Yuuki slowly opened his eyes once more.
And immediately recognized where he was.
The Nikke Inner World.
The endless void-like realm formed from consciousness, memories, and emotional resonance.
Yet unlike before—
This place felt calm.
Peaceful.
An endless field of green grass stretched beneath soft skies while gentle winds moved across the plains quietly.
No corruption.
No darkness.
No fractured memories tearing reality apart.
Just silence.
Yuuki slowly stood alone within the open field.
"…Nayuta?"
A familiar voice answered almost immediately.
"O Great Hero…"
Yuuki turned.
And there she stood.
A woman identical to Nayuta.
Yet different.
The aura surrounding her felt far deeper.
Far older.
More complete.
Her silver hair moved softly beneath the endless sky while her blue-white kimono fluttered gently in the wind.
And unlike the clone aboard the Daedalus—
This woman's eyes carried countless streams of information flowing within them constantly.
Then softly—
"…We finally meet."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You're…"
The woman smiled faintly.
"Yes."
"This humble one is the original."
"The true Nayuta."
Yuuki quietly exhaled.
"…So the synchronization worked."
Nayuta slowly approached him across the grassy plains.
Every movement calm and elegant.
"My clones relayed much information regarding thee."
Then softly—
"The moment thy blood established resonance…"
"…all disconnected pathways reopened."
Yuuki listened silently.
Nayuta gently placed a hand against her chest afterward.
"For years…"
"My clones slowly lost synchronization due to corruption and isolation."
"Some were lost."
"Some damaged."
"Some captured."
Then quietly—
"But thy world…"
Her eyes softened warmly now.
"…thy world restored them."
Yuuki blinked once.
"Restored?"
Nayuta nodded.
"The corruption affecting my fragmented consciousness…"
"…was cleansed."
Then looking toward him directly—
"Even the Rapture contamination embedded within some clones disappeared completely."
Yuuki slowly realized what that meant.
The connection through him—
Through whatever strange existence he possessed—
Was stabilizing Nikke consciousness itself.
Not merely emotionally.
Fundamentally.
Nayuta softly smiled afterward.
"I can hear them again now."
"Every surviving clone."
The skies above the void briefly shimmered.
Countless distant streams of light appeared momentarily overhead.
Signals.
Connections.
Fragments of herself spread across the world.
Then softly—
"For the first time in many years…"
"…I am no longer alone."
Yuuki crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"So you can control them again?"
Nayuta nodded gently.
"Safely."
"Without corruption."
Then her expression became more serious.
"And because of thee…"
"…they are finally free from Ark and Rapture interference."
Yuuki sighed softly.
"…The Ark executives are probably panicking right now."
Nayuta actually smiled faintly hearing that.
"Indeed."
Then quietly—
"Their chains weaken."
"The NIMPH system was designed to ensure obedience through resurrection dependency."
"But thy blood…"
"…severs the foundation itself."
Yuuki looked toward the endless skies above them.
"…I didn't intend to start a revolution."
Nayuta calmly stepped beside him.
"Yet thou already hast."
Nayuta slowly raised her hand.
And suddenly—
The skies above the endless grasslands filled with streams of light.
Thousands.
Information.
Signals.
Memories flowing through countless hidden pathways.
Yuuki narrowed his eyes slightly watching them.
"My clones are everywhere now."
Nayuta's voice became quieter.
"Some remain hidden within the Ark."
"Some among Eden."
"Some…"
Her eyes darkened slightly.
"…were corrupted into Heretics."
"Heretics"
"Those who joined the Raptures unwillingly."
The streams of light shifted again.
Then—
Several suddenly turned crimson.
Corrupted.
Rapture-controlled.
Yuuki's expression sharpened immediately.
"…Raptures integrated your clones?"
Nayuta nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"My original architecture was designed for information collection and synchronization."
Then softly—
"Raptures discovered my value long ago."
The skies above them displayed brief fragmented images.
Rapture facilities.
Machine hives.
Massive biomechanical structures.
Countless data streams.
"I possess information spanning nearly every major faction remaining in this world."
"The Ark."
"Eden."
"Pilgrims."
"Heretics."
"Rapture movement patterns."
"Strategic locations."
"Surface factions."
Then finally—
"…the Rapture Queen's logistical systems."
Yuuki immediately understood the implication.
Nayuta wasn't merely important.
She was a living strategic supercomputer.
Then firmly—
"We need to recover your original body immediately."
For the first time—
Nayuta's expression faltered slightly.
"O Great Hero…"
"If matters were truly that simple…"
Yuuki frowned.
"…Why?"
The endless skies darkened slightly afterward.
Then—
A colossal shadow appeared overhead.
Yuuki slowly looked upward.
And immediately understood.
Something enormous moved beyond the clouds.
Its sheer size blocked the skies themselves.
A gigantic flying biomechanical structure.
Tentacles.
Cannons.
Massive armor plating.
Entire swarms of Raptures moving across its surface like parasites.
Nayuta's voice became quieter.
"My true body is not hidden in peace."
"The peaceful village…"
"…is merely a safeguard."
"A mental sanctuary I created to shield myself from total corruption."
Then looking upward toward the monstrous shadow—
"My true self resides within that."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes.
"…Where exactly?"
Nayuta softly answered.
"Inside the Mother Whale."
Silence.
Then—
"…That does not sound small."
"It is not."
The full image finally revealed itself above the skies.
The Mother Whale.
A colossal airborne Rapture carrier.
Larger than cities.
Its body covered with launch bays, tentacle batteries, and massive beam cannons capable of scorching entire landscapes.
Rapture swarms continuously moved beneath its armored shell.
Transport units.
Heavy assault organisms.
Flying drones.
Siege-class entities.
It wasn't merely a war machine.
It was a mobile invasion ecosystem.
Nayuta quietly explained further.
"The Mother Whale functions as one of the Raptures' primary deployment carriers."
"Entire armies reside within its body."
"Teams of Raptures patrol its cranial sectors and upper hull."
"Meanwhile…"
"…its dorsal beam emitters can devastate entire regions."
Yuuki stared upward silently.
Then softly—
"…A flying fortress."
Nayuta nodded.
"Far larger than any ordinary Rapture structure."
Then finally—
She turned toward him fully.
And for the first time since meeting her—
The calm woman genuinely looked vulnerable.
"O Great Hero…"
"Thou possesseth the strength."
"The fleet."
"The technology."
"The will."
Then quietly—
"Please save this humble one."
The wind across the endless plains softened.
Nayuta lowered her head slightly.
"If thou rescueth my original self…"
"…I shall formally join the GDI."
Then softly—
"As thy information keeper within this world."
"I will provide every piece of knowledge necessary to destroy the Mother Whale."
Yuuki slowly crossed his arms afterward.
Already calculating possibilities instinctively.
The Daedalus fleet.
Kodiaks.
Zeus Platforms.
Firehawks.
Orcas.
Ion weaponry.
Chronocopters.
Against—
A colossal airborne Rapture supercarrier.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Because now—
He could already feel it.
This would not merely be another operation.
It would become the first true large-scale war between the GDI and the Rapture forces.
Just like the battle against the Siren Orochi before.
Except this time—
The enemy was far larger.
Far more adaptive.
And very likely—
Far more dangerous.
The endless skies above the grasslands shifted again.
Streams of information continued flowing around Nayuta endlessly now.
Unlike before—
The fractured connections between her clones had stabilized completely.
Thousands of invisible pathways now linked together through Yuuki's strange inner world.
Nayuta softly placed a hand against her chest.
"I have recovered synchronization with all surviving clones."
Then calmly—
"They now serve as my eyes."
The skies briefly displayed countless distant perspectives.
Ark facilities.
Ruined cities.
Rapture hives.
Heretic strongholds.
Even hidden human settlements.
"My clones shall continue pretending to remain under enemy control."
Then softly smiling—
"But now…"
"…all information shall flow unto me instead."
Yuuki quietly listened.
Because what Nayuta offered wasn't merely intelligence gathering anymore.
It was a world-spanning spy network.
A hidden information system operating beneath the awareness of the Ark and the Raptures simultaneously.
Then suddenly—
Nayuta's expression sharpened slightly.
"The Raptures are attempting to breach my sanctuary."
The skies overhead briefly distorted.
Dark cracks appeared momentarily before fading again.
Yuuki immediately frowned.
"How do I find you, Nayuta?"
The woman looked toward him directly.
"The Mother Whale shall pass near thy current destination island."
Then calmly—
"Two days from now."
Yuuki immediately began mentally calculating fleet movement timings.
Nayuta continued.
"That shall become thy window of opportunity."
"To engage the Mother Whale."
"And finally secure my freedom."
Then—
She hesitated slightly afterward.
Yuuki noticed immediately.
"…Plus?"
Nayuta slowly raised her hand.
The skies above them changed once more.
This time—
Faces appeared.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Prisoners.
Yuuki's eyes narrowed immediately.
