just two Fleet Girls in a simultaneous attack. The cargo s.h.i.+ps that made up the fleet were being caught from left and right thoroughly. They sank down to the bottom of the sea with their stern or bow uplifted, and only the small debris that was still remaining would eventually sunk.

Scream and shriek resounded. Angry roars were running around on the communication equipments.

Us.h.i.+o trembled. Both the rules of engagement and the firing procedure were lost from her head. She's attacked by fear and couldn't understand anything.

The cargo s.h.i.+p sunk quickly, and it felt like all the enemies were heading towards them. A scream came out from her mouth. Her eyes saw an attack. She was unable to look straight at all out of fear, and scattered her sh.e.l.ls to all directions. When she opened her eyes, she could only see the rising flame and the silhouette of the Abyssal Fleet.

How much time has pa.s.sed? She didn't know at all.

When she noticed, there's only a cargo s.h.i.+p left.

It could be called as annihilation. Most of the resources were lost. The fleet girls who went to intercept weren't yet returned. It was a miracle that Us.h.i.+o had not suffered a wound, and it's said that it's the only salvation.

In contrast, Akebono was tattered. She was lying on her back, and her eyes were staring at the sky.

“Akebono-chan…... Are you alright...?”

Us.h.i.+o offered her hands, but Akebono brushed her with her wounded hand.

“Don’t touch me!”

She didn’t look at her face until they returned.

The survey concluded that because of the number of the Abyssal Fleets and the number of the escorts made it impossible to protect. Even if they headed to intercept, it’s likely to be sunk. Rather, because they remained alive, there was even an opinion on whether it was a good judgment.

That was not only related to Us.h.i.+o. It’s related Akebono too.

“I’m pathetic…..”

Us.h.i.+o was crying.

"I ... stepped on Akebono-chan’s pride as a destroyer… Akebono-chan's always proud of her being destroyer fleet girl... Nevertheless, she couldn't fight, she couldn't protect the convoy either... even she was injuried..."

Everyone were silent.

"...From that point on, Akebono-chan has become such character… She tried to find everyone's fault regardless of whoever it is, just to hate it... To make destroyers a fool..." Us.h.i.+o said.

"Akebono-chan’s always regretted the incident that time. Because she couldn’t save the fleet even though she wanted to save them..."

“.........”

Kagerou, Nagatsuki, Satsuki, and Arare too, have been silent.

"Even after that, there were many opportunities for escorting a fleet.... But Akebono-chan rejected it every time…… ‘Should I stop being Fleet Girl?’ I thought, but once I became your friend and a.s.signed in the same Destroyer Division with Kagerou-san and others, it changed little a little but… Finally, I thought that I was able to face that time. That’s why, now, I went to this salvation."

Kagerou and others no longer denied her speech.

Kagerou and others were aware that Akebono’s hiding her pride behind her irresponsible speech and conduct, but they didn’t know that it was based on a severe experience.

The Fleet Girls' impression of the Abyssal Fleet were often determined in the first encounter. In the early days, the Fleet Girls who were suddenly caught in a fierce battle suffered PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), it wasn't unusual for them to retire.

As of present, before partic.i.p.ating in the actual battle, a simulated experience using video and a simple expedition mission will be conducted. There's a good reason for that.

But Akebono and Us.h.i.+o, above all, had a severe experience with the expedition.

The memory of that event remained settled at the bottom of their heart.

Us.h.i.+o became introverted character to protect her mind, and Akebono resisted and opposed anything.

And now Akebono's heading to the fleet.

To overcome her nightmare.

This time's to rescue.

"I'll go too." Us.h.i.+o cried.

"I shouldn't be feeling down. I'll go. I'll go and help Akebono-chan!"

But Kagerou shook her head.

"It's useless."

"Why!?"

"Because sortie isn't allowed."

Us.h.i.+o's lips trembled. She stared at Kagerou as if saying 'I can't believe it'.

"If I don't go quickly, then I won't able to help Akebono-chan!"

"She wouldn't particulary die. Because she'll come back at dawn."

Kagerou replied with a curt tone.

"That sort of girl is, just simply being stubborn, that's why, somehow she'll come back, you know?"

"Akebono-chan isn't such a girl!"

"I don't know if she went to help the fleet in the first place. She may only be somewhere around the area."

"Absolutely! Absolutely, she went to escort the fleet! "

Us.h.i.+o's screaming. Still, Kagerou didn't say "Yeah."

"Let's return back to the room. And wait inside."

"C...cruel!"

Us.h.i.+o yelled with tears broken in her eyes.

"You're so cruel! I hate Kagerou-san!"

"I'm your leader. I've listened to all you have said."

Having said that, Kagerou took the initiative to return to the destroyer dormitory.

Part 3

Running alone on the sea surface alone made you feel lonely.

In this vast world, there's no one to see.

Akebono was advancing at full speed.

It's not like she hoped that someone would come. 'Should we fight together?' She heard. However, once she turned around, no one was there.

It couldn't be helped. It's natural that no one would come to be mocked as like being detested. She have never thought of her being a fool and fooling others.

It would be a violation of orders if you came. Going to detention barrack With such a contrary person, any Fleet Girls would refuse .

She shook off her attachment. I wouldn't remember about the 14th DesDiv. Right now, I'm running to get rid of my past, she thought.

She already brokethrough the compa.s.s place unconsciously.

She looked ahead, there was figures of s.h.i.+ps. Not only one but many. No doubt, it's a fleet. There's no escort, but somehow only the fleet line were maintained.

"Wait!"

Akebono's waving her hands and drawing attention. As that wasn't enough, she fired and sprayed black smoke for smoke screen.

The first cargo s.h.i.+p noticed. The captain came out to the deck.

"You're... a Fleet Girl!?"

"I'm a destroyer!"

Akebono shouted back.

"Is it alright!?"

"The last s.h.i.+p in the line has been captured! We are still being followed!"

The captain looked backwards fearfully.

"There's a lot of them! If it continue like this......"

"Don't worry! Because I'll drive them away!"

"You alone!?"

"Leave the rest to me! You should evacuate the fleet to Yokosuka at full-speed! Go, go!"

She didn't dare to answer the captain's question and went forward.

A group of s.h.i.+ps escaped. For the time being, She went to the direction of which the fleet came.

As she went on, a gust came. It stroked Akebono's cheek with a tingle.

She s.h.i.+vered. She felt that something unknown's approaching.

They came.

After she recognized the shadows, she lowered her posture, in order to prevent her from being discovered by the enemy, but it's unclear how effective it was. But they were a lot. An enormous shadow was approaching.

It looked like the sea surface was filled with s.h.i.+p, s.h.i.+p, and s.h.i.+ps. No, something like s.h.i.+ps. Abyssal Fleet, a strange-looking existence that's neither living being nor a wars.h.i.+p.

The eyes of the Abyssal Fleet shone big and blue, and they were looking for a prey. A group of leading Ro-cla.s.s destroyer were raging and agitated to find a fleet. They resented that the cargo s.h.i.+p has escaped. Where is the prey? Where is the prey? Was there a prey that could be bitten for food?

The waves stroke like a lethal weapon and the sea breeze pierced like a sword. It seemed as if the ocean itself has been transformed into an enemy encampment. She felt that they were able to control the sea from the sensation on her skin.

Akebono shook her head. No no calm down, there's destroyers here and there. It's proved by statistics that the Fleet Girls were stronger than the Ro-cla.s.s. The seniors shed their own blood to earn those data. That's why it's said that in the Naval District there's no fear. If one-on-one, it's advantageous.

But, what thing it was? On the opposite side of the Ro-cla.s.s was, something with upper half of a beast-like hull. She remembered she have seen it on the Abyssal Fleet Identification List. It's definetely a light cruiser of the He-cla.s.s. A mad sebeast that much more ferocious than the destroyer. And yet, futhermore, that's not the all of them.

On the upper body, there were grown arms. Even it has fingers. The face was covered and plastered, and it's unclear whether there were eyes, nose, or even a mouth. It's also unclear whether it could see the front, definetely a monster. Was it the torpedo-cruiser Chi-cla.s.s? They were piling such ridiculouly powerful torpedo like a fool, striking and firing at anything, the G.o.ds of death. The Fleet Girls who were charged with the guiding-role kept saying that you musn't being careless when you met them by chance.

