Yuuki slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed was Yorktown holding his unarmored hand. She looked visibly relieved to see him awake, though her expression still carried a hint of worry.
She wasn't alone. Hornet, Elizabeth, Hood, Yat Sen, and Amagi were all gathered around him, accompanied by the other Shipgirls.
"Hana?"
"Yuuki..." Hana's shoulders relaxed as she looked at him. "You really got us worried."
Hornet crossed her arms, though her expression was more relieved than angry.
"Handsome, you can't just pull something like this when I've only just been revived!"
Hood adjusted her posture, maintaining her usual refined composure despite the concern in her eyes.
"Dear sir, would you mind explaining to your lady why you decided to attempt something so dangerous?"
Elizabeth immediately stepped forward, placing her hands on her hips.
"Consort! What in the world is happening here?! You'd better not leave out a single detail when explaining this to your queen!"
Amagi smiled faintly, though the look in her eyes suggested she was taking the matter quite seriously.
"Shikikan-sama, I believe we should have a very long conversation about this."
Yat Sen nodded in agreement.
"Zhǐhuī guān, a little warning would have been sufficient. If you intended to do something like this, you could at least have given us a heads-up."
Yuuki glanced from one face to another, looking increasingly bewildered by the reception.
"How is this such a big deal? Wait... did you all know I was going to do this?"
"We knew what you were trying to accomplish," Yuu answered. "But the bond became even more unstable when you did it."
Before Yuuki could ask another question, Cinderella rushed forward and threw her arms around him.
"My Prince!"
She hugged him tightly, pressing her face against his chest.
"Please don't do that again. You had me so worried!"
Yuuki awkwardly patted her back.
"All right, all right. I'm fine, Cinderella."
She didn't seem particularly convinced, but she eventually loosened her embrace.
Yuu then stepped forward, adopting a more serious expression.
"Chief, I believe I've figured out what happened. Every time you synchronize with more Nikkes, the bond between you and the Shipgirls is strained. I could feel it happening since I am connected to you as well."
He glanced toward Yorktown before continuing.
"Hana mentioned that when you first connected with the Nikkes, you synchronized with five of them at once. Even that was enough to make the Shipgirls flinch. Smaller groups seem to have little to no noticeable effect, which might explain why we didn't react as strongly when you connected with Cocoa and Nayuta together, Mary and Pepper, or Cinderella."
Yuu paused to let Yuuki absorb the information.
"But connecting with ten Nikkes simultaneously placed considerably more strain on the bond. If you keep increasing the number at one time, it could eventually reach its breaking point."
Yuuki's expression turned serious.
"Oh... I didn't realize that."
Yuu nodded.
"Neither did I until I felt the strain myself. But think of the bond as a rubber band. Every time you establish another connection with more than two Nikkes, the bond stretches a little further."
He raised a hand and demonstrated the motion.
"Shipgirls are different from Nikkes. Their connection with you occurs naturally, whereas Nikkes require your blood to establish a bond. That process is more like binding them to you, and every new simultaneous connection puts additional strain on the existing bond."
"So what should I do?"
"I recommend synchronizing with fewer than five Nikkes at a time if you intend to do this again. The bond is already returning to normal now that the latest connections have stabilized, but you shouldn't take that as a sign that you can keep pushing it."
Yuu's expression grew more solemn.
"Ten Nikkes at once was already enough to stretch the bond significantly. Connecting with even more at the same time could be dangerous. We don't know exactly how much strain it can withstand, so it's better not to test its limits."
Yuuki fell silent for a moment, processing the explanation.
He had been so focused on helping the Nikkes that he hadn't considered how the process might affect his existing connection with the Shipgirls.
"...Understood. I'll be more careful next time."
Yuu nodded, visibly relieved.
"Good. We can investigate the bond further and establish safer synchronization limits. Until then, please don't attempt another large-scale connection without consulting to them first. I admit I didn't know when we tried it before."
Yuuki sighed.
"All right. I get it."
He looked around at the worried faces gathered beside him and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I see..." He nodded slowly. "Sorry, everyone. I guess I couldn't resist doing something stupid again, huh?"
Belfast gave him a disapproving look.
"Master, I am speaking on behalf of everyone here. Does your recklessness have any limits?"
Yuuki smiled sheepishly.
"That's a fair question."
"Dear sir, you most certainly need a stern talking-to after this." Hood folded her arms, her refined expression doing little to conceal her concern. "Amagi and I would like to have a word with you later."
She paused, then added with a faint sigh, "Honestly, I've only just been revived, and I'm already having to knock some sense into you."
Yuuki opened his mouth to respond, but Yorktown moved before he could say anything.
With a sigh, she joined Cinderella and wrapped her arms around him.
"Please be more careful next time, Yuuki."
Her voice was gentle, but the worry behind it was unmistakable.
"We're all connected to you. If that bond were to shatter, none of us would simply sit back and accept it. It would break our hearts."
She tightened her grip on his hand.
"This bond is what keeps us together. If it were ever broken..."
Her voice faltered.
"Hey..." Yuuki gently stroked her hair. "Shhh... It won't happen, okay?"
Yorktown looked up at him, her eyes glistening.
"Promise me... Promise us."
Yuuki's expression softened. He pulled her and Cinderella closer, wrapping both of them in a reassuring embrace.
"I promise. I'll be more careful from now on."
Yorktown sniffled and buried her face against his chest, while Cinderella clung to him from the other side.
The two of them had effectively claimed him, preventing the other Shipgirls from rushing forward to hug him or burying him beneath a mountain of affection.
Akagi, in particular, looked as though she was on the verge of tears. Her hands were clenched at her sides, and she seemed to be struggling to restrain herself from throwing herself into Yuuki's arms.
Yuuki couldn't help noticing her expression.
These girls are really worried about me...
He understood why. Even if Yuu had assured everyone that the bond was stabilizing, the strain had been frighteningly real. He had felt nothing unusual himself, but that didn't mean the consequences would have been harmless.
Meanwhile, Rapi and the other Nikkes watched him with similarly serious expressions.
They, too, had felt the effects of the strain.
The bond might have seemed as small and fragile as a rubber band, but it brought them warmth, happiness, and a sense of belonging. It connected them to Yuuki and, through him, to the people who had become part of their lives.
They didn't want to lose that connection either.
Perhaps it would be better to synchronize with fewer Nikkes at a time in the future.
After all, Yuuki might eventually connect with hundreds of Nikkes, but that didn't mean he should attempt to establish all those connections simultaneously. Doing so could place an unbearable strain on the bond.
They also didn't want future Nikkes to feel as though they were a burden simply because their connection with Yuuki might pose a risk.
There was no need to rush.
One or two at a time would be much safer, and even small groups could be considered once they understood the limits of the bond better.
Yuuki glanced around at everyone before asking a question that had just occurred to him.
"How long was I out?"
"Three hours," Vestal answered. "Longer than the first time you did it."
"Three hours?!"
Yuuki blinked in surprise.
He hadn't expected the process to take that long.
Before he could ask anything else, Akagi finally lost her restraint.
"Shikikan-sama! Akagi was so worried!"
She hurried forward and wrapped her arms around him, nearly forcing Yorktown and Cinderella to make room.
"Akagi..."
Yuuki barely had time to react before she buried her face against him, holding him as though she feared he might disappear again.
Kaga stood nearby, maintaining her usual composed demeanor. Nevertheless, the tension in her expression betrayed her concern. Amagi was no different, her calm smile unable to hide the worry in her eyes.
And they weren't the only ones.
Kaguya was watching him closely, while the Iris and the other shipgirls had gathered nearby as well. Some wore stern expressions, others looked relieved, and a few were still trying to process what had happened.
The same was true of the Nikkes.
