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Admiral Masaharu Okamura was the last person the commander expected to see at Azur Lane, and even more surprising was the revelation that he was sent here by Yamato. One of the very first things he became aware of when he became the commander of Azur Lane was the contentious relationship that he had with the Kansen. Kaga described him as someone who was so weak that she was glad he was merely useless in battle, and Mikasa had called him “someone who demanded obedience without first earning respect.”
The older admiral did project an air of confidence and authority, due to standing tall and stern despite his age, but the commander didn’t know if there was any actual substance behind it.
Why he was sent here became more of a mystery with every second he stood in front of the desk.
Still, he was obliged to be a good host until the Admiral proved himself to be a bad guest. “Welcome to Azur Lane, Admiral, we always welcome a visit from our allies in the Sakura Empire. You have been our partners since the beginning. I would like to know the purpose of your visit, of course.”
“Official business of the Imperial government is all, commander.” He replied. “I have some matters of state I wish to discuss with one of the Kansen from our country. I assume that this will not cause you any difficulty.”
“Not really, we are aware of the position that some of the Kansen occupy in your government and society, but it’s surprising that this is being conducted in person. Normally you have been content to conduct this business from a distance.” He said, gesturing to his desk. “Normally, I only hear about it by phone.”
“There are some matters that are meant to be conducted discreetly.” He replied, with just a small hint of impatience. “It is a secure and private matter, and I hope, commander, that this is something that you will respect. This, is, after all, at the behest of my government and assented to by Yamato.”
Shangri-La spoke up. “With respect, Admiral, the commander has every right to know about the happenings on his base and with his personnel. There is nothing wrong with basic inquiries.”
Admiral Okamura raised his voice instantly. “If you mean to show respect, then you will keep your mouth shut in a conversation that does not require the interruption of underlings!” He cleared his throat and looked back at the commander. “I am sorry for the suddenness, commander, but your subordinate’s lack of discipline required a response. I hope not to encounter such laxity elsewhere.”
“I don’t know, Admiral, they seemed disciplined enough to defeat the Sirens.” He said, playing with the pen on his desk. “Anyway, you are free to conduct your business, but don’t cause any trouble with my people, if you can avoid it. Your government agreed to me being in command here, so please respect the decisions of your superiors.”
“Of course, commander. If it can be avoided.” He then gave the most shallow, perfunctory bow, and left the office.
Shangri-La looked at the commander. “Do you think it was wise to antagonize him?”
“He seems like the kind of person who takes anything other than total deference and obedience as an insult, so it was bound to happen anyway.” The commander scratched the back of his head. “So, I decided to get my licks in while I had the chance. What’s your read on him?”
Shangri-La tapped the end of her pen against her lips. “…He appears to be someone who desperately needs to feel that he’s in charge. But that doesn’t tell us anything about what he plans to do.”
“We’ll just have to wait it out, then.” The commander said. “…And wait to see who the first person who complains about him is.”
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“Admiral Okamura.” Suruga said as she sat on the floor of the main room of the home shared between herself and her sisters. “…This is a very unexpected visit. If you’re there, then you must be after something in particular.”
“You are correct.” He replied, his hands behind his back. “I am here to speak to Kii, after all. There has been a change in opinion back home, and so certain people feel it may be worth it to extend certain overtures to Kii.”
Suruga hoped she didn’t betray her skepticism. “I don’t know how receptive she will be to you, considering the interactions that the two of you have had in the past. I would advise you to tread lightly if you’re here to persuade her of anything.”
“And I don’t need a subordinate to tell me how to tread. I was sent here with full confidence, and so there is already trust in my abilities.” He replied. “Considering what we plan to offer her, I believe she can be convinced to let such matters pass. I have come with a generous offer, after all- One that would be foolish for her to refuse. Where is she, anyway?”
