Chapter 274 - 248

I stood on the podium in the middle of Hollywood and scanned the huge crowd of shipgirls. Everyone is here. I counted them all when they exited the train and when they got through the gantries. I tapped on the microphone to make sure it's working properly.

"Ah. Ah. Ah. Okay, looks like this is working. Alright, I know you are all excited but let me just get a few words in. First of all, good job on the recent major operation! All of you did well to complete that hellish operation. There were some unforeseen circumstances but nonetheless we managed to complete it."

Everyone started cheering and clapping. The surrounding park attendants and shopkeepers are also paying attention to us.

Like I said, the operation was like hell mode. Even a simple transport operation took weeks when it usually took only a few days. There were a lot of external interferences, from a group of mechanical aliens to an angry shark girl to a giant octopus which terrified and froze my girls in their tracks. the entire IJN had to mobilised to support one another and complete our mission. We even had to enlist the help of Azur Lane as the Sirens were resistant to our attacks. Though it was hard, this operation brought the whole IJN fleet and Azur Lane together even more than before. Most of my girls are still afraid of the Eagle Union though, but instead of crying and being traumatised, they worked together to chase off the interlopers.

"Although it's a little late but we managed to get this retreat before the year ends. So I won't hold you girls back any longer. For this two days, enjoy yourselves to the fullest at USJ!"

The girls started to cheer even louder. They have been working and waiting for this for the past one and a half months.

"Go and have fun! Just don't get too rowdy and destroy the place."

"Roger!" (All)

The girls all scattered, eager to play and ride the various attractions in this theme park. I got off the podium and was greeted by some bald guy in a suit. Oh wait, that's the CEO of this place.

"Admiral Tokomaki, a pŀėȧsurė to meet you." (J.L Bonnier)

"A pŀėȧsurė to meet you too, Mr. Bonnier. "

"Allow me to thank you for keeping this wonderful country safe from those monsters." (Bonnier)

Yeah yeah. Save your BS. You are just saying that cos we paid you to host our girls and the other humans in our workplace.

"It will be great if the general populace shared the same sentiment. Anyway, I'm sure the other Admirals and Grand Admirals from other bases have told you this, but thank you so much for letting us use your park. The girls were all excited to come out and play."

"Hahaha. I can tell. The small ones were all fidgety and itchy to go." (Bonnier)

"Those girls can never sit still. In fact, most of them can't."

"It's unbelievable those girls are our only hope in taking back the seas. How can such a heavy responsibility fall onto the shoulders of such small girls. Some of them are small enough to pass off as my granddaughter." (Bonnier)

"Until we figure out a way to end this war or develop a weapon that we humans can use against those monsters, which is what I would prefer, we only can rely on their strengths."

Enough with this farce. I want to go and play with those three already.

"Admiral!" (Zuihou-chan)

"Let's go play!" (Zuihou-chan)

"Haha. I shan't hold you from them any longer. I will be in my office. You have my number, right? Call me if you need anything." (Bonnier)

Mr. Bonnier walked towards the entrance of the park.

"Phew. You saved me. Thanks."

"Hehe. It was obvious you wanted to get away from baldy." (Zuihou-chan)

"Don't say that in front of him. He is the CEO of this place."

Zuihou-chan dragged me to where Zuihou, Shigure, Shioi and Rei were waiting, right beside a large Christmas tree. Even though it has been two days since Christmas, the park still has the Christmas themes and decorations up. Even the mascots are in Christmas mode

"Wow. It's a Minion!" (Etorofu)

"So cute!" (Matsuwa)

The Coastal Defense girls are all enamoured with the Minion mascot that is there greeting them. I know it's cold out here but it must be sweltering in there. Thank you for your service. But what is this mascot doing here? Shouldn't they be at their own area?

"Where should we go first?"

"Clockwise or anti-clockwise?" (Shigure)

"I heard the 'Hairy poter' area is good." (ZUihou)

"What is that?" (Zuihou-chan)

"You mean this one?" (Shioi)

Shioi pointed at 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' area on the map.

"So, I guess you can save the best for last. So we take this route?"

I traced my finger around the park in a clockwise direction, from 'Hollywood' to 'New York to 'Minion Park' and so on.

"Let's!" (Zuihou)

"That's fine." (Shigure)

"I wanna go on this one!" (Zuihou-chan)

"That sounds good." (Shioi)

"How about you, Rei? Rei?"

I spotted Rei standing in the middle of the street, her eyes gleaming.

"Rei?"

"..." (Rei)

"Hey. You okay?"

I gently shook her.

"Eh? Oh, Keita. What is it?" (Rei)

"Are you alright? Did you need to take a rest?"

"No no. I'm fine. It's just that..." (Rei)

She begin to stare into the distance again,

"I can't believe I'm here..." (Rei)

"You have never been to USJ before?"

"It was my wish for the longest time..." (Rei)

"Well, we have two whole days to ourselves here. Let have fun."

