Vol 1 Chapter 2 (2/2)
”In 'that war' Junyou and I never got a chance to use those new planes, all the way until the endI guess it's just my dream”
Hiyou mumbled wistfully around the spoon in her mouth
Zuikaku said nothing Standard carriers like Zuikaku, Shoukaku and the still-absent Taihou had been fortunate enough to eneration machines
”I'et seconds”
Hiyou picked up her ely cleared it out of nowhere As she disappeared, the previously silent Junyou approached the two
”Ara~sorry 'bout that,you problems”
Ever-cheerful Junyou scratched her head
”I figured that Zuikaku'd be a little freaked out by this kind of first , so I wanted to help clear some stuff up”
”You're saying that she has a reason?”
”Everything Hiyou went through in 'That War,' her history and her feelingsI'ano, would understand, right?”
Zuikaku blinked with instant understanding
The aircraft carrier Hiyou had not been a fortunate carrier Her unfortunate and premature exit from the Battle of the South Pacific set the tone for the rest of her career Up until the battle of the Marianas, Hiyou had been unable to take part in the carrier hen she finally joined the Battle of the Marianas, she lost ainst ene to air attack
If Zuikaku had gone through a life like that--a chill traveled down Zuikaku's spine Compared to herself, who had taken part in every carrier battle since Midway, Hiyou could well be her direct antithesis
If she had been thrown into battle with such memories--
”Plus, Hiyou and I used to be civilian luxury liners”
Junyou raised a spoonful of curry
”Denied a life as luxury liners and then denied the right to fight as a real carrierHiyou's feelings arecomplicated”
(So that's why she said things like that)
Hiyou's narrow doctrine probably reflected her obsession with truly perfor her role as an aircraft carrier
(That ht like this, Shoukaku-nee's prediction will eventually come true)
”That's why I'onna lie, I wanna have a real battle like the South Pacific again! That battle was great!”
Junyou puffed up her chest with pride That victory in the South Pacific appeared to be Junyou's pride
Suddenly Junyou stood up
”Well, iet another plateful too Oy, Hiyou, let's race to see who can finish their second portion fastest! Drinks at Houshou's are on the loser~!”
With that, Junyou departed with a wave In the distance Hiyou yelled ”I don't want to! I'm not a child!” ”Why's it matter,” Junyou returned, ”if you don't wanna bet on drinks at Houshou's, we can bet on dessert pudding~!”
”Hiyou and Junyou sure get along well”
Given their co Zuikaku's reently
”After all, they both are both carrier conversions of luxury liners”
Shoukaku looked into the distance
”Perhaps it's because of that they're bound together so tightly”
”So that's why Junyou's like that”
Perhaps Junyou's carefree appearance was a way to cheer on Hiyou, Zuikaku thought
Part 4
The next day, the mood in the Naval District Office was tense
”I will now begin the Mission Report,”
the Adirls in the office, a sheaf of documents in hand
Six shi+pgirls had been asseht Carrier Hiyou, Heavy Cruisers Myoukou and Haguro, and destroyer Hibiki--evidently a carrier task force
Today would be Zuikaku's last trial--the front lines
”In other words, deploying with this formation in mindhy he sent Hiyou to find me?”
In retrospect, the situation h the Admiral was a pervert, he also paid attention to the irls--that could be seen from the daily affairs of the Naval District
(also, Hibiki atching with Yukikaze during that battle with Kaga-senpai)
Hibiki stood listening to the Admiral next to Myoukou, expression empty as ice It seemed she was the cold type
(Does she get along with Yukikaze?)
”First ill explain the current situation Shoukaku, if you would”
”Yes”
Standing next to the Admiral, Shoukaku stood next to a whiteboard covered in reports, both combat and noncombat
”Since we have begun our counteroffensive against the abyssals, our Naval District's objective has been to capture the resource-rich sectors of the western seas, and we have launched several offensives to that effect”
Shoukaku directed attention with a pointer to a map centered around the current location
On the routes between the Continent and the Naval District were pinned three red thu the expedition fleets Each was currently on escort duty
The Southwest Island Waters's Okinoshi+ the abyssals, along with the Northern Sector's Moray Sea
”We have already suppressed the 'gate' to the Western Seas, the Southwestern Island Waters, with some initial success”
”Initially?”