“Spending time with her fiancée, but she should be back fairly soon.” She shrugged. “…You should probably take a seat, however. She won’t instantly come home just because I call her- She makes her own schedule.” She then got up to start making tea.
“What a slovenly place this is.” He hmnphed. “The commander runs this place with less discipline than a high school, from what I have observed. An Admiral’s presence should be respected, not treated as some inconvenient and unwanted guest!”
Suruga held her tongue for now. She wasn’t going to light any fireworks because she preferred not to stand out. Kii would do plenty of that, and while she might be outwardly embarrassed when it did, part of her wanted to see her older sister at work. “The commander’s way of doing things has produced results.”
“Hah.” He said, waving his hand dismissively. “Perhaps he might have accomplished things with more speed if he was willing to lay down the whip a bit more.” He paused. “So, who is this fiancée she is currently gallivanting around with?”
“A junior Iron Blood naval officer named Albert Kesler- He’s the commander’s trusted aide,” Suruga said, bringing the cups and pot to the table. “He’s very strict and orderly with himself, and constantly pushing for self-improvement. While he’s still young, he’s known as someone of quality and ability.” She began to pour the Admiral some tea.
“At least that’s someone.” He said, and took a sip from his tea immediately. “…First acceptable tea I’ve had on a naval base for some time. Anyway, depending on how things go here, I may have to speak to him as well.”
Suruga cursed herself for revealing his identity. Sorry about this Albert.
It was just then that Kii came home. “Heya sis! The tea smells great-“ And then her bright blue eyes became immediately fixed on Admiral Okamura. “Why did you let him inside?”
Suruga bowed in apology. “I’m sorry, sis, but he said he was here with an offer from the government back home. He probably won’t leave without talking to you, so you should at least hear him out.”
Kii understood Suruga’s meaning, and sat down at the table, letting Suruga pour her a cup of tea. “If you’re here to talk to me, I am here, so talk.”
“Of course.” He turned his teacup around in his hands. “You see, Kii, there are certain people in the government who now realize that their past treatment of you has been… Regrettable, and now that the hostilities have ceased, they are prepared to offer a certain amount of restitution for past acts.”
She blinked. “Restitution?” She took a quick gulp from her cup of tea. “Are they trying to buy my goodwill back after everything?”
“Well, as you can plainly see, I have not arrived with a boatload of money.” He said. “…But rather, they are now willing to recognize your ability and service to the Empire in a way that you perhaps feel that you deserve.”
Kii blinked. “…What kind of recognition are we talking about here?”
“A position worthy of your recent service and meritorious status, I am told.” He replied, drumming his fingers on the table. “A place in our government equal to Musashi’s, perhaps, and all of the privileges that come with it. I cannot offer you something equal to Yamato, as the summit is small, and there is only room for one to fit. You do understand, correct?”
“So, what would this require me to do?” She replied.
“As Musashi is currently here, you are going to have to come back home for a time.” He said. “However, it is a position with great prestige and respect, and you have been deemed worthy of filling it.”
Kii remained quiet for a while, and then gripped the handle on her sword, tightening it for a moment before letting it go. The fur on her tails and ears bristled as she responded. “Before I left with Shinano to come to Azur Lane, I was always at the disposal of the Empire. I would always have fought to protect it, and I would’ve died to protect the people who were helpless to fight against the Sirens. But you treated me like some common brute because I liked to have a drink and play a game of dice now and then. You forbade me from even appearing at important state festivals! And now you come back to me after I’ve won fame and glory? This isn’t an apology, this is a bribe to make me look the other way!”
“You are a member of the Yamato-class now!” He replied, not to persuade but to admonish. “Do you really think that it is within your dignity to continue to live like some vagabond swordsman? Your place is at home, taking up a role worthy of the greatness of your legacy. For once, be sober and see reason!”
