Saratoga

As the cicadas' chirping faded day by day, the green leaves gradually turned yellow and red, and the summer heat gradually eased. Some of the shipgirls aboard the naval base had already begun changing into autumn attire—primarily limited to the Japanese shipgirls. Those on German and Soviet ships mostly maintained breathable clothing. The Japanese shipgirls' attire reflected their appreciation for the changing seasons and their meticulous attention to fashion and dress.

After all, they were young girls in their prime—you couldn't help but sigh.

On the other hand, the German shipgirls, who valued pragmatism, wore riggings, military uniforms, or suits year-round, their casual attire remaining simple. It seemed that only at parties or banquets would they be seen lavishly donning their finery. As for the Soviet shipgirls, it seemed only in the depths of winter would they be seen donning thick, fleece-lined coats. The shipgirls of each nation seemed to reflect their national character to a certain extent.

What about the shipgirls of other countries...? You were just thinking about Western Europe and Italy when a calm female voice suddenly interrupted you: "Good evening, Admiral, though it's still a little early." The shipgirl in a gray suit nodded to you, her long, pale blond hair cascading behind her. It was the German shipgirl, Bismarck. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you about the girls in our place."

You could tell she wanted to discuss the dormitories on the overseas ships. Despite her 'Iron Blood' moniker, Bismarck rarely interfered with the lives or training of his shipgirls, instead adopting a rather tolerant attitude. However, due to her meticulous nature, she was chosen to serve as a dorm warden on an overseas ship, a position that still required her to manage many trivial matters and duties.

"Here are some documents for your review." She handed you several folders. You flipped open one, discovering a carefully arranged list of various charts and diagrams. She spread out several other documents in front of you: "Please take a look. I've compiled electricity usage data for each dormitory since early summer. Initially, the Soviet Union accounted for the highest share, and then other countries followed suit."

Bismarck observed your reaction, ensuring you understood the information she provided, before continuing: "Electricity consumption is concentrated at night, reflecting the pattern of air conditioning use, and gradually decreases from mid-summer onward."

Her statement was logical and realistic, but you suddenly noticed that a set of charts in the documents in your hand showed contradictory data.

You met her eyes, and she nodded: "Electricity consumption in American dormitories has increased, not decreased. If they couldn't tolerate the heat, common sense would suggest that at least the Soviet dormitories would show a more pronounced trend. However, this dormitory is completely different. Although their electricity usage hasn't exceeded the prescribed quota, it's still abnormal. I believe we need to discuss this directly with the dormitory manager." She concluded.

It makes sense, you agreed, but she just stared at you, silent.

……

You followed Bismarck's gaze to the next page and immediately understood the reason. "According to my further research, electricity consumption in American dormitories is concentrated in one place." She stopped there.

Iowa's dorm room...

Putting aside their previous relationship, Iowa, who always followed her instincts, was clearly not someone Bismarck was comfortable dealing with. The implication was that she ask you to deal with Iowa.

You sighed, thinking of Saratoga, who shared a room with Iowa. She was also a serious and pragmatic person. Living with someone with such a completely different personality must be difficult. Bismarck coughed dryly. "I'd like to ask Miss Saratoga to mediate, but I've already received a lot of help from her. I really don't want to bother her unless it's absolutely necessary..."

So you're just pushing it onto me? Even with that thought, you headed to Iowa and Sara's room.

Why could such a huge amount of electricity be consumed in just one season? You couldn't fathom it, but then you remembered that Iowa was living in that room, and a thousand crazy reasons flooded your mind.

She couldn't possibly be trying to turn the room into an icehouse, could she? Haha, and certainly not to see the snow or build an igloo inside.

You unconsciously quickened your pace.

You walked so fast, you had no time to pay attention to your surroundings. When the towering shipgirl charged towards you, you barely dodged it on instinct. "Wahhh~~~ GET OUT OF MY WAY!!! Sorry, but I'm freezing to deathhhhhhhhh~~~~~~~"

Her overpowering appearance and high-pitched voice made you turn back in a panic.

Was that... Iowa...?

Anyway, since the enemy general had already fled, at least you could occupy their position. You stopped in front of her door. After all the rushing around, it was surprisingly cool in here. The first priority is to find the source of the power drain... Wait, cool?

You pause in front of the wide-open door, feeling a gust of cold wind blast through the room.

