Yuuki stirred, one eye barely opening as he glanced toward the clock.
5:55 am
"…Good," he mumbled, sinking deeper into his pillow. "Bel's not on duty… I can finally sleep in…"
For once—after escaping the Void World, he could finally finds peace for once.
peace.....
—
"Master… it is now six in the morning. Please wake up."
"…I don't want to go to school, mum…"
A pause.
Belfast stood beside the bed, posture immaculate, expression calm—but her patience thinning by the second.
"Master… please wake up," she repeated, voice still gentle. "Or I will be forced to take… drastic measures."
"Zzzzz…"
A quiet inhale.
"…You asked for this."
She leaned slightly closer, voice softening into something almost dangerously sweet.
"Master~~~"
No response.
"…Even that didn't work."
Belfast straightened, turning toward the window. With a precise motion, she adjusted the opacity controls.
The artificial curtains shimmered—
—and the morning sun flooded in.
"Aaah—!"
Yuuki rolled straight off the bed, hitting the floor with a thud.
"…Bel…" he groaned, half-buried in blankets. "Can I sleep in… just today… please…"
"No, Master."
Her tone was absolute.
"Even Lady Avrora is already awake for breakfast. The Nikke units are present as well."
"I told them to rest…"
"They have chosen otherwise," Belfast replied smoothly. "They wish to begin their first day properly."
Yuuki didn't move.
Didn't even try.
Just curled tighter into the blanket like a stubborn cat.
Belfast glanced at him.
Then—
"…Gentle Bel… please be gentle with me…"
walked to the second set of windows.
"Bel… no… Bel, be gentle…"
She adjusted the opacity again.
The second wave of sunlight poured in—stronger, brighter, merciless.
"AHHH—!"
Yuuki recoiled, diving back under the covers and curling into a defensive ball.
Silence.
Then—
Belfast stepped forward, hands neatly folded.
"Master," she said calmly, "shall I proceed to the final measure?"
A dangerous pause.
"…What final measure…?"
Belfast's faint smile returned.
"The one involving Lady Akagi."
Immediate stillness.
"…I'm awake."
He sat up instantly.
Belfast nodded, satisfied.
"Excellent, Master."
Yuuki dragged a hand down his face, trying to wake himself up properly.
"…Give me a moment to get ready. Is everyone waiting in the cafeteria?"
"No, Master," Belfast replied smoothly. "They are at your dining table."
He blinked.
"…Again? My dining table isn't even that big."
"Jarvis has already adjusted it," she said. "It now accommodates everyone—including the Nikke units. Your dining hall has more than sufficient space."
Yuuki paused, processing that.
"…And they all chose to eat there?"
"Yes. They wished to have breakfast with you."
He let out a quiet sigh, a faint sweatdrop forming. "I could've just gone to the cafeteria…"
Belfast allowed herself a small, amused breath. "They arrived before I could redirect them."
"…Of course they did."
He stretched slightly, shoulders loosening. "Alright… once everyone's fully assembled again, we'll expand the dining hall."
Belfast tilted her head. "So you are not rejecting the idea?"
"Once in a while," he clarified. "Not every day."
"A reasonable compromise."
There was a brief pause before she continued.
"Master… Lady Ade and Lady Soda have expressed their wish to begin their duties today."
Yuuki glanced at her.
"I admit," Belfast added, her tone softer than usual, "it has been… years since I last worked alongside fellow maids. I find myself… slightly conscious."
For a moment—
she wasn't the flawless head maid.
Just someone returning to something she once carried alone.
Yuuki smiled faintly and reached out, patting her head.
"You'll be fine," he said. "We've handled worse than this."
Belfast's eyes softened.
"…Thank you, Master."
"Alright," he stepped back toward the bathroom. "Give me a moment."
"As you wish."
The door slid shut.
Left alone in the quiet room, Belfast stood still for a second longer.
Then—
her fingers lightly touched the brooch resting against her uniform.
It glowed faintly in the morning light.
A small detail.
But one she did not overlook.
A soft smile formed.
Subtle.
Genuine.
The corridor of his home was calm, the early morning light stretching softly across the polished floor as Yuuki and Belfast made their way toward the dining hall.
Routine.
Predictable.
—or at least, it should have been.
"Shikikan-sama~~~"
Yuuki didn't even flinch.
"…Right on schedule."
Akagi appeared behind him as if she had always been there, arms looping around his shoulders as she effortlessly latched on—her weight settling as she clung to his back.
Piggyback.
Claimed.
"Did you dream of Akagi last night?" she asked sweetly, resting her cheek against his.
"Yes," Yuuki replied flatly.
A pause.
"…More like a nightmare," he added internally, unheard.
"Ara~~~" Akagi's tails swayed happily behind her. "Akagi is very pleased~"
Belfast walked beside them, expression composed, not even sparing them a second glance.
This—
was normal.
"Master," she said calmly, "your walking posture is slightly compromised."
"I have a fox on my back."
"It is what you wanted. Akagi approves." Akagi mused behind him.
"…You say that like I scheduled this."
Akagi tightened her hold slightly, smiling with dangerous affection. "Of course you did, Shikikan-sama~"
"I absolutely did not."
"Denial does not suit you~"
Yuuki exhaled, already accepting his fate as he continued walking—with Akagi comfortably riding along.
Beside him, Belfast simply sighed.
Not annoyed.
Not surprised.
Just… accustomed.
"Honestly," she murmured, "I hope this will not be part of the morning routine from now on."
The dining hall was already alive the moment Yuuki stepped in.
Shipgirls and Nikkes with each other.
A full table—far larger than it had any right to be—now filled with overlapping worlds.
Reactions came instantly.
Yorktown exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. Enterprise stood beside her, arms crossed, gaze steady but tired.
"…Of course," Yorktown muttered.
Atago covered a soft laugh behind her hand. "Ara~ right on cue."
Takao closed her eyes briefly. "…Predictable."
Illustrious merely smiled, serene as ever, seated beside Wales and Unicorn, who both watched with quiet curiosity. Laffey was already half-asleep at the table, head tilted, while Nimi looked like she had mentally clocked out of dealing with this situation.
Akashi's ears twitched. "…Nyaa… early morning drama…"
Vestal—
Vestal smiled.
A very calm, very unsettling smile.
