Narrator:Takeo now knows more about the enemy ships, aka, the Sirens after visiting the Sakura Empire, and meeting Atago and Takao.

Takeo:"Javelin! Laffey! Where are you two?"

*Takeo walks around with Ayanami in his arms*

Takeo(mind):I can't believe Ayanami passed out from hugging Atago!

*Takeo spots Javelin and Laffey*

Takeo:"Javelin! Laffey! Over here!"

Javelin:"Huh? Oh, commander. Whoa! What happened?!"

Takeo:"Long story...she passed out...ok, not that long of a story."

Javelin:"Oh no, what should we do?"

Takeo:"Uh...wait. At least until she wakes up."

Javelin:"Oh..."

Laffey:"Ayanami asleep?"

Takeo:"Uh...yeah."

*Laffey starts poking Ayanami's cheek*

Laffey:"Wake up Ayanami...people want to see you..."

Takeo:"Laffey, you should try to wake her up. Wait, what do you mean people want to see her?"

*Takeo then notices a couple of girls behind them, they all have the same yellow colored hat on*

Takeo:"Uh..."

Takeo(mind):Why do they look so scared at me?

*They look at Takeo, and Ayanami*

???:"A-Ayanami's dead!!!"

*A short brown haired girl shouts and the rest of the girls freak out, and start crying*

Takeo:"U-Uh..."

Takeo(mind):Crap, I just made these girls cry!

Takeo:"I-It's ok, she's not dead."

*Takeo tries to wake up Ayanami*

Takeo:*Whispers* "Ayanami...come on, I don't wanna look like a mean commander!"

Ayanami:"Ugh...what the?"

Takeo:"See! She was just sleeping!"

Ayanami:"Huh? What's happening?"

???:"Ayanami!!! You're alive!"

*The girl with short brown hair who shouted before goes up to Ayanami and hugs her*

Takeo(mind):Phew...

Ayanami:"Huh? What do you mean, Mutsuki?"

Mutsuki:"This guy cared you in his arms, we thought you were dead!"

Ayanami:"Huh? This guy?"

*The brown haired girl points at Takeo*

Takeo:"Ehehe...rise and shine."

Ayanami:"Takeo...you cared me?"

Takeo:"Yeah, you passed out from Atago's hug."

Ayanami:"...Oh, that makes sense."

Takeo:"I'm just glad you woke back up."

Takeo(mind):I almost traumatized these kids...

Ayanami:"..."

*Ayanami blushes a little, and looks down*

Ayanami:"...Thanks."

Takeo:"Huh? O-Oh, no problem."

*Javelin and Laffey hug Ayanami next*

Javelin:"Ayanami! You woke up!"

Ayanami:"Ah! Y-Yeah."

Laffey:"Yay...Ayanami woke up to eat lunch..."

Takeo:"Oh yeah, it's about lunch time. Hey girls, wanna have lunch here?"

Javelin:"Sure."

Laffey:"Yay...Takeo is getting us lunch..."

Takeo:"How about you, Ayanami?"

Ayanami:"...Yes."

Takeo:"Alright, let's go."

*They go get some lunch, and sit down chatting with some of the ships of Sakura Empire*

Takeo:"Whoa, look at those two."

*Takeo points at two tall girls, one with long brown hair and carrying a katana, and one with long white hair and carrying a flute*

Takeo(mind):They give off quite the presence. It's like even if I didn't see them, I would still know they were, or something.

Takeo:"Hey, Ayanami."

Ayanami:"Take this."

Takeo:"Huh? Ugh..."

Laffey:"Hyah..."

*Ayanami is fighting Laffey with their forks*

Takeo:"What is...the 5th time you two have done that?"

Javelin:"You two really need to mind your manners."

Ayanami and Laffey:"Huh?"

*They both stop*

Takeo:"...Ok, Ayanami. Who are those two girls over there?"

Ayanami"Huh? Who?"

Takeo:"The white and brown haired kimono duo over there."

Ayanami:"Oh, I think I see who you're talking about. The brown haired one is called Zuikaku, and the white haired one is called Shoukaku."

Takeo:"Huh...are they important around here?"

Ayanami:"Yes, they are acquaintances with Akagi."

Takeo:"Akagi? Oh, yeah. Atago was talking about her. I have a few questions about her."

Ayanami:"Huh?"

Takeo:"Uh...I don't think now is the best time."

Takeo(mind):I don't want to make people suspicious of me by talking about their higher ups.

*The two tall girls spot us, and start approaching us*

???:"Nice to see you again, Ayanami."

*The brown haired girl gives Ayanami a hand shake*

Ayanami:"Nice to see you again, Zuikaku."

