Chapter 81 - 72

With all the New Year festivities slowly dying down, it's almost time to get back to work. Over the past few days, the shrine has been full of people doing Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. I went back to Kyoto to pay my parent a visit for a few days, leaving Ooyodo in charge of taking care of the girls. My girls have also been doing Hatsumode over this period. Even now, they are still in the festive mood, walking around in their Kimonos and playing games. The fairies, as usual, leverage on this and set up stores at the port. I don't mind them having fun, but there are sorties coming up, and expeditions to do to stock up our resources again. Good thing their Kimonos are capable of equipping their rigging. They can look beautiful while fighting the Abyssals. As if they aren't beautiful enough.

"Nmm..." (Shigure)

Shigure sat across me, trying to pull her Kagami Mochi apart. It was cold, so I still had the Kotatsu out. Today, it's Shigure turn to be my secretary. As you can see, she is concentrating on eating.

"Be careful. Pull too hard and it would bite back."

"Mmmh..." (Shigure)

With a snap, the mochi broke into two. The loose, stretched out part flew upwards and flicked Shigure in the forehead. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Owuch..." (Shigure)

"Hahaha. What was that? Chew it slowly and carefully."

Shigure rubbed her forehead as she chewed the mochi. There is a reason why Kagami Mochi is considered a dangerous food.

"Admiral, how were your parents?" (Shigure)

"Mother and father were delighted to see after so long. They are still the same as always. My younger brother is still a pest though."

"That nice. I wonder how it is to have a family." (Shigure)

I went over to Shigure's side and hugged her.

"What are you talking about? We are a family. All of us."

"Mmh... That's right. We are a family." (Shigure)

Shipgirls don't have a family. They are either born from the factory or found out in the ocean. They have sister sh.i.p.s though. Well, most of them. That is why I sometimes feel the need to treat them like my own.

What am I saying?

"Um... Admiral, I'm alright now. Thank you."

"Is that so? It's okay to want more."

"Umm... I will gladly accept your offer then."

I held Shigure in my arms for a while. Usually she would tap my shoulder signalling me that she's had enough after 30 minutes. It's already past that timing and still no tapping.

"Shigure?"

I gently broke off from the hug, only to find her fast asleep! When did she fall asleep? I know I'm supposed to wake her up, but I can't bare to disturb this cute creature. Especially when she is at peace. As I tried to move away, I felt something pulling on me. Shigure's hands were gripping onto my uniform. What is she now, a Koala? Wait, didn't something like this happened a while back?

Looks I got no other choice. Since she is gripping onto my uniform, I just need to take it off. I slowly slipped my hand between our bodies, trying to ignore the soft sensation in the top of my hand. Then, careful not to wake her up, I unbuttoned my shirt and slipped out of it. Finally, I laid Shigure down. She slept soundly, gripping onto my shirt. I'm going to have to get a new one. It's way too cold to be wearing just a singlet.

Shigure may catch a cold if she sleeps on the cold floor, so I'm gonna have to slip her lower body under the Kotatsu. My uniform top is the winter version, so it should be warm enough to cover her upper body. As I did that, my office door swung open.

"Admiral, I'm bac- ahh... What are you doing?" (Zuihou)

Zuihou went out together with the other Carriers for their Hatsumode. Considering how early they left in the morning, it took pretty long.

"Welcome back. How was the festival?"

Zuihou didn't say anything. She just stared at me with eyes of suspicion. Is she angry?

"Admiral... What is the meaning of this?" (Zuihou)

Her voice was monotonous.

"Eh? What do you-"

I look down at myself and then at Shigure. Ohh... A man in a singlet looking over a sleeping, defenseless girl... Anyone would have the wrong idea if they saw such a scene. No way a cliche troupe like this is happening! And didn't something like this happened a while ago!?

"Wait, it's not what you think! Shigure was pulling on my shirt so I had to take it off. I don't want to let her catch a cold, that's why I'm covering her up with the Kotatsu."

"Really?" (Zuihou)

"Rea-Hacchoo!"

Damn it's cold!

"We better get you dressed. You are going to catch a cold at this rate." (Zuihou)

Looks like she has returned to normal.

"Yeah. I was going to."

As I stood up and walked to my room, Zuihou intercepted and wrapped her arms around me.

"Zuihou, I can't move properly like this. If you want a hug I can give it to you later."

"T-that's not it. Admiral is feeling cold so I'm just warming you up, that's all." (Zuihou)

This girl just can't be truthful sometimes.

"I-if you want, I can keep you warm at n-night as well..." (Zuihou)

Zuihou turned red and her voice trailed off towards the ends as she hid her face against my chest. That's a surprise. This is the first time she went on the offensive. Speaking of which, we haven't done it in a while. The inn at Kinosaki was far too risky at that time. I whispered into Zuihou's ear,

"Fine. I'll take you up on your offer. You better do your best and warm me up tonight."

I could have sworn she looked happy when Zuihou peeked out at me.