An average among specials

by Dasmara

...Have I ever imagined how this war looks like through the eyes of the ship girls? Our commanders? No, I saw this war, experienced it, lived through it in this normal human body of mine, with average natural talent, equipped with rifle in hand as I battled the Sirens...How long will I survive in this war? Don't know, but I'm down for the ride to the end, one way or another.

18. Ghost of the past

"Geez Alex! How many times has this been? You always ended up either injured, hospitalized or near death! Are you doing this on purpose!?" Bremerton asked me while she scowled and holding my shoulders...Just after she hugged me gently.

"…Why…would I do that?" I weakly asked Bremerton as I frowned.

"You tend to do things that resulted in something like this! Try to do your job but without this habit, would you!" Bremerton said to me while she frowned deeply.

"Calm…down" I said to Bremerton weakly.

"I am calm Alex!" Bremerton said to me while she frowned.

"You don't-, uhuk uhuk!" I croaked out before I coughed.

"Easy…Has Vestal take a look at you?" Algerie asked me.

"…I don't know" I honestly don't, I mean I just woke up few hours ago…and isn't she a busy person?

"Alright Bremerton, I think Wallace get the memo already. Go easy on the sick man" Zara said to Bremerton as she held her shoulder while she smiled slightly.

"Alex…I don't want to lose you, none of us does. So take care of yourself better" Bremerton said to me while she frowned.

"…Okay" I said to Bremerton while I nodded weakly.

"…Good" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

"Somehow this doesn't surprise me anymore. Every time you did something big, you always end up like this" Eugen said to me while she folded her arms.

"…Yeah…" I said to Eugen weakly.

"Let's get to work then. Nelson, go grab a bucket of warm water for him…You could do that much, don't you?" Eugen said to Nelson while she pouted thoughtfully.

"Spare me your sassiness Eugen, I'm not in the mood" Nelson said to Eugen as she walked to my bathroom.

"…So she said. Well, it's best not to provoke her today, Eugen" Zara said to Eugen while she smiled slightly.

Eugen just shrugged, I don't know what's going on with Nelson or these girls at the moment but I can't muster any willpower to do detective psychologist hybrid nonsense at the moment. I felt a hand touching my forehead, it's cold and felt very comforting. Bremerton is touching my forehead while she frowned, my temperature must be quite high that there's a big difference in our heat…Algerie walked toward my mini kitchen and started taking out the stuffs in the paper bags, Zara walked to Bremerton's side and she stared at my face as well…

"Thanks for…visiting" I said weakly to Bremerton and Zara.

"Think nothing of it, we're friends. How are you feeling, Wallace?" Zara asked me while she smiled.

"Horrible" I weakly said to Zara.

"How can we help?" Bremerton asked me while she frowned a bit.

"…I…don't know…I'm hungry…I'm tired…I'm sore…uncomfortable, all at once" I said to Bremerton as I stared at her.

"Ouch, that must've suck. Don't worry, we'll help you Alex" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

"Here, a bucket of warm water" Nelson said out loud as she placed a full bucket near Bremerton and Zara.

"Okay. Come on Alex, you need to get clean for a bit. Can you sit up?" Bremerton asked me.

"…A bit…I need some help" I said to Bremerton while I struggled to sit.

Zara shifted closer towards me before she positioned me to sit upright while supported by my pillows, then Bremerton undid my buttons as her cheeks flushed a bit. In a few seconds, my shirt is unbuttoned and I'm sitting half naked on top of my bed. I sighed a bit as I looked at Algerie who's currently rinsing rice inside a boiling pan, she diligently kneaded the rice as she washed it as thoroughly as possible. Eugen is rummaging through the paper bags that were piled on the dining table, I could see her taking out some kind of packaging there. As for Nelson, Zara and Bremerton? All of them are starring at my lean yet muscular naked body…Zara is eyeing my figure with curious look, Nelson practically inspecting my body thoroughly and Bremerton's cheeks reddened even more before she lightly gasped.

"Wallace…Your body" Nelson commented.

"I know…" I said to Nelson in low tone.

Why did those three girls have that reaction? Simple, my body is covered in scars. Gunshot scars from human enemies, stitched scars from lacerations, burn marks from Siren energy weapons, you name it I got it…I was on the frontline roughly half a year if counting until today, but my scars are equivalent to those veterans that has years under their belt. These are the proof that I've been through so much shite and live to tell the tale, and I counted myself very lucky for surviving all of the events that gave a mark on my body. Bremerton frowned as she traced a particularly long diagonal scar that run from my upper left chest to my upper right stomach with her right hand, it took around dozens of stiches to close up back then.

"…Northern Iris Orthodoxy, Dunkirk…I narrowly…avoided a swinging bayonet" I said to Bremerton.

"Don't you wear armor?" Bremerton asked me while she frowned.

"Shredded from…a grenade" I said to Bremerton.

"And those burn marks?" Zara asked me.

"Serpent surprised me…and landed a shot on my stomach" I said to Zara.

"…You've been through so much, over your short time serving" Nelson said to me as she frowned slightly.

I just nodded, because she isn't wrong. I should've kicked the bucket a long time ago, but I kept going somehow, despite having no purpose in life. I am not going to stop now, not when I finally got a real purpose. Bremerton grabbed a small towel, she dipped it into the bucket, squeezed the excess water for a bit before she gently wiped my front side. The towel is warm, must be higher than my body temperature at the moment. Bremerton is frowning as she inspected my scars while she wiped my body, is she feeling sorry for me? Zara stood up and walked to the dining table, she grabbed something out of her bag and it's a medicine pack…Oh yeah, I will need them if I want to get better soon. Bremerton moved to wash my back, she widened her eyes and audibly gasped as she closed her mouth when she saw it…Ah my backside huh? There's a huge gashing scar back there caused by a shovel, a large chunk of my back skin was torn off and I can't sleep on my back for months…It's why I'm so paranoid when it comes to anything that threaten me from behind…Because I once let my guard down and almost died when an Ironblood soldier rushed me from behind with a shovel…I've never been the same since then…

"…Now I understand why you hate someone approaching you from behind, Alex…" Bremerton said to me in low tone as she traced my back scar with her hand.

"No, not that I hate it…It's me…I'm the one who need to…keep it together" I said to Bremerton as I lowered my head.

"…We won't blame you with this kind of scar, Wallace. Anyone would've been affected somehow" Zara said to me as she inspected the scar on my back.

"Is that why you are fearless? That you've experienced everything?" Nelson asked me as she sat on the bed.

"Fearless? No…I'm just good at hiding how scared I am…" I said to Nelson while I frowned.

"That so…" Nelson said to me while she cracked a smile.

I felt Bremerton start washing my back, but she is frowning deeply as she inspected my scars. This woman is a very kind one, even able to empathized with my condition that she is visibly upset about it…After thoroughly washing my body, Bremerton received a new shirt from Eugen who rummaged through my drawers and she helped put it on me…You know, this is a bliss. I…never had a friend to do something like this until I joined the military, kind of pathetic now that I thought about it. I sighed a bit as I turned to the side and widened my eyes, because Eugen is currently checking out a very explicit gravure magazine that I hid on that drawer! That thing legit has nude shapely women posing in erotic poses! Some even downright spreading their cunt apart for the camera! God fucking DAMMIT!

"…You got quite a taste in girls, Wallace" Eugen said to me while she smirked.

"…Got a problem with that?" I asked Eugen while I scowled.

"Nein, nein. Still, knowing you has a type certainly makes things easier" Eugen said to me while she smirked.

"And what is exactly his type?" Zara asked out loud as she eyed Eugen curiously.

"I like women with big boobs and wide hips alright? Especially if they are gorgeous. There…satisfied?" I said out loud as I felt my cheeks reddened.

"Very~" Eugen said to me while she smirked widely.

"…A-Anyway Alex, I heard that you're the one who shot Nobuyuki. Is that true?" Bremerton swiftly redirected the conversation, thanks Brem.

"…Yeah, I was the one" I said to Bremerton while nodded.

"I heard the shot came from the sea. How did you manage that?" Zara asked me.

"…None of you heard how it happened?" I asked out loud.

"Well, we only heard on the fact that you're the one who shot him from the sea. Not how you did it" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

"…I was hanging on the edge of the ice field just in front of Nobuyuki's tent…Half of my body was submerged within the water; I had my rifle deployed and sight at the tent. I covered myself with white robe, camouflaging my figure with the ice…All I have to do next is to find an opening…Then I pulled the trigger, and dive back into the sea" I explained the short version to Bremerton.

"Just like a ghost, he never saw it coming" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"You're so skilled Alex!" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

"…Thanks…" I said to Bremerton as I smiled slightly.

"And a skilled man such as you are, still need to eat something so you can recover quickly. Here you go, egg rice porridge and bread that Dunkerque baked this morning. Don't try to down them all, just eat it bit by bit" Algerie said to me as she placed a tray on the nightstand.

That tray has a bowl of rice porridge with raw eggs mixed with it and a half piece of white soft bread. I got to admit, my stomach is currently empty and the smell really perked up my appetite…But can I eat them without throwing up? I thawed my stomach out when I tried to ate some stir fry meat and vegetables some hours ago…No, I need to get better quickly. The longer I'm sick, the less time I have to improve myself. I really don't want to be underprepared when the situation calls for me to save the ship girls…I reached out for the bowl and grabbed it, but I couldn't lift it up without shaking and at this rate I'll drop the bowl! But before I could drop it, Bremerton already took the bowl with her own hands and held it. The woman sat beside me as she took a spoonful of porridge, blow on it to cool it down for a bit and then offered it to me while she smiled.

"Okay, say aah~" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

…I opened my mouth and she spoon feed me the egg porridge…Holy cow tits, this is fucking delicious…What kind of magic did Algerie use to make this?! So, she's a great cook?! Never thought she's one from a glance, she looked like an aristocrat that are usually taken care of by their handmaids! Oh well, don't judge the book by its cover, as the old saying goes. I munched the slightly hot food and gulped it down, Bremerton is quick to prepare another spoonful of the porridge and continue to feed me…I didn't realize it, but I managed to finish the entire bowl and my stomach isn't upset or anything…What the…yeah, Algerie is using a black magic or something. Bremerton also fed me the bread; she took small chunks of it to feed me and I also managed to finish the bread…I think this is because Algerie made it and Bremerton fed me.

"You finished everything, great~" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

"Brem…" Eugen said to Bremerton.

"Yup?" Bremerton asked Eugen as she looked at her.

"You're…acting kind of affectionate with him. Is there something going on between you two?" Eugen brazenly asked Bremerton.

"Huh?! W-W-What are you talking about?! There's nothing between us!" Bremerton said to Eugen while she smiled wryly…

"That stammer doesn't help, Brem" Algerie said to Bremerton while she squinted her eyes at her.

"Y-You guys are thinking too much about it! I'm just helping a good friend!" Bremerton said to Algerie as her cheeks reddened.

"Hmm…still, you immediately jump at the opportunity" Zara said to Bremerton while she held her own chin.

"Z-Zara?! Come on, not you too" Bremerton said to Zara as her cheeks started to redden.

"Well, she just wants to help, nothing wrong with that" Nelson said out loud while she shrugged.

"Yeah! Exactly! You guys just put too much thought into it!" Bremerton said out loud while she frowned a bit.

"…Nelson, this is why you can't get a date" Eugen said to Nelson like a disappointed mother.

"And this is why men always wary of you" Nelson immediately fired back.

"Not Wallace though~, right?" Eugen said to me, this woman is an expert gas lighter.

"…I can never figure out what you're thinking, most of the time. Take that as you will" I said to Eugen as I laid myself back on my bed.

"You would've bail out a long time ago if you don't love me, Wallace~" Eugen said to me while she smirked.

"Love is a strong word" I said to Eugen as I pulled my blanket to cover my body.

"Touche~" Eugen said to me while she smiled smugly as she shrugged.

"Wallace, planning to sleep again?" I heard Zara asked me.

"Yeah" I just said to Zara because I'm feeling sleepy again.

"Drink your medicine first, you'll want to get better quickly" Zara said to me as she handed me a few tablets and a glass of water.

I sat up, quickly gulped down the tablets, drank the water, put the glass on the nightstand and then plopped back down to bed. I don't know why but I'm feeling so sleepy, maybe because of my full stomach? I don't care, I just closed my eyes and drift off to the dreamland…

…

…

…

…

…I steadily opened my eyes as I stirred from my sleep, I let my vision adjusted with the room's brightness before I sat up. I immediately noticed that there's two other people in this room, namely Nelson and Bremerton who are playing poker on the dining table. Both seems concentrating to the game; the two ladies have a serious face as they thought on their next move…Hmm? So, where's Algerie, Zara and Eugen? Did they go home? Probably. I stretched my body a bit and I noticed that I'm feeling a whole lot better already, seems my body is almost return to its normal state. I put my legs down on the floor and slowly stood up, I don't feel light headed or dizzy so I guess the only problem is my high temperature now.

"Wallace, you woke up" Nelson said to me as she put her cards down.

"Apparently, dear reaper decided that it's not my time yet, for the umpteenth time" I said to Nelson while I shrugged.

"Don't tempt fate you dimwit" Nelson said to me with her eyes half closed.

"Yeah, though it's good to know it has never affected you Alex" Bremerton said to me.

"…So where are the others?" I asked Nelson and Bremerton.

"Gone back to the dorms. Algerie has an appointment with Jeanne d'Arc, Zara promised Pola to go somewhere and Eugen was told to join the night patrol with Blucher" Nelson said to me.

"Okay…How long was I out?" I asked out loud as I checked outside, which is completely pitch black.

"Four hours, how are you feeling now?" Bremerton asked me.

"Certainly better than the last half a day…Thanks to you ladies" I said to Bremerton while I smiled slightly.

"No biggie Alex, we're glad that you're a quick healer too. But don't push it for a few days at least, okay?" Bremerton said to me while she smiled softly.

"…Sure…Alright, deal me some cards" I said to Bremerton as I took a seat to her side.

Bremerton grinned as she put some chips on my front and dealt a new hand for us three, I got ace of spades and a queen of hearts…Goddammit, this is a high stake deal. Bremerton chose call, Nelson chose call, I chose check. Three cards on the table, two of diamonds, eight of hearts and king of jacks…high cards? That's it? That's my chance? Hmm, should I push through? Oh wait? Should I use ANARIS on these two…No…It felt wrong, I have no qualms in cheating when fighting others, but not my friends here. I decided to raise the stake, let's try scaring them for a bit. But Bremerton took me on straight by raising the bet and so did Nelson…Shite, I'm in a pinch here. Another card is put on the table, a jack of diamonds…Oho? I hope to fucking anything that the last card would be ten, it will be royal flush! I called, Bremerton called and Nelson called! And the last card is…three of diamonds…

"…High card" I said out loud as I flipped my cards.

"Three of a kind" Bremerton said out loud.

"One pair, hah" Nelson said out loud before she sighed.

"Yes! I win~!" Bremerton said out loud excitedly while she grinned.

