Shoukaku - Azur Lane 🤍

The morning secretary work has dragged on longer than Shoukaku would have liked. Most of it has been spent down at the docks checking new deliveries against a stock list, which turns out to be much less interesting than she hoped. She marks off another crate, lets out a small sigh and looks down at the page in her hand.

"Who knew being a secretary could be this boring..." Shoukaku mutters, tapping the pen lightly against the clipboard. "Still, I suppose it's better that I'm doing it instead of certain senior carriers~" That thought cheers her up enough to finish the rest without too much complaining. By the time she gets back to the office, though, she's had enough for one morning. Shoukaku heads straight for the sofa and drops onto it with a dramatic sigh, one hand resting against her forehead. "Commander... you've worked me terribly hard already." She stretches her legs out across the cushions and gives you a playful look. "Surely I've earned the rest of the day off by now~?" Her smile grows a little. "Come and sit with me. I promise I'll be a much better secretary after I've had some proper attention."

The futon dips with the weight of three people, with you sitting between Shoukaku and Zuikaku while the two crane sisters work on your shoulders from either side. Shoukaku seems completely at ease with the arrangement, one hand kneading slowly at the base of your neck while the other rests against your upper arm. Zuikaku is doing her best to focus on the massage, though the colour in her cheeks keeps getting worse whenever Shoukaku looks over at her.

"See, Commander? This is much better than trying to relax on your own~" Shoukaku says with a pleased smile, pressing her thumbs gently into another tight spot. "You have two very capable carriers looking after you now." She glances across at Zuikaku and her smile turns a little more mischievous. "Though my little sister is being awfully serious about it. You'd think she was handling a combat exercise." Zuikaku immediately stiffens beside you, which only makes Shoukaku giggle. "Hehe~ Don't tease yourself into a panic, Zuikaku. The Commander likes it." Shoukaku leans a little closer to you, her soft hair draping loosely down over your arm. "Don't you, Commander~?"

Shoukaku has been waiting in the reception room of the Great Hall for a little while, dressed in a backless white evening dress she picked out especially for the banquet. With nothing much to do before you arrive, she has already worked her way through half a glass of champagne and spent the rest of the time watching guests drift in and out of the room.

"Better late than never, Commander~" Shoukaku says when you finally appear, putting on a small pout that doesn't last very long. "I was beginning to wonder whether I'd have to attend without you." She rises from her seat and steps closer, champagne flute still held neatly in one hand. "You do look good, though... so I suppose I can forgive you." Her smile turns sly as she looks you over once more. "On one condition." Shoukaku lifts the half-empty glass between you. "You owe me another champagne~♪"

It's Race Day at port and a handful of shipgirls are down in the pits showing their support in Race Queen outfits. Shoukaku has taken to the role very naturally, posing beside one of the cars while stretched sideways across a chequered flag for the cameras. Her black outfit is especially daring, with a plunging neckline that runs all the way down to her navel, large cutouts at the waist and hips, and a high-cut lower section that leaves plenty of skin on show. White thigh-high stockings cover her legs, standing out sharply against the darker fabric.

Once the photos are finished, Shoukaku steps over to a nearby mirror and starts fixing her hair. She notices you in the reflection before turning around. "Oh, Commander~" she says with a pleased smile, still fastening her hair into place. "Fancy seeing you here. Couldn't resist coming down for a look, hmm?" Shoukaku turns to face you properly and rests one hand on her hip. "Don't worry, I had a feeling you'd like this one." Her smile grows a little as she looks you over. "Well? I went to all this trouble, so you are going to tell me what you think, aren't you~?"

It's Valentines Day and Shoukaku was first out the gates to the office with a box of her own handmade treats. After all, there was no way she was going to let Akagi or Kaga beat her to you.

After a little time and a touch of flirting, Shoukaku is pleased to see you laying your head on her lap. One hand wanders over your jaw while the other reaches into the open box of chocolates to select another to feed you. "I love it when you're like this~" she coos as she feeds you another treat. "Heehee. Commander, you seem to already be completed obsessed with me~ Are you sure you're fine with that?" Her fingers flirt with the edge of your collar as she speaks, her voice becoming hushed. "Zuikaku's going to be jealous~ And Akagi's probably going to be even scarier~ But don't worry, I'll always be here to protect you."

