With Belfast's support, Jun Hao regained his balance and continued holding Taihou firmly in his embrace, feeling every tremor that ran through her delicate frame.
His chest grew warm as her tears soaked into his shirt. She couldn't stop crying, the sobs coming out in shaky breaths.
Just listening to her cry told him everything about the pain and longing she'd been bottling up inside.
Jun Hao felt his heart melt. He lifted his hand and placed it gently on Taihou's head, stroking her hair with tender, repeated motions.
"Yes," he said as gently as he could. "I'm the Commander, and I'm here, Taihou."
Those words seemed to break something inside her.
"Waa... Waaaaah!"
Taihou couldn't hold it in anymore. Pressed against his chest, she cried without restraint.
She'd thought about their reunion so many times before. Sometimes she imagined herself being seductive, other times demanding, and sometimes just pitiful enough to draw him in.
Her goal had always been the same: to claim the Commander as hers alone the instant they met again.
Yet now that the moment had come, now that his warmth surrounded her in reality, every calculated plan dissolved into nothing.
She wanted nothing more than to hold him close. She needed him to understand just how much, how unbearably much she had missed him.
Meanwhile, Akagi stood there, watching them cling to each other so tightly, her lips twitching. Jealousy gnawed at her, slowly driving her insane.
'Why does that Dirty Bird get to hold him like that?'
But even with all that jealousy boiling inside her, she just couldn't bring herself to break them apart.
Though she hated to acknowledge it, no one here could relate to what Taihou was feeling right now better than she could.
If given the chance, she would have launched herself into his arms the instant she laid eyes on him.
She too wanted to cry and confess the love that seared through her every moment. But she wasn't Taihou. She couldn't afford to act that way.
If she acted the same way as that Dirty Bird, how was she supposed to be the "perfect wife"?
So there was no way she'd make a fool of herself like that in front of Belfast.
As Jun Hao gently patted Taihou's trembling back, his gaze shifted toward Akagi. He met her eyes on purpose.
He didn't say a word, but he didn't have to. She could tell what he meant.
| Don't worry, Akagi. I've been thinking about you too. |
Understanding the reassurance in Jun Hao's gaze, Akagi felt her jealousy melt away again.
From the sleeve of her kimono, she drew out a neatly folded silk handkerchief. Jun Hao accepted it from her hand, noticing the spider lily delicately embroidered on the fabric.
"Akagi, this suits you perfectly. Thank you," he said with a warm smile.
"You're welcome, Commander~"
That small exchange left a trace of satisfaction in Akagi's heart. At the very least, she could tell herself she had helped comfort that Dirty Bird in her own way.
With the handkerchief in hand, Jun Hao gently lifted Taihou's chin and said, "Alright, Taihou. Stop crying, or you won't look pretty anymore."
Taihou lifted her head, her lashes heavy with tears. Through her blurred vision, she stared at the face she had yearned for night after night, the one that had never left her dreams.
Jun Hao gently used the handkerchief to wipe her tears away, carefully cleaning her cheeks little by little.
Such a tender gesture was enough to make her stop crying entirely, replaced by a satisfied and infatuated giggle.
"Commander..."
She whispered, like she could stare at him forever and never get tired of it.
Jun Hao finished wiping her face and pressed the handkerchief into her hand.
"Here, take it."
Taihou clutched it as if it were a priceless treasure. For a moment, she almost lifted it to her nose, wanting to breathe in whatever faint trace of the Commander still lingered on it.
But then her nose twitched. A familiar, irritating scent invaded her senses. Her head snapped toward Akagi, who stood there wearing a smug look of satisfaction.
"This handkerchief... It's from that Smelly Fox!" Taihou's voice dripped with annoyance and disgust.
Even so, she refused to let go, pressing it tightly against her chest as though it were something sacred. No matter where it came from, the Commander had handed it to her personally.
Noticing her conflicted expression, Jun Hao let out a soft chuckle.
"Alright, alright, stand to the side for now."
Jun Hao's voice was gentle, yet it carried an unmistakable authority. He carefully pulled Taihou away, even though she still wanted to stay close.
To his surprise, she was unusually obedient this time.
She took two small steps back and stood beside the desk, hands folded neatly, though her eyes never left him for even a second.
Jun Hao fixed his tear-soaked shirt, walked around the desk, and dropped into his Commander's chair.
The instant he sat down, something about him changed. The warmth from moments ago faded, replaced by a calm, commanding presence.
He lifted his eyes and let his gaze sweep across the three Ship Girls standing before him.
Belfast remained as elegant and composed as ever, a faint smile resting on her lips, ready to perform her role as Secretary Ship.
Akagi and Taihou also became serious. When it came to work, they knew better than to let personal feelings interfere.
Jun Hao leaned forward a bit, lacing his fingers together.
"Since I have personally arrived at the Port, from this moment onward, I will assume direct command."
None of the Ship Girls objected. If anything, it felt entirely natural.
"But before that, Akagi, Taihou, I have a mission for the two of you."
At his words, both Akagi and Taihou straightened at once.
"Yes, Commander!" they answered in perfect unison, their voices firm with resolve.
"For you, Commander, a mission like this is nothing! Even if you told me to go destroy the Sirens' base right now, I, Taihou, wouldn't think twice about dying for it!"
"I, Akagi, would do the same!" Akagi declared, her voice rising even higher, unwilling to lose in spirit.
The moment they finished speaking, both whipped their heads around to glare daggers at each other. In the air, invisible sparks seemed to crackle violently between them.
"You thick-skinned fox! Copying me again!"
Akagi let out a graceful, frosty chuckle.
"Hehe, and who was weeping like a pitiful little bird just moments ago? Dirty Bird, I only lent you that handkerchief. When you return it, make sure you wash it by hand no fewer than ten times. Is that clear?"
"I don't want your disgusting handkerchief anyway!"
"Ahem!" Before the argument could escalate, Jun Hao cleared his throat pointedly, reclaiming their focus. "The mission is simple: let the leaders of each Faction know I'm here at the Port. I'll need to meet with them soon."
"Understood. In that case, Commander, we'll excuse ourselves."
With that, Akagi and Taihou exchanged one final provocative glance before leaving Jun Hao's office.
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
-> Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives! (Translation)
-> Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White. (Original)
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