It was lunchtime aboard the Daedalus.
The dining hall was bustling with activity, with long tables arranged around a generous buffet spread. Shipgirls and Nikkes moved between the serving stations, selecting whatever caught their eyes. The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air, accompanied by the lively chatter of people enjoying their midday break.
For many of the Nikkes who had recently joined GDI, the abundance of food was still something they struggled to get used to.
There was no need to worry about rations running out, no one forcing them to make do with whatever scraps remained, and no expectation that they should go without simply because someone else might need more.
There was enough for everyone.
Yorktown had already made one rule clear, however: take what you needed, but don't waste food.
With that understanding in place, the dining hall had become a lively gathering place where everyone could eat their fill without worrying about what tomorrow might bring.
At one of the tables, Yorktown sat with Enterprise and Belfast, enjoying their lunch while watching the bustling room.
Belfast glanced toward the entrance with a faintly displeased expression.
"Honestly... he promised he'd return this morning."
She placed her fork down with a quiet sigh.
"He's probably enjoying himself far too much without me around. Just wait until he comes back. I'll make sure to give him a pinch."
Yorktown chuckled.
"Come now, Bel. You know how the Commander is. Once he gets involved in something, he tends to lose track of time."
"That is precisely the problem, Hana."
Belfast's smile remained perfectly polite, though the determination in her eyes suggested that Yuuki might have a difficult time escaping her when he finally returned.
Yorktown could only laugh.
"Well, I suppose we should be grateful that he's keeping himself occupied with something productive. Mecklenburg was up all morning, thinking he would be home soon."
She glanced around the dining hall.
"At least the training zone has been keeping everyone busy. There are so many shipgirls training together now that the Commander will probably have quite the welcome waiting for him when he returns."
Enterprise nodded.
"Knowing him, he'll probably be happy to see everyone training. Though I suspect he'll also find some way to turn it into another competition."
"That's certainly possible," Yorktown replied with a smile.
Belfast shook her head.
"Honestly, that man..."
Her expression softened almost immediately.
Still, there was no denying that she missed him.
After all, the Commander had a habit of disappearing into research projects and emerging only after accomplishing something extraordinary. As much as Belfast admired his dedication, she sometimes wished he would remember that there were people waiting for him to come home.
Yorktown, meanwhile, turned her attention to Belfast.
"By the way, how is your saber training going?"
Belfast straightened slightly.
"Quite well. I'm still getting used to some of the techniques, but the progress is encouraging."
Yorktown smiled.
"That's good to hear. I still think it's impressive that you can wield two weapons at once."
Belfast gave a small shrug.
"It took some getting used to."
Yorktown glanced down at her own short swords, resting beside her chair.
"I can't rely entirely on aircraft or bow. I need to be stronger in close combat, too. If I ever find myself in a situation where I can't use my planes, I don't want to be helpless."
Her expression grew more determined.
"And besides, Enty is learning to dual-wield knives as well. I can't let my little sister get too far ahead of me."
Enterprise sighed.
"Sis, I'm not competing with you."
"Of course not."
Yorktown smiled sweetly.
"You're just giving me more motivation."
Enterprise stared at her for a moment before shaking her head.
Belfast hid an amused smile behind her teacup.
It seemed that even when the Commander was away, the people around him had no shortage of ways to keep themselves occupied.
Around them, the dining hall remained lively.
Shipgirls and Nikkes gathered in small groups, exchanging stories while enjoying their meals. Some discussed their latest training sessions, while others talked about the facilities aboard the Daedalus or the possibility of visiting the Philadelphia someday.
For the newer arrivals, the sheer variety of food remained astonishing.
Anis stared at the buffet, looking between the different dishes as though she couldn't quite believe she was allowed to choose freely.
Tove carefully filled her plate, only to pause and glance toward Yorktown.
The instruction to avoid wasting food had been repeated often enough that everyone understood it. Nobody was going to scold them for eating their fill, but they were expected to take only what they could reasonably finish.
Yorktown had made that distinction clear from the beginning.
They no longer had to live in fear of going hungry.
That didn't mean they should take their newfound abundance for granted.
As Yorktown continued eating, a small movement on her lap caught her attention.
A Bulin was sitting comfortably there, happily nibbling on a piece of food.
Yorktown smiled and picked up a small portion of vegetables with her fork.
"Bulin, eat your vegetables. Otherwise, no hugs."
The Bulin froze.
"Bulin?!"
Yorktown raised an eyebrow.
The little girl looked at the vegetables, then at Yorktown.
After a moment of consideration, it obediently began eating.
"Bulin...!"
"Good girl."
Yorktown rewarded Bulin with a gentle pat on the head.
Enterprise watched the exchange with amusement.
"You've become quite good at handling them."
Yorktown smiled.
"They're adorable. Besides, everyone needs to eat their vegetables."
Bulin nodded enthusiastically, apparently deciding that vegetables were a perfectly reasonable price to pay for affection.
Nearby, Grimm the bald eagle had found its own source of entertainment.
The bird stood beside Enterprise's chair, pecking at whatever food she offered it.
Enterprise glanced down at Grimm, then at the rapidly diminishing portion of her meal.
"...Sigh. This bird eats so much."
Grimm looked up at her.
SCREE!
"Don't argue with me. You've already eaten enough for three birds."
Grimm immediately pecked at another piece of food.
Enterprise stared at it.
Yorktown burst out laughing.
"I'm sure it understands what you're saying, Enty. Or pretending not to."
"Clearly."
Grimm gave another satisfied screech before continuing its meal.
Enterprise could only shake her head.
Between the Bulins demanding attention and Grimm treating her lunch as an all-you-can-eat buffet, eating in peace had become something of a challenge.
And she hadn't even finished her own food yet.
At another table, an entirely different battle was taking place.
"NEON! STOP TALKING WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!"
WHACK!
Nimi delivered a sharp karate chop to Neon's head.
"Ouch! Why?!"
"Because you're talking while eating!"
"But I was explaining something important!"
"Finish chewing first!"
Neon rubbed her head, looking deeply offended.
"This is oppression! Nimi's a bully!"
"It's basic manners."
Nearby, Laffey barely looked up from her meal.
"Mm... noisy..."
Ayanami continued eating quietly, while Javelin tried to keep the peace between Neon and Nimi.
"Come on, you two. It's lunchtime. Let's just enjoy our food."
Nimi adjusted her glasses.
"I would be happy to if someone would stop shouting across the table."
Neon opened her mouth.
Nimi eyes her with a flat stare.
Neon immediately shut it again.
Laffey gave a sleepy thumbs-up.
"Good... peaceful..."
The group had certainly grown since the days when it consisted of only Laffey, Ayanami, Javelin, and Nimi.
Neon had joined them, bringing her boundless enthusiasm and questionable eating habits. Unicorn was now a familiar presence as well, usually staying close to Illustrious when she wasn't spending time with the others. Vesti had also begun joining their gatherings, gradually becoming more comfortable around the group.
And then there was Alice.
Alice was more than happy to spend time with them, provided the conversation eventually turned to something from her beloved fantasy world.
Unfortunately, that happened rather frequently.
"Rabbity told me that there might be a way to visit the Moon!" Alice announced, her eyes sparkling. "Imagine if we found a garden there! Maybe the Mad Hatter could have a tea party, and the Evil Queen could try to steal all the flowers!"
Javelin paused with her fork halfway to her mouth.
"The Mad Hatter? The Evil Queen?"
"And the floating cat!" Alice added excitedly. "He could help us find the way!"
Ayanami tilted her head.
"Floating... cat?"
"Yes! He disappears and reappears whenever he wants!"
Laffey slowly lifted her head.
"...Sounds troublesome."
Neon immediately leaned forward, momentarily forgetting Nimi's warning.
"WAIT! DOES THE CAT HAVE ANY WEAPONS?!"
WHACK!
Nimi karate-chopped her again.
"STOP TALKING WHILE EATING!"
"OW! BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT!"
"CHEW FIRST!"
Alice blinked at them before returning to her explanation.
"Anyway, Rabbity is the hero, and we're his army of bunnies!"
Javelin smiled awkwardly.
"Well, I'm glad you're having fun, Alice."
"Of course! Rabbity is wonderful!"
Alice clasped her hands together, looking absolutely delighted.
"He always helps everyone, and he has so many friends! When we visit the Moon, maybe we can find a magical rabbit garden and have a tea party together!"
Laffey considered this for a moment.
"...Can Laffey sleep there?"
"Of course!"
"Then Laffey agrees."
Ayanami nodded solemnly.
"Ayanami will accompany Laffey."
Javelin laughed.
"Wait, are we actually planning a trip to the Moon now?"
Neon swallowed her food and raised a hand.
"IF THERE'S A MOON TRIP, I'M IN!"
Nimi slowly turned toward her.
Neon froze.
"...After I finish eating."
"Good."
