>>1373390
>>‘Why don’t we stay for a bit?’

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>>1373390
>>‘Why don’t we stay for a bit?’
W-what's the worst that could happen, right?

>>1373390
>‘Why don’t we stay for a bit?’

>>1373390
>>‘Why don’t we stay for a bit?’

Hold her hand as we go up to the door

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‘Why don’t we stay a while?’ you suggest, turning towards the Old Man. ‘Would be rude if we just dropped her off and left.’

The Old Man spares Yuu a glance… before nodding in agreement.

Yuu places a hand on the thick wooden door, pushing with strength surprising for her size.

It was as though you had stepped back three hundred years in time.

The compound was large; from a distance, you could only make out the roof and the walls, but now that you were in here, you would have measured it to be at least half the size of your own compound in Yokosuka. There was a slight claustrophobic quality to it, despite its size, like it was a concrete fortress more than it was a house. The gardens were bare, save for the uneven grass and two trees that flanked the large dirt pathway that you were on, barely hidden by the partition of concrete that seemed to separate this place not just from the outside world, but the ravages of time itself. Everything was so orderly… from the small pond and the aged well that stood in the corner.

You hadn’t even begun to describe the house yet.

You knew it was old—probably older than anything else in town save for the dirt and the rock, but it looked exceptionally well-maintained. There was no wear and tear to the place; the steps leading up to the house, the doors and the wooden platform that it stood on… all of it looked brand new, but at the same time, lived-in. There was a homeliness to the place that you couldn’t describe, but also a regality that was more than apparent. The only thing that you could take away was that the roof of the place looked like it took at least half the total size of the place. The sound of a splash catches your attention… and you turn to see a foreign woman—no, a teenager girl with blond pigtails by the pond, unloading what looked like fish feed into the lake.

She turns her head up as she faces you… and instantly lights up.

Before you could say anything, she becomes a rushing blur, the bucket lying on the wayside as she… tackles the pale Submarine by your side, letting out a happy squeal.

‘Yuu-chan, why didn’t you tell us you were coming back?’

‘I lost the house’s phone number,’ she manages, despite the blonde girl’s tight embrace. ‘I was able to procure transportation thanks to the Division Commander. He offered to give me a ride and I accepted.’

A familiar feeling washes over you, like the scent of almonds and pine… the girl was a KanMusu.

The girl, now fully aware of your presence, instantly clicks her heels as she releases Yuu.

‘I am sorry for that show, sir!’ She falls into a salute. ‘Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen, at your service!’

Although, admittedly, it was a little funny to see a KanMusu in bright yellow boots and overalls putting that salute on.

>>1373701
>'No need for all the formality, really.' (Casual)
>'An honor, soldier.' (Professional)
>Write-In

>>1373701
>>'No need for all the formality, really.' (Casual)

>>1373712
>>'No need for all the formality, really.' (Casual)

>>1373712
>'No need for all the formality, really.' (Casual)

>>1373712
>>'No need for all the formality, really.' (Casual)

>>1373712
>>Write-In
Salute back properly.
"A pleasure but really, theres no need for further formalities." (Acknowledge her adherence to protocol but waive further standing on formality.)

Just waving aside without properly acknowledging a salute is sort of disrespectful to the uniform and service if i recall correctly.

>>1374057
This

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‘No need for the formality, really,’ you insist, feeling a little awkward. You didn’t come here to recite Admiralty doctrine or establish discipline… the only thing that had been on your mind was to drop off Yuu and maybe pay the First Admiral a visit—and perhaps some tea or coffee, if she was kind enough to accommodate that request, if she was present at all. ‘Or, rather, permission to speak freely… granted.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ she takes a formal tone, bowing slightly. She offers a bright smile as she straightens back up, her cheeks a little pink from embarrassment. ‘I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to greet you in a much more groomed state.’

Her regretful tone has you raise a hand to stop her from going any further.

‘It’s all right,’ you offer a reassuring smile. ‘Really.’

The old man chuckles in amusement.

‘Prinz-san, this is my attache,’ you gesture towards the Old Man, who Prinz greets with a respectful bow.

‘Is the First Admiral present?’

‘I think she’s in her study,’ Prinz taps her chin, looking thoughtful. ‘Would you like me to get her?’

‘I will,’ Yuu takes an insistent tone, walking past Prinz and looking over her shoulder. ‘I am not as familiar with this place as you are—I believe that you would be better suited to the task of entertaining the Commander and his attache.’

Prinz scowls slightly.

‘I’m sorry that you have to settle with me,’ she apologizes again, before smiling brightly. ‘The First Admiral, Bismarck and the rest of us… we really weren’t expecting anyone over today, so your visit’s a little unexpected. Thank you for giving Yuu-chan a ride back—she doesn’t come home as often as the First Admiral would like her to; I know that she’s a Submarine, but… well, sometimes a lot of us worry about her when she has to go back to the Lodge.’

‘Worry?’

‘I guess you could call it parental anxiety?’ Prinz laughs nervously, before offering an apologetic smile. ‘Lame joke, I know… sorry.’

‘No apologies.’

You take a more insistent tone this time.

‘Is that proto-classical southern style I see?’ The Old Man sounds, indicating one of the horns on the roof of the house. ‘You don’t see many of those left in this region—not after the Seventh Insurrection. It’s not public owned or a heritage site or anything?’

‘Nope,’ Prinz puffs her chest, ‘the First Admiral owns it all—the whole place is her property, passed down through her family for generations! You don’t know how relieved I was to have her around to teach me about the warring eras… Taiyouga’s a really nice place, but really, you guys put a lot of stock into history. Even my science teacher brings it up!’

You offer a sympathetic smile; it was a feeling you knew too well.

>‘The place looks great; it feels like I’ve stepped through a time portal.’
>‘So why is a KanMusu like you doing chores around the place?’
>‘Teacher?’
>Write-In

>>1374094
>>‘Teacher?’

>>1374094
>>‘Teacher?’

>>1374094
>>‘Teacher?’

>>1374094
>>‘Teacher?’
mind fuckery of the Commander begins. as well as traumatic high school memories

>>1374094
>‘Teacher?’

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‘Teacher?’

Prinz’s eyes widen in realization—that hadn’t been a word that she had intended to let slip, if her reaction was anything to go by. She looks hesitant, albeit briefly, splitting her attention between you and the old man, unwilling to follow up. There’s an apologetic glance in her eyes—that there was something that she was reluctant to speak about… did she mean Shaman? That was impossible—the designation had been too specific; your Division had told you about KanMusu development after summoning… how they spent the first waking hours and weeks of the KanMusu educating her to her new state; perhaps that had been what she meant?

But if she had been part of the attachment that the Romerian Branch of the Admiralty had sent, the wording was entirely too focused—you don’t think that there would be anyone from over there that would offer some sort of education on Taiyouga’s history, especially something as obscure as period history of a foreign nation. She peers downwards, a little embarrassed, shuffling in her boots; if she had been reluctant before, she looked borderline upset right now—as though she had broken a vase and you were making a movement to chastise her.

‘I’m sorry, I—!’

‘Nee-chan,’ the Old Man interrupts, smiling down at her in a kind, grandfatherly manner. ‘I was thinking about getting some cigarettes; is there a tobacco store in town where I could pick some up?’

The words are simple, but the effect that they had on dispelling the sudden shift in mood were profound.

‘Well, I’m not quite sure about a tobacco store, Mr Attache,’ Prinz begins hesitantly—but the worry gone from her tone, ‘but there’s an old man by the old pachinko parlor that sells choice cigarettes!’

‘Oh?’ He waggles his eyebrows, placing his fist on his chin. ‘And you would know your cigarettes, would you?’

Prinz turns red, twiddling her thumbs.

The Old Man lets out a sigh, placing his hand on her head.

‘All right, kids—I think I’ll take a quick jaunt into town,’ he turns towards you. ‘Shall we say about 7 or 8 would be the right time to get a move on?’

‘Isn’t that a little late?’ You raise an eyebrow.

‘Well, this ain’t my world,’ he declares stiffly, smiling down and tussling her hair. ‘You take your time; when you’re done, you can find me by the jeep.’

‘Won’t you come in for tea, at least?’ Prinz straightens her hair.

The old man grins at the both of you.

‘It’s appreciated, little Missy… but you don’t want a fogey like me hearing stuff he shouldn’t be, do you?’

Prinz’s cheeks turns red.

‘I’ll come get you in a bit, then.’

He leaves through the great doors, throwing a casual wave as he does so. You had to hand it to him: he could read things a lot better than you could at times.

>‘Let’s go inside.’
>‘So, you do chores?’
>‘So, what’s with that teacher thing?’ (Press)
>‘The place is pretty great.’
>Write-In

>>1374388
>>‘The place is pretty great.’

>>1374388
>>‘The place is pretty great.’

>>1374388
>‘The place is pretty great.’

>>1374388
>‘The place is pretty great.’

back on it in 30 minutes

mechanic says

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‘I gotta say—the place looks great,’ you give the place another once-over.

It really did feel like you’d stepped back through a portal in time.

‘That was what I thought when I came here, too!’ Prinz claps her hands together… and you notice that she was wearing gloves a few sizes too big for her, brown and well-worn. ‘I’d met the First Admiral once or twice before… and she was really, really, well—no other word for it, I guess—scary, but she was also honest, fair, and…’

Prinz trails off, tucking her hair behind her ear.

