USS CA-37 Tuscaloosa

A gentle night breeze blows, the warmth of the day almost vanished in the curtain of darkness, yet you feel no cold at your feet. Wisps of steam rise slowly in the wind, drifting in all directions, creating a misty, ethereal scene.

The ship girl Tuscaloosa, draped in a bath towel, sits on the raised wooden floor beside the open-air hot spring. One leg is already in the water, the other still resting on the wooden plank. Leaning casually, she glances at you: "The hot water is so comforting, Admiral. Would't like to you join me?" She smiles at you, her short blonde hair damp from the steam, softly clinging to the back of her neck.

Among the American ship girls, the heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa undoubtedly belongs to the group exuding aristocratic air. Compared to the boisterous Iowa or the easygoing Hornet, her illustrious battle record leads her to frequently attend various international events. Rather than the stereotypical image of an American ship, she seems closer to Warspite of Britain. The three women possessed remarkably different personalities.

Among the many foreign ships, Tuscaloosa is undoubtedly a popular one, renowned for her impeccable conduct. This explains why you didn't refuse when she thoughtfully arranged time in advance to invite you to a vacation with her.

You strolled through the streets and alleys of Kyoto, visiting various famous sights. The absence of the sea and the unusual tranquility around you made you somewhat uneasy. However, the slightly desolate mountain and city scenery of early spring resonated with this mood, bringing a Zen-like serene beauty.

"If we came a little later, we could probably see the cherry blossoms, but then it would be very crowded. It's nice to take a leisurely walk now," Tuscaloosa said. She changed into an elegant blue and white kimono and took your arm.

You checked into a quaint traditional inn. Behind the carefully maintained courtyard was a two-story wooden building. You changed into the inn's provided velvet slippers at the shoe cabinet and stepped into the warmly lit interior.

A hotel staff member dressed in a kimono leaded you to your room. Trusting Tuscaloosa, you followed them without suspicion. The room you were led to was located in a corner on the first floor and is extremely spacious. After opening the paper door, you saw a tatami room facing a small wooden veranda, furnished with delicate cushions and a wooden table, adjacent to an elegant private garden and a small hot spring bath. "After dinner, guests can give us any instructions, and we will send someone to make the beds immediately." The staff member bowed deeply before closing the sliding door and taking her leave. Thinking this was Tuscaloosa's room alone, you felt strange and wanted to leave with the staff member, but Tuscaloosa called out to you: "Where are you going, Admiral? The luggage isn't even unpacked yet."

Upon closer inspection, you saw your luggage was placed together with Tuscaloosa's. "This is our room, you know~" Said she.

"What could I say, Admiral? I would get lonely living in such a big room all by myself too~ Isn't the fun of traveling about sleeping together?" Ignoring your dizzy forehead, Tuscaloosa cupped her face and said dreamily, "But it seems we're being treated like a couple. So embarrassing~"

Perhaps, the ship girls Tuscaloosa and Iowa themselves aren't so different after all.

While you were still pondering how to explain the importance of social boundaries to her, she was already slowly unbuttoning her elaborate kimono, revealing her fair shoulders and soft back.

"Dinner would be prepared by the inn, but it looks like there will be tofu hot pot and fish dishes. I'm really looking forward to tasting authentic Japanese cuisine."She gently draped a snow-white bath towel over herself, smiling sweetly, and walked towards the courtyard.

She sat down directly on the wooden floor of the veranda, dipping one foot into the hot spring to test the water temperature. “There's still some time before dinner. Would you like to soak in the hot springs first, Admiral? It would be so relaxing on this chilly day.”

Then, the scene at the beginning appears.

Tascaloosa turns and smiles at you: “Won't you come with me, Admiral?”