“I’ve had enough of you and people at home telling me what my place is.” Kii said, taking deep breaths as she slowly curled and released her fingers from the grip of her blade. “I have decided that my place is here, because…” She released her sword, and took a deep breath. “Everything I ever wanted from my country is something I’ve found here. Respect, honesty, and…” Her fingers slowly rubbed over the engagement ring on her other hand. “…Even more besides. I cannot and will not accept this or any other offer someone like you is interested in giving me!”
Admiral Okamura finished his tea. “I see that you are highly agitated.” He got up and bowed. “However, when this hysterical bout passes, please consider the offer calmly and carefully. I will return later to hear your answer once you have decided to consider things rationally.”
He then left.
Suruga sighed. “…Looks like he hasn’t changed. Leaning on his authority when he believes he has an advantage and scurrying off as soon as he loses it.”
“Ahhh… Kii lay back on the floor. “…I’m going to grab Albert next time he’s free. In the meantime, I hope the Admiral runs into Akagi and Kaga so they can tease him into dust.”
Suruga nodded slowly. “…Normally I wouldn’t encourage something like this, but would you like a drink? Owari made some Umeshu out of the fruit she was growing and left some here for your opinion.”
“Owari…?” Kii smiled. “Ah… It’s the best thing in the world to have good sisters.”
Suruga fetched the drink, quietly hoping that Albert wouldn’t be intimidated into doing something rash.
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Albert Kesler was busy at work, standing at the docks while compiling a new report on the excesses in logistics that had built up now that the war was over. He didn’t expect to be interrupted in the middle of his job- Most people had enough respect for him and the job he did to just let him be when he was focused on providing useful data to the commander. Today was an exception, however.
“Kapitänleutnant Albert Kesler!”
By reflex, he turned around, saw an Admiral patch, and immediately saluted Admiral Okamura. “Yes, sir. Is there some assistance that you require?”
Albert watched. Admiral Okamura seemed surprised and almost disappointed to be immediately referred to as sir, as though he was hoping that he would make some mistake in etiquette. “Good… You seem to be in order. However, I have come to speak to you on a matter of business involving the Sakura Empire.”
Albert looked up from his tablet. “I was in the middle of creating a report required by the commander, but I believe he will excuse some lateness due to the nature of the conversation. However, I do not believe I can render assistance to a national government, seeing as I am currently an OF-2b. This greatly restricts my personal authority.”
“That does not mean you cannot do something for us, or that you are not crucial in some way.” He began. “It has to do with the matter of Kii and her potential position within the Empire. After all, it is a matter of her future both personally and within our nation, so I will ask that you listen carefully.”
“Yes, sir.” He said, while putting his tablet away for now, hiding his annoyance at this unprovoked interruption. “Please be brief, I was dispatched to perform specific duties by the commander.”
“Of course.” He replied. “I am not mistaken in assuming that you are the same Albert Kesler who is engaged to Kii?”
“I am.” He stood at attention, and put his hands behind his back. “However, I don’t understand what my personal domestic situation has to do with the policy and activities of the Sakuran State.”
“It does have something to do with it.” He said. “You see, the Empire is willing to offer Kii a superb position within the Sakura government, one that commands a great deal of prestige and would be a great boon to her future in the post-war world. However, I believe she has certain attachments that are holding her back.”
Albert became immediately suspicious of this, but proceeded with caution. “Social or professional?”
“Some of both, I would say.” He replied. “You have a known interest in Kii’s welfare, so I was hoping that you might be willing to undertake any actions necessary to encourage her to accept.”
“Whatever decision Kii makes on her own is a decision that I will respect.” He replied. “If you want to persuade or encourage Kii, you will have to do something like that yourself.”
“Yes, well…” The Admiral paused. “Kii is a prideful person, you know this, and perhaps might be better nudged by someone close to her to help convince her of the wisdom of this change.”
That was the clue he needed. “Kii already said no to you, and so you’re asking me to make your arguments for you, correct?”
“She was not in the proper frame of mind to accept good advice. Perhaps she may be more agreeable hearing it from you.” He replied.