"Good on you huh? Anyway, I don't really mind the company, but are you two sure you'll be fine staying here late?" I asked Bremerton and Nelson.

"Not like we got anything to do, that and I need to go outside my room for a bit" Nelson said to me.

"Me too, nothing to do, a sick friend, you can guess where I chose to spend my time~" Bremerton said to me while she smiled.

"…Thanks, you two…I'll be sure to thank Eugen, Zara and Algerie later" I said out loud while I smiled.

"You can start by resting properly until you're healthy again…Anyway, can I borrow your shower? I want to freshen myself" Bremerton said to me before she asked for my permission.

"Make yourself at home, Brem. No need to ask for permission" I said to Bremerton.

"Okie dokie then" Bremerton said to me before she stood up.

Bremerton grabbed her bag and she walked toward the bathroom before closing the door, so there's only Nelson and I left here at the moment. I glanced toward Nelson who tidied up the table, stacking the cards and chips to the side before she reached out for the cookies package that she pulled from a paper bag. Nelson then snacked on the cookies before she offered me some, I reached into the package and took three choco chips cookie and stuffed my mouth with them…Hmmm…Perfect dryness, not too much powder leftover when you chew them and the chocolate taste is superb…I glanced toward the package and memorized it, I'm going to buy some when I go out in the future. I could hear the shower being turned on, looks like Bremerton started showering.

"…Hey Nelson" I said to Nelson.

"Yes?" Nelson asked me.

"…I want to let you know that I have no intention to let you down in the slightest back then, during the exercise…I've made a promise to you, I intend to keep them. Someone once said that I shouldn't make light of a promise, and I agree with that person. I just want to clear that up to you" I said to Nelson as I fumbled with my hands.

"I see…Well, I went overboard so you have nothing to worry about. In the end, you proved that you're doing your absolute best, even ending up sick when it's done…You did well Wallace, you earned your merits. Though I have one thing to say…Don't make us get used to the fact you're always end up wounded or sick, alright?" Nelson said to me before she frowned slightly near the end.

"You know I can't promise anything with that, it's a job hazard" I said to Nelson.

"True, but at least try to…Do you even know how sad and worried Bremerton looked when she heard the news? Poor girl worried so much for you" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"I can imagine already…She's really kind" I said to Nelson as I looked down on the table.

"Yes, she is. Sometimes I thought that she's too good for this kind of work, like fighting in the frontline. But she can pull herself, she just shows her tender side to her friends…" Nelson said to me…wait…

"…You're telling me that she's not kind to others outside of her friends?" I asked Nelson as I cocked my eyebrows.

"There's difference in being nice and being polite, Wallace. Bremerton wouldn't hesitate to stand up for herself when needed…There's a moment where she got hit on by two rude men in a bar, she turned them down politely but they got touchy feely…You know where they ended up? Intensive care unit" Nelson said to me…Bremerton can be quite scary when she wants to!

"She can handle herself, that's for sure…Though she needs to keep her guard up, there's no telling what could happen when it's down" I said to Nelson.

"And that's where we as her friends, comes in…Truth to be told, I think she lost her trust in men, generally speaking. I never saw her hanging out with males, she only interacts with them for the bare minimum…That, until you show up" Nelson said to me.

"Me?" I asked Nelson as I tilted my head in confusion.

"Yes, you. I've been with her since our fleet formation on Point Azure, I know her very well by now. What makes her change her attitude when it comes to you? She acted so sweet, so caring and so attentive to you. I don't get it, you're a reckless bastard with a habit of doing something remarkable at the cost of your own well being" Nelson said to me while she shrugged.

"Way to rub it in…" I said to Nelson with half eyes closed.

"…But after being friends with you, I think I could understand why…Unlike those men that approached her, you don't see her as a chance to score. You saw her as Bremerton, the kind and sweet girl she is, which is surprisingly rare even between Point Azure male populace…You're also a hard worker despite your casual demeanor with your duties, kind, understanding, knows a lot of stuff, can also do a lot of stuff…You're dependable, any woman would feel at ease to have a friend like you" Nelson said out loud as she stared at the table's surface.

"You're going to make me blush" I said to Nelson while I smirked a little.

"I'm being serious, Wallace" Nelson said to me as she stared at my eyes directly.

"When did you ever joke?" I asked Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows as I smirked.

"…I just wish this side of you aren't so infuriating to deal with" Nelson said to me while she facepalmed.

"Heheh…Truth to be told, I did it to you most often since you're so fun to tease. But I want you to know that I mean no harm, I…treasured my friends" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit.

"…Alright. It's just, what makes me so fun to tease to you?" Nelson asked me.

"The fact that you're so serious all the time? People will want to see you relaxed a bit, I'm no different than them. But I'll be honest, I like it when you get a bit feisty when you retort at something. Though I don't want to make you mad for real" I said to Nelson as I leaned on my chair.

"You like it when I'm feisty? People just get scared at me" Nelson said to me while she cocked her eyebrows.

"…Nah, I doubt everyone do. Some might just be good enough at hiding them" I said to Nelson.

"And you're one of them?" Nelson asked me.

"Hmm…Well, close enough?" I said out loud in wonder.

"Are you a masochist that likes it when you get scolded?" Nelson asked me while she narrowed her gaze.

"I don't mind if it's you, because if you don't? Then something's wrong" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"Hmph…Though now that you brought it up, maybe I'm a bit harsh on others…" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"Well, I can see that could send a wrong message to strangers…But you do you" I said to Nelson.

"…What do you think I should do to make myself…friendlier?" Nelson asked me…

"…Just be nicer in general? Maybe some idle chatter with others?" I said to Nelson.

"…Idle chatter is not my strong suit…" Nelson said to me while she looked to the side.

"…You know what? Screw that, you are who you are, Nelson. There's no need to change yourself" I said to Nelson with serious tone.

"Huh?" Nelson couldn't help herself but to voiced out her confusion.

"The Nelson I know is a kind woman with rough exterior, she expected the best out of people because she believes in their best qualities. She might seem unapproachable at first due to her serious nature, but she's a genuinely nice woman when you get to know her better" I said to Nelson.

"W-What are you saying, Wallace?' Nelson asked me as her cheeks reddened.

"My impression on you?" I said to Nelson.

"…Is that how you see me?" Nelson asked me in unsure tone.

"Yeah, what I truly see in you…" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"…I see" Nelson said to me while she smiled slightly.

KACHAK!

"Phew! That's refreshing!" Bremerton said out loud as she exited the bathroom.

"Good to hear" I said to Bremerton.

"I smelled like you, Alex~" Bremerton said to me as she closed in on me and presented her forearm to my nose…yeah, this is the soap I used.

"You used my soap huh?" I said to Bremerton while I smiled.

"Yup, didn't brought mine. I swear, men had it easy. Your soap is multipurpose! We have to use two different products if we want to keep our skin smooth and moist!" Bremerton said to me.

"Truer words have never been spoken" Nelson said to Bremerton.

"Not just that, it can be a shampoo as well" I said to Bremerton while I smiled.

"Seriously?!" Bremerton said out loud as her eyes widened.

We spent some more time chatting and playing before Nelson and Bremerton head back to their dorms, they were picked up by Baltimore who came with a jeep. Not long after that, Gideon checked on me and commented that the medicine that Zara gave me was from him. One to cure my fever, one to combat fatigue and other is immune booster…Welp, thanks to that, I'm as healthy as ever in just two days. By day three, I'm already back to work. I had to attend specialized class to further hone my skills as soldiers, doing the regular guard or patrol duty, getting told to do errands and to top it all off? I still have to teach the ship girls on using firearms…Yeah, my schedule is packed! It's only matter of time until I fall sick again…Nah, despite that though, I've been pacing myself. I rest more often, make sure to never skips a meal and properly work out to keep my endurance…Oh, one good news from all of this? I got paycheck raise! Sweet sweet cold hard cash, my expenses have never been too much though…Should I save for that dream house? I think I should start from now…

.

"Oya? You need something nya?" Akashi said to me as I entered her shop.

"Just felt like visiting, I haven't had the time" I said to Akashi as I walked to her counter and dropped a paper bag full of chips.

"Hehe! Appreciated nya! I heard your name being the talk of the base for the past week, you're making a name for yourself out there nya!" Akashi said to me while she grinned.

"I'm not really thrilled about it though…Still, are there any progress in the thing that I gave you?" I asked Akashi regarding the component that I recovered weeks ago.

"The thing? Ah, that one. Still none at the moment nya" Akashi said to me while she shrugged.

"Figures…Any idea on what to make with that one though?" I asked Akashi.

"That's the problem nya. I still don't know what to make with it nya" Akashi said to me while her shoulders sagged.

"Huh…Not in the slightest idea?" I asked Akashi as I folded my arms.

"…Well, I do have an idea to-. Ah! Welcome Algerie-san!" FUCK!

"Oh, hi, fancy meeting you here" I immediately turned around with the most composed face I can muster to greet Algerie.

"Yeah, didn't know you also shops here" Algerie said to me while she smiled…Did she hear?

"I brought that colored TV from Akashi, she and I are business acquaintances" I said to Algerie while I smiled.

"Hm, that so. Anyway, Akashi? I've come to relay a request from Madame Richelieu, she ask you to fix her radio, something is wrong with the speaker that the sound that came out of it is unpleasant" Algerie said to Akashi while she smiled.

"Again nya? She should've just bought a new one nya" Akashi said to Algerie with half closed eyes.

"I believe she has some sentimentality for that radio" Algerie said to Akashi while she smiled slightly.

"…Wakatta nya, I'll be there later on the evening nya" Akashi said to Algerie.

"Splendid, thank you" Algerie said to Akashi.

"Wallace-kun, I'll let you know when I got your order ready nya" Akashi said to me…sounds like she's shooing me off.

"Alright, thanks…Algerie, you're heading somewhere?" I said to Akashi before I asked Algerie.

"Hmm, nothing in particular. You?" Algerie asked me back.

"None as well, job's done for the day…Want to head somewhere? If you're not busy?" I asked Algerie.

"Glad you ask. How about the recreation center? Let's do something fun!" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Sure" I said to Algerie while I nodded.

We both bid our goodbye to Akashi before we head out of her shop and towards the recreation center directly outside the base's front gate, a newly built facility that has plenty of fun stuff to do in there. Game center? Check. Indoor pool? Check. Skiing arena? Check. Library? Check. Gambling den? Check. Restaurant and bar? Double check. It got everything, but we still need to pay to use them so I suppose it's another source of income for Point Azure, that comes out of its residence's own pockets and other civilians who resides on the apartment complex nearby. But well, it's popular enough that it got absolutely crowded in the first opening week, civilians, soldiers and KANSENs alike visited the hell out of the place. It's less crowded now since its weekdays, but I won't count it being empty for a long time…I got no time to return to Delta Site and dropped off the AK47 that I'm carrying so I just slinged it on my back, might help if there's emergency…and deterring troubles.

"I take it you're healthy enough to return to work?" Algerie asked me.

"Of course. Your rice porridge with raw eggs mixed in them really gave me the strength to pull through" I said to Algerie.

"Glad to hear it. I learned that recipe from Madame Mikasa, it's easy to swallow and nutritious so it's perfect for sick people" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"I want to learn it too, should come pretty handy later" I said to Algerie.

"Fufu, I'll teach you later" Algerie said to me.

"…I haven't thanked you properly for coming to visit back then, Algerie" I said to Algerie.

"Ah there's no need, I was just glad that you're okay" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"I'd feel bad, I want to repay you somewhat" I said to Algerie while I frowned a bit.

"Hmm, I have two things I want you to do then. One is to do the same to me in the future, and two? You have to spend the day with me now" Algerie said to me while she grinned.

"Fair enough. So, what do you want to do? Game center? Pool? Or library?" I asked Algerie while I smiled.

"Game center first, then maybe library if I'm in the mood" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Alright then" I said to Algerie.

We walked to the recreation center while idly chatting about anything we can talk about, just to make the walk bearable. It's not even a kilometer away from the main compound, but damn if it's not agonizing! Still, with the cold winter, it's certainly more tolerable compared to walking like this during summer midday! Anyway, we finally arrived on the large compound and we entered through the main entrance. While it's not too crowded, it's certainly quite populated today. Algerie and I immediately entered the game center then walked to the counter to exchange money for coins, the machine here uses these special coins to function. That means if you're addicted? Well, you're screwed…Anyway, I exchanged for around thirty coins and split it with Algerie, this should last us for a while. Okay, now, what to play first, hm? Should I head for the whack a mole? Shooting booth? So many to choose…

"What do you want to do first?" I asked Algerie.

"How about we try the mini basket hoops? You know, warm up our arms?" Algerie asked me.

"Let's go" I said to Algerie.

We approached the machine where we could shoot some basketball, Algerie and I took the adjacent machines and inserted our coins at the same time. Nothing's wrong with little competition, I'm quite confident in my throwing arm. Now the accuracy though? I don't know, never been that good in sports. Oh well, just do your best, me. Algerie and I inserted the coin at the same time, the machine activated and both of us immediately started throwing basketball against the moving goal in front of us. It took me a few shots to refamiliarized myself with the throwing stance but eventually I managed to properly shoot the ball into the basket without difficulties, I put the balls twenty times into the basket. I glanced to Algerie's side and I widened my eyes at the number thirty one on the number indicator…

"You're good" I said to Algerie.

"No, you're just suck" Algerie said to me while she smirked.

"Ouch, though yeah, I did forget how to shoot them. It's been ages" I said to Algerie while I shrugged.

"When was the last time you play?" Algerie asked me.

"High school, first grade" I said to Algerie.

"And how old are you now?" Algerie asked me while she tilted her head.

"Twenty two" I said to Algerie as I scanned the other games to play.

"And your birthday?" Algerie asked me.

"April thirteenth…" …Wait a fucking second!

"Thanks for the info~" Algerie said to me while she smirked…I totally let my guard down there!

"Oh well" I shrugged in resignation.

"Still, it's funny. You're born on the month which the first day being a joke day, and you're born on the thirteenth which correlates with number thirteen as unlucky number. Yet you might be the luckiest soldier I known, to survive a lot of things" Algerie commented as she stared at me.

"Yeah, I think you're right…Well, what do you want to do next?" I asked Algerie.

"…How about the shooting stall?" Algerie pointed toward the shooting stall.

"Oh, my specialty. Think you can take me on?" I asked Algerie while I smiled.

"I'll show you that you shouldn't get too comfortable on your throne, just because you're a sniper~" Algerie said to me while she smirked…damn I loved it when she shows confidence.

"Let's let the result speak for us" I said to Algerie while I smirked.

The stall we approached is a target shooting with water gun, you have to shoot moving targets around three meters away with high pressure water gun to hit the small spot on the middle. The farther the target, the bigger the points. Algerie and I get to the empty stall, both of us nodded at each other before we entered the coins at the same time and slamming the start button. Both of us immediately grabbed our gun and started firing at the targets, I tried to fire in short controlled burst but I quickly discarded it when firing in continuous beam is more effective and cost less time. There's a sixty seconds limit, Algerie and I competing fiercely for the most targets downed. Got to admit, she's quite good with her reflex! One minute passed quickly and we stopped firing as we stared at the points panel, it shown that I get three thousand points different with Algerie…and I'm leading.