For a brief moment, peace returned to the table.
Then Alice leaned forward again, her eyes shining with renewed excitement.
"And after the Moon, we can visit the Mad Hatter's castle!"
Nimi closed her eyes.
She had a feeling this lunch was going to last a very long time.
Across the dining hall, Yorktown watched the younger girls' antics with a fond smile.
It was a pleasant sight.
Shipgirls and Nikkes who had once lived through war, loss, and uncertainty were now gathering around tables, arguing over food, sharing laughter, and making plans for the future.
Some were learning new combat techniques. Others were discovering hobbies they had never had the opportunity to pursue. A few were simply enjoying the freedom to eat lunch without worrying about what might happen next.
It was exactly the sort of atmosphere Yorktown had hoped to see aboard the Daedalus.
She glanced toward the entrance once more.
The Commander still hadn't returned.
Belfast noticed and followed her gaze.
"Still no sign of him, Hana?"
Yorktown shook her head.
"Not yet. I called him this morning and said he was in the middle of something big."
Belfast sighed.
"Then I shall have to make sure he gets a proper welcome when he finally arrives."
Enterprise raised an eyebrow.
"Should we be worried about him?"
"Not at all," Belfast replied with a perfectly composed smile.
That answer somehow made Yorktown more concerned.
Still, she couldn't help smiling as she watched the dining hall.
Yuuki had once promised that GDI would become a place where everyone could live, work, and enjoy themselves without constantly worrying about survival.
Looking around now, Yorktown could see that promise slowly becoming reality.
And when he finally returned, she was certain he would be happy to see it, too.
At another table in the bustling dining hall, Kaguya sat alongside Irisviel, Akagi, Kaga, Shoukaku, and Zuikaku. Their lunch had turned into a leisurely conversation, with the women enjoying both the food and the rare opportunity to relax without any urgent responsibilities.
Not far away, a group of elven shipgirls had gathered around another table. York, Centaur, Albion, Mecklenburg, and Hindenburg were discussing their magical heritage, exchanging what they knew about their respective abilities and the peculiarities of their bloodlines.
The dining hall was filled with chatter and laughter.
Then, without warning, a bluish light appeared in the middle of the enormous hall.
A swirling portal opened above the floor.
The sudden appearance immediately caught everyone's attention.
"What is that?!"
Several shipgirls instinctively rose from their seats, while some Nikkes turned toward the disturbance, their expressions alert. A few even stepped in front of their companions, prepared to protect them should something emerge from the portal.
Before the situation could escalate, Jarvis's voice sounded throughout the dining hall.
"Attention, everyone. No abnormal spatial or dimensional anomalies have been detected. The portal's energy signature matches an authorized GDI device. There is no immediate threat."
The announcement eased some of the tension, although many remained curious about the unexpected arrival.
The portal continued to swirl.
Then, a figure stepped through.
Dark hair. Familiar eyes. A white coat.
Their Commander had returned.
Yuuki glanced around at the sea of faces staring at him.
"Whoa... I wasn't expecting a welcoming committee."
For half a second, the dining hall remained silent.
Then—
"COMMANDER!"
"SHIKIKAN-SAMA!"
The dining hall erupted.
Several shipgirls hurried toward him, while others called out his name from their tables. The Nikkes were equally enthusiastic, their earlier surprise quickly replaced by excitement at seeing him return.
Yuuki raised both hands, laughing as he tried to calm everyone down.
"Okay, okay! I wasn't gone for that long!"
That only prompted a few amused complaints from the crowd.
"Long enough!" someone called out.
"You promised you'd be back this morning!"
"We were waiting for you!"
Yuuki grinned sheepishly.
"All right, all right. I get it. I've been missed."
He was hardly surprised by the reception. Considering how many people had grown accustomed to having him around, even a short absence could cause a commotion.
Neon, however, was far more interested in the portal than in the Commander himself.
She rushed forward, practically bouncing on her heels.
"WHOA! IS THAT A PORTAL?!"
Yuuki glanced at the fading blue passage behind him.
"Yep. One of my new ways to travel."
Neon's eyes sparkled.
"YOU CAN JUST OPEN A PORTAL AND GO PLACES?!"
"Pretty much. It took some time to calibrate the coordinates between the Philadelphia and Earth, but now I can use it to travel to places I've already visited."
He tapped the compact portal gun at his side.
"As long as the destination has been properly recorded and the device has enough power, I can open a portal directly to it. No need to walk through the station or board a transport just to get somewhere."
Neon stared at the device as though she had just witnessed the greatest invention in human history.
"THAT'S AMAZING!"
Anis, standing behind her, folded her arms.
"Please don't start asking him to open portals to every place you want to visit."
Neon slowly turned toward her.
"...Too late. I already have a list."
Anis closed her eyes.
"Of course you do."
Yuuki chuckled.
"I'll consider your requests, Neon. No promises, though. Plus, we need to get there first before using a portal to go there for a second time."
"YES!"
"That wasn't a yes."
But Neon was already celebrating.
Before Yuuki could be dragged into another round of questions, a familiar voice greeted him from nearby.
"Well... welcome back, Master."
Belfast approached with her usual impeccable composure, a warm smile on her face.
Yuuki grinned at her.
"Miss me?"
"Of course, Master."
Her smile remained pleasant, but there was a subtle glint in her eyes.
"Although I must admit, I was beginning to wonder whether you had forgotten your promise to return this morning."
Yuuki scratched the back of his head.
"Ah... about that."
"Fortunately, you have returned in time for lunch."
Belfast's expression softened.
"Welcome home, Master."
For a moment, Yuuki smiled warmly at her and gently pats her head.
"Thanks, Bel. It's good to be back."
Then Belfast glanced toward Yorktown, who had finally made her way over.
"And, of course, you were not the only one waiting for him. Hana and Enty has been missing you as well."
Yuuki turned toward Yorktown.
Yorktown immediately looked away.
"Pfft... don't sell me out, Bel."
Belfast merely smiled.
"I would never dream of it, Hana."
"You're doing exactly that!"
Yuuki laughed.
Yorktown crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure despite the warmth spreading across her cheeks.
"Well... I do miss you, too."
Her voice softened at the end.
Yuuki's grin faded into a gentler smile.
"I missed you, Hana."
Yorktown looked up at him, her expression brightening.
For all the teasing, there was no denying how happy she was to see him again.
Before Yuuki could say anything else....
Yuu stepped through, looking thoroughly pleased to be back aboard the Daedalus.
"Home sweet home!"
Arisa, who happened to be nearby, immediately approached her.
"Welcome back, Mistress."
"Thanks, Arisa. It's good to be home."
Yuu glanced around the dining hall, taking in the crowd that had gathered around Yuuki.
"Looks like we caused quite a commotion."
"Quite an understatement," Yorktown replied.
Yuuki shrugged innocently.
"Hey, I just wanted to come back for lunch."
"Through a portal," Enterprise pointed out.
"Yes?"
Enterprise stared at him.
Then she shook her head.
"Never mind."
It was impossible to argue with Yuuki when he looked that pleased with himself.
Then, Sandy stepped through first, followed by Eldridge and Cinderella.
All three looked delighted to be back.
"WE'RE HOME!"
Sandy threw both arms into the air.
Eldridge gave a small nod.
"Home..."
Cinderella smiled brightly as she approached Yuuki.
"Indeed, my Prince. It is wonderful to be back."
The three had barely finished greeting everyone when Yorktown's expression changed.
She slowly turned toward them.
"San Diego. Eldridge. Cinderella."
The three froze.
Yorktown smiled.
It was not a particularly reassuring smile.
"We're going to have a little talk after this."
Sandy's enthusiasm vanished instantly.
Eldridge tilted her head.
Cinderella's smile became noticeably more restrained.
The three exchanged a glance.
Then, in perfect unison, they bowed.
"WE'RE SORRY!"
Yuuki blinked.
"...Ah, the sudden jump on me and Yuu yesterday."
"It was nothing!" Sandy answered immediately.
Yorktown raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing?"
Sandy hesitated.
"...Nothing serious?"
Eldridge nodded.
"Nothing serious."
Cinderella clasped her hands together.
"Mother, I assure you that we had every intention of returning promptly."
Yorktown's smile widened.
"Is that so?"
The three bowed even lower.
"WE'RE SORRY!"
Then they turned toward Yuuki with pleading expressions.
"COMMANDER! SAVE US!"
Yuuki stared at them.
He looked at Sandy, who seemed to be desperately hoping he would intervene. Then he glanced at Eldridge, whose expression remained as innocent as ever, before finally looking at Cinderella.
Cinderella gave him her best pleading smile.
"My Prince..."
Yuuki opened his mouth.
"Well, I suppose—"
Yorktown turned toward him.
"Commander."
He stopped.
Yorktown's smile remained perfectly pleasant.
"Don't you dare defend them, or we're going to have a serious conversation."
