Seeing that Unicorn believed her, Yukikaze immediately released her ankle, stood up with her arms crossed, and feigned strength, saying, "It's... it's nothing! Lord Yukikaze is an adult now and won't be sad or heartbroken over such small things, let alone hide under the covers and cry at night. So don't look at me with those eyes like you're looking at a stray puppy!"
Although Yukikaze appeared strong on the outside, Unicorn could still see a trace of loneliness in her eyes. Without saying a word, she slowly approached Yukikaze, took Yukikaze's head into her arms, and said, "No need to say more, I already know. If you don't have any Ship Girls to play with, Unicorn is willing to play with you and can even be your friend."
Yukikaze, held in Unicorn's arms, struggled a bit, her voice raspy with a sob, "Mmph mmph! Let go of me! What do you mean play with me? You really are pitying me. I don't need charity. Yukikaze has always lived alone, fought alone, and traveled alone; there's no problem at all because Yukikaze is an adult and can take good care of herself."
Hearing these words and hearing Yukikaze's crying, Unicorn felt even more that Yukikaze was a strong person. To be able to travel alone and lonely for so long, she must have an ideal goal, otherwise she wouldn't have persisted for so long. "Yukikaze is very amazing to be able to take care of herself alone, unlike me who can only hide behind my sisters and Sister Azuma. Not only have I not helped much, but I might even become a burden to them."
"So for someone as strong as Yukikaze, for Unicorn to be able to become friends with you and play together, it must be a happy thing. So I'm not pitying you or giving you charity by wanting to be your friend, but I sincerely want to be your friend." Unicorn said in a gentle, soft voice.
"Mmph! Is... is everything you said true? You're not becoming my friend because you pity me, but because you sincerely want to be my friend. Fine, then let's pinky swear. Say that you aren't lying about this, or... or else you'll eat a thousand needles at dinner." Although Yukikaze was moved, she still couldn't quite believe such a good thing would happen to her, so she wanted Unicorn to make a pinky swear promise before she would believe her.
Releasing Yukikaze from her arms, Unicorn extended her pinky with a sincere expression, waiting for Yukikaze to hook it.
Seeing Unicorn's serious face, Yukikaze tremblingly extended her pinky and hooked it with Unicorn's right hand.
Now that someone wanted to be her friend, Yukikaze lowered her head and fell into thought. Did she have the right? Although she had always believed she wasn't a jinx, much less a cursed Ship Girl, which was why she kept trying to sign soul networks with new Admirals.
But in truth, she had realized it long ago; she was just planning to escape, just deceiving herself, just refusing to believe in her own fate. Did a Ship Girl like her really have the right to have friends? Should she just die? That would be a contribution to humanity, to Ship Girls, and to the world.
Just as Yukikaze was sinking into a dark world of self-abandonment, a voice full of sunshine and hope woke her up, allowing her to be reborn.
"Come on! Yukikaze, let's pinky swear together!" Unicorn said in a sweet voice.
"Mhm! Let's begin!" Yukikaze said with a radiant face.
"I am sincerely becoming friends with Yukikaze, without any ill intentions, and I am willing to play with her, laugh with her, and endure hardships with her." Unicorn said with a solemn expression.
"I am sincerely becoming friends with Unicorn, without any ill intentions, and I am willing to play with her, laugh with her, and endure hardships with her." Yukikaze's eyes grew moist, and she said in a slightly raspy voice.
"Pinky swear, whoever lies must swallow a thousand needles." The two Ship Girls spoke together. At this moment, the two Ship Girls became a pair of good friends. How wonderful.
"Then, hello there! Yukikaze. I'm very happy to become your friend. From now on, please take care of me! Although I don't know if I'll make you feel that I'm not a very useful friend, I will still work hard to become a friend you can be proud of." Unicorn tilted her head, eyes closed, with a smile on her cherry lips.
"The same goes for me. From now on, please take care of me." Yukikaze wiped her tears and said with red eyes.
"Then let's go!" Unicorn grabbed Yukikaze's hand and they ran together toward the second floor of the Admiral's Villa.
"Where are we going?!" Yukikaze asked in confusion as she was pulled along the road by Unicorn.
"Where? To see Sister Azuma and the others, of course! You came to sign a soul network with our Admiral, right? But unfortunately, the Admiral had urgent business and went out; it will be a long time before he returns. In the meantime, I'll take you to meet the Admiral's Ship Girls!" Unicorn explained to Yukikaze as she turned her head while running.
"So that's how it is! I wonder what the other Ship Girls are like. Will they be scary or hard to get along with?" Yukikaze said with some worry.
"It's fine! It's fine! Sister Azuma and the others are all very good and gentle people. And sensing your aura, it seems you're a Gold-Plated Ship Girl. If you come to the Naval Base, you'll definitely receive a warm welcome from the Admiral, Sister Azuma, and the others." Unicorn waved her hand, comforting Yukikaze so she wouldn't be afraid.
"Unicorn, you're so kind. I don't even know how to repay you for helping me so much." Yukikaze's heart felt at ease after being comforted by Unicorn, and she spoke gratefully.
"I'll be angry if you're like that! We're friends! It's only right for friends to help each other, so don't be so polite with me." Unicorn pouted, dissatisfied that Yukikaze was still being so formal despite being friends.
"Friends helping each other... So this is what friends are! It's really nice. Thank you, Unicorn." Yukikaze murmured in a low voice.
Yukikaze, being led by the hand as they ran, clenched her fist. Looking up at Unicorn's back, she said firmly in her heart: Unicorn, I swear that no matter what happens in the future, I will use my life to protect and cherish you, because you are my best friend.
And so, Yukikaze had her first friend, and that was Unicorn. Unicorn brought her sunshine and hope. She was no longer that lonely Ship Girl. She swore to always protect Unicorn and not let her suffer even a bit of harm or pain.
The two Ship Girls, who now shared a very close bond, ran under the sun toward that Naval Base named Hope. This Naval Base, no matter what happened in the future, would be protected by its Ship Girls.
"Sister Azuma, where are you! I have good news for you! A Gold-Plated Ship Girl is going to become a member of our Naval Base." Unicorn shouted loudly on the second floor of the Admiral's Villa while holding Yukikaze's hand.
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