The transition came without warning.
One moment, Yuuki had been seated in the warmth of the common room, surrounded by quiet breathing and the soft presence of those who had finally found peace.
The next—
He opened his eyes to an endless, silent sea beneath a pale, unmoving sky.
The stillness was absolute.
No wind.
No sound.
Only the gentle illusion of waves that did not truly move.
"What the… how did I end up here?" Yuuki muttered, pushing himself slightly upright before pausing.
There was something beneath his head.
Soft.
Warm.
Supportive.
"My… I see you have awakened?"
The voice carried a refined elegance, calm and measured, as if even in this empty world, dignity had not been abandoned.
Yuuki turned his gaze.
And for a brief moment—
He forgot his question.
The woman before him possessed a beauty that felt almost unreal, not in an exaggerated sense, but in the way everything about her seemed perfectly composed. Her blonde hair framed her face with soft precision, her blue eyes calm yet distant, and her attire reflected unmistakable Royal Navy heritage. The Union Jack rested upon her shoulder like a symbol that refused to fade, even in a place where nothing else remained.
He blinked once, regaining focus.
"You are…?" he asked. "And how did I get here?"
She inclined her head slightly, her tone polite and formal.
"I find myself asking the same question, kind sir," she replied. "I have remained in this place for many years, and yet today, I discovered you lying alone upon these waters."
There was a brief pause before she added, with quiet grace—
"I must also apologize for placing your head upon my lap without your consent."
Yuuki exhaled lightly, easing back just a little.
"No, that's fine," he said. "Honestly, this isn't even the strangest thing I've experienced recently."
He glanced around again, recognition slowly forming.
"…This looks like the void world again."
Her expression shifted subtly, curiosity replacing stillness.
"Again?" she asked. "May I inquire what you mean by that, kind sir?"
Yuuki nodded slightly.
"The first time I came here was after touching a wisdom cube," he explained. "I met Hornet. After that, I met Queen Elizabeth, Warspite… and Valiant."
The moment those names left his mouth, her composure wavered—not outwardly, but in a way that someone observant would notice.
"…Her Majesty," she corrected gently, more out of habit than correction.
Her gaze lowered slightly.
"If you have encountered them here… then it would mean they have fallen."
She did not dramatize the realization.
She simply accepted it.
"That is… unfortunate," she added softly. "I was not present to protect them."
Yuuki studied her for a moment before asking—
"Then who are you?"
She straightened, her posture naturally dignified despite the emptiness around them.
"I am what remains of the Royal Navy's former glory," she said.
Then, with quiet clarity—
"I am HMS Hood."
There was no pride in her tone.
Only calm acknowledgment.
"I regret that I cannot greet you as I once would have," she continued. "What stands before you is not my complete self, but rather a remnant… an echo that persists in this place."
She glanced around the endless horizon.
"I would have preferred to offer you tea," she said faintly. "However, as you can see, this world offers nothing with which to do so."
Yuuki followed her gaze briefly, then returned his attention to her.
"You've been here… alone this whole time?" he asked.
She answered without hesitation.
"Yes," Hood replied.
There was no bitterness.
No complaint.
Only quiet endurance.
And somehow—
That made the silence around her feel heavier than the emptiness itself.
Hood's gaze remained steady, though there was a quiet weight behind it that only someone who had endured long isolation could carry.
"Seven years, to be precise, kind sir," she said. "I was part of the fleet resisting the Sirens. During our final engagement, I remained behind to allow my allies to withdraw safely."
Her voice did not waver, even as she described it.
"They knew my weakness," she continued. "My ammunition storage was struck. The resulting magazine detonation… was catastrophic."
She paused briefly, her eyes lowering toward the still water beneath them.
"I sank to the deepest trench."
Yuuki listened without interruption.
"No one recovered your cube?" he asked.
Hood shook her head gently.
"I do not remember what followed," she said. "If there were attempts, I was not aware of them. Please forgive me, kind sir."
Yuuki exhaled lightly.
"There's nothing to forgive," he replied. "You've been alone for a long time."
That was the truth of it.
Not just time—
But silence.
Hood lifted her gaze again, something thoughtful in her expression.
"Kind sir… may I ask you something?" she said.
"Go ahead."
"Why is your voice the same one that echoes through this silent world?" she asked. "It is the only sound that has reached me in all these years."
Yuuki gave a small nod.
"That would be because I'm the one who sent it," he said plainly.
There was no dramatic reveal in his tone.
Just fact.
Hood's eyes softened slightly.
"…So it was you," she said.
Yuuki's gaze remained fixed on her, her eyes faint glow reflecting in his eyes.
"…Then it's my turn to ask," he murmured. "What made you trust me so easily, my lady?"
The answer came back to him exactly as she had said it.
Hood's voice—calm, composed, yet carrying something deeply sincere.
"To be honest, kind sir… I do not fully understand it myself."
The memory sharpened.
"I did not even place such trust in my former commander," she had admitted. "And yet, when I heard your voice… I found myself walking toward it."
There had been no hesitation in her.
No fear.
Only certainty.
"You reached not only me," her voice echoed in his thoughts, "but Her Majesty… and my fellow sisters."
A quiet pause followed.
"If they have chosen to place their faith in you… then I shall do the same."
Yuuki exhaled slowly, the weight of those words settling deeper now that he understood what they truly meant.
Yuuki straightened slightly as he introduced himself properly.
"Well said, I am Yukihira Yuuki," he said. "High Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
He met her gaze directly.
"I've already met some of your fellow Royal Navy members—both those still active and those who remain here like you. They've agreed to join my cause."
At the mention of the Royal Navy, something in Hood's posture subtly shifted.
Not pride.
Not grief.
But recognition.
"Royal Navy…" she repeated softly.
Then she lowered her head.
"Kind sir, if you would permit it… I wish to serve under you."
Her tone remained formal, but there was something deeper beneath it—something resolute.
"You are the one who called out to me," she continued. "The one who reached Her Majesty."
She took a steady breath.
"If Her Majesty has chosen to follow you, then I, who remain with nothing but this echo of myself, can offer no less."
She lifted her head again, meeting his eyes with quiet determination.
"I am the former glory of the Royal Navy," she said. "If you permit it, I will devote what remains of me to becoming the glory of the Global Defense Initiative."
There was no hesitation.
"No matter what it takes."
She paused only briefly before finishing—
"…Lord Commander."
