Her being built alone broke Japan's carrier-building custom; before, they always built them in pairs—Akagi & Kaga, Shoukaku & Zuikaku, Souryuu & Hiryuu.
Why only this one carrier? First, the economy was already buckling. Second, Japanese doctrine still worshiped the battleship line of decision; carriers were seen as auxiliaries.
Since there would be only one, the brass prioritized defense—borrowing the idea of the Royal Navy's Illustrious-class armored carriers to harden her against bombs and torpedoes.
Thus was born a carrier many considered "perfect."
But she was a desperately unlucky shipgirl. In the compendium, her Luck is a mere 5, lumping her with Wilhelmina, the torpedo queen of unfortunate fate—both proud members of "Lucky E."
All because of a single torpedo.
In the naval district, a twin-tailed girl nursed a book, sipped green tea, took a bite of tamagoyaki, and sighed in contentment.
Just then, a childish yet cocksure voice piped up behind her.
"The armored carrier Taiho, full-load displacement thirty-seven thousand tons—on her first combat sortie, was hit by one torpedo from the invincible submarine Albacore. Just one torpedo, and mighty Taiho went to the bottom—another jewel in Albacore's legend."
The redhead flinched and slowly turned.
Behind her stood a blonde twin-tailed little girl in a school swimsuit printed with the U.S. flag, smiling with squinty eyes.
Her chubby, adorable face couldn't hide those red irises—like they were dripping blood. The sight made the redhead's heart go cold.
As the Commander would say, that was Albacore with murder in her eyes.
"Albacore, you're bullying me again!"
Taiho's voice trembled with humiliation.
"We're best friends—and international best friends," Albacore said breezily, sticking out a tiny palm. "Come on, don't dawdle—hand it all over. Food, drinks—everything."
"Uuu… The tamagoyaki was fresh and warm—I only just begged some today. It's all here."
Tamagoyaki—milk and eggs turned into a cake. Simple, but hard to make truly delicious.
Lately the district had fallen in love with learning to cook—lots of girls hoping to stand in for Yat Sen at the stoves. That's how Taiho had managed to scrounge something tasty.
And now it all disappeared into Albacore's mouth.
Plate in hand, cheeks puffed as she chomped, Albacore plopped down beside Taiho with a sigh of bliss. "Stolen-from-Taiho food is the best… By the way, why are you holed up in the dorms? I spent forever looking."
Obviously to avoid you, Taiho thought, aggrieved.
"You're afraid of being disappointed, right?" Albacore tilted her head, reading Taiho like a book. "Afraid you won't be the one the Commander summons… and you won't be able to hide it from the others when the disappointment hits?"
Taiho blinked, reached out, and squished Albacore's cheeks. "You little…"
"Heehee, nailed it." Albacore laughed, patting Taiho's shoulder and dusting it with crumbly sweets. "Don't be scared. At least I'm here with you."
"Hmph. You only bully me. I don't want you keeping me company."
"Liar, Taiho. Not cute."
"I don't want to go to the Commander at all. If he dares summon me, I'll slap him across the face and ask why he thought he could disappear for so long!"
Taiho mimed the slap to show she meant it.
And then Albacore watched as Taiho vanished into thin air.
The tamagoyaki—and the plate—thumped onto the bamboo mat.
Albacore opened her small palm, patted her baby-fat cheek, and muttered, "So that's what the Commander likes, huh?"
A girl in a blue-white blouse and short skirt stepped out of a spray of prismatic light, crimson twin tails trailing down to her hips.
Her hand was still frozen mid-slap, her expression dazed.
Hikaru looked Taiho up and down, smiling as he offered his hand.
"Taiho, welcome to the naval district."
Still foggy, Taiho shook his hand—then, under the gaze of everyone present, popped her fingertip into her mouth and sucked.
Hikaru froze.
"Taiho, you—?"
Repulse pressed her lips together, smiling with layered meaning.
Tirpitz's eyes lit; she whipped out a notebook to jot down the inspiration.
Taiho jolted back to herself and waved frantically. "No—no! I wasn't licking the Commander's hand—there were still crumbs on my fingers!"
She thrust out her soft little hand, desperate for Hikaru to vindicate her innocence.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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