Zuikaku voiced her surprise Shoukaku responded with a stern expression
”Yes Recently we have been forced to suspend our offensive Our problem lies here”
Shoukaku pointed to Okinoshi+e of the Southwest Islands Waters
”We have found that the waters around Okinoshi+e If we assault the Western Seas without dealing with thearrison fleets”
Zuikaku nodded The safety of the supply line was integral to the success of an offensive If a strong ene their supply line cut
”As such, the Naval District has temporarily suspended the offensive in the Western Seas and has launched several ainst the ene our est offensive to date”
From the indoor classes, Zuikaku had learned that the abyssals would construct harbors within various sectors, acting as staging points from which further invasions could be launched As the harbors expanded with tieous to quickly remove them
”In order to ensure the success of this operation, we have decided to keep our main force at home and stockpile resources The initial plan had been to launch an all-out attack, but recent battles have sapped our strategic reserve, reducing our e”
(So supply levels can constrain fleet movements, even in this world)
In ”That War”, her side lacked both the power and the resources to continue the battle
”Moreover, we have yet another problee force of enemy supply raiders have surfaced in the eastern Orel Sea”
Shoukaku pointed to a corner of the Southwest Island Waters
”Our side already controls the eastern part of the Orel Sea, but the ene our supply routes from the west Given the possibility that they may also move up to reinforce Okinoshi+ma, it is imperative for the Naval District that they be destroyed with all due haste”
”And you are the force assembled to deal with that problem”
Picking up from Shoukaku's explanation, the admiral stepped forwards
”We cannot send the Naval District's main force However, to leave the ene problems As such, your duty is to wipe them out”
”In other words”
Hiyou sounded less than thrilled The Adetically
”Apologies We cannot dispatch the main force, so we had to send so you all to the role of second-line troops Even soare you willing to sortie?”
The Adht at Zuikaku and Hiyou
(To think that the last test before enlistment would be a real battle)
A prick of unease Would she be able to do a carrier's job in this unknown battlefield--
(Even so, to decline noould be an insult to the Shoukaku class! Shoukaku-nee's going anyways, so!)
Zuikaku and Hiyou's eyes met, and they both nodded before Zuikaku spoke:
”Please allow us to deploy Since the eneood odds”
”Is that so”
The Admiral spoke, as if a burden had been released from his shoulders Zuikaku quickly followed up
”Does the enemy have carriers?”
”They do They may be commerce raiders, but we believe that they are simply a picket force, and that a uard, you will likely encounter the enemy main force”
Froenerally protected by a dense web of advance forces and pickets that constantly patrolled
When approaching the irls either worked to avoid these forces via early detection or destroyed theether As such, attack routes often remained fluid up until the moment of contact So the main force at all
”The small details of the operation will be explained by Shoukaku Apart froround to your judgement”
Each shi+pgirl's eyes were now on the Admiral
”I wish you all the best of luck”
Briefing over, Zuikaku left alone, plodding down the corridor From behind her, came suddenly a voice
”Zuikaku! Don't go yet!”
”Junyou?”
She turned around to see Junyou catching up with quick steps
”What's up? Hiyou went the other way”
”I have so to ask of you”
Zuikaku blinked in surprise Zuikaku nodded, speaking with a previously unseen solemnity
”That briefing was about the next sortie, right? And Hiyou will be deploying with you”
”Mm But if you want the details, you could just as Hiyou”
”Could I ask you to watch over hiyou?”
There was only sincerity in Junyou's eyes
”Being serious is that girl's specialty--but when it becoins to tunnel vision on her own battle Although I, too, think it's strange to ask a favor of a greenhorn like yourself, there are sos about carriers only another carrier could understand As flagshi+p, Shoukaku is busy as well I won't force you or ask you to go beyond your ht?”
