Yuuki slowly opened his eyes once more only to immediately groan in exhaustion.
He recognized this place instantly.
The calm sea.
The gentle skies.
The peaceful island beneath the endless horizon.
And the large tree resting near the shoreline where soft winds quietly swayed its branches.
"…Oh come on…"
Yuuki rubbed his forehead tiredly while sitting beneath the tree.
"I literally just escaped one Void World."
The familiar island had become a place he subconsciously returned to whenever his consciousness drifted between the Wisdom Cube network. A small peaceful world he accidentally shaped himself through his connection to the shipgirls.
Then—
"My, kind sir…"
Yuuki immediately froze.
The elegant voice behind him sent chills directly down his spine.
"…Eepp."
He slowly turned around afterward.
There stood Hood.
Perfect posture.
Perfect elegance.
Perfect terrifying smile.
Moonlight-like blonde hair flowed softly behind her while her noble attire moved gracefully in the sea breeze. Even here within the Void World, Hood carried herself with overwhelming refinement that made the entire atmosphere around her feel noble by default.
Yuuki instinctively straightened his back.
"…M-My lady."
Hood slowly approached him afterward with a composed smile.
"It appears," she spoke gently, "that my dear gentleman became quite busy recently."
Yuuki immediately looked away.
"…Ah."
Hood's smile became slightly more dangerous.
"You seem rather talented at collecting confessions."
"…About that…"
"Despite already possessing the love of your lady."
Yuuki visibly paused.
"…Wait."
He blinked repeatedly afterward.
"…Love?"
Hood quietly sighed as though disappointed by his density.
"No point hiding it anymore, I suppose."
Then without hesitation—
She stepped closer before softly kissing him directly on the lips.
Yuuki's brain immediately stopped functioning for several seconds.
Hood slowly pulled back afterward while maintaining her elegant composure completely unlike the chaos currently happening inside Yuuki's mind.
"From the very moment I met you," Hood spoke softly, "I already knew you would become the one capable of saving us."
Yuuki stared at her silently.
Then awkwardly—
"…I honestly thought maybe I was overthinking things at first."
Hood gently smiled.
"Do you truly believe I would willingly offer myself as your teacher if you were like other commanders?"
Yuuki immediately remembered their first meeting.
Her closeness.
Her teasing.
Her immediate declaration of herself as his lady.
The possessiveness hidden beneath elegant words.
Then slowly—
"…So I assumed correctly."
"Yes."
Hood answered without hesitation.
Then calmly—
"And do remember that I staked my claim first."
Yuuki weakly raised both hands.
"…Ah yes, my lady."
Hood seemed very pleased hearing that.
Then Yuuki suddenly blinked.
"Wait…"
His expression softened slightly afterward.
"When you scolded Sussex back then…"
Hood nodded quietly.
"…You were genuinely protecting me."
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in her answer.
Hood slowly sat beside him beneath the tree afterward while the calm ocean waves quietly echoed around the island.
"I merely decided to elevate my role as your lady properly."
Then more quietly—
"Though it is unfortunate I cannot selfishly keep you only for myself."
Yuuki laughed weakly.
"You girls really threw a lot at me tonight."
Hood gently rested one hand against his chest afterward.
"My feelings are naturally strong."
The warmth flowing through their connected hearts quietly pulsed beneath her touch.
"You were the first soul I encountered after such an unbearably long period of isolation."
Her blue eyes softened deeply afterward.
"And then…"
A faint smile crossed her lips.
"…I connected to your heart."
Yuuki quietly listened.
"A kind heart."
"A lonely heart."
"A heart still willing to save others despite carrying unbearable burdens itself."
The sea breeze moved softly around them.
"How could I possibly not fall in love with such a man?"
Yuuki felt his chest tighten slightly hearing that.
Then Hood softly laughed.
"It truly was love at first sight."
Yuuki weakly held his forehead.
"You say these things so naturally."
"Because they are true."
Then gracefully—
Hood gently leaned against his shoulder beneath the tree.
"Declaring myself as your lady during our first meeting was already a heartfelt confession."
Yuuki softly exhaled afterward.
"…Sigh."
Then helplessly—
"You girls really don't hold back at all."
Hood's elegant smile returned immediately.
"It is simply the nature of a noble lady."
Then slightly teasingly—
"Unlike you gentlemen, we do not waste time dancing around our affections once our hearts are decided."
Yuuki quietly looked toward the calm ocean afterward while Hood remained beside him peacefully.
And honestly—
Despite the overwhelming chaos his life had become recently—
Having Hood beside him somehow made the endless Void World feel calm again.
"I suppose everyone within the Void World is already aware of the confessions made tonight?"
Hood smiled knowingly beside him beneath the tree.
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in her answer.
"The others are indeed jealous."
Yuuki weakly rubbed his forehead.
"…That sounds dangerous."
Hood softly laughed.
"Only slightly."
Then her expression became gentler.
"If you were merely another ordinary commander, most of us would not care nearly as much."
The sea breeze quietly brushed through her blonde hair while the peaceful ocean stretched endlessly around them.
"However…"
Her hand slowly rested over his.
"…you are different."
Yuuki quietly listened.
"You are connected to us heart to heart."
The warmth between their linked Wisdom Cubes quietly pulsed around them.
"We may not read your memories directly…"
Then softly—
"…but we can read your heart."
Yuuki lowered his gaze slightly afterward.
"We felt its warmth."
"We felt your kindness."
"We felt the loneliness you buried beneath everything else."
Hood's blue eyes softened deeply.
"And despite everything you endured…"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"…there was not even the slightest speck of darkness inside you."
Yuuki quietly looked away afterward.
"…You girls really see too much."
"Yes."
Hood answered immediately.
"And now…"
This time, she no longer hesitated.
She gently leaned fully against him beneath the tree while resting comfortably beside his shoulder.
"…my kind sir is completely aware of his lady's feelings."
Yuuki softly laughed weakly.
"Yes, dear lady."
Hood visibly looked pleased hearing that title again.
Then her tone became slightly more elegant and firm.
"However…"
Yuuki immediately sensed danger.
"…refrain yourself from touching the others inappropriately until proper marital bonds are formed."
Yuuki immediately raised both hands defensively.
"Ah. Yorktown told me the exact same thing earlier."
Then honestly—
"I have no intention of doing otherwise, dear lady."
Hood quietly closed her eyes for a moment afterward.
"I know."
The connection between their hearts gently pulsed again.
"I can read your intentions."
Yuuki groaned softly afterward.
"So I really can't lie anymore."
"No."
Hood answered calmly.
"You shall not do so."
Then slightly closer—
"…unless you wish to incur your lady's wrath."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No need for that, dear lady."
Hood visibly paused afterward.
Then slowly—
A faint blush appeared on her elegant face.
"…Dear lady?"
Yuuki blinked.
Hood gently leaned closer toward him with a small pleased smile.
"…I believe I could grow quite accustomed to hearing that."
"Though I speak of refinement at all times," Hood said softly while leaning against him beneath the tree, "you need not force yourself to become someone else, Commander."
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"Your normal self is the most charming after all."
Yuuki immediately grinned afterward.
"So I'm allowed to become a caveman?"
"Eep—"
He flinched slightly when Hood immediately pinched his arm.
"Not too normal."
Yuuki burst into laughter afterward while Hood tried maintaining her composure despite the faint redness now visible on her face.
"Points for trying," Yuuki teased softly.
Then more quietly—
"…Still, it's calming seeing you this close."
