The Void World remained peaceful.
Unlike the emotional chaos aboard the Daedalus—
This place felt calm.
Timeless.
A soft moonlight stretched endlessly across quiet waters while flower petals drifted gently through the air.
And naturally—
Yuuki somehow found himself dragged here again during sleep.
"…I swear this place is becoming a second social life."
"My~"
A graceful voice softly laughed beside him.
"You seem quite popular these days, dear sir."
Yuuki immediately recognized the speaker.
Hood elegantly sits beside him while gently hugging his arm.
Refined.
Beautiful.
Composed as always.
The very image of dignified warmth.
Meanwhile—
On his other side—
Amagi calmly sat beside him beneath a blooming tree.
And somehow—
Yuuki had already begun gently rubbing her fox ears.
Like it was completely natural at this point.
Amagi softly closed her eyes.
Clearly enjoying it immensely.
Yuuki sighed afterward.
"More like problems keep getting shoved onto me."
Hood softly smiled.
"And yet…"
"…you still accept them."
Yuuki quietly looked toward the peaceful waters.
"…Yeah."
Amagi slowly opened her eyes afterward.
Her expression carried the calm wisdom that made even Akagi behave around her.
"But it would appear those shipgirls you rescued feel deeply indebted to you, Shikikan-sama."
Yuuki laughed softly.
"'Deeply indebted is one way to phrase it."
Hood softly hid part of her smile behind her glove.
"From what I observed…"
"…you appear to have unintentionally assembled an entire fleet of emotionally attached women."
"Accidentally," Yuuki defended immediately.
Both women looked at him silently.
"…Mostly accidentally," he corrected weakly.
Amagi quietly chuckled afterward.
"You provide them something rare."
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"What?"
The fox strategist looked toward the distant horizon.
"Safety."
Then softly—
"Warmth."
"Acceptance."
Hood gently nodded beside him.
"Many shipgirls spend their lives fighting endlessly."
"Carrying expectations."
"Sacrificing themselves."
Then looking toward him warmly—
"And then suddenly…"
"…someone appears who sees them not as weapons."
"But as women."
Yuuki quietly listened.
Amagi's tails slowly swayed behind her.
"Even Akagi."
"She longed for warmth after losing me."
Then calmly—
"You gave her a place to direct that love safely."
Yuuki glanced toward her.
"…You really don't mind?"
Amagi softly smiled.
"Were I truly bothered…"
"…I would not allow you to continue rubbing my ears so freely. Something the previous commanders didn't have the privilege to."
Yuuki immediately realized his hand was still gently petting her ears.
"…Ah."
Too late.
Amagi's expression softened even further beneath Yuuki's touch.
"Mm…"
Her fox ears twitched faintly while his fingers continued gently rubbing the sensitive spots beneath them.
Then quietly—
"Please continue…"
Yuuki blinked slightly.
Amagi slowly opened her eyes afterward.
"I have always wondered about this."
Her tails swayed slowly behind her.
"How are you able to touch our ears so perfectly?"
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"…Perfectly?"
Amagi softly nodded.
"You know precisely where our sensitive spots are."
Then more quietly—
"It is almost as though you were born knowing how."
Nearby—
Hood softly watched with amusement while Yuuki continued unconsciously petting Amagi.
The fox strategist calmly continued.
"You can even calm misbehaving Sakura girls almost instantly."
Yuuki immediately remembered Akagi and Kaguya melting the moment he grabbed their ears.
"…That wasn't intentional."
"Perhaps not."
Amagi smiled knowingly.
"But it remains highly unusual."
Then softly—
"I even asked Hood to try touching mine once."
Hood immediately coughed delicately into her glove.
"My dear Amagi…"
The fox woman ignored her completely.
"And it produced nowhere near the same effect."
Yuuki blinked again.
"…Wait really?"
Amagi calmly nodded.
"Not even close."
Then thoughtfully—
"It is impossible to learn such precise instinctive touch from merely petting a cat."
Yuuki stared at his own hand briefly afterward.
"…Honestly?"
"I've asked myself the same thing."
Then continuing to gently rub her ears—
"I genuinely don't know why I instinctively understand Sakura ears this well."
Amagi softly closed her eyes again.
"Mm…"
"That answer somehow concerns me more."
Meanwhile—
Hood quietly laughed beside them.
"My my…"
"It would seem even the great strategist weakens before affection."
Amagi calmly replied—
"We all do."
The peaceful winds drifted softly around the Void World afterward.
Flower petals floated quietly across the endless waters nearby.
Then—
Hood's expression gradually became more thoughtful.
"I heard about the Mother Whale."
Yuuki's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Yeah."
"Big operation coming."
Hood quietly nodded.
"You intend to save them all."
Not a question.
A statement.
Yuuki softly exhaled.
"…I can't leave them there."
The elegant battlecruiser gently smiled afterward.
"And that is precisely why people continue gathering around you, dear sir."
Then—
Amagi's gaze softened further.
"Also…"
"…we heard it."
Yuuki blinked.
"…Heard what?"
"Your lifetimes."
Silence.
Amagi quietly lowered her gaze slightly.
"Your first life ending peacefully."
"Your second life ending in tragedy."
"And this…"
Her purple eyes slowly met his.
"…being your third."
Yuuki softly sighed afterward.
"So all of you heard…"
Hood quietly nodded.
"Yes."
Then more gently—
"The rest of us within the Void World know as well now."
There was no fear in her expression.
No disgust.
Only understanding.
And perhaps—
A little sadness.
Because now they understood just how long Yuuki had truly carried war upon his shoulders.
Hood slowly moved closer afterward.
Then gently hugged his arm more fully.
"Revive us soon, dear sir."
Her voice became warm.
Soft.
"I wish to devote myself to taking proper care of you."
Then smiling faintly—
"As the Mother of the Royal Navy."
Yuuki visibly paused hearing that.
Meanwhile—
Amagi immediately looked toward Hood with calm competition.
"Hood-san…"
"…not only you."
Her tails softly wrapped closer around Yuuki's side afterward.
"Shikikan-sama is also my beloved."
Then quietly—
"And I too wish to stand beside him during this lifetime."
The two women calmly looked at one another afterward.
Not hostile.
But absolutely competitive.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki slowly stared at the peaceful sky above.
"…Even in my dreams I'm getting sandwiched between emotionally overwhelming women."
Hood softly laughed.
"And yet…"
"…you do not seem particularly unhappy about it."
Yuuki immediately pointed accusingly.
"You two are dangerous."
Amagi softly smiled.
"And still…"
"…you continue rubbing my ears."
Yuuki looked down.
Realized his hand was indeed still petting her.
Again.
"…Ah."
Too late.
Amagi's ears twitched happily once more beneath Yuuki's fingers.
The fox strategist slowly opened her eyes afterward.
And for once—
The usually composed woman looked genuinely soft.
Yuuki quietly smiled.
"Thank you… dear ladies."
Both Amagi and Hood looked toward him.
Yuuki's voice became quieter afterward.
"You and the other girls…"
"…gave me a reason to stay."
The peaceful winds around the Void World softened gently.
Because after everything—
Three lifetimes.
Wars.
Loss.
Reincarnation.
Endless battles.
For perhaps the first time—
Yuuki genuinely wanted to remain.
Not because of duty.
Not because of responsibility.
But because people were waiting for him.
Then suddenly—
Hood gently pulled him closer.
And kissed him.
Directly.
Deeply.
Yuuki visibly froze.
The elegant Royal Navy battlecruiser held the kiss calmly.
Gracefully.
Yet carrying unmistakable affection behind it.
When she finally parted—
Her blue eyes softened beautifully.
"I am not a woman who falls in love easily, dear sir."
Then quietly—
"But the moment our hearts connected…"
"…I already knew."
