Vol 1 Chapter 4 (1/2)
The Meaning of Luck (Part 2)
Part 1
The h the wide-openinto the the Naval District Office
The trees surrounding the Naval District hummed with the ”SZAZAKARAIIIISUUUUU” of ten thousand cicadas as the fan in the corner valiantly pushed along the hot air This nation's summer is just like the summer we know, it's very hot
The Adht me here about a month after I had come to this Naval District, on a certain afternoon
”Regarding the Confirmation you wanted, Shoukaku, the report has arrived”
The Ad on a docuh
”Your theory has been validated by the evidence You indeed sustain significantly more hits than other carriers--even if we consider 'Luck', this is still the case In other words”
”I am still constrained by the title of 'The Unlucky shi+p'--correct?”
I cut through the Admiral with my own voice--from an Admiral's standpoint, these words were probably hard to say
”This kind of judge”
As predicted, the Adetically I s him not to take it to heart
I had long since come to terms with this
Froirl, it had been like this
It was because I, like soirls, had clear memories of ”That War”
It was not altogether surprising that would have to bear results and a legacy as a shi+pgirl identical to those memories
Listening to the report at the Admiral's side, secretary-shi+p Houshou-nee bore a complicated expression
”But, this way you'll”
There was clear sorrow in the Admiral's voice I shook my head
”It's not a problem After all, I have my own hopes”
”Hopes?”
”I wish to avoid bringing my misfortune onto others--that and that only”
””
”What happens to me is unimportant No matter how many wounds I sustain, how many times I have to retreat, I don't mind But I do not wish to lose anyone on account of this This is irl”
”Are you worried about your demise in that 'Battle of the Marianas' you speak of?”
”I wouldn't be able to forget so like that even if I tried”
I spoke with a hint of self-mockery Even now, I occasionally dream of what happened then
It had been a torpedo, striking while the air groups were being refueled A diesel leak triggered an explosion that lit me on fire Those who did not burn were sed by the waves, life after life vanishi+ng before me--unfortunately, I remembered all that with perfect clarity
Nearly three out of four crew the Standard Carriers, this was one of the ures
Perhaps that hy
Or perhaps it wasworry for new model carrier Taihou and my sister Zuikaku, both of ould subsequently perish in the line of duty, that caused it
I do not want to bring ain I hope that this time I can protect what is important to me
Even if itmy days at the bottom of the sea
As long as , has value
”With that inZuikaku--my sister, the one renowned in 'That War' as the illustrious 'Lucky Carrier' to the Naval District?”
I maintained my smile as I spoke with firm words
”That child should be the sa as she becoreat assistance to this naval district”
And so, clutching conviction to heart, I told the Admiral,
”And before that happens, leave it to me to protected Zuikaku Even if I have to be her shi+eld, I will definitely”
If I bear the legacy of that war, after all, I ought to be the one to draw the eneer, just like back then
Awoken by past worries, Shoukaku lay in a daze
She knehere she was--in her room in the naval district, on her futon The Warid wind shook the forest restlessly
But she did not understand why she was here
”If I recall correctly, I was in the waters around Okinoshi+ma, and in order to protect ZUikaku”
She recalled the torpedo wakes as they rushed at her and Zuikaku
Though she had been the flagshi+p at the time, her attention had been drawn by the four battleshi+ps, and so the destroyers had ed to close in unnoticed and release their deadly payload If she had done nothing, both she and Zuikaku would have been stricken by multiple torpedoes with doubtlessly heavy and (with soe
It was exactly because of that she had instructed the half-forroup to intervene fro torpedos and block what they could
Given, she could have attempted to both direct her planes and evade as Zuikaku in the Orel Sea--but this would divide her attention and potentially prevent her fro either objective
When Taihou ca the battle of the Marianas, one of the Suisei had ra his life to block the attack While he failed and Taihou was ultimately sunk by that torpedo spread, she could definitely succeed--and it was for this reason that she acted as she did
(However, I only released some ten or so planes--a little too few for all those torpedos That's why I ca a few torps)
Shoukaku looked at her bathrobed body Perhaps she was lucky after all--her body bore not a single wound From the wintry scene outside, it seemed as if little time had passed since the battle in the Okinoshi+ma waters
Out of nowhere, a wave of unease struck her
(My survival means)
She was the ”unlucky shi+p” What if this legacy had targeted the Adirls? If Zuikaku's luck was an insufficient defense--
Her oath to the Adh her mind
”! Zui--”
”Shoukaku-nee!”