Silence.
Yuuki slowly closed his mouth.
The three girls stared at him in disbelief.
He looked back at Yorktown, then at the trio, and finally let out a quiet sigh.
"When Mom is angry, I'll stay out of it."
For one glorious second, the dining hall fell silent.
Then—
"NO!"
Sandy looked as though she had been betrayed by her own commanding officer.
"COMMANDER! YOU CAN'T ABANDON US!"
Eldridge tugged at his sleeve.
"Commander... help."
Cinderella clasped her hands together.
"My Prince, surely you would not leave three innocent ladies to face such a terrible fate?"
Yuuki took a cautious step backward.
"Sorry, Cinderella. You're on your own."
Yorktown nodded approvingly.
"Good choice."
Belfast covered her mouth, hiding a smile.
Enterprise shook her head.
"Some things never change."
Anis, who had witnessed the entire exchange, leaned toward Rapi.
"Is it just me, or does the Commander look more frightened of Yorktown than he does of most enemies?"
Rapi considered the question.
"...I wouldn't rule it out."
Neon nodded solemnly.
"Mom is terrifying!"
Yorktown turned toward her.
"Neon?"
Neon immediately straightened.
"Mom is wonderful!"
"Much better."
The dining hall burst into laughter.
Yuuki could only shake his head, wondering how a simple return home had turned into an interrogation before he had even managed to eat lunch.
Still, as he looked around at the smiling faces, the lively tables, and the people who had gathered to welcome him back, he couldn't help smiling himself.
He had missed this.
The noise. The laughter. The familiar warmth of being surrounded by people who cared about him.
Even if some of them were already planning to drag him into trouble.
Especially those three.
Yuuki glanced at Sandy, Eldridge, and Cinderella, who were still desperately hoping Yorktown would forget about their impending conversation.
He quietly decided that he would not be getting involved.
Not today.
Some battles, even for the GDI High Commander, were simply not worth fighting.
"However..."
Yuuki glanced at Sandy, Eldridge, and Cinderella before turning toward Yorktown with a reassuring smile.
"Hana, I think we can let them off the hook for now. They behaved themselves pretty well while they were on the station."
Yorktown sighed, looking at the three troublemakers.
"I suppose..."
Sandy immediately brightened, while Eldridge and Cinderella exchanged relieved glances.
"But that's not the only reason," Yuuki continued.
Yorktown tilted her head.
"How so?"
Yuuki smiled mysteriously.
"Well, I don't think you can stay angry with them anymore."
"...What do you mean?"
Rather than answering, Yuuki turned toward the swirling blue portal behind him.
He reached out and gently took someone's hand.
A moment later, a woman stepped through the portal.
The dining hall fell silent.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The shipgirls stared at the newcomer in disbelief, struggling to process what they were seeing.
But no one was more stunned than Yorktown and Enterprise.
The woman had a slender figure, a modest bust, and long blonde hair tied into twin tails. Her green eyes darted nervously around the dining hall, taking in the countless familiar faces staring back at her.
She wore a black cowboy hat decorated with yellow bands, along with a bulky black cape draped over her shoulders, its edges lined with yellow trim. Beneath it was a black bikini top that exposed her midriff and belly button, paired with black denim shorts secured by a yellow belt. Black arm sleeves with yellow linings covered her arms, while white thigh-high socks were worn beneath black thigh-high stockings. Completing the outfit were silver metallic boots with striking red soles.
It was a familiar appearance.
One that two sisters had spent far too long wishing to see again.
Hornet.
She was alive.
She was here.
And she was standing right in front of them.
Hornet shifted uneasily beneath the weight of everyone's attention. Her fingers tightened around Yuuki's hand as she tried to find the right words.
Then she looked toward the two women standing frozen before her.
A nervous smile appeared on her face.
"Hey, sis..."
Yorktown's eyes widened.
Enterprise stopped breathing for a moment.
Yuuki glanced between them, then began explaining.
"The reason we were late was because Yuu was conducting a medical examination on—"
He never finished his sentence.
"HORNET!"
Yorktown and Enterprise rushed forward.
Before Hornet could react, both sisters threw their arms around her, pulling her into a desperate embrace.
"Sis!"
"You're really here!"
Yorktown's voice broke as she buried her face against Hornet's shoulder. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her arms tightened around her younger sister as though she were afraid Hornet might disappear if she let go.
Enterprise clung to Hornet from the other side, her own tears falling freely.
For all her composure on the battlefield, the Grey Ghost could no longer hold herself together.
"Hornet... Hornet..."
Her voice trembled.
"We thought... we thought..."
The words refused to come.
Hornet stood frozen between them for a moment, overwhelmed by the sheer force of their emotions.
Then her expression softened.
She wrapped her arms around both sisters and hugged them back.
"Hey, hey... I'm here. I'm really here."
Her voice was gentle, though it trembled with emotion of its own.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
Yorktown shook her head against Hornet's shoulder, unable to stop crying.
"Don't apologize... just..."
She drew a shaky breath.
"Just stay with us."
Enterprise nodded, holding her sister even tighter.
"Please..."
Hornet's eyes glistened.
"Of course, Enty. I'm not going anywhere."
The three sisters remained locked in their embrace, crying openly as years of grief, longing, and uncertainty finally gave way to the overwhelming relief of being reunited.
Around them, the dining hall remained unusually quiet.
Even the most talkative shipgirls had fallen silent, watching the reunion with tears in their own eyes.
Yuuki stood a short distance away, a gentle smile on his face.
He had known Yorktown and Enterprise would be overwhelmed.
But seeing them hold their sister again, after everything they had endured, made him feel that the long wait had been worth it.
He quietly stepped aside, giving the three sisters the space they needed.
Behind them, Sandy wiped her eyes.
"Eldridge... they're crying..."
Eldridge nodded, her expression unusually solemn.
"Happy tears..."
Cinderella pressed a hand to her chest, visibly moved.
"How beautiful... My Prince truly has a talent for bringing happiness back into people's lives."
Yuuki rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed by the praise.
"Come on. I just helped make it possible. Plus, you two cried when seeing her again."
Belfast, standing nearby, offered him a warm smile.
"Sometimes, Master, making the impossible possible is more than enough."
Yuuki looked back at the three sisters.
Yorktown still refused to let Hornet go, while Enterprise had buried her face against Hornet's shoulder, crying without the slightest concern for her usual dignified image.
Hornet, meanwhile, was doing her best to comfort both of them, even as tears began rolling down her own cheeks.
Yuuki smiled.
Well, it seemed Yorktown's earlier threat of a serious conversation with Sandy, Eldridge, and Cinderella would have to wait.
After all, how could anyone remain angry when their family had finally come home?
Hornet had been the first person Yuuki chose to bring back.
She was the first revival candidate he had selected for the machine—the one who had helped make all of this possible. Without her, this moment might never have come to pass.
And now, she was finally home.
As Yorktown and Enterprise continued embracing their younger sister, Hornet turned her head toward Yuuki. Her green eyes were glistening, and a small, grateful smile appeared on her face.
"Hey, handsome... thanks. A lot."
Yuuki smiled back.
"Just cry with them. They've been through a lot. You can tackle me once you're done with them."
Hornet looked at her two sisters again.
Yorktown was still holding her as though she would never let go, while Enterprise had tears streaming down her face. Hornet's own smile softened before she wrapped her arms around them both once more.
"All right, all right... I'm here, you two."
Yuuki watched them for another moment before turning back toward the swirling blue portal.
There was still more he needed to do.
And this time, the person he was about to bring home would shock an entirely different group of shipgirls.
The portal brightened.
Yuuki reached through the swirling blue passage and gently took another woman's hand.
"Come on. It's time to go home."
A moment later, a tall, slender woman stepped through.
She possessed an elegant figure and a prominent bust, complemented by waist-length dark-brown hair tied into a low ponytail. A pair of fox ears stood atop her head, while nine magnificent brown fox tails swayed gently behind her. Her striking purple eyes, accented by orange eyeliner, surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings.
A black choker adorned her neck, featuring a yellow badge-like ornament. Over her black kimono dress, which was decorated with white frills, red accents, and a crane motif, she wore a red haori with black details. A black metal plate with red highlights rested around her waist, layered over a gray metallic sash and a red obi. Dark-brown pantyhose, black geta, and brown bridal gauntlets completed her attire.
In one hand, she carried an oriental umbrella.
For a brief moment, the dining hall remained quiet.
Then the Sakura Empire shipgirls recognized her.
Their eyes widened.
Some rose abruptly from their seats, while others stared as though they were witnessing a miracle.
Kaga froze.
Akagi's entire body trembled.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Then—
"AMAGI NEE-SAMA!"
Akagi was the first to move.
She rushed forward so quickly that she nearly stumbled, throwing herself into the arms of the woman she had longed to see again.
"Amagi nee-sama!"