‘She told me that this place was big… and a little lonely to be in all by yourself,’ she chimes, turning away from you, a wistful look crossing upon her features, ‘and sometimes I can see it, you know, when I come back and people are out; it’s really big! Bigger than my quarters back when I was in Bellona.’

Bellona—from what you knew, one of the more northerly kingdoms that made up Romeria’s Alliance. You’re not quite sure if it was the one whose royalty had historically branched off all the way to Vanzer and made up that royal family or one of the other regal showstoppers… all you knew about the place was that it was cold, fancy and was famous for its breweries.

‘Bellona’s the place with all that beer, right?’ You question, trying not to sound too ignorant in saying so.

‘That’s stereotyping, you know,’ Prinz smirks right up to you, chirping as she does so. ‘That’s like me assuming you would be a drunkard at night and an uptight wad in the morning!’

The says it with a sing-song voice—your shoulders shake as the both of you share a hearty laugh.

‘The First Admiral said that a lot of work’s put into keeping the place as up and tidy as it was… and since she lives here alone, she’d been doing it all by herself when she wasn’t out on the sea with her Division—this was back when she was still, you know, an Admiral,’ Prinz twiddles her thumbs, before sighing. ‘Personally, I really can’t believe that she managed all by herself! You have to feed the fish, cut the grass, make sure the cracks don’t get big enough and then patch ‘em before they get any worse—that’s not even talking about how you have to use certain pol—poly—a certain type of paint so that it doesn’t eat away at the foundation.’

Prinz sighs, her shoulders slumping.

‘I would really like to just get back to fighting, things here are just—!’

‘Tedious?’

The both of you are startled by the aged voice of the First Admiral, spinning around and coming face-to-face with her wrinkled, bemused garage.

‘A-Admiral!’

‘Prinz,’ the First Admiral places her hands under the folds of her kimono, ‘I believe Bismarck could use some help with dinner preparations… why don’t you go and assist her?’

Prinz shuffles her feet, before hurriedly bowing and dashing up into the house with a chain of apologies.

She neglects to properly stow away her boots, much to your new companion’s consternation.

‘Honestly,’ the First Admiral sighs, with a tone that reminded you of a frustrated mother or a tired teacher, ‘what do I send her to school for? Loud music and a pair of boots that she just can’t put away.’

You can feel that she doesn’t mean anything by it; she picks up Prinz’s boots, steadying them by the side of the small steps leading up to the house before turning to face you—with all the poise, dignity and grace that came with experience.

‘Welcome to my home, Commander,’ she greets, to which you bow, with as much respect as you are able to muster. ‘I couldn’t but overhear… you didn’t strike me as the type to have an interest in old architecture.’

There is a glint of amusement in her eyes.

‘Ah, no, it’s… it’s just an observation of mine, really.’

The First Admiral looks around, as if looking for someone.

‘Yuu told me you had an attache—where is he?’

‘He went to get some smokes from town—he’ll be here to pick me up by about 7 or 8.’

‘You expect your welcome to last that long?’

You wince internally—that hadn’t crossed your mind at all.

‘I’m sorry, I’ll try to… keep things short,’ you stumble over your words. ‘Maybe I can leave in an hour or fif—!’

‘Commander,’ the First Admiral laughs into her sleeve. ‘It was a joke.’

You let out a sigh of relief.

>‘I’m really curious about the house.’ (Keep talking about the house)
>‘Prinz goes to school?’ (Talk about Prinz)
>‘Is Bismarck around?’ (Talk about Bismarck)
>‘I just got back from a meeting with the Admiralty—is there a reason you weren’t there?’
>Write-In

>>1374984
>‘Prinz goes to school?’ (Talk about Prinz)

>>1374984
>‘Is Bismarck around?’ (Talk about Bismarck)

>>1374987
>>1374990
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.

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You walk with the First Admiral around the garden, pondering your next words to her. She appeared calm and stern, quiet but at the same time—and Prinz wasn’t exaggerating when she had used the word intimidating—a dominating presence. You have to remind yourself that this old woman wasn’t just the Admiral, but the first Admiral to have put herself before the hordes of the Abyssals; standing alongside Kongou and Houshou in stemming the tide as well as she could. She didn’t appear to have any cutting remarks to open up against you, and to that, you felt that there was an obligation from your end to maintain your tact and to tread lightly.

‘Is Bismarck around?’

At the back of your head, a familiar presence shakes her head in disapproval.

‘I believe I just mentioned that she was out at the back preparing dinner, Commander,’ she turns and gives you a flat look, her hands in the sleeves of her kimono as she regards you with a look that couldn’t have been anything but judgmental. ‘If you’re curious, you can go and have a look at her yourself… I believe that you were a cook before, perhaps you can give her some pointers? She’s awfully dreadful at sorting out her vegetables, even if I could call her beef and fish commendable.’

‘I… wouldn’t want to intrude on her, really,’ you try to collect yourself, ‘it’s just that… well, as a Commander, I was just concerned for her.’

‘Really now?’ The First Admiral kneels and picks up the pail that Prinz had used from before, setting it behind one of the stone lamps. ‘That’s a fine line between concern, curiosity… one is a little more selfless in nature, the other is to just satisfy an urge—so which one is it now, really?’

There’s a dangerous edge to her voice.

The kind that made you unsure if you would have a tongue the next morning.

‘I’m just asking, Admiral,’ you clutch the fabric of your pants to steady yourself. ‘I won’t lie and say that I… you know, care deeply for someone I barely know, but whatever it is, she’s still an Admiralty asset’—you feel the temperature drop a few more degrees—‘and, well, being so powerful, I’m sure that you would have a proper… reason…’

You shut yourself up, absently feeling your legs as your eyes meet the steely gaze of the First Admiral.

‘Yes,’ the First Admiral answers casually, peering into the pond, ‘but from what Akashi told you, I thought you would have put two and two together and came to your own conclusion.’

Your eyes widen.

‘Akashi told you?’

The First Admiral chuckles, into a fist.

‘Did you expect her not to?’

You shake your head.

>‘So, Bismarck being able to get pregnant… is that why you’ve taken her away from the battlefield?’
>‘Who else knows about this? I mean… I snooped, but…’
>‘What did the others have to say about the situation?’
>‘Is it just Bismarck or…?’
>Write-In

>>1375039
>>‘Who else knows about this? I mean… I snooped, but…’

>>1375039
>‘Is it just Bismarck or…?’

>>1375039
>>‘Is it just Bismarck or…?’

>>1375039
>>‘Is it just Bismarck or…?’

>>1375039
>>‘Is it just Bismarck or…?’

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‘Bismarck’s… condition: is it unique to her or is every KanMusu here,’ you hesitate to continue—you’re not sure what kind of terminology would let you keep your tongue or which words would have you laid out on the floor within seconds, ‘in possession of… you know, that particular property?’

‘Professionally-speaking, she is an anomaly—to date, she is the only KanMusu with a definitive period of,’ she frowns, struggling to find the words herself, ‘ovulation, so to speak. However, there can be no discount regarding the other KanMusu summoned by the Romeria branch. Prinz and the others haven’t shown any signs that they share Bismarck’s state, but I’m not discounting the possibility just because it isn’t shown.’

‘Is there a probable cause for the anomaly in Bismarck’s condition?’

She regards you with a look that could melt ice.

‘I’d hardly call being able to bear children an anomaly, Ser Commander.’

‘Um,’ you rub the back of your head, feeling apologetic, ‘sorry.’

‘Bismarck’s condition, thus far… is an isolated case,’ the First Admiral continues, staring at the swimming fish, ‘and the implications, to the Court of Admirals and the Shamans… are frightful.’

‘Frightful?’

‘In their own words, such a development wouldn’t have been possible in theory—the Shamans intended their physical shells to be no more than simulations; you should be aware, of course… Houshou and Kaga are in your Division, so I have no qualms that you have at least an idea as to what a KanMusu is in their most raw form.’

You remember a dancing blue flame and a presence both warm and all-encompassing.

‘More or less,’ you answer tentatively.

‘Bismarck hasn’t adapted to her condition as well,’ the First Admiral goes on, raising herself to her full height and dusting off her kimono, ‘as anyone expected… and far from me being so cruel to throw her to the wolves, I felt it would be a better place for her to be here—with her sisters and to just… enjoy life.’

You blink, not quite expecting that.

‘It’s selfish on my part,’ she admits, throwing you an apologetic smile, ‘and I am aware of their very purpose in being here, Commander, make no mistake of that… but I do feel that this peace is something that they are owed, even if they themselves don’t think so.’

‘Peace?’

The First Admiral’s tone is… sad, distant, but otherwise unreadable.

‘They are eager to get back out there—to fight again,’ she concedes, ‘but at the same time, I suppose… it is something I am reluctant to allow, just yet. I will… but not until… well, until I can say without a doubt that it is their time, I suppose.’

>‘Isn’t that unfair? You let the others risk their lives but keeping the Romerian KanMusu here?’
>‘I guess that’s something that’s your decision to make… not mine.’
>Write-In

>>1375083
>>‘I guess that’s something that’s your decision to make… not mine.’

>>1375083
>Write-In
the abyssals are changing, evolving
i thought that someone with your experience might have an idea on what we should do, or some tips

>>1375083
>>‘I guess that’s something that’s your decision to make… not mine.’
It really isn't any of our business.

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‘I’m not going to tell a superior how to run their Division,’ you sigh, scratching the back of your head as you considered her. ‘It’s your decision at the end of the day, Admiral… it isn’t mine.’

She laughs, smiling up at you.

‘Playing the safe route, are we?’

You let out a troubled sigh.

