'Commander. Please grant me a permission to have a match with the Vice-Commander!'
The last time I made a challenge was not in front of her but via Maho instead. Thinking back, I was really make a fool out of myself. Even though I did receive supports from the girls who shared the same thought as me.
But the thing that matters to me now is: I need to help Miho. I need to get her establishing her own…zone. Confident and calm. Don't let anyone's words to control you.
I was amazed by that girl's spirit though. She actually accepted my challenge. I really don't know what to do if she'd said no.
Still, that leaves me with one thing in mind. Would Miho do it? Would she…despite everyone's hard effort…
Would she do it again?
Thinking back of that moment, it makes my blood boil…
…
…
…
"Erika-chan, are you out of your mind?!"
It was the question coming from Erika's childhood friend, Leila Rou, along with her high raised voice volume, gaining many ears inside the room.
"Leila, keep your voice down. We are inside the cantina here." Erika was remained unfazed as she continued eating her rice and burger lunch set meal at her own leisure.
Hearing it, the flustered Leila quickly bowed in apologize to everyone sitting nearby.
"Hey it's fine. It's a formal challenge request. There's no stake in it."
'Are you wanting to take over the Vice-Commander position?'
It was Maho's question when Erika had come forward with a challenge request.
'No. I do not. All I want…is to know that if Vice-Commander is willing to do Sensha-do. Not half-hearted like everyone here assumed that she would be.'
'And I do prefer the act rather than words. So please. Prove it…to us. That if you're willing to do it.'
"…It's not like I would take over her position if I won, or me would quit the Sensha-do if I lost." Erika reassured her.
"Well, since you've put it that way…" Leila's finger scratched lightly on her cheek. "But I can't exactly imagine that you would quit Sensha-do though."
Not for me. But you on the other hand…
"It's no lost to anyone. Beside, this is just for my own selfishness."
"Are you sure about that?"
Hearing a voice, Erika turned and looked up over her shoulder and was a bit surprised to see the three familiar faces.
"Takeko, Takami, Megumi."
"Hehe. And here I still can't believe that you actually did it." Takeko said, taking the seat next to Erika.
"We are a team here. You will need us, you know?" Megumi said.
"Nah-nah. Maybe we should seat this one out," Takami, the loader teased. "See how our commander can do it in the 4-seater tank."
"Like a turtle, I would say." Erika grinned back, taking the joke well. "Are you nervous that you don't want to join me?"
"No way!" Takami promptly responded. "We have enrolled here in Kuromorimine because we want to do the Sensha-do with everything we have."
"In other word, you can count on us." Megumi said.
"This should be fun! Fighting the Nishizumi." Takeko said, grinning wide with her teeth.
"Thanks girls. You're awesome."
Erika's words made the three beaming their smiles.
"I told ya that we would make a great team."
…Well, we're still missing one.
"Ehem! What about me?" The nearby twin-tailed puffed out her pink cheeks like a hamster.
"But of course. I'm counting on you, Leila."
Seeing Erika's smile was very…charming, Leila's heart couldn't help but beating faster than before.
"Ye-yeah! You can count on me!"
Erika checked the time on her phone.
"We will have some time before the duel. I will see you back on the Training Grounds."
She bid them goodbye, bringing her lunch tray to the designated placing holder.
"Erika-chan...She seemed very mature than before..." Leila's words gained the three's interested.
"Oh, is that so?" Takami lifted an eyebrow.
"How long has she do the Sensha-do?" Megumi asked.
"For too long I might say." Leila answered. "She is used to be the Commander of a Sensha-do team since elementary school. And then, Kuromorimine's youth team was the opponent…"
And here the cue for Leila began to share Erika's story to the three. The one with a bitterness end, yet full of pride and inspiration for doing the Sensha-do, and the very reason why Erika Itsumi had enrolled in Kuromorimine in the first place.
…
…
Just before Erika could have react the exit, she encountered another familiar face who had a messy short brown hair and blue eyes.
"Oh, excuse me."
"It's alright, Koume." Erika said.
"Eh?"
"Oh sorry! I mean, Akaboshi-san! Sorry, my mistake!"
Damn, I should be more careful. Even though she is as same as Leila, a different person from that timeline but…but…
'Th-thank you…for being a part of my crew. Enduring…staying…with me all the way till this very moment. Thank you, Koume. I'm really glad to have you.'
