Our Bonds

Construction of the giant robot seems to be moving along steadily. It has only been three days since the foundation was laid out and the feet are already in place. In fact, I don't even know if they are going to build a robot or not. Although I was the one that suggested this project, I have not seen their blueprints at all. When I asked Yuudachi what were they building, she refused to tell me. The other girls I asked also responded the same way. They either changed the subject or simply said it was a secret and quickly escaped. It's a little sad that I'm the only one being kept in the dark, but I can't force them to tell me. Looks like I have to wait till the finally revealed it. I walked along the quiet path towards the port frommy office. The courtyard which was burstling with shipgirls the other day is now empty. There's actually a good reason for this.

As I discussed with Azur Lane the other day, the North Union shipgirls will be under the command of Maizuru Naval District. Azur Lane will provide the materials and assist in building a new dormitory for them. Today is the day construction of the dormitory starts, and I'm just about to meet the helpers. As I neared the port, I noticed a small, familar green miko hiding behind a wall, peeking at our helpers who have already reached.

"Zuihou,"

"Eek!" (Zuihou)

She jumped as I called her name.

"Why are you here? Didn't you went to hide?"

"Admiral... I-I'm your flagship! So I have to be by your side and protect you!" (Zuihou)

"They are not going to attack or kidnap me or anything. besides, I'm more worried about you going into a relapse again. That's why told everyone that the Eagle Union was coming and allowed you all to hide."

Yes. The main reason why the entire district being quiet today was that almost everyone is hiding from the Eagle Union fleet, which are here to help with the construction. The only ones that didn't go into hiding were Jervis, Gambier Bay and the North Union girls. Akashi gave me the blueprints for the dormitory before locking herself in her private room in the Arsernal. The Commander insisted that they are the best at doing this sort of labour and assigned them to this project. Both of us agreed that it was a hassle to go back and forth from the base so I assigned a empty room in the dock as their temporary bunk. It's the room just beside the one the North Union girls are currently staying.

"But..." (Zuihou)

"Just go back your room. You will feel much safer. Don't worry. I can handle this."

I Left her behind and went to greet the Eagle Union fleet. A dark-skinned girl with braids stood at attention and saluted. The other girls followed suit.

"Good Afternoon, Admiral-san. I'm hull number BB57. Battleship South Dakota. From today onwards, we will be aiding in the construction of our allied dormitory." (South Dakota)

I responded in kind.

"Thak you for coming today. I would like to apologise in advance with any of our girls show hostility to you. They are kind of frigtened of american sh.i.p.s."

"It's fine. Our Commander already informed us about the situation. We won't take any offence to their behaviour." (South Dakota)

"That's relief."

After South Dakota introduced me to the rest of the girls in her fleet, I finally understood why the commander told me that they are the best in manual labour. Their corresponding sh.i.p.s being parked at the port and the size of all of the shipgirls in the fleet further confirms it. He sent me a fleet of battlesh.i.p.s. South Dakota, Alabama, Massachesetts, Arizona, Colorado and Maryland. And didn't we met Colorado before?

"By the way, admiral-san," (South Dakota)

"Yeah?"

"Who is that girl behind you?" (South Dakota)

Behind me? I turned around to see Zuihou, looking straight at South Dakota.

"Hey, Zuihou! Didn't I tell you to go back to your room?"

"Hmm? Aren't you...?" (South Dakota)

South Dakota bend down to seemingly take a closer at Zuihou, before realising something.

"Oh. The carrier which bombed my main deck!" (South Dakota)

"You are that pervert!" (Zuihou)

"Who are you calling a pervert!!!???" (South Dakota)

South Dakota shouted. Eh? What is going on? Even the other girls are shocked.

"I mean, we bombed you so many times but you still continued attacking. And besides, why are you dressed like that? If you are not pervert, then what are you?" (Zuihou)

True, that outfit she is wearing shows of a lot of skin. Even Massachsetts and Alabama are wearing something similar. Are they sisters? I don't know much about american sh.i.p.s.

"Listen here you shrimp! Just because I can move despite all the bombs you dropped on me doesn't make me a pervert. In fact, it just means that your attacks didn't even tickle. And how dare you make fun of my clothes! This outfit is a tribute to our native heritage."

"Huh? My attacks didn't even tickle? Can you still say that even after my Suisei made a hole in you?" (Zuihou)

"You-!" (South Dakota)

"Alright. Breaking it up, you two."

I pulled Zuihou back and covered her mouth before she starts to say anything else.

"That's right. We didn't come here to fight." (Arizona)

The girl in blue uniform pulled South Dakota back as well.

"What would happen if our relationship sours because of this?" (Arizona)

Arizona... She looks like a logical person.

"You know that I don't want that tragedy to happen again!" (Arizona)

Arizona started crying. Okay, I take it back.

"A-anyway, please follow me to the construction site."

I gently pushed Zuihou along the way, separating her from the angry battleship. Well, this got awkward pretty quickly.

I led them to the area where the North Union is going to be built. It's near the submarine dormitory. The North Union girls and Rei were already there, waiting for us. That gives me an idea.

"Lieuenant Commander Rei, catch!"

"Huh?" (Rei)

"Wah!!??" (Zuihou)

I pushed Zuihou towards Rei, who caught her easily and softly.

"Wait! Admiral!" (Zuihou)

"Make sure she doesn't come near our helpers. She almost started a fight."

"Eh? Did something happen just now?" (Rei)

"Oh geez!" (Zuihou)

After a brief exchange of greetings between the battlesh.i.p.s and North Union, it's time to go to work.