255: Chapter 255 The Road is Long and Difficult

"Are you finished washing?"

"Yes."

Li Ming walked downstairs and saw her sitting in a chair in front of the central heating vent, having changed into a relatively simple pair of pajamas.

After all, the rocking chair was already scrap, so she couldn't rock anymore—she couldn't exactly rock a wheelchair, could she? ()

Coming to her side, Li Ming confirmed that Ushakov had likely already left, then looked at her. "You haven't dried your hair yet?"

Kuznetsov nodded slightly and pointed to the comb and hairdryer next to the table.

Li Ming understood, picked up the hairdryer to test the temperature, and then began to help her dry her hair.

Feeling the waves of heat behind her, Kuznetsov closed her eyes and pondered for a long while before asking, "You seem very skilled at drying a girl's hair."

"I've done it before."

"I can tell; your technique is very good."

"Should I say thank you for the compliment?"

"No need, I don't fall for that."

"Then that's that."

"So, why are you willing to... look after me?"

Li Ming paused. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I suppose I just felt like doing it, so I did."

"I don't think you have the time to stay in this small place to look after an old person."

"The flow of time in the two worlds is different," Li Ming replied. "Although there's no direct way back for the time being... before I return, I feel I have more important things to do."

"Are you planning to take care of me until the very end?"

"...No."

"Why?" Kuznetsov gave a soft chuckle. "You can be so outspoken when you're with Ushakov, but you're so cautious with me?"

"I still have to be mindful of a patient's emotions."

"I'm just old, you little brat."

"You are sick," Li Ming insisted.

"...Hmph, smooth-talker," Kuznetsov huffed softly.

"To be honest, Marshal..."

"Just call me Kuznetsov."

"...Sister Kuz. I know my own personality," Li Ming said, moving the hairdryer. "Actually, I'm the type of guy whose lower head controls his upper head."

"Oh?" Kuznetsov raised an eyebrow. "So you're staying here for my looks?"

"That's part of it," Li Ming shook his head. "At least I don't think I'd have the patience to look after anyone else if it were some other man or... those people."

"Hmph, if you put it that way, am I special to you?"

"Maybe... I don't know." Li Ming rubbed his dry eyes. "But if you told me to leave, even if I weren't very willing, I would leave."

"Oh? You actually have that kind of resolve?"

"...But I'm worried you wouldn't be able to take care of yourself alone."

"Hmm..."

She fell silent, then smiled again. "So, you care about me that much?"

"Maybe... I don't know. There are things I just do because I want to, but maybe I'm just after your looks?" Li Ming gave a bitter laugh.

"You little brat with the heart but no guts," she laughed. "Move the hairdryer, it's burning me."

"Oh, oh, sorry."

"No need to apologize. Do you care about my feelings that much?"

"Judging by the result, I suppose so."

"Tsk, you little brat. You're making things difficult for me."

"What's wrong?"

"None of your business."

"...Sorry."

"What exactly are you apologizing for?"

"I don't know."

"Suka, just say it."

"I suppose... I care?"

"Is there nothing you can be sure of?"

Li Ming didn't answer, just quietly went about his work.

He finished drying her hair and then began to comb it.

Kuznetsov opened her eyes again. This dishonest little fellow probably didn't lack knowledge of his own heart; he just didn't know how to speak it.

"So, Li Ming. What is your duty as a Commander?"

"Protect their safety and take good care of them."

"You? Protect the safety of Ship Girls?" Kuznetsov was suddenly caught between laughter and tears.

"Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to defend against," Li Ming replied. "Even open attacks are a problem; if possible, it would be best if everyone didn't have to take risks."

"We are Ship Girls, Li Ming. Although you and I are not from the same world, for a Ship Girl, every voyage is an adventure."

"That's why I want to change that situation even more."

"You love them very much, Li Ming."

"That... I won't deny."

"How many Ship Girls do you have?"

"...A lot." Li Ming closed his eyes and did the math: Eagle Union, Sakura Empire, Iron Blood, Royal Navy, Sardegna Empire, Northern Parliament, Iris, Eastern Radiance, Tulips. Then there were the sailing ships of the Hurricane and the Metas; it was a three-digit number, and he wasn't even sure what the first digit was.

"Then why do you have time to chat leisurely with an old lady here?" Kuznetsov asked with interest. "Instead of trying to find a way back as quickly as possible?"

"Because I believe they can take care of themselves."

"Then isn't that a conflict between your left and right brain?" She smiled. "You believe they can take care of themselves, yet you're afraid of them taking risks..."

"Because compared to them, I'm actually the useless one being taken care of."

Useless...

Kuznetsov closed her eyes again. "You mean you worry about them, but you lack the ability to protect them, right?"

"I suppose so, yes."

"Alright, that's enough." She shook her head, telling Li Ming he didn't need to continue combing. "Your heart is in turmoil."

Li Ming silently put the comb and hairdryer back, then stood to the side and looked at her.

"Let me ask you another question: if your Ship Girls had to go to a very dangerous place, what would you do?"

"I would make ample preparations and then go with them, or..."

"Or?"

"I once told a Ship Girl who asked me a similar question that I would go in her place."

Kuznetsov turned back to look at him; it was the first time he had seen the cold sternness in her direct gaze. "Go to your death alone?"

"..."

Li Ming was speechless. It was true—if even a Ship Girl couldn't handle it, then him going alone wouldn't make much difference; in the end, the Ship Girls would probably end up being dragged down with him anyway.

"...Alright." Kuznetsov's attitude softened slightly as she closed her eyes again. "Take me upstairs."

"Okay."

Li Ming picked her up and walked step by step toward the second floor.

"Li Ming."

"What is it?"

"Tomorrow, go to the basement and bring out the table stored there."

"Oh."

"Then call Ushakov over; I have some things to assign to you both."

"I understand."

"Good that you understand."

Kuznetsov narrowed her eyes as she looked at his profile; he was just an ordinary little man, nothing special.

That table was an Electronic Sand Table. Although it was a bit too professional, it should serve fine as a teaching tool.

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