And Kaga?
She simply stepped forward and took Yuuki's arm—like it was the most natural thing in the world.
No words.
Just presence.
Then—
"Morning, beloved…"
Avrora's voice cut gently through the room.
Akagi's arms tightened immediately around Yuuki's shoulders.
The temperature shifted.
Yuuki, completely unfazed, answered normally.
"Morning, Avrora. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," Avrora replied softly, her expression calm but warm. "No more nightmares. Thank you, beloved… thank you for ending them."
A pause.
Yuuki nodded. "You look lovely. Is that your usual attire?"
"Yes…"
She stood poised, unmistakable—twin white braids framing her face beneath her ushanka, her modified winter coat draping elegantly while leaving her shoulders and upper chest exposed, ice-like petal details catching the morning light. Black stockings and red-soled boots completed a look both refined and quietly commanding.
It was her.
Recognizable at a glance.
"Complimenting another woman…" Akagi's voice dropped into a low growl near his ear, "…while Akagi is holding you?"
Yuuki didn't react.
Not even slightly.
Avrora, however—
met her gaze.
Directly.
No smile this time.
No softness.
Just intent.
The air between them snapped.
Like lightning striking without sound.
Akagi's red eyes narrowed, tails bristling slightly behind her.
Avrora held steady—composed, but unyielding.
Two forces.
Two claims.
Neither backing down.
Across the table—
"…Oh this is bad," Anis whispered.
Neon leaned forward, eyes shining. "This is amazing."
Rapi didn't speak—but her attention sharpened to a razor edge.
Yorktown sighed again, this time heavier. "…We just sat down…"
Enterprise didn't look away. "…Brace."
Meanwhile—
Yuuki stood there.
One fox clinging to him.
One carrier holding his arm.
One cruiser staring him down.
A full room watching.
And completely, utterly unfazed.
"…We're eating first," he said plainly.
A beat.
That single line cut through just enough tension to stop escalation—
for now.
Because even rivalries that could split the air—
had to wait until after breakfast.
The tension at the table hadn't fully vanished—but it had settled just enough for breathing space.
Across from it—
the Nikke squad sat, still processing everything.
Rapi's eyes moved between Akagi, Avrora, and the rest, her expression composed—but clearly evaluating.
"…Is this normal?" she asked.
A fair question.
Yuuki glanced at her outfit briefly and gave a small nod.
"You all look good."
And they did.
Rapi's military-style uniform—clean lines of white, red, and black—fit her perfectly. Functional, disciplined, no wasted detail.
Anis leaned back in her yellow-black tactical wear, casual but armored, that feline clip catching the light as she smirked.
Neon sat upright, her white-and-blue outfit lighter, more mobile—almost playful in contrast, yet clearly built for firepower obsession.
Then—
Ade and Soda.
Their maid outfits.
Not the ones tied to their past.
But ones they chose.
Comfortable. Proud.
The difference was obvious.
"…Yeah, Commander," Anis grinned. "This is us."
"Yes," Rapi confirmed. "Standard operational attire."
Neon leaned forward instantly. "So—what are we doing today? Guns? Testing guns? Shooting guns?"
"…Of course that's your first thought," Anis muttered.
Ade placed a hand gently over her chest. "I look forward to beginning my duties under Lady Belfast."
Soda nodded eagerly. "Yes! What kind of work shall we start with?"
All eyes turned—
to Yuuki.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, Yuuki gently pried Akagi off his back and guided both her and Kaga to their seats before finally sitting down himself. The table settled—mostly.
He glanced across both groups, expression steady.
"Well," he began, "I was planning to run a few tests today with the Nikke group. More like… tutorials."
Neon immediately leaned forward. "Weapon tutorials?"
"…Yes."
"Perfect."
Anis smirked. "Knew it."
Rapi gave a small nod. "…We're ready."
Yuuki raised a hand slightly. "After breakfast."
That alone forced a brief pause in Neon's enthusiasm.
Then—
his tone shifted.
"I also located the island you mentioned, Ade."
That drew attention instantly.
Ade straightened. Soda's smile faded into something more fragile.
"…But," Yuuki continued carefully, "it's been two years. Are you certain… she might still be there?"
Silence.
Ade lowered her gaze slightly.
"…I don't know," she admitted.
Soda clasped her hands tightly. "…But I want to believe she is. Waiting for us."
Yuuki nodded once.
"We'll run a satellite scan later. If you can give me a detailed description—appearance, behavior patterns, anything—we can narrow it down."
Rapi leaned in slightly. "You're using orbital triangulation?"
"Yes. We can also cross-reference unusual energy signatures. If there are Nikke-like anomalies in that area, we might pick up something."
Neon blinked. "…That sounds like a big search."
"It is."
Ade took a breath, steadying herself. "…Thank you, Master. You're doing so much for us… but Cocoa…" her voice softened, "she's just a small girl…"
Her eyes drifted, almost unconsciously—
to Unicorn.
Unicorn, sitting quietly, blinked back at her with gentle curiosity.
"…Seeing her…" Ade continued, "…it feels like I'm seeing Cocoa."
Soda nodded quickly, her voice trembling just a little. "…We're worried… we don't know what she's gone through…"
The room grew quieter.
Even the usual chatter faded.
Yuuki didn't rush his response.
"We'll find her," he said, calm and certain. "Don't assume the worst yet."
A pause.
"…We'll bring her back."
Ade lowered her head.
"…Yes."
Soda nodded, gripping her hands tighter—but this time, there was something else there.
Hope.
At the side, Belfast spoke gently, but firmly.
"We will proceed one step at a time."
Yorktown added quietly, "You're not alone in this."
Enterprise gave a small nod.
Across the table—
even Akagi didn't interrupt.
And for once—
the tension in the room shifted away from rivalry…
and toward something shared.
Breakfast settled into something warmer now—less tension, more presence. Plates clinked softly, conversations overlapped, and for once, no one was rushing.
Anis leaned back in her chair, glancing around with a whistle.
"Yo, Commander… your crib here is huge."
Yuuki shrugged slightly. "It's mostly used by them to hang around." He gestured toward the shipgirls. "I haven't assigned official tasks yet. Not until the Citadel is complete—should be about three days."
That alone stirred interest.
