Yuuki opened his eyes again—
This time to an empty bed.
He sat up slowly, looking around.
No one.
No warmth.
No evidence.
"…They really just vanished like nothing happened."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"They're pretending."
He stretched slightly, then got up without saying anything further.
If they wanted to act like nothing happened—
He would play along.
After a quick shower, he stepped out—
Only to be greeted by something far more normal.
The smell of breakfast.
Warm.
Familiar.
Comforting.
"Good morning, Master." Belfast greeted while she put a bowl of fried noodles on the table.
Yuuki glanced toward the dining area.
"…You're all up early."
Atago smiled sweetly—
But her eyes shifted ever so slightly to the side.
"Yes~"
Behind her, the others did the same.
Yorktown.
Enterprise.
Belfast.
Illustrious.
Takao.
All avoiding direct eye contact for just a moment.
Yuuki narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then…
Said nothing.
"…Right."
He took a seat.
Takao cleared her throat lightly, stepping in to redirect as she saw he was holding a wisdom cube.
"Shikikan-sama… where did you obtain that cube?"
"It's the same as Hood," he said. "It just appeared."
A pause.
"I met its owner."
Illustrious leaned slightly forward.
"And who might that be?"
Yuuki looked at the cube.
"…Yat Sen."
Yorktown immediately reacted.
"Dragon Empery… Yat Sen?"
Her expression softened into a smile.
"It's been a while…"
She reached out slightly toward the cube.
For a brief moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The cube glowed.
Soft.
Warm.
Responsive.
As if answering her.
Enterprise's gaze sharpened slightly.
"She recognizes you."
Belfast nodded.
"The resonance is clear."
Atago smiled.
"So she is already aware of us."
Takao added quietly,
"Then her recovery will be stable."
Yuuki leaned back slightly, watching the glow.
"…Yeah."
He looked at the cube a bit longer.
"She's waiting."
A short pause.
"And this time…"
He closed his hand around it.
"…she won't be alone."
"So everyone had a good rest?"
Yuuki leaned back slightly as he picked up his tea, watching them.
"Yes," Atago answered smoothly. "I slept very well."
"Same here," Illustrious added with a gentle smile. "Quite comfortable."
"Rest was sufficient," Enterprise said simply.
Belfast gave a composed nod.
"No issues, Master."
Takao folded her arms lightly.
"It was… adequate."
Yorktown smiled.
"Slept like a baby."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Ohhh~~?"
Instantly—
Every single one of them avoided eye contact.
Silence.
Yuuki took a sip of tea.
"…Right."
He didn't push it.
Instead, he shifted the topic.
"So what's the plan today?"
Yorktown rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"We could go straight for Avrora…"
Enterprise shook her head.
"Not yet."
Belfast added,
"We are still waiting for the additional Nikkes to arrive."
Takao nodded.
"Engaging early would be inefficient."
Yuuki agreed.
"Exactly."
A pause.
"We move when everything is in place."
Atago smiled slightly.
"So… we wait?"
Yuuki smirked.
"We prepare."
Illustrious tilted her head.
"And how do you propose we do that, Lord Commander?"
Yuuki leaned forward slightly.
"We go out."
They blinked.
"We've got millions of credits," he continued casually. "Might as well use the time."
Yorktown narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…We need those credits for Avrora."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Not really."
A pause.
"We just need enough to get in and control the situation. I am not going to steal items or anything. Just once we gain Avrora and the other Nikkes, we can just caused trouble and get out of here. Expect to be banned from Magellan."
Enterprise caught on immediately.
"So the credits are leverage."
"Exactly," Yuuki said.
Atago smiled wider.
"Onee-san likes where this is going."
Yuuki's expression sharpened slightly.
"Just make sure you're all ready."
A brief pause.
"Because tonight…"
He looked at each of them.
"…we're going to cause trouble."
There was no hesitation.
"Ready, Commander," Enterprise said.
"We await your command," Belfast added.
Takao nodded.
"We will follow."
Illustrious smiled softly.
"As always."
Atago leaned slightly closer.
"Just say the word."
Yorktown watched them, then smiled.
"In that case…"
She stood up slightly, stretching.
"Why don't we enjoy the city while we can?"
She looked at Yuuki.
"Magellan has more to offer than just shady deals."
A small smirk followed.
"And you don't want to go back empty-handed, do you?"
Atago laughed lightly.
"Souvenirs?"
Yorktown nodded.
"For the girls back home."
Yuuki paused for a second.
Then exhaled.
"…Fair point."
He stood up.
"Alright."
A small grin appeared.
"Let's go shopping."
Because before the chaos—
Before the operation—
They had time.
And they were going to use it.
=============
The polished streets of Magellan looked pristine on the surface—glass, light, controlled movement.
But not everything here was clean.
Hidden behind one of the luxurious hotels, tucked away from the public eye—
Reality showed itself.
"Incompetent maid!"
SLAP!
"Kyahh!!"
"Ade—!"
SLAP!
"Soda…"
The man sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Useless. Both of you."
He grabbed one of them by the chin, forcing her to look up.
"You're my trophies. Remember that. Even as maids, you're still worthless."
"Ade…" the other whispered weakly, trying to steady her.
"I… I'm sorry," Ade said, trembling. "I'm really incompetent…"
"Don't say that," Soda replied quickly, her voice shaking but firm. "It's not your fault…"
Ade looked down, her hands clenched.
"Soda… look at us…"
A pause.
"We get hit for every mistake… every little thing…"
Her voice broke slightly.
"How long are we supposed to live like this…?"
Soda didn't answer immediately.
Because she didn't have one.
"…At least…" she said quietly, forcing the words out, "at least that man… can't…"
She stopped herself.
Ade understood anyway.
"…Yes," Ade whispered. "If not for that… we would…"
She couldn't finish.
A heavy silence followed.
Soda looked away, her voice dropping even lower.
"…But I can't stand it anymore."
Ade nodded weakly.
"Where would we even go…?"
She let out a hollow laugh.
"We don't have money. We don't have anything."
Soda clenched her fists.
"…And soon…"
Her voice trembled.
"…we'll be put back on display."
The word lingered.
Paraded.
Sold.
Used.
Ade closed her eyes.
"If there's anyone out there…"
A pause.
"…anyone at all…"
Her voice turned into a whisper.
"…please take us away from this…"
"…monster…"
Soda leaned slightly against her.
"…I hope so, Ade."
A long silence.
"…I really hope so."
"I miss our old maid café, Soda…"
The platinum-peach haired girl's voice trembled as tears slipped down her cheeks. Her green eyes, once bright with warmth and pride, now carried only exhaustion.
