A/N: I am not dead. I've been focused on my own original stories, so I've been neglecting writing any fanfic even though I did promise writing a whole bunch.
Since this story is somewhat post-able, I decided why not, while I get some down time from writing my original story... It is hard to write...
Anyway, I wanted to write a story based on Erika, but after some mulling about with story ideas, I decided to write this one, mainly based on a school that no one has heard of, but it DOES EXIST.
Anyway, I'm taking a whole lot of liberties with the story for this fic, so bear with me.
This story might require some knowledge on the Japanese language. For starters, I will refer to the sport with its Japanese name: Senshadou. Some jokes and easter eggs are also Japanese influenced.
The story is written in a Japanese Light Novel style, which if you have read my other stories, you will understand.
Disclaimer: I do not own Girls Und Panzer or any related characters, events, ideas.
Girls Und Panzer
Threads of our past
Chapter 1
"Enemy tank, 40 degrees, right!"
"Emergency reverse! Traverse gun, right! Target enemy tank!"
"Gun loaded!"
"Target, on!"
"Fire!"
The large explosion from the gun erupted, causing the entire interior to shake violently and the intense sound of the gun still rung in the air. If not for the training that they underwent, they would still be shaken up by it. But they have gone through much hardships, training and battles. They were considered 'veterans'. A team made up of different personalities and backgrounds, and yet they came together in this one place and they made their name known. From a nameless place, they were elevated to the top of their field. Indeed, odds were constantly stacked against them, and yet they always prevailed. Their story became the stuff of legends, and with their battles, changed the very foundations on how battles would be fought.
"Enemy tank down!"
"Phew..."
She leaned back upon hearing that piece of news. Pressing on the speaker set around her neck, she announced throughout the radio.
"All right, practice match is over."
The sighs, either of relief or from weariness, echoed through the communications radio. She popped the hatch open and looked out, squinting at the bright fiery orange light of the setting Sun. They had certainly spent quite some time out in the field.
"Ne, Miporin, do you have any plans for dinner?"
She looked down at the call of her name. Popping out from the hatch at the front, the orange haired girl asked whilst looking at her.
"Hmm, I was thinking of buying something from the convenience store."
Her answer was met with a sour expression.
"Mou~, Miporin, you have to eat properly! Didn't I teach you how to make hamburger steaks just the other day?"
"Ah ha ha ha..."
She could only laugh weakly at that.
"Maa maa, Takebe-dono, Nishizumi-dono must be feeling tired. You cannot expect one to hold senshadou practice and then go home to cook a meal."
The messy brown haired loader of the team chirped in.
"I can do that."
"Well, Takebe-dono is an exception. You have the skills of a mother, after all."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's a compliment, Saori-san. She means that you have matured through senshadou."
The long haired gunner said whilst smiling.
"Eh, really? Does that mean I will soon find a boyfriend?"
"Keep dreaming."
"Mako!"
She really liked hearing these sort of pointless banter. It may seem pointless, but it was the fact that it was 'pointless', made it all the more valuable to her.
"For now, let's go back."
Senshadou, the martial art of utilising tanks. To be strong-willed, to cut through all who stand before you, to work with others as a team, fight with honour in your hearts, it was a martial form that sought to hone and improve these characteristics in women. While recent times had seen a decline, the sudden appearance of a certain team made the popularity of the sport explode once more into the limelight of the country. A team that emerged from the shadows. Without a victory to its name, with a team that had been disbanded ages ago, suddenly came together and fought against all odds to be come the champions. They fought not for glory nor fame, but rather for a more simple wish, to preserve their school.
With such earnesty, they captured the hearts of the nation, won the admiration of their enemies, and faced near impossible odds to reach their goal. Winners of the 63rd national high school senshadou tornament. Oarai girls high school. People were impressed by their valor and followed their journey from the bottom, to the top of their league. It wasn't over, however, as the scandal of the Ministry of Education still choosing to close down the school came to hit the front page of newspapers everywhere. The champion school, who fought to preserve their school, was betrayed. They lost their school, and would be forced to go their separate ways. However, news of their final challenge came to light. They would challenge the University's selection team.