'O-oh…d-don't mention it...I should be thanking you, Erika… Miho-san is an amazing person, but you're more…cooler than her. Hihi.'
"…Are you alright, Itsumi-san?" Koume asked, noticing a pinkness appeared on Erika's face.
"I-I'm fine…"
After a few footsteps distancing between them, Erika turned to Koume, calling out.
"Akaboshi-san."
"?"
"Mih—Nishizumi-san…the Vice-Commander will need your help. She…doesn't have many friends. She will count on you...so do your best, ok?"
"...uhm...hai (yes)." She nodded.
It was then Erika finally bid her depart.
Right. Let's go over with the plan.
~0~
It was in the late afternoon, as the school was dismissing away its number of students, bringing the silence upon its ground. However, there's a single Panzer 38(t) continued rolling its tracks on the opened field, turning swiftly in a set of time.
"Driver, reverse back for five meters and stop." Erika gave the command to Takeko.
"Ahhh, this takes me back." Megumi said, bathing the cool wind from her opened hatch.
"If you pull out another dad joke, I will toss you out of the tank." said Takeko who was rather not amused.
"Girl, you're crazy." Takami said.
"I'm the craziest driver you will ever get!"
"Craziest driver..." Erika muttered.
Unconsciously, a smile was formed across Erika's face.
If Cadenza was here, I wonder who would win...
Without a warning, she felt her chest was…oddly heavy. When Erika had thought of Cadenza, she began to think about the others as well.
Leila. Sheska. Kai. Cadenza…
'Erika-chan.' 'Erika-senpai.' 'Commander.' 'Comandante.'
'Let's do this, everyone! Panzer Marsch!'
"Erika. What's wrong?" The loader asked.
Once again, she was pulled back into that old world. Once more, she had returned here.
"Oh, it's nothing." Erika answered.
"It's nothing…"
~0~
The day had finally arrived.
On the same opened field, where Erika and her crew practiced their maneuver training, was filled with many people. Four light panzers were lined up side by side. Two Panzer IIs and two Panzer 35(t)s.
"For this type of match, we are applying the annihilation rule. It will be two versus two." Ren, the former Vice-Commander enlightened the two teams with the rule.
"Panzer IIs and Panzer 35(t)s are your chosen panzers for the match. Each team will have each one."
Ahh…This takes me back. Sorry Takeko, can't help it.
"In this match…has something that you're all seeking for." It was Maho's turn, looking over both Miho and Erika.
"Do your best, show your skill. And do not soil the name of Kuromorimine."
"Bow!" By Ren's word, both teams greeted to each other.
""Yoroshiku onegaishimasu! (Let's have a good match!)""
Before she went to her designated panzers, Erika called out.
"Vice-Commander."
"Itsumi-san…?"
"…"
'I will not acknowledge you as Vice-Commander. No matter what.'
'Your behavior up until now did not feel like the Nishizumi Style at all. I have no reason to follow someone like that.'
'Just watch. I will smash your heresy.'
Again and again, the words spoke out of temper, out of shortsighted pride, were echoing on the back of Erika's mind. No matter how much she tried to, those spoken words, she could not take them back.
I'm such a fool…
Embarrassed and shame, that's what she's feeling it.
Both of her hands gripped tight, as they're tempted to launch right at herself, her own face just so to remove those words, bury them away.
After one good inhaling, her icy blue eyes looked straight at Miho's face.
"…Please. Do not hold back. That's all I ask."
Miho's expression quickly shifted from unease to a surprised one.
"Because I won't pull any punch out there either." With that, Erika turned and walked toward to her tanks.
"Itsumi-san…"
When Erika returned to her Pz. 35(t), she noticed Leila was simply showing her bright teeth smile along with a thumb-up. Erika returned the gesture with a light nod and a faint smile.
"Sorry for making you girls do this." Erika said softly to her crew once she entered the tank.
"Oh hey, come on now." Takeko said. "Don't go soft on us."
"After all, our tank commander is about to do the extraordinary thing."
"With this match, everyone would recognize our strength. It's the best stage you could have ask for."
"You're right. Sorry." Erika chuckled. After one good inhaling into her lungs, she let out her powerful voice.