Yes, a cold wind, a biting chill pouring through the early autumn room. You can't help but recoil at the chill, a chill that feels like a curse; there seems to be a cacophony of noises mingling within.

You slowly advance, arms folded, teeth chattering. It's so cold, it feels like a snowy mountain here...

With each step, the sounds of tugging and clashing grow louder, along with muffled voices. You struggle through the supposedly short hallway, peeking into the bedroom, and finally see the culprit.

The windows are covered with thick curtains, blocking out the warm sunlight. Meanwhile, the air conditioner is running at full speed, emitting a roar you've never heard before. Gangut, the Russian ship's leader, and several other destroyers seem to be arguing over something in the center of the room.

She wailed in a trembling, hoarse voice: "It was funny to see that silly American bitch get so embarrassed and even beg me on her knees, but this is too much. Summer just ended!" She grabbed the ball in front of her and pulled it back with all her might. "You win! Even the Soviets are defeated! So get out there and get the room back to its original state, Saratoga! If you keep this up, your roommate is going to come over and tear our rooms apart!"

Other Russian ships, including the Tashkent, also continued their tug-of-war with the enemy, one after another, like a fairy tale of pulling carrots, accompanied by commands and shouts.

At the center of the storm was the other occupant of the room, the American ship Saratoga.

"I do not! I do not!" Saratoga roared. "I won't leave this castle I've worked so hard to build! Get out of here, all those troublesome people and things!"

Look at her, clad in a soft shawl and warm sweater, as she struggles to resist the brute force of the Soviet shipgirls. For an aircraft carrier girl, Saratoga, capable of holding off more than five warships, demonstrates an almost unbelievable level of strength. She curls herself into a tiny ball, like a caterpillar in a cocoon, desperately trying to burrow under her tiny table.

The scene becomes too chaotic, and you finally realize that this American shipgirl is nestled under a traditional Japanese kotatsu. The low table is covered in a thick blanket, and the gentle hum of a heater emanates from beneath. On the blanket are oranges, bought from somewhere, as well as rice crackers, nori seaweed, and various juices and hot teas.

Just looking at this table paints a strangely heartwarming scene, as if detached from the surrounding cold.

Sara... is she ready for winter? You know how comfortable a kotatsu is in winter, but an American shipgirl has been assimilated to this degree...

"I've had enough! I don't care!" Saratoga shook her head like a rabid dog amidst the tumbling Soviet ships. "Is relaxing wrong? I'm constantly being toyed with by the overly energetic roommate, having to be a mouthpiece for my fellow countrymen, and fighting abyssals is exhausting. Even when I get back to my room, I can't rest. I'm exhausted and still have to pretend to be calm. Why do I have to pretend to be a good kid after traveling all the way to Japan? I just want to mess around a bit now and then!" She cried out in an emotional voice, sounding as if she was about to cry.

You seem to understand. Saratoga had always been a model student, but both becoming a shipgirl and leaving her homeland weighed heavily on her mind. Upon arriving, she faced the distinctive Japanese shipgirls, her old friend Iowa, and her role as a bridge to a free America, working with former allies and even German and Soviet ships. Over time, the pressure built up, ultimately breaking down in this incident.

隨著蟬鳴一天一天的減弱，青葉一片一片的泛黃、泛紅，夏季的暑意也逐漸的和緩。鎮守府內的某些艦娘已開始換上秋裝――基本上局限於日本艦娘，像德國艦、蘇聯艦大多仍維持著透氣的穿著，日本艦的服裝可說是反映了她們對「換季」這一事件的重視，以及對穿著、時尚的講究。

說到底，她們畢竟是花樣年華的少女――你不禁這麼感嘆。

換作是注重合理性的德國艦，終年都穿著儀裝、軍裝或套裝，偶爾的私服仍然樸素，似乎只有派對甚至宴會，才能見到她們奢侈的穿上華服；至於蘇聯艦，更是只在嚴冬，才會看到她們換上刷毛的厚外套。各國的艦娘，好似也一定程度的反映了她們的民族性。

其他國家的艦娘又是如何…?你正往西歐和義大利去想，一道沉穩的女聲忽然打斷你: 「晚安，提督，雖然還有點早。」穿著灰色套裝的艦娘向你點頭，瀑布般的淡金長髮在身後搖晃，是德國艦娘俾斯麥。「關於我們這裡的女孩們，我有些事情想和你討論。」