And then, ah, what was the one behind that?

Standing with two legs. Long black hair. Flexible limbs. It had eyes that looked suspicious, and the cannons that were very long, grown from the both shoulders, were facing the sky. A gigantic s.h.i.+eld was equipped on both arms, and shocking amount of gun barrels were sticking out from it. Then those pair of blue eyes that were intimidating the vicinity.

It's neither non-humanoid or semi-humanoid type. It's unmistakably a humanoid type.

Battles.h.i.+p Ru-cla.s.s.

Akebono turned pale. Abyssal Fleet became stronger as they looked closer to humans. She turned to the flank so she wouldn't be noticed. The Abyssal Fleet didn't notice Akebono. They're following the cargo s.h.i.+ps.

They weren't smiling because of losing the precious feast they've discovered. They're going to chase them with full force.

The white waves were going away.

(The...The escape route will be wiped out...without delay...)

Akebono thought so. To attack so many Abyssal Fleet was a foolish thing, but she has no choice. She would draw their attention by sending a reinforcement radio. So, carefully, she took the advantage of destroyer's mobility.

She looked at the direction of the Abyssal Fleet movement. There should be the cargo s.h.i.+ps they’ve lost earlier. Could they catch up? She wondered. They would catch up. Cargo s.h.i.+ps didn’t have leg like the destroyers. They would be caught by the Abyssal Fleet after a while.

“What should I do....”

She recalled her past memory. It was a scene that flashed back and forth during late at night on the bed, during meal in the First Officer Station room, even in the front of the counselor. The sea, the black sea. The blown up transport s.h.i.+ps. The sea surface that were thickly plastered with oil. The flickering burning flame. The dull sound of a broken keel was nothing but a scream emanating from s.h.i.+ps. Then the Abyssal Fleet screams echoed from all directions. Even the color and smell were running around inside her mind.

Clankclankclank. Her mouth resounded. She's trembling. Fear dominated her whole body, and it turned into s.h.i.+vers. Scary, scary, scary. Her usually confident and sharp tongue were vanished so far away.

Akebono thought desperately with her discernment that was barely left. What should I do? She asked herself what should she do. For whose sake and what kind of thing she should do? She wondered. Should she kept escaping? They were a group of monsters that couldn't be opposed alone. 'Who would blame you for protecting yourself?' They said. She would abandon the cargo s.h.i.+ps.

No.

No.

No way.

Akebono thought so. She blamed herself. Blame yourself on your own. I would endlessly make myself a fool for my entire life as a fleet girl if I let the fleeing fleet destroyed. Well, my original role was battles.h.i.+p and cruiser tsuyuharai, but it didn't mean that I wouldn't be on a fleet escorting mission. Throwing away the weak was a life-time disgrace. It's a shame for the Ayanami-cla.s.s destroyer.

[TL's Note : Forgot to add the note, Tsuyuharai (lit: dew sweeper) is basically one of two sumo's attendant when he perform ring entrance ceremony, the other is tachimochi. Akebono is saying that destroyer were just 'attendants' of the battles.h.i.+ps and cruisers. More info : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuyuharai]

She recalled a vague memory. Many of the s.h.i.+ps bearing this name failed to escort. Every last one of them sank to protect, ended without even disposing their torpedo attack. The distant past memories, the memories that should have been sealed.

I hate all of it. I hate all of it already. Absolutely absolutely hate it.

I will protect anything and everything.

Akebono gritted her teeth. She sternly glared forward.

"Here, you!"

An unbelievable loud voice came out.

She waved her hands to draw attention.

"This idiot myself! Because I'll become your opponent! Have my plenty of thanks, okay!"

It followed.

A pair of eyes faced her. The first thing she found was, that monster woman, Ru-cla.s.s battles.h.i.+p.

The deeply eerie blue eyes perceived Akebono.

The Ru-cla.s.s battles.h.i.+p was spreading her arms and turning her posture towards the sky and opened her mouth.

Uoooon.

A thunderous roar that could even affect the mind echoed across the ocean. She howled. The abyssal fleet emanated a war cry of founding a prey. A sign of death to notify their companion that there's a prey here, to scare the prey.

All of the abyssal fleet reacted. Several eyes turned around at once. Blue radiance that penetrated the atmosphere.

A flash of death were poured to the tiny fleet girl.

But Akebono wasn't afraid. She resolved herself from the bottom of her heart.

I'm not afraid because I've resolved.

With the small barrels facing forward, she kicked the white waves to advance.

"From here, this s.h.i.+p is going to attack the Abyssal Fleet, the a.s.sault purpose is to pulverize the enemy and to support the convoy evacuation! Executing surface action!"

She took a breath and made a loud voice.

"Let's go!"

She confronted a group of Abyssal Fleet, equipped with only one 12.7 cm gun and a triple torpedo mount launch tube.

Chapter 5 : Wood Part 1.  .

And all training in the next day. The next day aswell. Even the next day. Fatigue acc.u.mulated, in the middle of the night, they collapsed and didn't move even a bit. But, there are significant meaning of repeating the training. The longer you don't do anything else, the more the skill will go down drastically. “Hmmm…?” Kagerou twists her head. She wondered what Satsuki asked. “What’s wrong?” “No, it's somewhat smooth," then she laughed ‘Ahaha.’ The fleet movement goes smoothly. Today, 14th DesDiv used a stuffed toy that was supposed to be a fleet and was repeating escort training. Until now, it didn't go well. They also often hit the fleet, and it felt awful. Their movement became more agile, they even able to feel a good sense within the fleet.. There's no point of showing troublesome att.i.tude that will only ends in vain. For a moment it was doubtful whether if everyone was replaced by another person. "Satsuki has also improved a lot. Hey, is your fleet movement already better than me?" "It's because Kagerou teach me how to do it." "I do not think so, it was due to Satsuki efforts." "Yeah, actually, I practice alone in the middle of the night," Satsuki laugh like she was embarra.s.sed. "But it's not only me. Everyone did it on their own. " Nagatsuki will do sh.e.l.ling. The model of the Abyssal s.h.i.+p that had attacked the fleet was wrapped in a water pillars. “That’s it.” Kagerou is impressed. Satsuki pierced it’s flank. "Well, the result has come. " Arare voices which issued 之-Movement echoed. Her little voice is same as ever, but at crucial times she had do it properly. Us.h.i.+o also has become quicker at the 之-Movement . While admiring, Kagerou still wondered. "Why are everyone motivated, I wonder? " "Why not?" Satsuki was looking at her as she grinned. It is a good thing to improve the teamwork of the destroyers. But there is still something missing. Kagerou turned his eyes prior to that, Akebono seemed to be bored. "Hey Akebono, show me your motivation, don’t you think it would be nice to show? " "Why I should show my motivation to you?" That is awful feeling to listen to Akebono. "It can’t be helped, in the first place. " "But isn’t it nice to be number one? It's fun" "I didn’t have that kind of interest." ‘This girl, I really can’t do anything to her,’ Kagerou thought. At a point, although the att.i.tude of speaking out hostility by speaking is disappeared, it was hard to say their distance shortened. She tried not to think about Akebono for a while. Whether she complains, they aim for higher target. "Well, today we will do fleet escort through the end," Kagerou told everyone. "Because there is no more day for the Special Exercise, let's improve even a little here and aim for the first place." "If you say that way, would we also do sh.e.l.ling and torpedo attack?"  Listening to Nagatsuki, Kagerou admitted. "Yeah, if you don’t do it all, it's meaningless." "Because it is a real ammunition, we need some fleet girls for guiding." "So, I also asked the Kongou-san to do it again." She pointed to the pier direction. There was Kongou, Hiei, Haruna, and Kiris.h.i.+ma. Each of them is staring here with a wonderful appearance. Kongou had a tea cup today as well. “You did it well.” “Well, if you asked me to do it, I’d like to talk to Atago-san.” ‘Hahaha,’ Kagerou laughed. Actually, someone said "As mischief is dangerous, so battles.h.i.+p girls must absolutely see". As it’s four battles.h.i.+ps, it can’t be said that it was regarded as dangerous so much. "The other day was hard, but if we train well here, Kongou sister will be impressed, so we can make a point of it and it will be a topic in the navy base." Kagerou clapped her hands and put a fighting spirit. “Then let's do our best!” Everyone move towards their position. The fleet role, as usual, with "Zekamas.h.i.+" written in a renshouhou cannon dolls. In the real escorting mission, the s.h.i.+p is much bigger, there are so many figures if it becomes a fleet. The fleet girls position are separated quite away from each other. The s.p.a.ce between the dolls and the others separated as much as possible, to make sure there’s not much difference from the reality. But, there's no use worrying about it now. It is an opportunity to show off the results of the training so far to Kongou-cla.s.s sisters. The towing function switched on. When the dolls got a random movement as time went on, the fleet's course change. Kagerou and the others must follow it. “Ready.” Kagerou arrived at her position. “Here we go. Don’t leave the fleet!” In accordance with the the dolls advance, Kagerou and the others also sailed. After a while the towed s.h.i.+p maneuvered. Turn to the right in the same way. Then return the rudder, this time to the left. Next to the left is right. They was doing the 之-character movement. The fleet girls din’t collide. There is no collision. They weren't off guard as before. To keep distance of each other position, they pay attention to the surroundings. “How’s it Kagerou? I can do it, too, right?” Satsuki said. "Good," Kagerou replied. Everyone else is also the same. Akebono who was the only one complaining, also plays her role properly. Kaguro looked ahead. It is almost time for the next stage. A shadow is visible on the sea surface. It came. "Enemy on 10 degrees right!" Kagerou shouts.  Everyone said "Eh?" "Raid attack practice, prepare!" "I never hear about it!?" "If I said about that, we might not do the training." When Satsuki's complaint was shutted down, Kagerou increased the speed of the main machine. "I will let the fleet escape. Nagatsuki, smokescreen!" “Me?” “Hurry up!” As Nagatsuki moved forward, she began trying to spread a smokescreen between the attacking s.h.i.+p and the fleet. Suddenly, the s.h.i.+p attacking s.h.i.+p shone. "Enemy s.h.i.+p firing!" Kagerou gave a warning. Water spout around Nagatsuki. It is not a flashy thing because it is a simulation bullet, but it still hurts after it hits. Nagatsuki's cruising become unsteady. The deploying of the smokescreen become incomplete. "Nagatsuki, come back!" Satsuki who came back from the front poked Kagerou. “Hey, the one who attacked us, isn’t it Atago-san?” “Eh?” In answer, Kagerou look using binocular. It was a fleet girl wearing a blue uniform who become the enemy and attacking. The size of that breast is certainly Atago’s. "Why is she… She only told me that she’ll introduce someone who is good to become the enemy!" "Kagerou, you liked it right?" "Be careful, I don’t think Atago-san is holding back." Satsuki returns to her usual position. Nagatsuki also came back drenched. The smokescreen remained halfway and it was already clear..  .