"Let's go. We are doing this!"
"""OOOHH! !"""
We are doing this. To lose!
That's Erika genius plan?! …Well of course, in a way. She needed Miho to prove her skill and strength on this match to show everyone what she is capable of. That was her plan after all. To lose.
However, let's called it: a handicap. That's what Erika would grant for Miho in this challenge.
~0~
Once the preparation was completed, then came the signal.
« Begin! »
"Panzer Vor!"
"Panzer Marsch!"
Back in the Plaza, the spectators watched the projection screen mounted on Schwerer Gustav replica showing live images of the match thanks to the flying drones.
C-Sector… Erika thought as she looked over some familiar landmarks and its terrain.
Never image that this very ground would become the battlefield for our fight, saving Kuromorimine from Karen-senpai and her rogue company…
'You have defeated me fair and square, well done. Kommandant.'
'You have protected….and saved Kuromorimine, Erika.'
"…"
« So what's the plan, Bayreuth 1? » Leila's voice quickly had Erika returned back to the reality.
"…According to the map. There is a hill nearby. We should move fast, taking the high ground should give us the advance."
« Oka— »
The ground was promptly dug up by multiple projectiles, cutting off Leila's transmitting voice.
« Contact! Elevated position at eleven o'clock. Distance thirteen and hundred meters! »
"Spread out!" With a collected mind (or knowing this beforehand), Erika quickly gave the order.
"How did she get up there so fast?!" The crew was surprised.
"It's one of the Nishizumi Style strength. She already knew the terrain like the back of her hand." Erika enlighten them. "But it's quite a magic that she had done it so quick before us."
"So this is the Nishizumi Style…" Megumi acknowledged it.
"If she is here, then the 35(t) would be somewhere nearby!" Takami said.
"Don't worry. I don't see it." Erika calmly said. "It's just Miho alone on the hill."
« Should I come up there and flush her out? » asked Bayreuth 2.
"That's what she would want to us to do. The moment you climb on, she would drive straight down here." Erika stated the scenario.
"The other 35(t) isn't here so it must be positioned elsewhere. And Miho would lead us to its ambush."
"Miho? Not Vice-Commander?" Megumi asked.
"What?"
"You said…Miho." Takami said. "Not Vice-Commander."
"…"
"…"
"…"
I want to shoot myself now…
"…so what?"
…That was her only card she could play with.
"Oh nothing." There's a hint of amusement behind her voice.
Damn it! I remembered they're sharp, but not this sharp.
Grinding her teeth for a moment, Erika quickly recollected herself and give the command to her allied Panzer II. "Leil—I mean, Bayreuth 2. Create a feint. As soon as Mi—Panzer II coming up down, join with me."
« Okay! »
Nishizumi Style... Overwhelming strength. Worthy to be called Champions. Symbol of Power.
However, that girl's style is completely different. That's why she was able to do it. Saving us. Defeating Kuromorimine. Once more, she triumphed over the impossible.
But damn. It's good to be back. Fighting her once more like this…but…
…
…
"Panzer II is coming toward us..." The Panzer's II tank commander updated the situation to her crew. The driver and the loader initially showed their nervous but quickly steadied themselves.
"Let's us move then. Please drive straight down here."
"Yes, Miho-san."
Remembered the training, the driver successfully drove the tank straight down the hill and landed on the lower surface. But her heart was jumped when an explosion was occurred right nearby.
"It's 35(t)!" The driver shouted out.
"Driving in zigzag! Don't let them get a lock on us."
"Y-yes!"
I never expect Itsumi-san could have intercept us so fast. Is she already knew this was coming?
…
…
"She has come down just like you said!" Megumi said.
"Don't press the pedal too hard, Takeko. Follow. Not chasing." Erika gave the specific order.
"You got it, boss."
The pursuit was on, and the distance between them was good for Erika's 35(t)'s 37mm, however, she didn't fire another shot as she was scanning her surroundings as they moved.
Koume should be waiting for us around this area.
With the 37mm, she can take us out with just one hit. This tank's armor is fairly thin after all.
"Takeko, slower your speech."
"Are you sure, Erika? We are rather exposed out here. They might get a good clean shot at us."
"Or maybe not. I will keep an eye out."
"…Alright. You're the boss."