Yuuki raised a hand slightly, stopping the formality from going too far.
"Just call me whatever you're comfortable with," he said.
Hood blinked softly, then inclined her head once more.
"Then… if it pleases you," she said gently, "I shall continue to address you as kind sir."
There was a faint warmth in her voice now.
Subtle.
But real.
Because for the first time in seven years—
She was no longer alone.
Yuuki rubbed the back of his head, clearly caught between amusement and mild regret at how quickly things were escalating.
"My lady… if I were to ask something…"
Hood's expression softened just slightly, the formal distance easing.
"You may speak informally with me, kind sir," she replied. "There is no need to maintain such rigidity here."
Yuuki let out a small breath.
"I'll try," he said. "Though if I mess it up, Belfast is probably going to knock some sense into me later."
At the mention of her name, Hood's eyes showed a faint flicker of recognition.
"You have met Belfast?" she asked.
Yuuki nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "I rescued her alongside Illustrious and Unicorn. Also picked up Enterprise, Yorktown, and Laffey from the Eagle Union side, and Atago and Takao from the Sakura Empire."
He paused briefly, then added with a half-amused tone—
"Belfast is now my personal maid. She kind of… decided that herself. Warspite wants to be my knight. Elizabeth declared me her servant, and Valiant wants me as her attendant."
He shook his head slightly.
"Honestly, your Royal Navy group is something else entirely."
Hood listened quietly.
Then, with composed elegance, she spoke.
"Then, if you permit it… I shall also take my place."
Yuuki blinked.
"…What place?"
Hood straightened slightly, her posture refined as ever.
"I will guide you," she said. "If you are to stand among us—if you are to lead us—then you must also embody what it means to stand beside a lady of the Royal Navy."
Her tone remained gentle.
But firm.
"A lady's duty is not only to follow," she continued, "but to guide her gentleman so that he may stand with dignity worthy of her trust."
Yuuki stared at her for a second.
Then sighed.
"…You too?" he said. "I was perfectly fine being a caveman and a useless, lazy bum."
Hood's lips curved ever so slightly, not quite a smile, but close.
"That only gives me more reason to correct you," she replied calmly. "It would be improper to allow such a state to persist."
Then she added, with quiet certainty—
"You have already referred to me as your lady. It is only natural that I fulfill that role."
Yuuki looked away for a moment, then back at her, clearly realizing the situation he had walked into.
"…First a maid," he muttered, "and now a lady."
He exhaled.
"…I really dug myself into a deep grave here."
Hood let out the faintest, most refined laugh.
"On the contrary," she said gently, "you have simply stepped into a position worthy of refinement."
She met his gaze.
"And you will not face it alone."
For once—
Yuuki didn't have a comeback immediately.
Because somehow—
She made it sound less like a burden—
And more like something he couldn't just brush off.
Hood regarded him with quiet composure, her gaze steady yet not unkind.
"You have gathered members of the Royal Navy," she said, her tone measured but firm. "Those who pursue refinement, discipline, elegance and a certain standard of excellence. Glory is not simply won in battle—it is maintained in conduct."
She took a small step closer, the faint ripple of her dress the only movement in that still world.
"You stand as the commander of the Global Defense Initiative," she continued. "From what I have observed, your faction is both powerful and advanced. Your confidence reflects that."
Her eyes met his directly.
"As such, describing yourself as a 'caveman' or a 'useless lazy individual' is… incompatible with your position."
Yuuki raised his hands slightly in surrender.
"Alright, alright," he said. "Cut me some slack, my lady. I already get enough lectures from Belfast and Eva."
Hood paused.
"Eva?" she asked, the name unfamiliar.
Yuuki nodded.
"She's the secretary of the GDI Space Fleet," he explained. "She's also the one who appointed Belfast to me."
That earned a subtle shift in Hood's expression—not surprise, but reassessment.
"My," she said softly. "Then your organization extends beyond this world's seas."
Yuuki gave a small shrug.
"Yeah, we've got a space fleet," he said casually, as if it were nothing unusual.
Hood looked out across the endless horizon for a brief moment, considering that.
"A command structure that spans both sea and space…" she murmured. "That places your faction far beyond conventional limitations."
Then she looked back at him, her expression composed once more.
"In that case, my earlier statement stands even more firmly," she said. "A leader of such a force must carry himself accordingly."
Yuuki sighed, though there was a faint smile behind it.
"…You're really not going to let that go, are you?"
Hood's answer was immediate.
"No."
There was no harshness in it.
Only certainty.
"Belfast may correct your habits," she added, "but I will ensure your presence reflects the dignity expected of one who leads both strength and loyalty."
She folded her hands gently in front of her. "Once you revived me, I shall be the guiding you in manners and elegance. To fit as a leader and a lady's company."
"It is not merely about appearances, kind sir," she said. "It is about ensuring that those who follow you can take pride in standing beside you."
Yuuki looked at her for a moment, then let out a quiet breath.
"…Yeah," he said. "I get what you're saying."
Hood inclined her head slightly.
"Then I shall consider that progress," she replied.
Even in this empty world—
The conversation carried weight.
Because for the first time in years—
Hood wasn't just waiting.
She was preparing.
Yuuki folded his arms loosely, looking out over the endless sea as if already imagining the possibilities.
"Kind sir has gathered quite a number of fleet girls," Hood observed, her tone calm yet thoughtful.
"Yeah," Yuuki replied, nodding slightly. "And what surprises me is how naturally you all adapt. Atago and Takao are cruisers, but they handled battleship-level systems without much trouble."
He glanced back at her.
"That got me thinking… what would happen if I gave you a battleship platform?" he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "I might finally get to see my lady's full glory."
Hood's expression softened—not with pride, but with something quieter.
"The glory of the GDI…" she repeated gently. "To stand once more upon the battlefield, not as a remnant, but as something whole again…"
She lifted her gaze to meet his.
"I would welcome that opportunity, kind sir."
There was no hesitation in her answer.
No doubt.
Only anticipation.
Yuuki smirked slightly.
"…You're saying that," he said, "but earlier you sounded more interested in correcting my behavior than fighting."
Hood's eyes flickered with the faintest trace of amusement.
"I do not recall such a priority," she replied smoothly.
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
She turned her head just slightly, her composure flawless.
"I am merely fulfilling my role," she said. "Ensuring that my commander conducts himself in a manner befitting his position."
