New Day, New Beginning (An Azur Lane Story)

Hidden Fury

Over a week has passed since the rescue mission for the Kobayashi Maru crew, since the discovery of Cade's unknown power. After returning to base, Cade had to plan out on what to do with this revelation. 

First thing he did was keep it as low level as possible. He does not want to draw as much attention to him as it might cause some unnnecessary tension. That, and if this leaks out to the public, people will question him, and start to panic.

Second thing he did was come up with a sort of training regiment to figure out how to control this he found. To realize this, he had to enlist the help of a couple kansens, them being Akagi and Enterprise.

As Cade was making his way to the holodeck room from down the hallway, Taihou was beside him, with Atago on the other. The three were having a conversation as they make their way over.

Cade looks off to the distance to see a tall building near the center of the base, under construction. The lower half seems partially complete, while the upper half still has its framework. The structure resembles that of the letter T, with double spikes at the center.

"How is the new building coming about, Atago?" Cade asked.

"Shikikan Jack reported that construction is running smoothly, according to our Manjuus. It's estimated to be completed within a few months or so."

"Hm. Those little guys work like there's no tomorrow," he says with an appreciative smirk.

This new building near the mountainside is planned to be a new command center for him, Jack and the kansens. Cade felt using the dormitories as a command center can get in the way of other systems, so this is done for convenient sake.

"Cade-sama, are you sure you don't want me in there?"

"I'm sure, Taihou. Don't worry about me. Besides, you have other important things to do with your friends."

"Well, you are one of those important things."

Cade stopped walking as he felt his heart twang a little, almost painfully so.

Why is my heart hurting like that?

Atago drew her eyes up from her report as she listened. 

"You are very important to me, Cade-sama. You have went out of your way to help a fool like me, and I want to return the favor by helping you as often as I could. Because I..."

Taihou trailed as she could not find the next words to say. No, she knows what to say, but she doesn't know how to say it.

"Because...?" Cade said, his curiosity showing, with slight concern.

"Because I-"

From afar, Akagi and Enterprise approached the trio.

"Cade-sama, the simulation room is prepared. Grey Ghost and I are ready for you." Akagi came up to him, with Enterprise by her side. Cade looked at Taihou with a reassuring smile. Meanwhile, Taihou's eyes twitched at the others' sudden appearance.

How dare these two interfere with us.

Feeling the atmosphere change, Atago decided to excuse herself to run somes errands. "Taihou, join with Cade-sama, ok? Shikikan Jack asked to check on the repair maintenance of the Kobayashi Maru, and the well-being of the crew."

Cade looked at the woman, his eyebrows raised a little. "Atago, I just said a few seconds ago-"

Atago was already on her way out. He noticed that she is smiling, but when she turned around her eyes tell a different story. As if she is telling him to let Taihou join him, or there will hell to pay if you break a woman's heart in public.