It didn't matter whether they had known Yuuki for a long time or had only recently joined his growing family. They had all felt the disturbance in the bond, and the possibility of losing him—or the connection they shared with him—had frightened them.
Yuuki looked at the crowd surrounding him and let out another helpless sigh.
He had only wanted to help the Nikkes become stronger and give them a better future. He hadn't expected his actions to frighten so many people.
Still, he couldn't deny that he had pushed things too far.
"I really am sorry, everyone," he said sincerely. "I'll be more careful next time. No more connecting with so many Nikkes at once until we've figured out how much strain the bond can handle."
That seemed to ease some of the tension.
Not all of it, of course.
Akagi was still hugging him, Yorktown and Cinderella showed no intention of letting go, and several other Shipgirls were clearly waiting for their turn.
Yuuki had a feeling he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
Then he remembered something else.
"What about the ten Nikkes? Are they all awake?"
"Not yet," Yuu replied. "They're still in the process of waking up. Their synchronization is complete, but they'll need a little more time before they regain consciousness."
Yuuki nodded.
"All right. Let me know as soon as they're awake."
He glanced at the worried faces around him and gave them a reassuring smile.
"And don't worry. I'll be more careful from now on."
The Shipgirls exchanged glances.
They wanted to believe him.
They really did.
But judging by Yuuki's track record, they had a feeling they would need to keep a close eye on him.
Yuuki looked around at the Shipgirls and Nikkes gathered around him. The worried expressions on their faces made him realize just how badly he had frightened everyone.
The newer Shipgirls had never experienced the bond being strained before. They had only recently become connected to him, yet they had felt the disturbance twice as strongly as the original Shipgirls had during his first synchronization.
Naturally, they were worried.
Yuuki sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"I know this was supposed to be your reunion with Hood, Amagi, Elizabeth, Hornet, and Yat Sen. I'm sorry for making everyone worry."
He glanced at the recently revived Shipgirls before looking at the others.
"I honestly thought I had things under control, just like before. I didn't expect connecting with ten Nikkes at once to put this much strain on the bond. I'm sorry."
Enterprise crossed her arms, giving him a stern look.
"You'd better be."
Yuuki offered her an apologetic smile.
Shoukaku shook her head with a sigh.
"You really gave us quite a scare."
"Honestly, I never expected the bond to affect us this much," Zuikaku admitted, rubbing her forehead.
"Tell me about it," Hiryuu muttered with a sigh.
Souryuu could only nod in agreement.
They had all experienced the bond's strange sensations before, but this was different. The sudden strain had caught them off guard, and the possibility that something might happen to Yuuki had left them deeply unsettled.
Nearby, the Irisviel stood alongside Kaguya.
Kaguya had been present when Yuuki first synchronized with the Nikkes, and now she had witnessed the same phenomenon again. However, this time, the strain had been twice as strong.
Irisviel approached him, her expression gentle but troubled.
"Beloved, thou hast brought us all together within this fleet. This humble one cannot help but worry when thou actest so recklessly."
She lowered her gaze briefly before looking back at him.
"We have all come to care for thee. Please, do not treat thy own safety so lightly."
Kaguya sighed, her tails drooping slightly.
"That is precisely the problem, dearest. He has Shipgirls and Nikkes who care about him, yet he still chooses to put himself at risk."
Yuuki could only offer an awkward smile.
He wasn't sure whether he should apologize again or simply accept that he was about to receive another lecture.
Unfortunately, he didn't have much time to decide.
Hood approached from one side and firmly placed her hands on his shoulders. Amagi stepped up beside him, wearing a pleasant smile that somehow made the situation feel even more ominous.
"Now, then," Hood said sweetly. "Shall we have a little discussion about your recklessness?"
Amagi nodded.
"Indeed. I believe we have quite a few things to discuss, Shikikan-sama."
Yuuki's eyes immediately turned toward Yorktown.
"Hana?"
He practically begged her with his eyes to save him.
Yorktown merely huffed.
"You made us worry, Yuuki. I'm not saving you this time."
She took Cinderella's hand and pulled her away from him.
Cinderella looked back at Yuuki with a deeply apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry, my Prince. Mother said I shouldn't get involved."
Yuuki stared at her in disbelief.
"Not you too, Cindy!"
Cinderella could only give him an apologetic smile before following Yorktown.
Betrayed by the very people he had hoped would rescue him, Yuuki slowly turned back toward Hood and Amagi.
Both women were smiling.
He had a very bad feeling about this.
Hood maintained her elegant composure as she adjusted her grip on his shoulder.
"Now, dear sir, I believe it is time we discussed the consequences of making everyone worry so terribly."
"Shikikan-sama," Amagi added pleasantly, "please do not misunderstand. We are not trying to prevent you from helping others. We simply want you to understand that your actions affect everyone who cares about you."
Her smile softened.
"You are no longer someone who has nothing to lose. You have people waiting for you, people who depend on you, and people who would be devastated if anything happened to you."
Yuuki fell silent.
For all their teasing and scolding, he knew they were right.
Hood and Amagi exchanged a brief glance before returning their attention to him.
Their lecture wouldn't end his streak of recklessness. Knowing Yuuki, he would probably find himself in another dangerous situation sooner or later.
Still, perhaps this would remind him of something he had gradually begun to forget.
He had spent so much of his life fighting, sacrificing, and pushing forward that risking himself had almost become second nature. There had been times when he had felt he had little left to lose, making it easier to throw himself into danger without hesitation.
But things were different now.
He had a growing family, comrades who trusted him, and people who wanted to share their future with him. He had built connections that he couldn't afford to take for granted.
The bond was troublesome, certainly. It connected him to every Shipgirl and Nikke linked to him, allowing them to sense one another's presence and feel disturbances that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
It could also make keeping secrets, maintaining personal space, and avoiding trouble considerably more difficult.
Yet that same bond was what brought them together.
It was a reminder that Yuuki was no longer fighting alone.
And if he wanted to protect the people who had chosen to stand beside him, he would have to learn to protect himself, too.
==========
While Yuuki was getting his ears chewed off by Hood and Amagi, Rapi stood beside Eunhwa's medical bed, waiting for her old friend to wake up.
Their relationship hadn't always been a happy one. Rapi had once left Absolute because she feared the consequences of Red Hood's outburst would eventually affect the rest of her squad. Back then, Eunhwa hadn't understood why Rapi had made that decision, and the misunderstanding had driven a wedge between them.
But after Yuuki's group rescued Eunhwa, the two finally had the chance to talk things through.
They had confronted their past, acknowledged the mistakes they had made, and accepted that what had happened could no longer be changed. Neither could undo the pain they had caused each other, but they could choose how to move forward.
Now, they were part of a new squad.
More importantly, they were free Nikkes.
They no longer had to worry about being mass-produced or having their identities overwritten by the Ark's systems. With the Ark's Nikke data gone, their brains and identities belonged to them alone.
Rapi understood just how precious that freedom was.
Whenever a Nikke died, her brain data could be uploaded to the Ark's mainframe, where it would be duplicated to create another unit. Some mass-produced Nikkes were even created by overwriting human brains with the stored data of existing Nikkes.
Rapi herself had once been the template for thousands of mass-produced Nikkes.
However, after fusing with Red Hood's core, her brain had become unique. She was no longer something the Ark could simply reproduce. That change had made her a target, eventually forcing her to flee to the surface alongside Anis and Neon.
Now, Eunhwa had reached a similar point of no return.
Her brain data was her own, and she no longer had to live under the Ark's control. She was no longer a replaceable soldier whose identity could be copied whenever the authorities deemed it necessary.
But that freedom came with a price.
