Wanting to try the improved traditional Royal Navy cuisine was, admittedly, a perfectly valid reason to come here. But no matter how valid it seemed, Lion did not lower her guard in the slightest.
She refused to give even an inch, firmly shielding Jun Hao behind her.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Illustrious, the sharp caution within them completely undisguised.
"Miss Illustrious, you're telling me you just happened to appear along our date route, carrying a pie at this exact moment? Do you really expect me to believe that's a coincidence?"
Faced with Lion's questioning, the gentle smile on Illustrious's face did not waver in the slightest.
She gracefully shifted the tray to her other hand.
"Miss Lion, there's no need to be so wary. I truly was feeling hungry. You know, Miss New Jersey told me this improved stargazy pie is quite the delicacy."
Illustrious's gaze drifted past Lion's shoulder and settled squarely on Jun Hao.
"Besides, the Commander is dressed so adorably that it's impossible not to notice him. I assumed you brought him here because you wanted to show him off to all of us as well, didn't you?"
"..."
At those words, Lion could only let out a helpless smile.
She had originally planned to "retaliate" for losing her composure in the bath yesterday, yet somehow it had become Illustrious's excuse to "take a bite."
As expected of Miss Illustrious. She was not easy to deal with.
Unfortunately, no matter what happened, today was still a date between her and the Commander.
'Today, I, Lion, am the protagonist. And you, Miss Illustrious, can only play the supporting role.'
Just as Lion finished planning her counterattack and raised a confident smile. Jun Hao reached out, took Lion's hand, and stepped up to stand beside her.
"Commander?"
"At a time like this, it's my turn to step forward—as the male lion."
Beneath the heavy lion head mask, neither Lion nor Illustrious could see Jun Hao's expression.
Even so, the muffled voice that came through carried unmistakable determination.
Truthfully, from the moment Lion and Illustrious met, Jun Hao had clearly sensed the tension in the air. That pressure immediately gave rise to a single thought.
'No, this can't keep going. System, check the Harmony Level.'
At his command, a panel appeared before his eyes.
[Current Harmony Level: 31]
The number was already dangerously close to the warning line. If he did not act now, things would only get worse.
What troubled Jun Hao most was how to ease the tension naturally without hurting Illustrious's feelings. Both of them were equally precious to him.
He thought back to the countless harem anime he had watched online.
So many problems and broken relationships had begun because the male protagonist became indecisive and vague when it mattered most.
Like a certain guy named Rito.
He had no intention of allowing these girls, who loved him so deeply, to be hurt because of his own weakness.
Today was a date that belonged to him and Lion. That had been decided from the very beginning.
And because of that, he needed to stand firmly at her side.
With that thought, Jun Hao cast aside all hesitation and chose Lion without a moment's doubt.
Even through the thick paw glove, Lion could feel the warmth and strength in his hand.
It was also the first time anyone had ever said something like that to her.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Jun Hao did not stop there. Still holding Lion's hand, he gently pulled her a little closer before turning the large, slightly silly lion head toward Illustrious.
"Sorry, Illustrious. Like Lion said, I'm on a date with her right now, so I shouldn't disturb you while you're eating."
His words were simple and direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
The smile on Illustrious's face froze for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her usual composure.
Then Jun Hao spoke again.
"That said, I do need to ask you for a favor."
"Of course, Commander. If it's something I can do, I'd be happy to help."
As she answered, Illustrious gracefully placed the stargazy pie on the small table in the courtyard.
Jun Hao awkwardly scratched the lion head.
"It's just… Belfa and the others helped prepare this fursuit for me. I wanted to say it looks great. It's warm, but it's also surprisingly breathable. If you see them later, could you pass along my thanks?"
After a brief pause, he added, "And if Lion enjoys today's date, then the Maid Corps deserves most of the credit."
Illustrious understood immediately.
By saying this, Jun Hao had gracefully given her a way to step back without embarrassment.
Once he finished speaking, Jun Hao didn't give her a chance to reply. He simply took Lion with him and walked out of the courtyard.
This time, however, it was Lion who obediently let herself be guided by his steady strength.
The corners of her lips were raised high, and the triumph in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Soon, silence returned to the courtyard. Only Illustrious remained.
She stood there quietly, looking first at the steaming stargazy pie on the table, then in the direction the two had disappeared.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
At last, she let out a soft sigh and walked to an empty white round table nearby, seating herself with graceful poise.
She gently set the tray down and picked up the knife and fork beside it.
There was no trace of displeasure on Illustrious's face.
On the contrary, an even softer, deeper smile slowly bloomed across her lips.
"It seems there truly wasn't any chance to steal a bite."
She picked up the knife and neatly cut off a small piece of pie along with a bit of fish.
"You handled that well, Commander. Being so decisive..."
She brought the bite to her mouth and chewed slowly, savoring the taste.
'I really am falling for you more and more.'
A faint pink glow flickered deep within Illustrious's eyes.
She was now completely certain of one thing.
She would have to find an opportunity to thoroughly sample the Commander.
His gentleness, his resolve, and every part of him in every possible sense.
With that thought, Illustrious set down her utensils once more and took a communicator from her skirt pocket. Her slender fingers tapped lightly across the screen until she opened the contact list on JUUs.
First, she created a new group. Then she added three names.
Formidable.
Victorious.
Indomitable.
After that, she calmly typed a message into the chat box.
"My three dear sisters~ Time to wake up~ I'm in the courtyard, and the stargazy pie personally improved by the Commander is right here. Would you like to join me for breakfast? We also have some important matters to discuss."
She sent the message. Moments later, replies from Victorious, Formidable, and Indomitable appeared one after another.
"Oh? Sister Illustrious, do you already have a plan? How exciting."
"Coming right away, Sister Illustrious!"
"Being awake this early is such a hassle..."
Reading her sisters' lively responses, Illustrious smiled.
Everything was as befitting the eldest of the Illustrious-class.
And everything was proceeding according to the will of someone determined to win.
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Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives!
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