"The Mother Whale currently contains sixteen captives."
The first images appeared.
Two Sakura carriers.
Elegant.
Battle-worn.
Shokaku and Zuikaku.
Then—
Another pair.
Hiryuu and Soryuu.
Yuuki immediately recognized them.
"…The Fifth and Second Carrier Division."
More figures appeared afterward.
Royal Navy carriers.
Centaur.
Albion.
"Centaur Class."
Then—
Three massive Iron Blood signatures appeared next.
Even their silhouettes radiated overwhelming presence.
Friedrich der Große.
Hindenburg.
Mecklenburg.
Yuuki visibly paused slightly seeing them.
"…Unknown classes."
Nayuta nodded.
"Extremely dangerous warships."
Then finally—
Two Eagle Union battleships appeared.
Arizona.
Pennsylvania.
"Pennsylvania class."
The skies shifted once more.
Then—
Five Nikke profiles appeared.
Two maids first.
"Maids For You squad members."
Privaty and Velvet.
Then—
Three Elysion elite members.
Emma.
Eunhwa.
Vesti.
Silence filled the endless plains afterward.
Then finally—
Yuuki slowly rubbed his forehead.
"…Holy hell."
"Sixteen potential allies…"
"…inside a flying apocalypse whale."
Nayuta softly nodded.
"And many among them possess exceptional combat potential."
Yuuki immediately began thinking tactically now.
Rescue operations.
Extraction points.
Fleet positioning.
Rapture response timings.
Internal boarding teams.
And one horrifying realization.
The Mother Whale was no longer simply an enemy supercarrier.
It had become a prison.
One containing future members of the GDI.
Yuuki remained silent for several moments while countless possibilities ran through his mind.
The Mother Whale.
Sixteen captives.
A world-scale information network.
A direct war against the Raptures themselves.
Too much to handle recklessly.
Finally—
He slowly exhaled.
"Two days…"
Then firmly—
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Nayuta quietly looked toward him.
Yuuki continued calmly.
"For now…"
"We focus on retrieving Laurelin."
"And locating the two additional Nikkes near the island."
Strategic holograms briefly flickered across the skies around them instinctively responding to his thoughts.
"We'll use the time to prepare."
"Fleet positioning."
"Potential ambush points."
"Boarding strategies."
Then finally—
Yuuki looked directly at her.
"So hold on a little longer, Nayuta."
His voice softened slightly afterward.
"…I'll save you."
For the first time—
The original Nayuta's calm composure visibly weakened slightly.
Relief.
Warmth.
Hope.
Emotions she had likely suppressed for years.
"Yes…"
Her voice became quieter.
"Thank thee…"
"…O Great Hero."
Then—
The endless grasslands around them slowly shifted.
Dark crimson energy appeared in the distance.
Pulsing softly.
Heavy.
Emotional.
Yuuki immediately recognized what it was.
Nayuta's inner core memories.
Her true self.
Not merely information.
Not merely data.
But everything she truly carried inside her heart.
Nayuta slowly walked toward it beside him.
Then softly—
"O Great Hero…"
"This shall reveal my final self unto thee."
The red light intensified.
Fragments of memories already flickered faintly within it.
Pain.
Loneliness.
Fear.
Regret.
Then quietly—
"My weakness…"
"My shame…"
"My flaws…"
Her voice trembled ever so slightly now.
"All shall become visible unto thee."
For someone like Nayuta—
A being built around knowledge and observation—
Being fully seen was terrifying.
Because now—
Nothing would remain hidden anymore.
Then softly—
"Please…"
"…do not judge this humble one."
Yuuki immediately stopped walking.
Nayuta looked slightly surprised.
Then—
Yuuki gently placed a hand atop her head.
And patted her softly.
Warmly.
Not as commander.
Not as savior.
Just as someone accepting another person completely.
"I won't, Nayuta."
The woman's eyes widened faintly.
Yuuki smiled gently afterward.
"Everyone has scars."
"Everyone has flaws."
Then quietly—
"And honestly?"
"You've already spent too long carrying yours alone."
For several seconds—
Nayuta simply stood there silently beneath his hand.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
Her tense expression softened completely.
And for the first time since meeting him—
The original Nayuta smiled not as an information entity.
Not as a clone network.
Not as a tool.
But simply—
As a woman finally allowing herself to trust someone completely.
The crimson memories around Nayuta slowly opened.
And Yuuki finally saw her past.
Long before she became a Nikke—
Long before clones, information networks, and wandering battlefields—
Nayuta had once been human.
A monk.
Not born into luxury.
Not born into war.
But raised within a secluded mountain sect hidden far from the collapsing world below.
The sect preached discipline.
Detachment.
Enlightenment through observation.
Nayuta had been quiet even back then.
Gentle.
Wise beyond her age.
She spent her days studying ancient texts, tending gardens, and meditating beneath snowfall while listening to distant temple bells echo through the mountains.
The villagers below the mountain respected the sect deeply.
To them—
The monks were guardians.
Protectors blessed with wisdom.
And Nayuta believed that too.
Until the day the Raptures came.
The memory shifted violently.
Smoke.
Screaming.
Gunfire.
The peaceful village below the mountain burned beneath machine fire.
Spider-like Raptures crawled through the streets.
Flying drones hunted fleeing civilians.
People screamed while desperately climbing the mountain path toward the monastery gates.
Begging.
Crying.
Pleading for help.
Nayuta remembered standing there among the younger monks watching terrified villagers collapse before the gates.
Children.
Mothers.
Old men.
All begging the sect for sanctuary.
But the elders refused.
"We must preserve the order."
"The outside world has already fallen."
"To intervene would invite destruction upon ourselves."
Nayuta still remembered the disbelief she felt.
The horror.
The helplessness.
She argued.
Begged.
Pleaded for the sect to help.
But the elders remained unmoved.
Cold.
Detached.
"Compassion without wisdom is self-destruction."
So the gates remained closed.
And Nayuta watched people die one by one outside the monastery walls.
A little girl screaming for her mother.
An old man shielding his grandson.
Villagers beaten apart by machine fire while the monastery bells continued ringing peacefully overhead.
The memory nearly broke her even now.
Then—
The Raptures eventually found the monastery anyway.
Because machines did not care for isolation.
Or neutrality.
Or enlightenment.
The mountain sect burned exactly the same as the village below.
The elders who preached detachment died screaming.
The temple halls collapsed beneath artillery fire.
Monks fled in terror.
And Nayuta—
Who tried helping evacuate the wounded—
Was struck directly through the chest by shrapnel from a Rapture blast.
The memory slowed afterward.
Snow falling gently around burning buildings.
Blood staining white stone.
Temple bells still ringing weakly in the distance.
Nayuta collapsing beneath the ruined gate while flames consumed the monastery behind her.
And the cruelest part—
Help arrived too late.
Ark recovery drones eventually reached the mountain after the battle ended.
Searching for viable brains.
Viable candidates.
Potential Nikkes.
By the time they found Nayuta—
Her human body was already gone.
Only fragments remained recoverable.
Then came rebirth.
Cold laboratories.
Artificial bodies.
Memory reconstruction.
NIMPH implantation.
Nayuta awakening no longer human.
No longer monk.
No longer alive.
Yet somehow—
Still carrying the same pain.
The same guilt.
Because even after death—
She still remembered the villagers abandoned by those meant to protect them.
That became her vow.
Never again.
Never again would she ignore those crying for help.
Never again would she allow knowledge to exist without compassion.
Eventually—
She joined D.E.E.P.
A secretive collective obsessed with information gathering and prediction.
At first Nayuta believed she finally found people who understood the importance of knowledge.
But over time—
The same flaw appeared again.
Information without heart.
Observation without action.
They watched suffering.
Catalogued suffering.
Studied suffering.
But rarely intervened.
And once again—
Nayuta could not accept it.
The schism that followed remained unclear even now.
Whether she left willingly or was exiled no longer mattered.
She abandoned D.E.E.P.
And wandered the ruined world alone.
Until eventually—
She encountered the wandering Pilgrims.
The Forerunners.
Pioneer.
Warriors who still fought despite humanity already collapsing.
And for the first time since her human life—
Nayuta found purpose again.
She used her cloning abilities to scatter fragments of herself across the world.
Thousands of eyes.
Thousands of ears.
Information networks hidden everywhere.
Not for control.
Not for power.
But so nobody desperate for help would ever be ignored again.
And now—
Standing within the crimson memory world—
Yuuki finally understood why Nayuta followed him so easily.
Because unlike the monks.
Unlike D.E.E.P.
Unlike the Ark.
He never ignored those crying for help.
The crimson world around them trembled softly.
Fragments of burning temples and dying screams slowly faded into silence.
And there—
Standing amidst the endless memories—
Nayuta finally broke.
"Heavens…"
Her voice trembled weakly.
"…forgive this foolish one…"
Tears slowly fell from her eyes.
Not the calm tears of quiet sadness.