Yuuki looked momentarily speechless.
Unfortunately—
Amagi immediately leaned in next.
"Me as well, Shikikan-sama."
And kissed him too.
Gentler.
Softer.
Yet no less sincere.
When she finally pulled back—
Her tails swayed slowly behind her.
"We shall take very good care of you."
Then softly—
"And we shall patiently wait for the day you come for us."
Yuuki looked between both women quietly afterward.
Then softly smiled.
"Then stand at your strongest."
Both women blinked slightly.
Yuuki's eyes carried calm conviction.
"So when the day comes…"
"…I can marry both of you at your strongest."
Direct emotional annihilation.
Hood visibly paused completely.
Meanwhile—
Amagi's ears twitched violently.
Then both women softly smiled afterward.
Warmly.
Lovingly.
Because Yuuki never spoke of "saving" them like broken things.
He spoke as though they were future partners standing beside him.
Equals.
Then—
Amagi suddenly narrowed her eyes slightly with curiosity.
"Do introduce us to Kaguya eventually."
Yuuki laughed immediately.
"…You sound slightly jealous."
Amagi calmly sipped her tea.
"I am absolutely jealous."
Hood delicately covered part of her smile.
"My, Lady Amagi…"
The fox strategist remained completely unashamed.
"She is a Special Priority Ship."
Then more thoughtfully—
"A Priority-class vessel capable of using magic no less."
"That level of rarity is absurd."
Yuuki nodded.
"She's ridiculously strong too."
Then smiling faintly afterward—
"But honestly?"
"She's surprisingly nice."
Amagi softly hummed.
"So I heard."
Yuuki laughed again.
"She even managed to control Akagi somehow."
Amagi visibly looked impressed.
"…That alone qualifies her as extraordinary."
Hood softly laughed beside them.
Then Yuuki remembered something else.
"It actually got bad enough yesterday that both Kaguya and Akagi started growling at each other."
Amagi sighed immediately.
"As expected."
"But then…"
Yuuki casually continued—
"I grabbed both their ears."
"Instantly stopped the fight."
Amagi and Hood giggled.
Yuuki blinked.
"…What?"
Hood slowly lowered her teacup.
"…Dear sir."
"…You truly possess frightening authority over Sakura women."
Amagi quietly covered part of her face.
"…Akagi allowed you to touch her ears during conflict?"
Yuuki nodded innocently.
"Yeah."
"And then both of them melted."
The Void World became silent for several seconds.
Then—
Amagi softly laughed into her sleeve.
Genuinely amused.
"Kaga was correct."
Yuuki tilted his head.
"About what?"
Amagi's purple eyes narrowed playfully.
"She called Kaguya a purple-haired version of me."
Yuuki immediately pointed.
"She absolutely is."
"She's intelligent."
"Calm."
"Tactical."
"Terrifyingly composed."
Then grinning slightly—
"And apparently unbeatable at shogi."
Amagi blinked.
"…Against Akagi?"
Yuuki nodded immediately.
"She hasn't lost once."
Hood softly laughed elegantly afterward.
"My…"
"Poor Akagi."
Yuuki smirked slightly.
"It gets funnier."
"She keeps challenging Kaguya anyway."
Amagi sighed knowingly.
"…That sounds exactly like my sister."
Yuuki softly smiled afterward.
"Thanks… you two."
The peaceful atmosphere of the Void World continued around them as he spent more quiet time beside Hood and Amagi.
No battles.
No strategy meetings.
No war.
Just warmth.
Conversation.
And the rare comfort of simply existing beside people who genuinely cared for him.
Eventually—
The two women finally allowed him to continue wandering the Void World.
Though not before Hood stole one final elegant kiss on his cheek.
And Amagi shamelessly requested another minute of ear rubs.
Which Yuuki somehow failed to refuse.
Again.
"…You two are dangerous."
"Indeed," both women answered calmly.
Then—
The scenery shifted gently once more.
Temple bells softly echoed nearby.
Warm lantern light illuminated quiet shrine pathways.
And waiting there—
Were Fusou and Yamashiro.
The two shrine maiden sisters immediately brightened seeing him arrive.
"Shikikan-sama!"
"Tono!"
Yuuki softly smiled as he caught Yamashiro jumped onto him.
"Looks like the shrine cats are doing well."
Yamashiro immediately puffed her cheeks.
"We are NOT cats."
Then her ears twitched visibly.
"…Mostly."
Meanwhile—
Fusou gently bowed with her usual graceful elegance.
The two shrine cats nodded before kissing his cheeks shyly.
"We are grateful you came to visit us."
The atmosphere around the two sisters felt peaceful.
Gentle.
Warm.
Very different from Akagi and Kaga's chaotic energy.
And somehow—
Far more dangerous in subtle ways.
Because before Yuuki even realized it—
The two sisters had already seated him comfortably between them for tea.
Then—
Several minutes later—
Yamashiro suddenly became unusually shy and lack of playful energy.
Which immediately worried Yuuki.
"…What?"
Fusou softly looked away afterward.
Then very quietly—
"We wished to ask your opinion on something…"
Yuuki blinked.
"…Okay?"
The two sisters exchanged embarrassed looks.
Then—
Yamashiro fidgeted visibly before blurting it out.
"…Nee-sama and I wanted potential daughter names."
Yuuki completely froze.
"…What?"
Fusou immediately became flustered.
"N-Not immediately!"
Yamashiro rapidly nodded.
"Y-Yes! Sorry, nee-sama.. I am not good at keeping secrets."
"We know we are nowhere near that stage yet! We don't even know we're capable of conceiving yet." Fusou blurted out.
Then somehow becoming even redder—
"But hypothetically…"
Yuuki slowly stared at them in absolute disbelief.
"…You two skipped like twelve relationship stages."
Fusou softly covered her face.
"Shikikan-sama's warmth makes future thoughts difficult to suppress…"
Meanwhile—
Yamashiro looked extremely shy now somehow.
"I want to play with my daughter in the future. Nee-sama wanted one to do the Kagura dance with her."
Yuuki regretted asking immediately.
"…I assumed you already thought of several?"
"Yes."
"Several lists."
"…Plural?"
Fusou looked mortified now.
Meanwhile—
Yamashiro proudly produced an actual scroll somehow.
Yuuki looked toward the heavens.
"…Why are Sakura girls like this?"
Far away—
Amagi quietly sipped tea while smiling knowingly.
"Because you keep feeding them affection and emotional security."
Hood softly added—
"And accidentally proposing every few hours."
Yuuki immediately pointed accusingly into the distance.
"I can hear both of you."
Yuuki looked at the two shrine maidens for several moments.
Then softly sighed.
"You two really are impossible."
Before either sister could react—
He gently placed a hand atop Fusou's head.
And another atop Yamashiro's.
Then began giving both of them gentle ear rubs.
Instant effect.
The two sisters visibly melted.
Their ears twitched happily beneath his fingers.
"Sh-Shikikan-sama…"
Fusou's composed demeanor nearly vanished instantly.
"T-Tono…"
Yamashiro looked moments away from turning into a puddle.
Yuuki softly laughed.
"Honestly?"
"The best names I can give your future daughters…"
He paused briefly.
"…are names I can't give at all."
The sisters blinked.
Confused.
Yuuki continued gently.
"The names that matter most won't come from a scroll."
Then smiling softly—
"They'll come when you finally see their faces."
The shrine maidens became completely silent.
Yuuki continued rubbing their ears while speaking calmly.
"I'm sure you already have dozens of names prepared."
Yamashiro immediately hid the scroll behind her back.
Which confirmed everything.
Yuuki laughed.
"But the one you eventually choose?"
"It'll probably be the name that suddenly appears in your heart at that moment."
The sisters quietly listened.
