Save the Girl

Gulu Island.

Noah and Momousagi wandered around the 329th Branch base for a long time. Only when dusk fell did they start back.

The cold wind howled, and snow began to drift from the sky again.

"It's so cold."

Momousagi rubbed her hands and breathed warm air into her palms. Then she tilted her head, spotted Noah's neck, and had an idea. She slipped both hands through the gap in his collar and into his clothes.

"..."

Cold hands pressed against his back. Noah shivered and turned to give Momousagi a speechless look. "That's freezing, Rear Admiral. If you want to warm up, fine, but could you not put your hands in through my collar?"

"Who told you to be shorter than me?"

Momousagi tipped up her nose and gave a little huff. "Your neck was the closest thing to my hands. Besides, this way we can still walk. I think it works great."

Noah fell silent.

"...Rear Admiral, my neck was the only part of me that felt cold before. After hearing that, my whole heart feels cold."

"Then hurry up and grow taller, kid."

Damn it!

Wasn't he growing fast enough already?

He was nearly two meters sixty now, only the tiniest bit shorter than her!

Hmph. Six months. Give him six months at most, and he would break three meters. Then he would see who could still mock his height!

When they returned to the base, the soldiers of the West Blue First Branch were helping their comrades from the 329th Branch repair the fortress walls. Everyone was hard at work, making the place look like a massive construction site.

Sadaharu had apparently grown bored of dozing aboard the warship and had taken on the role of porter. He could carry two or three hundred kilograms of