Flakes and more flakes

「Azur Lane Academy : Akashi's workshop, morning」

『PoV of Sakura Zeimachi』

"Dang it's still in tatters." (Sakura Zeimachi)

After I stepped out of the kitchen and entrusted Hood with further punishing Abercrombie who was caught sneaking out of my office with U-101 and Hamman, I continued the steps that led me to this place where Akashi that thief cat usually tinkering with her goods.

About how I handle Abercrombie, U-101 and Hamman punishment's. Well... although I do entrusted the finisher for Hood to handle, but there're AWFULLY problematic progress in the middle.

The problem is not something big, but this problem was related to my dignity as an adult and also a gentleman.

'*Sigh*... I thought beheading work very well.'「El Dust」

'Hey we're not in middle age... won't spanking their butt is enough?'「Loli-man」

'Humm, not bad I guess. Now then brother, please enlighten us. Make sure to make them cry as well.'「El Dust」

'Well I'm fine as long I could see a loli's get spanked!'「Loli-man」

Coupled with the encouragement of these two degenerates, I have used my hands which should've been used for the way of the six-fist, into doing a deed that someone like me can't be proud of.

Not only I've made three new enemies in this place, I've also doing a silly play with little girls, and I'm sure that they'll reflexively cover their bottoms whenever they spot me by accident.

'Come on, corrections is always needed!'「Loli-man」

Thanks to that correction, now I have two bumps on my head, and a palm print on my cheek. Fortunately, Hood who was there when I slapped the bottom of the girls, still gave an understanding to those girls behind my motive.

Because according to her explanation, the punishment for ship girls who either intentionally or unintentionally entered their previous commanding officer's office building was even more severe back then.

'See? I'm not the only bad guy in here.'「El Dust」

But then here come the question, why would they even dare to sneak into this place? The answers turned out to be something very innocent from them. Hamman actually wanted to make sure that I'm not dying out of hunger, while U-101 was just asking for my condition.

As for Hood, she told me that she had met Hylia in Royal Navy's dorm. Even though I asked her about what that Lia had told her, Hood just laughed and said that based on the little girl's explanation, I am a very calm and reasonable person.

Probably, that's the reason of why she didn't show any hostility at me through our first meeting. Abercrombie? She's just looking for a trouble since she thought this commander (me) is quite tame than the previous one.

"Thanks to you guys I'm very much like Luffy who got bonked by Nami's fist. Anyway, are there only the two of you?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

'Correct brother. Sengoku, Als and Necro are still in the other room playing Elden Ring.'「El Dust」

What did I heard just now, but don't mind it. If I even took a care of those for a second then I'll be the one who lose.

By the way, this place is Akashi's base. Akashi herself can be regarded as a guardian of resources, and a distributor of other items that can be purchased at this Academy. You could also say she is a logistics key of this place.

This place itself was close to Sakura Empire's dorm, and I got a bit of a hint from Hood and the others.

Hood actually seems worried if I were to went alone without anyone accompanying me while wearing a blindfold, but I rejected her good intentions while telling her to convey a message from me to the leader of her faction, including Hamman who was still sulking and U-101 who looked at me cynically.

I need to built up my plan before those「System」user came.

'A loli right? Neko-mimi one, cute and green hair.'「Loli-man」

Before when I was about to rebuild this academy and also recreated many Manjuus and the Meowfficers, Akashi was the main patron who worked with me as the recipient of the blueprints I've created through Astra Sphere in order to save money, materials and time.

'Hmm... Ahhh! When you turned that town into a battlefield from the shadow yes?'「El Dust」

Well... Indeed, at that time I used a lot of relations from important people who had visited here, making it easier for me to use a safe and easy channel, but now that I have removed them I need to discuss again with Akashi about how she'll get additional resources.

Of course if she had found an alternative then I wouldn't interfere and will give her a few of my insight.

"Akashi??? She's not here? Could it be she's also acting as a medical support. Ah now that I remember it, Lolicon you said all of them will awaken now right?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

Because I felt too guilty about what I had done, I forgot this important thing. And also wasn't I already got a few of them visited my office earlier this morning, how could I forget this important part.

Taking a deep breath and rubbing the lump on my head, I closed the door again and returned to the garden near the Sakura Empire's dorm.

'Anyway Zei, did you sense another Gurathnaka's presence?'「Loli-man」

Walking in this garden that seemed to be full of fallen leaves, I used a「Feather」to make sure that no one was around or even watching me from afar.

Thankfully since it seems that no one is near this park nor either watching me from afar, I can talk alone to these guys without being seen as a freak by using my mouth. Sometime it's more relaxing to use speech than thoughts after all.