Zuikaku remembered what Junyou had said the day before
(”To be honest, I, too, do not approve of Hiyou's gung-ho tactics I'm a rookie too, so I have to consider her pride”)
As Junyou's gaze lingered for several seconds, Zuikaku chuckled and nodded
”I got it Though I'm not too confident, I'll do what I can”
Junyou's expression instantly brightened
”As expected of Zuikaku! So reliable! I hope to see the 'Lucky Carrier's' true power someday, yo!”
”That 'true power' came from coincidences!”
”There you go again~no need to be modest!”
Junyou cheerily slapped Zuikaku in the back While she certainly felt unco
Part 5
In front of Zuikaku's gaze was the wide expanse of the Bashi+ Island Waters
Zuikaku and the other irl fleet had entered abyssal's area of control, cruising through at high speed
Until now, no enemies had been detected However, it would be no surprise if the two heavy cruisers' reconnaissance seaplanes reported the enemy then and there
It was a clear day, but the seas were a little more treacherous than they were around the Naval District--occasionally soether from view
”SO quiet”
The shi+pgirls were currently cruising in wheel/diamond formation to deter enemy ambushes As they went, Zuikaku spoke quietly to Shoukaku
”Are there really abyssal fleets here?”
”That's what previous records indicate Plus, the scouts should betheir report soon”
Zuikaku nodded with unease The gravity of real battle--and the life and death struggle that would ensue--weighed heavily on her mind
(Even if the enemy consists )
Sure, she had felt her life in danger during the battle with Kaga--but at that tis on her mind and had never quite felt terror She felt it now, a constant undercurrent of fear
The ano remained fuzzy, she was unable to recollect the pain she must have felt then And yet that uncertainty only served to strengthen the terror stirring in her heart
(! da like this)
Zuikaku shook her head
(I'm a standard carrier I've trained hard so that I could save this world, just like Shoukaku-nee and Kaga-senpai)
”Zuikaku, are you alright?”
”Aaah!”
Shoukaku's sudden interjection caused Zuikaku to let out a shriek--hed
”Fufu, you're a little too uptight, Zuikaku It can't be helped--it's your first time, after all--but loosen up”
Shoukaku softened her sently
”Don't worry You've already accu that first battle with Kaga-senpai, didn't you escape sinking then too? Even if the enemy is a carrier task force, you'll be able to deal with it I promise”
”Shoukaku-nee”
Even in these circumstances, Shoukaku continued to cheer on her sister as always In response to this kindness, Zuikaku could not stop her eyes fro
”Plus Zuikaku is my lovely sister, you know? I'll keep you safe So don't worry and fight
”mmm, yes! I'll do my best!”
”Hold on, Shoukaku, are you just talking about your sister? Are the rest of us just cannon fodder here?”
Hiyou interrupted from behind
”Nonsense Since the Adshi+p, would I betray everyone's trust like that?”
With eyes full of confidence, Shoukaku met the question with a bold smile
”Don't worry, I definitely won't let anyone sink Not on my watch”
She spoke softly, gazing into the distance, as if it were a mere matter of fate Next to her, Zuikaku felt both reassured and moved
(Shoukaku-nee is reliable, as expected)
Seeing Shoukaku standing with silver hair flowing, Zuikaku felt herself calm And then--
”! Shoukaku-san! Seaplanes reporting!”
Heavy Cruiser Haguro called out her report with a tense fear
”Eneht Cruisers, Two Destroyers! It's most likely the enemy picket force!”
(A picket force--no carriers? We can hit them hard from the air then!)
Zuikaku's coed If the enemy had no carriers, she would have the initiative
”Understood Shoukaku to all shi+ps, we're going to take out that fleet and open up the way towards the enemy's main force”
Shoukaku promptly handed out orders to the rest of hte unit
”All carriers, launch the first wave All other shi+ps prepare for surface engagement! Move in as soon as the first wave has completed its attack run!”
”Understood!”
Zuikaku and Shokaku both let fly their arrows into the skies Hiyou unfurled her scroll with a sweep of her left hand, revealing her carrier deck With her right, she drew out a bundle of paper carrier planes, for them from her deck
”Go--!”