"An enemy s.h.i.+p is approaching ......" Arare is contacting us. She seems to be able to see Atago well from her position. A waterspout approached the fleet instead of the dolls. Atago are sh.e.l.ling happily. Kagerou wonder if she’s excited to be able to partic.i.p.ate in the training. By the way, she felt like this when she played the role of an enemy s.h.i.+p..

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Roughly, the fleet girls look around. Even though it was training, enemies were attacking, so some uneasy air was drifting..

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"We will intercept Atago and Us.h.i.+o will stay for support, The rest go to front, hold back Atago-san, in that chance then fire....... We will let the fleet escape. " Kageru said immediately. “With only 5 people?” "The opponent is only a heavy cruiser, hit and run away at once." Even though it is inferior to a battles.h.i.+p, heavy cruiser has good firepower. Even if we make straight fight, the chances of winning are thin. Then we will rely on number. "Us.h.i.+o, I leave it to you." "Eh...... Okay." Although it was an unreliable and low voice, Kagerou glad that she responded for the time being. "Surface action, here we go. Both sides advance, maximum battle speed!" Suddenly, it was a loud sound from behind. It was sh.e.l.ling. Kagerou look back in a hurry and check with her binocular. She saw a s.h.i.+p. A heavy cruiser's silhouette. Wearing the same clothes and big breast as Atago. She looks gentle, but her sh.e.l.ling has no mercy. "It's Takao-san!" Kagerou is groaning. Because she’s fleet girls of the same cla.s.s, it probably why she’s called by Atago. While the Atago is attacking from the front, Takao attack from behind. It was tactics. Although it’s common, but it’s effective when it's done. The fleet has been sandwiched..  .

Kagerou looked at the front then looked behind. 'What to do?! If we split our forces back and forth, we may be able to prevent both of them to wipe out the fleet, but it was also likely to fail. Although it increases the possibility of being able to counter-attack Atago if we used full force counter-attacks only to Atago, but it will allow Takao to attack us.' The leader is Kagerou. She has to make a decision. ".... We’ll concentrate the attack ahead!" She said..

 .

"We will fight back Atago-san and let the fleet escape, but someone may be attacked by Takao-san ......." "You abandon us!?" An objection came from a surprising place. It was Akebono who shouted. "Even though the fleet is destroyed, you abandon us and escape!? Both escort and the fleet should be saved.".

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"I’m not abandoning you. But if we divide into two, we may be wiped out. So to survive even a little....... " "Heartless. Why don’t you even try!" "What? I’m trying to do it.".

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Kagerou is suspicous, Akebono did not exactly show any enthusiasm until just before, but she began to get angry as a sudden fire..

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"I’m trying to save the fleet!".

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"You didn’t! You said to abandon us!".

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Akebono’s making a fuss..

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"You always say you are a friend!".

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"It's strange for Akebono to say that. Because you're unmotivated, so don't intervene. ".

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“If you go with such poor girl, you will want to mouth something about it! After all, it’s impossible for you guys to escort.”.

 .

“It’s not impossible. Hey, when we discussing this, the time will only flow…” Akebono put her face closer to Kagerou..

 .

“Because it’s annoying, then don’t do it from beginning!” Anger was blown. It was an outburst energy. Kagerou confused. The other fleet girls, too, are watching suprisedly. "Because we will escort the fleet for Special Exercise, so let's not to stop doing this.".

 .

"You only need to decline! No one will hurt!" "We are Fleet Girls, decline and you will not be one of them.".  .

Kagerou is gradually irritated. 'Why does this girl make such noise? Is it so bad to have an escort mission? To the point that I became detestable?' “Ah, Akebono-chan……”.

 .

Us.h.i.+o trying to calm Akebono with her words somehow, but she wasn’t listening..  .

"After all, you also like that type. It's a pattern that you can not do anything and abandon your ally! It is clever if you do not do it from the beginning!" "I will not abandon my friends!" Kagerou wa furious. She returned Akebono yelling. “Then I'll do it! This big idiot destroyer!” "You are much idiot! Not just an idiot but also a cold hearted! " "Well then, I’ll divide it in two! The last may be annihilated, but then I will continue to tell you that it’s your fault!" “There’s no such courage within the Kagerou-cla.s.s! Coward!” “Who’s the coward?!” Kagerou turned red before her eyes. 'My head is dizzy because of anger. Do we have to work hard so far with this girl!? Is there any other Destroyer like this?! Even if we can talk with everyone else, we can’t do anything to this girl.' 'I have made an effort to understand her somehow, but it’s almost impossible.' 'I do not know', Kagerou was clenching fist. Looking at it, Akebon says even more. "Haah, are you willing to hit? Please try. Kagerou-cla.s.s can’t do anything you know!?”  Slap.  Dry sound echoed on the sea. Akebono holds down her cheek. She stunned. It was the same for Kagerou. She stared her own hand in spite of herself. It was not Kagerou who raised her hand to Akebono. She hasn’t done anything. Even though she did not do anything, the sound rang. “Akebono-chan… come on…” Us.h.i.+o is dazzling while holding tears in his eyes. It was her that we gave a slap to Akebono. "Selfishness’ only ...!!".  .

