Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Unknown Blood (III)

And there—

Standing several meters away—

Was Ade herself.

Perfect posture.

Perfect smile.

Perfect composure.

Yet tears quietly streamed down her face despite all her efforts to remain graceful.

"…Master…"

Her voice trembled faintly.

The title itself sounded fragile now.

Yuuki slowly stepped forward.

Ade lowered her gaze afterward.

"Please forgive me…"

Her hands trembled softly against her maid uniform.

"…if I am not the maid you imagined me to be."

The moment those words left her mouth—

Yuuki immediately closed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug.

Ade froze completely.

For several seconds, she simply stood there motionless within his arms as though unable to process what just happened.

Then Yuuki gently held the back of her head.

"Deep down…"

His voice softened painfully.

"…you just wanted someone to take care of you too."

Ade's composure shattered instantly.

A sob escaped her lips before she buried her face against his chest while trembling violently.

"I'm sorry…"

Yuuki quietly held her tighter.

"I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that alone."

The perfect maid finally broke apart completely afterward.

Years of loneliness.

Fear.

Exhaustion.

Pain she hid behind gentle smiles and flawless service—

All of it finally poured out at once.

Ade cried harder than any of them had seen yet, desperately clinging to Yuuki while Rapi, Anis, and Neon quietly watched nearby.

Because for the first time in her life—

Someone looked past the perfect maid she pretended to be…

And saw the exhausted girl underneath begging silently for someone to save her too.

"You're safe now…"

Yuuki's voice remained soft while holding her gently within his arms.

"No one is ever going to hurt you like that again."

Ade trembled slightly against his chest while desperately trying to calm her breathing. Even now, despite finally escaping Aqua and Magnifico's captivity, the memories still clung painfully to her heart.

"It doesn't hurt physically anymore…"

Her voice cracked weakly.

"…but it still hurts remembering it."

The quiet honesty in those words made the endless grassy plains around them feel even heavier.

Because some wounds never truly disappeared.

They simply stopped bleeding openly.

Yuuki slowly tightened his embrace slightly afterward, careful and gentle as though afraid she might break apart if handled too roughly.

"I know."

His hand softly patted the top of her head again.

Ade buried her face deeper against him afterward while trembling breaths slowly turned into quiet sobs.

For so long—

She had endured everything silently.

The freezing refugee shelters.

Losing her parents.

Being forced to become a Nikke.

Watching the café she loved collapse.

Losing the peaceful island she built with Soda and Cocoa.

Then two years of captivity where she survived only by continuing to smile politely through pain.

Yet even through all of that—

She still worried more about disappointing others than about herself.

Yuuki's chest tightened painfully realizing that.

"You don't have to pretend anymore, Ade."

Her fingers weakly tightened against his clothes.

"You don't need to smile just to stop people from abandoning you."

The wind moved softly through the endless grassy plains while the others quietly gave her space.

Rapi looked away slightly, understanding the feeling all too well.

Anis quietly clenched her fists.

Even Neon's usual energy had faded into silence.

Because all of them finally understood something now.

Ade had always been the one comforting others.

Supporting others.

Taking care of others.

Yet nobody ever stopped long enough to ask whether she was alright.

Yuuki gently lifted Ade's chin afterward until her tear-filled eyes met his.

"You're allowed to be weak sometimes."

Ade immediately shook her head weakly.

"But a maid should—"

"A maid is still a person."

The firmness in his voice stopped her instantly.

Yuuki's expression softened afterward.

"You spent your whole life carrying everyone else's pain."

Then quietly—

"So let us carry yours too."

Yuuki's voice remained calm and gentle while holding her carefully.

"You have Belfast now as your Head Maid."

Ade slowly looked up through her tears.

"You have me."

Then he smiled softly.

"And you have the shipgirls and the other Nikkes too."

The endless grassy plains swayed quietly beneath the warm wind while Yuuki gently brushed his thumb beneath her eyes, wiping away lingering tears.

"If anyone wants to hurt you again…"

His expression softened, though there was unmistakable conviction beneath it.

"…they'll have to get through all of us first."

Ade's lips trembled slightly.

Yuuki chuckled softly afterward.

"And honestly?"

A faint grin appeared on his face.

"Belfast probably wouldn't even let someone breathe incorrectly around you."

That immediately caused Anis to snort quietly nearby.

"She really would weaponize tea etiquette."

Rapi quietly nodded.

"…Accurate."

Yuuki looked back toward Ade again.

"You and Soda genuinely made Belfast happy."

Ade blinked softly.

"She spent years abandoning her role as Head Maid after everything that happened."

His voice became gentler afterward.

"But then suddenly two maids appeared who genuinely loved serving others."

A warm smile crossed his face.

"She became excited again."

Ade's eyes slowly widened.

"You're not a shipgirl," Yuuki continued softly, "but that doesn't matter to Belfast."

Then quietly—

"You became a maid she swore to protect."

Fresh tears immediately formed in Ade's eyes again.

"…Master…"

Yuuki smiled faintly while gently moving several strands of hair away from her face.

"You know…"

Ade looked toward him weakly.

"I think you misunderstood something important."

Her expression became slightly confused through the tears.

"You kept apologizing because you thought you failed to become the perfect maid."

The grassy plains moved peacefully around them beneath calm skies untouched by suffering.

"But honestly?"

Yuuki's smile became warmer.

"The fact you remained kind after enduring all of that…"

His voice lowered softly.

"…already makes you more amazing than anyone could ever ask for."

Ade finally broke down crying again afterward, though this time the pain within those tears felt different.

There was relief now.

Relief from finally being seen.

Finally understood.

Finally allowed to stop pretending she had to carry everything alone.

Yuuki quietly held her while gently stroking her hair, allowing her to cry for as long as she needed.

Because some people did not need grand promises or heroic speeches.

Sometimes—

They simply needed someone willing to hold them gently and say:

"You're safe now."

Yuuki softly smiled afterward.

"And you know…"

Ade slowly looked up again.

"You're allowed to ask us for help now too."

Her eyes trembled faintly.

"If you want…"

Yuuki casually pointed toward the horizon dramatically.

"…you can even open another maid café someday inside the Citadel."

Ade visibly froze.

"A real one this time."

Neon immediately perked up.

"Ohhh, that actually sounds amazing."

Yuuki grinned proudly.

"And if needed—"

He proudly pointed toward himself.

"—I shall volunteer as a butler."

The entire group stared at him.

Anis blinked slowly.

"…Commander."

"Yes?"

"I physically cannot imagine you wearing a butler outfit."

Yuuki looked deeply offended.

"I would look fantastic."

Rapi quietly covered part of her mouth, clearly trying not to smile.

Yuuki ignored the doubters completely.

"Imagine it."

He spread his arms dramatically.

"The shipgirls and Nikkes visiting your café while seeing their Commander professionally serving tea like a refined gentleman."

Neon immediately burst out laughing.

"That sounds completely cursed."

Yuuki pointed accusingly at her.

"I have elegance."

"You have chaos."

"Same thing."

Ade suddenly let out a small giggle.

Everyone immediately looked toward her.

Ade herself looked surprised for a moment before another soft laugh escaped her lips while imagining Yuuki seriously attempting butler duties beneath Belfast's supervision.

"…Master…"

Her smile trembled gently now, but unlike before—

It was no longer hiding pain.

"I don't think Lady Belfast would survive watching you serve customers."

Yuuki proudly crossed his arms.

"She would cry tears of pride."

"She would correct your posture every five seconds," Rapi answered immediately.

"That too."

Ade quietly laughed again afterward, the sound soft and warm beneath the endless peaceful skies.

And hearing that genuine laughter—

Yuuki silently thought to himself that maybe someday, when all of this was finally over…

A small maid café filled with smiling shipgirls and Nikkes really did not sound impossible anymore.

Not after everything they had survived together.

The thought alone brought warmth to the peaceful grassy plains surrounding them.

Then Yuuki suddenly sighed dramatically while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Actually…"

The girls looked toward him.

"Don't start talking about posture and etiquette too confidently yet."

Anis immediately narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"…Why do I feel like another terrifying woman is about to be introduced?"

Yuuki pointed upward like a man remembering ancient horrors.

"You girls haven't met Lady Hood or Amagi yet."

Rapi blinked softly.

"Hood?"

"Amagi?"

Yuuki immediately nodded with complete seriousness.

"The absolute epitome of Royal Navy elegance and Sakura Empire refinement."

Neon visibly recoiled.

"…That sounds terrifying."

"It is."

Yuuki folded his arms dramatically afterward.

"Hood can correct someone's manners using only disappointment in her eyes."

Anis immediately looked horrified.

"That's psychological warfare."

"And Amagi?"

Yuuki sighed.

"She's somehow even scarier because she's gentle while doing it."

Rapi quietly nodded to herself.

"…That somehow sounds more dangerous."

Yuuki pointed proudly.

"Exactly."

Then his expression softened slightly as he looked back toward Ade.

"Honestly though…"

Ade blinked softly.

"Lady Hood would absolutely adore you."

Ade immediately looked startled.

"Eh?"

Yuuki smiled faintly afterward.

"She loves elegant people with genuine kindness."

The wind moved gently through the grassy plains while he continued speaking.

"And unlike some nobles who only care about appearances…"

His expression became warmer.

"…Hood values the heart behind the etiquette."

Ade quietly listened.

Yuuki chuckled softly.

"She'd probably spend hours teaching you tea preparation techniques while complimenting your maid skills every five minutes."

