Kongou

Recently, many British warships have been exchanged and entered the naval base under the guise of training and inspection. While the exchange system for ship girls has tended to become more active with increasing international relations, and the naval base now houses many foreign ships such as American and German ship girls, such cases have been relatively rare between Japan and Britain in the past. This latest exchange includes the British ship Nelson and Ark Royal, while Japan has sent Fusō and the Shōkaku sisters, significantly impacting the fleet composition. Given the scale of this operation, you can't help but suspect some political maneuvering.

You decide to speak with the British ship girls on the front lines, hoping to gain more personal opinions than just formalities. Instead of directly approaching the transferred British ships, you know you should look for those who have long resided in Japan and are more insightful in Anglo-Japanese exchanges.

You first call the dormitory supervisor's office, but Bismarck answers and informs you that the person you're looking for isn't there. You weigh whether to go to the training grounds or the garden, ultimately choosing the latter. Unsurprisingly, the representative of the British ships, HMS Warspite, is there.

You pass through the Western-style archway into the garden. Originally, the base's courtyards were designed for landscaping and personnel health, but since Warspite claimed this green space, the once functional space has become refined and elegant. Shrubs and rose bushes have been planted, and the surrounding woods bloom with different flowers throughout the year, from sweet oranges to camellias. You walk across the lush, verdant lawn towards the rest area where Warspite is.

She is still wearing her usual elegant military uniform, the off-the-shoulder design of the dress making her, true to her name, exude a regal and graceful presence as a queen. You feel an urge to offer her the highest salute.

But what truly surprises you is the figure sitting beside her. Her milk-chocolate-smooth brown hair is styled in an intricate ceremonial updo, but tied in two European-style braids at the back of her head. Her shrine maiden attire is particularly striking against the wide sleeves of her robes.

A gathering of the British Queen Elizabeth-class HMS Warspite and the Japanese Imperial Kongou-class Kongou? It's quite a interesting sight.

When you approached, Warspite gracefully looked up at you, nodded, and smiled in greeting: "Oh, what a rare guest. Good day, Commander." You and she returned the greeting, and Kongou also gave you a brief greeting. Normally, she would have already shouted 'Teitoku~~~!' at you; you are surprised that she is so reserved today, only to see that she is sitting upright with a tense expression.

Warspite raised her hands from her lap, clasped them together in front of her chest, and politely explained to you, "You've come at just the right time; Miss Kongou and I are having a tea party." She gestured with her right hand, indicating that you should sit in the wicker chair between her and Kongou. "How about a cup of black tea? We can talk over tea."

You quietly took your seat. Warspite had already poured hot black tea into an exquisite bone china cup for you, confirming your needs for sugar, milk, and lemon. Her cascading blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and you couldn't help but think of a similar sight you'd seen on Bismarck. Perhaps this was the demeanor of a ship girl from a great power? There was an empty wicker chair opposite you. You didn't often have such private meetings with Warspite, but you couldn't help but feel that not only in front of others, but even in her daily life, Warspite exuded elegance and courtesy.

After refilling all three of your teacups, Warspite once again picked up the handle of her own cup. You followed suit and began to drink your tea. The tea table in front of you was laden with various tea snacks: scones, madeleines, fruit tarts, crème brûlée, and even small cakes, candied fruit, and matcha jelly—everything imaginable.

You and Warspite began to chat casually. She put a raspberry in her mouth, while you cut a slice of cheesecake. Your conversation covered topics ranging from the climate differences between Europe and East Asia, Warspite's plans to return home, the current situation in the British dormitory, and even the results of joint operations.

You noticed again how quiet Kongou was today. Ever since you started chatting with Warspite, she's been silent, constantly moving her mouth like a little animal, eating dessert.

Seeing your gaze fixed on Kongou, Warspite chuckled, "Fate is truly wondrous. Back in our day, Miss Kongou was staying at my apartment when being our place, and now our children are here in Japan as an exchange student, and I'm even managing the dorm. It's like time has passed, but the people remain the same."

You realized that Kongou was a girl who had returned from abroad; Warspite continued, as if reminiscing, "It was really interesting back then. We couldn't understand each other, neither in language nor culture, and we still held quite a few stereotypes about Japanese students."

Kongou seemed to sense something, suddenly glancing at Warspite and giving her frantic winks, but the latter remained unmoved: "Always overslept in the mornings; the smell in kitchen was so strange I forbade her to cook; having absolutely no sense of style, I saw her wearing T-shirts or sweaters all year round; her eating and sleeping postures weren't very elegant. Ah, but her dining manners improved greatly after taking courses at school, which was quite touching."