Their speed was soon decreased, allowing Miho's Panzer II to gain the distance rapidly.
This should be easy for Koume. Just one good hit and we will be out of the game. Then Miho won't have a trouble knocking out Leila's tank. This is good.
This is good enough…
…
So that's it, huh? You threw in the towel before the match even begin. Kinda pathetic, don't you think?
It was not Erika's thought. It's a whispering voice.
That's quite a radical thing for Erika the Radical, eh? You're really becoming the unsung hero. To your own self.
No one will know what's your intention is.
Never will.
"…"
…
…
On an elevated ground, a stationary Pz. 35(t) was concealing itself behind the thick bushes. Koume Ababoshi, the tank commander updated the situation.
"This is Bokomon 2. Enemy Panzer 35(t) is in sight."
She was extremely nervous, but with Miho's guiding and also, Erika's words, oddly enough, they're encouraging and boosting her spirit. Koume convinced herself that she can do this.
The target is in sight. The target is locked in. All she needed to do was to pull the trigger.
Sorry, Itsumi-san. It was a thought flashed briefly inside her mind, but her resolve was firm. She can do this. She will do this. She will help Miho.
Just before a moment away for Koume's finger to pull, to what she saw through the periscope. The enemy Pz. 35(t)'s turret made a sudden motion, pointing its gun barrel straight at her.
Not a moment too soon, a flash emitted from the gun barrel.
A portion of earth nearby exploded upward right next to Koume's panzer. Erika's panzer's coaxial gun was opened fired as well, slashing up the dirt.
"KKYYAAA! She spotted us!"
"No way! How did she know?!"
"R-reverse! Reverse!" Koume gave the order to the driver. Quickly the Panzer 35(t) reversed, evading another shell.
…
…
I do feel I'm a bit cheated...but…
"Oh fuck it! We're going to win this!" Erika declared openly, bringing a bit confusion to her crew.
"Aren't we exactly doing that at the moment?"
Ignoring their question, Erika contacted Leila.
"Bayreuth 2. Get her!"
…
…
"I-I'm sorry, Miho-san. Our ambush is failed!" Koume contacted her team leader.
« Cop-copy! Please make haste to our rendezvous point. »
"Koume-san! Our three o'clock! Panzer II!"
"!?"
It was too late for the tank commander to do anything as the enemy's 20mm auto-cannon opened fire.
Once the magazine of auto-cannon was depleted, a little white flag was erected on top of the beaten Pz. 35(t).
« I…I did it! I have taken out an enemy tank! » Leila screamed out joyfully.
…
…
Back on the Plaza ground, all members were rowdy up by the developed event unfolded on the giant screen.
"Oh my god! Those first years have done it! Itsumi's team has knocked out a first tank!"
"They're pretty good." Ren was amazed like the others.
Sitting on the chair, remained as passive as she was with arm folding, Maho only muttered the name.
"Erika Itsumi…"
…
…
« She is running away! » Leila's gun opened fire onto the Miho's panzer, but the moving target was proved to be very difficult for Leila to hit.
Without a warning, a quantity of dense gray smoke released from the back of the moving Panzer II.
« Damn! Smokescreen. I can't see a thing. »
"Don't chase her just yet, Leila." Erika called out. "Let's wait it out for a bit."
« Ok, but that was amazing. Erika-chan! Did you see that? Did you see that? »
"Yeah I saw that. Good work." Despite Erika's casual tone, but she was genuinely happy for Leila.
She then shifted her eyes to the knocked-out Pz. 35(t).
"Takeko. Approach to that 35(t)."
"Uhm, alright."
When Erika's tank made the approach closer to the disabled tank which the crew had already gotten out, Erika could see the girls' faces were dejected, one of them was sulking silently.
Couldn't blame them, Erika thought. They felt that they've failed Miho…
"Hey. You guys alright?" She called out, gaining the rival crew attention.
"...Yes we are fine."
It's Koume's answer, yet her face suffered a number of bruises.
"…Here."
Erika tossed a certain item toward Koume. It's a container of ointment.
"Put some of it on. Otherwise the swelling would be bad." Erika said.
"Uhm…thank you, Itsumi-san…"
There was a moment of pause before the light blonde-haired continued.
"Don't think yourself as a deadweight or something. You all have done well. Vice-Commander would be proud of you."