Ade's cheeks slowly became faintly red.

"She sounds… wonderful."

"She is. Even Queen Elizabeth wouldn't dare to question her methods."

Then Yuuki grinned slightly.

"Though she absolutely radiates noble lady energy hard enough to make normal people panic."

Anis immediately pointed dramatically.

"Commander already talks like he's collecting SSR heroines from different factions."

"That accusation is getting old."

"It's getting more accurate."

Rapi quietly sighed beside them.

"…Unfortunately true."

Yuuki ignored them completely before looking back toward Ade again.

"You and Hood would genuinely get along."

Then more softly—

"You'd probably love being friends with her."

Ade lowered her gaze slightly afterward, her expression becoming gentler.

"…I would like that."

Yuuki smiled.

Then he casually added:

"She might even be watching right now."

Everyone blinked.

"…What?" Neon asked slowly.

Yuuki pointed upward toward the endless peaceful skies above them.

"From the Shipgirl Void World."

The girls stared at him.

Yuuki shrugged casually.

"I'm connected to all the Wisdom Cubes remember? Sometimes I can vaguely feel them observing things through the connection."

Anis immediately looked around suspiciously.

"Wait."

Her eyes widened.

"You're telling me elegant ghost shipgirls might currently be spying on us?"

Yuuki pointed toward her proudly.

"Correct."

Anis immediately straightened her posture instinctively.

Rapi quietly sighed.

"…You reacted exactly how he expected."

Neon immediately panicked afterward.

"WAIT DOES THIS MEAN THEY SAW ME PROPOSING OVER NUCLEAR WEAPONS?!"

Yuuki slowly looked away.

"…Probably."

"NOOOOO."

Ade suddenly covered her mouth while laughing softly again, imagining Hood calmly observing all of this from afar with elegant amusement.

And somewhere deep within the connection linking the Void Worlds together—

Yuuki could almost swear he heard faint laughter echoing somewhere beyond the endless skies of the Void World, drifting softly across the invisible sea of Wisdom Cubes connected to him. The sound alone immediately made him feel a strange sense of impending doom.

He slowly covered his face with one hand before letting out a long exhausted sigh.

"You girls are worried about your situations, but do you even realize what kind of disaster I'm dealing with right now? I just got confessed to by ten shipgirls in a single night while simultaneously becoming emotionally connected to four Nikkes. Hood and Amagi are absolutely going to kill me once they revive."

Anis immediately burst into laughter while Neon dramatically pointed at him.

"To be fair, Commander, the evidence is heavily against you. From our perspective, it really does look like you're collecting emotionally damaged girls from every faction possible."

"That accusation somehow keeps getting more accurate every ten minutes," Rapi quietly added while shaking her head in defeat.

Meanwhile, Ade only smiled softly before tightening her embrace around him slightly. Unlike before, the warmth within her expression no longer looked forced or restrained. The connection flowing between them allowed her to finally stop pretending that she needed to remain perfectly composed all the time.

"Then I shall apologize to Lady Hood personally once she is revived," Ade spoke gently while looking up at him. "I will vouch for you, Master, and explain that your intentions were genuine."

Yuuki immediately looked emotional upon hearing that.

"I genuinely hope she listens to you because Hood can verbally destroy someone with elegance alone while still sounding perfectly refined doing it."

Anis folded her arms with complete confidence. "She probably won't spare you."

"Traitor."

Ade quietly giggled at the exchange before suddenly leaning closer. A soft kiss landed gently against Yuuki's cheek, causing even Rapi and Neon to pause in surprise. Ade's cheeks immediately turned pink afterward, though this time she did not hide her feelings behind forced professionalism.

"Thank you, Master," she whispered softly. "Please forgive me if there were times I wished to be vulnerable. There were many moments where I buried my fears and desires because I believed it was improper for a maid to show weakness."

The peaceful grassy plains continued swaying beneath the warm wind while her fingers lightly tightened against his clothes.

"But now that I am connected to you, I can feel your kindness and warmth directly through our hearts. I cannot truly lie to you anymore because the connection reveals everything honestly. So if there ever comes a time where I attempt to hide my pain again, I hope you will reach out for me."

Yuuki's expression softened immediately before he gently lifted her chin slightly upward.

"See? You're much prettier when you smile honestly like this."

Ade instantly looked away with a blush spreading across her face while Anis pointed accusingly toward Yuuki again.

"Hooo, flirting with our Ade now? Commander, you do realize you already have ten future wives waiting in line, right?"

Yuuki immediately defended himself. "She kissed me first."

"That sounds exactly like something a guilty man would say," Neon added proudly while nodding to herself.

Rapi quietly sighed beside them. "At this point, we may genuinely require some kind of organizational structure."

Yuuki held his forehead helplessly while laughing under his breath.

"We originally came here to determine whether my blood contained Vapaus. Somehow this entire situation evolved into emotional therapy sessions, relationship confessions, and heart synchronization with Nikkes."

The girls laughed softly, though the warmth within the atmosphere now felt genuine rather than forced. Through the connection linking all of them together, they could clearly feel Yuuki's emotions beneath his humor and composure.

The exhaustion.

The loneliness.

The overwhelming responsibility he constantly carried without complaint.

Yet despite all of that, he still continued choosing kindness toward others over and over again.

Ade slowly rested her head against his shoulder afterward while speaking softly.

"Then please allow us to share that burden with you too, Master."

Rapi quietly nodded in agreement while Anis and Neon smiled beside them. Unlike before, none of the girls felt isolated anymore. Their fears, trauma, and loneliness no longer remained locked away inside their hearts because now there was finally someone willing to carry those feelings alongside them.

Ade continued hugging him softly, no longer trying to hide how much comfort she found in his warmth. The elegant maid who once forced herself to endure everything quietly now allowed herself to lean against someone for support without fear of being abandoned for it.

"Master," she whispered gently, "thank you for paying attention to me."

Yuuki quietly listened while slowly patting her head.

"My past may have been painful," Ade continued softly, "but you somehow made me look forward to tomorrow again."

The honesty within her words made even Rapi and the others smile quietly. For someone like Ade, who had spent years simply surviving day by day without allowing herself to hope too much, being able to genuinely anticipate the future again was something precious.

Then her cheeks turned faintly pink.

"And perhaps…" she spoke more timidly afterward, "…I may occasionally ask you to become my butler from time to time."

Yuuki immediately grinned proudly.

"Pff, I don't mind."

Anis immediately pointed accusingly at both of them.

"Hey, that's not fair. We want Commander to pay attention to us too."

Neon quickly nodded beside her. "Exactly. He still owes me alien weapons, giant cannons, and tactical nuclear firepower."

"You are disturbingly easy to bribe," Yuuki answered while laughing under his breath.

Neon proudly crossed her arms. "Firepower is the fastest route to my heart."

Rapi quietly sighed beside them before looking toward Yuuki with a calmer expression.

"Then I wish to train with you properly using Red Hood's power."

Yuuki immediately nodded.

"Good. Now that your synchronization is stable, we can safely test the upper limits of the transformation without worrying about personality corruption."

Anis immediately groaned dramatically. "Listen to how casually this man talks about dangerous super modes and mental collapse."

"Occupational hazard."

Ade quietly giggled again while still holding onto Yuuki's arm. Unlike before, the warmth surrounding the group now felt genuine and natural rather than forced through smiles or duty.

Then Yuuki suddenly blinked.

"…Wait."

The girls looked toward him.

His expression slowly shifted into realization.

"We still haven't rescued Soda yet."

The entire group froze briefly.

Rapi immediately straightened. "Right."

Anis suddenly looked horrified afterward. "Oh no."

Neon pointed dramatically. "If we take too long, Vestal is absolutely going to kill us."

Yuuki immediately nodded with complete seriousness.

"She already threatened me with medical scolding earlier."

Ade finally loosened her embrace slightly while wiping the remaining tears from her eyes. This time, however, she smiled softly without forcing herself to hide behind perfect maid composure.

"Then let us hurry," she said gently. "Soda is probably waiting for us."

Yuuki smiled warmly at all four girls standing beside him now.

His Counter Squad.

Not broken Nikkes.

Not abandoned girls carrying unbearable trauma alone.

But companions finally beginning to heal together.

Then he dramatically pointed toward the final remaining unstable energy waiting in the distance across the endless grassy plains.

"Alright everyone."

Neon immediately raised her fist enthusiastically.

"Operation Save The Cinnamon Roll begins now!"

Anis burst into laughter. "That absolutely sounds like something Commander would approve."

"I absolutely approve," Yuuki answered proudly.

Rapi quietly shook her head while smiling faintly beside them.

And together, the five of them began walking across the endless peaceful plains toward the final lingering memory waiting ahead.

=======================

The moment Yuuki and the others touched the final floating blood-red energy, the peaceful grassy plains disappeared once more.

This time—

Darkness greeted them first.

Not cold.

Not violent.

Just… empty.

Yuuki slowly opened his eyes to find himself standing inside a dimly lit maintenance corridor somewhere deep within the Ark. Flickering lights buzzed weakly overhead while distant machinery echoed endlessly through the narrow metallic halls.

The atmosphere felt painfully lonely.

"…This place feels awful," Neon muttered quietly.

Rapi slowly looked around before speaking.

"…Industrial labor sectors."

Yuuki immediately noticed something else.

Unlike the others' memories, there was almost no color here.

Everything felt dull.

Gray.

Lifeless.