Their unique brains and data had become incredibly valuable. Should any of them die, they could no longer rely on the Ark to produce replacements. As long as their NIMPH cubes remained intact, however, GDI possessed the technology to bring them back through its resurrection machine.
It was a second chance that few Nikkes could have imagined receiving.
Rapi gently took Eunhwa's hand.
You finally made it, Eunhwa.
She looked at her sleeping friend, a small smile appearing on her face.
You're free now. No more orders from the Ark. No more living under someone else's control.
You can finally decide what kind of life you want to live.
Rapi squeezed her hand lightly, silently congratulating Eunhwa on reaching a future that had once seemed impossible.
Nearby, another gathering had formed around Vesti's bed.
Neon, Nimi, Ayanami, Laffey, Javelin, Unicorn, and, somehow, Tai Yuan had all gathered there. Even Sandy and Eldridge had joined them.
Their little group of misfits was growing larger by the day.
Different backgrounds, different personalities, and different circumstances had brought them together, but they were gradually becoming friends. With every new member, their circle expanded, creating unexpected connections between Shipgirls and Nikkes who might once have regarded each other as strangers—or even enemies.
Elsewhere, the Northern Union Shipgirls were waiting for Emma, Tove, Alice, and Neve to awaken. The maids had gathered nearby, looking forward to Privaty and Velvet regaining consciousness.
Diane had also recently made the acquaintance of several Shipgirls. With the bond already established, some of them had naturally decided to wait for her as well.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to tell where one faction ended and another began.
For Yuuki, perhaps that was precisely the point.
They were no longer simply separate groups brought together by necessity. They were becoming a family of sorts, united by their connection to him and their growing relationships with one another.
Not everyone had awakened yet, but those who were conscious were already finding ways to bridge the gaps between their worlds.
Anis watched the medical beds from nearby, keeping an eye on the other Nikkes as they slowly recovered.
Then someone nudged her shoulder.
"Yo."
Anis turned her head.
A blonde Shipgirl stood beside her, wearing a lively grin.
"...Oh, sorry... You are?"
"Hehehe! Name's Hornet. Netty for short!"
Anis blinked.
"Netty... Oh. I'm Anis, a former member of the Counters."
"Huh, Anis, huh?"
Hornet looked her over with an approving nod.
"Mind becoming my best buddy?"
Anis stared at her.
"...Huh?! Best buddy? That's a little fast, isn't it?!"
"Hey, I've watched you through my sister. Besides, I've wanted to meet you in person for a while!"
Anis looked at Hornet suspiciously.
"You don't mind being friends with me? Even though I'm a Nikke?"
Hornet gave her an incredulous look.
"Why wouldn't I? I've been looking forward to meeting you!"
She slung an arm around Anis's shoulders as though they had known each other for years.
"So, how about joining our little group of sassy girlfriends?"
Anis burst out laughing.
"That's quite a name!"
"Hey, it's a new club!" Hornet declared proudly.
She held up a finger and began counting.
"Well, right now, it's me, Repulse, and Königsberg. Though those two are still waiting to be resurrected."
Hornet then turned around and dragged Zuikaku and Hiryuu into the conversation.
"And now, you two!"
Zuikaku looked at her in confusion.
"Why us?"
"Because you both need more friends outside your usual circles! Come on, join our group of sassy girls!"
Zuikaku sighed.
"Well, Shoukaku-nee spends most of her time with Akagi these days. I suppose making a few new friends wouldn't hurt."
Hiryuu nodded in agreement.
"Likewise. Souryuu might be sticking with Yorktown-san to learn how to become a vice secretary."
She shook her head, looking faintly amused.
"That girl certainly knows how to claim a position quickly."
Hornet grinned triumphantly.
"See? That's two more members!"
Anis looked between the three Shipgirls, still somewhat bewildered by how quickly the conversation had progressed.
"You really don't mind having a Nikke like me around?"
Hornet's grin softened into a warm smile.
"Oh, you..."
She gave Anis's shoulder a friendly squeeze.
"Listen, we're all buddies now. Shipgirls and Nikkes, it doesn't matter! We're all part of the same family."
Hornet gestured toward Zuikaku and Hiryuu before throwing an arm around Anis again.
"Just look at us! We used to be enemies, and now we're forming a group of sassy girls together!"
Zuikaku covered her face with one hand.
"I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into."
Hiryuu chuckled.
"Too late. She's already recruited us."
Anis laughed again, shaking her head.
"All right, all right! I'll join your little club."
Hornet immediately raised both fists in victory.
"YES! Welcome aboard, Anis!"
She then looked at Zuikaku and Hiryuu.
"And you two, don't think you're getting out of this either!"
"Who said we wanted to?" Hiryuu replied with a smile.
Zuikaku simply sighed, though the faint smile on her face gave her away.
As Anis watched Hornet enthusiastically welcome her into the group, she felt something warm settle in her chest.
She had spent so much of her life dealing with the Ark's expectations, the dangers of the surface, and the weight of being a Nikke that she had almost forgotten how easy it could be to make friends.
No complicated negotiations.
No hidden agendas.
Just a few girls deciding they liked one another.
Perhaps this new world really would be different.
And if Hornet's growing club was any indication, the line between Shipgirls and Nikkes was going to become a lot blurrier from now on.
They settled together on one of the empty beds in the medical bay.
"By the way, I heard you used to be an idol?"
Hornet's sudden question caught Anis off guard.
"How do you know about that?!"
"Hehehe! I've been listening, you know. Besides, Handsome's planning to become your fan once he gets his ears chewed off."
Anis couldn't help laughing.
"It's been a while since I performed. Besides, my old songs and concerts were only available in the Ark."
"Oh, so you actually have recordings of your concerts?" Zuikaku asked curiously. "What kind of group were you in? Come on, tell us!"
"I..."
Anis hesitated.
Her past as an idol wasn't exactly something she was proud of. There were memories she would rather leave behind, and talking about that part of her life wasn't always easy.
However, the bond connecting her to Yuuki brought a sense of warmth and reassurance. It helped calm her thoughts, making it easier to face those memories without letting them overwhelm her.
She took a small breath.
"I used to be part of an idol group called TTStar. There were three of us, including me. The other two were Mint and Prika. We were Nikke idols, successors to the late superstar idol, Pretty."
"Wow! She must have been some kind of superstar," Hornet remarked.
Anis gave them a small, somewhat awkward smile.
Pretty had been more than just a famous idol to her. She was the reason Anis had fallen in love with music and found the will to keep living instead of giving up on herself.
"Yeah... I used to be an idol."
"Wow!" Zuikaku's eyes brightened. "That's pretty interesting. Would you mind telling us more?"
She glanced at Hiryuu.
"We're just Shipgirls. Our lives aren't exactly filled with exciting civilian careers. An idol, though? That's something I'd like to hear about."
"Right?" Hiryuu agreed enthusiastically.
Hornet grinned and leaned closer.
"Well, you won't mind having me as a fan, right?"
Anis snorted.
"Pfft! The Commander asked me the same thing after he bonded with me. That's actually how he found out I used to be an idol. He even asked if I had any songs he could listen to."
She shook her head with a faint smile.
"Unfortunately, all my old recordings are still at the outpost near the elevator access on the continent."
Hornet immediately perked up.
"Then we can make a mission out of retrieving them!"
Anis stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Pfft! Hahaha! The Commander already marked that quest. It's deep inside the continent, and it's been years since I was there. Who knows if the outpost is even still standing?"
She paused, her expression becoming a little more thoughtful.
"Besides, I was never particularly good at making friends, even when I was still human. So... thanks."
Hornet tilted her head.
"For what?"
"For pulling me into your group. I appreciate it."
Hornet waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't mention it! We're going to have plenty more friends joining us in the future."
