Higiene 0.5

「PoV of Zeimachi」

The voice ringing into my ears was that of a young girl, well... most of the submarine-type ship girls in Azur Lane were young girls, so it wasn't too strange after all.

Except that

'Hmm... suspicion, wariness, and... hopelessness? This is weird.'

The sense of dread for her mount that she thought I would destroy, the despair at the state of affairs that had befallen her, but I'm sure that's not every kitten in her bag.

The closer the presence of the ship girl got, the more clearly I could see the problem that was ringing in her mind. Based from this girl's fear, I think it's only natural for her to show unfriendly attitude towards me.

'But I still don't know what scared her so much.'

Still acting in my role play, I then turned my body around to see the ship girl's face whilst also to get a better look at how she's doing.

In this quiet harbor, that's where I found a ship girl who was standing with a pale expression and also slightly messy clothes.

Why she's pale? Absolutely because of me.

Then did I do something to her cloth? No, I didn't.

Talking about her cloths or maybe it could be said as an outfit, this girl is currently wearing a white shirt and black jacket slightly decorated with red lines, accompanied by a black strap underwear that showed most of her thighs.

Along with socks and shoes, she also seemed to be wearing a pair of gloves in similar color with her jacket.

"You are... U-101?"

"Y-yes.."「U-101」

Maybe for most people it doesn't make sense to remember every name of the ship girls in the game, but seeing the figure of this ship girl, I could easily recognize her according to what my memory could afford.

She's U-101, the owner of this Great Shark that I've previously thought as a banana boat.

Based from what left in my memory, U-101 is a submarine-type ship girl from Iron Blood faction. She loves listening to music, riding her mount which she calls the Great Shark, but what she loves the most is to explores the sea along with her shark partner.

She does have some things in common with me, but what matters right now is... what turned her into this.

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

That place is a world based from a work with the theme of "Azur Lane".

A world based on the story of the ship maidens/girls and along with their reason to fight against the antagonist that has been prepared for them, Siren. Which will then develop into a remarkable story for each of the girls.

Somewhere in that world, Zeimachi found a lone ship girl who was in the middle of her escape from the harbor.

For Zeimachi, it's definitely wasn't his first encounter against her. He had encountered all kinds of worlds and all kinds of characters in those various worlds, and among those so-called many worlds, it wouldn't be strange if he caught a glimpse of a certain figure.

However it doesn't mean the same for U-101, she knows nothing about the man who looked at her with a stabbing stare.

Even so, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Because by U-101 meeting Zeimachi in that port, it means that the ship girl has just found someone who will free her from the shackles of despair that is far worse than death.

"What did you mean by to leave it alone?" (Zeimachi)

Straightening his body, Zeimachi asked U-101 who become more frightened after she heard his voice. As he used the tool he's proficient with which is the Feather, Zeimachi infiltrated the ship girl's mind since he wanted to find out the real answer behind her fear.

It doesn't take more than a few seconds for him to found out. The ship girl's state of mind was in turmoil, even too chaotic for Zeimachi who was currently infiltrating her mind.

Even from the way she speaks, U-101 always utters sentences in a tone full of despair. But it couldn't be helped, the ship girl didn't have a weapon, nor a trump card that could prevent Zeimachi from reporting what he just saw.

"T-that is mine... Its name is Great Shark and Great Shark is like a partner for me so can you please... treat it as if you've never seen it? P-please."「U-101」

If U-101's worst guess is true, then it's not just her and her Great Shark who will be "punished", even the friends who've helped her will also definitely get a more severe punishment.

But that is something Zeimachi didn't know at that time.

"... And what if I refuse and then chose to destroy this thing? So far, I don't see any merit in doing what you asked." (Zeimachi)

Zeimachi who had heard and knew the ship girl's inner voice suddenly had a serious look on his face, which didn't last long as he realized if he shouldn't direct his enmity towards U-101.

However, U-101 interprets the change on his expression in a different way.

"Please don't!!!"「U-101」

Hearing U-101's scream which she let out as if it's her last chance to make a sound, Zeimachi stood firmly as he had done a very huge mistake.

Fear and also despair. If these two things are combined, it'll turned into something that could dragged down a mighty leader, destroying a warm relationship, and even to sacrifice one's innocent life.

Those two things were now starting to grow even more thicker within the ship girl's wisdom cube, and it was all because Zeimachi who still couldn't control his mind over his body.

"I... You can u-use me anything you like so please... don't destroy Great Shark. Please, I'll do anything..."「U-101」

The ship girl fell on her knees, and kept begging for the man in front of her not to destroy her precious partner.