A team chosen from various Universities to represent the nation on the international stage. The University selection team was strong, perhaps the strongest in the nation, and the small school with fewer than ten tanks was to face them in a bid to truly save their school. This was news that captured the attention of the nation once more. Would this team be able to pull off yet another miracle? And a miracle did occur. With former opponent teams of Oarai appearing to aid them, the Oarai team fought hard against the University selection team, and won. Once more, they were the front of every newspaper. The miracle of Oarai. Once more, their name was spread far and wide. And the centre of it all, was their captain. The one who first sought to run away from her past and the burden of her name.
The one who was forced to take on the mantle of that which she sought to run away once before. The one who united the team, influenced them to fight on, and lead them to victory. The one who eventually found her own path and brought forth the miracles that saved Oarai. She became a legend, her name being used as a representation of the possibilities that awaited those who perserved despite hardships. She is a daughter of the famous Nishizumi style. Nishizumi Miho.
Jumping off the panzer IV tank, Nishizumi Miho turned around to look at the tank that she commanded. It was a long day and the dirt on the tank was still visible. She thought of spending some time cleaning it, but with daylight fading, it was probably better if she left it for the next day.
"Miporin, shall we head to the baths?"
Takebe Saori asked, to which she turned and nodded to her friend. However, just before she was about to leave, a girl with short cut hair and a monocle on her right eye approached her.
"Nishizumi. The council president wishes to see you."
"Eh? Now?"
She asked, looking at her clothes, which were slightly dirty and still reeked of oil and smoke.
"Well, you may come after you have changed. That is all."
With that, Kawashima Momo, the student council's vice president, turned around and walked off.
"... I wonder what the president wants."
Miho hit the baths and quickly washed herself down. The council present, Kadotani Anzu, was someone that you did not really want to keep waiting. It was also likely that it was something important to discuss, as Miho knew that Anzu would usually call on her in private for important issues. Miho was wondering if the school still faced the possibility of being closed again. That thought was worrying to say the least. As such, Miho rushed through the baths, despite Saori telling her to take her time. Informing the rest of her crew of where she will be, she left the baths ahead of them and got changed, heading straight for the student council room. The student council room was a large room with many members of the council working at their desks. Some members were incharge of the engineering department, some were looking after the fisheries and agriculture departments, some were under electrical department, finance department, and so on.
"Ah, Nishizumi-san?"
One of the council members noticed her arrival and walked over to greet Miho.
"The president is waiting in her office."
The member said, offering to guide Miho. Although Miho already knew where the room was, she still followed.
"The council seems to be working hard."
Miho commented off-handedly. The council member guiding her smiled.
"Ever since Nishizumi-san helped save the school, a large number of proposals has been put forward by the president to ensure that we remain open. Not only in senshadou, but in other areas including academia, flower-arrangement, agricultural studies, calligraphy, ninjutsu and other fields have all been heavily promoted."
"Wow, no wonder things are looking so hectic."
"Ha ha, well, we have to ensure that your victory is not in vain. Besides, we have to make sure that this Oarai school is worthy of holding the name of senshadou champions."
The council member answered, stopping before the doors to the council president's office.
"The president is waiting inside."
The council member said before turning around to face Miho and bowing to her, causing the captain of the senshadou team to be slightly confused.
"We really have to thank you, Nishizumi-san, for all of your efforts and hardwork in bringing us back our home. Words are not enough to express how thankful we are."
"Eh? Eh? A-ah! Y-you don't have to bow!"
Miho exclaimed, but then noticed that all council members in the office suddenly stopped working and were all on their feet, bowing towards her. This really put her on the spot.
"I-it wasn't only my own efforts! It's all thanks to those who came to help us that-"
"As always, being humble."
