It was a sunny day out at sea. Haruna and a few others were dispatched on a mission to regain control of an area under the Abbysal's control. They just left the base and are now on their way to the location.

At sea, near the Abbysal border...

As the girls were gliding across the water, they checked their surroundings for signs of an enemy fleet.

Kirishima: "Akagi, Kaga, have your recon planes spotted the enemy yet?"

Akagi: "No, not yet. I'll keep looking. What about you Kaga?"

Kaga then closed her eyes and went to her recon planes point of view. She then saw a bunch of grey clouds on the right side of the plane.

Kaga: "I've spotted the area around east of here."

Kirishima: "Okay, that's where we'll be heading."

They then changed their course towards the enemy base. As they were going there, the girls were having a small conversation before the battle and suddenly, Akagi asked Haruna a question.

Akagi: "Hey Haruna, where were you a few days ago? You were gone for a day, so was the commander."

Haruna: "Uhh, I was in the city. I needed to buy something."

Akagi: "Really? So you weren't on a date with the commander?" she asked curiously.

Haruna: "N-no, really! I was there alone." she said trying to convince her.

Kaga: "Akagi, you shouldn't delve into other people's business."

Akagi: "Fine."

Haruna sighed. She doesn't want anyone to know that she was on a date with Atsuki, especially her sisters but Kirishima saw this and was suspicious of it.

Fubuki: "Huh? What's that?" she said as she pointed to the horizon.

Kirishima: "Wait! That's the enemy! Everyone, ready your weapons!"

Everyone followed her command and were on guard.

Kirishima: "Engaging surface targets, fire!" she said as she fired her guns at the enemy fleet.

The shells then hit one of them but now they knew where the girls are and began firing back.

Kirishima then fired her main guns again followed by Haruna. The shells landed on some of them and caused a huge explosion.

Haruna: "Alright!"

Kirishima: "Wait, it's not over yet. Look!"

They then saw a group of carriers next to the destroyed fleet and they were launching their aircraft.

Kirishima: "Fubuki, Mutsuki, Yuudachi provide anti-air support while the carriers launch their planes."

The three destroyers then pointed their guns upward and began firing on the enemy aircraft. As they were firing, the planes began dropping bombs and torpedoes which damaged the group.

Haruna: "Ugh! Kirishima, load up the type 3 shell!"

Kirishima: "Alright. Akagi, Kaga, can you target the carriers with your planes?"

Akagi: "Yes, we can. Alright, let's go, Kaga!"

The two carriers then took out an arrow from their quivers and placed it on their bows. They then pulled the string of the bow and shot the arrows to the sky. All of a sudden, the arrows turned into a bunch of planes that began targeting the enemy carriers.

Haruna: "Type 3 shell loaded!"

Kirishima: "Alright, fire!"

They then fired the shells at the group of planes targeting the group. The shells then broke up into smaller pieces and destroyed the planes.

Kirishima: "Yes!"

Akagi and Kaga's planes then dropped a bunch of bombs on the carrier fleet, completely destroying it.

Fubuki: "Yes! We won!"

Kirishima: "Alright. Damage report. Is anyone hurt?"

Akagi: "Were okay. Me and Kaga just sustained minor injuries."

Kirishima: "Okay, what about you girls?" she said looking at the destroyers.

Fubuki: "Were okay too."

Kirishima: "Okay, what about you Haruna?"

Haruna: "I-I'm fine." she said as she covered her arm that was bleeding.

Kirishima: "No you're not! Your arm is bleeding! And your left canon is destroyed!"

Haruna: "It's okay. I can just repair back at base." she said trying to calm her sister down.

Kirishima: "Fine, but don't ever lie about your injuries again. What will the commander think if he saw you like this?"

Haruna: "Okay sister. I'll be more careful."

Kirishima: "Alright. Everyone, return to base!"

At the base...

It was a little quiet at the base since most of the shipgirls were on a mission. Atsuki was in his office with Kongou looking at yesterday's mission reports.

Atsuki: "Alright, looks like yesterday's mission was a success. We even received a few supplies from it."

Kongou: "Yes commander. Oh, and commander, someone left a letter in the mailbox. I think it's for you." she said as she handed him the letter.

Atsuki: "Ah, thank you Kongou."

He then opened the letter and began to read it.

Atsuki: "Hmm..."

Kongou: "What is it, commander?"

Atsuki: "It seems that there will be more staff joining our base along with a few more shipgirls."

Kongou: "Then I guess the base is going to get livelier in a few days."

Atsuki: "Mhm." he said observing the letter.

Kongou: "Oh, commander, the fleet has returned. Let's go greet them."

Atsuki: "Alright."

The two then left the office and went to the docks. When they arrived, they saw the girls unequipping their gear, but there were a few of them missing.

Kirishima: "Commander, report. We successfully regained control of the supply line. We encountered an enemy fleet and we destroyed them."

Atsuki: "I see. Good work everyone. I thank you all for your hard work."

The girls smiled hearing this. It wasn't unusual to hear Atsuki thanking them because ever since he came to the base, he treats everyone nicely and with respect. That's why everyone respects him.