Yuuki let out a quiet laugh.
"Right… so you don't want to beat some manners into me?"
Hood met his gaze again, serene as ever.
"I have no idea what you are referring to, kind sir."
The denial was elegant.
Completely unconvincing.
Yuuki shook his head, still amused.
"…Yeah, I'm definitely in trouble."
Hood did not deny that either.
But for the first time—
There was a warmth in her presence that hadn't been there before.
Not just duty.
Not just formality.
But purpose.
Because now—
She had something to return to.
A soft glow began to form around Yuuki's body.
It wasn't subtle.
It spread from within him, light seeping through his outline as if something beyond this place had started pulling him back. The calm sea and endless sky remained unchanged, but the connection between them was already breaking.
Yuuki looked down at his hands, watching the light intensify.
"…This is…"
Hood understood immediately.
"Ah…" she said quietly. "It seems our time has come to an end, kind sir."
Yuuki let out a small breath, a hint of regret in it.
"Sorry, my lady," he said. "Looks like our meeting's getting cut short."
Hood's expression softened.
"Tis a shame," she replied. "I would have preferred to speak with you longer… to know you better, as a lady ought to know her gentleman."
Yuuki smirked faintly.
"Sounds more like you wanted more time to correct me."
"Hush… hush…" she said gently, though there was a trace of amusement in her voice.
They both stood.
Before he could say anything further, Hood stepped closer and adjusted his cloak with practiced precision. Even in a world where nothing existed, her movements remained elegant, deliberate, and refined.
"I regret that I can offer nothing more than this," she said softly. "But thank you… for indulging me, kind sir."
Yuuki gave a small nod.
"It's the least I could do, my lady."
She paused.
Then, almost imperceptibly—
She smiled.
"You have already adjusted your manner of speech," she noted. "That is progress."
Yuuki exhaled lightly.
"More like avoiding a lecture," he admitted.
Hood's response was immediate.
She leaned in—
And placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Consider it a reward," she said, her voice soft, "for choosing to be civilized."
Yuuki blinked, caught off guard.
"…Well," he said after a brief pause, "I guess that means I can't go back to being a caveman anymore."
Hood lightly swatted his arm, her composure intact but her expression warmer than before.
"I would strongly advise against it."
The glow around Yuuki intensified, pulling at him more forcefully now.
He was fading from this place.
Hood stepped back slightly, her gaze steady, unwavering despite the moment.
"Please take care, kind sir," she said.
There was no hesitation in her voice.
"Until the day we meet again."
The light consumed him—
And he was gone.
The sea returned to silence.
But this time—
It was no longer empty.
====================
Yuuki groaned softly as he pushed himself upright, the lingering sensation of the void still clinging to him.
"Urgh… that was some… vivid dream…"
"Master?"
He blinked, turning his head.
Belfast stood beside him.
Not alone.
Everyone was there.
Yorktown, Illustrious, Laffey, Atago, Takao—
And now—
Enterprise, Vestal, Unicorn.
All of them watching him.
Closely.
"Oh… hey, Bel," he said, still waking up. "Guess I dozed off harder than I thought."
His eyes scanned the room.
"…How long was I out?"
"Several hours, Master," Belfast replied calmly.
Then her tone shifted slightly.
"But that is not our primary concern."
She gestured toward his hand.
Yuuki followed her gaze.
And froze.
A Wisdom Cube rested in his palm.
Faintly glowing.
Stable.
Real.
"…How…" he muttered.
Belfast stepped slightly closer.
"We witnessed it," she said. "The cube manifested in your hand while you were asleep. It was not placed there. It… formed."
Yuuki stared at it, his mind racing.
"That's not possible…" he said quietly. "I didn't touch any cube this time…"
He paused.
Then looked up.
"…I met her."
The room stilled.
"Met… someone?" Yorktown asked.
Yuuki nodded slowly.
"…Hood."
The reaction was immediate.
Belfast's eyes widened slightly—just enough to break her usual composure.
"Lady HMS Hood…?" she repeated.
"How is that possible?" Vestal asked, stepping forward. "She has been gone for years."
"I don't know," Yuuki answered honestly. "It was the same place I met Hornet before. That void-like sea."
Belfast spoke again, her tone more serious now.
"Master… Lady Hood was lost seven years ago in the Exelia Trench."
Yuuki frowned slightly.
"Exelia…?"
"The deepest trench in this world," Belfast clarified. "Far beyond the reach of conventional recovery operations."
Yuuki let out a small breath.
"…I was about to say Mariana Trench, but yeah… different world," he muttered. "Seven years…"
Enterprise stepped forward, her expression focused.
"She was sunk by a Siren ambush," she said. "Her ammunition storage detonated. There was no chance of survival."
Vestal added quietly—
"And her Wisdom Cube was never recovered."
There was a brief pause.
"The pressure at that depth would crush any attempt at retrieval," Belfast continued. "Even submarine-class units could not reach it safely."
Silence settled over the room.
Yuuki looked down at the cube in his hand again.
"…She told me," he said. "She said she sank… and then she woke up in that place."
He clenched his fingers slightly around it.
"For seven years… she's been alone there."
No one spoke.
Because they understood what that meant.
Belfast finally broke the silence.
"And yet…" she said slowly, "…her cube is now here."
Yuuki nodded faintly.
"…Yeah."
He looked at it again.
"…I didn't retrieve it," he said. "I didn't go to the trench."
His voice lowered slightly.
"…It came to me."
The implication settled heavily in the room.
Not recovered.
Not found.
Summoned.
Yorktown crossed her arms slightly, her gaze fixed on the cube.
"…So you can call them," she said quietly.
Vestal looked at Yuuki with a mix of awe and disbelief.
"Not just the living… but even those lost beyond reach…"
Unicorn clutched Illustrious' dress slightly.
"Big brother… brought her back…?"
Yuuki didn't answer immediately.
He simply looked at the cube.
Then—
"…I think," he said slowly, "she answered."
The glow from the Wisdom Cube pulsed softly.
As if—
Responding.
Yuuki didn't rush.
There was a weight to this moment that even he understood instinctively.
Slowly, he reached into his inventory and pulled out three more Wisdom Cubes—the ones belonging to the Royal Navy shipgirls he had already recovered. Their faint glow pulsed softly, familiar, stable… alive in their own way.
He placed them carefully on the table.
One.
Two.
