Liang (from Zhejiang and Enterprise) is transported to a new world but the minute she arrives she's attacked both by sharks and by...Azur Lane! What's going on? Even more confusing, she's not in her prior body and she's saved by Iron Blood! How will...
I'm walking through the hotel the girls are staying in when the sound of voices reaches my ear. Following them, I come to a stop in front of a door. It is slightly open so that I can see inside and what I find amuses me.
U-110: But I don't wanna!
U-101: C'mon, it ain't that scary.
U-110: B-but what if we get hurt?
The room falls silent and despite the angle at which I am viewing their little gathering, I can tell they're all thinking the same thing. Putting on an encouraging smile, I enter the room, much to their surprise.
All: Ma'am!
Me: It's okay. No need to salute though I couldn't help but overhear...
U-110: I'm sorry...
Kneeling down so that I'm relatively on her level, I smile before responding gently.
Me: There's nothing to apologize for. Everyone gets scared at times.
U-110: But you never get scared!
I laugh at that. I suppose I have been rather adept at suppressing my emotions since getting here but that has merely been the result of me remaining busy or incapacitated. If anything, I should have more fear than everyone in this room combined since I'm the one that has been on the receiving end of countless crises...
Me: Even I, believe it or not, have been afraid at times.
One very life-threatening encounter with sharks comes to mind...
U-47: It isn't the same though, is it?
Me: What do you mean?
U-47: You have countless persons all looking out for you-
U-552: Including Miss...(shivers)...the scary one.
They all shiver at that but despite the lack of a name I know full well who they are referring to and it gives me an idea.
Me: So that's what this is about.
U-101: Yeah! You have a mom looking out for you but...
Again the room falls silent and seeing their reaction removes any remaining doubt I had.
Me: What if I...protected you?
U-110: You mean like our very own mother?
A piece of me shatters at the mere mention of that word as every cell within my body screams HELL NO but what comes out of my actual mouth surprises, not just me but the girls as well. It's as though deep down it is something I've always wanted.
Me: Sure, if that's what you'd like.
U-110: So I can call you mommy?
This time, my reaction to the word is less severe but it is still jarring. I'm far too young to be a mother. I mean, just think of all the problems that come with having a single child and here I am casually chatting away about becoming the mother of not one but multiple girls. No, I will not. I need to find a way to get out of this situation immediately but without breaking their little hearts.
Me: Err...
As my mouth stalls for time so that my brain can come up with the answer to the universe, U-110 stands there waiting patiently, staring up into my eyes with the most adorable look on her face and whatever resistance I had remaining finally shatters and gives in.
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Me: Yes...sure...what could possibly go-
U-110: YAY!
She drops the shark before jumping into my arms. It catches me off-guard so I don't immediately return the embrace but it doesn't stop her from locking her arms around my neck.
U-110: Mommy!
Well...this will take some getting used to...I mean, I'm not even fully used to calling my own mother, mother. I wonder what she'll say when she finds out she had grandkids now. No doubt she'll overreact to the entire situation but knowing her, they'll at the very minimum be in caring hands though whether she becomes too caring...we'll have to see.
Me: So, what about the rest of you?
The rest are hesitant and for good reason, I imagine. Especially for the older ones, it'd be weird having someone to call mom. I know it was certainly weird for me and I only really picked it up due to the fact that using it made life easier.
U-47: Are you really willing to take us all in?
Me: I won't force-
U-47: No...it's not that. It's just that...well, how is...well...you know who...going to react? Won't she-
BOOOOOOM
FDG: Did I hear correctly?
All: (SCREAMS)
They all turn to scatter like rats from a pouncing cat but this cat is much, much faster and rounds them all up in one massive hug.
FDG: They're so precious! Sure my daughter will be your mother and you'll be my grandkids.
Me: Uhhh-
FDG: Yes! Grandchildren. Heeheehee. It sounds so perfect. Momma Friedrich and her grandchildren.
She sheds tears even as she squeezes them harder, much to their dismay.
FDG: I can see it now. Three generations of-
Me: Mother!
FDG: Hmm?
Me: Put them down or you won't have any grandkids left to smother.
She snaps out of her imagination long enough to notice between her hands and massive breasts, that she's suffocating every last one of the girls caught in her arms. Horrified, she loosens her grip and almost instantly U-557 collapses, only barely missing hitting her head on the ground due to me rushing forward and grabbing ahold of her.
As she recovers, she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.
U-557: Mommy...
She leans into my chest and cries some more and for a moment, it startles me enough that I almost let go of her entirely but I manage to retain enough composure to at the very least maintain my hold before pulling her closer.