“I’m sorry, sir, you’ll have to make your own arguments to Kii.” Albert quietly tapped a foot. “If she’s who you want, you will have to persuade her, not me.”
“Hm.” The Admiral replied. “But you do understand how useful a position in our government could be to Kii, don’t you?”
“The benefits are readily apparent.” He replied.
“If you understand that, then perhaps there is something else you might be persuaded to do.” He stepped closer. “Albert, if you have an interest in Kii’s future welfare, then you will have to make a hard decision about how important that is to you over your personal feelings.”
Albert remained calm against all odds. “What decision are you asking me to make?”
“One important to Kii’s future. I believe she must unburden herself and accept responsibilities worthy of her accomplishments and legacy.” He replied. “For that, I ask that you break off your engagement with her.” He lowered his voice slightly. “We are willing to make things happen to make this so. Consider this carefully.”
Albert looked straight into his eyes. “Admiral, if you are threatening me, you must know I am already banned from travelling to your country. I don’t know what further punishments you could impose on me for non-compliance.”
“I was thinking more of the opposite, actually.” He replied. “…I still have some standing in the Sakura Empire, seeing as I was in command of our Kansen before the formation of Azur Lane. I could speak to the correct people and… Encourage them to recognize your service.”
Albert remained silent for some time. “…If you had asked me to do almost anything else, I might have considered your offer, but the entire reason I wanted to go to those islands was to visit Izumo and Kii’s home country, with them as my company. You have asked me to do something that I won’t.”
“Hmph.” Came the grunt. “This is for the good of Kii and for the good of our government. These kinds of sacrifices have been asked of people for the longest time, and I won’t have you stand in our way by being foolishly obstinate! So, you wish to have me as an enemy?”
“Sir!” Albert replied with a rarely-raised voice. “You were already an antagonist to me as soon as you arrived, by making these demands on myself and my partner. If Kii does not want to go, then Kii does not go.” Albert calmed down. “If you feel I have given you undue disrespect and behaved in some other way unbecoming of an officer, you may file a disciplinary request with the commander’s office.”
“I will not be admonished by an officer of low rank and small accomplishments!” Okamura shouted, and clenched his fists while Albert stood firm. “…You are too intolerable to stand. I shall go and see if there’s any corner of this base where there is someone who knows how to show respect!”
Admiral Okamura left.
Albert took his tablet back out of his bag, and went right back to work, annoyed by the delay to his schedule. One thing was for sure, though…
He wanted to see Kii once his work was done.
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Albert decided that the best place to go after a day like that was to Kii, because he knew that she had also been approached. He texted her ahead of time to see if she was willing to have him, and so he arrived at her room that night without further interference from annoying Admirals or other parties.
He opened and closed the sliding door to her room, and saw that she was lying on her cozy futon, minus her socks and sandals. As soon as she saw him, she started swirling around a bottle of Umeshu. “Hey there. Owari dropped this off, but I had a feeling you’d be showing up too… So, I held off on it until then.”
He sat down on the futon with her. “I assumed that you told him no, because he asked me for help. He even offered an incentive if I broke off my engagement from you- He seemed to believe that because I had put a ring on you, that you were slavishly devoted to serving my wishes.”
“Hah! He hasn’t changed.” She poured a cup for herself and Albert. “I just call him an asshole, but Suruga’s idea is that he can’t think of any kind of encounter as something other than one between a superior and an inferior. So!” She handed his cup over to him. “I can’t imagine what he thinks our home life is like.”
“I don’t want to imagine things from his point of view.” He took a sip from his cup- It was quality stuff. “I also said no to him, obviously.”
“I don’t think I needed to ask.” She smiled, and downed her cup in one go. “I mean, you’re probably not going to be like me about it, but…”
“Correct.” Albert put his cup aside and crawled onto Kii, getting comfortable against the huge fox-woman. “…But my feelings are the same.”