Three.
The room grew quiet.
Every eye followed his movement.
Then—
Yuuki looked at the cube in his hand.
The one that had just formed.
The one that should not exist here.
"…Then," he said quietly, his voice steady but softer than before, "it's about time…"
He placed it down with the others.
"…she comes home."
The moment the fourth cube touched the table—
Everything reacted.
Light surged.
Not violently.
But powerfully.
The four cubes resonated with one another, their glow intensifying as if recognizing something long separated finally brought together. A soft hum filled the room, growing in pitch as energy began to circulate between them.
===========
The void returned to silence.
The endless sea stretched once more beneath the pale sky, unchanged, unmoving—just as it had been for years.
Hood stood alone again.
She exhaled softly.
"…So it ends like this again…"
There was no frustration in her voice. No anger. Only a quiet acceptance born from long familiarity. This emptiness had been her world for seven years.
And yet—
Something felt different.
Because this time—
She had something to miss.
"…Kind sir…" she murmured, her gaze lowering slightly. The memory of his voice, his presence, lingered in a way this world had never allowed before.
Then—
A voice.
"Hood?"
She froze.
That was not an echo.
That was real.
Hood turned.
And her composure—so carefully maintained—finally broke.
Before her stood three figures she knew better than anyone.
Warspite
Valiant
And at the center—
Queen Elizabeth
Hood's eyes widened.
"…How…?" she whispered. "You were lost… none could recover you…"
Warspite stepped forward slightly, her expression firm yet softened by relief.
"It would seem someone has," she said.
She didn't need to say who.
Hood understood immediately.
"…That commander…" Warspite added quietly.
Hood's gaze trembled slightly.
"…Kind sir…"
Elizabeth moved forward next—but unlike her usual commanding presence, there was something far more personal in her expression now.
"Hood…"
Hood immediately bowed.
"Your Majesty… forgive me," she said, her voice steady but carrying emotion beneath it. "I remained in the darkness for far too long…"
Elizabeth didn't let her finish.
"Preposterous!" she snapped—yet her voice wavered.
She closed the distance instantly—
And embraced her.
"You came back to us…" she said, her voice tightening. "You… you made us wait so long."
Hood's eyes softened as she returned the embrace.
"…Forgive me, Your Majesty."
Valiant crossed her arms, though even she could not fully hide her relief.
"That attendant of mine," she said, "clearly deserves proper recognition for retrieving you."
Warspite gave a slight huff.
"He is my lord," she said firmly.
Elizabeth lifted her chin.
"He is our servant."
Valiant immediately countered.
"He is my attendant."
Hood listened—
Then spoke, her tone composed once more.
"…In that case," she said gently, "I have already claimed him as my gentleman."
All three turned toward her.
Hood continued, completely calm.
"As his lady, it is my duty to refine him," she added. "Even if he insists on behaving like a caveman."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
Warspite sighed faintly.
"…That does sound like you."
Valiant smirked.
"You have not changed at all."
Elizabeth crossed her arms, though a small smile formed.
"You are still the ethics instructor of the Royal Navy."
Hood inclined her head slightly.
"Yes," she said. "That role remains unchanged."
The atmosphere softened.
The emptiness of the void no longer felt as heavy.
Because now—
They were not alone.
Warspite gestured slightly.
"Come," she said. "There is much you have missed."
Valiant nodded.
"And much we need to explain."
Elizabeth turned slightly, though she didn't let go of Hood completely.
"You will not be left behind again," she said.
Hood closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them—
Steady.
"…Then let us catch up," she said.
===================
Enterprise's gaze stayed fixed on the four cubes, the light from them reflecting faintly in her violet eyes. There was something different about the way they pulsed now—no longer dormant, no longer silent.
She turned to Yorktown.
"…What just happened, sis?"
Around them, Atago, Takao, and Unicorn were just as focused, their attention shifting between the cubes and Yuuki. This was something none of them had witnessed before.
Yorktown stepped forward slightly, her voice calm but certain.
"That was the Commander resonating with those who have passed," she explained. "He spoke with Hornet before. He used that same place… that void… to reach them."
Illustrious nodded gently.
"That is where we called for help as well," she added. "Belfast and I heard his voice long before we met him. It guided us."
Atago crossed her arms lightly, her usual playful tone subdued for once.
"His voice is like a destination," she said. "Takao and I followed it. Without that… we would not have made it."
Takao remained composed, though her eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
"I had already lost an arm and a leg by then," she said. "And yet… here I stand, restored."
She glanced at Yuuki.
"…To think he can communicate with those who have fallen…"
There was a pause.
"…Does that mean they were never truly gone?"
Yorktown lifted a cube gently in her hand.
Hornet's.
"They are still here," she said softly. "And they are listening."
The weight of that statement settled across the room.
Unicorn held onto Illustrious' sleeve a little tighter.
"…They can hear us… even now…?"
No one dismissed the idea.
Because after what they had just witnessed—
It was no longer impossible.
Nearby, Vestal stepped closer to Yuuki, shifting naturally into her role.
Her hands moved with practiced care as she examined him—checking for instability, fatigue, anything out of place.
"Master, are you well?" she asked.
Yuuki nodded.
"Yeah," he said casually. "Just got claimed by Hood as her gentleman."
There was a beat.
Then—
Silence.
A very noticeable one.
"She said she's going to teach me manners and ethics when she comes back," he added.
The reaction was immediate.
Subtle—
But unmistakable.
Atago blinked.
Takao stiffened.
Illustrious' smile paused for just a fraction too long.
Even Yorktown looked at him again, reassessing.
And Belfast—
Recovered the fastest.
But not completely.
"…That is indeed Lady Hood," Belfast said calmly. "She has always been the Royal Navy's instructor in etiquette and refinement."
Her tone remained composed.
But there was something beneath it.
Something territorial.
Yuuki, completely unaware of the incoming consequences, leaned back slightly.
"Well," he said, "until she gets here, I'm going to enjoy being a caveman and a useless lazy bum."
That lasted—
Exactly one second.
Belfast's hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
"Master," she said.
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Have you forgotten that I am still present?"
Yuuki straightened immediately.
"…No, ma'am."
"Good," Belfast replied.
Her grip remained.
"I shall continue your education until Lady Hood arrives."
Yuuki winced slightly.
"Bel… cut me some slack."
Belfast did not move.
