Our Bonds

"The Oni is here!" (Satsuki)

"Run away!" (Hiburi)

The Destroyers and Coastal Defense girls ran around screaming as the 'Oni' chases after them.

"Grrauur~ Where are the children?" (Nagato)

"Throw the beans!" (Mustuki)

The small ones started throwing beans at Nagato, who was wearing an Oni mask and wrapped in tiger skin cloth. She and Mutsuki are taking on the role of being the Oni again this year. As a yearly tradition, Yokosuka Naval District organized this Setsubun festival, where beans are basically being thrown around to drive away evil. It's typically a fun festival. In the morning, everyone will gather at Yokosuka Naval District and have fun till sunset before returning.

Aside from Nagato and Mutsu, there are others playing the role of Oni, notably the bigger girls. Although, some of them are quite reluctant.

"Ouch! What is this? Ouch!" (Atalanta)

Atalanta found herself being pelted with beans by the Akatsuki sisters. Her flat-chested version, Ryuujou, also joined in. She fits in perfectly. De Ruyter took the role of Oni for the other new foreign Shipgirls, although they understandably confused about what's going on. The Ayanami class are trying to explain the festival to them. Taigei became the target for the submarine girls again. While they have fun, we Admirals sat at the side watching. More specifically, at one of the food stores set up by Mamiya and Irako.

"Aren't you gonna join them?" (Rondo)

"Nah. Not this year."

I drank some of my cider as I ate a late lunch. Usually, I would join the girl in the bean tossing activity. This year, I decided not to as the newer girls seem to be cautious of us. They just came in not long ago after all.

"But this is surprising. I can understand if she is with Gambier Bay, but with Intrepid." (Rondo)

"Huh?"

Rondo pointed to the one of the Carrier groups. Let's see, Akagi is the Oni this year. Wait, she is catching the beans with her mouth? As expected of the Bauxite Queen. The bean tossers are Graf Zeppelin, Saratoga, Intrepid, Ark Royal and... Zuihou?! Eh? Shouhou is there too! Wait, what? Why are the Shouhou sisters joining the foreign carrier group? Until last year, they were avoiding them.

"I thought Zuihou was afraid of American carriers." (Rondo)

"Me too. No, I think she is still afraid of them."

"I don't think that the face of someone who is afraid." (Rondo)

Zuihou was laughing and having fun. SHe is even interacting with Intrepid as though they were long time friends.

"She has grown, hasn't she?" (Rondo)

"Probably. I always thought she was still afraid of the American sh.i.p.s. Or maybe the foreign shipgirls here have a different aura."

"Either way, it's still a good thing." (Houshou)

"Oh, Houshou." (Rondo)

Houshou came to join us. Considered to be the first comissioned aircraft carrier, Houshou can be called the mother of all the other carriers as she personally raised them before they are assigned to their different districts. Also, she is Rondo's wife.

"Hello, Houshou-san!"

"Hello. Thank you for taking care of Souryuu-chan, Hiryuu-chan, Shouhou-chan and Zuihou-chan." (Houshou)

"No. I should thank you for raising them and turning them to what they are now."

"I read about what happened last year. Sorry I couldn't be there at her time of need." (Houshou)

Houshou bowed her head.

"No need to apologise. In fact, all I did was just gave her some support. She overcame that problem by herself."

"But still-" (Houshou)

"Okay okay. Calm down." (Rondo)

Rondo placed a finger on Houshou's lips before she can continue.

"You always get emotional when the carriers are involved." (Rondo)

"But-" (Houshou)

"It' alright. Zuihou-chan is not the small girl you know anymore." (Rondo)

"That's right. The people from Azur Lane may still scare her, but if she is doing fine with the foreign girls from our side, it's a great start."

"I see. I never really thought about it that it." (Houshou)

"Ah! Mama, you're here!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou ran towards us and hugged Houshou. How cute. She just called Houshou 'Mama'.

"Zuihou-chan, long time no see. You're taller now." (Rondo)

"Ehehe. I missed you so much!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou proceeded to share about her days back home to Houshou while Rondo and I continued to chat. That's where I learnt that Azur Lane's Shoukaku and Zuikaku were actually in Kure. As part of their punishment and rehabilitation, both of them are being retrained by our Shoukaku and Zuikaku. And Rondo was overseeing their induction.

"It was troublesome. It took more than a week to get them to cooperate. Locking them in the Brig as a punishment doesn't seem to work either." (Rondo)

"So how did you do it?"

"I didn't. In the end, the girls on our end somehow managed to get those two to cooperate. As of now, they should be helping out with expeditions and patrols." (Rondo)

That's interesting. We have worked with Azur Lane on missions before, but not like this. Maybe one day we can hold a combined training camp of some sorts. But I will need to take care of the girl's trauma first. Isolating just one faction is out of the questions.

"Why not we just hold mini excercises like the one you had last year? Let our girls slowly get use to their fears before holding a large-scale training camp with them." (Rondo)

"What are you? A mind-reader?"

"Looks like I hit the mark. It's pretty easy to guess what you are thinking when you make that face." (Rondo)

"That's right. Admiral's expression always give away his perverted thoughts." (Zuihou)

"Oi..."

"And sometimes he refused to do his work or even pay attention to me. When he does, it's always lewd stuff." (Zuihou)

This girl... Does she know what is she saying? That's almost like she is hinting about our relationship. I better stop her before she-

"But still, that's what I love about him!" (Zuihou)

Too late...

"Eh?" (Rondo)

"Ah." (Zuihou)

"Haah~"

"Oh my..." (Houshou)

While the others were enjoying the festivities, Zuihou just blurted out the secret we tried to keep. This idiot...