Chapter 49 - 45

I must have dozed off. My eyes feel a little heavy. The office lights were off and there's a small desk lamp here. A blanket was also over my shoulders. Someone definitely came in here and set all these up. I've got a few ideas but for now, let's just wash up. I will have to make my way to the docks to use the bathing facilities there. What a pain. Maybe I should ask the fairies to build a bathroom in my office.

When I returned, I noticed some was amiss. Before leaving, I clearly remember putting my hat and gloves on the desk. Now both of them are gone. Did I put them in the laundry and forgot about it? Nah, it can't be. The gloves are one thing, but I would never put the hat with the laundry.

"Mn... Haa..." (???)

I thought I heard something. Was it my imagination?

"Haa... Nn..." (???)

Nope, I wasn't imagining it at all. Where is that sounds coming from? My bedroom?

I made my way towards the bedroom. It's faint but the sounds are definitely coming from inside. The door was slightly ajar, so I peered through the gap. The room was barely illuminated by the small night light I have on the bed stand but I can see someone on the bed. Her back was facing me so can't make the face. She was wearing a small familar yukata and my hat.

"...Fuuu~... Nn... Admiral..." (???)

It seems that she is unconsciously calling out my name. Oh I see. So that's what's going on. It would be an embarrassment for the both us, so I'll sleep on the sofa for now. Though I don't think I can sleep well after seeing that. Maybe I should teach a lesson on being quiet while doing this sort of thing.

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"Admiral. Get up. It's already late in the morning!" (Ooyodo)

"Hmm? Oh-yodo. Good morning..."

"That is not becoming a thing. Don't tell me you pulled an all-nighter again?" (Ooyodo)

"Not really. I was too tired to make my way to my bed. Fuah~"

"Geez. I know your work is important but you need to take care of yourself." (Ooyodo)

"I know. Thank you. I'm going to get changed now."

"Got it. I will bring in today's doc.u.ments later." (Ooyodo)

I went to my bedroom to get a new set of uniform. I see that my bed sheet has been changed and made. My hat and gloves are back on the desk. She must have went all out last night and thought she managed to get away with it. I going to have fun teasing her about it.

"Good morning, Admiral! Zuihou, reporting for duty!" (Zuihou)

"Good morning, Zuihou. Let's do our best today."

"Yes!" (Zuihou)

Today, apart from continuing the expedition schedule, there's another exploration and a couple of sorties. Ooyodo passed today's workload to me and left to monitor the sorties.

"Fuah~" (Zuihou)

"Didn't sleep well?"

"Eh? N-not really." (Zuihou)

"Me too. Last night, my bed and gloves were gone and there was this weird noise coming from my bedroom."

"E-ehh~? That sound scary..." (Zuihou)

"I know. Because of that, I couldn't get much sleep."

I took a peek at Zuihou. As expected, her face is extremely red. She is still trying feign innocence. Let's keep going.

"I wonder who that was. It was a little dark so I couldn't see well."

"I-it might be an intruder. Shouldn't you report this?"

"Hmm... Maybe. If that person was a little more quieter I wouldn't have noticed. Or if the door wasn't ajar. Or if the night lamp wasn't switched on."

"!!!"

"Hey, Zuihou..."

"Y-yeah?"

"How was I in your imagination?"

"!!! You saw it!!! You saw it, didn't it?! Uwaah~"

Zuihou crouched on the floor, trying to hide her face with the clipboard she's holding. I think she is on the verge of tears.

"Well, I didn't watch the whole thing. I just saw and heard a bit. I didn't expect Zuihou to use me as material. Such a lewd shipgirl."

"Uwaahhahhhh!!! Stop it! Don't say anymore!!"

At this point, she is actually crying. I may have gone too far.

"Sorry. Your reactions are just so amusing. I couldn't help myself."

Now, Zuihou is in a sniveling mess. I patted her head in a attempt to calm her down.

"Come on, don't cry. I'm sorry I teased you."

"-you see?" (Zuihou)

"Huh?"

"How much did you see?!" (Zuihou)

"Like I said, I didn't see much. I heard a strange sound coming from my room and the door was ajar so I went to check. The night lamp was on but I only saw your back and I could hear you. I was tired so I didn't stay and continue peeping. But I do know you were so engrossed in your playtime that you didn't hear me return from the bath. But seriously, how did you imagine me?

"Uwaah enough already!!!" (Zuihou)

I have acquired new teasing materials today. I'm pretty sure that I will be using this for ages.

I waited patiently for Zuihou to calm down before continuing my work.

*Sniff* "Admiral is such a meanie." (Zuihou)

"Now you can't call me pervert."

"Shut up!!!" (Zuihou)

"Hahaha!"

"Say, Admiral?" (Zuihou)

"What is it?"