"No," she said. "A maid takes pride in properly shaping her master."
There was no room for negotiation.
Yuuki exhaled slowly, already accepting his fate.
"…Yeah," he muttered.
"I guess my days as a useless caveman are officially numbered."
Behind him—
A few of the girls quietly looked away.
Some amused.
Some thoughtful.
And some—
Very aware—
That Hood would not be the only one keeping an eye on him from now on.
Yuuki stretched slightly, easing the lingering tension from earlier before clapping his hands once.
"Sigh… alright," he said. "Let's get something to eat first. Anyone got requests?"
Atago raised her hand immediately, her tone bright again.
"Shikikan-sama, miso soup please. We really missed that."
Enterprise followed right after, a little more formal but just as direct.
"Commander, I would like to request a cheeseburger."
Yuuki nodded.
"Got it," he said. "Bel, Hana—help me out."
Belfast inclined her head.
"Certainly, Master."
Yorktown gave a small nod.
"Right."
From the side, Unicorn stepped forward hesitantly.
"Big brother… Unicorn wants to help too…"
Yuuki smiled slightly.
"Sure," he said. "You can assist me."
The kitchen came alive quickly.
Between Yuuki's interface, Belfast's precision, and Yorktown's coordination, the preparation flowed smoothly. The scent of warm broth and cooked food gradually filled the space, replacing the last remnants of tension from earlier.
Soon enough, everyone gathered again with their meals.
For a while, it was quiet.
Not awkward—
Just peaceful.
Yuuki glanced toward Unicorn, who was carefully eating, still holding herself with that gentle, reserved posture.
"You have a really nice name," he said casually.
Unicorn blinked, then smiled shyly.
"Ehee… big brother likes my name…"
Illustrious looked at her fondly.
"She used to have a unicorn plush," she said. "But she lost it when the base was attacked."
Unicorn's expression dimmed slightly.
"I… miss U-chan…" she admitted softly.
Yuuki paused mid-bite.
"…Plush, huh…"
He leaned back slightly and brought up his interface. A faint holographic panel flickered to life in front of him, immediately catching everyone's attention.
Atago tilted her head.
"Ufuu… what are you planning now?"
Yuuki scrolled through something quickly.
"…I think I still have one…"
He stopped.
Then—
"Aha. Found it."
He tapped the interface.
A moment later, a soft object materialized onto the table.
A unicorn plush.
White body, purple mane.
Simple.
But unmistakably familiar.
Unicorn froze.
"…U-chan…?"
Yuuki shook his head lightly.
"Not the original," he said. "But it looks close enough. This was meant for kids back in my world… I just happened to bring it along."
He slid it gently toward her.
"You can have it."
Unicorn stared at it—
Then at him—
Then back at it again.
"…Big brother…"
She picked it up carefully, as if afraid it might disappear.
"…Thank you…"
Then she leaned forward and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you… thank you… thank you…"
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"Anytime, little one."
Then—
He paused again.
"…Wait," he said.
That word alone made several of them look up immediately.
Yuuki reached into his inventory again and pulled out a small marble-like device.
He began working on it right there at the table, his interface expanding as he configured something rapidly.
Takao narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…What are you doing?"
"Upgrading it," Yuuki replied simply.
Within seconds, the marble shifted, unfolding into a tiny embedded core. He unzipped the plush slightly and inserted it carefully before sealing it back up.
There was a brief pause.
Then—
The plush moved.
Its head tilted slightly.
Its small body shifted as if waking up.
The table went completely silent.
"…This is…" Vestal whispered.
Yuuki leaned back.
"AI control core," he explained. "Basic behavioral programming. It can't eat or grow, but it can respond, move, and interact."
He looked at Unicorn.
"Think of it as your personal companion."
Unicorn stared at it in complete disbelief as the plush gently nuzzled against her.
"…U-chan…"
Her eyes filled slightly as she hugged both the plush and Yuuki again.
"Big brother… thank you… thank you…"
Yuuki patted her head lightly.
"You're welcome."
Yorktown watched the scene, a faint smile forming.
"…Commander," she said, "you really like spoiling children, don't you?"
Yuuki shrugged.
"More like spoiling all of you."
Yorktown blinked once—
Then looked away slightly, a faint blush forming.
"…You really know what to say."
Belfast, standing nearby, allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
The atmosphere settled again.
=============
Yuuki stood at the edge of the deck, the wind brushing lightly against his coat as he looked out over the fleet.
Massive carriers.
Battleships in formation.
Escort vessels maintaining perfect spacing.
The ocean reflected it all like a mirror.
For a moment, he simply observed.
Then—
Footsteps.
"Ah… you two," he said, not turning immediately.
Enterprise and Vestal approached, stopping just behind him before stepping to his side.
"Commander," Enterprise began, her posture straight, voice steady, "we still wish to thank you… for allowing us to join your faction."
Yuuki glanced at her, then back at the fleet.
"Well," he said, "part of it is that I'm gathering shipgirls anyway."
A faint smirk followed.
"…And I'm looking forward to learning how to upgrade all of you."
Vestal gave a small nod.
"It is an honor, Commander," she said.
Yuuki exhaled lightly.
"Though I'll be honest," he added, "I can't do much for you yet. I still don't fully understand how shipgirls function."
Enterprise shook her head slightly.
"Please take your time," she said. "As long as we can be of use, that is enough."
Yuuki turned toward her more fully now.
"Actually… now that you mention it," he said, "there is something I can start with."
Enterprise's eyes sharpened.
"Commander?"
"I can train you," Yuuki said. "Specifically—coordination."
He gestured toward the sky, where distant aircraft formations moved in disciplined patterns.
"I want you to learn how to control and command aerial units like those," he continued. "Not just deploy them—coordinate them."
There was a pause.
Then—
"I want to see for myself if the 'Grey Ghost' lives up to the name."
Enterprise didn't hesitate.
"Please do, sir," she said immediately, determination clear in her voice.
Then she added—
"…Commander, what do you think of my sister?"
Yuuki let out a small breath, almost amused.
"Yorktown?" he said. "That girl is sharper than she lets on."
He crossed his arms slightly.
"She adapted to command and control systems almost instantly," he continued. "When I handed her control of those aircraft earlier, she handled it like she'd been doing it for years."
Enterprise blinked faintly.
"…I see…"
Yuuki glanced at her.
"If you saw her in action, you'd be surprised too," he said.
