Chapter 362: I Love You

"But why did the commander say this is an opportunity this time?" Guanghui asked.

"Now that it's confirmed you have the chance to awaken, we can organize your daily actions into a concrete parameter."

"When the next shipgirl in our fleet begins to awaken, we can compare your behavior with hers to summarize the similarities and differences."

"This could be of great help for the awakening of other shipgirls in our fleet later, and it can also help some fully trained shipgirls awaken quickly." Qin Ge said.

"That's right; the commander's first three shipgirls now also have over eighty levels of training, and they've all broken through. After a while, they'll also face the problem of being fully trained, so if my awakening can help them, it would be an improvement for our entire fleet." Guanghui said with a smile.

"Yes, that's what I mean. However, this period requires you and I to stay together for a long time, and we will jointly seek a solution to this problem."

"That's why I came specially today to tell you about this; I hope you don't mind." Qin Ge said.

"How could I possibly mind? On the contrary, I'm very welcome." Guanghui said with a smile, "Being able to contribute my own strength to our fleet is my honor."

"Moreover, during this period the commander will be by my side; there's nothing happier in the world than this—how could I mind?"

"When Guanghui bluntly said these words resembling a confession, Qin Ge's expression became a little unnatural. Although they had already held hands and kissed, sharing some intimate contact, Qin Ge's personality remained thus."

"Perhaps sensing Qin Ge's unnaturalness, Guanghui smiled, stood up, and then walked over to sit beside Qin Ge. Their bodies pressed tightly together, each able to feel the other's warmth."

"Guanghui also timely took Qin Ge's hand at that moment, holding Qin Ge's hand in his own palm."

"Qin Ge couldn't help but give a bitter smile, yet when facing Guanghui's gentle eyes, his heart also became intoxicated."

"I suddenly feel that I resemble the kind of scumbag my world used to describe. Between you all, I find it increasingly hard to choose."

"I don't want to betray any relationship, nor neglect anyone; since I started dating you all from the Sakura Empire era, I've constantly been thinking about this problem."

"Hehe, this world also has the term 'scumbag,' but for the commander, I actually hope you become like that." Guanghui said smiling, tightening his grip on Qin Ge's hand.

"Do you still remember, commander, when we tested trust back in the Sakura Empire?"

"Qin Ge nodded, 'Precisely because I know that's the case, I feel somewhat guilty about your feelings for me. The morals of the world I come from always make me feel unable to let go and love you freely.'"

"Just like the story of Chinese Paladin that the commander previously told us?" Guanghui said with a smile, "Li Xiaoyao wavered between Zhao Ling'er, Lin Yueru, and Ah Nu, ultimately ending up in a lonely, miserable state."

"If Li Xiaoyao had been braver back then, perhaps many of the later thoughts of those few would have disappeared; although there would be some estrangement and friction between them, at least it would be better than one person dying alone while the other two are separated in yin and yang, wouldn't it?"

"This..." Qin Ge froze for a moment; he never expected that the story he once told would now become Guanghui's weapon against him.

"Do you want to become like Li Xiaoyao?"

"Does Qin Ge want that? He certainly doesn't; although he once thought of being like Li Xiaoyao—carefree, grudge‑bearing, unrestrained and unrestrained—after coming to this world, possessing his own shipgirls and sharing memories with them,"

"From that moment on, Qin Ge could no longer become Li Xiaoyao."

"Commander, do you know? I'm actually a very bold person, especially when I'm with you." Guanghui said smiling, raising the hand he held of Qin Ge slowly to his own chest.

"Qin Ge's expression at this moment was one of surprise; he wanted to pull his hand back, but seeing Guanghui's gentle expression, he stopped instantly."

"Guanghui also noticed Qin Ge's movement, and smiled even more happily: 'Commander, can you feel Guanghui's heartbeat?'"

"I..." Qin Ge didn't know how to answer, saying he could feel it?

"But Guanghui's side is really too thick; I can only feel the tenderness where my palm touches, and nothing else."

"But can I say I can't feel it?"

"Looking into Guanghui's eyes, Qin Ge could never say such words, or else he'd become a rascal; thus silence is the best answer now."

"Hehe, the commander's face is red, how cute." Guanghui said with a smile, although he was speaking, he still did not release Qin Ge's hand.

"Cough..." Qin Ge felt helpless, but what could he do facing such Guanghui?

"Just as Qin Ge was still thinking of a countermeasure, unconsciously Guanghui had already approached his body, opened his arms, embraced Qin Ge fully in his chest, and then kissed him."

"In the mingling of emotions, Qin Ge's thoughts had all been emptied; he opened his eyes to see Guanghui before him with eyes tightly closed, a serious expression—any restraint, any morality, all of this was completely forgotten by Qin Ge at this moment."

"Moreover, with the nervous tension of this period, this relaxed and tender feeling let Qin Ge sink deeply into it."

"Thus he also closed his eyes, feeling with his heart the tenderness and intimacy of this moment."

"At this moment, the two embraced in a kiss, and their two hearts, accompanied by this embrace, began to beat in the same rhythm."

"However, just as the two were gently kissing, Guanghui's body emitted a faint glow, though no one noticed this faint light."

"Moreover, the light existed for only a very brief moment—just the blink of an eye—and then vanished."

"But if Akagi and Kaga were present now, they would surely exclaim in surprise, for at this moment Guanghui, from the very traces of having just gained awakening, has already become only one step away from the start of awakening."

"Unfortunately, however, no one noticed."

"And Qin Ge and Guanghui's embrace lasted a very long time, until they separated; neither knew how much time had passed. However, the flush on their faces indicated that their hearts were not calm at this moment."

"Guanghui."

"Hmm, commander."

"Perhaps now I can no longer continue pretending nothing happened; I love you, I am willing to love you with my whole life."

"Me too, for this lifetime."

"At this moment, a crystal‑clear tear slid silently down Guanghui's face; in fact, it was extraordinarily beautiful."