*Naval Hospital - New York

*Evan POV

I turned to see Enterprise, Illustrious, Lady Forbin and Le Triomphant entering the room I'm in

Evan: yes I'm awake

Enterprise: how are you feeling

Evan: a bit dizzy but otherwise I'm okay. Is Royston's last attack poisoned?

Enterprise: seems like it. the doctors detected some poison in your wound but they managed to get rid of it

Evan (thoughts): yappari

I was lost in thoughts for a moment before turning back to my four shipgirls

Evan: is it just you four or are there others with you

Illustrious: yes. At the moment it's just us four

Evan: I see

Forbin: with respect Sir Evan but what you just did was extremely reckless

Le Triomphant: yeah! at least you should let us know so that we can come with you

Evan: sorry but this is personal matter between me and Royston

Illustrious: I know you're still grieving about Shinano's death but you can't be reckless

Enterprise: I'm pretty sure this is what Royston wanted. for you to be reckless and come alone so that he can finish you off easily

Evan: This is what Royston wanted all along?

Enterprise: yes. he wants to finish you off so that he won't have anyone else to oppose him

Illustrious: please don't be reckless anymore Evan sama. Enterprise sama and I are still not ready to fully lead the fleet yet

I thought for a moment before nodding my head

Evan: Alright. Just for you girls, I won't be reckless anymore

*timeskip

I was on the rooftop, admiring the sky on my wheelchair that I'm using temporarily when I felt a familiar presence behind me. Turning around, I saw Admiral Kenneth looking at me in the distance with his arms crossed

Evan: Sir

Kenneth: the Marshall Islands has been saved thanks to your recklessness

Evan: ...

Kenneth (sternly): However Evan! I won't accept this kind of Emergency Sortie again in the future!!

Evan: ...

Kenneth: Listen Evan

Admiral Kenneth began walking towards me

Kenneth: Your life is one that is worthy of being protected. your Shinano sacrificed her life for you so that you could become stronger and one day take down Royston

Admiral Kenneth stopped once he's beside me

Kenneth: If you die, who's going to take down Royston? What about your shipgirls, especially the ones that you married, how will they feel?

Evan: ...

Kenneth: you can't protect the sea lanes from the sirens if you can't even protect yourself

Admiral Kenneth then placed a hand on my shoulder

Kenneth: Be sure to keep that in mind

Evan: yes sir

We then enjoyed the view of the sky together

*The next day

I was browsing the internet on my iphone when Enterprise entered the room

Enterprise: Evan, the others are here

Evan: Who's here?

???: Admiral Evan Siegfried! We need to talk right now!

??? 2: You had us worried sick! Baka!!

Two familiar people entered the room

Evan (thoughts): oh shit. I'm in trouble

I gulped as I braced myself for the scolding I'm going to receive from an incredibly worried Noire and Nepgear