New Day, New Beginning (An Azur Lane Story)

Distress Signal

Jack is in the middle of taking a stroll across the base. It's good to be outside the office, every once in a while. As he was walking he would give friendly waves and nods to passing kansens.

"Hello there, Commander Jack!", a passing Cleveland said while on a jog.

"Pleasant day to you, Kommandant Jack," a passing Prinz Eugen said.  She swayed her hips a bit to get his attention and tease him. Unfortunately, for her, he didn't look back. "Hm. Hard to play."

As he was walking towards the fountain near the Main Dorms, he heard a voice call out to him.

"Kommandant Jack!"

Her turned to see Z23, in her teaching uniform, slightly panting. She must have been running for some time.

"Is there something wrong, Z23?"

"Nimi-chan is fine, Kommandant. We know each other enough," she said as she fixes her glasses.

"Apologies."

Z23 nodded. "Kommandant, have you seen Unicorn anywhere? She was not present in today's class."

"I have not. Have you checked anywhere?"

"I did! In the park, in the gym, in the mess hall, even the beach!", she said worringly.

"Have you checked her room?", Jack asked.

"I... have not." Z23's face flushed with embarrassment. She has a tendency to overthink herself, to the point of missing simple solutions.

"Do you want me to contact Miss Illustrious?", he asked.

"No, no. She's been busy recently with her duties, so I do not want to bother her. You are welcome to come with."

"Then I shall do just that. From what I have heard about Unicorn, it's not like her to be absent from class."

"Right..."

The two make their way to Unicorn's room on the Royal Navy side of the base. When they approached her room, they heard a noise. A feminine giggle, on the more mature side.

The two didn't expect to hear another voice in Unicorn's room. That means someone else is in there. Z23 approached the door and knocked on it.

"Unicorn? Are you well?"

"Yes, Ms. Nimi! You can come in!", Unicorn happily said.

Jack and Z23 opened the door, and found an unexpected sight.

Unicorn is in the middle of her room with a small table, with a tea set on top of it. Alongside an unexpected figure.

Roon.

"Good afternoon, Kommandant! Would you to join us for tea?"

Jack and Z23 are stumped to see newcomer Roon having tea alongside Unicorn. Roon's personality is... unique, to say the least. So, to see her having tea is unexpected.

"Unicorn, class is already over. I was looking everywhere for you," Z23 said, slightly disappointed.

Unicorn's eyes widen. "Has that much time passed? My apologies, Miss Nimi! It's just that, I was having a lovely chat with Miss Roon here. I asked her to join for tea, and she said yes."

"Mhm. Unicorn has provided great hospitality. And her tea is excellent!"

Z23 sighed, but smiled. "Hahh. You are lucky today is an early day, Unicorn. Still, there is homework you have to makeup."

"I understand, Miss Nimi." Unicorn nodded.

Jack looked at Roon, trying to figure out her angle.

"Do you two mind waiting outside for a bit? I want to talk to Roon about something."