She grinned and gestured toward the Shipgirls gathered around them.
"Shipgirls aren't exactly a small group, you know? And now we've got Nikkes joining us, too. There's plenty of room for everyone!"
Zuikaku nodded.
"Besides, retrieving your old songs sounds like a fun adventure. We should keep it in mind."
Hiryuu smiled.
"And when we do, we'll make sure you have an audience."
Anis looked between them, then chuckled.
"An audience, huh? I guess I'd better start practicing again."
Hornet immediately raised her hand.
"First fan right here!"
"You're already getting ahead of yourself, Netty."
"Hey! A fan has to show enthusiasm!"
The girls laughed together.
For Anis, it was an unexpected turn of events. She had never imagined that a casual conversation with a Shipgirl would lead to an invitation to join a group of friends, let alone one that was already planning a mission around her old idol recordings.
Perhaps she could find a way to enjoy that part of her past again.
And perhaps, when the time came, she could stand on a stage once more—not as someone trying to fulfill the Ark's expectations, but simply as Anis, singing for friends who wanted to hear her.
"Making friends already, Anis?"
A familiar voice interrupted their conversation.
Yorktown stood nearby, holding Cinderella in her arms. The younger girl had apparently grown tired and fallen asleep against Yorktown's bosom, her arms wrapped around her as she rested peacefully.
Anis grinned.
"Yeah, Mom. Your sister is quite something."
Yorktown looked at Hornet and smiled.
"Right? She certainly is."
Hornet grinned mischievously as she glanced at the sleeping Cinderella.
"I see you've found yourself a new daughter, Hana. Hammann would be jealous."
Yorktown looked down at Cinderella, who was still clinging to her even in her sleep.
"I can imagine that," she said with a small sigh. "Hammann and Cindy might end up fighting over me in the future."
Hornet burst into laughter.
"Now that's something I'd love to see!"
Anis chuckled along with them.
It seemed Yorktown had already found herself another daughter, while Hornet was busy expanding her little club of sassy girls.
And judging by how quickly everyone was getting along, this new family was only going to grow.
"Hey, mind if we join?"
A familiar voice called out.
Pennsylvania approached alongside Arizona, both looking rather pleased to see the gathering.
Hornet immediately turned around.
"Penny! Long time no see!"
Pennsylvania grinned.
"Missed your annoying voice, too, Netty."
"Hey! That's no way to greet your best friend!"
"Consider it a warm welcome."
The two laughed before Pennsylvania turned her attention toward Anis.
"We haven't properly met, have we? I'm Pennsylvania, but you can call me Sis Penn or Penny if you're comfortable with that."
Arizona offered a gentle smile.
"And I'm Arizona. Ari is fine, too."
"Oh! I'm Anis. Nice to meet you both."
"Likewise," Arizona replied warmly.
Pennsylvania glanced around at the girls before looking back at Hornet.
"So, mind if we join your little club?"
Hornet immediately threw an arm into the air.
"The more, the merrier!"
She then nudged Anis playfully.
"See? You've got plenty of friends already, Anis. Sometimes you just need to know where to look!"
Anis grinned.
She looked around at the girls gathered together. Hornet, Zuikaku, Hiryuu, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. Each had approached her without hesitation, treating her as another friend rather than a Nikke who needed to prove herself.
She's right. I just needed to know where to look.
Anis smiled more genuinely.
"Well, I suppose this club is getting bigger than I expected."
"That's the idea!" Hornet declared proudly.
Pennsylvania chuckled before turning her attention back to Anis.
"By the way, I heard you're actually an idol?"
Anis blinked, then grinned.
"Ah, that."
She glanced at the others. Her past as an idol still carried complicated memories, but she didn't feel the need to hide it anymore. It was part of who she had been, and perhaps something she could enjoy again.
"Yeah. I used to be an idol."
Arizona's expression brightened.
"An idol? That's wonderful!"
Pennsylvania nodded enthusiastically.
"Now you've got my attention! Tell us more. What kind of songs did you perform?"
Hornet immediately raised her hand.
"Hey! I called dibs on being her first fan!"
"Who says you can't have competition?" Pennsylvania retorted.
"Bring it on, Penny!"
Anis laughed at their antics.
"Good grief. I haven't even performed yet, and I've already got a fan club."
"Correction!" Hornet pointed at herself. "A fan club with founding members!"
Zuikaku and Hiryuu exchanged amused glances, while Arizona giggled.
Anis shook her head, still smiling.
Perhaps her old dream hadn't disappeared after all. Maybe she could sing again someday, surrounded by people who genuinely wanted to listen.
And this time, she wouldn't have to stand on that stage alone.
===========
"Now, being reckless is no longer recommended. You have people who care about you, people who worry about you, and people who love you. Do you understand, dear sir?"
Hood looked directly into Yuuki's eyes, making sure he understood the seriousness of her words.
"Yes, dear lady."
"Do you, Shikikan-sama?" Amagi sighed. "Honestly, the moment we're revived, we already have to knock some sense into you."
Yuuki chuckled before pulling both women closer. He leaned forward and gave each of them a gentle kiss on the lips.
"Ehem. Please forgive my mistakes, dear ladies. I know what I did was wrong, and I won't dismiss your concerns."
Hood sighed, her stern expression finally softening. She wrapped her arms around him.
"Fine. But don't think you're off the hook just yet."
Amagi joined the embrace, resting against his other side.
Yuuki let out a quiet sigh.
He might be the High Commander, but he wasn't going to argue when he knew he had done something wrong. These women were always watching his back, even when he repeatedly threw himself into danger without considering what it would mean for them.
Perhaps it was time he started taking their concerns more seriously.
"Consort! How dare you make your queen worry so much!"
Elizabeth marched forward, placing her hands on her hips.
"I know, I know, Elly."
"Good! As long as you understand!"
Elizabeth nodded firmly, apparently satisfied with his response.
Yat Sen, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly smiled.
"Commander, you wouldn't want your little fleet to be born without a father, would you?"
"Huh?!"
Several Shipgirls immediately turned toward her.
Yuuki stared at Yat Sen before quickly realizing what she meant.
"No, she means our future children! Try to make your sentence clearer, Sen'er. You're going to get me into trouble!"
Yat Sen covered her mouth, her eyes narrowing playfully.
"Am I, Commander?"
Yuuki sighed.
He then turned toward the two twin sisters standing nearby.
"Ning'er, Ping'er... Is Sen'er always like this?"
Ning Hai nodded.
"More or less. Big Sister likes teasing everyone."
Ping Hai added with a bright smile, "But she's a very stern mother to the Empire!"
Yuuki looked back at Yat Sen.
"...I see."
He rubbed his forehead.
"I miss being alone sometimes."
"Too late, dear sir," Hood replied sweetly. "We'll chew your ears off again if you do something reckless."
Amagi smiled.
"I would prefer to do it literally."
Yuuki gave her a wary look.
Before he could respond, Kaguya joined the conversation with a playful smile.
"Now, now, Amagi. Mine dearest shall only have his ears chewed by his wife."
"Not yet, Kaguya." Amagi's smile remained perfectly composed. "I can still beat you to Level 1000. Let's see which of us gets to chew him first."
Yuuki stared at the two women.
Why does reaching Level 1000 suddenly sound like a competition for the right to torment me?
"Shikikan-sama belongs to Akagi!"
Akagi immediately stepped forward, looking ready to defend her claim.
Kaga sighed.
"Nee-sama, there's no way you can compete with Amagi-neesama and Kaguya-nee like that."
"But Akagi must defend her rights!"
Amagi chuckled.
"Oh? The little sister is already showing her fangs?"
Kaguya covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes curving into a playful smile.
"Indeed. Thou art merely a cute little fox, Akagi. Ufufu... How adorable."