"Once that's done," he continued, "and I fully understand how both shipgirls and Nikkes function… I'll be able to upgrade all of you properly. After that—missions, commissions, recovery ops."
At the word commissions—
The shipgirls reacted instantly.
San Diego perked up. "Commissions?! Finally!"
Laffey lazily raised her head. "…long time…"
Nimi adjusted her posture, clearly interested. "It has been a while."
Even Takao and Atago exchanged brief looks—subtle, but expectant.
Yuuki nodded. "Yeah. You'll all be active again."
Then his gaze shifted to the Nikke squad.
"And you three—once I understand your systems, I'll start assigning ground missions as well."
Neon's eyes lit up. "Combat?"
"Yes. Real combat."
Anis smirked. "Now we're talking."
Rapi, however, remained focused. "…But not yet."
"Correct," Yuuki said.
He leaned back slightly, tone firm but measured.
"Right now—you all stay put."
The room quieted a little.
"I don't fully understand your internal systems yet—neither shipgirls nor Nikkes. That means I can't upgrade or reinforce you properly if something goes wrong."
A pause.
"And I'm not sending any of you out there like that."
The weight of that statement settled in.
"Raptures. Sirens," he continued. "They've evolved. They're stronger than they were ten years ago."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"You haven't."
Silence.
Not harsh—
just real.
"So until I bridge that gap," he finished, "you wait. Train, learn, adapt—but no deployments."
Anis exhaled through her nose. "…Fair."
Neon nodded, though reluctantly. "Preparation phase…"
Rapi gave a firm response. "…Understood. Tactical restraint is acceptable."
Across the table—
Yorktown watched him quietly.
Enterprise didn't interrupt.
Belfast approved silently.
Because they all understood what he was really saying.
Not delay.
Not limitation.
Protection.
Yuuki glanced around once more.
"Just be patient," he said. "Once I figure it out…"
A faint edge of confidence returned.
"I'll make sure none of you fall behind again."
This time—
no one argued.
Because for the first time in a long while—
they weren't being sent out to fight.
They were being prepared—
properly.
============
Breakfast eventually wound down—not with a clear end, but with that natural, satisfied lull after a good meal.
And then—
Yuuki made a mistake.
He sat down.
Within seconds—
"Shikikan-sama~"
Akagi was already beside him.
Kaga followed without a word.
Atago and Takao pouted. Normally, they would get ear rubs after breakfast but, now Akagi and Kaga are here. They have to put up with their antics.
"…You planned this," he muttered.
Neither denied it.
So he gave in.
His hand moved to Akagi first, gently rubbing behind her ears. She melted almost instantly, eyes half-lidded, tails swaying lazily with pure satisfaction.
"Fufu~ Shikikan-sama is so kind…"
Kaga waited—quiet, composed—but when her turn came, she leaned in just slightly. The subtle shift in her posture said everything.
"…Acceptable," she murmured.
Across the room—
Atago crossed her arms, smiling—but her eyes narrowed just a fraction.
"Ara~ how unfair…"
Takao looked away, but not before glancing once—briefly.
Yuuki sighed. "…You two want in as well?"
"…If you insist," Atago replied smoothly.
Takao hesitated a moment longer—then stepped forward.
"…Very well."
And just like that—
he was rotating between four sets of ears.
A routine.
A very specific routine.
—
Meanwhile—
The Counter Squad wasn't wasting time.
"Alright, let's explore this place," Anis said, stretching as she stood.
Neon was already halfway out. "I want to see the weapons systems!"
Rapi followed at a measured pace. "…Stay within operational boundaries."
"Yeah, yeah—no blowing things up," Anis waved it off.
"—Unless permitted," Neon added.
"…No."
Their voices faded as they left the hall.
—
Back inside—
Ade and Soda stood beside Belfast.
"Lady Belfast," Ade began politely, "we would like to begin learning our duties."
Soda nodded eagerly. "Yes! Please guide us!"
Belfast regarded them for a moment—then gave a small, approving nod.
"Very well."
Her tone shifted—subtly, but distinctly.
Professional.
Refined.
"Today, you will observe first. Learn the flow of the household, the expectations, and the standards required. The master may have drones to do all the housework but, that would render us useless. Let us prove him wrong."
"Yes, Lady Belfast," Ade responded.
"Understood!" Soda added.
Belfast turned gracefully. "Follow me."
And just like that—
their training began.
—
Elsewhere—
The rest of the shipgirls dispersed naturally.
Some gathered in the lounge—films playing on a large screen, soft chatter filling the space.
Yorktown converse with Enterprise.
Laffey sleeping on Nimi's lap.
Snacks passed around.
San Diego laughing loudly.
Bulins running around the house.
Unicorn curled beside Illustrious, quietly watching.
Laffey already asleep again.
Vestal keeping a watchful eye with Akashi, though more relaxed than before.
For once—
there was no urgency.
No alarms.
No orders.
Just—
rest.
—
And in the middle of it all—
Yuuki sat there.
Surrounded.
Occupied.
"…I created this problem," he muttered as Akagi leaned further into his hand.
But he didn't stop.
Because despite everything—
this kind of chaos?
Wasn't so bad.
==============
After lunch, Yuuki gathered the Nikke squad with a simple gesture.
"Follow me. We're going to the VR hall for training simulation."
"VR… hall?" Anis echoed, already curious.
Neon's eyes lit up. "Training simulation?!"
Rapi didn't speak—but she was already moving.
Behind them—
the shipgirls followed.
Of course they did.
Yuuki glanced back once, then shrugged. "Might as well. I'll introduce everything properly."
—
They arrived at the Science Lab within the MCV—a compact but highly advanced facility, its structure reminiscent of an Allied Battle Lab. Clean metallic surfaces, embedded systems humming quietly beneath the walls.
Inside—
a large chamber awaited.
Smooth.
Seamless.
The walls and ceiling were lined with lens-like modules—hundreds of them. The floor beneath their feet was patterned with hexagonal tiles, faintly glowing.
"…Whoa," Anis muttered.
Yuuki stepped forward.
"This is the Virtual Reality Training Room."
He gestured upward.
"Those 'camera' units are nanoform projectors. They don't just display images—they construct physical simulations. Objects, terrain, enemies… all built from programmable nanomaterials."
Neon leaned forward. "…So we can touch them?"
"Yes."