"…What do you say about me getting too comfortable on my throne? Of course I would, if the challenger is a pathetic shooter like you" I said to Algerie while I smirked.

SPLASH!

"…Oh you did not just do that" I said to Algerie because she splashed my mouth with the water gun stream.

"Oh I totally just did-, kyaa!" Algerie squeaked when I retaliated by hitting her forehead with water stream.

"Heh" I snorted in amusement because her reaction is so cute.

"You shouldn't get a lady wet, Wallace" Algerie said to me while she pouted.

"But isn't it a man's job to make a lady wet though?" I asked Algerie while I smirked.

"Oh my~, pulling lewd jokes on me now? I see you're getting comfortable, good~" Algerie said to me while she grinned.

"Tch, damn couple"

"Flirting in the open, really?"

"Dear customers, please do not use the water gun for other purpose than the game!"

Welp, we got scolded by the attendee and earned some scornful remarks from passerby. We apologized to the attendee and immediately walked away from the booth, it's time to try another game…Still, others saw me and Algerie as a couple? Admittedly, with the way we're acting, it's easy to mistake us for one. I've been getting comfortable with my female friends lately, I found myself smiling more often around them and started cracking jokes or firing a snark at them. Is it because I'm feeling that we have gotten closer than before? Heck, Bremerton didn't even hesitate to hug me in front of everyone, so I think that argument is quite justified…Is there a chance for something more? Bah, don't get ahead of yourself Alex…I'm fine being like this at the moment, it won't matter if I can't complete my mission anyway. I felt Algerie tapping my right shoulder and pointed at a dart throwing competition, you can win the prizes that's available there.

"Want to try?" Algerie asked me.

"Why not. Though it'll be a challenge to win anything" I said to Algerie.

"All you got to do is to rip the paper target to win them, right?" Algerie asked me.

"Good luck hitting them" I said to Algerie.

"You don't believe me, Wallace?" Algerie asked me while she smiled.

"After that shooting competition? You can't blame me for having doubts" I said to Algerie.

Algerie snorted before she lightly elbowed me while she smiled, it's good to know that Algerie could take jokes and playful snide, I need to remind myself not to take it too far though. Both of us arrived at the stall, we handed the attendee our coins and he gave us three darts each. Our targets? Various things that are hanging around three meters away from us. Those prizes are being held by a special target made out of round paper targets with varying sizes depending on the prize's value, it looks fragile that it could tear just from a single dart hit. Sounds easy enough? Those who said it's easy has never thrown a dart at something small from three meters away…Let's see, which prize should I get here? There are small trinkets to a human sized cute dolphin doll over there…Dolphin sounds good, might as well give it to Algerie if I won it. Both of us started throwing, I threw two of my darts at the dolphin's targets…and both missed. The fucking target is quite small, my darts keep narrowly missing them!

"Going for the big prize huh?" Algerie commented.

"And you? What did you go for?" I asked Algerie.

"That cute kitty doll!" Algerie said to me while she grinned.

"I'm not surprised, you seem to like cute things" I said to Algerie as I stared at the white cartoonish kitty doll.

"No luck with it though, I'm suck at throwing darts" Algerie said to me while she frowned slightly as she held her last dart.

"…Well, give it another shot. You want that kitty, show it that you're willing to fight for it" I said to Algerie.

"You're right, I'll give it my all with this last throw! Hup!" Algerie said to me before she thrown her dart…and missed.

"…At least you tried" I said to Algerie as I shrugged.

"Merde…Hah…You still have one, Wallace. Get it for me? Please? Pretty please?" Algerie begged me while she smiled cutely…

"…Fine" I said to Algerie as my shoulder sagged…That face is too cute to ignore.

Algerie smiled widely as she stepped aside and I took her place…Okay, ANARIS, let's cheat a bit.

[Analytic Engine Ready]

[Target marked]

[A lot of attempts have been made; none has hit the target. Success probability based on earlier throw: 32%]

[Recommendation: Switch targets]

…ANARIS you really didn't inspire confidence here…But nah fuck that, I should rely on my own skills here. ANARIS could help but only at appropriate situation, and throwing darts is not one of them. I controlled my breathing, focused my vision on the small paper target and set my throwing stance…I fumbled with the dart for a bit before I decided on the right amount of power and throwing point, and I did just that. The dart flew beautifully and missed the intended target, instead it hit the target just behind it and ripped the paper. Something fell down to the mattress below and the staff picked it up before showing it to me, it's a matching keychain. There's two of them, one is a pink bear mini doll, the other is a big apple that the bear hold and they could be joined together with the bear holding the big apple…Huh, quite a peculiar design.

"Shame that you missed, but at least you won something. Here you go" The attendee said to me while he smiled.

"Thanks" I said to the man as I took the keychain.

"Aww, you missed. But at least it's not a fruitless attempt" Algerie said to me as she stared at the keychains I held.

"Shame, but shite happens…So, which one do you want?" I asked Algerie as I shown her the trinket.

"Hmm…The bear, it won't hard to notice my keys presence if I got something like that in my pocket" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Here you go, milady" I said to Algerie as I handed her the shield keychain while I smiled, guess I'll settle with the apple.

"Thank you, servant~" Algerie said to me while she smirked.

"Oh? Downgraded to servant already?" I asked Algerie while I smiled a bit.

"You're saying you don't want to serve Queen Algerie the Great?" Algerie asked me while she smiled.

"When you beat me in a shootout, maybe I'll consider" I said to Algerie while I smiled smugly.

"I'll hold you to that. So, want to play some whack a mole?" Algerie asked me while she smiled.

"Okay, though I don't know about beating you on this one" I said to Algerie while I frowned slightly.

"Oh? The lionheart turn out to be a pussycat huh?" Algerie said to me while she smirked…

"You know what, I intend to go along, but now I'm actually pumped to beat you" I said to Algerie with half closed eyes.

Algerie giggled a bit, cute as it is, right now I'm feeling heated for being challenged. I know I'm going to lose this one since I'm no KANSEN, but I got to try my best. Maybe there will be a miracle? If that happens, I'm so going to rub it in Algerie's face. Both of us arrived on the whack a mole machine, we put in the coins before we grabbed the toy mallet and slammed the start button. Six holes, six goffers and one minute. Let's see who will comes out on top! The bell ringed and the goffers came out, both of us immediately brought our mallets down on their heads. Sometimes, two or three would pop out at once and we have to be quick in hitting them. My body and mind and even ANARIS worked together, I thought faster than ever in picking my targets, my body reacted accordingly and ANARIS highlighted the targets with red outline…The bell ringed at the same time as me hitting my last goffer, I put down my toy mallet and looked at Algerie who stared back at me while she smirked as she threw her thumb toward the scoreboard. It shows that she won, hard, as in, her score is dominating mine and make it her bitch…

"Tis unfortunate, forsooth thou art pale in comparison against Algerie the Great Queen~" Algerie said to me while she smirked.

"Har har, dost thy lady knows that arrogance art thy downfall of thee? Perhaps this lowly peasant could bequeath small insight on such matters?" I asked Algerie sarcastically while my eyes are half closed.

"…You can speak in such language as well, Wallace…Did you hail from an aristocratic family?" Algerie asked me as she widened her eyes a bit.

"No, picked it up from books" That is a big fat lie obviously.

"Really?" Algerie asked me with her eyes squinting at mine.

"Do I look like someone from aristocracy?" I asked Algerie with my best poker face.

"…Alright, I'll drop it…Still, it seems that while you exceled in ranged fights, I got more advantage when it comes to close quarters" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Can't be helped, you're a KANSEN, it's natural that you won in all physical aspect, Algerie" I said to Algerie while I shrugged.

"Does that mean you would've beaten me if you're a KANSEN? Now that I think about it…Male KANSENs huh? Why do KANSEN is only consisted of women? Does it have to do with the fact that ships are called 'she'?" Algerie asked out loud as she started to walk.

"Sounds like a plausible theory" I said to Algerie as I followed to her side.

"…We were summoned to this world to fight…That is the function of a warship, it is the natural function of us as well for being the manifestation of one" Algerie said to me while she frowned.

"Yeah, frankly speaking, that is true…However, you are not just a ship anymore, right? The one that stand before me is a gorgeous woman named Algerie, she's a human, just like everyone else. She's not a weapon, she's a soldier, a human with reason and skills to fight" I said to Algerie.

"…But I don't even truly know the reason why I fight, Wallace" Algerie said to me while she smiled sadly.

"Your first reason should always be survival, without it, you're as good as dead. But the other reason? You can take your time to find them, I guess…Someone like Enterprise might consider it is her duty to fight, someone like Cleveland might fight for this world's future so Clara could live in peace…Whether it is to rid of evil or fighting for someone you love? Everyone at least has one reason to fight…You might don't have one now other than survival, but I think you'll find one later down the line" I said to Algerie.

…It's exactly the same thing Baltimore asked me once, my reason to fight. I won't lie, I don't have one other than survival and even then, that is stretching it because I could willingly sacrifice myself. I see no other way for me to continue living like I did before I joined the military, there are no guarantee that I will be able to bounce back from that almost two decades of clusterfuck. If I join the military? At least some of my needs would be taken care of, sure I have to go out there with guns in hands to risk my life and fight for whatever the hell Azur Lane believes in. But at least this way I'm surviving, and I'll take this every time comparing to living on the street…After Nyx visited me though? Yeah, safe to say I finally got a purpose in my life for once, to help the ship girls when they need them. I got to ready myself, their problems could be about daily life or even warfare, I have to be ready in helping them deal with it and to do that? I have to improve myself. Discard my husk that think myself just an average man with no redeeming qualities, I would still be a normal man when it comes to my physique but at least I could make it up with skills, knowledge and willpower. That's how I should get an advantage over my adversaries-.

"…A warrior and a philosopher, huh?" Algerie said to me while she smiled softly.

"Philosopher? You're exaggerating, I just said what I think about the matter" I said to Algerie.

"And you think everyone thought of that, Wallace? Their reason to fight?" Algerie asked me.

"…No one is on this job without knowing the risk. There's only those that prepared for it, and those who don't" I said to Algerie.

"…Which one are you?" Algerie asked me.

"Me? Well, I'm the prepared one. I know what I'm getting into, I just don't expect to experience what I did and survive until now" I said to Algerie while I shrugged.

"Few months of that and we got the battle-hardened veteran Alexander Wallace we know and love…You know, yesterday I watched your point of view on the exercise since Major Ambrose recorded the whole thing. It just screamed 'experience', like, you really know what you are doing, Wallace. The way you build the foxhole, the reconnaissance, the way you fight in close combat, sniping and even infiltration…I would gladly entrust my back to you, anytime" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"I can handle anything, but don't expect me to shift the weight against a KANSEN, alright? There's a very big limit on what I could do against them" I said to Algerie.

"Don't worry, I'd still trust my back with yours" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"…I see" I said to Algerie.

"Well! Now that we're all warmed up, what do you say we do something that should mix well when it comes to our specialties?" Algerie asked me.

"Such game exists?" I asked Algerie while I cocked my eyebrows.

"Yup, and we're standing in front of it" Algerie said to me while she smiled slightly.

In front of us? I looked ahead and we stumbled upon a billiard area…Ah, physical prowess and accuracy? Well, Algerie does have a point that billiard require such skills. To start the game, we talked to the attendees in charge, ten coins equal to one hour of playtime…Since we've spent a bit on the previous games, Algerie and I piled our coins together then decided to play one hour. We moved to our assigned table, grabbed our pool cue and the attendee brought the balls alongside the triangle. We assembled the ball inside the triangle sorter, put it away for a bit and placed the white cue ball on the table. Now Algerie and I looked at each other as we held our stick, who's going to go first?

"Ladies first?" Algerie asked me coyly.

"…No, we settle this with rock paper scissor" I said to Algerie.

"Muu, how merciless. Alright, I guess that's fair. Rock, paper, scissor!" Algerie said out loud.

Both of us immediately shown our hands to one another, Algerie has rock while I have paper. I smirked when I saw Algerie pouting cutely but she accepted her loss, so I moved behind the cue ball and set my position…Alright, should I go hard here? Maybe, I'll want to scatter the balls as chaotic as possible. I lined up my shot and then slammed the cue ball with my pool cue, the white ball zoomed past the table and hit the group of colorful balls, scattering them wildly. I could see two balls, three and seven went into the hole…Nice, two to my name already. Now, what should I pick next? Should I go for the stripped ball or not? Hmm, wait a second, I scored the solid ball under number nine. I should go for another one…Let's see, that number three is positioned nicely. Just let me adjust a bit…and there!

KLAK!

"Nice shot Wallace" Algerie said to me sarcastically…because the third ball? It bounced just off the corner.

"Let's see you do better" I said to Algerie while I frowned slightly.

Algerie smirked as she moved toward my position and lined up her shot, she bended over and focused her gaze at the balls…Oh my, I just noticed how wide her hips are and her arse? Heart shaped, plump, and nicely wrapped with her black panty that's shown a bit because of her skirt lifting slightly. Algerie got the perfect figure of a mature woman, I really approve. I then turned my head around and noticed that there are other men ogling her, it irked me off somewhat. So? I subtly moved behind her, glared at them as I shifted the rifle I have on my back. The effect is immediate as everyone shifted their gaze away with scared look on their faces, hahahah! Yeah, you horny fucks don't have any guts if me alone could scare you! Algerie did her shot and she plunged a number eleven ball down the hole. Algerie shifted her position and hit the cue ball again, this time sending the number twelve ball down the hole…Wait, she's quite good! Algerie sent number thirteen ball down before she missed the next one…My turn at last.

"Let's see you trying to keep up with me~" Algerie said to me while she smirked.

"Watch" I said to Algerie as I moved toward the suitable position.

And I proved myself by sending four balls down the holes, now I only need to hit the final eight ball to win the game. I subtly glanced at Algerie and I could see her frowning slightly, now I know that she is quite competitive and she felt anxious that I'm just one step away from winning the game. Heheh! Alright then, let's do this…the eight ball is near the hole by the corner, the cue ball is not on suitable position for direct shot…Alright, a bit of a gamble, but I need to hit the eight ball by aiming slightly to the left, that way it would just roll into the hole…I bended down and then hit the cue ball, it rolled extremely quick toward the eight ball then hit it. The ball rolled into the hole, and with that I win the game! I fist pumped before I smirked at Algerie who stared at me while she's pouting cutely…Alright, I should feel bad, but I can't help but to feel satisfied that I just one upped her.

"Round two!" Algerie demanded me while she pouted.

"Game on, milady" I said to Algerie while I smirked slightly.