Hood tilted her head elegantly.
"Hm?"
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Am I too close?"
Yuuki weakly raised a hand.
"I did not say that."
"Good."
Hood gently adjusted herself closer against him afterward.
"A noble lady must indeed remain elegant."
Then softly—
"However…"
Her blue eyes met his directly.
"…a lady must also seize the initiative toward the target of her affection."
Yuuki felt his chest tighten slightly hearing that.
"…You really are as elegant as you are dangerous, dear lady."
"My, what a lovely compliment."
Then Yuuki noticed the book resting within her hand.
"Hm?"
Hood lifted it slightly afterward.
"Curious?"
Yuuki nodded.
"It is one of the books I discovered within the Royal Navy library you restored for us."
Yuuki blinked at the familiar cover.
"…William Shakespeare."
Hood smiled gently.
"A collection of poems."
Yuuki laughed weakly.
"I haven't read Shakespeare properly in years."
Then dramatically—
"That level of English nearly killed me academically."
Hood softly giggled beside him.
"Ancient English frightens even mighty commanders?"
"It absolutely does."
Hood opened the book carefully afterward before lightly tracing one of the pages.
"There is a particular poem I found beautiful."
Then softly, almost lovingly, she recited:
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
"Thou art more lovely and more temperate…"
The sea breeze quietly moved around them beneath the endless skies of the Void World.
"So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see…"
"So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."
Yuuki quietly listened while Hood's voice carried elegant warmth through the peaceful island.
Then she slowly looked toward him.
"…A beautiful verse."
A faint blush appeared on her face afterward.
"Commander…"
She gently handed him the book.
"…would you read it aloud to me?"
Yuuki immediately narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"…You're being cheeky now, dear lady."
Hood only smiled innocently.
Yuuki softly laughed afterward before gently lifting her chin with one hand.
The moment their eyes met directly—
Hood visibly froze.
Then quietly—
Yuuki began reciting the poem back to her.
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
"Thou art more lovely and more temperate…"
His voice softened naturally while staring directly into her blue eyes.
"So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see…"
"So long lives this…"
Then more quietly—
"…and this gives life to thee."
By the end of it—
Hood had turned completely red.
The elegant battlecruiser immediately covered part of her face with the book in failed noble panic.
"K-Kind sir…"
Yuuki grinned helplessly afterward.
"Oh no. The refined lady finally got flustered."
Hood immediately looked away.
"…Teasing a lady in such a manner…"
Then softly—
"…requires accepting responsibility for it in the future."
Yuuki laughed quietly.
"A lady never lets her gentleman escape once her heart is decided."
Yuuki finally broke into genuine laughter afterward.
"Pff—haha…"
Then he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"…Honestly, I was kind of nervous."
Now it became Hood's turn to smile knowingly.
"Aha…"
She gently lowered the book afterward while studying his face carefully.
"Look at how nervous you are."
Yuuki weakly looked away.
"You cannot properly convey your feelings to a lady while trembling so much, Commander."
"That's rude."
"Yet adorable."
Then her expression softened deeply.
"However…"
Hood gently placed one hand against his chest again.
"…your feelings still reached my heart perfectly."
The connection between them quietly pulsed warmly.
"Because we are connected now."
Then softly—
"And I would happily accept them."
"I really can't escape anymore…"
Hood smiled elegantly beside him beneath the tree.
"No."
There was absolutely no hesitation in her answer.
"Kind sir should prepare himself accordingly."
Yuuki immediately sensed danger.
"…Accordingly?"
Hood gently closed the Shakespeare book before placing it neatly beside her.
"In the future, expect a full course of refinement."
Yuuki visibly recoiled.
"…Excuse me?"
"A lady must properly educate the gentleman standing beside her."
Then calmly—
"I shall personally whip my gentleman into becoming a proper noble man worthy of standing beside me."
Yuuki immediately raised both hands defensively.
"Please have mercy, dear lady."
Hood lightly tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"…It depends."
"That answer terrifies me."
"It should."
Yuuki laughed weakly afterward before relaxing slightly beside her again.
Then softly—
"Still…"
Hood looked toward him quietly.
"You would probably like Ade and Soda."
The moment their names appeared, Hood's expression softened slightly.
"Ah…"
She remembered them immediately through the connected feelings flowing across the Wisdom Cube network.
"The refined maid."
Then more quietly—
"She carried a deeply troubled heart."
Yuuki nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
The peaceful ocean waves quietly echoed around the island while his expression softened slightly.
"So please be kind to her in the future."
Hood looked genuinely surprised afterward.
"My kind sir…"
Then gently—
"You speak as though I would ever mistreat one of your precious girls."
Yuuki weakly coughed.
"That wording is dangerous."
Hood ignored him completely.
"I already like her."
Then thoughtfully—
"She reminds me greatly of Belfast."
Yuuki smiled faintly afterward.
"Honestly, they got along pretty quickly."
"I am not surprised."
Hood elegantly crossed one leg over the other while the sea breeze softly moved through her blonde hair.
"Both possess refinement born from genuine care rather than forced nobility."
Then a small smile appeared on her lips.
"And Soda…"
Yuuki immediately sighed fondly.
"She's a walking disaster maid."
"How charming."
"She nearly dropped three bowls tonight."
"And yet?"
Yuuki laughed softly.
"She kept smiling through it."
Hood quietly closed her eyes for a moment afterward.
"…Then Belfast truly chose correctly."
Yuuki blinked.
"Hm?"
"A proper Head Maid does not search for perfection."
Hood's expression softened deeply.
"She searches for sincerity."
Then more gently—
"And those two girls clearly possess beautiful hearts."
Yuuki quietly looked toward the ocean afterward while listening to her.
Then softly—
"I want them protected."
Hood immediately answered.
"They already are."
Yuuki looked toward her again.
Hood smiled warmly.
"Please introduce us properly once I return."
Then with elegant confidence—
"I shall watch over them for you as well."
The words carried no arrogance.
Only sincerity.
The same sincerity Yorktown and Belfast carried earlier.
Yuuki softly smiled afterward.
"…Thanks, dear lady."
Hood visibly looked pleased hearing the title again.
"My…"
Then she gently leaned closer against him beneath the tree once more.
"I truly am becoming rather fond of hearing that from you."
"Ara ara… Lady Hood…"
A warm elegant voice suddenly echoed behind them.
"We agreed not to make the first move."
Yuuki immediately recognized that voice.
Then he slowly turned around and nearly stopped breathing again.
Amagi stood there beneath the softly swaying tree branches with her usual graceful smile. Her long fox tails moved gently behind her while moonlight illuminated her elegant kimono beautifully.
Hood merely smiled calmly beside Yuuki.
"A lady must seize initiative when necessary, Lady Amagi."
Amagi softly laughed behind her sleeve.
"My, how unfair."
Then without hesitation—
She gracefully sat beside Yuuki before gently pulling him into a soft kiss.
Yuuki's brain immediately blue-screened for the second time tonight.
Hood narrowed her eyes elegantly afterward.
"Oh my…"
Then teasingly—
"How bold of Lady Amagi to kiss another lady's gentleman directly in front of her."
Amagi immediately returned the look with one equally dangerous.
"I am merely staking my claim as well."
The atmosphere between the two legendary women became strangely intense despite both still smiling perfectly.
Yuuki weakly raised a hand.
"…Ladies?"
Then suddenly—
"Pfff…"
Amagi broke first.