Then—

Soft humming echoed faintly nearby.

Yuuki turned toward the sound immediately.

There she was.

Young Soda.

Smiling.

Even while carrying heavy cleaning equipment nearly larger than herself.

"She's… so small," Ade whispered softly.

The memories slowly began unfolding.

Unlike the others, Soda had never truly known family.

No parents.

No home.

No childhood friends.

She had been manufactured and raised inside Ark labor sectors alongside countless other support-oriented Nikke candidates designed specifically for service work and maintenance assistance.

From the very beginning—

Soda existed to serve others.

Yuuki quietly watched young Soda happily cleaning corridors while greeting exhausted workers who barely acknowledged her existence. Yet despite constantly being ignored, she still smiled warmly toward everyone around her.

"She was always cheerful," Rapi whispered softly.

Then her expression saddened.

"…Because she believed if she stopped smiling, people would stop needing her."

The memories shifted forward.

Soda constantly failed tasks due to her clumsiness. She dropped tools, spilled drinks, tripped over equipment, and caused small accidents almost daily. Other workers mocked her constantly while supervisors criticized her for being "defective" compared to more efficient service Nikkes.

Yet every single time—

Soda simply apologized with a smile.

Over and over again.

Yuuki slowly clenched his fists.

"She blamed herself for everything," Ade whispered painfully.

The memories became heavier afterward.

Eventually, Soda was transferred repeatedly between facilities because nobody wanted responsibility for an "inefficient" Nikke unit. Some workplaces treated her kindly for short periods, but eventually frustration always overtook patience.

And every time she was transferred away—

Soda smiled politely while apologizing for being troublesome.

Even when it wasn't her fault.

Then came the incident that changed everything.

One day, a catastrophic reactor malfunction occurred inside one of the industrial sectors Soda worked in. Explosions tore through the facility while emergency alarms echoed endlessly throughout the corridors.

Workers panicked.

Supervisors fled.

The facility began collapsing.

Yet Soda—

Stayed behind.

Yuuki watched her desperately helping trapped workers escape despite the spreading fires and unstable machinery around her. Even while injured, she continued carrying people toward emergency exits one after another.

"She saved dozens of people…" Rapi whispered quietly.

The memories intensified.

The reactor core became unstable.

Evacuation orders were issued immediately.

But then—

Soda heard crying.

A child trapped deeper inside the collapsing facility.

Without hesitation, she ran back inside alone.

Yuuki's chest tightened immediately.

The memory followed her through collapsing corridors filled with smoke and fire until finally she found the child pinned beneath debris.

Soda smiled warmly despite burns covering parts of her body.

"It's okay," she whispered gently while lifting the debris away. "I'll save you."

And she did.

She carried the child all the way back toward the evacuation zone—

Right before the reactor exploded.

The memory froze briefly.

Yuuki watched Soda instinctively shield the child with her own body as the explosion consumed the corridor behind them.

Then—

Darkness.

The next memory appeared slowly afterward.

A hospital room.

Soda opened her eyes weakly while heavily damaged.

The child survived.

She did not.

At least—

Not as a human.

Yuuki slowly realized the truth.

Soda had originally been human before conversion.

The Ark rebuilt her as a Nikke afterward because her body had been destroyed beyond recovery saving others.

Yet despite sacrificing herself heroically—

The Ark barely acknowledged her.

The incident was buried beneath industrial reports and compensation documents.

No medals.

No recognition.

No gratitude.

Only another converted Nikke assigned to labor and service roles afterward.

And somehow—

Soda still smiled.

The memories continued painfully.

Even after becoming a Nikke, Soda constantly worried about being "useful" enough to justify her existence. She apologized excessively, blamed herself constantly, and desperately tried making others happy because deep down—

She feared becoming unwanted again.

Then the memories shifted toward the maid café period.

And for the first time—

Soda genuinely looked happy.

Working beside Ade and Cocoa gave her something she never truly had before.

A family.

A home.

People who actually wanted her around even when she made mistakes.

Which made losing it all afterward even crueler.

The memories darkened again.

The island.

The Siren attack.

Their capture.

Yuuki silently watched Soda endure two years of captivity beside Ade while still trying desperately to cheer her up despite their suffering.

Even as a prisoner—

She still prioritized everyone else's feelings before her own.

The final memory appeared afterward.

Soda alone inside a luxurious prison room beneath Aqua's oceans.

Quietly crying while trying not to make noise so Ade would not worry about her.

"I'm sorry…"

She whispered repeatedly to herself through tears.

"I'm sorry for being weak…"

The memory shattered immediately afterward.

==========

The peaceful grassy plains returned once more beneath calm blue skies.

And standing there—

Was Soda herself.

Still smiling.

Even while tears endlessly streamed down her face—

Soda still smiled.

It was small.

Fragile.

But she still forced it onto her face out of pure habit.

"Haha…"

Her voice trembled weakly while she rubbed at her eyes.

"…So everyone saw all of that, huh…"

The moment those words left her mouth, Ade immediately ran toward her and pulled her tightly into a hug without hesitation.

"Soda…"

For several seconds, Soda remained motionless inside Ade's embrace while still trying to maintain that same cheerful expression she always showed everyone else.

That familiar smile.

The one that never disappeared no matter how tired she was.

No matter how much pain she carried.

No matter how badly she blamed herself.

It was the smile everyone around her loved because it made others feel warm and comfortable.

Yet now—

Yuuki and the others finally understood the truth beneath it.

Soda smiled because she was terrified people would stop needing her if she didn't.

She smiled because she believed her own pain was less important than everyone else's happiness.

She smiled because she thought being useful was the only reason she deserved to stay beside others.

And once the NIMPH restrictions disappeared—

All the pain she buried behind that smile came flooding back at once.

The reactor incident.

Being abandoned.

Feeling unwanted.

Two years of captivity in Aqua.

The endless fear of disappointing everyone around her.

All of it crashed into her heart simultaneously.

"I'm okay…"

Soda whispered shakily while trembling inside Ade's arms.

"I'm okay…"

Her voice broke harder afterward.

"I…"

Ade immediately tightened her embrace.

"Don't force yourself anymore," she whispered softly.

The endless grassy plains swayed gently around them while Rapi, Anis, Neon, and Yuuki quietly watched.

For once—

Nobody interrupted her with jokes.

Nobody asked her to smile.

Nobody expected her to act cheerful.

Ade gently stroked her hair while speaking softly.

"Just tell us how you really feel…"

That single sentence shattered Soda completely.

Her smile vanished instantly.

Then—

For the first time since any of them had known her—

Soda cried openly.

Not polite tears.

Not hidden sadness.

Real crying.

Painful sobs escaped her lips while she clung desperately to Ade like someone finally allowed to stop pretending she was fine.

"I'm not okay…"

Her voice trembled violently.

"I'm really not okay…"

The words sounded almost guilty leaving her mouth.

As though admitting her pain itself was something wrong.

Yuuki's chest tightened painfully hearing that.

Soda buried her face against Ade while crying harder.

"I tried so hard…"

Her shoulders shook uncontrollably now.

"I tried being useful…"

The years of emotional exhaustion hidden beneath her constant cheerfulness finally spilled out all at once.

"I tried smiling all the time…"

Fresh tears continued falling endlessly from her eyes.

"I thought if I kept making people happy…"

Her voice cracked completely.

"…then maybe they wouldn't throw me away…"

Ade immediately began crying with her.

"You were never unwanted," Ade whispered desperately while holding her tighter.

Soda shook her head weakly.

"But I always caused trouble…"

"No," Ade answered immediately.

"You saved people."

The wind moved softly through the peaceful grassy plains while Soda trembled helplessly in her arms.

"You protected others even when nobody protected you."

Yuuki slowly approached afterward before kneeling in front of Soda quietly.

She immediately looked away in embarrassment upon realizing he had witnessed all of this.

"…Master…"

Her voice sounded painfully small now.

Yuuki gently reached forward before placing a hand softly on top of her head.

"Soda."

She trembled slightly beneath the touch.

"You don't have to earn your place beside us anymore."

Soda's eyes widened faintly.

Yuuki's expression softened deeply.

"You don't need to smile every second just so people won't leave."

His voice remained calm and gentle.

"You already matter to us."

Soda's breathing became uneven again.

"Even if you fail."

Yuuki softly patted her head again.

"Even if you cry."

Then more quietly—

"Even if you're weak sometimes."

Soda stared at him through tear-filled eyes while the connection linking their hearts pulsed gently within the Void World.

And through that connection—

She could feel it.

He truly meant every word.

There was no disappointment inside him.

No annoyance.

No frustration toward her weakness.

Only warmth.

Only acceptance.

Soda's lips trembled again before another sob escaped her.

"…Master…"

Yuuki smiled softly afterward.

"You know what I think?"

Soda weakly shook her head.

"I think the strongest thing you ever did…"

The peaceful grassy plains stretched endlessly around them beneath warm blue skies.

"…was continuing to smile kindly even after suffering all of that pain."

Soda completely broke down crying again afterward.

But this time—

The tears no longer came from loneliness alone.

For the first time in years—

Someone had finally looked past her cheerful smile…

And cared about the hurting girl underneath it too.

Yuuki quietly listened while Soda continued trembling inside Ade's embrace. The connection between their hearts allowed him to feel the storm of emotions buried underneath her cheerful personality all this time.

Fear.

Loneliness.

Self-doubt.

And above all else—

The desperate wish to make other people smile.

