Artist's commentary
If your thoughts aren't put into words, they will never get through
Oh no, it's not to say that I want the kouhais to adore me or anything—that isn't the case at all—it is simply that communication is something quite important for mobilizing smoothly when I act as the fleet flagship, so it can't be helped. In general, if I do say so myself, I'm the type who likes caring for and shows affection toward the relatively younger girls, and yet the destroyer girls become scared just by meeting my gaze.... Well, I'm not especially depressed by this, so it doesn't matter, but still...wouldn't be all right for even this girl to adore me more? Every time I talk to her, she jumps—well, not like that particularly bothers me. I'd be perfectly fine with her calling me "Oneechan" if she's so inclined, though. Come to think of it, I think I heard Yuubari and Akigumo talking about how acting like someone's mother and letting them indulge themselves has come into fashion recently...