Her voice cracked.
Amagi barely had time to put aside her umbrella before Akagi wrapped both arms around her, burying her face against her chest.
For a moment, Amagi simply stood there, stunned by the sudden embrace.
Then she recognized the familiar red-haired woman clinging to her.
Her eyes widened.
"Akagi...?"
Akagi could no longer hold back her tears.
"Nee-sama! Nee-sama!"
She sobbed uncontrollably, clutching Amagi as though she were afraid that letting go would cause her beloved elder sister to disappear again.
Amagi's expression softened.
Slowly, she raised her arms and embraced Akagi.
"My, my... Akagi."
Her voice was gentle, filled with disbelief and affection.
"You've grown so much."
That only made Akagi cry harder.
Behind her, Kaga remained rooted to the spot.
She stared at Amagi, unable to reconcile what her eyes were seeing with what she had believed for so long.
"Amagi... nee-sama..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Amagi lifted her gaze.
And when she saw Kaga standing there, tears gathering in her eyes, her gentle smile grew warmer.
"Kaga..."
That was all it took.
Kaga hurried forward and joined the embrace, wrapping her arms around her elder sister and Akagi.
For the first time in what had felt like an eternity, the three sisters were together again.
Akagi cried openly, her usual obsessive confidence completely gone. Kaga tried to maintain her composure, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her.
Amagi held them both, stroking their hair as she had once done long ago.
"There, there... I'm here now."
Her own voice trembled slightly.
"I'm right here, Akagi. Kaga. You don't have to cry so much."
"How can we not cry?!" Akagi sobbed. "You were gone for so long!"
Kaga tightened her embrace.
"We missed you, nee-sama."
Amagi closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to feel the warmth of her younger sisters again.
"I missed you both, too."
Nearby, the Sakura Empire shipgirls watched the reunion with tears in their eyes.
Then a familiar, graceful voice spoke.
"Amagi..."
The woman turned toward the speaker.
Kaguya stood a short distance away, her expression unusually tender.
"Amagi... thou hast finally returned."
Amagi's eyes widened with recognition.
For a moment, she seemed unable to believe what she was seeing.
Then a delighted smile spread across her face.
"Houshou-kaa-sama? Kaguya? Everyone!"
Her gaze swept across the familiar faces gathered in the dining hall.
"So many familiar faces... My, my. It seems I've been away for far longer than I imagined."
Kaguya smiled softly.
"Indeed. There has been much to discuss, and much thou hast missed."
She glanced at Akagi and Kaga, who were still clinging to their elder sister.
"But for now, thou shouldst enjoy this moment. They have waited a very long time for thee."
Amagi looked down at her younger sisters.
Akagi was still crying, while Kaga had finally stopped trying to hide her tears.
Amagi gently patted both their heads.
"Of course."
She smiled warmly.
"After all, I have a great deal of catching up to do with my precious little sisters."
"Nee-sama..."
Akagi buried her face against Amagi again.
Kaga closed her eyes and leaned into the embrace.
Yuuki watched from beside the portal, smiling quietly.
First, Yorktown and Enterprise had been reunited with Hornet.
Now, Akagi and Kaga had their beloved Amagi back.
Two families had been made whole again in the span of a few minutes.
And for Yuuki, seeing those tears of happiness was worth every hour of work that had gone into making the Revival Machine a reality.
Even Takao and Atago were left speechless.
Of all the people Yuuki could have brought back, he had returned with Amagi herself—the legendary strategist of the Sakura Empire.
The woman whose brilliance had once posed such a threat to the Sirens that they had deliberately targeted her to prevent Azur Lane from gaining the upper hand. Her absence had crippled the Sakura Empire's strategic capabilities and contributed to the chain of events that had pushed Akagi down a darker path.
And now, Amagi had been brought back from the dead.
Again.
Takao and Atago exchanged a glance before slowly turning toward Yuuki.
Their expressions said everything.
Just how many times are you going to bring people back from the dead, Commander?
Yuuki noticed their stares.
He simply smiled innocently.
Amagi, meanwhile, was experiencing something rather extraordinary herself. This was effectively her fourth lifetime.
Her first had been as a ship. Her second began when she became a shipgirl, a life that eventually ended with her death. She had then been revived and given a third lifetime, only to perish once more.
And now, thanks to Yuuki and the Revival Machine, she had been granted a fourth.
Four lifetimes.
Most people would struggle to comprehend such a thing, but Amagi had somehow managed to experience it firsthand.
Of course, she had barely been home for a few minutes, and Akagi was already crying as though they had been separated for decades.
Amagi gently patted her younger sister's head.
"There, there... Akagi. We only met a week ago. Why are you crying so much again?"
Akagi's sobbing briefly faltered.
"...Nee-sama!"
She hugged Amagi even tighter.
"That doesn't make it any better!"
Kaga, who was still holding onto Amagi, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. A week is more than enough time to miss you, nee-sama."
Amagi blinked.
Then she let out a soft, helpless laugh.
"My, my... You two haven't changed at all."
She continued comforting her younger sisters before turning her attention toward Kaguya.
Her purple eyes widened slightly as she took in the familiar figure.
"Kaguya... The last time I saw thee was thirty years ago, when thou wert first created."
She tilted her head, smiling warmly.
"Thou still rememberest me?"
Kaguya regarded her with a serene smile.
"Of course. This wife remembers."
She paused, then continued in her usual archaic manner.
"This one saw thee, Nagato-sama, Houshou-kaa-sama, Shinano, Musashi, and Yamato. This one still remembers thee."
Amagi's smile grew curious.
"This wife...?"
Kaguya giggled behind her hand.
"Ufufu... This one is thy dearest beloved wife."
Amagi stared at her for a moment.
Then she turned toward Yuuki.
Yuuki immediately recognized that look.
"Not yet, Kaguya."
"Araa..."
Kaguya looked positively disappointed.
Amagi covered her mouth, giggling softly.
"My, my. you certainly work fast, Shikikan-sama."
Yuuki sighed.
"You know what happened."
"Of course I do."
Amagi's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I merely wished to tease you a little. After all, do not forget that I am yours as well."
Yuuki gave her a resigned look.
"Amagi..."
He shook his head.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Why, of course. I have just received a fourth lifetime. Surely I am entitled to a little amusement?"
Kaguya nodded enthusiastically.
"Indeed! This wife wholeheartedly agrees!"
"You're not helping, Kaguya."
"Ufufufu!"
Nearby, Shoukaku had been listening to the exchange with growing astonishment.
She slowly approached Amagi, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and curiosity.
"Amagi-san? You too?"
Amagi turned toward her with a gentle smile.
"Ah, Shoukaku. It has been quite some time, hasn't it?"
Shoukaku looked between Amagi and Yuuki, then let out a small sigh.
"...I see."
She clearly did not see at all.
Amagi merely smiled.
"Long story."
"Somehow, I suspected as much."
Meanwhile, the Nikkes had been watching the entire series of reunions with wide eyes.
First, they had witnessed Yorktown and Enterprise reunited with Hornet. Then, the Sakura Empire shipgirls had nearly fallen apart upon seeing Amagi return.
There was a great deal to unpack.
Anis eyes Hornet. That's the person who wanted to meet her.
Neon leaned toward Anis and whispered, though not nearly quietly enough.
"So... that's Mom's youngest sister?"
Belfast, who happened to be standing nearby, answered before Anis could.
"Yes. That is Lady Hornet—the sister whose soul helped call upon all the shipgirls."
Neon blinked.
"...That Hornet?"
"The very same."
Neon looked toward Hornet, who was still being hugged tightly by Yorktown and Enterprise.
"Whoa..."
For once, she seemed to have run out of things to say.
It was a remarkable occasion.
Anis, however, had another question.
"What about the new fox?"
She nodded toward Amagi, whose nine tails swayed gently behind her as she spoke with Kaguya.
Belfast straightened slightly.
"Ah, that is Lady Amagi, the legendary strategist of the Sakura Empire."
Anis raised an eyebrow.
"The strategist?"
"Indeed. She was so dangerous to the Sirens that they deliberately took her out of the picture to cripple the Sakura Empire and prevent Azur Lane from gaining the upper hand."
Belfast paused briefly.
"It was also one of the events that contributed to Lady Akagi's descent into madness, as Lady Yorktown explained in her story."
Anis stared at Amagi again.
Then she looked toward Akagi and Kaga, who were still reluctant to let their elder sister go.
"...Wow. So she's that Amagi."
"Precisely."
Belfast's smile turned faintly mischievous.
"She is also one of the Sakura Empire's ethics teachers."
Anis slowly turned toward her.
"...Ethics teacher?"
"Yes. Lady Amagi is quite capable of teaching proper conduct, etiquette, and the finer points of traditional tea preparation."
Belfast folded her hands neatly in front of her.
"I would advise against getting on her bad side unless you are prepared to endure an hour-long lesson on how to brew tea correctly."