"Eeepp!"
Akagi's ears twitched, and she looked away in embarrassment.
Yuuki watched the exchange with growing disbelief.
I really need to establish some rules around here.
"Honestly, please give Shikikan-sama some space."
Houshou stepped forward, looking at the four women with a motherly but stern expression.
"I might have to forbid all of you from getting any closer to him next time if you keep this up."
The four immediately straightened.
"We're sorry, Houshou-kaa-sama."
Houshou sighed.
"Honestly... These foxes."
Friedrich, who had been watching the entire exchange with an amused smile, let out a gentle laugh.
"Ufufu... It becomes livelier with each passing day."
Yuuki could only nod.
There certainly was no shortage of excitement in his fleet.
Then Mecklenburg suddenly raised her hand, her eyes sparkling.
"Great Wizard! Flying broomsticks!"
Yuuki turned toward her.
"...You're thinking about broomsticks right now?"
"Yes! I want to fly as soon as possible!"
Mecklenburg looked genuinely excited, as though the subject of magical flight was far more important than the lecture Yuuki had just received.
Yuuki gave her a helpless smile.
"I would gladly help you with that if I could. Unfortunately, I still need to get past the blockade here."
He sighed.
"Looks like we'll have to wait a little longer."
Mecklenburg's enthusiasm didn't seem to diminish.
"Then I'll look forward to it!"
Yuuki shook his head with a small smile.
Between the lectures, affectionate threats, competing claims, and requests for flying broomsticks, he was beginning to wonder whether being the High Commander had become a full-time job of managing his own family.
And somehow, he suspected things would only get livelier from here.
Not long afterward, Eunhwa was the first among the ten Nikkes to regain consciousness.
When she opened her eyes, the first person she saw was Rapi, sitting beside her medical bed.
"Hey, bestie..."
Before Eunhwa could say anything else, Rapi leaned forward and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"I'm glad you're okay."
Rapi held her for a moment before finally letting go.
"Well... I guess I should say welcome to the Commander's squad."
Eunhwa gave a small smile.
"Thanks. I still owe you an apology, though."
"Don't be. As long as you understand why I made that decision, that's enough for me. I just hope we can become as close as we used to be."
Eunhwa shook her head.
"I think we already are. The Commander helped me confront my past and remove the negative feelings that had been weighing me down. We can't return to being Absolute, but I'm sure we can become a great squad together under GDI."
She paused, looking thoughtful.
"The Commander also taught me that I don't have to be an absolute perfectionist anymore. I need to learn to trust my teammates instead of expecting everyone to meet my standards."
Rapi raised an eyebrow.
"Pfft. The great Eunhwa has finally changed?"
"Hey! I'm trying to!"
Eunhwa frowned, though there was no real annoyance behind it.
Rapi chuckled before pulling her into another hug.
"It's good to have you back."
Eunhwa returned the embrace.
For both of them, it was a chance to leave their old misunderstandings behind and build something better. They might no longer be members of Absolute, but that didn't mean their friendship had to end with the squad.
They could start again, this time without the burdens that had once driven them apart.
Not long afterward, Emma finally stirred.
She stretched her arms slightly before opening her eyes.
"Ahh... That was a nice nap."
"Was it?"
Emma turned toward the familiar voice.
"Ah! Comrade Avrora!"
Avrora stood beside her bed, looking rather unimpressed.
Without another word, she gave Emma a gentle karate chop on the head.
"Ouch!"
"You made us worry, you know. You're not the only Northerner here. You have us, and there will be plenty more in the future."
Emma rubbed her head sheepishly.
"Ehehe... Thank you for worrying about me."
"Of course we were worried."
Avrora's expression softened as she leaned forward and hugged her.
"Why didn't you tell me you were a Northerner, too?"
Emma hesitated.
"I thought... no one would accept me."
Avrora sighed.
"Emma, we have plenty of Northern Parliament Shipgirls here. You don't have to hide that part of yourself anymore. You're one of us now."
She gave Emma another reassuring squeeze.
"Besides, you can speak Northern with the Commander whenever you like. He understands the language and can speak it himself. He just calls it Russian."
Emma's eyes widened slightly.
"Really?"
"Of course. And who knows? One day, we might even find more Northern Shipgirls from the KanColle world. There could also be other Northern Nikkes waiting to be found."
Avrora smiled thoughtfully.
"If we can establish contact with the Ark and get the message out, perhaps more hidden northern Nikkes will be able to find their way here and seek us out."
Emma listened quietly.
She had spent so much time keeping that part of herself hidden, afraid that others might reject her if they knew. Yet here she was, surrounded by people who welcomed her without hesitation.
She wasn't alone anymore.
Emma nodded.
"Thank you, Avrora. I would like that."
Avrora smiled.
"Good. Then don't go hiding from us again."
Emma giggled.
"I'll try."
As she settled back against her pillow, she began thinking about the people who could eventually become part of their Northern circle.
There was herself, Velvet, Ludmilla, Tove, Neve, and Alice. Then there were Avrora and Pallada, along with Diana.
That was already enough to form a respectable group.
And it wouldn't end there.
There were still more people to meet, more Nikkes to find, and perhaps more Northern Shipgirls waiting somewhere beyond their current reach.
Emma smiled.
Their little Northern family was only just beginning to grow.
"Hnn... Where am I?"
Vesti slowly opened her eyes, blinking as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.
"Vesti!!!"
Neon immediately leaned forward.
"Don't go leaving us like that!"
"Yeah! Don't just fall asleep without telling us!" Javelin added.
Laffey puffed out her cheeks.
"Vesti, no fair..."
"Honestly..." Nimi sighed, though the relief on her face was obvious.
Ayanami simply let out a quiet sigh.
Unicorn stepped closer, looking at Vesti with concern.
"Vesti... Was it painful?"
"Wahh! Please don't fall asleep like that again!" Sandy exclaimed. "Eldridge is going to zap you if you do!"
Nearby, Eldridge was peacefully sleeping like a koala, clinging to Tai Yuan, who seemed perfectly content to let her rest.
Vesti looked around at everyone, her eyes widening.
"Eh? Everyone's here?"
"Of course!" Javelin replied with a bright smile. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Vesti stared at her.
Then she looked at Neon, Nimi, Laffey, Ayanami, Unicorn, Sandy, and Eldridge.
Her lips trembled slightly.
"I... I have friends?"
"Yes!" Neon declared enthusiastically. "You're part of our starter group!"
She proudly gestured toward the others.
"And we've even got Tai Yuan joining us!"
The young Shipgirl stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"Hello, Vesti. I'm Tai Yuan. I hope we can become friends."
Vesti looked at her, momentarily unable to respond.
She had once struggled just to make a few friends. It had always been difficult for her to approach others, and she often felt more comfortable keeping to herself.
But now...
Neon, Nimi, Laffey, Ayanami, Unicorn, Sandy, Eldridge, Javelin, and even Tai Yuan were here.
She had so many people around her.
More friends than she had ever imagined having.
Her eyes began to water.
"I... I really have this many friends..."
Javelin immediately moved closer and wrapped her arms around Vesti.
"Of course you do!"
Vesti sniffled, then slowly returned the hug.
The others gathered around them, offering warm smiles and reassuring words. Even Nimi, who usually preferred maintaining a composed attitude, looked genuinely happy to see Vesti awake.
Neon grinned.
"See? You're stuck with us now!"
"Neon..." Nimi sighed.
"What? It's true!"
Laffey nodded sleepily.
"Vesti is our friend. So... no leaving us."
Ayanami gave a small nod.
"Agreed."
Unicorn smiled gently.
"We're happy you're awake, Vesti."
Sandy raised both hands.