…We played until the attendee notified us that our time is up. The final score is three to one, my win. I noticed that Algerie put up a good fight, she's quite good at billiard but she has one problem. Algerie has slight trouble in predicting where the ball would go, she can definitely hit the balls but she can't make it dance. That's my advantage over her, because I know which spot to hit so the ball would move to where I want it to go. That and I'm quite patient with my shot, I even used the wall to bounce the que ball properly…Well, I did take a lot of time but I win most of the game. Right now, both of us are walking away from the billiard area, with Algerie rubbing her chin as she figured out why she lost.

"Hah, I lost" Algerie lamented out loud.

"You're impatient with your shot" I said to Algerie.

"…No, you're just better" Algerie said to me.

"Why thank you" I said to Algerie while she smiled.

"I guess it's no different than aiming with your rifle huh?" Algerie asked me.

"Well, I'll admit that it's similar enough. But to make some risky shots that I did back there? What's important is imagination. I visualized the ball's trajectory in my head before I made the shot" And I did that without ANARIS! Ha!

"I see…I think I'll get some practice in before I challenge you again. Once I got the hang of it, you'll be surprised at how good I will be" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"I've no doubt, you're already quite good. I think you'll surpass me easily if you put more effort" I said to Algerie.

"I hope so…Ah, crane games!" Algerie said out loud before she approached one near the entrance.

"Cute dolls, I shouldn't be surprised" I muttered to myself as I followed Algerie.

Algerie scanned the dolls within the machine and determine on which to get, I watched from the side as I heard her swoon when she saw a dog plushy that is covered in soft fur…Hmm! That seemed like a high quality one! I watched Algerie put her coin into the machine and started controlling the crane with a small stick to get it, the claw on it dropped down onto the doll and grabbed its neck, however it fell down when the claw went back up and shook the claw…Ah, so that's the trick, this machine's claw grip is the bare minimum and it slammed hard to its base to shake the doll that it grabbed. Ingenious, whoever thought of this machine is a slick businessman. Algerie groaned at her defeat before she let out a disappointed sigh as her shoulders sagged…She really want that dog plushy huh? I grabbed her right hand, opened it and put my last coin on her palm.

"Go get it Algerie" I said to Algerie while I smiled slightly.

"Oui…I will do my absolute best on this one!" Algerie said to me while she smiled with determination.

That's the spirit. Algerie put in the coin and controlled the crane again, this time she took her time in making sure where the claw would go. Once she found the perfect spot, Algerie slammed the grab button and the claw descended towards the doll which is being grabbed on its body…Ah! Great idea! The doll is pulled up, the claw slammed into the crane but it didn't fell down because of the dog's limbs acting as anchor to the claw! It is brought to the drop area before the claw opened and dropped the plushy into it, Algerie gasped as she checked the drop area and took out the plushie. She held it in the air as she swooned in admiration before she hugged it as she smelled the plushy, I could get a hint of chocolaty smell even from here.

"Congratulations" I said to Algerie while I smiled.

"I did it! Oh mon dieu, it is so cuuuttttteeee! It smells like chocolate too! I really love this plushy!" Algerie said to me excitedly.

"…You really like cute things" I commented while I stared at her.

"I do, I really do like anything that is cute. Whether it is dolls or people" Algerie said to me as she stared at the dog's cute face.

"People huh? There's a lot on Point Azure, did you treat them the same way you treated this doll?" I asked Algerie while I smiled.

"Of course not everyone, I've learned to restrain myself around them. Though some like Laffey doesn't really mind me doting on her" Algerie said to me while she hugged the doll.

"That so?" Laffey huh? Well, she did look like a bit 'detached' so it makes sense to hear she didn't really mind.

"…Anyway, I won't get this without your help, Wallace. Merci~" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Don't sweat it, I'm glad you got what you want" I said to Algerie.

"That's why I'll name this one Alex! In honor of your selflessness!" Algerie said to me while she grinned.

"Downgraded even more huh? From servant to a dog?" I asked Algerie while I smiled.

"I think you mistook it for an upgrade. By being this doll, you can get hugs and kisses and love from me almost every day" Algerie said to me while she smirked.

"What's stopping you from giving it to the real one?" I asked Algerie before I widened my eyes at my own words…Did I just said that?!

"Oh my? You're saying you want those things from me? Directly?" Algerie asked me while she smirked, though I couldn't help but notice the redness on her own cheeks.

"…Well, we're friends, right? I think you can give some on occasion" I said to Algerie while I shrugged.

"Those things are reserved for my lover only though, so tough luck~" Algerie said to me while she smirked.

"Naturally, huh" I said to Algerie while I smiled…Of course, she won't just do that to any man.

"Though because you are a dear friend, I'll give you this!" Algerie said to me.

The woman moved towards my left and hugged my left arm while she smiled widely…Heh, arm hug huh? Well, it's considered as a hug so I guess it's fine. I smiled before I snorted in amusement, Algerie then started walking as she dragged me out of the arcade, we talked and walked with her hugging my left arm until we reached the library. This place is at the top of the building, where the noises from below aren't so loud and it got gorgeous display from the windows. Well, not really gorgeous because the view is consisted of the forest, the apartment complex or Point Azure itself, but at least it got fresh air. Though because its winter, the windows are closed at the moment. Algerie and I registered our names on the guest list, then we found some seat by the corner. Algerie go first to get a book she wants to read, when she returned, I walked off to get mine…What should I get huh? I'm in no mood for anything technical though, maybe some fairy tales? Oh, I found something, ghost encyclopedia! Educate yourself with supernatural creatures from around the world…It's something new, this should be a good read for me. I returned to our spot and sat down; I see that Algerie is currently reading a collection of poems…

"…Ghost encyclopedia? What a scary read" Algerie commented when she saw the book cover.

"I never read it before, looks interesting" I said to Algerie as I opened the list of content…Huh, Will-O-Wisp! Just like the ones Shiranui controlled before!

We read in silence, Algerie did occasionally make some noises though because of the beautiful sentences that she read. Me? Total silence, because I've engrossed myself with the book. I faced a supernatural creature back on Eagle Union dorms, and I was unprepared which could cost us our lives if not for Kasumi's help. I should educate myself, at least I should know what I'm dealing with if I ever encounter anything supernatural in the future. Though I suspect even this encyclopedia didn't cover every known supernatural creature, only the famous ones…Intriguing, the entries are divided by regions. There are supernatural based on western mythology or area, there's the Asian ones and even some from Africa and South America. Since I'm from the west, I choose to read the western one first…I read many entries before I reached a one particular supernatural creature when Algerie plopped herself down next to me.

"You haven't made a sound ever since you start reading" Algerie said to me.

"Seems I was too intrigued by the book" I said to Algerie.

"Yeah…Hmm, The Revenant. The returning?" Algerie said out loud as she said the creature's name.

"You know the meaning?" I asked Algerie.

"Yeah, because the name is old Iris word…The Revenant is an animated corpse that return from death to haunt the living. Revenant has many names depending on the region, but the concept is the same. Revenant is controlled by a spirit of deceased human being, most likely the spirit of the corpse. They returned to this world either as a visible ghost, or a vengeful spirit. It is said that Revenants returned to the world of living to take revenge on those who wronged them in their previous life, however there are also cases of Revenants that returned because they died before they fulfill their promise or complete their task and sought to see it come to completion. It is said, that only those with a strong will that can turn into revenant, for such will is required to cross the boundary between life and death" Algerie said out loud regarding the Revenant.

"This one is a remarkable creature" I said to Algerie.

"Indeed, especially that only those with strong will could become one. It shows the quality of a person when they are alive" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Really…Right. You want to head back home?" I asked Algerie.

"Hmm, sure. But let's stop at the convenience store first" Algerie said to me.

So we both left the library, I made a mental note to come here again to read the rest of the entry. We walked toward the convenience store...or department store on this compound to shop for few items. Hmm, while I'm here, I guess I could pick up several things for my flat. Algerie and I grabbed our basket before we went on our own ways for a bit, time to shop for some necessities…Alright, men's beauty product lineup. I'm going to need new cologne and some hair gel, let's just get the usual ones. I quickly tossed them into the basket then proceeded to search for toothpaste and mouthwash which I got immediately. Great, now, time to get me some snacks. I walked down the snack aisle and grabbed the chocolate chips cookie that Nelson snacked before and some biscuits, should I get something for my plain bread? Hmmm, I still have something to smear on it…but stocking up shouldn't hurt. I went to the next aisle and grabbed a chocolate peanut combo…This bastard is high in calorie that it's perfect for-.

"Wallace, getting some for breakfast huh?" Algerie said to me while she approached me.

"Yeah, you too?" I asked Algerie.

"Yup" Algerie said to me as she checked the jam aisle.

…What did Algerie planning to buy? I sneaked a glance at her basket. Let's see...potato crisps, biscuits, chocolate bar, an expensive wine bottle, some lotion, some ointment, cotton balls, vitamin pills and menstrual pads…Huh, looks like Algerie is running out of that one, though her emotion is pretty stable if she's on her period right now…Wait wait wait, stop that thought, don't be weird Alex. She could be just preparing for her incoming period, there's that possibility as well. I averted my eyes away before Algerie could notice, she grabbed a grape and an apple jam then put it on her basket. Next? Yeah, we immediately headed for the cashier and paid for the items. Then we walked outside, and…begin our long journey home…It's a long walk to Iris dorm, we filled the silence during walk by recounting our experiences today. Hanging out with Algerie is quite fun, this woman is a charmer and an interesting person. Glad to know that I'm befriending her well…We finally arrived on Iris dormitory after a long walk carrying our groceries…I think I should just go grab a jeep the next time I'm doing this. Or get my own car, though I don't know where to store them in this base.

"…I had a great time today, Wallace~" Algerie said to me while she grinned slightly.

"Me as well, it was fun" I said to Algerie while I smiled.

"We should go on another one sometime" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"For sure, just talk to me and we can arrange one" I said to Algerie.

"I'll hold you to that. See you, and thanks for escorting me back here" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"You're welcome" I said to Algerie.

Algerie went inside the dormitory before I walked away from the front door, the sky has turned orange so I think we're outside for quite some time. Time flies when you're having fun, huh…I couldn't help but be confused that these girls want to hang out with me despite…No! Enough with that depressing shite, you know why they stick with you Alex! Zara already told you once! Hah…Good, there's a difference between being pessimistic and being realistic, remember that, me…I walked outside the dorm and on the sidewalk, I was planning to walk all the way back to Delta site until I saw a truck slowing down next to me. The driver? Archer, my squadmate with a charming attitude and he honked twice while he grinned.

"Good day handsome~, how much?" Archer said to me while he grinned.

"Forty gold for handjob" I said to Archer while I smirked.

"What a rip off!" Archer said to me while he frowned.

"Oh I could rip it off of you alright" I said to Archer while I smirked and opened the truck door.

"Har har sir, I'm not into such extreme masochism" Archer said to me as I sat on the shotgun side and closed the door.

"Who knows right?" I said to Archer as he started driving.

"Right. What are you doing so far out here? With groceries no less" Archer asked me.

"I just went on a date" I said to Archer nonchalantly.

"…A WHAT?!"

.

"And that's why I want you to be my escort"

…I sat while I recounted Nelson's words just now, she wants a personal escort to attend a Royal Navy celebratory ball on Britain, because a small task force has managed to route a Siren attack on North Sea. The other purpose to this ball is to pick up the Royal KANSENs that defeated those Sirens, they are scheduled to leave for Point Azure, a group led by HMS Vanguard who is the head of Royal guards for Elizabeth. Nelson explained that because Elizabeth decided to make Point Azure her permanent base, Vanguard and the others has been recalled to return to her side. Nelson is selected to be the representative to pick them up and she want an escort, a soldier that knows what to do when there's an emergency and can fight well alongside the KANSENs. And, she thought that I fit that description, that's how we end up sitting in canteen and Nelson asking me that.

"I see, escort. I won't mind being one, though I'll have to discuss this with Leftenant Gordon" I said to Nelson.

"No need, you can just pack your bag tonight and we'll be off the next morning. Commander Nobuyuki already notified your Leftenant" Nelson said to me.

"…You went ahead to do that without actually hearing my answer?" I asked Nelson while I squinted my eyes.

"I figured you'll accept" Nelson simply said to me while she smiled slightly.

"You're jumping the gun" I said to Nelson in matter-of-fact tone.

"Shows how much I trust you, Wallace" Nelson said to me.

"…Well, next time, asking me ahead would be better. Who knows what my response is, Nelson" I said to Nelson.

"…Yeah, sorry that I decided on my own there" Nelson said to me while she nodded.

"Alright, don't sweat it…Anyway, where will be the party held?" I asked Nelson.

"London, in two days. We'll be going on a long plane ride, Wallace" Nelson said to me…Oh great.

"Figures. Though you sure you only need me, Nelson?" I asked Nelson.

"You're the only man I need…" Nelson said to me before her eyes widened.

"Such profound confession" I said to Nelson while I smirked.

"D-D-D-Don't take it the wrong way! I-I-I don't mean it that way! Ugh, what did you made me say?!" Nelson said to me as her cheeks completely flushed red.

"Wait, it's my fault?" I asked Nelson.

"Yes! No! Agh! Whatever, I'm off to pack. Make sure you are on the airfield at seven in the morning, Wallace. Do not be late!" Nelson said to me as she stood up.

"Yes milady" I said to Nelson in sarcastic tone.

"Good. See you" Nelson said to me before she walked.

I snorted then smiled as I watched Nelson descended the stairs to the ground floor, she's cute as always…Though, I'm not looking forward to that long range flight. I'm sure that the plane we will ride later is properly equipped for such long journey, I just dread the fact that we have to be inside a plane for possibly an entire day. My arse is going to be so flat by the time we land on London, I'm sure of that. I sighed when I noticed a hand placing a cup of coffee on my table, I looked to the side and saw Cleveland grinning at me…

"Women, eh?" Cleveland said to me while she grinned.

"…Yeah. I didn't order a coffee though" I said to Cleveland.

"On the house, since you took down Nobuyuki" Cleveland said to me.

"Ha? I don't follow. He's our commander, isn't he? Why would you give me a free coffee for shooting at him?" I asked Cleveland.

"Want me to be honest?" Cleveland asked me as she sat in front of me.

"By all means" I said to Cleveland.

"He always teases me by calling me bro, even though I'm clearly a woman. My womb even birthed a cute little girl, for extra assurance to those who doubted me. So, it feels good to see him get owned like that for once" Cleveland said to me while she smirked.

"Ah, I see…Well, you're welcome, I guess?" I said to Cleveland while I smiled slightly.

"Fufu! Yeah. Though it must've suck huh? Being so well known by everyone now?" Cleveland asked me.

"I admit, that's true…But what can I do about it? You can't make yourself unknown once you are known" I said to Cleveland.

"Right, so straighten your back and puff out your chest, Wallace. The spotlight will never leave you" Cleveland said to me while she smiled bemusedly.

"…Thanks, I think I'll do just that…Oh, by the way, mind if I ask you about Clara?" I asked Cleveland since she's in talking mood at the moment.