But years of guilt finally collapsing all at once.
"Please…"
"…forgive me…"
Her hands shook violently as she lowered herself to her knees.
Yet—
Yuuki immediately realized something important.
She was not begging him for forgiveness.
She was begging the dead.
The villagers.
The children outside the monastery gates.
The people she could not save.
Even after becoming a Nikke.
Even after wandering the world for years helping others.
That guilt never disappeared.
Because part of Nayuta still believed she failed them.
"If only…"
Her breathing became uneven.
"If only this foolish one had opened the gates…"
"If only this foolish one had fought…"
Then breaking completely—
"Perhaps they would still be alive…"
The endless skies darkened with her emotions.
Rain slowly began falling across the memory world.
And for the first time—
The composed, wise Nayuta no longer looked like an untouchable monk or information keeper.
She simply looked like a grieving woman carrying too many dead inside her heart.
Then—
Warmth.
Yuuki quietly stepped forward.
And pulled her into his arms.
Nayuta visibly froze.
Her tears only intensified afterward.
Yuuki held her gently.
Firmly.
Comfortingly.
Not trying to silence her grief.
Not dismissing her pain.
Just allowing her to finally release it.
"You were a victim too, Nayuta."
Her body trembled hearing that.
Yuuki's voice remained soft.
"You were just a girl."
"A girl abandoned by people who should've protected others."
Nayuta gripped his clothing weakly afterward.
"But this foolish one…"
"…hesitated…"
Yuuki slowly shook his head.
"No."
"The ones who abandoned those villagers made that choice."
"Not you."
Rain continued falling softly around them.
Yuuki gently stroked her hair while she cried quietly against him.
And slowly—
Very slowly—
The crushing guilt she carried for so many years began loosening slightly.
Not disappearing.
But no longer carried alone.
Then quietly—
Yuuki spoke again.
"You know why your clones kept helping people?"
Nayuta weakly looked up slightly.
"Because deep down…"
"…you never stopped trying to open those gates."
That finally shattered the last of her restraint.
Nayuta cried openly afterward.
Years of pain.
Loneliness.
Regret.
Finally allowed to exist without being hidden behind calm wisdom and composed words.
And Yuuki simply remained there holding her through it all.
Because sometimes—
Saving someone did not require weapons.
Only warmth.
The crimson memories slowly shattered around them.
Burning temples.
Screaming villagers.
Falling snow stained with blood.
All of it gradually dissolved into fragments of light drifting across the endless sky.
Until eventually—
Only the peaceful grassy plains remained once more.
Gentle winds.
Soft skies.
Silence.
Nayuta still quietly trembled within Yuuki's arms while tears slowly faded from her eyes.
Then—
Yuuki softly spoke.
"There was nothing you could've done, Nayuta."
The woman lowered her gaze weakly.
"But—"
He gently interrupted her.
"It hurts."
"I know it does."
Then quietly—
"But dwelling forever in the past only keeps reopening the wound."
The wind moved softly through the endless grass around them.
Yuuki looked toward the peaceful horizon.
"Don't torture yourself with 'what if.'"
"What's done is done."
His voice remained calm.
Steady.
"We can't change yesterday."
Then softly—
"But we can decide what tomorrow becomes."
Nayuta slowly listened in silence.
Yuuki continued.
"One day…"
"…we'll open the gates for those who need us."
Her eyes widened faintly hearing that.
Because those words directly answered the deepest regret of her life.
Yuuki softly smiled afterward.
"We could've abandoned that island."
"We had every reason to."
"Pierre betrayed his people."
"The kingdom failed the Sacred Tree."
Then quietly—
"But we stayed anyway."
"Because people can still change."
The skies above them brightened slightly.
"The king chose to protect his people."
"The survivors chose to rebuild."
"And even after death…"
"…some lives were still saved."
Yuuki looked toward Nayuta gently.
"Some deaths are unavoidable."
His expression softened slightly afterward.
"But that doesn't mean the people still living should be abandoned too."
Nayuta slowly stared at him silently.
Then finally—
Very softly—
"…O Great Hero…"
"For someone who has walked through so many wars…"
"…thou still speaketh with kindness."
Yuuki laughed quietly.
"Trust me."
"I learned that lesson the hard way."
Then gently patting her head again—
"So let the dead rest, Nayuta."
"We'll carry their memories."
"But we'll keep walking forward too."
For several seconds—
Nayuta simply stood there beneath the endless skies.
Then slowly—
Her expression softened completely.
Not the calm mask she usually wore.
Not composed wisdom.
But genuine peace.
A burden carried for two lifetimes finally beginning to loosen.
Then softly—
"Yes…"
"This humble one understandeth now."
And somewhere beyond the endless plains—
The gates she failed to open long ago finally began opening inside her heart instead.
Nayuta stood quietly beneath the endless skies.
The winds moved softly through the grasslands around them while the last remnants of her painful memories faded into the horizon.
For the first time in years—
Her heart felt light.
Not empty.
Not detached.
Warm.
Then softly—
"O Great Hero…"
Her voice no longer carried only composure and wisdom.
Now—
There was vulnerability within it too.
"…Couldst thou hold me for a little longer?"
Yuuki smiled gently.
"I'll hold you as long as you want."
And so—
He did.
Nayuta slowly rested against him fully afterward.
Not as a clone.
Not as an information network.
Not as a wandering Pilgrim.
Just—
Nayuta.
A woman exhausted from carrying loneliness across two lifetimes.
The connection between them stabilized completely now.
No barriers remained.
No hidden memories.
No restrained emotions.
And through Yuuki—
Nayuta could finally feel the others too.
Rapi.
Anis.
Neon.
Ade.
Soda.
Warm hearts connected together like lights in darkness.
It overwhelmed her quietly.
Because for so long—
She only observed people from afar.
Through clones.
Through information.
Through detached understanding.
But now—
She could truly feel them.
Their affection.
Their trust.
Their warmth toward him.
And somehow—
That same warmth reached her too.
Nayuta softly closed her eyes afterward.
"…So this…"
"…is what they felt…"
Yuuki gently stroked her hair while the endless plains remained peaceful around them.
A simple gesture.
Yet to Nayuta—
It felt more precious than all the information she gathered across the world.
Because knowledge alone never eased loneliness.
But warmth did.
Still—
A faint sadness remained inside her heart.
Because this reunion was temporary.
For now.
Once this connection ended—
She would return to the Mother Whale.
Back into isolation.
Back into the prison hidden within the colossal Rapture carrier.
And Yuuki—
Would need two more days before he could truly reach her.
Not her clones.
Not her projections.
But her real self.
Yet strangely—
That no longer frightened her as much anymore.
Because now—
She knew someone was genuinely coming for her.
Not to use her.
Not to control her.
But to save her.
Nayuta slowly tightened her hold against him slightly.
Then softly—
"When we finally reunite…"
Her eyes opened gently toward the endless skies.
"This humble one shall devote herself fully unto thee."
Not blind loyalty.
Not obligation.
But genuine conviction.
"I will help thee save them."
"The shipgirls."
"The Nikkes."
"The lost ones wandering this broken world…"
Her expression softened warmly.
"So they too may discover this warmth they never knew existed."
Far away—
Inside the real world—
The Mother Whale continued flying through ruined skies carrying prisoners and monsters alike.
Unaware—
That one of the most dangerous information entities in the world had already chosen her side.
The peaceful grasslands stretched endlessly beneath the calm skies.
No more burning memories.
No more screaming villagers.
No more collapsing temples.
Only quiet winds and soft light remained.
Yuuki gently held Nayuta's hand as they walked together across the endless plains.
And Nayuta—
Quietly stared at their intertwined fingers.
Her platinum eyes softened faintly.
Because even something this simple felt unbelievably precious to her.
Warmth.
Contact.
Trust.
For so long—
She only observed others from afar.
Through surveillance.
Through clones.
Through detached information.
Never truly touched.
Never truly held.
Never truly kept.
Yet now—
Someone walked beside her willingly.
Not fearing her.
Not using her.
Not abandoning her.
Nayuta's fingers slowly tightened around his hand ever so slightly.
Subconsciously.
As though afraid the warmth might disappear if she loosened her grip.
Yuuki noticed immediately.
But said nothing.
Instead—
He simply held her hand more firmly in return.
And somehow—
That nearly made her cry again.
"…O Great Hero…"
Her voice became soft beneath the endless skies.
"This humble one…"
"…never realized warmth could feel this painful."
Yuuki glanced toward her quietly.
"Painful?"
Nayuta nodded faintly.
"Because now…"
Her eyes lowered toward their hands again.
"…this one finally understandeth what she lacked."
Loneliness became far crueler once someone finally experienced connection.
And Nayuta understood that now.
Still—
Even knowing she would soon return temporarily to the Mother Whale—
She no longer felt completely trapped anymore.
Because now—
Someone was coming for her.
Someone who promised to open the gates instead of closing them.
Nayuta slowly smiled afterward.
