159: Chapter 159 The Jealousy Jar Has Overturned

"...Yes! I'm not in a hurry for this information anyway~ Minister Verres said to contact me once you're willing to tell us!"

Li Ming looked at the document bag she held in both hands, which covered half of her face. "I understand. You've worked hard too."

Aussie stared into Li Ming's eyes and noticed his gaze was constantly locked onto the document bag. Even though she had specially worn a miniskirt and a rather revealing sailor suit for Li Ming today, could he really be completely uninterested? My figure is pretty good...

"Heehee, it's no trouble. Compared to you, I'm just a little gopher..."

"You flatter me. Everyone has their own value, regardless of their profession." Li Ming's voice was flat, his eyes still locked on the document bag. For no other reason than he really didn't dare look anywhere else!

Aussie was stunned for a moment, then her smile became even more... admiring. "Wow! That makes so much sense! Commander Li Ming really is amazing!"

What is this girl talking about? Li Ming had a headache.

"...Anyway, give me the documents. I'll give you an answer tomorrow." Li Ming reached out his hand.

"No~" Aussie hid the documents behind her back. "I beg of you, could I have an autograph?"

She leaned in even closer, almost pressing against Li Ming.

Li Ming took half a step back, feeling like he was truly doomed. "Fine, fine, fine... Give me a pen, alright?"

Taking Aussie's notebook and pen, Li Ming quickly flipped to a page and signed it, then successfully exchanged it for the document bag.

"Ehehe~ That's it then~ Goodbye, Commander Li Ming! Remember to give me a reply tomorrow, okay?"

Aussie left like a gust of wind.

Li Ming put away the document bag she gave him. His back was now soaked with sweat.

It definitely wasn't because he was terrified of the gaze from behind him.

For some reason, even when facing that giant armor before, Li Ming hadn't felt this kind of fear of imminent death.

But now, he felt like death was so close.

Turning his head somewhat stiffly, Z23 seemed completely normal, only reaching out her hand. Li Ming's sense of impending doom was only suppressed after he took her hand and pulled her to his side.

"Where should we go next?" Li Ming asked.

This past half hour had definitely been the most agonizing half hour of his life.

Fortunately, Z23 wasn't very prone to jealousy. After confirming that the other person really did have official business, she had forcibly suppressed her anger.

But now that she had left, it was her turn.

"It's already noon. Let's go take a break."

They weren't the only two people in the amusement park, and this wasn't something worth getting angry over.

"Oh, okay..."

Li Ming followed Z23 toward a café.

The café seemed fairly empty at noon. It was clear that most Ship Girls and Commanders preferred to spend their lunchtime in the more bustling snack streets—though the main reason might be that Destroyer Ship Girls made up a significant portion of the Commanders' builds.

There was no need for red wine or tender steaks, but it was enough for Z23 to make some adjustments to Li Ming's usually... uninhibited way of eating—what decent person eats with their mouth wide open, wrinkling their forehead at the same time?

While eating, she taught Li Ming how to eat correctly on dates with girls and in social situations, but Li Ming had a feeling that Z23 might just be taking revenge on him...

After being fussed over for about an hour, Z23 was finally satisfied and let him finish his meal.

Seeing that his smile was already a bit stiff, Z23 eventually softened her heart, which was why they each held a cup of milk tea after coming out.

Thinking about the next step, Z23 made the decision she would regret most today:

The Haunted House.

"Uh, if you're scared, just follow behind me."

Yes, facing a group of Destroyers who were brave yet not quite brave enough, Li Ming still chose to lend a helping hand, letting them follow behind him and Z23.

Braving the death stare, Li Ming stuck to this decision.

After all, these Destroyers weren't "big kids" like Z23. If they were truly frightened, while nothing bad would happen, it would affect the staff.

And does no one really think that helping Destroyers is a very meaningful thing?

I feel like I'm becoming more and more like Ark Royal, that Destroyer-con...

But it had to be admitted that she was absolutely right about one thing: little Destroyer sisters are just too cute!

However, that wasn't what made Z23 feel most helpless.

"Wah—!"

A "ghost" draped in white cloth rushed out.

The Destroyers screamed and backed away.

Li Ming let out a shout and delivered a flying kick forward.

"Gua!"

The "ghost" was kicked flying quite cleanly.

Z23 facepalmed. What on earth was going on...

Anyway, amidst the chaos, Li Ming apologized to the Ship Girl playing the ghost and was then dragged out of the venue at light speed by Z23.

"Commander~" A dark aura seemed to emanate from behind Z23.

Then, she caught Li Ming before he could slide to his knees and sighed.

What could she say? This was her Commander, and...

It was actually quite interesting just now?

Z23 pinched Li Ming's earlobe, then pulled him along as they continued forward.

——————

"It's finally almost over..."

Kano stretched, a gauze bandage wrapped around her head, looking quite pitiful in the night.

Anshan glanced at her sideways and shook her head. That punch she threw wasn't enough to injure her; if she had gone all out, the gauze would probably have covered her entire face by now.

Of course, she didn't really like this person... yeah, that's right, she didn't. But she wouldn't disrupt her Commander's deployment or make her Commander sad because of it, so she spared her life.

The two of them were observing the distant Ferris wheel from a high point in the amusement park. The Ferris wheel's view was directly facing the pool in the center of the plaza.

Every Sunday night, there would be a Fireworks Show here right on time.

Kano gripped the binoculars, observing the Ferris wheel.

"Oh-ho, that idiot was finally pushed up there by Z23."

Anshan leaned against the rooftop railing, feeling the breeze. "It's not like he doesn't understand anything. There's a limit to playing dumb. Sigh."

"So why is he playing dumb?" Kano scratched her head.

"Because he's a moron."

"Don't say that, he's actually quite impressive..."

"A moron is a moron."

"So... Hey, hey! They're kissing! They're kissing!"

Anshan immediately snatched the binoculars, took a look, and then nodded.

Right at that moment, the Fireworks Show began.

The fireworks illuminated the two of them.

Anshan put down the binoculars and looked at the dazed Kano.

She seemed to be envious.

Really, what is there to be envious of...

Dammit, there really is nothing to be envious of. Yeah, nothing...

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