Her earnest and caring voice brought the defeated crew to somewhat surprised.
"Itsumi-san…"
Erika then signaled her driver to take on the course to pursuit Miho.
« Whoa Erika-chan. Aren't you being too kind? » asked Leila, who had witnessed the whole scene.
"This is just a simple friendly match. Besides, everyone will be our teammates in the future."
"Hey! Don't go make Koume-chan falling in love with you now, ya hear?" Takeko said.
It's a joke. To the three as all expected that she would go: 'Hai, hai (Yeah, yeah)' or 'Like hell I would.'
And Erika's reply?
"I'm not!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
What's this? A full all-out denying with a flustering face? What in the world?
"…I'm not. Ok?" Her redden face along with a serious tone didn't make the three laugh. It just couldn't.
"Okay…"
Soon their tank commander put her upper body above the command hatch just so to avoid their eyes and dumbfound faces.
"Uhm…What just happened?" Takami whispered, carefully not to let Erika hear her voice.
Two shaking heads and shrugging shoulders were all she got.
…
…
The cool wind hitting Erika's face thanks the panzer's speed but its coolness didn't calm down her boiling body temperature.
Goddamnit! This is making my blood boiled. Even though I've tried so hard not to think about it but…but…
'Erika…I…I think I'm falling in love with you.'
Calm down me. Calm down. This is a different timeline. This is a different timeline. Koume here is not that Koume. Koume here is not that Koume! Period!
…
…
"Erika Itsumi. Who is this girl?" Senior members began to say the question among them.
"In the first exchange, she seemed she could tell the Vice-Commander's intention right away."
"That turret's turning. It happened in an instant. Like she knew Akaboshi-san was there from the beginning."
"Like she had a six sense or something."
"..." Maho remained silent as she was, quietly watching the event on screen.
…
…
Right…I changed it. I changed the event of the fight. Now Miho is on her own. One versus two. I wonder what kind of plan she is cranking her brain at the moment?
Without a warning, Erika felt a sudden shifting turn to the left.
Erika was puzzled for a moment, before she could have raise a question to the driver why they had turned, she noticed Miho's tread-prints were heading toward the tree lines.
So she took a turn to the woods, not to the ravine like before.
Ravine…hah, it sure reminds me of that challenge match with BC Freedom and Maginot teams…
No. No. Not now. I'm in the middle of the match here.
Erika's mind soon refocused on the matter at hand.
"Keep your eyes peeled, Bayreuth 2. She is out there."
« Ja. Copy. »
It was strangely quiet as they slowly moved in the woods. Noises of engine of two tanks along with the ground vibration were hard for Erika's senses to detect the third.
Where is she…?
At this point, the suspense for both tank crews was building up too much. They all wanted something to happen.
Then. It did.
A roaring noise of engine by 5 o'clock instantly raised the alert.
"Behind us!" Erika shouted out.
The body of Panzer II moved passed by swiftly, not before it sent something to their way.
Leila's Panzer II's side armor was hit repeatedly, and the tracks were torn apart.
"Bayreuth 2!"
« We're alright, they've knocked out our tracks. We're still in the gam—WAHH—tsssttt! »
Leila's voice was interrupted with high-pitched static. Looking over, Erika soon saw a white flag had popped up on Leila's Panzer II along with delayed smoke and fire burst on their engine deck.
« I'm sorry, Erika. We've been knocked out...It's game over for us... »
Miho had scored the first kill, but she was not done. The Panzer II's main armament soon shifted toward Erika.
"Get us behind those trees!"
The driver pressed hard the pedal, bringing up to full speed as rounds of large calibers were whistling passed over Erika's head.
"Deploy smoke!" Erika pulled the trigger. A volume of dense smoke soon released from the back of their tank once they stopped behind the trees.
"Great. They can't see us. And we can't see them either—"
Erika's put up hand ceased Takami's voice as she gave new order.
"Takeko, give the engine noise down."
"Takami, Megumi. Prepare to fire machine guns on my command."
The two quickly placed their hands onto the said weapons.
Putting her upper body out of the hatch, everything around her was dressed in white-gray color like mist. Erika closed her eyes, isolating the noise of her tank's engine to focus it, Miho's tank engine.
It was nearby.