你聽出她要和你討論的，是海外艦宿舍的事；雖然有著「鐵血」的名號，但俾斯麥不怎麼過問自家艦娘的生活或是訓練，相反的，採取相當寬容的態度；不過因為一絲不苟的個性，被推舉擔任海外艦的舍監，仍需要管理許多的瑣事及勤務。

「這裡有幾份資料，還請您過目。」她向你遞出幾份資料夾，你翻開其中一份，發現內頁仔細羅列了多種圖表。她將其他幾份資料攤平在你眼前:「請看。我蒐集了初夏以來各宿舍的用電資料。起初，蘇聯占比最高，然後其他國家跟進。」

俾斯麥觀察著你的反應，確保你理解她所提供的資訊，然後才繼續說:「耗電集中於夜間，顯示出空調使用的模式，從夏天中段開始逐漸減少。」 她說的很有條理，也符合現實，但你忽然發現手中的資料上，一組圖表呈現出相反的數據。

你和她目光交會，她點點頭:「美國宿舍的用電量不減反增。若是不耐暑熱，常理來看，至少蘇聯宿舍應反映更明顯的趨勢，然而此宿舍完全特立獨行。雖然她們的用電情形並未超過規定額度，但仍非正常情況，我認為須與寢室負責人直接會談。」她如此定下結論。

很有道理，你如此附和她，她卻只是直勾勾地盯著你，不發一語。

……

你隨著俾斯麥的目光翻到次頁，立刻懂了原因。「根據我進一步的調查，美國宿舍的用電量都集中在一處。」她就此打住。

愛荷華的寢室……

撇開兩人的淵源，凡事照感覺走的愛荷華實在不是俾斯麥善於應付的對象。言下之意，是要你去面對愛荷華的意思。

你嘆了口氣，想到與愛荷華同住的薩拉托加，也是個正經八百的務實主義者，與個性完全相反的對象同住，想必很辛苦吧。 俾斯麥乾咳一聲:「雖然想請薩拉托加小姐居中協調，不過我平時已受了她許多的幫助，若不是情非得已實在不想麻煩她……」

所以就把事情推給我?雖這麼想，你仍然前往愛荷華與薩拉的房間。

到底為什麼短短一季的時間會消耗那麼多電力?你實在想不透，不過，再想到住在那房間裡的是那個愛荷華，千百個瘋狂的原因湧入你的腦海。

總不會是想把房間變成冰庫吧，哈哈，當然也不會是想看雪，或是想在房間裡蓋冰屋。

你不自覺地加快了腳步。

你的腳步飛快，壓根無暇顧及周圍，當高大的艦娘朝你衝來時，你僅憑本能勉強閃過。「哇~~~ GET OUT OF MY WAY!!! 抱歉但我要被凍死了啊啊啊啊啊啊~~~~~~~」

那過於有存在感的外表和高亢的嗓音，讓十萬火急的你也不禁回頭。

那是……愛荷華……?

不管怎樣，既然敵將已經逃離，至少可以先占領敵陣；你在她的房門前剎車，經過剛才的奔波，這裡倒是意外涼爽。首先當務之急是找出耗電的源頭……等等，涼爽?

你在大大敞開的房門前停住腳步，只覺房間內傳來陣陣寒風。

沒錯，寒風，刺骨的冷冽寒氣從早秋的房間內傾洩出來，你不禁被咒怨般的恐怖低溫嚇得後退半步；裡頭似乎還混雜著吵鬧的聲響。

你一步一步緩慢地抱臂前行，牙齒格格打顫。好冷，這裡簡直就像雪山…… 你每踏一步，拉扯碰撞的聲音就變得越大，此外還有模糊的話聲。你艱難地穿越本應短小的玄關走廊，探頭進入臥室，終於見到一切的元兇。

大面積的窗戶被厚窗簾掩蓋，阻絕了溫暖的陽光，同時，冷氣正全速運轉，發出你從沒聽過的轟鳴聲；俄國艦的老大甘古特，以及其他的幾位驅逐艦，似乎正圍著房間中央的某樣東西東拉西扯。