"My daughter? Hm, sure, what is it?" Cleveland asked me back.

"Forgive me if I sounded rude. But I want to know whether she's the same as other children" I said to Cleveland.

"…Oh, I see what you mean…To answer your question, yeah, she is just like other children, human children. There are no differences, aside from her natural strength" Cleveland said to me.

"Is that so. Then, during your pregnancy? Are there anything abnormal?" I asked Cleveland.

"No, nothing abnormal happened, which I'm quite thankful…Though I guess any mother would worry about their first pregnancy. But yeah, everything's normal. I even gave birth to her normally, it's so painful but when I saw her for the first time? Everything is worth it. I love my daughter with all my heart, nothing in this world will make me trade her" Cleveland said to me while she smiled softly.

"…You really are a caring mother" I said to Cleveland while I smiled.

"I'm doing my best for her, she deserves a far better future, a future of peace…Though I got to ask, what's with the question, Wallace? It's kind of sudden" Cleveland asked me.

"Well admittedly, I'm quite curious" I said to Cleveland.

"Oh? Ahh…I think I understand why would you asked those questions" Cleveland said to me while she smirked.

"You do?" Well, it's easy to know my intention with those questions.

"You're planning to start a relationship with a ship girl huh?" Cleveland asked me while she grinned.

…Not by anytime soon, but it won't hurt to know things that correlates with that future. If…If the relationship between me and my KANSEN friends ever progress to that step? I want to be prepared. I want to be able to solve issues that will definitely shows up later, and this is one of them, children…It goes without saying, children will definitely get involved later during relationship so I like to know how to handle them from now on…Am I ready to be a dad? I don't think anyone did, but they make do once they are put on that spot. Before that happen though, I got to make sure we have our own house and that's my current goal. I'm saving my money to build them from scratch, and to do that? First, I need to own the land, and my eyes bulged when I first saw the price…I got to work at least for a whole year and that's counting based on my new salary, just to buy the land certificate. Once I got the land, I can start building the house…Yeah, I'm going to need a lot of money, it's quite fortunate being soldier pays quite well these days…with the death risk being so high against the Sirens.

"Heh, you think I got chance with them?" I asked Cleveland while I smiled slightly.

"Come on, I think you have a good chance, Wallace. You just need to identify whose maiden hearts you have stolen~" Cleveland said to me while she grinned.

"Hmm, who is it I wonder?" I asked out loud.

"…Wait, you seriously don't realize?" Cleveland asked me while her eyes widened.

"No?" I said to Cleveland.

"…Well, I won't say love, but it's clear that some girls like you more than a friend should. Maybe you should start paying attention even more to your ladies' friend, Wallace" Cleveland advised me while she smiled.

"I don't want to jump the gun so soon" I said to Cleveland.

"Understandable, that's a solid reason" Cleveland said to me.

"…I think you've given some good advice, thank you" I said to Cleveland before I sipped the coffee…hmm, it has sugar in it.

"Ah no problem, you're a good man based on what I heard. I'm confident you won't hurt them" Cleveland said to me.

"Never will. And even if I do in an accident, I will never forgive myself" I said to Cleveland.

"W-Well, you have to forgive yourself. You can promise to do your best to not let it happen again though" Cleveland said to me while she smiled wryly.

"…Right, I think I can do that…So, is it hard? Raising kids?" I asked Cleveland.

"Oh you don't know the half of it, even last night Clara was-"

…Cleveland ended up talking a lot of things about Clara, but I managed to learn a lot from her stories about her daughter. Safe to say, raising a kid will be hard and test your mettle as a person…Well, I got to see how nice a parent could be from Cleveland, mine's not fit to be one in the slightest. Cleveland said that there is no manual when it comes to raising children, because there is no definite way to raise them right. Kids grow in different environment than each other, with different parent, different home, different situation, so each situation is unique. That's just the way of life, it's up to the parents to teach their child regarding common sense, common morals, compassion, what's right or wrong and skills that they will need later when they grow up. I listened intently on Cleveland's lecture about the whole thing, and made a long mental note to apply this lesson when the time comes. Cleveland said she learned all of those from her mother-in-law, that woman managed to raise a good son and he becomes a good husband for Cleveland. I'm happy for her, I truly do and I wish them eternal happiness.

After that, I went back to Delta site and talked about the situation with Gordon and my friends. Lina told me to be careful while my squadmates teased me regarding being an armor-less knight escorting a noble lady to a ball, Sullivan commented that the timing is off since he will be leaving for Britain in two days and we won't be seeing each other given his village is to the northern England. Welp, shame, but I think I won't have the chance to go around freely as well because of tight schedule. I think we'll be staying there a few days at most, no time to sightseeing then. I returned to my room and packed a small suitcase consisted of spare clothes, necessities, some equipment in case an emergency such as first aid kit and rations…What? Pays to be prepared. After that, I spend the rest of the day lollygagging in my room, watching TV, reading some novel, ate dinner and then slept comfortably.

…I woke up at five thirty in the morning, took a thorough shower, dried myself, shaved with my new razor, gelled my hair to swept back style, dressed in my SCAR Uniform which is ornamented with the medals I've got then put black winter coat over it, I wore the gloves that Bremerton gifted me, black military boots and my crimson beret. I grabbed the custom USP that Dwayne let me keep since I brought his equipment back after the exercise, I checked the mechanism and found the gun to be in optimal state so I put it on my thigh holster after engaging its safety. I grabbed several magazines and placed them on the bandolier on my back hip, since this is a new gun, I doubt I would just find magazine everywhere but at least the ammo it used is common enough. I put on a wristwatch, double checked my luggage and then checked myself in the mirror…Wow, Alex, you looked like a handsome badass veteran with firm face! Surely you would turn a few ladies gaze your way, eh? Bah, come back to reality, they'll most likely will find me terrifying…Wonder why would Nelson…No, we have this discussion already, me! Now get down there and grab your breakfast!

So I went to the restaurant, ate a quick meal of venison soup and grabbed a jeep to Point Azure Airbase. I walked inside hangar three and that's when I see it, a custom white C-130 for long range travel. I was admiring the plane when I saw someone walked up to me, a medium build man with dark green hair and red eyes, wearing flight suit and carrying a pilot helmet. He stopped in front of me and sized me up, seems like he's judging my worth.

"So you're one of the dude I had to drop at Site 17?" Hmm, ah!

"…You're that pilot, huh?" I asked him as I folded my arms.

"Righty o. Name's Jonnathan Armstrong, just call me Nate" Nate said to me as he offered his right hand.

"Alexander Wallace" I said to Nate as I grabbed his right hand and shook it.

"Yeah, I know already, first time seeing you in person though…So, the mission is to fly to London in one go? Heh, sometimes I'm jealous of my cousin" Nate said to me.

"Why is that?" I asked Nate.

"He doesn't have to do this kind of thing, must be so good being in the navy huh? He used to play college ball, at University of Texas. Could've gone pro if he hadn't joined the navy, but I guess that's a good stepping stone to be a senator, more legit as a former servicemen compared to a sport player" Nate said to me while he shrugged.

"Senator huh? He got a dream for sure" I said to Nate.

"Still, I love flying and I won't trade this job for any other. That doesn't mean I'll enjoy the long flying though" Nate said to me while he put his hand on his hip.

"Will you be alright? It'll be quite some distance" I asked Nate.

"Well, we'll take turns so there will be no issue. The only problem? We're flying solo, no fighter craft would be able to match our range so we'll have to plot a safe route where backup could reach us quickly in case Siren decides to bend us over and shove a guided rocket up our ass…or is it missile? Either way, we're in deep shit if we got detected. I suggest you start praying for a safe journey from now on" Nate said to me while he frowned slightly.

"Noted" I said to Nate.

"Chin up though, we'll do our best. This custom C-130 got toilet, food supply and enough fuel to circle the earth once. Your problem as passenger would be to keep yourself from dying due to boredom" …Right, I didn't think that far. Should've brought some books…

"…Anyway, good to meet you" I said to Nate.

"Ditto, if we ever crash land, we're going to need someone that can fight against aliens well hahaha!" Nate said to me as he walked past me and tapped my shoulder.

…He got dark sense of humor and I'm confused whether he's trying to comfort or scare me. But the lad is nice enough to meet and talk with me directly, so I'll put my trust on his flying skills…The clock shows 6.56 AM when I saw a gorgeous blonde lady wearing a red dress under a fashionable white furry winter coat approaching me from the entrance. It's Nelson herself, her hairstyle hasn't changed much though she wore red fashionable fur hat on her head, her clothes looked like a modified version of her usual clothes though this one has longer skirt that covered her thighs which is wrapped in black stockings and she wore a white winter boot to match the theming. Nelson also carried a suitcase with her, though hers are a bit larger than mine. Nelson approached me even closer and stared me directly in the eyes…Do I have something on my face?

"You're going to stare all day or are you going to say anything?" Nelson asked me while she pouted.

"Sorry, you look gorgeous enough to make me speechless" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit.

"Hmph, you aren't looking so bad yourself. Why can't you dress like this more often?" Nelson asked me as she scanned me from head to toe.

"You're saying I'm usually untidy?" I asked Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows.

"No, it's just that this gives you a more commanding presence…Ah what am I saying, come, we should get inside the plane" Nelson said to me as she walked past me with her luggage.

I just shrugged and followed Nelson, we entered the C-130 and Nelson got to talk with Nate. Strangely, he's more professional and reassuring compared to when he's with me…Well, given Nelson reputation as a no-nonsense woman in public, I shouldn't be too surprised. After making sure that we're good to go, Nelson and I secured our baggage then sat beside each other as the plane rolled out of the hangar. We taxied on the runway before taking off, I can feel we steadily climbed towards the sky. Sometime passed before I looked outside and spotted several F8F Bearcats escorting us in formation, wait, aren't those rare planes? I heard only elite pilots could ride them! We got an exclusive escort over here!

"…Oh, that's Cleveland's husband" Nelson suddenly commented.

"Which one?" I asked Nelson as I looked outside.

"The closest to us, that plane with light orange haired girl pinup near the nose" Nelson said to me...Ah, I see it.

"That pinup is Cleveland huh" I commented as I zoomed in on the paintjob, it is her.

I got a glimpse on the man as well, but his face is covered up with his helmet. I did know his face because I saw him picking up Clara once…The man looked toward us and he waved a bit, I widened my eyes and responded by waving back which caused him to nodded as he gave a thumbs up…He seems like a friendly bloke, guess the stories are true. Does he know me? What am I even asking? I got a good feeling the man know, if not from the rumor, then from Cleveland herself. I realized that he's piloting an F8F Bearcat, I guess he's one of the ace pilots Point Azure has, good to know he got our back…After being with us for a while though, they returned to Point Azure because we're entering their maximum travel range. I saw the man waving at us again before he and his squadron banked away, as if to bid us goodbye. Have a safe flight on your way home, man…I looked to the side and noticed that Nelson is reading a book, possibly a light novel. And I didn't have mine…fuck…Oh well, I closed my eyes and napped.

…

…

…

…

…

…Ugh…I think I slept a little too long. I opened my eyes and rubbed them, that's when I felt a weight on my left shoulder. I glanced to the left and I found Nelson, leaning on my shoulder as she slept peacefully…Oh great, no way I can move now. I sighed a bit just as the door to the cockpit was opened and I saw Nate himself stretching, he glanced at me before he smirked as if congratulating me mentally…um, thanks? Nate moved to my side and sat two seats away from me.

"…How's the ride so far?" Nate asked me.

"Enjoyable enough that I've napped" I said to Nate.

"Good to hear. Those boys and I have been through a lot, dozens of transport and bomb missions. Professional grade crew and a good plane, that's the service you're currently using" Nate said to me while he smiled.

"I see…Ever been in a fight with Sirens?" I asked Nate.

"We did get into some shit with Siren aircraft several times, almost got shot down once. We're on B-29 at one time, bombing their fleet from above and this one Siren fighter nailed one of our engines" Nate said to me while he shrugged.

"Blimey, and you made it without crashing?" I asked Nate as I cocked my eyebrows.

"Almost crash landing when we're back on Point Azure, control was almost nonexistent and half the plane was on fire. But we made it, and the crew who did that? They are the ones flying with you today" Nate said to me while he smiled.

"Nelson and I are flying with some hard bastards then" I said to Nate, that sounds awesome.

"And we're carrying a badass soldier and a KANSEN. Last I heard, this dude in front of me? Nothing can kill him. Human, KANSEN, alien? He fought them all, and lived…Your story would be remembered for generations, man. Maybe till the end of time…How did you do it?" Nate asked me.

"Luck" I said to Nate.

"That's all?" Nate asked me.

"That's what matters. You can be godlike in your work, if your luck is shite, then you could lose your life easily" I said to Nate while I frowned a bit.

"Well, gotta agree on that one. Do you believe in fate, man?" Nate asked me.

"Somewhat" I said to Nate.

"Then don't you think fate's been good to you because you suffer in the past? Or that you're about to suffer in the future?" Nate asked me…

"…I'd like to think it's because of the past. Not exactly having fun with it" I said to Nate.

"Ah, and fate rewarded your patience by shifting you away from the reaper. Sounds fascinating enough for a theory" Nate said to me while he smiled.

"Sounds plausible, yeah" I said to Nate while I smiled slightly.

"…We live in interesting times, huh? We don't know anything about the Sirens, just that they have KANSENs like us. Their soldiers are monsters, their vehicles are out of this world, we don't know where they came from and they are powerful enough to force two great alliances to shake hands then fight them together…You ever thought about it?" Nate asked me as he leaned on the seat.

"No matter how I tries to wrap my head around it, I can't come up with a proper theory to explain why would they invade us. Resources? Colony? Political shite? We may never know" I said to Nate while I frowned.

"Yeah, they could be doing this for the laugh and we are none the wiser…Still, no matter their reason, they threatened our very survival as a species and that's more than enough reason to fight them" Nate said to me.

"Right. Each of us got something worth fighting for" I said to Nate.

"…You know what, I like you" Nate said to me.

"I don't swing that way, but thanks" I said to Nate with deadpan face.

"BAHAHAHAHA! How the hell did you respond with such a flat look?! Bahahahahahahaha! Yeah, I don't mean it that way too, I just know that you're a fun dude to hang around…Well, good chat, holler if you need help alright?" Nate laughed then said to me as he stood up.

"Sure, thanks" I said to Nate while I nodded.

Nate walked back to the cockpit as he still chuckling while I remained rooted to my seat with Nelson leaning on my left shoulder, despite that laugh? Nelson is still fast asleep. Is she a heavy sleeper? Seems like it. I noticed that there's a few strands of hair on her face, I carefully swiped them away and tucked them behind her ears…Look at her, what a peaceful expression, I don't know what she dreamed but I don't think it's anything nightmarish…I decided to refocus my attention somewhere else. ANARIS, I need to know what are your creators plan for your future update or something. Display them for me? Hmm…No response? I don't think I requested it right…ANARIS, I need to see the possible upgrade for your system…Huh, lately, I think I understand even less about this mysterious asset. What makes it tick, what makes it not. It didn't respond to my inquiry…Alright, let's check myself. ANARIS, check my health.

