Our Bonds

Avrora flinched as I gently pressed the ice pack against her forehead. There is a little swelling, but nothing too serious.

"Oww..." (Avrora)

"Put up with it. It's your punishment for eavesdropping on us."

"Sorry..." (Avrora)

"What were you doing there in the first place?"

"I wanted to speak to Commander Rei about our next sortie. She wasn't in her office so I thought she would be in the infirmary. That's when I heard you and Zuihou-san fighting." (Avrora)

So she heard everything. That's a problem. Rumors spread like wildfire in this base. I know Avrora is not the type to spread rumors, but just to be safe, since nothing has been decided yet,

"Avrora, I need you to-"

For some reason, Avrora was staring at me with a red face. She doesn't seem to be listening to me. She is just... staring...

"Avrora? Hey, Avrora!"

She finally snapped out of it,

"Eh? Oh. Sorry." (Avrora)

"Are you alright? Was it that bad?"

"I-I'm fine. Thank you." (Avrora)

"You don't look well. Your face is really red. Maybe you should lie down for a while."

Maybe she is injured after all. I should send her to the docks to get repaired. For the time being, I will get her to lie down while I get someone to escort her.

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Yeah yeah. That's all you girls say, Ecen when you are clearly injured. Just lie down for a while."

"Admira-Hyaa! Wait!" (Avrora)

I scooped her up and carried her over to one of the beds. After tucking her in, I placed the ice pack on her forehead. Now her face is redder than before...

"Sorry. I did it out of habit."

Of course, even Avrora would be embarrassed.

"Anyway, get some rest. You may have some kind of internal head injury. I will call Gangut over to bring you to the docks for repairs."

"It's not like that. I'm-" (Avrora)

"I'm back." (Zuihou-chan)

Zuihou-chan entered the infirmary. She went out to chase after her older sister, but if she is back, that means...

"How did it go?"

"Onee-chan locked herself up in your office. I think she barricaded the door."

Figures... Wait, my office? Why didn't she go back to her room?

"Give her some time. I'm sure she would come out the next morning." (Zuihou-chan)

"I hope so. This is the first time she did such a thing."

Usually she would just hide somewhere or lock herself in her room. What am I going to do? If she is this opposed to making a harem, how am I going to satisfy the other girls in the future? If more of them come up to confess, do I have to reject them? They might react the same way as Zuihou-chan did for the past week, avoiding me at all cost, or worse, fall into depression like Rondo's younger sister. I don't want any of those. But if Zuihou and I can't find a compromise, is breaking up the only solution? No. I don't want that. I absolutely don't want that! No! No! No! No! No!

"It will be fine." (Avrora)

I felt a tug on my shirt. Avrora stuck her hand out from under the covers and took my hand.

"I'm sure Admiral-san's feelings will reach Zuihou-san. The both of you love each other so much. You two will definitely find a solution for each other." (Avrora)

I held Avrora's hand. What am I doing? I'm the Admiral. I need to pull myself together. I can't let these girls worry about me. Only I can worry about them.

"You're right. Thank you, Avrora."

"If she doesn't come out by tomorrow morning, should I blast open the windows?" (Zuihou-chan)

"Don't. It's a hassle to fix them."

Actually...

"Yeah. Let's keep that as our last resort. Just make sure she doesn't get hurt."

"I will use the training bomb. The office will blow up if I use live ammunition." (Zuihou-chan)

"Isn't that an obvious fact?"

Alright. I will give Zuihou some time. She must be overwhelmed by all this. Hopefully, she will be willing to talk to me tomorrow.

But now, why do I sleep? The entertainment room is my best bet, I guess.

-------------------------------------------------

She is not coming out...

"Zuihou. Come out. We have morning practice. Hiryuu-senpai is going to get angry at you." (Shouhou)

"Come on, Zuihou. We have to sortie now. Come on out." (Suzuya)

"What the heck happened to you two?" (Yamashiro)

"Just a little quarrel."

"You call this 'a little'? This is way more than that." (Yamashiro)

After I woke up early in the morning, I went to check on Zuihou. She was still holed up in my office. Zuihou-chan was right. I can unlock the door, but I can't get it to open. Sometging is blocking it from the inside. I tried calling her out, but there was no response. I tried calling though the vents, but she barricaded it as well. The windows were also barricaded with wooden planks. How did she get all these materials while running away? I don't remember keeping planks in my office. I spent the whole morning trying to get her out and finding ways to enter. I even missed out on morning roll call. That's why Shouhou and the rest of the first fleet are here. They are trying to help me.

"Zuihou, look. Mamiya has a new dango menu. Let's eat it together poi." (Yuudachi)

"Sorry. For dragging you girls into our problem."

"No worries. It is worrying for us to see you two like this. We will get her out somehow." (Agano)

"Hey, Zuihou. I got a type 99 bomber here. Look at it'd cute little legs!" (Shouhou)

This is pathetic. I can't believe I involved others in my own personal problem. I better thank them properly later.

"She is in there?" (Gangut)

"Oh, Gangut."

Gangut walked over to us. Somehow, I getting bad vibes from her presence. She tried opening the door. It widened a little, but still the gap is too small.

"Hmph. A mere barricade. This is easy. Comrade Avrora told me what happened. I will help you get her out." (Gangut)

Avrora told her?!

"Wh-what did Avrora tell you?"

"Hm? She said you two have been fighting for a bit and your girlfriend locked herself in this office." (Gangut)

"Did she mentioned anything else?"

Please tell me she didn't talk about the harem thing. Please.

"No. Just the fact that the light carrier is in there. What? Is there something else I should know?" (Gangut)

"No. That's all."

Phew... Thank goodness. Avrora kept her promise after all.

"Anyway, please help us."

"Roger." (Gangut)

Gangut took a stance and delivered a punch against the door. As expected, it only made a dent. IJN doors and furniture are made to withstand shipgirl's strength after all.

"That's useless. You will need something stronger to break through." (Yamashiro)

"I was just testing it. Huh. This wooden door is pretty sturdy. You just need to get her out, right?" (Gangut)

"Yeah. Got any ideas?"

Ooh. I have one. A surefire way to extract her from inside. And for you two to make up with each other. First, time to bring out the big guns. Comrade Admiral, everyone, please stand back."

Eh? Why? What is she-

A blue glow illuminated next to Gangut's right shoulder. Small cube-like structures start to converge next to her shoulder, and a 41cm twin gun mount appeared.

You got to be kidding me...

"Zuihou, stand away from the door! She is going to fire!" (Shouhou)

"Wait, you are not going to stop her?!"

"Don't worry. It's not a live round." (Gangut)

"That's not-"

"Sorry, we will ask Akashi to create a new furniture for you." (Suzuya)

"Admiral, stay back." (Yamashiro)

"Wait. Don't decide things on your own! Hol-"

"Tremble under the fist of the Soviet Union! Soviet Breathing 2nd style: Grizzly Bear's Punch! (Gangut)

*BOOOMMM!!!*

"KYAAA!" (???)