Takeo(mind):So that one's Zuikaku, and the other one is Shoukaku, got it.

Zuikaku:"Huh? Ayanami, do you know this boy here?"

Ayanami:"...Yes, he's my commander."

Takeo:"Huh?"

Takeo(mind):My commander, huh...

???:"Now, Zuikaku. Let's give proper introductions here. I'm Shoukaku, that's Zuikaku, my dear younger sister."

Takeo:"Oh, ok. I'm Takeo Koshiro. Nice to meet you."

Shoukaku:"Nice to meet you too. Zuikaku, say hi."

Zuikaku:"Hello, Takeo. I'm Zuikaku."

Takeo:"Yeah...I know. Ayanami told me about you two."

Zuikaku:"Huh..."

Ayanami:"Uh...yes, I did."

Shoukaku:"So, is this your first time here, commander?"

Takeo:"Uh...yeah, pretty much. Oh, and please call me Takeo."

Shoukaku:"Oh, formalities aren't your style, huh..."

Takeo:"Well, I guess I just like being called by my name more than being called commander."

Zuikaku:"What kind of commander is that?!"

Shoukaku:"Now, Zuikaku. No need to criticize. He can be called whatever he wants, he's a commander after all."

Takeo:"Thanks, I guess."

Shoukaku:"Anyways, mind if I show you around, Takeo?"

Takeo:"Uh...you girls ok with that?"

*Takeo looks back at Laffey and Javelin and they both nod*

Takeo:"Ayanami? What about you?"

Ayanami:"...I-I wanted to show my commander around the Sakura Empire though."

Takeo:"Huh?"

*Ayanami looks down*

Takeo:"Oh, Ayanami...if you want, you could come with us."

Ayanami:"...No...it's fine."

Takeo:"Ok, if you say so. I'll meet you girls at the dock then."

Ayanami, Javelin, and Laffey:"Alright!"

Zuikaku:"..."

Shoukaku:"Alright, in that case. Allow us to be your guide, Takeo."

Takeo:"Ok then."

Zuikaku:"I'll come with."

Shoukaku:"Me and my younger sister are inseparable. of course, she's coming with us."

Takeo:"Wow...that must be really nice." *Sniff*

Takeo(mind):Crap, I'm remembering Aoki again...

Ayanami:"...Commander?"

Laffey:"Takeo...feeling down?"

Takeo:"Huh? No, no...I'm fine, really..." *Sniff*

*Takeo wipes his nose before standing up*

Takeo(mind):Damn it...I still can't get over her...

Shoukaku:"Well, let's get on with the tour then."

Zuikaku:"Alright."

*Shoukaku and Zuikaku show Takeo around the Sakura Empire, but Takeo feels like he's being watched*

Takeo:"Hello? Anyone there?"

Zuikaku:"Who are you talking to? We're the only ones here."

*A girl with long black ponytailed hair, and red eyes comes out of her hiding spot*

???:"Hah...hah..."

Takeo:"...Uh...hello-"

*Takeo gets pulled back by Shoukaku*

Shoukaku:"Careful, Takeo. This ship is not a sane one."

Takeo:"Huh? Wait, who are you?"

???:"Well, I'm Taihou."

Takeo:"Taihou?"

Takeo(mind):I've head that name before...it was in one of the books. That book had a warning about her overly affectionate behavior, even go as far as to kill others for one she sets her eyes on...oh no...

Taihou:"You're the new commander, right? I've been waiting to meet you for so long."

Zuikaku:"How long have you been following us?"

Taihou:"Not all of you, just him. Ever since he set foot on this land."

Takeo(mind):Wait, I was being watched all along?!

Zuikaku:"Shoukaku, we have to leave here before it gets ugly."

Shoukaku:"You are right."

Taihou:"Don't worry, I'll let you go for now. Have a nice time, commander~."

*With that, Taihou disappears, and Takeo's tour continues*

Shoukaku:"And that's about everywhere within our grasp, are you feeling ok with the area?"

Takeo:"Yeah...it's just a little too much to take it all in...there are so many ships that have weird ears here!"

Shoukaku:"Well, each of us are based around a kind of animal."

Takeo:"Oh..."

Takeo(mind):So, with Ayanami's ears...she would be a rabbit, maybe? I don't know. Wait, Atago and Takeo would be dogs, because of their ears...but what are Shoukaku's and Zuikaku's?

Takeo:"Wait, what animal are you based on then?"

Zuikaku:"Me and my dear sister and both based on cranes."

Takeo:"Cranes? Like the bird?"

Zuikaku:"What other cranes are there?"

Takeo:"Uh...never mind. You're based on a crane, got it."