A small smile.
Gentle.
Real.
Then quietly—
"This one shall never let go of this warmth again."
Together—
The two continued walking across the endless grasslands.
Toward the next heart waiting within the void.
Toward Cocoa.
============
The peaceful grasslands slowly shifted again.
This time—
The winds carried warmth at first.
Soft café music.
Laughter.
The scent of tea and pastries.
Yuuki immediately understood.
These were Cocoa's memories.
Before becoming a Nikke—
Cocoa had once lived a painfully ordinary life inside the Ark.
No legendary destiny.
No military prestige.
No grand purpose.
She was simply a kind girl trying to survive in a harsh underground world.
And somehow—
That kindness never left her.
Even after death.
Her human life had been simple.
She worked tirelessly in small service jobs while dreaming of someday opening a peaceful café.
A place where tired people could rest.
Smile.
Feel welcomed.
Because the Ark itself was cold.
Mechanical.
Crowded.
People constantly struggled just to survive.
So Cocoa wanted to create warmth instead.
A tiny light within the underground city.
But life inside the Ark rarely rewarded kindness.
Long hours.
Debt.
Exploitation.
Eventually—
An accident took her life before she even reached adulthood properly.
And afterward—
She awoke again as a Nikke.
The memory shifted.
Cold laboratories.
Artificial lights.
NIMPH installation.
Her rebirth.
And despite everything—
Cocoa still smiled afterward.
Because she genuinely believed becoming a Nikke meant she could finally help others properly.
Maybe now life would improve.
Maybe now she could protect people.
Maybe now—
She could finally build the warm home she always wanted.
But reality remained cruel.
Years later—
Together with Ade and Soda—
Cocoa helped establish a small maid café.
A humble place.
Nothing luxurious.
Just warmth.
Tea.
Smiles.
A peaceful little corner inside a dying world.
And for a little while—
They were happy.
The three of them became family.
Not by blood.
But by shared struggle.
Shared hope.
Shared exhaustion.
They lived together.
Worked together.
Supported each other through everything.
Even when business failed repeatedly.
Even when customers stopped coming.
Even when the café slowly drowned beneath debt.
Still—
They stayed together.
Until eventually—
The café collapsed completely.
Bankrupt.
Gone.
Afterward—
The three wandered from one temporary home to another.
Cheap apartments.
Abandoned shelters.
Half-ruined districts.
Doing whatever jobs they could find simply to survive.
Yet somehow—
Even then—
Cocoa still tried smiling.
Because as long as Ade and Soda remained beside her—
She believed things might still improve someday.
Then—
The Sirens came.
The memory suddenly darkened violently.
Explosions.
Flooding streets.
Mechanical screams.
The district where they lived became a battlefield overnight.
Civilians fled desperately while Siren drones descended from the skies.
Buildings collapsed.
People died screaming.
And amidst the chaos—
Another group arrived.
Aqua.
Human traffickers and opportunists exploiting the disaster.
They targeted vulnerable Nikkes specifically.
Ade and Soda fought desperately to protect Cocoa.
But the three were exhausted.
Outnumbered.
Damaged.
And eventually—
Ade and Soda were captured.
Dragged away screaming while trying to protect her.
Cocoa still remembered reaching toward them helplessly.
Still remembered Ade shouting for her to run.
Still remembered Soda crying while being restrained.
And Cocoa—
Could do nothing.
Because without active combat authorization—
Without proper equipment—
A support Nikke like her was barely stronger than a human civilian.
She ran.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she physically couldn't save them.
The memory slowed afterward.
Cocoa hiding alone within a collapsed alleyway.
Curled into herself beneath the rain.
Crying silently.
Completely alone for the first time in years.
She wanted to go after them.
Wanted to rescue them.
But reality crushed that hope immediately.
Weak.
Powerless.
Afraid.
The warmth she built with her little family disappeared overnight.
And afterward—
Cocoa stopped believing kindness alone could protect anyone.
Eventually—
Desperate for survival—
She accepted work within Pierre's palace.
A maid.
Nothing more.
The palace itself felt cold despite its luxury.
Yet even there—
Fate still offered her small fragments of warmth.
Because eventually—
She was assigned to care for two women.
Admiral Hipper.
And Prinz Eugen.
Hipper—
Crippled.
Broken.
Unable to properly defend herself anymore.
And Eugen—
Who willingly agreed to marry Pierre solely to protect her sister.
Cocoa remembered realizing that truth.
And afterward—
She quietly understood them.
Because all three of them were women sacrificing themselves simply to protect the people they loved.
Despite the palace's cruelty—
Eugen treated Cocoa kindly.
Hipper slowly opened up to her too.
Not as servant and masters.
But as wounded people surviving together.
And for the first time since losing Ade and Soda—
Cocoa no longer felt completely alone.
Which made finally reuniting with them aboard the Daedalus feel almost unreal to her now.
Because somehow—
After losing everything repeatedly—
She finally found warmth waiting for her again.
As the memory was over, the plains was back. He and Nayuta frowned seeing Cocoa. A small maid carrying such a dark beggining.
The memories faded slowly afterward.
The ruined café.
The collapsing streets.
Ade and Soda being dragged away.
The cold palace halls.
All of it dissolved into fragments of light beneath the endless sky.
And there—
In the middle of the peaceful grasslands—
Cocoa finally broke down.
"Master…"
Her voice trembled weakly.
"I…"
Tears slowly fell from her eyes.
"…I am sorry…"
She lowered her head desperately trying to hold herself together.
"If this one is truly worthless…"
Then suddenly—
Her breathing became uneven.
"A maid…"
"…a maid cannot cry…"
The words sounded less like discipline—
And more like something she forced upon herself for years.
As though her own feelings were burdensome.
As though her pain inconvenienced others.
So she endured.
Smiled.
Served.
And quietly suffered alone.
Even now—
Even after everything—
Part of Cocoa still believed she needed permission to break.
Then—
Warmth.
Yuuki immediately pulled her into his arms.
Cocoa froze completely.
Her tears only worsened afterward.
"Shh…"
Yuuki gently held her against him while softly stroking her hair.
"It's okay."
His voice remained calm.
Warm.
Safe.
"…It's okay to cry."
Cocoa weakly clutched his clothing afterward.
"But…"
Yuuki softly interrupted her again.
"You're safe now."
Those words shattered the fragile restraint she still carried.
Her shoulders trembled violently afterward.
"You don't have to keep holding everything inside anymore."
Then gently—
"Don't make Ade…"
"Soda…"
"Belfast…"
"…and me worry about you."
Cocoa's eyes widened hearing that.
Because for so long—
She only worried about others.
Never herself.
Never imagining someone would genuinely worry about her too.
Yuuki carefully lifted her chin slightly.
Then softly smiled.
"So just cry, okay?"
"No pretending."
"No holding back."
Then quietly—
"Cry as loudly as you want."
And finally—
Cocoa did.
Years of loneliness.
Fear.
Worthlessness.
The pain of losing her family.
The terror of being left behind.
Everything poured out at once.
She cried helplessly against him while Yuuki simply held her through it all.
Not judging.
Not rushing her.
Just staying there.
Because after spending so much of her life serving others—
Cocoa finally found someone willing to simply protect her instead.
After what felt like a very long time—
Cocoa's crying finally began slowing down.
Her breathing gradually steadied.
The trembling in her shoulders faded little by little.
And eventually—
She simply remained quietly in Yuuki's arms.
Holding onto him gently.
As though afraid the warmth might disappear if she let go too soon.
Then softly—
"Master…"
Her voice still sounded fragile.
"…Please forgive this one…"
She lowered her gaze again.
"…if I am truly a worthless maid."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"You'll never be worthless."
His answer came without hesitation.
Without doubt.
Then gently—
"And we won't allow you to believe that either."
Cocoa slowly looked up toward him.
Yuuki smiled softly afterward.
"Belfast will help guide you."
"She already leads the other maids."
Then warmly—
"You're not alone anymore."
"You have a home now."
"You got Ade and Soda back."
"You have the others."
"The Nikkes."
"The shipgirls."
Then gently tapping her forehead—
"And you have me."
Cocoa's eyes slowly widened.
Because no one had ever spoken to her with that kind of certainty before.
Like her existence itself was wanted.
Protected.
Valued.
Then Yuuki softly added—
"So don't worry anymore, okay?"
The endless grasslands around them glowed slightly warmer afterward.
And for the first time in years—
Cocoa genuinely felt safe.
Then suddenly—
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"Oh."
"One more thing."
Cocoa blinked.
"One day…"
"…I'll help you open your own maid café in the Citadel."
Her entire expression froze.
Yuuki casually continued.
"I already promised Ade before."
"I'd even work as a butler for one day."
Cocoa stared at him in complete disbelief.
"…You would truly do that for us?"
Yuuki laughed quietly.
"Anything for my maids. But, do focus on your duties first before on your cafe in the future. You're one of the royal maids now."
