Andy's Rebellion

When Shinnosuke returned to the dock, he reintroduced Madelia to everyone.

"Starting today, Madelia is officially one of us. Like Marks, she's currently applying for human rights, so she'll be working as a regular crew member. By the way, please don't misunderstand—she's supposed to call me 'Master,' that's just how it's set up."

To prevent misunderstandings, I should clarify that whenever Madelia calls Shinnosuke 'Master,' Seira and Milena react with a sharp 'Piki!', and Andi makes a 'Dokyun' sound.

After introducing Shinnosuke, Madelia performs her bow.

"Madelia at your service. Please feel free to ask me for anything, whether it's ship operations or daily chores."

Though expressionless, her movements were extremely refined, and her maid outfit only added to her striking presence.

Without the sensor unit on her temple or the ear-shaped reinforcement on her head, she'd easily be mistaken for a human.

Shinnosuke continued his explanation.

"Madelia works as a crew member of the Tsukikage..."

"Got it!!"

Suddenly, Andy, the captain of the Tsukikage, cut off Shinnosuke's words with a loud shout.

Looking at Andy, Shinnosuke saw him giving a thumbs-up, gazing upward—(precisely at the ceiling of the dock's office, in fact).

"What's wrong, Andy?"

Awakening from his trance at Shinnosuke's surprised voice, Andy snapped back to reality.

"Oh, um, sorry. I was just so happy that with more crew members joining Tsukikage, Eren's burden would lessen, I couldn't help but get excited..."

I understand why it's delightful to have an exceptional doll become part of the ship's crew, but the joy they express is truly extraordinary.

Yet, instead of feeling relieved, Eren stares at Andy with a narrow, suspicious gaze.

"Alright, from now on we'll mostly be relying on Madelia's operator, so I'm counting on you, Andy."

"Yes sir! Leave it to me!"

Andy stands at attention and salutes Shinnosuke.

Shinosuke nods, then looks again at Madelia.

"Alright, Madelia, we can't exactly keep you in this outfit..."

"...Huh? What was that!?"

Andy's face twists in shock at Shinnosuke's words.

"I mean, this outfit isn't suitable for duty on a destroyer. You'd be better off in a proper uniform, Madelia—"

"What are you saying!? Shinnosuke-kun!?"

"What's wrong, Andy!?"

"Shinnosuke-kun! It's a maid costume! And with bunny ears! You're saying... you're saying... to wear this...?"

"What are you talking about?"

Andy angrily confronts Shinnosuke, eyes wide with shock.

"Shinnosuke-san! She's a maid! Maidoll-san! Don't you understand? She's the treasure of all humanity, our greatest treasure! To treat her maid outfit as nothing! That's nothing short of a crime!"

"Hey, Andy. It's just a maid outfit, really."

"Just a maid outfit? You said 'just a maid outfit'? Shinnosuke-san, right now you've just made 78 percent of all men across the galaxy your enemies!"

Shinnosuke, overwhelmed by Andy's furious intensity, nearly on the verge of shedding tears of blood.

"Hey, Andy? What happened to Eren, Andy? What's going on?"

Shinnosuke pleads for help from Eren, but Eren just shrugs and shakes his head.

"Shinnosuke, it's pointless. Andy really loves this kind of thing."

"Love it? What kind of thing?"

"Andy's room is packed with character goods just like Maderia's. Though, he didn't bring any onto the bridge, obviously."

Eren stares in disbelief.

"Hey, Andy. I'm not denying your taste, but that's separate from work, right?"

"Oh, but you're the one who's mistaken, Shinosuke! The apron dress is a battle uniform for working women—how could it possibly hinder my job?"

"You're joking! That's ridiculous!"

"Why can't you understand, big brother?!"

"Who the hell are you calling big brother?!"

Andy stands his ground with fierce determination.

"Hey, Eren. Is this really okay?"

It's fine. Andy's always been like this. It doesn't harm me in any way. At least he's not making me wear a maid's outfit.

It seems Eren has reached a state of resignation regarding Andy's hobbies.

Brother, why can't you understand! It's a man's romance! Are you even a man, brother?!

That's why, who's the older brother! That's the romance of men!

Maderia, who had been observing the exchange between Shinosuke and Andy, stepped between the two and looked up at Shinosuke.

"Master. I have no particular issue with remaining in this attire. As long as you haven't commanded otherwise, I am perfectly fine as I am. In fact, there are certain advantages to staying in this outfit."

With that, Maderia slowly began to lift her skirt.

"!!"

Sinosuke and Andy froze in mid-breath.

Beneath Maderia's skirt, a combat knife was strapped to her white, thick thighs.

It was the same blade that severed Marks's head and one arm, and left Sinosuke severely wounded.

Additionally, several throwing knives were hidden in her sleeves, and on the inside of her waist belt, a thin metallic thread—its purpose too disturbing to imagine—was concealed.

"S-superb! This is the perfect image of a maid—truly the ultimate maid girl. Shinnosuke, are you really going to try to undress her even now?"

And so, Shinnosuke gave in, overwhelmed by Andy clinging to him.

"Undressing her? That's a terribly rude thing to say!...Hah, fine. I'll give Madelia a uniform too, but Captain of the Tsukikage is Andy. You're in charge—do whatever you like."

"Alright!! Thank you so much. I knew you'd understand, big brother!"

"...I don't understand at all."

Andy choked back tears as he looked at Madelia.

"Ms. Madelia, please take care of me."

"Yes, please take care of me too, Mr. Andy."

"Wait—Mr. Andy?... Where's my master?"

"My master is Mr. Shinnosuke, so only Mr. Shinnosuke may be called 'master.' Mr. Andy."

"...Such... this...! Such a thing...!?"

Andy collapsed to his knees.