Azur Lane: Euphoria

Ch17.5

A wall of fog appears up ahead, slowly making its way towards me. Smiling, I head through it and sure enough, on the other side stands my twin sister. 

Me: Hi!

Alpha: Hi? Just hi? You didn't even tell me you were leaving!

Me: I didn't? Hehe. My bad.

Alpha: I'm not laughing. Do you know how worried I was?

Me: You worry too much. Besides, Reaper is still here with me so I'll be fine.

Alpha: I...that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least let me know that you're leaving.

She pouts but still comes over, pulling me into a hug in the process. Observer Alpha...or rather my older sister. She truly does worry a bit too much though she does have a point. I could have at least told her I was leaving but then I'm pretty sure she'd have tried to stop me. In any eventuality, it comes as no surprise that she's now here.

Me: Let me guess, you're here to keep an eye on me.

Alpha: Actually, I'm not.

Me: Oh?

Alpha: Wouldn't you like to know...

Me: So doesn't that make us enemies.

She stops and thinks about it for a second before pulling me back into her arms. 

Alpha: We'll never be enemies.

Me: Then lovers then?

She tries responding but all she manages is a stutter here and a stutter there. Laughing at how off guard she's been caught, I top it off with a kiss on her cheek before stepping away and heading back.

Alpha: They've, ehm, already escaped.

Me: That was quick.

Alpha: Well, you were the one I wanted so there was no reason to keep the others here.

Me: Well...

Alpha: I know, I know.

She opens up a portal showing the shores of one of the islands of the nation I formed. Seeing it confirms that even if she isn't here to watch me she's at the very least aware of what I'm doing in general. 

Alpha: Take care of yourself.

Me: You too.

Steps through the portal

The minute I'm fully through, it closes, leaving me face to face with very curious looks. I can tell the Azur Lane girls want to know what happened but rather than allow them the opportunity to ask, I decide to bring up another topic entirely. 

Me: So, what did you guys decide on?

All: Huh?

Me: You know, with your meetings and all no doubt establishing first contact.

Enterprise: Well, we didn't really agree to anything since we rushed out to assist-

Me: In that case, what about a joint exercise? 

All: A joint exercise?

Me: Yeah, it'd be fun and would give the perfect opportunity for us to get to know one another as nations, no?

Belfast: It does have its merits but it's unlikely that either the Royal Navy or the Eagle Union could provide the necessary resources to-

Me: We'll provide them.

Belfast: I-

Enterprise: Deal.

Belfast: But Miss Enterprise!

Enterprise: We'd best get started on preparations.