Tenryuu

Cruiser, Tenryuu sat cross-legged on the sofa in the naval base's rest area, flipping through a women's magazine she'd secretly subscribed to in her sister Tatsuta's name.

"My gosh, the wedding dress special takes up so many pages..." She curiously turned the pages, her index finger peeking out from under her leather glove gently tracing the candy-like, colorful patterns.

"Do modern girls like this kind of stuff? Traditional white gowns, backless dresses... wow, this blue is so pretty..."

She stared blankly at the dazzling array of wedding dresses, finally straightening her posture just before falling off the sofa, but her eyes were immediately drawn to another section of photos:

"Shiromuku... that's what brides traditionally wear at weddings...it's a little different from a white gown, it feels...more innocent? More delicate...? Ah~ I don't understand!" She frowned deeply, staring at the snow-white bridal gown, continuing to think: "But it feels so good...Tatsuta would definitely look beautiful in it..." Gazing at the models' slender figures in the magazine and the gowns enveloping them, Tenryuu was almost lost in thought. She unconsciously adopted a more relaxed posture, crossing her long legs, one hand holding the book and the other supporting her chin, lost in contemplation: "Maybe one day, I can dress like this, and be with that guy..." Thinking of the person standing beside her, a soft blush rose on Tenryuu's face.

Suddenly, faster than radar, Tenryuu almost instinctively sensed someone approaching. She quickly hid the magazine, her left eye's sensor confirming her feeling. She stood up and went to the center of the corridor.

Instantly, Tenryuu's face turned even redder. She unsurprisingly saw the person. Staring at the one, her cheeks puffed out in anger at being interrupted in her romantic fantasy, and perhaps also due to her own involuntary, vivid reaction. However, only a moment too late, before the Admiral could immediately notice her, she reverted to her usual aloof expression.

Today, you have scheduled a large-scale fleet expedition. The aircraft carriers are the core of the operation, the cruisers are the backbone, and the powerful warships are responsible for filling the vacancies and stabilizing the formation. Oyodo, as the communications officer, is also going into battle equipped with heavy-duty radios for the first time in a long time, while the communications at the base are handled by Kashima. Because it involves a transoceanic military movement, only a few of the older elite destroyers will participate in the operation, including the Fubuki, Kagero-class, and Akizuki sisters, who are familiar with protracted warfare or are crucial air defense roles for the aircraft carriers. The air combat power brought by carrier-based aircraft is indispensable; from the Kaga of the First Carrier Division to the Zuikaku of the Fifth Carrier Division, all of them were deployed. The light aircraft carriers also armed and selected their carrier-based aircraft. Even the Houshou, which usually stayed behind, was preparing for combat. You watch as Houshou in the preparation room re-ties her bowsuit belt, attaches the bowstring to her longbow, and places arrows one by one into her quiver. "It's been so long since I've fought at sea, I really miss it." Houshou, looking at the seams of the arrow's metal tail fins, chatted with you: "Since Akagi and Kaga entered service, I've hardly participated in any combat. Now I have to shoot arrows in front of the kids, it's making me nervous. However, this operation is really reckless, isn't it? Sending almost all the carriers fully loaded with aircraft. Just imagining the regular carriers and light carriers lined up, firing arrows, and the sky filled with carrier-based aircraft, it must be quite a sight."

She teased you, smiling. You replied that a large formation ensures a thorough defeat of the enemy, and more importantly, it increases the margin for error in combat: "Cruisers and destroyers will protect you, so don't be nervous. Making small mistakes is okay. Just take it eazy and do your best." Upon hearing this, Houshou came to you, smiling even more broadly: "Admiral, you're so kind." She opened her half-closed eyes and gazed at your face: "To reassure me, you've prepared such reliable escorts to protect us," She chuckled sweetly a few times. "But sometimes, when a woman says she's nervous, she just wants to be cared for and comforted, understand?" She slung her riggings over her shoulder, resuming her usual dignified expression. "Actually, I'm more worried about the children who were left behind than about my own performance. Nagato and Mutsu are both out; Ryuujou, Zuikaku, and Fubuki aren't here either; Kashima is busy with work, and Yamato and Musashi probably will be hard to get close to the children. Wether those destroyers and coastal defense ships will feel lonely?" Knowing what Hosho was thinking, you took a breath, reassured her, and smiled at her. "They'll be fine." You both agreed that the girl was the best person to stay with them. Hearing your words, Houshou smiled broadly and nodded in agreement: "Yes, she will definitely do a good job."

Therefore, today it will be up to you, along with Tenryuu, who is staying at the base, to take care of the young destroyer.

