Chapter 37: Taking Care

Qin Ge drank too much, after all it was his first time drinking vodka, and in the end, not wanting to lose, he started a drinking contest with A Furore, which Mikasa and Banrenma couldn't stop.

Although he drank too much, he earned A Furore's high praise.

"Qin Ge, although we've just met, you're the first commander daring to have a drinking contest with me; this courage surpasses others by countless times, so if you have any problems, come find me. And cheer up—I believe your future will be extremely brilliant!"

Although this was A Furore speaking to the already-drunk Qin Ge, it in no way diminishes its weight.

"Thank you..." As if hearing those words, Qin Ge lifted his head and said to A Furore. However, after saying that, he flopped back down, which is somewhat amusing.

"Mikasa senior, the commander has drunk a bit too much, so we'll send him back first; we're really sorry to have embarrassed you." Banrenma and Nengdai exchanged a glance and said to Mikasa.

"How could we? A commander like Qin Ge, with strategy, guts, and compassion—how could we laugh at you?" Mikasa smiled, saying, "Being able to fight alongside such a commander is his fortune and yours as well."

"What Mikasa said is right." After taking a sip of alcohol, A Furore said with a flushed face, "Qin Ge is great in every way, except his alcohol tolerance is lacking; when I have time later, I'll go to your place to train his drinking capacity."

"Um..." Banrenma and Nengdai looked at each other, unsure whether to agree or refuse.

"Hehe, it's fine. First help him back to rest." Mikasa, of course, saw the two's dilemma and said to them, "I'll take care of A Furore; we're old friends after all!"

"Thank you, Mikasa senior! Mikasa senior, goodbye; A Furore senior, goodbye!" After saying that, the two together half-carried the somewhat dazed Qin Ge, staggered out the house door, and headed toward their own room next door.

Since it was just next door, Banrenma and Nengdai quickly worked together to get Qin Ge into his room.

"The commander smells strongly of alcohol; could there be a problem?" Banrenma said worriedly.

Nengdai shook her head. "No problem, he just drank a bit too much. Banrenma, go fetch some warm water; I'll wipe him down."

"Okay, Nengdai senior!" Banrenma said and hurried out the door to get water.

Nengdai also carefully unbuttoned Qin Ge's clothes, like a wife, and positioned him properly. Of course, along the way Qin Ge's sleepy muttering and random head movements were inevitable, and each time, Nengdai's mouth corners would slightly turn up.

"Nengdai senior, the water's here." Banrenma's speed was also very fast; he soon brought the water back.

Nengdai sat sideways on Qin Ge's bed, pulled the stool from beside the table over, and placed it within easy reach. "Put it on the stool."

"Mm." Banrenma obediently placed the water on the stool, then stood to the side, anxiously watching Qin Ge's reaction. "Commander, are you okay?"

"It's fine." Nengdai soaked the towel in water, wrung it out, and while gently wiping Qin Ge's face, she said, "He just drank a bit too much; actually, for someone as disciplined as the commander, he wouldn't normally drink this much..."

"Probably because of A Furore senior." Banrenma's eyes flashed, and he whispered.

"Mm. Our commander is very gentle." Nengdai said softly, "He didn't directly use words to comfort A Furore senior; instead, he expressed his comfort through actions."

"But speaking of which, A Furore senior has also regained her vitality!" Banrenma smiled while looking at Qin Ge and said.

"Yes, though the price is a bit high." Nengdai smiled.

"Nengdai senior's smile is quite lovely." Banrenma, because he was staring directly at Qin Ge, clearly saw Nengdai's smile at the corner of her mouth, and thus said with a smile.

"Really?" Nengdai lifted her head to glance at Banrenma, then lowered her head to look at Qin Ge, continuing to wipe him with the towel.

"Of course, maybe if you smile more in the future, the commander will really like you." Banrenma smiled.

Nengdai lifted her head to glance at Banrenma, shook her head, and said, "No, my relationship with the commander is purely superior-subordinate; there's no such thing as feelings."

"Huh..." Banrenma said doubtfully, "Isn't it normal for ship girls to like their own commander?"

"I don't know what liking is." Nengdai said to Banrenma.

"Liking is just a feeling of one's heart racing, enjoying being with him regardless of what you're doing." Banrenma said with a hint of longing.

"So, Banrenma, do you like the commander?" Nengdai asked, raising her head.

Banrenma's face flushed slightly, "Perhaps it's more like reliance than liking."

"Reliance?" Nengdai asked doubtfully.

"Exactly, because I'm not only a warship born after the war, but I've also never participated in combat, so I'm always a bit uncertain about whether I can adapt to this environment. Fortunately, however, the commander is someone who has both courage and knowledge, and he usually treats us very well, so it's easy to rely on him." Banrenma smiled.

"Is this reliance?" Nengdai said uncertainly, "Perhaps I don't have this feeling because I'm used to thinking independently. Still, the commander is indeed an excellent commander!"

"Hehe." Banrenma couldn't help but smile.

Nengdai finished wiping Qin Ge's last part, then said, "All right, you can pour out the water; afterward you should also rest, since you drank a bit today, and training in this condition is greatly affected."

"Huh, I can do it." Banrenma said to Nengdai.

"No, naval training requires full concentration; your condition today is definitely not up to it. If you're worried about falling behind, just work hard tomorrow." Nengdai said very rationally.

"Ah... okay, then Nengdai senior, please take care of the commander." Banrenma said to Nengdai.

"Okay, no problem." Nengdai nodded and said.

"Mm." Seeing Nengdai agree, Banrenma took the water and towel and left Qin Ge's room.

Nengdai then tidied Qin Ge's bed a bit, took off his shoes, and covered him with the blanket. Looking at Qin Ge's not-so-handsome face, Nengdai whispered, "Reliance?"

In an instant she shook her head, then left Qin Ge's room and headed downstairs. Since it's still early, she now prepares to go to the training ground for a bit more practice.

But speaking of which, the vodka's kick was indeed strong; by the time Qin Ge woke up again, it was already the next day...