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Azur Lane: Episode of Belfast Volume 1 Chapter 2 Part 13

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Translator: Kurehashi Aiko

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PART 13

 

GROOOWWWLLL~~~!!!

 

[Auuuhh…… My stomach…… so hungry……]

 

Cygnet murmured in embarrassment as she put her hands on her growling stomach, as if trying to mute the sounds that it was making.

 

[G-Go figure…… We were told that there would be no food, so there really is going to be no food, huh……?]

 

Javelin also involuntarily fell down on the spot behind her desk with tears welling up in her eyes.

 

The only one to sit silently on her seat without saying anything was York. However, the sound of her stomach was the only thing that kept insisting that she was indeed hungry just like the rest of the Destroyers.

 

[Oh, but we are going to have a proper meal.]

 

Belfast puts her hands on the lecturer’s podium and spins the she spun the pointer in her hand around a few times as to underline her words.

 

[Huh? But Ranger-sensei just shook her head in denial just now……]

 

While Javelin and her fellow Destroyers were cocking their heads in curiosity, Belfast left the teacher’s podium and headed towards the classroom’s door……

 

[Everyone, we are going to go to a certain place right now, so please follow me.]

 

Belfast quickly went out into the hallway, and the four students looked blankly at each other while they obediently followed after her.

 

[Umm…… But isn’t the class still in session?]

 

In response to Cygnet’s words, Ranger winked at her and followed Belfast, placing her hand on the door.

 

[Yes, that’s right. And from here on out it will be Belfast-sensei’s lecture. Everyone should just follow her instructions.]

 

[But where exactly are we going?]

 

When the whole group left the school building again and came in front of a fountain with a statue resembling a large anchor, Yuudachi came up in front and approached Belfast, asking where exactly were they all going.

 

[The Naval Cafeteria. I’m thinking of actually teaching you how to prepare your own meal in times of need.]

 

[Meal? Like dinner or what?]

 

Just as Belfast was about to answer that, the group already managed to arrive at the Navy Cafeteria.

 

[Dear Instructors, could I ask you to please wait right here for a moment?]

 

When Belfast found a set of empty seats, she placed the instructors there and turned back to her students.

 

[For the time being, please go into the kitchen.]

 

As instructed, the four students headed to the kitchen together while being guided by Belfast at all times.

 

As for the kitchen itself, it was pretty much empty, with no one inside of it.

 

Belfast opened the refrigerator, took out some ingredients, and placed them on top of the cooking table.

 

[With the ingredients that are available here, you will be more than capable enough to make some curry from scratch.]

 

[A curry?]

 

Javelin looked at the potatoes that she was holding with both of her hands as she repeated that word curiously.

 

[Luckily we have all the spices that are necessary for it. I just asked Ranger-san to reserve this place for me in advance, in case something would happen. Since this is a military port, let’s go with naval-style curry, shall we?]

 

[Curry, huh? Nice! I like the sound of that!]

 

Standing up and her ears twitching like mad, Yuudachi was happily jumping on the spot.

 

[My stomach is so empty that it might collapse on itself at any time now, let’s just hurry it up and get on with it!]

 

[I strongly suggest that you should all try to divide the work between yourselves and work together on this. That way, you should be able to create a dish that is going to satisfy even the palates of the instructors.]

 

[Umm, I don’t really know about that, but……]

 

While Belfast was smiling at the other students, it was actually York who has remained silent all this time, and chose to speak up right now. And the question she asked was actually of great importance here.

 

[What kind of knowledge will this course give us?]

 

Hearing York’s accurate question, the other students turned towards Belfast.

 

[I honestly think that Enterprise-san’s lecture just before that was important, especially for each and every one of you individually.]

 

Belfast answered quietly, staring at the ingredients right in front of her.

 

[Having an unyielding fighting spirit on the battlefield can sometimes turn the tide of battle, but that is the strength of each individual that is being taken into account. I think there is one more thing that you all have to learn to be successful: working as a group. Especially in an organization like the one we have here.]

 

[Hmm…… What does that even mean?]

 

Belfast lifted her head in response to Yuudachi’s question.

 

[What I want to teach you right now is, without a doubt, the act of “cooperation”.]

 

While slowly looking at everyone present in the kitchen, Belfast then assumed a more focused position as she went on to explain.

 

[Trusting in one another, supporting one another in need, providing constructive criticism, and careful evaluation. I will watch over you here and there, and give you cooking advice if needed, but please do not forget to do things your way and apply your own judgment in your work.]

 

[Learn to trust…… One another, huh……?]

 

While listening to Cygnet’s hesitant words, Belfast quietly moved away a few steps from the four students.