"I miss serving a kind master… I miss Velvet… I miss Cocoa…"
Beside her, Soda lowered her head. Her light green hair fell forward, hiding part of her expression—but not the pain in it.
"I miss Privaty…"
A quiet pause followed.
"…What happened to us…"
Her hands clenched tightly.
"Kidnapped… used… sold…"
Her voice shook, but she forced it out anyway.
"We can't even function as Nikkes anymore…"
Silence pressed in around them.
They were still beautiful.
Still strong.
Still alive.
But stripped of purpose.
Of dignity.
Of everything they once were.
Ade leaned forward, unable to hold herself together any longer.
Soda caught her.
The two of them held onto each other tightly—
As if that alone was enough to keep them from breaking completely.
No commands.
No expectations.
No punishment.
Just each other.
"…We used to smile so easily," Ade whispered.
Soda nodded against her shoulder.
"…We used to belong somewhere."
Now—
They were nothing more than possessions.
But even then—
Even in that broken state—
They still hoped.
===================
Outside—
The city continued as if nothing was wrong.
But somewhere nearby—
Yuuki and his group were walking those same streets.
Unaware—
That the "Nikke" they planned to save—
Was already praying—
For someone exactly like him to appear.
===================
The docking yard of Magellan was far louder than the upper districts.
Massive structures loomed overhead, cranes shifting cargo, engines humming beneath the surface of the water. Submarines rose and descended like mechanical beasts, their hulls glistening under artificial light.
Then—
One vessel stood out.
A luxurious submarine surfaced smoothly, its polished exterior reflecting wealth and power. The moment it docked, attendants rushed forward—quick, efficient, practiced.
The hatch opened.
And he stepped out.
A heavy man, draped in excess, arrogance radiating from every movement.
El Molo.
In his hands—
Leashes.
Two girls were dragged alongside him.
One with peach-blonde hair and sharp orange eyes—her posture once proud, now forced into submission.
The other, smaller, with silver-white hair and green eyes, struggling to keep her balance as she walked.
"Anis…" the silver-haired girl whispered.
Neon's voice trembled despite her effort to stay composed.
"I know…" Anis replied quietly, her gaze lowered.
"…Just endure it."
Neon clenched her fists weakly.
"…Why…"
A pause.
"…Why are we like this now…"
Her voice cracked.
"We were Counter Squad…"
The words felt distant.
Like something from another life.
"…We had pride…"
Anis didn't answer immediately.
Because she didn't have an answer.
"I don't know…" she finally said, her voice breaking.
"We lost Rapi…"
Her grip tightened slightly.
"…We lost our strength…"
A pause.
"…Then what are we now…?"
Silence swallowed the question.
Neon's eyes dimmed slightly.
"…This feels like before…"
A faint, bitter breath escaped her.
"…Born… and abandoned…"
Then—
The leash jerked violently.
Both of them stumbled—
And fell to the ground.
"Move!"
El Molo yanked the chains again, irritation clear.
"Slaves should know their place!"
He looked around proudly, as if showing off valuables.
"You two are my trophies," he said with a smug grin.
"I can already see the envy."
Around them—
People watched.
Some amused.
Some indifferent.
No one intervened.
And the two girls—
Said nothing.
Because they had already learned—
What happened when they resisted.
But even then—
Even now—
Somewhere deep inside—
Something still remained.
Not fully broken.
Not yet.
=================
"Shikikan-sama, look… pearls!"
Atago's voice carried a rare, genuine excitement as she leaned slightly toward a display case. Inside, rows of softly glowing pearls shimmered under the shop lights, each one perfectly round, luminous in a way that felt almost otherworldly.
Yuuki stepped closer, hands in his pockets.
"Hoo… how much?"
The vendor answered without hesitation.
"1,000 credits per piece."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Pearls like these would cost four to five thousand dollars back home, depending on rarity."
He glanced at the display again.
"…That's cheap."
The girls exchanged looks.
"You want something?" Yuuki asked casually.
There was a brief pause.
"…No," Yorktown said first.
Takao shook her head.
"Jewelry is not something we require."
Belfast added calmly,
"And such items are usually… given under specific circumstances."
Illustrious smiled softly.
"We prefer them to carry meaning."
Yuuki tilted his head.
"…Meaning?"
Atago glanced away slightly.
"…When we are oath-bound."
Yuuki blinked.
"Oath…?"
Belfast stepped in smoothly.
"It is nothing you need to concern yourself with right now, Master."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…You're all being suspicious again."
They said nothing.
He sighed.
"Fine."
A pause.
"But you don't want one? Not even as a souvenir?"
All of them shook their heads again.
"No."
Yuuki stared at them for a second longer.
Then—
Smiled.
"…Alright."
He turned back to the vendor.
"I'll take these."
Before they could react—
He had already purchased them.
Not rings.
Instead—
Elegant pearl brooches, each set with a faintly glowing gem at the center.
Simple.
Refined.
Something that could be worn on their uniforms.
Yuuki turned back and handed them out one by one.
"Here."
"…Commander," Yorktown started softly.
"You didn't have to…"
Yuuki shrugged.
"What's the point of having credits if I don't use them?"
A small pause.
"Besides, it's only 6,000."
That wasn't the part that affected them.
Each of them looked at what they were holding.
Not extravagant.
Not symbolic like a ring.
But still—
Given.
By him.
Atago held hers gently.
Takao stared at it a moment longer than usual.
Belfast's composed expression softened just slightly.
Illustrious smiled, quiet but warm.
Enterprise looked away—but didn't put it down.
Yorktown… said nothing.
Their faces—
All faintly red.
Yuuki noticed despite his girls wearing their helmets.
"…You're all doing that again."
No one answered.
Because even if it wasn't an oath—
It still meant something.
He did not stop at just one purchase.
Yuuki quietly bought additional brooches—carefully selecting variations that would suit the others back at base. Different hues, slightly different designs, but all sharing the same refined look.
Not extravagant.
Not excessive.
Just… thoughtful.
From there, they moved deeper into the commercial district.
The next stop—
Clothing.
Most of Magellan's fashion leaned heavily into its environment: sleek lines, synthetic fabrics, glowing seams, and layered designs that felt more cyberpunk than traditional. Functional. Stylish in its own way.
But not… them.
Atago tilted her head.
"…It feels too artificial."
Takao nodded.
"Not suitable."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"Too restrictive."
Then—
They found it.
A smaller boutique tucked between two larger stores.
Soft lighting.
Warm colors.
Flowing fabrics.
Dresses.
Illustrious's eyes lit up slightly.
"…Oh."
Atago smiled.
"Now this is more like it."
Yorktown stepped closer.
"These feel… normal."
The girls exchanged looks.
They clearly wanted to try.
Then reality hit.
"…We cannot remove the suits here," Takao said.