The doors slammed open as destroyer Yukikaze stepped into the room--and then stopped, as if transfixed with shock
”I-I'!”
That's fine, I was just about to get up”
Shoukaku smiled to calm Yukikaze, as she did to reassure Zuikaku
”Well then, what happened?”
”Yes, Zuikaku-onee, she--”
”Zuikaku? Is Zuikaku alright?”
Shoukaku bolted up, shoving her covers aside
Yukikaze's gaze turned froy
”She's fine, but”
Part 2
”Do you think this is some kind of joke?!”
Zuikaku shouted in rage
The location was the Naval District office Zuikaku had only just returned yesterday with her wounded comrades
Having called her over, the Admiral now sat behind the desk in front of her No secretary shi+p stood by his side, and no other shi+pgirls were present--a one-on-one standoff
Zuikaku slae as she bellowed
”You want ain? And with Shoukaku-nee too--what the hell is wrong with you? There's--”
”--A arrisoned there, a force stronger than anything we have faced”
As if to coht, the Admiral interjected with an emotionless tone
”And a those four Ru-classes, there is a new shi+p Type'”
”Well then if you already know!”
”Moreover, those four battleshi+ps are atte to surround us ater pillars by firing in series and trying to obscure our line of sight--Suppression Shelling, essentially I assume that means they are equipped with the newest Radars”
The Admiral spoke in a firm tone that proscribed any interruption
”Range seeato-classif they were norht battle, the disparity in accuracy may well become even more pronounced”
”!”
”It's exactly because of this that we are betting our hopes on the power of you carriers Carrier planes can strike froe and attack those four battleshi+ps from beyond the horizon Currently, the Naval District and Factory is operating at full capacity, stockpiling resources and equipment for this sortie”
Fro to end, the Admiral spoke with icy calm
”This iven to us Reconnaissance shows that enemy patrols have increased in both activity and patrol radius Do you knohat that means?”
Zuikaku felt a chill travel down her spine
”That the ainst home base?”
”It's possible that this Naval District is their target If, by any chance, the Abyssals are not the regrets of 'That War' but the fate of shi+pgirls who have sank, it would not be surprising if they knew the location of this Naval District”
Zuikaku's expression was bleak--while it was certainly possible, she would rather have left it unsaid
”and it is precisely due to this that I plan to dispatch you sisters of the 5thCarDiv Thankfully, you only sustained e 1stCarDiv and 2ndCarDiv's standard carriers have yet to fully recover--they are unlikely to be capable of sortieing in the near future; the saoes for Mutsu and the other Battleshi+ps Currently, the only shi+p that can take them on are you two”
”you can try to convincelike that”
Zuikaku tightly gripped the desk as she glared at the Admiral
”Why do you believe that I could take on monsters like those? Shoukaku-nee and my survival and return”
As she spoke, her recollection of the Battle at Okinoshi+ma floated into her mind
”Shoukaku-nee--!”
Even as Zuikaku cried out her warning, Shoukaku was engulfed inher from view
What happened was obvious--Shoukaku had used the carrier planes above her to target the torpedo spread, si her body to shi+eld Zuikaku fro torpedos Just like she had resolved to do before the battle
”A,ah”
Zuikaku shook wordlessly, sieysers receded As expected, Shoukaku could not have stopped all the torpedos; several shot past on either side of her--even so, Zuikaku was completely unharmed
(H-howhow can this be!)
Zuikaku felt the hopelessness seeping through her spirit As it was, sheup to the name of the 'lucky carrier', she had sacrificed the 'unlucky shi+p' for her own survival
(I never asked for this! I just wanted to fight to save this world!)
The pillars of water slowly collapsed--revealing to Zuikaku a figure collapsed like the geysers around her
”Shoukaku-nee!”