‘To tell the truth… I’m actually kind of, you know… scared to send my own Division out, sometimes,’ you close your eyes, feeling the last few weeks wash over you—how you had worried over Nagato as though she was made of glass; how Shigure had collapsed into your arms a wreck. As much as you had tried to remind yourself that this was what they were made for; what they were here for, there were times that you had considered them more vulnerable than anyone else you had seen in your life. ‘A lot of people… they’ve said that it’s not normal to consider them as more than weapons, more than a means to an end; isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? That they’re just pawns to throw and buy us some time?’

‘It’s a matter of perspective,’ the First Admiral answers, a lot quicker than you realize. ‘You have to decide whether you wish to see them as more than just your weapons, or your tools… or just as far as that. I believe that you have long crossed that threshold, young man… and for that, truthfully, from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to see someone of your ilk taking up the reins again.’

You find yourself… speechless, unable to find proper words to reply to her declaration.

It was the first time you’d heard someone be so earnest with you… and at the same time, so satisfied.

The First Admiral laughs—gently—into a fist as she regards you.

‘You’re a little rough around the edges, Commander… but know that this world will never cease in its need for people like you; with or without the Abyssals.’

‘Overweight directionless assistant chefs?’ You grimace—you’re a little glad that your funny bone hadn’t quite disappeared just yet.

‘If that’s how you see yourself, then I would suggest that you get a mirror… because I hardly see any of that standing in my garden.’

You want to open your mouth and answer… but can’t.

As much as you had argued against yourself… the one thing for certain that you may have shouted to the mountains but never turned inward was that man, while a part of your past and shaping your future, was no longer you. You don’t know when that shell had been discarded… but it had been left behind a long time ago, the only sounds of his existence the cheer and the clap of his hands…

As you march through the door of a familiar barracks, a familiar Division…

And a future so bright you don’t dare think of it as more than a dream.

‘The real question to ask yourself, Commander, the only one that should matter, is just what are the KanMusu to you?’

>Write-In

>>1375118
they are women, i seen em break, cry, laugh, joke and even love (not just me but fingers and irako), they might be more human than humans, some times
and i kinda love them

>>1375118
>Write-In

"These girls... They're my subordinates, my comrades, my everything. I'm no longer a worthless sack, and it's all thanks to them.

These girls... They're real to me. Irreplaceable."

Friends, comrades-in-arms....and a damned sight more deserving of the title of "human" than some of the dregs of so-called humanity we've seen occasionally thus far.

>>1375118
Those assigned to me? They are my team. My Girls. My Family.

>>1375118
They're my irreplaceable comrades in arms, they're a reminder of those I'm fighting for, and I hope one day to be someone worth them considering a friend

>>1375118
Family Ma'am, one of the reasons I wish I could do more and more for them.

>>1375118
From all that I've seen, both through the propaganda in my youth and in the actions against the Abyssals over the past month, is a consistent human quality possessed by all the girls. They're selfless, vigilant, and driven in combat and in all duties that come to them. They're also jubilant and emotive with those lucky enough to gain their confidence. They even have the capacity to console others when the situation arises. But perhaps the most convincing feature all the girls share with us is their ability to error, or possibly the humility to make amends.

Perhaps others might say that's just my own opinion or framework that I'm using to judge these magically created entities, and that there origins indicate a nature somehow lesser than ours. But the news from Akashi regarding Bismarck womanly nature seems to highlight another potential similarity. A similarity that would both confuse and anger those who have until now seen fit to use a flawed sense of superiority to dominate and bend the girls to their whims.

So when you ask what the girls are to me...

They're humans who lack any of the protections afforded to even those who we see as vile and depraved. And it's this oversight in practice and law that have me doing things like storming foreign bases and advocating in Admiralty Tribunals. So I hope Admiral, that you can understand my dedication and concern for KanMusu, even when they fall outside of my command.

>>1375127
>>1375131
>>1375133
>>1375137
>>1375138
>>1375149
>>1376354
I'm trying to get the feel here, I'll post up in a bit.

>>1376574
Think FnF Family

>>1376735
>>Tea

>>1376735
>>Tea

>>1376735
>Coffee

>>1376735
>>Coffee

>>1376735
>>Tea
I bet they have some good tea around here.

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‘You know—and I can’t believe I’m pulling back on this—back when I was in college, I walked into a philosophy class that talked about a warrior’s crisis, or whatever it was, I… can’t make out the details that well, but one thing stuck with me. There was a story about a soldier fighting a war; he’d killed dozens, hundreds, of people in the name of his King, his Country, and he’d had all these medals and awards and stuff and people telling him how good he was at his job and he’d just keep doing it and doing it until faces became shadows… and one day, he goes out, ready to kill again, right and he comes upon this kid on the way to the battlefield in this town just outside of the warzone, right? He’s in a bad shape, starving; he decides to put down his gun and pour water out of his canteen and gives the kid a drink, dresses his wounds, keeps him alive and maybe they both live or one dies… then the Professor turns to us and asks: who was the one that was saved?

‘It’s a simple question—the guy with the gun saved the kid, of course, took care of him and everything, to me… and then one girl stands up and says that the soldier was the one that was saved,’ you crane your neck upwards, staring at the passing clouds, ‘and I didn’t understand what she meant back then… that in saving that kid, he kind of, I don’t know, redeemed himself. It’s a cliché you see in movies all the time and, well, that’s what I thought it was back then, a cliché answer for a bad situation. Now, though, I see what she meant.’

You turn to face the First Admiral, who was, to your surprise, listening intently.

‘It’s finding the mirror of your humanity and to realize that what you want to be and what you are don’t have to go their separate ways and compromise… that just because things are hard and the world’s turned it back on you and that you can’t bother to pick up the pieces that there’s always hope—but only if you’re willing to grasp it.’

You find yourself stepping through the doors of your barracks, watching your Division bicker and laugh at the table. The scent of a musty hallways; the sight of walls that could use a good layer of paint and a shower that needs five minutes to warm up.

‘I think, in a way… it’s about finding a place you can come to terms with yourself and push on, and I guess that’s what they are to me,’ you state, ‘The soldier wasn’t looking for glory… or looking to save himself. He found, I think… something worth more than just cliches and mirrors.’

‘And what would that be?’

Commander!

‘A home—one worth fighting for.’

She claps her hands together.

‘An excellent answer, Commander,’ she chirps, turning around and walking towards the house, ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’

>Tea
>Coffee
>‘Do you have any alternatives?’
>Write-In

>>1376776
>>Tea

>>1376776
>>Tea

>>1376776
>Tea

AND A GIRL WORTH FIGHTING FORRRR

Blackout in MECH's neighborhood

>>1376776
>>Tea
>>1376822
Can we make a singalong over a cup of tea?

>>1376893
What a shame.

>>1376776
>>Tea

>>1376776
>>Tea

>>1377459
>>‘I believe that my stance was already clear.’ (Steadfast)

>>1377459
>>‘I believe that my stance was already clear.’ (Steadfast)

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‘Tea, please.’

You follow the First Admiral into the house, taking great care to arrange your shoes so as to not draw her ire. Despite the arrangement of the house, there was quite a collection of foreign-styled furniture here and there; cabinets, mirrors and paintings… and to your further surprise, several stands of model ships arranged on low platforms. The tables were low, as expected, but the aesthetic was slightly off in comparison to the rustic, classical exterior. You pass by several more empty rooms, the shouji doors open and the wind chimes delicately jingling.

You come to a large room—the living area—where you notice several crumpets laid out on a low table.

‘I’ll be getting the tea; I won’t be long.’

She disappears past another shouji door—presumably the kitchen—as you sit down and give the place a once-over. There was a large grandfather clock to your right and behind you was another shouji door revealing the well that you had spied from outside. You spy the crumpets on the table, a small saucer of butter lying by the wayside for easy access, barely resisting the urge to just dive in and sneak a bite.

‘Go ahead and have one,’ the First Admiral’s voice sounds as she walks through the doors, holding a small pot of tea, ‘I think it was a blessing that I made a few too many.’

Seeing no reason to hold back, you pick one up and toss it in your mouth.

She glares at you in response.

‘Manners, sir.’

You realize you hadn’t wiped your hands properly—never mind wash them.

So that was why the well had been so close.

At its core, this place was still as traditional as it looked. After washing your hands, you pick up a crumpet—with butter this time—and dig in.

She coughs, catching your attention.

‘I’m sure you don’t require anymore lectures from my end, Commander, but reality and expectation rarely mesh together well… and as much as I admire your steadfastness and your loyalty to those that look to your leadership, you are going to have to make a choice one day,’ she pauses, pointing to your chest, ‘on whether their lives weigh more to you than the burden of the emblem.’

You stare at the Admiralty’s anchor, confusion suddenly washing over you.

‘It is easy to tell yourself that one choice or the other matters more right now—that it would be nothing more than second nature to you to abandon one in favor of the other,’ she continues, her hands folded on the table, ‘but when that time comes, Commander… you are going to realize that it will not be about what is right or what is wrong, but what you are willing to lose in going forward.’

>‘I’m not sure I totally understand.’ (Confused)
>‘I’ve already made up my mind.’ (Confident)
>‘I believe that my stance was already clear.’ (Steadfast)
>‘How hard can it be?’ (Jest)
>‘I’ll take that to heart… thankfully, it hasn’t come yet.’ (Accepting)
>Write-In

>>1377464
>>1377468
Sorry. I didn't realize I had used the wrong picture. Don't worry, your votes still count.