The way she spoke became very polite, just like a beggar asking the thug for some mercy.

She didn't know what else she should do, for her the Great Shark is the only object that still connects her to the marine world that she loves so much, and also the only way for her to be able to carry out lone wolf's logistics function to deliver the goods needed by her friends who are always waiting for her.

If it's true that her beloved partner is destined to be destroyed, then not only U-101 would completely fall from her current hellish life, the other ship girls who needed items from her would also be in a dire straits.

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

"Here... I think I got used with this power. Not like I've did something great for her, but I thing she'll be a good example from here on out for this so called twist. But jeez, Zei really need to relax his face! " (Cera)

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

But as if something took a sudden turn in this story, her fate has been altered into something... foreign. It's not very clear about what Cera have done in order to aid U-101, and neither it could be counted as a drastic change to the flow.

Different from how she used it to stop his other personalities from doing unnecessary thing, this time it was...

...

Hmm...

So that's it.

"Wake up." (Zeimachi)

"... Please promise me, don't do anything to it!"「U-101」

U-101 didn't raise her head and kept her head down to at least beg for a shred of sympathy from him.

From this, Zeimachi finally confirmed some of his confusion, but what was certain was that Zeimachi had realized that U-101 was now in a very desperate state.

"Hmm... you said you'll let me do anything to you right?" (Zeimachi)

"... yes."「U-101」

U-101 said that in a solemn voice while lowering her head at him.

From the outside, U-101 seemed to have given up on what was about to happen to her, she decided to pay no care about whatever will happen with her no matter what it'll be.

"Then answer me... do you intend to did what you said by "anything"?" (Zeimachi)

But from the inside... she felt relieved.

"Ye-yes I do! Maybe it's my first time and I'm not as experienced as my other sister and adults from Iron blood... b-but I'll make sure you satisfied like others! So please... Great Shark..."「U-101」

As if a gate of hope appeared before her, U-101 raised her head and continued to stare at the look of the man who was... strangely displeased even after U-101 was willing to let him do anything on her.

"... Haha, I see!" (Zeimachi)

Satisfied, like others, first time, experienced, other sisters.

He put his focus on U-101's words while letting out an ominous sounding laugh.

Then as if he didn't care about the ship girl, Zeimachi used the feather he summoned to sense all of the consciousness that was in the harbor and the area around it.

All the feathers flown, and changed like a gust of wind which could detect the presence of every creature that has consciousness.

"..." (Zeimachi)

There he found another shocking truth, it turns out that it's not only U-101 who is in a broken mental state. There're many consciousnesses that have been damaged, destroyed, and are even in a state of not being able to think anything at all.

Some of these consciousnesses were scattered at several points, some were far away on the other side of the harbor, some were inside buildings in the surrounding area.

"... Is that so-is that so."(Zeimachi)

Some are filled with despair, sorrow and a willingness to die, but the thing that made the hatred in his heart grow the most were the consciousnesses that're filled with pleasure and satisfaction.

And among those who feel the pleasures of the world, there is one person who has an air like no other.

Under normal circumstances, that person should be able to notice Zeimachi's arrival due to the almighty "gift" which he has, but for some reason...

*Step-step-step*

"Mi-mister?"「U-101」

Seeing Zeimachi who had been acting strangely and starting to walk closer to her, U-101 became a little panicked if later the man would ask for something far more rougher to be put in her.

"I-if you're not satisfied with just me I'll... I can be booked for a f-few days!"「U-101」

Booked.

Zeimachi started to close his eyes and let out a vicious smile on his lips that're still visible as he continued to walked.

"But... if you do it i-inside is... a problem so can you use p-protection Mister?"「U-101」

Inside and protection.

His smile grew wider as if the Joker who had found the bats after a very long time.

"If all of that is still not enough... I can just be your only meat and never with everyone else... so Mister please, don't destroy Great Shark!"「U-101」

Meat, who knows what kind of meat she meant to be.

Nevertheless, his smile became more wider and way more sinister than before as he showed the rows of his teeth.

"..."「U-101」

Zeimachi finally arrived in front of the ship girl, facing U-101 who was on her knees trembling in fear of him, Zeimachi finally lowered his arms and looked down on U-101 who was kneeling on her feet just like in a seiza position with cold sweat on her nape.

"Don't you dare regret it." (Zeimachi)

"*Gulp*... I-I'll not!"「U-101」

Tears started to fill the ship girl's eyes, but even so, Zeimachi paid no heed and started reaching out his hand towards the ship girl.

"I hope so." (Zeimachi)

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

「The Void」

Inside the Void, where there're many feathers that are scattered in various places with each of their own stories and worlds stored inside of them.

