Our Bonds

"Did they managed to escape?"

"Yes. They wanted to look for the spy but it was too late. The spy managed to get away." (Ooyodo)

"Looks like this has become a bigger mess than I thought. Oh well, we already involved sockets let's help them out a bit."

This is troubling. I kept my promise on letting Azur Iane take command of this mission but I actually listened in on the whole thing. If Azur Lane has a spy and are controlling the Sirens, we may be at risk as well. Once they are back I going need a full report from them.

"Commander!!!" (???)

"Hm? Who is shouting-"

I was about to open the door when I got pounced on. I was ready this time so I didn't fall over like always.

"Tokitsukaze? What's wrong?"

I thought something bad happened but her eyes are full of excitement instead. What has got her all excited for?

"They are here! They are here!" (Tokitsukaze)

Calm down! Explain yourself. Who are they?"

"Those saury!" (Tokitsukaze)

Saury? It's that season already? Let's see. It's nearing November now... Yeah that makes sense. It's supposed to be Saury Season now.

"There are lots around the base! Can we go catch them? Can we?" (Tokitsukaze)

She is like an excited puppy waiting to go out and play.

"Alright. Go tell the rest to start catching those saury."

"YAY!" (Tokitsukaze)

Tokitsukaze ran out, shouting along the way,

"Everyone, let's go!" (Tokitsukaze)

Why is she so excited to catch saury? It's not like there is a lot of them conveniently swimming arou- Okay there's a lot of them.

On the monitor displaying a birds-eye of the district, there is an abundance of saury and sardine swimming and jumping around. Usually we have to venture out a bit to fish for them.

This is a great chance! The more we catch, the more stuff we can exchange them for. HQ usually holds these kind of events during this season. Wonder what are the rewards this time.

"Ooyodo, call fleet 1 back immediately. After that, help out with the fishing. I'm joining in as well."

"Wai- Admiral? Ah geez!" (Ooyodo)

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

"And that's what happened."

I'm back in my office, explaining to fleet 1 what happened. Zuihou just gave me an irritated look. Gambier Bay looks confused. She probably doesn't understand what we do during the Saury Season. Agano and Suzuya seem amused. Shigure and Yuudachi, just like Tokitsukaze, are excited to fish for Saury. Both of them have the same excited look on their faces. Yuudachi is literally wagging the tail of her costume. How is that tail moving? That said, Akashi did a good job on that wolf costume.

"At least everyone all right." (Agano)

"Seriously, you guys really gave us quite a scare." (Suzuya)

"Sorry."

"Admiral-san! Admiral-san! Yuudachi wants to catch some saury poi!" (Yuudachi)

"Alright. Go get resupplied first. Don't tire yourself out."

"Yay! Shigure, let's go poi!" (Yuudachi)

"Yuudachi, wait for me!" (Shigure)

"It was a tiring day so why don't the rest of you get resupplied and rest for the night."

"Yep. I will do that. *yawn* See you tomorrow, Admiral." (Suzuya)

"Good work today."

"See you tomorrow." (Agano)

"Um... Admiral, can I try out this saury fishing thing?" (Gambier Bay)

"Sure. Akashi will give you the equipment and explain how it works."

"Thank you!" (Gambier Bay, in English)

With Gambier Bay out, I'm left alone with an semingly angry light aircraft carrier.

"Are you angry?"

"Hmph!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou turned her head away from me.

Yeah. She is angry. And I think i know why.

I got out of my chair and walked behind her. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in. She isn't resisting so I guess she is alright with this?

"Sorry for making you worry."

"...scared..." (Zuihou)

"Huh? What did you say?"

"I was so scared! I thought the base was attacked! I was afraid that you were gone!" (Zuihou)

Tears run down her cheeks. It really was a scare for her. I'm touched that she was worried for me though.

I petted her head.

"Sorry. Everything is fine. Come on, no need to cry. Tell you what, how about I give you a reward? You can ask for anything."

"Anything?" (Zuihou)

"Anything you want."

It will probably be like a some new planes for her to play with or maybe a kiss. Hah! Yeah right. As if the last one would ever happen.

"Then..." (Zuihou)

Zuihou turned around and grabbed my shirt. She raised her head, eyes closed, lips quivering.

Wait... Are you serious?

I mean, there isn't a single waking moment I didn't think of kissing her. I just couldn't find the right mood yet. This mood isn't optimal as well but...

I grabbed her shoulders and moved closer to her lips.

"Mmh..." (Zuihou)

Her shoulders tense up for a moment before relaxing. Her lips taste salty, yet there is a tinge of sweetness at the same time. A warm feeling rose from my chest. It feels good. I feel as though my breathe is slowly being taken away. So this is how a kiss feels like.

"Puah..."

I slowly moved away from Zuihou. I feel a little breathless. Her face was beet red as she tries to catch her breathe. She had look of euphoria on her face.

"!!! Excuse me!" (Zuihou)

"Ah wai-"

She ran away.