As she waited for her carrier planes to form up above her, Zuikaku felt her terror subside It was just like that battle with Kaga--once the battle started, there was no time for fear--
Having consolidated into their formations, the carrier planes fleards the enemy fleet
Severalof the battle
”I have visual of the enee us!”
”All carriers, begin your first wave attacks! Surface fleet, co!”
”Understood!”
Looking to the enemy silhouettes on the distant horizon, Zuikaku focused on the targets
When a carrier shi+pgirl knew the ene and forirls generally only launched a relatively inaccurate long-distance attack in the opening phase, in order to gain the initiative
(What's the situation?)
The carrier planes began to fade out of Zuikaku's vision Not long after, the enemy fleet racked with explosions and pillars of water
(Great! This way the rest of the battle will be a walk!)
Zuikaku wanted to cheer If this continued all can, victory was virtually assured
”Ene! They've stopped !”
Haguro spoke with relief The abyssals on the horizon waited i from their wounds as if to confirm the report Shoukaku immediately set down the next order
”Initiate surface combat! All carriers, prepare your second wave! Let's finish the eneo!”
”Understood!”
Part 6
It did not take long for Zuikaku and company to mop up the remnants of the first fleet encountered
These abyssals appeared to have been a cruiser fleet--Myoukou, Haguro and Hibiki's gunfire quickly sank the survivors before Zuikaku and coe had been sustained in the encounter--a true total victory
The six shi+pgirls pressed on through the rough seas The ene in, and so they put up a CAP of a few dozen fighters as protection
And yet, Zuikaku's spirits had never been higher
(My first battleI survivedand won!”
She unconsciously balled her hands into fists This victory proved that she could fight as a shi+pgirl against the abyssals
(Plus, Shoukaku-nee's at my side)
The post-battle report showed that Shoukaku had done thesunk two light carriers and crippled a destroyer Hiyou and Zuikaku had been responsible for the re three shi+ps
As flagshi+p, Shoukaku had both shown herself as an experienced commander and as a force to be reckoned with--Zuikaku had trouble restraining her praise
(As long as SHoukaku-nee is here, our ene!)
Though the enemy main force was a carrier task force, they had three carriers with theuard, of course, but as long as they fought hard, victory should be ithin their grasp
Zuikaku looked once more to the horizon
All that could be seen was the wide expanse of the open sea A few clouds dotted the sky, but otherwise all was clear
”By the way--that was an i, Zuikaku, Shoukaku”
Hiyou spoke up from the back
”Deciding the battle within the opening attackthe Shoukaku-class lives up to its name”
”Didn't Hiyou also work very hard?”
Shoukaku turned in response
”The Hiyou class ht carriers, but their carrier capacity is close to that of the Hiryuu class [3] Ad officer in the Marianas, often said that 'theabout planes are numbers[4]; I believe you and Junyou are proof of that”
”No need for the praise Once we run into stronger abyssals, after all, you standard carriers are far ht carriers”
Hiyou spoke with a hint of wistfulness Perhaps witnessing Shoukaku's crushi+ng attack power had made her aware of her own limits
”Hiyou, I feel that you underestimate yourself far too often”
Zuikaku cut in from the side as Junyou's words flashed in her mind
”If you look at the hard stats, thatelse, like fuel consumption? I heard that in 'That War', you and Junyou served diligently and efficiently as supply and plane transports due to your fuel efficiency”
”I understand that, and I am quite proud of it However, this is not a world where you and I can avoid confronting the abyssals directly When the time comes we must always do our best in the battle”
”That's why, this way of thinking”
”This is e thatnot even Junyou”
The curt resolve in Hiyou's voice was far too fire with further words
”butthank you”
Several seconds later, Hiyou said with some difficulty
”These words are far kinder than jabs about ives rateful”
Her words seemed to have warmed up all within the six-shi+p fleet
Of course, it was at this time that a sharp noise pierced Zuikaku's ear
Shortly after came a chorus of lols
(That soundit can't be!)
”All shi+ps, evasive action! That sound is--!”
Shoukaku shouted, her face drawn”
”That's the sound of a battleshi+p's!”
