Elizabeth listed the three destroyers, all part of the Fletcher-class. If Hikaru remembered correctly, they were all one-star commons. That probably only fueled Yuji's obsession with getting an actual Fletcher. May the Goddess of Shipbuilding have mercy on this poor man. Amen.
After spending more than ten days together, Hikaru and Elizabeth had become the kind of friends who could exchange playful jabs. Elizabeth leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing a big secret.
"I can tell. You're not actually building shipgirls, you're summoning them, aren't you? Like opening a portal in those isekai novels? Not answering means I'm right."
Hikaru stayed silent.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "You planning to build another one soon?"
Hikaru nodded. Of course, Lexington was waiting. He couldn't wait to get back to the academy, claim his resources, and bring her back.
"If you're going to build, don't do it yet," Elizabeth leaned closer, whispering like a conspirator. "Wait until the semester starts. You'll get more out of it."
"What do you mean?"
"New students get a special 3++ resource package to help them strengthen their fleets. But there's more." Elizabeth glanced around as if someone might overhear.
"It's like a placement test. The flashier your build, the bigger the rewards."
"So, if I pull a high-rarity ship, I get extra stuff?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Not just resources. You could get equipment, too. For new students, the first three builds come with bonus rewards. The stronger or rarer the ship, the bigger the payout. Pull a four-star, you're guaranteed a 1++ package. A five-star nets you 5++, not to mention bonus equipment."
Hikaru's heart raced. If he waited just a month and summoned Lexington—the five-star version—he could rake in massive rewards.
A 5++ package? That was worth five million yen on the market. It could cover half the resources needed to materialize his physical base.
"I wonder…" Hikaru leaned in with a sly grin. "Can I skip the equipment and trade it all for extra resources?"
Elizabeth looked like she was about to mock him, but when she thought of the legendary equipment Fletcher already carried, she swallowed her words.
"Whatever. I've said my piece. Do what you like."
Hikaru cupped his hands in thanks, then raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you kinda backstabbing your academy here? And what about those unlucky students who build nothing? Doesn't that put them at a huge disadvantage?"
Elizabeth clenched her fist. "You don't get it. Who needs help more—someone who pulled a powerful ship but lacks the means to train her, or someone who couldn't build anything at all?"
Hikaru shrugged. "So, unlucky noobs are just out of luck, huh? What a noble cause."
Elizabeth huffed. "If you're so noble, why don't you give up your rewards and let the unlucky ones have their chance?"
Hikaru backed down immediately. "You're absolutely right. Let the unlucky ones eat dirt. Poor folks like me need the resources more. Elizabeth, you're the kindest soul I know!"
He handed her back the "kind person" card she had been stacking up these past ten days.
Elizabeth playfully growled and leaned in close.
"You've made me mad now. You'd better tell me a good story to make it up to me. I want to hear about the glorious days when the Royal Navy ruled the seven seas under the Queen's banner. And if it's boring, I'm treating you to knife-cut noodles for dinner."
Fletcher trailed behind them, watching Hikaru and Elizabeth chat so casually. They seemed to get along even better than he did with her. Jealousy prickled in her chest.
Ever since that first night, Hikaru had forbidden her from slipping under the covers. Even though she still clung to him every night under the pretense of "making sure he doesn't disappear," Fletcher wanted more.
Everyone back at the base believed Lexington would be next to join them. But somehow, she had been summoned instead. Did that mean something special?
Fletcher's cheeks flushed bright red as she drifted deeper into thought… so deep that she tripped and fell right into the sea with a splash.
She choked and spluttered, climbing back onto the water's surface, only to find Hikaru and Elizabeth staring at her like they'd seen a ghost.
After all, shipgirls never sank unless they wanted to. Fletcher falling in was practically unheard of.
Ahhh! So embarrassing!
Glowworm gave a soft hum from Hikaru's arms. She knew exactly what Fletcher was thinking… but she wasn't about to say a word.
Snuggled up in Commander's arms, life is peaceful… Javelin, hurry up and come. Once you're here, we'll all sit together, listen to his stories, tease him until he pets our heads, and share this warmth….
Javelin, wherever you are… your knight is thinking of you….