"And we're going to have lots of fun together!"
Eldridge, still half-asleep against Tai Yuan, opened one eye.
"Friend..."
She then promptly went back to sleep.
Vesti couldn't help giggling through her tears.
Javelin gave her one last squeeze before pulling back.
"Come on, Vesti! Smile!"
Vesti wiped her eyes.
Then, with a big grin, she looked around at everyone gathered beside her.
She had friends.
Real friends who had stayed by her side, worried about her, and welcomed her without hesitation.
And she wasn't going to take that for granted.
===========
Meanwhile, Velvet and Privaty had also regained consciousness.
Belfast was already waiting beside their medical beds, accompanied by the other Royal Maids. Ade, Soda, and Cocoa were there as well, all eager to welcome the newcomers.
Belfast regarded the two Nikkes with a stern but relieved expression.
"You two."
Velvet and Privaty immediately straightened up.
"Please warn us before attempting anything foolish in the future. We would rather not have to worry about you like this again."
The two exchanged glances before bowing their heads.
"We're sorry," they replied together.
Belfast nodded, then continued in a gentler tone.
"You're both part of the Royal Maids now. More importantly, you're members of Her Majesty's protective squad. Her Majesty made the ultimate sacrifice to give us the opportunity to live freely. We now serve her as the Royal Maids, and it is my responsibility as Head Maid to ensure that every member of our household is properly cared for."
She paused, looking between them.
"Still... thank goodness you're both safe. Welcome to the Royal Maids, Privaty and Velvet."
Velvet blinked.
"We are?"
Her usual playful smile slowly appeared, but it didn't quite hide the emotion in her eyes.
"Thank you, Head Maid..."
Privaty sat a little straighter, trying to maintain her composure.
"Th-Thank you. I'll do my best."
For a moment, neither quite knew what else to say.
They had both served in positions where their worth was measured by their usefulness. Velvet had learned to survive by adapting to whatever role was expected of her, while Privaty had spent much of her life carrying out duties under the Ark's authority. Being welcomed into a household simply because someone wanted them there was an unfamiliar feeling.
They weren't being assigned to a unit as disposable assets.
They were being invited into a family.
Belfast smiled faintly.
"Velvet, we'll be polishing your cleaning skills. I understand that you're an agent, much like Sheffield, but your duties as a maid must be performed to the highest standard."
Velvet's expression brightened.
"Ehehe... Yes, Head Maid!"
She glanced toward the other maids, then placed a hand against her chest.
"I'll work hard. I promise I won't disappoint you. After all, I want to become a maid everyone can rely on."
Her playful tone softened.
"And... I'd like to have a place where I can belong, too."
Belfast gave her a reassuring nod.
"Then you shall have one."
She turned toward Privaty.
"And Privaty..."
Privaty immediately sat up straighter.
"Y-Yes?"
"Please tone down your tsundere tendencies. Otherwise, Lady Hood might have a few words with you. She isn't particularly fond of overly harsh tsunderes."
"Eeep! I won't! And I'm not harsh!"
Belfast gave her a knowing smile.
"I can see that. Just remember to be a little gentler with the Commander."
Privaty's cheeks turned red.
"I-I don't need to be told that!"
However, after a brief pause, her expression became more subdued.
"...But I'll try."
She lowered her eyes.
"I don't want to keep pushing away people who are trying to get close to me. I've done enough of that already."
Velvet glanced at her with a knowing smile but decided not to tease her.
Before Belfast could respond, another voice interrupted them.
"My servants, I see our new maids have finally awakened."
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Elizabeth had arrived.
"Ah, Your Majesty!"
Belfast immediately bowed, followed by the other Royal Maids. Even Ade, Soda, and Cocoa joined the formal greeting.
Elizabeth nodded proudly.
"These two are our newest Nikke maids, joining Ade, Soda, and Cocoa. I expect all of you to work together."
She turned toward Velvet and Privaty.
"Do your best and serve us well. As members of the Royal Maids, you are under the protection of the Royal Union within GDI. We will ensure that you have a proper home and a place where you belong."
Velvet hesitated.
"But, Your Majesty... Even someone from the North like me?"
Her fingers tightened slightly against the bedsheet.
She had spent so much of her life being judged by her origins and past. The thought that someone might eventually look down on her because of where she came from had never entirely left her.
Elizabeth looked at her as though she had just asked something utterly ridiculous.
"Preposterous! We don't care where you're from. Shipgirls or Nikkes, it makes no difference. If you are one of the Royal Servants, then you are part of us."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"Serve us proudly, Velvet and Privaty. And you as well, Ade, Soda, and Cocoa. Understand that we will protect all of you as our own."
Velvet stared at Elizabeth.
For a moment, she couldn't find the words.
She had once imagined a future where she could marry, have a family, and raise a daughter without worrying that her past would define her. Yuuki had helped her believe that such a future was possible.
But this was something different.
Here, she was being welcomed into another family—not as an agent with a questionable history, not as someone who had to entertain or manipulate others to secure her place, but as a maid who would be protected and valued.
Her eyes softened.
"...Thank you, Your Majesty."
Privaty also looked moved.
She had spent so much of her time pretending she didn't need anyone. Her pride often made it difficult to accept kindness, and she had grown accustomed to hiding her vulnerabilities behind sharp words.
Yet Elizabeth was offering her a place without asking her to prove that she deserved it first.
Privaty lowered her head.
"I... I won't let you down, Your Majesty. I'll serve the Royal family with everything I have."
Elizabeth looked at the five Nikkes expectantly.
"Well? Will you serve us?"
"Yes!"
Ade, Soda, Cocoa, Velvet, and Privaty answered together, nodding firmly.
Elizabeth smiled.
"Then welcome to the Royal family, my new Royal Maids!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The five exchanged glances.
Royal Maids.
The title carried a different meaning now.
They were no longer simply maids serving someone else's interests. They had become part of a household that promised to protect them, train them, and give them a place to call home.
Velvet smiled, her eyes slightly damp.
Privaty noticed and quietly nudged her.
"Don't start crying..."
Velvet giggled.
"You're one to talk. Your eyes are getting watery, too."
"T-They're not!"
Belfast watched their exchange with a satisfied smile.
Nearby, Georgina turned toward Wales with a pleased expression.
"Looks like we've gained some new members."
Wales nodded.
"Indeed. The household is growing."
Anson, meanwhile, had already approached Soda and wrapped her in a hug.
"Yay! Soda is part of us now!"
"Ehehe... Thank you, Anson."
Soda returned the embrace, looking genuinely happy.
Velvet watched them with a gentle smile.
So this is what it feels like... to be welcomed somewhere.
Privaty looked around at the Royal Maids, then quietly straightened her posture.
She would have to work hard. Not because someone had ordered her to, but because she genuinely wanted to contribute to this household.
Belfast watched the scene before addressing everyone.
"I believe we have plenty to prepare, ladies. Once the Commander authorizes your training, we'll begin working on improving your levels alongside Her Majesty."
Elizabeth immediately raised her chin.
"Indeed! It would be preposterous for a queen to remain weaker than her own subjects!"
She turned toward the gathered maids.
"Servants, I expect all of you to help me reach a sufficiently high level once I receive the Levelling System. I intend to become stronger alongside my Royal Servants!"
Her expression then shifted into a pout.
"Honestly... As soon as my consort becomes available, I shall have a word with him. How long does he intend to keep his queen waiting?"
Elizabeth crossed her legs and began wiggling her feet impatiently.
Belfast merely smiled.
"Please be patient, Your Majesty. I'm certain the Commander has his reasons."
"Hmph! A queen shouldn't have to wait this long for her consort!"
Velvet and Privaty exchanged glances.
Velvet giggled.
"Well, it seems our new home is going to be quite lively."