>>1377480
>>‘I believe that my stance was already clear.’ (Steadfast)

>>1377480
>>Write-In
"It has crossed my mind yes. This is the military after all. People die, shipgirls too. Hell I was helping Takao to secure a burial site for her sister.

I don't want them to die and as their commander I'd refuse to send them to their deaths just for some dick-waving competition... but just say maybe... maybe we get that shot. That one shot that could turn the tide to begin putting an end to this war... I believe they too would want me to commit."
(Still trying to steel himself. Will not sacrifice his girls for something stupid.)

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You take a gentle sip of your tea, pondering your words from before.

‘I thought you said my answer was good enough,’ you rebuke, albeit gently. It felt at times that you were going in circles… but you at least believed that you had a proper stance on it. ‘It hasn’t changed from what it was ten minutes ago. My stance, I believe… is already clear. I know what my duty is—and just who I stand by.’

‘What weighs more on you, Commander? The burden of one life or the suffering of a thousand?’

‘Excuse me?’

‘I do not mean to challenge your beliefs… but I do think that, thus far, you are untested—and I can only say so much to prepare you for the choices that will lie ahead,’ she takes a sip of her tea, before setting it down. ‘You say that you are fighting for your home and what you have thus far gained, but there is no guarantee that you will fall back on your words every time—and I hope that when that happens, Commander, you do not forget what you say today.’

You frown, your confusion suddenly building up.

‘Um, I’m not sure what you’re getting at,’ you admit, a little nervous as you straighten yourself—the cushion under you was soft, but the tatami was a texture you weren’t quite as used to as you would have liked. ‘But all I can do is that… I’ll do whatever I think is best for whatever mission the Admiralty gives me—for my Squadron, my Division and everyone under my command. I know that the war isn’t something that I can just expect people coming home just like that, but… I do my best. I worry a lot, too… and sometimes I guess I lose whatever spine I have left, but…’

You grip the fabric of your pants, staring into your cup.

Could you really choose to leave them behind if you had to for the greater good?

‘I have my answer… and it’s what I’ll stand by until it is tested,’ you declare, surprising yourself by the formal tone that you had undertaken, ‘that’s where I’ll be… until then.’

She nods in acknowledgment.

‘Then we will say nothing more of it,’ she raises her cup, her eyes as intent as ever, ‘other than one last warning to you, Commander: words are easy, but when the time comes—and I hope it never does, you are going to have to decide who lives and who dies… and that is when you will find yourself tested; beyond your will… and beyond the strength of your words, you will find what and who you truly are.’

You gulp as she takes a sip… and smiles, as if nothing had happened.

‘Prinz’s birthday is coming coming up… I want to take the opportunity to ask you, since you’re quite young yourself; are portable tape players the in thing or do the whippersnappers still listen to records?’

>‘KanMusu have birthdays?’
>‘Tapes are good.’
>‘Records are still vintage.’
>‘I’m not a music buff—not sure if I can answer that.’
>Write-In

>>1377509
are CDs available?

>>1377509
>>‘KanMusu have birthdays?’
>>‘Tapes are good.’

Answer her question, inquire about birthdays

>>1377509
>‘Tapes are good.’

>>1377512
Strictly only military use thus far. Computers are an extreme luxury.

>>1377509
>>‘Tapes are good.’
>>1377515
cheers

>>1377509
>>‘Tapes are good.’

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>>1377509
>>‘Tapes are good.’

>>1377509
>‘KanMusu have birthdays?’

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‘Tapes are good,’ you said—you had owned a cassette deck before you left for Yokosuka which you had sold off; and tapes were easier to carry around than big records, even if they were a little low on the fidelity scale, ‘if you think that she could use one, a portable one sounds nice, but… aren’t those really expensive? Where would you get one, really? Last I checked a lot of the specialty stores are doing their business up north.’

‘Oh, I have my ways,’ she giggles into her sleeve, ‘Commander, you don’t reach my age without picking up a trick or two when it comes to connections.’

A realization of your stupidity comes down upon you… and it does so hard.

Your cheeks pink, you reach for a crumpet and spread butter over it, hoping your embarrassment would sink into the pit of your stomach alongside your meal.

‘Still, it’s been quite a long haul,’ she sighs, wearing a wistful smile. ‘I’ve seen this house empty and full more times than I have poured tea… televisions, cars; back in my day, we still had to rear horses and make sure that they were well-fed for the trip in town,’ she muses, staring at the well outside, ‘how things have changed—now you can even listen to your music while you’re out on the road or on the way back from school.’

She shakes her head.

‘I’ve really been around longer than I should have, haven’t I?’

You pause mid-sip, staring at her in shock.

‘Admiral?’

She laughs heartily.

‘Oh, Commander, forgive me… I believe that my humor’s a little too morbid for your generation,’ she offers an apologetic smile, the corners of her mouth pointing upward, ‘but I believe that the next step’s what we always entrust on our departure, is it not?’

‘I guess,’ you agree—albeit tentatively. ‘I never thought about it that way—I only ever really dealt in the now.’

The First Admiral takes another sip of her tea, before perking up slightly.

‘Have you ever bought a portable tape player, Commander?’

‘Me? No,’ you sigh, remembering your deck back in your apartment. ‘Money was tight, so I had to make do with an old tape deck for myself. It played what it could, even if it could break down more often than I would’ve liked.’

It wasn’t as if you were poor, of course—but considering everything that you had to fork cash out for, you really couldn’t afford many luxuries outside of a television, some monthly magazines and whatever leftovers you could muster in the event you didn’t have enough to fill your dingy old fridge. You doubt that you could have found the time to put yourself up with a hobby, anyway, if there was anything that could get your attention outside of the Four Horsemen’s specials.

‘How’s Houshou doing, if I may ask?’

The question hits you like a punch to the gut.

Of course she would ask about how Houshou was doing.

>Write-In

>>1377571
We really don't pay enough attention to houshou.

>>1377581
Yea, we should give her some TLC when we get back.

>>1377581
>>1377648
Do we give her space or just don't run into her often?

>>1377581
We're not going to say that to the first admiral right

>>1377652
IIRC we convinced her to find real love instead of having orgies, and trying to be a brother person to her.
Maybe a Memory roll is in order.

>>1377571
>She's doing fine.

>>1377571
>Write-In
"Last i talked with her she was doing fine."

>>1377571
Maybe something like this.
>>Write-In
"Houshou's been doing fine, though she has been busy. Her and Nagato have been covering for me while I've been in hospitalized. I'm not sure what I'd do without them. Did you know she plays the guitar?"

>>1378429
this works fine

>>1378429
Voting this

>>1377571

>>1378429
Voting for this

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‘Ah, that’s right… you were her Admiral,’ you laugh nervously, scratching the back of your head. ‘She’s been doing fine—kinda busy, though, with everything that’s happened… she and Nagato were covering for me while I was in the hospital; not sure what I’d be able to get done without them, really.’

The First Admiral’s smile doesn’t fade.

‘That’s good to hear,’ she replies—to which you find an inordinate amount of relief sweeping over you. ‘I’m so glad that she’s doing well… there must have been a mix-up on the assumption that I had that she was having her unique condition taken advantage of by grabby lech that didn’t have any business being in charge of a Division in the first place—it’s a relief that my suspicions turned out to be such silly superstitions, isn’t it? Commander?’

She might as well have reached across the table and ripped your throat out with those words.

The atmosphere had changed—it had become threatening. The First Admiral may have looked the part of an unassuming grandmother, but right now you felt no different from being locked in a cage with a saber-toothed tiger. You try to keep your cool, trying to make any sudden movements as the you feel your stomach implode and your tongue grow heavier by the second, offering your best—and most diplomatic—smile to her as you fold your hands underneath the table, trying your best to not look the part of a cowering lamb in the face of an enraged predator.

‘Y-Yes, of course, ma’am,’ you cough into your fist, ‘it would be entirely improper for me to… take advantage of such an-an unfortunate… condition. A tragedy, really.’

You’re not quite sure when you should have stopped.

‘Despite our differences,’ she offers neutrally, briefly sipping on her tea, ‘Houshou is very dear to my heart… and while we disagree on many things, I am still very much concerned with her day-to-day doings, and while I am aware of her habits and quirks, it’s very nice to know that she’s at least been able to find someone who’s accepted her for who she is instead of shying away from their duties like the last few that did nothing more than just cause her grief, pain and longing.’

Her smiles would have scared the soul out of Nee-san.

Shut up, I don’t want to be involved in this!

‘I’m aware of the Carrier’s conditions… and I try to manage them the best I can,’ you find the pressure lifting, ever so slightly, ‘but I can’t… pretend that she doesn’t make it hard.’

She throws an unamused gaze in your direction.

‘Why? Is the husband’s duty so hard to perform that you have to leave it dangling?’

You turn red, embarrassed. You weren’t a font of stamina, really…

‘Tell me—does she still play the guitar? It’s been some time since I heard her.’

>‘You know she plays the guitar?’ (Inquire further)
>‘She’s pretty good.’ (Wax)
>‘Yes.’ (Simple)
>Write-In

>>1379516
>>‘She’s pretty good.’ (Wax)

>>1379516
>>‘She’s pretty good.’ (Wax)
DIVERT THE SUBJECT

>>1379516
>‘She’s pretty good.’ (Wax)

>>1379516
>‘You know she plays the guitar?’ (Inquire further)

>>1379516
>>‘She’s pretty good.’ (Wax)

>>1379516
>‘She’s pretty good.’ (Wax)

Tell her of the talentime.

