My ship girl setup is off...

Page 164

"Well, it's not exactly mind reading, is it? It's just that Commander, you always wear your thoughts on your sleeve. Although I don't have the same perceptive abilities as my sisters, I can still tell what you're looking at~"

Shimakaze blinked, then looked up at the sky, pondering how to explain to him. She didn't have any mind-reading abilities; she just knew him too well, to the point that with a little effort, she could guess his thoughts.

Zheng Ri was taken aback, then sighed and smiled, gently rubbing her little head. When he touched her rabbit ears, he interrupted her thoughts, making her cute little face turn slightly red, and she looked at him with some dissatisfaction.

"Commander, you can't touch my ears like that, they're very sensitive!"

"Since my lovely little island wind is already sitting on my lap, my hands can't just sit idle, and if I can't touch her ears..."

After saying that, Zheng Ri gradually moved his gaze downwards and saw the bulge on Shimakaze's chest, which was covered by a thin piece of fabric. It wasn't very big, the kind that looked promising, but even so, it was worth teasing.

"Commander, is this all you have in your head? Ugh... I feel a little embarrassed."

His unabashedly direct gaze fixed on her chest caused Shimakaze's already flushed face to deepen to a deep rosy hue. Despite her uttered words of dissatisfaction, she made no attempt to shield herself from his gaze, after all, she was his marriage ship.

Indeed, it is necessary to satisfy his desires.

Moreover, this is a two-way thing.

"Shy? Back when I was with Musashi, you little bunny sneaked over to steal some food, but Musashi forgave you and we became best friends. Tell me, what's there to be shy about?"

"Besides, there's no one here."

He hugged her petite and soft body, and seeing her feigning shyness, Zheng Ri immediately saw through her act. He knew that rabbits had very strong desires, and this rabbit in front of him was a ship girl, which made it even more incredible—she was incredibly clingy.

"Commander, I don't know why, but... when I saw Musashi turn into that place, I couldn't help myself."

An embarrassed look appeared on Shimakaze's face. Recalling the situation, she didn't know why, but like a cat that had smelled catnip, she couldn't help but want to stick to the Commander when she saw carrot cake.

"That just proves you're a shy little rabbit at heart. Look at you, you just sat on my lap and started acting all cute."

Seeing the somewhat bewildered Shimakaze in front of him, Masahi started to use his manipulative tactics. Since he didn't want to think about things that he couldn't figure out no matter how hard he tried, he started to tease the little fool.

"Commander, I didn't... If you're going to say that, then I'm serious, darling."

Blushing at his words, Shimakaze, feeling a bit reckless, looked at him with watery eyes. It hadn't been long since they last tasted each other. She had only wanted to play with him, but now that he said that, she might as well do it.

"Okay, I was just kidding, Shimakaze. Let's go, I'll take you to the amusement park to ride the roller coaster."

Masaru touched Shimakaze's little face, but Shimakaze did not accept his suggestion and instead chose another pleasant thing.

"Honey, I don't want to ride roller coasters... I want to ride what you love to do."

Chapter 438 Sunset on the Ferris Wheel

"Whoosh!! Commander, this roller coaster was quite thrilling!"

After finding a place to rest, Shimakaze dragged Masahiro to the amusement park to ride a roller coaster with him. After all, riding with his sisters was one thing, but riding with his loved one was another. Feeling the thrill of the speed, Shimakaze let out a dragon-like roar, which made Masahiro, who was feeling the descent, suddenly think of a picture.

Rabbit: Wuhu~

"Commander, Commander! How's this roller coaster? I think it's really exciting! Last time I came with Yuudachi and the others, it wasn't this exciting at all. Yuudachi was screaming and yelling, so it wasn't thrilling at all."

After enjoying the roller coaster ride, Shimakaze helped Masahiro off the ride. The roller coaster seats could accommodate six ship girls at once, but in reality, only Shimakaze, Masahiro, and Trento, who was currently turning the equipment on and off, were experiencing it. Today was her second day working here.

"Commander, how are you? You seem to be having some health problems..."

After Trento came out of the equipment room, he saw Masaharu being supported by Shimakaze. He asked her with some concern. Although he was happy to see him, he became worried when he saw his condition.

"No, it's nothing, it's just that this roller coaster is so thrilling, I'm a little not used to it."

"Are you here today, Trento?"

She took a deep breath, barely managing to avoid embarrassing herself in front of Shimakaze and Trento, and only after her complexion improved did she look at Trento, who was looking at her with concern.

As for this little rabbit, it needs to be properly disciplined with a stick later.

"Yes, Veneto said it wasn't good for me to always be in Sardinia, and that I should get out and about, so he arranged for me to come here and help out."

When Trento realized that Veneto was starting to pay attention to him, he smiled happily. Then, thinking about what Veneto had said to him earlier that day, he felt a little annoyed, though it wasn't really a big deal.

That's good too.

"It's great, like today when I saw the Commander. Can I give him a hug?"

Trento blinked, looking at his current frail appearance, and wanted to hold him in her arms to comfort him, using her maternal instincts.