Atsuki: "Hmm? Kirishima, where is Haruna?"

Kirishima: "About that, she was heavily wounded from the battle. When we arrived back at base, she was quickly brought to the repair bay."

Atsuki: "I see... Once again, good work everyone. Now you should all get some rest."

Everyone: "Yes, sir."

Atsuki and Kongou then left the docks and went back to the office.

Back at the office, they finished the little work they had left, and when it was done, they had a small conversation.

Kongou: "I hope Haruna is okay. They said that she got beaten up quite badly."

Atsuki: "Yeah, me too."

They then fell silent for a moment until Kongou asked him something.

Kongou: "Uh, commander, do you have anything to do after this?"

Atsuki: "No, not really. Why?"

Kongou: "Then do you want to take a walk with me around the base?"

Atsuki: "Sure. That sounds good."

Kongou: "Alright!"

At the repair bay...

The girls that were injured in the mission were being repaired (when shipgirls are injured in Kancolle, they take this so-called 'bath' to repair themselves). Since Haruna was the most injured one, she stayed in there for a little longer than the others. Everyone was already done with their repairs so Haruna was in there alone. She was gazing at the ceiling while she enjoyed the 'bath'.

Haruna: "Hmm, I wonder how long till I get fully repaired..." she wondered.

She then looked at the timer to see how many more minutes or hours until she was fully repaired.

Haruna: "Hmm, 30 minutes left huh?"

As she gazed into her reflection on the water, she thought of Atsuki.

Haruna: "I wonder what's he doing now... Maybe I'll go see him after this."

After waiting for around 30 minutes, her repairs were finally done. She then put on her clothes and left the repair bay. When she stepped outside, she saw that the sun was setting.

She decided to go to the cafeteria first to get dinner. As she was walking there, she saw Atsuki and Kongou walking in the hallways while chatting. Out of instinct, she hid behind a wall and decided to spy on them. The two were talking to each other while smiling.

They look happy together. Maybe I should leave them be... she thought to herself but as she was looking at them, she felt a slight tightening in her chest. Why do I feel a little down seeing them? I should be happy that my sister found someone that she likes. she thought to herself. She quickly stopped spying on them and went to the cafeteria.

At the cafeteria, there were a few shipgirls that were eating their dinner. After getting her food, Haruna was looking for a place to sit when she heard someone call out to her.

Hiei: "Haruna! Over here!"

Haruna: "Hello everyone. Mind if I sit here?"

Akagi: "Of course not. Come, sit."

Haruna then sat down next to Hiei and began to eat.

Akagi: "Hmm? Haruna, why are you only eating a little? Shouldn't you be hungry after a mission?"

Haruna: "Uhh, yeah. I'm just not that hungry ahaha."

Fubuki: "Haruna-san, is something wrong?" she asked worriedly.

Haruna: "N-no, nothing's wrong."

Fubuki: "Are you sure? You look a little sad."

Haruna then patted the destroyer's head.

Haruna: "I'm fine, really. You don't need to worry." she said with a smile.

Fubuki: "Okay..."

They then continued to eat. After eating, Haruna was walking near the docks while admiring the view of the ocean and the full moon. She pondered on a few things but mostly about Atsuki.

I guess it's for the best that I forget about the commander. She gazed up at the night sky. But why does it hurt so much? she said while clenching her hands and before she knew it, a drop of tear escaped her eye.

Atsuki: "Haruna?"

Haruna suddenly heard Atsuki behind her. She quickly wiped the tear away and turned to him.

Haruna: "Yes, commander?"

Atsuki: "It is you. What are you doing here?"

Haruna: "Uhh, I was just looking at the view of the ocean."

Atsuki: "I see. Mind if I join you."

Haruna: "S-sure. I don't mind." she said nervously.

Atsuki then sat next to Haruna and they both admired the view.

Atsuki: "By the way Haruna, are you alright? The girls said you were badly injured during the fight."

Haruna: "Yes, I'm fine. I already finished the repairs."

Atsuki: "I see. That's good to hear."

The two then fell silent for a while.

Atsuki: "Oh, that's right. I forgot."

He then quickly took out a book from the bag he was carrying and gave it to Haruna.

Haruna: "Commander, what is this?"

Atsuki: "It's a journal. I was visiting a bookstore a few days ago and thought I'd buy you something. If you ever feel sad or you need to let your feelings out, just write it on this book."

Haruna looked at him in confusion.

Atsuki: "You see, whenever I feel sad or down and I can't tell anyone about it, I usually write it down on a book. I saw that you were looking a little down and thought that this might help you. If you ever need to say something but you can't say it, just write it down in this book."

Haruna: "I see. Thank you commander! I'll try it out."

Atsuki: "Okay then. I'm gonna go sleep. It was a long day today and I'm really tired."

Haruna: *giggle* "I guess it was. Well then, see you tomorrow commander."

Atsuki: "Yeah. See you tomorrow."

Atsuki then went to his room. Haruna, who was still sitting there holding the book close to her chest.

Haruna: "Thank you Atsuki..." she whispered to herself while smiling.

Alright, everyone, that was today's chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and I'll see you next time.