Then his tone softened slightly.
"She's my first shipgirl," he added. "Her and Laffey."
Enterprise looked at him again.
"…Your first…"
Yuuki nodded.
"Yeah," he said simply. "So they're special to me."
He turned slightly, looking back out at the fleet.
"You remember the command carrier's weapons and aerial units earlier?" he asked.
Enterprise nodded.
"They were under Yorktown and Laffey's control," Yuuki said.
That landed.
Enterprise's expression shifted—not with jealousy, but understanding.
Yuuki continued, his tone steady.
"To me… all of you are special," he said. "I don't care about what happened before. I don't care about past losses or who was stronger. Your history or achievements."
He glanced at Enterprise, then at Vestal.
"I just want you to stand with the others," he said.
There was a quiet weight behind his words now.
"To protect each other," he continued, "so that one day… none of you have to fight alone again."
The wind passed between them.
The fleet remained steady.
Enterprise stood silent for a moment.
Then—
"…Understood, Commander," she said.
Vestal gave a soft nod.
"We will not fail that expectation."
Yuuki gave a small, relaxed smile.
"Good," Yuuki said, reaching out and gently patting Enterprise's head.
"You're a good girl," he added, his tone warm but steady. "A natural protector. You'd rather take the hit yourself than let anyone else get hurt."
Enterprise didn't respond.
Her posture stiffened slightly.
Her eyes lowered.
Because it was true.
Yuuki watched her for a moment before continuing.
"But you know… that can also come across as distrust," he said.
That made her look up.
"…Distrust?" she repeated quietly.
Yuuki nodded.
"If you always put yourself in front of danger," he explained, "you're basically telling everyone else you don't trust them to stand with you."
Enterprise's lips parted slightly.
"I…"
The words didn't come.
Because part of her knew—
He wasn't wrong.
Yuuki raised a hand slightly.
"Hey," he said gently, interrupting before she could spiral into it. "Don't overthink it."
He gave her another light pat on the head.
"I get why you do it," he continued. "You've been through enough that protecting others feels like the only thing you can do. You wanted to step in so no one has to do the dangerous tasks. Seeing what happened ten years after the siren won, I think I can safe to say 'a lot' has happened for you to think such ways."
His tone softened.
"But trust goes both ways."
Enterprise's gaze steadied on him.
"They don't want to see you get hurt either," he said. "Yorktown, Vestal, Unicorn… everyone here."
There was a pause.
Then, more quietly—
"I don't want you to get hurt either."
That landed differently.
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"You don't have to be the shield all the time," he said. "Sometimes what people need isn't a protector standing in front of them…"
He tapped her shoulder lightly.
"…but someone standing with them. The reason the rescue worked today is because all of them working together. Yorktown and Illustrious handled air battles and bombing. Laffey protecting the main command carrier and the carriers around her. Atago and Takao protecting the carriers. Finally, Bel flew to pick you, Vestal and Unicorn escorted by Yorktown. I fought against Purifier with my legions. None of us worked alone."
Enterprise's breath slowed.
Her shoulders eased just slightly.
Yuuki kept his hand on her head, his tone steady but carrying more weight now.
"I've been in your position before," he said. "So I understand how it feels."
Enterprise didn't move.
Didn't pull away.
She simply listened.
"I know what it's like to think everything depends on you," he continued. "To believe that if you don't step forward, everything falls apart."
His fingers moved slightly, a gentle, reassuring motion.
"But that's not how this works anymore. In GDI, it doesn't work that way."
He looked out at the fleet, then back at her.
"I want that burden shared," he said. "If you get hurt, others step in. If they're in danger, you step in. That's how it should be."
His voice lowered just slightly.
"Getting hurt together. Protecting each other. That's what makes a fleet strong."
Enterprise's grip tightened slightly at her side.
Yuuki continued without hesitation.
"And if you do get hurt," he added, "then I'll fix it."
There was no arrogance in his tone.
Only certainty.
"I'll find a way to make you stronger," he said. "Stronger than before. Strong enough that next time, you won't have to carry everything alone."
Enterprise looked at him.
Really looked this time.
"We may have just met," Yuuki said, "but I've seen enough people like you to understand."
He smiled faintly.
"As your commander, I'll lead you to victory."
He tapped her lightly on the head again.
"I'll turn broken carriers into the ones that lead the charge."
There was a pause.
Then Enterprise spoke.
"We will hold you to that promise, Commander."
Her voice was firm.
But softer than before.
She didn't step back.
Didn't remove his hand.
Instead—
She allowed it.
Because the warmth of that simple gesture… felt unfamiliar.
And comforting.
"…Understood," she added quietly.
For the first time—
She wasn't thinking about standing in front of everyone.
She was thinking about standing with them.
=================
A short distance away, the others had gathered quietly.
None of them interrupted.
None of them announced their presence.
But they listened.
Every word.
Atago's usual playful expression had softened, her eyes lingering on Yuuki longer than usual. Takao stood beside her, arms crossed, but her posture lacked its usual rigidity. Illustrious held her teacup gently, though she had long since stopped drinking. Belfast remained composed as always, yet her gaze never left her commander.
Even Laffey, half-asleep as she often was, had not drifted off completely.
They had all heard him.
Not just the words—
But the intent behind them.
There was no grand speech.
No demand for loyalty.
No pressure.
And yet—
They felt it.
That trust.
It was given so naturally that it almost felt undeserved.
Atago exhaled softly.
"…Ufuu… Shikikan-sama really is something. Onee-san has chosen the right one." she murmured.
Takao didn't disagree.
"…He places trust without hesitation," she said. "Even in those he has only just met."
Illustrious lowered her gaze slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"And yet," she added, "it does not feel careless."
Belfast finally spoke, her voice calm but firm.
"Because it is not," she said. "Master does not trust blindly."
They turned to her.
"He understands," Belfast continued. "He observes, evaluates… and then chooses to trust."
There was quiet certainty in her words.
"And once that trust is given," she added, "he does not withdraw it lightly."
That was what made it heavy.
Not fragile.
Not conditional.
But deliberate.
Yorktown, standing slightly apart, crossed her arms loosely.
"He trusts us because he knows we chose him first, we took his hand when no one else needed us," she said.
Her gaze shifted toward Yuuki and Enterprise.
"And because he believes we won't turn on him."
Silence followed.
Because that part—
Was true.
They all knew it.
