"W-well, not long ago, just when I saved your sister from falling into the water, we signed the soul network, and you're hurting me! Let go quickly!" Illustrious said hurriedly.
"Ah! Give me back my sister!" Zuikaku roared.
"Waaah! Sorry, Zuikaku, I'm going with Admiral! You must take good care of yourself alone." Shokaku cried with her head down and gave Illustrious a wink.
Illustrious was also smart and immediately understood, putting on a look of profound sorrow and saying, "Alas! You sisters have just reunited, and now you must part again. How tragic!"
"This is all your fault!" Zuikaku grabbed Illustrious even tighter!
"Why such a big reaction? Your sister and I are deeply in love, which is why we signed the soul network. You should be blessing us instead." Illustrious smiled, rubbing it in.
"I bless your sis... Give me back my sister." Zuikaku didn't care about any of that; she only cared about her sister.
"We've already signed the soul network, so just give up! If you want any conditions, just say them! I won't give up your sister." Illustrious declared that this matter was not open for negotiation.
Zuikaku's expression darkened. The deed was done, and Zuikaku felt there was nothing she could do. Looking at Illustrious's expression, she definitely wouldn't dissolve the soul network with her sister. Was she to leave her sister? No! Absolutely impossible. She couldn't even imagine life without her sister.
No sister to wake her up every day, no sister to remind her if she forgot anything, and most importantly, no sister's cooking. If that happened, she would definitely die!
Isn't there any way I can stay by Elder Sister's side! Her mind raced; she glanced at Illustrious and a plan struck her—why don't I just become this guy's Ship Girl?
But seeing that smug, grinning face, why do I feel like punching it! Does this guy even qualify as a reliable Admiral?
Forget it, it's always been for Elder Sister's sake. Zuikaku stared fixedly at Illustrious, eyes that looked ready to swallow her whole. "Any condition is fine?"
Illustrious instantly crossed her arms in feigned fright. "What kind of condition are you after! H-stuff is out of the question, I have my principles."
"But if you insist, then even if you toy with this body as you please, for your sister's sake I might still consider it…" Illustrious said, shy and blushing.
Zuikaku chopped Illustrious on the head. "What are you thinking? I'm not interested in your body! I want you to link soul networks with me."
"Ah, is that all? Don't be like that! I was ready to sacrifice my virtue for your sister!" Illustrious rubbed her head in disappointment, lowering it slightly while the corner of her mouth curled in secret.
"Less chatter, hit Accept on the soul network right now—I've already sent the contract request!" Zuikaku growled threateningly.
"Getting urged by a Gold-Plated Ship Girl to become her Ship Girl—I'm probably the first ever! Normally it's Admirals chasing Ship Girls; with me it's the other way around. I really am popular," Illustrious mused, and in her soul network she clicked YES on the invitation the Free Ship Girl Zuikaku had sent to become her own Ship Girl.
"Wonderful, Zuikaku, now we sisters can be together again!" Shokaku hugged Zuikaku joyfully, blinking at Illustrious as if to say: thank me already!
Seeing Shokaku so cheerfully sell out her little sister, Illustrious blinked back: thanks a ton!
From then on Illustrious had another Gold-Plated Ship Girl under her banner, one more step—cough—toward the future development of the Naval Base.
"All right, it's getting late, let's head back to the Naval Base." Illustrious checked the time and decided it was time to return.
"C-could you drop me off first?" Chen Xiaoqiang timidly raised a hand.
"Oh right, almost forgot you, Sun Xiaoqiang. Fine, we'll take you home first." Illustrious said flatly.
"My name is Chen Xiaoqiang! Remember it!" Chen Xiaoqiang roared—she's doing that on purpose, isn't she?
Illustrious only smiled and sailed toward Tianhai Island; after dropping Chen Xiaoqiang off, Shokaku and Zuikaku said they needed to pack their luggage. It wasn't much, and soon Illustrious ferried everyone back to the Naval Base aboard her carrier.
"Admiral, welcome back! How was the date today, did you have fun?" Ayanami greeted from the dock.
"Sister, I missed you so much." Unicorn pounced and hugged Illustrious.
The moment the Admiral's soul network message said she was nearing the Naval Base, Ayanami and Unicorn had been waiting at the pier.
Illustrious laughed. "Ah, Ayanami and my adorable little sister, thanks for waiting! Come, let me introduce the newcomers—these are the Ship Girls I contracted today."
"These two are Sakura Empire's CarDiv Five carriers: the brown-haired lively monkey-like one is Zuikaku, the silver-haired gentle Yamato-Nadeshiko type is Shokaku." Illustrious gestured with her right hand.
"Who are you calling a monkey!" Zuikaku barked.
"Don't mind me, I only meant you're energetic. If you dislike the comparison, forget I said it." Illustrious waved.
"And these two are also my Ship Girls: Sakura Empire Destroyer Ayanami and my little sister, Royal Navy Light Carrier Unicorn. Everyone get acquainted—from now on we're one big family, so communicate lots and live in harmony." For the sake of her future—cough—harmonious Naval Base, Illustrious spared no effort.
Ayanami and Unicorn exchanged glances: the Admiral went out for a single day and came back with two Gold-Plated Ship Girls—terrifying fishing power.
"Nice to meet you. As the Admiral's future Wife Ship, welcome to the Naval Base." Ayanami extended her hand.
"Hello, little Ayanami. The future is full of unknowns; results depend on the present." Shokaku puffed out her chest and shook Ayanami's hand, smile radiant.
Eyes fixed on Shokaku's chest, then dropping to her own—tch! Cow-monster, those shameful things—she's totally not jealous! But her handshake tightened.
Noticing Ayanami's stare, Shokaku proudly thrust out even more, feeling the force in the grip and answering with a stronger squeeze of her own.
Their eyes seemed to spark lightning, neither yielding; after a moment they slowly released.
"What future Wife Ship? The Wife Ship should be me, the Secretary Ship—after all, the Secretary Ship is most likely to become the Admiral's Wife Ship." Azuma stepped out to stake her claim.
The three's eyes crackled like thunder, fierce sparks flying, the surrounding air suddenly chilly as if they'd entered a battlefield where only one could emerge victorious.
Seeing them so "harmoniously" getting along, Illustrious couldn't help wiping the fine sweat from her brow, worried about the days ahead.
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