IJN BB 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?"