她以不住發抖的嘶啞聲音哀號:「看到那個美國傻妞擺出那副狼狽樣甚至下跪求我是很爽啦，但這也太誇張了吧，夏天才剛結束耶!」她抱著面前的團狀物，使勁地往後拉。「你贏了啦!連蘇維埃都甘拜下風!所以快出來把房間恢復原狀，薩拉托加!你再這樣，你室友就要跑到我們那裡拆房子啦!」

其他包括塔什干在內的一眾俄艦，也一個接著一個，彷彿拔蘿蔔童話般，在口令與吆喝聲中持續著與敵人的拔河。

位於風暴中心的，則是房間的另一個主人，美艦薩拉托加。

「我不要!我才不要!」薩拉托加大吼。「我才不要離開我辛辛苦苦建立的城堡!麻煩的人事物通通都給我滾蛋吧!」 你看她穿著柔軟的法披和暖和的毛衣，奮力抵抗蘇聯艦娘們的蠻力，以一位空母艦娘來說，能夠擋下超過五艘戰艦，薩拉托加可說是發揮了堪稱不可能的怪力。她將自己縮成小小的一顆球，宛如結成繭的毛蟲，死命的向自己蝸居的桌底下鑽。

場面過於混亂，你終於意識到這位美國艦娘窩在一張傳統的日本暖被桌裡，低矮的桌子覆著厚實的毛毯，底下傳來暖氣柔和的嗡嗡聲，毛毯上放著不知從哪買來的橘子，還有仙貝、海苔和各種果汁和熱茶。

只看這張桌子，竟描繪出一幅窩心異常的景象，彷彿遺世獨立於周圍的寒冷。

薩拉這傢伙……是已經準備好要過冬了嗎?你明白冬天的暖桌有多舒服，但一位美國艦娘竟被同化到如此地步……

「我受夠了!我不想管了!」跌得東倒西歪的蘇聯艦之間，薩拉托加像隻狂犬般猛地搖頭。「放鬆錯了嗎?每天都被精力過剩的室友耍得團團轉，還要當同鄉們的傳聲筒，和深海棲艦戰鬥也累得要死，回到房間還不一定有得休息，體力透支還得裝作一副氣定神閒的樣子，為什麼我都飄洋過海來日本了，還得假裝是個乖小孩啊?我偶爾就想要耍廢一下嘛!」她用情緒化的聲音叫著，聽起來好像就快哭出來了。

原來如此，你似乎可以理解了。薩拉托加從來都是模範生般的存在，然而，不管是成為艦娘，或是離鄉背井，都是她心裡不小的負擔；來到這裡後，要面對個性鮮明的日本艦娘們，還要和老損友愛荷華相處，又要作為自由美國的橋樑，與前盟國，甚至是德國艦、蘇聯艦磨合，久而久之，壓力不斷累積，最後便在這次事件中潰堤了。

In recognition of the recent hard work of the overseas ships, you and the Katori sisters planned a series of activities to reward them. This started with an irregular holiday and social event a week ago, culminating with tonight's party. The dinner and cocktail reception were held together, and thanks to Katori's expert planning, even the German and Soviet ships relaxed. Bismarck and Gangut even engaged in a drinking contest during the reception, a sight not usually seen among these serious duo. Iowa hung out with the British and French shipgirls, but Warspite seemed a bit bothered by this. Kashima meticulously arranged a private room and the elegant Japanese aircraft carriers for their company. Together, they enjoyed sake and listened to lounge music. The cozy atmosphere made it hard to believe they were all military veterans.

Most of the destroyers were taken back to base to rest after the party. During the cocktail reception, cruisers, aircraft carriers, and battleships also gradually resigned. You could see that, despite being exhausted, everyone's face was filled with satisfaction. After a day off to recuperate, the naval base would surely be even more vibrant.

The reception was sparsely populated. Including you, there were only about a dozen people, mostly experienced shipgirls like Gangut and Bismarck, with Saratoga among them.

The shipgirls all approached you. Some thanked you and Katori, asking you to convey their gratitude to Kashima. Some simply smiled at you, enjoying this unusual side of their admiral. You heard unusually loud footsteps behind you and turned to see a petite figure standing out from the crowd of taller shipgirls.

"Good night, Admiral! Your face is red. Did you drink too much?" The destroyer Yukikaze put her hands on her hips, stomped her feet with a smile, and stared up at you with her legs spread. Her insistent emphasis on her presence drew fond smiles from the warships present.

