End of The World (Azur Lane: Origins 3)

Chapter 7: Headquarters

All eight of us were lined up behind the commander on the deck of my ship. Our arms were raised in a salute, as were those of the shipgirls and commander on the pier. I was leaning on Atago to stay off my injured ankle so I couldn't see the face of their commander but I had a feeling I knew who it was.

We were once again lined up, but this time we were on the pier. I was finally able to the other commander's face. She was Commander Misa Iyaki, our first human commander. While under her command, I had grown closer to her to the point where she was like my older sister.

The two commanders approached each other with their hands outstretched. They shook hands and I thought I could hear muffled laughter. I couldn't see my commander's face but Commander Iyaki was smiling and trembling slightly. Eventually, she started laughing and my commander joined in.

I had heard Commander Iyaki's laugh a lot; I was used to it. But this was my first time hearing my commander laugh. It was an almost... soothing and calming sound. Years ago someone told me that emotions like happiness and worry and actions like laughing can be contagious. I never understood what they meant until now.

When they stopped laughing, Commander Iyaki pulled my commander into a headlock and ruffled his hair. 'It's been a while, little bro!' What? I knew Commander Iyaki had a brother; she used to talk about him. I never would have guessed the 'cheeky little brat' she told me about was my commander.

'Oi! Let me go! I'm not a kid anymore!' That got a good chuckle out of those of us watching.

Then Atago spoke up and asked, 'sir, are we dismissed?'

'Yeah, you can go!' He was still struggling against Commander Iyaki, which was fairly entertaining. Wait. If my commander is Commander Iyaki's brother... doesn't that make both of them Commander Iyaki? I never tried calling Commander... Misa by her first name. I hope she won't mind.

We had barely left the docks when Atago asked me, 'how much progress have you made with the commander?'

Why was she asking me this now? Why was she asking in the first place? 'W-what do you mean?'

Atago nudged my ribs. 'Have you asked him out yet? Held hands? Have you k-?'

'Atago! I don't like him! Stop teasing me!' My face was hot. Hopefully she wouldn't notice.

'Then why are you blushing? I know you like him.' Argh! Why does she have to keep teasing me! It's not like I like the commander... probably.

I glanced around while Atago continued to tease me when I spotted Takao. Somehow breaking free of Atago, I hobbled over to her and asked, 'please can you help me to the infirmary?'

She looked down at me, confused. 'I thought Atago was helping you?'

'She was teasing me again...' My face was still warm.

Takao chuckled as she pulled my arm around her shoulders. 'Don't worry, I'll talk to her later.' I nodded as we lapsed into silence. 'What do you think about the commander, Kawakaze?' Was Takao teasing me as well? It was probably just another one of her innocent questions...

'I like him.' Wait! I wasn't supposed to say that! 'I mean, as a commander! Nothing else!'

My face felt hot again as Takao chuckled once more. 'He is amazing, isn't he?'

I felt the corners of my mouth curl up into a small smile. 'He always knows what to do and how to do it. He's really kind and caring and understanding and...' I realised what I was saying and immediately stopped. My face felt like it was boiling.

'It sounds like you like him a lot.' How am I supposed to answer that?

'...Maybe...' No! The answer is 'no'! Why did I say that?