Chapter 38: A Long Overdue Discussion

Ahhh! I screwed up big time! Yesterday's teasing... No, it's not teasing. It cannot even be considered sexual harassment. It's just straight-up criminal. There is no sugarcoating it. What I did yesterday was way out of line and I haven't had the chance to apologize to her. Hell, I don't think a mere apology is enough. I didn't see her this morning after I woke up and my bed had been made. After morning roll call, she immediately went for her scheduled patrol duty. Now, I'm stuck here and filled with intense guilt until she comes back.

There was a knock on the office door. Now what?

"Admiral, Fusou here." (Fusou)

"And Yamashiro." (Yamashiro)

"Come in."

The two sisters entered the office and stood in front of me,

"What can I do for you?"

"Erm... Admiral, yesterday you told us to meet you after morning roll call." (Fusou)

"I did?"

"Huh? You forgot?" (Yamashiro)

I think I vaguely remember something like that.

"Give me a moment..."

...Oh right!

"Oh yeah. I wanted to talk to you about the dog-girl."

I want to know if she is a threat or not. Yesterday's events almost pushed it out of my head.

"Who? Yuudachi or the Sakura Empire's Shigure?" (Yamashiro)

"Yamashiro, you are being rude to Yuudachi." (Fusou)

"Sorry, Nee-sama. It was just a little joke." (Yamashiro)

"Yeah, Yamashiro. That was too far."

"Huh?!" (Yamashiro)

Oops. I think I pissed her off. She is glaring at me.

"Ahem. Anyways, let's get to the point. It has been slightly more than 3 weeks since Shigure has been in your care."

"You mean since you dumped her on us." (Yamashiro)

"Minor details. So? Is she a threat? What has she been up to?"

The two of them glanced at each other,

"It's kind of hard to describe... She is not doing anything bad though." (Fusou)

"She is literally a dog-girl. Most of the time, she is either playing or begging us for attention." (Yamashiro)

"So far, she has not asked about our weapons, military secrets and things that could be of interest to the Crimson Axis. She is just a girl looking for attention." (Fusou)

"I see."

I... wasn't expecting that. Although, I have seen her playing with the rest before, I still had my suspicions. But to hear that she has been doing nothing but play these past three weeks is surprising.

In the end, maybe I was just overthinking it.

"Then, is she anything like our Shigure? Speaking of each, where is she now? I mean the doggy Shigure."

"Both of them are playing together. It's more accurate to say that Yuudachi dragged them to play on the beach." (Fusou)

"You are not in your swimsuits today."

"Why? Does that bother you? You are disappointed that you can't leer at our bodies?" (Yamashiro)

"That's harsh."

"Just the right amount for a pervert like you." (Yamashiro)

Those word hit like a truck, especially with what happened last night.

"S-so, back to the main topic. Is she anything like our Shigure?"

"No. She is completely different." (Fusou and Yamashiro)

They are in sync...

"She is more like Yuudachi, personality-wise. Precocious and playful." (Fusou)

"Oh. But there was one time where she was just like our Shigure." (Yamashiro)

"Oh, right. I think it was during the first week of her stay here? There was one night where she cried in her sleep. She was having a nightmare, most likely. She was uttering the names of our Nishimura fleet. She only calmed down when Yamashiro stroked her head and told her that everything was okay." (Fusou)

"Nee-sama! You don't have to mention that last part!" (Yamashiro)

Fusou chuckled as Yamashiro turned red.

"I see. I guess that's all I want to know."

"May I ask, what do you plan to do with her?" (Fusou)

"Honestly? No clue. I want to let Azur Lane take custody of her but I'm not sure if either party will agree to it. You know, with the whole finding a new base and the ongoing tension between factions. Then again, this is in their jurisdiction so it is right to involve them. HQ doesn't know that an enemy shipgirl has been living with us for the past three weeks so they will definitely inquire about it."

I would very much like to avoid the last part. A Military Inquiry is extremely scary.

"I also want to send her back to the Crimson Axis but the next question is, how and is that a good idea.

"I have no doubts that the Crimson Axis are turning whatever island they can find upsidedown searching for her." (Yamashiro)

"I don't want them to misunderstand and think we kidnapped their shipgirl."

Especially since that engagement. We are on their bad side now. If they see their Shigure with us, they will definitely shoot first.

"Hmm... Thank you. You can go now. I need to figure some things out."

"Whatever you decide for Shiggy... Shigure, make sure you inform us first." (Yamashiro)

"I will. Wait... Shiggy? Who is Shiggy?"

"Huh? What are you saying?" (Yamashiro)

"You just said Shiggy. Is that a nickname you came up with for the other Shigure?"

