Our Bonds

After briefly explaining how Shipgirls at my end are formed, whom can be 'constructed' with a special tool or found at sea, Akashi continued her examination.

"I did a scan nya. There is a strange coating around the both of you nya." (Akashi)

"What does that mean?"

"Looks like they were coated with the dust given out by the mental cube when it exploded. I'm not sure why they shrunk but they should return to normal after washing the dust off nya." (Akashi)

"That's it?"

"That's it nya. Mental cubes are compatible with us since we are made of the same material. Since you girls are different, the mental cube must have caused some random temporary effects nya." (Akashi)

That sounds like a half-baked answer.

"Now, I'm done nya. That would be 150 gems nya." (Akashi)

"You're charging for this? And what do you mean by gems?"

"I"ll pay for him. At least the effects are not permanent." (Commander)

"So we can just take a bath when we return?" (Shigure)

"That sounds a bit unbelievable poi" (Yuudachi)

"That's easy enough. I thought you will need to go through some weird experiment to reverse the effects." (Jervis)

"Thank goodness." (Gambier Bay)

Well, looks like that's settled.

"How long will it take for them to turn back to normal after bathing?"

"Give it a day nya. If they haven't turned back or the effect became worst, just call me. I"ll figure something out nya."

I picked Shigure and Yuudachi up.

"Got it. Thank you very much. We'll take our leave now."

"Wait. Don't you want a tour around the base?"

"I appreciate the thought but I can't have these two awaken to scary memories again."

"Goodbye!" (Jervis)

"Goodbye." (Gambier Bay)

We left the office. Sheffield was waiting for us at the other side of the door. How long has she been standing there?

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

"Welcome back." (Zuihou)

"How was it? Did you find out what happened?" (Shiratsuyu)

"You guys were waiting here the whole time?"

"We are worried about our sisters." (Kawakaze)

Fleet 1 and the rest of the Shiratsuyu sisters greeted us when we returned.

"We are fine poi." (Yuudachi)

"Akashi-san didn't really explain much, but she said we should return to normal after a bath." (Shigure)

"Thank goodness it's not permanent." (Yamashiro)

"I told you so." (Suzuya)

"There's an Akashi there too?!" (Murasame)

"Yeah! The Akashi is a small cat girl!" (Jervis)

"You can hear the story over a bath. In the meantime,"

I positioned my palm at my pocket so that the two of them could come out.

"Bring them with you. They should be bigger by tomorrow."

"Leave to us! We'll make sure our sisters get back to normal." (Suzukaze)

"I-I'll do my best!" (Samidare)

"I will leave to you girls."

"Yes! Come on, let's go. First one to the docks wins!" (Shiratsuyu)

"Shiratsuyu-san, that's unfair! No headstarts!" (Jervis)

"Wait for me!" (Gambier Bay)

The girls ran to the docks. I'm a little worried about Yuudachi since Samidare is the one carrying her. It should be fi-

Ahh!

Oh thank goodness!

Samidare tripped over her own foot and Yuudachi fell off. Luckily, Suzukaze caught the falling Yuudachi. Sheesh, Samidare is way too clumsy.

"That went well." (Agano)

"Listen to this, Admiral! Yamashiro was so worried that she ke-" (Suzuya)

"Waaahhh! Suzuya, don't say anything!!" (Yamashiro)

I can sort of guess what happened.

"You really love Shigure, don't you?"

"Of course I do. Shigure is just as important as Nee-sama. Besides, I promised not to leave her alone ever again." (Yamashiro)

"That makes the both of us."

"It's a good thing a solution was found. I don't know what to do if it was permanent." (Zuihou)

"But if the Abyssals had a mental cube with them, something bad might be happening. Haah, now I have an extra thing to report. How troublesome."

"Okay okay. Let's get back to work." (Zuihou)

Zuihou pushed my from behind.

"Oh come on, I'm tired from the journey. Let me rest for the day."

"I'll cook some Tamagoyaki for you later. We have quite a bit to finish today." (Zuihou)