"Yeah... Thankfully it has gone now for sure. Are there the place where they're sleeping?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

'Yup just sense at those many「Feathers」. That place should be their medical room for check up or something.'「Loli-man」

After I used a wider awareness perception than before by using the「Feather」in my hand, I realized that right now there's a very beautiful and moving moment in many places.

The ship girls who previously fell asleep and couldn't open their eyes because they were still trapped in the「Dream world」, has now opened their eyes. One by one each of them gaze at the foreign roof on the top, and were greeted by their sisters and comrades.

I can feel many tears of emotion and hugs full of affection from here, no matter how far they are and even though I wear this blindfold to cover my sight.

"Does this mean... There's a difference or interval between some girls awakening state?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

'It sure is, those who REALLY impatient are the one who first awaken.'「Loli-man」

"I see... But it's weird for Akagi to be not in that impatient one." (Sakura Zeimachi)

Because the closest place to me was Sakura Empire's dorm, what I saw first was Kaga who was hugging Akagi after she could finally see Akagi who had opened her eyes again. It was such a beautiful sight if only Akagi didn't keep her face locked onto my direction.

"... How far are we?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

'Pretty far, she'd need to dribble through the length of two football field to reach this place.'「Loli-man」

"..." (Sakura Zeimachi)

Let's evacuate.

Walked away from Sakura Empire's dorm to the other place so I could see the state of the ship girls who have woken up from their dreams.

...

....

.....

While enjoying the morning breeze, I breathed in the cold air and opened my blindfold so that my eyeballs could always be comfortable in an open room.

"Hey little guy, what cha doing here?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

On my way to Eagle Union's dorm to see the how they're doing with the situation there, I accidentally found a meowfficer who got stuck among the bushes. This meowfficer doesn't have a humanoid form, so this little fella is just a normal meowfficer cat without a pretty face.

It didn't take long for me to help him, and after I tidied up his fur which was a little matted because it was snagged in a bush, I saw his name written on the blue ribbon that this little fella was wearing.

"Es... Ji? Ah this was read as SG. So you're SG, are you from Union then?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Nya!"「SG」

Because he nodded I assumed that my hunch was correct, but that didn't mean I could understand what he was saying. I can only understand what this meowfficer is trying to do by reading his mind, but reading that cat's mind... feels so weird.

"Oh you are? Then what're you doing here little guy?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Nyannyanyanyaa."「SG」

"Hmm... I got zero sense of what you're talking about this time. If you could understand what I'm saying, then could you show me what or where you're going to go?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

After reading his mind more or less what the little fella wanted to convey was, "Moi was on duty to deliver the goods to the hall where the Royal Navy was arranging a party to welcome the commander's presence, but I accidentally saw a beautiful butterfly and ended up getting separated. "

"Nya! Nyanyanya!"「SG」

And after continued was, "Take me there and help me delivering the goods." That's what he wanted to convey.

Flailing his arms beside my leg, SG then uses his paws to show me of where the destination he's going to go. Even though we've just met, but a cat is a cat I think.

"You're really a cat don't you? Acting as if you're the lord of everything. Well it's been a while since I moved my body freely again because of office work." (Sakura Zeimachi)

But I don't think there's anything wrong with helping this meowfficer, especially considering the ship girls are having their own touching moments, it would be best if I give them a bit of space before I get to their side.

Therefore, let's uses this time and waste it on the side quest.

Making sure the SG was safely in my arms I then prepared in six-fist stance with the goal that has been set. Inhaling the air into my lungs and concentrating to every fiber of my body, me along with SG zoomed into our destination with only a single breath.

「Azur Lane Academy, old ware house」

"... N-Nya?"「SG」

"Fheew... We're here. C'mon SG where's the package?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

It's hilarious to see this meowfficers expression that looks so surprised and his reaction who looks back like he can't even believe we've covered a great distance in such an instant. Since I didn't need to explain either, I flagged down SG with my「Feather」and told him to guide me to the thing he wanted to carry.

The two of us stepped into what looked like a storage shed. I don't think there was a building like this when I was rebuilding the academy, but it's possible that this place might have been overlooked since I really didn't need a secluded storage area like this.

"Are you alone SG? Are there no one beside you to help carrying the package? Oh and do you know what are needed to be carried?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Nya... Nyanya. Nyanya? Nya!"「SG」

What he wanted to convey was, "There is, but it looks like we're ahead of them. As for what we need, it's here!"

SG deftly turned on the light switch which fortunately was still on, and the only light build in that place illuminated the whole warehouse room. I got to accept, it turns out that the inside of this warehouse looks wider than how it looks from the outside.

As the light from a 10 watt bulb illuminated the room, dusty stacked tables, broken chairs and unused household appliances that're scattered all over the place could be seen by me who was still not using my blindfold.