You nodded to her. Yukikaze brought the final show before the closing ceremony tonight; following her and Katori's guidance, you walked through the night streets to a secluded hot spring resort on the outskirts of the city.

The hotel attendant greeted you courteously and ushered you backstage without any unnecessary formalities. You each received your specially made short yukata and changed before regrouping. You came to a small room with essential oils lit. There were more than twenty square holes dug on the high floor of the room. The European ship girl raised her eyebrows when she saw this, and seemed to have some subtle associations.

Following the receptionist's simple instructions in English, you placed your legs into the holes and sat on their edge. Another group of attendants entered the room and began filling your holes with water, then inquired about the water temperature and explained the benefits of the medicinal bath. Moments later, the hot water stopped at your calves. Everyone chose between invigorating, soothing, and beautifying tonics. You noticed Saratoga beside you had chosen fatigue relief.

As the overseas ships gradually acclimatized to the 'foot bath' experience, the attendants began massaging your shoulders and necks with hot towels. The masseuses are extremely professional and they adjust their techniques according to each of your physical conditions, pressing your back or kneading your shoulders. You close your eyes and endure the pain from your back, but you feel the masseur's hands cleverly become lighter. You could faintly hear Sara's soft sigh beside you.

To help the shipgirls relieve stress after their unfulfilled pleasure, Katori consulted with Yukikaze, who had previously been stationed in Taiwan, and arranged a Taiwanese massage. They specially booked the hotel and selected a suitable masseuse, with Yukikaze personally overseeing the entire process.

After the foot bath, your legs were carefully dried. In pairs, the shipgirls were led out of the room, and you followed your masseuses through a quiet corridor, a winding staircase, and finally, through an elegant wooden door, into a private room.

You survey the small private room, illuminated by gentle, indirect lighting. The plush floor mats and warm-colored walls and ceiling create a relaxing atmosphere. In the center of the room lies a clean, sturdy massage bed. In one corner, a low cabinet and hot tea are placed. The other end of the room is veiled by a curtain.

You savor the aroma of hot tea, tranquility, and essential oils, waiting for the masseuse to prepare, feeling the tea slowly warm your stomach. You hear the door open and turn to see Yukikaze striding in.

"Hmm, you seem quite relaxed already, Admiral?" She gazes at you confidently with a satisfied smile. Seeing you only look at her suspiciously, she adds: "Although Taiwan's military and land were much smaller than Japan's, I was not just there for sightseeing. I had learned a lot."

She asks you to remove your top and lie down on the massage bed. Though hesitant, you obey. Yukikaze deftly moves your legs and arms. At first, you feel stiff and uncomfortable, but soon you find your spine, lumbar spine, shoulders, and pelvis have become remarkably straight.

Yukikaze cups your palm and begins pressing it, then stretches your fingers and massages upwards towards your forearm. Although you can't see her face, you can easily imagine her seriousness and concentration. She continues to massage your upper arms on the massage table, rotating your shoulders, expertly loosening the tension in your joints; her small, firm hands moving over your body. Whether it's back, waist, scalp massage or calf massage, Yukikaze's skills are impeccable. You ask her about her apprenticeship experience, and she shares with you her training as a member of the Republic of China Navy, her memories of being a flagship, the hot climate of Taiwan, the lush green mountains, and the azure blue sea. She also tells you how she screamed in pain during her first foot massage and how she ate so much at the night market that she couldn't walk; how Taiwan has more tropical fruits than Japan, and that when she missed Japan, she took an old train to the eastern countryside, breathed the fresh air, touched the rice ears, and it seemed to be able to taste the flavors of home of rice at dinner in the evening.

As you listened to her story, you realized how much she had been through. Yukikaze's touch was filled with a firm, powerful force. At first, you felt her vigorous massage was causing pain all over your body, but now your whole body relaxed, and a comfortable tiredness permeated your heart.

'You've really done a great job, Yukikaze,' you couldn't help but say to her.

As your consciousness drifted away, you heard a familiar moan. Turning toward the sound, you saw the curtain that had previously covered half the room.

"Ah..." It was Saratoga's voice. You heard Yukikaze giggle, seemingly amused, and pinched your foot hard.

