Chapter 95 - 85

I quickly rushed to the port. This is bad! How did an Abyssal Princess get so close? What are the patrol girls doing? And why hasn't the alarm sound yet? Maybe it's not near enough to detected. But she is an airfield type. She can easily attack us from afar.

Some girls were already at the port, fully geared up for a fight. In the distance, the Northern Princess can be seen. Two girls circled around her, eyeing her closely. The northern princess really is out of the radars range.

"Ooyodo."

"Ah, Admiral. I'm sorry I didn't inform you sooner. She suddenly appeared and stopped right there." (Ooyodo)

"That's alright. What has she been doing?"

"Nothing for the moment. She is just standing there." (Ooyodo)

That's weird. She can clearly destroy us from this distance. And even before we even noticed her.

"Should we attack first?" (Murasame)

"No. Let's see what is she up to."

Compared to the other princesses, the Northern Princess, or Hoppou as what everyone calls her type, exhibits rather childish behavior. She is still a formidable foe. The Northern AL Waters is where this princess calls her home. Like the Abyssals, a new princess takes over the place soon after we sink the previous one. Still, why is there one here?

"Who are the ones patrolling now?"

"Shimakaze-chan and Tama-san. Hiryuu-san launched some escort fighters in case there are Abyssal planes around. But..." (Ooyodo)

"What is it?"

"The Northern Princess started jumping for the planes when they flew over her. I got to admit, it was pretty cute. The way she tried to catch them." (Ooyodo)

"Huh?"

This was not how I expected things to go. I expected her to strike at the planes, not try to catch them. It's like she wants to play...

Wait... Playing with planes?

"Hiryuu,"

"Yes?" (Hiryuu)

"What fighters are you using?"

"Umm... A shinden kai." (Hiryuu)

I can't really remember, but there was something about a Hoppou reacting only to certain planes.

That's when I noticed something glimmerimg from her.

"Ooyodo, I need to use your comms for a bit. Shimakaze, can you hear me?"

"Ooh! Admiral, you are late. This thing is just standing here doing nothing! I'm bored!" (Shimakaze)

She wants to fight already. Even though she doesn't have any Anti-installation weapons on.

"Nope. You just get hurt if she hits back. Anyway, is there anything on her?"

"You mean that medal around it's neck?" (Shimakaze)

A medal... I going to have to call Rondo for this.

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"A medal... Oh, so that's where she went!" (Rondo)

Eh?

"Great. Now this is a problem. Usually the Marshal Admiral handles her directly but since you know... Sorry, friend. We are going need to get rid of you."

There wasn't anything that hinted him joking. It was serious!

Get rid of me... What does it mean? Was that Hopou supposed to be a state secret? I/m going to get kill?!

"Pfft!!! HaHaha!"

Rondo started laughing maniacally. I recognize this trademark laughter of his. I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Gotcha, didn't I? I wish I could see the look on your face!"

"You son of a-! You really had me worried there!"

I waited for him to finish laughing, before catching his breathe.

"Oh well, jokes aside. That Hoppou is supposed to be under the old man's care. Apparently, it was the first friendly Hoppou he met. That medal was supposed to be his symbol of friendship."

How long ago was this? On second thought, I don't want to know.

"I was wondering why she hasn't showed up yet. I didn't think she would get lost. She usually comes to Yokosuka every year. She didn't turn up last year, so the old man got a little worried. That guy really treats her like his granddaughter." (Rondo)

I'm not sure what's more unbelieveble. The fact that there is a friendly Abyssal Princess or that the Marshal Admiral is treating one like his grandaughter.

"Won't the girls there attack her on sight?"

"Nope. They know this one is friendly. Rather, they have orders not to fire at her." (Rondo)

"Just tell me how to get rid of her. My girls are getting anxious."

"Right right. Just give her a map and a Reppu." (Rondo)

"A reppu?! Why are we giving her our weapons?!"

"No no no. Don't give her an actual one. Just a model plane will do fine. Even a model kit of one makes her happy too." (Rondo)

"How am I going to get a model kit at a moments notice?"

"That girlfriend of yours should have quite a few. Just take one." (Rondo)

"You want me to steal from my girls?"

"You can buy her a new one. Tell you what, I will pay three-quarters of the next kit you buy?" (Rondo)

"I'm going to take you up on that. That's for scaring me as well. By the way, why give her a map?"

"Oh I forgot to mention. Give her a map that shows her the path to Yokosuka Naval District. The Marshal Admiral is worried about her, seeing her should calm him down." (Rondo)

As ridiculous as this whole thing is, Rondo's method is the best way to get Houppou away from here. I made my way to Zuihou's room and gave a knock. I didn't see Shouhou around so she might still be in her room. She is on break today.

...

No answer. She must be out at the moment. I don't want to use this but I don't have much of a choice, do I?

Using the master key I have, I entered the Shouhou sisters room.

"Pardon my intrusion..."

What am I saying? There's no one here. As I looked around, I can see which side belongs to who. One part of the room looks normal, the other part is filled with all kinds of model planes, from Type 99 Bombers Reppus to Tenzens, all arranged neatly on glass shelves. This is way more compared to the last time I came here.

Time for a panty raid♪

As if! Just find a model kit and leave already!

If I remember correctly, Zuihou usually keeps unopened model kits at the bottom of a wooden cabinet. There they are. More Reppus and Zeros. Just how much more did she buy? I grabbed the Reppu on top and made my way straight to port. Oh right, the map.

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"Admiral, what are you-?" (Ooyodo)

"Don't ask. This isn't my idea at all."

I don't know how to explain to them that this Hoppou belong to the Marshal Admiral.

"Ryuujou,"

"What is it~?" (Ryuujou)

"Take these and give it to that Hoppou."

"Eh?! Why?! Isn't it dangerous?" (Ryuujou)

"She's right. Casually approaching a Abyssal Princess like that is way too dangerous!" (Ooyodo)

"I got instructions from Grand Admiral Rondo. He says that Houppou won't attack. Giving these to her will make her go away."

"Is that so? But why me?" (Ryuujou)

"I don't know. I just felt you're perfect for a her."

"Da heck does that mean?!" (Ryuujou)

I watched as Ryuujou took the items and went over to Hoppou. As she got closer, Ryuujou started inching herself towards Hoppou with her arms outstretched, trying to get Hoppou to take the items. Hoppou only took the Model Kit, so Ryuujou had to shove the map into her hands. It seems like the Hoppou understood the situation and started bowing a few times. After that, she left in the direction of Yokosuka while Ryuujou came back.

"How was it?"

"She didn't do anything to you right?" (Fubuki)

"That's was a weird one. But she was sorta cute. She looked happy when I gave her that model kit." (Ryuujou)

"By the way, where did Admiral get that model kit?" (Ooyodo)

"It was an emergency. So I had to take one from Zuihou's room."

"Isn't that breaking-in?" (Zuihou)

"I had no choice. I don't know where else to get one at such a short notice. Anyway, Grand Admiral Rondo said he would help pa- Zuihou?!?! When did you return?"

Zuihou was standing behind me, smiling menacingly.

"Just in time to see that Northern Princess leave with the Reppu I was planning to build today. Admiral, you will buy me a new one, right?" (Zuihou)

Rondo, I'm going to need you to subsidize me for that new model kit right now.