Yuuki, already leaning against a display, gestured casually.
"You don't need to."
They turned to him.
"Use your HUD," he said. "Scan the clothes and project them."
Belfast blinked once.
"…Project?"
Yuuki nodded.
"It'll overlay a hologram on your body. Like trying them on—without actually changing."
A pause.
"…We can do that?" Atago asked.
Yuuki smirked.
"Try it."
They did.
And immediately—
"…Oh."
The first projection activated on their hand. A projection of themselves.
Atago tested one on herself by scanning a random dress. Then, a projection of her shown above her hand.
A dress formed over Atago's projected body like a dress up doll—perfectly fitted, moving naturally with her body.
Illustrious gasped softly.
"This is remarkable…"
Yorktown turned slightly, observing her reflection.
"It's accurate…"
Enterprise tested movement.
"No delay. No distortion."
Belfast adjusted the projection slightly.
"Precise alignment as well."
Then—
They got into it.
Scanning.
Switching.
Comparing.
"Takao, this would look good on you."
Takao glanced at the projection Atago had selected.
"I am not particularly inclined toward… girly dresses."
Atago smiled knowingly.
"Are you sure?"
A pause.
"Shikikan-sama might prefer it."
Takao froze.
"…That is irrelevant."
A beat.
"…But I will test it."
A new projection appeared over her—
Elegant.
Soft.
Surprisingly fitting.
Atago's smile widened.
"See?"
Nearby—
"Bel, this one feels a bit tight across the chest," Illustrious said, adjusting her projection slightly before turning to the shopkeeper. "Do you have a larger size?"
Belfast, already browsing through several options, nodded.
"I will check if this one suits me."
Yorktown and Enterprise stood together, comparing designs.
"This one is better," Yorktown said.
Enterprise shook her head.
"The pattern is watery."
"It's a dress, not armor."
"…Still."
Meanwhile—
Yuuki sat.
On a small stool.
Off to the side.
The universal position.
The waiting zone.
He rested his chin on his hand, watching as they cycled through outfit after outfit.
"…This is going to take a while."
One hour later—
They were still going.
Comparing.
Adjusting.
Debating.
Yuuki sighed.
"…Yeah."
He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
And honestly—
He didn't mind.
In the end—
Yuuki just leaned back slightly and let out a quiet sigh.
"…They really take their time."
Dress after dress.
Projection after projection.
They weren't just trying things on.
They were carefully choosing.
Adjusting sizes.
Comparing patterns.
Matching colors.
Turning slightly to see how it flowed.
Asking each other for opinions.
Atago twirled slightly in one projection, smiling.
"Does this suit me?"
Takao, still trying to remain composed, adjusted hers again.
"…This one is more practical."
Illustrious examined the fabric projection closely.
"The design is elegant… but perhaps something softer?"
Belfast was already filtering options efficiently.
"This cut complements your figure better, Lady Illustrious."
Yorktown and Enterprise stood side by side again—
"This one," Yorktown said.
Enterprise shook her head.
"That one has better structure."
"It's not armor."
"…Still matters."
Yuuki watched all of it.
Quietly.
At first, he had expected it.
Then endured it.
Now—
He simply observed.
Because beneath all of this—
There was something else.
These were shipgirls.
Weapons.
Constructs of war.
And yet—
Right now—
They were just girls.
Girls who had spent years fighting.
Suffering.
Dying.
Waiting.
Girls who never had time for something as simple as this.
Shopping.
Laughing.
Arguing over dresses.
He leaned his head slightly against his hand, watching them.
"…They really are…"
Not just shipgirls.
They were the closest thing to what they once were—
Human.
This was their first time in Aqua.
Their first time in a place like this—
Not as weapons.
Not as soldiers.
But as themselves.
Yuuki's expression softened.
"…Yeah."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Take your time."
Because for once—
There was no urgency.
No battle.
No pressure.
Just a moment.
And he was going to let them have it.
One by one—
They stepped away from the mirrors and displays.
Then gathered in front of him.
Each of them raised a hand slightly—
Activating their projections.
Different dresses.
Different styles.
Soft fabrics.
Elegant cuts.
Gentle colors.
"Commander…" Yorktown began, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
"What do you think?"
Yuuki looked at them.
Really looked.
For a moment—
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he exhaled softly.
"You all look beautiful."
A pause.
"I don't have a specific preference."
He leaned back slightly.
"But in general…"
A faint smile formed.
"They all suit you."
That alone—
Was enough.
There was a brief silence.
Then—
Takao spoke.
"Shikikan-sama…"
She hesitated slightly.
"…Do you prefer girly dresses?"
Yuuki blinked once.
Then shrugged.
"Isn't that what makes them charming?"
Takao froze.
"…I see."
Atago's lips curved into a slow smile.
Illustrious lowered her gaze slightly.
Belfast adjusted her sleeve.
Yorktown looked away.
Enterprise said nothing—
But didn't look at him either.
A faint red spread across all of them.
"…Why?" Yuuki asked.
"It's nothing," Takao replied quickly.
Then—
They all exchanged glances.
And smiled.
"Then we'll take these."
Yuuki blinked.
"…These?"
Each of them—
Selected multiple.
Not one.
Not two.
At least four each.
Yuuki's eyes widened slightly.
"…Wait a second."
The total appeared.
6000 credits.
Top floor pricing.
Premium materials.
High-end designs.
Yuuki stared at it for a second.
Then—
Shrugged.
"…Fine."
He paid without hesitation.
Because as he looked at them—
Holding their selections—
Clearly happy—
It clicked.
This wasn't about clothes.
It was about something they hadn't had in a long time.
Choice.
Normalcy.
Freedom.
Yuuki stood up.
"…Worth it."
Atago smiled warmly.
"Onee-san agrees."
Illustrious held her dress selections gently.
"Thank you, Lord Commander."
Belfast bowed her head slightly.
"Much appreciated, Master."
Takao nodded.
"…Thank you."
Enterprise gave a small glance.
"…We will make proper use of them."
Yorktown smiled.
"…We will."
Yuuki waved it off.
"Just don't ask for another round right away." He sighs. Not because of the price, it was more on the waiting part.
Atago giggled.
"No promises."
Yuuki sighed.
"…Yeah, I walked into that one."
But despite that—
He didn't regret it.
Not even a little.
They stepped out of the boutique and back into the open walkways of Magellan.
The city moved as usual—lights, voices, distant machinery—but around Yuuki, something felt lighter.
He didn't need to see their faces.
He could feel it.
The quiet satisfaction.
The happiness they were trying (and failing) to hide behind their helmets.
They passed by food stalls, small vendors selling snacks and local delicacies.
For a moment, Atago slowed.
Illustrious glanced at one of the displays.
