Our Bonds

Tomorrow, we are going back to Maizuru. We should make the most out of today. We went to Sarushima Island and toured around Kamukura yesterday. I wonder what should we do today? We could walk around Yokosuka, but we covered quite a large area on our first day...

"Zuihou, what should we do today?"

I watched as she clipped on a yellow bra and put on a whirt shirt. She stood up to wear the dark green flared skirt she placed on the bed. To finish her outfit, she put on a little ribbon on her collar.

"Um... I have something I want to do, but you may not like it." (Zuihou)

"Today, I will do what you want. Tell me. It can't be that bad."

"Then..." (Zuihou)

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It was bad...

I didn't think that the thing she wanted was to visit Yokosuka Naval District. No, I should have expected that. This is her hometown after all. It would be weird if you didn't go home when your house is right in front of you.

"Ehehe. Everything looks so different, but the feeling is still the same." (Zuihou)

At least, she is having fun.

We managed to get in after I showed the guards at the main gate my card. They scrambled to open the gates and deployed the rest of the guards to greet me when they saw my rank. Even though I told them not to... Now the whole base knows I'm here. Zuihou just needed to state her hull number, class and category.

We are at the academy wing, the place I trained for three years before being posted to Maizuru. There is a garden at the front, to sort of beautify the place, despite it being hell at the back.

"It's so pretty~" (Zuihou)

"Excuse me sir," (???)

As Zuihou pranced around the flower garden, someone called me out from behind. A young man stood behind me, staring at me with disdainful eyes. His face was disfigured, with a huge burn scar on the left. His left arm... is a prosthetic... Somehow, he reminds me of someone... I think I know this person.

"This is a restricted area. I don't know how you managed to get in, but this is not a place for couples to play around." (???)

"I think you're-"

The young man suddenly grabbed my arm,

"You need to leave. Now." (???)

Chill out man! I'm could throw you to the ground if I want to. But attacking a cripple is against my rule book.

"Admiral, what's wrong?" (Zuihou)

Zuihou went up to us, concerned about the situation,

"Sir, Ma'am, you need to leave this place immediately. This is military base, not a civilian playground. Wait, Admiral?" (???)

I broke free of his grip,

"Oh. Aren't the one Yamakaze-chan saved? From that frigate incident?" (Zuihou)

I knew it. He is that young ensign that survived the Abyssal attack on a JMSDF Frigate. That ensign had severe burns and lost his lower left arm. The same with this guy. I never expected him to be here.

"How did you-" (???)

"What's going on here?" (Rondo)

"Grand Admiral." (???)

"Yo Rondo. Is this kid from your class?"

"How dare you address the Grand Admiral so nonchalantly?!" (???)

"He is right. You are in HQ now, so at least address me by my rank, just for the sake of it." (Rondo)

That guy has such a smug look on his face. He is going to be in for a surprise soon enough.

"That goes for you too, ensign Yakumo." (Rondo)

Oh. His name is Yakumo.

"He may not look at it, but this fellow is just one rank below me." (Rondo)

"Oi... What do you mean I may not look like an admiral?

"Eh? That means..." (Yakumo)

"I'm the Admiral of Maizuru. Please to meet you, Ensign Yakumo."

"An Admiral?!" (Yakumo)

I want to laugh at his surprised face and gaping mouth, but I have to maintain a certain level of professionalism here.

"This is my secretary ship, Zuihou."

"Nice to meet you." (Zuihou)

Although she is smiling, Zuihou is emitting a strong bloodl.u.s.t at Yakumo.

"Ah... Um... I'm so sorry!" (Yakumo)

As he did a ninety-degree bow, Rondo gave Yakumo his sentence,

"I want an report about what happened, especially why you decided to resort to violence when you could just ask them for an identification. Didn't Admiral Hakuno taught you that? Or we do have to question him myself?" (Rondo)

"I'm sorry, sir! It's my fault. It won't happen again!" (Yakumo)

"He already apologized. So just drop it."

I almost feel sorry for him.

"No no. You got to drill such things onto them. Young people nowadays think they are so high and mighty just because they excel in something." (Rondo)

"Grand Admiral Rondo is right. This guy tried to hurt you. He should be punished!" (Zuihou)

Even Zuihou is pissed...

"I want the report in an hour. In my office." (Rondo)

"But sir, that is-"

"More complaints, Ensign?" (Rondo)

"No sir. I will get the report done in a hour!" (Yakumo)

"You better be. Come on, lets go." (Rondo)

We left the frightened young ensign behind and followed Rondo.

As Zuihou continued to look around her birth place, Rondo and I chatted while we walk,

"So what are you doing here? I received a call from the guard post that the Admiral of Maizuru was here. It's hard to think that you would come here on your own violation." (Rondo)

"I'm on vacation in Yokosuka. Zuihou wanted to visit her birth place."

"That makes sense. I heard from Akagi and Kaga that you too were at the curry place. You could have dropped by and said hi." (Rondo)

"Why should I? I will just be questioned by Grand Admiral Akihiko about his daughter again. Since I'm here, I should invite Grand Admiral Hasake and his men for a drink."

"You want to invite the entire engineering department for a drink? You will be broke in less than an hour." (Rondo)

"Only those that helped repair my base."

"Then you should be fine. That was just a class of trainees." (Rondo)

"Great. I will go see him afterwards. Once she is done frolicking around."

"Mama!" (Zuihou)

I watched as Zuihou ran forward to hug Houshou, who came out to greet us. We have reached the main building of Yokosuka Naval Base. This scene between the two light carriers is always a wholesome sight.

"If my wife is Zuihou's mother, wouldn't that make you my son-in-law once you get married?" (Rondo)

"You just ruined the mood!"