Our Bonds

Today is a normal day at Maizuru Naval District. The destroyers are having their lessons and taking part in expeditions and practice sessions. The expeditions, lessons and patrols are led by cruisers. The carriers are performing maintainance on their planes and doing aviation exercises. Me? I'm in my office, slacking off from my work.

Or that's what should have been. Well, aside from me slacking off.

"Zuihou, what is this?"

"Maintenance."

"How is this maintainance?! Not that I mind though."

What a weird feeling. Normally Zuihou would get me to do work when I'm slacking off, but now she is sitting on me with her hands around my back. Her body feels warm. I wonder what brought about this behavior?

"Are you okay? I know you are clingy but this is unusual."

"Nothing much. I just feel like doing this."

Yep. This is not normal.

I pushed Zuihou's shoulders away from me. Her face is flushed and she looks as if she is in a daze. I place one hand on her forehead. It's burning.

"Oi, you have a fever!"

"Hmm? What are you taking about? I'm alright~"

"No no no. You're going back to your room and rest. Can you stand up?"

The moment Zuihou's legs touch the floor, she became unstable and fell to her knees instead. I guess I have to use my bed again.

I carried her and placed her on my bed. I removed her Muneate.

"Wait a while. I'll be right back."

I cover her with a blanket and left. I'm going to need an ice pack and make some porridge. And maybe take her pajamas as well.

About half an hour later, since I asked Mamiya to make the porridge for me, I returned with what I needed. Zuihou was already sweating buckets and her outfit is drenched. Now we have another problem.

"We are going to need to change you out of your clothes. Can we do it yourself?"

"Hueh?"

Guess not. She is still in a daze. This is just nursing. Nothing lewd.

"Sorry about this. You can hit afterwards."

I I untied Zuihou's Hachimaki and let her hair down. Why didn't I do this before? Because her top was tucked into her pants, I had to untie the string holding it in place and remove it. Next, I slowly pushed her up into a sitting position and took off her kimono top. There we go, one Zuihou in her underwear prepared. Wait, that's not the point! Now I need to put her in pajamas. Before that, I'm going to burn this image into my memory. I have never seen her underwear before. It consists of white string panties and some cloth wrapped around her chest. If so, why wasn't I able to see it whenever she got medium damaged? I always thought she didn't wear any.

Okay, that's enough. Time to get her in this. Zuihou's pajamas is looks like a child Yukata, small and easy to wear. I put her hands through the sleeves and tied the stash loosely. Can't tie it too tightly. Some ventilation would be good. Besides, it's going to be undone after a while.

"Are you hungry? Best to eat the porridge while it's hot."

"Hmm?"

"Still in a daze. I'm going to feed you some anyway. Maybe you will feel better. Here."

I pushed her into a sitting position and supported her back with the pillows. I scooped up some porridge and fed her.

"Ahh..."

"ompf."

She took it as soon as the spoon is close to her mouth. This is a little unusual. Did the fever messed up her head? Normally, one would be embarrassed when someone changes their clothes or even resist a little, but she is just letting me do whatever I want. It looks as though she is just responding instinctively when it comes to food.

I made sure to feed her the porridge until she turned her head away from the spoon.

"muu..."

"Full already? Get some rest."

I laid her down and placed the ice pack on her head.

"Just sleep. You will feel better. I will be next door. Call me if you need anything."

As I stood up, I felt something tugging at the trouser. A hand from under the blanket held on to my pants.

"Don't... go..."

How can I say no to that?

"Got it. I'll be by your side. Just get some rest."

Seems like I won't be doing any work today. Not like there is much to do anyway.