Privaty nodded, smiling despite herself.
"Yes... I think we're going to fit in just fine."
For both of them, it was a new beginning.
And this time, they had a family waiting for them.
============
Not long after, Ludmilla, Tove, Neve, and Alice began to wake up.
"Alice!"
The moment Alice opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by the Destroyer Starter Group. It was her turn to receive their enthusiastic welcome.
"Wah..."
"You really worried us!" Nimi exclaimed.
"Ehee... I was pulled into Wonderland," Alice replied sheepishly. "I'm sorry if everyone had to put up with all my craziness while I was there. But I'm healed now! I don't see the floating cat or the Mad Hatter anymore."
Her cheerful expression gradually softened. She lowered her head, looking a little melancholic.
"It's kind of sad that I can't see them anymore, though. I wonder how everyone managed to put up with me..."
"Hey, you may have lost them, but you have us now!" Nimi reassured her. "You have friends. Lots of them!"
"That's right! You have us!" Javelin added enthusiastically.
"Alice... okay?" Laffey asked, looking at her with concern.
"Don't worry, Alice. Ayanami used to be crazy, too," Ayanami chimed in.
She paused before explaining.
"Ayanami was once called Leviathan. A corrupted shipgirl. She suffered from corruption caused by the Raptures, but Ayanami is okay now."
Neon nodded.
"See? All of us have our own share of craziness. You're not alone, Alice!"
"Tai Yuan wants to be Alice's friend, too!" Tai Yuan declared.
"Unicorn as well!" Unicorn added, raising her hand.
"Plus, we have the literal crazy one right here!"
Nimi pointed toward San Diego.
"Hey! Sandy is crazy fine!" San Diego protested, striking a pose.
"Alice... good," Eldridge added quietly.
Alice looked around at all of them. Their smiles and cheerful voices made her feel warm inside. She might have lost the imaginary friends who had accompanied her through Wonderland, but she had gained something real in return.
Her face brightened, and she raised both hands excitedly.
"Then, please be friends forever! With Alice!"
"You got it!" the girls answered together.
And just like that, the Starter Group welcomed another member into their circle, with Alice joining Vesti as one of their newest friends.
============
As for Tove, she was greeted by two familiar-looking faces—or, more accurately, two versions of the same face.
One was Akashi, the Kancolle shipgirl, while the other was Pinkashi, her cat-eared counterpart.
"Tove nyaa! She's awake nyaa!" Akashi exclaimed happily.
"Our fellow mechanic is finally up," Pinkashi added with a grin.
"Mechanic?" Tove tilted her head, looking between the two.
"We're doctors, but we're also mechanics," Pinkashi explained. "The Commander told us you're quite the inventor. How about joining us for some side gigs?"
"Gigs?"
"Yeah! Building stuff!" Pinkashi gestured excitedly. "The Commander said the Daedalus has a large storage area filled with junk. Let's surprise him with what the three of us can make!"
"Nyaa!" Akashi cheered in agreement.
Tove hesitated, her expression becoming uncertain.
"You wouldn't mind having a failed survivor like me?"
Both Akashis stared at her.
"Huh? Why would we mind?" Pinkashi asked. "You're our friend, aren't you?"
"Friend? Me? But... I'm a Nikke."
"So what?" Pinkashi shrugged. "I'm from another world, Akashi is from this world, and you're a Nikke. Sounds like a sweet team to me! I'll even bring Asahi along."
"Please don't..." Asahi, who had been standing nearby, immediately objected. "I'm no mechanic. But I would like to learn about the Med Bay technology from Vestal-san. I want to become a doctor."
"Party pooper," Pinkashi muttered.
"I'm sorry if I have no interest in messing around with junk." Asahi stood primly, adjusting the white ribbon in her hair.
Pinkashi simply shrugged.
"Well, that leaves the three of us. The Commander said we can take ammunition from the armory, use whatever we find in the storage room, and then let Neon test our creations."
"Nyaa! The Commander even mentioned making a minigun out of motorcycle parts and something called a fireworks launcher using a dustbin!"
"Junk firepower?! Count me in! When can I test it?!"
Neon's excited shout came from across the room.
Pinkashi glanced in her direction.
"Neon, nyaa... We haven't even built anything yet!"
"But a portable firework dustbin bazooka? That's insane firepower! Let me test it!"
Bonk!
Nimi promptly karate-chopped Neon on the head.
"Be quiet."
Neon rubbed her head, looking rather disappointed.
Meanwhile, Tove had begun to sniffle. She looked at the two Akashis, her eyes growing misty.
"If you'll let me... I'd really like to work together with you. As your friend."
Akashi grinned.
"We're already friends nyaa! Anyone who messes with you will have their credits squeezed dry by Akashi nyaa!"
Pinkashi sighed.
"That's Akashi for you. You can learn a few easy get-rich-quick schemes from her. Though, some of the other Shipgirls do call her a scammer."
"Akashi is no scammer nyaa! Sometimes, the schemes just don't work!"
Tove couldn't help giggling through her sniffles.
It seemed she had found her people. They might have very different backgrounds, but they shared something she had always enjoyed: making things, experimenting, and turning seemingly useless junk into something extraordinary.
More importantly, they had welcomed her without hesitation.
And now, she had friends who were just as enthusiastic about inventing ridiculous contraptions as she was.
==========
Neve eventually woke up, finding Avrora waiting nearby with Pallada and Diana.
"Ah, Comrade Avrora," Neve greeted her sleepily.
Avrora smiled.
"You're able to stay awake longer now?"
"Yes. Though, it's a shame there aren't any polar bears here. They became extinct many years ago. But the Commander said he could take us to see them in a training dimension."
Avrora gave a small laugh.
"Pff... We used to work alongside polar bears, you know. They were among the proud animals of the Northern Parliament."
Neve's eyes widened slightly.
"You've seen polar bears?"
"Of course. There were quite a lot of them back then. We can talk about them if you'd like."
"Really? I haven't seen one in years. Please, tell me what polar bears are like!"
Avrora chuckled at Neve's sudden enthusiasm.
"Pff... As long as you can stay awake, I'll tell you about my pet. His name was Coconut. Pallada and Diana helped take care of him, too."
"You had a pet polar bear?!"
Neve was suddenly wide awake.
Her usual sleepy demeanour vanished as she leaned forward, eager to hear more. Avrora began telling her stories about Coconut, recalling the days when the little polar bear had been part of their lives.
Pallada and Diana occasionally joined in, adding their own memories and amusing anecdotes.
Neve listened intently, absorbing every detail. She had never actually seen a polar bear in person, and now she was being offered a glimpse into the life of one through the memories of those who had cared for one.
She wanted to learn everything she could about polar bears. After all, if she was going to become a polar bear trainer, she needed to know as much as possible before meeting them.
She had only just woken up, but she was perfectly willing to stay awake for as long as Avrora kept talking about polar bears.
==========
"These three..." Ludmilla sighed as she watched Neve enthusiastically listening to Avrora's stories about polar bears, while Tove and Alice were already making new friends of their own.
"Ufufu... It seems you have some rather interesting comrades, Lady Ludmilla."
A familiar, elegant voice caught her attention.
Ludmilla turned to see Hood approaching. She was someone the Shipgirls deeply respected, and, in some cases, were almost afraid of offending.
"Ah, Lady Hood, isn't it?"
"Indeed. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Hood smiled. "Your manner of speaking suggests that you were once a lady of high society?"
"Yes. Once."
"Pff... Then, would you care to join me for tea? I would very much like to hear about the upper classes of the Ark. Such knowledge could prove useful should we ever need to infiltrate its high society during future missions."
"We have missions like that?"