"When you hold them."
"When they smile at you."
"When you look at them for the first time."
Then softly—
"That's when you'll know."
Fusou slowly lowered her gaze.
A warm smile appearing on her face.
"Shikikan-sama…"
Yamashiro's tail swayed behind her.
"…That sounds wonderful."
Yuuki smiled.
"Because that name will belong to them."
"Not to your expectations."
"Not to your plans."
"But to the person standing right in front of you."
The shrine maidens looked visibly emotional afterward.
Then—
Yuuki gently flicked both their ears.
The sisters immediately squeaked.
"Eep!"
"Ah!"
Then he sighed dramatically.
"You two skipped way too many relationship stages."
Immediate embarrassment.
Fusou covered her face.
Yamashiro looked away entirely.
Yuuki continued.
"We haven't even properly dated yet."
"You're already discussing children."
Then teasing slightly—
"At this rate you'll start planning grandchildren next week."
"T-That is ridiculous!"
Yamashiro protested immediately.
Then paused.
"…Though perhaps—"
"Yamashiro."
"Sorry."
Fusou looked equally guilty.
Yet neither actually denied thinking about it.
Which somehow made it worse.
Then Yuuki's expression softened again.
His hands continued gently stroking their ears.
"Listen."
The sisters immediately focused on him.
"Become strong first."
Their expressions grew more serious.
"Stand at your strongest."
"Become women who can confidently protect what matters most."
Then quietly—
"Once that day comes…"
"…you won't have to wonder whether you can protect your family."
The warm evening breeze drifted through the shrine grounds.
Yuuki smiled gently at them.
"You'll already know."
Fusou slowly closed her eyes.
Feeling his warmth.
His confidence.
His faith in them.
And for the first time—
The dream no longer felt distant.
Not impossible.
Just...
A future waiting to be reached.
Yamashiro quietly leaned into his hand afterward.
Then softly—
"Tono…"
"Yes?"
"We shall become strong."
Fusou nodded beside her.
"Strong enough to stand proudly beside you."
Then smiling warmly—
"And perhaps one day…"
"…strong enough to earn those future names."
Yuuki laughed.
"That's more like it."
Meanwhile—
Far away beneath another flowering tree—
Amagi quietly watched the scene.
Then sighed knowingly.
"Hood."
"Yes?"
"Another two have started imagining the future again."
Hood smiled into her teacup.
"My dear Amagi…"
"…that number passed twenty quite some time ago."
After spending time with Fusou and Yamashiro, learning traditional kagura dances from the elder sister and somehow ending up playing tag across shrine grounds with the younger one, Yuuki eventually found himself claimed by another waiting shipgirl.
Or more accurately—
Abducted.
By royal decree.
"You."
Yuuki turned.
There stood Queen Elizabeth.
Arms crossed.
Chin raised.
Trying her absolute hardest to look regal.
"Come."
"That's not even a request."
"It is from your Queen."
Five minutes later—
They were walking along a moonlit beach within the Void World.
Gentle waves rolled against the shore.
Silver moonlight reflected across endless waters.
And somehow—
The self-proclaimed ruler of the Royal Navy looked unusually happy.
Though she was trying desperately not to show it.
"Consort."
Yuuki sighed.
"Yes, Elly?"
Immediately—
A blush appeared.
"Do not casually use that nickname!"
Then coughing into her hand.
"Consort should feel honored that her Queen has chosen to walk beside him during these late hours."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"More like you dragged me away all of a sudden."
"Hush."
Elizabeth pointed dramatically.
"Consort should be honored."
Unfortunately—
Her heart completely betrayed her.
Yuuki could feel the happiness radiating from her through their connection.
She was secretly thrilled.
Then suddenly—
An idea appeared.
Which was never a good sign.
"So..."
Elizabeth immediately narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
Yuuki smiled.
"What if I do this?"
Before she could react—
He lifted her effortlessly into a princess carry.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then—
"AH!"
Elizabeth immediately grabbed his collar.
"U-Unhand me!"
Her face turned bright red instantly.
"You... you..."
She completely lost her train of thought.
Then trying desperately to recover her dignity—
"J-Just because I granted you permission to approach me does not mean—"
"Yeah, yeah."
Yuuki continued walking along the beach.
"Just relax."
Then smiling slightly.
"And let me carry you, Elly."
Critical damage.
Elizabeth immediately hid half her face.
"Playing with your Queen's heart like this..."
Her voice became quieter afterward.
"...I hope you are prepared to take responsibility."
Yuuki simply looked down at her.
"You can read my heart."
That immediately silenced her.
Then softly—
"Tell me honestly."
"Am I playing with your feelings?"
Elizabeth froze.
Because she could.
She could feel exactly what he felt.
The sincerity.
The affection.
The warmth.
The complete lack of manipulation.
Which made it impossible to argue.
"...Muuuu..."
Was all she managed.
Then she looked away stubbornly.
Yuuki chuckled.
"If you want, I can put you down."
Immediate response.
"The Queen did not order you to put her down, Consort."
Yuuki laughed.
"There it is."
Elizabeth buried her face deeper.
Dignity was rapidly becoming a lost battle.
The two continued walking beneath the moonlight afterward.
The sound of waves filled the comfortable silence between them.
Then eventually—
Elizabeth quietly spoke.
"...When I first saw you."
Yuuki looked down.
She wasn't looking at him.
She was watching the moonlight reflecting across the water.
"I thought you were absurd."
"That's fair."
"You spoke to me like an equal. Speaking like barbarian."
"Also fair."
"You ignored half my titles."
"Still fair."
Elizabeth sighed dramatically.
Then a small smile appeared.
"And somehow..."
"...I liked that."
Yuuki's expression softened.
Elizabeth continued quietly.
"Everyone sees the Queen."
Her voice became much smaller afterward.
"Very few see Elizabeth."
The admission surprised even her.
Yet somehow—
Speaking to him felt easy.
Natural.
Then softly—
"You treat all of us as people first."
"Not symbols."
"Not weapons."
"Not legends."
Then finally looking up at him—
"That is why so many hearts gather around you."
The moonlight reflected in her eyes.
And for once—
There was no Queen Elizabeth.
No ruler.
No monarch.
Just a young woman being carried along a beach by someone she trusted.
"...Thank you, Consort."
Yuuki smiled.
"For what?"
Elizabeth immediately looked away again.
"I refuse to elaborate."
"...Elly."
"No."
"...Elizabeth."
"No."
"...Your Majesty?"
She smiled triumphantly.
"Better."
Then quietly—
Without asking him to stop—
She settled a little more comfortably in his arms while they continued their walk beneath the endless moonlit sky.
When Yuuki and Queen Elizabeth finally returned to the tower overlooking the Void World, another Royal Navy battleship was already waiting.
Arms crossed.
Foot tapping impatiently.
Looking very much like someone waiting for her scheduled appointment.
Valiant immediately pointed.
"Sis."
Elizabeth immediately narrowed her eyes.
"…What?"
"You had your fun."
Valiant proudly lifted her chin.
"Now it is my turn."
"Hey!"
"It is only fair."
The younger battleship looked completely unapologetic.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki quietly looked between both sisters.
Then nodded.
"…She has a point."
"Traitor."
Elizabeth immediately accused.
Yuuki laughed.
"Sorry, Elly."
Then smiling apologetically.
"I have to be fair."
Elizabeth puffed her cheeks immediately.
"Muuu…"
Then reluctantly stepping aside.
"Very well."
She pointed dramatically.
"But when you become available again…"
"You shall serve your Queen properly."
"Sure."
That answer immediately restored her mood.
"Excellent."
Then she proudly walked away.
Trying very hard not to look pleased.
Failing completely.
Meanwhile—
Valiant smirked triumphantly.
