“Admiral, Hibiki wanted to report what she found herself. It’s about the Battleship which docked on the corner of the island.”

Hosho speaking in a small voice like she troubled about something, Hibiki beside her also looked nervous. Hm? What is going on?

Because of the wind blow is so strong on the flight deck, we decided to move below. We turned off the carrier engine and floating in a distance from the island, looking over the island, I sighed before turned toward Hibiki. I nodded at her to allow her to tell her report.

“Sir, I found a broken Battleship on the other side of the island! From what I can saw, there are numerous holes in its hull and the deck.” Hibiki saluted as she reported to me.

“Broken? Is it a shell impact?” I frowned from the word ‘broken’, and remember the time when I woke up, is the impact from before didn’t hurt us that much? I turned my attention toward Hibiki, so she can see clearly, even when I also see it myself? I murmured my complaint to myself then I decided to speak my order before Hibiki opened her mouth.

“Wait, follow me both of you. It’s better if we also speak this problem with the other.” I exchanged a glance with Hosho and she nodded at me. Seeing her agree with me, I send a message to the Chat Windows.

「Keita: Guys, meet me on the deck below the flight deck. I have something to discuss.」

Not long after I send my message, the respond from the two appears in flash.

「Aldebaran: Roger, connecting the bridge.」

「Benstar: Roger, connecting the bridge.」

As we are on only floating without moving, we can see two ships approaching from both sides while slowly started to pull out a metal bridge to connect with our ship.

Not long after, the three of us meeting up again along with our partners and Hibiki. I think there would be more chance we have to do a meeting, let’s find a good place for that later.

While thinking like this, I noticed that Hibiki stared to saluting with a nervous expression.

“Platoon leader of the planes squadron, Hibiki! Come to report!”

She is too stiff! Calm down Hibiki! And do that Ranks really did solidify? Oh well, nevermind...

Meanwhile, Aldebaran and Benstar stared at her while blinking. It seems they never expected that Hibiki would be that tense.

“Hehehe, Hibiki is it? Don’t be that stiff~ calm down, not like we going to bite you, though.” Benstar smiled(smirked) at her which make Hibiki eyes darting from side to side. Woah, Ben, you scared her! See you are being glared at by Hatsuzuki.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Aldebaran coughed before turning toward Hibiki with a calm face.

“Then, what are you want to report? Is it regarding about the discovery of the Battleships on the island?”

What with that calm adult-like face! Scary~

I unconsciously frowned, and somehow Hibiki saw it as if she was being a blunder and ended saluting again with a blue face. Woah, did you misunderstanding something!

I feeling a stare beside me and see Hosho smiled at me. Forced smile it seems...

Meanwhile, Hibiki who saluting while building up a courage started to speaking.

“Sir! I found a broken Battleship on the other side of the island! From what I can saw, there are numerous holes in its hull and the deck.”

Oh, she is speaking the same as when reporting to me? Well done, I guess.

Hearing it, the other two somehow changed their expression. Their look turned scary with their atmosphere turned dark.

“Broken you said? How is its condition, speak it more clearly.” Benstar folded his hand and speaking with rare strict voice. Well, not like I never seen his serious mode, though. Hatsuzuki even pinched his elbow.

Hibiki who overwhelmed by Benstar is unable to answer. Then, not letting her to take time, Aldebaran joined while showing the same expression.

“You saw holes right? Is it from an attack of shells? How is its condition? Are there any person living nearby?”

Faced by barrage questions from Aldebaran, Hibiki slowly losing her courage and ended to lowering her head with trembling body. The two only stared at her while narrowing their eyes.

“G-guys, aren’t you both too strict? The other side is a girl right?” Feeling the atmosphere turned worse, I jumped forward while trying to change the subject.

However, the response I got was different from what I was expected.

“Can you shut up for a second, ‘Commander’. This is the important report that you fail to give us. We have the right to know this. In detail.” Aldebaran narrowing his eyes as he stared at Hibiki behind me. The sudden change makes me unconsciously take a step back.

“It is fine, commander. We only wanted to hear it, so can you step back? Ah, by the way. In the military it was rude to be different because of gender, they have a duty, after all.” Benstar smiled at me, but his sudden glare makes me take another step back. Gritting my teeth, I glanced at Hibiki and stepped back toward my previous location.

I shifted my attention toward Aldebaran and Benstar, I have an uncomfortable feeling about this. How do I feel of the sudden wall between us? How were their figures suddenly rocketed high and I feel suppressed by them?

Feeling a tug on my sleeve, I noticed that Hosho staring at me with a worried look. I smiled to reassuring her. Then I noticed Hatsuzuki and Atago behind Benstar and Aldebaran bowing at me. Sigh, it troubles me to make a girl worried about me.

I turned my attention toward Hibiki and our eyes meet. I smiled and nodded my head while silently encouraged her with my eyes.

Looking like she has steeled her heart, Hibiki straightens her back. “Sir! From what I can see, the ship was unlikely to be attacked by shells. I think that it was strange, as the debris was actually on the land. I-I mean, it look like a hole was made from inside? B-but I’m not pretty sure of what would do that. The battleship armor is thick.”

Hearing Hibiki, all of us was surprised. But Hibiki isn’t finished her report yet.

“I’m didn’t see any tents nearby, so I doubt there is still someone living there. Ah, the metal on the ships doesn’t too much damaged except the holes, which make it strange. But thanks to that I can see the flag and I am sure that the ship was one of the British Battleship, If I’m not wrong, it was Warspite.”