Kantai Collection -Kan Colle- Kagerou, Batsubyou Shimasu!:Volume1 Chapter 1: First Moon

Chapter 1: First Moon

Kagerou strained her eyes.

The waves were calm but the weather was partially cloudy. It’s the opposite of “The weather is clear with some high tide”. Although it isn’t something as serious as the fight.

Is there any sign of the enemy right in front. The Abyssal Fleet may suddenly appear, so caution is a necessity. That is why the girls have the importance of observation hammered into them even if it seems like it’s nothing. During the time they were unprepared, a Battleship class just had to appear, during the time they failed to notice, 16 inch shells just had to come down on them. The examples of those being negligent on lookout then disappeared to a watery grave are too many to mention.

Their name is the Abyssal Fleet. They came out of nowhere to wreak havoc on the seas, mankind’s greatest enemy.

No one knows when they appeared. In reality it is better to say that they were found to exist incidentally. The Abyssal Fleet obliterated any ship that came in their way, smashing the sea lanes into pieces. Uncountable ships were sunk and destroyed, disappearing into the depth of the sea.

There was nothing that could fight against them. No, other than the girls, there was nothing that could.

They are the Fleet girls. Those who were rushed into the sea to oppose the Abyssal Fleet equipped with armaments, the guardians who would grasp victory for mankind. Fleet girls are hard boiled chosen maidens, a title worthy of pride.

Even within those Fleet girls, Kagerou is a notably small, very agile and resolute Destroyer Fleet Girl.

She clutched her newly equipped binoculars, once again fixating her gaze to her front.

There was nothing but quietly shimmering blue sea. There is nothing. Perhaps nothing.

As a Destroyer Fleet Girl, she must not be careless. She was way different from the cruisers with their loaded seaplanes and the battleships that remained fine after getting hit by two or three shells. Her only way of scouting are her two eyesand if by any chance, she got hit from point blank range, she would be history. To act with extreme caution is a must.

Her two feet planted on the sea surface, slightly trembled.

Her anxiety also affects her feet. Usually she would never be this anxious, only for today the circumstances were different. The two main machines that she was wearing on her feet like shoes fit her well but time and time again they let out a coughing sound. The one in charge of maintenance was being stingy when oiling it. Thanks to that, her feelings came spreadingout into growing unease in her heart. If only she prepared it herself, this kind of thing wouldn’t have happened, but due to her own foolishness, she overslept. When she remembered sleeping with the taste of last night’s sweet red bean soup she ate last night, she was in this mess.

“Please be a liiiittle bit quieter okay.”

She hushed the main machine with a whisper. Then she muttered, “Both sides advance forward, half speed.”

Like skating, she could feel her body moving forward.

Wind washed over her head. She knew how the ribbon on her head fluttered. So refreshing, it felt good. Even just a moment, the worry in her heart was forgotten.

Realizing, Kagerou shook her head. There is no time to be at ease. Even if she looked like this, she is the nameship of the Kagerou Class. Her bright cheerful and forward looking feature is her plus point. She couldn’t lose sight of the main objective.

Once again, continuing the watch anew, her eyes were on the look out.

The water surface in front of her bubbles. It’s still far in front of her but she could discern that the sea surface changed, looking like it was boiling. Then the whole area changed color.

Black hulls with fangs bearing mouths. The eyes were round but insect-like, in but a glance, it’s easy to know that it isn’t anything close to human.

In numbers almost uncountable, they spread out across the horizon.

The moment she saw them, Kagerou shouted.

“Abyssal Fleet insight! Such great numbers! Mmm.. It's like that “7 part enemy against 3 part sea”* thing! The sea is colored black by the enemies!”

The reply via the radio was fast.

[Huh? Kagerou, what are you talking about?]

“I said, It’s 7 part enemy against 3 part seas!”

[Don’t assume it. Give an exact number]

“It’s extremely high! Really!”

Although her partner on the radio, Shiranui, was composed as alway, here she felt like foaming from her mouth. It’s not like she was using the popular lines to show off. That phrase was the only thing inher mind when they appeared in that number. It looked like salmon going upstream, but the enemy just isnt that cute.

They swam with a splashing sound. The correct term is sailing but the Fleet Girls called that “swimming”. Their eye colors remain drowned in darkness. If it was battle time, those eyes turn blue. Upon being agitated,humans will have bloodshot eyes, but for these creatures it was the opposite.

Kagerou decided she could do it. Issuinga R Side signal (120 degree clockwise), she changed her course to be by the side of the Abyssal Fleet. Shiranui’s emotionless reply was right. If the enemy has yet to notice her, it is imperative to givean exact number.

