I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary

「I don’t think this kinda outfit fits small gals like us.」

「No, it’s great. Really great.」

After finishing our shopping and returning to the Black Lotus, I decided to use my captain’s authority to have them immediately try on the costumes we bought. Abuse of power? Never heard of it! More importantly, it’s cosplay time!

「R-Really…?」

Teary-eyed, Tina and Wiska were squirming shyly in front of me as I clapped with a serious expression. They were dressed in beautiful elf-inspired outfits, one in red and the other in blue—something like a cheongsam. The sight of their thighs peeking through the deep slits is truly delightful, and the way the fabric hugs their hips is stunning. This was indeed a great purchase.

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「Just so you know, those are traditional elf costumes…」

Elma gave me a side-eye as she said that. She was dressed in a maid outfit that Mei had supervised. It wasn’t revealing at the chest, nor was the skirt unusually short—it was a classic Victorian style. The addition of the white brim was a nice touch.

「I-I tried it on, but this is a bit…」

Mimi, her face red, tried to cover her chest. Oh, the bunny suit. The bunny suit. Oh, the bunny suit. Hmm, they are close to spilling out, but somehow they aren’t. I’m not sure how that works, but it’s probably due to some unnecessarily advanced technology.

「When compared to Mimi, mine is a little…」

「You look great, I assure you.」

Chris was also wearing a bunny suit, but she was glancing back and forth between her own chest and Mimi’s, looking rather defeated. Chris, it’s not all about size, you know. Of course, having a larger chest is wonderful, and Mimi’s size and shape are absolutely top-notch, her chest is truly outstanding, really. But that doesn’t mean your still-growing chest isn’t great too, Chris. There is no hierarchy when it comes to breasts. Let’s be calm, if I go on too passionately about this, everyone might think I’m a creep. I’ll be humble and not say too much.

「Ha ha ha, it’s so flashy and nice.」

「Aren’t you going to wear a costume too, Doctor?」

「The costumes I bought are a bit too daring.」

「More daring than what Mimi is wearing? That would basically be underwear!」

Dr. Shouko, wearing her usual attire minus the lab coat, was laughing as she watched everyone in their cosplay outfits. Neve, who was making a comment about Dr. Shouko, was dressed in a pure white one-piece dress. With her pale skin, white hair, and white dress, Neve looked like a vision in white. If you only looked at her appearance, she seemed like a delicate, ephemeral girl, which suited her well—though her true nature was another story.

But really, what did Dr. Shouko buy that even she calls it ‘too daring’? I only suggested the bunny suits and the elf-like outfits that looked like cheongsams, the rest of the costumes were chosen by the girls.

「I-I’m feeling a bit restless…」

「Meow~」

Kugi was also dressed in a maid outfit like Elma and Mei, but she seemed uncomfortable with the feel of the white brim, continuously twitching her fox ears on top of her head. It might just be that she’s not used to the feel of this outfit compared to her usual cyber-style shrine maiden clothes.

And then there was Mei. What’s that? Cat ears—why are cat ears on her head? How outrageous. Let me feel them! And she even has a tail!

「This is a prototype cat-ear attachment created based on Kugi-san’s data.」

「Cat-ear attachment?」

「It also comes with a tail.」

Despite her completely expressionless face, Mei exuded an intense sense of pride as she turned around and showed me the cat-like tail extending from her waist. Oh, so it has a tail hole, just like Kugi’s maid outfit. No, wait, that’s not the point here.

「Where did you even get something like that?」

「There is a workshop of Orient Industries on Dexer III, Master. I had them send a prototype via express delivery.」

「Um, what do you mean by ‘my data’…?」

「Just a little bit of data on your natural ear and tail movements. Don’t worry, no personal information was used. It’s only motion data.」

The cat ears standing straight up on Mei’s head and the tail swaying back and forth behind her were clearly displaying how proud she was of the attachment. It’s funny how her lack of expression still manages to convey so much emotion.

「Still, you know… I really think using your captain’s authority to make us do this sort of thing is a bit much.」

「But I wanted to see it…」

「You’re seriously saying that? That’s just… wow, that’s a bit much, even for you…」

「I feel like I’m on top of the world.」

As I said that with a serious face, flanked by Tina and Wiska in their elf dresses, Elma gave me an exasperated look and gave up. What can I do? This is every man’s dream, isn’t it? I’m restraining myself from doing something more intense, so allow me this much, okay?