After several moments, Soda slowly wiped at her tears while trying to calm herself down.

"My mishaps…" she whispered weakly, "…they weren't really because I'm careless."

Yuuki quietly looked toward her.

Soda lowered her gaze slightly in embarrassment.

"…I just focus too much on people."

The others remained silent while listening carefully.

"When I'm around others…" Soda continued softly, "…I keep watching their expressions and reactions because I want to know whether they're happy."

A faint sad smile appeared on her face afterward.

"And when I start paying too much attention to that…"

She laughed weakly through lingering tears.

"…I stop paying attention to everything else around me."

Anis blinked softly.

"That's why you always trip over things…"

Soda nodded slowly.

"I only really make mistakes when I'm working around people."

Then more quietly—

"Because I want them to smile."

The peaceful grassy plains swayed softly beneath the wind while Yuuki quietly watched her.

Soda hesitated slightly afterward before speaking again.

"Please don't laugh…"

Yuuki immediately shook his head.

"I won't."

Soda slowly took a breath.

"I really just wanted people to be happy."

Her voice remained fragile but honest now.

"Everyone in the Ark always looked tired… trapped… unhappy…"

Her fingers lightly tightened against Ade's clothes.

"And becoming a maid felt like the best way to help them forget all of that, even if only for a little while."

The warmth within her feelings flowed gently through the connection linking all of them together.

"That's also why I smiled so much…"

Then more quietly—

"…because smiling made other people smile too."

Yuuki's chest tightened hearing that.

Soda had never smiled to protect herself alone.

She smiled because she genuinely wanted to make the world feel warmer for others.

Even after everything she suffered.

Then her expression darkened slightly again.

"But lately…"

Her eyes lowered toward the grass beneath her feet.

"…I started thinking maybe I was only causing trouble instead."

Ade immediately shook her head.

"No."

Soda weakly smiled sadly.

"All my mistakes… all my failures…"

Her voice trembled again.

"I wondered if trying to make people happy was just a foolish dream."

Anis looked genuinely appalled afterward.

"Are you serious?"

Neon immediately nodded in agreement.

"Soda, literally nobody thinks you're a burden."

Rapi quietly stepped closer afterward.

"Yes, your accidents can be troublesome sometimes…"

Soda visibly shrank slightly.

"…but that's not what people remember most about you."

Soda blinked softly.

Rapi's expression softened gently.

"They remember your smile."

Neon quickly nodded.

"They remember how hard you try for everyone."

Anis folded her arms before grinning slightly.

"And honestly? Half the customers probably came back because your energy made the café feel warm."

Ade smiled through her tears while gently holding Soda's hands now.

"You touched people's hearts simply by being yourself."

Soda stared at them silently while tears slowly formed again within her eyes.

Yuuki then quietly knelt in front of her once more.

"Soda."

She looked toward him weakly.

"You're wrong about one thing."

Her lips trembled slightly.

"People aren't tired of you."

Then he smiled softly.

"They're worried about you."

Soda visibly froze.

Yuuki gently flicked her forehead afterward.

"Ow…"

"You spent so much time focusing on everyone else's happiness…"

His expression softened deeply.

"…that you never noticed how much your own smile meant to people."

The grassy plains moved peacefully beneath the endless skies surrounding them.

"And if you keep tunnel-visioning on other people's reactions during work…"

Yuuki lightly pointed toward himself proudly.

"…then I'll simply become your eyes."

Soda blinked repeatedly in confusion.

Yuuki grinned.

"You focus on making people happy."

Then more gently—

"I'll watch your surroundings for you."

Soda's eyes widened slightly.

"You… would really do that for me?"

Yuuki looked genuinely confused.

"Of course."

Then he laughed softly.

"Besides, I already promised Belfast I'd support the maids properly."

The moment Belfast's name appeared, Soda visibly paused.

"…Lady Belfast…"

Ade smiled warmly afterward.

"You know…"

Soda looked toward her.

"Lady Belfast never once scolded you for your mistakes."

Soda quietly froze.

The memories resurfaced gently afterward.

Belfast patiently teaching her.

Helping her stand again after tripping.

Correcting her mistakes kindly.

Smiling softly every single time Soda apologized excessively.

Never once treating her like a burden.

Ade's expression softened deeply.

"She understood your heart from the beginning."

Fresh tears slowly formed in Soda's eyes again.

"She knew you weren't clumsy because you were careless."

Then warmly—

"You simply cared too much."

Soda finally covered her face while crying softly again, though this time her tears no longer felt suffocating.

Because for the first time—

She finally understood something herself.

People were not smiling despite her existence.

They were smiling because of it.

After several long moments, Soda slowly lowered her hands again.

Then—

A smile appeared on her face once more.

But unlike before—

This smile carried no fear.

No desperation.

No hidden sadness forcing itself into existence.

Only warmth.

A real smile.

A true smile.

And seeing that expression finally appear naturally on her face—

Yuuki quietly thought it was probably the most beautiful smile Soda had ever shown.

Soda quietly stood there while listening to everyone around her. The warmth flowing through the connection between their hearts no longer felt overwhelming or frightening anymore. Instead, it slowly began soothing the painful loneliness she had carried for so long.

For the first time in years, she truly understood something important.

Her smile had never been meaningless.

The warmth she gave to others had genuinely reached them.

Her mistakes may have caused inconveniences sometimes, but nobody ever remembered her because of the accidents. They remembered the way she brightened the atmosphere around them. They remembered how hard she tried. They remembered how comforting her cheerful presence felt during difficult days.

And hearing Yuuki promise to stand beside her instead of abandoning her because of those flaws filled her heart with a strange warmth she could barely describe.

A small smile slowly appeared on her face again.

This time, however, there was no desperation hidden beneath it.

No fear.

Only relief.

Yuuki quietly noticed it immediately.

Then through the connection between them, he felt it clearly.

Her heart was slowly healing.

A faint smile appeared on his own face afterward before he gently patted the top of her head again.

"See? Nobody actually minds you being a klutz."

Soda let out a tiny embarrassed noise while wiping the remaining tears from her eyes.

"You say that now, Master…"

Yuuki laughed softly.

"Honestly? Watching you panic after making mistakes is kind of adorable."

"Master…"

Her cheeks immediately turned red again while Anis burst into laughter nearby.

"Commander's really out here encouraging workplace accidents now."

"It builds character."

"That sounds legally questionable."

Meanwhile, Yuuki continued softly toward Soda.

"One day, once all the Royal Maids are assembled again…"

Soda blinked softly.

"…you won't feel lonely anymore."

The peaceful grassy plains swayed beneath the warm wind around them.

"You'll have plenty of fellow maids standing beside you among the shipgirls."

Soda's eyes slowly widened slightly.

"…There are really that many maids?"

Yuuki immediately nodded proudly.

"Oh yes."

Then he pointed dramatically upward like a historian discussing legendary warriors.

"The Royal Maids are practically an elite military organization disguised as domestic staff."

Neon blinked slowly.

"That somehow sounds terrifying."

"It absolutely is."

Yuuki crossed his arms.

"According to Queen Elizabeth, Belfast alone had around twenty-one maids serving under her."

Soda visibly froze.

"Twenty-one?!"

Yuuki nodded.

"I already met two of them inside the Shipgirl Void World."

Then his expression became slightly amused afterward.

"And honestly, the funniest part is that you actually remind me of someone."

Soda tilted her head slightly.

"…Eh?"

Yuuki laughed softly under his breath.

"There was another maid I met in the Void World who used to be incredibly clumsy too."

Soda immediately looked interested.

"Really?"

Yuuki nodded.

"She eventually became so frustrated with her failures as a maid that she gave up entirely."

Then he grinned.

"…And somehow ended up becoming a knight instead."

The girls immediately stared at him.

Anis blinked repeatedly.

"That sounds like a completely different career path."

"It really was."

Rapi quietly sighed.

"…Commander attracts strange people."

"Correction," Yuuki answered proudly. "Strange people naturally gather around greatness."

"That confidence is illegal."

Soda quietly giggled softly afterward before looking down thoughtfully.

Then realization slowly crossed her expression.

"…That's probably why Lady Belfast never gave up on me."

Yuuki looked toward her.

Soda smiled faintly.

"She didn't want me abandoning my dream of being a maid."

Her voice softened warmly afterward.

"…Just like that other girl did."

Yuuki nodded gently.

"Belfast understood exactly how much being a maid meant to you."

The wind moved peacefully around them while Soda quietly held onto that realization.

Lady Belfast had never smiled at her mistakes because she pitied her.

She smiled because she genuinely believed in her.

Believed that Soda's kindness mattered more than perfection ever could.

Fresh tears formed briefly within Soda's eyes again, though this time they came with warmth rather than pain.

Then suddenly—

She smiled brightly.

A real smile.

"I'll work harder then!"

Anis immediately pointed dramatically.

"She recovered fast."

Neon proudly nodded.

"That's our Soda."

Yuuki quietly laughed while patting her head once more.

And honestly—

While he promised himself he would protect and support her from now on…

A small part of him secretly thought watching Soda continue being an adorable disaster maid probably would not be so bad either.

Soda slowly walked toward Yuuki afterward, her smile now gentle and sincere rather than forced through fear or insecurity. Then, standing on her toes slightly, she softly kissed his cheek.

"Thank you for accepting me, Master."

Yuuki smiled warmly at her.

"Anytime."

The peaceful grassy plains around them swayed softly beneath the endless blue skies while the warmth connecting all five hearts continued flowing quietly between them.

