So hot... Figures. It's already August, the peak of summer. Why must summer exist in the first place? Apart from giving us this excruciating heat, I can't think of anything useful for this obnoxiously hot weather.
"Admiral, have some cold tea." (Shigure)
Shigure placed the cup on my table,
"Thank you, Shigure."
Ah. There is one other use for Summer.
Instead of her usual black Shiratsuyu uniform, Shigure was wearing a black bikini with red and white accents, a typical Shiratsuyu-class design, a white jacket, and black shirt cover-up skirt. The dark colors of her summer outfit is a stark contrast to her pale white skin. I can see a bit of her cleavage.
It's swimsuit season in Maizuru Naval District. Most of the girls are walking around in their very own swimsuits. From one-piece swimsuits to bikinis, each girl has their own style of swimwear. It is the only time they are not afraid to show off some skin.
I take it back. Summer is awesome! Hooray for swimsuits!
There was a knock on the door, followed by Ooyodo's voice,
"Admiral. Ooyodo, requesting permission to enter." (Ooyodo)
"Come in."
Ooyodo swimsuit style is very similar to Shigure's. Her hair is braided and brought to the front, to keep her nape cool. A blue checkered strapless bikini top covers her breasts. A pale blue and green sarong wrapped around her hips. Her tall slender figure combined with this swimsuit style of hers gives off a rather graceful look.
"Admiral, I would appreciate it if you stop staring at me." (Ooyodo)
Her eyes were filled with disdain.
Shit. Was I staring?
Ooyodo just sighed and passed me a stack of paper,
"HQ has sent us a transfer notice for two Heavy Cruisers. Their request for transfer has been approved by the Marshal Admiral and are scheduled to arrive in a week. You should receive an email about it soon." (Ooyodo)
"Who is coming over?"
"The Italian Shipgirls, Pola and Zara." (Ooyodo)
Ah.
"Oh great. Tell Mamiya to lock down the wine cellar and limit alcohol sales."
"I already informed her. And just in case, Mamiya placed an order for additional cases of wine." (Ooyodo)
I shouldn't be surprised that Pola would request a transfer sooner or later. Brunei is a dry country after all, with strict rules on the sale of alcohol. An alcoholic like Pola wouldn't do too well in that kind of environment. She can still buy alcohol every 48 hours from a regulated importer but at a very high price. Looks like she couldn't take it anymore and requested to be transferred to Japan. Why post her here though?
At least her sister Zara is tagging along. She can help keep the drunkard in check.
"Admiral, HQ has ordered all Naval Districts to conduct internal exercises and compile a performance report." (Ooyodo)
So a new operation is coming then.
"Understood. I will formulate the fleet compositions and matchmaking. When's the deadline?"
"Two weeks from today. There aren't any additional constraints so we can do things as per normal." (Ooyodo)
"Got it. Tell Akashi to schedule equipment maintenance for the girls and ensure everything is in perfect condition. Order more training rounds if necessary."
"Roger." (Ooyodo)
"Is that all?"
"Yes. That is all." (Ooyodo)
"Alright. You are dismissed. Take the rest of the day off. Go relax on the beach."
Ooyodo smiled,
"I will take you up on that offer then." (Ooyodo)
Ooyodo closed the door behind her. I can feel Shigure's gaze. I'm going to take a wild guess here,
"Some sun will be nice. Shall we go too?"
"Eh? Where to?" (Shigure)
"The beach. You want to play too, right?" (Shigure)
"N-no. We have work to do." (Shigure)
Don't think I didn't catch that little smile you did just then,
"It's summer. I want to enjoy the waves once in a while. Work can come later."
"Is that really all right?" (Shigure)
"Meh. It's not like there are many documents and reports to clear today. I have two weeks to get that exercise report done. We have time. Come on. Let's go. I will meet you at the beach. I need to get my trunks."
A big smile appeared on her face,
"Yes. I will see you at the beach." (Shigure)
She exited the office with a spring in her steps. Her sisters are playing outside. It's kind of cruel for her to be working as my secretary while the others are out there enjoying themselves.
Also, this gives me an excuse to take a break and skip out on some work.
I sorted out the documents on my desk and organized them in a manner that is easy for me to know where each of them are, and went to my room to get on my trunks.
Oh... This...
As I looked for my trunks, I spotted something that brought back precious memories of a certain summer day. Tucked in a corner of my drawer, there is a blue one-piece school swimsuit for girls with the Hiragana for 'Zuihou' on its name tag.