"Hahaha…"
Hood immediately joined her laughter afterward.
The dangerous atmosphere instantly vanished beneath genuine amusement.
"We truly cannot become enemies," Amagi admitted warmly.
Hood softly sighed.
"Indeed."
Then gracefully—
"As agreed, Lady Amagi may have her time with him."
Yuuki blinked repeatedly while processing the fact that Hood and Amagi apparently had relationship diplomacy meetings without his knowledge.
Amagi happily leaned closer afterward.
"Shikikan-sama~~"
Yuuki immediately sensed incoming danger again.
"It appears you have officially taken Akagi and Kaga under your responsibility."
Yuuki looked deeply betrayed.
"Hey, they jumped the gun first."
Amagi giggled softly.
"At least it redirected Akagi away from the darkness she carried."
Her golden eyes softened slightly afterward.
"I can already feel how much healthier her heart became compared to a week ago."
Yuuki sighed weakly.
"Yeah…"
Then helplessly—
"She redirected all that obsession toward me instead."
"Shikikan-sama…"
Amagi gently rested one hand against his chest afterward.
"As the man who healed me…"
Her voice became softer.
"…I could ask for nothing more than to dedicate the life you saved entirely toward you."
Yuuki quietly listened while the peaceful sea breeze moved through the island around them.
"I used to cough endlessly."
Amagi smiled faintly.
"Every day felt painful."
Then warmly—
"But since you healed me…"
She gently leaned against him.
"…that suffering became nothing more than an old memory."
Yuuki's expression softened deeply hearing that.
Amagi closed her eyes briefly afterward.
"My love for you is eternal, Shikikan-sama.I really do love you."
Then teasingly—
"And significantly healthier than Akagi's."
Hood immediately covered her mouth politely.
"My, what a heartfelt confession."
Amagi laughed softly again.
"Pff…"
Then teasingly toward Hood—
"It made him nervous too."
Before Yuuki could recover—
Amagi's fluffy tails gently wrapped around him protectively while she leaned comfortably against his right side.
Meanwhile Hood remained elegantly against his left.
And somehow—
Yuuki now found himself trapped between two legendary women who openly claimed him as theirs.
The terrifying part—
Neither seemed remotely willing to let him escape anymore.
Amagi quietly relaxed afterward while enjoying the warmth flowing through their connected hearts.
Now that she fully confessed—
The connection between them had strengthened dramatically.
And with it—
Yuuki's scent became even more noticeable to her.
Warm.
Comforting.
Addictively gentle.
A scent that naturally drew the Sakura girls closer to him emotionally.
Then suddenly—
Amagi froze slightly.
Yuuki blinked.
"Hm?"
Without realizing it—
He had begun gently rubbing one of her fox ears absentmindedly.
Amagi visibly trembled softly.
"…Shikikan-sama…"
Yuuki blinked repeatedly.
"…Did I do something wrong?"
Amagi slowly covered part of her face while her tails fluffed dramatically behind her.
"…So this is why Akagi and Kaga became hopeless…"
Hood quietly raised an eyebrow.
"My?"
Amagi's voice softened dangerously.
"The ear touching…"
Yuuki immediately remembered.
Atago liked it.
Takao reacted to it.
Akagi practically melted from it.
Even the smaller destroyers loved headpats and ear rubs from him before.
Then realization slowly hit him.
"…Wait."
Amagi slowly leaned more heavily against him afterward while her face became noticeably redder.
"…Shikikan-sama…"
Her tails wrapped around him tighter.
"…Please continue."
Instead—
Amagi's tails wrapped more comfortably around Yuuki while Hood leaned gracefully against his other side beneath the tree.
One legendary lady resting on his left.
Another legendary lady resting on his right.
And somewhere in the distance—
Yuuki could practically feel the future headache waiting for him once Akagi discovered this scene somehow.
"Well then…"
Yuuki slowly stood up beneath the tree while stretching slightly.
"I should probably go meet Elizabeth before she decides to chew my ear off for disappearing."
Hood elegantly crossed her arms.
"A wise decision, kind sir."
Then softly—
"However, please return afterward."
Her blue eyes narrowed slightly with playful possessiveness.
"A lady dislikes being kept waiting."
Amagi immediately smiled beside him while her tails swayed gently.
"Shikikan-sama~"
Yuuki already sensed what was coming.
"Please continue giving me ear rubs from now on."
Yuuki laughed helplessly.
"Will do, dear ladies."
Then teasingly—
"If I don't mysteriously disappear first."
Both Hood and Amagi immediately narrowed their eyes at him.
"…You are not allowed to disappear," Hood answered calmly.
"Absolutely not," Amagi added warmly.
Yuuki softly laughed afterward before gently patting both their heads.
Then, with one final smile—
He began walking away across the peaceful island beneath the endless skies of the Void World.
Behind him, Hood quietly watched his departing figure while lightly touching her own lips.
Then softly—
"…How do I adore him this much?"
Amagi smiled knowingly beside her.
"Yes…"
Her tails moved gently in the sea breeze.
"If he were merely another commander, we would not feel this way at all."
Hood quietly nodded.
"The connection changed everything."
Then thoughtfully—
"Did you feel anything when his voice first echoed across the Wisdom Cubes?"
Amagi slowly shook her head.
"Not at first."
Her expression softened afterward.
"I merely heard warmth."
Then quietly—
"But the moment I truly saw him…"
The memory surfaced clearly within her mind.
Yuuki lying unconscious upon the ocean.
A lonely figure carrying impossible burdens.
A man who still reached out to save others despite clearly being wounded himself.
"That was when the connection formed naturally."
Amagi gently held one hand over her heart.
"It felt…"
Then softly—
"…as though I had finally found someone I was always meant to meet."
Hood quietly smiled.
"…I understand perfectly."
The elegant battlecruiser lowered her gaze slightly afterward.
"When I first saw him standing before us…"
A faint warmth entered her expression.
"…I immediately understood his heart."
Then with quiet certainty—
"A lonely gentleman trying far too hard to carry everything alone."
Amagi softly laughed.
"And now he carries the hearts of nearly every girl he rescues."
"Truly dangerous."
"Extremely dangerous."
The two legendary women quietly watched the direction Yuuki disappeared toward.
Then Amagi's expression softened more deeply.
"I honestly did not expect to meet him back then."
Her voice became quieter.
"I only wished to save Akagi and Kaga from descending fully into madness."
The warmth of Yuuki's connection quietly pulsed within her heart.
"But then…"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"…I understood him."
Hood nodded gently beside her.
"And now?"
Amagi softly closed her eyes.
"…Now I cannot imagine loving another man. The odd part is, I felt no envy or jealousy despite knowing you are devoted to him as well."
The sea breeze quietly moved around them while moonlight reflected endlessly across the calm ocean.
Then Hood quietly sighed with helpless affection.
"We truly are hopelessly devoted to him."
Amagi softly laughed afterward.
"Yes."
Then warmly—
"And somehow…"
Her tails swayed gently behind her.
"…I do not mind that at all."
===========
As Yuuki walked across the calm shoreline of the Void World toward the Royal Navy sector in the tower, the peaceful night air gently brushed against him while distant waves echoed softly beneath the moonlight.
Then suddenly—
"Tono!"
This time, however—
Yuuki was prepared.
The moment a familiar figure launched toward him at dangerous speed, he immediately caught her by the arms before smoothly redirecting the momentum into a princess carry.
"Waah~!"
Yamashiro blinked repeatedly while now safely resting within his arms.
