Chapter 17 - 16

It has been two weeks since Sakura Shigure arrived at our Naval Base. During her stay, she followed various fleets on their mission, in hopes of running into her comrades. Sadly, none of that happened. So she is still stuck here. Luckily, the girls have been getting along with her pretty well. They spent time talking to her, consoling her when she felt depressed about not being able to find her way back and even have fun with her. So all is well, for now.

That being said, what bothers me the most is Sakura Shigure's story about how she ended up here. According to her, a sudden squall separated her from the fleet and she drifted over here. Logically thinking, she couldn't have gotten separated unless she broke formation. Even so, she could have regrouped after the squall ends. Did the squall damage her comms? How low was visibility when it happened?

"It's really strange."

"What is?" (Suzuya)

"Oh, Suzuya. You were here."

"Of course I am. I'm your secretary ship for today, remember?" (Suzuya)

I have to admit, I actually forgot that it was Suzuya's turn today. I had so much on my mind.

"Sorry, I was just think about something."

"About that fox-girl?" (Suzuya)

"Fox-girl?"

"Doesn't that tail and eyes remind you of one?" (Suzuya)

Huh. She's got a point.

"I was wondering how did Sakura Shigure ended up here."

"She said a squall separated her, didn't she?" (Suzuya)

"Yeah, but wouldn't she be able to regroup immediately?"

"Then, why don't you ask her when she comes back?" (Suzuya)

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"How did I get lost? Didn't I told you before? A Squall separated me from my fleet and I drifted here." (Sakura Shigure)

"I know about that. What I want to know of is, why didn't you regroup immediately once the squall was gone?"

Sakura Shigure froze.

"I always thought it was weird. Why weren't you able to regroup with your fleet? You could have contacted your fleet after the squall ended. Why didn't you? Instead, you drifted all the way here. Even though you followed my fleet on their missions, why didn't you contact your fleet?"

Sakura Shigure looked down, fidgeting. I knew it. She was hiding something.

"You may share the same name as our Shigure, but if you are planning to do anything which can harm us, I will not hesitate to fight back with the full force of our-"

"I got it! I got it! I'll talk." (Sakura Shigure)

She took a deep breath.

"It's embarrassing, so I kept it to myself. In actual fact, I got lost and didn't bring along a communication device." (Sakura Shigure)

Eh?

"It felt like a good day to go out into sea that day. So I thought I would just play outside for a while. Suddenly a squall showed up and I got thrown off course. Before I knew it, I was in the middle of nowhere. I don't even know where we set up camp. We just arrived a few days ago. And then, I ended up here after seeing a some shipgirls coming out from some structure." (Sakura Shigure)

That must be the time when I sent them to the Okinoshima Seas. So that's why she came here. Wait, so this whole fiasco was because this girl went out to play and got lost instead? I thought she was an enemy spy!

"You don't remember why your base is?"

"Nope." (Sakura Shigure)

"Do you remember any kind of landmarks and structures that can help you identify the place?"

"I heard a joint fleet from the Eagle Union and Royal Navy used one of the islands nearby as a base before. That's why we came to intercept and investigate." (Sakura Shigure)

Don't tell me...

I brought up a map of the islands in the Northern Area and pointed at the islands near Alfonsino.

"Is it around here?"

"I think so. I mean, I need to see for myself before I can say anything." (Sakura Shigure)

It has to be here. Coming to investigate the presence of their enemies a few days after that rescue operation. It can't be a coincidence.

"I got it. I will send a fleet there. I want you to follow that fleet. I think that your base is somewhere there."

"So you found it?" (Sakura Shigure)

Sakura Shigure's eyes suddenly lit up. She must have been waiting to go home.

"Just a hunch. You mentioned you came to investigate the presence of your enemies right? We just carried out a rescue operation in that area a few days ago before you came to us. So I have a good feeling that it's around there. I promised to help find your home, didn't I?"

"Commander-san, you're the best!" (Sakura Shigure)

"Ow!"

Sakura Shigure lunged at me the same way Yuudachi did. What is with these doggie types pouncing on me every chance they get?

I can see her tail wagging. She must be very happy. I can't keep any promises, but I'm sure the rest of her fleet is there. Furthermore, none of my fleets visited that area, so that's the last place we have yet to check.

"Alright, alright. Get off me!"

"Admiral?"

Ah.

Standing at the doorway was Shigure, mouth agape. She definitely has gotten the wrong idea about this.

"Shigure, it's not what you think it is!"

"I got it. Admiral like this kind of thing. I-I won't bother you!" (Shigure)

She ran off. I better catch her and explain to her as soon as possible. For now, I need to get this fox-girl, or dog-girl or whatever she is, off me.