"Ah, that hurts..." Saratoga's voice continued. "Ah... Katori-san, that's so bad... Ah..."

Then Katori's voice: "Miss Saratoga's thighs are quite intense."

Another series of moans followed. For some reason, you felt a tinge of arousing sweetness in Saratoga's moans. You couldn't help but turn to look at her. The curtains were thin. You can't help but turn your head to look at her, and find that the curtain covering her is very thin. Although you can't see her, her shadow is clearly projected on the fabric; Saratoga's back is arched, and her graceful figure is clearly visible.

You wanted to see more clearly, but Yukikaze pushed you back onto the bed. "I'm going to massage your neck. Lie still." Then she sat down on your chest.

Almost the entire massage session was spent listening to Sara's moans. You were tingling with pleasure, but Yukikaze was amused and dissatisfied that you hadn't made the same noises. You don't know how long it took, but you just felt your whole body relax. You heard a rustling sound, and you looked up. Katori opened the curtain a little and walked out. When she saw you, she just smiled lightly, then walked out of the room with Yukikaze.

The door closed, and now only you and Saratoga were left in the private room.

有鑑於海外艦最近的辛勞，你和香取姊妹一同安排了一系列犒勞她們的活動，始於一周前不定期的假日與聯誼活動，重頭戲則是今晚的派對。晚餐會與酒會辦在一起，多虧了香取老練的擘畫，哪怕是德國艦與蘇聯艦也充分放鬆，俾斯麥和甘古特甚至在酒會上拚起了酒，這是平時在嚴肅的兩人身上看不到的景象。愛荷華和英法艦娘玩在一塊，反而是厭戰似乎對此有點困擾，為此，鹿島精心安排了獨立的包廂以及以優雅著稱的日本空母作陪，一同品味日本酒與沙發音樂，那愜意的景象令人難以想像她們都是軍人出身。

驅逐艦們大多在派對散場時便被帶回基地休息，酒會期間，巡洋艦、空母、戰列艦也陸續有人告退，。你看得出，雖然疲憊，但每個人臉上都帶著滿足的表情，在放一天假恢復消耗的元氣，相信接下來鎮守府內會變得更有活力。

酒會的現場稀稀落落，加上你，也不過十餘人，其中大多是甘古特和俾斯麥這樣的成熟艦娘，薩拉托加也在其中。

艦娘們不約而同地走向你，有人向你和香取致謝，也請你轉告鹿島她們的謝意；有些人只是靜靜對著你微笑，享受她們提督不同於日常的一面。你聽到背後傳來異常響亮的腳步聲，回頭看到在一群高個艦娘裡十分格格不入的嬌小身影。

「晚安啊，提督!你的臉很紅誒，酒喝太多了哦?」只見驅逐艦雪風雙手插腰，帶著笑跺了跺腳，叉開著腿仰視著你。她極力強調自己存在的表現惹得在場的戰艦們露出寵溺的笑容。

你向她頷首。雪風帶來的是今晚閉幕前的最後一場重頭戲；你們跟著她和香取的引導走過夜晚的街道，來到市郊一間僻靜的溫泉會館。

旅館的服務員恭僅的接待了你們，沒有多餘的手續便將你們領進了後台，你們接過特製的短浴衣後分別換了衣服，然後重新集合。你們來到一間點著精油的小房間，房間挑高的地面上挖有二十餘個方形的坑洞，歐洲艦娘見狀挑了挑眉，似乎產生了些微妙的聯想。

你們按接待員以英語發出的簡單指示將雙腿放進洞裡，坐在其邊緣，另一群服務員走進房間，開始替你們的坑洞注水，隨後向你們詢問水溫與介紹藥浴的功效；不過片刻，熱水便在你們的小腿處停止。大家在提神、舒緩與美容等效果的湯藥間做選擇，你注意到身旁的薩拉托加選擇的是疲勞緩解。

隨著海外艦們逐漸適應「足湯」這樣的活動，服務員們開始在你們肩頸鋪上熱毛巾，進行按摩。按摩師們的技巧極為專業，隨你們每人不同的身體狀況調整手法，或按壓背部，或搓揉肩部；你閉上眼睛忍受背後傳來的陣陣痠痛，卻感到按摩師的手機靈地放輕。你能隱約聽到隔壁薩拉傳來的輕輕嘆息聲。

