Chapter 241: Once Upon a Time

Akagi, hearing Kaga's words, was momentarily at a loss for words.

But it's indeed true; I have put in too much effort, even making a deal with the Sirens for Tiancheng's appearance, yet all of it brought no change.

Now, when that figure from my memory appears before me, it is not because of my own efforts, but because of a commander's summons.

How sorrowful a fact this is?

Just as Akagi had that thought, everyone followed Mikasa into her house.

This house's decor, as Qin Ge saw from outside, actually matches the style of the traditional Japanese dwellings seen in the data.

In the courtyard, several cherry trees are planted; under their shade, rows of houses appear very peaceful and tranquil. Moreover, because the climate of this Sakura Empire island is bolstered by a barrier, the cherry blossoms never fade all year round, as if they were from a painting.

"How beautiful!" the Banrenma and Biaoqiang beside them exclaimed.

"Heh, right." Mikasa smiled, looking at her own garden, "So every year I take advantage of the summer break to stay here in the Sakura Empire."

"I really wish I could have a place to live here like Mikasa-senpai, so when I'm free I come stay a few days just to enjoy the scenery," Biaoqiang said to Mikasa.

Her energetic self gets along very well with everyone, especially Mikasa, who likes to look after juniors; their relationship is extremely friendly.

Mikasa smiled, "If Biaoqiang wants to come stay, just let me know anytime; you can stay here, no need to arrange your own place—besides, I'm rarely here, and even when I am, living alone in such a large courtyard is rather boring."

Qin Ge chuckled, "Let's talk about that later when the chance arises; for now, please, Mikasa-senpai, help find a quiet room for them to talk properly."

"Look at my memory," Mikasa said ruefully, then led everyone toward the rooms.

Upon reaching the living room, there was none of the dust everyone imagined; instead, it was very clean.

Mikasa, as if accustomed to it, pointed to the room at the far end and told Qin Ge, "That room will do."

Qin Ge nodded, then led Tiancheng, with Akagi and Kaga following behind; the four entered the room and closed the door.

Seeing this, Qin Ge's other shipgirls remained somewhat worried, but A Furore acted as if nothing were wrong, sitting beside the living room's tatami and taking a sip of vodka.

"I say, are you worrying too much? Actually, there wasn't much of a problem to begin with, especially since Tiancheng has already stated her position, making it even less of an issue."

Hearing A Furore's words, Ou Gen Qin Wang nodded involuntarily, "Indeed, we now hold the initiative, not Chi Cheng and Kaga, so everyone can relax."

Perhaps because of A Furore and Ou Gen Qin Wang's explanations, the others finally put their minds at ease, though their attention remained focused on that room.

Meanwhile, after Qin Ge, Tiancheng, Akagi, and Kaga entered that room,

the four each took seats around the low table in the center of the room; perhaps because they were closer to Tiancheng, Chi Cheng's emotions became agitated again.

"Tiancheng-sister, it's wonderful to sit beside you again. Do you remember in our memories, you used to play chess with Kaga, who was still a battleship then, but she could never beat you? Back then, the three of us sat just like this." Akagi said.

Tiancheng smiled faintly, "Who made Kaga back then always eager to attack? Now, however, she seems much more mature—far more mature than Akagi."

"You really do remember, Tiancheng-sister!" Akagi's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Tiancheng excitedly.

Because the words spoken now are exactly the same as in memory. Back then, Tiancheng lured the enemy deep, exploiting Kaga's fondness for offense to surround and annihilate her golden general in the middle.

Kaga also let out a soft sigh, "I never imagined that after parting back then, we would meet again only now."

Tiancheng smiled faintly, "It seems you, Kaga, have also kept our promise, always looking after Akagi's growth. Back then, the two of you competed and probed each other's weaknesses, but now you can stand side by side, cooperating to defend the Sakura Empire together."

Upon arriving here, Chi Cheng and Kaga's faces involuntarily flushed; obviously, the memory of when they quarreled and Tiancheng mediated remains clear.

Qin Ge, hearing this, also understood somewhat: "So the previous memories Akagi-sama and Kaga-sama spoke of must be from when Tiancheng was still under construction, when you were respectively a battlecruiser and a battleship."

Qin Ge used honorifics here, after all, Akagi and Kaga are now the rulers of the Sakura Empire, while he is the representative from Donghuang, and some etiquette must still be observed.

Tiancheng nodded, "What the liege said is exactly that history you told me before; however, in our memories, I was indeed completed, yet due to innate frailty, my body has always been weak."

Qin Ge nodded, "Originally, it was because of the great earthquake that snapped the keel of the Tiancheng battlecruiser under construction, forcing the Japanese side to abandon the Tiancheng battlecruiser."

They converted the battleship Kaga and the Tiancheng battlecruiser's sister ship Akagi into aircraft carriers; otherwise, world naval history would have another successful Lexington-class case.

"Tiancheng-sister, did you really tell him everything about us?" Akagi looked at Qin Ge and said.

Tiancheng shook her head, "No, it was my liege who told me. My liege is a truly unique commander; being able to assist him is my honor."

At this moment, Akagi and Kaga directed all their gaze toward Qin Ge; facing this person who evokes both love and hate in them, they are naturally filled with curiosity.

Akagi especially knows that when she previously cooperated with those people, reviving Tiancheng was also one of the conditions, but the other side said it was impossible.

And Qin Ge went on to accomplish what those people could not—summoning the impossible existence, Tiancheng. Isn't that enough to make them curious?

"Qin Ge commander, I apologize for what I just said. Now my identity is not that of a Sakura Empire ruler, but merely as a sister who can be with her elder sister; I sincerely ask you, how can I get my sister back?" Akagi said to Qin Ge.