"A hug? No way! This is my date with Shimakaze. If you want a hug, let's do it another time."

"I know, then, next time, Commander."

"Okay, next time we go on a date, I'll hold you the whole time."

Upon hearing the commander's refusal, Shimakaze secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, she knew what kind of person her commander was; he might be attracted to other charming older women while walking, so she had to keep a close eye on him at all times.

After chatting with Trento for a while, I took Shimakaze to play other amusement rides. We rode the carousel together, went on the drop tower that bounced up and down, and sat in a giant coffee cup called "Cheers and Cups" to choose our rides. We also played a simulated gunfight for a while.

What did Zheng Ri experience?

What is overwhelming despair? Looking at Shimakaze, who was already happily standing with her hands on her hips, proudly tilting her head back, as if to say "Praise me!", and comparing her target shooting with my own, I immediately realized who was better.

He was a master of outlining human figures, while Shimakaze was a master of headshots. This puzzled Masahiro. It was one thing for the ship girls to be good at swords, but how could they be so good at guns? Isn't there a big difference between controlling a ship's cannon and firing a pistol?

In the end, Masaharu went along with her wishes and gently praised Shimakaze, making her head almost touch the sun directly. She felt so light and airy, like an inflated pufferfish.

"Here, this is your ice cream, Shimakaze."

"Hehe~, thank you darling! Slurp~, mmm~ so refreshing~"

Shimakaze took the ice cream that Masahiro handed her. Looking at the ice cream with its cool, refreshing scent and the two scoops of ice cream on top, she stuck out her pink tongue and gently licked it. A cold sensation shot directly from the tip of her tongue to her head. This stimulating feeling made Shimakaze happily enjoy it, and she uttered a reduplicated word, which made Masahiro pinch her little cheek.

"It's so nice and icy cold, enjoy it!"

"I am eating it, honey, hehe, it's strawberry flavored, and it's sweet."

Watching Shimakaze happily enjoying her ice cream, Masaru released her little hand and looked at the man in front of her wearing a white employee hat and only a shirt. She was very curious. She had to say, the world is really full of wonders. It was a bit outrageous to see a yellow chicken collecting money.

After paying the bill, I held Shimakaze's little hand and watched the sun gradually set. The reddish-brown sunset gave me a feeling that another day was coming to an end. I prepared to take Shimakaze to play the last activity.

"Shimakaze, let's go ride the Ferris wheel next!"

"Hmm? Okay, okay?"

Shimakaze took a big bite of the ice cream scoop, her pink lips still covered in ice cream residue, nodded at him, and said happily.

As long as they are by my side, I can go anywhere.

...

"Darling! Look, look, it's so beautiful! We never realized our port area had grown so much..."

Shimakaze leaned against the window of the Ferris wheel, watching the buildings on the ground gradually shrink. The line of sight kept rising, allowing him to see far into the distance, and he could feel himself getting closer and closer to the sky and the sun, which made Shimakaze's face light up with joy.

"Didn't I sit with Yuudachi and the others last time? Why is it the same as the first time?"

"I didn't go with them. Yuudachi and Shigure kept arguing, which ruined my mood for sightseeing. Besides... shouldn't you ride a Ferris wheel with someone you like?"

Shimakaze turned her face slightly, the golden sunlight shining on her face, leaving only her joyful smile and erasing some of her shyness, but even so, she was still attractive enough.

"Hmm, I thought so too, then..."

"Commander, do you know? In the Sakura Empire anime, there's always a scene like that..."

"I want to try it..."

Chapter 439 The Next Round

This is a world outside his place. The calm, undisturbed water is like a dead lake, without the slightest ripple. Even the familiar sound of ocean waves is absent. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing at all. If there is anything else, it is only the endless Red Sea and the sound of footsteps on the water.

Only at this moment, when I thought I had long since grown accustomed to this dark Sheffield, did I recall the warmth I felt when I was by his side. Even though it wasn't exactly a real encounter, the beginning was beautiful, a perfect start.

Sheffield closed her eyes, stopped walking, no longer needing to move forward, thinking she had arrived.

"Sheffield, where have you gone? You're not answering communications or sharing your coordinates. I've been searching high and low for you!"

When Sheffield opened her eyes again, she saw the figure waiting before her, dressed in a black dress, with a scepter in her hand and a crown on her head, which proved her status. Behind her were two enormous heroic spirits bound by chains, moving to carry huge naval cannons.

What's even more captivating is undoubtedly her white hair, her blood-red eyes, and her pupils that seem like black holes. Just looking at her like that is enough to inspire awe and a sense of fear that runs from your heels to the back of your head.

"Your Majesty, I have found what I have longed for, a peaceful haven where I can find tranquility."

Faced with Elizabeth's questioning, Sheffield showed no fear, but instead performed the same etiquette she used to have. Even though she had become a META, she was still a ship girl and a maid.

"Really? I didn't expect you to actually find what you were looking for. Does that mean you've let go of your obsession?"

