The six-star equipment B25 Hero Plane, born from the world-famous Doolittle Raid. Sixteen B25s took off from the USS Hornet (CV-8) and bombed key enemy cities, shocking the world. Among them, only one aircraft was hit, leaving an 18cm hole in the fuselage.
A Hero Unit, compared to regular aircraft, was like the difference between a champion and a minion in a game. And being a six-star made it even rarer. If one of these planes ever hit the market, associations and admirals would pay tens of billions to compete for it—if it could even be bought.
Unlike shipgirls, who have only one admiral for life, equipment could be transferred from one shipgirl to another across generations. It was a strategic asset far beyond the value of any other gear.
While Hikaru didn't fully grasp how significant a hero plane was in real life, he still pointed out a small detail to Elizabeth.
"Actually, Elizabeth… it's three B25s. She only showed you one just now."
Elizabeth choked on her breath and actually fainted on the spot.
Lexington quickly dispelled the manifestation, and Fletcher instinctively scooped Elizabeth up bridal-style. But Elizabeth was so tall that her feet dragged along the ground.
It was clear that Hikaru and Lexington were clueless about how priceless those six-star hero planes were. Elizabeth, on the other hand, understood all too well—hence her brain short-circuiting.
It was like being shown what you expected to be a fancy spear… only to find a warehouse full of legendary mushrooms.
Lexington looked helplessly at Hikaru. "Commander, what do we do?"
"Let's just take her home. What a hassle."
Lexington suddenly leaned in. "Commander, I need resupply."
"You'll get it tomorrow after we pick up the resources."
Changing course toward the faculty dorms, the group moved on, while California trailed behind, looking like she'd lost her soul.
Am I forgotten again?
I swore to be the big sister, but everyone else is better than me! Even that little destroyer is better! I finally got a good main gun, but compared to Lexington's aircraft… I'm garbage, right?
Why was I even born if Lexington exists?!
Oh, heavens, why do you treat me so cruelly?!
…
The blood-red sunset stretched across the sky.
In the ruined wasteland, a colossal demonic figure stood like a giant, casting an endless shadow across the earth.
Tornados swept through, tearing apart thousands of rusted, broken aircraft. Crew members disintegrated into dust.
No survivors.
One wave after another of warriors charged, only to be reduced to ash by the chaotic winds surrounding the demon.
But their sacrifice was not in vain.
BOOM—!
Codenamed "Ragnarok," a mushroom cloud equivalent to over 10 billion tons of TNT exploded beside the demon.
Of course, the mushroom cloud didn't accomplish much. But humanity didn't know that yet…
…
Hikaru shot up from his dream, covered in cold sweat.
Lexington, sitting beside him in her nightgown, gently wiped his forehead with her sleeve and held his hand.
"Are you alright, Commander?"
"Just dreaming about the past," Hikaru muttered, shaking his head. "Why are you still awake?"
Lexington smiled softly. "I've been watching you sleep the whole time. I've never had such a clear view before… I want to watch you forever."
Lexington always spoke such embarrassing lines so naturally, and Hikaru, unaccustomed to such raw affection, could only try to change the subject.
"What time is it?"
"You've only slept for two hours… not even four yet."
Last night, they'd stayed up talking until nearly 2 a.m. Lexington had asked endless questions about the time Hikaru was gone, about their old base, about his plans for the future.
Fletcher and Glowworm had been kicked out of his bed for the first time ever—after all, now that the "wife" was here, the bed was hers alone. From the way those two looked at Lexington, she must seem like the final boss to them.
"You were sweating so much… it must've been a nightmare. Commander, would you tell me about your past?"
Hikaru had already told her most things—except for the stuff about the game and his phone, which he wasn't sure how to explain.
"I used to be a swordsman… I just dreamed about one of those battles. It's nothing."
Sensing his reluctance, Lexington simply hugged him tighter.
"Then lock those memories away. Feel my warmth, Commander. Let me melt that ice in your heart."
With her perfect figure pressing against him, Hikaru tensed up.
"I can tell… you still feel distant from me, right? It's okay. Let's start our romance now, even if we're already married."
"Honestly… it's overwhelming, receiving such passionate love so suddenly."
"I've loved you for a long time. Back when our base was tiny, I was your secretary ship. Remember how clueless we were back then? You loaded me with nothing but bombers, no fighters. I lost planes like crazy, and you called me your 'aluminum-eating monster.' We were always short on resources, and you kept doing high-cost constructions… all because you wanted Tirpitz, right? But she didn't arrive until much later, after I'd already married you. Even Bismarck had already been around for a month. It was such an ordinary time… but I fell for you anyway. I love you, Commander."
Hikaru stayed silent for a long moment, then finally hugged her back.
"Then… let's start dating today. Please take care of me, my dear wife."
Lexington held him tighter, her ears turning pink.
"While you're in my arms, I promise you'll never have another nightmare. This is your first lesson in our love journey. Remember it—there will be a quiz."
Bathed in her warmth and affection, Hikaru felt his heart finally start to heal. After a long moment, he muttered, "I… I can't breathe."
They fell asleep together and woke up the same way.
The first thing he saw was Lexington's ocean-blue eyes gazing at him.
"Good morning, my wife."
Biting her lip shyly, Lexington whispered, "Morning kiss. You need it to wake up properly."
She leaned in and pecked his lips like a dragonfly skimming water. Then, blushing furiously, she threw off the blanket and quickly started putting on her white stockings.
So shameless… Hikaru chuckled, touching his lips.
"That was my first kiss, you know, Commander."
Sunlight crept through the thick curtains, filling the room with warmth.
Lexington, standing in her underwear, reached for a white T-shirt.
Overcome by desire, Hikaru grabbed her, pinned her down, and kissed her deeply.
Ten minutes later, he barely managed to stop himself from going further, straightened up, and teased, "That was a proper first kiss. Delicious, thank you for the meal."
Just then, Elizabeth barged into the room, looking worried, only to freeze at the sight of them on the bed.
"W-What? Did you two… did you already consummate your marriage?!"
…
After a good scolding from Lexington, Elizabeth sat in the living room looking like she'd been hit by a truck.
Meanwhile, Fletcher was sulking as she wiped the windows, occasionally throwing Hikaru dagger-like glances.
Why is he so passive with me, but so aggressive with her?
California sat as far from Hikaru as possible, nervously wondering if she'd be next.
Shipgirls didn't just let their admirals do whatever they wanted—not unless they were truly in love. Otherwise, it was just "Get lost, perv!"
After calming down the ever-inquisitive Glowworm, Hikaru finally asked Elizabeth, "So, why'd you come running over so early?"
Elizabeth had become a regular guest, mostly because she enjoyed the stories. But ever since Fletcher started experimenting with 'special effect' recipes, Elizabeth had avoided mealtimes like the plague.
Elizabeth glanced around, lowered her voice, and warned, "It's about the B25 hero planes. You must keep them secret. No one can find out Lexington has that many."
"Why?" Hikaru asked.
"You know the Hornet, right?"
"Of course."
The USS Hornet (CV-8), the youngest of the Yorktown-class carriers, had played a critical role in the early Pacific War.
Elizabeth sighed deeply.
"Just like your Fletcher, Hornet is considered almost impossible to build. She's ultra-rare. But here's the tragedy—because she has a small chance to awaken with a B25 Hero Plane, people started calling her 'the ship whose true form is her aircraft.' They don't even care about Hornet herself. All they want is to rip the B25s off her. That's the fate she's been doomed to."
Fletcher, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up:
"No one can take a shipgirl's equipment without her consent."