"Here, Eugen-chan." (Mamiya-san)
"Danke, Danke!" [Thank you!]
I took the bowl of Anmitsu from Mamiya-san's hand. I love the sweet, fruity taste of this Japanese dessert. We don't have this back in the Fatherland. Maybe they do now, I think. I should travel there some time in the future. The country must have changed a lot since then. Walking along the wharf while snacking on Anmitsu and enjoying the sea breeze is the perfect way to enjoy my off day in the district.
köstlich! [Delicious!] How does Mamiya-san blend the fruits and jelly with the red bean paste so well?
Hm? What's that? I noticed something resting on the edge of the pier. It's some kind of metal object. Are those guns? What is that tower thing? It looks foreign to me but somewhat familiar at the same time. Strangely enough, I feel compelled to approach her.
"Nagato?"
Huh? Why did I say that name?
The tower moved and turned, revealing a cute little girl in a Japanese Shrine Maiden outfit and animal ears. Attached to her are four huge cannons. There are tears in her eyes. Is she a cosplayer? What is a civilian doing here? More importantly, what is this nostalgic sensation?
"Who are you? *sniff*" (Unknown girl)
"Erm... I'm the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. Nice to meet you!"
"Prinz *Sniff* Eugen?" (Unknown girl)
"Yes. How about you, little girl? What's your name?"
The little girl rubbed her eyes,
"I am Nagato. You just said it earlier " (Unknown girl)
So her name really is Nagato... No way. It's not as though the name Nagato solely belongs to the battleship. Other people can be called Nagato as well. It's just a name.
"Nagato, huh. Then, can I call you Nagato-chan?"
"Whatever you wish..." (Nagato-chan)
"Yay!"
"Not only your appearance, even your personality seems different..." (Nagato-chan)
"Eh? Why did you say that?"
"The Prinz Eugen I know is more sarcastic and cheeky." (Nagato-chan)
"I don't know which Prinz Eugen you are referring to but Onee-chan is definitely not like that."
"Right. This is another world after all. Another timeline..." (Nagato-chan)
She looks like she is about to cry again. I walked up to the pier,
"Pardon me."
And sat down beside her. I still can shake off this feeling of nostalgia. It's the first time I've seen this girl but it feels like I have been through so much with her. Her props are in the way though.
"What happened? Are you lost?"
"In a way, yes. I don't know what *sniff* to do anymore..." (Nagato-chan)
"It's okay. I can take you to the police. They can help you find your parents. Those props may scare them though."
"Another one. You are making fun of me as well, aren't you?! Whatever! I don't care anymore!" (Nagato-chan)
Ah. Looks like I somehow made her angry.
"If we are going to lose in the end, then what was the point of this whole thing? Why did we team up with the Sirens and Ironblood in the first place? Why did we wage this stupid war with Azur Lane? Why? In the end, it will all be for naught." (Nagato-chan)
She is crying harder than before. Was she talking about the outcome of some obscure game or anime? I know there are some humans out there who get very emotional about this kind of stuff. What should I do?
But... For some reason, I kind of understand her feelings.
"I understand. You see your friends dying all around you. You feel your crew being blown up or drowned inside you as you do your best to escape, knowing fully that this battle has been lost but hoping the next one will be a victory. You keep on fighting till the bitter end, clutching on to the very beliefs that you hold so dear, only to find that the people you have been fighting for surrendered to the enemy. You have lost. You feel that everything was all for naught. The deaths of countless men, families being torn apart, what was all of that for? But try looking at things from a different perspective and you find that ultimately,"
I gestured for Nagato-chan to turn around,
"What matters is the smiles of those you want to protect.
The Kamikaze sisters strolled along the beachfront, smiling and chatting away. Mogami and Mikuma sat underneath a tree as Suzuya and Kumano practiced balancing on a small soccer ball, laughing as they both tumbled to the ground. The Mutsuki sisters look like they are playing a game of tag as Mikazuki-chan chased the rest.
