Our Bonds

Shigure took a deep breath, before pointing her guns at the practice target. She fired one round, which missed by a few metres. She readjusted her aim and fired again. This time, the shell hit the side of the target. It still couns as a hit, so the targe board fell back beneath the surface. She immediately aimed at another target and fired her next round. This time, she scored a bullseye.

"Both targets down. Shots taken, three. It's like you never left the battlefield. Nearly four months of inactivity and you are still this good. I expected you to have the same results as a new destroyer. Seems I was wrong and had nothing to worry about." (Akashi)

Akashi made a record in her tablet. Shigure is training to get back her original strength and rejoin the rest. Though, I don't think she needs much retraining.

"Ehe. This is nothing. My body still remembers. And these are just stationary targets after all." (Shigure)

"Say, is that anything special with that new eye? Like a special reticle or aim-assist function?" (Akashi)

"It's not anything special like that. It's like a normal eye. I still need to aim manually and do the calculations in my head." (Shigure)

"How did they emulate the photoreceptors? How does it connect with the brain and convert light into images? You have the blueprints, right? Can I study them? I want to know how Grand Admiral Hasake created it. The concept and logic behind it. The construction process..." (Akashi)

"If I give it to you, you are just going to lock yourself in the arsenal for two weeks again. No. Never again."

The last time Akashi got her hands one of Grand Admiral Hasake 'Naval turret' blueprints, she locked herself in the arsenal for two weeks, just to study it. She didn't even come out to eat or sleep. I had Fusou blow up the door so I could drag her out and force her to eat and sleep.

"Oh come on. I know how to control myself." (Akashi)

"Are you sure about that? Anyway,"

I couched down so I could reach Shigure from the jetty, who is on the water, and pet her head,

"You did great. At this pace, you will be back in action in no time."

"Really? Hhnn~" (Shigure)

Ah. She just made a noise I have never heard before.

"As usual, you're babying Shigure again." (Akashi)

"Hey. I give praise to anyone who deserves it."

"Yeah yeah. Shigure, let's continue your training. Today, we will be focusing on your aim and shooting. If everything checks out, we will move on to moving targets." (Akashi)

"Okay. Please take care of me!" (Shigure)

"Don't push yourself. I know your body has already adapted to the new eye but it has only been two days since you were discharged. Doctor Eisen said you still might experience some discomfort."

"Don't worry. I will take a break if I need to." (Shigure)

"Good girl. I will be in my office. Unfortunately, HQ is pushing me to finish those reports."

I was supposed to submit a report on our equipment and resources two weeks ago. I had this kind of reports. I submit an report on how much resources we gained from exppeditions and what kind of equipment we built everyday. Stop being lazy and just do the math.

"You still haven't completed it yet?! I already gave you to resource and equipment list a long time!" (Akashi)

"How long have you known me? You know I don't like doing this kind of reports. I will drag it as long as I can."

"Now then, Shigure, I'm going to bring up four target boards at once. Try your best to shoot them all." (Akashi)

Wow. Way to ignore me and change the topic...

"Eh? Um... Yes. Ah. Zuihou, you are here." (Shigure)

"Eh? Ow ow ow!"

I can feel a poking pain on my left arm. Zuihou was pinching me!

"Geez. I looked everywhere for you. I should hvae known you were slacking off here. Shigure, how is everything?" (Zuihou)

"Can you stop pinching me? Ow ow ow!"

"I'm still at the easy part. More importantly, Admiral is-" (Shigure)

"It will good if you can join us again. Then we can go on sorties together. But don't push yourself. We can wait for you." (Zuihou)

"Ow! Let go of me! Don't twist any further!"

"Yeah. You can let Adm-" (Shigure)

"If you tired, make sure to take a break-

Oh. You dare to ignore me, huh?

"Take this!"

I swung my free arm to her chest and squeezed,

"Ahn! Quit it! Oops." (Zuihou)

Zuihou shoved me off the jetty and into the cold water.

"Admiral, are you all right?" (Shigure)

"Erm..." (Zuihou)

I wiped the saltwater of my face as I kept myself afloat. Water treading is the most basic thing they teach you in the navy,

"Akashi, remember that handheld massager I got you to make a while back?"

"Erm... oh yeah. What about it?" (Akashi)

"Make five of them of varying sizes. I will let you read the blueprints for one hour everyday if you can get them done by tonight."

"Three." (Akashi)

"Two. Take it or leave it."

"Deal. I can start after Shigure's training." (Akashi)

"Akashi! Don't be bribed by him!" (Zuihou)

"Now then,"

I pulled myself up onto the jetty,

"Admiral, are you angry? (ZUihou)

"What do you think?"

"No?" (Zuihou)

"Bzzt. Wrong answer. Come here!"

"Kyaa! I'm sorry!!!" (Zuihou)

It's been a while since I played tag. I wonder how would I fare against a Light Aircraft Carrier. I think I can catch her. No, I will definitely catch her.