The First Jet Carrier in Azur Lane

Chapter 14 - Bad Fortune

| Azur Lane Pacific Main Base,
Pearl Harbor |

The doors of the new commander's office open and from them, the blue-haired carrier, April walks out into the hallway, in his hands he's holding a small rectangular object, a government-issued smartphone as his new commander just finished updating him about his secrecy, overall he is now as much of a secret as most of the girls, he is allowed to interact with the public thru the phone and other media as long as he doesn't leak any classified information, he is allowed to make and upload videos, chat in chatrooms etc.

He slowly walks thru the hallway back in the direction of his room, his eyes looking at the screen of the phone as he is checking out the apps, on most of them he already has a pre-made account and verified that he is actually the warship the account says. Most of the information on them is lacking as the commander advised him to fill it up himself. The more official information shows that the accounts were made days ago and he already finds a number of friend requests from various people some of which he knows like his sisters and complete strangers. He puts his phone in his pocket as he approaches his room and opens the door walking in.

He lays down on his bed and starts thinking about what to do next. But before he can do he hears a knock on the door
"Come in?" He says, and the person on the other side opens them and walks in
"I-i know this might be out of the blue... but would you care for a duel?" Zuikaku says as her sister Shoukaku behind her keeps nudging her,
"Sure." April says as Zuikaku looks surprised and Shoukaku has a smile on her face "But where and when?" He asks as Zuikaku looks lost
"Maybe in 2 Hours? And the Bases Excercise area." Shoukaku fills in for her sister "And would you mind if I was to pair with Zuikaku? If you want you can ask someone to go with you." She says as April stands up from his bed
"So in 2 hours, the Excercise area?" He only asks and Shoukaku confirms as the two Crane sisters leave and shortly after them April as he begins walking towards the office

"You what?!" Essex ask as she was in the office talking with the commanders
"..." April stayed quiet as he seemed embarrassed
"Essex..." The commander spoke as the name bearer of the class looked at him
"C-commander?" She asked
"I think you should be a bit quieter... and I think it's a good idea he agreed," The man said as Essex looked at him with a look that she didn't have ever before
"Commander..." She spoke as the two males in the room looked at her surprised "I Won't allow my brother to fight... not now..." She spoke as it was clear she wasn't happy
"E-essex?" April asked as he walked closer to her "B-but I..." He began as Essex leaned towards him and placed a finger on his mouth
"No... I will not allow you to," Essex said with her eyes repeating the image of April falling back in the mirror sea
"..." April stayed quiet as he closed his eyes and turned around "I don't need your permission..." He said and began walking towards the doors as Essex grabbed his shoulder
"I said no!" She said in a serious voice turning April towards her
"And I say that I don't listen!" April yelled at her as he took her hand off his shoulder
"Commander," Essex said turning towards the man with a gaze that he had never seen on anyone, one that could suffocate a weak-minded person
"!" He looked at her with surprise but couldn't manage a single word as April let out a sigh
"If you must insist so much sister then why don't you try me and see that I am strong enough!" He said turning to face her as now she was the one who looked surprised "If you win... then I will listen to whatever you want... but if I do... then you will leave me and allow me to do what I want!" April yelled as Essex looked with wide eyes at him, not able to believe what she heard
"A-April..." She said as the boy looked at her with a fiery gaze ready to fight "...you will regret this..." She said this as he smiled
"Maybe... maybe not, who knows." He said and began walking out of the office towards the exercise are as the commander was at a loss of words.