She put down her cup as she wrapped her tails around Albert. “So, what did he offer you?”
“A lift on my travel ban. However, seeing as the reason I wanted to go there was to go there with you and Izumo and the others, I turned it down.” He replied, and nuzzled her neck, getting quite comfortable against her warm bigness as she was slowly cocooned in floof. “…I couldn’t think of anything that would make me say yes to leaving you behind. And I don’t think you’d be happy there, either.”
She kissed the top of his head. “Haha, you’d be right about that. It’d just be a boring place full of boring people. Here I can have all kinds of fun, right?”
He nodded slowly, with a blush as he snuggled in. She was always a big girl, but she had grown even more so ever since accepting the strength and power of a Yamato. The warmth of soft tails, the press of huge breasts as he was pushed against her… It was heaven, one provided by his wonderful warrior-woman. He got so comfortable he even closed his eyes.
However, something else must’ve come over him, as he soon felt one of her tails gently running against his crotch, making him aware of his erection. “Haha… You must be pretty comfy… All of this is about me? You’re too kind.”
Albert blushed a little more, and opened one of his eyes. “…I guess that happened without thinking.”
“The two of us are alone, and it’s not like you’re being rude or anything.” Her ears twitched a few times, and she put on a big smile. “…And it’s not like this is something we haven’t done before.”
“I know.” He sighed, and nuzzled her. “But I guess my question is, are you game?”
Her smile became bigger. “…I don’t always do this kinda thing at the drop of a hat, but…” She kissed him on the forehead. “Right now, I think I could get in the mood. After dealing with Okamura, I’m ready for a real man.” She gave him a teasing wink after.
Albert blushed deeply. Okamura was stern and overbearing and wielded his position like a club. While he… Well, Kii seemed to think he had things that were far more important. “I will do nothing to disappoint you.”
“I wouldn’t do this with you if I thought you would.” She said as she began to undo his uniform. “I know how you like to do things, but just remember the rules.”
“Right.” He said. The one thing Kii did not want was to be taken from behind in any way- She always wanted to be able to look her partner in the eye during something like this- It was just her nature, and he didn’t question it. And he helped her by easing her out of her own clothes, taking care to unwind her Sarashi. It always struggled to contain her, and he could only imagine how it struggled now. Her breasts wobbled out once they were sufficiently free, and he let the long wrappings fall to the floor of her room.
He was naked, and she was naked, gloriously so, and then she flashed him her wonderful, wonderful smile. “Not too big for you, am I?”
The towering fox woman in front of him really got him going. “…You’re just as big as you should be.” And then he dove in.
She pulled her tails around him, feeling her soft fur brush over his bare skin as he pressed himself to her. Free of inhibition, he wanted to enjoy every part of his huge lover, starting at first with everything she liked to show off. One of his hands immediately went down to grope her magnificently large ass, causing a deliberate, teasing moan from the fox, and as he pressed against her another went up to one of her huge breasts. she groped and squeezed at it, and he gave attention to her other breast with his mouth, nibbling and licking at it.
The fact that she was so large and powerful and yet was allowing him to do this… It not only made him grateful, but even further aroused. He was absolutely at full mast now, his breathing becoming swift as he handled Kii, who he knew didn’t mind playing rough. Her tails twitched and gave him a small squeeze as his grip tightened, and she gasped at his ever-rising vigor. Kii was a fierce warrior so he would do all he could to be her fierce lover.
And that bore fruit as he felt the heat and dripping between her legs. He did not hesitate. She wouldn’t want him to.
He plunged his turgid manhood into her pussy as soon as it was ready to receive him, burying himself between her thick thighs as he plunged in. Kii gave a sharp gasp as she received his length inside, but was still firm, even as she gripped the covers and sheets underneath her with her strong hands. He took quick breaths as her tightness took him, and as large as she was, she never had complaints about his own “size.”