Even Yorktown paused slightly.
Then—
A faint smell drifted through the air.
They all froze.
"…No."
Takao turned away immediately.
"That is not food."
Enterprise narrowed her eyes.
"Unidentified composition."
Belfast sighed softly.
"We should refrain."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Yeah, let's skip that."
And so they moved on—
Until they reached a quieter part of the station.
A park.
Encased beneath a massive glass dome, reinforced against the crushing depths outside. Beyond it, the ocean stretched endlessly, dark blue and vast, with faint silhouettes of marine life drifting past.
Inside—
Greenery.
Benches.
Artificial sunlight.
A rare pocket of calm.
They settled there.
Illustrious stepped slightly ahead, turning toward Yuuki with a soft smile.
"Ufufu… how does it feel, going out with six girls, Lord Commander?"
Yuuki crossed his arms lightly.
"Good thing I've got enough credits."
A small smirk followed.
"Otherwise, you'd drain my wallet dry."
Atago giggled.
"We would never~"
Takao glanced away.
"…Perhaps only slightly."
Then—
Enterprise stepped forward.
Her tone shifted.
"Commander…"
Yuuki looked at her.
"Thank you… for the clothes."
A pause.
"We have never received gifts like that before."
The others grew quieter.
"Our uniforms…" Enterprise continued, "…were always issued by the Navy."
Belfast added softly,
"Standardized. Functional."
Illustrious looked down at her hands.
"Never chosen."
Yorktown exhaled slowly.
"Never given."
Enterprise met Yuuki's gaze again.
"This was the first time."
A brief silence.
"…So thank you."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"Truly."
Atago touched the brooch in the box in her shopping bag.
"The one you gave us…"
Takao followed, doing the same.
"We will treasure it."
Belfast nodded.
"As something… personal."
Yuuki blinked.
"…I didn't realize."
Enterprise shook her head slightly.
"You wouldn't."
Then—
She took a small step closer.
"Thank you… for spoiling us."
A faint pause.
"Even if we may not deserve it."
Yuuki's expression softened.
"Hey."
He waved it off lightly and pats Enterprise's hooded head.
"Don't worry about that."
A small smile followed.
"I'll spoil you however I can."
Then he added—
"But I've got to be fair too."
A glance around.
"Can't have the others thinking I'm playing favorites."
Atago stepped closer.
"Ufufu…"
Illustrious joined her.
"Then…"
Yorktown smiled faintly.
"Just for now…"
Enterprise stood beside them.
Takao and Belfast followed.
"Allow us," Illustrious said softly.
"To be your favorites… in this moment."
Yuuki looked at all six of them.
The way they stood.
The way they looked at him—
Not as a commander.
Not as a leader.
But as someone… important to them.
He exhaled.
"…Alright."
A small smile formed.
"Just this once."
And under the glass dome of Magellan—
Surrounded by an artificial sky and a real ocean beyond—
They allowed themselves—
A moment that wasn't about war.
Just… being together.
The calm of the park didn't last.
Voices—loud, sharp, frustrated—cut through the quiet atmosphere from behind them.
"How the hell did you lose the glowing cube?!"
"We don't know! It was guarded the whole time! Four men watching it—no one could've taken it!"
"Well it's gone now, isn't it?!"
A fist slammed against something metallic.
"How are we supposed to enter the auction without it?!"
The group went silent for a moment.
Yuuki didn't turn around.
But the girls did.
Subtly.
Atago's lips curved slightly.
"Oh my… someone sounds upset."
Illustrious covered her mouth lightly, clearly amused.
"Ufufu… the culprit is standing right here with us."
Takao exhaled quietly.
"They are in disarray."
Enterprise crossed her arms slightly.
"I guess they can't sell that cube now."
Belfast added calmly,
"Failure on their part."
Yorktown glanced at Yuuki.
"…They're talking about the cube."
Yuuki nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
Another shout came from behind.
"Search every sector! Someone has it!"
"We're dead if we don't find it before tonight!"
Yuuki finally smirked.
"…Good luck with that."
Atago leaned slightly closer.
"Should we be concerned, Shikikan-sama?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"They don't know what they're looking for."
Illustrious tilted her head.
"Nor who took it."
Belfast added,
"And certainly not who they are dealing with."
Yuuki glanced back briefly—
Just enough to confirm.
Panic.
Confusion.
No direction.
Then he looked forward again.
"They don't need to know."
Yorktown smiled faintly.
"Agreed."
Enterprise nodded.
"No advantage in revealing ourselves."
Takao added quietly,
"We proceed as planned."
Yuuki pushed himself off the bench.
"Exactly."
A small pause.
"Let them scramble."
Behind them—
The shouting continued.
But ahead—
The path was already set.
And tonight—
Everything would change.
They did not have to look far.
The noise shifted again—this time heavier, uglier.
A large man in red dragged two girls across the walkway, metal leashes clinking with each step. People moved aside, not out of kindness, but out of habit. No one interfered.
Yuuki's gaze locked onto them immediately.
"Commander… is that what I think it is?" Yorktown asked quietly.
Yuuki did not answer right away. He studied them first.
One had peach-blonde hair and sharp orange eyes, her posture weakened but not completely broken.
The other had silver-white hair and green eyes, smaller in frame, struggling to keep up.
"…They are Nikkes," Yuuki said at last.
Atago's expression lost its usual softness.
Takao's hand hovered near her side.
Enterprise's eyes hardened.
"They are being displayed openly," Belfast said, her voice controlled but cold.
The man suddenly yanked the leash.
One of the girls stumbled and fell hard onto the ground.
"Anis!" the silver-haired girl cried out.
She tried to move toward her—
"Neon!"
The leash snapped tight, dragging her back.
Yuuki's jaw tightened.
"…Anis and Neon," he said under his breath.
Illustrious took a small step forward.
"Should we intervene?"
Atago's tone lowered.
"Shikikan-sama…"
Takao did not finish her sentence, but her stance already spoke for her.
Yuuki did not move.
"…No," he said.
The word settled heavily.
"Acting now exposes us," he continued. "We save them here, and we lose everything else."
He kept his eyes on the scene.
"We still do not know where the other two Nikkes are."
"We have not secured Avrora."
"The auction has not begun."
He exhaled slowly.
"If we move now, we trade four lives for two."
Silence followed.
Enterprise nodded faintly.
"…Then we wait."
Yuuki gave a slight nod.
"We wait until tonight."
His voice dropped.
"Once Avrora is secured, we move."
A pause.
"And when we do… we do not hold back."
Atago's eyes softened slightly as she watched the two girls.
"…They look exhausted."
Belfast spoke quietly.
"They have endured this for some time."
Then—
Anis lifted her head.