That finally broke Cocoa emotionally again—
Though this time not from sadness.
Tears formed quietly in her eyes once more.
But now—
They carried happiness too.
"Master…"
Nearby—
Nayuta quietly watched the scene silently.
And Yuuki gently extended his free arm toward her too.
"And you as well, Nayuta."
The silver-haired woman looked slightly surprised.
Yuuki softly smiled.
"You're part of this family now too."
For a moment—
Neither Cocoa nor Nayuta spoke.
Because after spending so long surviving alone—
Being told they finally had a home felt almost unbelievable.
Yet somehow—
Within Yuuki's warmth—
Both of them slowly started believing it was real.
Yuuki softly smiled afterward.
Then gently—
He pulled both Cocoa and Nayuta into the same embrace.
No grand speeches.
No dramatic promises.
Just warmth.
Simple.
Human warmth.
Something both of them had lacked for far too long.
And somehow—
That alone felt enough to heal parts of them they thought were permanently broken.
Yuuki quietly spoke first toward Cocoa.
"Go back and be there for Ade and Soda."
The maid slowly nodded against him.
Then gently—
"And become the kind of maid Belfast would be proud of."
Cocoa's eyes trembled slightly hearing that.
Not because of pressure.
But because for the first time—
Someone believed she could truly become something more.
Something precious.
Then softly—
"I will."
Her voice carried genuine determination now.
"I'll make you proud, Master."
Tears still lingered within her eyes.
But her smile finally looked real.
"…I cannot remember the last time this one laughed so much with others."
Then quietly—
"Master…"
"…I like you just as much as Ade and Soda do."
Yuuki nearly laughed softly hearing how earnestly she admitted it.
Cocoa lowered her head respectfully afterward.
"I shall become a maid worthy of both you and Lady Belfast."
Nearby—
Nayuta quietly watched the scene with softened eyes.
Then Yuuki turned toward her next.
"Nayuta."
The silver-haired woman immediately straightened slightly.
"Wait for me."
Yuuki's voice became calm.
Confident.
"Once the Mother Whale passes by our destination…"
"…expect a full assault."
Nayuta's platinum eyes widened slightly.
Yuuki softly smirked afterward.
"You're my information hub now."
Then more gently—
"And you're just as precious as every other Nikke under my command."
For the first time in a very long while—
Nayuta genuinely looked speechless.
Then slowly—
A beautiful smile formed across her face.
Not composed.
Not restrained.
Real.
"O Great Hero…"
"…thou hast deemed this humble one special."
Her voice softened emotionally.
"I shall prove mine worth unto thee."
"So that one day…"
"…this one may stand proudly beside thee."
Then quietly laughing to herself—
"Truly…"
"…thou possesseth a talent both precious and perilous."
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"Perilous?"
Nayuta gently held her chest.
"To make lonely hearts wish never to leave thy side."
The endless skies glowed softly around them.
Then more quietly—
"To think mine bond with thee hath deepened so greatly…"
A faint sadness appeared within her eyes.
"…I already fear the sorrow of parting."
Yuuki's expression softened slightly hearing that.
Nayuta slowly closed her eyes.
"Perhaps one day…"
"…this one may again be forced upon distant journeys."
"But for now…"
She looked directly at him again.
"…I shall remain steadfastly beside thee."
Then softly—
"Take care of my clones until I return."
Yuuki gently stepped closer afterward.
Then—
He gave Nayuta a soft kiss upon her forehead.
The silver-haired woman visibly froze completely.
Warmth spread quietly across her expression afterward.
Yuuki smiled gently.
"I'll see you soon, Nayuta."
Her platinum eyes slowly softened completely.
"Yes…"
"…O Great Hero."
Beside them—
Cocoa's body slowly began glowing with soft light too.
Yuuki turned toward her.
"Ready?"
Cocoa immediately nodded.
"Yes, Master."
Her voice no longer sounded uncertain anymore.
Only warm.
Resolute.
"My heart is now connected to yours…"
Then softly smiling—
"…and this one shall always follow you."
The endless grasslands around them slowly dissolved into light afterward.
Warm winds swept across the plains one final time.
And together—
Yuuki, Cocoa, and Nayuta vanished from the Nikke Inner World.
=============
Yuuki slowly opened his eyes.
Soft warmth immediately greeted him.
Not pain.
Not exhaustion.
Warmth.
Comfort.
And something incredibly soft beneath his head.
He blinked upward slowly.
Then realized—
He was currently resting across three laps simultaneously.
Yorktown.
Belfast.
And Illustrious.
"…Huh."
The three women immediately looked relieved seeing him awaken.
Around them—
Nearly the entire room had gathered quietly waiting for him.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Even Esche floating anxiously nearby.
Cocoa now rested safely beside Ade and Soda while the three maids held onto each other tightly.
Meanwhile—
Nayuta sat calmly nearby between Rapi and Anis.
Though unlike before—
There was now a strange serenity within her platinum eyes.
A completeness.
The original connection had fully stabilized.
Yuuki slowly looked around the room afterward.
Then dramatically sighed.
"…I hope I didn't die and accidentally go to heaven."
Several girls blinked.
Yorktown softly smiled first.
"And why would you say that, Commander?"
Yuuki looked around at all of them.
Then weakly raised a hand.
"Because…"
"…I'm surrounded by angels."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then—
Every single girl visibly reacted.
Blushing.
Looking away.
Freezing.
Yorktown visibly looked away slightly.
Illustrious covered her face gently with a blush.
Belfast's composed smile nearly broke entirely
Even Enterprise nearly failed maintaining composure.
The warmth behind his words struck far harder now after everything they experienced through their emotional connections.
Because Yuuki never said such things casually.
When he spoke warmly—
He genuinely meant it.
And that made it dangerous.
The other shipgirls and Nikkes reacted immediately too.
Neon nearly short-circuited emotionally.
Anis groaned dramatically.
"Commander…"
"…you can't casually say stuff like that."
Rapi quietly lowered her gaze.
Though the faint redness in her ears exposed her immediately.
Even Takao looked visibly flustered.
And Atago?
Completely defeated.
Neon immediately buried her face into a pillow.
"Commander critical hit…"
Anis coughed awkwardly.
"…Yeah okay that one was smooth."
Rapi quietly looked away while trying not to smile.
Meanwhile—
Kaguya immediately covered part of her face behind her sleeve while her fox ears visibly twitched.
"Ufuu…"
"To be called an angel by one's husband…"
"…this wife's heart may burst."
"To think thou wouldst compare thy wife unto an angel…"
Her tails manifested from happiness alone.
Nearby—
Akagi looked moments away from spiritually ascending.
"Shikikan-sama called Akagi an angel…"
"…Ehehehe…"
Kaga quietly sighed beside her already melting sister.
Eugen meanwhile crossed her legs elegantly while smirking faintly.
"I thought calling you teddy bear was already enough…"
Then softly—
"To receive 'angel' in return…"
Even she looked genuinely affected by it.
Yuuki immediately realized the damage he caused.
"…Ah."
Too late.
The warmth already spread through the room completely.
Because after everything they learned about him-
His painful lives.
His loneliness.
His endless wars-
Hearing him genuinely call them angels carried terrifying emotional power.
Not flirtation.
Not teasing.
But sincere appreciation.
And that made it infinitely more dangerous.
"Wait."
"I didn't mean to activate everyone emotionally again."
"Too late, Master," Belfast calmly answered.
Illustrious softly giggled beside him.
"Indeed."
Yorktown gently brushed his hair afterward.
"You really should realize by now how much your words affect everyone."
Yuuki slowly covered his face with one hand afterward.
"…I'm doomed."
"Yes," several girls answered immediately.
And somehow—
Hearing that only made the room warmer.
Yuuki slowly realized the full extent of the damage caused by one innocent sentence.
Because now—
Every single girl in the room was reacting differently after being called an angel.
And the emotional warmth filling the room became almost unbearable.
The first to move—
Was Eldridge.
Without hesitation—
The sleepy destroyer immediately floated forward and dove directly into Yuuki's arms.
"Hug…"
Then quietly—
"Angel hug…"
Yuuki barely managed to catch her before she fully attached herself like a koala.
Nearby—
Yorktown softly smiled while gently brushing his hair.
Her expression carried warmth mixed with deep affection.
"…Then perhaps Commander finally found peace after all."
Meanwhile—
Enterprise crossed her arms while trying to remain composed.
Unfortunately—
The faint blush on her face betrayed her completely.
"…You really say dangerous things naturally."
Still—
She looked oddly happy hearing it.
Then—
Belfast calmly lowered her head slightly.
Though her smile softened beautifully afterward.
"To be regarded so warmly by Master…"
"…this maid is deeply honored."
Nearby—
Unicorn looked moments away from emotional overload.
"Big brother thinks Unicorn is an angel…"
Her eyes sparkled immediately afterward.
"…Unicorn happy…"
Then came the Nikkes.