A voice said, making Miho turn. Stepping out from the president's office, the short figure of the student council president, Kadotani Anzu, smiled whilst chewing on some dried sweet potato strips.
"President!"
"Now now, come on in, Nishizumi-chan. Ah, Tanigawa, I want the financial report for last month's expenditures including off-shore resupplies, as well as projections from the engineering departments. Tell Asagiri-chan that if she wants the turbine department to have an increase of budget, she must submit a figure that I can agree with. Try to get it done by tomorrow."
Anzu said to the council member who guided Miho. The council member nodded and left.
"Well then, Nishizumi-chan, come on in."
Anzu said, walking back into her office. Miho followed the president and was surprised to see two other people there whom she did not expect to be there. With shoulder length hair, the commander of the first year tank, Sawa Azusa, looked rather confused by why she was called here, as evident by the worried expression on her face. The other person was another first year student, dressed as usual in her sports attire, Isobe Noriko, commander of the Duck team, and always wishing to revive the volleyball team, but to no avail.
"Now that we've all gathered, I would like to discuss something with you three."
Anzu said, taking a seat at the coffee table in the room, gesturing the others to do the same. Seating themselves on the various sofa seats, Koyama Yuzu, the secretary of the student council, walked over to the coffee table and poured some tea for them, as well as setting down a tray of biscuits. Anzu, as usual, ate her sweet potato snacks.
"So, president, what have you called us here for?"
Noriko asked.
"Are you allowing me to revive the volleyball club?"
"Nope."
The straight-forward, immediate answer made Noriko sulk a little.
"What I have called you three here for, is to discuss the future of Oarai's senshadou team."
At that, the three who were called here were all confused and puzzled by that statement.
"The future of Oarai?"
Miho quizzed, and Anzu nodded.
"Exactly. As you know, I am already in my third year, and will soon graduate."
Those words hit the other three rather hard. Miho knew that things will continue to change as time goes on, but to be reminded of it was still painful.
"In a while, I will announce the next student council elections, however that will only mean that the one incharge of the school and the school ship will change. Our school survived because of our senshadou team. By winning, we saved our school and secured our name as champions. The senshadou federation, as promised, subsidised quite a fair amount to ease our budget, but it is still up to us to improve our school's image and ensure its survival. That is why I have put forward the various improvements to promote other areas in which our school can excel in. But until the time when these other fields can provide their worth, we will have to depend on our senshadou team to keep winning and ensuring that our school is not shut down."
Anzu explained. While the two first years were a little overwhelmed by this information, Miho was a little more understanding.
"And that is why we have to discuss on the subject of succession."
Anzu said while looking at Noriko and Azusa.
"The two of you are the better first year teams we have, and one of you will have to take on Nishizumi-chan's mantle of being the next Captain. This will not happen eventually, but as Nishizumi-chan is quite skilled, I believe that whoever has to take over her place will need to start training as soon as possible. Ever since we won the championship title, as well as defeating the University selection team, our school has received an influx of new students, and some of those students will definitely choose to join our senshadou team. Therefore the two of you will have to keep training to ensure that you reach an acceptable level."
The two first years looked to one another and nodded, before turning to Anzu.
"President, we will not let you down!"
Noriko said with confidence.
"We will keep defending our school!"
Azusa added. Anzu nodded with satisfaction and turned to Miho.
"Nishizumi-chan, you will need to pick one of them to be your successor. The other will be trained to be the second in command."
Anzu said.
"Ah, president, do you mean taking over the turtle team?"
Miho wondered, to which Anzu smirked.
"No, they will stick to their own tanks for now. While I do have plans to purchase new tanks in order to supplement the incoming influx of students, the turtle team will be fielded by a group of my own choosing. After all, the hetzer must fulfil certain roles that, without specific training, will fail to achieve. I have already screened through some people who can take over and will begin training them soon. So, Nishizumi-chan, who do you pick as your successor?"
Anzu asked. Miho felt rather awkward, looking at the two first years, needing to choose one? Miho looked nervously at the two, and the two first years noticed.