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Akebono had been agape, but immediately she lifted her eyes and shouted. “You did it!” She hit Us.h.i.+o. 'As a s.h.i.+p girl, of course I don’t mind being obedient and I get fight if I get angry.' Because it's on the sea, the footing is bad by the outsider viewpoint, at such time, Fleet Girl's Navigation Stabilizer were exerting tremendous power, contributing to the conflict of their owners. It is an tacit understanding that you can’t fire, but conversely you can do anything else. The cuteness of making a mark in the slap immediately disappears, fist and fist collided each other. The equipment that has been dressed up turned into a blunt object as that happen.  Punch, kick. Punch, kick. Kick then show off to kick again. Akebono's rampage is within the imagination, but Us.h.i.+o's is also considerable. Her scolding was as if to clear the past depression. Akebono's punch grazed Us.h.i.+o. And the absentmindedly Arare got hit by it. “Hurt…” "What did you do!" It was Nagatsuki who’s in rage. "I will give Arare a hand..." Nagatsuki said, the kick hits the mouth. [TL's note : What the h.e.l.l Nagatsuki?] “You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”.

 .

Nagatsuki, whose face was red, joined the group. The torpedo tube sways like a sword, Mutsuki-cla.s.s is weak because it was poorly balanced and the manufacturer was suspected for lying for not receiving new orders. Akebono was kicked. Next to her, Us.h.i.+o also was about to grab her. Instead, it’s Arare. She was joining the fight before long. It seems that the previous punch hit. You can see the seriousness from the fact that that Fleet Girl’s hat has been put on the back. I have never seen her angry so much at Kure. In an attempt to compensate for the disadvantage of her small build, she is kicking out a tornado-like kick.  "Uwaa, great. You're stressed up. " Satsuki who tried to remain a spectator the sidelines was also dragged. Turned upside down, her face was thrusted into the sea surface. Her eyes when she got up is lifted, whoever was. .h.i.t her. Apparently, it’s a slender but trained muscular body. There may be a secret pride that won’t her let to be defeated by a regular destroyer girl. Everyone joined the fray with energy.  A street fight appeared even though it was above the sea level. Kagerou turned pale, she realized that she is in the middle of training and she's likely mourning to G.o.d. "Hey, stop! Heavy cruisers and battles.h.i.+p people are watching! Stop…” Saying that, Kagerou's face was struck by training torpedo that struck by someone from somewhere. Kagerou was knocked down by the somersault hit. She barely held her ground. She slowly picked up the fallen torpedoes..

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"Th... These stupid people!".

Any reason was gone and everything looked like an enemy. This world is hopeless and dark. If I don’t beat these guy I can’t be a bride for sure. If that’s the case, I would flatten out absolutely everything. All of you are the paving stones of my life.  Kagerou, who threw a torpedo, entered the fight and there was none to stop her.. Atago who was looking at far came. Next to her, Takao came close as well.. The two were staring at Kagerou and others fight in a state of astonishment. “It’s strange. Quarrel between Destroyers, I haven’t see it after a while.” Takao looks at Atago..

“What to do?” "Yeah ... it's my duty as a secretary s.h.i.+p to stop them.". Atago exhales. Takao heard it. "How are you going to stop them?" "Like this," Atago with her 20.3 cm guns turned to the Fleet Girls who were fighting. "Okay everyooone. If you don't stop within three seconds, I’ll shoot okaaay? One, two…” She said while smiling. “Three.” When Takao thought that she was strangely whispering, she had intended to shoot from the beginning. Kagerou and others were wrapped in a huge water pilar. [TL Note : Let's call this a part, shall we? Because after this, the 14th DesDiv is likely to get some punishment from Atago because they all have been summoned to the Office. My bad, I should've cut the part right after the scolding from Atago] Yokosuka Naval District government office building. Secretary s.h.i.+p Atago's room.. The members of the 14th DesDiv had bruises in their faces and lined up with their heads wet. Atago sits at her desk. She doesn't seem to be particularly astonished. It is the same smile as usual. It was strange and scary to staring without turning.  "...This time is a deplorabe event but..." Atago opened her mouth. Kagerou heart's pounding. “U-uuh... you’re right.” “Be quiet. I wouldn't say that there is no quarrel between Fleet Girls, but I believe that it was unheard of to have a fight in the middle of training and in front of the secretary s.h.i.+p." “But…” Her gaze leaped to glance at Kagerou. Contrary to the sharpness of the smile, she shook her mouth. “Not only me, but Takao also witnessed it. Everyone of the Kongou-cla.s.s, too. There are so many people looking at it, and nothing can be said to be innocent. Will you choose the punishment yourself? Or will you ask the admiral to decide?” Everyone shuddered. It’s no longer just a report when it reached the admiral. Heavy detention was the pretty one, the worst was the armour being removed and being used as material for improvement and be thrown out from the Naval District. Your name and face photo will be circulated, and it would become a laughingstock. Us.h.i.+o opened her mouth. "Th...that's my fault..." This was the starting point, and everyone started to talk as if a dam burst. “I don’t want to enter the detention barrack! The one who started it was Akebono!” "I was only involved. I am not responsible.".

. “...Being punished is…unpleasant…”.

Akebono was silent. I was looking at the ceiling while being at a loss.. Atago sighed for the first time, seeing the destroyer Fleet Girls who offered their self-defense. “...Good grief…” The Destroyer Fleet girls was still continuing to chatter. Voices grow louder and louder.. Atago said in astonishment. “That’s right. If you want the fight in the middle of training to be overlooked, you have to be disciplined. Fortunately, because no one was seriously injured, so I don’t mind, but going out is prohibited for the time being.” ‘Eh?’ voice. Even though there are food and entertainment facillities in the Naval District, but still, it’s more relaxing in the outside. Kagerou slipped her mouth instantaneously. “No matter how you look at it, that is a good fortune for a quarrel punishment.’.

"Kagerou-san, I'm going to make punishment for you a bit heavier. Because you’re the leader." “Wh, why I’m the one….!” “Be quiet.” In a clear tone and glint in her eyes, Kagerou lost her word. "You may leave." Everybody went out from the Atago’s room to the corridor.. Remained silent, they headed towards the Destroyer Dormitory from the government office building.. Everybody had an atmosphere that indicated it’s troublesome to open their mouth.. It seems so troublesome to even walk. . Kagerou narrowed her eyes at the sunlight and looked up at the sky. ‘It is fine. It's late evening, but the sky is still blue. Surely this blue sky would continue as far as the Kure port. Beautiful and pure air color.’ ‘It has become vain.’ ‘I did a quarrel in front of Atago. I kicked in front of Takao. I took a kick in front of Kongou, screamed in front of Hiei, grabbed each other in front of Haruna, and sprinkled by seawater in front of Kiris.h.i.+ma.’ ‘There is no way to stand a good reputation with a such thing. It’s a level that can be labeled in the lowest rank Fleet Girl as stupid destroyer team that had beaten each other fellow's. And that's why it's barbaric. The worst thing was that I can’t handle it in my group.’ ‘I was full of motivation in the morning. In front of a secretary s.h.i.+p and battles.h.i.+ps, I should have been making a decision to show nice things this time.’ ‘Nevertheless, why did this happen?’ Kagerou dominated by Emptiness. Her heart was hollow and empty.. Suddenly, emotions welled up..

It was sadness. ‘I believed that what I did until now, what I learned at Etajima, what I trained at Kure, was that it would work everywhere. I've sworn to do my best in the letter to s.h.i.+ranui. It turned out to be sad, knowing that they all were meaningless.’ Kagerou was depressed. Tears appear in her eyes. "U…u…uuu…... " Even if I tried to endure it, it didn’t stop. "I’m… sorry... everyone ..." Those who heard it stop their feet. Kagerou said in tears. "I am... I'm an idiot.... I'm just putting fruitless effort... I've sworn to do my best, but I can't do anything... I'm just forcing..." Emotions came out one after another. I realized that it’s shameful to cry in public, but I could not stop it anymore.  "Even both Nagatsuki and Arare are... doing it properly... Satsuki too, Us.h.i.+o too, and Akebono too... Everyone, everyone are splendid destroyers..... I am... because I am not doing it properly... because I’m annoying... Even though I’m the leader... Even though I’m a destroyer…”.