"…Thank you, milord."
Then sheepishly—
"I always trip over things…"
Yuuki laughed softly.
"…I noticed."
Yamashiro puffed her cheeks slightly.
"I am used to it now."
Then another elegant voice approached nearby.
"Ah… Tono…"
Yuuki looked up afterward.
"Fusou."
The elegant shrine maiden softly smiled while approaching beside them beneath the moonlight. Compared to Yamashiro's energetic chaos, Fusou carried herself with much calmer elegance.
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"Why are both of you wandering around in the middle of the night?"
Yamashiro happily leaned against his chest while still in the princess carry.
"Ehee~ The night air is fun."
Yuuki softly smiled.
"I see."
Then Yamashiro immediately looked up at him hopefully.
"Nee, Tono…"
Her eyes sparkled brightly.
"Can we take a walk together?"
Then dramatically—
"All three of us?"
Yuuki looked between the sisters before softly laughing.
"Sure."
And so—
He continued walking beneath the moonlit skies while carrying Yamashiro in his arms as Fusou quietly walked beside him.
The atmosphere felt strangely peaceful.
No war.
No fighting.
Only calm waves and soft wind.
Then suddenly—
"Tono…"
Yamashiro leaned closer against him.
"…you smell really nice~"
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"…Thanks?"
Then awkwardly—
"Amagi mentioned the same thing earlier."
Fusou quietly smiled knowingly beside him.
"The Sakura girls are particularly sensitive toward scent."
Yuuki immediately sensed that information was dangerous.
"…I feel like I should be concerned."
"You should," Fusou answered calmly.
Eventually, the three found a quiet resting spot overlooking the endless ocean.
Yuuki sat down beneath a small tree while Yamashiro remained happily attached to him.
Then immediately—
"Milord!"
She grabbed his sleeve excitedly.
"Come play with me!"
Then she froze.
"…Ah."
Yamashiro visibly deflated afterward.
"I forgot to bring anything to play with…"
She looked genuinely devastated.
"What should we do now?"
Yuuki softly laughed before gently patting her head.
"We can just sit together like this."
Then teasingly—
"I can rub your ears again since you seem to like that so much."
Yamashiro's eyes widened instantly.
"Really?!"
Fusou immediately sighed beside them.
"Yamashiro…"
Then gently—
"Tono only just arrived."
Yamashiro visibly looked heartbroken.
"…Ehh…"
Yuuki laughed helplessly at her expression.
Meanwhile Fusou quietly sat beside him afterward.
"Tono…"
Her expression softened with concern.
"You seem rather exhausted lately."
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"…Am I that obvious?"
Fusou nodded gently.
"Too much work is harmful for your health."
Then more softly—
"Please allow me to purify your fatigue."
Yamashiro immediately protested while clinging to Yuuki more possessively.
"Nee-sama is too quiet sometimes."
Then proudly—
"I like spending time with milord more because he actually plays with me!"
"Yamashiro…"
"Tono must rest," Fusou continued calmly.
"I want to play!"
Yuuki softly sighed afterward while looking between the two sisters.
Then without another word—
He gently rubbed both their ears simultaneously.
Instantly—
The two sisters froze.
"…Ehee…"
Yamashiro immediately melted completely against his lap with a blissfully relaxed expression.
"Tono's ear rubs are the best…"
Beside him, even Fusou visibly softened while quietly leaning against his shoulder more comfortably.
"…Hmm…"
Her eyes slowly closed slightly.
"…Yes…"
Then softly—
"It truly is…"
Then quietly, while resting comfortably beside him, Fusou softly spoke.
"…Tono."
Yuuki looked toward her.
"Are we perhaps becoming a burden to you?"
The question immediately made Yamashiro look up as well.
Yuuki blinked slightly before softly smiling.
"Never."
Then honestly—
"You girls calm my heart more than anything else lately."
The ocean breeze quietly moved around them while Yamashiro happily continued resting against his lap beneath his gentle ear rubs.
"Spending time with my shipgirls honestly feels nice."
Then softly—
"…Really nice."
Fusou quietly listened to his heartbeat through their connection.
There was no dishonesty.
No hidden irritation.
Only warmth.
Then Yuuki softly laughed.
"Besides…"
He lightly tapped his chest.
"You girls can already read my heart anyway, right?"
Fusou nodded gently.
"Yes."
Her expression softened.
"It feels almost as though we have known you for many years already."
Then after a few moments of silence—
Fusou quietly spoke again.
"Tono…"
Yuuki looked toward her once more.
"Are you interested in the Eight Million Gods of the Sakura Empire?"
Her voice remained gentle and respectful.
"It is perfectly fine if you are not."
Then softly—
"I shall simply offer your share of prayers myself."
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"…Eight million?"
Then he softly shook his head.
"No."
Fusou quietly tilted her head.
"I would rather believe in one God."
The shrine maiden visibly paused.
"…One?"
Yuuki nodded calmly.
"The God who created the universe."
Then more quietly—
"The one who governs everything."
Fusou looked genuinely surprised.
"…Everything?"
Yuuki softly smiled.
"Well…"
He looked toward the calm ocean.
"God truly exists…"
Then thoughtfully—
"Would it not be strange for Him to be good at wealth and fortune…"
Yuuki glanced back toward her.
"…but somehow incapable of controlling rain?"
Fusou quietly froze.
Yuuki continued gently.
"A true God should be capable of everything."
The peaceful sea breeze moved softly around them.
"Would it not make more sense for one perfect Creator to govern all things rather than dividing existence across eight million separate gods?"
Fusou remained quiet.
Because through their connection—
She could feel it clearly.
Yuuki genuinely believed what he was saying.
Not arrogance.
Not mockery.
Only sincere conviction.
Yuuki then softly looked toward the stars above.
"A single God is enough to move me from one universe into another."
Then quietly—
"Yorktown and Illustrious described it best."
Fusou listened silently.
"They said it felt like light."
Yuuki smiled faintly afterward.
"And there are not eight million suns lighting the world."
Then more softly—
"Only one."
Silence quietly settled afterward.
Yamashiro had already become half-asleep against his lap while Fusou remained still beside him.
Thinking.
Because for the first time—
She questioned something fundamental.
When she was born from her Wisdom Cube…
The beliefs of a shrine maiden already existed inside her.
The rituals.
The prayers.
The traditions.
The knowledge simply existed naturally.
But now—
A troubling thought quietly entered her heart.
Were those beliefs truly hers?
Or were they merely echoes inherited from the thoughts of the original person who inspired her existence?
Fusou slowly lowered her gaze afterward.
"…I…"
Her voice softened uncertainly.
"It was simply what I was taught."
Yuuki quietly looked toward her.
"No."
Then gently—
"It was built into you."
Fusou's eyes widened slightly.
"You were born carrying the image of a shrine maiden. You and Yamashiro. I assumed both shrine maidens were sisters that was taken to be model for you and her."
Then softly—
"You acted as she would."
The ocean waves quietly echoed around them.
"…without truly understanding why."
Fusou quietly held onto her sleeves afterward.
Then Yuuki gently smiled.
"I am not trying to forcefully change your beliefs, Fusou."
His voice remained calm and warm.
"I only wish for you to think for yourself."
The warmth inside his heart quietly reached hers through the connection between them.
And for the first time—
Fusou truly began wondering whether her faith had ever genuinely belonged to her…
Or whether she had merely inherited it from someone long gone.
Fusou quietly stared toward the night sky afterward.