The feel of her, outside and in, was irresistible- If he was going to do this he would ride her with abandon.
He rocked his hips back and forth as he filled her with his shaft, pumping again and again and picking up speed at a strong pace, causing his lover’s bright eyes to become half-lidded and begin to roll back. She held him with her soft tails, brushing over is bare skin, teasing and stroking him and daring him to do even more. Both of her hands went to her rear, even as his mouth both toyed with her enormous breasts, sucking, licking, nibbling.
In intimate moments her size did not discourage him.
It only ever enticed him.
He remembered to come up for air occasionally, but only just long enough before he dove back into the inviting expanse of his lover’s figure. He helped himself to her, even as her head tilted back as she gasped from each new, hard thrust that filled her. Kii didn’t want to be treated gently. She was neither small nor delicate and she loved him because, when it came down to it, he wasn’t timid.
So he meant to show that to her as he went as deep as he could go each time, giving her as much of him as she could take, the sounds of their hips slapping together filling the room they were in as he slammed himself into her, her gasps of excitement filling his ears as he filled her nethers. He remembered to pace his breathing so that he did not have to slacken his pace even for a moment, Kii now even putting her arms around him as the pounding continued.
She pressed her his against his, blushing and groaning as she, too was swept up in the atmosphere of carnality that had developed so suddenly. She pushed her hips against his as she fully embraced him, her body quivering with every push into her pussy, even digging her fingers into his back as she couldn’t help herself.
Albert felt that grip get tighter and tighter, but it only pushed him to do more, so much more. His own hands got a tight squeeze on her ass, using that grip to hurl himself inside of her. Her eyes widened at the renewed and increased vigor of his thrusts, the fur on her tails bristling as he plumbed the fullness of her hot depths.
A fierce warrior’s cry of primal ecstasy, a spurt of a young man’s seed, and the act was consummated in that lustful haze.
Albert reluctantly withdrew from Kii, and took deep breaths. It was not trivial to please a Kansen under the best of circumstances, but as strong as his efforts had been, he knew she would want more.
But at the same time, he knew he wanted more.
And Kii teased him with that as she brushed her tails around his still-hard cock. “Haha… I know that something like that wouldn’t be enough for you…” She took a few deep breaths of her own. “…Don’t worry, I’m patient. We can go as long as you can keep it up~”
He nodded slowly, and took his time. He couldn’t clear his head, not as long as he was in this embrace, alone with his huge, naked lover. He stroked over her bare body with one of his free hands, teasing around every grand curve. He might as well have been lying on a Yamato, Kii being so grand and extravagant in her form.
When he was ready again, he practically sprang back into action, kissing up and down Kii, from her neck to her breasts.
She gave him a big smile. “Hm… Ready again? Sure feels like it…”
He was. He was more than ready, he was more than eager.
He planted himself between her once more , spreading her legs to plunge deep, only to feel her legs lock around him once he was inside this time. He and her were now folly locked together, and he knew the key to his escape was satisfying the passion that burned in the powerful fox woman’s loins. This was accompanied by the feel of her hands on his back, a playful smile, and the gaze of her bright eyes.
Kii was his and he was hers and she only needed to give him a glance from her bedroom eyes to let him know.
And so, once again, her hot, slick depths became a welcome home to his manhood as it pumped within her pushing and tugging, their hips once again slamming together and the sound only being outdone by Albert’s grunts of renewed effort and Kii’s groans of satisfaction as he roughly plowed her with all that human muscle and will and lust could give.
There was no easing in or ramping up this time, as the time for that had passed, and the Albert that was between Kii’s legs was an Albert unbound. One devoted to satisfying everything that was held in by his uniform as the mighty needs of his mighty lover. He could do her no better than giving her the unrestrained pounding that dominated all of the senses of the couple that resided in what, at least for a time, had become a den of libidinous excess.