[Subject: Alexander Wallace]

[Overall status: healthy]

[Recommended action: eat more fiber and seek sexual release]

…Eat more fiber? Yeah, I get that, but seek sexual release? I don't even feel horny most of the time. Why would you suggest me to do that? Come to think of it, it's been a while since I rubbed one off…and lately, I think my eyes have been wandering around my female friends. Like, checking their assets or thinking about matters relating to that stuff...am I pent up?

[Analysis indicated that Alexander Wallace is sexually pent up]

Huh?! How did you know that?!

[Analysis based on the total accumulated unreleased semen and hormone levels]

So I'm 'full tank' right now?! Geez, don't tell me you could analyze my fertility as well?

[Fertility analysis]

[Problem detected; user's sexual urges are a lot tamer compared to other men on the same age range]

…Urgh, I hate to admit it but that's true. No wonder I could control myself quite easily around women, turns out I have this problem that lowers my urges? Was it my hormones or something?

[Fertility biology analysis]

[Analyzing subject and reading data…]

[No cancer cells detected]

[Hormones: normal level, slight spike in few occasions due to user's diet]

[Semen quality: excellent thickness and quantity]

[Sperm: above average sperm count and health]

[Stamina: predicted five to ten minutes endurance before ejaculation]

[Conclusion: user is healthy from biological perspective, recommended some dietary change to further increase sperm count and semen quantity alongside quality]

…Alright…Guess I don't need to visit gynecologist huh? ANARIS could analyzed what's currently going on in my body with just a few commands. So technically speaking, I am a healthy man with above average sexual prowess. But ANARIS said that I do have a problem where my drive is lower than average men of my age, despite being able to think about that kind of thing easily…What's the source then? If it's not physical, then mental might be the case. What kind of mental problem do I have that it really lowers my sexual drive? Is it my confidence with women? Fuck…that is a very accurate possibility. How many times I've thought that I'm not in the same league as the women I'm interested with? Wait, no, that shouldn't impact my drive so much…Was it my upbringing? That I felt like I can't do shite for two decades? Just as I thought of that, I felt the woman to my left stirred from her sleep before she gasped and pulled away from me…I turned towards her and heh, her cheeks are completely red as she stared at me with widened eyes.

"Morning" I said to Nelson while I smiled slightly.

"H-H-How long have I been sleeping like that?!" Nelson asked me with red cheeks.

"No idea, but I'd reckon half an hour, at least" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"W-Why didn't you wake me up or shift my head?!" Nelson asked me while she frowned.

"Why should I? You looked comfortable. Besides, I don't mind" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"Bet you use that as an excuse to sniff my hair or something, you pervert" Nelson said to me while she pouted.

"Ouch, you think I'm such a pervert to sniff a sleeping woman's hair?" I asked Nelson while I smiled wryly.

"W-Who knows! You could be a wolf in sheep's clothing!" Nelson said to me as her cheeks reddened.

"All men are, some are just bad at camouflaging" I said to Nelson.

"…And you?" Nelson asked me.

"What about me?" I asked Nelson back,

"…Which one are you?" Nelson asked me while she pouted.

"I'm a marksman sniper hybrid with stealth as specialty, go figure~" I said to Nelson while I smirked.

"Knew it" Nelson said to me as she lightly nudged my left arm.

"Heheh. Don't worry, I'm not some horndog unleashed or something like that" I said to Nelson after I chuckled.

"I know, I trust you a whole lot better compared to other men out there" Nelson said to me.

I smiled before I checked my watch, it's been around five hours since we left the base. All I could see outside are endless blue skies and ocean with occasional clouds, I reckon we still got a long way to go…The rest of the flight is a bit uneventful, but we eventually reached London after fifteen hours of flight. As expected, my arse was as flat as a board from all the sitting…I stepped out of the C-130 rear hatch with my suitcase, starring at the morning scenery of London uptown…I took a deep breath and I could smell the city atmosphere…It's really been a while, London. I'll be frank, I don't miss you as Azure Islands is a hell lot comfortable than this city…I glanced to my right and saw Nelson smiling as she took in the view, she seems rather happy somehow. Don't tell me this is her first time being here?

"First time?" I asked Nelson.

"Yeah, despite being someone that originated from Royals, I never been to the capital" Nelson said to me.

"Well not like this place has anything going on…" I said to Nelson.

"Ha? What are you saying!? There's a lot of cultural heritage in this place!" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"Cultural heritage won't fill an empty stomach…" I muttered to myself.

"What are you mumbling about?" Nelson asked me.

"Well, shame, but you won't have the chance to see most of them" I said to Nelson while I shrugged.

"I know that already…At least I can say that I've been to London now" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"…Cheer up, there's always next time" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit.

I noticed a black limousine approaching our position before stopping in front of us, the door is opened and someone came out. He's a blonde man with steely blue eyes, he's dressed in green blazer above a white shirt with red tie, equally green slack, brown office shoes and his hands are covered in black gloves. Oh, I forgot the man also wore a white or light cream fedora hat, and he is approaching us while he smiled…Who is he? Outfit doesn't scream military, is he a secret service? The man offered his right hand towards me and I shook it, he got a firm grip for someone with lean figure like me…Definitely a secret service, judging from his strength while looking unassuming.

"Good morning, the name's Lloyd Fordo, Royal Ministry of Intelligence Section 6" Lloyd said to me while he smiled…Hmm, his name must be an alias.

"Morning, I'm Alexander Wallace. And this woman right here is Nelson" I said to Lloyd as I let his hand go.

"Mr. Fordo" Nelson greeted Lloyd.

"We've been expecting you two" Lloyd said to us as he shook Nelson's hand.

"Right. What's on the agenda, Mr. Fordo?" Nelson asked Lloyd.

"The schedule is to bring the two of you to the hotel where the ball will be held, it's a short ride from here. The ball will proceed in the evening, and you two are free to spend the rest of the day as you see fit. There is no other event other than the ball" Lloyd said to Nelson while he smiled.

"Hear that, Nelson? Free time, if you want to go explore" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"Maybe after the ball and a good rest. Don't tell me you're not tired?" Nelson asked me while she folded her arms.

"…Now that you said it, I think I need to lie down for a bit" I said to Nelson.

"Yeah, we can go after the ball, if we still got some time" Nelson said to me.

"Well, have fun out there you two. We'll be hanging here until it's time to go home" Nate suddenly said out loud from behind.

"Take care and enjoy yourselves" I said to Nate.

"Don't worry, we will" Nate said to me while he grinned.

Nelson and I went inside the limousine, Lloyd entered after us and sat in front of me and Nelson after he secured our baggage on the trunk. I looked around the vehicle interior…Ah, this old model is still around? It was made 20 years ago by Goldenbell Automobile Enterprise, though seeing that most upper class in Britain likes it, I can see why these cars remains in service until now. Figures the new model that was deployed two years ago would've replaced them, but I haven't seen them much…Anyway, I saw Lloyd opened a bottle of champagne and poured them into three glasses. Then he handed one to me and one to Nelson, the three of us raised our glass for a bit before we sipped on the champagne…Hmm…still, this is a pretty extravagant welcome, even for a KANSEN and a sergeant.

"I got to ask, I didn't expect a pickup by limousine and secret service" I said to Lloyd.

"His majesty expects the best to be provided for those who tirelessly fight in the front" Lloyd said to me while he smiled.

"His majesty? The king himself ordered this pickup?" I asked Lloyd while I squinted my eyes.

"Yes, he will also attend tonight's ball. He will be there to present the medals for the KANSENs" Lloyd said to me.

"Medals? What did exactly they do on North Sea?" Nelson asked Lloyd.

"Well, I don't know the full details, but apparently Vanguard and her group managed to shut down a mirror sea generator that was guarded by Purifier. The fight was over by the time Royal Navy's support fleet arrived to help, Vanguard and the others sunk them all. Their prowess is so legendary that newspaper all over Britain immediately reported the story at the very next morning, that seven KANSENs defeated a large force of Siren and none of them are scathed" Lloyd said to Nelson while he smiled.

"I see…I'm glad that there are no complications" Nelson said to Lloyd.

"Complications?" I asked Nelson.

"Vanguard and her group are the guards of Elizabeth's domain; they rarely sortie to fight. That's why I'm a bit concerned regarding their health after such a fight, I'm glad I was proven wrong" Nelson said to me.

"Indeed. Though I must question the decision to group KANSENs in one spot, it leaves Britain defenseless without them" Lloyd said to Nelson while he frowned slightly.

"Same for everywhere else. Besides, this strategy has been approved by the joint committee long ago, I'm sure they got a plan on leaving most region without KANSENs" Nelson said to Lloyd.

"I think they're trying to provoke the enemy's response, see what makes them tick. It is a risky move…" Lloyd said to Nelson.

"…You sounded agreed but disagreed at the same time" Nelson commented before she sipped her champagne.

"…I have a family…I just want them to be safe…If me alone could hold the Sirens back, I will do it wholeheartedly and without hesitation. But I can't, and I'm painfully aware there's little I can do" Lloyd said to Nelson while he frowned.

"…We make do with what we have, the situation and the solution at hand. Everyone struggles with that" I said to Lloyd.

"Agreed…Anyway, this is the first time I've seen your uniform Sergeant Wallace. Are you part of a new unit?" Lloyd asked me.

"More or less" I said to Lloyd.

"I was wondering why would Ms. Nelson only brought one man as her escort" Lloyd said to me while he smiled.

"She said I'm the only one she needs" I said to Lloyd while I smiled.

"I have seen him in action, Mr. Fordo. I have utmost confidence in his skills, and he's a man I could trust" Nelson said to Lloyd in firm tone? I was planning to tease her but Nelson is being quite serious?

"I believe in you Ms. Nelson, in my line of work, the more unassuming you are then the better, especially if such person is extremely skilled in what they do" Lloyd said to Nelson while he smiled.

…The three of us fell into silence after that, though I can't help myself to glanced at Nelson…Did she thought that Lloyd is underestimating me? I admit I'm feeling quite happy that Nelson stood up for me…But Lloyd's concern is solid, Nelson's escort is very light with only me as her first line of defense. Maybe she felt safe knowing that we're in the capital and the chance of us being attacked is so minimal…Hmm, wait a second…with the situation at hand, don't tell me I couldn't leave her side!? Yeah! I'm a failure of an escort if I wander around! Oh man, I didn't think that through yesterday, I could have convinced her to get more men…But maybe there's another unspoken reason why she would only bring me, like how Nelson said I'm the man she can trust…Yeah, I should trust her judgment and do my best for now, I don't have to know everything, at least for now...After riding for around half an hour, we reached the big hotel where the event will be held. A classical European building in design, seems its built during Victorian Era. We disembarked from the limousine and get our luggage, then the three of us walked into the entrance.

[Subject: HMS Vanguard]

[Subject: HMS Indomitable]

[Subject: HMS Plymouth]

[Subject: HMS Drake]

[Subject: HMS Revenge]

[Subject: HMS Jervis]

[Subject: HMS Bellona]

"Ah! Nelson is here!"

"Finally!"

There's a group of Royal Navy ship girls gathering on the lobby and as soon as they saw us? They immediately swarmed Nelson as if they have been waiting for her for a long time. Nelson is visibly taken aback, but she quickly composed herself and received their warm welcome by smiling gently…It's cliché, but she's like an angel when she smiled so beautifully like that, I guess seeing her friends really makes her happy. It's good to know that Nelson personality did not hinder her from making friends with her fellow KANSENs, I think all of them could see past the exterior she puts up around herself. Lloyd tapped my shoulder and smiled as he gestured toward the lobby receptionist…Guessed it's my job to get information regarding our room, huh? I walked toward the table and immediately faced with a female receptionist. She's quite cute, especially with her silky black hair tied in high ponytail-

"Good morning Mr. Wallace" …Wait, she knows my name!

"Morning, have our names been noted down by the establishment?" I asked the receptionist.

"Yes sir, Ms. Nelson have called us a yesterday morning and reserved a room for use" The receptionist said to me while she smiled.

"I see…Wait, a room?" I asked the receptionist, Nelson just booked one room?

"Yes, a VIP suite located on the fifth floor. Honeymoon couple's favorite" The receptionist said to me while she smiled…

"…Was your establishment full when she booked the room?" I asked the receptionist while I rubbed my chin.

"Quite so, sir. There is a lot of guests for tonight's event, and many of them have booked their room ahead from Ms. Nelson" …Well that makes sense.

"I understand, how long did she said we're staying for?" I asked the receptionist.

"She booked the room for three days…Here you go sir, room 507. If you use the elevator, the room is located on the right side after you stepped out. Do enjoy your stay, and let us know if you need anything else by using the telephone inside the room" The receptionist said too me as she handed me a key.

"Alright…Wait, has this been paid?" I asked the receptionist, because if it hasn't? I'm fucked, I don't have too much on me now and I'd like to save as much as possible.

"It has, Ms. Nelson paid through check yesterday" The receptionist said to me while she smiled…alright that's a relief.

"Okay, thank you" I said to the receptionist as I grabbed the key.

"Our pleasure, sir" The receptionist said to me as she smiled.

"…I see you didn't really discuss the details with Ms. Nelson about this whole thing?" Lloyd commented as he watched the KANSENs talking on the lobby.

"Admittedly no, she didn't really say much about them" I said to Lloyd as I watched the KANSENs…they looked like they are having fun talking with one another.

"It wouldn't hurt to know the details next time, Mr. Wallace. You are her escort; how can you escort her properly if you are not sufficiently informed?" Lloyd said to me while he smiled a bit.

"Yeah, you're right…" I said to Lloyd, he makes a good point.

"Well then, my job is done so I'll be taking my leave. I hope the two of you could enjoy your stay and have a great time" Lloyd said to me as he offered his right hand.

"Thanks. Will we be seeing you again?" I asked Lloyd as I shook his right hand.

"I honestly don't know. But if you do, don't be shy to say hello" Lloyd said to me while he smiled.

Lloyd lifted his fedora hat slightly at me before he left through the front door, so he's here just to pick us up and ensure we arrived on the hotel. Here I thought Royal Navy is providing extra personal security for us, but I guess wrong. Still, this is the hotel that they picked for the event? The interior aesthetics is quite good, the wooden poster wall combination, the red carpet, the warm slightly yellowish light, it does provide sense of comfort for the guests...I carried the two suitcase and waited for Nelson by the elevator, looks like the talk will be slightly longer than anticipated. Can't be helped, Nelson and those girls must be wanting to catch up with one another. I glanced to the side and saw a vending machine…Ah, it has canned chocolate milk. I approached the vending machine, inserted the coins and grabbed two cans from the machine. I stored one in my pocket and opened the other one on my hand which I sipped as I returned to the waiting spot near the elevator…Hmm! This brand really does have the best concoction when it comes to chocolate milk, I really liked the strong milk flavor but has a good amount of chocolate mixed into the taste.