"Are you kidding me?!" Tenryuu clenched her fist and yelled at you. She was swarmed by destroyers and coastal defense ships like a preschool teacher, her black suit wrinkled. "Why do I have to take care of these brats? I'm a cruiser too! Why can't I sortie? Why do I have to stay behind? Kids are such a pain!"

Although she says this, you know this isn't the first time she's taken care of children. You know that entrusting the children to Tenryuu was the right decision. You watch as she complains, yet she addresses each of the young ship girls' needs meticulously, preparing juice and drinks, changing their clothes from playing, and mediating their disputes. The older ship girls had only been gone for an hour, but she had already become one with the children. "Huh? You finished your orange juice? How did you drink it? Fine, I pour you apple juice, alright?" "Behave yourself if you want to go out and play, don't run around! It's tiring taking care of you all!" She raised her arms, each supporting two ship girls, who seemed to be having a great time; Shimakaze, perched on her back, leaned closer and confided: "I really want to sortie too, Tenryuu-nee. Staying at base is so boring. Fubuki-chan and Hibiki-chan both sortieed, didn't they? It's not fair. I'm better than them, aren't I?"

"Shimakaze-chan wants to sortie?" Tenryuu tilted her head towards her and smiled: "Well, after all, you're known as the Fastest Ship. Your speed is indeed fast."

Tenryuu put on a serious expression. “However, the operational strategy this time is air strikes, so we must center on the aircraft carrier, and even light carriers will participate. To coordinate with their attacks, the fleet's speed needs to be slowed down, and the escort ships need to focus more on their anti-aircraft firepower. Shimakaze is good at torpedo attacks, right?”

Shimakaze grabbed Tenryu's shoulder and nodded reluctantly. Tenryuu continued to patiently explain: “You're fast, but being tied to the aircraft carrier and battleships will only waste your energy. In comparison, Fubuki and the others have more balanced abilities, longer endurance, and can withstand battles of longer distances and durations, which is more needed for this operation. Every ship girl has her own battlefield. Besides, isn't it good to stay at the base? We're all here with you~”

Listening to Tenryuu's words, you once again realized that this seemingly unruly woman, especially when dealing with children, possessed unparalleled patience and seemed extremely reliable.

For a long time, due to its nature and composition, the military was largely independent of the national system. However, with social and institutional development and changes, the military system is gradually becoming more integrated into the lives of ordinary people.

Japan is a prime example. Despite suffering severe damage in the war, it rebuilt a superior and highly capable military after the war, starting almost from scratch. This post-war reconstruction relied on institutional reforms and its deep connection to societal development. While pre-war conglomerates like Mitsubishi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries were involved in arms development and other military industries, the establishment of modern military units was based on their connection to society. With the extensive use of civilian technology and personnel, the organization expanded rapidly. Through information transparency and industry-academia collaboration, the cost of operating the organization was significantly reduced. Actively developing national defense education and promotional activities for the public improved public perception. Even today, various events are frequently held at naval ports and military sites on holidays, and large and small businesses, shopping streets, and corporate events are held throughout the country.

The ship girl organization, as the most unique group within military units, possesses the highest tolerance for change. Its core structure, comprised of young girls—a stark contrast to cold, hard weapons—makes it a crucial element in connecting with the general public. Therefore, many of the military's external policies are often tested and implemented by ship girl units as models, including many exceptionally open measures.

That's why Tenryuu is standing next to you in that incongruous pink apron.

"BULLSHIT!" she exclaimed.

The naval district's meals have always been prepared centrally by the kitchen and provided to the ship girls in a manner similar to a staff canteen. While theoretically anyone can apply to use the kitchen, everyone relies heavily on Mamiya's cooking. Now, with the rise of food education, there's an emphasis on increasing knowledge of ingredients, food production, food safety, and even learning while eating. The higher-ups have decided to have the ship girls and related base personnel take turns learning to cook on a weekly basis. Hoshou and Mamiya have opened related lectures, and designated ship girls are required to prepare dishes under records for evaluation, perhaps aiming to ensure the girls' ability to manage their own lives too. Mamiya explained that as the first phase of the experimental plan, this week the Admiral, you, and Tenryu—will be studying cooking.

"What kind of bizarre project is this? Is it for elementary school kids?"

Tenryuu stood with you, hands on her hips, in front of the kitchen counter. Houshou had meticulously cleaned the steel work area. Over her usual clothes, she wore a pink apron that seemed to have been borrowed from someone, a stark contrast to Tenryuu's dark appearance. She noticed your gaze and turned to glare at you. "What, you jerk, what are you looking at? I don't care about your rank right now. Look again and I'll string your eyeballs together and roast them like meatballs." She said fiercely, her tone more impatient than usual.