為了讓尚未盡興的艦娘釋放壓力，香取參考了曾派駐臺灣的雪風的意見，安排了這趟台式按摩行程，特別包下了這座旅館並篩選適合的按摩師，全程更有雪風親自監督。

泡完足湯，你們的腿被仔細擦乾；倆倆一組，艦娘們被引出房間，你也跟著你的按摩師穿過幽靜的走廊、蜿蜒的樓梯，最後推開扇雅致的木門，進入一間獨立包廂。

你環視房內空間，小巧的包廂以溫和慵懶的間接照明點亮，毛絨地墊與暖色牆壁和天花板更是令人放鬆；房間中央是一張乾淨穩固的按摩床，一角放著置物用的矮櫃與熱茶；房間的另一頭卻被布簾遮了起來。

你享用著熱茶、寧靜與精油的氣味，等待按摩師做準備，感受茶湯慢慢溫暖你的胃部。你聽到開門聲而轉頭時，看到的卻是雪風大步走進來。

「哼哼，看你已經很放鬆啦，提督?」她帶著滿意的笑容，自信滿滿的望著你，見你只是狐疑地望著她，才補充說明:「隨然臺灣不管是部隊還是土地都比日本小的多，但我可不只是去遊山玩水的，學到的可不少。」

她要你脫下上衣，趴到按摩床上，你雖然遲疑，但還是照著做。雪風靈巧地移動你的雙腿雙臂，起初，你只感到渾身僵硬不自在，但很快發現自己的脊椎、腰椎、肩膀和骨盆都變得難得的端正。

雪風捧起你的手掌，開始按壓你的手心，隨即拉伸你的五指，然後向上按摩前臂。你雖然看不到她的臉，但完全可以想像她的認真專注。 她接續著在按摩床上捶打你的上臂、旋轉你的肩膀，熟練地鬆開你關節的緊繃；小而結實的手在你身上移動。不管是背部、腰部還是頭皮按摩或小腿，雪風的技巧都無可挑剔。你問她學藝的經歷，她於是和你分享作為中華民國海軍的訓練、成為旗艦的回憶、臺灣氣候的炎熱、高山的蒼翠、還有海水的碧藍。她也和你聊到自己是如何在第一次的腳底按摩痛得哇哇大叫、在夜市吃到走不動；臺灣相較日本能吃到更多熱帶水果，至於想念日本時，坐舊火車到東部農村，呼吸新鮮空氣，觸摸稻穗，晚上吃飯時彷彿就能嘗到家鄉的味道。

你聽著她的故事，體會到她究竟經歷了多少；雪風的觸摸充滿了堅定的力量，起初你覺得她用力過猛的按摩令你周身發疼，但如今渾身舒展開來，舒適的疲憊沁入心脾。

「你真的很棒，雪風。」你不禁想對她說。

你的意識矇矓之際，卻聽到熟悉的呻吟聲傳入耳裡，你轉向聲音所在的方向，看到的是方才遮住半邊房間的廉布。

「啊……」是薩拉托加的聲音。你聽到雪風嘻嘻笑了一下，似乎覺得有趣，也用力捏了一下你的腳掌。

「啊啊，好痛喔……」薩拉的聲音還在繼續。「啊……香取小姐，那裡不妙……啊……」

然後是香取的聲音:「薩拉托加小姐的大腿很緊繃呢。」

然後又是一連串的呻吟聲，不知為何，你總覺得薩拉托加的嬌喘聲中帶著一股煽情的甜膩。你不禁轉頭去看她，發現遮蔽的拉廉很薄，雖然看不到人，但她的影子清楚的投影在布料上；薩拉托加的背部拱起，曼妙的身形一覽無遺。

你想看得更清楚，雪風卻把你按回床上:「我要來按你脖子，躺好。」然後便一屁股坐到你背上。

就這樣，幾乎整段按摩時光都在薩拉的呻吟中度過，你聽得心癢難耐，雪風卻只覺得好笑，還不滿意你為何沒有發出一樣的叫聲。不知過了多久，你只覺得渾身放鬆，聽到一陣窸窣聲，你抬頭一看，香取把簾子拉開了一條縫，從裡面走出來，看見你，只是輕輕笑了笑，然後便和雪風走出了房間。

門關上，現在包廂裡只剩你和薩拉托加兩人。