"Victory."
"Over what?"
"Everything."
Twenty minutes later—
Yuuki found himself sitting across from her at a beautiful marble table overlooking the moonlit sea.
A chessboard rested between them.
Valiant looked confident.
Extremely confident.
Dangerously confident.
"Prepare yourself."
Yuuki slowly looked at the board.
Then at her.
"…You do know I play chess, right?"
Valiant proudly nodded.
"Of course."
"Good."
Then she made the first move.
Several minutes later—
Her confidence disappeared.
Completely.
Utterly.
Mercilessly.
Yuuki quietly moved a knight.
"Check."
Valiant stared.
Several moves later—
A bishop moved.
"Check."
Five minutes later—
A rook moved.
"Check."
Then finally—
Yuuki calmly moved his queen.
"Checkmate."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Valiant stared at the board.
Then stared at Yuuki.
Then stared at the board again.
"…No."
Yuuki smiled.
"Yes."
"…No."
"Yes."
Valiant immediately stood.
"Why can't I beat you?!"
Her voice echoed across the tower.
Somewhere nearby—
Several Royal Navy shipgirls immediately looked over.
Clearly this wasn't the first time.
Yuuki quietly leaned back.
"Well…"
"I've had a lot of practice."
Valiant narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"How much practice?"
Yuuki thought about it.
Then realized the answer was ridiculous.
"…About three lifetimes worth."
Silence.
Valiant immediately pointed.
"That doesn't count!"
"It absolutely counts."
"No it doesn't!"
"You asked."
Valiant dramatically collapsed back into her chair.
"This is unfair."
Yuuki softly laughed.
"You almost had me around move twelve."
"I did?"
"No."
"YOU ARE MOCKING ME!"
Meanwhile—
Hidden behind a nearby pillar—
Elizabeth quietly watched.
Then smiled smugly.
"She challenged him to chess."
Hood, who had somehow appeared nearby, softly sipped tea.
"A bold decision."
Elizabeth nodded solemnly.
"An extremely foolish one."
Back at the board—
Valiant was already setting up another game.
"You will not escape."
Yuuki blinked.
"…We're playing again?"
"Obviously."
She pointed at him.
"Victory shall belong to me eventually."
Yuuki smiled.
"Now that's a dangerous statement."
Valiant immediately grinned.
"Good."
Then confidently moved her first pawn.
Five minutes later—
"CHECKMATE?!"
"Rematch!"
Valiant immediately slammed both hands on the table.
"This time I shall win!"
Yuuki looked at the chessboard.
Then at her.
Then at the growing pile of defeated games beside them.
"…Sure."
Several games later—
Nothing had changed.
"Check."
"W-What?"
"Check."
"Again?!"
"Checkmate."
Valiant stared at the board in disbelief.
For the seventh time.
Then immediately began resetting the pieces.
"Again!"
Nearby—
Elizabeth was laughing openly now.
Even Hood had stopped pretending to hide her amusement.
"My dear Valiant…"
"Persistence is admirable."
"Thank you!"
"…I was not complimenting you."
Meanwhile—
Yuuki quietly watched Valiant continue arranging the pieces.
Determined.
Focused.
Refusing to surrender.
And honestly—
It reminded him of someone.
Several someones.
Akagi.
Neon.
Javelin.
The girls who never stopped trying even after failing repeatedly.
Then—
The next game began.
Yuuki calmly moved his pieces.
Valiant responded.
Several turns passed.
Then—
Yuuki deliberately made a mistake.
A small one.
Subtle.
Just enough.
Valiant immediately froze.
Her eyes widened.
Then narrowed suspiciously.
"…Wait."
Yuuki maintained a perfectly innocent expression.
"What?"
"You made a mistake."
"No I didn't."
"You absolutely did."
She stared at the board.
Then suddenly—
Realization.
Her queen could take his.
A move that should never have been possible.
Valiant immediately looked up.
Yuuki remained completely calm.
Then looked at the board.
"…Huh."
The performance was terrible.
Valiant knew it.
Yuuki knew it.
Even the chessboard probably knew it.
Yet—
Valiant slowly moved her queen anyway.
Taking his.
The game shifted immediately afterward.
And several turns later—
Valiant finally trapped his king.
Silence.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
"…I won?"
Yuuki looked at the board.
Then dramatically sighed.
"…Looks like you did."
For several seconds—
Valiant simply stared.
Then suddenly—
The brightest smile appeared on her face.
Proud.
Happy.
Triumphant.
Genuine.
"I WON!"
She immediately stood atop her chair.
"I ACTUALLY WON!"
The entire tower probably heard her.
Somewhere nearby—
Elizabeth immediately narrowed her eyes.
"…He let her win."
Hood softly smiled.
"Of course he did."
Back at the table—
Valiant was still celebrating.
"Victory!"
She pointed dramatically at Yuuki.
"Witness the superiority of Royal Navy strategy!"
"Absolutely terrifying."
"I know."
Then—
Her celebration gradually slowed.
Because despite her excitement—
Valiant wasn't foolish.
Eventually she looked down at the board again.
Then quietly—
"…You let me have your queen."
Yuuki smiled softly.
"A good commander knows when to sacrifice valuable assets."
Valiant immediately rolled her eyes.
"That is not an answer."
"No."
"It isn't."
The younger battleship stared at him for a few moments.
Then—
To Yuuki's surprise—
She smiled.
Smaller this time.
Softer.
Because she understood.
He hadn't done it because he pitied her.
He simply wanted to see her happy.
And somehow—
That made the victory feel even warmer.
Then proudly crossing her arms—
"I shall still count this as a victory."
"Good."
"Because I fully intend to brag about it."
"Also good."
Then pointing dramatically once more—
"And next time…"
"…I shall defeat you without assistance."
Yuuki laughed.
"I'll look forward to it."
Nearby—
Hood quietly watched the interaction.
Then smiled knowingly.
Another lonely heart.
Another shipgirl finding warmth.
And another reason why more and more people continued gathering around the man who never seemed able to refuse those who reached out to him.
While Valiant spent her time trying to conquer him through chess—
There was another Royal Navy legend who had absolutely no interest in board games.
Warspite.
The veteran battleship simply approached him carrying two practice swords.
One was immediately thrown toward him.
Yuuki caught it instinctively.
Then looked up.
Warspite already stood several meters away.
Waiting.
"...No greeting?"
Warspite crossed her arms.
"We can greet each other after I knock you down."
Yuuki laughed.
"There she is, the old lady."
The calm moonlit sea around them.
No audience.
No distractions.
Just two warriors.
Then—
Warspite raised her blade.
"Come."
Yuuki immediately moved.
Steel met steel.
CLANG!
The first exchange alone sent sparks across the field.
Warspite's eyes immediately narrowed.
Because unlike most opponents—
Yuuki wasn't relying on strength.
He was reading her.
Predicting.
Adapting.
A commander's battlefield instincts translated into swordsmanship.
Their blades collided repeatedly afterward.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Fast.
Precise.
Relentless.
Warspite smiled.
Actually smiled.
A rare sight.
"Good."
Then accelerated.
Yuuki barely caught the next strike.
Then another.
Then another.
The old battleship wasn't holding back anymore.
This wasn't a lady.
This was a veteran warrior who survived countless battles.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki found himself enjoying it.
No politics.
No romance.
No emotionally devastating confessions.
Just pure martial competition.
Something he understood instinctively.
The duel continued for nearly an hour.
Neither willing to yield.
Neither willing to give an inch.
Then finally—
Warspite's sword stopped against Yuuki's neck.
At the same time—
Yuuki's blade rested against her shoulder.
Silence.
Both blinked.
Then slowly lowered their weapons.
A draw.
Warspite immediately clicked her tongue.
"...Annoying."