"War is a terrifying thing. I experienced it first-hand myself over 60 years ago. I too cursed and despaired when the Fatherland announced their surrender. But now, these moments of peace are what I fight for now. And I don't want it be just mere moments. Right now, humanity is fighting against a huge threat. One that is big enough for everyone to stop fighting and unite against a common enemy. Us shipgirls have a duty to defeat this threat and secure the peace we so desire. It's scary and tough but I have something, someone to protect. And that makes it worth it to fight."
"Prinz Eugen..." (Nagato-chan)
"This is just my opinion. Of course, you can still fight for your beliefs. But to me, that didn't really work out. Even after being given a new lease of life, we were forced to fight for something which was imposed on us. Something about 'Humanity being the strongest race and that we are defeat the creatures of the depths'. That sort of thing was suffocating. I'm glad the takeover succeeded. Because right now, instead of fighting for the 'strongest race', it's fight for what you want and to protect what you love."
I'm just repeating what that person said. If it weren't for him, all of us would still be in hell. He cared for us, changed our gloomy world into a bright one. He is the one that makes this war worth fighting.
"To fight against a common enemy. To fight for what you believe in. To fight for the sake of someone..." (Nagato-chan)
"Ah. Verzeihung [Sorry]. I think I went off-topic at the end there."
Nagato-chan shook her head,
"No. My eyes are clear now. I know what I must do." (Nagato-chan)
That face... It's not the face of despair but rather, one of determination.
"Nagato-chan! There you are!" (???)
I turned to see Kawakaze running towards us. Following closely behind is Admiral?? Zuihou is here too.
"Hah... Hah... Geez! Don't just run off like that? Aren't you supposed to be slow since you're a battleship?" (Kawakaze)
Kawakaze placed her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.
"Prinz Eugen. You were with her this whole time?" (Admiral)
"Not really. We were just chatting for a bit."
"I'm not too sure what happened but she looks better now. Thank you." (Admiral)
"Eh? I didn't do anything great."
Hyaaaahh~! He is petting me~ I'm so happy~!
"Still, thank you." (Admiral)
"Thank you, Prinz Eugen. Right now, I have a clear vision of what the Sakura Empire needs to be. As leader of the Sakura Empire, I will lead everyone onto the right path." (Nagato-chan)
Her imagination is amazing.
"You can stay for a while, you know. I kind of feel bad for saying all that earlier." (Admiral)
"No. It was the truth after all. This is another world, another timeline different from others. I should have expected an outcome like this. I'm sorry for running off and destroying some of your things along the way." (Nagato-chan)
Nagato-chan bowed deeply. What is going on?
"Oh, so you are aware of that." (Admiral)
"Once I have steered the Sakura Empire onto the right path, I will come back to repay you. I swear it on my name!" (Nagato-chan)
"You don't have too. It's a small issue anyway. Just come back for tea some time." (Admiral)
"Prinz Eugen. I thank you once again. Your words have really helped me." (Nagato-chan)
"No no. I didn't do anything great."
"I shall now search for my brethren." (Nagato-chan)
Nagato-chan suddenly jumped into the sea!! What is she-? Huh? She is standing on the water? She is a shipgirl just like us!
"Will you be all right?" (Kawakaze)
"Yes. What kind of leader I am if I can't find my own people? Kawakaze and the others shouldn't be too far off. Farewell. We shall meet again sometime in the future." (Nagato-chan)
Suddenly, there was a loud growling sound. Nagato-chan's face grew redder by the second.
"Before you go, wanna join us for some late lunch? We are having curry today." (Admiral)
"M-much appreciated. I will take you up on that offer." (Nagato-chan)
"Come on. Lets get you back up here." (Kawakaze)
"Those riggings need to be off though." (Admiral)
"Ah. Give me a moment." (Nagato-chan)
Nagato-chan's equipment begin to glow blue as they disassembled themselves into tiny blue cubes and reform into a large battleship. Isn't that Nagato's original form back then?! Eh? What?
"You are going to explain that power of yours over lunch. All right?" (Admiral)
"Sure. I will provide as much information as you wish." (Nagato-chan)
What is going on? I'm so confused!