115: Chapter 115 Rest Time

"Poor Teacher Durand..." Li Ming closed the ward door. "And pity my poor wallet too, sigh."

For some reason, Alert found her Commander's current appearance quite funny.

Was her Commander really short on money? He probably wasn't, but it still hurt his heart.

After all, the cost of sending a full set of rigging back to the factory for re-installation and maintenance was no joke.

"So, Comrade Commander, what should we do next?"

"Go home, of course. What else?" Li Ming spread his hands. "Your Commander here doesn't really like going out much..."

"Comrade Commander can't just stay cooped up at home all the time, right?"

"Didn't I come out for class?"

"That's not what I meant..."

The two of them followed the corridor away from the ward and arrived on the streets within the academy.

"It's only been two days, but it seems we've already become quite familiar with each other."

"Have we?... I mean, why do you suddenly feel that way, Comrade Commander?" Alert looked up at him. The summer sky took a long time to darken, so she could clearly see his face.

"I'm... how should I put it, generally a slow-to-warm-up person." Li Ming said thoughtfully. "Back when I was in high school, I didn't even recognize everyone in my class for a whole semester."

"Eh? Why?"

"Because I didn't like communicating with others," Li Ming replied. "Or rather, I didn't share the same hobbies... and I'm not exactly a charming talker. So, when various social circles started forming, I was naturally excluded."

"How can that be... Did the Commander never try to fit into a group?"

"I tried, but instead of forcing myself in and inviting trouble, I felt it was better to be alone... In other words, I don't really have any friends, at least not in real life."

"This..." Alert took off her hat and scratched her head. "The Commander is so pitiful..."

"Pitiful?" Li Ming gave a bitter laugh. "I brought it upon myself. I'm not exactly a good person; I've done all sorts of bad things in the past."

"Eh?" Alert was stunned for a moment, but then a blue-haired girl suddenly popped up and interrupted their conversation.

"Ta-da! Li Ming! What are we eating tonight?" Kano leaned in. "I've been busy all day, I'm starving!"

"Uh... it should be Z23's turn to cook today."

"Yay~"

Alert didn't really dislike this "uninvited guest" in their home. After all, her flighty personality made it hard to associate her with a so-called Observer.

Not to mention she had made Honey water for her last night. Even though Alert said she wasn't drunk—how could a Ship Girl from the Northern Union be defeated by alcohol?

"But honestly, it's not good to always let her cook alone. I think we should take turns helping from now on," Li Ming said after some thought.

"That's fine too. Different specialties every day, so satisfying..."

"You have to help too." Li Ming said expressionlessly.

"What?! You're making your guest cook? How can you be like this? *Sob sob*~" Kano feigned sadness, but Li Ming didn't fall for it at all.

"Who was it that booked a room in my residence without saying a word beforehand?" Li Ming pulled Alert's hand while adjusting his glasses, which were about to slip off.

"Alright, alright, I surrender!" Kano raised both hands. "But don't blame me if it doesn't taste good."

"If it's not good, you'll be punished with housework."

"Hey, you!"

"Just kidding. If you're not good at it, helping out as an assistant is fine too."

Two adults and one child walked along the road. Since people were either eating, out playing, or back in their own "nests" at this time, there were very few people around, which made Li Ming feel more at ease.

They passed through the Comprehensive Building and the teaching building, then arrived at the residential area and returned to their home.

Kano was boredly scrolling through short videos. Out of curiosity, Alert stayed by Kano's side this time, while Li Ming quietly wore his headphones and listened to music.

However, the downside of listening to music with headphones was that one's perception of the surroundings would be weakened, so Li Ming turned off the music as soon as they got home.

The scent of food wafted through the living room, clearly coming from the kitchen.

A6 was lying on the sofa looking at a tablet. Although she couldn't be away from her equipment for too long, since she had nothing to do, relaxing a bit at home wasn't a big deal.

A pink cat head lay on the sofa cushion. Hearing the door open, she looked up, and seeing it was Li Ming returning, she lowered her head and continued sleeping.

"A6," Li Ming called out.

"Yes, Sir." She still immediately interrupted what she was doing and looked up at him.

"It's nothing, just checking what you've been doing all day."

"Response: Today, stayed home all day."

"That's good. Remember not to exceed the time limit."

"Affirmative. Time is being recorded at all times."

"That's good."

Kano flopped onto the sofa, and the bounce sent Anshan flying.

"Meow!" Startled, Anshan gave a complaining cry, glared at Kano, and went back to her room.

Wait, that seemed to be his room...

It looked like his room would get more and more crowded in the future. Li Ming sighed and reached out to pet A6.

A6 just held her hair clip but didn't say "Response: Meaning unclear" like before.

Alert took off her coat. A Ship Girl's clothes usually didn't make them feel hot or get dirty, but she suddenly felt that wearing this piece of clothing was a bit inconvenient.

"Alert, go take a bath."

"Comrade Commander, you're soaked in sweat..." Alert looked at Li Ming's back. Ever since she met up with him after class, his clothes hadn't been dry.

"Uh..." Li Ming looked down at himself.

"Exactly... you smell like sweat, go wash up!" Kano chimed in from the side. "Don't forget you're the only boy here. If the smell is too strong, you'll be disliked!"

"Hey!" Li Ming didn't like hearing that. "If you dislike it, can you just stop accepting this job?"

"Um, no."

Li Ming originally wanted to say he'd get closer to her so the smell would be even stronger, but he decided against it.

He obediently took his clothes to shower. Then again, his clothes and hers were thrown into the same washing machine, and she hadn't said anything then. What was she complaining about now?

Outside the bathroom door, Alert hesitated. "But, Sister Kano, does the Commander really have a smell? Why didn't I smell anything?"

"Maybe it's because you're his Ship Girl, so you're more used to him?" Kano spread her hands.

A6 closed the tablet and sat up.

A new and unfamiliar way of getting along.

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