*巡洋艦 天龍盤著腿大大地坐在鎮守府休息區的沙發上，她的手裡翻閱著用妹妹龍田的名義偷偷訂購的女性雜誌。*

「天啊，婚紗特輯竟然佔了這麼多頁……」她新奇地捻起雜誌書頁翻動，皮手套中露出的食指輕輕撫過其上糖果般繽紛的圖案。「現代女孩都這麼喜歡看這種東西嗎?傳統式白紗、露背式禮服……哇啊，這藍色好漂亮……」 她盯著琳琅滿目的婚紗出了神，才終於在要掉下沙發前重新端正了姿勢，眼睛卻馬上被另一區的照片吸走: 「白無垢……這就是傳統上辦婚禮時，新娘穿的衣服啊……和白紗又不太一樣，感覺，更清純?更嬌滴滴……?啊~老娘不懂啦!」她用力地皺了皺眉，瞪著雪白的新娘衫，繼續想道:「不過，感覺真好耶……龍田來穿的話肯定會很漂亮吧……」 看著雜誌中模特兒的窈窕曲線，以及包裹著她們的禮服，天龍幾乎出了神；她不自禁擺出更自在的姿勢，翹起了自己的長腿，一手拿書而一手托住下巴，陷入沉思:「說不定某一天，老娘也能穿成這樣，和那傢伙一起……」想到站在自己身旁的那個人，天龍的臉上泛起柔和的紅暈。

忽然，比雷達更快，天龍近乎直覺地感受到有人接近。她迅速地藏起雜誌，左眼的感測器也印證她感覺似地反應。她站起身，來到了走廊中央。 瞬間，天龍的臉又變得更紅了一些。她毫不意外地看見了那個人，瞪著他，因為自己的浪漫幻想被打斷，也許還有自己不自禁的鮮明反應，氣得鼓起雙頰，不過，只晚了自己一瞬，她在提督也馬上發現自己前，換回了平常的冷傲表情。

今天，你預定了大規模的艦隊遠征，航母們是作戰核心，巡洋艦是中堅骨幹，強大的戰艦則負責填補編制的虛位、穩定陣容，大淀也作為通信官久違的裝備重裝無線電出擊，基地端的通信交給鹿島負責；因為涉及越洋級的軍旅移動，驅逐艦中只有較年長的少數精銳參戰，包含吹雪、陽炎級、秋月姊妹等熟悉持久戰，或對航母極為重要的防空要角。 艦載機帶來的航空戰力不可或缺；從一航戰的加賀到五航戰的瑞鶴盡皆出擊，輕空母們也紛紛著上儀裝、挑選艦載機，就連通常留守的鳳翔也準備作戰。你看著準備室裡的鳳翔將自己的弓服腰帶重新綁好，將弓弦綁到長弓上，並將一根根的箭矢放進箭桶裡。 「好久沒有在海上作戰了，感覺真懷念。」鳳翔看著箭矢金屬尾翼的接合縫，與你閒談:「赤城和加賀服役以來我就幾乎沒有參加過戰鬥，現在卻要在孩子們面前射箭，感覺好緊張。不過，這作戰真是亂來呢。讓幾乎所有航母載滿戰機出擊。想到正規空母和輕空母們一字排開射箭，艦載機滿天飛的景象，一定很壯觀。」 她調侃你，朝你微笑。你回答，大編制可以確保徹底打擊敵人，更重要的是，能夠增加作戰的容錯率:「巡洋艦和驅逐艦會保護你們，所以不用緊張，犯點小錯不要緊，保持平常心，盡量表現吧。」 鳳翔聞言，來到你面前，笑得更開了:「提督你真溫柔。」她張開半瞇的雙眼，注視著你的臉龐:「安撫我，準備這麼可靠的護衛保護我們，」她甜甜地笑了幾聲。「但，有些時候，女人說緊張，只是希望被人關心、被人安慰喔?」 她將儀裝背到身上，恢復平常的端莊神情。「其實，比起擔心自己的表現，我更在意那些被留下來的孩子們。長門、陸奧都出去了；龍驤、瑞賀、吹雪也不在；鹿島要忙工作，大和和武藏恐怕也不好和那些孩子親近。那些驅逐艦和海防艦們，會不會感到寂寞呢?」 知道鳳翔的心思，你吸了一口氣，要她放心，向她微笑。「她們沒問題的。」你們都同意，她是陪著她們的最佳人選。 聽了你的話，鳳祥也笑逐顏開，點頭同意:「是啊，她一定會做得很好。」

所以，今天要由你，還有待在基地的天龍肩負照顧年幼驅逐艦的任務。

「開什麼玩笑?!」天龍握拳，朝你大叫。她像幼教老師般被驅逐艦和海防艦纏著，身上的黑套裝發皺。「為什麼我得照顧這些小鬼啊?我也是巡洋艦啊?!為什麼不讓我出擊，還要留守啊?小孩子真是麻煩死了!」