This was not the same world they came from.
Not the same fractured alliances.
Not the same collapsing command structures.
Here—
Trust wasn't forced.
It was chosen.
Atago smiled faintly.
"…And if someone did betray that trust," she said lightly, though there was steel beneath it, "they would not just face him."
Takao finished the thought.
"They would face all of us."
Because this was no longer a collection of survivors.
It was becoming something else.
A bond in a faction.
Illustrious looked down at her hands, then back up.
"In a world where humanity failed us," she said softly, "he did not."
Belfast's eyes softened just slightly.
"Because he does not rely on that world's humanity," she said.
Yorktown nodded.
"He builds his own."
There was a quiet understanding among them now.
Yuuki didn't ask for their loyalty.
He didn't demand it.
He didn't even question it.
He simply—
Accepted them.
And in doing so—
Gave them something they had not felt in a long time.
A place to stand.
A home.
Together as a single faction. No Eagle Union, Royal Navy or Sakura Empire.
They are Global Defense Initiative.
And if the world turned against them again—
Humanity turned against them.....
They already knew the answer.
He would stand in front.
And they—
Would stand beside him.
They had seen enough to understand the scale of what stood behind him.
Not rumors or assumptions, but reality.
A fleet that eclipsed anything they had known before. Weapons capable of erasing entire Siren formations within moments. Technology that did not belong to this world. A command structure that extended beyond the ocean, into orbit, into space itself.
Yuuki possessed the means to change everything.
He could have chosen to save humanity on a global scale. He could have rebuilt nations, reclaimed territories, and restored order to a collapsing world.
But he didn't.
He chose them.
That realization settled deeply within each of them, not as pride, but as something far heavier. It was not a gift without meaning. It was a choice that carried responsibility.
Atago's usual lighthearted expression faded into something more thoughtful. She understood what it meant for someone with that level of power to make such a decision.
He could have used them as tools.
He could have commanded them through fear or necessity.
Instead, he gave them purpose.
Takao understood it in her own way. Discipline and structure had always defined her, but this was different. This was not a chain of command enforced by obligation. It was something chosen, something mutual.
They were not being repurposed as weapons.
They were being allowed to stand as themselves.
Illustrious felt it most clearly in the quiet moments. He did not strip them of their past, nor did he force them to forget. Their histories, their losses, their identities—all of it remained intact.
Yet, despite that, he offered them something new.
A future.
Belfast recognized the structure behind it. Yuuki did not operate on blind trust, nor did he demand loyalty outright. He observed, understood, and then chose to trust.
That made it far more difficult to betray.
Because it was not given carelessly.
Yorktown saw the distinction more clearly than most. He did not need them in order to maintain his power. His fleets, his weapons, his systems—none of it depended on their presence.
Yet he still chose to stand with them.
That choice changed everything.
Vestal reflected on the past they had left behind. They had once fought for a world that could not protect them, for systems that eventually failed them. There had been moments where they were left to survive on their own, discarded or forgotten.
That was no longer the case.
Here, they were not expendable.
Here, they were not abandoned.
That alone was enough.
Takao understood the line that had been drawn. If that trust was broken, then everything that separated them from the Sirens would collapse. They would become no different from the enemy they fought against.
That was not something any of them were willing to accept.
Atago, for all her playful nature, felt that just as strongly. What he had given them was not something to take lightly, nor something to discard.
Illustrious saw it as something even deeper. He had not just given them strength to fight. He had given them the ability to live again, to exist beyond survival, to find meaning beyond endless conflict.
Belfast understood the balance of it all. Loyalty was not demanded, nor was it enforced. It was given willingly, because it had been earned.
Yorktown saw the result of that choice clearly. He had given them a place to stand, and in return, they would ensure that place remained unshaken.
There was no need for declarations or vows.
No need for dramatic promises.
Each of them had already decided.
He chose them.
And they chose him.
=================
Yuuki shifted his attention from Enterprise to Vestal, stepping a little closer as he studied her with a more technical gaze.
"Vestal… come here for a second."
She straightened immediately.
"Yes, Commander."
"Activate your ship mode."
She complied without hesitation. Light formed around her as her rigging manifested—mechanical arms, support frames, and equipment designed for repair and maintenance. Compared to the others, her setup was less aggressive, but there was a clear complexity in its structure.
Yuuki's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Impressive," he said. "These riggings are more intricate than I expected."
He circled her once, observing angles, connections, response latency.
"Alright," he said. "Raise your arms."
Vestal did as instructed.
"…Like this?"
"Yeah."
A holographic interface unfolded in front of Yuuki as he accessed his system. From it, he pulled out two compact, cylindrical devices—sleek, reinforced, and clearly modified.
"This," he said, holding one up, "is a Gizmo Repair Gun."
Vestal blinked.
"…Repair gun?"
"It's an advanced tool used by GDI engineers and medics back during the First Tiberium War," Yuuki explained. "I modified it to fit as a gauntlet instead of a handheld unit."
Vestal tilted her head slightly.
"Tiberium War…?"
Yuuki smirked faintly.
"Long story. I'll explain later."
He stepped closer and secured the first device onto her right arm. The system immediately synced, faint lights activating as it integrated with her rigging.
"Right arm," he said. "This is your healing interface."
He then gently guided her aim toward Enterprise.
"Now… test it."
Vestal hesitated for only a moment before activating it.
A soft blue beam extended outward.
Enterprise stiffened instinctively, but instead of pain—
"…It feels… airy…" she said, surprised. "Like wind…"
Yuuki nodded.
"That's normal," he said. "You're not damaged, so the nanomachines don't have anything to repair. They just pass through."
Vestal's eyes widened slightly.
"…Nanomachines…?"
"Thousands of them," Yuuki confirmed. "They scan, locate damage, repair it, then return to the system. Works on both rigging and biological structures."
Vestal looked at her arm, then back at him.
"Commander… this is…"
Yuuki didn't let her finish.
"The right hand heals," he said simply.
Then he lifted the second device.
"And the left hand…"
He attached it to her other arm.
"…destroys."
Vestal froze for a fraction of a second.
Yuuki gently repositioned her left arm away from the group, pointing toward the open sea.
"Go on," he said.
She activated it.
A violent red lightning beam erupted forward, tearing across the surface of the ocean with raw energy. The contrast to the blue beam was immediate—this was not for healing.
Vestal flinched.