"... I guess I know why they sent meowfficer to this place. Next time I really should scan every place with care." (Sakura Zeimachi)

Not only was it a messy sight, inside this warehouse was also filled with an unpleasant smell. Although it seems SG doesn't really care about the bad smell, but my nose is not.

Inside the room that I was getting into, I saw several areas full of used cigarette butts on the floor, and also smelled the smell of cigarettes sticking to every corner of this place as well.

"Let's remake this place next time, for sure." (Sakura Zeimachi)

As if that wasn't enough, I slightly smelled the iron smell of the dried blood wafting into my nose, not to mention the smell of flour dough that was scattered everywhere even on the wall.

"... Oh? A piano huh? More like... A grand piano one? What's this guy doing here?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

Nevertheless, the thing that SG had showed me brought all of my hatred away and made me felt surprised for once in a while.

"Nnnyaaa."「SG」

Avoiding some areas that are dirty and blocked by worn-torn objects, I didn't pay much attention to what SG was saying and subconsciously came over to the grand piano.

'This form of instruments shouldn't even be stored with dirt and dust in a place like this, not to mention of how she's being left unattended alone, what a lonely one.'「El Dust」

"... Wait up okay, I'll fix you up." (Sakura Zeimachi)

'Well... Tuning was it? Let's clean this place as well. I'm getting itched to punch some asshole's face when I saw these scene.'「Loli-man」

'Will do brother, will do.'「El Dust」

Indeed, until now I also still want to see how the ship girls are doing after they've woken up and are preparing my plans for the future as well. However when I saw this buddy being left alone like this, I felt that I should help him first just like when I met SG.

I ordered SG who was on top of the piano to come down so I can clean it, while asking for him to help me clean some other stuff in that warehouse.

Although cleaning is nothing more than a simple chore for me right now, the next part will be a little time wasting chore to do which is tuning this piano again.

"If Cera saw me right now, she'll called me as an idiot for choosing a piano over girls for sure. Huft.. flashlight, piano tuning kit and give me haste spell." (Sakura Zeimachi)

[Constructing two objects ... Searching for index of spell... Completed.]

[Successfully creating flashlight and piano tuning kit, implementing Spell {Haste} to the user]

"Nya?"「SG」

"Oh this? This is my motherboard, say hello to SG." (Sakura Zeimachi)

[It's nice to meet you]

I got the flashlight, the tools I need are immediately available, and with the Spell I'm using I might be able to complete this tuning in just ten minutes. Well, it's more practical if I use Astra to repair this piano directly, but if that's the case then my artisan soul will be scratched.

The first step I took was to turn on the flashlight to illuminate the inside of this grand piano, even though there's light from the ceiling up there, it still wouldn't be enough to get inside this instrument.

I then turned on the flashlight that I pointed directly onto my face.

*Tak*

"NYYAAA!!!"「SG」

"Gwaah!? Ain't this the brightest flashlight in my world? Ahhhggg! My eyes!!!" (Sakura Zeimachi)

But how stupid I was for not reading the "Don't point it into your eyes" sticker, that's stuck to the flashlight before flashing it onto my face.

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

After the fool deliberately flashes the brightest flashlight in the「World」right at his own face, Sakura Zeimachi continued to keep tuning the grand piano with a temporary blind status. He also dragged the meowfficer SG into that farce and made the white meowfficer ran away from that warehouse.

Not too long later passed, and Sakura Zeimachi, who succeeded in making the grand piano returned to its Grand form be it in the outer or inner appearance, sighed with satisfaction and pleasure for his hard work.

"Pocari and zabuton." (Sakura Zeimachi)

[Constructing two object... Succeed.]

Sitting on the dirty floor of the warehouse, Sakura Zeimachi uses the Astra Sphere as his own free fending machine. He also did not return the flashlight or piano tuner that he previously wanted because those objects wouldn't even harm anyone, well except for someone as stupid as he is.

"SG? Where's that cat gone?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

Previously he realized that SG the meowfficer had run away because of the flashlight, but because SG was indeed a cat, he didn't really think much about the creatures and continued to sit on the Astra Sphere he had previously given a cushion while playing that piano.

"It's quite good, C... String... Octaves... More strings... and double bell bass... Oookay." (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Nyaa."「SG」

But right before he could play the piano, SG the meowfficer came along with the other meowfficer reinforcements and also some manjuus who came to help them. SG who seemed proud as their leader then approached Sakura Zeimachi to tell who his meowfficer friends are.

"Well hello, nice to meet you Lady, Rose and Bugles. Manjuus as well, hello. Astra say hello to them." (Sakura Zeimachi)

[It's nice to meet you]

They all got a little acquainted and Sakura Zeimachi again told the Astra Sphere to act like an intelligent being.