"Oi Wallace"

[Subject: HMS Drake]

"How can I help you?" I asked Drake.

"Nothing, just want to hit you up to chat for a bit" Drake said to me as she leaned on the wall next to me.

"That so. I heard you did good on your latest deployment" I said to Drake.

"…I was really happy back there" Drake said to me while she smiled.

"Happy?" I asked Drake as I cocked my eyebrows.

"It is my dream to go on adventures and finding treasures. Back then, we have to go through maze like labyrinth to reach our objective, and we reached it before we fight against the labyrinth's boss! And then, we secured a highly valuable treasure that's contained within the center of the dungeon! It sounds like an adventure, doesn't it?!" Drake said to me while she grinned.

"Yeah, sounds alike" I said to Drake, she really considered her mission as an adventure.

"That's why I'm so thrilled! Not the case with my friends though, they hate to be in that mission…well, except Vanguard, she's happy that she got to sortie hehehe!" Drake said to me while she grinned.

"Glad you lasses made it out of there unharmed" I said to Drake while I smiled slightly.

"Yup! I heard some good things about you from Nelson. She vouched that you're the best soldier Point Azure has" Drake said to me while she smiled.

"I don't know about being the best, but I'm willing to work hard" I said to Drake.

"That's enough for me. Well, since we're heading back later and working on the same base, let's get along. Name's Drake" Drake said to me as she offered her right hand.

"Sure, just call me Wallace" I said to Drake as I grabbed her right hand and shook it.

"Wallace, have you retrieved the key from the receptionist?" Nelson asked me as she approached Drake and I.

"Yeah, we're set" I said to Nelson.

"Then let's go. Drake, we'll see you at the ball tonight" Nelson said to Drake as she grabbed her suitcase.

"Sure, later then" Drake said to us as she waved slightly.

Nelson and I entered the elevator then ascended to the fifth floor, we found the room and I used the key to unlock the door. Once I heard the click, I opened the door and entered the room…Huh, it is a high-class VIP room. Personal living room, soft and comfortable sofa alongside the armchair in equal quality, potted plants by the corner, fireplace? Huh? How does that work within a hotel room like this? I walked further inside and noted…this room only has one bedroom, a king-sized bed, but one nevertheless. There's a high-quality kitchen, personal laundry room, bathtub and shower…This place is like, built to be a comfortable house, they provided everything in here…Is this a place someone in hiding could use to remain anonymous? Hmm…the possibility is too big to just ignore…More importantly, I got something I want to ask Nelson herself, why she only book one room and a VIP one.

"Nelson, why did you only book one room?" I asked Nelson.

"It's the only one available" Nelson offhandedly commented…Huh? The only one?

"You mean the available VIP room?" I asked Nelson again; I have to confirm this.

"Yes" Nelson said to me as she put her suitcase inside the bedroom.

"…Ordinary room would've been fine, wouldn't it?" I asked Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows.

"I rarely got a chance to venture outside like this, I want the best service available from the establishment I will be staying at. It's that simple" Nelson said to me as she exited the bedroom.

"And the money? How much did you spend on this?" I asked Nelson.

"Not that much, I do have too much in my account…What is it to you though? These questions are quite nosey" Nelson asked me back while she frowned.

"…Well, I just don't want you to overspend or anything" I said to Nelson while I frowned.

"Rest easy, money is not an issue for me…But, I kind of understand what you are trying to say, you want to remind me of moderation, am I right?" Nelson asked me as she folded her arms.

"Yeah" I said to Nelson while I nodded.

"Then don't worry, I know how to manage my expenses. I just want to spend a little bit since this is a rare occasion and I wouldn't have done it if I'm financially incapable" Nelson said to me while she smiled slightly.

"I see…and you brought me with you to this room? Won't you mind being in a same room with a guy?" I asked Nelson as I rubbed my nape…I got to get this straight.

"I will not put you in standard suit while I enjoy myself within this VIP room, that is not fair in the slightest. I brought you here on my own selfish account, it's only suitable that you received the same service and treatment as I do. It's the least I can do for troubling you with this work" Nelson said to me in serious tone.

"…Understandable. But still, I'm a guy" I said to Nelson.

"So? I said it to you before, you're a man that I can trust, and the only one compared to the others out there. I know you won't do anything to me" Nelson said to me.

"…Fine. Guess I'll be taking the sofa" I said to Nelson.

"The bed's wide enough for the both of us" Nelson said to me while she smiled…Who is this girl and what have she done to Nelson?!

"…Who are you?" I audibly voiced my confusion at her attitude.

"I'm me! I said it to you already, I want you to receive the same service and treatment like me!" Nelson said to me while she pouted.

"Won't you feel unsafe even if we're friends!?" I asked Nelson, even between friends of opposite sex, sleeping on the same bed is a little pushing it.

"Do you remember how strong we KANSENs are? We could crush an apple with our bare hands…Imagine what we could do to your testicles if we squeezed it with full power" Nelson said to me with flat look on her face!

"…Noted" I said to Nelson as I unconsciously tightened my legs together…

"Good. Now, let's rest, we got a ball to attend tonight" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

…Yeah, I think we should…Still, Nelson is quite easygoing about all this. She used to be more uptight, what is going on? I got to find out what makes her this…relaxed. So after that, Nelson changed to more casual clothes and I followed suit after her, I changed into a t-shirt and shorts before I plopped myself onto the sofa. I turned on the TV, it's colored ones, but I didn't find anything interesting to watch. I keep the channel on news channel before I placed the remote control on the coffee table and I leaned on the sofa, now I'm feeling the tiredness catching up to me and I feel sleepy so I closed my eyes and drifted off to the dreamland.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…Dammit, I think I've been spending so much time sleeping lately. This could make me lazy…Oh well, can't help it, my body practically demands rest and I better comply if I don't want to fall sick again. I opened my eyes and rubbed them; my position changed a bit because now I'm laying down on top of the sofa instead of resting my back on it. I sat up and noticed that there's a blanket on top of me, I couldn't help but to smile to myself at the only possible perpetrator for this being Nelson. The woman herself is watching the TV while sitting on the armchair, she's watching a romance movie and her attention seems undivided. I got curious and stared at the screen, the characters are currently on top of the bed, topless, deep kissing each other as the man fondling the woman's ample boobs…Okay…That's spicy…How did they manage to get a scene this hot aired in public?

"Take me, mark my body, let it know that it belongs to you~" The woman on TV said.

"You are mine already, he just doesn't know it yet!" The man on TV said…Wait, this is cuckoldry?!

"…You like this kind of thing?" I asked Nelson out loud.

"Kyaa! Ugh, you surprised me!" Nelson yelped and jumped on her seat before she scowled at me.

"Of course I will, your attention is fully on the TV. I'm guessing you like the movie?" I asked Nelson while I smiled.

"Well, not really. I hate the woman, she's such a whore, sleeping around with men just because they are handsome and rich while her boyfriend earnestly works his arse off to provide for them both" Nelson said to me while she scowled.

"Huh, why keep watching then? You're only going to get even more mad with the way this is going" I asked Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows.

"I want to see the end, see whether that woman get what she deserves" Nelson said to me.

"…You're quite pumped about this, Nelson" I commented as I stared at her.

"I hate cheaters, simple as that. Especially if they cheat on their significant other who is a nice person, at least end the relationship cleanly before you move on" Nelson said to me while she folded her arms.

"Agreed with you on that one" I said to Nelson while I nodded, it is indeed the right move.

In the end, the bitch got what she deserves though. She got pregnant with the child of the man she's having an affair, and he refused to take responsibility. Not only that, her boyfriend found out about her cheating and dumped her immediately. She's left with no one to turn to and forced to leave the town to save face, serves her right. After watching the movie and Nelson gloating that the woman got what's coming for her, we prepared ourselves to attend the ball that will be held on the ballroom. I took a shower first, checked my uniform whether it is smelly or not before noticing that it smells fine and put my uniform on. I gelled my hair then sprayed cologne on it to enhance my masculinity, that should do it. I carried my pistol, this time with concealed carry beneath my left armpit instead of my thigh. After I made sure that I got everything prepared, I wait in the living room for Nelson to complete her own preparation…That's when I noticed a commotion coming from the outside, I walked to the patio and noticed that the streets in front of the hotel are heavily guarded by the police armed with rifles…Huh, must be the security detail for tonight's event, no wonder it's this tight with the king himself attending.

"…Wallace, how do I look?" Nelson suddenly asked me from behind.

I turned around and I widened my eyes, Nelson looked absolutely gorgeous. She put on some light make up that really enhanced her natural beauty and her blonde hair is let down instead tied in her usual wavy twin tails, they reached her ankle and looked smooth. Nelson wore a fancy strapless red gown with detached sleeves that also doubled in function as her gloves, the dress is light in ornaments but it's designed with nobility as a theme so it still has its high class look. The skirt part even reached the floor, the front part has an opening so she could walk without stepping on her own skirt. Because of that, I could see that she wore fancy heels. My honest opinion? If anyone told me that she's a princess from some country? I believe them in a heartbeat.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Nelson" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"Thank you, I did put a lot of effort on this one" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"You ready to go?" I asked Nelson.

"Yes, let us be off" Nelson said to me.

Both of us exited our room, locked it then walked toward the elevator. We go down to the ground floor, and walked toward the entrance to the ballroom. The music is already flowing and the entrance are manned by some people from the media, we ignored them and entered the ballroom. As expected, the place is crowded with elite member of society. Nobles, shareholders, company owners, politicians, all of them are here…and I recognized their faces. I can already see them mingling with one another, talking about their assets, wealth and power. Typical, nothing has changed even with Siren threatening our very survival, heck, they might already plan to reap the profits from this war…It honestly makes me sick to see these arrogant rich fucks once again, it reminds me nothing but a group I'm once a part of and glad to leave behind. To think I've shed my blood in the frontline protecting these arrogant people and majority of the one percent that step on the common folk? It disgusts me…When shite goes down, these people would scramble to get the biggest slice of the pie while fucking over everyone-.

"Wallace?" Nelson asked me from my left side.

"Huh? Yeah? What?" I asked Nelson.

"…You look kind of scary…What is it?" Nelson asked me in tone full of concern.

"…No, nothing important" I said to Nelson.

"…If you say so. If anything's wrong, do let me know, okay?" Nelson said to me while she smiled slightly.

"Yeah…Nelson, while we're here, don't accept drinks from stranger, don't go with them to secluded places. Heck, don't entertain them when they ask to dance" I said to Nelson as I noticed something in the corner.

"That's a bit tight" Nelson said to me while she cocked her eyebrows.

"The air in this room reeks of latent troubles" I said to Nelson as I nudged my head to the corner.

Both of us looked at a man and a woman talking by the corner, both of them dressed fancily with suit and dress. The man offered the woman a drink but both of us can see he slipped something inside the glass when the woman is distracted, some kind of powder. I looked at Nelson who widened her eyes and nodded her head at me with solemn expression, looks like I got my message across. I know Nelson most likely could handle herself, but I want to make it clear what kind of threat she could deal in this kind of situation. One slip and her fate could be sealed…I'm her escort, I should do my job properly, especially because she is my friend. Nelson walked to my left side and hugged my arm, she scanned around and seemingly marking the face of people that's ogling her.

"…Well, you better not leave my side. I don't want to get approached by those guys; they won't make a move with you beside me" Nelson said to me.

"You sure? Some of them look like they don't care" I asked Nelson as I looked around, many eyes are on us and all of them are from young men attending this party.

"I'm sure. If they persist? Well, do your job~" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"Well, don't mind being involved in a potential crowd drawing scene then" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"Alright. With that out of the way, why don't we grab some dinner first?" Nelson asked me.

"Let's go, I'm starving" I said to Nelson.

Nelson and I walked toward the banquet table, we grabbed our plate and filled it with assortment of food. Mine's not too much compared to my usual portion, I don't want my stomach to be too full during the job. It could hinder my agility and alertness, so better fill it with just a little bit. Lamb chop with several sausages alongside some greens, this'll do it. Nelson and I walked around to find a seat, and we found one where the ship girls are converging. They told us to sit with them, so, well, we sit with them. Look, I'm the only one here who's not a ship girl so I'm feeling quite awkward about it! But they don't really mind, even told me to rest easy from the start. So, we dine together while talking about a lot of things, Nelson told what Point Azure had gone through while Vanguard's group told us about their adventure on the North Sea.

"Sergeant Wallace, is it true that you managed to anger her majesty back when you newly arrived?" Vanguard asked me while she smiled.

"…Yeah, it's the first time we met" I said to Vanguard while I frowned slightly.

"Ahahaha! You mad lad, no wonder they called you Lionheart!" Vanguard said to me while she smiled.

"You knew about that?" I asked Vanguard.

"Tales of your prowess reach even us, good sir" Plymouth said to me while she smiled slightly.

"How? I understand if it's around Point Azure, but all the way here?" I asked out loud.

"Wales wrote a letter mentioning you. We did ask her regarding anything interesting happening over there" Vanguard said to me.

"Ah, that so…" So, Wales snitched huh?

"Then you should know, few weeks ago, he shot our commander in the head" Nelson said out loud and caused everyone to gasped.

"Context, Nelson!" I said to Nelson as my heart raced a bit, from 60 to 100 BPM.

"Fufufu, well since Wallace ask for it, we did a military exercise to test our special group unit. The only goal is to eliminate our commander from the fight, and Wallace here is the one who did it. He infiltrated commander's tent perimeter blind spot from the sea, using the ice on the beach as his platform to snipe Nobuyuki. Mind you, this is after he sneaked behind enemy lines with just one other soldier, took down patrols, stealth infiltrated a supply base by himself, pretended to be captured before single handedly eliminated several KANSENs with a shock grenade, kidnapped one, took one down in melee combat and ambushed another two before taking them down in close quarter" Nelson explained to the ship girls with her hand gestured toward me…okay, that is a full resume…

"A true warrior huh? I like him already!" Drake said out loud while she grinned.

"W-Wallace? Is that true? All of that!?" Vanguard asked me while she smiled wryly…

"When she put it like that, yeah…everything she mentioned did happen" I said to Vanguard while I pursed my lips.

"We still got the recording as a hard proof; my words are guaranteed" Nelson said out loud while she smiled smugly.

"I'd like to view it; this kind of story is usually a myth among soldiers" Bellona said out loud.

"Well, they do say truth is stranger than fiction" Plymouth commented.

"How long does that take? To do all of that?" Indomitable asked me.

"Roughly around a full day" I said to Indomitable.

"Ugh, just thinking about it makes me exhausted" Indomitable said to me while she frowned.

"Are you really an ordinary marine before joining your current unit, Sergeant Wallace?" Revenge asked me curiously.

"Yes, I'm a regular soldier before this" I said to Revenge.

"And how does that end up for you? Doing all that within a day?" Jervis asked me.

"He fell sick for a few days, doctor said he's so tired he collapsed when he arrived on his flat" Nelson said to Jervis.

"No wonder" Jervis said to Nelson while she closed her eyes.

