86: Chapter 86 The Effect of Alcohol

"Oh dear... A6, you see, this is why I don't drink."

Li Ming closed the door, having finally managed to peel Fujian off him. He felt as if he had just walked through the gates of the underworld.

"Affirmative. After consuming alcoholic beverages, Miss Fujian exhibits a high degree of childlike behavior. It is recommended to completely prohibit Miss Fujian from consuming alcoholic drinks again."

"That's a possibility, but it's still up to her own will." Li Ming shrugged. She wasn't a child, although no matter what, he was still responsible for her. "Alright, A6, I still have a few things to take care of. Are you going to go play with Ayane and Veda now?"

"Affirmative. Based on estimations, because you will not be participating in the game together, the probability of Ayane and Veda's disappointment is approximately 100%, and their enthusiasm will decrease by 80%."

"Uh..." Li Ming hesitated for a moment. "If you guys play for a long time, I might come over after I'm done. If they ask, could you please tell them for me, A6?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you, A6." Li Ming gently patted her head. She still held onto her hairpin.

"Response. Meaning unclear."

"The meaning could be many things, but I think more than anything, it's expressing... you're cute, and I like you a lot." After patting her head many times, this was the first time Li Ming had told her the meaning so frankly and formally.

Maybe he had inhaled some alcohol fumes and was a little drunk? Li Ming thought to himself. Of course, it could also be that he seemed to be very relaxed when facing her?

He was mainly betting that she wouldn't understand... actually, he was betting that she wouldn't tell anyone, otherwise his lifelong reputation would be completely ruined.

"Response. Meaning unclear." she replied, then turned and left.

Li Ming smiled. At least before, in front of him, she wouldn't have just walked away like that.

She's developing a personality, this girl.

Turning his head, he saw Gang Yishawa.

Her face was flushed from drinking, but she didn't seem to have drunk too much.

"Commander~ mind having a chat?"

"Huh? What's up?"

Following Gang Yishawa to the window ledge, the wind was quite strong tonight, likely meaning rain was coming again.

"This time, everyone was really scared."

"Uh, my fault..."

"No, it's everyone's fault." Gang Yishawa sat on the window ledge, happily swinging her legs, attracting Li Ming's gaze. "Commander, there's something you haven't told Royal Fortune, right? Or is it simply that I don't know?"

"Didn't Royal Fortune tell you?" Li Ming asked. He thought his matters would have been shared by Royal Fortune.

Gang Yishawa shook her head. "She probably forgot about it herself?"

"That's true." Li Ming found that reasonable. Royal Fortune probably didn't take his past self or how terrible he was seriously at all.

"So then, Commander, can you tell me?"

Looking at her sincere expression, Li Ming didn't know how much of it was real and how much was an act. However, her affection couldn't be faked.

If even this was fake, Li Ming felt he might never be able to trust anyone else again.

"Of course I can." Li Ming organized his thoughts and began to speak, starting from his true identity and his real past relationship with them.

She got down from the window ledge, leaned against the railing, gently held Li Ming's right hand with both of her hands, and caressed his palm.

Li Ming was slightly nervous, but he still told his story completely.

"So you've been afraid of this all along?" Gang Yishawa seemed amused. "Look, I'm right here in front of you. Your feelings, our feelings, are real."

"Of course, I understand..."

"You don't understand, Commander. Or rather, you feel you're not worthy of us, right?"

"..."

"You see, I think Z23 and everyone else must have told you too, they don't care about your shortcomings, but you subjectively ignore it." Gang Yishawa chuckled lightly, but her hands gripping his palm were clenched tightly.

"I always thought I hid it well." Li Ming found it hard to speak. "Is it that obvious?"

"If one doesn't observe you deliberately, it's hard to notice." she replied. "You are very close with everyone, but you don't seem happy... or rather, you're not happy *because* of being close with everyone."

"I like everyone very much..."

"So you treat being with everyone and making everyone happy as your duty, to the point where everyone has gotten used to your giving, subconsciously ignoring your own state." Gang Yishawa released his hand and went to stroke his cheek. "Commander, you are very smart. But if you met others, like, for example, Amagi? Or Zhenhai, you would be completely exposed."

Even meeting you is the same, Li Ming internally grumbled.

"But, this version of you is also quite cute."

"Cute, me?... Huh?"

She leaned in. "Adorably foolish, my dear Commander."

"Huh?!... Mmm..."

He was forcefully kissed. What a unreasonable "old-timer".

Touching his lips, Li Ming looked at her incredulously.

Laffey and Fujian only kissed his cheek.

"Commander, what do you think a Promise Ring is?" she continued her offensive. "A proof? Or an object expressing possession?"

"I..."

"I don't care about something so formal." she prepared to launch the final strike. "Proof of love doesn't need a real-world definition. The Promise Ring is noticed by everyone only because... at that time, it was the only trace left of you by everyone's side, commemorating the experiences everyone shared with you."

"So, Commander, are you willing?" Her light purple pupils stared directly into Li Ming's vacant eyes. "To prove my waiting was worth it."

"Uh, I..."

"No, you don't need to answer." She covered Li Ming's mouth. "We are a Hurricane, Commander. What I want, I will take for myself."

How unreasonable.

"I know you don't like making decisions, so... do you want me to make this decision for you? I mean, trust my decision."

There was no way out. She had perfectly predicted Li Ming's train of thought, and once Li Ming broke this taboo, he could never go back to the past.

The faint scent of alcohol on her made it clear to Li Ming that she had actually drunk quite a bit today. Although how much effect alcohol has on Ship Girls is debatable, judging from the performance of Yorktown and Essex in the game, it's probably somewhat effective.

Whether Gang Yishawa used alcohol to bolster her courage, Li Ming couldn't know, but he understood she might only ever bring this up this one time.

"Have you thought it through clearly? Personally, I'd be more than willing." His breathing was somewhat rapid. "This is no joke."

"Do you think I'll have another chance this good?" She revealed a sly smile. "Darling?"

...

...