Neon followed.
Their eyes met Yuuki's group.
There was no recognition.
No certainty.
Only instinct.
A silent plea.
Help us.
Yuuki felt it.
His hand tightened slightly.
For a moment, the urge to move was there.
Strong.
Immediate.
But he held it back.
"…Just a little longer," he murmured quietly.
Because this was not hesitation.
This was timing.
And when the moment came—
He would not walk past them again.
They kept walking.
No one spoke at first.
The sounds of the docking yard faded behind them, replaced again by the controlled calm of Magellan—but the weight of what they had just seen stayed with them.
"Commander…?" Yorktown finally asked, her voice quieter than before.
Yuuki did not stop walking.
"I know," he said.
A brief pause.
"I know it's hard."
Atago lowered her gaze.
Takao's expression tightened.
Enterprise remained silent, but her steps slowed slightly.
Yuuki continued, steady.
"But you have to endure it a little longer."
There was no anger in his tone.
Only control.
"…Yes," Enterprise answered.
Illustrious clasped her hands lightly.
"We understand."
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
"I feel the same way," he admitted. "I want to pull them out of there right now."
He glanced ahead.
"But if we move now, we lose Avrora."
A short pause.
"And if we lose her…"
He did not need to finish.
They already understood.
Belfast nodded slightly.
"The operation collapses."
Takao added quietly,
"And the others remain lost."
Yuuki stopped walking.
They stopped with him.
He turned slightly, looking at all six of them.
"So we endure."
His voice carried more weight now.
"Just a few more hours."
Then—
His expression sharpened.
"And when we move…"
A faint edge entered his tone.
"I'm not leaving anyone behind."
They looked at him.
"You wanted to save them," he continued. "All of you."
Atago nodded.
"…Yes."
Yuuki gave a small, firm nod back.
"Then I'll give you that chance."
A pause.
"We planned to bring back one."
His gaze hardened.
"Now we bring back six."
Silence followed—
But it was no longer heavy.
It was focused.
Resolved.
Enterprise stepped forward slightly.
"Understood, Commander."
Yorktown smiled faintly.
"We'll be ready."
Belfast inclined her head.
"As always."
Takao straightened.
"We will not fail."
Illustrious's voice softened, but her resolve was clear.
"We will bring them home."
Atago smiled, though her eyes still held that earlier emotion.
"Onee-san is looking forward to it."
Yuuki turned forward again.
"Good."
Because tonight—
Magellan would learn—
Exactly what they had stepped into.
==============
They reached the docks again, where the atmosphere shifted from polished luxury to raw function. Massive cranes moved cargo, engineers shouted across platforms, and the hum of machinery filled the air.
This was where real work happened.
Yuuki slowed his pace slightly.
His objective was clear now.
Escape.
And for that—
He needed Dipol.
They entered a high-end tech shop built into the dockside structure. The interior was packed with equipment—weapon racks, ammo crates, modular components, and submarine parts stacked in organized chaos.
A man behind the counter looked up.
"What's up? Looking for high-tech gear for your sub? We've got ammo, guns—everything."
Yuuki stepped forward.
"I'm looking for Dipol tech."
The shopkeeper blinked.
Then let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That's not small talk, kid. That's high-level stuff."
Yuuki stayed calm.
"What is it exactly?"
At the same time, he quietly opened a comm channel.
"Vergil," he muttered internally. "Listen in."
"Already am," came the reply.
The shopkeeper leaned forward slightly.
"You seriously don't know Dipol?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"My sub doesn't have it."
The man scratched his chin.
"Figures. Surface tech, huh?"
He tapped the counter.
"Dipol is basically underwater hyperspace jump tech."
Vergil stayed silent, listening carefully.
"It compresses your sub down to molecular scale," the shopkeeper continued, "then shoots you through a quantum tunnel. You pop out wherever the coordinates say."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
Vergil's voice came through faintly.
"…Confirmed. That matches what we extracted from the Siren sub."
The shopkeeper continued.
"Most subs here have it standard. You don't? Then you're either new… or not from around here."
Yuuki didn't respond to that.
"Can you install one?" he asked instead.
The man grinned.
"Oh, I can."
A pause.
"But it'll cost you."
He held up a finger.
"Standard Dipol—E-class—runs about 100,000 credits."
Another finger.
"Top-tier SSS class?"
He smirked.
"About a million."
Atago gave a small whistle.
"That escalated quickly."
Takao remained composed, but her eyes flicked toward Yuuki.
Yuuki said nothing.
Instead—
He pulled out the gold card.
The shopkeeper froze for a second.
Then laughed.
"Well, damn."
He leaned back.
"Rich kid, huh?"
Yuuki didn't react.
The man tapped the counter again.
"Alright. I'll make you a deal."
He grinned.
"Buy one Dipol, I'll throw in another. Same class."
Belfast's eyes sharpened slightly.
"A two-unit redundancy system."
Enterprise nodded.
"Or dual-install capability."
Vergil chimed in quietly.
"Take it. Even if we replace it later, I need a working model."
The shopkeeper continued.
"But don't get greedy."
He pointed upward.
"High-tier stuff? That's top floor territory."
"SSS-class units don't sit here gathering dust."
He shrugged.
"But…"
He leaned forward again.
"I've got a contact up there."
A smirk.
"If you're serious about dropping that kind of money… I can make a call."
The room went quiet for a moment.
Yuuki tapped the card lightly against the counter.
The shopkeeper leaned back, clearly enjoying the attention now that he had a serious buyer.
"Back to your question," he said, tapping the counter. "Dipol—Dipole Drive—is a high-speed propulsion system for subs."
He gestured vaguely toward the docks outside.
"Standard versions already push insane speeds. We're talking over 900 miles per hour underwater."
Yuuki folded his arms slightly, listening.
"But that's old news," the man continued. "Recently upgraded with Siren tech."
He grinned.
"Now? It opens a wormhole."
A short pause.
"Point A to Point B—instant."
Vergil's voice came quietly through Yuuki's comms.
"…Confirmed. That aligns with quantum compression models."
The shopkeeper continued, clearly proud of the tech.
"SSS-class Dipol? That's a whole different beast."
He raised a finger.
"Up to 8,600 miles per hour equivalent displacement."
Another tap on the counter.
"Range? Ten thousand kilometers."
Yorktown blinked.
"That's… absurd."
Illustrious nodded.
"Strategically invaluable."
The man shrugged.
"Yeah, but there's a catch."
Yuuki glanced at him.
"Cooldown."
The shopkeeper smirked.
"The farther you jump, the longer you wait before you can do it again."
Vergil added quietly,
"That confirms energy scaling limitations."
Yuuki nodded slightly.
"I see."
