81 Chapter 79: Phone call

"I'm sorry, what? Who is going to come here?"

"A new shipgirl and a ensign on the fast track for a promotion." (Rondo)

As I was looking through the plans the girls and I created together, which were surprisingly approved by HQ albeit with some improvements, I got an call from Rondo all of a sudden. 

"What is the shipgirls type and class?" 

"Asashio-class Destroyer Minegumo. Apparently, she has a little bit of history with Murasame. The Asashio sister will be delighted to see their sister once again as well." (Rondo)

"Minegumo... Was she...?"

"Yeah. She appeared right after Kotobuki's Transport fleet sank the new Abyssal Nimbus Princess. Your Murasame dealt the killing blow." (Rondo)

That's nice to hear. 

"Minegumo... If I remember correctly, she and Murasame sank in the Battle of Blackett Strait...Ah."

Which is in the Solomon Islands, and where this operation takes place... 

"You..." (Rondo)

"So that's why Murasame wanted to join the first operation."

"Are you serious? Did you seriously not realize that?! How did you pass the Naval History Exam?" (Rondo)

"Shut up. I can't remember everything, okay? So? Will she be returning here with Murasame now or after the operation?"

"They are scheduled to return two days later. You have plenty of time before it's our turn to fight." (Rondo)

Since the first mission has been completed, it's time for the next one. 

"When will Operation 603 begin?"

"Tomorrow. Yuito plans to finish it by next Wednesday. " (Rondo)

"That's only 5 days. He is either too confident or an idiot."

"You know him. He prefers to brute force his way through with little strategy. His girls are well-equipped and strong enough to perform such a tactic regularly." (Rondo)

"Don't forget they seem to be insanely lucky too. If only I had such luck..."

"So you can gacha for anime portraits?" (Rondo)

"Mainly that. I would really love to stop spending 50,000 yen just to pull for one 5-star character. Winning the lottery or at the pachinko would be awesome as well."

"You damn gacha addict. You don't even go to the pachinko, let alone buy lottery tickets." (Rondo)

"Oh shut up. Get off my case. Anyway, is that it? So another Destroyer will be added to my force."

"Yep. Once he is done, the Southern Seas 4th Garrison Reinforcement Operation will begin. We plan to finish the entire thing by mid-December. After that, it's time for our annual retreat." (Rondo)

"Oh. What are we doing this year?"

Last year, the entire IJN went on a skiing trip in Hokkaido.

"The event planners are looking to book a two night stay at either Di*neyland or Univ*rsal Studios. Nothing has been set in stone yet but either way, it's going to be fun for the girls." (Rondo)

"Awesome. Most of them never went to a theme park before."

"Now then, about the new kid-" (Rondo)

"Okay. Bye bye." 

"Hey! Don't you dare hang on me!" (Rondo)

Tch! Bugger!

"Oh come on! Why do you have to assign some random ensign to my base? I'm already busy as it is."

"It's not just some random ensign. It's Grand Admiral Hashimoto's daughter." (Rondo)

Grand Admiral Hashimoto...

"That scary gorilla?!"

Grand Admiral Hashimoto, also known as Murder Gorilla, is a big, hairy fellow with muscles larger than my head. During my ensign days, I always feel like death is looming around on me whenever he is around. That guy is horrifying.

"The guy who is a shrunken version of K*ng Ko*g. The guy who is basically a walking tank. That Hashimoto?"

"Yes. That Hashimoto. The guy who can snap you like a twig. Ugh. You don't know how many times I feel like he is going to kill me during our meetings." (Rondo)

"Good thing I'm not in Yokosuka. A man like him has a daughter?"

I can't believe it... Is his daughter going to be the same as him?

"I was just as surprised as you are when I interviewed her. She is on the new Accelerated Leadership Program. Gorilla- I mean, Grand Admiral Hashimoto applied and endorsed her." (Rondo)

"If her father is involved, isn't that nepotism?"

"In usual cases, yes. But she went through the training proper, and she scored pretty high on the Naval Test. I think she earned those credits herself. During the interview, she seemed extremely unhappy that Grand Admiral Hashimoto got himself involved in her career." (Rondo)

"Kinda like you, huh."

