Vol 1 Chapter 1 (2/2)
”Vanguard?”
”I do not wish for weaker shi+pgirls to bear the burden of this planet's fate It was never their, or your fight, after all”
There was a hint of loneliness there, but the Admiral continued: ”However, we cannot help but rely on you all As such, I wish for you all to decide whether we are worth fighting for”
””
”Aht on the front lines, but support those who do from behind For us, they are equally indispensable The battle is not only decided by those who stand in the van”
The ”Admiral”'s explanation made sense--the front line could not carry a nation Zuikaku herself re new aircrews consumed the bulk of her time in ”That War”
(But the other shi+pgirls have all chosen to step once more onto the battlefield)
Every shi+pgirls she hadhad without exception volunteered to join this battle Moreover, Shoukaku-nee, by her side, had done the same
(In this situation, how could I possibly not fight?)
”No, 'Admiral,'” Zuikaku pronounced with the utht the abyssals After all, I served in ”That War” as the Illustrious Aircraft Carrier of the Main Force!”
”Zuikaku”
As if fighting to suppress complicated emotions, Shoukaku called softly The ”Admiral”, too, nodded firmly
”Understood But, for now, please treat this simply as your current decision”
”Current?”
”In the next teeks, starting toirl” The Ader ”When that is over, I wish to hear your conclusion”
Part 4
It was only after the conversation in the office that Zuikaku realized that the Adly luxurious
Although it seemed quite normal froave off an ie and tradition, both inside and out Moreover, hot springs abounded on the hotel's grounds, including an outdoor spa It was said that it was the ue of their last can
”We all live here, tending the hotel, learning, training every day”
After saying goodbye to the ”Ad to Zuikaku as they went
That's why this isn't just our Naval district, but our refuge, our shelter No h the obstacles, we fight because we know that, e co for us It is our blessing”
”We didn't get to see the other girls'That War'”
Shoukaku nodded regretfully
The two girl's footstops cah the entirety of the naval district
”Right, the Hotel Orientation is now coh it's a little belated: Welcome to our Naval District, and let us be in each other's care”
”nized Shoukaku-nee From here on out, let's take care of each other”
Zuikaku grabbed Shoukaku's hands For a azes crossed--and a hter
”Ahahaha, I never thought I'd be able to talk to Shoukaku-nee like this When'd you come here, Shoukaku-nee?”
”About half a year ago Since then, I've been on the front lines with the main force”
”As expected of Shoukaku-nee! Upholding the name of us Standard Carriers”
”Hmh as you put your heart on it, we'll be able to fight shoulder to shoulder again, just like how things hen 'That War' began”
Originally when a warshi+p was co, not deploying to the front lines until crew and warshi+p had synchronized However, Shoukaku and Zuikaku had only just been completed when 'That War' loo before co That Fateful First Battle [24]
However, Zuikaku noticed an issue with Shoukaku's words
”Well, umShoukaku-neeI have a bit of asensitive questionis it okay if I ask you?”
It seemed as if Shoukaku had notied too, for, with sincere eyes, she nodded to Zuikaku
”M about who I could talk to”
”Well in that case, I' to fire away”
This ht as she voiced her concern
”Well, about 'That War'how'd it end?”
“……”
”I figured Shoukaku-nee already knew--about four ht in the Philippine sea at Cape Engano as bait for their carrier planes I sank there”
Zuikaku saw those lastat the sky; her hull, slowly tilting on the infinite and unforgiving sea; the crew on the decks; and, lastly, the commander, avowed to live and die with his shi+p
But her memories of ”That War” ended there What happened at the end was a mystery
Was it fortune's plan or ain on this world? This hy she had to know--even if it was just to straighten her thoughts out, she had to know the ending
And what of the creho had lived, loved and fought for all they loved on her? What finale awaited at the end of ”That War,” and for what end did we all play our roles with such resolve?
”I won't say anything about being bait, that was a role I had accepted from the start But, afterwards, in the end”
”It is as you thought”
Shoukaku's soft words froze Zuikaku's breath in her throat
”Ah, that's what happened As I thought, that's what happened”
First, she felt emptiness--and then an intense sadness that flooded in to fill the gap, seeping through every crevice of her being; and yet, through her tears, Zuikaku saw clearly
By the ti since become untenable What would co since shared by every ht But that hy they--we--had to still fight on At the very least, that had been the conclusion of most of the seamen
”Everyone, orked so hardwhatdid we do so?”