Shoukaku:"Well, that's about enough for the tour, do you want us to escort you back to your ships?"

Takeo:"Uh...sure, thanks."

*Takeo walks with Shoukaku and Zuikaku to the Sakura Empire dock*

Takeo(mind):I wonder why Ayanami didn't want to go with us?

Takeo:"..."

Zuikaku:"...Thinking of Ayanami?"

Takeo:"Huh? Oh, no...I was just wondering if...the girls had any fun with me."

Shoukaku:"Oh, that would be a bummer. I can't imagine having fun without Zuikaku."

Zuikaku:"Shoukaku..."

Takeo(mind):Having fun with your sister, something I miss a lot...

Takeo:*Sniff* "Ugh...crap."

Shoukaku:"Are you ok, Takeo?"

Takeo:"Yeah...I'm just fine."

Shoukaku:"Ok..."

Takeo:"..."

Zuikaku:"...You know, Ayanami isn't a very emotional person."

Takeo:"Huh?"

Zuikaku:"She seems a bit more expressive around you."

Takeo:"Huh? What do you mean? Is it because of me?"

Zuikaku:"It's a good thing if you did make her a little more expressive."

Takeo:"I guess..."

*Takeo sees Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami in the distance*

Takeo:"Well, thank you for the tour."

*Takeo bows to them*

Shoukaku:"Oh, anytime."

Zuikaku:"Please keep taking care of Ayanami for all of us here at the Sakura Empire."

Takeo(mind):So this place is like Ayanami's home, and the girls here are like her family.

Takeo:"I will, take care."

*Takeo heads towards his ships*

Takeo:"Hello girls, did you wait long?"

Javelin:"Nope, we had a lot of fun here."

Takeo:"Aw man, you guys did have fun without me. Next time, I'll join you guys, I promise."

Laffey:"Takeo gonna join Laffey in fun..."

Takeo:"Yeah, haha. Come we've got to go before the sun sets."

*Takeo pats Laffey on the head, and starts walking towards his ship, but Laffey holds his hand on her head*

Takeo:"Huh? Uh..."

Laffey:"Laffey likes Takeo's headpats..."

Takeo:"Haha...alright, time to go Laffey."

Laffey:"...No..."

Takeo:"Huh? Wait, what?"

Laffey:"Laffey has place to show Takeo..."

Javelin:"Oh yeah, let's go there!"

Ayanami:"What's happening?"

Takeo:"Uh...where are you girls taking me?"

Javelin:"It's a cool place, trust us."

*Javelin and Laffey start pull on Takeo's arms and begging Takeo to come with them*

Takeo:"Ok, ok. Let's go."

Takeo(mind):It's like I'm babysitting kids...wait a minute, I kinda am.

*Takeo follows Javelin, Laffey and Ayanami to a spot in the Sakura Empire*

Takeo:"Where even are we?"

Laffey:"Look...pretty tree..."

*Laffey points at a cherry blossom tree*

Takeo:"Whoa..."

*Takeo starts walking towards the tree, he holds his hand out, and a petal lands on his hand*

Takeo:"Wow..."

Takeo(mind):This is like something from a dream. It looks so beautiful.

*Ayanami looks on at Takeo, and smiles*

Ayanami:"...Commander?"

Takeo:"Huh? Yeah?"

Ayanami:"...Here, stand over here."

Takeo:"O-Ok."

*Takeo goes to the point that Laffey was pointing at*

Ayanami:"Now, tree looking at the tree."

Takeo(mind):But the tree's in the same direction as the...

*Takeo looks at the cherry blossom tree, and sees the sunset in the background*

Takeo:"...Oh my god..."

Takeo(mind):This looks like material for a beautiful art piece.

Takeo:"..."

*Takeo sits there in awe, as Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami look on next to Takeo*

Takeo:"...Thank you, girls. It's beautiful."

*The girls see tears coming down Takeo's face*

Javelin:"Takeo..."

Ayanami:"Commander..."

Laffey:"You're welcome..."

*Takeo and the girls admire the view for a while*

Takeo."...Alright then, how about start heading out now?"

Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami:"Ok."

*They leave Sakura Empire and head back to Azur Lane*

Narrator:Wow...isn't that nice. I great ending to a great trip, wouldn't you say? Takeo now knows more about the Sakura Empire and more Ayanami, but the Siren mystery is yet to be solved.

Hey bros, it's me, the author. I never thought I'd get this far with so much support, but here we are. Upon a request, I had to add a certain part last minute, you guys can take a guess at what that part is. The next episodes are gonna take me a while to get done, and I'm gonna post a Senran Kagura experiment soon, so I'm gonna need some time. Thank you for your support this far, and I'll see you guys next time!