My second Girls und Panzer fanfic. I'm very grateful for everyone's support, and I'd like to apologize for the late update. I've been adjusting each chapter lately and by the end of Jan, 15th, 2017, the next chapter shall be finished.

I do not own Girls und Panzer.

Normally, she'd been stern, seemingly oblivious to what people had thought of her. The only opinion she cared about was how her mother and sister viewed her. Now, even a simple "okay" could set her mind into panic, dreading the next comment would be a scathing one. Usually was nowadays.

"I bet you told your mom to do it before she had you just so that you could inherit the school!" She shook her head, trying to forget the memory. Comments like that where so common now, it was like a trend. An annoying trend she hated, directed at her for what her mom had done.

Could I have actually done something like that? She thought, sitting down in her hotel room. She highly doubted it, didn't seem to fit her personality or desires. Maho had not really wanted to inherit Koromorimene, she only did the duties as the Nishisumi heir so that Miho would not be forced into a life she did not want. Now, all that hard work had been wasted now.

Her amber eyes gazed at the tv, wondering if she should flip it on. American news is often junk, Maho, her mind recited the words of her secret friend. But it has to be better than what is going on in my mind now, she argued, flipping on the small tv set.

What had happen was simple to explain, but hard to grasp. Before Maho had been born, there was another Nishisumi heir, one born to Shiho's older sister, Marie. But, Shiho had the brilliant idea of assassinating her older sister and niece, in order to become the next headmistress of the Nishisumi school. However, nearly nineteen years after the fact, the truth came out with devastating consequences.

Overnight high school diplomas from Kuromorimine became nearly worthless. Many of the colleges stated that they won't accept anymore students whom went to the school, and as such those who had graduated either had to attend one of the lesser collages or go to collage abroad. No one desired any former student from the school, and they where even rumors that the government was going to begin allowing students to retake high school from the beginning if they wanted. To Maho, it seemed absolutely ridiculous, but she knew that there was no arguing with a mainstream decision once it was so firmly ingrained.

Those consequences also affected Maho. Overnight, she had lost the respect of her peers, many of them now teasing her when just the day before they respected her. Even her little sister, Miho, seemed to become afraid of her overnight, which was what had hurt Maho the most. At least Miho's school still supported her, so far as for the headmaster of Ooarai to adopt Miho. And that had brought Maho some relief, though she was devastated with how her sister now seemed to feel toward her now. The two had been so close growing up, when when friction between mother and daughter threatened to pull them apart, they had agreed to stay together. Now, what precious bond was broken, seemingly beyond repair

Maho still cared for her younger sister, as she always had, and in a way she was glad that most people viewed her as a victim instead of an accomplice. By all rights, Maho was a victim herself, but since Shiho was in jail and Maho was to be her successor, it was much easier for people to target Maho when she passed by.

Maho let out a sigh as watched the evening news, finding her friend to be partially right. All it seemed to be was about the newest celebrity or over-hyping some illness you where probably never going to get. She did however find the viral video about the cat on a overboard to be amusing.

Joseph, she thought to herself, pulling out an old picture of them when they where in intermediate school. The two had been best friends back then, and on the day Maho had left for middle school, they made a pact to always keep in touch. Every since then, they've talked at least once a week, often twice over the phone. He's seems to be the only friend I have now, she realized with a pang of sorrow.

Can't believe we are meeting face to face for the first time in over six years tomorrow, she smiled to herself, turning the Tv off and tucking herself in. "Maybe my life will turn around after all. At least, I hope so," she whispered hopefully.

Waking at the dawn of daylight, Maho blinked open her eyes and let out a small yawn before rising out of bed. She quickly ran into the rest room, just remembering how early her friend got around." Geez, a kid who regularly wakes up at four in the morning?" She grumbled, brushing her teeth and combing her hair for the day. She then ran back into her room and grabbed a pair of pants and a white casual tee, finishing up with a simple thin black ladies belt. This looks okay, she noted, even though it was eay more casual than she was used to.

Maho had packed extremely light to be moving to a different country, packing everything into one large briefcase. She had brought mostly clothes, and a few necessities, along with about four pictures complete with picture frames. Other than her documents and such, she had left everything else behind, wanting to forget her old life as much as possible.

She folded her night clothes neatly in her briefcase and closed the lid before picking up her purse and walking down to the lobby. She simply handed the secretary her key card and sat down, waiting for her friend to show up.

"In recent news, firefighters extinguished a blaze near the Missouri river, no one was injured in the blaze and officials are stating that it was caused by natural causes, perhaps a lighting strike."

Maho shivered slightly at the mention of that. She remembered one time at a summer camp her mother had hosted, one one of the cabins had caught on fire, and that happened to be the one she was in. Her little sister, Miho, and two other girls named Kay and Erika had also attended. Maho vividly remembered how her mother had courageously bared down the burning cabin door to save them. "At the time I had been so proud of mother, but now... all those feeling went down the drain." she mumbled sadly.

"Ah, hey Maho!" A male voice startled her from her thoughts. She looked up, smiling as she recognized her old friend, "Ah Joseph!" she cried happily, hugging him. He returned the embrace, and Maho nearly let out a sigh as she felt his warm arms fell across her back. "It's been too long," she purred.

"Amen to that," He said, pulling back and gazing at her. "Going with the short hair motif?" He chucked.

Maho brushed her hair self consciously. "Mother said that short hair was best in the tank and I've kinda had it like this every since middle school." She then let out a smirk. "That's quite the mountain man beard you have," she commented.

Joseph chuckled. "Nah, this thing is much smaller than most mountain men beards. Though I tried it for a bit last year before deciding it was more convenient to keep it short." He then bowed. "Thy Chariot awaits, my lady." He humored, taking her suitcase for her.

Maho let out a chuckle. "Ah, you always knew how to brighten my day." she replied, before following him. "So, what model is this chariot thy speak of?" she asked.

"Why, none other than a brand new 2010 Dodge Ram, complete with leather seats, built in Wi-fi, GPS system, and comfort heading and cooling." he chuckled, lifting her briefcase into the back cab.

Maho chuckled again. "I forgot you had a fetish for trucks," she commented.

"If you think that's impressive, then you should see the truck collection I have at home," he bragged good naturally.

Maho gasped. "You have a truck collection?" Well, He's been a gear-head every since I knew him, but a whole collection? I know he inherited a good deal of money but seriously.

Joseph nodded. "Darn right I do!" He smiled, before opening the door. "In you go, my lady,"

Maho flashed him a small smile and climbed in. I had forgotten how much of a gentlemen he is too, she realized.

"So, any shopping we should do before we head home or shall we go tomorrow?" he asked as they pulled out.

Maho nodded. "I can wait a day or two," she decided.

"Alright then, away we go," he replied.

Yep, this is going to work out just fine, She realized. I got my friend with me, a new life to look forward to, nothing could go wrong.

Maho had no idea the surprises life had in store for her, some of them wonderful, some of them not so much. All she knew was that even though her life had taken a turn, there was always light at the end of the tunnel.