"Of course. Understanding high society is an important skill. The Ark is a treasure trove of information, and if we intend to help free the Nikkes, we must learn more about the people who hold power there. You could provide us with valuable insight."
Hood paused, giving Ludmilla a warm smile.
"Besides, this could be the beginning of a wonderful friendship between us. What do you say?"
"Lady Hood wishes to befriend someone from the Northern?" Ludmilla asked, somewhat surprised. "You are regarded by the Shipgirls as something of a mother figure, as well as their etiquette instructor. It'll be waste to befriend someone like me."
"Oh, please don't let that trouble you, Ludmilla-san."
Another voice joined their conversation. Amagi had approached them, wearing her usual gentle smile.
"We don't mind whoever we befriend with. I am responsible for Sakura Empire etiquette, and knowledge of high society is certainly something worth learning. We may be ladies, but we are still human at heart, despite being imitations of our counterparts. Knowledge from Ark's high society should be a wonderful lesson to both of us."
Amagi offered a graceful bow.
"I am Amagi, former strategist of the Sakura Empire and high class ethics teacher of Sakura customs. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ludmilla-san."
"My dear friend," Hood said, nodding in agreement. "Indeed, she is quite right. I may be regarded as a mother figure, but I am still human at heart. Besides, I am engaged to our kind sir, just like the rest of us."
She leaned forward slightly, her smile turning mischievous.
"Please, don't treat me as though I were some sort of royalty. You could help me educate the Shipgirls and Nikkes in the ways of high society from the Ark. Perhaps you could even help me turn our kind sir into a proper gentleman. He seems to prefer behaving like a barbaric caveman."
Hood glanced toward Yuuki.
"Even Her Majesty still needs guidance from time to time, despite her rather pompous attitude. I'm sure you would become a wonderful friend to her."
"Yes, the Commander told me about her," Ludmilla replied.
Her gaze shifted toward Elizabeth, who was currently sitting in the Med Bay with her feet wiggling impatiently. The Queen had sacrificed her life so that her subjects could survive. Seeing her like this was a reminder of just how much she had endured.
"Hey! I like being a caveman!" Yuuki shouted from nearby.
"Now, now, dear sir." Hood giggled. "Now that I am here, we shall see about that. Belfast also informed me that you have a tendency to behave rather barbarically before I am revived. I believe we should have a little discussion about your past tendencies."
"Et tu, Bel?"
Yuuki turned toward Belfast, who merely smiled politely.
"Master, this is an important matter, especially considering your position as High Commander. Your rank surpasses that of a king or president. You stand at the head of a powerful faction equipped with advanced technology, transformations, magical abilities, and formidable combat capabilities. You command Nikkes and Shipgirls who are heroes in their own right."
Belfast paused to let her words sink in.
"Wherever you go, you are effectively the highest-ranking authority present. Your position carries considerable weight."
"And?" Yuuki asked.
"Your behaviour must reflect that responsibility. Acting like a caveman is hardly suitable for someone in your position, Master."
Hood smiled sweetly.
"Dear sir, you are the leader of a powerful faction of heroes. You are our leader. You possess the power and authority befitting such a position, but your public image has yet to catch up."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"Furthermore, you are going to become a husband to several ladies, including myself. It is my responsibility to help groom you into a proper gentleman and a leader worthy of the title High Commander."
Her smile grew more playful.
"So, I shall begin your lessons. You have until I reach Level 1000 to prepare yourself."
Yuuki raised a finger, seemingly ready to argue. However, he stopped himself and slowly lowered his hand.
"You're right about that. I probably should improve a little. But please, don't overdo it. I prefer being myself sometimes. Being a gentleman is cool, but I don't want to act like one every waking moment."
"It depends, dear sir."
Hood smiled, leaving Yuuki with the distinct feeling that she had already planned several lessons for him.
And judging by Belfast's approving expression, he wasn't going to receive much sympathy from his head maid either.
"You seem to be having a bit of trouble?"
A familiar voice interrupted the commotion. Diane had already sat up, watching Yuuki with an amused expression.
"You're awake already?"
"Hard not to be with all that noise."
Yuuki chuckled.
"By the way, you never told me your name was Diana, not Diane."
"Diane is simply short for Diana. Besides, that name is already taken by another Northern Parliament Shipgirl named Diana. Diane will suffice."
"I see. So, do you regret anything? Everything that's happened so far?"
"Pff... No. In fact, I'm rather fond of this bond." Diane gave him a faint smile. "Perhaps we really should become newlyweds?"
"Like I said, reach Level 1000 first. Then we can talk about it. Though, if a mission requires it, we could always pretend to be a married couple."
"Understandable."
She paused, her expression becoming more sincere.
"And... thank you. For taking me in and understanding my past. My present is no longer something I have to endure alone, and perhaps now I can finally decide what my future will look like."
"Don't worry about it."
Yuuki gently patted her head.
"I hope to see the best of you from now on. Let's focus on finding and recruiting your former comrades. I hope they'll share your views and be willing to join us."
"I cannot speak for all of them, but I believe they will."
"Great Wizard! Broomsticks!"
Mecklenburg's enthusiastic voice suddenly cut through their conversation.
"No! The Levelling System comes first!" Elizabeth protested.
"Shikikan-sama! Duel with me!" Zuikaku demanded.
"Why don't you pick a fight with Enterprise instead?!"
"If I defeat you, then I've defeated her!"
"Hold it! It's my turn!" Seydlitz joined in.
"Burly Bear! Polar bears!"
Neve approached Yuuki with sparkling eyes.
"Oh? Calling my Teddy Bear Burly now?" Eugen teased.
"Yes! Let's be bear buddies!"
"I don't mind. That's just another reason to bully him."
"Dear sir, we still have our etiquette lessons to attend to," Hood reminded him sweetly.
"Huggies, Bulin!"
The Bulin sisters immediately clung to Yuuki from both sides.
"Commander! Let's go to Philadelphia again!" San Diego shouted.
One after another, the Shipgirls and Nikkes began demanding his attention. Yuuki found himself surrounded by requests, challenges, hugs, and entirely unrelated proposals.
He was beginning to wonder whether he would ever get a moment to himself.
Ring!
Thankfully, his interface chimed, silencing the surrounding commotion.
"Hang on a second..."
Yuuki checked the incoming call. His expression changed slightly when he saw the caller's identity.
Rosalia? Already?
It was the President of Eagle Union he had met earlier that afternoon.
He accepted the call.
"Hello?"
A holographic projection of Rosalia appeared before him.
"Ah, Commander. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Yuuki glanced at the Shipgirls and Nikkes surrounding him. Several were still waiting for their turn to speak, while others seemed perfectly content to keep clinging to him.
He straightened his posture and put on his best professional expression.
"Not at all! You actually saved me from a rather difficult situation. Is there anything I can help you with, Miss President?"
"Just Rosa, Commander."
Yuuki grinned.
"Then just Yuuki for me. So, what made you call?"
"Yes. I remember you owe me two favors."
"Right. You made sure I owed you those favors," Yuuki replied with a sigh.
Rosalia smiled faintly.
"Well, I'd like to use one of them."
"Already? That was quick."
"Yes... I know the device you gave me has a satellite uplink function. Could you... take a look at something for me? It's approximately a hundred miles from my current position."
Yuuki's expression turned serious.
"Of course."
He activated the satellite uplink and established a connection with Rosalia's location. A holographic map appeared before him, displaying the surrounding terrain. He began zooming out, expanding the view until the area she had indicated came into focus.
Then he saw it.
Yuuki's eyes widened.
The surrounding Shipgirls and Nikkes noticed his sudden change in expression and turned toward the holographic display.
Their expressions changed as well.
"Oh..."
Yuuki stared at the satellite feed.
"That's not good."