"I guess. Minus the whole parent applying on your behalf part." (Rondo)

Through hard work, Rondo earned his rank despite being the Marshal Admiral's grandson. Which is a good thing. Nepotism in the IJN will just bring it down to its darker beginnings. We can't have lazy, heartless, brainless fools in our ranks ever again.

"She will be assigned to Maizuru as a Cadet-in-training after Hatsumode and study under your tutelage." (Rondo)

"If she is Gorilla's daughter, wouldn't she fare better in Yokosuka?"

"During the interview, she specifically requested to be assigned to other bases apart from Yokosuka. Reason being she doesn't want Grand Admiral Hashimoto to interfere any more in her career. I actually respect that. Besides, it's about time you accept another human into your base. You can't keep rejecting them." (Rondo)

"The last thing I want is some random guy appear and break my girls heart or steal them from me." 

"Did Auclou's NTR manga really traumatize you that much?" (Rondo)

"The fact that it had good art, a good story and I kind of like it actually scares me..."

I can never forget about it... 

"I am not letting some gyaru-oh enter my base and bring harm to my girls."

"She used Kotobuki and Shoukaku as reference, right? And some random, beefed up gyaru-oh as the robber. I still remember the chaos they created." (Rondo)

"Auclou is a creative genius but that manga was a mistake."

"Anyway, Ensign Hashimoto Rei will be assigned to Maizuru Naval Base and train for six months. If you train her into a good commander, you might earn a bonus." (Rondo) 

"Might?"

"Fine. You will earn a bonus." (Rondo)

"That's what I like to hear. Fine. I will accept."

A female should be fine. It's the males that I can't trust. Besides that, training someone is part of my job. 

"Great. I will send you her file once this operation is over. That's all the important stuff. So, how is it going for you these days?" (Rondo)

"The usual. Everyday is interesting."

With Zuihou by my side, things are getting brighter now. I would prefer if she stop going on sorties but that's a burden we both have to shoulder.

"I could go for a lesser workload though."

"You know that's not happening anytime soon. That's the first time I hear you say something like that in a long time. You sound happier." (Rondo)

"I do?"

"Yep. How are things between you and Zuihou? The others haven't found out yet, right?" (Rondo)

"You dated Houshou for years before marrying her. You should know how it feels."

With Zuihou by my side, my world has been getting brighter. I would prefer if she doesn't need or want to be sent on sorties, but that's a duty we both have to shoulder.

The two of us talked about the past. We reminisced about our school days and how life has been treating us so far. We chatted for quite a while until Zuihou came along. I glanced at the wall clock and realised it was time for dinner. How long have we been chatting?

"Woah! It's that late already? Crap! I still have a ton of work to do!" (Rondo)

"Me too. I better get going now. My girlfriend is here."

Zuihou is blushing...

"Yeah yeah. I will see you some other time." (Rondo)

"After this operation, let's meet at Dotonburi for a drink. Just like old times." 

"If we are successful, sure. I will let you know the dates I'm free." (Rondo)

"Deal. Your treat."

"You piece of-" (Rondo)

I hung up and put the phone back into my pocket. It's been a while since we had a long chat like this over the phone. The last time we had a long chat like this was just before our final year exams. After that, university and Naval training took up most of our time.

"Those were easier times..."

"Huh? What do you mean?" (Zuihou)

I looked at Zuihou and pet her head,

"Nothing. Just thinking out loud."

I miss those times when we were younger, just screwing around without a care in the world. 

Moving my hand downwards, I touched the warm skin of Zuihou's cheek,

"Mnh..." (Zuihou)

Sometimes, I can't help but think if things could have been different if I did certain things. Like studying harder and becoming a successful businessman instead of joining military. Or choosing a different major instead of Business. Or becoming a JSDF soldier instead of joining IJN.

I touched Zuihou rosy lips. 

But... If I did all that, I would never have met Zuihou, let alone become her lover. Her partner. 

It's busy and has it's downs, but I don't regret being an IJN Admiral.

"Admiral?" (Zuihou)

I pulled Zuihou into my arms and hugged her,

"You're cute, Zuihou. I love you."

"E-eh?! Suddenly... Huh? Ahn♡ Admiral? Can you please stop groping my hangar? Nm♡ I mean, quit it!" (Zuihou)