Then Rapi glanced around thoughtfully.

"So… shall we wake up now?"

Yuuki blinked.

Rapi crossed her arms lightly.

"We have no idea how long we've been unconscious."

The moment she mentioned it, everyone visibly froze.

Then suddenly—

"Ah."

Soda's eyes widened.

"Cocoa!"

Neon immediately pointed dramatically.

"We completely forgot about the rescue mission while doing emotional therapy sessions!"

"That is a horrifyingly accurate summary," Anis muttered while holding her forehead.

Yuuki sighed helplessly before laughing softly under his breath.

The entire situation really had escalated far beyond a simple blood test.

Then Soda quietly giggled beside him again.

"Ehee…"

Yuuki blinked before looking toward her.

"Hm?"

Soda gently held onto one of his arms while smiling softly.

"Master…"

Her voice became quieter afterward.

"…your heart is really warm."

Yuuki visibly paused.

Then awkward realization crossed his face.

"Oh…"

Rapi immediately looked toward him.

"…You realized it too?"

Yuuki scratched his cheek.

"Yeah."

The connection between them had stabilized completely now.

Not only could he vaguely feel their emotions—

The girls could now feel fragments of his heart too.

Its warmth.

Its calmness.

Its loneliness.

And the kindness buried beneath everything else.

Anis suddenly blinked.

"…Wait."

Her eyes slowly narrowed suspiciously toward Yuuki.

"So this means you're connected to all five of us now?"

Yuuki weakly pointed at her.

"…Yeah."

Then he sighed dramatically.

"Well, I guess that answers the Vapaus question."

Neon immediately gasped afterward.

"Commander accidentally formed a Nikke harem synchronization network."

"That is NOT the official scientific term."

"It is now."

Rapi quietly sighed while rubbing her forehead.

Then suddenly Yuuki looked toward Anis again.

"Wait a minute."

Anis immediately looked suspicious.

"What?"

Yuuki pointed dramatically at her.

"You used to be an idol?"

Anis instantly looked embarrassed.

"…Yeah."

Then she looked away awkwardly.

"But that was ages ago."

Yuuki immediately grinned.

"Oh, now I definitely need to find recordings."

Anis visibly recoiled.

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

Yuuki laughed softly.

"Hey, I'm allowed to become a fan of former idol Anis."

Anis covered part of her face in embarrassment afterward.

"That phase of my life was incredibly cringe…"

"That only makes me more curious."

Neon immediately joined in.

"Commander's absolutely going to hunt down your old performances now."

Rapi quietly nodded.

"…There is no stopping him once curiosity activates."

Anis groaned dramatically afterward while pouting.

Yet through the connection—

Yuuki could still feel it clearly.

Beneath the embarrassment…

She was genuinely happy.

Because despite everything that happened—

Someone still wanted to admire that part of her life instead of mocking it.

Then suddenly—

"COMMANDER!"

Everyone looked toward Neon.

She dramatically pointed at Yuuki again.

"You still owe me alien weapons and portable nuclear launchers!"

Before Yuuki could even respond—

THWACK.

Rapi immediately karate chopped Neon on the head.

"Ow!"

"Stop asking absurd things from Commander."

"They're not absurd if they exist!"

Yuuki weakly raised a finger.

"She technically has a point…"

Rapi sighed deeply.

Then more quietly, she looked toward Yuuki.

"You promised to help me practice controlling Red Hood's power later."

Yuuki immediately nodded.

"Right."

Then Ade and Soda quietly moved closer before each gently holding one of his arms.

Unlike before, however, neither of them looked afraid anymore.

Only trusting.

"Please continue taking care of us, Master," Ade spoke softly.

Soda nodded beside her.

"And if we stop smiling honestly again…"

Her expression became gentler afterward.

"…we'll come to you."

Yuuki quietly looked at all five girls surrounding him now.

Rapi.

Anis.

Neon.

Ade.

Soda.

Five wounded hearts slowly beginning to heal together.

Then he smiled softly before gently patting both maids on the head.

"Good."

The endless grassy plains glowed warmly around them while the synchronized connection between all six hearts pulsed peacefully beneath the calm skies.

"Because from now on…"

Yuuki's expression softened deeply.

"You girls don't have to carry everything alone anymore."

As if responding to the peaceful synchronization between their hearts, the grassy plains around them slowly began glowing with soft light. Warm particles drifted through the air while the Void World itself gently trembled around the six of them.

Yuuki immediately recognized what was happening.

They were waking up.

The connection had stabilized completely.

One by one, faint light began surrounding the girls' bodies while the endless peaceful plains slowly dissolved into shimmering fragments beneath the calm blue skies.

Rapi was the first to step forward.

Unlike before, there was no cold restraint within her expression anymore. The weight she carried for decades had finally eased, leaving behind only quiet warmth and trust.

She stopped directly in front of Yuuki before smiling softly.

Then—

A gentle kiss landed against his cheek.

"For accepting my past," she whispered quietly.

Yuuki softly smiled at her while Rapi's body slowly dissolved into glowing light.

Then Anis stepped forward next.

Her usual teasing grin returned, though this time it carried genuine softness underneath rather than emotional self-defense.

"You know…"

She folded her arms while pretending to sound casual.

"…I used to be kind of a big deal as an idol."

Yuuki immediately grinned.

"I'm still hunting for your songs."

Anis groaned dramatically before laughing softly.

"…You really made me happy, you know that?"

Then she leaned closer before lightly flicking his forehead.

"Don't become a weird fanboy."

"No promises."

"Heh…"

Her expression softened afterward.

"See you outside, Commander."

Then she too dissolved into glowing light.

Neon immediately rushed forward afterward with sparkling eyes.

"Commander!"

Yuuki instinctively braced himself.

"Thank you for showing me TRUE FIREPOWER!"

Yuuki burst out laughing while Rapi's distant voice immediately echoed somewhere behind them.

"Neon, that is NOT the emotional takeaway you were supposed to have."

"It absolutely is!"

Neon proudly pointed at Yuuki.

"This man understands my soul."

"That sentence worries me deeply."

Then suddenly Neon hugged him tightly before grinning brightly upward.

"Next time, show me the nuclear cannon!"

Before Yuuki could respond, she vanished into light as well.

Then Ade and Soda slowly approached together.

The two maids gently held onto his hands while smiling softly. Unlike before, neither of them forced their expressions anymore.

Their smiles were real now.

Warm.

Peaceful.

And full of trust.

"You are our true Master now," Ade whispered gently.

Soda nodded beside her.

"We won't serve another Master anymore."

The sincerity flowing through their connection made Yuuki's chest tighten slightly.

Then both maids softly kissed his cheeks at the same time before glowing light slowly surrounded them too.

"Please continue taking care of us."

Yuuki smiled warmly.

"Always."

The maids' bodies slowly dissolved into light afterward, leaving only Yuuki standing alone within the endless glowing plains.

Then—

Anis's voice suddenly echoed one final time before disappearing completely.

"Congratulations, Commander!"

Yuuki immediately narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"You officially gained five Nikke girls as part of your harem!"

"I AM NOT ASSEMBLING A HAREM!"

The distant laughter of the girls immediately echoed across the Void World.

Anis sounded completely unapologetic.

"Wives then!"

The other girls instantly became flustered while Yuuki pointed dramatically toward the empty skies in betrayal.

"STOP REBRANDING THE PROBLEM!"

Before he could continue arguing—

The glowing world around him finally shattered into warm light.

And the six of them disappeared from the Void World together.

Unaware that connections began to form across the void world to all Nikkes across the world."

===================

Yuuki let out a low groan as his eyes slowly opened.

The bright white ceiling of the Med Bay greeted him first alongside the faint humming of advanced medical equipment surrounding the room. For several moments, his mind still felt sluggish from whatever had happened inside the Void World.

Then he realized something warm was leaning against his arm.

Turning slightly, he immediately saw Yorktown asleep beside his bed. Her silver hair rested gently across the mattress while one of her hands still loosely held onto his sleeve even in sleep.

Beside her sat Enterprise and Vestal, both asleep in their chairs as though refusing to leave his side for even a moment.

Not far away, Illustrious rested peacefully near another bed while Atago and Takao slept together on a nearby sofa beneath a shared blanket.

Akagi and Kaga were there too.

So were all the others.

Belfast.

Wales.

Avrora.

Laffey curled beside Nimi while San Diego somehow used Eldridge as a pillow. Even the Bulins were scattered around the room sleeping in various strange positions.

And near another Med Bay—

Belfast quietly slept beside Ade and Soda protectively like a Head Maid watching over her juniors.

The sight immediately made Yuuki soften slightly.

"…Hana?"

Yorktown stirred weakly at the sound of his voice before slowly opening her eyes.

"…Hnn…"

Her tired gaze immediately focused on him.

"…Yuuki…"

Relief instantly flooded her expression afterward.

"Thank god…"

She slowly sat up closer toward him.

"Are you well?"

Yuuki blinked several times while trying to fully wake himself.

"What happened?"

The movement and conversation quickly caused the others to stir awake as well.

Then suddenly—

"SHIKIKAN-SAMA!"

Akagi immediately launched herself across the room at terrifying speed before hugging him directly on the Med Bay bed.

"Akagi was very worried!"

Yuuki nearly got crushed before laughing weakly and patting her back gently.

"I'm fine, Akagi."

Kaga quietly sighed nearby. "You nearly suffocated him."