You stared speechlessly at Warspite; glancing at Kongou, whose face was flushed and who was trembling, seemingly wishing she could hide under the table. You could almost see a young girl whose shameful past had been exposed by her mother. Warspite continued reminiscing, her smile softening. She took a sip of tea, then looked at the ripples in the cup. "That mischievous girl has blossomed into a graceful young lady. The elegant demeanor, poised figure—even the tea she brewed today tastes so good."

She set down her teacup, straightened her posture, and bowed slightly to Kongou, her face filled with emotion: "Miss Kongou, it has truly made me happy to have been a part of your growth, and I hope your time in England has been rewarding. Now, I am also a guest residing in your homeland. Please forgive any rudeness I may have caused."

"I also entrust the care of the new children from our country to you. Although they are quite individualistic, they are all eager to learn; as long as I remain as the English dormitory supervisor, I will never neglect to teach them and will not cause you any trouble." She nodded and smiled at you as well: "The same goes for the Commander; I hope you will continue to guide us."

The atmosphere suddenly turned serious. Remembering your purpose, you hurriedly explained to the English housemaster. Upon hearing your question, Warspite gently covered his mouth and gave you a surprised look.

"Oh dear, Commander, your viewpoint is quite sensitive." Even so, she smiled calmly. "I would say that policies are inevitably accompanied by political maneuvering, but politics doesn't necessarily involve calculation, at least, not malicious calculation; besides, our country's exchange student dispatches are all based on the personal wishes of each ship girl, and I hope you can trust the young people's desire to learn."

"As for the children's current situation, they are all capable and kind-hearted, our country's proud elites, especially Nelson and Royal Ark, I know they are adapting well." She smiled at you as she flipped through the reference documents you gave her. "Please allow me to review their joint combat records and the roster of British-Japanese exchange students over the years. I will prepare a report and return it to you." After thanking you, she turned and gracefully left the garden.

You once again experienced just how powerful her aura was, quiet yet dignified. Only you and Kongou remained at the coffee table. When you finally turned to look at her from the direction where Warspite had disappeared, she suddenly covered her face with her hands and screamed, "Ahhh, my shameful past is completely exposed!!!" She seemed so ashamed that she forgot your presence and began pounding her forehead on the table, making the empty plates on the table clang loudly. "I'm really bad at dealing with that kind of person! Miss Warspite is a good person, that's true, but she's the kind of person who can perfectly lay out a whole set of Western cutlery blindfolded! Who cares how you handle the spatula when eating scones?!"

Finally, she slumped helplessly onto the table, muttering, "Normally I can happily host tea parties with her, but why she brought up my past studying abroad today? If she turns back into that devilish dorm supervisor, wouldn't I be completely unable to relax? Teitoku was also there, I was practically suffocating… And that gratifying speech felt so sinful, does she really think I've become a master of etiquette?"

You were attacked by Kongou for the first time in a long time, early this morning. You were enjoying a peaceful morning when the door was suddenly flung open, and you immediately put down your coffee cup. “Teitoku~ Gotcha! Today I’ll make you taste my B~urning L~ove~~~!” Before the words were even finished, Kongou leaped forward, pouncing straight at you in front of your desk.

Then she was shot down by the ambushing Katori and dragged out of the commander’s room.

“Wait! Katori-chan? Let me go! Why are you with the Teitoku?! Don’t stop my love for the Teitoku! Ahh~~~" You watch the door close, listening to Kongou's mournful cries fade into the distance. You pick up your coffee cup again and gaze at the azure sea outside the window. Kongou has always been the most open about expressing her feelings for you in the fleet, even surpassing the American, Italian, and French ship girls known for their openness, freedom, and romance. Her actions go beyond words and simple gestures, culminating in a powerful attack on you like a large dog once meeting—a scene that remains unforgettable. In the fleet, there are indeed those like Shigure and Kashima who openly express their goodwill, and among the battleships, there are ship girls like Yamato who are close to you. Kongou's bold behavior, in a Japanese society that values ​​interpersonal relationships, manages to avoid alienation from her peers thanks to her usual goodwill and the sincerity and purity of her feelings. Although whenever Kongou goes berserk, the battleships and even cruisers around her will ruthlessly suppress her, none of them—not Katori, Nagato, or even her younger sister Kirishima—have shown the slightest impatience, indulging Kongou's childlike behavior with utter indulgence.

Absurd, amusing, and yet heartwarming, you can't help but feel that this is the most beautiful aspect of these women who bear the name of weapons.