Her grin widened. "That's insane."
"They form and dismantle in milliseconds," Yuuki continued. "Meaning dynamic environments, real-time combat adaptation, and zero material waste."
Rapi nodded slowly. "…Full immersion. Controlled risk."
"Exactly."
He tapped his foot lightly against the ground.
"These are holotiles."
The floor responded with a faint mechanical hum.
"They allow infinite movement within a fixed space. You can walk, run, sprint in any direction—and you'll never actually reach the walls."
Anis blinked. "…So like a treadmill?"
"Much more advanced."
Yuuki walked straight toward the edge of the room.
But—
he never reached it.
The tiles subtly rotated beneath his feet, shifting just enough to redirect his motion while maintaining the illusion of forward movement.
"…Whoa," Neon whispered again.
"The system also simulates terrain," Yuuki added. "Mud, sand, incline, resistance—it'll feel real under your boots."
He stepped back to center.
"Safety protocols prevent collision with physical boundaries. You won't hit the walls unless I allow it."
San Diego raised a hand. "So we can go all out?"
"Yes."
Takao's eyes sharpened slightly.
Atago smiled. "Ara~ this will be fun."
Yuuki nodded once.
"Once the simulation activates, the projectors will generate a full environment—visual, physical, and sensory."
He looked at the Nikke squad.
"This is where your tutorials begin."
Then to everyone else—
"And where I evaluate all of you."
A pause.
"…Wait," Anis said slowly. "Evaluate?"
"Yes."
Neon tightened her grip slightly. "Combat test?"
"Among other things."
Rapi stepped forward half a pace. "…Understood. We are ready."
Yuuki's gaze swept across the room—shipgirls and Nikkes alike.
"Good."
The hexagonal floor dimmed slightly.
The projectors above began to hum.
"Because once I understand how you all fight…"
A faint glow began to form around them—the ceiling modules humming softly as lines of light traced across the hexagonal floor.
"I can start improving you once the process is ready."
The group stood assembled.
Shipgirls—Enterprise, Yorktown, Belfast, Illustrious, Atago, Takao, Akagi, Kaga, Nimi, Wales, Vestal, Unicorn, Akashi, Laffey, San Diego, Eldridge and Avrora. As well as Bulin, Purin and Kurin.
Nikkes—Rapi, Anis, Neon, Ade, Soda.
Two forces.
One system.
Yuuki glanced across them, then relaxed his stance slightly.
"Today—we're not doing anything intense. This is just an introduction."
The faint tension eased.
"You won't be using real equipment," he continued. "Everything here is simulated."
Neon tilted her head. "…So we can blow things up?"
"No."
"…Temporarily disappointing."
Anis snorted. "Give it five minutes."
Yuuki ignored them.
"The system replicates your weapons, but with controlled output. No real damage, no risk. You'll feel recoil, resistance, impact—but nothing lethal. You can even shoot a rocket to your foot and still feels nothing."
"Who in the right mind wanted to do that?" Anis snorted.
Rapi nodded. "…Safe environment for data collection."
"Exactly."
He gestured outward.
The room responded.
The metallic walls dissolved into shifting terrain—first a flat grid, then morphing into an open field. Wind brushed lightly across them, artificial yet convincing.
Unicorn blinked. "It feels real…"
"It is real—functionally," Yuuki said. "The nanoform constructs respond to movement, pressure, and interaction."
San Diego bounced slightly. "Woah—this is way cooler than old commissions!"
Laffey yawned. "…comfortable…"
Belfast observed quietly. "Impressive fidelity."
Takao narrowed her eyes, testing her footing. "…No lag in response."
Atago smiled. "Ara~ it even feels like proper ground."
Yuuki turned back to the group.
"Jarvis."
"Sir…"
"Start Simulation Tutorial Level 101."
"Simulation starting."
The room dimmed slightly, and then the entire space shifted.
The metallic walls seemed to dissolve away, replaced by distance and depth. The smooth floor beneath their feet turned into packed earth mixed with concrete paths. A light wind brushed past them, carrying faint mechanical hums.
In front of them stood a compact battlefield.
A power plant pulsed with steady energy, its core glowing faintly.
A barracks sat nearby, simple and solid, built for function over comfort.
A refinery worked continuously, pipes moving processed material into storage.
An advanced guard tower rotated slowly, scanning the surroundings.
A weapons factory loomed heavier than the rest, silent but clearly capable of producing something powerful.
The area was not large, but everything felt connected, like each structure depended on the others.
Anis looked around, hands on her hips. "Okay… this is definitely new."
Neon stepped forward immediately, practically glowing with excitement. "Wait, this is base building, right? We build stuff and fight at the same time?"
Rapi stayed where she was, but her eyes moved across every detail. "It's more than fighting. It's planning, supply, defense… everything working together."
Ade observed quietly. "Each structure has a role. Nothing feels random."
Soda nodded, taking a small step forward. "It feels organized. Like everything belongs exactly where it is."
On the other side, the shipgirls reacted in their own ways.
Yorktown crossed her arms, already thinking ahead. "This changes how battles begin."
Enterprise studied the layout carefully. "If you control this stage, you decide the outcome early."
Belfast gave a small nod. "Very efficient design."
Illustrious smiled softly. "It is quite elegant in its own way."
Atago let out a soft laugh. "So we shape the battlefield ourselves. That's interesting."
Takao remained serious. "This requires discipline."
Akagi's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile forming. "Everything begins under control."
Kaga nodded once. "A strong foundation leads to victory."
Behind them, Nimi adjusted her posture. "This feels like command training."
Wales gave a thoughtful nod. "Preparation over reaction. I prefer this approach."
Vestal folded her arms. "There is a lot to manage, but it makes sense."
Unicorn looked around quietly, a bit amazed. "It really feels real…"
Laffey blinked slowly. "Feels like a game… but not really…"
San Diego spun in place, grinning. "THIS IS AWESOME."
Eldridge stayed close, silent but watching everything in Yuuki's arms. Alongside the Bulins sisters but they disappeared as they play chase around the tutorial base.
Akashi's ears perked up immediately. "Structures mean production… production means profit…"
Avrora stepped forward slightly, her gaze soft but focused.
"This kind of battlefield…" she said quietly, "it feels like everything is decided before the first shot."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Jarvis and I control everything here."