"Do you hate it if I'm like this?" (Zuihou)

What's with that question? I know Zuihou has feelings for me for a while now. She has showed signs from time to time. Last night's act was also one of them. How should I answer this? I don't want her to think I hate her because of that.

"No, I don't. Rather, I think it's a little cute."

"C-cute?!" (Zuihou)

"Well, that means you are being true to yourself, right?"

"..." (Zuihou)

That didn't sound bad, I think. Zuihou had gotten a little fl.u.s.tered, but at least I eased her worries, I hope.

"Then,"

Zuihou grabbed my shoulders and pushed me out of the car and onto the floor.

"Ow... What are you-"

"Do you love me?" (Zuihou)

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Eh? What?

What's with this sudden development?

Alright calm down. When Shipgirls get remodeled their personalities tend to change. It has been almost a month since Zuihou gotten hers. This is just part of said change. Right?

I know I said that Zuihou has liked me for quite a while. Heck, I even sound narcissistic saying it myself. But, now this is just like a typical rom-com situation where the female lead is making a move on the male.

Zuihou was on top of me, pinning me them with her entire body. She shifted her hands to my back and buried her face into my chest. Instead of pinning me, she changed it into a hug. This feels nice...

Wait. That's not it...

I'm in trouble.

All it takes is just one small move to cross the line.

No no no! I can't go there! Who knows what would change if I did. But what happens if I reject?

In a way, she is trying to get me to confess to her.

"Admiral? I told you before, didn't I? Back when I was sick."

When she was sick... Is she referring to the time when she was suffering from PTSD? Wait! There was one time when she mumbled something...

"-I love you." (Zuihou)

Ahh! I knew it! That would mean that she technically confessed to me back then!

I was nervous. I can feel her hot breath against my body. One wrong move could change the relationship we have up till now. At the same, it's as though my heart is full of expectations.

My chest feels heavy and my heart is beating non-stop. This has happened before. When I first met her. When she returned back to me. When I took care of her. All the times she was by my side.

Is this how it feels to fall in love with someone?

Yeah, this is actually it. Without realising, I had fallen in love with one of my shipgirls.

I should respond to her confession first. How long has it been? A long time, most likely.

I mustered my words. This may have an effect on my relationship with everyone else but...

"Me too. I love you too, Zuihou."

Zuihou, whose head has been lowered until now, returned my gaze with eyes filled with... are those tears?

"Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?"

Crap! I shouldn't have done something I have never done before. I messed up!

Zuihou, returned to burying her face in my chest.

"Ah! S-sorry... This is... Thank goodness! You were so silent, I thought you actually hated me!" (Zuihou)

That was it? While I was trying to sort out my thoughts, she thought I was think off rejecting her.

"Calm down. I was just confused, that's all."

Zuihou let out a laugh.

"I love this confused side of Admiral. You know what needs to be done and the method to do it. You would always plan ahead so you have more time to slack off. But when something unexpected pops up, you become unsure of what to do and sometimes end up making it worst." (Zuihou)

What is she saying all of the sudden?

"I love how you care for us shipgirls. You would always prioritise our happiness and well-being. When we are injured during a sortie, you would order a retreat even though we are not supposed to. You would manipulate the reports to make it look like we completed the mission in one try. When we complete a mission, you would reward us. You even made a entertainment room just for us. When I was sick, you cared for me until I got better. You treated us as humans, not as weapons. Though, at the same time, I wished you would tone down on your teasing. You would always grope us out of the blue." (Zuihou)

I can't tell if she is complimenting me or something...

Zuihou looked at my troubled expression and laughed.

"Finally, I love you for who you are. Even though you always complain and slack off from work, but you will finish it in the end. Not for your sake, but for us. You are cool, kind, caring, awkward, horrible at times, but at the end of the day, you are the Admiral I love." (Zuihou)

She smiled while saying such things. I... I really don't know how to react. Does this make me lolicon? Is Zuihou even considered as a loli? To me, she looks just like any other cute teenage girl. If I think of it this way- No. The real question is, am i really the one for her? Is she just acting on impulse since I'm the only male in the entire distract? Am i deserving of her love?

"Zuihou, are you sure? I may not be the right one for you. And to be honest, i may do even more perverted things to you. Or do stuff that disappoints you. Even so, would you stick with me?"

Why am I getting emotional and doubtful about this? I should be happy about getting myself girlfriend. All I'm doing is just trying to push this girl, who is trying her best, away...

"Then I'm the same too. All the times when you were forced to order a retreat because I got damaged right before completing the sortie. That would make me your disappointment as well. I-I played with myself on your bed with your gloves and hat! So that makes me a pervert too! Hyaa! What are you making me say?!" (Zuihou)

I can't help but laugh. This sort of thing really does elevate my mood a bit.

I wrapped my hands around her.

"Thank you, Zuihou. For accepting me. I love you."

"I love you too, Admiral." (Zuihou)