「Well, ain’t it fine? Doin’ this once in a while should be alright. I mean, Boss is usually pretty stoic, ‘cept at night. And when things get rough, he always puts our safety first.」

「I don’t mind doing this sometimes…」

Tina defended me as she pressed herself against my body, draping herself over me. Wiska agreed with her modestly and also snuggled closely up to me.

「Well, if you think about it, using your captain’s authority to make us cosplay for you isn’t the worst you could make us do, I guess it’s pretty tame…」

「Elma-san what do you think would be the worst thing the captain authority could make us do?」

「Oh, in the worst case he could make us do a massive orgy while high on drugs. Compared to that, making us wear cosplay costumes and just leer at us like Hiro does is pretty restrained, don’t you think?」

「You’re joking, right…?」

「Let me just say it again: as a mercenary, you are really exceptionally well-behaved, Hiro. It’s not uncommon for mercenaries to drown in booze, drugs, and women as soon as they have some money. You only have several women on your ship, and we are here by our own volition. Compared to those guys you are practically an angel, Hiro.」

「An angel, huh…」

Hearing about the typical behavior of less ethical, womanizing mercenaries from Elma, Chris’s face turned red. Next to her, Mimi also looked a bit flustered, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her reaction wasn’t as strong as Chris’s. This was likely because Mimi had seen and heard plenty of such stories since she joined the crew. She often talks alone with the reception ladies at the Mercenary Guild, it seems they are worried about her, I’ve head them ask her questions like: ‘Aren’t you working for a captain who surrounds himself with lots of women? Are you alright? Are you being treated poorly?’ I find these insinuations quite offensive really. I treat my crew with the utmost gentlemanly respect. What? Are you saying that my current behavior isn’t gentlemanly? I don’t know what you are talking about…

☆★☆

After the cosplay show ended, we had an after-party, which became a second round of cosplay. This time, I was the one being turned into everyone’s dress-up doll. They made me wear all sorts of strange outfits and even act out some skits. Well, considering I dressed them all up in cosplay costumes and enjoyed watching them, it’s only fair they get to do the same. Still, it was a terrible sight, so I decided to seal away those memories.

And then, later that night…

「We can’t do it, and you know it.」

I declared firmly to Chris, who had come to visit my room.

「It’s okay. Grandfather will allow it.」

Chris replied with a sweet smile. Her outfit was a sheer, see-through negligee. Oh no, this isn’t good. This isn’t good at all. Oh dear, this is problematic.

「Even if that’s the case…」

This is troublesome. I can’t just go and ask Earl Dareinwald, ‘Is it alright if I make a move on your granddaughter?’ But if Chris says she has his permission and there’s no issue, I have little reason to refuse her advances.

「You’re not going to turn me down because we aren’t married yet, are you?」

「Guh…」

That’s a weak point for me. The only one I’m officially married to is Mimi, and I haven’t any legal relationships with any of the other crew members. It’s more like a common-law marriage, if anything. Given that I’ve already been involved with the others in such a state, refusing Chris’s advances on such grounds wouldn’t make much sense.

「My body’s size and age are not much different from Mimi’s. I’ve grown, and besides, I’ve undergone enhancement surgery, so I’m sturdy.」

「Stop anticipating my arguments.」

Chris hugged me tightly, wrapping her arms around my waist, and steadily pushed me back into the room. Physically, and in terms of weight, I should be stronger, but I can’t move an inch against her. If I seriously used my psionic abilities, I could easily overpower Chris, but I don’t know what would happen if I rejected her that harshly…

「You really want to do it?」

「I do. You’re going far away again, aren’t you?」

Her onyx-like eyes looked up at me with determination. Knowing Chris, it’s probably true that Earl Dareinwald has given his permission. I had used that as a reason to refuse her before, and she likely remembers that clearly.

「…Alright, I give in.」

If Earl Dareinwald gets angry, I’ll deal with it then. I’ll kowtow or do whatever it takes to get his forgiveness. If he says something like, ‘I’ll cut you down!’ then I’ll resist until the end.