He gestured around them.
"I can create anything I want. Remove anything I don't need."
He paused for a moment.
"And I can change the environment."
He snapped his fingers.
The sky darkened almost instantly. A cold wind swept across the field, and snow began to fall. Frost formed over the ground within seconds.
San Diego immediately reacted. "Okay that's cold!"
Unicorn moved closer to Wales without thinking.
Soda hugged herself slightly. "That changed so fast…"
Ade remained composed but clearly surprised. "Full environmental control…"
Neon looked completely thrilled. "This is amazing."
Rapi crouched slightly, touching the ground. "Surface condition changed. Less grip."
Takao adjusted her footing. "Balance shifts with terrain."
Belfast observed calmly. "The response is very precise."
Yuuki snapped his fingers again.
The snow vanished. The sky cleared. Warm air returned. The ground dried instantly.
Yorktown exhaled slightly. "That was immediate."
Enterprise gave a small nod. "No delay at all."
Yuuki looked at all of them.
"This isn't just about fighting."
He pointed toward the base.
"This is about control."
The group quieted.
"You are not just soldiers here," he continued. "You need to understand how everything connects. Power, resources, defense, production."
He pointed at each structure as he explained.
"The power plant keeps everything running.
The refinery brings in resources.
The barracks allows you to buy and upgrade weapons.
The factory builds heavier equipment like tanks.
The tower and base defenses protects your base."
Anis scratched her head slightly. "So we don't just run in and shoot everything?"
"Not if you want to win consistently."
Neon raised a finger. "But we still get to shoot things, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, good."
Yuuki walked forward a few steps.
"This design system comes from an old war. GDI, First Tiberium War. Compared to the ones you seen outside, these things are considered ancient."
Yorktown nodded slowly. "So this is how your world fights."
"Yeah."
Enterprise added quietly, "Structured and controlled."
Takao nodded. "Very different from what we are used to."
Atago smiled. "But interesting."
Rapi gave a firm nod. "We will adapt."
Yuuki turned back to them.
"Today, you explore."
He gestured outward.
"Move around. Check the structures. Get used to how everything feels."
Neon was already stepping forward. "I'm trying everything."
Anis stretched her arms. "Let's see what this place can do."
Rapi followed at a steady pace. "We will observe first."
Ade and Soda stayed close, watching carefully as they moved.
The shipgirls began spreading out as well, testing movement, observing details, adjusting to the environment.
Yuuki added one more thing.
"Next time, you won't just watch."
That made a few of them stop.
"You will run it."
Anis blinked. "Wait, we run this?"
Neon grinned immediately. "Command and firepower together. That sounds perfect."
Rapi nodded without hesitation. "Understood."
Ade straightened slightly. "We will learn properly."
Soda nodded quickly. "Yes."
San Diego raised her hand again, excited. "This is going to be fun."
Laffey yawned. "Maybe later…"
Akashi grinned widely. "I want one of these systems."
The small battlefield stood before them, quiet but full of potential.
It was not just a place to fight.
It was something to control.
And for the first time, they were not just units in a war.
They were learning how to lead one.
======
Yuuki clapped his hands once, the sound carrying clearly across the simulation.
"Alright, come back here for a bit."
The girls slowly gathered again. Some were still glancing around at the base, clearly curious, while others like Rapi and Enterprise were already focused and waiting.
The Bulins already run and play tag. Yuuki just let them as they won't understand even if he explained them.
"Next, we're going over skirmish power-ups."
He raised his hand and a flicker of light formed in front of him. Two objects appeared, hovering just above the ground. One was a rotating armor plate glowing with a soft blue light. The other was a health pack, pulsing gently in green.
Neon leaned in immediately, eyes bright. "So these are loot drops?"
Yuuki gave a small nod. "Close enough."
He pointed at the two items.
"In this simulation, all of you have two main stats. HP and AP. Hit Points and Armor Points."
Rapi nodded calmly. "Understood. Health and armor layers."
"Right. Your armor takes damage first. Once that's gone, your health starts dropping. If both hit zero, you're out of the fight."
Anis crossed her arms, thinking it through. "So armor is basically a buffer before real damage hits."
"Exactly."
Neon tilted her head. "When you say out, you mean dead?"
Yuuki shook his head. "Not really. The system marks you as down and pulls you out of the battlefield."
He pointed back toward the base.
"You get sent back to your own base. That's your spawn point."
Soda looked curious. "And then what happens?"
"You respawn with full health and armor. You can go back into the fight right away."
San Diego perked up instantly. "So we can just keep going again and again?"
"Yes. That's how you train and improve."
Laffey mumbled quietly, half-asleep as usual. "Sounds like endless retries…"
Yuuki gave a small correction. "It's controlled training, not just repeating for no reason."
He walked toward the armor pickup.
"When you walk through this, you gain armor."
He stepped into it. The armor plate dissolved into blue particles and flowed into him. A faint shimmer appeared around his body for a moment before fading.
Then he moved to the health pack and stepped through it. Green particles flowed into him just as quickly.
"Health works the same way. Instant recovery."
Rapi stepped forward next, composed as always.
"Permission to test."
"Go ahead."
Yuuki recreated the health pack. Rapi walked through it, watching carefully.
"No delay. Immediate effect," she confirmed.
Neon rushed in next and grabbed an armor pickup. "Okay, that actually feels really good."
Anis followed, picking one up for herself. "Yeah, this system is pretty straightforward."
Atago watched with interest. "So we can recover during battle itself."
Takao nodded. "That will matter in longer fights."
Yorktown crossed her arms, already thinking ahead. "If these are limited, controlling them becomes important."
Enterprise added quietly, "If you control the pickups, you control the flow of the fight."
Belfast gave a small approving nod. "Very efficient design."
Akagi's eyes narrowed slightly as she thought about it. "If the enemy cannot reach these, they slowly lose advantage."
Kaga finished simply. "That creates pressure over time."
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly. These don't appear randomly unless I set them that way. Normally they spawn at fixed points or at timed intervals."
He pointed to different areas across the map.
"If your team controls these spots, you stay in the fight longer. If you lose control, you get worn down."
Rapi gave a firm nod. "Resource control directly affects survival."
"That's the idea."
Ade raised her hand slightly, her voice calm but careful. "What happens if someone keeps getting eliminated repeatedly?"