”Zuikaku”
A sudden warhtly held Zuikaku to her chest
”It's okay After 'That War', our nation returned, almost instantly, into a peaceful, wealthy nation once more”
””
”I have not completely come to terht or in the wrong during 'That War' But what I do know is that we have been given a second chance Another chance to save the helplessand, maybe, in the process, save ourselves”
To redee
Even if a warshi+p had been given emotions, she would not have coirls that we think, and therefore we are
”That's why I won't sink and I damn on't lose Zuikaku, youyou think that as well, right?”
”mmmm”
Faced with Shoukaku's soft srin
”Gotta work hard, right!”
Part 5
In one of the Naval District's annexes/adjoining buildings, there are many rooms that can serve as banquet halls
Usually, the shi+pgirls will eat breakfast here or receive training from their senpais
But today was special
Within the large ”Tidal Rooirls The scene was impressive, and the equally numerous dishes even more so
On top of the dias, Zuikaku twitched, immobile
”Alright! Well then, I'm today's 'Cheers! Zuikaku Naval District Enlistment Banquet' MC, Idol of the Fleet, Naka-chan da yo~! Pleased to meet everyone~!”
With an Idol's appearance and a voice that oozed ht cruiser Naka pointed the mic at Zuikaku with a practiced hand
”Well then, although it's a little sudden, could you tell everyone your thoughts and feelings, Zuikaku?”
”M-s?”
Zuikaku responded hesitantly he had just been led by Shoukaku to her room and was just about to research ”this world” when the other shi+pgirls had barged in, bringing her here
The other shi+pgirls had personally made the preparations, all hidden froirls wished to involve and disturb the normal staff in their daily lives as much as possible
(Pulling this out of the blue, I!)
The young girl looked at Shoukaku with a pleading gaze--but Shoukaku merely waved cheerily It seemed as if she had always known and had concealed it from her dear sister
(Shoukaku-nee~!)
”Heyheyhey, tell us with a S~ or two~!”
”Girl you've dropped your mixtape more times than we ever cared to hear it, kuma--”
Groans and gruirl with a strand of hair that ht cruiser kuma
”Rude~!” Naka retorted angrily
”W,well thenI'm the second Aircraft Carrier of the Shoukaku-class, Zuikaku!”
Zuikaku hastily pointed thethat came to mind
”During 'That War', I had only just been finished when I joined several important battles Because I was virtually unscathed until the battle of the Marianas, I was called the ”Lucky Carrier”although I only did my best”
That is to say, people once called me this--it was only once ”the Lucky Carrier” left her mouth that she realized
”To be honest, I've barely been a carrier for a day Everything I've seen and met has been freshso, I'm really happy, really excited!”
As over a hundred and ten pairs of eyes centered on Zuikaku, she spotted the Admiral's silhouette from the corner of her eye
”That's why I, too, want to fight as a shi+pgirl and protected the world with everybody From here on out, please take care of me!”
As the rang out, Naka returned to the stage
”Thank you Naka for your exciting greeting 'The Lucky Carrier' sure makes me envious! Naka hopes to share a bit of your luck, so she can continue to stand on the center stage! Well then, without further ado, let us raise a glass!”
shi+ps of the sa drinks into neighbouring shi+pgirl's cups
”Are you ready? Well then, congratulations, Zuikaku! Cheers~!”
With a chorus of ”kanpai” and the endless clink of glasses, the banquet began
In no tiotten under way Apparently, this welcoirl joined the district
Zuikaku hurriedly greeted the line of shi+pgirls that came to meet her Most of thee or younger
At her side, Shoukaku helped with introductions
”I-I-I-It's b-been a long time, Zuikaku-onee!”
Zuikaku had lost count of how h for the two of them
”U,u care of us at the Coral Sea!”
”Ushi+o? Uwaahhh~you've become so cute,”
Zuikaku exclaimed
She had once fought alongside Ushi+o in the coral sea, the battle that came to be a”the first carrier battle”
”I reht really hard to protect Shoukaku-nee, right? Thanks for that!”