Later, Kirishima came to apologize to you on behalf of her sister, regretting that she hadn't caught her that morning due to carelessness. She said she and Katori had given her a good scolding and also reminded you that Kongo's obsession with you was beyond ordinary people, warning you to be careful: "Please lock the door when you get back to your dorm, Admiral. I have a feeling that that big idiot will strike again tonight, and we might not be able to get there in time."

As it turned out, Kirishima was right. You leisurely finished dinner, returned to your dorm, locked the door, took a shower alone, and then went to bed and slept soundly. Everything seemed so peaceful. However, in the early hours of the morning, you suddenly woke up and looked down to see Kongo straddling you.

She was wearing a revealing lace nightgown; the sheer fabric was a dark purple that contrasted with the night, highlighting her fair skin. Her legs were wide open, trapping you in the sheets between them.

"I come for yobai (night-crawling, night visit for sex)~ The sleeping Teitoku is like a little child, so defenseless, so cute." She climbs onto your chest with both hands, leans closer, and wiggles her hips, her round breasts, supported by her bra cups, swaying back and forth with gravity. Her expression is hazy, gazing at you so close, intoxicated, her nose twitching, breathing in your scent. She pouted and muttered softly, "Nagato is so annoying! She said something like, 'Since you have the leisure to mess around with men, it seems you still have plenty of energy to burn.' She dragged me running until the afternoon! Doesn't she know it's immoral to make a girl sweat? Is that guy even a woman?"

As you stare at the absurdity of the scene before you, Kongou suddenly lowers her head: "Why is it so hard to see the Teitoku? I just want to be like a normal girl, to express my feelings for the person I like, to have a passionate romance. But the Teitoku is always surrounded by so many lovely girls. Even if not being the favorited one, it doesn't matter, as long as Teitoku notices my feelings, that's enough. But I'm so scared, scared that I won't even have a chance to try..."

"Everyone says to let things happen naturally, but if you don't take the initiative, when will the opportunity appear...?" she murmured against your chest.

*最近，不少英屬戰艦以見習考察的名義交換進入了鎮守府。雖然艦娘的交換制度本就有隨國際關係變得熱絡的傾向，鎮守府內如今也有大量外國艦諸如美國、德國艦娘，但這樣的案例過去在日本與英國間偏少；這次的異動人員中包含了英方的納爾遜與皇家方舟，我方則送出了扶桑和翔鶴姐妹等人，著實對艦隊構成有著不容忽視的影響；牽涉到如此大規模戰力的行動，你不禁懷疑其中有什麼政治上的運作。*
*你決定和第一線的英國艦娘談談，比起形式上的回答，能得到更多切重要點的私人意見；不直接找上轉入的英艦，你心裡有數，該尋找久居日本，對英日交流更有想法的人選。*

*你先打內線到了舍監室，接電話的俾斯麥告知沒有你要找的人選，你權衡了一下該去練習場還是花園，最後選擇後者。不出所料，英國艦的代表，厭戰號就在那裡。*
*你穿過洋派的拱門步入花園；本來基地內的庭院設計只是出於綠化與人員健康的考量，但自從厭戰認領了這綠地後，原本功能性的空間變得講究雅緻，空地被種上灌木與玫瑰叢，繞園樹林從甜橙到山茶花，整年都開著不同的花朵。你踏過水潤青翠的草坪，走向厭戰所在的休憩區。*

*她仍穿著她一貫的優雅軍禮裝，洋裝式的露肩襯裙設計，讓她人如其名，如同女王般威儀雅緻。你不禁感到一種該向她行最敬禮的衝動。*
*但真正讓你驚訝的是坐在一旁的人物。一頭牛奶巧克力般柔滑的棕髮梳成繁複的祭儀髮式，後腦卻綁著兩輪歐式麻花髻，一身的巫女裝束被寬大的衣袖襯得尤為顯眼。*
*英國伊莉莎白女皇級厭戰號與日本帝國金剛型，金剛的聚會嗎?實在是個奇妙的景象。*