"It's simple to use," the shopkeeper went on. "Push a button, pick your coordinates, and you're gone."
He tapped his temple.
"Built-in terrain detection too. Won't let you jump into solid rock or something stupid."
Belfast spoke calmly,
"A safeguard against fatal displacement."
"Exactly," the man said.
Then he leaned forward again.
"Tell you what."
"If you buy a high-end Dipol…"
He grinned wider.
"I'll install it for free. SSS-rank isn't that easy to get. Even rich ones thinks twice of buying it due to they're highly sought."
Enterprise glanced at Yuuki.
"That reduces operational delay significantly."
The shopkeeper added casually,
"And yeah, like I said—deal's still on."
"Buy one, get one free."
Atago tilted her head.
"That still sounds suspiciously generous."
The man shrugged.
"Call it business."
Then he pointed toward the far end of the dock.
"Top floor's where the real toys are."
"You want SSS-tier, you go there."
He nodded toward a sleek, guarded elevator.
"Special lift. Straight access."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes.
"How much?"
"500 credits per person."
Yuuki deadpanned.
"That's a ripoff."
The shopkeeper laughed.
"That's Aqua, kid."
A brief silence followed.
Yuuki glanced at his team.
Then at the elevator.
Then back at the shopkeeper.
"…Fine."
Because if they were going to pull this off tonight—
They were going to need the best advantage they could get.
Yuuki let out a slow breath and rubbed his temple.
"…Fine. Take the credits."
The shopkeeper grinned instantly.
"3,500 credits total. Pleasure doing business."
The transaction went through without delay.
Moments later, they were being guided toward the private elevator.
It was a strange contrast.
It had taken them nearly an hour to move through Magellan earlier—floor by floor, crowd by crowd, navigating the layered structure of the underwater city.
Now—
One lift.
Direct access.
The doors closed.
A low hum.
Then—
Acceleration.
The ride was smooth, almost unnaturally fast. Within seconds, the pressure shift settled, and the doors opened again.
They were back near the upper sector—
Close to the park they had just visited.
"Efficient," Belfast noted.
"Expensive," Yuuki replied dryly.
From there, they moved toward a more restricted area.
The atmosphere changed again.
Fewer people.
More security.
Cleaner architecture.
And at the center—
A high-end facility.
As they approached, a well-dressed attendant was already waiting.
"You must be the ones Perry sent."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"…Perry?"
"The shopkeeper from the fourth floor," the man clarified smoothly.
Yuuki gave a small nod.
"Right."
The attendant gestured inward.
"We have prepared what you requested."
They entered.
Inside—
Rows of advanced submarine components lined the space.
Engines.
Navigation systems.
Weapons.
Energy modules.
High-end by Aqua standards.
Enterprise glanced around.
"These systems are advanced."
Takao added quietly,
"But still inferior to GDI technology."
Yuuki nodded.
"Yeah."
They weren't here for those.
They followed the attendant deeper inside—
Through secured doors—
Into a restricted chamber.
And then—
They saw it.
A massive installation dominated the room.
At its center—
A rotating core.
Rings of energy orbiting around a stabilized field.
A contained distortion—
Like space itself was being folded inward.
Illustrious covered her lips softly.
"…Extraordinary…"
Belfast's eyes sharpened.
"A controlled spatial distortion field."
Enterprise stepped slightly forward.
"This is not just propulsion…"
Yuuki finished the thought.
"…It's a wormhole generator."
The attendant smiled.
"Correct."
He turned toward them.
"SSS-class Dipol."
A pause.
"The best Aqua can offer."
Yuuki stared at it for a moment longer.
Vergil's voice came through, quieter than before.
"…Now that…"
"…is worth taking."
"I suppose Perry filled you in," the attendant said smoothly. "So… are you interested?"
Yuuki didn't hesitate.
"Yeah. One million credits, right?"
The man smiled wider.
"Buy one, get one free. I'll have both units packaged and delivered straight to your sub."
He glanced at Yuuki.
"What's the size? Larger subs usually need more than one unit for optimal output."
Yuuki brought up a projection.
The Phobocaster appeared in full detail.
The attendant let out a low whistle.
"…Now that is a machine."
He stepped closer, examining it carefully.
"A bomber-fighter class submarine… multi-role configuration…"
His tone shifted—less salesman, more engineer.
"Advanced torpedo systems… high-output weapon mounts…"
A pause.
"…And that power core…"
He looked back at Yuuki.
"You're running a fusion generator far beyond anything we have here."
Yuuki gave a small shrug.
"Custom build."
The attendant nodded slowly.
"Figures."
The transaction finalized.
Credits transferred.
No hesitation.
"Alright," the attendant said. "Let's get these installed."
They began moving—
But Yuuki didn't follow immediately.
His HUD flickered.
A quiet alert.
"Jarvis? What did you see?
[JARVIS: I've perform passive scan, sir.]
Yuuki's eyes shifted slightly.
[JARVIS: I can detect multiple foreign signals detected on Dipol units.]
A pause.
[JARVIS: It's embedded tracking devices. Concealed within outer casing. You can remove it if you open the casing later.]
Yuuki's expression didn't change.
"…Of course."
He glanced at the massive Dipol unit again.
Then at the attendant.
Everything made sense.
Too generous.
Too smooth.
Too easy.
"Buy one, get one free."
Not generosity.
Insurance.
They had seen the Phobocaster.
Seen its specs.
Seen its value.
Now—
They wanted it back.
Or at least—
Wanted to know where it would go.
Yuuki turned slightly, continuing to walk as if nothing had happened.
"…How many?" he asked quietly.
[JARVIS: I detected four trackers. Two on each Dipol generator.]
"Can you disable them?"
[JARVIS: Yes. Recommend delayed removal to avoid suspicion.]
Yuuki nodded faintly.
"Do it later."
[JARVIS: Understood.]
He looked ahead again.
They would send people.
Of course they would.
People like this didn't give away high-end tech without strings attached.
Yuuki's lips curved slightly.
"…Let them come."
Because this time—
They weren't the ones being hunted.
The two SSS-class Dipol units were transported back down to the fourth floor docks without delay.
The moment Perry saw them—
He froze.
Then grinned like a man who had just seen a legend.
"Holy hell… those are SSS-class Dipols."
He circled them once, almost reverently.
"Only top-tier subs run these. And you've got two?"
Yuuki didn't answer.
Instead—
He activated his suit.
A signal pulsed outward.
Moments later—
The water in the dock stirred.
Then split.
The Phobocaster surfaced.
Perry stared.
"…Yeah, that checks out."
They moved quickly.
Time mattered now.
Yuuki personally handled one of the Dipol units—placing it into the sub's storage compartment.
At the same time—
Without drawing attention—
He accessed the casing.