"Like I said, what are you talking about? Not only are you forgetting things, but you are hearing things now?" (Yamashiro)

"Hey. I'm still in my twenties. I ain't going senile just yet. You definitely said Shiggy."

"I did not! Whatever. We are done here right? Let's go, Onee-sama." (Yamashiro)

She is just trying to hide her Freudian slip. I clearly heard the nickname she gave for the other Shigure.

"We will be taking our leave now, Admiral." (Fusou)

The door suddenly slammed opened,

"Fusou! Yamashiro! There you are!" (CA Shigure)

"Shiggy?! Why are you here? And what the hell are you holding?!" (Yamashiro)

Shigure, or Shiggy as Yamashiro calls her, was wearing a blue school swimsuit. I don't know if that belongs to us or it's her own, since it looks exactly like our standard swimsuits. Her tail wagged excitedly as she held a slimy creature in her hands. It's tendrils lay lifelessly on her arms.

"A jellyfish! There are lots of them near the shore." (CA Shigure)

Jellyfish? What are they doing near the shoreline?

"Drop it now!" (Yamashiro)

"Doesn't it hurt?" (Fusou)

"We need to get rid of the poison quickly!" (Yamashiro)

"What's wrong, you two? It doesn't hurt. A bit tingly though." (CA Shigure)

"Idiot! That thing is venomous! Drop them now!" (Yamashiro)

"It's okay. Us Kansen are immune to poison." (Yamashiro)

"No no. That's just nonsense." (Yamashiro)

Yamshiro slapped the creature out of Shiggy's hands and carried her up,

"Ah!" (CA Shigure)

"I'm taking you to Akashi for a check-up. Admiral, can you go to the beach and check on the rest? I don't think it will happen but some girls might be foolish enough to get stung by these creatures." (Yamashiro)

"Yamashiro! The jellyfish!" (CA Shigure)

"Just shut up for a bit!" (Yamashiro)

Yamashiro rushed out of the office with Shiggy in her arms, leaving Fusou and I behind.

"She is such a tsundere, isn't she? Reminds me of that live commentary on the villianess manga I read."

"Zuihou will get angry again if she catches you doing something else instead of working." (Fusou)

"She is already angry at me."

"Admiral, what did you do this time?" (Fusou)

"Let's go check on the others. Knowing them, everyone must have their nets and rods ready by now."

Sure enough, there are a swarm of Jellyfish near the shoreline, and a lot of girls at the beach armed with gloves, boots, fishing nets, rakes, shovels, and buckets. Some are using the nets to scoop up the jellyfish that have been washed ashore or are floating near the surface, and some are digging the sand with rakes and shovels for hidden shellfish. Looks like everyone is agreement on what's for lunch. They are all working together to make this event a bountiful harvest.

I read that jellyfishes prefer warm water. Maybe that's why there is a swarm of them today since the weather is so hot. It's not just the girls who are catching the jellyfishes, there are other animals joining in on the hunt. As I was helping them scoop up the jellyfish while being careful not to get stung, I noticed a pod of dolphins coming closer. I also saw some sea turtles popping their head out of the water as they approached the shore and try to snatched as much food as possible. This is the first time I have seen dolphins and sea turtles in the wild.

Only question is now, how to cook all these jellyfishes?

"And that's why you called me as soon as I got back?" (Zuihou)

"Please, Zuihou. You know how to cook various dishes." (Suzuya)

"In the first place, are these jellyfish edible?" (Zuihou)

"There are edible and inedible jellyfish?" (Suzuya)

"Geez. Let me see what everyone caught." 9ZUihou)

Kumano showed a barrel of the caught jellyfish to Zuihou,

"This is... a Nomura's Jellyfish... I think? This is edible but I need time to prepare it." (Zuihou)

"I can help."

Zuihou face became red and she turned away,

"I-I will be fine. Admiral has work to do and I don't want to trouble you. I will get Suzuya and the others to help me." (Zuihou)

She is avoiding me...

"I don't mind." (Suzuya)

Zuihou turned around. Her ears are red,

"I will go get some cleaning solution from Akashi. I will see you in the kitchen, Suzuya." (Zuihou)

"Zuihou, wait a-"

Zuihou quickly ran off. I lost my chance again...

"What did you do this time?" (Suzuya)

"Ugh... Long and embarrassing story."

"Don't tell me... You pounced on her and engaged in a night battle?" (Suzuya)

"It wasn't really a night battle."

"...Serious? You two like actually did it?!" (Suzuya)

Oh shit. That was a mistake...

"Alright. Back to work. Better get going, Suzuya. That was your idea."

"Hey! I need the deets now! What did you two do?! How was it like?!" (Suzuya)

I sprinted as fast as I could back to my office with a Aviation Cruiser gal hot on my tail.