She's crying. The tears dropped and wet the ground. "I’m sorry... I’m really sorry..." The feeling of tension lost, my emotions is overflowing endlessly. My immaturity, my heartlessness, my heart is bursting.. Kagerou could only express those feelings by crying.. The Fleet Girls were staring at Kagerou..

" That's not true!" Suddenly Nagatsuki said. “It should be me who should've apologize. Kagerou was so kind to me ... I still wasn’t confident in myself. I’m…” She also shed tears.. The other Fleet Girls too, they were shouting unanimously. "I ... I was absolutely alone if I there’s no Kagerou! Kagerou gave me confidence!" "This is true even for me. Because Kagerou-san guided me... so far......!" "... Kagerou isn't bad ... I’m sure...".

Satsuki, Us.h.i.+o, and Arare too were all crying. Being moved by Kagerou words, they were pouring tears in their eyes. . There’s no human being who's enjoying to be left behind. There's no human being who's happily exposing their shame. . Everyone was frustated.. They didn't like the 14th DesDiv being labeled as a loser.. They hugged each other spontaneously. They were crying while holding each other.. Only a girl was keeping her distance.. Being left standing still from the sight. "I don't like destroyers because of this..." No tears risen in Akebono’s eyes. No one could get a glimpse of movement of her heart..