"They respawn, but they lose credits each time."
Soda blinked. "Credits?"
"Yes. While you are out, others are still earning and upgrading. If you keep going down, you fall behind."
Anis smirked slightly. "So dying is still bad, just less permanent."
"Exactly."
Neon looked around, summarizing it out loud. "So we fight, stay alive, grab power-ups, earn credits, upgrade, and repeat."
"That's the core loop."
She nodded enthusiastically. "I like it."
Yuuki crossed his arms, his tone becoming a bit more serious.
"Just don't treat this like a game."
The mood shifted slightly as everyone paid closer attention.
"This is where you build habits. Movement, positioning, timing. What you learn here carries over to real combat."
He looked at each of them.
"Because in real missions, I won't be controlling everything."
There was a brief pause.
"You will."
The words settled in. The excitement didn't disappear, but it became more focused.
San Diego still smiled brightly. "It still sounds fun though."
Laffey nodded lazily. "Training can be fun…"
Rapi gave a firm, steady nod. "We will use it properly."
Anis stretched her shoulders. "Alright, I'm starting to like this place more."
Yuuki brought up another holographic panel, letting the numbers and icons hover clearly in front of everyone.
"Earlier I mentioned credits. In this simulation, credits act as your money. You earn them during matches, and you spend them to improve your equipment."
He expanded the panel slightly so they could see categories. Weapons, armor, items, utilities, upgrades.
"The more you fight, the more you earn. Eliminations, assists, holding objectives, even supporting your team properly will generate credits. It's not just about who shoots the most."
Anis leaned forward, studying the panel. "So if I play smart, I still get paid."
"Exactly. If you contribute, you grow."
Rapi nodded, already processing it. "That means teamwork directly affects progression."
Neon pointed at the weapon section. "And we use that to buy stronger gear?"
"Yes. Everyone starts with basic equipment. Standard weapons, minimal armor. From there, you upgrade."
He tapped one of the icons and a stronger version of a rifle appeared briefly in the air.
"You can improve firepower, durability, or utility depending on your role. If you focus only on damage, you'll hit harder but become easier to take down. If you invest in defense, you last longer but deal less damage."
Yorktown crossed her arms, watching closely. "So balance matters."
Enterprise added quietly, "And early advantage snowballs."
Yuuki nodded. "If one side gains momentum, they can control the match. That's why decision-making early on is important."
Takao stepped slightly forward. "Then discipline and coordination will decide the outcome."
Atago smiled softly. "It's not just strength. It's how you use it."
Belfast gave a small approving nod. "A very refined system."
Yuuki shifted the display again.
"The simulation itself is flexible. It's not locked to one type of battlefield."
The terrain around them flickered. For a moment, the compact base shifted into a ruined city, broken buildings and narrow streets forming lanes.
"This is ground combat."
Another shift. The ground dissolved into open water, waves forming under their feet while silhouettes of ships appeared.
"This is naval combat."
Neon's eyes widened. "So the environment completely changes how we fight."
"Yes. Your tactics need to change with it."
The field expanded briefly, showing a larger area.
"We can run different match sizes too. Five versus five for smaller engagements. Ten versus ten for larger battles with more chaos and coordination required. Small maps or big maps."
San Diego looked around excitedly. "That sounds like a full-on war."
"It can be," Yuuki replied.
He pointed toward the base again.
"The objective stays simple. Destroy the enemy base. Everything you do should support that goal."
Rapi spoke calmly. "So it's not about random fighting. It's about reaching that objective efficiently."
"Right. You can defend, push, flank, or control resources. There's no single way to win."
Anis smirked. "So I can still blow things up, just with a plan."
"With a plan," Yuuki confirmed.
Neon nodded enthusiastically. "Firepower with strategy. That's even better."
Yuuki's expression shifted slightly as he continued.
"I can also introduce enemy types into the simulation."
That drew everyone's attention immediately.
"Raptures. Sirens."
The room grew quieter.
"Once I gather enough combat data, I can recreate them here. You'll be able to fight them in a controlled environment before facing them in real missions."
Ade's hands tightened slightly. "So we can prepare… without risking everything."
"Yes."
Soda looked relieved. "We won't have to face them blindly anymore."
Yorktown spoke softly. "That gives us an advantage we never had before."
Enterprise nodded. "We can study them."
Yuuki continued.
"You'll be able to run full scenarios. Shipgirls against Sirens. Nikkes against Raptures. Or mixed teams working together."
That caused a noticeable shift in the room.
Anis blinked. "Working together as one team?"
Rapi answered before Yuuki did. "That would improve coordination significantly."
Neon grinned. "More firepower on one side sounds perfect."
Atago gave a soft laugh. "It will be interesting to see how well we blend."
Takao nodded. "Necessary for future operations."
Yuuki looked across all of them.
"This system is here so you can fail safely. Make mistakes here. Learn here. Improve here."
He let that settle for a moment.
"So when you go out there, you don't repeat those mistakes."
No one spoke immediately, but the mood had changed. It wasn't just excitement anymore. It was focus.
San Diego still raised her hand anyway, unable to hold it in. "So when do we actually start a match?"
Neon followed right after. "Yeah, when do we get to test all this for real?"
Anis folded her arms with a grin. "You knew that question was coming."
Yuuki sighed, but there was a faint smile this time.
"Soon. Once you understand the basics properly, we'll run your first match."
This time, no one complained.
Because now they knew exactly what was coming next.
=============
The group spread out across the small base, taking their time to look at everything up close.
It was simple, but not empty. Every structure had a purpose, and the layout made it easy to understand how things connected. There was no harvester moving around, no incoming threats, no pressure. Just a clean setup meant for learning.
Yuuki watched them for a moment.
"Well, this is a basic base," he said casually. "It's meant to be simple. This is just a tutorial setup."
Avrora moved together with Wales, Belfast, and Illustrious. The four of them walked at a steady pace, observing quietly.
Avrora ran her fingers lightly along the surface of one of the structures. "It feels… stable. Everything is placed with intent."
Wales nodded. "There's a clear hierarchy. Power, supply, defense."
Belfast added calmly, "Everything supports something else. Nothing is wasted."
Illustrious smiled gently. "It feels almost peaceful without combat."
Nearby, Akagi and Kaga walked on their own.