{So cold~ Admiral! Over here! Take that!} (Zuihou in the past)
The scene of Zuihou and me splashing about in the water played in my head. It was the first summer since I got promoted. Like the girls who don't own their own swimsuit, she wore the standard one-piece blue school swimsuit. The two of us played till the sun set. How nostalgic...
Ah. Crap. I'm doing it again. I rubbed my eyes to clear them. Even though I promised myself to move on. But... Just a little bit.
I brought the swimsuit close to my chest for a little while.
If someone were to see me like this, they would definitely misunderstand.
Why is this here though? It's still in good condition.
I folded it and placed it back in the drawer. Where is mine? Oh, there it is. I think I'm going to have to buy a new one. This one seems a little decolored. It still fits though, so maybe I don't need a new one.
I put on a simple t-shirt and shorts and made my way to the beachfront. As expected, a lot of shipgirls are frolicking on the beach.
Looks like Shigure has started playing with her sisters.
"Yuudachi! The ball's flying to you!" (Shigure)
"Gimme, poi!" (Yuudachi)
"Watch it! She is gonna return it!" (Shiratsuyu)
Both Yuudachi and Shiratsuyu jumped into the air,
"Poi!" (Yuudachi)
"What the hell?! You jumped higher than me?!" (Shiratsuyu)
Yuudachi smacked the ball into the opposing court. Murasame wasn't able to catch it in time. One point for Yuu-Shigu.
"Eh? Admiral? You are here!" (Zuihou)
I turned around to see Zuihou. She was wearing a blue School Swimsuit. The same one I have in my drawer. Like her predecessor, she doesn't have her own swimsuit yet.
Cute...
Shouhou is here as well. In similar swimsuits, the size difference between the two sisters is further emphasized.
"Yo."
"Good afternoon, Admiral." (Shouhou)
"Are you slacking off?" (Zuihou)
"Hey. A little fun under the sun can't hurt. Besides, I need some vitamin D."
She just gave me a suspicious stare.
"Ah! Admiral-san!" (Yuudachi)
I stumbled forward as someone tackled me from behind,
"Yuudachi, that was dangerous."
"Ehehe~" (Yuudachi)
"Admiral, let's play volleyball!" (Shiratsuyu)
"Hoh. Wanna challenge me?"
"I can take you on." (Shiratsuyu)
"I have the height advantage."
"Shouhou is on my team!" (Shiratsuyu)
"Eh? No no. Don't mind me." (Shouhou)
"Then, to make it fair, Shigure is on my team?"
"If you're okay with me." (Shigure)
"First to ten?"
I will hit it before you. Since I'm the first after all." (Shiratsuyu)
The four of us got into position. A game of Rock-Paper-Scissors determine I get the first serve.
"Hup!"
I tossed the ball up into the air and smacked it to the other side of the court.
"Such a simple serve~ Shouhou!" (Shiratsuyu)
"Y-yeah." (Shouhou)
Shiratsuyu tap and passed the ball to Shouhou, who returned the pass for Shiratsuyu to serve.
"Finishing move. First Sla-" (Shiratsuyu)
"Hey! Cut it out! Now!" (Yamashiro)
"Eh? Ow!" (Shiratsuyu)
That sudden loud shout startled Shiratsuyu and the ball landed on her face.
What was that?
"Geez. What?" (Shiratsuyu)
The Destroyer rubbed her nose while her third sister snickered.
"Don't wanna! I want to stay with Yamashiro and Fusou!" (???)
"You are an enemy! Get away from me!" (Yamashiro)
"Don't wanna!" (???)
There is some commotion over there. Some girls have gathered around and I can hear Yamashiro shouting. The seven of us walked over to the small crowd,
"What's up?"
"Ah. Admiral! We got trouble! Look!" (Fubuki)
Wearing a white bikini with red frills and a yellow floral cover-up skirt, a frustrated Yamashiro is trying to shake off a girl that is clinging onto her. Even Fusou is troubled.
The girl has a black tail and a pair of ears etched on top of her head. she looks familiar...
Hang on... Isn't she...?
"Argh!! Let go of me already! I nearly killed you before. You should be afraid of me, not cling onto me like some monkey." (Yamashiro)
"Shigure...san? Yamashiro is troubled. Can you let go of her for a bit?" (Fusou)
"No! Fusou too!" (???)
The girl grabbed Fusou's arm and refused to let go.
Isn't that Shigure? The one from Sakura Empire?
What is she doing here?
"Admiral! Stop staring and help us now!" (Yamashiro)