Rapi quietly looked away while trying to regain composure.
"…Commander should avoid saying things that lower squad combat effectiveness."
Anis immediately pointed at her.
"YOU'RE BLUSHING."
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
Meanwhile—
Anis dramatically held her chest.
"…Okay wow."
"That actually hit hard."
Then grinning afterward—
"Still counts as flirting though."
Nearby—
Neon looked spiritually ascended.
"Commander called me an angel AND gave me nuclear launchers."
"…I have peaked in life."
Then dramatically—
"FIREPOWER OF LOVE!"
Nimi immediately sighed nearby.
"…Please stop shouting."
Speaking of which—
Ade quietly smiled with visible relief.
While beside her—
Soda looked moments away from tears again.
"Master…"
"…you always say things that make us too happy…"
Then—
The Sakura side reacted.
Akagi completely melted.
"Shikikan-sama thinks Akagi is an angel…"
Her tails nearly fluffed explosively.
"…Akagi can die happy now…"
Immediately beside her—
Kaga quietly lowered her gaze.
"…Kaga is… pleased."
Which for Kaga—
Was practically a love confession.
Meanwhile—
Atago softly leaned closer with a teasing smile.
"Ufufu…"
"Shikikan-sama sure know how to spoil women."
Then more quietly—
"…especially sisters."
Beside her—
Takao tried maintaining composure.
Failed instantly.
"…Such words should not be spoken so casually…"
Yet her face remained visibly red afterward.
Nearby—
Vestal sighed softly while smiling warmly.
"At least Commander woke up safely…"
Then gently—
"Though now my heart requires treatment instead."
Akashi immediately raised her hand.
"Akashi also deserves emotional compensation nyaa!"
Then dramatically—
"Commander caused critical heart damage nyaa!"
At the side—
Illustrious looked genuinely radiant hearing his words.
"To be cherished so sincerely…"
"…I could desire nothing more."
Meanwhile—
Prince of Wales calmly adjusted her posture.
Though even she smiled faintly.
"A commander who values his people properly…"
"…rare indeed."
Beside her—
Avrora softly giggled.
"Our beloved commander grows more dangerous by the day."
At the back—
Nimi quietly adjusted her glasses while trying to stay rational.
"…Emotionally unstable environment detected."
Then softly afterward—
"…Still nice though."
Meanwhile—
Sandy dramatically pointed at Yuuki.
"Commander accidentally used critical emotional damage attack!"
Nearby—
Laffey sleepily climbed closer.
"…Laffey approves of angel status…"
Then immediately using Yuuki's shoulder as pillow support.
Then came Iron Blood.
Prinz Eugen smirked beautifully despite the obvious blush lingering on her face.
"Teddy bear…"
"…you really know how to make women completely attached to you."
Then softly—
"And dangerously happy."
Beside her—
Javelin looked incredibly happy.
"Commander thinks Javelin's an angel!"
Then proudly—
"I am glad to be engaged to him!"
Finally—
At the far side—
Admiral Hipper crossed her arms aggressively while trying desperately to pretend unaffected.
"H-Hmph."
"One compliment and everyone's losing control."
Then immediately afterward—
"…Obviously he wasn't talking about me anyway."
Silence.
Everyone stared at her.
Yuuki blinked once.
Then gently—
"Hipper."
"You too."
Direct hit.
Critical emotional damage.
Hipper's entire face turned bright red instantly.
"I-I-I—"
She completely malfunctioned.
Meanwhile—
Eugen immediately burst into laughter.
"Ahahaha!"
"Teddy bear just defeated my sister completely!"
Hipper pointed furiously afterward.
"SHUT UP!"
The warm chaos inside Yuuki's room gradually settled slightly.
Though only slightly.
Because the emotional atmosphere remained overwhelmingly affectionate now.
At the far side of the room—
Cocoa slowly began waking up first.
"…Mm…"
Ade immediately supported her carefully while Soda hugged her tightly from the other side.
"Cocoa!"
"You scared us…"
The maid blinked softly while still adjusting after leaving the Inner World.
But unlike before—
Her eyes no longer carried that lingering loneliness.
Instead—
There was warmth inside them now.
Real warmth.
Then—
Belfast quietly stepped forward.
Cocoa immediately became nervous.
Because despite everything—
Belfast remained someone she deeply admired.
The ideal maid.
The standard she wished to someday reach.
Then softly—
Belfast gently placed a hand atop Cocoa's head.
And patted her.
A simple gesture.
Yet the meaning behind it was enormous.
Acknowledgment.
Acceptance.
Approval.
Cocoa's eyes widened slightly afterward.
Then slowly—
Tears formed again.
Happy ones.
"…Lady Belfast…"
Belfast softly smiled warmly.
"You've done very well."
Then gently—
"Welcome to the Royal Maids."
Cocoa nearly looked ready to cry again.
Ade and Soda immediately hugged her tighter.
"Our Cocoa got recognized!"
"Master really brought us home…"
Nearby—
Nayuta slowly awakened next while supported carefully by Anis and Rapi.
The silver-haired woman quietly looked around the room afterward.
Feeling every connected warmth surrounding her now.
Then softly—
She looked directly toward Yuuki.
"O Great Hero…"
"…May this humble one also become thy angel?"
The room immediately froze.
Because hearing Nayuta ask something so emotionally vulnerable felt strangely powerful.
Yuuki laughed softly afterward.
"Pff."
"You will be. Let's rescue your actual body first two days from now."
Nayuta smiled gently.
"…A worthy condition."
Then quietly—
Cocoa nervously raised her hand slightly afterward.
"Then…"
"…Can this one become Master's angel too?"
Yuuki looked around the room.
At every girl surrounding him.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Foxes.
Maids.
Sleepy destroyers.
Battle carriers.
Formerly lonely hearts.
Then softly smiling—
"Yeah."
"All of you."
Massive emotional critical hit.
Again.
The room instantly erupted into flustered reactions once more.
Akagi nearly collapsed again.
Yorktown visibly looked away smiling.
Enterprise sighed deeply.
Neon shouted "FIREPOWER OF LOVE" again.
Hipper spiritually died for the second time tonight.
And naturally—
Kaguya immediately stepped closer with smug elegance.
"Do not forget thy wife angel."
Her fox tails swayed proudly behind her.
Yuuki immediately pointed at her.
"You especially are dangerous."
Kaguya smiled beautifully behind her sleeve.
"And yet…"
"…thou still loveth this dangerous wife."
Yuuki slowly sat up properly afterward while the room gradually calmed down again.
Though several girls still looked visibly affected after the "angel" incident.
Especially Hipper.
Who remained spiritually damaged in the corner.
Then Yuuki cleared his throat slightly.
"…Alright."
"I have good news and bad news."
Immediately—
Neon raised her hand dramatically.
"GOOD NEWS FIRST."
Yuuki laughed softly.
"Fair enough."
Then more seriously—
"We found Nayuta's real body."
The room immediately focused.
Nayuta herself quietly lowered her gaze slightly hearing that.
Yuuki continued.
"She's being held not far from us."
Several expressions sharpened instantly.
Then—
"There are also sixteen captives inside."
That immediately drew everyone's full attention.
Yuuki began listing them.
"Five Nikkes."
"Eleven shipgirls."
Then toward Cocoa, Ade, and Soda—
"I think you three recognize two names."
"Privaty."
"And Velvet."
The three maids visibly froze immediately.
"…Privaty?"
"…Velvet?"
Cocoa softly covered her mouth.
Even Ade looked genuinely shocked.
Soda nearly stood up completely.
"They're alive?!"
Rapi quietly crossed her arms nearby.
"Temporary squadmates."
Then more softly—
"…But still important members of Maid For You."
Cocoa's eyes visibly brightened afterward.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki continued.
"Also…"
"Emma."
"Eunhwa."
"Vesti."
This time—
Rapi visibly reacted immediately.
"…Absolute."
The room looked toward her.
Rapi slowly nodded.
"They were my former teammates."
Anis blinked.
"Wait."
"THE Absolute squad?"
Neon nearly whistled.
"The strongest Nikke unit?"
Rapi quietly nodded again.
"They earned the title for a reason."
"High-risk missions."
"Near impossible survival rates."
"And they always came back alive."
Then quieter—
"…At least they used to."
The room fell slightly silent afterward.
Rapi lowered her gaze slightly.
"No one's heard from them in years."
"I assumed the Raptures finally got them."
Then looking toward Nayuta—
"So you found them?"
Nayuta softly nodded.
"Yes."
"They still live."
That immediately changed the atmosphere again.
Then Yuuki continued listing the shipgirls.
"Shokaku."
"Zuikaku."
"Hiryuu."
"Soryuu."
Immediately—
Akagi and Kaguya both reacted.
"The Fifth Carrier Division…"
"And the Second Carrier Division."
Akagi's expression sharpened afterward.
"They survived?"
Kaguya softly narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"So, those girls still live…"
Then Yuuki continued.
