Chapter 15: The Tsundere Has Already Left the Environment

When it comes to the ship girl Lin Lan least wants to face in the Iron Blood faction, it's definitely Roon.

As the first research ship heavy cruiser of the Iron Blood faction, Roon is a ship girl with a dual personality.

(Roon)

When dealing with her comrades, she is undoubtedly a gentle big sister, but when facing enemies, she becomes extremely ruthless and turns into a war maniac.

If it were just that, Lin Lan wouldn't have such a hesitation when dealing with Roon.

The real reason he avoids Roon is because she has a deeply hidden personality—she's a yandere.

Yes, this seemingly harmless brown-haired heavy cruiser hides a deeply obsessive love for the commander, which only fully reveals itself during the oath ceremony.

Unfortunately for Lin Lan, he wasn't aware of this at the time, and by the time he realized it, it was already too late, right after the ring exchange and oath with Roon.

"Hmm, Commander, are you serious about stepping back..."

Roon was currently wearing a white chef's apron, clearly having just come out from the kitchen.

Seeing Lin Lan's subtle movement, her previously smiling face instantly turned to one of great grievance.

Damn, that pitiful expression is too much!

Lin Lan swallowed hard, but his rationality told him not to be fooled by Roon.

He thought of an anime he had seen before, where the yandere character wielded a hatchet, and forced himself to stay calm.

Roon, Taihou, and Akagi—these three heavyweights are the most famous yandere ship girls in the game.

There was even a rumor on the forum that if the commander fell into their hands, they would be split into three pieces—literally.

Lin Lan had previously dismissed this as a joke, but it didn't mean he could keep ignoring it now.

Watching Roon approach step by step, and noticing the little destroyer chibis also paying attention to him, Lin Lan knew he couldn't avoid this predicament today. 

Rather than everyone being awkward, he decided to face it head-on.

"I just had too much beer last night and didn't sober up properly."

Lin Lan came up with a casual excuse and boldly approached, mustering his courage to gently pat Roon on the head.

"Good morning, Roon."

Roon's previous look of grievance vanished, replaced by a happy and gentle smile.

Just as Lin Lan was about to retract his hand, Roon suddenly grabbed his hand with both of hers.

"Commander, let's go to the kitchen. Tell me what you want to eat, and Roon will make sure to fulfill all your wishes!"

When Roon said "all," Lin Lan clearly felt the weight of those words, causing his heart to sink.

If he were really dragged into the kitchen, with Roon's personality, Lin Lan could easily guess what would happen next.

Roon, wanting to drag him straight into kitchen play on their first meeting!

"Good morning, Roon-neesan, um…"

Z23 saw Lin Lan being forcibly grabbed by Roon and was about to say something, but Roon's cold gaze made her freeze, unable to finish her sentence.

Seeing his initial ship girl scared by Roon, Lin Lan cleared his throat in dissatisfaction.

Even if it was necessary to be forceful, Roon's little move made Lin Lan feel uncomfortable.

He needed to find a way to handle Roon, or she might really get out of hand in the future.

At a critical moment, Lin Lan suddenly had an idea.

He looked seriously into Roon's tea-colored eyes and spoke with emphasis:

"Roon, do you know…"

Roon's cold gaze softened as she turned her attention back to Lin Lan.

"Commander, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Roon was still willing to listen, Lin Lan let out a slight sigh of relief.

He took a step forward, leaned in close to Roon's ear, and whispered in a voice only they could hear:

"I really, really like you, but if my ship girls end up hurting each other, then the commander you love might disappear again."

"!"

Roon's smile instantly froze with Lin Lan's sudden remark.

Lin Lan stepped back to a normal distance and gently put his other hand on Roon's shoulder.

"So, I'd like some of the cereal you make, and don't forget to spread some jam on it."

"Oh, and prepare Z23's portion too. I'm sure she'll be very happy to eat the delicious breakfast you make."

Roon stared blankly for a few seconds. After feeling the other gazes on her, she suddenly took a deep breath and then showed a radiant smile.

"Commander, you're really too cunning, and you've grown so much."

"This makes me even more excited!"

With that, she took Lin Lan's hand with one of hers and led him towards the restaurant.

Seeing Z23 still standing there in a daze, Lin Lan hurriedly called out:

"Nimi, what are you standing there for? Come have breakfast with us!"

"Oh, oh, Commander, wait for me."

Z23 quickly followed, and Lin Lan didn't notice her face also showed a happy and relieved smile.

It seems the commander has grown a little bit.

"Good morning, Commander!" "Guten Morgen (Good morning) Commander~"

Several little Z destroyers greeted Lin Lan happily upon seeing him, and Lin Lan naturally smiled and waved back.

There will be plenty of time to interact with these lively Iron Blood chibis in the future.

After entering the restaurant, Roon personally helped Lin Lan find a seat and then hummed a tune as she went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Watching Roon's back, Lin Lan silently prayed that his earlier words would keep Roon in check.

A pang of guilt arose; he truly didn't want to threaten others. But with Roon… he was genuinely at a loss.

He had never been in a relationship, and while he could handle someone like Bismarck with his understanding of ship girls, Roon's yandere nature was truly his Achilles' heel.

If he hadn't said what he did, the situation might have spiraled out of control. It was crucial that the hostility between his ship girls didn't escalate.

"Commander, thank you, but Sister Roon really doesn't mean any harm. It's just her personality..."

After Z23 sat down and noticed that Roon had temporarily left, she quickly spoke up to defend her.

"I know, I'm not mad at her. You're all my favorite girls," Lin Lan said with a smile as he poured warm water from the teapot on the table into cups for Z23 and himself.

Despite his concerns, Lin Lan knew that Roon would never hurt him easily. 

Generally speaking, a yandere's obsession is rooted in an extreme love for someone. So, even if they might harm the world, they wouldn't hurt the one they love.

Or at least, that's usually the case.

"Good morning, Commander!"

Just as the two were waiting for breakfast, Lin Lan suddenly heard a playful voice behind him, and something soft pressed down on his head, startling him.

When he turned his head, he saw the culprit of last night's surprise: the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, along with her two sisters—Hipper and Blücher.

Prinz Eugen was pressed close against Lin Lan's back, and what had been weighing down on his head was her warm chest.

"You, you idiot, Eugen! What are you doing to the Commander in front of everyone? That's so improper!" said Blücher, the second sister, waving her hands angrily. 

"Yeah, yeah! How could you steal away my most, most, most beloved Commander like that? So unfair!"

Prinz Eugen, completely unapologetic, stepped back half a step with a sly, harmless smile on her face. "Well then, dear sisters, be my guest~"

"Huh?"

Lin Lan heard Admiral Hipper's signature exclamation, a telltale sign of her tsundere nature.

"The Commander isn't your property, Eugen! Commander, I suggest you give her a harsh punishment..."

But before Hipper could finish, someone else had already made a move.

"Yay~ Commander, Commander! You're finally back! Did you miss me? Did you? My love for you has grown even more, hehe!"

The second ship of the Hipper-class heavy cruisers, Blücher, an innocent and lively girl, threw herself at Lin Lan, hugging him tightly and rubbing against him affectionately.

Seeing this, Hipper's face turned bright red with anger.

Being hugged from behind by Blücher, enveloped in her warm embrace and the sweet scent of milk, Lin Lan sighed helplessly. 

It seemed that tsundere characters were going out of style for a reason.