"What do you mean?!" Taihou was the first to freak out. It was clear she understood the implications.
Lu Chen said, "It means what you think it means."
"No way!" Taihou yelled at the top of her lungs. "Lu Chen-sama's first time must be mine!"
Lu Chen said helplessly, "Keep your voice down. It will look bad if someone else overhears."
"You're right, you're right," Taihou said gravely. "If others hear, they'll try to steal Lu Chen-sama from me. Taihou understands the principle of quietly making a fortune."
"No, I meant... forget it. Whatever makes you happy, Taihou."
"If Lu Chen-sama touches Taihou more, Taihou will be very happy~"
Noshiro lowered her head and remained silent, her fingers intertwined, as if caught in a grave decision. Until a moment later, her eyes gradually hardened with determination.
"Lu Chen, stand up for a moment." Noshiro bit her lip.
Lu Chen looked up and asked, "What is it?"
"Just stand up for a moment. I have something very important to tell you," Noshiro insisted.
Lu Chen considered it, then climbed off Taihou and stood in front of Noshiro. "Go ahead."
Noshiro took a deep breath, wrapped her arms around Lu Chen's neck, stood on her tiptoes, and pressed her face toward his.
In the gap between their bodies, one could clearly see Taihou's expression freeze for an instant, followed by intense anxiety—the kind of anxiety one feels when a precious treasure is stolen. For a moment, her mind went blank, and she couldn't react at all.
After the kiss broke, Noshiro leaned on Lu Chen's chest and said shyly, "Our promise is fulfilled. You don't have to worry about anything after today. Have fun outside."
"What's with the tone, like you're heading off to war to get married? I even got a farewell kiss," Lu Chen said with a complex expression. "Also, I thought it would be a French kiss, at least."
Lu Chen felt the fragrance of the girl's lips and teeth, but the kiss was too short; he didn't fully experience it.
"F-French kiss is too... too... I have to write a reflection essay first!" Noshiro frantically pulled away, her sudden burst of courage instantly vanishing. Only now did she realize what an irrational act she had committed—actually forcing a kiss on the Commander.
But the Commander's first kiss is hers. Hehehe. Although it's a virtual space, Ship Girls are guided by idealism, so it's fine.
Taihou whimpered in the corner like a wounded small animal. "Th-that's not real. Lu Chen-sama likes Taihou! Taihou can do that too..."
Taihou, a fervent Commander loyalist, hid a sensitive and fragile heart beneath her aggressive exterior. She was afraid of losing him, afraid Lu Chen didn't like her. All her aggressiveness was like a small animal baring its claws to guard its food—whether it was being bossy to others or wanting to eliminate the pests who coveted the Commander, everything stemmed from this fear. The moment someone managed to steal Lu Chen despite her defensiveness, Taihou would become helpless, blank-minded, and sink into deep self-doubt.
It was similar to the situation where ten Albacores swarmed around her. (By the way, she couldn't handle even one.)
Lu Chen didn't know that Taihou's heart was so sensitive. If he had known, he certainly wouldn't have done such a thing in front of her.
"Did I do something wrong?" Noshiro looked at Lu Chen for help. She didn't want to hurt Taihou. Like Taihou, she only sought Lu Chen's affection.
"It's my fault," Lu Chen took a deep breath and extended his right hand to Taihou. "Taihou, give me a chance. A chance to taste your lipstick. Is that okay?"
A flash of surprise crossed Taihou's eyes. She took Lu Chen's hand and stood up, but her legs were slightly numb from the lap pillow, and she stumbled into Lu Chen's arms. But she didn't care about that. She tilted her face up, excited. "Taihou, Taihou won't lose to anyone! I'll let Lu Chen-sama know that I'm the best!"
If someone kisses the Commander, what should she do? Taihou's answer was to kiss the Commander back twice as much until the air in his mouth was completely replaced by hers.
"Lu Chen-sama, was Taihou good?" After the kiss, Taihou returned to her usual vibrant self, asking for praise like a lively, cute puppy. If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging frantically.
"More than just good, it was excellent," Lu Chen wiped his mouth. There were strings of saliva. Taihou really went all out. Compared to Noshiro's brief peck, Taihou's was a genuine French kiss.
Taihou proudly said to Noshiro, who was nestled on Lu Chen's other side, "Hmph, did you hear that? Lu Chen-sama thinks I'm the best."
Noshiro laughed. "I'll try to surpass you next time."
"You won't get the chance! Taihou will always be the most beloved girl in Lu Chen-sama's heart!" Taihou refused to be outdone.
Although Lu Chen didn't know how things escalated to this point, where he was holding a girl in each arm, as if performing a scene from a cliché comedy, the feeling wasn't bad; it was quite wonderful. Lu Chen chose not to be the spoilsport and spent the entire lunch break in peace.
...
After school, Lu Chen said goodbye to the two. Noshiro chose to return to her own home. Taihou, however, stubbornly headed towards Lu Chen's house. Even though she had gained enough today, Taihou was a greedy child. The more the Commander did for her, the more secure she felt, so she wouldn't let go of a single opportunity.
Lu Chen stood at the academy gate, curiously looking around. He wondered what kind of stunning entrance St. Louis would make to allow him to recognize her at first glance. Honestly, he was a bit skeptical.
But soon, he overturned his previous thought and felt genuine remorse for doubting St. Louis.
When a pure black, streamlined sports car pulled up next to Lu Chen and the car door slowly lifted upward, Lu Chen knew the rich woman St. Louis had arrived. Although he didn't understand cars and knew nothing about brands or prices, anyone could tell that this ostentatious sports car was extremely valuable.
What he hadn't anticipated was that the blue-haired older sister behind the wheel, St. Louis, was even more eye-catching than the car.
She was wearing a silver, backless halter dress with nothing underneath, exposing large areas of her pale skin. The audacity of the outfit was comparable to, if not exceeding, the boyfriend shirt; Noshiro had been modest in her estimation.
Next, a pair of long, beautiful legs in slippers stretched out from the car. The lavishly dressed St. Louis saw Lu Chen and smiled, waving him over. "You waited right where you were supposed to and didn't wander off. That deserves praise, Lu Chen. Get in the car. Big Sister is taking you somewhere fun."