Because all the members had arrived, SG and his friends wanted to carry out their duties to bring the grand piano to the hall area in the middle of the academy.

"Eh? You'll carry me as well? You don't need to do that, come on all of you hop onto the piano. I got a funny idea." (Sakura Zeimachi)

But before the meowfficers could pick up the piano, Sakura Zeimachi stopped them and ordered them to get on top of the clean piano.

"Hmm... There's that Doraemon's gadget that could made its user to run through any terrain... Astra could you change these piano's wheels into that one? That way this piano wouldn't be damaged as I slide through this port." (Sakura Zeimachi)

[Commencing search... Several roots has been founded... Picking the highest choice with user's demand... Loading]

It's obvious he's going to do something ridiculous, because right after the meowfficers get on the top of the piano, The fool then uses the Astra Sphere to invoked several spells and some armament as well for that piano.

[Loading completed... Constructing additional armament to the target... Success]

After the Astra Sphere finished calibrating the piano wheels which now allows it to slide on any terrain, Sakura Zeimachi then called the Astra Sphere again and turned it into his floating seat.

"Now then... Shal we start my friends?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

""""Nyaa?""""「Meowfficers」

Thus, the beginning of the story of a commander, who drives a piano like a go-cart in the port with a musical melody along with the symphony of meowfficer and manjuus... begin.

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「This is a piece of his past」

It was the time when winter started to come, and the temperature started to drop which made people to thick their clothes to keep themselves warm.

"Here's yours. Don't eat that nugget, those are mine." (Zeimachi)

Many people who wear their sweaters walk under these cold temperatures, and by wearing warm shoes or footwear, they feel even more comfortable from these cold temperatures.

"There's a rule that stated if it's all free in a good chicken nugget, Zei~ So here my hand aiming for those nuggies!" (Cera)

However despite the piercing cold in the air and amidst the hustle and bustle of people on the side road, there're two people who weren't wearing clothes that're too thick like the crowd.

*Plaak*

"Go get your own." (Zeimachi)

"That's hurt!" (Cera)

Seeing the hand of the woman beside him aiming for his food, Zeimachi then slapped the woman's hand which made Cera groan in pain. Even so, Cera still kept trying to reach a nugget that Zeimachi had hidden with his body.

In the end it worked, and Cera ran away to eat the nugget with a sly smile on her face calling him to chase after her. Unfortunately Zeimachi who saw the sight himself was too lazy to do that, and he decided to let one of the nuggets to be taken by Cera.

"Here." (Cera)

Zeimachi continued his eating session, only to be surprised by Cera who're trying to feed him with the nugget that she had stole.

The woman smiled while closing her eyes and let Zeimachi bite into half of the nugget while she sat on his side again. After awhile as she let the food becoming cold, she then ate the other half of that nugget while flailing her legs to kick his heel.

"Hey Zei, do you... believe in the word of "Happy ending"?" (Cera)

"No, there's only an ending. Whether it's a happy or not, it'll be for those who've regained it to judge." (Zeimachi)

The two of them who were sitting on the edge of the frozen fountain saw the scene in front of them, and it was a frozen lake whose surface had been covered in ice. Above the frozen lake, there are many people who are playing ice skating whether it's family, friends, couples, or people who are practicing.

"... What if you're the one who'll reach that ending?" (Cera)

"I'll probably... become speechless for a moment of silence and continue. I've decided to embrace the furthest ends of my story and continued wandering without a destination after all." (Zeimachi)

"... Fu Hua's simp." (Cera)

"Leave it." (Zeimachi)

Cera's hand that had again took another one of Zeimachi's nugget then sway to his mouth again as if she's telling him to eat it, but this time, Cera pulled the nugget right before Zeimachi could bite it which annoyed him a little.

"Then be afraid in your life, and keep moving on." (Cera)

"I'll do everything with all my might." (Zeimachi)

Whether she was bored or had run out of topics to talk about, Cera who was still holding the nugget in her hand, walked away while showing him her small back.

On the other hand, Zeimachi who sighed in relief because Cera had already left and wouldn't bother him anymore, returned to continue eating his nuggets while observing the frozen lake filled with many people on the top of it.

"... "Even through countless tear, so that a spectacular happiness can be realized." Looks like she'll never know the end of my sentence huh." (Zeimachi)

Seeing that Cera didn't turn around and kept walking until her presence completely disappeared from that「World」, Zeimachi took a sip of the coffee he held in his hand deliciously after he completed his sentence.

To embrace the furthest ends of his story and continued wandering without a destination through countless tear, so that a spectacular happiness can be realized.