 

[This is more than just a matter of going on commissions. The spirit of mutual cooperation should be strong enough in you to overcome any difficulties that may lie ahead, no matter the situation.]

 

Belfast said something like that all the while thinking to herself.

 

–––––– I can be here right now, because I trust the other members of the Maid Corps to do a good job in my absence.

 

“Now then, let’s get the cooking started, shall we? It seems that flour is needed as well, so please make sure as to not make too big of a mess in the kitchen while you will be at it.]

 

***

 

In a sense, the students’ curry making, which began as a momentary decision, was even more of a struggle than the course that enterprise had prepared.

 

Despite the fact that they were looking at the recipe written down by Belfast at all times, Yuudachi, who was not all that good with numbers, continued to make mistakes almost at every single step of the way. Also, during the vegetable cutting, both Javelin and York managed to cut their fingers slightly, and were making quite a fuss about it.

 

 

Cygnet, who was trying to clean the rice with a detergent, ended up spilling it all over the sink and the rice had to be thrown away.

 

In the end, it took them twice as long to complete this curry dish as it would normally take.

 

As for the final product, Belfast dared not to taste this curry and just carried it to the cafeteria for everyone as it was.

 

After everyone was seated in their seats, Belfast said to everyone gathered behind one long table:

 

[Well then, everyone. Please, dig right in.]

 

With those words as a signal, the four students started shouting in the loudest voices that they could have muster today.

 

[Let’s eat!!!]

 

Each of them scooped up a portion of the curry with a spoon and carried it into their mouths at the same time.

 

[––––––!? Delicious!!!]

 

York was the first to speak up.

 

It seems that she was so moved that she accidentally let out a word like that, and when she covered her mouth, she looked down embarrassedly and silently started to eat her curry.

 

[Refill, please!]

 

Yuudachi, who finished eating her portion in no time, immediately headed for the kitchen. And surprisingly enough, Cygnet was close to follow right after her.

 

[It turned out better than I expected. It’s so delicious!]

 

When Enterprise voiced her opinion on the dish as well, Belfast only smiled back at her in a warm way.

 

[So, how was it? Did you manage to get along with the students?]

 

Ranger asked Belfast that question with the spoon in her hand.

 

[Yes. We managed to get along just fine. I really want to believe that.]

 

Belfast nodded and looked at the students.

 

The four had become good friends during the lectures so far. The four of them shouldn’t have been strangers to each other to begin with, but they may have learned to cooperate with one another while studying together in the same place.

 

[Belfast-san, won’t you consider continuing giving lectures in the future?]

 

After drinking some water, Niimi asked her that question.

 

[Even though it was my first time giving a lecture like this, I now see just how draining it can be and how much it takes to keep the students in check and class in order. And while I think I might not be the best fit for a teacher, I now admire you even more than before……]

 

After being told something like that, Niimi lowered her head in embarrassment.

 

Even her ears were bright red, and she was unable to look Belfast in the eyes for a while.

 

[I-If you tell me something like that all of a sudden…… Y-You know what!? Forget it! Please forget that I said anything! It was nothing, really!]

 

Belfast put down her spoon and turned towards her.

 

[It is only my honest opinion as the proud member of the Royal Navy, and the Head Maid of the Maid Corps.]

 

That’s what she has decided ever since before she came here. She knew that working behind the scenes and in the kitchen suits her way better than anything else. That, and ever since she came here, her thoughts were slowly drifting towards the matters of the Royal Navy’s Dormitory.

 

—— Come to think of it, why is it that Her Majesty was not here, when all good children should be present at school? The sheer thought of that suddenly crossed her mind, and then Belfast chuckled lightly.

 

If Elizabeth were here right now, she probably would not be able to bear what happened throughout this day alone.

 

And just as Belfast was thinking about a matter like that……

 

* * *

 

–––––– Meanwhile, back at the Royal Navy’s Dormitory……

 

[Bel! Bel! Are you here, Bel!?]]

 

As Elizabeth wandered the corridors with Warspite in tow, she was looking for Belfast.

 

[It looks like she hasn’t come back yet.]

 

[I heard from Edi that she was supposed to be a substitute teacher for today, but she surely is taking her sweet time.]

 

And as Elizabeth folded her arms, she turned towards Warspite.

 

[So, are you saying that I should also take a preparatory course for the military commissions, just in case?

 

[Yes, Your Majesty. And I think I might accompany you as well.]

 

[Hahaha! I have always wanted to just how classes like that go! Well, I’m good at classroom studies, so don’t be surprised when you witness my academic prowess first-hand!]

 

She didn’t know what class was awaiting her, and Elizabeth could not help it but to have a huge smile on her lips.

 

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