"Captain, you don't need to worry about choosing one."
Noriko said.
"Exactly, senpai, we have worked together for so long, so we will be happy with whoever is chosen."
Azusa added. Miho still felt rather pressured to be choosing one. However in her heart, she knew that of the two, one was better for the job than the other.
"... Then, I will choose Sawa-san."
Miho said, to which the person in question looked quite surprised by this selection despite what she said earlier.
"Eh? Senpai? Not Isobe-san?"
Azusa wondered, to which Miho nodded.
"Isobe-san is skilled in battle and has a good handle for tactics, the Duck team is also probably one of the best teams we have due to their teamwork. Their skills are indeed the highest of the teams."
Miho noted.
"However, the captain is one who makes calls and judgements that not only affect their tank, but all others. The captain must be able to read the enemy formations and formulate an effective strategy against it. Sawa-san has performed this on various occasions, knowing the limits of your crew and finding ways to attack the enemy's weak points, working within various environments to formulate new strategies. While the Duck team is able to do the same, the problem comes from how Oarai's team is structured."
"How we are structured?"
The others asked and Miho nodded, pointing to the whiteboard in the room that had always been used for strategic planning, therefore still having the information sheets of various tanks, as well as a map with marked points for the tanks in formation.
"Unlike other school teams, our team is made up of different tanks from different countries. We do not focus on a single type of tank and this reflects on how we fight. Each team is highly skilled individually, and we are still able to fight cohesively together."
"That is why, even during the University match, when we were joined by tanks of other schools, we are still able to fight at our best, because our team itself is a mixed team."
Anzu said.
"Exactly. We are used to fighting in mixed teams and when mixed with other teams, we are able to adapt and fight with changing strategies. In the first place, due to the mixture of tanks, as well as the constant threat of being outnumbered, the main fighting style that I devised is based upon hit and run tactics, as well as guerrilla attacks, luring the enemy into small confined areas such as urban environments in order to minimise the threat that the enemy can force upon us. While Isobe-san is skilled, her skills are best used for her crew as they are unified as a team through sports. I am impressed by the numerous times the Duck team has come up with interesting strategies to take on different opponents, however I feel as though such tactics are only applicable on a squad level, at most. Sawa-san, on the other hand, has shown to be more flexible, able to change her tactics more readily, however there are still things that are necessary to improve upon."
Miho pointed out. Noriko nodded as she understood what was said. Azusa, while pleased and slightly embarrassed by the praise she received, was also well aware that Miho was pointing out the problems that she held.
"Well then, Nishizumi-chan, we will begin the training process soon. Sawa-chan will train under Nishizumi-chan in overall leadership and tactics. Isobe-chan will focus on team training and prepare to induct new members."
Anzu said, looking around and noticing Kawashima Momo standing by one side, silently listening to the entire conversation.
"Kawashima."
"Yes, president."
Momo stepped forward at the call of her name.
"You will teach Isobe-chan on some points of managing the teams. She will have to act as a central morale figure, and will need to support Sawa-chan in the future."
"Yes president."
"Nishizumi-chan, do you have any words you like to say to these two?"
Miho thought about it for a moment, before looking at the two first years.
"Things will be tough in the future, but as long as you believe in yourselves and your teammates, victory will always show itself."
"Nishizumi-chan, I will call for you again when we begin the negotiating process of buying new tanks."
Was what Anzu told Miho before she left the president's office. Stepping out of the student council office, Miho was approached by Azusa.
"Senpai, are you sure you want me to take over?"
The first year asked once more, to which Miho smiled and nodded.
"I think you have what it takes to lead a team. Of course no one is perfect, but it is important to recognise those faults and work to improve yourself constantly. I still have much to learn myself, but I will do my best to instruct you on how to lead Oarai."
"I will do my best to meet your expectations!"
Azusa cried out and bowed.
"Well, we will begin during the next training session. For now, you should head back home since it's so late."