Zuikaku hurried rushed over as she lifted Shoukaku from where she lay on the water's surface
Shoukaku's body was covered in wounds, her equiple carrier plane had survived But she was alive--Shoukaku had once said that shi+pgirls would float, as long as they remained alive
(Thank God! But, why?)
Even as she cried tears of joy, Zuikaku felt a sed to reduce the torpedos coh to finish her in her current state And yet, Shoukaku had ed to just barely hold on
Presently, several carrier planes flew over at low altitude These planes bore floats--they weren't Shoukaku's, at any rate
It see the torpedos, saving her life in the process
(Seaplanes? It can't be?)
”--are you alright, 5thCarDiv Sisters?”
The voice in her ear--a radio transed to--”
”Ise-onee?”
This transaped at Ise and Hyuuga, astonished
Ise and Hyuuga evaded the continued fire fro them
Both had sustained several direct hits and several near misses and the wounds to prove it--their protective barriers were also in tatters But they continuedas they evaded shell after shell While they ishly as their status as battleshi+ps i only after the enemy had fired
(So even at Cape Engano!)
Breathless, Zuikaku remembered the last scenes she had witnessed of ”That War”
The Battle of Engano where she sank had been the last decisive battle for her side--the carrier battle of the Leyte Gulf Ise and Hyuuga had been responsible for the protection of four carriers, led by Zuikaku, co anti-air battle
The battle had ended in disaster for the japanese--all four carriers were lost But Ise and Hyuuga had ed to shrewdly evade the ene a battle fro these two shi+pgirls now, it seeility, so unlike those of battleshi+ps
Ise's voice rose urgently
”--is Shoukaku fine? We're falling back noe of the 4thCarDiv will foruard, you 5thCarDiv sisters hurry up and scram!”
”To leave in this situation?”
”We just received orders froed to univen how the battle is going, we have no option but to retreat!”
Zuikaku found that her blood was rising far faster than her relief
(Doesn't that mean that ere sent just to scout out the enemy's composition!?)
Froement and choice--even so, she could not accept it
”--We of the 4thCarDiv's durability and evasion is ainst those four Battleshi+ps--now hurry up!”
”B-but, if that happens you'll”
”Don't look underestia!”
”That's right Let them witness the true power of the Aviation Battleshi+ps! Zuikaku, we'll definitely catch up with you--get going!”
The two bellowed, as if to reassure themselves
At the saunfire echoed in the distance--Maya and Choukai were engaging the Destroyers that had just launched the torpedo spread
Zuikaku gulped Currently, the enemy was completely focused elsewhere--
In her confusion, Zuikaku saw the wounded Shoukaku as an expression of anguish appeared across her face--it see to endure the pain If she didn't escape, Shoukaku ht sink
”sorry!”
Zuikaku lifted Shoukaku up as she started her retreat
”The only reason we survived was because Ise-nee and Hyuuga-nee acted as our shi+elds”
Zuikaku lowered her head with her remorseful admission
”But after we e Maya, Choukai and Shoukaku-nee were the samethat was the limit of our power”
”Our Higher-Ups believe that you, as the 'Lucky Carrier,' are needed in the fleet for us to have any chance of victory”
”!”
Zuikaku glared once more at the Admiral, who took it in calmly
”I'm sure Shoukaku has told you before of your ability as the 'Lucky Carrier' to grasp the most fortunate result It's because of this status that ere given this last chance”
”'Lucky Carrier' this, 'Lucky Carrier' Thatis everyone just treating me as an object to carry around?!”
Zuikaku leaned forwards as she shouted in rage So to endure had finally boiled over
”The power to grasp theluck, I just did my best! Don't just foist a role on me like that!”
”I have no objection with your explanation But we need your power to save the world The fact is that you ed to unveil the enemy's true face and successfully escaped with a wounded Shoukaku from the battle Given your comparative combat ability, this result may as well be a miracle”
”So I was called here just for that, then? So I'm just a bloody lucky char Shoukaku-nee and the other shi+pgirls for some crap like that--this is a little too unreasonable!”
””
”The one who said that shi+pgirls aren't tools of asn't that you, Admiral?”
