January 11
Battle. Bliss.
Turns out fighting with a bunny is one of the most exhilarating things ever.
Next time, maybe I'll try… another bunny.
…
Levi summed up his thoughts on last night's "war" in just a few words.
Closing his diary and tucking it back into the drawer, he realized he still hadn't checked today's mission.
Hopefully the reward would be another physical upgrade.
That kind of bonus was just too good.
[Daily Mission: Arrange and perform a new musical piece together with Friedrich der Große.]
[Reward: X-Ray Vision.]
[Failure Condition: If Friedrich der Große succeeds in "claiming" you, the mission fails.]
Friedrich der Große, huh…
An image of that ripened, voluptuous body flashed through Levi's mind.
Of course. How had she managed to restrain herself this long without seeking him out?
And as for x-ray vision…
At first glance, the ability didn't sound all that practical.
Then again… maybe not so useless.
Levi's mind raced with possible uses.
For instance…
He could have shipgirls attach little trinkets to different parts of their bodies and stroll around the naval base. Then, with a glance, he could see exactly how they were "holding up."
Or…
He could put certain shipgirls—those who enjoyed a little M-style play—inside a suitcase, and then casually wheel them through the public halls, all while peeking inside with his ability.
While he was still daydreaming about scenarios, a message pinged in from Friedrich herself.
Unfortunately, his hypnosis skill was still on cooldown. Otherwise, pairing both powers together would have made the mission trivial—reward guaranteed.
With everything arranged, Levi set out for the location Friedrich provided: the Iron Blood concert hall.
Inside, only one shipgirl awaited him.
Friedrich der Große.
She wore a black evening gown, slit high along her thigh. Black high heels accentuated her tall frame—taller than Levi by half a head.
The instant she saw him, her face bloomed into a dazzling smile.
"Welcome, my child."
"Friedrich…"
Levi opened his arms and hurried the last few steps, burying himself in the mature battleship's embrace, indulging in the plush, borderline-illegal softness of her chest.
The statuesque woman returned his hug tightly, satisfaction glowing in her smile.
"Cling to me all you like, my child."
Levi's hands moved almost of their own accord. Just a little lower, and he could squeeze Friedrich's jelly-soft curves with practiced ease.
—Having spent nearly half a month in this world, Levi had been adapting with remarkable speed.
Learning how high-affection shipgirls reacted to him was part of that adjustment.
As expected, Friedrich didn't mind in the least. If anything, a flash of delight crossed her eyes.
She had worried that her flimsy excuse for summoning the Commander might trigger his displeasure. But it turned out Levi was far more forward than she'd imagined.
Her only regret? If she had known he'd be this proactive, she would have chosen a dress easier to move in.
"Friedrich, what did you call me here for?"
"Ah…" Lost in the warmth of holding her "child," Friedrich finally remembered her excuse. "I've composed a new piece. I wanted to arrange it together with you."
"But I don't know anything about music." Levi nuzzled closer into her embrace. "Unless… you just made that up as a pretext?"
A flicker of unease passed through her black-gold eyes, as if he had seen right through her.
"N-no, not at all…" Friedrich hugged him even tighter and smoothly changed the subject. "My child, always calling me 'Friedrich der Große, Friedrich der Große'—doesn't it feel a bit too distant?"
"I long to hear you call to me as you cling to my chest, as if we were inseparable… If you're willing, I wish to hear that one special word."
"…Friedrich… Mom?"
"Good child…"
Levi felt her body tremble, just faintly. The maternal instincts within this "Mommy Ship" overflowed, and Levi indulged in the novel sensation of being the one to cling and act spoiled.
Until now, it was always the shipgirls who sought his affection. This time, he was the one nestling against them.
And he had to admit—it felt pretty damn good.
"Mom…"
"Ah…"
Levi leaned into her fully, letting himself soak in Friedrich's emotions. Every ounce of her passion shifted into maternal love, wrapping him in warmth.
…Before she had summoned him, Friedrich had been thinking only of having the Commander help her vent some of her pent-up desires.
But now, overwhelmed by this flood of motherly affection, that hunger melted away. All she felt was tenderness, a comforting sweetness that washed away the rest.
Levi only realized this afterward.
And once he did, he was ecstatic.
This was brilliant.
With a simple twist, he had turned the situation around—receiving Friedrich's love while avoiding any danger of mission failure.
After all… everyone knows: certain kinds of "literature" are not allowed to play out here.
As for later?
He could just swap out the title.
If he couldn't "applaud" her while being called "my child," he could always switch to "Friedrich, my wife" while carrying out their "great endeavors."
But for now? Enjoy the moment—and secure the mission reward.
"Come, child, look at this new composition."
True to her word, Friedrich hadn't fabricated everything—she really had written a fresh piece, just to give herself an excuse.
"I'll play it for you."
She stepped before him, baton in hand, raising it gracefully as she traced patterns in the air.
Her massive Iron Blood rigging shifted, following her movements, and a grand, sweeping melody swelled into the hall.
The good news: her composition was stunning. Majestic and powerful. Even though Levi knew nothing of music theory or arrangement, even as a layman he could recognize its brilliance.
The bad news: under Friedrich's expectant gaze, he was hopelessly out of his depth. All he could do was string together meager words of praise for his "Mommy's" music.
"Pfft…"
Watching his awkward struggle, Friedrich had to stifle a laugh.
"All right," she said gently, stepping forward. "No need to look so dejected, my child. That would go against the very reason I called you here."
"Mm…" Levi sank back into her embrace again, warmth flooding him from head to toe.
"Child, will you share dinner with me later?"
"Of course…"
"And afterward… you'll stay here with me for the night?"
"…Mhm."
And then, suddenly, Levi's body went rigid.