Hikaru let out a helpless sigh.
He could already guess why Missouri had ended up getting bullied. That girl really knew how to dig her own grave.
"Missy, have you not realized you're still relying on me to protect you right now? Sure, you can flaunt my backing like a fox borrowing a tiger's power—but if the tiger leaves, you're just a lone little fox surrounded by wolves!"
And now, the next words out of Hikaru's mouth were essentially rubbing salt into her wounds.
Still, better a short pain than a long one.
"It's like this—personally, I think Bismarck is the best candidate to serve as secretary ship during wartime. So… I won't be switching you over tomorrow."
Missouri was stunned. She looked like a pitiful girl who had given her heart only to be played and tossed aside. Even her lips were trembling.
"But Commander… we agreed…"
Hikaru turned his head away guiltily. "I'll make it up to you later, alright? Anyway, I've got matters to attend to. I'm leaving now."
Plop.
Missouri dropped to her knees in a duck-sit, her head bowed, her face full of defeat and disbelief.
But her grief didn't last long.
A bunch of feet appeared in her line of sight.
She looked up… and was greeted by cold, merciless faces.
Missouri's body trembled. Sensing danger, she forced a flattering smile. "L-Ladies… big sisters… we're on the same side, right? Bismarck just stole my secretary seat! I'm the victim here!"
Her eyes welled up as she spoke.
Vittorio Veneto hopped onto the Commander's chair, sitting down like a mafia boss. She accepted a fresh cup from Camicia Nera, took a sip of the white drink, and said coolly, "Still want to snitch? Beat her!"
Smack smack smack—
Chaos returned to the Commander's office, punctuated by Missouri's wails.
But this time, there was one fewer participant in the beatdown.
Veneto.
Because she was busy beating Camicia Nera.
That cheeky little one had handed her a cup… of hot milk mixed with papaya soup.
Veneto didn't want to drink that!
She didn't need it!
In a corner of the office, ChangChun quietly hugged her Jade Rabbit plushie, her tiny fists clenched.
"ChangChun… this is your chance. Don't waste it!"
—
Back in the real-world naval base, Hikaru shook his head.
He had naturally seen clearly who the culprits bullying Missouri were.
After months of nightly visits to the dream base and chatting with everyone, he knew their personalities like the back of his hand.
And the ringleaders in this incident were exactly who he expected.
But Hikaru wasn't planning to give them a serious scolding.
It wasn't really bullying—more like horseplay. These girls had lived together like family for a long time. They wouldn't actually harm each other.
If Hikaru had stood up for Missouri too hard, that would've been worse for her.
The worst thing for harmony in a big family is blatant favoritism. If he clearly took Missouri's side, it would've just made things more awkward for her.
Letting the other girls vent their frustration on her a bit was the easier way to smooth things over.
Optimistic as ever, Hikaru chuckled to himself and awoke from Bismarck's embrace.
She was still hugging him tightly—surprisingly soft, much more so than her cold military uniform suggested.
In fact, her appearance really hit Hikaru's weak spot. Though she wore an imposing black military outfit, her soft short hair with subtle cat-ear styling softened the iron-blooded vibe.
If he had to describe it: it was like a sharp military uniform with a cute cat head poking out—adorably badass.
As Hikaru moved, Bismarck instinctively tried to hold him tighter, but quickly caught herself. A trace of shyness flickered in her eyes.
Dangerous. Hugging the Commander too tightly could lead to serious embarrassment.
Though she was blushing, her face didn't show it—at least not to Hikaru. She straightened his clothes and asked, "Commander, did you notice anything?"
"It's normal on the other side," Hikaru nodded at Yat Sen. "That gave me a hunch. Anyway, everyone, let's move out—search every corner of the base. Check what's missing here but exists over there, and if anything extra is here that wasn't in the dream world, report that too."
Everyone acknowledged the order and charged out of the dining hall like a stampede.
California, still a newcomer, also ran out enthusiastically. Hikaru asked where she was going.
She replied, "I want to get familiar with my new home! I can't live here and not know my own house, right?"
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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