Yuuki laughed.
"A compliment coming from you."
The battleship sighed dramatically.
"I wanted to win."
"You almost did."
"No, you just won't strike me. You have plenty of moments to win. You just won't."
Warspite pointed at him.
"I definitely should have won."
Yuuki smiled.
"You say that every match. Plus, I don't want to win, I just want to spend time with you. Winning easily cuts our time short."
Warspite blushed. "You say the oddest thing ever. Here I am, do whatever it takes to win ended up in a draw because you don't want to win."
Nearby—
A voice suddenly appeared.
"My my."
Both immediately turned.
Hood.
Of course.
The Royal Navy seemed capable of appearing out of nowhere whenever she wished.
Hood smiled elegantly.
"Lady Warspite appears to be enjoying herself."
Warspite immediately looked away.
"I am training."
"Naturally."
"Stop smiling like that."
Meanwhile—
Yuuki quietly sat down on the grass afterward.
Warspite eventually joined him.
The veteran battleship stared toward the distant horizon.
Then softly spoke.
"...You know."
Yuuki glanced toward her.
"Most people see me as a symbol."
Her voice remained calm.
"The veteran."
"The hero."
"The old lady."
"The sword of the Royal Navy."
Then looking down at her hands.
"Very few treat me as simply Warspite."
Yuuki understood immediately.
Another burden.
Another legend trapped beneath expectations.
Then softly—
"You're still Warspite to me."
The battleship froze briefly.
Then looked away.
"...Hmph."
A pause.
Then quietly—
"Good."
Yuuki smiled.
"Let's do this again later."
Yuuki offered his hand.
Warspite looked at it for a moment.
Then accepted it.
"...Fine."
Though the slight smile on her face suggested she was already looking forward to the next spar.
Soon afterward—
Yuuki, Hood, Warspite, Queen Elizabeth, and Valiant made their way back toward the central tower.
The atmosphere was noticeably lighter now.
Every conversation.
Every walk.
Every game.
Every duel.
Had strengthened the bonds between them.
The warmth connecting their hearts had only grown deeper.
Eventually the Royal Navy ladies excused themselves.
Or at least—
They tried to.
Because the moment Yuuki stepped into the plaza surrounding the tower—
He was immediately ambushed.
By destroyers.
Lots of destroyers.
"Oh! It's Commander!"
"Shikikan-sama!"
"Commander-dono!"
Before he could react—
A pile of small bodies slammed into him from every direction.
"GAH!"
The world disappeared beneath a tidal wave of destroyers.
At the forefront were the Sakura girls—
Kisaragi,
Mikazuki,
Minazuki,
Mutsuki,
and Uzuki.
Immediately behind them came the Iron Blood wolf pack—
Z18,
Z19,
Z20,
and Z21.
Within seconds—
Yuuki vanished beneath the destroyer swarm.
"Attention!"
"Hugs!"
"Headpats!"
"Play with us!"
"No, me first!"
"My turn!"
The commander had absolutely no chance.
Meanwhile—
The older destroyers wisely stayed back.
Crescent puffed her cheeks.
Beside her—
Cygnet tried covering her smile.
While Comet, Beagle, Bulldog and Foxhound watched the scene unfold with amusement.
"Poor Commander."
"He never stood a chance."
"Not against that many destroyers."
Nearby—
Downes grinned.
McCall chuckled.
While Foote and Spence smiled warmly.
It was a simple scene.
But one they missed dearly.
A commander surrounded by the fleet.
Not by duty.
Not by war.
But because people genuinely wanted to be around him.
Floating lazily nearby—
Shiranui watched with obvious amusement.
"My my."
"The Commander appears to have been captured."
"You sound disappointed."
"Not at all."
The ghostly destroyer looked positively entertained.
Nearby—
Kinugasa sighed.
While Nagara shook her head.
"He keeps attracting everyone."
"At this point it's a talent."
Back in the center—
Yuuki finally managed to raise one arm from the destroyer pile.
"Help..."
Nobody helped.
Not even Hood.
Especially not Hood.
The elegant battlecruiser simply sipped her tea.
"My condolences, dear sir."
Warspite actually laughed.
Elizabeth declared it a suitable punishment.
Valiant claimed it was justice for the chess games.
And so—
The legendary commander who had survived three lifetimes, countless wars, Sirens, Raptures, Tiberium conflicts, and orbital bombardments—
Was ultimately defeated by a group of destroyers demanding headpats.
A fate no amount of military experience could prepare him for.
After nearly an hour of being buried beneath an avalanche of destroyers demanding attention, headpats, stories, piggyback rides, and absolutely unreasonable amounts of affection—
Yuuki was finally rescued.
By teachers.
Specifically—
Langley and Ranger.
The destroyers immediately froze when the two instructors appeared.
Langley adjusted her glasses.
"Girls..."
The little destroyers immediately straightened.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Yuuki had never seen them become disciplined so quickly.
Meanwhile—
Ranger smiled warmly.
"My my."
"It seems our Commander was captured."
Yuuki slowly climbed out of the destroyer pile.
Covered in children.
Emotionally exhausted.
And somehow missing one shoe.
"...You two saved my life."
Langley sighed.
"No."
"We saved the destroyers."
Yuuki blinked.
"What?"
"Their poor Commander looked seconds away from surrender."
The destroyers immediately protested.
"We weren't that bad!"
"Commander likes us!"
"He played with us!"
"He gave us headpats!"
Yuuki immediately raised a hand.
"They are innocent."
Langley looked completely unconvinced.
Still—
After the destroyers were gently herded away toward their lessons, Yuuki finally found a moment to breathe.
For approximately seven minutes.
Because another challenger appeared.
This time—
Hermes.
The carrier smiled confidently while carrying a deck of cards.
"Commander."
Yuuki immediately recognized the expression.
"...Hey Hermes, need something?"
Hermes nodded proudly.
"A duel."
"Why am I suddenly everyone's entertainment?"
"Because you're popular."
"...Fair."
Soon afterward—
The two sat at a small table overlooking the Void World's moonlit gardens.
A deck of cards rested between them.
Meanwhile—
Several shipgirls quietly gathered nearby to watch.
Because apparently betting on whether Yuuki could be defeated had become a spectator sport.
The game began.
Unlike Valiant's straightforward aggression in chess—
Hermes was tricky.
Clever.
Patient.
The type who set traps three turns in advance.
Several hands passed.
Yuuki countered.
Hermes adapted.
The spectators slowly grew invested.
"Ooh."
"That was a good move."
"Commander is losing."
"No, Hermes is."
"Actually they're both winning somehow."
Even Hood looked mildly interested now.
The match continued nearly an hour.
Back and forth.
Neither gaining a decisive advantage.
Eventually—
The final hand arrived.
Both players laid down their cards.
Silence.
The spectators leaned forward.
Then—
Nothing.
Hermes blinked.
Yuuki blinked.
The scores were identical.
A perfect draw.
The crowd immediately groaned.
"WHAT?"
"That's not possible."
"How did neither win?"
Hermes stared at the cards.
Then laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"Well."
"It appears neither of us could claim victory."
Yuuki smiled.
"A draw isn't bad. Well played, Hermes."
Hermes softly nodded.
"No."
Then warmly—
"It means I found someone worth playing against."
"I am the only one you can play against." He grins.
Nearby—
Valiant immediately pointed.
"I still demand a rematch."
Warspite crossed her arms.
"I still demand another spar."
Elizabeth raised her hand.
"The Queen demands more walks."
Amagi somehow appeared from nowhere.
"Shikikan-sama promised additional ear rubs."
Yuuki slowly looked toward the heavens.
"...Why does everyone keep scheduling appointments with me?"
Hood gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"My dear sir."
"Yes?"
The battlecruiser smiled beautifully.
