[Ding! The Host's awareness as a Commander has been detected.]
[Prerequisite completed: "Heart of Empathy" for unlocking the "Emotional Insight" function.]
[Would you like to unlock it?]
Jun Hao froze for a moment before asking, "System, what exactly does this 'Emotional Insight' function do? Weren't you already giving me hints about Belfa's emotional needs just now?"
The system answered flatly.
[This system's prompts work passively.]
[The system only provides prompts when a ship's emotional fluctuations reach a certain threshold. If the Host fails to address the Ship Girls' inner emotional needs at that time, it may create hidden dangers to the harmony of the Port.]
[The "Emotional Insight" function operates differently. It's an active ability. The Host gains the power to examine any Ship Girl's emotional state whenever desired, rather than waiting for a crisis.]
[With this function, the Host can prevent issues before they escalate.]
Jun Hao caught onto the key detail right away. Passive versus active, just one word separating them, yet the difference was like night and day.
Having the power to observe proactively meant he could stay several steps ahead. He asked the question that really mattered.
"So, will I still get rewards if I use 'Emotional Insight' to fulfill their emotional needs on my own?"
[Yes.]
"Understood. Go ahead and unlock it!"
Jun Hao no longer hesitated and made his decision right away.
["Emotional Insight" function has been unlocked!]
[The usage method is the same as when checking the Harmony Level.]
Jun Hao put it to use immediately. He turned his gaze toward Belfast, and with a single thought, activated his ability.
'Emotional Insight!'
In the next instant, a line of glowing text in pale purple appeared above Belfast's head, hovering there like a virtual label.
[Belfast: She longs for someone to understand the exhaustion and restraints buried deep within her heart.]
The content was almost identical to the system's previous prompt.
Jun Hao considered it carefully. Such a need usually required someone to actively see through her perfection, providing her a safe harbor where she didn't have to be flawless.
That person couldn't be anyone but him, and Jun Hao was certain Belfast felt the same way.
With everything clear now, he felt confident. Jun Hao deactivated the Emotional Insight function, pleased with this new advantage in his efforts to preserve the Port's harmony.
Now that he understood Belfast's emotional needs and had committed to helping her, the first step was fixing their current mess.
Staying hidden in the wardrobe wouldn't let her witness the dependable side of him she craved. Realizing this, Jun Hao reached through the darkness and found Belfast's hand with perfect precision.
Getting suddenly grabbed by Jun Hao made Belfast's whole body jerk.
She turned her head in confusion, her purple eyes catching Jun Hao's in the faint light like she was silently asking, 'Master, what're you doing?'
Jun Hao gave her a reassuring smile.
"Let's go, Belfa. We're going out!"
Worry flickered across Belfast's face as she replied, "But, Master... if Miss Taihou discovers your current state..."
Before she could finish, Jun Hao shook his head. There was no hesitation in him. Instead, his fingers tightened slightly, silently conveying his resolve.
"No, I trust her," Jun Hao said calmly, looking into Belfast's eyes with complete sincerity.
"Although I wasn't personally in the Port before, I've witnessed all her previous actions. It's true that her love is a bit intense, but overall, she's expressing genuine affection for me. Someone who loves me that deeply will understand my current situation."
A faint smile crossed his face as he went on, "And about her going around telling everyone I exist and causing me a headache..."
Jun Hao stopped mid-sentence, his eyes filling with unwavering certainty.
"That's impossible. I'm one thousand percent certain of it!" His tone was full of confidence and showed how well he understood the girls.
Just like he'd promised Belfast earlier, each girl occupied her own special place within him.
She remained silent, listening intently as her concerns gradually dissolved.
That's right.
Her Master knew them way better than she'd thought. Every worry that troubled her had already been anticipated, and he had full confidence in managing it.
If that was the case, what more needed to be said?
As a maid, her duty was to follow her Master's wishes and offer him unwavering support.
"I understand, Master," Belfast responded, setting aside her concerns with a gentle nod. "I will always stay by your side."
Jun Hao's smile widened. Before opening the wardrobe, he purposely lifted his free hand and banged it hard against the inside wall.
"Thump!"
That sound made Akagi and Taihou, whose faces were still flushed from arguing, to fall silent instantly.
"What was that?" Taihou reacted first, her eyes darting around the room to figure out where the noise came from.
Her gaze eventually landed on the wardrobe she'd been ignoring this whole time. For whatever reason, something weird started bubbling up inside Taihou.
It wasn't hostility, but rather excitement.
She had a premonition that coming to the office to find the Commander today was the best decision she had ever made in her life.
Taihou's feet began to move instinctively. She wanted to approach the wardrobe, but Akagi grabbed her.
"You Dirty Bird, don't you dare try pulling anything!" Akagi said, attempting to buy time.
"Get out of the way, Smelly Fox! I don't have time to waste with you here!" Taihou retorted, breaking free from her grip.
Inside the wardrobe, Jun Hao allowed himself a satisfied smile as the bickering outside came to a halt. This was precisely the reaction he'd been aiming for.
Just walking out without warning would probably be too much of a shock for Taihou. Drawing her focus with a noise first, giving her a moment to brace herself, made much more sense.
The moment had arrived, and he wasn't about to hesitate any longer. Gripping Belfast's hand firmly, he pushed the wardrobe door open with steady confidence.
"Creeeak..."
The door swung open gradually, and the first thing Taihou saw was that recognizable, elegant face of the perfect maid.
Yet the moment after, when her eyes landed on the figure stepping out from behind Belfast with their fingers intertwined, Taihou's mind went utterly blank.
The "stickman" she'd been desperately seeking, the Commander she couldn't stop thinking about, had just shown up right in front of her like this.
Despite never having seen Jun Hao in such vivid, "high-definition remastered" form before, Taihou didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Commander... Commander!!!"
A soft but strong figure slammed into Jun Hao. If not for Belfast's timely support, Jun Hao likely would have been knocked down by Taihou's impact.
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
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