"Centaur."
"Albion."
This time—
Illustrious visibly straightened.
"The Centaur-class carriers…"
Her expression softened afterward.
"So they too still remain…"
Then—
"Pennsylvania."
"Arizona."
Enterprise quietly nodded immediately.
"The Pennsylvania-class battleships."
Her voice softened slightly afterward.
"Arizona…"
The room could tell she recognized the significance.
Then finally—
Yuuki listed the final three names.
"Friedrich der Große."
"Hindenburg."
"Mecklenburg."
Immediate silence.
Even Eugen visibly paused.
Meanwhile—
Hipper stared outright.
"…You're kidding."
Yuuki blinked.
"They're that famous?"
Prinz Eugen immediately looked toward him.
"Teddy bear…"
"…those are top-tier Iron Blood monsters."
Then correcting herself—
"…Strong monsters."
Eugen softly laughed nearby.
"Especially Friedrich."
"She's practically the mother of the entire Iron Blood fleet."
Yuuki blinked again.
"…Mother?"
Eugen nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"Not officially through rank."
"But emotionally?"
"She stands above nearly everyone."
Takao quietly added afterward—
"Similar to Houshou within the Sakura Empire."
The room looked toward her.
Takao calmly explained.
"Only extremely few shipgirls earn the title of 'Mother Ship.'"
"Not merely leaders."
"But figures who nurture and guide entire factions."
Kaguya softly nodded.
"Those titles are not granted lightly."
Then thoughtfully—
"If Friedrich truly remains alive…"
"…retrieving her alone would alter the balance of power significantly."
The room remained thoughtful after hearing the names of the captives.
Especially regarding the so-called "Mother Ships."
Then quietly—
Yorktown softly crossed her arms.
"The Eagle Union and Royal Navy never really had official Mother Ship titles."
Before anyone else could answer—
Enterprise looked directly at her sister.
"…Sis."
Yorktown blinked.
"…What?"
Enterprise spoke calmly.
"You really don't know?"
The room gradually looked toward Yorktown now.
Enterprise softly sighed afterward.
"You are the Mother Ship of the Eagle Union."
Complete silence.
Yorktown visibly froze.
"…Me?"
Enterprise nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"Even back then…"
"Everyone naturally followed you."
Then more softly—
"I may have been the combat spearhead."
"But you were always the emotional center."
Yorktown quietly stared at her sister.
Enterprise continued calmly.
"When conflicts happened…"
"Everyone listened to you."
"When morale broke…"
"Everyone sought you."
"You're the longest running secretary in the former Azur Lane Fleet under the old commander."
"And more importantly…"
A faint smile appeared on Enterprise's face.
"You were the first among us who truly changed our relationship with Yuuki here."
Yorktown visibly looked caught off guard by that.
"I…"
Enterprise gently interrupted her.
"You were already acting like a mother to the fleet long before anyone acknowledged it."
Then glancing toward Yuuki briefly—
"And after joining the GDI?"
"I watched you command fleets."
The room quietly listened.
Enterprise's expression softened slightly.
"The way you coordinated Orca and Firehawk strikes."
"Directed a Zeus Platform back then."
"Positioned Thermopylae's fire support against Orochi."
Then quietly—
"You weren't simply commanding."
"You were protecting everyone."
Yorktown slowly lowered her gaze afterward.
Clearly emotional hearing it spoken aloud.
Nearby—
Anis softly muttered.
"…Actually yeah."
"She really does act like everyone's responsible older sister. Even us Nikkes respected her."
Even Neon nodded.
"She's basically fleet mom."
Yorktown immediately sighed.
"…Please stop making it sound embarrassing."
The room remained quiet for several moments afterward.
Not tense.
But thoughtful.
Because the discussion regarding "Mother Ships" unexpectedly carried emotional weight for many of the shipgirls present.
Then softly—
Yorktown looked slightly overwhelmed.
"…I never really thought of myself that way."
Immediately—
Several girls reacted at once.
"You absolutely are."
"Without question."
"Completely."
Even Rapi quietly nodded.
"You naturally hold the group together."
Yorktown blinked slightly hearing support come not just from shipgirls—
But Nikkes too.
Enterprise softly crossed her arms afterward.
"Back then…"
"You were already the emotional center of the Eagle Union and the former Azur Lane combined fleet. Remember Orochi? You are one of the leaders alongside me."
Then more gently—
"And now?"
Her gaze moved around the room.
"You became the emotional center here too."
Several shipgirls quietly nodded.
Even Akagi surprisingly didn't argue.
Which honestly shocked everyone slightly.
Then—
Eugen smirked faintly.
"If we're being honest…"
"…she's already the alpha even from 10 years ago. Now, I actually agreed letting her be the Alpha Wife for teddy bear."
Direct hit.
The room immediately exploded.
"EUGEN!"
Yorktown nearly malfunctioned instantly.
Meanwhile—
Atago softly laughed behind her sleeve.
"Ufufu… one cannot deny it."
Belfast calmly nodded.
"Lady Yorktown possesses the temperament, emotional maturity, and trust necessary."
Even Illustrious softly smiled.
"This one would gladly support such a position."
Then one by one—
The others slowly agreed.
Enterprise nodded first.
Then Rapi.
Then Takao.
Even Akagi reluctantly huffed afterward.
"…Fine."
"But only because Shikikan-sama clearly feels safest around her."
Kaguya softly smiled behind her sleeve.
"Ara…"
"It seemeth the court hath chosen its first queen."
Yorktown immediately looked completely overwhelmed now.
"I-I think everyone is escalating this too far—"
"Nope," Anis answered immediately. "You might be the Nikkes' mom as well at this rate."
"Anis!"
Meanwhile—
Yuuki slowly covered his face again.
"…How did this turn into politics?"
"Family politics," Neon corrected proudly.
Then—
Someone else softly spoke.
"Except the Royal Navy…"
"Ah, I beg to differ."
The room turned toward Belfast.
The elegant maid calmly folded her hands.
"Oh?"
"I believe there may indeed be one, Master."
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"…Who?"
Several shipgirls exchanged knowing glances immediately.
Then—
Illustrious softly smiled afterward.
"I believe she refers to Hood."
Then warmly—
"Ufufu… you already met her within the Void World, did you not?"
Her eyes softened slightly with nostalgia.
"She possesses quite the presence, does she not?"
Immediate understanding spread among several of the older shipgirls.
Especially those who personally knew Hood before the fall of many fleets years ago.
Even Akagi quietly stopped speaking for once.
Because Hood's reputation transcended factions.
Yuuki blinked once.
Then softly exhaled.
"…I admit Hood is really something."
A faint smile appeared afterward.
"That goes without saying, right?"
The memory of meeting Hood inside the Void World still remained vivid.
She is his dear lady after all.
Elegant.
Refined.
Wise.
Yet carrying overwhelming emotional gravity.
Not the kind born purely from strength—
But from maturity.
Stability.
The ability to make everyone around her feel grounded.
Belfast quietly nodded.
"Yes."
Then more softly—
"You already met her, Master."
"And vouched for her."
That statement alone carried enormous meaning among Royal Navy shipgirls.
Because if Yuuki himself acknowledged Hood's character—
Then there was little left to debate.
Nearby—
Prinz Eugen softly laughed.
"If Hood says something…"
"…the Royal Navy listens."
Then smirking slightly afterward—
"Even the tiny Queen Elizabeth avoids seriously arguing with her."
Several girls quietly laughed hearing that.
Then—
Kaga softly nodded thoughtfully.
"A true motherly figure…"
Her azure eyes lowered slightly afterward.
"Even Akagi-neesama would not recklessly oppose her."
Akagi immediately protested.
"Kaga!"
Yet—
She noticeably did not deny it completely.
Kaga calmly continued.
"She possesses the same presence as Amagi-neesama."
That instantly quieted the Sakura girls slightly.
Because among them—
That comparison carried tremendous weight.
Even Kaguya softly narrowed her eyes with interest hearing Amagi mentioned.
Meanwhile—
Takao quietly added afterward—
"It is not merely power."
Then calmly—
"But emotional authority."
"She stabilizes those around her."
"Guides without force."
"And earns loyalty naturally."
Yorktown quietly listened to that explanation beside Yuuki.
Then softly looked downward slightly.
Perhaps realizing why the others compared her similarly earlier.
Kaguya softly laughed behind her sleeve.
"Thou finally understandeth the danger surrounding thee, husband."
Yuuki sighed dramatically afterward. He had seen Yorktown and Hood. He wondered what kind of people Houshou and Friedrich to be known as the mother ship in their respective faction.
Then finally—
"So…"
"Eleven shipgirls."
"Five Nikkes."
"And Nayuta's original body."
The room gradually became serious again.
Yuuki softly exhaled.
The atmosphere shifted instantly afterward.
No longer warm teasing.
No longer romantic chaos.
Now—
It became strategic.
Focused.
Determined.
Because everyone present understood exactly what this meant.