>>1379573
Probably not a good idea considering that she already says she knows and cares greatly for houshou. Could be taken as a mild insult.

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‘She’s pretty good, actually,’ you muse, remembering the show that you’d put on at the beach. ‘I mean, not that I would expect her to be horrible at something, but I was kind of… I don’t know, I didn’t think she’d be able to do more than hold a few notes.’

The First Admiral actually looks proud.

‘It’s good to know she hasn’t dropped her hobby. Does she still play the Blues or has she moved on?’

‘We sang a duet together,’ you recall fondly, your cheeks tinged pink at the memory. ‘I don’t know how I did, personally, but Houshou… she carried us through pretty well, if I may say so. It’s really too bad that she didn’t think that I was good enough to get up on stage with her—guess I got a ways to go before I catch up with her, but honestly… I find it great that she’s able to actually find something to keep her mind off things, especially with everything that’s been going—!’

You stop yourself, letting out a nervous laugh.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble, ma’am,’ you apologize, picking up your tea and taking another sip.

‘It’s quite all right,’ she insists, nodding slightly, ‘I don’t hear from her as often as I would like… and knowing that she’s in good health and in good company, really, is something that I don’t mind hearing more of.’

‘You consider me good company, Admiral?’

You practically balk at the statement—the First Admiral stares at you, her brows furrowed in confusion at your words.

‘I believe that you are human, Commander,’ she begins, ‘that you are your own person with your own words, thoughts and ideals… and you make mistakes and sometimes, looking at your track record, I do believe that the Admiralty really did scrape through the bottom of the barrel by bringing you into its fold. To be honest, I can’t tell the last time when a Commander stirred up as much trouble as you did… save for this one bandanna-wearing fellow; I’m not sure if he’s still alive or around—you would know him if you saw him; tall fellow, classically handsome but one headache after the other. I had a good mind to throttle him myself, the stupidity he and Kongou got up to those days…’

You’re quite sure you know just who she was talking about.

‘But at your core, you frighteningly choose to believe that those ideals will carry you… and that if they don’t, your Division, your KanMusu, will be there for you when you trip, despite all the dangers such a belief come beside. It is something that I cannot, as an Admiral, choose to endorse.’

Her face, quite suddenly, breaks out into a smile.

‘It is, though, something that I believe… that we mustn’t forget. The things that makes us worth a tomorrow.’

She bows slightly.

‘You are good company, Commander—and for that I am both thankful and worry for.’

>‘Thank you.’
>‘I don’t know what to say to that, really.’
>Write-In

>>1379789
>>‘Thank you.’

>>1379789
Changing this >>1379802 too

>Thank you.

>>1379789
>Thank

>>1379789
>>‘Thank you.’

>>1379789
>>‘Thank you.’

>>1379870
This is just me repeating that there are no vote changes allowed once you've locked in your option.

>>1379940
oh, sorry, want me to repost it?

>>1379789
>>‘Thank you.’

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You don’t know what to say, really.

‘Thank you.’

It’s all that you can really muster.

‘Oh, Bismarck—you look a mess, dear.’

You turn around to see Bismarck, clad in her kimono—wet, disheveled and the clutching a knife and fish… and looking thoroughly displeased. You don’t know how she’d ended up like that… and you weren’t quite sure if she would answer such a question without depositing the aforementioned knife—actually a cleaver—into your gut if you so much as whispered an inquiry. To your surprise, however, she drops into a respectful bow and a quick change in posture as soon as her eyes meet yours.

‘I am sorry, Commander—I didn’t mean to intrude on your meeting with the Admiral.’

‘It’s quite all right… are you—?’

You’re not able to finish with your question as she turns her attentions to the First Admiral, who fixes her with a tired gaze.

‘You look the picture of a bride preparing her first breakfast,’ she muses, chuckling as Bismarck turns a deep crimson from embarrassment, still clutching the fish—a rather large patin*—and the knife, her whole form trembling. ‘What is it now, Bismarck?’

‘I…’ she trails off, lifting the fish and the knife, looking much more distressed now, ‘I give up… I don’t think I’m cut out for the kitchen. I think I can just curl up in a ball somewhere and maybe wilt away… maybe.’

She laughs humorlessly, tonelessly, as the First Admiral guffaws into a fist and gets to her fist… before straightening up the KanMusu’s kimono and tidying her hair with a few gentle applications of the motherly persuasion to go with the very much amused expression that she wore. This seemed to calm her down, somewhat, as Bismarck stopped looking the part of—in the Admirals’ own words—a bride that was preparing her husband’s first breakfast and actually looked like a prim, elegant lady that had an inquiry of her own.

‘I can’t cut it properly,’ you almost smile—it was the tone that Samidare would sometimes take whenever she had something that she thought was too complicated, ‘if you give me an I-Class or a Cruiser for target practice, I can turn it into mulch, but standing—!’

‘Cooking is more than just a necessity, young lady,’ the First Admiral begins calmly, ‘don’t let the harpies fool you—it is as much a discipline and a practice that requires effort, concentration and a delicacy that many forget. It teaches patience; the value of goodwill, and above all,’—Bismarck’s face, you notice now, is one of the utmost focus—‘warmth. Remember what I told you.’

‘The two worst things in the world are being alone… and being hungry.’

The both of them chime like bells… before sharing a smile.

‘And seeing as we have a cook here, the value of asking for help when it is needed.’

>‘I wouldn’t want to intrude.’ (Decline)
>‘I guess I could help.’ (Accept)
>Write-In

>>1380110
>>‘I guess I could help.’ (Accept)

>>1380110
>>‘I guess I could help.’ (Accept)

>>1380110
>‘I guess I could help.’ (Accept)

>>1380110
>>‘I guess I could help.’ (Accept)

>>1380116
>>1380117
>>1380121
>>1380122
You guys are setting yourselves up for disaster. It's going to fall back on you one of these days,

Baby monitors, stroller cruises, first steps, do you really want this?

>>1380124
Yup.

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>>1380124
Of course

>>1380124
happily and headfirst

>>1380124
very much so

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You think all the girls that commander has banged will be heartbroken when we pick one, or will they die before that?

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>>1380186
They get erased once the war is over, and we're the one that's left sad but eventually moving on

>>1380196
And any resulting children will be handed over to the union.

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>>1380110
*NOTE: Patin is a local fish in South East Asia. It's cooked in a variety of ways, but most commonly used in Durian broth and Coconut milk for a wet dish. The consistency of the broth varies on the cook behind the stove; some serve it thick and some serve it runny. It also happens to be one of my own favorite dishes (I prefer it thick).

>>1380225
Steamed with soy sauce, ginger, chopped chillis and sesame oil.

>>1380225
like your grilles?

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‘I guess I could help… I’m not going to lie and say that I’m used to patin, though,’ you offer, albeit hesitantly—before getting to the more important issue at hand, ‘which leads me to the question—how were you able to get a patin?’

‘I have my resources, Commander.’

For some reason or other, you couldn’t get the image of the First Admiral behind a large desk in a dark room with her hand being daintily kissed by a kneeling man that would be intimidating in any other light as men with glasses and grey suits look on in a paradoxical mix of disbelief, disapproval and understanding. Your eyes travel to the fish in Bismarck’s hand—admittedly small for its species—and sizing it up for yourself; you had handled it without supervision twice, and both times you had done so with everything else pre-prepared for your use.

‘Before I help… do we have any sauces that I could use?’

‘I’ve already prepared them,’ the First Admiral reveals, much to your relief. ‘It’s meant to be steamed and served with oyster sauce.’

Your relief is short-lived.

You’re in the kitchen before long… and are, for once, thankful that the aesthetic didn’t try to match the medieval exterior. There was a stove, several more traditional preparation areas, of course, but there was at least two ovens, a wooden fireplace and a spit and several other utilities that were above and beyond what you had at your disposal back at the barracks… which wasn’t that out of expectation, of course—this was someone’s house and that meant that you could be a little more free with how you wanted to do things.

‘Commander…’

You chuckle as you set down the garlic and turn towards Bismarck, who had the patin’s head in her hand and its body dangling uselessly by its bone and gills. Her cheeks are red with embarrassment. It surprises you how much she resembles Nachi in her reluctance and stubbornness; you know that she’d rather have anyone but you—even the recently-relieved Prinz Eugen, who had been dragged by the collar by the First Admiral right out of the kitchen—next to her.

Still, you take a little relief in that she at least knew when to set things aside and just cook.

‘Patin’s slippery,’ you gesture for her to take the tail as you set the thing on the ironing board, ‘you gotta put a little bit more chop into it.’

For emphasis, you bring the cleaver down in one stroke.

You’d learned your lesson years ago.

‘Easy for you to say,’ she grimaces, ‘you don’t break kitchen counters at full strength.’

‘It’s not about full strength,’ you declare sagely, ‘it’s about knowing the right amount—!’

CHOP!

‘In one swing,’ you pause, before adding, ‘but you have to keep your grip tight.’

Bismarck scoots towards you, her eyes focused… and her hand covering yours, wrapped on the handle.

‘Show me—again, please.’

>>1380289
>Swing it with her hand over yours
>'I think you can do it fine on your own.' (Get back to the vegetables)

>>1380289
>>Swing it with her hand over yours
NO STOPPING THE BISKO TRAIN LADS!!

>>1380294
>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380250
I like my girls /fit/.

>>1380294
>>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380294
>>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380294
>>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380294
>>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380294
>>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380298
>>1380300
>>1380303
>>1380307
>>1380308
>>1380314
>>1380337
You're really making up for those high school years where you didn't get any, are you?