Anis stared at her.
One second.
Two seconds.
Then she turned toward Amagi again.
The elegant fox woman was smiling warmly as she gently stroked Akagi's hair, looking every bit like a kind and affectionate elder sister.
Anis swallowed.
"...An hour?"
"At minimum," Belfast confirmed pleasantly.
Neon looked horrified.
"An entire hour without talking about firepower?!"
"Especially without talking about firepower."
Neon immediately took a step back.
"Okay. Got it. I'm going to be on my best behavior around the fox lady."
Anis snorted.
"For once, that's probably the smartest thing you've said all day."
Belfast smiled.
"A wise decision, ladies."
Across the dining hall, Amagi suddenly glanced in their direction.
Her purple eyes settled on Neon and Anis, and she offered them a gracious smile.
"Is something the matter, ladies?"
Neon and Anis straightened simultaneously.
"NOTHING!"
Amagi blinked.
Then she smiled even more warmly.
"My, my. Such energetic young ladies."
Belfast quietly covered her mouth.
Anis shot her a betrayed look.
Neon, meanwhile, leaned toward Anis and whispered with absolute conviction.
"Anis... I'm scared of the fox lady."
Anis whispered back.
"Yeah. Me too."
And for once, neither of them was talking about an enemy on the battlefield.
Amagi was still enjoying the reunion when she glanced toward Yuuki with a knowing smile.
"Shikikan-sama, I don't think you should keep your lady waiting."
Yuuki blinked.
"Oh, I forgot."
He turned toward the swirling blue portal again, his lips curling into a smile.
Rapi, who had been watching the entire sequence of events with growing disbelief, looked at him.
"Commander... there's more?"
"Kind of..."
Yuuki raised his voice slightly and addressed the other side of the portal.
"My dear lady, you can come through now."
For a moment, there was no response.
Then a familiar, elegant voice drifted from the other side.
"Shouldn't a gentleman guide his lady by the hand?"
Belfast's eyes widened.
She recognized that voice immediately.
And she wasn't the only one.
Across the dining hall, Bismarck suddenly stiffened. Her hands began to tremble, and her eyes locked onto the portal.
No...
It couldn't be.
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"Ah, forgive your clueless gentleman."
Grinning, he reached through the portal and gently took the woman's hand.
"Allow me to escort you properly."
With that, he carefully guided her through.
A slender woman emerged from the swirling blue light.
She had short blonde hair, with a long, wavy fringe falling along the right side of her face, and a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Draped over her shoulders was a capelet bearing the Union Jack, while her dark-blue, double-breasted dress featured long sleeves, a jeweled collar, and elegant decorative outlines. White frills adorned her cuffs, and a soft white fur scarf was wrapped around her neck. A golden waistband accentuated her figure, while a white underskirt fell to her calves.
Dark-brown pantyhose covered her legs, complemented by silver boots with black cuffs. She wore pristine white gloves, and a white sunhat with black trim rested upon her head, adorned with a distinctive ship's figurehead.
Her bearing was graceful. Her smile was warm.
And her presence was unmistakable.
Hood.
The Royal Navy's grand lady had returned.
Belfast stood frozen.
"...Lady Hood."
The words escaped her lips in a whisper.
Hood turned toward her, her blue eyes brightening with recognition.
"My, Belfast... It has been some time, hasn't it?"
She glanced around the dining hall, taking in the familiar maid uniforms and faces she had not seen for more than thirty years.
"It seems some of our maids have gathered here once more."
The Royal Maids stared at her in disbelief.
The woman who had been lost in the Battle of the Exelia Sea...
The woman they had mourned for decades...
Was standing right in front of them.
Alive.
Hood noticed their expressions and smiled tenderly. She reached out, gently patting the heads of the maids closest to her.
"Thank you for surviving this long."
That was all it took to break their composure.
Several of the maids lowered their heads, struggling to hold back their tears. Even Belfast, who prided herself on maintaining impeccable composure, found her eyes growing moist.
Hood's smile softened.
"Now, now. There is no need to cry. I am here, after all."
She then heard a small, familiar voice calling out to her.
"Big sis Hood!"
Hood turned.
Unicorn was hurrying toward her, her eyes already glistening with tears.
"Unicorn!"
Hood opened her arms, welcoming the younger girl into a warm embrace.
Unicorn hugged her tightly.
"I missed you!"
"And I missed you, too, dear."
Hood gently stroked her silver hair before leaning back to look at her.
"Tell me, have you been keeping up with your studies?"
"Ehehe..."
Unicorn's smile turned a little sheepish.
Hood raised an eyebrow playfully.
"My, my. That expression tells me I shall have to investigate."
"N-no! I've been studying!"
"Of course you have."
Hood giggled and patted Unicorn's head.
"Very good. Keep it up, all right?"
Unicorn nodded happily, enjoying the familiar affection.
Hood then turned toward another familiar face.
"Illustrious..."
Her smile brightened.
"You look as beautiful as ever."
Illustrious approached with her usual elegance, though her eyes betrayed her emotions.
"As do you, Hood."
For a moment, the two women simply looked at each other.
Then Illustrious reached out and took Hood's hands before pulling her into a gentle embrace.
"Welcome home."
Hood squeezed Illustrious's shoulders gently.
"Thank you, my dear."
Her gaze soon swept across the gathering of Royal Navy shipgirls. She spotted Centaur, Albion, Javelin, and the sisters of the King George V class, all of whom were staring at her with varying degrees of shock and joy.
"My, my... To see so many fellow Royal Navy ladies gathered together once more. What a wonderful sight."
"W-Wales..."
Hood's gaze settled on the familiar battleship.
She smiled warmly.
"Hello, Wales."
Prince of Wales tried to maintain her composure, but her voice trembled.
"Hood..."
That single word carried years of grief and longing.
Hood stepped forward and embraced her.
"I missed you too."
She drew Wales into a warm hug, then welcomed the other King George V-class sisters as they gathered around them.
The reunion quickly grew into a cluster of embraces, relieved laughter, and tears. Hood greeted her fellow Royal Navy shipgirls one by one, sharing a kind word or a gentle touch with each of them.
For Hood, being surrounded by these familiar faces again felt like a blessing.
She had thought she would never see them again.
Yet here they were, standing before her as though the years of separation had been nothing more than a long, unpleasant dream.
And then Hood noticed someone standing apart from the others.
A familiar woman with blonde hair and a stern expression.
Except that her expression was no longer stern.
Bismarck was trembling.
Her eyes were fixed on Hood, and she looked as though she could scarcely believe what she was seeing.
Hood's smile softened.
She walked toward her former enemy, stopping just a short distance away.
"It's been a while, old friend."
Bismarck's lips parted.
"Hood..."
Her voice cracked.
For years, she had carried the memories of their battles, their conversations, and the friendship that had grown between them despite the war that had once placed them on opposite sides.
She had believed that friendship was something she would never be able to reclaim.
But now—
Hood was standing right in front of her.
Bismarck's composure finally shattered.
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Hood, hugging her so tightly that the Royal Navy lady let out a small, surprised gasp.
"Hood..."
Bismarck's voice was muffled against her shoulder.
"I'm sorry..."
Hood's eyes widened briefly before she gently returned the embrace.
"There, there..."
She stroked Bismarck's back, just as she had comforted countless others.
"There's no need to apologize."
Bismarck shook her head, unable to stop herself from crying.
"I thought I'd never see you again..."
"I know."
Hood held her a little closer.
"And I am sorry you had to endure that pain."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The old rivalry between the Royal Navy and Iron Blood felt impossibly distant now. There were no battle lines between them, no guns aimed at one another, and no orders demanding that they fight.
There were only two old friends who had finally been reunited.
Hood eventually leaned back, keeping her hands on Bismarck's shoulders.
Her expression was gentle, but there was a trace of concern in her blue eyes.
"You must have been suffering terribly."
Bismarck lowered her head.
Hood gave her a reassuring smile.
"Please, tell me everything. Now that we finally have the time, I would like to hear what has happened since we last met."
Bismarck looked at her for a long moment.
Then she nodded, wiping the tears from her face.
"...All right."
Hood squeezed her hands.
"Good. And don't worry, my dear. We have plenty of time to catch up."
Nearby, Yuuki watched the reunions unfold with a satisfied smile.
Hornet had returned to her sisters.
Amagi had reunited with Akagi and Kaga.
And now Hood was home, surrounded by the Royal Navy ladies she had left behind—and embraced by the old friend who had once been her enemy.
Rapi slowly turned toward Yuuki.
"Commander..."
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Yeah?"
She looked at the portal, then at the growing crowd of emotional shipgirls.
"...I think I'm starting to understand what you meant by 'kind of.'"
Yuuki laughed.
"Well, there's still a lot of work to do."
Rapi stared at him.
"Of course there is."
