Azur Lane: Return of Davis

Chapter 49: Old Fleet

October 12, 1942

0922 Local Time

80°F, 17 knots E, Clear/Windy

"Everyone packed? Because once we leave, we won't be coming back."

The dark bags under my eyes have increased in intensity, my already rather pale skin going even more white. I'm halfway to becoming a vampire. Work sucks.

Ray: "We're ready, Boss."

Nodding, I look off to the pier, where Enterprise is hugging her sisters.

Enterprise: "I'm going to miss you two."

Yorktown: "Don't worry, Enty."

Hornet: "Yeah, she'll come back. Don't you worry, sis!"

The three of them separate.

Enterprise, tears forming in her eyes: "Yeah... you'll be back soon." She sniffles a bit. "And if you don't, I'll have to beat your asses, even if I have to go to hell to do so."

Yorktown, with a smirk on her face: "Just try me, baby sister."

Enterprise: "Hey! Hornet's the baby sister!"

Hornet: "Hah?! Wha'dya say?!"

Yorktown, looking around: "Say, when did Admiral Hipper get here? Or Hammond, for that matter?"

I chuckle at their antics and look towards a special reunion.

Remember, we created the re:VIVE project, so before we leave, Ray wanted to try something to make another fox girl happy. I look behind me and nod.

「私に従ってください。」

Walking down to the pier, the fox sisters are having one last conversation.

Amagi: "It may have been a short time, Kaga, but it's been good to see you again. It seems you've changed for the better."

Kaga, smirking slightly: "I grew a bit better than Akagi, eh?"

Amagi: "I will admit, Akagi is a bit... different than what I expected her to be..."

Akagi: "Hey!"

Amagi, her aura getting a bit darker: "...But if you grew so much, why didn't you stop Akagi from taking that dark path in life?"

Kaga is now on the fence, stuttering to regain her balance.

"Kaga, I wanna show you someone."

Kaga: "C-Commander? Oh, thank God!" She turns around...

...and freezes.

"I'm sure you recognize her, right?"

I look up (yes, up) to the white fox next to me.

「土佐さん、加賀ちゃんと再会させてあげるよ。」(Tosa, I'll leave you and Kaga be.)

Kaga:「と、土佐？土佐お姉ちゃん？あ、あれ...？」(T-Tosa? Tosa, i-is that...?)

Tosa, smiling a bit: 「どうしたの妹よ。幽霊か何かを見たみたいだ！」(What's wrong, little sister? It's like you've seen a ghost!)

Kaga tears up after seeing her sister for the first time in a long-ass time and wraps her arms around her, quietly muttering her name repeatedly.

I smile a bit before walking away, giving the four foxes some space.

Right before I can get much farther, though, Repulse stops me.

Repulse: "Hey, Commander. It's been a while, hasn't it?"