>>1380348
No brakes on this train

>>1380294
>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380294
>>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380294
>Swing it with her hand over yours

>>1380348
>Other option is being a massive dick considered we were asked for help

Not much of a choice.

>>1380489
you could always write in

Just here to announce session will be in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

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You.

Yes, you, I was just wondering, really, what...

Have you learned, really?

Just asking.

Being around them?

What has changed?

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>>1380563
Or is it...

That you don't have an answer just yet?

That's fine.

It's not answer you can half-ass, after all.

But it is one you must have.

So, anytime you're ready, and you have to be ready...

Make sure to give me one, alright?

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>>1380566
Do you want that or that large bag of calbee spicy chips, nee-san?

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>>1380563
>>1380566

>>1380348

>>Swing it with her hand over yours

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Bismarck’s grip is strong; her right grasps onto your left as though it was a sword handle in itself. Her size—surprising for a Battleship—is more in line with Nachi’s, so you don’t have to scoot over too much to make your positions less awkward. You raise your arm, Bismarck’s clumsily grasping and pressing upon your fingers in a clumsy fashion… before bringing it down with one full—!

The blade doesn’t cut through the patin’s flesh, sliding as though on a whetstone, Bismarck’s fingers inadvertently loosening the grip on the knife so much that it slips out of your hand like a bar of soap, hitting the cutting board at an odd angle and falling edge first towards the floor… only to be caught by your prosthetic, clutching around the blade tightly; if it had been flesh and blood, you’d probably be losing a thumb or a pinky right about now. You let out a sigh as you turn towards Bismarck, offering her the blade once more, handle-first.

It makes a grinding sound as the metal scrapes against your Kantai Steel digits, back into the hands of its wielder.

‘Sorry,’ she apologizes, touching the tip of the knife and biting her lip, sounding immediately remorseful.

Your first instinct is to roll your eyes and mutter something Tenryuu would have approved of, but… you realize that you’d been in that position before—and it wasn’t like she did it on purpose or refused to acknowledge her mistakes; letting out a sigh, you offer her a reassuring smile, this time your right hand grasping hers.

Just because she screwed up, it didn’t mean that she couldn’t just try again.

‘It’s all right—it’s not just about putting it down in full swing… patin’s a little slimy by itself, so you have to make sure that you’re not that angled’—you position yourself behind her; she stands between you and the counter now, the soft fabric of her kimono pressing against your chest—‘and remember to make sure that your hand’s tight around the knife.

‘Understood,’ she nods, her hair brushing against your nose.

You raise your hand—she follows the motion, the nooks of your arms resting into each other as thought they were one… and you bring the blade down with a large thud. It’s a clean slice. The first third of the fish separated cleanly.

‘There we go,’ you chuckle into her ear, feeling a little pride swell in your chest as you let go and step back. ‘You can handle the rest yourself, I presume?’

Bismarck wears a haughty smile, her regality and call to elegance permeating the stuffy kitchen.

‘Of course,’ she declares regally, before faltering, ever so slightly, ‘you’re right here if I need you for anything, right, sir?’

‘Of course,’ you provide a mock bow, ‘that’s what I’m here for, aren’t I?’

You get back to your vegetables; the steam would—

‘How are the front lines?’

>>1380756
>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)
>'We're holding on; no need to worry about it.' (Optimistic)
>'Keeping a defensive line's been a struggle; we're doing what we can, but...' (Pessimistic)
>'You just worry about yourself.' (Dismissive)
>Write-In

>>1380763
>>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

>>1380763
>>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

>>1380763
>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

>>1380763
>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

>>1380756
>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

>>1380763
>>'You just worry about yourself.' (Dismissive)

>>1380763
>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

>>1380763
>>'As well as they can be.' (Realistic)

Starting the session in about 25 minutes.

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‘As well as they can be,’ you manage—hiding the truth wouldn’t do any good here, ‘the Admiralty’s been having a hard time getting recruits the last couple of weeks, so we’re stretched as is for defenses… I overheard that something happened up north in Hajime—do you know anything about it?’

‘There was an Abyssal attack; Hajime was destroyed,’ Bismarck answers stoically, bringing the knife down again. ‘There were a few survivors, but most of the town’s populace was pronounced dead or missing from the reports.’

You say the only word that came to mind.

‘Shit,’ you hiss, letting out a breath.

She gives you a curious gaze.

‘I’m surprised that you didn’t know anything about it—it happened yesterday morning.’

‘News is slow on the front,’ you answer, before shaking your head—that wasn’t an excuse, ‘but I didn’t think that we’d lose another town so quickly… the Admiralty—!’

You stop yourself, realizing just what you were saying… and go back to cutting your vegetables.

It was on you; you, the Vice-Admiral and the Admiral’s backs, that burden of the lives, lost because of your inability to anticipate and organize yourselves had resulted in such a breach. That morning, you had been in Yokosuka—the only thing on your mind the next piece of paper to be signed or the next time you’d head out to the gym alongside one of the girls. You hadn’t thought for a moment that it would fall down on you—that at the time you were trudging down the streets and wearing a grin, that somewhere… a building was falling and docility was being torn apart by something that you should have—that you could have—kept from occurring.

‘It is a tragic loss,’ Bismarck continues, her words stiff, ‘but it was inevitable.’

‘Inevitable,’ you snort—almost a snarl—and throw a glare at her, ‘is th—!’

‘You’re naive to think that everything falls on you,’ Bismarck interrupts you, almost cruelly. ‘Military protocol suggests the best possible action for continued and sustained operational performance. At an operating capacity that the Admiralty has peaked at with your participation, it is only reality—inevitability—that you will have to choose which life weighs more, so don’t sweat yourself.’

Her words hit something deep within you… and it’s not something that you’re willing to let rise just yet.

Her flippant attitude… irks you.

‘Less than a gross of personnel, active and inactive; more than half the forces depleted… what course of action would you have taken?’

You whirl around to see Bismarck’s eyes locked with yours, her expression cold, professional, seasoned.

‘Saving everyone is a dream,’ she answers, nodding, ‘and at this point in time… a luxury that none of us can afford.’

>‘Luxury?’ (Aggressive)
>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)
>‘Like you would know.’ (Personal, Antagonistic)
>Write-In

>>1383013
>>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)

>>1383013
>‘Luxury?’ (Aggressive)
>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)
>‘Like you would know.’ (Personal, Antagonistic)
>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)
>Write-In

>>1383016
Sorry, dude, I forgot the fourth option.

>>1383025
sticking with it. She's right really, can't save everybody and can't defend the entire coastline with how the forces are now

>>1383013
>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)

>>1383013
>>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)

>>1383025
>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)

>>1383025
>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)

>>1383025
>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)

>>1383025
>>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted

I'm just gonna say right now that I'm not a fan of her tone either. Yeah, casualties are inevitable, but being so calculating about it... Just seems to cheapen the reality of what happened. You might not be able to save everyone, but when your job is saving people, you damn well better try regardless.

>>1383105
German bote m8 remember.

>>1383112
Doesn't mean her mindset is any less shit. Nor does it mean we shouldn't call her out on it.

>>1383025
>>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)

>>1383025
>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)

>>1383025
>>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)

>>1383013
>'We're in this to save lives, not do weight or scales on them. (Dutiful)

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‘We’re in this to save lives—not do weights and scales on them.’

You bite the inside of your cheek, staring straight at Bismarck, who looks away and places the cutlets into the steam pot. She doesn’t seem to acknowledge your words, her expression focused on the pot and the fish as she sets it on the stove, the flame not yet alight.

‘The expectation that you have on yourself isn’t within the scope of your duties,’ she answers. ‘In the history of mankind, I do not believe that there has ever been an instance where the loss of life, tactical of otherwise, was an acceptable consequence of warfare; fighting this one is no different… and neither will it compromise on what it is owed.’

Bismarck closes her eyes, letting out a sigh.

‘That’s what this Admiralty was built around—to keep that from happening.’

‘A fireman cannot put out a whole block on fire when he only has enough water for three houses,’ Bismarck’s tone is detached, but firm. It’s cold and hardened, but there is at least a tinge of emotion in there—of what emotion, even you couldn’t tell.

‘That’s not the place of those who are given that duty to decide.’

She glares at you.

‘Then what price are you willing to pay then?’ She jabs you in the chest, looking up at you with icy blue eyes. ‘Would you be willing to pay with a life that wasn’t you own?’

‘That’s…’

‘You cannot do what you want to do unless you’re willing to face the consequences of your decision,’ she continues, picking up the bottle of soy sauce, continuing with the preparations as though nothing had happened. ‘People always decry the bigger picture—to point out that they consider that there is an absence of morality in judgment; to wholly allow tragedy and suffering because it is somehow, an option, that there cannot be any other reasoning that it is cold logic and not compassion that paves the way for it.’

Striking the match, she lights the flame.

‘I consider your point of thinking—that you think of might haves and could haves, short-sighted. Human,’ she manages, biting her lip, ‘but ultimately detrimental. Lives lost can never be regained. It is how this world operates, tragic as it is.’

‘Then how would you say it?’

‘The duty of the soldier is to not let himself be astray on what he thinks he could have done but what needs to be done,’ she puts the knife away. ‘You cannot be in eight defensive points at the same time… and for all her power and experience, neither can the Admiral, or your, for that matter.’

She throws you an apologetic stare… but her features are as sharp as ever.

‘It is not naive to fall back on this and think that you owe the lives taken away your own… ultimately, you can and must do what you are able to do—and in war, in conflict, know that sometimes you are as helpless as the ones lost.’