"Tsk…"

Yuuki looked back toward Yorktown afterward.

"Hana?"

Yorktown gently exhaled while brushing some hair behind her ear.

"We suddenly sensed distress from you through the connection."

Enterprise slowly stood beside her while crossing her arms lightly.

"When we arrived, Vestal was already treating all six of you."

Vestal adjusted her glasses tiredly afterward.

"The Nikkes apparently ingested your blood directly."

Several shipgirls immediately looked horrified hearing that again.

"You WHAT?" San Diego blurted out loudly.

Yuuki weakly raised a hand.

"It's complicated."

Vestal pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Then suddenly all six of you collapsed simultaneously."

The Med Bay became quieter afterward while everyone stared at him worriedly.

Vestal then looked toward one of the nearby clocks.

"It's currently 0030."

Yuuki blinked.

"…Midnight?"

Vestal nodded.

"You were unconscious for a little over an hour."

Yorktown quietly tightened her hand around his afterward.

"You stopped responding completely for several minutes."

Her voice softened slightly.

"…We were worried."

The warmth within the room immediately became obvious to Yuuki then.

None of them had gone back to sleep properly.

They all stayed here.

Waiting.

Watching over him.

Even Akagi still refused to let go while clinging protectively to his side.

Yuuki slowly looked around the room again afterward.

At the sleeping shipgirls.

The worried expressions.

The exhausted faces that clearly stayed awake far longer than necessary because of him.

Then quietly—

A small smile appeared on his face.

"…Sorry for worrying everyone."

Almost immediately—

"You should be."

Vestal answered first while glaring directly at him with full doctor authority.

Yuuki visibly recoiled.

"That was fast."

"You passed out after allowing unknown biological synchronization through your bloodstream."

Her tired eyes narrowed sharply.

"Of course I'm angry."

Enterprise quietly nodded beside her.

"That was reckless."

Akagi immediately tightened her hug possessively.

"If something happened to Shikikan-sama…"

Her voice lowered dangerously.

"…Akagi would destroy something."

"Probably several things," Kaga corrected calmly.

Yuuki laughed weakly before rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Well…"

Then more quietly—

"It worked though."

That immediately caught everyone's attention.

Yorktown blinked softly.

"…Worked?"

Yuuki slowly looked toward the sleeping Nikkes nearby.

Rapi.

Anis.

Neon.

Ade.

Soda.

Then softly—

"They're finally free now."

The room became quieter after Yuuki said those words.

Not from fear.

But from everyone realizing how serious the situation truly was.

Yuuki slowly sat up on the Med Bay bed while Akagi still clung tightly to him. Yorktown remained beside him while Enterprise, Vestal, Belfast, and the others quietly listened.

"I met the Nikkes inside some kind of Void World," Yuuki explained softly. "Something similar to the Shipgirl Void World connected to Wisdom Cubes."

Enterprise narrowed her eyes slightly.

"A shared mental world?"

"Something like that."

Yuuki looked toward the sleeping Nikkes nearby.

"The NIMPH systems inside them suppressed their memories and emotions. Once my blood destroyed those restraints…"

His expression softened.

"…all of their pain resurfaced at once."

The atmosphere became heavier afterward.

"I saw everything," Yuuki continued quietly. "Their deaths. Their loneliness. Their trauma. The things they buried just to keep functioning."

Belfast lowered her gaze slightly beside Ade and Soda.

"But once the memories returned," Yuuki said softly, "they finally accepted their past instead of running from it."

Yorktown gently held his hand tighter.

Then Enterprise crossed her arms.

"So your blood truly contains Vapaus?"

Yuuki slowly shook his head.

"Yes and no."

The girls blinked.

Vestal adjusted her glasses.

"What does that mean exactly?"

Yuuki looked at his own hand thoughtfully.

"I don't think my blood is normal Vapaus."

Then more quietly—

"My blood itself is classified as unknown."

Several shipgirls visibly paused again hearing that.

Yuuki weakly laughed.

"Well… I already told you girls I'm probably not normal."

Akagi immediately nodded proudly.

"Shikikan-sama is special."

"That is not medically reassuring," Vestal muttered.

Yuuki smiled faintly before continuing.

"What happened wasn't just NIMPH removal."

His expression slowly became serious again.

"My blood released everything they buried emotionally while simultaneously stabilizing their cores."

Vestal blinked.

"…Stabilizing?"

Yuuki nodded.

"I think they may evolve into something beyond ordinary Nikkes someday."

The room immediately became still.

Yorktown looked surprised.

"Evolve?"

Yuuki nodded again.

"Their synchronization potential increased after connecting to me."

Then thoughtfully—

"They may become the first evolvable Nikkes."

Neon suddenly mumbled in her sleep nearby.

"…portable nuclear launcher…"

Yuuki weakly pointed toward her.

"She may already be mentally unstable though."

Several shipgirls laughed softly at that.

Then Yuuki continued.

"But evolution won't happen naturally."

Enterprise tilted her head slightly.

"What would they need?"

"Nikke cores."

The room focused on him again.

"They would likely need compatible cores to merge with, similar to how Rapi merged with Red Hood. One of the members of the Goddess's Squad years ago."

Vestal looked thoughtful afterward.

"And now without NIMPH…"

Yuuki nodded quietly.

"They are no longer bound to the Ark. I can reawakened their Nikke abilities."

Then softly—

"They exist solely through the connection to me now."

That statement made several girls visibly tense.

Because they understood what it meant immediately.

The five Nikkes no longer belonged to the Ark.

No command systems.

No government control.

No forced obedience.

Only Yuuki.

Yorktown's fingers tightened slightly around his hand.

"Still…"

Her voice softened.

"You scared us."

Yuuki quietly looked toward her.

"We're connected to you now," Yorktown continued gently. "When you suddenly collapsed…"

The bond between them pulsed softly.

"…it hurt."

Yuuki immediately softened.

Not physically.

Emotionally.

The fear he experienced echoed directly into the connected shipgirls.

And because they genuinely loved him—

It affected them deeply.

Yuuki gently patted Yorktown's head.

"I know…"

Then quietly—

"…and I'm sorry."

Yorktown leaned slightly into the touch.

Yuuki sighed weakly afterward.

"I guess I really did something stupid behind everyone's backs."

Vestal immediately crossed her arms.

"Correct."

Enterprise nodded calmly.

"Very correct."

Belfast closed her eyes briefly.

"Master possesses a dangerous tendency to shoulder burdens alone."

Akagi tightened her hug around him again.

"Shikikan-sama should bring Akagi next time."

"No."

The entire room answered instantly.

Despite the scolding, however—

Yuuki could still feel it through the connection.

Relief.

Warmth.

Affection.

None of them were truly angry.

They were simply terrified of losing him.

And somehow—

Realizing that made Yuuki's chest feel warm too.

One by one, the resting Nikkes slowly began waking up inside the Med Bay.

The first was Rapi.

Her eyes slowly opened while her hair had already returned to its usual brown color instead of the crimson appearance from her Red Hood transformation. The dangerous pressure surrounding her before was completely gone now, leaving only calmness behind.

"…Comrade Rapi?"

Rapi blinked before turning toward the familiar voice.

"Avrora…"

The Northern Parliament cruiser immediately hugged her tightly without hesitation.

"Thank goodness…"

Avrora's voice softened with relief.

"You are alright."

Rapi looked slightly surprised at first before quietly returning the embrace.

The others watched quietly while Avrora held onto her friend tightly.

The two had suffered together.

Captured together.

Enslaved together.

Endured Aqua together.

Rapi had apologized countless times for bringing misfortune into Avrora's life, yet Avrora never once blamed her for it.

Because despite everything—

Their suffering eventually led them here.

Led them toward Yuuki.

And somehow, that made the pain easier to bear.

Nearby, another groan sounded.

"Oh man…"

Anis slowly sat up while holding her head.

"That was intense…"

Enterprise immediately approached her afterward.

"Are you well, Anis?"

Anis blinked up at the white-haired carrier.

"Yeah. Head's throbbing a little but I'm fine."

Then suddenly—

Enterprise hugged her.

Anis visibly froze.

"…Eh?"

Enterprise's expression softened quietly.

"You remind me of my sister."

Anis blinked repeatedly.

"…Hornet?"

Enterprise nodded.

"You both carry similar energy."

Then a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Loud. Playful. Reckless at times."

"Rude."

Enterprise ignored her completely.

"But warm-hearted."

Anis slowly looked away awkwardly afterward.

"Commander told me about her."

Then quietly—

"She sounds a lot like me."

Enterprise smiled softly.

"You two would become good friends."

Anis scratched her cheek awkwardly.

"…Mind telling me more about her sometime?"

Enterprise tilted her head slightly.

Anis grinned faintly afterward.

"If she's getting revived one day, I wanna become friends properly."

Enterprise's expression visibly softened even more at that.

"…Hornet would definitely like you."

Nearby, Neon suddenly shot upright dramatically.

"FIREPOWER!"

Several small shipgirls immediately swarmed her.

"Neon awake," Laffey mumbled sleepily.

"Miss Neon!" Unicorn smiled happily.

Nimi sighed in relief while San Diego proudly pointed at her.

"She survived Commander's weird blood science!"

Akashi immediately climbed onto the bed excitedly.

"Any side effects, nya?!"

Neon blinked several times while surrounded by the smaller girls before grinning brightly.

"…I like this group already."

Meanwhile, Ade and Soda slowly woke up together nearby.