"Yes!"
Watching Azusa rush off, Miho turned and headed towards her classroom, having left her belongings there. However she did not need to as her team members were waiting for her around the corner with her bag.
"Miporin, was the talk something bad?"
Saori asked worryingly, to which Miho smiled and shook her head.
"No, it's nothing that serious. Just the talk of succession."
"Succession?"
"Ah, the president is going to graduate soon."
Akiyama Yukari pointed out, and the rest of the team suddenly came to that realisation.
" " Ah." "
Was the unified realisation.
"I wonder if the president is going to go on to a University."
Saori wondered.
"Most likely she will. Not only is she the president of a school ship, but she was able to negotiate with the Ministry to the point of saving the school. I wouldn't be surprised if she received multiple scholarships."
"Speaking of which, since we've been so preoccupied with senshadou, how are your grades?"
Isuzu Hana asked.
"I'm doing fine."
Reizei Mako answered in her usual monotonous voice. As expected of the top scorer of their grade.
"I've been putting more effort in language classes. If I want to improve on my radio skills, I must also improve on language! 'English! Come on!'"
Saori declared out loud.
"That sentence made no sense. But Saori, you've been slacking in literature class."
Mako pointed out.
"There's no point in understanding such old and long winded usage of words! Convey your feelings with fewer and more direct words! Like directing tanks across the map!"
"There's nothing direct about that."
"I've been having trying to improve my physics score. I don't seem to understand some of the formulae."
Hana sighed in dismay.
"Even though you're the gunner?"
Saori asked
"Shooting and calculating how far Takashi can throw a ball at an angle are two different things."
"Not really."
Mako muttered.
"What about you Miporin?"
Saori turned to Miho, who smiled sheepishly.
"Erm... While I am getting normal grades, I seem to have some trouble with Japanese history and Social studies."
"But Nishizumi-dono, I remember you getting quite high grades in general. Getting about 70s. I remember Nishizumi-dono studying very hard for the recent tests."
Yukari pointed out.
"Eh? Why do you know that?"
"I was looking at the scores while in the teacher's office."
Yukari said, at which Miho wondered about something.
"Yukari-san... why were you in the teacher's office?"
She asked, to which Yukari smiled sheepishly.
"Because I failed quite a number of subjects."
"A number?"
"About 6 of them."
The rest of the crew looked at her in shock.
"Ah, but because of senshadou, we get some credits for the courses, so it all works out."
Yukari smiled, but Saori would have none of that.
"The credits we get from senshadou is not enough to cover more than 2 subjects! Although we can get scholarships for certain Universities with good senshadou records, it is still important to get good grades! Even if you don't want to get into a University, the fact remains that you might have to repeat if your results are not good enough!"
"Eh? Takebe-dono, you can't be serious."
"I am! Miporin! Say something too!"
Saori turned to Miho, who was also quite worried.
"Yukari-san, you need to study harder. I would like for all of us to graduate together."
At Miho's words, Yukari's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Awawawawa, Nishizumi-dono said she wants to graduate together! Together! With little me! Ah! This isn't good! Takebe-dono! Reizei-dono! I require assistance!"
Yukari immediately turned to the two in question. While Mako seemed to show an expression that read 'bothersome', Saori was more than ready to accept that request.
"All right! Since it's come down to this, we will hold a study session! We will hold it at my place tomorrow! Mako, make sure you come as well!"
"Eehh?"
"Miho! You have a visitor!"
Nishizumi Miho looked up at the call of her name. One of her classmates had called out for her by the door. Miho got up from her seat, wondering who might visit her. She walked over to the door and saw that Sawa Azusa was there with a notebook in hand.
"Thank you, Ooshina-san."
Miho thanked her classmate, before turning to Azusa.
"Sawa-san? Did you need something?"
Miho asked, to which Azusa nodded, producing the notebook to Miho.