The fire rises.

‘Ultimately, you just live with it, like everyone else in this world.’

test

>>1383025
>‘I know, I know… I just… maybe…’ (Conflicted)
Knowing she's right doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

>>1383105
I have to wonder how much of her tone stems from bitterness at her inability to act, as she's currently inactive.

>>1383228
>'How thick do you want the sauce?' (Go back to cooking)
>'How often do you tell yourself that?' (Personal)
>'You're wrong.' (Defiant)
>'I guess.' (Accept)
>Write-In

>>1383232
>>'How often do you tell yourself that?' (Personal)
Armor-piercing question, GO!

>>1383228
>>'I guess.' (Accept)
world keeps on turning no matter what happens, just gotta keep marching on

>>1383232
>'How often do you tell yourself that?' (Personal)

>>1383232
>>'How thick do you want the sauce?' (Go back to cooking)

>>1383232
>>Write-In
"You're not wrong... But just because thats how it is doesn't mean its not a goal worth fighting towards." (Understands but will still do all he can)

>>1383232
>'How often do you tell yourself that?' (Personal)

Time for the commander to kill the boy.

>>1383232
>How often do you tell yourself that?

She'd make a good wife.

>>1383232
>>1383252
This

>>1383232
Supporting >>1383252

>>1383232
This
>>1383252

>>1383261
Unless there's a special rule to change votes in case of a Write-In (and I don't remember there being such a rule) your vote was locked in >>1383250

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>>1383269
Oh, right, shit I forgot I voted at all

>>1383232
Ignore >>1383261

>>1383252
>this
Nice middle ground really

>>1383232
I'll vote for >>1383252

>>1383274
Yeah, you can't change the vote, sorry. If you thought the options were inadequate, you should have asked around on what the write-in responses could be or inquired what your reaction was in the context of before placing your vote.

>>1383252
that works

>>1383232

>>1383252
Voting for this.

>>1383252
I support this notion

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‘You’re not wrong,’ you admit, your strength seemingly sapped by the heat of the kitchen and the conversation, ‘but I don’t think that it’s a waste of time considering the possibility that we can get through a day without having the seas red, do you?’

You’d meant it to cool down the tension in the kitchen. Picking up your vegetables and pouting them onto the steam pot before closing it, you meet Bismarck’s raised eyebrow with your one good eye, feeling a little light-headed from all the cooking and talking but otherwise fine. She was sharp when she could be… and you already knew that her brain operated on a whole different level to yours; if you challenged her blow for blow, you couldn’t win—she was more sound than a floating iceberg.

But you could stand your ground.

Because you were just too stubborn, naive and stupid like that.

‘It is not naive to wish an end to the death,’ she answers earnestly, straightening her kimono, ‘but it is thoroughly idiotic to believe that your limits—or anyone else’s—are suddenly non-existent just because you wish them to be. We can only do what we can do, and it is pointless to think that there could have been a different outcome if you were even able to see something coming.’

‘Is that why you’re telling me about Hajime?’

She smiles at you… but it doesn’t quite meet her eyes.

The steam seeps out of the covered pot.

‘It was a simple conversation topic—I had no intention of stepping on your toes when it came to your ideas, Commander… but seeing that they’re unbecoming of a man whose task revolves around the allocation of what little he has, I couldn’t help but at least press on myself,’ she shrugs nonchalantly, the expression of the defeated plastered on the wings of the victorious, ‘and I mean no disrespect by it, of course, sir.’

‘Courtesy.’

Her eyes widen.

‘Excuse me?’

‘You don’t mean discourtesy,’ you tug on your collar, biting the inside of your cheek. ‘Respect’s something that’s given an earned… courtesy’s what’s owed. You owe my rank the courtesy… you don’t owe me the respect.’

She opens her mouth, taken by surprise at your words… before giggling behind a fist.

‘Of course—forgive me… Commander.’

Bismarck bows slightly.

‘However, the sooner you realize that being distracted by considerations lost… the better it would be for your Command,’ she turns towards the stove, her expression unchanging. ‘Hajime will not be the last… and it will not be the only regret that you choose to hold onto, should you choose not to come to terms with it.’

‘Is there a premium on you saddling down with helplessness or is this just something you have to get off your chest?’

‘Dwelling on helplessness does not enable me to move forward… or back.’

She picks up some celery, handing it over to you.

‘It only means that I stand still.’

>>1383630

>'That's quite detached; most KanMusu I know would be trying a little harder.' (Comment)
>'Yeah, well, there's you and then there's me.' (End it on your terms)
>'I wouldn't expect any less from anyone who sees it as a numbers game.' (Antagonize)
>'Celery? Seriously?' (Get back to cooking)
>Write-In

>>1383630
>>'Celery? Seriously?' (Get back to cooking)

>>1383630
>'Celery? Seriously?' (Get back to cooking)

>>1383632
>'Celery? Seriously?' (Get back to cooking)

>>1383632
>>'Celery? Seriously?' (Get back to cooking)

>>1383632
>"I recall you thanking me for saving Yamato and Musashi... Well if I viewed things the way you do, there's a good chance they wouldn't have been saved in the first place. My job is saving people, which means it damn well better weigh on me when I can't save everyone. But it also means I should at least try to save everyone. You're not active right now, so I wouldn't expect these things to weigh on you the way they do on me. But just because this isn't on you doesn't mean I enjoy seeing you casually dismiss it all."

>>1383630
>>>'Celery? Seriously?' (Get back to cooking)

>>1383632
>>'I wouldn't expect any less from anyone who sees it as a numbers game.' (Antagonize)

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‘Celery? Seriously?’

‘It harmonizes the fish.’

You roll your good eye, feeling a little more comfortable now that you were in familiar lands. You set down the celery, gesturing for Bismarck to pick up the crate of vegetables that she had pulled out from before; she sets it on the counter and you dive in, looking for a vegetable that you found much more agreeable with the steaming patin. Finally finding what you were looking for, you triumphantly pull it from the depths, showing it to Bismarck as though it was a ceremonial centerpiece.

‘Okra—you want to mix that fish’—she indicates the steaming patin—‘with okra?’

‘Okra’s great steamed!’ you chide her, suddenly feeling very defensive. ‘Patin’s a soft fish and any chef worth his salt—even though I was at most an assistant cook—knows that you want to emphasize the texture of what you get instead of trying to go against it; not that it doesn’t work sometimes, of course’—you hastily add—‘but steamed okra goes well with oyster sauce as a sort of neutral ground for the fish to keep one taste from overpowering the other; the last thing anyone wants is for their sauce to kill the taste buds of the main dish.’

She nods in understanding, intently watching as you turn and begin cutting the vegetables up. A few okras would well-suit your needs… in getting the focus off such a morbid subject and to get things back on track with the cooking. You give Hajime a thought… and realize that Bismarck wasn’t right or wrong—she had merely stated the truth of the matter; without prejudice or care. As sudden and cutting Bismarck’s words were, there was a fundamental serving of facts… but it came with a detachment you couldn’t quite grasp.

Perhaps you could inquire more of the matter when given the chance? Maybe the Comman—

You hiss in pain, your old boss’ voice ringing in your ear as you cut across your fingers. It isn’t deep, but it does sting enough that the knife clatters onto the cutting board.

‘Let me see.’

She doesn’t wait for your permission, taking your hand without an ounce of emotion and giving it a look… before dragging you over to the sink and dousing it with water and reaching for one of the shelves for a bandage box.

Frankly, you’re amazed that she’s able to do all this with such precision and speed.

Bismarck’s hands, though rough from experience and use, were thoroughly gentle in tending to your wound.

‘Thank… you,’ you manage, glossing over your now-covered cut.

‘It’s just skin,’ she indicates, releasing your hand. ‘I thought you would be more careful, considering your previous vocation.’

You grimace.

‘Sorry to disappoint.’

She bites her lip, her eye on your now-dressed finger, slightly fidgeting.

‘You do it, don’t you?’ she blurts, much to your surprise, cheeks pink.

‘Do what?’

‘Intercourse… with your Carriers.’

Your tongue rolls in your mouth.

>>1384058
>‘Why the question?’ (Inquisitive)
>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)
>‘It’s strictly on professional terms; you know, Commander’s duty and all that.’ (Professional)
>‘You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.’ (Lie)
>‘I believe that’s none of your business.’ (Dismissive)
> Write-In

>>1384060
>>‘Why the question?’ (Inquisitive)
Well yeah, of course, so why you asking?

>>1384058
>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)

>>1384060
>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)

Professional is also lying, and that would backfire

>>1384060
>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)


This is moving faster then I expected

>>1384060
>>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)

>>1384060
>>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)
>>1384087
>This is moving faster then I expected
There's no breaks on this train, lad.

>>1384058
>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)

>>1384117
Do we get paid enough to support a real kid?

>>1384060
>>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)

>>1384060
>>‘Yeah, I… with Houshou and Kaga, yeah.’ (Confess the emotional aspect)

>>1384399
also correct her in saying that we made love to them and not just sex, because in this case, we do have an emotional bond and not just doing it for pleasure only

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>anons going for the Bismarck route at full force
I love you guys

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>Anons keeps forgetting about the true waifu Iowa

Don't disappoint me guys

>>1393580
Battleship Row, anon.

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‘It’s a little bit more involved than the word intercourse,’ you turn back to your portion of the preparation, before realizing you couldn’t very well leave the definition there, ‘but yeah, Houshou and Kaga and I… the obligation does fall within the scope of my duties.’

