Our Bonds

Today is a calm day. No work, no sorties, it's one of the rare days where I can truly slack in the office. It's just a peaceful and quiet day.

Sorry. I kind of lied. It isn't quiet at all.

"I told you! I just want to apologize!" (???)

"And I'm telling you, stay away from her! How do I know that you are not crazy anymore?!" (???)

"Wha-? Sure, I made a huge mistake back then. But I want to make up for it!" (???)

"Both of you, please stop!" (Zuihou)

Why is this happening?

A few days ago, I received a email informing me that Azur Lane's Zuikaku and Shoukaku will be stationed at my base until escorts from Azur Lane arrive to pick them up. Everything could have gone normally, with the Shoukaku sisters apologizing for their mistakes to my girls. However, the other Zuikaku just had to show off. Zuikaku treats Zuihou as her little sister. I heard when news of Zuihou being out of commission because of her PTSD symptoms, Zuikaku wanted to rush over here and check on her. Unfortunately, Kure was undertaking a major operation back then, and Zuikaku was the flagship. She was even strict and prejudice against the two during their rehabilitation.

"Can the both of you knock it off already? It's early in the morning and you girls are way too loud."

"If this tsundere turkey wasn't here, it wouldn't be this chaotic!" (AL Zuikaku)

"Huh?! Who are you calling a tsundere turkey?!" (Zuikaku)

"You are both turkeys, now shut up!"

Both Zuikakus were now glaring at me. If they hate that word so much, they should know better than insult each other with that word. Zuihou stood there, completely fl.u.s.tered about how to defuse the situation.

"And what are you doing?"

Shoukaku was making herself comfortable on the sofa, sipping some tea.

"Why, drinking tea of course." (Shoukaku)

"Your sisters are arguing in front of you and you're casually drinking tea."

""I may not look like it, but this is how I prepare myself for all the discrimination we are going to face when we return home. We already realized our mistakes, but the others back home won't be so pleased to retrieve a pair of traitors like us." (Shoukaku)

Shoukaku stood up and walked towards Zuihou. Zuikaku got ready to stand between them. Shoukaku got onto her knees and prostrate herself. Zuikaku looked a little surprised.

"Zuihou-san, I know this is not enough for all the trouble we caused you. It's okay that you may not want to forgive us. But still, allow us... to apologize..." (Shoukaku)

Shoukaku was starting to quiver.

"Shoukaku-nee..." (AL Zuikaku)

Zuikaku, the Azur Lane one, also prostate herself. That's when I decided to leave the office. To be honest, I feel a bit awkward just by watching them.

"How is it?" (???)

As I tried to close the door quietly, a voice made me jump. Suzuya was standing behind me.

"Oh. For the love of- Don't creep on me like that."

"Heehee. Sorry. So, what's going on in there? I heard shouting just a while ago." (Suzuya)

"Just some small arguments."

"That's so enviable. I want to meet my other version too. I heard she looks just like me, but with horns. How cool is that?" (Suzuya)

"Yeah yeah."

I can hear soft sobbing from behind the door. Who does that belong to?

"What's wrong?" (Suzuya)

"Ah. No. Nothing. Looks like they might take a while. Want to go to Mamiya's?"

"Only if you're paying~" (Suzuya)

"You rascal. Just this once."

"Yay! Admiral, you're the best!" (Suzuya)

"Wa-! Don't cling onto me!"