The stars.
The moon.
The endless heavens she spent so many years praying toward.
And slowly—
Something inside her began shifting.
She realized it now.
She and Yamashiro were modeled after shrine maidens.
Likely inspired by real sisters long forgotten by history. Older sister and younger sister. Their personalities, beliefs, rituals, and prayers were all inherited through the Wisdom Cubes that birthed them.
Not naturally learned.
Not personally chosen.
Implanted.
Fusou slowly lowered her gaze toward her own hands.
For years—
She prayed endlessly toward the Eight Million Gods.
For safety.
For peace.
For salvation.
Yet none of those prayers were ever answered.
The war still came.
The suffering still happened.
The loneliness still consumed them.
And now—
For the first time—
She questioned whether she truly believed because her heart desired it…
Or because she was simply created to do so.
Normally, such thoughts would have frightened her.
But Yuuki's presence calmed her instead.
Because through their connection—
She could feel it clearly.
He truly believed every word he spoke.
There were no lies inside him.
No manipulation.
Only warmth.
Only sincerity.
Then another thought quietly entered her mind.
"If a human can master many different things…"
Her voice became softer.
"…would that not already make them greater than gods limited to only one domain?"
Yuuki quietly listened.
Fusou slowly looked toward the moon again.
"Then a true God…"
Her teal eyes reflected the stars above.
"…would naturally surpass everything humanity could ever achieve."
The ocean wind moved softly through her blonde hair.
"A single perfect Creator capable of everything…"
Then quietly—
"…would indeed make more sense."
Yuuki gently patted her head afterward.
"Don't force yourself to answer everything immediately."
Fusou slowly looked toward him.
"I only questioned the logic."
Then softly—
"Only you can truly understand what your heart believes."
Fusou quietly nodded afterward.
"If Tono speaks truthfully…"
Her gaze softened deeply.
"…then your heart cannot lie to me."
The connection between them pulsed gently again.
Then more quietly—
"If we meet again after I return…"
She lowered her head slightly.
"…please teach me how to properly place my faith."
Yuuki blinked slightly.
Fusou's expression became gentler.
"For too long…"
Her voice carried quiet loneliness.
"Yamashiro and I remained trapped within this empty world."
The waves quietly echoed beneath the moonlight.
"If no one had come…"
Then softly—
"…I believe we would have waited here forever."
Yuuki quietly listened while Yamashiro peacefully slept against his lap nearby.
"But then…"
A faint smile appeared on Fusou's lips.
"…you arrived."
Her eyes softened warmly.
"You gave us purpose."
"You gave us a home while we waited."
Then suddenly—
Fusou looked directly into his eyes.
"…Are you truly certain you are not a reincarnation of a god, Tono?"
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No."
There was absolute certainty in his voice.
"I would never call myself that."
Then more quietly—
"I may not be a normal human."
His expression softened slightly.
"…Honestly, I am not even fully certain whether I am human anymore."
The stars reflected faintly within his eyes.
"But I know one thing."
Yuuki looked toward the endless sky above.
"A created being should never try to surpass the Creator but we are his most perfect creation. You might not be a human but, you have the consciousness, hope and belief of a human. You possessed the patience far better than humans ever could."
The peaceful Void World quietly stretched around them.
"This place…"
He gestured toward the island and endless sea.
"…is only a world formed within the Wisdom Cubes that I learned to interact with."
Then softly—
"In the real world…"
A small smile appeared on his face.
"…I still choose to see myself as human."
Fusou quietly stared at him afterward.
Then slowly—
A warm smile appeared on her own face too.
"You truly possess a kind heart, Tono."
Her expression softened deeply.
"No wonder we shipgirls adore you so much."
After the lengthy ear-rubbing session finally ended, Yuuki quietly noticed something sitting atop both sisters' heads.
Fox masks.
Elegant white masks decorated with red markings rested slightly tilted above their hair while moonlight reflected softly across them.
Yamashiro immediately brightened after noticing his attention.
"Tono!"
She happily pointed toward the mask on her head.
"Do you recognize this?"
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"A fox mask?"
Yamashiro nodded enthusiastically.
"It's used during Kagura dances!"
Then excitedly—
"Hehe~ I was actually about to practice mine."
Her eyes sparkled brightly afterward.
"Do you want to watch?"
Yuuki blinked slightly before softly smiling.
"…Kagura."
The word itself carried old memories.
"We had similar traditions connected to Shinto back in Earth 1.0."
His expression softened thoughtfully.
"Though many of those traditions disappeared during the Tiberium Wars."
The ocean breeze quietly moved around them beneath the moonlit sky.
"Then when we reached Earth 2.0…"
Yuuki softly laughed.
"…we finally began seeing old cultural traditions return again."
Then warmly—
"But seeing it performed live by you two…"
His smile deepened slightly.
"…feels different somehow."
Beside Yamashiro, Fusou quietly adjusted her fox mask afterward.
"Kagura is a sacred dance offered toward the gods…"
Then suddenly—
She paused.
The earlier conversation with Yuuki quietly resurfaced within her mind.
The Eight Million Gods.
Faith.
The meaning behind inherited beliefs.
For several moments, hesitation crossed her expression.
Then slowly—
A gentle smile appeared on her lips.
"…Ah."
Fusou softly looked toward Yuuki.
"Why not allow us to perform solely for you tonight, milord?"
Yamashiro immediately brightened.
"Just for Tono!"
Fusou nodded gracefully.
"Though…"
A faint blush touched her cheeks afterward.
"…please keep it secret between us."
Yuuki softly laughed.
"Understood."
Neither sister explained the deeper meaning behind those words.
Because within Sakura traditions—
Performing a private Kagura dance for someone carried far greater intimacy than ordinary entertainment.
It meant trust.
Affection.
Recognition.
A quiet offering of one's heart.
And for Fusou and Yamashiro—
It meant they already saw Yuuki as someone deeply precious to them.
Soon afterward, the sisters quietly stepped beneath the moonlight together.
The wind gently moved through their sleeves and robes while the ocean waves echoed softly around the island.
Then—
The Kagura dance began.
Graceful movements flowed naturally from Fusou while Yamashiro followed alongside her with more playful energy. Their sleeves fluttered beautifully beneath the moonlight while the fox masks added an almost mystical elegance to the performance.
Yuuki quietly watched them in silence.
Yamashiro danced freely.
Cheerfully.
Almost innocently.
To her, the dance was something enjoyable. Something naturally built into her being through the Wisdom Cube that created her.
But Fusou—
Yuuki could sense her hesitation through their connection.
Because now she questioned everything.
The traditions.
The prayers.
The rituals.
All of them were inherited from her human counterpart as she was indeed copied from the priestess without any memories of them.
Part of her wondered whether the dance truly held meaning anymore.
The Sakura Empire no longer existed.
Its shrines were gone.
Its priestesses scattered.
Its traditions fading beneath Siren occupation and endless war.
And perhaps—
No gods were even watching at all. Not the eight million gods
Yet despite those thoughts—
Fusou still danced.
Not because she blindly obeyed inherited programming anymore.
But because she chose to.
Because even if the old Sakura Empire had fallen—
Someone still remembered it.
Someone still carried its traditions.
And perhaps—
That alone gave the dance meaning.
The moonlight softly illuminated the two sisters while their graceful movements continued beneath the night sky.
Yuuki quietly smiled while watching them.
Not because of divinity.
Not because of ritual.
But because for the first time—
Fusou slowly realized it while dancing beneath the moonlight.