And judging by the number of shipgirls still waiting for their chance to return, the Commander wasn't going to be getting much rest anytime soon.
"I suppose the mother group is finally complete."
Friedrich der Große spoke with a satisfied smile as she watched Hood reunite with the Royal Navy shipgirls.
Hood turned toward the familiar figure, her blue eyes widening in surprise.
"Friedrich? Houshou...?"
Her gaze swept across the dining hall before settling on the familiar white haired woman still embracing Hornet.
"Ah, there you are, Hana."
Yorktown looked up, surprised to hear her name.
Hood smiled warmly at the sight of her and Hornet together.
"I see. Our little group of mothers is growing larger."
Friedrich chuckled softly.
"Indeed. And I suspect it will continue to grow."
Anis, who had been listening to their conversation, looked between the two women.
"Wait a minute. She's the Royal Navy's mom?"
"Yup," Yuuki answered from nearby. "She's also their manners and ethics teacher."
He gave Anis a serious look.
"Trust me. You don't want to piss that one off. She can deliver a thousand insults with nothing more than a stare and make you surrender before she even opens her mouth."
Anis stared at Hood.
Then she slowly turned toward Yuuki.
"...Yikes."
"That's not even the worst part," Yuuki added.
Anis immediately looked alarmed.
"There's more?!"
Shoukaku, who had overheard their conversation, smiled knowingly.
"Houshou-kaa-sama would forgive you. Yorktown-san would scold you. Friedrich would pamper you..."
She paused dramatically.
"But Lady Hood? She would discipline you."
Anis swallowed.
Shoukaku nodded solemnly.
"Her methods are simple, yet extremely brutal. Before you know it, you'll become a proper lady and start speaking with a Royal Union accent."
Neon gasped.
"That's terrifying!"
"Isn't it?" Anis agreed.
Hood, who had caught the tail end of their conversation, merely smiled at them.
"My, my. I do hope you're not spreading frightening stories about me, Shoukaku."
Shoukaku immediately straightened.
"Of course not, Hood-san!"
Hood's smile remained pleasant.
"Good."
Anis and Neon exchanged a look.
Somehow, that single word was more frightening than a battlefield threat.
Hood soon turned her attention back to Yuuki.
"My... my, dear Sir."
Her voice softened as she looked at him, her eyes glistening with emotion.
"To think I would be alive again..."
Yuuki returned her gaze with a gentle smile.
"Yes. Welcome back, dear lady."
Hood pressed a gloved hand to her chest, visibly moved.
"Thank you. Truly."
For a brief moment, the two simply smiled at each other.
Then Hood noticed the five Nikke maids gathered nearby.
Ade and Soda stood together, looking somewhat nervous under the attention of the Royal Navy's grand lady.
Hood approached them with a gracious smile.
"Ah, you must be our new maids. You must be Ade."
Ade bowed politely.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hood."
Soda followed with a slightly more hesitant bow.
"P-pleased to meet you!"
Hood giggled softly.
"My, my. Such well-mannered young ladies."
She looked between them.
"My Commander has told me quite a lot about you two. And don't worry—you are now part of the Royal Union alongside our Royal Navy ships."
Ade blinked.
"But... we're Nikkes, Lady Hood."
"And?"
Hood tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled by the concern.
"Does that make you any less deserving of a place among us?"
The two Nikkes exchanged a surprised glance.
Hood smiled warmly.
"Her Majesty has a favorable impression of you as well. If I recall correctly, she also likes Cocoa, Velvet, and Privaty, doesn't she?"
The Nikke maids nodded.
"Yes, Lady Hood," Ade answered.
Hood's smile brightened.
"Then there is nothing to worry about. You are welcome here."
Ade and Soda smiled, visibly relieved.
"Thank you, Lady Hood!"
Hood gave them a graceful nod.
"You're most welcome, my dears."
Then she turned toward Yuuki.
Her expression became knowingly amused.
"Oh, and speaking of Her Majesty..."
Yuuki's smile faltered.
"Oh, right."
Hood raised an eyebrow.
"She must be getting rather impatient by now."
Yuuki rubbed the back of his head.
"The other one is going to nag me."
Anis stared at him.
"You're not done?!"
Yuuki gave her an apologetic grin.
"Well..."
Before he could explain further, another voice rang out from the portal.
"CONSORT! HOW LONG AM I SUPPOSED TO KEEP WAITING?!"
Yuuki winced.
"Okay, okay! Hold on, Elly!"
Anis slowly covered her face with both hands.
"I can't believe this..."
Yuuki turned toward the portal and extended his hand.
"Your Majesty, if you would."
A moment later, a small figure appeared on the other side.
She had a petite frame, a flat chest, long, curly blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. A black headband with red trim held her hair in place, while white bows and a red-and-gold crown adorned her head.
Her outfit was unmistakably regal. A white frilled high collar surrounded a black choker, from which hung a blue ribbon bearing a royal brooch. She wore a fitted, dark-blue strapless top with frilled edges and yellow trim, paired with a white frilled skirt. White thigh-high socks decorated with frills and blue ribbons complemented her red pumps. Black arm sleeves with bulky cuffs covered her arms, while white frilled gloves with blue ribbons completed her ensemble.
She stepped through the portal with all the dignity expected of a queen.
The moment she appeared, Belfast's eyes widened.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Y-Your... Your Majesty..."
The woman smiled proudly.
"It has been a while, my subjects."
Queen Elizabeth had returned.
For a moment, the Royal Navy shipgirls stood frozen.
Then the realization spread through the dining hall.
Their Queen was home.
Elizabeth walked toward Belfast, who immediately lowered her head in reverence. Yet before the head maid could say another word, Elizabeth reached out and embraced her.
Belfast froze.
"Your Majesty...?"
Elizabeth gently patted her head.
"Thank you for staying alive, Belfast."
Her voice was softer than usual.
"I am pleased to see that you have continued to look after everyone in my absence."
Belfast's composure wavered. She returned the embrace carefully, bowing her head.
"It is my honor, Your Majesty. Welcome home."
Elizabeth held her for another moment before stepping back.
Then she looked around at the Royal Navy shipgirls gathering before her.
Her subjects.
Her fleet.
Her family.
A proud smile spread across her face.
"My, my. So many familiar faces have gathered here."
She lifted her chin.
"Come now! You needn't stand there staring at your Queen forever. I have returned, haven't I?"
That finally broke the spell.
The Royal Navy shipgirls hurried forward to welcome her, their voices overlapping as they greeted their beloved monarch.
Elizabeth accepted their greetings with regal composure, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed how deeply the reunion affected her.
Yuuki watched the scene with satisfaction.
"I brought her back so she could take command of the Royal Navy once more."
He glanced at Elizabeth, then at Enterprise, Bismarck, and Rapi.
"With Elizabeth, Enterprise, Bismarck, and Rapi, our roster of leaders is almost complete. We'll just need to bring Nagato back, and we'll have another major piece of the puzzle in place."
Elizabeth folded her arms.
"Well spoken, Consort!"
She gave him an approving nod.
"It is a shame we could not bring Warspite and Valiant back at the same time, though."
"Limited slots, Elly. We need you here."
Elizabeth's expression softened for a moment.
Then she smiled proudly.
"As expected of my Consort. Very well! Your Queen understands the importance of prioritizing our leadership."
She turned toward the assembled Royal Navy shipgirls, her posture straightening.
"Now then! Rejoice, my subjects! Your Queen has returned, and the Royal Navy shall once again have its rightful leader!"
A cheer rose from the Royal Navy contingent.
"LONG LIVE QUEEN ELIZABETH!"
Elizabeth beamed.
"Naturally!"
Yuuki chuckled.
"Some things never change."
"Of course they don't!" Elizabeth retorted. "A queen must remain consistent in all things, especially her magnificence!"
Hood covered her mouth, laughing softly.
"My, my. It is wonderful to see you again, Your Majesty."
Elizabeth turned toward her.
"Hood!"
Her expression brightened.
"Naturally, I expected my return to be properly celebrated, but to have you back as well..."
For a moment, her voice softened.
"...It is truly a blessing."
Hood bowed her head with a warm smile.
"I am equally delighted to see you again, Your Majesty."
Elizabeth nodded, satisfied, before noticing the five Nikke maids standing together nearby.
She approached them, studying them with an appraising gaze.
"You five must be our new Royal Maids."
Ade, Soda, Cocoa, Velvet, and Privaty immediately straightened.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips.
"Excellent! Then listen well. From this day onward, you are part of the Royal Union. You shall serve with pride, conduct yourselves with dignity, and uphold the standards expected of our royal household."
The five Nikkes exchanged quick glances before bowing.
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
Elizabeth smiled.
"Good! Serve us well, and you shall find that the Royal Union is a most generous home."
Her gaze lingered on them for a moment, her expression becoming a little warmer.
"Welcome aboard."
