It was the little things.

That's what head of kitchen staff Elizabeth Hiroshi had decided.

It was the little things.

To the world. To the public, the Kanmusu were a symbol of hope. They were the shining light in one of Humanity's darkest hours. They represented that all the loss, all the pain and suffering had not fallen on deaf ears. Had not gone by unnoticed.

That there was someone watching over them.

To the world, the Kanmusu were a focal point. They were an image to focus all they worry and hope into one.

To the world, the Kanmusu were real life superheroes.

But to the Kitchen staff of Yokosuka. To those in charge of feeding the very girls the world hailed as gods?

They were something far different.

They were a source of amusement.

Namely, the destroyers.

When the first few of the Japanese Kanmusu had come through, no one knew exactly how they would adjust to a different world. No one knew how they would adjust to all the changes that had taken place since the second day of September in the year 1945.

And now that the United States had Kanmusu under its command, that question was only being asked more frequently.

One of these things was the subject of how the girls would adapt to modern technology.

More specifically, the advancement of everyday kitchen life.

More certainly, the invention, that in all of its glory, was simply known worldwide.

The toaster.

A simple piece of kitchen equipment that made everyday life just a smudge easier. Toasted bread just a trivial matter in current day.

But to the Kanmusu of the Allied fleet that called Yokosuka home?

It was the bane of their existence.

Specifically, the destroyers.

This was what Liz thought as she watched the U.S. destroyer McCalla hold up the escort carrier Bismarck Sea by the waist as the carrier attempted to put a few pieces of bread into said object. On the counter, overseeing the operation, stood two of Nagato's teeny fairies, as if just by being there was helping.

Which it wasn't.

But Liz wasn't about to spoil the Battleship's guilty pleasure as long as Nagato did the same.

Liz sipped her tea as she watched the destroyer try to hold the escort carrier higher, in hopes that she might reach her goal.

The English born Japanese woman wasn't sure what made the Toaster so enticing to the younger girls. What made it such a goal to do for themselves. Maybe it was to prove something to the older girls. Maybe that was it.

In Liz's opinion, they didn't need to prove anything.

Not to her.

But in the name of all things that were adorable as fuck, she wouldn't say a thing. Nor would anyone else if she had any say about it.

"Did you get it?" McCalla grunted in question, trying to hold up the smaller girl. Not that the word small didn't apply to the destroyer as well. But at least she could partly see over the top of the counter's surface when standing on the floor. Her partner in crime had no such luxury.

"Almost...." Bismarck Sea returned in response, still trying to fit the bread into the slots that the toaster held. McCalla grunted in response, still holding the girl.

"Hurry. You're kind of heavy." The destroyer reported. Liz watched as the escort carrier in question visibly rolled her eyes.

"Not really, you wimp." Bismarck responded. With that, she gave one final stretch. In doing so, she finally was able to slide a piece of bread into one of the slats of the toaster. "I got one! Just one more...." Bismarck trailed off as she began to focus yet again. Liz watched as McCalla was the one to roll her eyes this time.

Liz's gaze briefly traveled to the two's battleship chaperone, Nagato herself. There wasn't a doubt in her mind as to why the Battleship was present. Sure, Nagato was as stoic on the outside as ever. But on the inside?

Liz wasn't sure anyone could handle that much fluff.

Well, except Nagato.

If all the American destroyers and escort carriers were going to be like the two Americans in front of them, Liz was pretty sure she knew how the Japanese battleship would meet her end.

Not at the hands of the Abyssals.

But instead an overload of fuck all adorableness.

With a slight smile, one that was quickly hidden as Liz took a sip of her tea should Nagato see, the woman returned her gaze to the two in front of them and their joint operation.

Operation Make Toast.

"Did you get it yet?!" McCalla asked yet again. Liz watched as the Escort carrier stretched one final time. And with that, she successfully deposited the second piece of bread into the toaster.

"I got it!" The escort carrier exclaimed. McCalla looked relieved as one of Nagato's fairies pushed the toaster's handle down, beginning the final countdown.

"Good! Now I can finally put you down." McCalla said. Bismarck Sea frantically shook her head.

"No! If you put me down, I can't get the toast when it's ready!" She said. McCalla gave a sigh as she continued to hold the girl by the waist.

"But couldn't Nagato or Ms. Liz get it for us?" She asked, not fully understanding the small carrier's reasoning. Carrier in question shook her head.

"We are proud Ship Girls of the United States Navy! We can make toast ourselves!" The carrier insisted. Liz stole a glance at the Japanese battleship in turn, who looked about ready to absolutely lose it.

No wonder why she had volunteered for this.

McCalla only nodded in response, readjusting her grip on the carrier as they waited.

Liz supposed it was about time thinking about it.

It had been set a decent amount of time ago.

Looking over at the toaster, Liz confirmed it.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

DING.

"WHA-" Bismarck Sea never got to finish her startled statement as the Toaster had throughly startled her support as well. Losing her grip, McCalla fell over, bringing the smaller girl with her.

"Wha.... What was that?" Bismarck Sea asked as she looked up at Liz, her eyes wide with surprise. The destroyer, whose lap Bismarck was currently occupying, didn't look much better off.

"Why... Why did it do that, Ms. Liz?" McCalla asked, her pink eyes as wide as saucers. The destroyer looked thoroughly startled as she looked up at the counter where the monster now sat.

The look the destroyer girl was exhibiting was currently doing a very good job at resembling a kicked puppy that had accidentally gotten underfoot of its owner. The pink eyes weren't making it any easier to look at the destroyer and feel guilt free.

Nagato's fairies looked down at the two in curiosity, as if to make sure they were ok.

"That's how it lets you know the toast is done...." Liz said, shaking her head, as she put her cup down and went about getting some butter out of the fridge. As she did so, Nagato went about helping the downed Americans.

In record time, Liz had the two pieces of freshly made toast buttered and prepared. Offering it to the two girls, the latter took them gratefully, McCalla still looking quite startled.

Depositing the Battleship's fairies on the girl's heads, she left them in Nagato's care once again, who promptly ushered them out of the kitchen.

Watching them go for a moment, Liz turned her attention to the upper cabinets. Opening one in particular, she focused on the piece of paper taped to the inside of the door. Picking up the pen that sat there, she added two more marks to those that were already there.

The paper?

It was as followed.

Toaster Victories: 18

Ship Girl Victories: 6

Putting the pen away and closing the cabinet, Liz took another sip of her tea she brought the cup to her lips.

Staring at the toaster for a moment, she only gave a small smile.

It was the little things.

That's what head of kitchen staff Elizabeth Hiroshi had decided.

It was the little things.