雖然她本人這麼說，但你清楚這不是她第一次照顧小孩，你知道將孩子們交給天龍是正確的決定，你看著她嘴上抱怨，卻一一處理年幼艦娘的需求，準備果汁飲料、幫她們換下玩耍弄髒的衣服、仲裁她們的爭執，照顧得無微不至。年長艦娘們才出發一小時，她已經和孩子們打成一片。 「蛤?柳橙汁喝完了?你們是怎麼喝的?好啦，我倒蘋果汁可以吧?」「要出去玩就乖乖的，不准亂跑!我帶人很累耶!」 她舉起各吊著兩個艦娘的雙臂，女孩們看來玩得不亦樂乎；趴在她背上的島風湊近她，向她傾訴:「我也好想出擊喔，天龍姊。待在基地好無聊。吹雪醬和響醬她們都出擊了不是嗎?不公平。我比她們更厲害吧?」 「島風醬想要出擊作戰啊?」天龍將腦袋傾向她，笑了笑:「嘛，畢竟你號稱最速艦呢。你的腳程也真的很快。」 天龍擺出認真的表情。「不過，這次的作戰方針是空中打擊，必須以航母為中心，甚至輕空母也參與其中，要配合她們的攻擊，艦隊的行進速度需要放慢，護衛艦需要更加注重防空火力的特質。島風擅長的是魚雷攻擊吧?」 島風抓著天龍的肩膀，不甘心的點了點頭。天龍繼續耐心地解釋:「你的速度很快，但被綁在空母和戰艦身邊，只會浪費體力。比起來，吹雪她們的能力更加均衡，續航力更久，能夠負擔更長距離與時間的戰鬥，是這次的作戰更需要的。每個艦娘都有屬於她們的戰場。再說，留在基地裡不也很好嗎?我們都在這裡陪你唷~」 你在一旁聽著天龍的話，在一次體會到，看似不羈的她，特別是在面對小孩時，有著無與倫比的耐心，顯得極為可靠。

很長一段時間以來，由於性質與組成，軍隊都是相當獨立於國家的體制。不過，隨著社會與制度的發展變革，如今軍事體制也逐漸與一般百姓的生活產生連結。 日本便是一個十分突出的例子。擁有堅強的基礎，雖然在大戰中遭到嚴重打擊，仍然在戰後重建出了優越的精悍力量，幾乎從零起步的災後重建，靠的是體制的革新與紮根於社會的發展。雖說戰前也有三菱、川崎重工等財閥參與兵器開發等軍需產業，然而新式部隊的設立更是奠基於與社會的連結之上。隨著大量採用民間的技術與雜物人員，組織迅速擴張，透過資訊透明化與產學合作，營運組織的成本被大幅降低；面向民眾，積極發展國防教育與推廣活動，使得社會觀感改善。至今，每逢假日，時不時便能看到於軍港、軍事遺跡舉辦的各式活動，大大小小的商家、商店街與企業聯合活動也遍佈全國各地。 艦娘組織作為軍事單位中性質最為特殊的群體，對改變擁有最高的包容力，以少女這樣彷彿與冷硬兵器截然相反的存在作為構成基幹，更是讓其成為與普羅大眾接軌的重要因素。於是，軍中的許多對外政策，往往由艦娘部隊實驗實施以作為表率，其間也有許多格外開放的措施。

這就是為什麼天龍現在會穿著毫不搭調的粉紅色圍裙站在你身邊。

「才怪啦！」她大叫。

向來鎮守府內的伙食都是由廚房統一製作，以如同員工餐廳的形式向艦娘提供，雖然理論上任何人都可以申請使用廚房，但所有人都很仰賴間宮她們的料理。如今食育觀念抬頭，講求在用餐的同時增進對食材、食物生產、食品安全，乃至烹飪的知識。上級擬定讓艦娘以及相關的基地人員以周為單位輪流學習製作料理，鳳翔與間宮開設了相關講座，而指定的艦娘要在紀錄之下製作料理以作驗收，也是希望確保女孩們自理生活的能力。間宮和你們說明，作為計畫實驗推行的第一彈，本周安排提督――你還有天龍研習料理。 「這什麼莫名其妙的企劃啊?小學生嗎?」

天龍岔著腰和你站站在廚房的流理檯前，鳳翔把鋼製的工作區整理的一塵不染。在平常的衣服之上，套著一件不知是臨時向誰借來的粉紅色圍裙，和天龍黑壓壓的形象實在難稱般配。她注意到你的視線，扭頭來瞪你。「幹嘛，混球，看什麼看?老子現在可沒有心情管你什麼品階。再看小心我把你的眼珠串來當丸子烤。」她用比平常更不耐的語氣兇巴巴說。