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Part 2 On the appointed day of the Special Exercise. The weather on this day was cloudy. According to the Naval Base weather station, it would be cloudy throughout the day. The waves were a little high. It’s unkown whether it would rain or not, so don't forget to bring an umbrella when you go out.  As for Fleet Girls, getting drenched was their business, and because it's seawater, it’s salty no matter where it is. It’s often difficult to distinguish between wakame seaweed and salted hair. Instead, rainy day was rather welcomed. So there were many girls who didn’t use an umbrella. Of course you wouldn’t carry an umbrella at sortie times. 'Spirit is to accomplish the mission when there were typhoons and squall while drenched,' they said. Kagerou looked up overhead. The clouds were still high. It wouldn’t be raining for now. “...Why is the weather is all I care about, I wonder?” I muttered to myself. Actually, I knew the reason.. It's because I was anxious. I wanted to somehow distract my mind. I wanted to concentrate in the training, but it couldn't be said that it was sucessful. I failed one after another, until we got in a fist fight in front of Atago and the battles.h.i.+p sisters. Was it possible to be in the first place? Kagerou shook her head. No no, I'm going to be pessimistic, what should I do? At least, only our friends.h.i.+p has increased. Excluding only Akebono. If everyone cooperated, we should have good results. Excluding only Akebono. She turned around. All members of 14th DesDiv were in alignment. As usual, Akebono was still facing the other side, I could only think of her as such existence. "... Well, we're going to get along." “Hmph...” Akebono snorted her nose. "It's not good either." Atago was sitting on a stand on the beach like a coast guard. She held the ewatch a number of times, and wrote something on the notebook. White waves ahead. The destroyers have returned. Atago turned the hand mic on. "Please come up. The score is being calculated." After exchanging conversation for a while, Atago talked again with a hand microphone. "6th DesDiv results. 220 points." ‘Oohh’ voice came from the onlooker. It was the highest record until now.. As expected from the 6th DesDiv, of course those voices would come. They were the representative of the destroyer girls in the Yokosuka Naval Base.. Many Destroyer Divisions departed to the sea around the Naval Base with some time differences. Kagerou and others were the next in the order. "Next. 14th DesDiv." “Yes.” On Atago's call, Kagerou got up and replied as if snapped out from reality. "Please depart." At that call, Kagerou looked at everyone's face. “Setting sail! Let’s go!” Everyone entered the sea from the pier. They put their feet on the sea surface. “Both sides advance! Full speed!” As they got on the waves, the 14th DesDiv went on. . This special exercise was, to simply put, just about escorting a fleet.. After joining, they would protect the convoy and return to the Naval District.. Of course it didn’t end with just that alone. The Fleet Girls who were designated as the enemy were waiting on their returning journey, they in reality carried out raid and bombardment training. The key of this exercise was how to escort the fleet from the attack and return. As for the Fleet Girls who were the enemy, there’s an exercise control officer, who checked the movement of the Destroyer Divisions strictly. Also, as the fleet has been told about the exercise, the instructions would be purposely be made to be wrong and confusing. Among them, there’s also a fleet that plotted on "How to get rid of the escorting destroyers," at the other time, it's "Because the chicks in the cargo would die due to stress, please refrain from evasive action," or "Because more than twenty pregnant women were riding in the fleet, during the torpedo attack, I noticed every single one was born," like that, it has been reported too. The Fleet Girls a.s.signed as the Abyssal Fleet role were also undauntedly used pale makeup and put on a dark coat. Like Abyssal Fleet on a daily basis, howl practicing was also there that's why it's like genuine. "Who are the one who's a.s.signed as our enemies role?" To Satsuki’s question, Kagerou remembered that she was told in advance. "Hmmm, it's the Kongou-cla.s.s sisters." "Aren’t they battles.h.i.+ps?" Satsuki was surprised. Nagatsuki who’s lined up next to her also suprised. "That time, they should have seen what we did, so they took over the role of the enemies, I guess.” "Are they trying to punish us, I wonder?" “It’s strange that Fast Battles.h.i.+ps come out to attack a convoy to begin with. Well, there are some that are Pocket Battles.h.i.+ps though.” "It’s all about being able to respond to every event, right?" Kagerou replied, but she didn’t know the truth either. Was there any meaning to be pleased with it? She also wondered. She examined a glimpse of Akebono appearance. She remained silent. Even after that fight, only she who’s stubbornly still didn’t open her heart. "Hey Kagerou, hey!" “...Huh? Ah, I’m sorry." "Is it already at the place where the Exercise started?" Kagerou hurriedly compared it to the sea map. Certainly, it was supposed for the Exercise to start from here.. The main machines stopped. There’s almost no wind, and there were only Kagerou and others in the large ocean.. They were waiting for a while.. They waited, but the convoy did not come.. She looked around, but there weren’t any figures and even shadows. She stretched her back and examined as far as she could, but far from cargo s.h.i.+p, she couldn't even see Seagulls.. Kagerou felt dizzy. “What is this…” "I wonder if we are being scolded?" Satsuki lamented. It’s miserable, however I couldn’t deny it. "Arare, can you ask to YokoBase with Radio?" "... For now, it's supposed to be sealed off… We might get a penalty...... " "If that’s it, then as for how should we do the Exercise, I don’t know." It seems that she was convinced, Arare remained expressionless and began to communicate with the Naval Base.. After replying with a few whispers, Arare reported to Kagerou. "... Return back......" "Ah, after all when the Exercise was already started, I wonder if I was hooked?" Arare shook her head. "Something like... there’s a real a.s.sault on the fleet...... the exercise is canceled......" "Eeh!?" Suprised, Kagerou contacted and confirmed it by herself.. What Arare said was true. Yokosuka Naval Base was at big fuss up and down.. The fleet that 14th DesDiv was supposed to escort was quite large and full of real supplies.. Safe route have been chosen, for the sake of the Exercise, and it was supposed to be borrowed a little. It was Abyssal Fleet that shouldn’t have been appeared there. At first, the crew of the fleet seemed to think that it was an elaborate joke.. Fortunately, the Abyssal Fleet that have attacked were less, they were reconnaissance s.h.i.+ps. However, the main force who received their notification eventually attacked. The fleet lives was regrettable. That’s why the emergency signal was scattered all over, they were evacuating at full speed. It's not an Exercise anymore when this happened. The 14th DesDiv were ordered to return and Yokosuka Naval Base has sent out a fleet of interceptors.. Kagerou briefly explained to everyone.. To her surprise, it was Akebono who was the first to bite at it. "What's going on now? Where is the raid?" While startled, Kagerou answered. "Wait a second…… The fleet is waiting. It looks like the rest is unknown." A contact was sent from Yokosuka through the auxiliary vessel radio station. Because it’s interrupted from time to time, she couldn’t easily grasp the detailed situation. "The Kongou-cla.s.s sisters are going to intercept them. I don’t know well the place. If I intercept the 3rd Communication Channel, I wonder if I can predict it?" "But we have nothing to do with them," So Nagatsuki said. Kagerou agreed. "Well, it's canceled, so it's good to leave it here. Let’s go back." Kagerou operated her main machine. "The course is to Yokosuka… wait, hey.” She turned to the back.. While everyone was in a row, only Akebono remained behind.. Kagerou was amazed. I wonder if this girl would still play truant. "Don't lingering." Unusually, Akebono made a word in a hesitant tone. "...Hey, Kagerou. For example, only for example, if we are also be told to have to go intercept, what will you do?" "That again. Isn’t Kongou-san sisters has departed?" Kagerou made a puzzled look. Akebono said still. "But because the fleet is attacked, isn’t it natural to go to help? " "What, did you come up with another new fools joke?" "I don't like fooling around, because it's a real battle..." “In the recent training was also the same, but this time around, what’s the purpose for objecting what I said?” “Th, that’s not it!” "It's a violation of order. Akebono will go to detention barrack, and if that’s not enough, we will also be involved. Just stop it.” “Wrong! That’s why!” "If you're motivated, I'd like you to do it earlier. It's meaningless now." “......” Akebono casted her eyes downward and biten her lips. Kagerou jerked her chin. “Now, let’s go back.” Akebono was still lingering. Kagerou only took a glance. "......Aa, Us.h.i.+o. Watch over Akebono so that she can't raise her weird mind." Us.h.i.+o extended her hand. “Akebono-chan……” She refused to take it. "Don't touch! …….I knew it already!" Everyone took a course to Yokosuka.. As expected, the fleet’s feets got faster. If four battles.h.i.+ps has left , it would be fine, I thought, but I became anxious. When we returned, suddenly Atago's figure couldn't be seen. Because she's actually Admiral's secretary s.h.i.+p, I wonder if she carried out the mission herself? The area around the pier strangely were messed up, the Destroyer Fleet Girls who were supposed to do the exercises exchanged talk loudly. “I’m back,” and Kagerou who said it incidentally got no responses. “Eep! It’s serious!” Satsuki, who went to stock information, rushed back. "Kongou-san sisters seem to have been unable to meet the enemy. The compa.s.s is going amiss." Kagerou and others all said "No way..." The point at which Abyssal Fleets appear was fixed, the Fleet Girls aimed at that and proceed toward the battle. Nevertheless, this time they went off route and went to a completely different point. This was expressed by the Fleet Girls as "The compa.s.s is going amiss." The cause was unknown, and although several teams were formed for clarification, none of them came to a conclusion. The only thing that has been found is "It’s the Fleet Girl’s, but for some reason, we don’t know what is it." There were a lot of Fleet Girls who tried to escape from the troubles by praying to the shrines and temples, as so to speak, it was a destiny and couldn’t be helped by humans hands.. More than that, the Kongou sisters seemed to be stuck with that compa.s.s involuntarily. “Then, what should we do?” Satsuki asked. But could we make it in time? Kongou sisters were likely to fight in a different place. It's need to be noticed that taking injury was possible, it couldn't be helped that one must be put in dock for recovery. Thus, being carelessly hit, the fleet's whole survival would end, right? Kagerou asked Satsuki. “What about Fusou-san and Yamas.h.i.+ro-san?” "It looks like they are dispatched to Okinos.h.i.+ma waters with the aircraft carriers. While Ise-san and Hyuugsan are on a business trip to Maizuru Base." In other words, the number of Fleet Girls who could go to help were too small. . If there were no large s.h.i.+ps like battles.h.i.+p or carrier, the battle will be much more disadvantageous. If you stood up against opponent like Abyssal Fleet with inferior firepower, at any rate it became difficult.. Kagerou kept silent. She should've understand this urgent circ.u.mstances event.. Not only the girls, but the destroyer Fleet Girls were whispering here and there. Everyone was worried about the situation.. A broken voice was heard from the speaker. "......Is the mic volume okay? Check, one, two, imitating Kiris.h.i.+msan. Okaaay everyone, pleeease listen to me." It's Atago. Sat on the above pier post, her voice was being carried away. "As you know, a fleet loaded with supplies is currently under attack. Various rumors are flowing, but I will only tell you that I'm dealing with it with all of my energy." The destroyer girls listened to Atago’s voice while holding their breath. "As I mentioned earlier, the Special Exercises have been cancelled. Everyone of destroyer fleet girls, please return to the dormitory and wait. " The Fleet Girls became astir. Among them were the voices of whether they should keep silent like this was also risen up. Atago’s voice continued as we saw through it.  “This is an instruction. Beware that violators will be penalized according to the rules. Big Sis don't want to do that. That's all." The noise continued for a while, but because it’s an instruction, it couldn’t be helped. The destroyer Fleet Girls returned to the dormitory.. Kagerou was hesitating whether it’s okay to return as it was.. Why my chest is restless? Was it a bad premonition? For some reason I’m being literally uneasy.. I didn’t know the source of my anxiety yet. Was it the rumors from the destroyer girls?. Was it Atago’s broadcast?. But it was quickly backed on by Arare.. She was pulling Kagerou clothes. “.......It’s bad....Akebono...is gone……” "Huh. She’s gone..........gone!?" Spontaneously Kagerou shouted. "Isn't she together with Us.h.i.+o!?" As for Us.h.i.+o, her face was pale and fl.u.s.tered.  "Ju-just some time ago she's here. While I'm listening to Atago's broadcast, she's gone unnoticed......" Arare asked to Kagerou. "......What should we do...?" "Even if you ask me 'what should we do', anywhere she escaped from the Naval District, she'll be chased by the likes of Fritz X you know?" [TL's Note : An anti-s.h.i.+p glide-bomb used by Germany in WW2 (and sank Italian battles.h.i.+p Roma). It’s the first precision-guided weapon deployed in combat and the first to sink a s.h.i.+p in combat. More info here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_X] There were certain number of girls who quit being Fleet Girls because the training was different in the Naval District, they thought the training was hard on their own image. The quit itself wasn't particullary difficult, after completing the prescribed procedures and returning the equipments, even receiving the salary until that time and going home was fine. There were also cases in which Fleet Girl who thought too much silently escaped at night. In that case, there's a possibility that they would carry the equipments and ran away, so they would be chased. "She finally ran away. Isn't she's so cold to us?" Satsuki said. Nagatsuki too agreed. "If you have spent so much together, you can deepen your friends.h.i.+p, but it looks like Akebono can't really understand it, eh?" "Uncooperative, isn't it?" A loud voice rebuked at Satsuki who expressed a plausible impression. "That's not right! Akebono-chan isn't that kind of person!" Everyone stared at the owner of the voice startledly. . It’s Us.h.i.+o. Everyone dumbfounded at the loud voice that you couldn't imagine from the usually timid Us.h.i.+o.. She herself didn't notice that she's making a loud voice. "Su...Surely, She's surely went to escort the fleet!" "No way," Kagerou said. "Isn't Atago-san has issued sortie prohibition order? After the battles.h.i.+p sisters returned, let's sortie once again." "That isn't enough.. That girl, didn't hate fleet escorting. Even if she said it makes a destroyer a fool.... That's because .... because she knows the difficulties of escorting better than anyone else!" Us.h.i.+o was already half-crying. "Akebono and I had once escorted a fleet. Akebono hasn't forgotten about that time even a bit...... If I talk about this....... She would be very angry......but," She's started to tell while sobbing.. Once, Akebono and Us.h.i.+o have always been on the same destroyer division.. Of course this time's the same, but it's different than the strained relations.h.i.+p now, they talk normally, they laugh normally, they work hard normally, they were the typical destroyer fleet girls.. However, immediately after the sortie, they suffered a unusual phenomenon. The damages concentrated at Akebono. Although they didn't encounter any Abyssal Fleet, she was damaged somehow by the time of return due to a failure of the main engine or a direct hit of a high wave. In contrast, Us.h.i.+o remained intact. “Isn’t it just a coincidence?” Kagerou said. Then Us.h.i.+o replied, "Everyone said that, and Akebono was thinking so at the beginning, but... when we escorted a fleet...".  .