…Well, I found myself being lampshade by the spotlight among these girls. I admit, it feels a little awkward so I excused myself for a bit by going to the toilet. I walked towards the men's restroom and relieved myself, I don't really need to, but I forced my bladder to work and caused urine to shot out of my urethra for fifteen seconds…I finished my business, washed my hands and walked back to the ballroom while hopping that the girls would have changed the topic by then. But when I entered? The atmosphere is a bit different, and that's because the king has arrived and currently standing near the entrance as he greeted Vanguard's group. I sneaked to the crowd's right side, returned to the table and found Nelson sitting by her lonesome as she watched the ship girls from afar. She didn't join them greeting the king? Why is that? I kept the question in my head as I sat on my seat beside Nelson. The woman acknowledged me that I have returned before she turned around and continue staring at the large group near the entrance.

"…Not joining them?" I asked Nelson.

"Let them have their moments, their action deserve recognition. Tonight is their night, we are merely their liaison coming over to pick them up" Nelson said to me while she smiled slightly.

"Right…Did anyone bother you while I'm away?" I asked Nelson.

"One man did, he asked me to chat with him. Naturally I declined the invitation since I want to be alone, he was quite cooperative" Nelson said to me.

"Really? You don't need to threaten him to leave?" I asked Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows.

"Not when I got something like this on my left hand" Nelson said to me as she shown me her left hand…there's a ring on her ring finger!

"Clever. I didn't notice that you have them on your finger" I admit, my awareness is quite lacking on that one.

"It is a small object, of course you won't…that being said, the event will start soon. Finish your meal, we'll watch from the side" Nelson said to me before she gulped down her glass of water.

I quickly wolfed down my meal and drink, then both of us walked toward the position Nelson want us to be. We basically got the front seat of the proceeding itself, the king stood at the podium with the ship girls and addressed the room. The whole ballroom fell quiet as everyone focused their attention on the monarch, the man gave his speech about heroism and gallantry of the ship girls that quelled the Sirens. He spoke that their deeds shall never be forgotten, and that Royal Navy already marked their prowess on their records. The king announced that in recognition of their service and valor, each of them will be awarded Victorian Cross, the highest form of decoration available to someone within Royals armed force. A man came up on stage with a small briefcase, he opened it and shown us all a neat row of small box cases containing the medal. The KANSENs lined up and the king handed them their earned awards one by one, all the while camera flashed upon them as the media immortalized the proceeding occasion. The king and the ship girls posed in elegant manner when they are done, all photographer in front of the podium immediately took some pictures and causing light flashes to bombard our retinas for solid ten seconds or more.

The emcee got back up on stage, thanking the king for his participation before telling the audience that the night is still young so the event will continue. With the king is here? It is time for a ballroom dance to begin, people filled the big area on the center, men and women holding hands as they moved to an empty spot. Then the music plays which prompted them to dance, beautifully did the classic dance that many people in the west would know. I glanced at Nelson who's looking at the dancing crowd with impassive face, I don't know what she's thinking at the moment, to be completely honest. Does she want to dance as well? Huh, I saw some ship girls on the dance floor, funnily enough they danced with one another. Well, except Vanguard, she danced with his majesty the king himself…I felt someone staring at me so I looked to the side and caught Nelson stealing glances at me…Um, why would she do that?

"What is it?" I asked Nelson.

"…Nothing" Nelson said to me while she pouted.

"…You women are such a pain" I couldn't help but snark with my eyes half closed.

"Ha? The hell is that supposed to mean!?" Nelson asked me while she frowned.

"I mean if you want something, just say it. Men are not mind readers, if you want something from us, then say it" I said to Nelson.

"Ugh, how can you be so untactful in this situation?" Nelson complained to me while she folded her arms.

"Well excuse me, princess. What is it that you wish for?" I asked Nelson while I frowned.

"Can't you tell already?" Nelson asked me while she frowned.

"No, I cannot. So, tell me" I said to Nelson.

"She wants you to ask her to dance" A brunette man suddenly said beside us.

"And who the hell are you? Barging onto other people's business" Nelson immediately verbally fired at him.

"Oh, I'm a nobody, I'm just attending this party in my father's stead because he's busy with his oil refinery company. That's when I saw a lovely rose like you, fuming that no one asked her to dance" The man said to Nelson while he smiled…Oh, he's here just to gloat.

"Hmph, and you want to ask me?" Nelson asked the man after she snorted and folded her arms.

"That is true. Rest assured; I would make for a fine companion compared to a military brute that knows no courtesy" …Oh he just insulted me?

"Military brute huh? Charming, you can't even approach a woman without mentioning your father's riches and putting other people down. How insecure you are as a man?" I asked the man.

"Be silent, I'm talking to your lady companion" The man dismissively said to me.

"What's this? Running away from the problem at hand? I'm her escort, you'll have to go through me first" I said to the man.

"She doesn't need her 'escort' to make her own decision. So stave your blabbering, peasant. You should just be quiet and watch from the side" The man said to me dismissively…Hmm, I wonder if I can get away after murdering this fuck right here right now.

"Not when she's talking to a pampered bastard like you" I said to the man as my tone turned serious.

"Come on milady, let us be off to a less crowded space where we can talk privately" The man said to Nelson, completely ignoring me.

"I'm a married woman, I'm afraid I have to decline your offer" Nelson showed him her left hand.

"Your husband doesn't need to know now, I just want a little chat" The man said to Nelson while he smiled.

"Of course he would know, he's right beside me" …Hold up WHAT?! I'M HER HUSBAND?!

"…You mean you are married to this man? Bahahahaha! Oh, such a jest milady! You can do better than this…thing! A woman like you deserves nothing but the best!" …This bastard is seriously trying my patience.

SLAP!

"Certainly not you then, my husband you just repeatedly insulted is a better man than you in every way possible!" Nelson said to the man while she scowled after she slapped him!

"You dare raise your hand against a man? You know your place, woman" The man said to Nelson as he rubbed his reddening right cheek.

"And misogynist to boot. I don't want anything to do with you, leave us be!" Nelson said to the man while she scowled.

"Heh, I'll give you one more chance to make this right, woman. I have enough power to buy your hands in marriage, an irresistible offer to whoever owns you. So, I suggest you choose your words carefully" The man said to Nelson while he smirked.

"Right back at you" I snarled unconsciously.

Something inside me snapped as my hand shot up to his neck, tightly grabbed his shirt collar and started walking while I'm dragging him. I could hear the man struggled, but I paid it zero fucks as I continued dragging him toward the balcony outside. Curious men and women stared at me, some parted to make way for me, but none tried to intervene or even ask on what am I doing. That is the power military uniform has, they automatically suspected that the man I'm dragging right now is causing trouble or some kind. I opened the window that separated the room with the balcony outside and threw the man toward the stone railing, he crashed against the railing harshly before I grabbed him by the neck, lifted him up and pushed him up the railing just enough to make his upper body hanging off the rails. If he struggled just a bit too much, I could've drop him and he's dead. Of course I took precaution, the area I chose to drop him is the back alley of the hotel. It'll be some time before they'll find his body…

"Do I have your attention now, you arrogant fuck?" I asked the man in question in firm tone.

"Y-Y-Yes!" The man croaked out.

"I've memorized your face. Now listen, do you value your fucking life?" I asked the man in firm tone.

"Yes!" The man said to me hurriedly.

"Then you will leave this place, and we could forget this ever happened. I want you to know that I have the authority to exert lethal force to anyone who tries an attempt at the lady I escorted tonight, your father's position and influence means jack shite if his son messed with the military especially during war time. I could've killed you, and get away without repercussion. That's right, you are my bitch and you better know your fucking place. Do anything stupid? You're dead. Understood?" I asked the man in firm tone as I tightened my hold on his neck.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes! Please…you're…choking me!" The man croaked out.

"I like to drive my point home. If you understand, then get the fuck out of here!" I snarled at the man.

I pulled him from the railing and thrown him to the floor, he grunted and moaned in pain before he took one look at me and hurriedly escaped like he just saw a demon…Fuh…I haven't been angry like that in a long time, the last time that happened I got kicked out from school…Maybe being here once again brought up that ugly side of me, all of this just reminded me of my past that I'm trying so hard to bury…But I can't…It will forever be the part of me, no matter how many times I tricked myself that I've made a fresh start in life…I can't forget about all of this no matter how hard I tried to, the past will always come haunting back. Maybe it's time for me to accept what happened back then, come clean to my friends on what I have done. But I'm ashamed! To be part of this, to my days as a scavenger nobody! What would they say if they know? Will they even accept me for who I am? Will they be kind to me when they know I'm such a loser failure in the past?

"Wallace…are you okay?" Nelson approached me before she asked.

"…Yeah, I'm good. Though I should be asking you" I said to Nelson.

"No harm done to me. Wish it didn't have to escalate into that, but you dealt with it properly" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"…I'm sorry that I shown you something ugly" I said to Nelson as I turned around and stared at the night view of London.

"Ugly? What do you mean?" Nelson asked me as she stood by my right side.

"I got angry, threaten to kill a man and even would willingly throw him off this balcony if he resists…I'm a horrible man, I'm not nice in the slightest…" I said to Nelson while I frowned.

"A horrible man wouldn't protect my honor and dignity, quelled an annoyance effectively and leave me to fend for myself when I told him about the job…Wallace, you are a nice man. You just show your fearsome side to those who deserves it, and that is fine. Everyone has them, right? You're just doing your job" Nelson said to me as she rubbed my right upper arm.

"…Yeah, though I could handle it way more professionally than that. I just got so angry when he insinuated you are just some goods that can be traded off and passed to one another" I said to Nelson while I scowled.

"Believe me, I was furious as well. But you getting angry in my stead touched me, Wallace…" Nelson said to me while she smiled slightly.

"Don't sweat it, I'll come to your defense whether it's a job or not and uh…thanks for saying something to that man when he insulted me, I never see you get angry enough to slap someone" I said to Nelson.

"Because he dared to say such things without knowing what you have done for the likes of him. You are repeatedly wounded, stuck in precarious situations, lost comrades and fight tooth and nail for your life just to ensure peace return to this world. And some prick like him dare to belittle you? He would've shite himself if he has to face Siren in close range like you do. The least he could give you is respect" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"Heheh, thanks for that…I don't need being honored like I'm a saint or something. Just being treated like a proper human being is enough for me" I said to Nelson.

"…Want to head back in? I'm not in the mood to continue revel in the party atmosphere, but you have earned my hand for a dance…What do you say, Wallace?" Nelson asked me while she smiled softly.

"Hmm, should I dance with a dude magnet like you?" I asked Nelson while I smirked.

"Oh you really should, I seem to attract men whenever I go. But I already have one that I'd rather stick by me, so screw everyone else" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"Just one? What if you accidentally push your soulmate away?" I asked Nelson in teasing manner.

"Then screw him, I'll decide on my own soulmate" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"Heheheh! I don't believe fate works that way!" I said to Nelson after I chuckled a bit.

"Then screw that, I'll carve my own fate" Nelson said to me while she smirked.

"…You really loosened up lately, Nelson. I like it, but what makes you this easy going?" I asked Nelson while I smiled.

"…Well…Rodney gave a talking to me. Saying that I should be more honest with my feelings, that holding it back is not so healthy…Don't worry, that harsh and stern Nelson is still there. But you haven't done anything stupid for a while that she doesn't really feel like coming out in full force" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"I kind of miss her for a bit" I said to nelson while I smiled.

"Oh? Want to meet her? Then make me mad with your rubbish and I'll make sure this fuss is big enough to attract people from inside the ballroom" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"Ooh so scary. Think I'll back down because of that?" I asked Nelson while I grinned.

"…Unlikely, you can be quite moronic when you want to. Like earlier when the dance begins" Nelson said to me while she folded her arms.

"Like I said, men are not mind readers. How am I supposed to know you want me to ask you for a dance? You're just staring at them that I thought you are content watching from the side" I said to Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows.

"Do I really need to spell it out to you?" Nelson asked me while she frowned.

"Yeah. You could just hint at me like 'are you not going to ask this fair maiden for a dance' or something like that?" I asked Nelson while I folded my arms.

"I half figured you're not interested in the first place, you dimwit!" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"That's what you get for assuming" I said to Nelson with half closed eyes.

"Murgh, you really are annoying at times Wallace!" Nelson said to me while she pouted.

"…Heh, so she did come out" I said to Nelson after I snorted in amusement.

"You really like seeing me getting work up" Nelson asked me while she pouted.

"I've said it once, I like feisty Nelson on occasions though the you now are also great. You are who you are, no need to force yourself to change if you are uncomfortable" I said to nelson while I smiled.

"…You did say that…But don't worry, you accept me for who I am and that's all I could ask for from you. Though…don't tease me so often in public, okay?" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"You don't mind if it's just the two of us?" I asked Nelson while I smiled a bit.

"I like our banter, but I'd like to keep it between us…or our friends" Nelson said to me.

"…Alex?"

We both heard a woman calling my first name so we turned around, there's a woman standing behind us. Her long blonde hair styled in high ponytail and neatly tied with a white butterfly bow, her violet eyes widened as she stared me, her lipstick decorated lips opened slightly in disbelieve, she wore sleeveless sky-blue dress alongside a fashionable almost transparent scarf that's hanging around her shoulder and fancy white fur coat…I took one look at the woman and my own eyes widened to the max…No, no no no no, this isn't real. I have no hope of ever seeing her again when I heard I'm going to London, and there she stood in front of me…The woman's eyes started watering before she sprinted towards me and tackled me in a bear hug, almost causing me to fell on the floor if not for me holding on the railing. Then she cried, she cried really hard and hugged me as if I will disappear if she even just slightly loosens her hold over me…This is really happening, this is her for real…My hands moved on its own and proceeded to hug the woman tightly as well, my lips couldn't help itself but to formed a big smile.

"…Hello, Kallen…" I said to the woman in soft tone, calling her name for the first time in a while.

[Subject: Kallen Goldenbell]

[Heiress of Goldenbell Family and Goldenbell Automobile Enterprise]

[Relation to user: older female sibling]

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TheOneAndOnly: Don't think he'll ever will

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNN! What's this?! Wallace is not Alex's last name?! Scratch that, he reunited with his older sister! Well, given that he returned to Britain and attended a high-class party? Something like this should be expected, especially if we consider his background as a former rich kid! Still, it's a complete surprise to him to bump into her by a complete chance! And to makes matter worse, Nelson is beside him! Now one of them knows about his background that he tried so hard to conceal! Curious on how will he handle everything and return to Point Azure? Welp, it sucks, but stay tuned for the next chapter bwahahaha! Ah, this chapter is completely filled with slice of life. Do you readers find the sugar that I mentioned last chapter? If you do, don't overdose alright? Diabetes is a bitch. So, thank you for the follows, favorite and review dear readers! I have come to ease the drought for a while but now I must leave once again, I'll return with another chapter down the line. When? Only God knows to be honest, so stay tuned!

See you next time!

- Dasmara