Our Bonds

"Slowly. Don't rush, otherwise it would heal slower and get more painful." (Rei)

"Ow Ow Ow... This is tough..." (Murasame)

"Do you need to take a break? You can't rush these things."

"Just a bit more..." (Murasame)

I had the fairies fashion me a room specifically for rehabilitation. Rei is helping Murasame get back on her feet with the the parallel bars while I watch by the side. It has been three days since then. Apparently, Brunei Anchorage encountered a fleet of those abnormal Abyssals that night as well. The report states that two fleets were sent out to sink the Abyssals, and six of the twelve shipgirls were critically injured. Kind of like us, but we had extreme trouble with just one.And this morning, I received a report that Azur Lane was hit by an abnormal Carrier Wo-class yesterday. Likewise, there were no casualties, only serious injuries. Looks like even they have trouble with this weird breed of Abyssals.

Because of the damaged vertebrae, Murasame isn't able to move her legs very well. Although her back has healed, there was damage done to her motor systems, something we expected but couldn't do anything since it has already set in. I won't pretend to know what she is going through, but I can tell she is in pain and is exhausted. She is doing a great job enduring the pain and pushing through. We don't know how long would it take her to recover. Rei estimated somewhere between three to six weeks, but due to a shipgirl's unique constitution and the medicinal pool, it could potentially take a shorter time for her to heal.

Rei helped Murasame sit down on a chair. Murasame winced in pain as Rei massaged her legs.

"This will help increase blood flow to your muscles. You are doing well. Normally, it would take at least a week or two for a person to stand with support." (Rei)

"Is that so? I'm awesome, aren't I?" (Murasame)

For Shigure, she is hasn't said a thing since I told her about her condition. The only words that one out of her mouth were,

"I see..." (Shigure)

And that was it. She just returned back to bed. These three days, she hasn't been eating much. She just lies in bed, only responding when talked to and making minimal movements. I'm worried for her mental state. This is an obvious sign that something is wrong. Losing a piece of yourself is shocking news. Something that has been with you all your life is now gone... forever. You can never recover it. Moreover, Shigure can no longer function properly as a shipgirl. Her sole reason for existing is gone.

For us humans, once we get over our loss, we can adapt to it, find ways to recover and move on. Take Ensign Yakumo for example. The loss of his arm and being disfigured by the fire could have made him give up on life. He could have developed a fear of the sea and of fire, seeing as his entire ship was burned and destroyed and he was the only survivor. He could become a NEET and lament about his losses till the day he dies. Instead, he took the road less traveled, using a prosthetic and enlisting in Yokosuka Naval Academy to become part of IJN. You can say he found a new purpose in life. He has moved on.

For shipgirls, this doesn't really apply to them. Or rather, it is hard for them to move on. Shipgirls were created to fight against the Abyssals. They believe that fighting this war is their duty, their fate, and their reason for existing. There are some shipgirls who chose to follow a different path. Tama doesn't want to fight because she is lazy, she is a cat. She only fights if she has to. Inazuma refuses to fight unless forced to. She hates war and genuinely wants peace between the humanity and the Abyssals. She almost got scrapped once because of this, during the era of the old war council. Fortunately the Marshal Admiral took her under his wing. Last I heard, she is doing office work and occasionally expeditions at Yokosuka.

For Shigure, this injury could very well mean the end of her shipgirl career. She is definitely depressed right now. I feel like I should be the one by her side and supporting her... Shimakaze is with her for now, so I guess I don't have to worry about Shigure going berserk. I don't think Shigure would do anything drastic but just in case, let's keep an eye on her for a few days. Bad things can and will change people, no matter the size.

I watched as Murasame, with the support of Rei, slowly limped towards her wheelchair . Her legs shook uncontrollably as she slowly walked over. I hurriedly went and pushed the wheelchair closer to her, holding it steady as Rei helped the destroyer get on it.

"Thank you, Admiral." (Murasame)

I can see Murasame breathing heavily. Sweat dripping from her face.

Shigure isn't the only one that needs support. Even Murasame needs some too.

"How is she?"

"Doing pretty well. She can stand with support. Walking is still a bit hard on her." (Rei)

"I will master it next time. Watch me, Admiral. I will be back in action in no time!" (Murasame)

I rubbed Murasame's head,

"Do your best, but don't push yourself too hard. Everyone will be waiting for you."

"Ufufu~ But you shouldn't focus on me now. Shigure needs the most help." (Murasame)

"I know... But tha-"

"Don't worry about me. I will be back in the frontlines but Shigure won't. She has lost her reason to live. Admiral, please. Help-" (Murasame)

"I know. Leave Shigure to me. I will figure something out. Just focus on your recuperation and recovery for now. I will take care of your sister."