The expedition was to escort the fleet and it's supposed to be an easy task. In fact, nothing happened with any other Fleet Girls.. As a result, not only Akebono and Us.h.i.+o but also injured s.h.i.+ps have been dispatched..

The fleet name's Teni 6th Fleet. They're a group of transport vessels that stored ores inside their hull. It should have been just going and returning. [TL's Note : Not sure about the name of the fleet, it's テニ六船団] The cause wasn't clear. It's said that, as matter of fact, the higher ups has overlooked the report that 'the abyssal fleet tends to increase' from the fleet girls who have returned from a forced reconnaissance. It's not been reported to the admiral in the first place, and the Abyssal Fleet Movement Report at that time that haven't yet been found was hidden in a bunch of reports of the so-called highly cla.s.sified information. As a results, some people were dismissed by the Secretary s.h.i.+p and it has been improved so that the reports went directly to the Admiral, but everything was after the festival. The fleet were cruising in the ocean area that was stamped with "Safe" seal approval. The seal of approval itself was already half a year ago and haven't been updated. Yesterday was fine, so today's also fine, they said, it has been backed up by a dangerous optimism that turned blind from the reality. When we noticed, it was already too late. Just before, the lookout made a squall with difficulty as an excuse couldn’t be helped. If only we have radar, certainly she said, but we were blocked by a wall called budget deficit and "The development is unaccepted because of the difficulty."  Only then, Abyssal Fleet was attacking. First of all, the leading fleet girl was. .h.i.t. The enemy detection and the hit of the shot were reported at almost the same time. It meant that they was too close to even escape.  The abyssal fleet's howl echoed on the ocean. The radio communication of the Fleet Girls and the fleet were running through as if it were being woven. Cannon roars could be heard all around, the sea surface's colour changed as that happened. All information jumped at once, Akebono and Us.h.i.+o, who encounter the enemy for the first time, were on the verge of panic. "Convoy, don't break the line and direction!" The flags.h.i.+p of the escort Fleet Girl's voice were barely being noticed. "Escorting wars.h.i.+p, attack the Abyssal Fleet!" Afterwards, the Fleet Girls expected to be ordered specificly, but the voice were interrupted. The enemy attacks were intense, so the communication was obstructed. "Us.h.i.+o, we too, let's go!" Akebono pulled Us.h.i.+o. Us.h.i.+o agreed at first, but then her feet stopped. "I......I will stay here..." "The enemy is attacking, you know? We have to fight back and get rid of it." "But we can't afford to abandon the fleet ..." Us.h.i.+o claimed that the mission was to escort, so she couldn't afford to leave easily. But she understood that it's just an excuse. She didn't want to go. The Abyssal Fleet's roars were frightening. She couldn't help but turn her face. She realized that it's really impossible for a straight-on fight. You wouldn't have to fight if you're here. There's also a reason to protect the fleet. But Akebono kept pulling Us.h.i.+o. In contrast to her, the first encounter battle was extremely uplifting for her. "Let's go, let's fight with the seniors!" "You should stay here! You can protect the fleet!" "The enemy is approaching, you know?" "If you leave your post, it's a violation of orders!" Us.h.i.+o waved her hand. "Well ... if you want to fight so much, just go alone!" More than the violation of orders, the words of going alone resounded heavily for Akebono..

Abyssal Fleets weren't fools, because they're lurking in the route before. An abyssal fleet attacked. The s.h.i.+p in the front right and the s.h.i.+p in the rear left were caught at the same time. There were too few things that can be done with just two Fleet Girls in a simultaneous attack. The cargo s.h.i.+ps that made up the fleet were being caught from left and right thoroughly. They sank down to the bottom of the sea with their stern or bow uplifted, and only the small debris that was still remaining would eventually sunk. Scream and shriek resounded. Angry roars were running around on the communication equipments. Us.h.i.+o trembled. Both the rules of engagement and the firing procedure were lost from her head. She's attacked by fear and couldn't understand anything. The cargo s.h.i.+p sunk quickly, and it felt like all the enemies were heading towards them. A scream came out from her mouth. Her eyes saw an attack. She was unable to look straight at all out of fear, and scattered her sh.e.l.ls to all directions. When she opened her eyes, she could only see the rising flame and the silhouette of the Abyssal Fleet. How much time has pa.s.sed? She didn't know at all. When she noticed, there's only a cargo s.h.i.+p left. It could be called as annihilation. Most of the resources were lost. The fleet girls who went to intercept weren't yet returned. It was a miracle that Us.h.i.+o had not suffered a wound, and it's said that it's the only salvation..

In contrast, Akebono was tattered. She was lying on her back, and her eyes were staring at the sky. “Akebono-chan…... Are you alright...?” Us.h.i.+o offered her hands, but Akebono brushed her with her wounded hand. “Don’t touch me!” She didn’t look at her face until they returned. The survey concluded that because of the number of the Abyssal Fleets and the number of the escorts made it impossible to protect. Even if they headed to intercept, it’s likely to be sunk. Rather, because they remained alive, there was even an opinion on whether it was a good judgment. That was not only related to Us.h.i.+o. It’s related Akebono too. “I’m pathetic…..” Us.h.i.+o was crying. "I ... stepped on Akebono-chan’s pride as a destroyer… Akebono-chan's always proud of her being destroyer fleet girl... Nevertheless, she couldn't fight, she couldn't protect the convoy either... even she was injuried..." Everyone were silent. "...From that point on, Akebono-chan has become such character… She tried to find everyone's fault regardless of whoever it is, just to hate it... To make destroyers a fool..." Us.h.i.+o said. "Akebono-chan’s always regretted the incident that time. Because she couldn’t save the fleet even though she wanted to save them..." “.........” Kagerou, Nagatsuki, Satsuki, and Arare too, have been silent. "Even after that, there were many opportunities for escorting a fleet.... But Akebono-chan rejected it every time…… ‘Should I stop being Fleet Girl?’ I thought, but once I became your friend and a.s.signed in the same Destroyer Division with Kagerou-san and others, it changed little a little but… Finally, I thought that I was able to face that time. That’s why, now, I went to this salvation." Kagerou and others no longer denied her speech. Kagerou and others were aware that Akebono’s hiding her pride behind her irresponsible speech and conduct, but they didn’t know that it was based on a severe experience. The Fleet Girls' impression of the Abyssal Fleet were often determined in the first encounter. In the early days, the Fleet Girls who were suddenly caught in a fierce battle suffered PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), it wasn't unusual for them to retire..

As of present, before partic.i.p.ating in the actual battle, a simulated experience using video and a simple expedition mission will be conducted. There's a good reason for that. But Akebono and Us.h.i.+o, above all, had a severe experience with the expedition.. The memory of that event remained settled at the bottom of their heart.. Us.h.i.+o became introverted character to protect her mind, and Akebono resisted and opposed anything. And now Akebono's heading to the fleet.. To overcome her nightmare.. This time's to rescue. "I'll go too." Us.h.i.+o cried. "I shouldn't be feeling down. I'll go. I'll go and help Akebono-chan!" But Kagerou shook her head. "It's useless." "Why!?" "Because sortie isn't allowed." Us.h.i.+o's lips trembled. She stared at Kagerou as if saying 'I can't believe it'. "If I don't go quickly, then I won't able to help Akebono-chan!" "She wouldn't particulary die. Because she'll come back at dawn." Kagerou replied with a curt tone. "That sort of girl is, just simply being stubborn, that's why, somehow she'll come back, you know?" "Akebono-chan isn't such a girl!" "I don't know if she went to help the fleet in the first place. She may only be somewhere around the area." "Absolutely! Absolutely, she went to escort the fleet! " Us.h.i.+o's screaming. Still, Kagerou didn't say "Yeah." "Let's return back to the room. And wait inside." "C...cruel!" Us.h.i.+o yelled with tears broken in her eyes. "You're so cruel! I hate Kagerou-san!" "I'm your leader. I've listened to all you have said." Having said that, Kagerou took the initiative to return to the destroyer dormitory.  .

Part 3.  .

