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Azur Lane: Episode of Belfast Volume 1 Chapter 3 Part 7

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Translator: Kurehashi Aiko

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PART 7

 

[Here we are! Here we are! I’m calling dibs on this place, by the way!]

 

There was a huge rectangular table placed right in the middle of the room, with a bunch of legless chairs lined up all around it. And after she said those words, Repulse took the position on a chair right next to the window, from where she could easily admire the panorama that was spreading outside.

 

[I must say, this room is way bigger than what I had initially imagined.]

 

Nelson, who was acting so carefree and excited not so long ago, was now completely back to her usual self. She then sat right across from Repulse.

 

[And there are enough yukatas and slippers for a huge number of people here.]

 

On the other hand, when Renown opened the closet that was near the entrance and took a look inside of it, and after stating that she moved to begin checking the bathroom and then she switched to the equipment placed on the cabinet with the built-in TV.

 

[Look, they even have some means of killing time in here, as well! Like puzzles and stuff! And you could even buy some more things in the shop downstairs! Wow, this inn really has it all figured out, huh?]

 

[Renown-san, I’m surprised to see that you seem to be so interested in things like that.]

 

Rodney chuckled a little bit and put her luggage by the closet where the futons were being placed for the duration of the day.

 

[Everyone, let’s just put all of our luggage together here for the time being. You too, Belfast-san. Just place it right here and ––––––]

 

When Rodney said that and turned around, she saw Belfast standing perfectly still, staring at a single point in the room.

 

[–––––– Belfast-san……?]

 

Rodney twisted her neck slightly, wondering what’s wrong and looked towards the side of the TV where Belfast was currently looking.

 

A box of puzzles was not the only thing that was placed there. There was also a couple of tea cups, a number of bags with instant green tea, some Sakura Empire-style sweets and snacks, as well as the electric kettle for boiling water in it.

 

At that exact moment Belfast’s body swayed from side to side, as if it was possessed by something.

 

[Huh? Umm, this is, wait a minute…… Guys?]

 

Hearing Rodney’s bewildered voice, everyone else finally realized that something was clearly not right with Belfast.

 

Finally, Belfast, who had been away from her usual duties for the longest time than ever before in her life, was about ready to snap.

 

She could no longer resist the maid’s blood that was running through her veins, calling out to her.

 

She had to serve someone as soon as possible, or else she was afraid that she might actually lose it.

 

[Right away, right away…… I shall serve some tea and snacks to all of you right away!]

 

After saying that out loud, Belfast took a step forward towards the tea and snacks set.

 

[Now hold on just a moment!]

 

Rodney hurriedly tried to stop her from going any further, but Belfast managed to dodge her hand and then she was already on her way towards the TV stand, right where Renown was currently standing.

 

[How can she move so fast in a crowded space like this……!?]

 

Belfast stared at the point where the teacups were placed, ignoring the startled Rodney and her question.

 

Renown put the puzzle box back onto the TV stand, by the teacups.

 

Then she took a deep breath and gently closed her eyes for a moment.

 

[And here we are, despite the fact that we just told you to sit back and try to relax…… Haah, I guess that some things really cannot be helped, huh?]

 

At that moment when Belfast was fast approaching the TV stand,

 

[Renown –––––– Both sides full speed ahead!]

 

With their eyes wide open and their hips slightly lowered, both Repulse and Renown met the incoming Belfast with wrestling-like tackles. But the Head Maid’s initial step when she kicked the tatami mat under her feet was probably so quick that no one present in the room was able to properly see it all, but even so, Renown was sure that in this situation, there was no way that they would not be able to catch Belfast and hold her in place.

 

However, as if Belfast had read the movement of her “opponents” before they were even able to make them, she was already jumping up thanks to all of the speed that she managed to build up in order to dodge those tackles. Renown then lost her balance and performed a brilliant head-slide alongside the tatami mat-ridden floor.

 

As for Belfast herself, she was able to successfully land back on the ground with grace after making a glorious somersault,

 

The distance between her and the precious tea set was already so close that she could just reach out with her hand to get it.

 

At that moment, when she thought it would all be but a smooth sailing from here on out,

 

[Alright, alright, that’s enough of that, dear ladies!]

 

Before she even knew what was going on, Repulse, who was still supposed to be right near the legless chair on which she was sitting on just a moment ago, had her body locked in a tight grip from behind and just would not let her go.

 

[……!?]

 

And while Belfast was still being restrained by Repulse from behind, Nelson, who was just sitting in her chair and observing up until that point, just got up from her chair, walked to the TV stand, picked up the tea set and just casually carried it back to the table while Belfast could only watch.

 

[We really do know that you seriously love your job, but don’t you think that you are taking this a little bit too far?]

 

While Belfast was still being firmly restrained, Nelson quickly lined up the teacups and teabags for everyone, and turned on the power button on the electric kettle so it would start boiling up the water.

 

Seeing that there was literally nothing that she could do now to stop her fellow shipgirls from robbing her of her duty, Belfast spoke up in frustration:

 

[N-No, please, stop it! If you will go through with this, then there will really be nothing else left for me to do, and……!]

 

However, without paying Belfast’s words any heed at all, Nelson got everything ready for everyone and slowly sat back in her legless chair. Belfast, who had been completely deprived of her usual duties as a maid, was then finally released from Repulse’s grasp and was left on her own on the spot. She then slumped down and sat back on her own chair, sulking.

 

[M-My maid responsibilities……]

 

While Belfast was still busy with being gloomy and depressed about this whole situation right now, Renown, who just managed to sit back down and was resting in a flashy way, stood up once more and put her hand on Belfast’s shoulder in a supporting gesture.

 

[Belfast-san, we don’t need any maids with us for today. During this trip, we want to spend time with you, just Belfast, and not Belfast the Head Maid.]

 

When Belfast looked up, she could see that the tip of Renown’s nose was all red, as if that previous summersault of hers managed to scrape it.

 

Seeing this, Belfast suddenly came back to her senses all at once.

 

[……I’m most terribly sorry. This is all my fault.]

 

[But still, that sounds exactly like something that you would say, Belfast-san.]

 

After saying that and accepting Belfast’s sincere apology, Rodney offered Belfast her hand and helped her to get back up.

 

[We really wanted to keep quiet about this and keep it to ourselves, but I guess that there is no other choice but to come clean, huh?]

 

Nelson sat back down on her legless chair and opened her mouth, speaking up.

 

[Actually, to tell you the truth, when we were all on our way towards the train station, we met Sheffield from the Maid Corps. And normally there would be nothing strange about that, but she said to us the following: “That Head Maid of ours doesn’t have a clue about the concept of taking a break from her work.” And she asked us to help you relax and rest properly during this trip.]

 

[Sheffy said something like that……?]

 

Her thoughts coming back to Sheffield, who was known for being and acting bluntly, but never actually quite like this, Belfast was honestly surprised about what she heard just now.

 

[After that, we also happened to stumble upon Edi and Her Majesty as we passed each other, and they said more or less the very same thing to us: “Bel loves her job, maybe even a little bit too much, so in case she wants to get back to work, do your best to stop her from doing just that.]

 

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