She tilts her head, looking a lot more confused compared to what she had been before.

Perhaps it hadn’t been a good idea to elaborate it so… cryptically.

‘A little bit more?’

You put away the garlic chives, picking out some dried chili and setting them on the cutting board—you wanted the right amount of spice; not send the First Admiral into a coma from a mix of bitterness and pungency—before turning to face Bismarck, meeting her eye-to-eye. Several thoughts strike you as you try to find the words to clarify your point; there was no way that she didn’t know the conditions of the Carriers—Carriers in general, anyway—and the extra handy manual that they came with compared to the straightforward (and you put this term very mildly, considering the individuals that made up your crew) applications of the KanMusu.

Kaga and the others had told you that the relationship between the Carriers and the rest of the KanMusu body was lukewarm at best… and you yourself weren’t aware how deep—or shallow—the relationship between Bismarck and Kaga and Houshou ran. That she was aware of the arrangement between you and your Carriers had been surprise enough.

Biting your lip, you then let out a sigh, wondering how something so simple could end up so complicated.

‘Well, for one, it’s not that it’s a simple one night stand to just keep their desires in check,’ you said, raising a finger on your prosthetic as an indicator, and then another, ‘and for two, I’m more than just getting my rocks off and theirs. It’s a relationship… somewhat.’

She snorts haughtily, raising an eyebrow.

‘Are you unsure of its nature?’

‘It’s hard to assume a lot of things on one end when you’ve barely got two months sticking between one side and the other,’ you clarify further, ‘but I think—or more appropriately, I’d like to believe—that there’s something a little more than just ritualistic copulation.’

You laugh nervously as Bismarck narrows her eyes and nears her face to yours, her mouth all scrunched up.

‘I’d like to say,’ you cough, further elaborating, ‘that I feel a lot more than just the relief at getting my rocks off when it comes to the both of them, but I can’t say on their behalf that they feel the same way about this arrangement.’

‘Why? You’re connected, aren’t you?’

You let out a thoughtful hum… before shaking your head.

‘I’d like to think that I’m not the type to exploit a single avenue just to get a lady… you know, bent.’

Your cheeks red, Bismarck closes the distance between the both of your smirking smugly as her arms hook around your neck.

>>1397696
>'This isn't conduct that the Admiralty would approve of.' (Professional)
>'Whoa, there.' (Unhook her arms from your neck)
>'If this is a ploy, I really don't know which way you're heading.' (Amused)
>'You do realize that you have your arms hooked around a guy who's making up for years of not getting any, right?' (Flirt)
>[Play the Game] (Flirt Harder: With A Vengeance)
>Write-In

>>1397696
Your cheeks red, Bismarck closes the distance between the both of your smirking smugly as her arms hook around your neck.

CORRECTED TO:

Your cheeks red, Bismarck closes the distance between the both of you, smirking smugly as her arms hook around your neck.

An action that was most unexpected.

>>1397699
>'If this is a ploy, I really don't know which way you're heading.' (Amused)

>>1397699
>'If this is a ploy, I really don't know which way you're heading.' (Amused)

>>1397699
>[Play the Game] (Flirt Harder: With A Vengeance)

>>1397699
>>'If this is a ploy, I really don't know which way you're heading.' (Amused)

>>1397699
>[Play the Game] (Flirt Harder: With A Vengeance)

>>1397699
>[Play the Game] (Flirt Harder: With A Vengeance)

>>1397709
>>1397712
>>1397724
>>1397725
>>1397736
>>1397741
Flipping a coin, coin flipped.

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‘If this is a ploy,’ you chuckle, spreading your arms and meeting her gaze with your one good eye, ‘I really don’t know which way you’re heading.’

You put your hands on her shoulder, offering her a friendly smile.

‘Consider this my way of… easing things between the both of us.’

Her smile is naughty.

You’re not sure which side of the argument you’re leaning towards more—to detach her arms or to enjoy the company of an otherwise elegant and entrancing woman. This wasn’t a situation that you would bank anyone would be in with a woman that had they had only met twice before… and on less-than-endearing terms, too. Still, a part of you was still male, so you couldn’t exactly tell yourself that you wanted to be out of her arms swiftly and without incident.

‘Oh?’ You waggle your eyebrows, putting on your best smirk. ‘I can’t say I’m against it, but if I didn’t know any better, I would have suspected that you were coming on to me a lot more than you’re trying to ease things..’

‘I am well-versed in the physical and emotional state of a men,’ she meets your smirk, your noses touching if only for a brief, brief instant, ‘and I know that I have the wiles to turn who I wish into a tool to shape my means, even if I have no wish to do so.’

Your shoulders shake as you let out a light laugh.

‘Still,’ you give a half-smile, turning on the spot as your resumed what you realize to be some kind of odd dance, ‘you think this is the sort of thing you want to run by me? I’m sure you’re aware of my reputation as a troublemaker.’

‘It is precisely because of that reputation that I believe that you’re one of the few that are… worth consulting the matter of my…’ she trails off, biting her bottom lip, before looking away, ‘curiosity, let’s say—that, and because you’re male, makes it a little bit easier for me to… approach you. Houshou and Kaga… the new of you is quite interesting, so I thought that you’d be open to a little… discussion.’

‘There are less roundabout ways,’ you smirk.

She doesn’t return it this time.

‘You told me that you and Houshou and Kaga—that your arrangement was more than just one of convenience… that it’s something that you hold as a standard to yourself.’

She stares at you intently.

‘Do you believe that it is an essential component? As a man, must it be there or do you believe that biology decides it?’

The question sounded nonsensical.

But her determined face killed whatever comment you would have had, otherwise.

>‘I don’t see a point to having the deed or… arrangement… without it.’
>‘I’m the wrong sort of person to ask this question. I only got any the last few months.’
>‘No, it’s not a necessary component, no. Many people believe that connection is an optional extra.’
>‘I don’t know, really. I’m sorry.’
>Write-In

>>1397821
>‘I don’t see a point to having the deed or… arrangement… without it.’

romance makes it the sweetest thing there is

>>1397821
>>‘I don’t see a point to having the deed or… arrangement… without it.’

>>1397821
>>‘I don’t see a point to having the deed or… arrangement… without it.’

>>1397821
>>‘I don’t see a point to having the deed or… arrangement… without it.’
>>1397828
Indeed. Our relationships with them are almost the entire reason we got off our asses and became a Super Commander.

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‘I don’t see a point to having the deed or the arrangement without it,’ you answer sincerely, if a little hesitantly. ‘It may sound a little weird coming from someone who’s effectively sleeping with more than one woman, but I don’t really see the point of a man just sticking it into someone and just saying he managed to accomplish something.’

She doesn’t release you from her hold, her nose brushing against yours again.

‘Oh?’ She grins, batting her eyelashes teasingly, as if in mockery. ‘Coitus is the act of propagation of the species—are you saying that an emotional requirement trumps your need to…’

Her breath tickles your chin.

‘Just throw one of us over a table and give in to your desires?’

She was good.

But she wasn’t Taigei.

‘If I’m being honest as a guy, it really wouldn’t,’ you reply, offering her a bemused smile as you hold her arms and lift them over your head, ‘but for someone who really hasn’t had much experience before the last two months, I think I’ve kind of picked up on the value of doing it with someone that you considered more than just finding any excuse to hire something for a cheap thrill. I’m not saying that there are those who don’t do it, of course,’ you hurriedly correct yourself, ‘but you’re asking me and… well, that kind of vulnerability that you experience doing it, I think it’d cheapen the whole experience to just getting your rocks off for the sake of it.’

‘This is something you believe? Despite everything?’

‘I’d like to think that it’s something that I believe due to everything. I was never the popular guy in school; maybe I got a little more social in college, but when I stepped out and tried to be my own man, I realized the world wasn’t going to come to me—and neither were the ladies,’ you scratch the back of your head, wondering if you were reaching too much, ‘not that I had a lot going for me, but it kind of hurt to not… you know, be like those guys who could just ease into things. I mean, you see guys and girls hanging around and you see a pair of co-workers flirting and you wonder just why that guy, that person, isn’t you—why you can’t be that happy.’

You offer her an apologetic grin.

‘You learn to appreciate what you have when you finally get it.’

She regards you coldly, despite your words.

‘Biology and chemistry aren’t your considerations, then?’

‘Well,’ you shrug, ‘chemistry might be a thing, but on the whole… I guess that I’d respect you too much to even consider it without getting to know you first.’

Bismarck stiffens slightly, stepping away from you as she continues to regard you with a curiosity you’d only seen in your own display on your first few days as Commander.

‘How… cliché,’ she grumbles, tending to the fish.

The kitchen must have been getting a little too hot for her liking… because she was as red as a tomato.

[END INTERLUDE]

>>1398048
So was she regarding the Commander as a potential boy toy, then found out she'd have to do more work than just showing interest?

>>1398078
seems like it, due the condition she kinda got bad ideas of that
we proved her wrong and might picked her interest if i say so myself!

bisko route, 'ere we go

Anons, who is best girl?

http://www.strawpoll.me/12818503

>>1398138
>Nee-san not in the list

She saved us more than anyone

Checkmate kanmusufags.

>>1398146
>Checkmate kanmusufags.
But isn't Nee-san like our Abyssal brain-sister?

>>1398146
FINE

http://www.strawpoll.me/12818604

>>1398157
For those who picked "somebody not on the list", can you please say who they are?

>>1398613
For Dadmander his DDs are the best girls.