"Senpai, as I do not know how to begin learning tactics and strategies, I was thinking about handing you a book with which I used during past matches. Inside are notes that I had taken down of both our own strategies as well as our opponents! I want you to check if I had made any errors in my own evaluation and ideas on what the strategies were used meant."
Miho was personally quite surprised that Azusa took on the initiative to do this as she had not asked her to do so. In first place, it was less than a day since the talk of successions was made, and she had already come up with something like this? Miho did admit that she had never thought of 'teaching' anyone about senshadou. She, herself, chose to run away from the Nishizumi style, however it is not wrong to say that Miho had her foundations in the Nishizumi style and used it to strengthen her own ways. The Nishizumi style was strong, that was obvious from the get-go, so anyone using that as the foundation would obviously have an advantage. But was Miho in a position to teach that? In the first place, wasn't she considered 'disowned'? While no official word of her disinheritance was made, Miho had more or less believed herself to be disowned by her family.
"Senpai?"
Azusa looked at Miho worryingly. Was she putting Azusa in a weird position.
"Ah, sorry about that. I was just thinking that you've put a rather interesting proposition forward. It is true that I am not sure how best to teach 'tactics'. I suppose we can start here."
Miho smiled, taking the book and flipping through some pages. They were indeed detailed accounts of the strategies used during the previous matches. Alongside were several notes, most likely Azusa's own conjectures, and other possible ideas on how best to approach the situation. Of course, since the match was already over, going over what else could have gone on was purely wishful speculations. Hindsight is always perfect sight, as they say. But looking at the notes, Miho did note that Azusa poured a whole lot of attention into the matches. She most likely procured the recordings of the matches and watched them numerous times.
She was a studious person, and while it isn't wrong, Miho was rather worried that she might put too much emphasis on following the book, particularly if that book was written by Miho. The whole point of Oarai's fighting style was to be non-static. A single formation or tactic would never work, and it was only by constantly changing and adapting, would they see victory in the end. Of course, Miho was also worried about making Azusa depressed over something like this. She still had two years to learn the ropes. She will probably mature over time.
"I will say that it is a really detailed book. I will look over it when I can and will add my own comments to it."
Miho said, and Azusa smiled excitedly, bowing to her.
"Thank you very much, senpai!"
As Azusa left, another person quickly appeared before Miho could retreat back into her class. Chewing on more sweet potato snacks, the student council president, Kadotani Anzu approached Miho.
"Oh, Nishizumi-chan, I came to tell you something."
"Has the negotiations for purchasing new tanks begun already?"
Miho wondered if it really was this quick. Anzu shook her head.
"No, not yet. I'm currently holding talks with St Gloriana and Saunders first, but no guarantees. What I'm here about is that we have received a challenge match, and quite an interesting one too."
That caught Miho's attention. A challenge match? After winning the championship and beating the University selection team, Miho had expected a flurry of challenge matches to come in from other schools, but everything was quiet for a some time. Perhaps the other schools were being respectful that Oarai just went through a major match and wanted them to rest first. But there were also practice matches with other schools, and those were in no short supply. St Gloriana was always eager to have practice matches with them, and Darjeeling would always pop by randomly. A challenge match, however, was something new. Oarai never received one, being the one to issue them instead. As a smaller school, that was obvious.
"What is so interesting about it?"
"There are some weird conditions. This time, we are going to outnumber them. They will field four tanks, while we can field all eight."
"That is indeed a weird condition. Who is the challenger?"
"Maple High School. They didn't attend the last tournament as they were too busy with the seasonal fishing in the North Pacific. Apparently they want to test out their new tanks, and so have issued us with this challenge."
"Maple High School... I'm certain that their senshadou is a very active group, and that they specialise in mobile warfare... but new tanks?"
Miho had to wonder what about this uneasiness in her heart that was making her want to refuse this letter. But it was a challenge letter. To refuse it was something that would be them in a disadvantageous position, particularly with the threat of their school ship being taken away still a very real one.
"... I guess we will have to see what sort of tanks they are planning on fielding."