"CERA!!! Let's adopt her!!!" (Zeimachi)

Zeimachi had once again set his foot into the domain, along with U-101 that was in his arm. As for U-101 herself, the ship's girl who was being carried like a princess was in utter disbelief at how strange this occurrence was.

She seemed very confused about the words of adoption that Zeimachi had just casually tossed around. Of course that's not the only source of her confusion, but let's put those thing away for now.

Not long after the two stepped in, there they saw a girl sitting relaxed with a snake on her head, while also looking at some of the feathers on her hand.

"Could you please Yjor? I'm in the middle of something right here." (Cera)

"Yes madam." (Yjor)

The girl only glanced at him as if she was used to dealing with "things" like this and focused back on some of the feathers in her hand. Meanwhile, the snake that had awakened from the girl's head snakely came down from where it was, and started to increase in size.

The size of the snake continued to grow, until eventually Yjor could rival a skyscraper if such a building exist in there.

"Now that I think about it, this snake is really tall from here." (Zeimachi)

"M-Mister?"「U-101」

"Ah don't worry, you're not going to enter that stomach. Now then, could you walk over to her side?" (Zeimachi)

The man put U-101 down while telling her to head for somewhere near Cera, but how could the ship girl easily done that if Yjor was standing in her way? The answer is easy.

"PASS." (Yjor)

The giant snake easily allowed U-101 to pass, even though the ship girl looked a little scared and worried, in the end U-101 managed to get past Yjor's guard and reach Cera's side who was still busy with the plan she was completing.

"YOU... SHALL NOT PASS." (Yjor)

After letting U-101 walk past alone it was time for Zeimachi to do the same, but unfortunately he didn't get the same treatment as the ship girl with Yjor blocking his path.

"Ahh Gandalf.... Things are now in motion that can't be undone." (Zeimachi)

Thus, the battle of a reunion between the old pair of wickedness and stupidity... has begun.

...

....

.....

"TREMBLE!!!" (Yjor)

"Sunkei." (Zeimachi)

Leaving aside Yjor and Zeimachi who were fighting tooth and nail using their strength after a long time, there's Cera who slightly delayed the preparation of her plan in order to listened carefully on U-101's explanation.

"Hmmm okay I got the gist of it. Don't worry, Zei is ain't one of those trash. Although he's a typical incompetent, and undoubtedly a trash, but he wouldn't hurt someone like you U-101. Physically I mean." (Cera)

Currently, Cera is on a royal couch that she created so that U-101 can feel comfortable talking to her. The sofa is called as a Royal sofa because of its design that's similar to a luxurious chair that can only be found in the halls of a kingdom.

"T-Thank you very much... Can I call you as Cera? Only Cera?"「U-101」

"Yup, you don't need to add Miss, or anything on my name. Just call me that, but anyway U-101... you don't need to worry. Those guys couldn't even touch you in here." (Cera)

"Yes... thanks." 「U-101」

Sitting next to Cera was U-101 who still couldn't calm down her feelings. The ship girl had already begun to let go of her confusion, but now she has instead returned to feeling worried about the condition of everyone in the world where she came from.

"*Sigh*... I know how it feels to be helpless, but you mustn't put the blame on your own. They're going to be fine, everyone of those girls." (Cera)

"..."「U-101」

Cera tries to cheer up the ship girl with a few sweet words, but all of those things mean nothing if the evidence isn't there.

A lie can bring about temporary peace, but when viewed from the side of those who have been scarred by the dregs of war, that lie is the thing that frightens them the most.

'Yeah... this girl is one of those but she is not a part of them. Even if she got hurt in the process, Zei will uses his lie in order to save her and the others... just like how he always did.' (Cera)

*BOOM* (Zeimachi and Yjor was having fun in the background)

"I'm sorry, looks like I'm acting as if I know everything that has fall upon you." (Cera)

"N-No! It's not... it's not that."「U-101」

U-101 hesitated, the ship girl was not sure to open her heart to the person she had just met. Moreover, U-101 also feels that she'll only become a burden if she has to ask Zeimachi or Cera to help her.

They weren't bad people, U-101 could already tell that. Well not fully one hundred percent though...

That's why she's hesitating to ask for help from a man who could mano in mano a giant creatures which was far more larger than five carrier, and also a foreign girl who seemed to be in a higher position than the snake or the man.

"YOU'RE GETTING RUSTY, FALL!!!" (Yjor)

"Yeah I'm still getting used on it, riptide-pulverize... Shi-ki Onslaught." (Zeimachi)

While continuing to remember things he might have forgotten, Zeimachi continued to throw his fists at Yjor who was much bigger than himself. The two of them seemed to be very happy, although U-101 who saw them could only remain silent as if she was being dumbfounded by the scenes.

