Bismarck, having settled down from her earlier shyness and the joy of seeing Oscar again, suddenly remembered something and spoke up:
"Commander, our northern negotiations fell apart."
Hikaru let out a small "oh."
The Naval Headquarters had been desperate for a successful agreement—everything was already prepared, with only the Eastern Continental Round Table needing to sign off. If things collapsed at that stage, it could only mean one of two things: sabotage by outsiders, or that Bismarck's side had pulled back.
Judging by Bismarck's tone, it was the latter.
"You must have your reasons. Tell me."
"We discovered hidden surveillance devices in the yacht they arranged for our rest."
The shipgirls all gasped. Hikaru's brow rose. "Did you catch the culprits?"
"We only killed one underling. He was a death soldier—there was no way to trace anything higher. We didn't have the time or energy to pursue it, so I told them flatly that until they gave a satisfactory explanation, all cooperation was suspended." Bismarck hesitated, almost anxious. "Was I too rash?"
"You did well. You are my most precious treasures."
Normally Hikaru would never have said something so cloying and embarrassing, but after sharing those "memories of steel" with Bismarck, his affection for her had swelled—and so the words slipped out.
The shipgirls, however, didn't find it awkward at all. The older ones managed to keep their composure, but Vampire and Glowworm's faces flushed as if they'd drunk wine, eyes brimming with envy.
Bismarck froze in place, utterly flustered, her face burning red all the way down her neck.
She had never faced anything like this before!
Pretending not to notice the others' reactions, Hikaru boldly slipped an arm around her shoulders.
"Let's talk more in the mess hall while we eat."
I'm only conducting a scientific comparison of whether Bismarck or her sister is more comfortable to hold. Entirely in the name of research. Absolutely no other reason.
Thus thought the upright gentleman Hikaru.
At the entrance to the dining hall, Hikaru saw Changchun chatting hand-in-hand with Yat Sen.
She was a cute little girl, white-haired and red-eyed, with fluffy rabbit ears on her head, white rabbit gloves on her hands, and at her feet floated a panda-shaped robot clutching a carrot.
It was her "Moon Rabbit on the Far Side" outfit.
"Commander!"
From a distance, Changchun waved both hands, bouncing and calling out.
Hikaru, still holding onto Bismarck, laughed. "Changchun, come here and let the Commander give you a hug."
Like a rabbit, she darted into his arms, burying her head against him and nuzzling twice.
"Commander~"
"I'm here."
"Commander~"
"Yes?"
Changchun lifted her head. "Commander, marry me!"
Eh? Eh, eh, eh?! Girl, what kind of move is this?!
Her bold proposal naturally ended with Yat Sen pulling her away firmly.
From the returning port patrol, Fletcher muttered sourly, "So shamelessly forward."
With her were several other shipgirls—and in plain sight, the warship that had come back with them.
It was loaded with over 400 units of resources. Once again, Hikaru had struck it rich.
"Truly generous," Hikaru said, already knowing the gist of things. He clasped Yamato's hand with solemn sincerity. "I hope we can soon put aside our divisions and work together toward a bright future."
Bright future, my ass! Yamato seethed inside. Your wife Bismarck acts this recklessly, and you don't rein her in at all! You wife-obsessed fool!
She longed to fling off his hand and scold him, but with so many shipgirls around, she shrank back in silence.
Prince of Wales brushed her hair aside, her tone carefully casual. "Commander, it was I who discovered those surveillance devices."
"Brother-in-law, I sank Abyssal Kaga, slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Abyssals. I deserve a reward!"
"Commander, don't listen to Saratoga's nonsense. I was the one who sank Abyssal Kaga!"
Saratoga and Ranger weren't half so subtle, jumping up to loudly argue their claims.
Hikaru could only sigh and wave a hand. "And Bismarck sniped Abyssal Akagi with a single shot, then cut down Abyssal Kitakami afterward. Yet you don't see her squabbling like this. We'll sort out MVP later."
Bismarck smiled faintly, keeping her merit hidden.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/BellAshelia]
[Thanks for your support!]