The five maids smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Hood watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction.
Friedrich smiled as well, while Belfast stood beside Elizabeth, looking happier than she had in years.
Yuuki leaned back slightly, surveying the gathering.
Hornet had returned to Yorktown and Enterprise. Amagi had reunited with Akagi and Kaga. Hood was back with the Royal Navy, and Elizabeth had reclaimed her place as its Queen.
The dining hall had become a gathering of reunited families, restored leaders, and people who had once believed they would never see one another again.
And yet, somehow, Yuuki had made it happen.
Anis looked at him, then at the crowd.
"Commander..."
"Yeah?"
She gestured helplessly at the many emotional shipgirls.
"Do you ever do anything normally?"
Yuuki considered the question.
Then he grinned.
"Define normal."
Anis stared at him.
"...I'm going to need a vacation."
Neon nodded solemnly.
"With lots of firepower."
"That is not what I meant!"
Laughter spread through the dining hall once more, filling the Daedalus with a warmth that no machine could ever manufacture.
And for the first time in a very long while, the Royal Union had its Queen back.
"Hey, handsome."
Hornet had finally managed to free herself from Yorktown and Enterprise's embrace, though both sisters still kept her close. She glanced toward Yuuki, who was standing beside the portal.
"We have one more, right?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Yeah. One last pull..."
He turned toward the swirling blue passage and reached through, extending his hand to the final person waiting on the other side.
"Come on. It's your turn to come home."
With that, he gently guided another woman through the portal.
And this time, the Dragon Empery shipgirls were the ones who froze.
The woman possessed a mature, graceful beauty, with a slender figure and an elegant, well-developed silhouette. Her long black hair flowed down her back, with translucent, parted bangs framing her face. Her striking red eyes surveyed the dining hall with a calm, composed expression.
She wore a traditional Chinese-style qipao, its form-fitting design adorned with delicate, pearl-like highlights that accentuated its refined elegance. Every detail of her appearance reflected dignity, wisdom, and the bearing of someone accustomed to carrying great responsibility.
For a moment, the Dragon Empery shipgirls could scarcely believe their eyes.
Then—
"YAT SEN JIE!"
Ning Hai and Ping Hai were the first to react.
The two sisters rushed toward their beloved elder, their faces lighting up with overwhelming joy.
"Yat Sen-jie!"
Yat Sen barely had time to open her arms before the pair threw themselves into an embrace.
"My, my..."
Her composed expression softened immediately.
"Ning Hai. Ping Hai."
The two sisters clung to her, tears streaming down their faces.
"We missed you so much!"
"Jie! We thought we wouldn't see you again!"
Yat Sen gently embraced them both, stroking their hair with the affection of an elder sister who had been separated from her family for far too long.
"I missed you both as well."
Her voice was soft and warm.
"It has been quite some time, hasn't it?"
But Ning Hai and Ping Hai could barely answer. They were crying too hard, overwhelmed by the sight of their beloved leader standing before them once more.
Soon, the rest of the Dragon Empery shipgirls hurried over.
Tai Yuan, Ting An, and Ying Swei joined the reunion, their expressions filled with relief and happiness. One after another, they gathered around Yat Sen, embracing her and welcoming her home.
The dining hall was once again filled with tears and joyful voices.
Yat Sen looked at the familiar faces surrounding her.
"My sisters... It has been a while."
She smiled, though her own eyes had begun to glisten.
"Everyone seems to have grown so much."
Ning Hai sniffled.
"Jie, you're really back..."
"Of course I am."
Yat Sen gently patted her head.
"I'm here now."
Ping Hai tightened her embrace.
"You're not going anywhere again, right?"
Yat Sen paused for a moment before smiling reassuringly.
"I shall do my best to remain by your side."
That answer was enough to make Ping Hai cry all over again.
Yuuki watched the reunion with a quiet smile.
Yat Sen was more than just another shipgirl brought back from the dead. She was the leader of the Dragon Empery, a guiding figure who had carried the hopes of her sisters and her faction.
She was also their mothership.
Yet, despite that distinction, Yat Sen had always preferred to think of herself as an elder sister rather than a mother. She considered herself too young for the latter role, at least compared with the other motherly figures gathered aboard the Daedalus.
Judging by the way Ning Hai and Ping Hai were clinging to her, however, that distinction hardly mattered to them.
To them, she was simply Yat Sen-jie.
Their beloved elder sister.
Their leader.
The person they had longed to see again.
And now, she was home.
Yuuki glanced at the portal as it began to shrink, the swirling blue light gradually fading until the passage closed completely.
That was it.
The final revival candidate for this round had been brought home.
Hornet, Amagi, Hood, Queen Elizabeth, and now Yat Sen.
Five people had returned, each bringing a family back together and restoring a piece of what had once been lost.
Yuuki let out a quiet breath.
"Well... that's the last one for now."
Anis, who had watched the entire sequence with growing disbelief, slowly turned toward him.
"Commander."
"Yeah?"
She gestured toward the Dragon Empery group, where Ning Hai and Ping Hai were still crying into Yat Sen's embrace.
"Did you seriously just bring back another faction leader?"
Yuuki scratched his cheek.
"Technically, yes."
Anis stared at him.
"...I'm not even surprised anymore."
Neon nodded solemnly.
"Five revivals in one day. That's some serious firepower!"
"Neon, that doesn't even make sense."
"It makes sense to me!"
Yuuki laughed as the Dragon Empery shipgirls continued celebrating their reunion.
For now, he had done everything he could.
The Revival Machine would need time to recharge before it could be used again, but the people who had returned today were finally home with the ones who loved them.
And that, Yuuki thought, was more than enough for one day.
Not long after the five reunions, Hornet, Hood, Queen Elizabeth, Yat Sen, and Amagi gathered around Yuuki.
Judging by their expressions, they had something they wanted to say.
Yuuki glanced between them.
"Is something wrong?"
Hornet was the first to step forward. She rubbed the back of her head, looking unusually bashful.
"Hey, handsome... umm, thanks. For choosing me, I mean."
Yuuki smiled.
"You're actually the first person I wanted to revive."
Hornet blinked.
"...Really?"
"Of course. You were my first choice."
For a moment, Hornet simply stared at him. Then she looked toward Yorktown and Enterprise, who were standing nearby, still reluctant to let their younger sister out of their sight.
Her expression softened.
"Still... thank you. You gave me the chance to see Hana and Enty again."
Before Yuuki could respond, Hornet suddenly leaned forward and kissed him directly on the lips.
Mwah!
Yuuki froze.
So did everyone else.
Hornet pulled away with a satisfied smile, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Consider that my reward from your gal!"
Silence descended upon the dining hall.
Yuuki stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
Yorktown and Enterprise stared at Hornet.
Belfast's eyebrows rose.
And Anis looked as though she had just witnessed a completely unexpected plot twist.
"...SHE JUST KISSED THE COMMANDER!"
Neon gasped.
"THAT'S SOME POWERFUL FIREPOWER!"
"NEON!" Anis shouted.
"What?! It was a direct hit!"
Yuuki was still trying to process what had happened when Amagi stepped forward.
The nine-tailed fox smiled gracefully, her purple eyes filled with warmth.
"Thank you, Shikikan-sama, for granting me another chance at life."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"This new, healthy body is a precious gift. I shall devote this life to serving you—and you alone."
Yuuki's expression softened.
"Amagi-san, you don't have to—"
He never finished.
Amagi leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.
Then she stepped back, smiling as though nothing unusual had happened.
"There. That is my way of expressing my gratitude and my eternal love for you."
Yuuki stared at her.
"...Amagi-san?"
"Yes, Shikikan-sama?"
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
Her innocent smile suggested that she knew exactly what he meant.
Kaguya, watching from nearby, giggled behind her hand.
"Ufufufu! Amagi, thou art quite bold!"
Amagi merely smiled back.
"My, my. One must show proper gratitude when given such a wonderful gift."
Yuuki had a feeling that arguing with her would accomplish absolutely nothing.
Before he could recover, Hood approached.
She offered him a graceful curtsy, her blue eyes shining with affection.
"For giving me another chance at life, dear Sir..."
She straightened, smiling warmly.
"...I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Then Hood leaned forward and kissed him, her movements as elegant as everything else about her.
Yuuki's mind promptly stopped working again.
Hood pulled away with a pleased smile.
"Thank you, dear Sir. And I'll make sure to guide you from now on to be a wonderful gentleman."
Hood's smile suddenly made Yuuki regret his life decisions.
Belfast covered her mouth with one gloved hand, struggling to maintain her composure.
"My, my..."
The head maid glanced toward Yuuki.
"Master will be having rather eventful days from now on."
"That's one way to describe it," Enterprise muttered before she turns to him with a pitiful look. "Good luck, commander."
Bismarck, standing beside Hood, looked between her old friend and the increasingly bewildered Commander.