This wasn't merely another rescue operation anymore.
It was potentially world-changing.
Elite Nikkes.
Carrier divisions.
Legendary warships.
One of the strongest Iron Blood entities alive.
And Nayuta—
A living world-scale intelligence network.
All imprisoned within a colossal Rapture supercarrier.
The room remained thoughtful after the discussion regarding Hood and Mother Ships.
Then—
Anis suddenly pointed toward Yuuki.
"Wait."
"That was the GOOD news?"
Yuuki slowly nodded.
Anis stared blankly.
"…Then what's the bad news?"
Yuuki casually answered.
"They'll pass by our operational zone in two days."
Several girls blinked.
Then Neon tilted her head.
"…That doesn't sound like the bad part."
Yuuki quietly continued.
"They're being held inside a Rapture Mother Ship."
Pause.
Then—
"Called the Mother Whale."
Complete silence.
Then immediately—
Neon visibly recoiled.
"Oh."
"…That is VERY bad news."
She immediately pointed dramatically afterward.
"The Mother Whale is gigantic!"
Then toward the others—
"It's even bigger than the Daedalus!"
Her expression turned serious for once.
"Probably close to the size of that Siren Orochi ship we saw back at Home Island."
That immediately shifted the mood again.
Because everyone remembered the Orochi.
A colossal nightmare-sized superstructure.
And now—
The Raptures apparently possessed something comparable.
Yuuki calmly activated a holographic tactical map afterward.
Blue light expanded across the room.
Projected ocean routes.
Island chains.
Flight paths.
Enemy movement estimates.
And somehow—
Eldridge still remained attached to him like a sleepy koala while he operated the map one-handed.
"Hug…"
Yuuki simply accepted his fate at this point.
Then calmly—
"So here's the plan."
The hologram zoomed toward the destination island.
"We continue our current operation first."
"Locate Laurelin."
"Recover Oberis."
"And secure the two unidentified Nikkes detected nearby."
The map shifted again afterward.
A massive red projected route slowly crossed near the island.
The Mother Whale's trajectory.
Then Yuuki narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Once the Mother Whale makes its pass…"
"…we ambush it."
Several girls immediately focused harder.
Yuuki pointed toward the projected route.
"If we strike during transition movement…"
"We can disrupt its formation before it fully deploys its Rapture complement."
Then another tactical overlay appeared.
Boarding vectors.
Firehawk routes.
Kodiak artillery zones.
Possible breach points.
"Our primary goal isn't destruction."
"It's infiltration."
"We breach the carrier."
"Locate the prisoners."
"Extract Nayuta."
"Recover all captives."
Then finally—
"If possible…"
"…cripple the Mother Whale badly enough that it can't recover quickly."
The room remained silent afterward.
Not fearful.
Determined.
Because everyone present already understood something important.
This wasn't simply another battle anymore.
It would become the GDI's first true large-scale war against the Raptures.
And unlike before—
This time they were fighting not just to survive.
But to bring people home.
Yuuki finally sighed and deactivated the holographic tactical displays.
The glowing maps faded from the room one by one until only the warm lighting of his quarters remained.
Then calmly—
"That battle won't happen for another two days."
He looked around at everyone afterward.
"So for now?"
"We focus on tomorrow."
His tone softened slightly.
"Find Laurelin."
"Find Oberis."
"Locate the two unidentified Nikkes."
Then rubbing his forehead tiredly—
"And meanwhile I'll think about possible ambush points for the Mother Whale."
The room quietly nodded along.
Even with the looming war ahead—
There was still another mission first.
Another island.
Another rescue.
Then finally—
Yuuki pointed toward the scattered blankets and futons already occupying almost the entire room.
"For now…"
"…everyone get some sleep."
Immediate movement followed.
Some girls stretched sleepily.
Others started settling into their chosen sleeping spots.
Movie screens finally powered down.
Even Neon eventually stopped talking about orbital lasers.
Which honestly shocked several people.
Meanwhile—
Illustrious and Belfast had already calmly secured their rightful positions on Yuuki's bed.
Without hesitation.
Without shame.
Without mercy.
Yuuki stared blankly.
"Illy, Bel…You two really committed to the rock-paper-scissors results."
Illustrious softly smiled beautifully.
"A fair victory is still victory, Commander."
Meanwhile—
Belfast calmly adjusted the blankets.
"This maid merely follows the agreed arrangements, Master."
Yuuki slowly looked toward the ceiling.
"…I created clingy fiancées."
Nearby—
Eldridge quietly detached herself from Yuuki afterward.
Then floated sleepily toward Yorktown instead.
Yorktown immediately opened her arms naturally.
"There there…"
Her voice softened warmly.
"You can sleep with me tonight."
Eldridge immediately curled against her comfortably.
"…Warm."
Watching the interaction—
Sandy immediately pointed dramatically.
"SEE?"
"She's totally the mom of the Eagle Union."
The room burst into soft laughter afterward.
Meanwhile—
Enterprise quietly crossed her arms before softly smiling toward her sister.
"Well, sis…"
"…I think it's official now."
Yorktown blinked.
"Official?"
Enterprise nodded calmly.
"You're the Mother of the Eagle Union."
Critical emotional damage.
Again.
Yorktown visibly flushed immediately afterward.
"Oh dear…"
Anis immediately grinned.
"Nope."
"No escaping now, fleet mom. Might sign up as a mom for us Nikkes."
Even Atago surprisingly nodded.
"Yorktown-san possesses calming presence."
Takao quietly added—
"She naturally protects everyone emotionally."
Then softly—
"A fitting title."
Yorktown sighed helplessly while Eldridge happily slept against her shoulder.
"…I surrender."
Yuuki softly laughed seeing the scene.
Then casually—
"You might as well get used to it, Hana."
Yorktown blushed.
"You really do have a motherly charm around you."
Then smiling faintly—
"You'd make a great mom."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Every single girl in the room immediately turned toward him.
Yuuki slowly blinked.
"…What?"
Direct critical emotional strike.
Again.
Yorktown visibly froze completely.
Then rapidly blushed afterward.
"C-Commander…"
Her voice became noticeably softer.
"At least marry me first before making statements like that…"
And unfortunately—
That single sentence triggered dangerous thoughts throughout the room immediately.
Because while shipgirls technically could not naturally conceive children—
Yuuki himself already shattered numerous impossible biological rules simply through his existence.
His blood purified NIMPH systems.
Destroyed corruption.
Created emotional synchronization.
Performed outright miracles.
Which naturally led several girls toward one horrifying conclusion.
If his blood alone could accomplish that much…
Then what about the rest of him?
Several shipgirls immediately looked away blushing heavily afterward.
Meanwhile—
Neon nearly combusted mentally.
Anis covered her face.
Even Rapi quietly looked toward the ceiling.
Kaguya softly covered her smile behind her sleeve.
"Ufufu…"
"It would seem husband unknowingly maketh dangerous promises once more. This wife would more than happy and gladly provide thee with descendants should thee desireth."
"Hit the brakes, Kaguya-san." Atago sighs.
Nearby—
Akagi visibly puffed her cheeks instantly.
"Kii…"
"Shikikan-sama cannot casually discuss children!"
Then immediately imagining it herself—
"…Though Akagi's children would naturally be adorable…"
"Kaga requests Commander stop giving everyone dangerous thoughts before sleeping," Kaga quietly added while visibly red herself.
Meanwhile—
Atago softly smiled teasingly.
"My my…"
"Shikikan-sama truly skipped several relationship stages entirely."
Takao immediately looked away.
"…Please do not elaborate further…"
Even Eugen smirked lazily afterward.
"Teddy bear…"
"…you really enjoy accidentally proposing to women, don't you?"
Hipper immediately pointed accusingly.
"HE DOES THIS CONSTANTLY!"
Then realizing what she just admitted—
"…WAIT THAT SOUNDED WRONG."
Meanwhile—
The Nikkes looked equally affected.
Ade and Soda visibly huddled together whispering.
Cocoa nearly hid behind them.
And surprisingly—
Nayuta quietly placed a hand against her chest.
As though imagining a future she never thought possible before.
Yuuki finally realized the scale of damage he caused again.
Then dramatically sighed while covering his face.
"…I accidentally worked everyone up again."
"Yes," the entire room answered immediately.
Even sleepy Laffey softly raised a hand.
"…Commander dangerous…"
Yuuki groaned into his pillow afterward.
And around him—
Nearly every girl secretly continued imagining futures they never dared dream about before.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki quietly looked around the room afterward.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Foxes.
Maids.
Sleepy destroyers.
Future rescue operations.
Future wars.
And somehow—
Despite the impossible battles waiting ahead—
This room still felt peaceful.
Warm.
Like home.
Then softly—
Yuuki finally laid down between Belfast and Illustrious while the lights gradually dimmed.
And aboard the massive Daedalus drifting silently through the night skies—
His strange little family slowly fell asleep together before the next storm arrived.