Azur Lane: Return of Davis

Chapter 9: Recovery

December 18, 1941

Christmas is upon us, and the decorations from the 1st are finally back up (they were obliterated from the bombing run on the 7th). Some of the girls were grumbling about the waste of effort, but at least the place is back in its festive style.

Snow doesn't fall this far south, but it's nice enough to have the feeling that it might. Somehow. Against the literal laws of the universe.

We're back on that commission grind, though, because, again, we're in the red. Not as bad as Ray's debt (which we still have to pay off), but (combining both debts), $16,200 is a lot of money to owe the government. Which is why Yorktown and Z23 are with Belfast and me. Helping us work on paying that damn debt off.

"Nimi, Yorkie, got some commissions we can lob at some girls?" During these calmer times, my voice has slowly drifted back to its native accent, the Dyfed dialect of Pembrokeshire, Wales, while also blending in casual West American and Australian.

Z23/Yorktown: "Nimi?/Yorkie?"

Bel: "You get used to it." She sounds defeated. I can only chuckle. Nicknames are fun~.

Yorkie: "Not the weirdest thing I've heard all week... Well, Commander, our successes around the Pacific have placed us with a higher quantity of commissions." She spreads out some sheets, with a lot of locations, names, rewards. I notice an organization's name on one of the papers.

"Rhodes Island...? Ain't that the one that Halford guy works for? ... Escort mission of meds..." I place it on the desk, adopting the normal Welsh accent I usually have. "I'd like this one to be at the top of our priorities list, Yorktown."

Yorktown, reeling from my sudden heel turn: "O-of course! I'm on it."

"Thank you. Do the same for any form of 'medicinal' requests. Be it escorting a supply ship or defending a refugee camp. Matters not. These people saving people from death is as an important job as ours."

Yorktown, liking the more assured me: "Right."

"Z23, financial report." I head back to my chair.

Z23: "With repairs complete, we've had more girls on board with commissions. As of now, we've earned 50% of the debt."

Wow, $8,100 that fast?!

"Good, we're making good progress." I slouch in my chair. "Though this bloody paperwork is giving me an aneurism." I let out a groan. "But I must persevere." I delve my ass back into the paperwork, surely giving me back pains for the rest of the week.

And how right I was.

--

"...Nh..."

"...ga..."

"...Ka...ga..."

"...Kaga!"

"AH!"

I wake to the cold insides of Akagi's carrier. "Nee-sama?"

The aforementioned Akagi hugged me tightly.

Akagi: "Oh, Kaga! Thank goodness you're alive!"

"Eh?" Memories of the sniper flood back to me. "Ugh! Who...?"

Akagi: "I'm not sure, but I have the feeling their Commander was the sniper."

I rub my neck. Perfectly healed. "Him? Ugh... So, what now?"

Akagi: "For now, we follow the plan. Wake has fallen, and so will the islands near the Sakura Empire. The Dragon Empery is almost half-way conquered already, and our forces are rushing southwards to that 'Australia' place."

"I see."

Akagi, surprisingly turning serious: "Kaga."

"...?"

Akagi: "I want you to know why I hate Yuuki."

This was out of nowhere, but...

I've always wondered. To every other Commander Akagi has ever interacted with, she was flirty and very sexual with them. But with Commander Yuuki, she always avoids doing that like the plague, at least in recent memory. Why?

Akagi: "He's more demon than human. I fear that, with his direction, he might actually bring the Empire down with him." Her permanently wagging tails are dead still. She's serious. "Which is to say that he acts like we are no more than tools. He saw how I act normally and wanted to capitalize on it. I'm on to him, though."

"Why do you flirt, though?" I had always wondered why she was like that. She wasn't like that when Amagi was still around.

Akagi, shrugging: "It's fun watching them squirm in their seats."

Of course that's why.

Akagi: "But, also..."

?

Akagi: "Once this is all over, and the prosperity of the Sakura Empire is all but assured, I want to settle down. If I can find a man who can survive my teasing, my insistent personality –" Well, at least she's self-aware. "–my love, I'd want to marry him and stay by his side. Be his one true wife. I'm sure that's what Amagi would want. But, until that day arrives, and at this point, should pigs take to the skies, I'll fill this void with 'open thighs,' so to say. For only a bit longer."

I see...

Akagi: "Yuuki sees none of that. Can't seem to calm himself. He is the opposite of who I want. He is, in all intents and purposes, my enemy. I will never bow to him, and I suggest you shouldn't, either."

I hug Akagi. "Akagi. I vowed to Amagi I would stick by your side; not to be the sister that you lost, but rather the sister you need." I look her dead in the eyes. "I promise, Akagi. Let us find that man for you and let us fight for our homeland. Together."

Akagi can only smile as we hug again. We may not be sisters by class, but by bond we are. And that's as much as Amagi would've wanted.

Amagi... I will be stronger than you ever were. For it be by your strength that we stand here today.

...

The annoyed grunt and heavy footsteps give me confidence that Akagi's right. I smirk.

---

And that's that! I started this chapter on Sunday, but had to wrap it up after Ch.10 came up because of classes. God, Uni is really kicking my ass.

Also, this came up later than usual (6:34 compared to 3:15) because I had some Psychology studies I had to attend to. Busy bee, I tell ya. Tomorrow's chapter will come up like normal.

The Royal girls will arrive before the New Year, and now Akagi and Kaga are major players. I just can't wait for these next chapters! See ya soon~!