Well that's the best Kantai doujin I've read, I think (though there are certainly some good non-romance ones out there too). The beginning didn't imply any of the fluffiness in the middle, and I think that's why I was able to enjoy it so much. Just enough angst/drama to keep things interesting throughout. Kaga was also really sly, that was a nice touch.
Well, I guess I have a new artist to watch!