”That's fine as well--this is a war, and sacrifices must sometimes be made”
””
”We rab our fates with our own hands”
Nearly gasping in rage, Zuikaku couldn't stop herself fro her shortbow Of course, she didn't loose the carrier plane at the arrow's tip--but just a twitch of the finger, and the plane would immediately shoot at the Admiral
The Adazed back evenly with a resolve that stood up to Zuikaku's rage
In spite of her teeth-grinding rage, Zuikaku didn't shoot--she couldn't shoot
”Zuikaku, stop!”
A voice from behind her--Zuikaku turned around with shock to see Shoukaku staring at her, having thrown the office doors open Fro of her shoulders, it appeared that she had rushed over as fast as she could
”Shoukaku-nee”
Zuikaku spoke gently Shoukaku, who had been wounded protecting her, had returned Joy, elation and guilt flashed through her s about Shoukaku's resolve
However, Shoukaku approached Zuikaku soundlessly, snatching Zuikaku's shortbow--and then raising her right arm in a broad slap
”!”
”Apologize to the Admiral,”
Shoukaku said severely to Zuikaku, who touched her face in a daze
”Apologize, now!”
”! Didn't you lie to me too, Shoukaku-nee?!”
Shoukaku roared back reflexively, expelling all the regrets and depression that had followed that last battle in a single breath
Don't say anyany more would hurt Shoukaku-nee, another Zuikaku cautioned desperately But Zuikaku wouldn't stop, couldn't stop
”'I won't sink again'out lies to reassure me and then try to sacrifice yourself for ainst the title of 'the Unlucky shi+p' is clearly you, Shoukaku-nee!”
”Zuikaku”
”I don't want to be a lucky charm or a weapon of war--and I sure as hell don't want to be a reason for Shoukaku-nee to sacrifice herself!”
Zuikaku turned and ran, through the open door into the hall
”Hold on, Zuikaku!”
Though her elder sister's re
Shoukaku did not run after Zuikaku
No, she couldn't run after her
Firstly, it was unlikely that Zuikaku in her current state would listen to her words Secondly, she had lied, as Zuikaku ahd said And as Zuikaku had said, she had chosen to accept her status as 'the Unlucky shi+p' and do her best under the circumstances
(But that's all I can do)
Those experiences in ”That War” culh hit sustenance rate that had coh the experience and skill was clearly there--that was just how things were---she couldn't do anything about it
”Thank you, Shoukaku--though I want to say that, are you alright now?”
The Adh of relaxation Shoukaku stood up straight, responding with head lowered
”Yes, thanks to you My apologies for letting you witness my willfusl sister's display”
”Don't worry about it That kind of spirit is what your sister ought to have”
The Ad It seemed like he had expected Zuikaku's response
Shoukaku nodded slightly as she spoke with a careful tone:
”I've heard the gist of it frouess ofthe 5thCarDiv to use Zuikaku's power of the 'Lucky Carrier' was the request of the higher-ups and not the Admiral, correct?”
The Adazed at Shoukaku, his face clearly displeased
(I was right, huh)
Shoukaku held back her sigh The Admiral had co--this had been obvious from the missions up until now Moreover, his political base was far from solid
The intent of Shoukaku and Zuikaku's last sortie had probably been to ”grasp their formation, even if you can't wipe out the main fleet” That intent could be seen in the choice of sortieing Ise and Hyuuga, both veterans skilled in evasion
Moreover, if this had been the prioal, there was no need to send her and Zuikaku Indeed, throwing in a rookie such as Zuikaku was still very risky, ”Lucky Carrier” or not
Pushi+ng forwards in spite of all this--it had to be pressure froher-ups
(Even if it was only to satisfy the deher-ups, the Ad related to us as our co to maintain clear accountability That's probably why he didn't say anything)
Perhaps the Adirl's recollections of ”That War” that a string of disasters had resulted from poor accountability
After all, there was no need for a bunch of shi+pgirls balancing a ith the abyssals with daily life at the Naval District to understand the Adher ups In a certain sense, this was also an atteirls
At the very least, this hat the Adht
Perhaps he had dealt so severely with Zuikaku so that Zuikaku could vent all the suspicions and questions re fros
(What a difficult man to understand)
Shoukaku frowned discontentedly as she suppressed a sigh before voicing another one of her convictions
”However, Ad”
””
”Plus, this tirasped the Okinoshi+ma Garrison Fleet's formation--I presume you have a plan then?”