Akagi glanced at the guard tower, her eyes narrowing slightly. "If this were real, this would be the first point I'd take control of."
Kaga nodded. "And the refinery would be the next priority."
They didn't need to say more.
On the other side, the rest moved more freely.
San Diego ran from one structure to another, still excited. "So this builds stuff? And this one too? Everything builds something!"
Laffey wandered slowly, hands in her pockets. "Feels simple… but not easy…"
Nimi studied the barracks entrance carefully. "Unit production starts here… makes sense."
Akashi was already calculating something in her head. "Production cost, output, efficiency… nyaa…"
Vestal walked calmly, taking everything in without rushing. Unicorn followed closely beside her, still amazed at how real everything felt.
Rapi walked with purpose, scanning everything like she was already planning a strategy. Anis followed beside her, less serious but still paying attention.
"So this is where it all starts," Anis said. "Not bad."
Neon, however, was already somewhere else.
She had been walking normally for about three seconds.
Then she sped up.
Then she basically appeared next to Yuuki.
He didn't even look surprised.
"…Of course you're here already."
Neon grinned. "You said weapons training."
Yuuki sighed lightly but nodded.
"Alright. Let's move on."
He turned toward the barracks and started walking.
"Basic weapons training first. Some of you already know how to fight, but going back to basics isn't a bad thing."
Rapi followed immediately, serious as always. "Agreed. Fundamentals are important."
Anis stretched her arms as she walked. "Fine by me. As long as we get to shoot something."
"You will," Yuuki said.
Neon was already walking beside him, almost matching his pace step for step.
"Finally," she said, clearly excited.
Behind them, the others began to regroup, leaving the base structures behind as they moved toward the next phase of training.
The moment they stepped inside the barracks, the atmosphere changed. The interior was clean, organized, and lined with weapon racks along the walls. Different types of firearms were displayed neatly, each one secured but clearly ready to be used.
Yuuki walked ahead of them and stopped near the wall.
"Shipgirls or not, you all need to know how to handle standard weapons," he said, turning back to face them. "Your riggings are powerful, but there will be situations where you can't use them. Too much firepower, wrong environment, or limited space."
He glanced at the shipgirls briefly.
"In those cases, you fall back to basics."
Then he shifted his gaze to the Nikkes.
"And for you, firearms are already your specialty. This will refine that. Different weapons, different handling, different conditions. Land or sea, it doesn't matter. You adapt."
Rapi nodded. "Understood."
Anis crossed her arms but smirked. "Back to basics, huh. Sounds like training camp all over again."
Neon leaned forward, already focused. "As long as we actually get to use them."
"You will," Yuuki replied.
He raised his hand slightly.
A flicker of light appeared in front of him.
A pistol formed midair and hovered for a moment before dropping neatly into his hand.
"This is the Vervack Commando Elite Falcon automatic pistol."
He held it up so everyone could see clearly.
"It's your basic sidearm. Standard issue for close-range backup. The GDI has a lot of advanced handguns but, we start with this."
He rotated it slightly, showing the design.
"Twelve rounds per magazine. You'll need to reload after that. It comes with an integrated suppressor, so it stays quiet."
Neon leaned closer. "That's clean…"
Yuuki continued.
"It has decent stopping power, especially if you aim properly. Headshots will drop targets quickly. But don't rely on it as your main weapon."
He lowered it slightly.
"This is a last-resort weapon. Something you use when everything else fails or when you're caught off guard."
Rapi stepped closer, observing carefully. "Lightweight. Fast draw. Designed for emergency use."
"Exactly."
Anis tilted her head. "So this is the 'oh no' gun."
"That's one way to put it."
San Diego raised her hand slightly. "So we all get one of these?"
"Yes. Everyone should know how to use it properly."
Takao looked at the weapon with focus. "Precision matters more than power here."
Belfast added calmly, "Control and discipline."
Atago smiled. "Ara~ small, but dangerous."
Akagi's eyes lingered on the pistol briefly before shifting back to Yuuki. "…A weapon for close encounters."
Kaga nodded. "Efficient."
Yuuki gave a small nod.
"Alright. One by one."
He raised his hand again.
Multiple pistols materialized in front of each of them, hovering for a brief moment before dropping gently into their hands.
"Get used to the weight first. Then we'll go over stance, grip, and firing." Yuuki smiled as he turned to Eldridge, "You want to join in?"
Eldridge shook her head and dives into his arms. Acting like a spoiled child.
Neon immediately lifted hers, eyes shining.
Anis checked hers with a practiced motion.
Rapi held hers steady, already analyzing balance and alignment.
The shipgirls followed more cautiously, but with focus.
Yuuki stepped back slightly, watching all of them.
"Basic first," he said. "Then we move forward."
This time, no one rushed ahead.
Because even with all their power—
they understood this mattered.
Yuuki led them out the back of the barracks, where the space opened into a structured firing range. Lanes stretched forward in clean rows, each one separated for individual use. Targets stood at different distances, some stationary, others slowly shifting to simulate movement.
"All of you have your own lanes," Yuuki said, turning to face them. "Shipgirls, Nikkes, mixed teams, or restricted loadouts. I can change it depending on the training. Sometimes you'll fight with riggings, sometimes without. Sometimes just firearms like this."
He let that sink in before continuing.
"You won't always get to fight on your terms. The rules change in the real world. You adapt, or you fall behind."
The group quieted slightly.
"Nikkes and shipgirls are resistant to standard bullets, yes," he added, "but don't get used to that. There will be enemies that aren't. High penetration bullets can still hurt you. Droids, enhanced humans, other systems. You need to be ready for that."
He glanced across all of them.
"This island is your home now. Protect it."
That line landed heavier than the rest.
Then his tone shifted back to instruction.
"In this system, your vision is assisted. When you hold a weapon, you'll see a targeting reticle."
A faint overlay appeared in their vision as they raised their pistols.
"Outer circle shows where your weapon is pointing. Inner dot shows where the shot will actually land."
Neon blinked, focusing. "Okay… yeah, I see it."
Rapi adjusted her stance slightly. "Inner dot tightens with stability."
"Correct."
Yuuki continued.
"Targets will be color-coded. Green for allies. Red for enemies. Yellow means you're out of ammo or reloading."
Anis nodded. "Simple enough."