*待你走到身邊，厭戰才雍容的抬頭看你，向你頷首，微笑致意:「哎呀，真是稀客，日安，指揮官。」你和她回禮，金剛也簡單向你問好。平常的她早已「提督!」地朝你大叫；你奇怪於今天的她怎會如此拘束，只見她神情緊繃，正襟危坐。*
*厭戰將膝上的雙手抬起，在胸前合攏，客氣的和你說明:*「您來的時機正好，我和金剛小姐正舉行著茶會呢。」*她將右手一擺，示意你坐上她與金剛間的藤椅。*「不如來杯紅茶吧?我們可以邊喝茶邊談。」
*你輕手輕腳地入坐，厭戰已幫你在精緻的骨瓷杯裡倒入熱紅茶，確認你對方糖、牛奶與檸檬的需求，她如瀑般的金髮披掛在肩頭，你不禁想到在俾斯麥身上也見過這樣的景象，或許這就是大國艦娘的儀態?你對面還有一張空藤椅，你不常與厭戰有著這樣的私會，但你不禁體會到，不僅是平常眾人面前的她，日常中的厭戰號也無處不體現著優雅與禮節。*
*幫三人的茶杯都補滿後，厭戰再次捻起自己的杯耳。你也有樣學樣的開始喝茶。你們面前的茶几放著各式茶點，司康餅、瑪德蓮、水果塔、焦糖布蕾，乃至小蛋糕、蜜漬水果甚至抹茶凍，應有盡有。*
*你和厭戰開始閒話家常。她將一塊覆盆莓放入嘴裡，你則切了一塊乳酪蛋糕。你們談論的話題包含歐洲與東亞的氣候差異、厭戰的返鄉計畫、英國宿舍的近況乃至聯合作戰的成果。*

*你再次體會到今天的金剛是多麼的安靜。從你和厭戰聊天以來，她就默不作聲，像個小動物一樣不停動著嘴巴，吃著甜點。*
*見到你投向金剛的視線，厭戰輕笑:*「緣分真的很奇妙呢。想當年金剛小姐在我們那時，正是寄宿在我的公寓，如今我們家的孩子作為交換生來到日本，我竟也是擔當著舍監的管理職位。有種時序流轉，人物卻不曾改變的感覺呢。」
*你想到金剛算是歸國女子；厭戰像是回憶往事地繼續說:*「當時真有趣呢。雙方不管是語言還是文化都不通，我們還兀自對日本來的學生們抱著相當的刻板印象。」
*金剛像是感覺到什麼般，猛然看向厭戰不停使眼色，但後者不為所動:*「早上總是賴床；做菜時的味道奇怪得被我禁止開伙；實在沒什麼穿搭概念，一整年都見她穿著T恤或套頭毛衣；吃相和睡相都不太好看。啊，不過用餐禮儀在校內進修後大有進步，令人感動。」
*你啞然望著厭戰；瞥向金剛，她滿臉通紅，渾身顫抖，似乎恨不得鑽到桌子底下。你彷彿看到了被老母親抖出羞恥過往的少女。厭戰繼續回憶，笑容變得溫煦。抿了一口茶後，她看向杯中的漣漪。*「當時那淘氣的女孩也出落得亭亭玉立，成為出色的淑女了呢。優雅的形態也好，自持的身段亦是，今天泡的紅茶也變得那麼好喝，」
*她放下茶杯，端正身體，微微向金剛低頭，臉上寫滿了情感:*「金剛小姐，能夠參與你的成長真的讓我很開心，也希望在英國的時光是讓你有收穫的。如今我竟也作為一介客人長居於你的故鄉，有任何失禮之舉，還請不吝指教。」
「我們國家新來的孩子們也要拜託你照顧了。她們雖然頗有個性，但都樂於學習；只要我還作為英國舍監的一天，就絕不會疏於鞭策她們，不會給你添麻煩的。」*她也向你點頭微笑:*「指揮官也是，接下來要請你繼續指教了。」

*氣氛忽然變得嚴肅。你想起自己的來意，急急向這位英國舍監說明，聽了你的問題，厭戰輕輕摀嘴，報以驚訝的表情。*
「哎呀，指揮官，你的觀點相當敏感呢。」*即便如此，她仍微笑自如:*「我會說，政策的背後必然伴著政治運作，不過，政治並不一定包含算計，至少，惡意的算計；況且，我國的交換生派遣都是出自於每位艦娘的個人意願，希望您能相信年輕人的向學心。」
「至於孩子們的現況，她們都是實力與心行兼具的，我國驕傲的菁英，尤其納爾遜與皇家方舟，我知道她們適應良好。」*她翻閱著你給她的參考文件，朝你微笑。*「兩人的協同作戰紀錄和歷年英日的交換生名冊請容許我檢閱，我會製作報告後一併還給您。」*和你道謝後，她轉身翩然離開了花園。*