"You are discovering what it means to command a fleet."
"...This isn't command."
"No."
Hood laughed softly.
"It is considerably more dangerous."
By this point, Yuuki had simply accepted his fate.
The Void World wasn't a place for rest anymore.
It was a schedule.
A very affectionate schedule.
One that apparently every shipgirl had agreed upon without informing him.
After Hermes, he found himself walking through one of the quieter sections of the tower grounds.
At least—
That was the plan.
Then suddenly—
Impact.
A familiar impact.
Koala impact.
Yuuki didn't even need to look.
"...Konigsberg."
"Hm?"
Königsberg happily clung to his back.
Arms around his neck.
Completely comfortable.
"How did you recognize me?"
"You keep attacking me the same way."
"I prefer the term embracing."
Nearby—
Köln sighed.
Of course she did.
Someone had to be responsible among the sisters.
"Konigsberg."
"What?"
"You are bothering the Commander."
"I'm appreciating him."
"That's not helping."
Yuuki laughed softly.
Meanwhile—
Köln's expression gradually softened.
Then quietly—
"Still..."
Yuuki looked toward her.
The Iron Blood cruiser lowered her gaze briefly.
"Thank you."
The playful atmosphere faded slightly.
"For rescuing Eugen."
Then after a pause—
"And Hipper."
Yuuki smiled.
"No need to thank me."
"There is."
Köln's voice remained calm.
"They are family."
Then quietly—
"You gave them another chance."
For a moment she seemed ready to say something else.
Something more personal.
Then stopped herself.
Unfortunately—
Yuuki could feel it through their connection.
The quiet envy.
Not resentment.
Not bitterness.
Just a small wish.
A wish she kept hidden.
Because Eugen had become his fiancée.
Because Hipper now smiled more often.
Because others had found places beside him.
And part of Köln wished for the same.
Then—
Yuuki softly reached out and patted her head.
Immediately.
Critical damage.
"K-Commander?"
He smiled.
"Köln."
The cruiser looked up.
Yuuki's expression remained warm.
"I already told everyone."
Then gently—
"Anyone who sincerely confessed to me has already become my fiancée."
The Iron Blood cruiser froze.
Yuuki continued.
"I'm fair to all my shipgirls."
Then teasing slightly—
"So stop worrying."
The blush that appeared afterward was immediate.
"...I wasn't worrying."
"You absolutely were."
"..."
"..."
"...Perhaps a little."
Nearby—
Konigsberg immediately pointed.
"Headpat her again."
"No."
"Do it."
"No."
"Commander."
Yuuki laughed.
Meanwhile—
Another familiar voice joined them.
"Looks like we found them."
Approaching from the nearby gardens came Karlsruhe.
Grinning as usual.
And quietly following behind her—
Leipzig.
The shy cruiser looked considerably healthier than before.
A welcome sight.
Karlsruhe immediately nudged Leipzig forward.
"Go on."
"Ah—"
Leipzig visibly panicked.
Yuuki smiled reassuringly.
"Good to see you, Leipzig."
The cruiser relaxed slightly afterward.
Then quietly nodded.
"It's good to see you too, Commander."
Karlsruhe crossed her arms proudly.
"See?"
"Much better."
Then looking toward Leipzig—
"Did you eat well here?"
Leipzig immediately nodded.
"Yes."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Köln made sure of it."
Everyone looked toward Köln.
The cruiser immediately looked away.
"It was nothing."
Karlsruhe immediately laughed.
"It absolutely wasn't nothing."
Leipzig nodded.
"She checked every day."
"KARLSRUHE."
"And reminded me to eat."
"KARLSRUHE."
"And worried whenever—"
"KARLSRUHE."
The entire group burst into laughter.
Even Leipzig.
A soft laugh.
Small.
But genuine.
The kind that hadn't appeared often in her previous life.
Yuuki quietly watched the sisters interact.
Teasing.
Laughing.
Supporting each other.
The laughter gradually settled afterward.
Though the mention of new names immediately drew the Iron Blood cruisers' attention again.
Especially Köln.
Her expression softened into something more thoughtful.
"Still..."
She quietly looked toward the distant horizon of the Void World.
"To think Nayuta found Friedrich..."
Her voice carried a mixture of disbelief and hope.
"She found her."
Then more quietly—
"Hindenburg."
"Mecklenburg."
Nearby—
Konigsberg stopped teasing for once.
Even Karlsruhe's grin softened slightly.
Because those names meant something different to Iron Blood shipgirls.
Not merely powerful warships.
Not merely leaders.
Family.
Symbols.
Foundations.
Köln gently placed a hand over her chest.
"Our mother..."
The words came naturally.
Emotionally.
"Friedrich is the Mother of Iron Blood."
Then softly—
"For many of us..."
"...she was always there."
Yuuki could see it in their eyes.
The hope.
The longing.
The relief.
For years they thought she was gone.
Lost.
Now suddenly—
There was a chance.
A real chance.
That they could bring her home.
Then Yuuki gently placed a hand atop Köln's head.
The cruiser blinked.
Her shoulders relaxed almost immediately beneath the familiar gesture.
"Commander..."
Yuuki smiled softly.
"Don't worry."
His voice carried the calm confidence that had guided so many people already.
"Leave it to me."
Simple words.
Yet somehow—
Köln believed them completely.
Because this was the same man who crossed oceans for strangers.
The same man who challenged Sirens.
The same man preparing to attack a Mother Whale for people he had never even met.
If anyone could bring Friedrich home—
It would be him.
Köln slowly smiled afterward.
A genuine one.
Then Yuuki lightly flicked her forehead.
"Eep."
The serious mood immediately shattered.
"Now."
He stood.
"Enough worrying about future rescue operations."
The Iron Blood girls blinked.
Yuuki stretched lazily.
"Forget all that for a little while."
Then smiling toward them.
"Let's take a walk."
Konigsberg immediately raised her hand.
"Can I continue being carried?"
"No."
"Aww."
"Fine.."
"Yeay.."
"You're just like Hornet."
Karlsruhe laughed.
Leipzig quietly smiled.
And Köln found herself laughing too.
A soft sound.
One that hadn't come as easily in the past.
Then together—
The Iron Blood cruisers joined Yuuki as they wandered through the peaceful pathways of the Void World.
After spending time with the Königsberg sisters, Yuuki eventually left them to enjoy the rest of their evening together.
The pathways of the Void World were quiet now.
Moonlight reflected across marble walkways.
Gentle winds carried flower petals through the air.
For once—
There were no destroyers ambushing him.
No chess challenges.
No foxes demanding ear rubs.
Just peaceful silence.
Yuuki walked alone toward the tower.
Then—
He felt it.
A familiar presence approaching rapidly.
Very rapidly.
"...Hornet."
Too late.
THUD!
Yuuki found himself tackled backward onto the grass.
"Hah!"
A cheerful laugh immediately followed.
There, sitting triumphantly atop him, was Hornet.
Her golden hair flowed freely around her shoulders.
No twin tails.
No usual style.
Just long hair dancing in the moonlight.
"Haha! Got you!"
There, sitting triumphantly atop him, was Hornet.
Golden hair flowing freely behind her.
Not tied.
Not restrained.
Just cascading beneath the moonlight.
Yuuki blinked.
"...Hey."
"Hey, handsome."
Hornet grinned.
Then softly—
"Miss your gal?"
Yuuki looked at her for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Yeah."
The answer came so naturally that it briefly caught Hornet off guard.
"Kind of."
The carrier's smile immediately softened.
Then Yuuki noticed something.
"...You let your hair down."
Hornet reached up and lightly played with a golden strand.
"Yep."
Then trying to sound casual—
"Sometimes."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes?"
Hornet immediately looked away.
"Okay fine."