"...I see Hood hasn't changed at all."
Hood gave her a dignified smile.
"Naturally, my dear friend. I'll be sure to watch my beloved gentleman closely."
Next came Yat Sen.
The Dragon Empery's leader approached Yuuki with her usual calm and refined demeanor. However, the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
"Thank you for choosing me, Commander."
She glanced back at Ning Hai and Ping Hai, who were still staying close to her.
"Most importantly, you have given me the opportunity to reunite with my sisters."
Her expression softened.
"For that, I am truly grateful."
Yuuki smiled.
"I'm glad I could bring you home, Yat Sen."
Yat Sen nodded, then hesitated briefly.
After taking a small breath, she leaned forward and kissed him.
It was a gentle, sincere kiss, one that carried all the gratitude she struggled to express in words.
When she pulled away, her cheeks were noticeably red.
"Thank you, zhǐ huī guān." Yat Sen then continued in chinese. "Consider this my confession and response. I might consider learning ways to take care of our little fleet one day."
Yuuki opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
He was beginning to suspect that he should have prepared himself for this.
Unfortunately, his preparations had consisted of absolutely nothing.
Finally, Queen Elizabeth stepped forward.
She had been watching the others with an increasingly complicated expression, her cheeks growing pinker with every passing moment.
As the Queen of the Royal Navy, she naturally considered herself more than capable of handling any situation with dignity.
Unfortunately, the situation before her involved expressing gratitude to her beloved Consort in front of practically the entire dining hall.
And somehow, that was far more embarrassing than she had anticipated.
She cleared her throat.
"Ahem! Consort!"
Yuuki straightened instinctively.
"Yes, Elly?"
Elizabeth lifted her chin, trying to reclaim her usual regal composure.
"I wish to thank you for granting me another chance at life and allowing me to see my subjects once more."
Her voice softened.
"And... for bringing me home."
Yuuki smiled warmly.
"You're welcome, Elly."
Elizabeth's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.
She glanced around.
Everyone was watching.
Even Belfast was looking at her with a knowing smile.
Elizabeth took a deep breath.
Then, with the determination of a queen preparing to lead her fleet into battle, she marched up to Yuuki.
"Very well! As your Queen, I shall personally reward you!"
Before Yuuki could ask what she meant, Elizabeth rose onto her toes and kissed him.
For a brief moment, the dining hall fell completely silent.
Then Elizabeth quickly pulled away, her face bright red.
"There! Consider that our reward to you!"
She folded her arms, trying desperately to appear dignified.
"And don't you dare complain, Consort! I expect you to come and see me everyday from now on."
Yuuki stared at her.
Hornet grinned.
Amagi giggled.
Hood smiled behind her hand.
Yat Sen quietly looked away, her cheeks still pink.
And Elizabeth, despite her attempt to maintain her regal bearing, looked as though she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Yuuki finally managed to speak.
"...I wasn't going to complain."
"Good!"
Elizabeth nodded firmly.
"Then everything is settled!"
She turned away, still blushing furiously.
Unfortunately, that did nothing to help Yuuki recover.
He stood motionless in the middle of the dining hall, his brain seemingly unable to process the events of the past few minutes.
Five revived shipgirls.
Five heartfelt expressions of gratitude.
Five kisses.
All in front of an audience.
Yuu, who had witnessed everything with considerable amusement, approached him with a playful smile.
"Ufuu... Chief, you just got overwhelmed."
Yuuki slowly turned toward her.
"...Yuu."
"Yes, Chief?"
"I think my brain just crashed."
Yuu giggled.
"Should I run a diagnostic?"
"Please do."
Anis stared at him.
Then she pointed at Yuuki with an expression of utter disbelief.
"The Commander is broken!"
Neon nodded solemnly.
"Critical system failure! He took five direct hits!"
"NEON, STOP DESCRIBING IT LIKE A BATTLE!"
"But Anis! He hasn't moved in almost a minute!"
"...That's because I'm beginning to think he really has crashed."
Yuuki finally exhaled and rubbed his face.
"Okay. All right. I need a moment."
He looked toward the five women, all of whom were now exchanging amused glances.
"Thank you. Really. I'm glad you're all back, and I'm happy that you can see your families again."
His expression softened.
"But I think we should give everyone some time to get reacquainted. There's a lot to catch up on, and you all deserve that time together. I am sure the rest in the void world understand why I chose the five of you as the first ones to go home."
Hornet nodded.
"Yeah. I still have a lot to talk about with Hana and Enty."
Yorktown immediately pulled Hornet into another embrace.
"And you're not going anywhere until we've finished talking."
"Ahaha... I figured you'd say that."
Enterprise wrapped an arm around her younger sister as well.
"You're staying with us."
Hornet sighed, though her smile made it clear she didn't mind.
"All right, all right. I get it!"
Amagi turned toward Akagi and Kaga, who were waiting impatiently for her attention.
"My, my. I suppose I have a great deal of catching up to do with my sisters as well."
Akagi immediately clung to her arm.
"Nee-sama, you're coming with us!"
"Of course, Akagi."
Hood was soon surrounded by the Royal Navy shipgirls, while Elizabeth began discussing matters with Belfast and her other subjects. Meanwhile, Yat Sen was gently ushered away by Ning Hai and Ping Hai, who clearly had no intention of letting their beloved elder sister out of their sight.
However, just as the Dragon Empery group was about to leave, Ning Hai and Ping Hai suddenly turned around and hurried back toward Yuuki.
"Commander!"
Yuuki looked at them.
Ning Hai and Ping Hai bowed deeply.
"Thank you for bringing Yat Sen-jie back to us. We owe you so much!"
Yuuki smiled and waved dismissively.
"You can thank me later. Go on, spend some time with your sister. Show her around the Daedalus. There's plenty to see."
The two sisters exchanged a delighted glance before bowing once more.
"Thank you, Commander!"
They hurried back to Yat Sen, taking one of her hands each as they led their beloved elder sister away. Tai Yuan, Ting An, and Ying Swei followed close behind, eager to spend time with their returned leader.
Yat Sen looked back at Yuuki and gave him a grateful smile before disappearing into the crowd with her sisters.
Yuuki watched them go with a relieved smile.
At least one more family had been reunited.
He then turned toward Rapi.
"Rapi, could you let the other Nikkes know? Let's meet at the Daedalus's health center."
Rapi nodded.
"Understood, Commander."
Yuuki then looked at Yuu.
"Yuu, would you mind helping me extract some of my blood again? We need it for the Nikkes."
Yuu's expression immediately became more professional, although the amusement in her eyes remained.
"Of course, Chief. But let's get you to the health center before you get overwhelmed again."
Yuuki gave her a tired look.
"You're not going to let me live this down, are you?"
"Not a chance."
Yuu smiled sweetly.
"I'll wait until later before giving you my own kiss."
Yuuki stared at her.
"...You too?"
"Ufuu. What can I say? I have to make sure my chief receives his fair share of affection."
She slipped her arm through his and gently guided him toward the exit.
"Come along, Chief. Let's make sure you haven't suffered any permanent damage."
"Very funny."
"Ufuu. I thought so."
The two continued toward the health center, leaving the bustling dining hall behind.
Anis watched them go and shook her head.
"...I swear, working with the Commander is more exhausting than fighting Raptures."
Neon raised her hand.
"At least the Commander has better rewards!"
Anis nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, he did say he can revive Nikkes now, provided we have their Bastion Cubes."
Her expression gradually turned serious.
"Do you think he could...?"
Rapi, who had been listening to their conversation, understood what Anis was getting at.
"Anis, that girl's Cube is with Hanson. It seems he's been keeping it safe."
Anis fell silent.
Hanson.
The man who had kept that precious Cube safe, preserving the possibility of bringing someone important back.
Rapi continued.
"If we can retrieve it, perhaps the Commander will be able to revive her. If that's what you're thinking, we might have to make breaking into Hanson's vault our next mission."
Anis let out a quiet breath.
"Yeah..."
Her eyes lowered.
"That girl is the reason I wanted to be alive in the first place. She's the reason I'll keep living."
For a moment, she said nothing more.
Then she looked toward the corridor through which Yuuki and Yuu had departed.
"Now, maybe... finding her Cube can become my mission someday."
Rapi studied her friend quietly.
Anis had always tried to hide her more vulnerable feelings behind sarcasm, complaints, and an easygoing attitude. But this was different.
There was no joking in her voice now.
Only determination.
Rapi gave a small nod.
"Looks like we'll have our hands full once we return to the Ark."
Anis smiled faintly.
"You can say that again."
She turned toward the corridor, her expression becoming resolute.
I'll find your Cube.
And I'll bring you back.
Her hands curled into fists.
You'll return to us once more... as one of us.
For the first time in a long while, Anis allowed herself to imagine that the person she had lost might have a future again.
And perhaps, one day, she would finally be able to see her smile.
"Pretty..."