"This girl, in this world, only likes me."
Cumberland looked puzzled. "Because your relationship is that strong?"
"You didn't get what I meant," Hikaru shook his head. "I mean, aside from me, there's nothing in this world she cares about."
Tirpitz shifted slightly in his arms. Yeah. I really am a cold, indifferent person. If I didn't have my Commander, the whole world could blow up for all I care.
But since he's here… mm, getting sleepy. Didn't sleep with him last night, stayed up reading manga with a flashlight… major sleep deficit. I'll just nap for a bit.
This time, Cumberland understood. She was one of those "other things" that didn't matter.
Not sure what to say, she reflexively adjusted her camera and captured the moment.
A man holding his treasure, the pink-haired shipgirl nestled in his arms like a kitten. Was this kind of affection unhealthy?
Sigh… human-shipgirl relationships really are complicated.
Cumberland flicked her long hair and clasped her hands behind her back as she followed Hikaru.
She had to admit, they really seemed like a couple in love.
That's when a question popped into her head. "Mr. Kuramoto, what shipgirl is your wife?"
"Oh, so you came to report on me but don't even know which shipgirls are with me?"
"I was just transferred from the East China Sea sector. Got assigned this mission before I could even catch my breath—still completely confused."
"She's Tirpitz."
"Oh, so it's—eh? Tirp—Ahh!"
Startled, Cumberland missed a step and tumbled down the stairs.
With her eyes still closed, Tirpitz muttered, "Useless."
…
Lexington and the others were already waiting outside the construction warehouse. They had gone ahead to pick up the resources.
Also waiting nearby was Masaki, looking utterly wrecked—gaunt expression, greasy, disheveled hair and beard.
He looked like a refugee. If not for Novgorod holding his hand, Hikaru wouldn't have recognized him.
It was still unclear whether he'd ever managed to teach Novgorod how to tell directions. As the heir to the spirit of circular warships, that girl had practically zero sense of direction.
When Masaki spotted Hikaru, he pulled out a bank card from his coat and handed it over.
"Brother Hikaru, thirty million. Sorry it's late!"
Fletcher noticed Hikaru's hands were full and quickly stepped forward to accept the card, passing it to Lexington.
"I told you it wasn't urgent. What happened to you?"
"There was a mishap in one of my experiments. Nearly wrecked myself," Masaki said, still shaken. "I've got a patrol mission later today, so I can't talk long. See you."
Novgorod was already dragging him off. Masaki coughed twice and hunched over to say, "Honored lady, we're headed to the port. It's on your right."
The short, plump loli huffed. "I'm wearing a round dress, obviously I take longer to get my bearings. You lowly gray beast, are you scolding me?"
Masaki bowed even deeper. "Forgive me, honored lady. Please allow your humble servant to lead the way."
Watching them walk off, Hikaru clicked his tongue. "From 'gray commoner' to 'gray beast'—isn't Novgorod getting a little too high and mighty?"
Lexington commented with quiet insight, "Perhaps she's upset that Masaki-dono has been pushing his body too hard to make money quickly, even at the cost of his health."
Hikaru didn't have anything to add. He wasn't rushing Masaki to pay him back anyway. But clearly, Masaki, seeing himself as the "senior," felt it would be a loss of face to remain in debt after receiving such a huge "favor."
That kind of thing couldn't be argued. The more you tried, the more stubborn he'd get. So Hikaru let the matter drop and instead introduced Cumberland to Lexington and the others.
After exchanging greetings, Hikaru gave California a look. She immediately picked up the resource box and followed him into the construction warehouse.
Cumberland seemed like she wanted to follow too, but Lexington smiled gently and took her hand, engaging her in conversation.
The process of summoning new shipgirls wasn't something you wanted outsiders to witness—especially not a reporter.
Inside the meditation room, Hikaru gave Tirpitz's firm backside a light slap, then sneakily gave it a squeeze before placing the homebody shipgirl onto a nearby chair.
(End of Chapter)
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