One by one she began to count.

“Enemy, eight I-class destroyer! Sixteen Ro-class! Ha-class…”

The one who first decided the Abyssal Fleet class names to be I Ro Ha ofthe Japanese syllabary order was either a genius or a drunken man, there is not much of adifference. It’s more nifty than theAIUEO order but at timesit is easy to get confused and mess it up.

Just when she is about to reach a total count of thirty, suddenly the eyes of the Abyssal Fleet lit up. From pitch black into blue. The blazing lights reflected on the sea surface were astonishingly clear to see. With that all together, Kagerou scowled at the sight.

“They found me out! Shiranui--”

At the moment she said it, the hull of the Abyssal Fleet sparked. Kagerou involuntarily swallowed down her words.

“.... enemy fleet, firing!”

Overhead, shells came falling.

“Kyaaaaa!!”

Pillars of water rose up around her.

“Alright... that is enough.”

Pi---. The sound of buzzer echoed around the Kure bay area.

“Practice is over.”

The dummies that make up the figure of the Abyssal Fleet were collected while still being connected to strings. On the sea surface where Kagerou had been standing, many logs drifted about as substitutes to enemy shells. Being hit by them wouldn’t kill you, but it would still hurt. It looks like an after show skit, it’s shameful.

“Kagerou, please come up.”

Clad in orange uniform was Jintsuu, who shouted by a hand mike. Beside her was the one in charge of radio communications, her accomplice Shiranui.

With water trickling down from her head, Kagerou muttered “Okay…” as she moved closer to the pier.

Heaving, she got up. The armaments were heavy and her drenched clothes makes it even heavier. Her mood also weighed quite some amount.

Jintsuu was already waiting at that place.

Jintsuu dropped her eyes to the notepad she has in her hand.

“Let’s see... for this practice... the result isn’t good, I see... Until the sighting of the Abyssal Fleet, there was a one and a half second delay, and even after sighting, the report is inaccurate... that’s unusual.” Jintsuu’s eyes flickered up to meet Kagerou’s.

“Is there any kind of anxiety you are having?”

“Ee….”

Upon hearing Kagerou’s reply, Jintsuu appeared saddened.

“Or is it because of my leadership? Like I made a mistake, ending up in putting you into a difficult situation.”

“N-No, no, it’s not like that.”

“I am after all but a second ship of the Sendai Class. I’m much too different from the energetic Kagerou Class.”

“It’s not like that! It’s not!”

Kagerous profusely denied. There was not a moment where Jintsuu’s leadership was in the wrong. Kagerou believed that her improvement in training up until now was all thanks to her.

“Well, then that’s the truth.”

“Yes.”

“Then… whose fault is this?”

Said Jintsuu, inclining her head.

Kagerou stumbled on her words. It’s because of this the young lady before her was scary. She completely saw through her heart. In one moment she said that it was her leadership at fault, then by earning the denial she continued by pressing onto the real matter. It’s a single ship practice so it couldn’t be other’s fault. Although it’s slightly cloudy but the field of vision is satisfactory so the weather couldn’t be blamed either. Kagerou confessed honestly.

“It’s… myself.”

“Why is that?”

“My attention is a bit taken by what will happen tomorrow.”

Kagerou gave a small laugh. Intending it to be a shy laugh.

She didn’t get scolded but warned.

“That won’t do, if that’s how it is. If you are not careful, the Abyssal Fleet may destroy you, and if you got distracted the whole fleet might be wiped out.”

Then, Jintsuu continued to add.

“If you’re ordered to be a escort ship, what should you do? It’s a situation where you have to find the enemies at the foremost and attack them. Scouting is the basis of everything. Don’t leave everything to the recon seaplane, you also have to have the strong determination to find the Abyssal Fleet yourself.”

“Yes…”

“Very well. Well then, Kagerou-san, with this your training in Kure is over. From tomorrow on you will be posted toYokosuka. Please do it properly okay.”

Jintsuu smiled.

“Because after all, destroyers are our pride.”

“Yes!”

With a more spirited voice, Kagerou gave a salute.

After bidding farewell to Jintsuu who had left the pier, she let out a sigh.

Having her attention being distracted as an excuse couldn’t be helped but there was a reason for that. From tomorrow on Kagerou will be leaving Kure Naval Base that she had grown accustomed to for Yokosuka Naval Base. Because of this thought in her head, every since the morning she had been restless. The order to change placement came around yesterday. Originally it wasn’t supposed to be that sudden, but somewhere within the organization it got held up and with the delay the documents didn’t arrived until the very last moment. Thanks to that she didn’t even have time for some reluctant parting with her friends, at the very least she only had herself promising to “It’s near Tokyo so send us something nice!”. When she thought about it, personel replacement of Fleet Girls may only be the government conspiracy to empty the wallet of the girls and prevent them from going anywhere.