The moment their eyes fully opened—

Belfast immediately embraced both of them tightly.

"Lady Belfast…"

Ade looked surprised.

Soda blinked repeatedly.

"We…"

"Shh."

Belfast's calm voice trembled ever so slightly.

"Please…"

She tightened the hug gently.

"…do not do that again."

The usually composed Head Maid actually looked shaken.

"If something had happened to either of you…"

Her voice softened painfully.

"…I…"

Ade and Soda immediately realized then just how worried Belfast truly had been.

The elegant maid who rarely lost composure had remained beside them the entire time.

Watching over them.

Waiting for them to wake up safely.

Soda immediately hugged Belfast back.

"I'm sorry…"

Ade nodded softly beside her.

"We worried you…"

Belfast slowly closed her eyes.

Then more gently—

"You need not become perfect."

Soda blinked softly.

"Lady Belfast…?"

Belfast smiled warmly afterward while gently stroking both their heads.

"Simply remain yourselves."

The words immediately made both maids emotional again.

Nearby, Yuuki quietly watched everything unfold.

Shipgirls surrounding Nikkes.

Comforting them.

Talking with them.

Protecting them naturally.

And for the first time—

The Nikkes finally began realizing something important.

They were no longer alone anymore.

They now had people who genuinely cared whether they smiled…

Whether they cried…

Whether they lived.

And seeing that warmth slowly spread between both groups made Yuuki quietly smile to himself.

Because perhaps—

This really was the beginning of something better for all of them.

Yuuki immediately looked alarmed. It was one in the morning and they have a rescue operation tomorrow.

"Why don't we all get some—"

"Sleepover in your room tonight."

"…Eh?"

Yorktown smiled sweetly while still holding his hand.

"You did something reckless behind our backs."

Enterprise crossed her arms beside her.

"So we're monitoring you personally tonight."

Yuuki visibly recoiled.

"But… but…"

"No buts, Master," Belfast spoke calmly from beside Ade and Soda.

Her elegant smile somehow carried terrifying authority behind it.

"You caused significant emotional distress to every connected individual aboard this vessel."

Akashi immediately raised her paw dramatically.

"Akashi agrees, nya!"

"The patient requires supervision," Vestal added immediately.

"At all times," Illustrious said gently while smiling.

Yuuki slowly looked around the room in disbelief.

Then horror dawned on him.

"…Wait."

He pointed weakly.

"How many people are we talking about exactly?"

The girls quietly looked at each other.

Then—

"Everyone."

Yuuki nearly ascended from stress immediately.

"THAT IS NOT A SLEEPOVER. THAT IS A MILITARY OCCUPATION."

Atago giggled softly behind her hand.

"My, Commander. Are you nervous?"

"Yes!"

Takao sighed quietly beside her.

"Honestly understandable."

Akagi immediately tightened her grip around Yuuki's arm again.

"Akagi approves this arrangement."

Kaga nodded calmly.

"This prevents Shikikan-sama from doing anything reckless alone again."

Yuuki weakly looked toward Yorktown for mercy.

"Hana…"

Yorktown only smiled warmly.

"No escaping tonight."

Enterprise calmly added the final blow.

"We already moved extra blankets into your quarters."

"…You planned this?"

"Yes," several girls answered together.

Yuuki stared at the ceiling in betrayal.

"This fleet scares me."

Laffey sleepily raised her hand from across the room.

"Commander warm… good pillow…"

Nimi immediately covered her face.

"Laffey…"

San Diego proudly pointed upward.

"This is officially Operation Commander Containment!"

"That sounds incredibly threatening."

Belfast stepped closer afterward while maintaining her composed smile.

"Master should consider this a consequence for worrying everyone."

Then more softly—

"Besides…"

Her expression became gentler.

"Everyone simply wishes to remain close to you tonight."

That immediately quieted the room slightly.

Because beneath the teasing and playful chaos—

That was the real reason.

The sudden fear of losing him had shaken every girl connected to him.

Shipgirls.

Nikkes.

All of them stayed awake waiting beside his bed because they genuinely cared.

Yuuki slowly looked around the Med Bay again afterward.

At the exhausted girls.

The worried faces.

The people who refused to leave his side.

Then he sighed softly before smiling helplessly.

"…Fine."

Several girls immediately brightened.

"But if someone falls off the bed, I'm not responsible."

Rapi quietly covered part of her face.

"I don't mind."

Ade and Soda smiled softly beside Belfast while Yorktown gently leaned against Yuuki's shoulder in relief.

And despite all the chaos waiting for him tonight—

Yuuki honestly did not dislike the warmth filling the room at all.

=============

Once everyone finally arrived at Yuuki's temporary commander quarters aboard the Daedalus, the room was already being rearranged by maintenance drones.

Blankets floated neatly through the air.

Pillows stacked themselves automatically.

Additional mattresses unfolded from hidden compartments in the floor while soft lighting adjusted itself into a warmer nighttime setting.

Jarvis had apparently overheard the entire "sleepover containment operation" discussion and prepared accordingly.

Yuuki stared at the room in disbelief.

"…Traitor."

"Thank you, Jarvis," Belfast spoke calmly.

"You're welcome, Lady Belfast," the AI responded politely through the room speakers.

Yuuki sighed in defeat before stretching slightly.

"Well then, why don't you girls get some sleep first? I need to do something quickly."

Yorktown tilted her head while sitting near one of the prepared blankets.

"What are you going to do?"

Yuuki looked genuinely serious afterward.

"Well…"

He placed a hand dramatically on his stomach.

"The trip through the Nikke Void World made me extremely hungry."

Several girls immediately blinked.

"So I'm getting a late-night snack."

Almost instantly—

"Can we join?"

Anis immediately raised her hand while Neon nodded enthusiastically beside her. Rapi, Ade, and Soda quietly agreed as well.

Yuuki smiled faintly.

"Sure."

Then proudly—

"I think I can generate instant noodles and some flavored ice rods."

The room immediately became silent.

Dangerously silent.

Yuuki slowly noticed Belfast smiling at him.

Not warmly.

Politely.

Terrifyingly politely.

"…Master."

Yuuki immediately straightened instinctively.

"Y-Yes?"

"Instant noodles," Belfast repeated calmly, "are unhealthy."

Then her eyes slowly narrowed slightly.

"And flavored ice rods…"

The elegant maid paused briefly.

"…in the middle of the night?"

Yuuki weakly defended himself.

"It's just a snack."

"I agree with Belfast," Vestal immediately added while crossing her arms like an offended medical authority.

Yuuki visibly recoiled.

"Even you, Vestal?"

Vestal adjusted her glasses firmly.

"You literally collapsed from experimental blood synchronization an hour ago."

"That is unrelated."

"It absolutely is related."

Then Belfast gently folded her hands together.

"Why not allow us to prepare something proper for everyone instead?"

Yuuki scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"I mean… honestly I'm fine with instant noodles."

"We are not," Yorktown answered immediately.

The carrier smiled sweetly afterward.

"How can your future wives calmly sit by while you eat unhealthy food in the middle of the night?"

Yuuki nearly choked.

"Please stop casually using that title."

Wales quietly sighed nearby.

"I wonder what Lady Hood would think if she discovered her refined gentleman survives on instant noodles."

Akagi immediately nodded dramatically.

"Amagi-nee-sama would absolutely disapprove too."

Yuuki weakly pointed around the room.

"You girls are weaponizing dead elegant women against me."

"Correct," Enterprise answered calmly.

Ade then looked genuinely distressed.

"Master…"

Yuuki blinked.

"You can literally generate the finest ingredients imaginable aboard this ship…"

Then Soda softly continued beside her.

"…yet you still chose instant noodles?"

Yuuki looked deeply betrayed by reality itself.

"…They're easy."

The three maids immediately sighed together in synchronized disappointment.

Belfast stepped forward afterward with full Head Maid authority.

"From now on, Master's late-night meals and snacks will be supervised properly."

Ade nodded seriously.

"If you are hungry, please ask us."

Soda smiled warmly beside her.

"Even if it's late at night."

Belfast's expression softened slightly afterward.

"We understand you dislike bothering others unnecessarily."

Then gently—

"But if we are awake, please allow us to take care of you."

The sincerity behind their words immediately made Yuuki pause.

Because this was not really about the food.

It was about them wanting to care for him the same way he cared for everyone else.

Yuuki slowly raised both hands in surrender afterward.

"…Yes, ma'am."

Belfast smiled victoriously afterward.

"Excellent."

Then she immediately turned toward the two younger maids with graceful authority.

"Now then, Lady Ade, Lady Soda…"

Both girls immediately straightened instinctively.

"I require your assistance in preparing Master's and everyone's late-night supper."

Ade blinked softly before smiling warmly.

"We can use some of the recipes from the café we used to run."

Soda immediately brightened beside her.

"I can help too!"

Belfast nodded approvingly.

"Very good."

Then Yuuki suddenly stood up as well.

"Fine, fine. I surrender."

Several girls laughed softly.

"Come on then," Yuuki continued while stretching slightly. "Let's all work together."

Not long afterward, the large kitchen connected to the Daedalus Commander's Quarters became unexpectedly lively despite the late hour.

The kitchen itself was enormous.

Far larger than anything aboard ordinary ships.

Advanced preparation stations lined the walls while automated cooking drones quietly assisted from above. Ingredient generators hummed softly while the room's warm lighting created an almost homely atmosphere despite being inside a flying command battleship.

And somehow—

The scene felt peaceful.

