Friedrich picked up a slice of bread, carefully spread butter on it, and then topped it with vegetables and sausage, handing it to Lu Chen. "Eat up. You need to supplement your nutrition."
Lu Chen quickly said, "Sister Friedrich, I'll do it myself."
"Lu Chen, don't be so reserved," Friedrich said softly. "Relax, just like you are when you're with Hutten."
"That's different."
"How is it different? Can you tell me?" Friedrich asked. There was always a subtle sense of distance when Lu Chen faced her, which Friedrich strongly disliked. "I can do anything Hutten can do, including what happened this morning. I know all about it."
Lu Chen whispered, "You are so gentle and kind that it makes me unable to harbor any thoughts of profanity."
"Is that really the reason?" Friedrich frowned. This was not good news. No matter what she was called, Friedrich's status was always that of his Oath Ship. An Oath Ship who didn't crave the Commander's body was not a good Ship Girl. She desperately wanted the Commander to hold her and ask for cuddles.
Lu Chen said apologetically, "I'm sorry, it's my personal issue. It must be because we haven't spent enough time together, and I haven't gotten used to it yet."
"We are family. You mustn't speak of apologies," Friedrich shook her head. "It's not your fault. I will find a way to resolve it."
This was an issue that absolutely could not be delayed. If too much time passed and the Commander's attitude towards her became fixed, then all would be lost. Taking care of the Commander was her eternal wish, but that didn't mean she didn't want anything intimate with Lu Chen. Without the most intimate relationship, their two hearts could never truly touch. She didn't want anyone to understand the Commander better than she did, in any respect.
She thought that with Hutten's help she could rest easy, but now it seemed that a Ship Girl could never truly become intimate with the Commander without personally taking part. This kind of matter ultimately couldn't be delegated.
"You don't need to worry about this. I will handle it properly." Friedrich walked to the sofa, retrieved a black and gold invitation, and placed it in front of Lu Chen. "There's a dinner party tonight. Are you interested?"
Lu Chen asked curiously, "You need a dance partner?"
Friedrich chuckled. "No, I don't plan to attend. This invitation is for you. It's a party hosted by the Eagle Union. I, as an Iron Blood member, won't join their fun."
"It's for me? It's not another one sent by someone I don't know but who is attracted to me, is it?" Lu Chen was already familiar with this kind of situation.
Friedrich's answer didn't surprise him. Her smile deepened. One step slow, and every step is slow. Those who came later had to pay a higher price to use a similar tactic. "That's right. Her status is the same as mine; she's one of the academy's management staff. She's also a young, beautiful rich woman.
"You are enough," Lu Chen said from the bottom of his heart. He couldn't even finish the soft rice from one.
Friedrich placed her index finger over his mouth and said seriously, "Don't say things like that in the future. What you have now is just a drop in the ocean. If I were to restrict your future, I would feel guilty."
"Then tell me about the party, or the host, your colleague," Lu Chen changed the subject. The women he had met, regardless of age, had a peculiar persistence about this, and arguing would be useless.
"She will explain the details of the party to you herself. I won't overstep my bounds," Friedrich said softly. "All I can tell you is that her name is St. Louis."
...
"Lu Chen, good morning." Noshiro greeted Lu Chen with a smile, ignoring the hickey on his neck.
"Don't greet me. I'm already someone else's husband," Lu Chen replied.
Noshiro paused, then whispered, "According to seniority, I am your official girlfriend."
"Official? Wait, you knew this would happen back then?" Lu Chen suddenly realized. No wonder Noshiro kept emphasizing her 'official' status. Lu Chen had been confused then, wondering if there was an unofficial one.
Now it seemed there wasn't just one; there were many.
Noshiro said sheepishly, "I didn't mean to hide it from you, but everything needs a process of acceptance."
"And so you conspired with Hutten to shatter my worldview?"
"No, I didn't know about that part," Noshiro explained. "I only knew that many people would become your girlfriends. I didn't know who or the order."
Lu Chen nodded. "I see. You're also one of them, but you were the first to appear before me, right?"
"That's right. I got a huge advantage," Noshiro smiled sweetly. "Being the first to meet you, I feel like I've used up all my luck for this lifetime."
What else could he say at this point? Noshiro was an incomparably good girl whom he couldn't find even with a lantern. Plus, she was encouraging him to form a harem without a hint of jealousy. He couldn't possibly be harsh with her.
However, a little mischief was fine.
Lu Chen deliberately held back. "I can understand, but I can't forgive, unless..."
"Ah? You can't forgive me?" Noshiro instantly became anxious, frowning. She quickly asked, "Unless what?"
"Unless I can touch your black stockings," Lu Chen said, staring at her legs. "As my official girlfriend, are you not embarrassed that the progress of our relationship is slower than that delinquent girl who appeared out of nowhere?"
"Touch... wait, right now?!" Noshiro hesitated. "I can, but class is about to start. Isn't this inappropriate?"
Although it wouldn't be a huge problem even if class started—the teacher for this period was Purifier, and she was sending Lu Chen suggestive selfies last night, so she probably wouldn't mind—Noshiro was too sensitive. Asking a top student like her to do this during class was practically social suicide. If she had Hutten's personality, Lu Chen wouldn't be surprised even if she squatted under his desk, let alone just touching her black stockings.
"You're right. Let's wait until lunch break," Lu Chen didn't insist. He had only said it offhand, but his desire to be intimate with Noshiro was genuine.
Lu Chen wasn't the only one thinking about Hutten. Noshiro, having gone through who knows what internal struggle, eventually aligned her desk with Lu Chen's, pushed it against his, and sat down next to him.
"What are you doing?" Lu Chen asked in surprise. The entire class's attention was drawn to Noshiro's sudden action.
"What she can do, I can do too," Noshiro murmured, burying her face on the desk, not daring to look at Lu Chen or anyone else. "You can touch them. I won't make any strange noises."
Lu Chen made eye contact with countless pairs of eyes, feeling as if he was being repeatedly scorched on a fiery stake. Why are all of you looking at me with such strange expressions? I haven't done anything yet!
Wait, since his reputation was already ruined, wouldn't it be a waste not to do anything? Should he just enjoy it first?