Elizabeth waved her hand, allowing her to stop saluting and stare at her fair face and attire, simply gazing at her like that.

Sheffield did not react at all, but stared straight into her unfathomable pupils, remaining standing and looking at her.

"Hmm~, the dust on my face has been washed off well, and the dirty parts of my clothes have also come off."

"At least you cleaned yourself properly, and you even admitted it to me. So even if you haven't let go of your obsession, I think you'll face it properly."

After watching Sheffield for a few minutes, Elizabeth finally smiled slightly and nodded in satisfaction. Sheffield breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly in return.

"What? Are you worried that I will stop you? Don't overthink it. As long as you remain my subject, I will care about everything concerning you."

"And now, even if you haven't given up your obsession, it's no longer your top priority, and that's enough. You've let go. As my subject, you've done a truly perfect and excellent job."

"If you're saying you're afraid of me, there's no need. After my metamorphosis, I almost didn't recognize myself. As for attacking, I won't lay a hand on my former subjects, unless you become my enemy."

Noticing her state, Elizabeth spoke calmly. Even though no emotion could be discerned from her blood-red eyes, Sheffield could sense the sorrow emanating from her. No one knew what they would become after metamorphosis, nor what kind of feelings led them to abandon ship girls and choose the path of metamorphosis.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, I will not be your enemy. I will hold onto what I need to protect, what I cherish, my last haven, until the very last moment."

Sheffield bowed to her once again, a faint smile on his face. This time, it wasn't as her Sheffield, but as his Sheffield, saluting and thanking his former colleague named META Elizabeth. Elizabeth felt rather helpless, but that was all she could do.

But seeing Sheffield's faint smile made Elizabeth fall silent. She said that what she cherished and protected was something she had never seen and did not know. Was it a plant or an animal, or just a simple object? She knew nothing about it.

With that in mind, Elizabeth decided to give her one last bit of attention.

"Sheffield, I already know. But in the end, I want to see what you truly cherish. Rest assured, I will neither plunder nor forcibly take it; I am merely curious about what you have suddenly decided to protect."

Finally, Elizabeth asked her what the guardian item was. Even a queen has her curiosity.

Seeing that Elizabeth was curious as planned, he nodded, then opened a communicator and shared a photo he had secretly taken of someone with her, which gave Elizabeth a general understanding of what Sheffield was protecting.

"Is he the one you started to care about?"

Looking at the unremarkable person in the photo, at most with a slightly outstanding appearance, Elizabeth didn't feel anything special. Moreover, she noticed that there were familiar ship girls surrounding him, who, apart from their gentle eyes, were nothing special.

"Yes, this is the person I care about... Even though I know he's just an ordinary person, the sense of security he gives me is unprecedented. Simply being by his side makes me feel a warm presence..."

Sheffield naturally noticed Elizabeth's thoughts, but he didn't say anything. Looking at the photograph, he could recall their first meeting, which ended neither beautifully nor pleasantly, and it still is now.

I need to find some time to see him.

Seeing the faint smile of happiness on Sheffield's face, Elizabeth couldn't help but recall the past, wondering when she herself could smile so naturally, just like Sheffield.

"Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty Queen Elizabeth."

While Elizabeth was deep in thought, Sheffield prepared to leave. He waved to her and let her go, but before leaving, Elizabeth was still curious and asked about their relationship.

"So, can you tell me, what is your relationship?"

"He is my commander, someone I will need to secretly protect from now on."

"Commander, Commander..."

After Sheffield left, Elizabeth kept repeating the name of the person she had just mentioned...

Chapter 440 Sea Mother

"Sea Mom"

"What's wrong? Do you need my power, Commander?"

"It's nothing, I just came to call you. I wanted to see if you were always by my side. And how did you know I was calling you?"

Zheng Ri walked alone on the beach, stepping on the fine sand under his feet, gazing at the distant sea. Suddenly, on a whim, he called out to Hei Hai Lena. A few seconds later, Zheng Ri felt himself being embraced by a pair of soft hands and pressed tightly against his back, and he knew that Hei Hai Lena had come.

"That's because the commander was shouting towards the sea, so I knew you were calling me."

Her arms tightened around him, Black Helena rested her chin on his shoulder, nestled against his neck, and inhaled his scent. This long-lost feeling brought tears to Black Helena's crimson eyes.

His eyes lit up briefly before he returned to his usual expression; of course, Zheng Ri was completely unaware of all this.

"I see, Black Sea Mom is really amazing."

"Yes, Commander, I'm happy to hear your praise, but you didn't tell me what you really meant. Commander, hiding things is a very bad thing."

Her chin, pressed against his shoulder, gradually moved towards his neck, and she slowly moved her pink lips, gently blowing air into his ear. Seeing him shiver slightly from the sudden cold wind, Black Helena smiled happily.

"You found out?"

"Your ship girls in the port all know, and I know too. I knew even before them, Commander, but you didn't tell me on your own initiative. You only contacted me a few days later."

"I really don't like being left out like this, Commander."