A second later, explosions and pillars of water surrounded the six shi+pgirls
Part 7
In one of the Naval District's e [5] While the range was not particularly large, its target area, shooting area and shooting field were all well furnished and maintained
The e were the standard carriers
Of course, the Standard Carriers simply need to shoot into the sky for their arrows to transmute into autono uiding the carrier planes required mental focus, and kyudo was one of the best ways to develop that focus
Today, Akagi and Kaga were up early to practice, dressed in normal uniform
To focus their minds, both of them maintained total silence There were virtually no misses On the field, several fairies helped to scurry aith the loosed arrows and replace the targets
At this ain--and missed completely
””
Kaga silently nocked a second arrow, her expression a little incredulous--yet her result was the sa even further off the mark
”Why”
Next to her, Akagi lightly giggled
”You must have some kind of unease in your heart”
”Unease?”
”Are you worried about Zuikaku?”
Kaga's eyes widened, as if she herself had not noticed Unfazed, Akagi continued:
”That child who's caught your eye has gone to battle for the first time Will she complete her mission? Even if you're fairly confident, the reality is often not that simplethat's what's written on your face”
”I don't see how that's possible”
”Regardless, it is the truth, no?”
In response to Akagi's inquiries, Kaga looked looked away, her face slightly red--it seeht
”The 1stCarDiv has the 1stCarDiv's way of fighting, the 5thCarDiv has the 5thCarDiv's way of fightingwasn't the one who taught thea? Those children will definitely come back safely”
Akagi gazed straight into Kaga's eyes Sighing as if to ada raised her bow once more
”Yes However, it is also because of that”
Kaga sighted the target
”That we cannot fail If we fail”
Draw, loose--this tiet, the thud resounding through the range
Akagi hastily suppressed the bitter smile that had almost reached her face To be able to allay her oorries and strengthen her resolve with a single phrase--that was just like Kaga
Akagi was one of the oldest shi+pgirls in the naval district She had taken up her duties when the Naval District was first fororously on the front lines as one of the i sortied so often that the naval district's food and supply reserve had been whittled down to nothing--these days, those affairs were simply pleasant memories
Because of this, irls worshi+ped her as ”the reliable carrier onee-san,” and because of that Akagi frequently cared for the other shi+pgirl's mental and physical health
And for Akagi, Kaga, as her closest friend, was the one she cared for the most
(Kaga may not honest, but she is truthful)
As she wiped her sweat off with a towel, Akagi suppressed another sad sa continued to draw and shoot without a second glance
(But, as Kaga said)
As she stepped into the hallway, a shi+pgirl approached Akagi
”Yukikaze?”
”Thanks for your work, Akagi onee-san!”
Yukikaze's greeting was full of energy From the way she had shown up, it appeared that she had been waiting for Akagi to leave the archery range Akagi stopped, realizing why Yukikaze had been waiting for her
”It's related to that, right? Could you tell me?”
”Yes Although you could probably hear it froets back”
Having voiced her hesitation, Yukikaze took a deep breath and whispered:
”As predicted by the commander, Zuikaku onee-san--”
Part 8
The chaos following the preemptive strike was limited in scope
As the eneirls were unhare the ene-awaited main fleet Hard on the heels of the battleshi+p shelling, the ene with Shoukaku's hastily-launched first wave before disengaging
And yet, on the water's surface--
”Get a hold together! Hiyou!”
Panicked, Zuikaku turned to where Hiyou lay on the water, knocked over by repeated hits
”Hiyou, the Abyssals are here! You can't just lay there!”
”Ugh, oh”
Hiyou groaned in pain The Hiyou-class' trademark onmyouji uniforht deck scroll had survived the flames
The wounds on her body, too, were quite severe; even movement was difficult
The enemy battleshi+p's shells and their carrier's planes had both targeted Hiyou in succession Whether out of fortune or htly wounded Shoukaku fought on as if unaffected
”Hiyou!”
Zuikaku shouted again The frantic terror in her heart was tinged by a powerful regret
(What was I thinking?!)
There's no e could lose against an enemy carrier task force with three carriers--that hat she had thought
And yet in reality it was they who had been caught with their pants down, allowing Hiyou to be heavily daht off the enemy's first wave unassisted, had also t