Jarvis highlighted the embedded trackers.
One by one—
Yuuki removed them.
Clean.
Precise.
Then—
He made a small adjustment.
Instead of discarding them—
He embedded each tracker into separate torpedoes.
Hidden.
Mobile.
A quiet countermeasure.
The second Dipol unit—
Yuuki stored directly into his inventory.
Insurance.
Meanwhile—
Perry climbed inside the Phobocaster.
And immediately froze again.
"…What the hell…"
He walked slowly through the interior.
"Weapons systems… high-yield torpedoes…"
"Layered armor plating…"
"Shielding system… actual shielding system…"
He turned around, stunned.
"Twin propulsion layout… EMP resistance…"
"Advanced navigation…"
"Dual rear guns and frontal mounts…"
He looked at Yuuki.
"Kid… this isn't custom."
A pause.
"This is something else entirely."
Yuuki leaned casually against the frame.
"Just install the system."
Perry shook his head, still half in disbelief—
But got to work.
He began integrating the Dipol system into the Phobocaster.
Cables connected.
Interfaces synced.
An application module was installed directly into the navigation system.
At the same time—
Jarvis ran a full scan.
[JARVIS: Application integrity verified.]
[JARVIS: No malicious code detected.]
Safe.
Belfast stepped closer, observing carefully.
"Walk me through it," she said.
Perry nodded, now fully in technician mode.
"Simple interface," he explained. "Access the Dipol app through navigation."
He tapped the display.
"It syncs with your map."
A holographic interface appeared—
Showing a wide operational radius.
"Range is ten thousand kilometers."
He pointed.
"You pick a location within that range…"
A pause.
"…and you jump."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"Instant displacement."
"Exactly," Perry said.
He leaned back slightly.
"Just remember—this thing eats energy."
He glanced at the core readout.
Then paused.
"…Actually…"
He looked back at Yuuki.
"With that generator of yours?"
A small chuckle.
"You won't have any problems."
Yuuki gave a small nod.
Meanwhile—
Under the floor plating—
The Dipol core settled into place.
Above the cockpit—
The wormhole generator module locked in.
Fully integrated.
And unnoticed—
Yuuki finished relocating the last tracker.
Now embedded inside a torpedo.
He glanced briefly toward Enterprise and Yorktown.
A silent thought.
We'll deal with those later.
Because now—
The Phobocaster had something new.
Not just speed.
Not just firepower.
But an escape route—
One that could change everything tonight.
Before Perry stepped out, Yuuki reached forward and tapped his card against the man's reader.
500 credits transferred.
Perry blinked.
"…A tip?"
Yuuki gave a small shrug.
"Call it appreciation."
Perry grinned, clearly pleased.
"Then we're friends, kid."
With that, he climbed out of the Phobocaster, still shaking his head at the machine as he left.
The hatch closed.
Silence settled inside the sub.
Yuuki turned slightly—
And gave a subtle nod to Enterprise and Yorktown.
"Make sure those torpedoes get used tonight."
Enterprise understood immediately.
"Yes."
Yorktown followed.
"They won't go to waste."
Yuuki moved to the controls.
He guided the Phobocaster quietly through the dock—
Not toward the main traffic lanes—
But toward a less obvious section.
A concealed docking zone.
Close enough to the private elevator that led directly to the auction hall.
Far enough to avoid attention.
He powered down.
Hidden.
Perfect.
Through the external feed—
They observed.
Rows of smaller submarines were already parked nearby.
Yuuki narrowed his eyes.
"Organized."
He zoomed in.
Several carried the same crest.
"That fat bastard…" Atago muttered.
Yuuki nodded.
"El Molo's fleet."
Then—
Another set.
Different crest.
More refined.
Belfast spoke quietly.
"That insignia…"
Yuuki exhaled.
"Magnifico."
The one holding the other two Nikkes.
Around them—
More subs.
More factions.
More buyers.
A gathering of predators.
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
"…Good."
Because now—
He knew where they all were.
He turned to the girls.
"Girls."
They straightened immediately.
"I have a task for all of you."
Atago smiled faintly.
"We are yours, Commander."
Enterprise's gaze sharpened.
"Give the order."
Belfast stood ready.
"We will execute it."
Takao nodded.
"We are prepared."
Illustrious folded her hands gently.
"Just say the word."
Yorktown stepped slightly forward.
"What do you need us to do?"
Yuuki looked at each of them—
Then at the external feed again.
Yuuki pull something out of his inventory — compact charges
And placed them onto the console.
Small.
Matte.
Almost unremarkable—
Until you knew what they were.
"C5 charges," he said.
Belfast's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Ten times stronger than C4," Yuuki spoke. "More stable, more compact, harder to detect."
Atago leaned closer, intrigued.
"Onee-san likes efficient tools."
Takao nodded.
"High yield, low profile."
Yuuki looked at all of them.
"I need you to plant these."
He brought up a tactical overlay.
"Target the submarines with these two crests."
The display highlighted them clearly—
One belonging to El Molo.
The other to Magnifico.
"Once we extract the Nikkes," Yuuki continued, "they'll come after us."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"Expected retaliation."
Yorktown added,
"And we will be exposed."
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
A pause.
"So we prepare for that."
Illustrious tilted her head slightly.
"But planting explosives in a guarded dock…"
"…will draw attention," Belfast finished.
Yuuki raised a hand.
"Hold still."
They did.
Then—
He activated another function.
A faint shimmer passed over Yorktown's suit.
And then—
She began to fade.
Not transparency.
Not invisibility in the usual sense.
She simply… stopped being there.
"…What?" Yorktown said, looking at her own hands as they vanished.
Atago blinked.
"Ufufu… now this is interesting."
Takao stepped closer.
"…No visible signature."
Enterprise observed carefully.
"Light-bending distortion."
Yuuki nodded.
"Portable Lazarus stealth tech."
He gestured toward them.
"Built into your power suits."
A pause.
"Stay still for a few seconds…"
"…and you disappear."
Belfast spoke quietly.
"Adaptive concealment."
Yuuki continued,
"We've got a larger-scale version back at base. Cloaks entire structures."
Illustrious smiled faintly.
"That would be useful."
"It will be," Yuuki said. "Once the Citadel is complete."
Then his tone shifted.
"I've already authorized the function."
He tapped his HUD.
"Access your suit interface. Activate stealth mode."
One by one—
They did.
Atago faded.
Takao vanished.
Belfast disappeared completely.
Enterprise dissolved into a faint distortion—
Then nothing.
Illustrious followed.
Yorktown was already gone.
From an outside perspective—
There was no one there.
Only Yuuki remained visible.
Through his own system—
He could still see them clearly.
Outlined.
Tracked.