Enterprise's eyes widened.
The beam dissipated after a moment.
Silence followed.
Yuuki stepped back and gave Vestal a light pat on the shoulder.
"Congratulations," he said casually. "You're officially a GDI badass medic."
Vestal stared at her hands.
Then at him.
"Commander… I… I just joined your fleet," she said, her voice uncertain. "And you're giving me something like this…"
Her grip tightened slightly.
"…This level of power…"
There was hesitation in her eyes.
Not fear of the weapon—
But doubt in herself.
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"Yeah," he said. "Because you're a medic."
He met her gaze directly.
"And I trust you to do your job."
There was no exaggeration.
No dramatic speech.
Just certainty.
"You're going to be the primary medic for all GDI shipgirls," he added.
Vestal's breath caught slightly.
"Commander… that's… I…" she struggled to respond.
Because she understood what that meant.
In her old life—
She was needed only when things went wrong.
Otherwise, she waited.
On standby.
Invisible.
Yuuki shook his head slightly.
"Don't overthink it," he said.
Then he smiled.
"You're my first medic."
He tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
"That makes you special."
That landed harder than anything else he said.
Vestal's cheeks flushed slightly.
Her posture straightened—not out of obligation, but resolve.
"…Then," she said, steady now, "I, Vestal, will dedicate myself to healing the wounded."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"Please continue to trust me from now on."
Yuuki nodded.
"Already do."
And for the first time—
Vestal didn't feel like someone waiting to be needed.
She felt like someone essential.
Yuuki's grin lingered a little too long.
"Ah, please do," he said, clearly amused.
Vestal's face warmed instantly, her composure slipping just enough to show it.
"…Commander…"
That was when the atmosphere shifted.
"So Vestal is getting special treatment now."
Yorktown's voice cut in smoothly from behind.
Yuuki turned.
"Hana? What are you—"
Belfast stepped in before he could finish.
"Master," she said, calm but unmistakably firm, "please be fair to everyone."
Yuuki exhaled.
"Bel…"
Atago folded her arms, cheeks slightly puffed.
"No fair, Shikikan-sama!"
Takao looked away, but the faint pout she tried to hide gave her away just as much.
"Muu… it appears Lord Commander has been charmed by the medic," Illustrious added, her tone gentle but clearly teasing.
Yuuki raised both hands slightly.
"Illy… you too?"
Unicorn, meanwhile, remained blissfully unbothered. She hugged her newly animated U-chan close, occasionally glancing up at Yuuki with quiet contentment. In her mind, there was no competition—she trusted him completely.
That left Yuuki standing in front of a very obvious problem.
"…Alright, alright," he said, surrendering with a small laugh. "I get it."
He looked at all of them.
"I'll prepare something for everyone," he continued. "Proper upgrades, not random handouts. Something that actually fits each of you."
That eased the tension slightly, though a few expressions remained expectant.
He nodded toward Vestal.
"For now, she's the only one I can equip directly with this system," he explained. "The repair gun requires a stable support framework and continuous energy draw. Her rigging is designed for that. Yours aren't—yet."
Takao's expression shifted from pout to understanding.
"So it is a compatibility issue," she said.
"Exactly," Yuuki replied. "If I force it onto the wrong platform, it'll either drain you dry or malfunction mid-combat. Neither is acceptable."
Belfast gave a small nod.
"A reasonable limitation," she said.
Yorktown crossed her arms lightly.
"Then we'll hold you to that promise," she said.
Atago leaned slightly closer, her usual smile returning.
"Ufuu… onee-san will be looking forward to her special upgrade~"
Illustrious smiled softly.
"I shall as well."
Yuuki sighed, though there was no real frustration behind it.
"Yeah, yeah," he said. "One at a time."
He glanced around at all of them again.
"Everyone gets something," he added.
That settled it.
Not because of the upgrades—
But because of what it meant.
He wasn't favoring one.
He was planning for all.
And that—
Was enough.
Yorktown didn't hesitate.
She stepped in and hooked onto his arm, her tone calm but unmistakably assertive.
"I am your first shipgirl," she said. "It is only natural that I should be special to you."
Before Yuuki could respond, Belfast moved in from the other side just as smoothly, her expression composed but her intent just as clear.
"Master," she said, "as your personal maid, it is my duty to remain by your side."
Yuuki glanced left.
Then right.
"…You two planned this, didn't you?"
He didn't get an answer—
Because Atago immediately inserted herself into the situation.
"No, no, no~ Shikikan belongs to onee-san!" she declared, trying to claim space with zero hesitation.
Takao pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Atago-nee…" she sighed, already resigned.
Before Yuuki could even process that—
Laffey climbed up.
Straight onto his shoulder.
"Commander… pillow…" she mumbled, settling in like she had found her natural habitat.
"…Of course you did," Yuuki muttered.
Vestal crossed her arms, a small, mischievous smile forming.
"Then perhaps I should arrange full-time medical supervision for the Commander," she said. "Purely for his health, of course."
Yuuki gave her a look.
"That sounds suspiciously like overreach."
"It is professional care," she replied smoothly.
From behind—
Warmth.
Illustrious wrapped her arms around him gently, her presence soft but very much intentional.
"Ufufufu… Lord Commander may request soft landings from me anytime," she said, her tone teasing but affectionate.
Yuuki froze for a second.
"…Illy, that phrasing is dangerous."
Meanwhile, Unicorn stepped forward, clutching U-chan, looking determined in her own quiet way.
"Commander is Unicorn's big brother," she said, as if that alone settled everything.
Yuuki blinked.
"…That might be the most solid claim here."
He turned, clearly looking for an ally.
"Enterprise, a little help?"
Enterprise—
Looked away.
Pulled her hat slightly lower.
"…I have no comment," she said, her voice quieter than usual, a faint blush visible.
Yuuki stared at her.
"…Not you too."
He looked around.
One side—Yorktown and Belfast.
The other—Atago trying to push in, Takao pretending not to be involved.
Above—Laffey already settled.
Behind—Illustrious holding him comfortably.
Nearby—Vestal clearly planning something.
In front—Unicorn claiming him in the most innocent way possible.
He exhaled.
"…Can a guy catch a break?"
"No!!"
The response came instantly.
Unified.
Loud.
Absolute.
Yuuki closed his eyes for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "I walked into this one."
And judging by the way none of them moved—
He wasn't getting out anytime soon.