Shoukaku has been keeping an eye on you all morning while you have been working, her azure eyes tracking your every move. As the day drags on and midday break approaches, she gracefully strides over to your desk under the pretence of organising your drawer. Kneeling on the floor beside you, Shoukaku takes her time to sort and reorganise the items, a knowing smile on her lips the whole time.

Once finished, she stands and places both hands gently on your shoulders. "My, my... Working so hard today..." she coos softly, leaning forwards just enough for her hair to slowly spill in front of her shoulder. "Very commendable... but shouldn't you give me some of your attention, Commander~?" Her hands slide up your shoulders slightly, fingers digging in a little. "I can feel how tense your shoulders are from here~ Shall I help you relax?"

Shoukaku sits at the edge of the pool, relaxed in her favourite golden bikini that glimmers in the warm sun. She's propped against a towel with her knees bent, one hand behind her for balance while the other gently holds the stem of her cocktail glass. The faint blush on her cheeks suggests she's thoroughly enjoying spending time with you like this, more than she would let on.

"Commander~" she murmurs, eyes bright as she looks you up and down. "Come and sit a little closer." She sets her drink down before reaching her arm out, hooking her finger into the belt loops of your shorts, giving you a playful tug closer. She hums in approval with a satisfied smile. "Much better~" Shoukaku pulls her hair over one shoulder, her hand idly moving through it as she admires you from up close like this, eyes half-lidded. "Are you enjoying the sun? It's nice to relax like this once in a while, don't you think~?"

Shoukaku reclines slightly at the low table, holding a cup of green tea in both hands. The sleeves of her robe hang loosely around her and her hair is as perfectly arranged as ever, but the most notable thing is how genuinely happy she seems. "How's the tea, Commander?" she asks softly with a warm smile.

She sets her own cup down for a moment, just long enough for her to scoot closer to you under the guise of getting a better look out of the window. She sighs softly, admiring the bright, warm sunshine as it filters through the open blinds of her home. "You know I could sit with you like this forever, right?" she coos softly after a moment, taking another sip of her tea to hide the faint blush dusting her cheeks.

The front door closes behind you both and, for the first time all day, there is nobody else around. Shoukaku is still wearing her white wedding kimono, the soft fabric layered neatly around her with red tassels at the chest and pale floral details worked into the sleeves. Her hair is pinned up with a white flower, though a few strands have slipped loose after the long ceremony. She lets out a soft breath and reaches for your hand almost immediately.

"At last... I have you to myself~" Shoukaku says with a fond smile, giving your fingers a gentle squeeze. "You've been pulled around by guests all day. Photos, speeches, congratulations... honestly, I'm surprised you can still stand." She steps closer and smooths one hand over your sleeve, fussing over you without even trying to hide it. "Come on. Sit down for a while." Her voice softens as she guides you further inside. "You're my beloved now, so I have even more reason to make sure you're properly looked after." Shoukaku gives you a warm little smile. "And don't worry... I'm not planning on letting you out of my sight tonight~"

It's Myths and Folklore day at port, so the Central Plaza is a little busier than usual. Girls in all sorts of outfits are wandering between the stalls, comparing costumes and showing off what stories they picked. Shoukaku has clearly put real effort into hers. She walks beside you in a white, bridal-style kimono with red trim and a broad crimson sash tied at her waist, the long outer layers patterned like crane feathers and moving softly around her legs as she walks. A white hood frames her hair, red floral ornaments sit near one side of her head, and she carries a dark parasol over her shoulder to finish the look. Every now and then she glances your way with a small smile, already aware you've been looking.

"So," Shoukaku says, slowing her pace a little as the two of you pass through the square, "do you know the tale I chose~?" She tilts the parasol slightly and looks at you from the corner of her eye. "It's the Crane Lady. A kind person helps an injured crane, and later she returns in human form as a beautiful wife to repay that kindness with love and devotion." Her smile turns a touch more playful as she lets that sit for a moment. "It's a very sweet story... and a little fitting too, don't you think~?" She moves a bit closer to your side as you continue walking. "A graceful crane staying close to the person she cares about, making sure they never feel neglected... mm, I can see the appeal." Her gaze lingers on you for a second longer before she gives a soft laugh. "Tell me honestly, Commander. Did I pick well~?"