Her huge breasts bounced and jiggled in front of him, and he grabbed them, not to arrest their motion but to flick her nipples as he ceaselessly hammered her below, and he was rewarded once more by the tight grip of her strong hands, holding him so tightly that it was as though she was trying to will the moment to last forever by the power of her grip.
His muscles began to burn during that extended session of plunging within her. He knew it couldn’t last forever. His mind was telling him that, his body was telling him that.
But it just had to last long enough.
He did do that, and another cry from Kii went up so loud he felt it might have pierced a less substantial ceiling, and he emptied what he had into her once again.
He lay down against her once more, taking deep breaths. The session had lasted so long that he was almost numb, but there was a part of him that told him he hadn’t yet had enough.
And sharp-eyed Kii noticed that too, as he lay there. “Working hard, as usual…” She kissed him on the cheek. “You’re you no matter who you are~”
He needed a moment before he could he could respond. And that last sentence… It sounded like something the mysterious Shinano or the tricky Musashi might say. “…I don’t want to disappoint myself, either.”
She stroked her tails over his still-stiff rod. “Ha! No need to worry about that…” She turned him over, and lined up her hips with his. “Don’t worry about that…” She gave him a smile. “…I’ll take charge from here.”
Albert nodded his assent, and soon enough, she pulled herself down on his cock to begin yet another round. He pushed up into her as best as he could, even after everything that had come before, and he caught that little glint in her lovely eyes that told him that she appreciated the effort.
His breathing grew quick and sharp once more as he felt himself pulled inside his lover once more, and he did his best to steady himself… All he had to do was last. All while his cock was once again buried in between Kii’s thighs.
He leaned up to put his hands on her hips, moving to at least try to help pull her down and give her a squeeze, letting her know she would never have to put in all the effort, no matter what.
She responded to that by brushing over his sides with her soft tails, grunting and gasping as she rode down on him, ready to care for him as much as use him for their pleasure. Even in a moment like this, his brain was willing to let him recognize what made him fall in love with her.
There was nothing more to say, but plenty to do.
And in the end, it was done. The sounds of pleasure that reverberated in the room were proof enough of that.
It ended with the two of them side by side, Albert covered in her tails as she looked him in the eyes once more. “Hah… That enough for you?”
He could only lay there, comfortable as could be. “…I think so… And you?”
Her smile came back. “Never had complaints before, don’t have them now.” She kissed him on the forehead. “Just don’t worry about anything for the rest of the evening- I think either of us wants to leave the room.”
He nodded, and stroked her tails. She was absolutely right about that.
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“I’m sorry that you weren’t able to get what you wanted, Admiral.” The commander said. “But I told you that I wouldn’t interfere in your business, and I meant that one way or the other. If she said, no, then she said no, and that’s the end of it. Now, I’m sure you did your best, and you can truthfully report that, but sometimes this is how it goes.”
“Yes, I see.” Admiral Okamura replied. “It appears I was not able to pull her free from the unfortunate influence of others, but that is how it has gone. I shall be on the next ship or plane out of here, whichever shall return me to the Sakura Empire with the greatest speed. It was a mistake coming here, but you can be assured I will not spend a single moment longer here than necessary.” He then gave the smallest bow that could be considered polite, and then left.
The commander raised his eyebrows for a moment, sighed, and then leaned back in his office chair. The man projected an image of stern authority, but the commander understood that it was mostly image.
Everything Akagi had said told him about that man now made a great deal of sense.
After Admiral Okamura said his terse goodbyes, the commander decided to speak to his usual “in” when it came to Imperial politics- Perhaps Musashi could shed some light on what happened, so he left his office and paid her a visit.
The commander took a sip from his cup of tea- impeccable as always. But hospitality did not erase his confusion. “Thank you, but I still want to know something. Why did Yamato even bother to ask Kii in the first place? Surely, she must have known that Kii would say no, especially after everything that happened when she was still living in the Sakura Empire.”
