Our Bonds

- Maizuru Naval District. One week before the attack on Brunei Anchorage-

Feeling a little tired, I decided to take a walk around the district. Of course, my secretary ship would stop me from doing so, but Shimakaze got bored and fell asleep. She wouldn't wake up no matter how much I played with her thong. As I was nearing the practice area, sounds of gunfire and a plane taking off echoed through the air.

Weaving through the obstacles was Suzuya. Looks like she is taking on the hybrid aviation course. This course is for Aviation cruisers and battlesh.i.p.s, training their mobility, accuracy and aircraft coordination. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to watch her practice for a bit.

It has already been two hours since I started observing Suzuya. She has been repeating the same thing over and over again. The whole course can be completed within ten to twelve minutes. Who knows how many times she had done before I showed up.

"Oi! Suzuya~!"

"???"

Alright, got her attention.

"Oh! If it isn't the Admiral! 'Sup!" (Suzuya)

"Don't 'sup' me. What's wrong? You don't usually practice this long."

"Ah. I just felt the need to. Haha... Eh?" (Suzuya)

I picked her up from the water and sat her down next to me.

"Wait right here."

I left to buy some drinks for her. I should also get a towel.

"So, what's wrong?"

"I telling you I'm fine!" (Suzuya)

"Nope. Your eyes are red. You were crying for a bit before I came back, right?"

"Jeez, why do you have to be so sharp?" (Suzuya)

"I'm not a good admiral if I can't even notice the small things. Now, tell me."

"It's just that, do you think Aviation Cruisers like me are like useless now? You have Aviation Battlesh.i.p.s like Fusou-san and Yamashiro-san. They totally have more firepower than me. Furthermore, the Carriers can take care of all things related to air battle.

I feel rather irrelevant." (Suzuya)

I see. So she can worry about this kind of things. It's true that she is outclassed in firepower and aircraft capacity by both the carriers and battlesh.i.p.s, but...

"You're an idiot, you know that."

"Huh?" (Suzuya)

"Who cares about all that stuff? True, Fish and Yamashiro are stronger, tougher and can hold more seaplanes than you. The Carriers are even more useful when it comes to air battles."

Maybe I said a little too much. I can Suzuya on the verge of tears again.

"But, you are faster and more versatile than any of them. Aviation Battlesh.i.p.s are slow because of their large guns and seaplanes aren't really that useful on them since it sacrifices some of their firepower to hold the planes. Carriers are useless once their flight deck is broken. You, on the other hand, can fill both roles. You have more firepower than carriers and are faster than battlesh.i.p.s. Why not look at it that way? Instead of thinking about your weakness, focus on your strengths. And Suzuya, you come up with the craziest of ideas sometimes. Isn't that another strong point of yours?"

"Pfft haha haha! Seriously, you make it as if I have been worrying for nothing. As expected, Admiral is really Admiral." (Suzuya)

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Now then, Suzuya better work hard then. Thank you, Admiral!" (Suzuya)

Suzuya smiled brightly as she said that. The Suzuya I know is back.

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

-Present day Command room-

That crazy girl! I sort of knew she would do that. Who would have expected her to use that small flight deck of hers as a shield! Right when that water demon opened fire, she brought it up to negate some on the damage and used the large amount of smoke as cover. Because of that, the water demon got damaged by its own attack and the torpedo Shigure launched at the the same time it fired. Hamakaze and Shigure would have noticed that she is fine. Zuihou is in shock. She hasn't noticed it yet.

"Zuihou, Focused!"

Not responding.

"Oi Zuihou! Pull yourself together!"

"But Suzuya-san is... Suzuya-san...." (Zuihou)

"Right now there's a battle in front of you. You are going to bring the others home, you hear me?"

Zuihou rubbed her eyes.

"Right!" (Zuihou)

"Good girl. Now bring back all surviving planes and get ready for another wave. Fall back in the meantime. Hamakaze, get behind Zuihou. Shigure, group out with Suzuya and help her out of wherever she is hiding."

"I'm not hiding! I'm just catching my breath." (Suzuya)

"Suzuya-san! You're alive! Thank goodness!" (Zuihou)

"Of course I am! Don't kill me off!" (Suzuya)

"Right now, Nagato's group and Hiei's group are almost done with their part. Backup is also on its way. Just hold on for a little longer."

"Roger!" (Zuihou, Shigure, Hamakaze, Suzuya)

"Suzuya can you... No I guess not."

With the stunt, Suzuya's flight deck is in pieces. So she can't launch seaplanes anymore, or until she returns.

"Akashi is going to flip when she sees this." (Suzuya)

"She definitely will." (Shigure)

"Shioi, what's your status?"

"Almost there. You should see Saiun any moment now." (Shioi)

"Shioi-chan?" (Shigure)

"Don't forget about us!" (Iku)

"The submarine unit! Why?" (Hamakaze)

"Well, Battlesh.i.p.s can't attack Submarines."

Entering the fray were the Submarine girls, Shioi, Imuya, Hachi, Iku, Goya and Ro-chan.

"Ro will do her best!" (Ro)

"Launching six oxygen torpedos!" (Iku)

"Load torpedoes from one to four. Let's go get a win!" (Imuya)

All six submarines launched their torpedos at the water demon, causing a whole lot of explosions and smoke. The water demon fired all its guns randomly in all directions. It's useless. Suzuya and the others are out of range and shells are easily dodged underwater. It seems it should be all right for now.

"This is Nagato! First Water Demon has been sunk. Hiei, how is it going at your end?" (Nagato)

"Almost done. This things' weakpoint was that whale thing behind her. We can handle it on our own." (Hiei)

"Roger. Sorry for the wait. Now, let's hurry up and defeat the other one." (Mutsu)

Nagato and her group joined up Suzuya and the others. On the surface, salvo after slave was launched at it. Under the water, waves of torpedos hit their mark. Soon, the second water demon sunk. At the same time, Hiei and her group managed to take down the Pacific Princess. It was our victory!

With the threat gone, a relief team was sent to Brunei Anchorage to help the survivors and rebuild the place. Back home, the girls all get a well-deserved rest and reward.