Then grinning.
"You love Hana and Enty's hair."
Hornet pointed accusingly.
"So I figured I'd let mine down too."
Yuuki laughed.
"That's your reasoning?"
"Maybe. I should do it more often since my man here likes it."
Then quietly—
"Do you like it?"
The confident carrier suddenly sounded surprisingly uncertain.
Yuuki reached over and gently brushed a loose strand from her face.
Immediately—
Critical hit.
Hornet visibly froze.
"Yeah."
His answer was simple.
Honest.
"I do."
The carrier immediately smiled.
A genuine smile.
Not her usual teasing one.
A real one.
"Hehe..."
Before Yuuki could react—
She grabbed both sides of his face.
And immediately began peppering him with kisses.
Forehead.
Cheek.
Other cheek.
Nose.
Forehead again.
"Hornet."
Another kiss.
"Hornet."
Another kiss.
"Hornet, please."
Hornet finally paused.
Still grinning.
"No."
Then another kiss.
Yuuki laughed despite himself.
"You've become dangerous."
"Says the guy who accidentally collects fiancées."
"...Fair."
Hornet proudly settled beside him afterward.
Though she never actually moved very far away.
Her shoulder remained pressed against his.
The energetic carrier looked up toward the moonlit sky.
Then quietly—
"You know..."
Her voice softened.
A rare thing for Hornet.
"When we first met in the void world."
"I never thought it'd end up like this."
Yuuki looked toward her.
Hornet smiled.
"I thought you'd just be another Commander."
Then gently bumping his shoulder.
"Turns out you're an idiot."
"...Thanks."
"A lovable idiot."
"That's slightly better."
Hornet laughed.
Then quietly took his hand.
Not playfully.
Not teasingly.
Just because she wanted to.
"I heard your story too."
Yuuki's smile faded slightly.
"The lifetimes thing?"
Hornet nodded.
"Yeah."
Then more softly—
"That's a lot for one person."
For a moment neither spoke.
The moonlight illuminated the peaceful world around them.
Then Hornet squeezed his hand.
"So..."
Yuuki glanced toward her.
The carrier smiled brightly again.
"If you ever get tired..."
Her voice carried surprising sincerity.
"You can lean on us too."
No teasing.
No jokes.
Just honesty.
The same honesty shared by all the girls connected to him.
Then immediately ruining the emotional moment—
Hornet leaned forward and stole another kiss from his cheek.
"Hehe."
"Hornet."
"What?"
"You lasted thirty seconds."
"A new personal record."
Yuuki groaned.
Hornet laughed.
And together they continued walking beneath the moonlit sky toward the tower.
Hornet remained close beside him as they walked beneath the moonlit sky.
The energetic carrier was unusually quiet for once.
Then softly—
"Hey."
Yuuki glanced toward her.
"What?"
Hornet squeezed his hand slightly.
"When you rescue them..."
Her voice softened.
"Save Penny and Ari for me."
Yuuki blinked.
"Penny?"
"Ari?"
Hornet immediately nodded.
"Pennsylvania and Arizona."
Recognition appeared immediately.
"Ah."
Hornet smiled faintly.
"Penny is the older sister type."
Then looking toward the distant horizon.
"She acts tough."
"Strong."
"Reliable."
"But honestly?"
Her smile softened.
"She's one of the gentlest girls you'll ever meet."
Then quietly—
"Everything Penny ever did was for Ari."
Yuuki listened silently.
Hornet continued.
"Arizona's ship was sunk during Pearl Harbor."
The atmosphere became heavier.
"And Penny never really recovered from seeing what happened to her sister."
Then softly—
"When they became shipgirls..."
"They stayed together."
"Always."
Her voice carried warmth now.
"Penny never left Ari's side."
"Not once."
Yuuki could understand why.
Because some scars remained even after death.
Even after rebirth.
Then Hornet quietly laughed.
"You know..."
"Penny actually told me and Hana a lot about herself."
Hornet nodded.
"Yup."
Then smiling softly.
"Every conversation somehow circled back to Ari."
The carrier looked toward Yuuki again.
"So when you save them..."
Her voice became surprisingly serious.
"...help them."
Yuuki nodded.
"I will."
Hornet immediately pointed at him.
"And use that crazy machine of yours."
"The med bay?"
"Yeah."
She crossed her arms.
"I still can't believe that thing exists."
Then shaking her head.
"Belfast."
"Eugen."
"Hipper."
"Half the girls you rescued had enough trauma to fill several lifetimes."
Then quietly—
"And you helped them."
Yuuki thought for a moment.
Then softly explained.
"It's actually simpler than it sounds."
Hornet raised an eyebrow.
"Knowing you, it absolutely isn't."
Yuuki laughed.
"Fair."
Then thoughtfully—
"Memories trigger trauma."
"Trauma creates neural responses."
"Those responses create emotional and physical reactions."
Hornet listened carefully.
Yuuki continued.
"The med bay doesn't erase memories."
That immediately got her attention.
"It doesn't?"
"No."
His expression became serious.
"Removing memories would remove part of who they are."
Hornet slowly nodded.
That made sense.
Then Yuuki continued.
"What it does is suppress the traumatic response attached to those memories."
"So..."
Hornet thought about it.
"...like removing the pain but keeping the lesson?"
Yuuki smiled.
"Exactly."
Then more gently—
"The memory remains."
"You still remember everything."
"But instead of triggering panic..."
"Fear..."
"Nightmares..."
"Or overwhelming emotional distress..."
He shrugged.
"It feels more like remembering an embarrassing moment."
Hornet blinked.
"...Seriously?"
"Pretty much."
Then smirking slightly.
"The emotional response shifts from trauma to cringe."
Hornet immediately burst out laughing.
"That is ridiculous."
"It works."
"It sounds ridiculous."
Yuuki laughed too.
"It does."
Hornet looked up toward the moon.
Then softly smiled.
"Penny would probably appreciate that."
Then more quietly—
"Ari too."
The carrier squeezed his hand again.
Because for the first time in a very long time—
There was hope.
Not just rescue.
Not just survival.
Healing.
Actual healing.
Then Hornet immediately ruined the emotional moment.
"If you save them..."
Yuuki already knew where this was going.
"What?"
Hornet grinned.
"I'm claiming first resurrection rights."
"That's not a thing."
"It is now."
"Hornet."
"They're my friends and I am the first one you met. Naturally, I am the first one shoukd be resurrected."
"So are half the fleet in this place."
"Exactly."
Yuuki sighed dramatically.
The carrier simply laughed.
And together they continued walking beneath the moonlight, talking about old friends waiting to be brought home.
The two continued walking beneath the silver moonlight of the Void World.
The tower stood in the distance.
The gentle sound of waves echoed below the cliffs.
For a while—
Neither spoke.
Then suddenly—
Hornet leaned closer.
And kissed his cheek.
A quick one.
Soft.
Warm.
Before immediately looking away.
Yuuki blinked.
"...What was that for?"
Hornet smiled.
"For saving Penny and Ari."
Yuuki immediately looked confused.
"But I haven't even saved them yet."
Hornet simply shook her head.
"I know."
Then softly—
"But you will."
The answer came so naturally that Yuuki paused.
There wasn't a trace of doubt in her voice.
Not even a little.
"You really trust me that much?"
Hornet stopped walking.
Then looked directly at him.
The teasing smile she usually wore was gone.
Leaving behind something much more honest.
"I do."
Her answer came instantly.
Without hesitation.
Without uncertainty.
Then quietly—
"Ever since I met you."
The moonlight reflected in her green eyes.
"Your voice echoed through this world."
Yuuki remained silent.
Hornet continued.
"You became a light."
Then softly smiling—
"Not just for me."
"For all of us."
The peaceful wind gently moved her loose hair.
