296: Honey

Holding Eldridge in his arms, Lin Lan immediately recognized the familiar voice and already guessed who had arrived.

As the voice faded, a tall, voluptuous shipgirl with long pale purple hair boldly walked in. 

She was dressed in a tight black bodysuit with stockings that emphasized her flawless figure, complemented by a white handbag. 

Draped over her shoulders was a stylish, oversized silver-white navy coat.

This tall and sexy shipgirl first spotted the Yorktown sisters, Anchorage, and Baltimore all looking at her. 

Surprise was written all over her strikingly attractive face.

Everyone's here? She had just been discussing work with Saratoga and hadn't heard a word from her about any kind of meeting today.

Then, in the next second, her gaze was drawn to the young man bent over, gently setting down the petite little shipgirl that no one usually dared to touch. 

Her expression froze instantly.

Could it be…

"New Jersey, the Commander is back."

Eldridge had just been set down by Lin Lan and spoke up to the approaching shipgirl.

Lin Lan straightened up. 

Before he could even turn around to face the famous Eagle Union battleship New Jersey, she had already pulled him into a tight hug from behind.

"Honey~ You're finally awake! I knew it! I woke up today with my heart racing—I just knew you were okay!"

Feeling the soft sensation against his back, Lin Lan slowly turned to face New Jersey, who was clinging tightly to him.

He was about to embrace this battleship girl who had waited far too long for his return when her voice came again:

"Honey, open your mouth~"

Before Lin Lan could even get a good look at her face, he felt something wet on his lips.

"??"

She had kissed him—right in front of everyone!

Off to the side, Anchorage was just about to see what was happening when Baltimore, having predicted what New Jersey would do, quickly reached out from behind and covered Anchorage's eyes.

"Eh? Why is it dark all of a sudden?"

"Ahem, the Commander and New Jersey are having a private talk. It's not really something we should be watching."

"New Jersey onee-chan and Sensei… a private talk? But, Anchorage didn't hear them talking…"

"Uh, their kind of private talk doesn't need words."

Baltimore's face turned a deep red as she explained awkwardly to Anchorage.

This sort of thing was definitely too early for someone like Anchorage to witness. 

What was New Jersey thinking, being so impulsive even with a real child present?

"That's right! A private conversation. Not for kids~"

Hornet, seeing the Commander being deeply kissed by New Jersey, stiffly echoed Baltimore's words with a twitching smile.

If she had known the Commander was this defenseless, she should've made her move first.

She had totally miscalculated!

Enterprise didn't say anything, but her flushed face turned away from the scene.

Only Yorktown seemed entirely unsurprised by the display, still smiling gently as she watched the two. 

However, a flicker of calculation could be seen in her lake-blue eyes, as if she were already forming a plan.

After quite a while, New Jersey finally let go of Lin Lan, her face glowing with joy and affection.

Looking at the now apple-red face of Lin Lan, she beamed:

"Honey, how was it? Did you feel how much I missed you all this time?"

"I did… seeing how passionate you still are really puts my heart at ease…"

Under New Jersey's intense star-blue gaze, Lin Lan awkwardly wiped his lips and replied.

New Jersey—this powerful Eagle Union battleship who had taken the place of the once-renowned Royal ship Prince of Wales—was never subtle about her feelings toward the Commander.

In the game's setting, this passionate and strong big sister character had a brief encounter with the Commander back in the naval academy before being commissioned.

To put it simply, she starts at maximum affection. 

Compared to the naturally affectionate Commander-fanatic Blücher, she was just as intense.

Even if that was just game lore, New Jersey's overflowing love for him was very real.

Honestly, who wouldn't like a powerful, beautiful shipgirl who's already madly in love with you?

Despite her cool, big-sisterly appearance, Lin Lan knew full well that this voluptuous New Jersey was surprisingly energetic and affectionate.

Whether it was throwing parties to liven up the mood or commanding on the battlefield, New Jersey always stood out as the dazzling center of attention.

And when Lin Lan's eyes fell on her provocative outfit, he remembered something rather amusing.

Among Azur Lane players, New Jersey was infamously known by a nickname that wasn't exactly… graceful.

Her black bodysuit, when combined with the white battle skirt that exposed her navel, created a silhouette that resembled a rather, well, embarrassing image from a distance.

Add to that the mechanical bunny-ear-like device on her head when she summoned her rigging, and the fact that her first alternate outfit was bunny girl-themed…

That's where her notorious nickname came from.

In addition, her chibi animations in the game were hilariously exaggerated, and fans had turned them into a myriad of expressive memes.

Of course, in terms of meme fame, New Jersey still couldn't quite top that one heavyweight Royal "pseudo-maid" who also starts with full affection toward the Commander.

"New Jersey, the Commander only just woke up and is still recovering. Is Saratoga here? He needs to speak with her urgently."

Yorktown finally stepped forward once the couple had finished their public display of affection, her tone as warm and gentle as ever.

Hearing this, New Jersey gave a radiant smile.

"Iron Blood just called in to ask about the Commander's condition. Saratoga is currently talking with Bismarck."

After speaking, New Jersey looked at Lin Lan, who seemed surprised at her words. She reached out and gently pinched his cheek.

"Honey, your timing couldn't be better~ Let's go give Saratoga and Bismarck a big surprise!"

Lin Lan smiled and nodded. As expected of New Jersey—she immediately saw through to what was weighing on his mind.

"Then, Commander, we'll wait for you here. Eldridge and Anchorage can go in with you."

Yorktown smiled at Eldridge and Anchorage.

Anchorage, having just had her eyes uncovered by Baltimore, had no idea what had just happened. 

With a cheerful grin, she walked happily over to Lin Lan's side.

Eldridge, who had seen the entire incident, still wore a blank expression as she quietly moved to Lin Lan's side as well. 

However, the ahoge on her head had twisted into a shape like ////

Seeing the two girls clinging to Lin Lan, New Jersey chuckled and said:

"From now on, let these two stay by your side. That way we won't have another incident like that Observer ambush."

Lin Lan wholeheartedly agreed with New Jersey's decision.

Leaving aside the fact that Eldridge and Anchorage were among the Eagle Union shipgirls who needed his company and care the most—

Even though Anchorage was as innocent as a child, her combat strength was definitely among the top frontline units of the Eagle Union.

Even against the fierce attacks of the Arbiter forces, Anchorage's powerful defensive skill Hide and Seek smoke bomb could buy plenty of time.

And Eldridge's unique skill, Operation Rainbow, combined with her supernatural powers, made it possible to achieve near-absolute defense for a short duration.

In the game's story, Eldridge had even been assigned to protect him personally, to the point where her defensive capabilities could fully shield the entire command vessel.

With these two shipgirls by his side, even if an Arbiter did attempt an ambush, Lin Lan was confident he could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

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HUNNY IS HERE!!!!

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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