”I-it's nothing! I know that the work for the Carrier onee-sans is much harderbut to hear Zuikaku-onee's praise makes me really happy”
Ushi+o flushed red--it seeirl
Well then, I' nowAkebono, who also took part in the coral sea, is also here, please take care of us sisters!”
”mmm, pleased to meet you!”
A short little shi+pgirl dressed in a Kyudo unifor, she knelt politely
”I'ain”
”Zuihou! You're at this naval district too?”
Zuikaku could not stop herself fro Zuihou's hand From Midway to the Marianas, Zuihou had served with Zuikaku and Shoukaku as a comrade to the new 1stCarDiv Even if their shared experiences were li history of training together back at home
Zuihou cracked into an earnest smile
”Yes! Talking about light carriers, there are a few others, including Sho'ho'-nee”
”Ah, is that so To be able to fight together again makes me happy! Let's take care of each other!”
”Of course Also, Zuikaku-nee, there's so I need to tell you in private”
Zuihou leaned over as she whispered into Zuikaku's ear
”Be careful of the Admiral He is not as he seems, he's a depraved, perverse demon!”
”Ah~I've already had a bit of personal experience on that subject”
Zuikaku eyed the Ad a ruckus with the destroyers Inazuma and Ikazuchi that she had irls left a rather dangerous impression
Zuihou nodded with understanding
”The point is to be careful And please warn Shoukaku-nee--the Ad the deets carried away!”
”I understand, and I'll convey the warning to Shoukaku-nee”
Backing away from Zuikaku, Zuihou saluted
”Well then, let's get along! Let's go out somewhere to play another day!”
”Thank you, Zuihou!”
Once she had seen Zuihou off, Zuikaku leaned towards Shoukaku
”Shoukaku-nee, what kind of person is the Admiral?” she murmured
”Eh? Well”
After considering it a while, Shoukaku responded with some embarrassment
”He's a good person He's capable on the battlefield and cares a lot for our well-being and daily lives If he weren't sophysically friendly, he's a very normal man”
”W,wait aabout, Shoukaku-nee!”
”Ah, I guess I'll elaborate a little more Are all men like that? He frequently waits on the shore with his arirl's skirt is a reallike that”
(Shoukaku-nee's been deceived! She's definitely been deceived!)
Zuikaku rubbed her forehead with exasperation If Shoukaku acted like this, it was likely that countless other shi+pgirls had also been fooled
Shoukaku, who did not appear to have noticed her sister's trepidation, straightened up
”Well then, Zuikaku, there's not reet our seniors”
”'Seniors'do youover there?”
Looking to the edge of the hall, Zuikaku noted the Battleshi+ps and Standard Carriers sitting there Perhaps it was their status as the ave them their formidable aura
”Got it Will you come with me, Shoukaku-nee?”
”Of course”
Zuikaku and Shoukaku started their greetings froato, Mutsu, Ise, Hyuuga, Fusou, Yaou, Hiei, Haruna, Kirishi+ma--in ”That World,” they were the main force, veterans of a hundred battles
”WOW! Zuikaku, it's been a long time dess--!”
The eldest of the Kongou Sisters boomed happily
”I was under your care as part of the mobile force! From here on out, I'll be in your care as well!”
”Mht”
Though Kongou's unexpectedly boisterous response seemed a little suspicious, Zuikaku responded as always She reinally been a British-born Battlecruiser--
And with that, Zuikaku greeted the rest of the battleshi+ps one after the other Each Battleshi+p's appearance and temperament seemed different, just like the other classes
The last were the unfortunate-seereetings, Zuikaku thought to herself
(As expected, ”those two” haven't come)
Those tarshi+ps, built at the saest and strongest Battleshi+ps
And yet they were not like her--until there re to win, they saw little action
(Will we have a chance to meet in the future?)
”Akagi-senpai, Kaga-senpai, this istoday”
As she said this, Shoukaku motioned for Zuikaku to kneel in front of the tarshi+ps
Standard Aircraft Carriers Akagi and Kaga forirls of the 1st Carrier Division The opening strikes of Pearl Harbor; the battles in the South; the Indian Ocean Raid, all the way up to the battle of ether
Akagi and Kaga had both been converted froe carriers As the main force of the mobile divisions, their carrier load not only matched, but exceeded that of the Shoukaku class
To Shoukaku and Zuikaku, these two members of the 1stCarDiv were senpai In the early battles, the skill and training of the 1stCarDiv far exceeded that of Shoukaku and Zuikaku's 5thCarDiv--you could say they were the two sisters' idol
”I' time, senpai!”