"Yeah!" (Rei)

The six of us made our way to 'New York'. Along the way, we met some of the Mustuki and Shiratsuyu class, who were enjoying the Sesame Street show. It featured Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie along with two other dancers performing with instruments as they sing and dance. What a nostalgic scene.

We then went around taking photos with the various mascots that came out to greet us, before going to the one ride in this area. The Spiderman Ride was a blast. Not just because Spiderman is my childhood hero, but the ride is seriously fun. We sat in this twelve seater carriage and had to put on this pair of glasses. It was a 4D ride. We followed Spidey around the dark alleys as he webs up villains such as Doc Oct, Goblin, Electro and others while 'protecting' us from danger. The whole experience felt as if we were swinging around with Spidey.

Next, we went to 'Minion Park'. We were surprised to find Tenryuu and Tatsuta along with some Mustuki Class Destroyers in the Minions signature blue overalls. Tenryuu was so embarrassed and kept insisting that the Destroyers forced her to wear it. Tatsuta just laughed and casually revealed that her sister was the one that roped the Destroyers to join her in costume, much to Tenryuu's chagrin.

After snacking along 'San Francisco', we reached 'Jurassic Park', where the twins seem enjoyed the most. Aside from being amazed by the dinosaurs scattered around the park, the rides were fun and thrilling. Jurassic Park: The Ride was essentially a boat tour, with the operator getting into the character of a tour guide and explaining about the dinosaurs scattered around the ride, before things get a little exciting and ended with us being little soaked at the climax of the ride. Good thing we bought the disposable rain coats. While I needed to take a break after the 'Flying Dinosaur' ride, Zuihou and Zuihou-chan rode it thrice. I think they enjoyed it because it gives them the feeling of flying in the air, just like they always dreamed off. It was a high-speed roller coaster, but instead of sitting in a carriage, you are restrained in a prone position. The rest of it was self-explanatory. When you get older, thrilling rides like this are kind of bad for the heart and stomach. At least in my case. We bought some toys and fossils as well.

After watching 'Water World' twice, because the girls enjoyed the explosions and pyrotechnics, we went to Amity Village, where the 'Jaws' ride is located. Too bad it's under maintenance. Though, we managed to take some nice photos. So we proceeded to the Harry Potter area, which in my opinion has the nicest scenery out of all of them. The roof of the medieval buildings are covered in a layer of fake snow, which is probably made out if plastic, but it fits so we'll into the atmosphere. Even the ground has layers of fake snow scattered about. The last time I came here was during Spring, so there was no such decorations. But that was years ago when I was a young boy. After having to take a break once the 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' was over, gosh the twisting and turning along with the visuals made my stomach churn, we participated in this show at 'Ollivanders', I believe that's how you pronounce it. There, a bearded englishman explains about wands and chose a participant to be 'chosen by a wand'. Rei was lucky to be chosen. Her eyes instantly lit up when she was picked from the crowd. After the show, we were escorted into the man store and Rei bought the wand that 'chose her' during the show. Of course, we bought our own set of wands as well. I can't resist the urge. We went around trying out our wands, after which we had a very late lunch at Hogs Head, a restaurant that offers the legendary ButterBeer. Although it has beer in it's name, it doesn't have any alcohol in it all. It was foamy and very sweet. Of course, we met the North Union girls there, chugging the alcoholic beer that was offered there. I even spotted and overheard Mamiya asking the chef how did they make this ButterBeer. Looks like she found some inspiration for a new menu offering.

The next area was the family-friendly 'Wonderland', which featured series such as Hello Kitty, Peanuts, and Sesame Street. The rides and attractions were catered more to children, but the girls enjoyed it nonetheless, including Rei. I even saw Fusou and Yamashiro enjoying themselves in the ball pit. There were the classical attractions such as the cup ride, GoKarts, boat rides, a dance show whichZuihou-chan and Shigure enjoyed very much, and several others. I spent most of them in this area recording the girl's smiles with my smartphone instead.

It was starting to get dark, but still too early for the Night Parade. So we backtracked to catch some of the shows we hadn't watched and take pictures with the mascots during the meet-and-greet sessions. There were quite a few limited shows which were only available during this season.

"Ah. We better get back to 'Hollywood'. Otherwise, we won't be able to get a good spot."

We made our way to the Parade area. Some of the girls have already gathered and the park attendants have already set up for the parade, putting up rope barriacades along the streets of 'Hollywood'. The lamps lit up the area as the rest of the girls begin to gather. There was a lot of chattering around as we waited for the event to start. The lights switched off for a brief moment and fanfare begin to play, signalling the start of the parade. All of the park mascots showed up on floats, dancing and acting out their roles. It was an amazing sight. The parade was different from what I remembered. It has been a few years, of course they would change things up a bit. Everyone was equally excited and in high spirits but for reason Rei caught my attention at that moment. She was like a child who just witnessed something incredible and dreamy.

"It is late but Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

Though, no one can hear me in the midst of the excitement.