When ites to Japan, many people''s first thoughts of the country, besides its adult entertainment industry, are anime and the "Two-dimensional" culture.
In the hearts of otakus all over the world, Akihabara is the holynd of this two-dimensional realm, transforming what was originally an electronics district thriving on the sale of electronic goods into a hub for two-dimensional cultural gatherings.
Beyond that, Tokyo hosts various exhibitions, big and small, every year; some are anime expos, while others are game conventions.
For those who are fans of two-dimensional culture, these are grand feasts.
Enthusiasts dressed up as anime characters pour into the streets and alleys of Tokyo, and from all around the world, to converge on their sacrednd where they revel in celebration with friends and like-minded souls.
Here, no matter how odd your attire, people would only assume you''re role-ying a character rather than suspect you of possessing any terrifying powers.
At least, for the ship-girls who were venturing out for the first time, even if they showed off their ship equipment, they were simply taken for cosyers.
"Akatsuki! Look over there, there are so many pictures of us!" Rai, seeing many standees and posters about ship-girls at the exhibition, grabbed Akatsuki''s arm, eximing with delight.
For the 6th Destroyer Squadron, who had been confined to the Necromantic Space by Chen Yu and unable toe out, being able to go outside was a delight, especially for the lively Rai.
"Rai-chan! A properdy doesn''t shriek and shout! Don''t draw attention to us!" Akatsuki, somewhat struggling with her sister''s boisterous demeanor, held onto Rai to keep her from running around everywhere, but with Hibiki and Dian also needing her care, she was somewhat at a loss as to whom she should attend to first.
Seeing the four girls causing such amotion, Hood came over to Akatsuki''s side, took Rai by the hand, and smiling, said to Akatsuki, "Don''t be too nervous, Akatsuki-chan. I''ll be with you guys. Let''s enjoy ourselves today to the fullest! I think that''s why themander allowed us toe out here, isn''t it?"
"But didn''t themander say that we are here to carry out a special mission today?" Akatsuki recalled Chen Yu''s instructions before they set out, her face serious, "A maturedy should focus onpleting her mission!"
Before the ship-girls left the Necromantic Space, Chen Yu told them there was something they needed to do at this exhibition. Naturally, Akatsuki, wanting to prove her worth as a ship-girl, took this to be a specialbat mission assigned by Chen Yu.
Hood, naturally more aware of Chen Yu''s purpose for letting them out, understood it was partly for them to be familiar with this world and also to rx their minds, stripping away the wartime mentality, as well as to strengthen their bonds with one another.
As for the special mission Chen Yu had mentioned, Hood didn''t think it was something for Akatsuki and the other girls to do; indeed, among the ship-girls, only she and Lexington were suited for the task. As for the others... fighting might be up their alley, but ying matchmaker was not really within their characters.
Of course, Hood wouldn''t disclose this to Akatsuki, as it might dampen their enthusiasm, so she simply smiled, patted Akatsuki on the head, and said, "But the mission themander gave us isn''t something we need to rush into right now! And didn''t he also say? He let use out today partly to carry out the mission, but also to give us a holiday, to let everyone enjoy their vacation, right?"
"Akatsuki-chan, the mission hasn''t started yet! It''s okay to y a little first!" Upon hearing Hood''s words, Rai became even more impatient, trying to convince Akatsuki to let her go have fun.
For Rai, who had only been born not long ago, everything at the exhibition was so novel.
Of course, although Rai was lively and energetic, wanting to fully enjoy herself, she still showed great restraint. She only indicated her desire to take a look at the images rted to herself, without actually running off.
Facing persuasion from Hood and Rai, Akatsuki nced at Hibiki and Dian. Seeing the two, although not as visibly eager as Rai due to their personalities, seemed to share some desire to y, she eventually nodded in agreement.
Seeing Akatsuki nod, Rai cheered immediately and was about to rush toward the stands nearby.
However, at that moment, Hood pulled her back, patted her head with a smile, and said, "You''re supposed to stick with your sisters! Don''t run off."
"Aye aye! I know!" Upon Hood''s instruction, Rai promptly took hold of Akatsuki and Hibiki, calling out, "6th Destroyer Squadron, sortie! Dian-chan, follow us!"
With that, she pulled Akatsuki and Hibiki to one of the exhibition stands she had already spotted.
"Rai-chan, slow down! I can''t keep up!" Dian, watching Rai dash off, hurriedly jogged to keep up.
Watching the four girls head out, Hood followed them too, while ensuring the safety of the 6th Destroyer Squadron''s girls, she alsomunicated with the other ship-girls through thework they had established, "Have the destroyers reached the operation zone? Has the target appeared?"
"This is the reconnaissance fleet; the target has been located, they''re entering the venue," came Lexington''s voice from the other end of themunication channel. Today she, along with Enterprise, was in charge of overall surveince of the exhibition to allow the other ship-girls to pinpoint the target''s location at any time.
However, such tasks were clearly better suited for Lexington than for Enterprise, who tended to be more aloof.
Their surveince target, of course, was Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko. As for why they were at this exhibition, it was because Chen Yu had invited Inomata Naoki to join him in attending.
Back in their university days, Chen Yu and Inomata Naoki had also visited such exhibitions, so Inomata did not find it strange at all.
Tokairin Yuko, on the other hand, had been roped in by Inomata Naoki at Chen Yu''s prompting.
Chen Yu wasn''t with Jounouchi Hiromi today since she had plenty of work to do at the hospital. So for today, Chen Yu was alone, while Inomata Naoki and Tokairin appeared together, like a couple.
After linking up with Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko, and confirming that the ship-girls'' surveince of them was in order, Chen Yu joined Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko as they entered the exhibition.
Around them, Yamato and Musashi were responsible for providing protection, Bismarck handled emergencies, while Kaga was in charge of support along with Shinano.
As for Hood and the 6th Destroyer Squadron, they were today''s main offense team, responsible for encouraging the rtionship between Inomata Naoki and Tokairin Yuko.