Chapter 44: Hobbies and Interests

After finishing his meal, he returned to his room. Since there was no training in the afternoon, Banrenma and Nengdai chose to rest. As for Qin Ge, he used the remaining time to enrich his knowledge stores.

During study time, Qin Ge was always very serious; even when Banrenma came to his room midway to bring him water, he almost didn't hear the door opening.

"The commander really works hard." After placing the water on the table, Banrenma smiled and said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge shook his head. "Actually, this is just last-minute preparation, though it does have some effect. What are you two doing?"

"Nengdai senior is practicing swordsmanship on the grass behind the house; I have nothing to do." Banrenma smiled.

"Well, I told you to rest a bit, but I didn't expect Nengdai to go train again." Qin Ge said, shaking his head slightly.

Banrenma gave a small smile, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said, "Actually, for us, as long as there's no war, regular training is also a form of rest."

"Although that's how I put it, you're all girls; just work hard when it's time to train, and in your free time do what you like." Qin Ge smiled.

"Actually, I think this is great; training daily with Nengdai senior and studying with the commander makes life fulfilling." Banrenma said.

"Then, Banrenma, do you have anything you like?" Qin Ge asked with a smile.

"What do you mean by things I like? Are you asking what hobbies I have?" Banrenma puzzled for a moment, then recalled something and said with a smile.

"Well, for example, Mikasa senior likes collecting models, and A Furore senior likes drinking vodka and such." Qin Ge nodded.

"I don't have those; my biggest hobby is learning from seniors, and I also like the seaside." Banrenma smiled.

"The seaside?" Qin Ge nodded. Although shipgirls can now walk on land, they still have a spiritual reliance on the sea; perhaps that's it.

"By the way, commander, do you have any hobbies?" Banrenma asked.

"Me?" Qin Ge thought for a moment. "I can't really say; most of my time is spent studying, and I rarely set aside time to do what I want. If reading counts, then that's what I do."

"The commander's life really is simple." Banrenma said.

"Can't help it; I'm used to it." Qin Ge smiled.

"I think the commander could develop some hobbies in his free time; that would not only cultivate his temperament but also give him common topics with the shipgirls who will join our fleet later." Banrenma said.

Qin Ge nodded. "What Banrenma said is right; I should indeed cultivate some hobbies. But I don't know which area to focus on."

"Besides reading, what do you usually do in your spare time?" Banrenma asked.

"Probably listening to music." Qin Ge replied.

"Mm, music is actually quite good." Banrenma smiled and nodded. "In my memory, many seniors like music."

Qin Ge nodded. Indeed, as Banrenma said, many shipgirls like music—for example, the Iron Blood, known for symphonic civilization; the Royal, famous for opera; and the Iris, renowned for romance.

"Then, let's include learning an instrument in our study plan."

Hearing Qin Ge say that, Banrenma couldn't help but smile and ask, "Commander, what instrument are you planning to learn?"

"A guitar." Qin Ge said. "I've heard people play it before, so I know a little, and the guitar's tone isn't overly loud or flashy; it's rather plain and comfortable."

"Well, then I'll look forward to hearing the commander play music on the guitar." Banrenma smiled.

This afternoon Qin Ge and Banrenma talked a lot; perhaps they've become more familiar with each other recently, so they can chat more easily.

"Oh, I didn't realize we've chatted this long with the commander—did I take up your study time?" Only much later did Banrenma suddenly realize she had come to bring water, yet without noticing she and Qin Ge had sat together chatting for a long time.

Just as she had told Nengdai before, she now feels a dependence on Qin Ge and wants to stay by his side; just chatting like this makes her extremely happy.

Qin Ge laughed and waved his hand. "Actually, I plan to give myself a half-day off, just like for you. But as I told you, I don't have any extra hobby goals, so I can only pick up some books and materials I've read before and continue reading—on one hand to solidify my knowledge, on the other to pass the time. It's good that you came over; chatting is actually quite nice."

"Oh, I see. Then when you next give yourself a day off, please let me know. I'll come over to keep you company—whether we chat or later I listen to you play music, at least there will be someone to talk to." Banrenma said with a smile.

"Wouldn't that be too much of a burden on you?" Qin Ge said somewhat embarrassedly. After all, Banrenma is not only a shipgirl but also a pretty girl; saying such near-confession words to him gives him feelings he's never had before.

"No burden at all; I actually quite like being with the commander like this. Moreover, I have no special goals—rather, I could make the aim of accompanying the commander in the future my hobby." Banrenma said with a smile.

"If that's the case, then whenever you're free later, you can come to my place. I'll buy a guitar then, learn while I listen to you—how does that sound?" Qin Ge asked with a smile.

"Of course I can; it's not just that—it's wonderful." Banrenma said with a smile, her delight evident.

At that moment, Nengdai knocked and entered, seeing the two happy people, she wondered somewhat, "What's making you so happy?"

"Just talking about hobbies." Qin Ge smiled at Nengdai and said, "Nengdai, come in and sit; also tell us about yourself."

Nengdai walked in and sat beside Banrenma, saying, "My thing is practicing swordsmanship, or when I have nothing to do, I find a quiet place to stay alone."

"How about this: later when I plan to buy a guitar and study music, could you, like Banrenma, come over to be my audience? Such downtime seems pretty good to me—what do you think?" Qin Ge smiled at Nengdai.

"As your audience?" Nengdai smoothed her hair, nodded at Qin Ge, and said, "Of course."

"Then we'll settle on that." Qin Ge smiled.

"Mm!"