Chapter 166 - 151

"Safety's off. Monitoring systems are all green. Energy level is at zero." (Akashi)

"Shigure-chan, when you're ready. Don't push yourself."

"Yes." (Shigure-chan)

Shigure-chan aimed her guns at the target. Smoke began to emit from her body and her equipment.

"The temperature is rising rapidly." (Akashi)

"The equipment is still maintaining structural integrity. No change in interior- core energy rising. It just shot up to 40%. Going 50%." (Yuubari)

"Um... The barrel is melting." (Shigure-chan)

"Yuubari..."

"Crap! I forgot!" (Yuubari)

"Shigure-chan, that's enough. We can do the test firing another day. Akashi, monitor the energy levels."

"Understood." (Shigure-chan)

"Core temperature is dropping. Energy level dropping to zero in three... two... one. Core energy at zero percent. No signs of damage in the internal mechanism. Apart from the barrel." (Akashi)

"I'm sorry. I forgot to change the barrel to match the gun." (Yuubari)

"Geez. Pull yourself together. I'm relying on you two for their safety."

"That's a really high order." (Akashi)

Shigure-chan sailed back to shore, and took off her equipment and riggings.

"Shigure-chan, how are you feeling?"

"A little hot. And hungry." (Shigure-chan)

"I will buy you some desserts later."

I pet her head. I can feel the heat through the gloves. It's hurts a little, but nothing I can't handle.

This whole thing was Shigure-chan's idea. She got it after seeing Zuihou-chan getting burnt and the office floor catching fire.

"The red mental cube can create a burning effect. If only we can figure out how to use it, it might empower our attacks." (Shigure-chan)

That's what she told me the day we returned from Azur Lane. I was reluctant to go through with testing this idea, but since she told me she would stop if things start to go south, I sort of relaxed and went ahead with it. First, we needed to find out how to safely tap into this 'power'.

Using Zuihou-chan's method of activating it through their mind, Shigure-chan decided to try it as well. Instead of creating something, she decided to direct it to a specific object and function. It worked a little too well.

On her first attempt, her equipment melted and fell apart. Akashi and Yuubari later modified her equipment and gave it a mental cube core to enable a more efficient energy transfer. We just did the second attempt. It worked, but Yuubari forgot to match the barrel with the new equipment specifics, and the barrel melted. So test firing will have to wait.

"How long will it take to make the adjustments?"

"I can finish it today. But..." (Akashi)

"Just get it done by Friday. I don't want her to do this two days in a row."

"I knew you would say that." (Akashi)

"Oh, and by the way, could you help me think of a way for Zuihou-chan to use this power? I don't want to use mental cubes as the core for her planes."

"Don't be silly. It will take ages to modify and fit the planes with such cores. Don't worry. We will think of something." (Akashi)

"I'm not involved, right? I'll go back to- Eep!" (Yuubari)

By Yuubari can sneak away, Akashi grabbed her shoulder,

"You delayed the test firing. As punishment, you are helping me." (Akashi)

"No! This is bad work ethics!" (Yuubari)

Akashi dragged the protesting Yuubari into the factory. I can hear a loud clang and some chains. She locked themselves in the factory. That's a little hardcore.

"So, what do you want to do now?"

"I want to eat something. And get a drink." (Shigure-chan)

Using that power makes them hungry and thirsty. Zuihou-chan was also like this when she recovered.

"Let's go get something from Mamiya."

Shigure-chan held out her hand towards me.

"Erm..."

"I always see you do this with Zuihou. I want to try it too." (Shigure-chan)

"Shigure-chan..."

It's just hand-holding. Yep. She is just a child who wants to hold hands with a father figure. I doubt she will back off if I explained the meaning to her. Heck. She might even feel dejected.

I held her hand as we walked to Mamiya's shop. Her hands were still hot from the test.