44: Chapter 44 The Strange Port Area

"A6-chan, A6-chan! It's time to disembark!"

A6 opened her eyes, a look of confusion on her face.

Although she had met them during dinner yesterday, this feeling of an entire group being completely unguarded was a first for A6.

Last night, fearing she might be uncomfortable, Fujian had specially come over to check on her—even though she was the most nervous one when Li Ming took me in, but...

Incomprehensible, completely incomprehensible. As for today...

"A6, A6! This is the port's vegetable garden... though it's actually hydroponic..."

"A6, A6, this is the path where the Commander usually does his morning exercises. A while ago, Z23-chan and..."

"A6, A6! This is our bathhouse! Since the Commander is the only boy in the port..."

"Javelin! Don't you dare open the door!" Li Ming held the door shut tightly from inside the bathroom. "I'm showering!"

"..." Though she didn't know why, A6 felt as if her processor was about to explode.

Miss Javelin is so enthusiastic... That's enthusiasm, right?

For some reason, even though the security protocols restricted her from being away from her equipment for more than 72 hours, she suddenly felt that being away for more than 30 minutes was quite enough.

Miss Javelin was a bit much for her to handle.

"Good afternoon, Miss A6. Is there anything you'd like to eat today?"

A6 looked at Z23, who was wearing an apron, and a question mark popped up over her head.

"Query: Nutritional value is disproportionate to the actual time spent. Recommendation: Munich Arsenal ANLHT23-type nutrient solution."

"...What is that?"

"Antiseptische Nährlösung mit langer Haltbarkeit Typ 23."

"No normal person would want to eat that, right?!" Z23 instinctively tapped the hairpin on top of her head with a clean soup spoon. "Miss A6, what kind of life did you lead before?!"

"Response: Iron Blood Duchy Top Secret Weapons Research Center, Stuttgart Army Research Department. As a member of Project Cheetah, conducted ground-based Wisdom Cube Armament experiments."

"..."

Z23 fell silent for a moment. "Would you like to try some Braised Pork Hock?"

"Response: Meaning unclear."

"Give it a try, Miss A6! Z23-chan's pork hock is delicious!" Javelin's hand rested on A6's shoulder from behind.

Looking at Javelin's face, A6 was silent for a moment.

"Affirmative. I can try it."

There were seven people in the entire port, including A6. A6 watched as Laffey clung to Li Ming, while Z23 and Javelin served him food. He managed a strained smile as he dealt with them.

She seemed to have seen such a scene before, with even the characters being somewhat similar.

Ayanami used her chopsticks quietly, while Fujian watched their playful antics with a hint of envy.

A6 became even more confused, but she chose to remain silent and continued to study the chopsticks in her hand.

"Query: Incomprehensible."

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Fujian turned her head and saw her clumsily using the chopsticks, clearly wanting to pick up the piece of meat she had just torn off.

Fujian thought for a moment and took out a set of knife and fork from the nearby cabinet for A6—something she was more familiar with, having just learned about them yesterday.

Hesitantly using the fork to put the meat into her mouth, Fujian thought she saw a spark in her dull eyes. Although they quickly returned to normal, her chewing speed noticeably increased.

Fujian chuckled softly, said nothing, and lowered her head to attend to her own dinner.

"Do you want to... take a nap?"

In the afternoon, Laffey extended an invitation to her—Fujian had forbidden anyone from disturbing Li Ming during his nap, as he still needed time to recover.

"Negative. I am in optimal condition and do not require standby maintenance."

"Hmph..." Laffey gave a puzzled look and then tossed a pillow at her—her Weaponized Carrot.

"Sleep," Laffey said, then collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep instantly.

"..." A6 held the... suspected flannel carrot with both hands and gave it a squeeze.

Meaning unknown. Hibernation does not require any portable items; only an injection of anesthesia is necessary...

But...

Looking at Laffey's peaceful sleeping face, she fell into deep thought.

She quietly tucked the pillow back into Laffey's arms and then left Laffey's room softly.

Laffey rolled over and then let out a faint snore.

Afternoon.

"Gah! I'm not playing anymore..." Li Ming flopped onto Ayanami's bed. "Ayanami is way too strong!"

"Commander, if you're bad, you just need to practice more, yes." Ayanami moved her hand from the mouse back to her lap and looked at A6. "A6, do you want to give it a try?"

"Query: Unknown behavior." A6 looked at the colorful computer screen, sitting on the carpet with a confused expression.

"It's playing games, yes." Ayanami took out a game console and a new laptop. "It's for entertainment, yes."

"Query: Unable to understand the meaning of this behavior." A6's eyes moved from the laptop to the game console, and then met Ayanami's red eyes.

"It doesn't need a meaning, yes..." Ayanami replied. "The meaning is, to play."

"Query: What is 'play'?"

"It's... a way to regulate one's emotions..." Li Ming sprawled on the bed, raising a hand. "Of course, in a sense... it's also a form of socializing?"

"Query: Incomprehensible behavioral pattern."

"You'll know once you try it." Li Ming thought for a bit. "Ayanami, are there any games that are easy to pick up?"

"The King of Fighters?" Ayanami tilted her head.

"Isn't that a bit too violent?"

"Isn't red alert even more violent, yes?"

"...I can't argue with that."

A6 watched the two of them talk, a hint of bewilderment showing on her face.

"How about trying HOI?"

"...We can try that, yes. Does A6 want to try?"

"Query: What is HOI?"

"Hearts of Iron IV, a kind of... real-time strategy war simulation." Li Ming gestured.

"...Analysis: I can try it."

"Alright then... do you know how to use a computer?"

"Negative. No operating method for this type of terminal."

"Okay, ...Ayanami?"

"I understand, yes..."

Watching Ayanami teach her how to use the computer, Li Ming stretched again, making a sound like he was dying, only to have a pillow thrown at him by Ayanami.

"No weird noises, yes."

"Wife, I was wrong!"

"...I'm not blaming you, yes." Ayanami blushed.

"Hehehe..." Li Ming sprawled himself out in a star shape, completely unconcerned that this was a girl's bed.

A6 watched their interaction, feeling like something was off, yet nothing seemed wrong.

She squeezed the mouse. What could such a fragile little thing possibly do?

...

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