Chapter 82 - 73

According to Azur Lane, Siren activities seem to be returning to the usual. Apart from a few skirmishes, the Sirens are no longer fighting against the Abyssals. Likewise, the Abyssal's are returning to their usual hotspots and compositions. Original expedition routes have been confirmed to be safe and Abyssal-free. Now, we no longer need to assign an escort fleet to the expedition fleet. The bad news is, there are more of them now. The temporary fighting with the Sirens must have caused an surge in Abyssal numbers. Ambushes during a sortie may be more frequent now. Aside from that, everything else should be alright.

Today, we have an order to attack an Abyssal Carrier Fleet in the Northern Islands. There is also a secondary mission to update Abyssal activity in that area. Because of this, the main fleet will be deployed. With that said, a certain light aircraft carrier is getting way too excited.

"Can I go now?" (Zuihou)

"I haven't even briefed everyone else yet. I know your suspension has ended but just how eager are you to go?"

"I haven't been on a sortie for almost a month! Of course I'm excited. Hehehe!" (Zuihou)

She is acting like a child waiting to go on a trip. Looking at me with such vigor and excitment.

"Alright alright. Get your equipment. I'm going to start the briefing."

"YAY!" (Zuihou)

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"Like this?" (Yamakaze)

"Yep. Just like that. You did pretty well for your first time, Yamakaze."

I pet Yamakaze on the head. She isn't showing much reaction though.

"Y-yoi don't have to do that..."

"Do you hate this?"

"I don't..."

"Then it's fine."

Yamakaze is rather shy and stoic in nature. It has been almostv3 months since she came to this base. Since then, I have been trying to get her to open up, even for a bit. She usually sticks with her sisters and would hide behind them whenever I approached but all of them are on expeditions, patrols and sorties today. So this is the perfect chance for me. Just like Shigure, she gets scared and lonely easily. Even now, her hands are still shaking while arranging the doc.u.ments. I gently took her hand.

"Eh? A-admiral?" (Yamakaze)

"I want you to stay like this until you have calmed down."

"You don't have to bother yourself with me."

"I want to."

"But what about work?"

"You can't work when you're like this right? So until you relax, just stay like this."

Her hands were still shaking when I touched them. I waited patiently as she slowly begins to relax.

"Have you calmed down?"

"Yes. Warm and big... I'm fine now. I'm sorry... For wasting so much time." (Yamakaze)

"It's fine. Whenever you're feeling frightened, anxious or fretful, no matter how small it is, feel free to look for me. Understand?"

"You don't have to concern yourself-" (Yamakaze)

"That's an order. Understand?"

"Y-yes..." (Yamakaze)

Since she is refusing to accept my kindness out of fear, I can only hide it behind an order. Whatever the case is, I want to help her. I carried Yamakaze up and placed her on my lap. Of course, she is surprised by this.

"Ad-Admiral?! What are you doing?"

"Just sit here. It's easier for me to care for you."

"How about work?" (Yamakaze)

"I can do it like this."

She doesn't seem convinced at all. Come on, I have been doing this with many people already, even with your sister.

"Really. I'm fine." (Yamakaze)

"Liar. You are still shaking."

"Gh... That's because... Yeah, its cold in here." (Yamakaze)

"I have the heating on, so it shouldn't be cold."

"..." (Yamakaze)

"Just sit here and let me pamper you."

"I don't need that sort of thing!" (Yamakaze)