”It has been a long tii”
Holding a fearsohtly
”Although it's a rather disconcerting situation, I hope you do your best I look forwards to you beco this naval district's main force”
”Thank you, Senpai! I will also work hard to becoa-senpai, I'm in your care!”
”…………”[26]
Having listened to Zuikaku, Kaga silently finished her wine Zuikaku blinked in expectation of Kaga's response
--After sohed
”Zuikaku, I have a question to ask you, is that alright?”
”Y-yes?”
”What exactly do you mean by 'just like us'?”
Kaga had not yet even looked at Zuikaku--but, oblivious, Zuikaku answered frankly
”Yes I hope to learn to be like Akagi-senpai and Kaga-senpai and become an experienced main force for the fleet!”
”So you're saying that you can catch up to us with a bit of experience?”
”Yes! And we haveas we learn from our mistakes, we'll be able to!”
”Is that so? Don't compare us with you lot”
Kaga's ice-cold response seerees or ten
Zuikaku, too, froze on the spot After a brief silence, she spoke up timidly
”What are you saying?”
”I a, do not speak of the 5thCarDiv and us as if we are the same”
If it was chilly before it was arctic now--thankfully, only a few had heard Kaga's words, and the banquet continued unabated
”Akagi and I, and our 1stCarDiv, are not like your 5thCarDiv You can work as hard as you'd like and you'd never catch up to us, so don't luether with you”
”Kaga!”
Akagi hurriedly [27] , her face red
(This is just her shi+tting on me!)
”Although you say that, senpai”
Zuikaku eyed Kaga squarely, her voice soft but furious
”Compared to you Dear Senpai, we don't stand a chancebut, after 'that tragedy', we stopped being the 5thCarDiv We becaht as hard as anyone!”
That tragedy, of course, was the Battle of Midway The Navy's four jewels--Kaga, Akagi, Souryuu and Hiryuu, were all sunk--a battle which could not be called anything but tragedy
Shoukaku and Zuikaku were a the few carriers not involved After that, they had taken on the lory and suffering
Zuikaku did not revel in their tragedy--but to her,on the mantle of the new 1stCarDiv were her pride The naa The nale part of her life--
However, Kaga shook her head
”You, in your current form, do not even deserve to speak of that name--you can be the 5thCarDiv forever The Glory of the 1stCarDiv belongs to i”
”! You take things too far Please control your words!”
”I have no plans to control them for someone so far away from us Of course, the sisters in the 2ndCarDiv over there are also nothing like you”
Sitting at Kaga's side, sisters Souryuu and Hiryuu watched the two indecisively
”But!”
”Well then, do you want to try it out?”
Kaga changed the topic
”Tomorrow, in the practice waters, you and nize your resolve Of course, we'll use the saiven the skill difference, but I can't promise you a handicap”
Kaga spoke as if victory was already assured--Zuikaku felt her blood boil
Shoukaku hurried stepped between the two
”Senpai, Zuikaku just joined this naval districtshe doesn't even kno to fight as a shi+pgirl!”
”This is not your business I was talking to Zuikaku”
Senpai!”
”I get it”
Zuikaku spoke bluntly
”Zuikaku accepts this contest”
Part 6
The sun had yet to rise, and the practice waters remained in a mist of murky blue
It was on this scene that Zuikaku and Kaga faced each other silently Separated by several hundred irls, serving as witnesses
”A battle between the new and old 1stCarDiv, huh--”
Kongou stood, arms crossed in front of her as she remarked with a leisurely voice
”But for a seasoned veteran like Kaga to take on a rookie like Zuikakuisn't this a bit of a foregone conclusion, Kirishi+ma?”
”As Onee-sama said, Zuikaku stands no chance”
Standing next to Kongou, Kirishi+ma nodded
”Kaga and Akagi are aest Standard Carriers If it's just Zuikaku, she can't possibly wononce this is over, Zuikaku's probably going to be a step away froround”
”And yet in spite of this, Zuikaku wants to fight Why is that--?”