For the first time—
She was not dancing because tradition demanded it.
Not because inherited memories instructed her to.
Not because ancient rituals told her this was her duty as a shrine maiden.
She danced because she wanted to.
Because someone precious was watching her.
And somehow—
That made the Kagura feel warmer than it ever had before.
Perhaps one day, she truly would place her faith into the God Yuuki spoke of.
The God who guided him toward them.
The God who gave him such a kind and gentle heart.
A heart capable of warming lonely shipgirls abandoned by the world.
A heart that gave them hope.
Love.
And the strength to continue living.
Eventually, the dance came to an end.
The sisters softly lowered themselves gracefully beneath the moonlight while the ocean breeze quietly moved around them.
Yuuki simply stared for several moments afterward.
Genuinely amazed.
The reaction immediately made both sisters blush.
Because for so long—
They danced for gods they never truly understood.
Yet somehow—
Being praised by him felt far more meaningful.
Fusou gently held her sleeves afterward before speaking softly.
"…Tono."
Yuuki looked toward her.
"Did you know…"
A faint blush appeared on her elegant face.
"…although shrine maidens dedicate themselves toward the gods…"
She hesitated slightly.
"…they are not actually forbidden from romance."
Yuuki blinked.
"In fact…"
Fusou softly looked away.
"…they are encouraged to marry so traditions may continue into future generations."
Then slowly—
Her teal eyes met his directly.
"Tono…"
Her voice became gentler.
"…what do you think of me?"
Yuuki visibly froze.
Fusou's face reddened further afterward.
"Do you think…"
The sea breeze softly moved through her blonde hair.
"…we could one day pass down Sakura traditions together as parents?"
"…Eh?"
Yuuki's brain immediately stopped functioning again.
Before he could recover—
"Tono!"
Yamashiro suddenly hugged his arm happily.
"I know how hard my big sister works!"
Her expression softened warmly afterward.
"So I want her to become happy too."
Then brightly—
"And now that you're here, Tono…"
She smiled beautifully beneath the moonlight.
"…I think I can finally become truly happy too."
Yuuki quietly stared at the sisters.
At their warmth.
At their honesty.
At the trust flowing through their connected hearts.
Then slowly—
He looked toward Fusou again.
And suddenly burst into laughter.
"Pfftt—"
Fusou immediately panicked.
"T-Tono?!"
Yuuki covered part of his face while laughing helplessly.
"You're actually the first one to immediately jump toward becoming parents."
Fusou instantly turned completely red.
"…Eh?!"
Meanwhile Yamashiro immediately raised her hand proudly.
"No fair!"
Then loudly—
"I want to become a mommy too!"
"Yamashiro?!"
The older sister immediately became even more flustered while Yuuki laughed harder.
"Pff… hahaha…"
Then gradually, his expression softened warmly.
"It would honestly be my honor."
The sisters immediately looked toward him.
Yuuki gently smiled afterward.
"But…"
Then softly—
"Let's wait until both of you stand proudly at your strongest first."
The moonlight quietly reflected across the ocean around them.
"And once I finally place rings upon your fingers…"
His voice became gentler.
"…perhaps, if God blesses us…"
Yuuki softly patted their heads.
"…you two really might become mothers one day."
"Tono!"
Yamashiro immediately hugged him tightly again while Fusou covered her burning face completely.
Then quietly, Fusou spoke again.
"…But…"
Her voice softened uncertainly.
"…can shipgirls like us truly conceive children?"
The question carried genuine vulnerability.
"We always heard rumors that we could not…"
Yuuki quietly looked toward the stars above.
Then softly laughed.
"Fusou…"
He gently looked back toward them.
"You girls already achieved countless impossible things."
The connection between their hearts quietly pulsed warmly.
"You connected directly to my heart."
"You crossed worlds."
"You survived extinction."
Then more quietly—
"With enough effort…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…even dying stars can shine again."
The sisters quietly stared at him afterward.
Because somehow—
When he said impossible things like that…
It genuinely felt believable.
Then Yuuki grinned helplessly again.
"So let's save discussions about children until after both of you become strong enough for me to finally marry properly."
Yamashiro happily laughed.
"Tono really says embarrassing things naturally!"
Fusou softly smiled afterward while leaning closer beside him.
And for the first time in a very long while—
The future no longer felt lonely to either of them anymore.
With those words, the lingering uncertainty inside the two sisters finally settled peacefully.
No more hesitation.
No more confusion regarding their feelings.
Bathed beneath the warmth flowing from Yuuki's heart and the connection linking them together, Fusou and Yamashiro quietly understood something important.
They truly loved him.
Not because of programming.
Not because of inherited instincts.
But because their own hearts chose him.
And now—
The two sisters shared the same goal as the others.
To become stronger.
To reach the absolute peak of their existence.
So that one day—
They could stand proudly beside him in their strongest forms when the time finally came for him to place rings upon their fingers.
The thought alone filled both sisters with quiet happiness.
Then softly—
Without hesitation anymore—
The two sisters leaned toward him together.
A gentle kiss.
Warm.
Sincere.
A quiet promise carrying the feelings they could no longer hide.
Yuuki softly smiled afterward while looking at the blushing sisters.
"So this counts as me aware of your feelings, huh?"
Yamashiro immediately buried her face against him in embarrassment while Fusou quietly hid behind her sleeves despite smiling warmly.
Then eventually—
The emotional exhaustion finally caught up to them.
The sisters slowly rested against him together while the peaceful ocean breeze moved softly around the island beneath the endless moonlit sky.
Before long—
Both had fallen asleep comfortably upon his lap.
Yuuki quietly looked down at them afterward.
Fusou slept with calm elegance while Yamashiro remained lightly attached to his sleeve even unconsciously.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Then carefully—
He gently lifted them before placing them upon the soft grass beneath the tree.
Using the Void World itself, Yuuki quietly generated a warm blanket before carefully covering both sisters with it.
The moonlight softly illuminated their peaceful sleeping faces.
Then gently—
Yuuki sat beside them once more while softly rubbing their ears until they relaxed completely into deeper sleep.
The sisters unconsciously leaned closer beneath the blanket afterward.
Safe.
Warm.
At peace.
Yuuki quietly watched them for a few moments longer before softly speaking into the calm night air.
"…Good night, Fusou."
His gaze shifted toward the younger sister.
"…Good night, Yamashiro."
The ocean waves quietly echoed beyond the island while the two Sakura sisters peacefully slept beneath the tree—
No longer lonely anymore.
As Yuuki continued walking across the moonlit island toward the distant tower where Queen Elizabeth undoubtedly waited to scold him for disappearing, another presence suddenly rushed toward him at alarming speed.
"Yuuki-chan!"
Before impact could occur—
Yuuki immediately caught the incoming carrier smoothly.
"Hey, Junyou."
The light carrier immediately wrapped herself around him tightly while pressing against his chest as though afraid he might vanish if she let go.
Yuuki softly sighed before hugging her back gently.
Because unlike the others—
Junyou's heart carried something fragile.
Something broken.
Her entire existence revolved around memories of a "friend" who never truly existed.
Or perhaps—
A fragmented warmth her Wisdom Cube desperately created so she would never feel alone.
And honestly—
Yuuki felt guilty.
Because now that warmth had naturally anchored itself onto him.
"…Junyou."
She looked up immediately.
"Yes?"
Yuuki gently held her shoulders afterward.
"You can read my heart now too, right?"
Junyou immediately nodded happily.