As Shoukaku watched inquisitively, the Adrin
Part 3
”aren't you a little full of yourself,alone here at a time like this?”
Standing on the seawall that snaked around the naval district shoreline, Hiyou inquired with an expression of confusion
At her feet Zuikaku crouched slavically, her face and expression concealed by her legs
After the argument in the naval district office, Zuikaku had run here from the naval district At least there would be soht
Unfortunately, her hopes proved naive Zuikaku had only been here for a short ti behind her More likely than not, Hiyou had been sent by a certain someone in the naval district
(After that debacle, I don't have the face to return to the naval district)
Though she felt Hiyou coed
(I just wanted to work hard as a shi+pgirl, but)
Not a single word Zuikaku had said to Shoukaku and the Ad her equipment at the admiral was a little overdone, but Zuikaku did not feel that she had said anything wrong
Even so, a strong sense of regret lingered
(I spoke out of line with Shoukaku-nee)
Undecided between standing unco her thumbnails into herself
(Shoukaku-nee clearly just wanted to protect h a situation that made her think as she did)
Shoukaku had not escaped the wounds of ”That War” Indeed, it was the very opposite--she was one of the ones to remember it the most vividly And it was due to those experiences that she so selflessly tried to protect Zuikaku
Shoukaku is the ”unlucky shi+p”, so she is hit ood luck--if this theory becomes a rule, there would be no shi+p better suited to be ”the shi+p in charge of being hit” than Shoukaku
Moreover, if she truly possessed the power to grasp the best possible result, it was not illogical for the Naval District to prepare for a long ith the abyssals--
(But I hate this kind of thinking)
To Zuikaku, Shoukaku was an irreplaceable sister, one which she could not bear to harm for her sake
(Neveriven so the best possible result”, I'd have not a clue how to do it)
In the worst case scenario, no irls with her except for herself would perish--it was certainly a possibility that Zuikaku considered
(what should I do?)
”Oy, are you listening to me?”
Hiyou spoke again fro
The silence persisted nearly adown next to Zuikaku, she started speaking, her gaze directed at the sea
”I heard about it And I'm also aware of that 'you may have a certain ability' crap too”
””
”I've always had Junyou by irl was an accomplished veteran in 'That War', and survived until the endthough it's not to your degree, it would not be unreasonable to call her a 'lucky carrier' as well In reality, her hit sustenance rate in this war is indeed lowerto tell you the truth, I'm quite jealous”
””
”That's why I can understand Shoukaku's feelings, and your feelings to so of me, constrained as I a inferior, I suspect Junyou simply doesn't want to consider the idea that 'she is lucky' If ere always aware of our own fortunes, their results and that kind of business, we'd si with our comrades”
She felt the saht, her face hidden in her legs In regards to Junyou's situation, her concern for Hiyou had already made that self-evident
And yet after a pause, Hiyou spoke up again, with a harsher voice
”But Junyou has never given up due to her situation She had never used 'luck' or 'it was pre-ordained' as a pretext to give up”
”!”
Hiyou had never rebuked Zuikaku like this before, and Zuikaku froze
”I aht carrier who cannot compare with standard carriers, and I acco in 'That War'but so what? How can I bend my knee to luck and fate? Stuff like that, I'll toss the hand of mine!”
Hiyou's right hand, rock in hand, gloith her ical onmyodo powers or some shi+t With what may or an to tremble
”Hiyou”
Zuikaku looked up slowly In front of her, Hiyou stood up, clutching the stone in her hand
Hiyou stared at the seaside as before And yet the gaze that emanated from those purple eyes seemed to imbibe Hiyou's resolution
(In other words, the Ad)
One should decide her own fate--the Admiral had said this to her, back before Shoukaku had reached the office
Thinking carefully, that phrase may have been the expression not of the Aduide both Zuikaku, gradually fettered by the results of ”That War,” and Shoukaku, long since subjugated by them