Azur Lane: Land To Sea.

(Special): Distance in the Mistletoe

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A-kun: How's the long wait? My analytics says it all. Damn, hope you all have a great Christmas and let this year just be forgotten. 

Many things are happening outside the Commander's office. And somehow... He's not getting involved. 

It's Christmas. There's NO possible way you can be sad in this type of cheerful atmosphere. ESPECIALLY when you're surrounded by girls. Like, anyone would kill for that type of position.

But as cliché, as it is, Caster is in this exact position. 

Every time that he's on his bed, his legs shake as it's screaming that it wants to move. Out of this bed that he's been in for 10 hours straight. 

And even with his great self-awareness, he's oblivious to the fact that he's doing this. 

And once the vigor of his emotions can spur everyone with courage, now it's replaced with stoicism. His smiles, now a rare occurrence. 

It's gotten everyone worried about him. All girls outside of Caster's circle of secretaries point at the shoulder injury as to why he's like this. 

His movement is getting more and more erratic also. And his schedule, which in his words, he said: "It is predictable.", now he's doing things early, or most likely, late. 

No matter, the girls in the past week have put lights and some trees to make it look at least festive. 

The Sakura Empire has done most of the decorating, the Royal Navy preparing the food for everyone, and the Eagle Union just buying a crap ton of fireworks that is sure to not hurt anyone in the process. 

His secretaries have already fitted the room with LED strip lights. Which was a very nice ambient addition to the atmosphere. It will make it more homely, and so much more approachable. And it looks like it's going to be a permanent mainstay in his office.

Some fireworks have already been used. At most random times as well. It could have contributed to why Caster's still awake and have trouble sleeping. 

He's not sleep-deprived, far from it. But the random noises were starting to... Bother him. And sure enough, it has reached its limit.

Caster's hand slid inside the pillow to try to get a feel of his leg. Which felt numb for some reason. 

Did he really become that listless that his leg is not working anymore?

His former trainers would not like seeing him like this. 

The Commander finally took his few steps for the day. And right at the door, was Wales. And with the Christmas cheer, she smiled at him.

Wales stepped closer to Caster and helped him and to accompany him.

She's aware that Caster's emotions have been locked up inside him. And she really felt bad. But that also raised a valid question. "Is his mental fortitude really weak?" 

He had an influential position before he came here. So she expected to have a great mind under pressure. Which he has. In the fight against the Sakura Empire and many skirmishes, he showed off his preparedness. 

But being great under pressure doesn't seem to translate to his mental fortitude for him. 

And as most of the knowledgeable girls keeping track of his win-loss record, this one could be considered as a: "A win, but not really."

And Wales caught on fast. But she's having a difficult time on how to help him. Since being very caring and bubbly isn't really Wales's thing, and she doesn't want to force herself to be different.