"Yes!"
Her red eyes sparkled softly.
"I know all your favorite things now, Yuuki-chan."
Then gently—
"Your heart is really warm."
Yuuki quietly smiled before asking softly—
"So…"
His voice lowered carefully.
"…am I truly that friend you've been searching for?"
Junyou visibly paused.
Then slowly—
She placed one hand over his chest.
"Yuuki-chan…"
Her expression softened deeply.
"…your heart is the only thing I can remember clearly."
The moonlight quietly reflected within her crimson eyes.
"It feels familiar."
Then softly—
"It feels safe."
Yuuki quietly listened.
"I know this should be our first real meeting…"
Junyou's voice trembled slightly.
"…but how could you possibly forget our promise?"
Yuuki's chest tightened hearing that.
Because through their connection—
He could feel it clearly now.
Junyou's "friend" was not truly a person.
It was warmth.
Safety.
A comforting presence her fractured heart desperately clung to.
And now—
Yuuki naturally filled that role.
"I do remember," Yuuki answered softly.
Then gently—
"…in my own way."
Junyou immediately smiled tearfully afterward.
"Yuuki-chan's heart is the same warm heart from before."
Her grip on him tightened slightly.
"There's nothing wrong with me."
Her voice suddenly became more desperate.
"I'm not sick."
Then shakily—
"I'm not…"
Yuuki immediately hushed her softly.
"Shh…"
He gently stroked her head.
"Then let's stay together."
Junyou froze.
Yuuki smiled warmly afterward.
"…Just like we promised."
The moment those words reached her—
The emptiness inside Junyou's heart finally shattered apart.
"Yuuki-chan…"
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
"You finally remembered…"
Her voice trembled emotionally.
"Our promise…"
Then softly—
"…our memories…"
Yuuki gently lifted her chin afterward before kissing her softly.
"Just like we promised."
The reaction was immediate.
The unstable haze clouding Junyou's crimson eyes completely disappeared.
The light returned to them.
Warm.
Clear.
Anchored.
"Yuuki-chan…"
Her voice trembled with overwhelming happiness.
"I love you…"
Then tighter against him—
"I really, really love you!"
"Heh…"
Another voice suddenly echoed nearby.
"Not bad, Shiki."
Yuuki immediately looked over.
"…Hiyou."
The older carrier leaned casually against a nearby tree while watching them with crossed arms.
"Junyou is…"
Hiyou sighed afterward.
"…really dangerous."
Then immediately—
"I know I'm technically warning you about my own little sister, but still."
Yuuki softly smiled.
"Don't worry."
His gaze shifted toward Junyou sleeping peacefully against him now.
"With our hearts finally connected properly…"
Then quietly—
"She won't be alone anymore."
Hiyou carefully watched him afterward.
Yuuki continued softly.
"I'll stay beside her."
The older carrier remained silent for several moments.
Then finally—
"…My opinion of you improved a little."
Yuuki laughed weakly.
"Only a little?"
"Just a little."
Then more quietly—
"…Your heart proved the rest."
The ocean breeze quietly moved through Hiyou's hair while she looked toward the moonlit sea.
"You've already been kind to me too."
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"…Really?"
Hiyou shrugged casually.
"Maybe not directly."
Then softly—
"But through your heart."
The warmth flowing through their connection quietly pulsed around them.
Then suddenly—
Hiyou looked directly toward him.
"So…"
A small grin appeared on her lips.
"How about I become your lifelong partner too from today onward?"
Yuuki immediately laughed.
"That was the shortest confession tonight."
"Hey."
She pointed at him accusingly.
"That was my best one."
Yuuki softly smiled afterward.
"Fine."
Then warmly—
"I'll take care of you too."
Hiyou looked away slightly afterward.
"…Good enough."
Then suddenly—
Yuuki grinned mischievously.
"Become stronger first."
Hiyou blinked.
"Eh?"
Yuuki crossed his arms dramatically.
"I'll properly ask for your hand in marriage once you reach your strongest form."
Then confidently—
"Even if I have to duel you for it."
Hiyou's eyes widened.
Then immediately—
A competitive grin appeared on her face.
"Hoh?"
The carrier cracked her knuckles lightly.
"You've got some nerve, Commander."
Then proudly—
"Fine."
Her eyes burned with determination.
"Wait for me."
Then pointing directly at him—
"I'll become strong enough for you to fight properly for my hand!"
Yuuki laughed softly afterward while the peaceful moonlit Void World continued quietly around them—
One heart after another gradually found warmth beside him.
One lonely soul after another slowly began healing through the connection they shared with him.
And honestly—
Yuuki himself was beginning to realize just how attached he had become to all of them.
Then Hiyou suddenly folded her arms while staring at him suspiciously.
"Seriously though…"
Her expression turned incredulous.
"You must be completely insane if you actually intend to marry every shipgirl and Nikke around you."
Yuuki immediately coughed awkwardly.
"…When you say it out loud like that, it sounds terrible."
"It is terrible."
Then teasingly—
"You're basically assembling the most dangerous harem in existence."
Yuuki weakly rubbed his forehead.
"I'm not trying to…"
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Your heart says otherwise."
Yuuki immediately froze.
"…I hate this connection thing sometimes."
Hiyou burst into laughter afterward.
Then more curiously—
"So how exactly do you plan to manage all of us anyway?"
Junyou immediately nodded beside him.
"Yuuki-chan will get overwhelmed!"
Yuuki softly smiled afterward.
"I think I already have a possible solution."
Hiyou raised an eyebrow.
"Hoo?"
Then suspiciously—
"Some kind of weird superpower?"
Yuuki looked toward the endless skies of the Void World thoughtfully.
"…Kind of."
The carrier immediately narrowed her eyes.
"That answer sounds dangerous."
"Probably."
Then Yuuki laughed softly.
"We'll deal with it later."
His expression became calmer afterward.
"For now…"
He gently patted Junyou's head.
"…all of you should focus on growing stronger first."
The connection between their hearts quietly pulsed warmly.
"Reach your strongest forms."
"Become proud of yourselves."
"Then once all of that is done…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…we can talk about the future properly."
Hiyou quietly stared at him afterward.
Then softly—
"…You really mean all of this."
Yuuki blinked slightly.
"Of course I do."
Hiyou slowly exhaled afterward.
"No wonder everyone keeps falling for you."
Eventually, Yuuki spent more time quietly talking with the two sisters beneath the moonlit skies.
Junyou happily stayed attached to his arm almost the entire time while Hiyou occasionally teased him whenever he became too flustered.
And somehow—
The peaceful warmth of simply sitting together made the Void World feel less lonely than before.
Eventually though—
Yuuki finally stood up again.
"Well…"
He stretched slightly afterward.
"I should probably continue before Elizabeth actually murders me."
Junyou visibly looked sad again.
"Yuuki-chan leaving…?"
Yuuki gently patted her head.
"I'll come back."
The reassurance immediately calmed her.
Hiyou quietly sighed afterward.
"She really got attached fast."
Yuuki weakly smiled.
"I noticed."
Then after leaving Junyou resting peacefully beside her sister—
Yuuki finally continued walking deeper across the endless connected Void World.
As he walked quietly beneath the calm skies, he suddenly realized something strange.
"…Wait."
He paused briefly.
"I've been here for over two hours already."
Normally—
Spending this long mentally active inside a connected consciousness space should have exhausted him completely.
Yet strangely—
He felt perfectly fine.
No mental fatigue.