Musashi giggled at that, the fox-woman’s tails coming to rest behind her. “You are correct. Yamato would have known that Kii would say no- That is why she asked in the first place, and why she did it the way that she did.”
The commander put down his cup. “All right, I’m listening.”
“It is as you say- Yamato would have known ahead of time that Kii would have said no- That’s why she never bothered saying anything before now.” She put her hands in her lap as she looked at the commander. “However, not everyone else would know that- They might have believed that Kii would jump at the chance to gain an important position if an invitation was extended- That Kii would forget everything if a proper bribe was offered.”
“But that’s not Kii.” The commander replied. “She has too much pride and integrity to accept an offer from a government that spent most of its time slighting and demeaning her.”
“Also correct.” Musashi smiled. “However, since Kii has become so powerful and fought with such great distinction, certain persons wanted to be aligned with her in order to boost their own prestige. So, they would naturally start to pester my sister, since the war is now over. In response, she performed what was essentially an act of malicious compliance.” Her ears wiggled in delight. “So, she put in the most minimal effort, and even sent someone who she knew Kii would respond poorly to.”
“Okay, but here’s the million-dollar question.” The commander replied. “Does Kii know what your sister’s intentions were?”
“While Kii lacks Suruga’s book smarts, she is not a foolish person.” Musashi replied. “Yamato could not have signaled more clearly that she wanted Kii to say no than by sending Admiral Okamura to try to “persuade” her into coming home. If anything, she may have done so to deliberately strengthen the bond between Kii and Albert.”
“Seems like Kii saying no suits everyone.” He said.
Musashi’s smile grew wider. “Kii wants to be where she is, and Yamato also wants Kii to be where she is. After all, that seems to have worked out well enough for everyone so far, has it not?”
The commander couldn’t disagree. Kii performed excellently ever since she got away from the Empire, and was always happy to be at Azur Lane, even before she met Albert and struck up her romance with him. Whether Yamato had foreseen that things would go as far as they had was a matter of debate, but Yamato no doubt knew that Kii was unhappy at home.
So, Yamato gave her a chance to find a new one.
That left the commander one more question. “…Musashi, what was Admiral Okamura like before the war? If he was like this all the time I doubt he would’ve risen so high.”
“Hm?” Musashi went, her ears flicking. “I don’t know much about that myself, but one has to have a long and largely unblemished career in order to achieve such a high rank, so he probably was a respectable officer at some point.” She shrugged. “But when the Sirens attacked and we Kansen came to the fore, everything he knew about naval combat changed overnight and he, perhaps, felt powerless to arrest the change that came then. Of course, that’s no excuse for taking it out on Kii or any other officer he found insufficiently obsequious.”
He nodded slowly. Admiral Hunt responded to the presence of an unknowably vast and powerful conspiracy by vowing to get to the bottom of things, no matter the cost. General Shale responded to the Sirens by understanding what could and could not be done to fight the Sirens, and embraced the Kansen project. Meanwhile, people like Admiral Kaine hated the Kansen so much that they decided to even accept help from the Sirens, and Admiral Okamura got addicted to feeling powerful when he was confronted with an enemy that made him feel powerless.
“Well, I’m glad that Yamato understands Kii’s feelings.” He said. “She talks to us so rarely that it’s difficult to know what’s on her mind at any given time.”
Musashi giggled, her fuzzy ears wiggling once more, the fox-woman lying on her side. “Yamato was one of the people who agreed that you should be made commander of Azur Lane. Does that sound cold to you?”
Commander Cochrane was stopped in his tracks while he was about to take another drink of tea. He had always suspected, but this was the first time he was hearing it directly. “I… See.”
“She doesn’t mean to be distant, but her obligations make her so.” Musashi added. “But Yamato loves her people, so she trusted them with someone who she felt would feel the same.”
“Or, in this case, someones, plural.” He said.
Musashi chuckled once more. “It does seem to have worked out that way, hasn’t it?”