"Zeeeiii! Come here already, she's not here to watch you doing another smack down with Yjor." (Cera)

U-101 seems to have remembered this only after she heard Cera calling the man to stop playing around.

"Alright Yjor time up- Chott- Hey, stop it! Hey stop it you snake!" (Zeimachi)

Zeimachi looked a little irritated with Yjor's attack that seemed to be accidentally directed at him.

"NOT A BAD RESULT... but still a disappointing one." (Yjor)

But in the end they both stopped fighting and headed to Cera on their own terms. Yjor only had to change himself back into his original snake form and land on Cera's head, while Zeimachi leaped towards them and sat down while propping himself against the foot of the sofa.

"Then? What're you going to do Zei?" (Cera)

"Hmm? What I'm going to do is not going to change, you know that already." (Zeimachi)

For some reason Zeimachi actually sat on the bottom instead of on the sofa, but Cera seemed to have gotten used to his strange behavior and continue to asked him while rubbing U-101's messy hair.

"Well as expected." (Cera)

"Are you two... really going to help? B-But-"「U-101」

"Yeah I will but she's not going anywhere. Just me is enough sharky-shark." (Zeimachi)

"..." (Yjor)

After that, Zeimachi continued to ask her to provide some explanation in order to save the other ship girls who were still trapped in the port.

He also deeply apologized for making U-101 feel frightened considering his still unstable state of mind. Fortunately even though U-101 didn't quite understand by his "mind over body" meant, the ship girl decided to forgive him.

Even though U-101 doesn't know all of the justified reason behind what happened to her, the ship girl still trying her best to provide assistance in order to help Zeimachi and Cera by telling them anything that she know.

'... this are, too soon.' (Cera)

The arrival of a mysterious person who changes their lives, the disappearance of the commander they trust, until how she faced the hard truths of malice in humanity that is far worse than even Siren.

"Here-here... you really hold it all didn't you." (Cera)

"Thank you very much U-101. You really helped me out." (Zeimachi)

As she completed her explanation, accompanied with the ship girl's pent up emotion which has reach its peak, U-101 shed her tears with a hug from Cera who kept calming her down.

The two of them let the ship girl express her emotions, while Cera kept hugging her affectionately to calm the ship girl down.

"Zei..." (Cera)

Unfortunately, behind the warm demeanor of the two figures, there is a mysterious conversation that many creatures cannot know. The conversation sounded dangerously dangerous if U-101 could hear it.

'Kill?' (Zeimachi)

'With fire.' (Cera)

'Any other request?' (Zeimachi)

'All of his family if he have.' (Cera)

'I'm not that sick, but... I'll found the alternative.' (Zeimachi)

'Alright.' (Cera)

"Ah! I forgot but about this since the first time I saw you mister. But who are you, Cera and this talking snake as well?"「U-101」

Not long after U-101 felt ashamed of what she had done, the ship girl then asked an important question which became the main problem in this story.

Cera, who seemed amused by the question, then gave a tissue to U-101 who used it to wipe her tears. As for the other two, each of them took a glance at each other as if they're now in the moment of their live.

"Cera, memories department manager." (Cera)

"Great Yjor, the ruler of all rule." (Yjor)

"Umm...Sakura Zeimachi, freelancer nice to meet you. Okay I'm off then, later." (Zeimachi)

The three of them introduced themselves using titles that U-101 still couldn't understand, and after finishing their introductions Zeimachi left immediately so he wouldn't miss anything important.

"... Eh?"「U-101」

U-101 looked very confused with their introduction.

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

*???*

- Hello -

- ... -

- How are you doing -

- ... -

- Do you know who you are -

- ... -

- Do you know who I am -

- ... -

- Do you know where you are -

- ... -

- Hylia -

- ...? -

- Do you know who is Hylia -

- ... -

- That is you -

- ... -

- ... It's time to wake up, Hylia -

- ...? -

- It'll be hard for you -

- ... -

- But this is much are needed -

- ...? -

- Hylia -

- Hy... lia? -

- Yes, could you help me for a while -

- Hy... lia? He... lp? -

- Don't worry, I'll help you for a while before I let you try your first -

- ... -

- This way, you could learn some things before meeting them -

- Mee... ting? -

- Hylia -

- ... Yes? -

- Please give me your help -

- ... -

- This way, I could help you as well -

- ...? -

- Hylia -

- ... yes? -

- Do you want... to be real? -