No headaches.
No instability.
Instead—
His mind felt clearer than ever.
Then realization slowly dawned on him.
"…My body is resting in the real world."
The connection between body and mind had somehow separated cleanly while sleeping.
Meaning while his physical form recovered naturally aboard the Daedalus—
His consciousness remained fully active within the Wisdom Cube network.
Yuuki softly laughed to himself afterward.
"…Okay, that's actually broken."
Then quietly—
"…No wonder the shipgirls stay here for so long."
The Void World itself almost felt timeless.
Peaceful.
Gentle.
A place where lonely hearts waited endlessly for connection.
Yuuki slowly looked toward the distant tower ahead once more.
"…All right."
His expression softened slightly.
"Let's finally go meet Elizabeth before she sends Warspite after me."
Yuuki slowly stood from beneath the tree while Hood and Amagi quietly watched him with amused expressions. The peaceful island stretched endlessly beneath the night skies while distant lights from the Royal Navy's towering structures shimmered softly across the sea.
Yuuki had barely taken several steps—
Before suddenly—
Something crashed directly onto him from above.
"Oof—"
Yuuki staggered slightly before immediately sighing in defeat.
"…Hornet."
The energetic carrier grinned brightly while practically hanging onto him.
"Hey handsome."
Yuuki looked completely unsurprised.
"Mind getting off me so we can have a conversation at ground level?"
"Nope."
"Hornet."
"Still nope."
Yuuki sighed helplessly while Hood quietly covered her mouth with refined amusement nearby.
Amagi's tails swayed slightly.
"My, how energetic."
Hornet finally loosened her hold slightly afterward while still staying far too close to Yuuki for his mental stability.
Then she suddenly looked toward him more seriously.
"So…"
Her golden eyes softened slightly.
"Now that Hana and Enty confessed…"
Yuuki immediately sensed where this was going.
"…Hornet."
"There's no point hiding mine anymore, right?"
Yuuki quietly looked at her for several moments before sighing softly.
"Yeah."
Then more gently—
"You've been dropping hints for a while now."
Hornet grinned sheepishly.
"Was I that obvious?"
"You literally called me handsome every five minutes."
"That's because you are handsome."
Yuuki weakly rubbed his forehead.
"…Fair enough."
Then softly—
"So why don't we just—"
He never finished the sentence.
Because Hornet suddenly grabbed his collar and kissed him directly.
Yuuki's brain immediately stopped functioning for the second time tonight.
Behind them, Hood calmly closed her eyes while Amagi softly giggled behind one sleeve.
Hornet pulled back afterward while smiling brightly despite the faint blush covering her cheeks now.
"I mean it, handsome."
This time her voice sounded softer.
More genuine.
"When I called you handsome…"
Her fingers lightly tightened against his clothes.
"When I clung onto you…"
Then more quietly—
"…I meant all of it."
Yuuki quietly stared at her afterward.
Then softly—
"Well…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"At least now I can stop worrying about accidentally misunderstanding your feelings."
Hornet blinked.
"Huh?"
Yuuki laughed weakly.
"I didn't want to assume things and accidentally play with your emotions."
Hornet stared at him silently for several seconds afterward.
Then suddenly—
"…You really are stupidly kind sometimes."
"That sounds like an insult."
"It's a compliment."
Then her expression slowly softened again.
"You know what's weird though?"
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"Hm?"
Hornet leaned comfortably against him afterward.
"I honestly thought I'd feel jealous."
Her gaze shifted briefly toward Hood and Amagi nearby.
"But…"
A small confused smile crossed her lips.
"…I don't."
The Wisdom Cube connection quietly pulsed around them beneath the calm skies.
"It's like your heart keeps assuring me that you'll treat everyone fairly."
Then softly—
"So I just…"
She laughed quietly.
"…can't bring myself to hate, feel envy or jealous to the others at all."
Yuuki quietly looked toward the ocean afterward.
Because hearing that somehow felt heavier than all the confessions themselves.
These girls were entrusting their hearts entirely to him.
Not because of blind obsession.
Not because of control.
But because they genuinely believed in the kind of man he was.
And honestly—
That responsibility terrified him far more than any battlefield ever could.
Yuuki gently patted Hornet's head afterward while she continued clinging onto him happily.
"Don't worry."
His expression softened warmly.
"I promised everyone I'd be fair."
Hornet immediately smiled.
"I know."
Then she lightly tapped his chest.
"Your heart already told me that."
The Wisdom Cube connection quietly pulsed between them while the energetic carrier looked entirely satisfied with his answer.
Then suddenly—
Her grin turned mischievous again.
"So…"
She leaned closer.
"…does this mean I'm officially allowed to jump you anytime now, handsome?"
Yuuki immediately pointed a finger at her.
"With restrictions."
Hornet pouted instantly.
"Aww."
"No inappropriate surprise attacks."
Yuuki sighed helplessly afterward.
"The others definitely won't like that."
Hornet crossed her arms dramatically.
"Fine…"
Then she grinned again.
"I'll hold back."
Yuuki immediately sensed danger from the wording alone.
Before he could react—
Hornet hugged him tightly again before repeatedly kissing his cheeks one after another.
"Hornet, please…"
"No."
"Hornet."
"Nope."
"Hornet."
"Still no."
Eventually it took both Hood and Amagi physically pulling her backward before Yuuki finally escaped the assault of affection.
Hornet immediately whined dramatically while still puckering her lips toward him.
"Heh…"
"I just wanna love on my man."
Yuuki weakly held his forehead while Hood sighed elegantly nearby.
"She possesses frightening levels of energy."
Amagi softly laughed.
"She reminds me somewhat of Akagi if Akagi traded obsession for sunshine."
"That is terrifyingly accurate."
Then Yuuki suddenly blinked thoughtfully.
"You actually remind me of someone."
Hornet tilted her head.
"Hm?"
"A Nikke named Anis."
Hornet looked curious immediately.
"Anis?"
Yuuki nodded.
"She had a rough past making friends."
Then softly—
"But honestly? You two are incredibly alike."
Hornet blinked several times.
"…Really?"
Yuuki grinned faintly.
"She's basically the Nikke version of you."
Hornet immediately looked delighted.
"Ooooh."
Then proudly—
"I already like her."
Yuuki laughed softly.
"You'll definitely become chaos together."
"Perfect."
Then Hornet pointed dramatically at him.
"You better revive me soon then. I wanna meet her."
Yuuki smiled warmly.
"Will do."
Hornet immediately leaned forward again afterward while puckering her lips exaggeratedly.
"Now then…"
"Kissy ti—"
Before she could finish—
Hood and Amagi immediately restrained her again from both sides.
"Eh?"
Hornet looked betrayed.
Amagi smiled beautifully.
"Please behave for at least several minutes."
Hood gently adjusted her gloves.
"It is finally time for kind sir to meet Her Majesty. Lady Hornet, you are currently showing an unethical side of a woman. Please behave or you will hear a lecture from me."
Yuuki immediately sighed afterward.
"…Right."
Then quietly to himself—
"I somehow feel more nervous about meeting Elizabeth than fighting entire armies."
"That feeling is wise," Hood answered calmly.
Hornet meanwhile continued struggling dramatically against the two elegant women.
"Justice for affection!"
"No," Hood answered instantly.
"Release me unto my handsome man!"
"Absolutely not," Amagi added gracefully.
Yuuki burst into helpless laughter while the three women continued arguing behind him beneath the calm moonlit skies of the Void World.