"We watched from here."
"We waited."
"We hoped."
Then looking at him warmly—
"And somehow..."
"...you actually came."
Yuuki felt his chest tighten slightly.
Because for him—
It had only been months.
For them—
It had been years.
Years of waiting.
Years of watching.
Years of hoping someone would return.
Hornet stepped closer.
Then gently placed her hand over his heart.
"And now?"
"Our hearts are connected."
A faint smile appeared.
"We can read you just as easily as you read us."
Yuuki laughed softly.
"That's dangerous."
"It is."
Hornet immediately agreed.
Then grinning—
"You can't hide anything."
"Great."
"Nope."
Then more softly—
"You know us too well."
Her expression warmed.
"As if you've spent years studying us."
"As if we're books sitting on your shelf."
Yuuki chuckled.
"I guess that's not entirely wrong."
Hornet laughed.
Then gently shook her head.
"No."
"It's more than that."
She looked toward the tower where countless shipgirls waited.
Sakura.
Royal Navy.
Iron Blood.
Eagle Union.
All connected to him now.
"You don't just know our stories."
Then quietly—
"You understand them."
The words hung between them.
Because that was the difference.
Many commanders knew statistics.
Histories.
Service records.
Battle achievements.
Yuuki knew the people behind them.
Their fears.
Their hopes.
Their regrets.
Their dreams.
Then Hornet softly smiled again.
"So when you tell me you'll save Penny and Ari..."
She poked his chest.
"...I believe you."
Then teasingly—
"Because you're stupid enough to actually try."
Yuuki laughed.
"There it is."
"The compliment?"
"The insult."
"They're the same thing."
Then suddenly—
Hornet wrapped both arms around him.
Not tightly.
Not desperately.
Just enough.
A simple hug.
A comfortable one.
Then quietly—
"Thanks."
"For what this time?"
Hornet smiled against his shoulder.
"For coming back."
The answer was so simple.
Yet somehow—
It carried the feelings of countless shipgirls waiting within the Void World.
Waiting to be brought home.
And for a few moments—
The two simply stood together beneath the moonlit sky.
Neither needing to say anything more.
Before Yuuki could properly process Hornet's heartfelt gratitude—
He suddenly found himself tackled backward into the grass.
Again.
At this point, it was becoming a recurring problem.
"Hornet?!"
Hornet grinned triumphantly while pinning him to the ground.
"What?"
Yuuki pointed upward.
"You're on top of me."
"Correct."
"Why?"
Hornet's grin somehow widened.
"I am reasonably certain Hana won't mind if I give you the full French course."
Yuuki blinked.
"...The what?"
Unfortunately—
Before Hornet could elaborate—
A hand suddenly grabbed the back of her collar.
Then another.
Hornet immediately stopped moving.
"...Uh oh."
Standing behind her were two women.
One elegant.
One fox-like.
Both smiling.
Which somehow made it more dangerous.
Hood sighed softly.
"My dear Hornet."
Meanwhile—
Amagi calmly narrowed her eyes.
"Now now."
Hornet slowly pointed toward Yuuki.
"I was this close."
"No."
Hood immediately answered.
Amagi nodded.
"Absolutely not."
The carrier dramatically slumped.
"A tragedy."
Then trying to reach toward Yuuki anyway—
"Hooooody..."
Unfortunately—
Both women simply lifted her slightly farther away.
"Hornet."
"Yes?"
"We agreed you may show affection."
"Correct."
"Within reason."
Hornet immediately looked offended.
"I am being reasonable."
Both women stared at her.
"..."
"..."
"...I am not being reasonable, am I?"
"No," Hood answered immediately.
The carrier sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Then pointing accusingly at both women.
"You two are no fun."
Amagi calmly smiled.
"We are preventing future chaos."
"Same thing."
Meanwhile—
Yuuki finally sat up from the grass.
Again.
At this point he had spent more time being tackled than standing.
Then Hornet suddenly crossed her arms.
"I just want to love and kiss my man."
The declaration echoed across the field.
Yuuki immediately covered his face.
"Hornet."
"What?"
"You said that incredibly loudly."
"Correct."
Nearby—
Hood gently rubbed her forehead.
"My dear sir."
"Yes?"
"I do hope you understand the challenges awaiting you once everyone is revived."
Yuuki immediately looked toward the heavens.
"...I am beginning to."
Amagi softly laughed.
"You have only met a fraction of us."
"That's not comforting."
"It was not intended to be."
Meanwhile—
Hornet had somehow escaped again.
She immediately wrapped herself around Yuuki's arm.
Victory achieved.
"There."
"Hornet."
"What?"
"You lost."
"No."
The carrier proudly smiled.
"I achieved partial success."
Hood sighed.
Amagi sighed.
Yuuki sighed.
Meanwhile—
Hornet looked entirely pleased with herself.
Which, unfortunately, meant she considered the operation a complete success.
Hornet eventually settled down enough for everyone to continue walking.
Though she remained firmly attached to Yuuki's arm.
A compromise nobody bothered arguing against anymore.
Then Hood's expression softened slightly.
The usual warmth in her eyes was joined by something else.
Concern.
Hope.
"Dear sir..."
Yuuki looked toward her.
Hood gently folded her hands.
"Please retrieve Centaur and Albion as well."
Her voice became quieter.
"Those two..."
"...were precious members of the Royal Navy."
Yuuki nodded immediately.
"I will."
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Just a promise.
Nearby—
Amagi's ears lowered slightly.
The fox strategist rarely showed vulnerability.
Yet this was one of those moments.
"Also..."
She looked toward him.
"Please rescue Zuikaku."
"Shokaku."
"Hiryuu."
"And Soryuu."
Yuuki smiled softly.
"I will, Amagi."
The fox woman visibly relaxed hearing that.
Then Yuuki looked toward the moonlit sky above.
The thought had been lingering for a while now.
"I just wish..."
His voice grew quieter.
"...I could tell them."
Hood and Amagi listened.
Yuuki continued.
"That they're not abandoned."
"That we're coming."
"That they only need to hold on a little longer."
Silence followed.
Because they all understood.
Somewhere inside the Mother Whale—
Sixteen prisoners were waiting.
Fighting.
Surviving.
Enduring.
Without knowing rescue was coming.
Without knowing people still remembered them.
Then suddenly—
Hornet blinked.
"Wait."
Everyone looked toward her.
The carrier tilted her head.
"Why don't you?"
Yuuki blinked.
"What?"
Hornet pointed at him.
"Talk to them."
The idea immediately hung in the air.
Then Hood's eyes widened slightly.
"...Ah."
Amagi immediately understood too.
"The summoning."
Yuuki froze.
Because now that they mentioned it—
He remembered.
The first time.
When his voice echoed throughout the Void World.
When countless shipgirls heard him.
When hope reached them.
Hornet grinned.
"You already did it before."
Then poking his shoulder.
"Do it again."
Hood slowly nodded.
"She may be onto something."
Then softly—
"If they can hear you..."
"...even briefly..."
The elegant battlecruiser's expression softened.
"It may give them strength."
Amagi's tails slowly swayed.
"Hope can sustain people far longer than one might expect."
Then quietly—
"If Shokaku and Zuikaku hear your voice..."
"...they will know rescue is coming."
Yuuki looked toward the distant horizon.
Thinking.
Because the Void World wasn't fully understood.
Neither were the connections between hearts.
Or Wisdom Cubes.
Or whatever strange force linked them all together.
Yet—
He had done it before.
Then Hood gently smiled.
"The voice that guided us."
"The voice that reminded us we were not forgotten."
Amagi nodded.
"It was real."
Hornet squeezed his arm.
"So make it real for them too."
The three women looked toward him.
Waiting.
Not because they doubted him.
But because they believed he could do it.