Zuikaku rolled her eyes and hatched a plan. "If you can give me eighty, I'll become your Ship Girl. What's more, I'll even convince my sister to join you—how's that? Such a bargain~"
Illustrious lit up at the offer—buy one, get one free! What a deal! Yet Zuikaku had sold herself without a second thought and thrown her sister in as well—ruthless. Still, Illustrious counted her stash: nowhere near eighty, not even fifty. Twenty-one at most.
Uh, no—she'd just used one, so only twenty left.
Helpless, Illustrious sighed, shrugged, and spread her hands. "Sorry, as tempting as that sounds, I've only got the one left."
"Only one? Quit lying. Are my sister and I not worth a lousy eighty crystals?" Zuikaku snapped.
"Of course you're worth it—you're priceless! I'd give you however many you want; problem is, I really only have one." Illustrious nodded earnestly.
Seeing she wasn't faking, Zuikaku's hope faded. Pity—she'd thought to grow strong and rescue her sister.
"Stop overthinking! You want to save your sister? I'll help." Illustrious thumped her own chest.
"You? From your aura you're just a Gold-Plated Ship Girl. My sister would flatten you in one hit." Zuikaku eyed her.
"Less fighting, more talking—we're civilized. Leave the plan to me; the hermit has his tricks." Illustrious winked mysteriously. "Hood! There's a carrier chasing us astern!" Lin Zhentian called urgently.
"Let's heave-to and see what that carrier wants," Hood murmured, fist to chin.
Shokaku studied the silhouette, worried. Please don't be Zuikaku…
Reading her face, Hood teased, "Could be your little sister."
"Don't you dare! You promised not to touch my sister!" Shokaku raged.
"Hah! I only promised to spare her once. She came back—her fault." Hood shrugged.
"You—you shameless—!" Shokaku tried to detonate her rigging—nothing.
"Forget self-destruct. I've sealed your rigging with Ship Qi; you're just a girl now." Hood crushed that option.
Shokaku hung her head in despair, praying the carrier wasn't Zuikaku.
Her despair made Hood's day.
As the carrier neared, they recognized a Royal Illustrious-class—at least Gold-Plated.
So what? Hood was an Epic Ship Girl. Still, the sight stirred memories of the strongest carrier contest fifteen years ago—scars still fresh.
But she was Epic now, no longer that weak Gold-Plated girl. If it really was Illustrious, Hood would repay her—unforgettably.
Hood waited, almost giddy.
Shokaku exhaled—until a familiar voice shouted from the deck.
"Sis, I'm here to save you!"
"Get lost! I hate you, I never want to see you—go away, you make me sick!" Shokaku screamed.
Her sister's words cut deep; Zuikaku stood stunned. Sis had never said she hated her…
Seeing her crumble, Illustrious hugged her close. "Maybe she has her reasons."
"Better?" Illustrious patted her shoulder.
"Thanks, Illustrious… I'm not afraid when you're here." In that embrace Zuikaku felt truly safe.
A warm spring haze curled around the two girls.
Ahem! Azuma coughed to interrupt.
They didn't notice; Azuma coughed harder.
Finally Zuikaku frowned. What's wrong with her—sick?
Reluctantly she left Illustrious's ample comfort.
Hood glanced at Shokaku, puzzled. Such love, yet such hate… unless—Sorry, little sis, I just want you to run before it's too late!
"Enough games! I don't know your drama, but since she's here, she stays!" Hood snarled.
"Demon! I'll haunt you even dead!" Shokaku shook.
"Compliment accepted—hahaha!" Hood laughed.
Lin Zhentian laughed too—his twin flower was back.
At sixty metres the carrier stopped. Four figures stood on deck: a nerdy guy in glasses, Zuikaku, a black-qipaoed long-haired girl—and her. Hood's grin froze. Even ash, she'd know that silver-haired, white off-shoulder dress figure: Illustrious.
Fate smiled. Hood's eyes blazed: Next time I'll cut off your limbs and lock you in the dark.
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