"Red shoot, green don't, yellow reload," San Diego repeated with a grin.
"Exactly."
Yuuki pointed forward.
Rows of red-marked dummy soldiers stood ahead, some shifting slightly as if alive.
"Those are your targets. Each one has HP. You'll see how much damage you deal and how many shots it takes to bring them down."
He stepped back.
"Start with controlled shots. Don't rush. Learn the feel of the weapon."
With that, he jumped lightly onto the roof of the barracks, taking a higher position to observe.
"Go ahead."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
Rapi stepped forward first.
She raised her pistol, stance steady, breathing controlled. The reticle tightened.
A shot rang out.
Clean. Direct.
The target flickered as its HP dropped.
"…Confirmed," she said quietly.
Next—
Anis fired, less rigid but still accurate. "Alright, this isn't bad at all."
Neon followed immediately, firing a quick series. "This feels amazing."
"Control your shots," Rapi added without looking at her.
"Working on it."
On the other side—
Takao raised her pistol carefully, her movements precise. One shot, then another. Both landed cleanly.
Atago fired with a relaxed posture, yet every shot still hit. "Ara~ this is easier than expected."
Yorktown tested pacing between shots, adjusting rhythm.
Enterprise fired without hesitation. Each shot landed where intended, efficient and quiet.
Belfast maintained perfect form, her shots controlled and consistent.
Akagi fired with a slight smile, watching the targets drop.
Kaga followed with calm precision.
Further down—
San Diego fired enthusiastically, slightly faster than needed but still hitting.
Laffey fired lazily, barely moving, yet still accurate.
Nimi adjusted her grip carefully before firing with discipline.
Wales took measured shots, clean and controlled.
Unicorn hesitated at first, then fired gently, watching the result.
Vestal tested slower shots, observing impact.
Akashi checked her pistol first before firing. "Nyaa… good output…"
Ade and Soda stood together.
Ade fired carefully, maintaining form. "Controlled… steady…"
Soda followed, a bit nervous at first, but improving quickly. "I can do this…"
Avrora smiled as she tried a few shots. "Looks like NP training didn't disappoint."
Above them, Yuuki watched everything.
Every stance. Every shot. Every habit.
He didn't interrupt.
Not yet.
Because this—
was where he saw who they really were.
Yuuki watched them fire for a bit, then raised his voice just enough to be heard across the range.
"When you aim at someone, ally or enemy, your display will show their name, color and status. That helps with coordination. No confusion in the middle of a fight."
He tapped the side of his head lightly.
"If you go on missions with me, I'll be using the Da'at Yichud power suit on you. It has all of this built in. Same targeting, same overlays. Later on, once I figure out your systems properly, I'll upgrade you too. You won't be stuck with just this."
That got their attention.
Neon immediately looked up. "Upgrades?"
"Later," Yuuki said calmly. "Focus on basics first."
Then he raised his hand again.
A new weapon appeared, slowly rotating in midair.
Long, sleek, and precise.
"The Vervack R59 Pierce smart sniper rifle."
Neon was already staring at it like it was a masterpiece. "That… is beautiful."
Yuuki let it spin for a moment before catching it.
Avrora's eyes narrowed slightly in recognition. "I've seen this before…"
She glanced toward Atago and Takao.
"The silenced version. With a laser sight."
Takao gave a small nod. "Yes. This is the standard variant."
Yuuki held the rifle steady.
"This one is more basic, but still effective. It's compact enough to be broken down and carried easily. Uses a four-round detachable magazine."
He tilted it slightly, showing the scope.
"The scope has built-in features. Directional microphone for tracking movement. Passive night vision for low-light conditions. Since it's a smart gun, it has no wind or distance adjustment, just zoom in and zoom out via button."
Rapi stepped closer, observing. "Multi-function optics. Efficient."
Yuuki continued.
"This is an anti-personnel weapon. If you land a headshot, the target goes down instantly. No exceptions in this simulation."
Neon grinned. "One shot, one kill. I like that."
Anis crossed her arms. "Four rounds though… better not miss."
"Exactly," Yuuki said.
He pointed downrange.
"This rifle is meant for distance. Clean shots. No rushing."
He paused briefly, then added more detail.
"In this simulation, there's no wind resistance for up to a thousand meters. The shot travels straight. What you aim at is what you hit."
Rapi nodded. "So accuracy depends entirely on the user."
"Yes."
Yuuki tapped the rifle lightly.
"It uses smart rounds. High penetration, low recoil. You won't feel much kick, but don't let that fool you. Precision still matters."
Takao stepped forward slightly. "Effective against infantry. Limited against armored targets."
"Correct. Light vehicles take some damage. Heavy armor barely feels it."
Atago smiled faintly. "So this is a specialist weapon."
"Exactly."
Yuuki lowered the rifle slightly, then recreated multiple copies.
The sniper rifles appeared in front of them, hovering briefly before dropping into their hands.
"Try it."
Neon grabbed hers instantly. "YES."
Anis took hers more casually. "Alright, let's see if this lives up to the hype."
Rapi held hers properly from the start, already adjusting grip and posture.
On the shipgirls' side, Takao handled it like she was already familiar. Atago followed with a relaxed but controlled stance.
Enterprise lifted hers and aimed almost immediately, her expression unchanged.
Yorktown adjusted her footing before taking aim.
Belfast checked alignment first, then raised the rifle smoothly.
Akagi held hers with interest, eyes focused. "Ufuu.... How many pests Akagi can take down with this?"
Kaga followed, calm as always.
Further down, San Diego struggled slightly with positioning at first before correcting herself.
Laffey barely adjusted her stance, yet still lined up her aim.
Nimi checked the scope carefully before firing.
Wales maintained a steady posture.
Unicorn hesitated again, then slowly brought it up.
Vestal tested the weight first.
Akashi examined it like it was a product. "Nyaa… high quality…"
Ade and Soda stood side by side again.
Ade adjusted her stance properly before aiming. "Steady… breathe…"
Soda copied her, focusing hard. "Okay… I can do this…"
Above them, Yuuki watched closely.
"Take your time," he said. "Sniper rifles punish impatience. Line up your shot, then fire."
One by one, shots rang out.
This time—
slower.
More deliberate.
Because this weapon didn't reward speed.
It rewarded control.