*你再次體會到她的氣場究竟是何等強烈，寂靜而威儀堂堂。茶几前只剩下你和金剛兩人，當你終於從厭戰消失的方向轉身看她時，她猛然用雙手掩面，大叫:*「啊啊啊，我不堪的過去完全暴露啦!!!」
*她似乎羞得忘了你的存在，開始用額頭猛鎚桌面，桌上的空盤堅鏘作響。*「我真的不擅長應付那種人啦!厭戰小姐是好人沒錯，可是她是能矇著眼把全套西餐餐具擺滿桌的那種人耶!誰會去在意吃司康時抹刀要怎麼動啊?!」
*她最後終於無力的攤在桌上，低聲嘟噥:*「平常還能開心的辦茶會，但今天居然回想起我留學時的往事，變回那魔鬼舍監的話我豈不是完全放不開嗎?提督還在場我簡直憋死了……還有那欣慰的演說讓人好罪惡，她不會真以為我變成禮儀大師了吧?」

*你久違的被金剛襲擊，是在今天清早。*
*你正覺得享受了好一陣子的寧靜早晨，大門就被轟然打開，你立刻放下手裡的咖啡杯。*「提督~逮到你了!今天一定要讓你嘗嘗本小姐的Burning L~ove~~~!」*話聲未落金剛便縱然一躍，逕直朝辦公桌前的你撲來。*
*然後她就被埋伏的香取擊落，拖出指揮官室了。*

「等等!香取醬?放開我!為什麼你會和提督在一起?!不要阻撓我對提督的愛啊啊啊啊啊~~~~~~」*你望著逐漸關上的房門，聽著金剛淒厲的叫聲漸漸遠去。*

*你重新端起咖啡杯，望向窗外蔚藍的大海。金剛一直是艦隊中最大方表達對你感情的人，甚至於超越以開放、自由和浪漫著稱的美國、義大利和法國艦娘，其做法突破言語與簡單的手勢而採取實際行動，一碰面就像大型犬般朝你猛撲的場面令人難忘。*

*艦隊中畢竟也有像時雨和鹿島這樣明確向你示好的存在，戰艦中也不乏像大和這樣和你親近的艦娘，金剛這般大膽的行為，在注重人際分野的日本社會中能不引起同儕敵視，也是多虧了她平常的廣結善緣，還有她感情的真摯純粹吧；雖然金剛只要一暴走，一旁的戰艦甚至巡洋艦就會不留情面的壓制，但不管是香取、長門或是親妹妹霧島，所有人都不曾有過一絲不耐，對金剛孩子般的行為百般寵溺。*
*荒誕、逗趣的同時又顯得窩心，你不禁覺得這是身負兵器之名的她們最美好的姿態。*

*後來霧島來替姊姊向你道歉，為早上大意而沒逮住她感到遺憾，自己和香取已狠狠地教訓了她，也提醒你金剛對你的狂熱非常人所及，要你小心:*「回寢室請把門鎖好，提督。我有預感，那個大傻瓜今晚會再出手，而我們不一定有辦法及時趕到。」

*事實證明霧島說的是對的。你清閒的吃完晚餐，回到宿舍鎖上門，一個人洗了澡，然後上床安穩入睡，一切看似是那麼的平靜。然而，凌晨時分，你忽然醒來，低頭一看，金剛正趴坐在你身上。*

*她穿著清涼的蕾絲內睡衣，透明紡紗材質是與夜色相襯的暗紫色，同時襯托出她的白皙肌膚；她雙腿大張，把被窩裡的你夾在股間。*
「本小姐我來夜襲啦~睡夢中的提督就像小孩子一樣，毫無防備呢，真可愛。」*她雙手攀上你的胸部，湊近你，搖著屁股，罩杯托住的圓潤雙乳隨重力前後晃動。她的表情朦朧，陶醉地看著近在咫尺的你，鼻子嗅著，呼吸著你的氣味。她噘著嘴，輕聲嘀咕:*「長門那傢伙真討厭，竟然說什麼:『既然有閒情逸致搞男人，看來還有很多體力可以耗。』拖著我跑步到下午!知不知道讓女孩子流汗是不道德的行為啊?那傢伙真的是女人嗎?」
*你正瞠目於眼前景象的荒謬，只見金剛突然低下頭:*「為什麼想見提督這麼難呢?我也只不過是想像個普通女孩一樣，傾訴對心上人的感情，轟轟烈烈地談場戀愛罷了，提督身邊卻總是圍繞著那麼多可愛的女孩子。就算不是最愛的也無所謂，只要提督能察覺我的心意就夠了，我卻好害怕，害怕自己連嘗試的機會都沒有……」
「大家都說順其自然，但是不自己主動進擊的話，機會什麼時候會出現呢……?」*她在你胸前呢喃。*