Yorktown quietly helped prepare ingredients beside Enterprise while Atago cheerfully handled seasoning with suspicious enthusiasm. Takao kept correcting Atago before disasters occurred while Belfast elegantly supervised everything like a commander leading a battlefield operation.

Meanwhile, Ade naturally stepped into the role of Head Chef almost without realizing it.

The moment she entered the kitchen properly, her earlier vulnerability faded into focused warmth. Her hands moved confidently while organizing ingredients, assigning tasks, and guiding everyone gently through the preparation process.

"Lady Enterprise, please pass me those vegetables."

"Like this?"

"Yes, thank you."

Soda happily worked beside her while humming softly, though she nearly dropped several bowls before Yuuki instinctively caught them for her.

"Master!"

"You really weren't kidding about needing spotter support."

Soda puffed her cheeks slightly while the others laughed.

Belfast quietly watched the interaction before smiling faintly to herself.

Because unlike before—

Soda no longer panicked after making mistakes.

She simply smiled honestly now.

Yuuki quietly leaned against one of the counters afterward while watching everyone work together around the kitchen.

Shipgirls.

Nikkes.

Royal maids.

Former soldiers.

Former slaves.

Different factions.

Different worlds.

Yet somehow all gathered together inside the Daedalus at nearly one in the morning preparing food together like a strange oversized family.

And through the connection linking everyone—

Yuuki could feel it clearly.

Warmth.

Comfort.

Belonging.

The sensation settled deeply inside his chest while he quietly watched Ade directing everyone with gentle confidence.

Not the broken girl from Aqua.

Not the exhausted refugee child.

But simply Ade—

A maid happily cooking for people she cared about.

Then Yorktown gently stepped beside him.

"You're smiling."

Yuuki blinked slightly before realizing she was right.

"…Yeah."

His gaze slowly moved across the kitchen again.

At Belfast calmly teaching Soda proper cutting techniques.

At Enterprise quietly helping Anis despite pretending to act serious.

At Neon somehow trying to convince Takao that adding extra spice counted as "firepower."

At Rapi quietly organizing dishes while occasionally glancing toward him with calmer eyes than before.

Yuuki softly exhaled afterward.

"It just feels…"

Then quietly—

"…nice."

Yorktown smiled warmly beside him before gently leaning against his shoulder.

"You gave all of them a place to belong."

Yuuki slowly shook his head.

"No."

His expression softened deeply.

"I think they gave that feeling to me too."

And honestly—

Watching shipgirls and Nikkes naturally laugh and work together inside the Daedalus kitchen at midnight filled Yuuki's heart with a warmth he had not realized he was missing for a very long time.

======================

Inside one of the luxurious towers built upon the hidden cloaked island, silence filled the room heavily despite the wealth surrounding it.

Gold-lined walls.

Crystal chandeliers.

Silk curtains.

Everything looked beautiful.

Yet to Prinz Eugen—

It felt like a prison.

The Iron Blood cruiser quietly sat before a mirror while staring at the wedding dress laid carefully across the bed behind her. White fabric shimmered softly beneath the dim lights while expensive jewelry rested neatly beside it.

A perfect noble wedding.

A perfect ceremony.

A perfect cage.

Slowly, Eugen lowered her gaze toward the knife resting in her hand.

The blade reflected her tired crimson eyes back at her.

This was not the wedding she dreamed of.

Not the future she wanted.

Not the life she deserved.

For several long moments, she quietly held the knife while the temptation whispered endlessly inside her exhausted mind.

She could end it here.

End the suffering.

End the humiliation.

End the fear.

No more nobles touching her.

No more pretending to smile.

No more waiting for hope that never came.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the blade.

Then—

A soft crying sound reached her ears.

Eugen slowly turned toward the nearby bed.

Javelin quietly slept there curled beneath blankets, though tears still stained her cheeks even in sleep. The young destroyer trembled weakly while hugging herself tightly as though trying to disappear entirely.

She had only been brought here earlier that day.

Gifted.

Like property.

The thought alone made Eugen's chest tighten painfully.

Then her gaze shifted further across the room.

Cocoa quietly slept beside the crippled Admiral Hipper while gently holding her hand even in exhaustion. Despite everything happening around them, the little maid still devoted herself entirely toward taking care of Hipper every single day.

Even after years of captivity.

Even after losing everything.

She still smiled for them.

Eugen slowly closed her eyes.

No.

She could not do it.

If she died—

Javelin would suffer.

Cocoa would suffer.

Hipper would suffer.

The others would lose what little hope they still clung to.

And so—

Once again—

Prinz Eugen forced herself to keep living.

Not for herself anymore.

But for them.

The knife slowly lowered from her trembling hand afterward.

Tears quietly rolled down her cheeks while she stared toward the wedding dress waiting behind her.

She hated it.

Hated the room.

Hated the nobles.

Hated the helplessness consuming her every single day.

Yet even after all these years—

One small fragment of hope still refused to die completely.

Because two weeks ago—

She heard a voice.

A warm voice.

A voice that somehow reached even the darkness surrounding her prison.

The voice of a Commander descending from the skies.

The voice connected to every Wisdom Cube.

The voice that answered desperate prayers.

Eugen slowly clasped her hands together weakly afterward while tears continued falling silently from her exhausted eyes.

"…Please…"

Her voice trembled softly within the empty luxurious room.

"…God…"

She lowered her head slightly.

"Please let my voice be heard…"

The wind outside quietly brushed against the tower windows while the hidden island remained silent beneath the night sky.

"…Please…"

Her breathing shook weakly.

"…end this suffering…"

Then finally—

The words she buried deepest inside her heart escaped quietly into the darkness.

"…Please save me…"

And far above the oceans—

Hidden within the night skies—

The cloaked Daedalus's fleet continued silently approaching the island.

=================

The Commander's temporary quarters aboard the Daedalus had finally become quiet.

Soft breathing filled the room.

Occasional snores echoed gently from various corners while blankets and pillows covered almost every available space on the floor. Maintenance drones had dimmed the lights into a warm nighttime glow while the massive flying command carrier silently continued its cloaked flight across the skies toward Aqua.

Yuuki quietly stared at the ceiling above him.

On his left side slept Yorktown peacefully against his shoulder, one of her hands loosely resting against his arm even in sleep.

On his right—

Ade.

The memory immediately made him sigh quietly to himself.

The girls had somehow turned "who gets to sleep beside Commander" into an actual rock-paper-scissors tournament. He could still vividly remember Ade's expression when she unexpectedly won against the others.

Composed.

Elegant.

Trying desperately to maintain proper maid dignity.

Yet completely red from embarrassment the moment she actually climbed onto the bed beside him.

And after nervously whispering good night—

She fell asleep almost immediately.

Yuuki quietly looked around the room afterward.

The rest of the girls slept comfortably below on the soft carpet using blankets and pillows prepared by the drones. Akagi somehow ended up sleeping while hugging Kaga's arm possessively while Laffey used Enterprise as a pillow without permission.

Belfast still maintained perfect sleeping posture somehow.

Even unconscious, she radiated Head Maid discipline.

Yuuki softly exhaled afterward.

"…Sigh…"

Then quietly to himself—

"…I kind of miss being alone."

The statement held no bitterness.

Only exhaustion.

Because despite how chaotic everything had become—

The warmth surrounding him now felt strangely comforting too.

Shipgirls.

Nikkes.

People trusting him.

Depending on him.

Caring about him.

It was overwhelming.

But not unpleasant.

Yuuki slowly closed his eyes briefly afterward.

Tomorrow would be difficult.

Tomorrow they would finally descend upon the cloaked island.

And tomorrow—

He would rescue his new shipgirls and Nikkes.

==================

Far away from the Daedalus, beneath the moonlit skies of the cloaked island, another figure quietly stood upon the hidden cloaked island.

An impossibly beautiful woman floated silently near one of the island's outer gardens while moonlight illuminated her elegant form. A modified purple kimono flowed gently around her alongside dark stockings and polished boots while a decorated parasol rested gracefully within her gloved hand.

Long purple hair swayed softly in the ocean wind.

Her violet eyes slowly lifted toward the moon above.

Then gently—

She pressed one hand over her heart.

A faint smile appeared on her lips afterward.

She could feel it.

The connection.

The warmth slowly approaching closer across the night skies.

The voice that reached even the darkness surrounding the island.

"…Oh…"

Her voice carried quiet longing.

"…where art thou, my husband?"

The ocean winds brushed softly around her while hidden defense systems continued cloaking the island from the world.

Yet despite the distance—

She knew.

He was coming.

Not far from the island itself, atop a mountain overlooking Aqua's oceans, another figure quietly observed the distant horizon.

A wandering monk.

Long silver hair flowed beneath a wide metal-framed straw hat while butterfly ornaments gently swayed beside her face. Her sleeveless white-and-black robes fluttered softly in the wind alongside the blue patterned kimono draped around her shoulders.

Her light teal eyes narrowed slightly afterward.

One hand rested against the beads around her wrist while spiritual pressure quietly gathered around her.

"...What strange sensation stirs within my breast?"

Her voice remained calm yet cautious.

"...What thing approaches hither from the dark?"

The night itself almost seemed restless.

The monk slowly lifted her gaze toward the distant skies above the cloaked island.

Toward something silently moving beyond the clouds.

Toward something enormous.

Ancient instincts quietly warned her heart.

A storm was approaching.

And somewhere high above the oceans—

The cloaked Daedalus continued silently descending toward fate.