”My guess is that she wants to show her senpai her resolve,”
Shoukaku replied, her voice laden with unease
”Even if she doesn't win, she wants to get a good hit in Zuikaku can accept being weaker, but she can't accept being belittled After all, 'I, too, am the 1stCarDiv' hat she said She probably can't accept the situation”
”She's quite the opposite of Shoukaku!”
”Did you teach her Carrier Combat?”
Kirishi+ma looked to Shoukaku for confirmation
”Yes Surface movement, carrier launch and recovery, the liroup to forht her that and most of the basics”
”Drills use simulated ammunition, so they won't be hurt Don't worry--!”
As Kongou spoke, Shoukaku's gaze turned to the distance
Akagi and several other shi+pgirls watched Zuikaku and Kaga, just as she did
Shoukaku spotted the outlines of destroyers Yukikaze and Hibiki Normally, these two had little to do with the Shoukaku sisters
(as expected, that's how it is)
Shoukaku sighed as she realized her counterpart's intentions Changing tack, she looked once a
With an ii spoke, her words a decree
”The practice ins! ”
As Akagi's voice rang out, Kaga raised her longbow and Zuikaku her shortbow, both letting loose into the sky
”First Wave, launch!”
”I will not give up here”
The first wave of attack planes, having asseets
(Anyhow, I, too, am a carrier of the main forcefuck survival, son, we in it to win it!)
The attack planes passed over her The unit consisted of Type 21 Carrier Fighters, Type 99 Carrier Dive-Bohly 20 of each
Watching them, Zuikaku raised her first in a silent vow
(There's a huge gap in skill between Kaga-senpai and Ibut I have the experience of 'That War'!”
”Carrier Planes, transition into the Crane Wing formation!”
Acknowledging Zuikaku's order, her attack teale, Zeroes in the center and the Type 99s and Type 97s at the flanks
After the Battle of Midway, the Crane Wing formation had been developed and practiced by the New 1stCarDiv in order to defeat enemy carriers With this formation, the fleet's bombers could envelope the enemy carrier between the three corners without complex maneuvers and rapidly transition into an attack from both sides This was the truer overestimated the enemy
And Zuikaku's belief in her chances came from this tactic
(If I use this fora-senpai!)
On the other hand, Kaga's attack force hters leading the van
The two forces of Zeroes clashed--
”! How?!”
”They're all good kids”
Zuikaku's distressed shout was a's pleased a's zeroes, the individual planes pluht courageously, but with little effect
”Why?”
”Unlike you, I mounted about 40 Zeroes”
Zuikaku's eyes widened at Kaga's calm response
”40! Isn't that half the carrier complement?”
”One of our mistakes in that battle was that we emphasized attack power I will not repeat that mistake”
Zuikaku had no retort In a way, this battle proved that it was Kaga who had learned ance were not mere words--
Zuikaku's attack planes broke through Zuikaku's forh soa, their nua casually evaded them
(What a!)
”damn---!”
Kaga's bombers attacked in series With a shout, Zuikaku launched into evasive irls' outfits allowed the wearer to ht of the equipment, and Zuikaku's equipment was no exception
As the plued Zuikaku eed in front of everyone
”!”
Zuikaku's face was distorted in pain Though she are that this was simply the effect of the sie, she also realized she had been plunged into an incredibly disadvantageous position
The remnants of the 1st Attack Group limped back belatedly, less than half of those that had left And yet, she would have to reform these survivors and quickly launch a second wave
(But Kaga-senpai's AA is superior to mineCan I even hit her?)
”Even so!”
Zuikaku raised her sobw once a, too, launched her attack planes with factory precision If she could not at least do soa and weaken her launch capacity, she'd just be a sitting duck
But the first carrier whose planes for at Zuikaku's only just-consolidated air complement
”ugh, fast!”
Out of formation, her own attack team was devastated
Next, Kaga's bo their boh Zuikaku did her best to evade, she was not wholly successful, and the daan to mount
”Ahhh!”
Aching all over, Zuikaku could not help falling ot her knees
She had probably reached e--fairly severe Just one e
(How