Running alone on the sea surface alone made you feel lonely.. In this vast world, there's no one to see.. Akebono was advancing at full speed. It's not like she hoped that someone would come. 'Should we fight together?' She heard. However, once she turned around, no one was there. It couldn't be helped. It's natural that no one would come to be mocked as like being detested. She have never thought of her being a fool and fooling others. It would be a violation of orders if you came. Going to detention barrack With such a contrary person, any Fleet Girls would refuse . She shook off her attachment. I wouldn't remember about the 14th DesDiv. Right now, I'm running to get rid of my past, she thought. She already brokethrough the compa.s.s place unconsciously.. She looked ahead, there was figures of s.h.i.+ps. Not only one but many. No doubt, it's a fleet. There's no escort, but somehow only the fleet line were maintained. "Wait!" Akebono's waving her hands and drawing attention. As that wasn't enough, she fired and sprayed black smoke for smoke screen..

The first cargo s.h.i.+p noticed. The captain came out to the deck.. "You're... a Fleet Girl!?".

"I'm a destroyer!".

Akebono shouted back.. "Is it alright!?" "The last s.h.i.+p in the line has been captured! We are still being followed!". The captain looked backwards fearfully.. "There's a lot of them! If it continue like this......" "Don't worry! Because I'll drive them away!" "You alone!?" "Leave the rest to me! You should evacuate the fleet to Yokosuka at full-speed! Go, go!" She didn't dare to answer the captain's question and went forward.. A group of s.h.i.+ps escaped. For the time being, She went to the direction of which the fleet came.. As she went on, a gust came. It stroked Akebono's cheek with a tingle..

She s.h.i.+vered. She felt that something unknown's approaching. They came. After she recognized the shadows, she lowered her posture, in order to prevent her from being discovered by the enemy, but it's unclear how effective it was. But they were a lot. An enormous shadow was approaching. It looked like the sea surface was filled with s.h.i.+p, s.h.i.+p, and s.h.i.+ps. No, something like s.h.i.+ps. Abyssal Fleet, a strange-looking existence that's neither living being nor a wars.h.i.+p. The eyes of the Abyssal Fleet shone big and blue, and they were looking for a prey. A group of leading Ro-cla.s.s destroyer were raging and agitated to find a fleet. They resented that the cargo s.h.i.+p has escaped. Where is the prey? Where is the prey? Was there a prey that could be bitten for food? The waves stroke like a lethal weapon and the sea breeze pierced like a sword. It seemed as if the ocean itself has been transformed into an enemy encampment. She felt that they were able to control the sea from the sensation on her skin. Akebono shook her head. No no calm down, there's destroyers here and there. It's proved by statistics that the Fleet Girls were stronger than the Ro-cla.s.s. The seniors shed their own blood to earn those data. That's why it's said that in the Naval District there's no fear. If one-on-one, it's advantageous. But, what thing it was? On the opposite side of the Ro-cla.s.s was, something with upper half of a beast-like hull. She remembered she have seen it on the Abyssal Fleet Identification List. It's definetely a light cruiser of the He-cla.s.s. A mad sebeast that much more ferocious than the destroyer. And yet, futhermore, that's not the all of them. On the upper body, there were grown arms. Even it has fingers. The face was covered and plastered, and it's unclear whether there were eyes, nose, or even a mouth. It's also unclear whether it could see the front, definetely a monster. Was it the torpedo-cruiser Chi-cla.s.s? They were piling such ridiculouly powerful torpedo like a fool, striking and firing at anything, the G.o.ds of death. The Fleet Girls who were charged with the guiding-role kept saying that you musn't being careless when you met them by chance. And then, ah, what was the one behind that? Standing with two legs. Long black hair. Flexible limbs. It had eyes that looked suspicious, and the cannons that were very long, grown from the both shoulders, were facing the sky. A gigantic s.h.i.+eld was equipped on both arms, and shocking amount of gun barrels were sticking out from it. Then those pair of blue eyes that were intimidating the vicinity. It's neither non-humanoid or semi-humanoid type. It's unmistakably a humanoid type.. Battles.h.i.+p Ru-cla.s.s. Akebono turned pale. Abyssal Fleet became stronger as they looked closer to humans. She turned to the flank so she wouldn't be noticed. The Abyssal Fleet didn't notice Akebono. They're following the cargo s.h.i.+ps. They weren't smiling because of losing the precious feast they've discovered. They're going to chase them with full force. The white waves were going away.. (The...The escape route will be wiped out...without delay...). Akebono thought so. To attack so many Abyssal Fleet was a foolish thing, but she has no choice. She would draw their attention by sending a reinforcement radio. So, carefully, she took the advantage of destroyer's mobility. She looked at the direction of the Abyssal Fleet movement. There should be the cargo s.h.i.+ps they’ve lost earlier. Could they catch up? She wondered. They would catch up. Cargo s.h.i.+ps didn’t have leg like the destroyers. They would be caught by the Abyssal Fleet after a while. “What should I do....” She recalled her past memory. It was a scene that flashed back and forth during late at night on the bed, during meal in the First Officer Station room, even in the front of the counselor. The sea, the black sea. The blown up transport s.h.i.+ps. The sea surface that were thickly plastered with oil. The flickering burning flame. The dull sound of a broken keel was nothing but a scream emanating from s.h.i.+ps. Then the Abyssal Fleet screams echoed from all directions. Even the color and smell were running around inside her mind. Clankclankclank. Her mouth resounded. She's trembling. Fear dominated her whole body, and it turned into s.h.i.+vers. Scary, scary, scary. Her usually confident and sharp tongue were vanished so far away. Akebono thought desperately with her discernment that was barely left. What should I do? She asked herself what should she do. For whose sake and what kind of thing she should do? She wondered. Should she kept escaping? They were a group of monsters that couldn't be opposed alone. 'Who would blame you for protecting yourself?' They said. She would abandon the cargo s.h.i.+ps. No.. No..

No way. Akebono thought so. She blamed herself. Blame yourself on your own. I would endlessly make myself a fool for my entire life as a fleet girl if I let the fleeing fleet destroyed. Well, my original role was battles.h.i.+p and cruiser tsuyuharai, but it didn't mean that I wouldn't be on a fleet escorting mission. Throwing away the weak was a life-time disgrace. It's a shame for the Ayanami-cla.s.s destroyer. [TL's Note : Forgot to add the note, Tsuyuharai (lit: dew sweeper) is basically one of two sumo's attendant when he perform ring entrance ceremony, the other is tachimochi. Akebono is saying that destroyer were just 'attendants' of the battles.h.i.+ps and cruisers. More info : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuyuharai] She recalled a vague memory. Many of the s.h.i.+ps bearing this name failed to escort. Every last one of them sank to protect, ended without even disposing their torpedo attack. The distant past memories, the memories that should have been sealed. I hate all of it. I hate all of it already. Absolutely absolutely hate it.. I will protect anything and everything.. Akebono gritted her teeth. She sternly glared forward. "Here, you!". An unbelievable loud voice came out.. She waved her hands to draw attention.. "This idiot myself! Because I'll become your opponent! Have my plenty of thanks, okay!".

 .

It followed.. A pair of eyes faced her. The first thing she found was, that monster woman, Ru-cla.s.s battles.h.i.+p.. The deeply eerie blue eyes perceived Akebono.. The Ru-cla.s.s battles.h.i.+p was spreading her arms and turning her posture towards the sky and opened her mouth.. Uoooon..

.

. A thunderous roar that could even affect the mind echoed across the ocean. She howled. The abyssal fleet emanated a war cry of founding a prey. A sign of death to notify their companion that there's a prey here, to scare the prey. All of the abyssal fleet reacted. Several eyes turned around at once. Blue radiance that penetrated the atmosphere.. A flash of death were poured to the tiny fleet girl.. But Akebono wasn't afraid. She resolved herself from the bottom of her heart.. I'm not afraid because I've resolved.. With the small barrels facing forward, she kicked the white waves to advance. "From here, this s.h.i.+p is going to attack the Abyssal Fleet, the a.s.sault purpose is to pulverize the enemy and to support the convoy evacuation! Executing surface action!" She took a breath and made a loud voice. "Let's go!" She confronted a group of Abyssal Fleet, equipped with only one 12.7 cm gun and a triple torpedo mount launch tube..