But to anyone else—
Even at close range—
At most—
A slight ripple.
A distortion in the air.
Too subtle.
Too late.
Yuuki looked at the empty space around him.
"…Perfect."
"Commander… imagine this applied on a larger scale," Enterprise said quietly through the comms. "Carriers. Battleships. Entire fleets operating unseen…"
Yuuki leaned against the console, watching their outlines move across his HUD.
"Yeah," he replied. "And the moment you fire, you lose that advantage."
A pause.
"Stealth isn't invisibility," he continued. "It's timing."
Takao's voice came through, calm and focused.
"Understood. Remain still or disengage until reactivation."
"Exactly," Yuuki said. "You move smart, not fast."
Then his tone sharpened slightly.
"Now get to work."
The tactical overlay expanded across his vision.
"Use your enhanced mobility."
Markers highlighted their paths.
"Activate Mute Step function. No sound. No trace."
Atago's voice carried a faint excitement.
"Ufufu… silent hunting."
"Enemies won't hear you land, won't hear you move," Yuuki added. "By the time they notice anything…"
Enterprise finished the thought.
"…it's already too late."
And then—
They moved.
One by one—
They slipped out of the Phobocaster.
No splash.
No sound.
Just faint distortions in the air—
Gone the moment they settled.
Yorktown landed first.
A clean, controlled drop onto the hull of a nearby sub.
No vibration.
No noise.
Enterprise followed—
A longer leap—
Landing between two vessels with precision.
Belfast moved differently.
Measured.
Exact.
Each step calculated before it even happened.
Atago and Takao worked in tandem—
Fluid.
Synchronized.
Like they had done this a hundred times.
Illustrious stayed slightly elevated—
Observing.
Covering angles.
From Yuuki's perspective—
It was like watching ghosts.
C5 charges were placed.
Quick.
Efficient.
Under hull plating.
Near propulsion lines.
Along structural joints.
Critical points.
Each placement deliberate.
Each movement silent.
Yuuki watched the feed closely.
"…Good," he murmured.
Because they weren't hesitating.
They weren't overthinking.
They were executing.
Exactly as trained.
Within minutes—
Multiple submarines were tagged.
El Molo's fleet.
Magnifico's vessels.
All marked.
All primed.
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
A faint smile forming.
"…Not bad."
Then quieter—
Almost to himself—
"I'll need to train the Nikkes the same way."
Because tonight—
They weren't just rescuing.
They were preparing for war.
And this—
Was only the beginning.
The return was just as precise as the deployment.
One by one, the faint distortions that only Yuuki could perceive converged back toward the Phobocaster. Through his HUD, he tracked each of them—six moving silhouettes gliding across metal hulls and narrow dock pathways, stepping over guard patrols that never even realized they had been bypassed. Not a single alarm had been triggered. Not a single misplaced step.
When they regrouped, there was no need for loud confirmation. Their breathing was steady, their posture composed, and their presence alone told him everything had gone exactly as planned.
Yuuki gave a small nod, more to himself than to them.
"Good work. All of you."
Even without seeing their faces, he could sense the quiet pride in how they carried themselves.
They moved together toward the elevator, still cloaked, still silent. The stealth field wrapped around them like a second skin, bending light and presence into something that simply did not exist to the naked eye. As they stepped inside, Yuuki remained perfectly still, knowing that even the smallest unnecessary movement could create a ripple detectable by a trained eye.
Outside, the guards reacted.
Not to them—but to the absence.
The elevator doors closed on their own. The platform began to move without visible passengers.
One guard leaned forward, squinting.
"…Did that just move by itself?"
The other stiffened, clearly unsettled but unwilling to admit it.
"Don't start imagining things. Probably automated."
Neither of them sounded convinced.
Inside the elevator, Yuuki almost smiled.
The ascent was smooth and fast, and when the doors opened again, they stepped out into the upper levels of Magellan without ever revealing themselves. The transition from industrial dock to refined upper district felt surreal, as if they had crossed into an entirely different world. People passed by, unaware that six highly trained operatives and their commander were walking right through them.
They made their way back to the hotel in the same manner—unseen, unheard, untouchable.
Once inside their room, Yuuki finally spoke.
"Disengage."
The shimmer broke.
One by one, their forms returned—first as faint outlines, then as fully visible figures. Helmets retracted with soft mechanical clicks, revealing flushed cheeks and bright eyes that had clearly enjoyed the operation far more than they would openly admit.
Yorktown was the first to react, lifting her hands and turning them slightly as if still expecting them to vanish again.
"This is incredibly convenient," she said, unable to hide her smile.
Yuuki leaned casually against the wall, watching them.
"It is, but don't get careless. Move too fast and the system destabilizes. You can run, but only within controlled limits. Think of it as controlled invisibility, not absolute concealment."
Takao nodded immediately, already internalizing the mechanics.
"A balance between speed and stability. Understood."
Enterprise crossed her arms, her tone thoughtful.
"This level of stealth would completely alter battlefield engagement dynamics."
Yuuki gave a small, knowing look.
"That's the idea."
The tension in the room began to ease as the mission phase gave way to something far more human.
Yuuki glanced at the time, then stretched slightly.
"We've got a few hours before tonight. No point sitting around."
Illustrious smiled softly, the earlier tension gone from her expression.
"Then perhaps we should eat properly."
Atago's eyes lit up, though she tried to maintain her usual composure.
"Ufufu… and try our new clothes."
That suggestion immediately shifted the atmosphere.
Yuuki let out a quiet chuckle as he accessed his inventory, pulling out the neatly packed dresses they had chosen earlier. The fabrics caught the light beautifully, each piece carefully selected after what had felt like an eternity of comparison and debate.
"Go on," he said, handing them over. "Try them out. I'll handle the food."
That was all the permission they needed.
Their reactions were immediate.
Yorktown was the first to grab hers, followed closely by Atago and Illustrious. Even Takao, who had earlier insisted she was not interested in such things, took hers without hesitation. Belfast maintained her composure, but the slight quickening in her movement gave her away. Enterprise lingered for just a moment before taking hers as well, her expression neutral but her actions saying otherwise.
Within seconds, they were heading to their respective rooms, voices overlapping in soft excitement.
Yuuki was left alone in the main room.
For the first time since arriving in Aqua, there was no mission briefing, no immediate threat, no need for constant vigilance.
Just… quiet.
He exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair.
A faint smile appeared, unguarded this time.
"I really am getting attached…"
He looked toward the doors where they had disappeared.
"…All of them."
There was no hesitation in that realization anymore.
No attempt to dismiss it as temporary or irrelevant.
Because after everything he had seen—
After everything they had been through—
This was no longer just a mission.
And tonight would prove exactly how far he was willing to go for them.