Although as a replacement of a farewell gift, she was treated to sweet bean soup and ate until her stomach was full. This, however, has its own demerits.

Jintsuu as well, said “then shall we celebrate the placement change” then lent her hand for training until the very end. This was also a form of love, is what Kagerou believed.

It’s just, in this spacious pier only Kagerou and Shiranui were the only ones left.

Although it’s just the two of them, or maybe it’s for the two of them, just like always Shiranui regarded her curtly.

“Taking the first transport to YokoBase is quite hasty, isn’t it.”

Shiranui tilted her neck.

“I wonder of the reason.”

“It’s because the new type of destroyer is energetic. They want it over there as well.”

“Ahahaha,” Kagerou laughed.

By the order of recency, it has been decided that after the Kagerou Class isthe Yuugumo Class.

The girl’s armaments were practically sparkling. They were equipped with a set of 12.7 cm guns and quad torpedo tubes. The torpedo tubes were loaded with assorted torpedos capable of sinking a ship in one hit. These weapons were new, and it will prove to be reliable in a real battle. It’s unfornate that she had to leave Kure for the assignment in Yokosuka but it has been decided for the arrangements on immediate transfer.

“They are really in a great need for me, eh. It must be so.”

“Kagerou’s great vigour and forward looking feature is certainly an advantageous charm. Even Yokosuka might have a need of that.”

“Does that mean rather than my ability it’s more for someone to liven up the atmosphere, isn’t it?”

“I believe it isn’t something as elegant as that.”

“Hey!”

In contrast with the banter, Kagerou laughed.

“I wonder what kind of place Yokosuka is. It must be as spacious as Kure.”

“Probably it is fussy about sticking to regulations. It’s not good to say “finally I meet you”informally right after a change in placement. Getting scolded for fooling around seems to have been the drill in Tokyo Bay.”

“Uwaa, that sounds strict, as expected of Yokosuka”

To Kagerou who stiffened her shoulders in fright, Shiranui said, “Aa, it’s the ‘your guidance, your encouragement…” thing.”

“With that, there won’t be any instance of suddenly getting reprimanded. At least compared to Kagerou’s casual talk.

Since it seems legit, it has been decided for Kagerou to use it.

“What dosen’t Shiranui come over to YokoBase?”

“Shiranui is comfortable with Kure’s waters.”

Shiranui before her is also a Kagerou-class, her armament is also the same. She’s a friend that underwent practice alongside her. To be separated with her, that alone was deplorable.

“How lonely. The parting with the other is also kinda off.”

“It can’t be helped.”

There were also other destroyers that trained under Jintsuu. Perhaps because they went all out for yesterday’s farewell party, right now their figures were nowhereto be seen. It must be either they are studying hard in the classroom, or lounging around drinking ramune.

Shiranui destroyed the imagery with a cold tone.

“Even on the other side, there are alsoother Fleet Girls. They arealso the same comrades. I am sure you can get along well.”

“It’d be nice if there is a lovely girl like Shiranui.”

“.... I wonder about that.”

She turned away. This emotionless girl, it seemed that just for a little bit her face blushed.

Kagerou turned her eyes to the sea. The sky of Kure is so high, the waves of Seto inland Sea were calm. Far away beyond this, she wondered how it is in the Miura peninsula. There Yokosuka is waiting for her.

She returned her gaze.

“Well then. Tomorrow I have to go early.”

“Yes.”

“I will write you letters from there, okay.”

“Not needed.”

“Hey!”

With Kagerou’s protest, Shiranui replied emotionlessly.

“Kidding.”

“Oh please.”

“Kagerou as well, please don’t cry and wail because Shiranui isn’t there. You are also forbidden from shooting your ally, or taking other people’s snacks, or throwing yourself off Kannonzaki peninsula all because you’re lonely.”

“I won’t do that!” shouted Kagerou. From tomorrow on, they won’t be able to hold this kind of conversation anymore.

With the insecurities welling up in her heart, Kagerou hugged Shiranui tightly. An act done quite spontaneously.

“Goodbye, Shiranui.”

“Yes.”

Shiranui also slowly hugged her back. With a bit more force than Kagerou.

“Be safe.”

At Kure Naval base where human figures began to disappear, they embraced each other.

Their 12.7cm gun mount hit one another, creating a sound similar to a ringing bell.

Translator's Notes and References

Back to Novel Illustrations

Return to Main Page

Forward to Chapter 2