She then opened her eyes, squeezing them through the curtain of smoke. Through the slow motion of the smoke, a blurry shape was made.
"Now! Fire at between those two pine trees at eleven o'clock!"
Two coaxial guns opened fire at the same time. The tracers flew and soon, they impacted onto something was made out of metal.
"There she is!" Takeko's exclaiming was soon drown out by Erika's order, putting her body to work.
"GO. GO. GO! GO!"
The engine roared out, having everyone leaned hard backward due the momentum as they narrowly evaded another barrage of calibers, cutting and smashing through every thin tree branches.
The moment Erika had come out from the blanket of smoke and the woods, her heart skipped a beat when seeing the Panzer II was in sight, with its main armament was pointing at her.
Shit! She is already reorganized her position right behind Leila's tank!
« Waahh! Don't use me as a shield! » Leila called out, feeling very uncomfortable.
It's going to opened fire!
It did. However, the shots were near-missed, exploding the ground just a few centimeters away from them.
"Wah-ha?! She missed!"
Amidst the faces showing their reliefs, there was one didn't. Quite Opposite, in fact.
"…shit!"
Uncontrollably, Erika slammed her fist on top of her turret.
There she does it again!
Really, that girl is as soft as ever. The voice whispered.
Everyone here is fighting with everything they've got, and all that girl cares is just about herself.
You better stop her from doing that.
"…Get us closer!" Erika gave the order.
"But isn't this distance is good enough for our gun's range?" Takami implied.
"Just go. Punch it!"
"…Ok!" With the built-up adrenaline inside, the driver gladly obeyed.
This was it. No more playing safe as Pz. 35(t) roared its engine loud, and charging straight into the stationary Panzer II like a mad bull.
Take the shot, Miho. Goddamn it! Take. The. Shot!
Panzer II's auto-cannon opened fire again, tearing off the Pz. 35(t)'s rolling tracks. But with the gained momentum, the mass of metal continued to charge straight, almost throwing itself in that manner and violently rammed right at the side of Panzer II. Following the impact, Erika fired her gun, sending the shell directly at Panzer II's engine deck.
…
…
All senpais and junior members immediately stood up from their seat, eyeing toward the screen.
Not a moment too soon. A little white flag popped up.
Not just one.
But two.
Simultaneously. At the same time.
Needlessly to say, all were completely bewildered.
"It's a…draw?"
"It's a draw!"
"It's a draw?"
"A draw!?"
It's not uncommon to see such a result like that on the ground of Sensha-do, but to them, this was the first time and the participants of the first years of Middle School Division had actually did it?
"""OOOHHHHHHHHHH! ! !"""
It was a feast for their eyes.
"Did you see that?!"
"It's so aggressive."
"It's awesome!"
…
…
Once the ringing inside Miho's ears starting to ease down, she looked over her crew.
"I-Is everyone alright?"
"Y-yes, we're fine. Miho-san."
Seeing the condition of her crew was good, Miho then emerged herself through the command's hatch. When she looked up, her heart almost stopping beating.
Because before her very brown eyes, there stood a…Valkyrie, bearing a silver-colored hair and icy blue eyes as there was a flame of war illuminating behind her back.
Miho's weak mind might be exaggerating but it was the best description she could give when facing her, facing Erika.
The Valkyrie, Erika was looking down at Miho not with a sense of admiration or pity, but furious. It's like she has been insulted by something.
"It..Itsumi…san?"
Miho was at lost, having this dreadful feel was starting to swell inside her chest. It was entirely different when seeing her mother or her sister…
"…"
Calm down, me. Calm down...don't slap her…don't slap her…But can I give this girl a good punch? Just once?
Yeah, maybe I shoul—nonono! Stop it. Stop it!
"Ouch…a little help here, please?" Takami called out.
"…I'm coming."
Fortunately for Erika, or for Miho in that situation, her temper was cooled down right away.
~0~
After the recovery operation was completed, the two teams presented themselves before Maho, the Commander.
There was a moment of silent, none had opened their mouth yet.
"So…how did she do?" Maho turned to Erika with her usual expression, but there's a hint of interested.
It was a question. A simple one yet it was bearing quite a gravity for Erika need to think this carefully before she answer.
"…Yes. To me. She have proved herself...she is…good. She is worthy as being the Vice-Commander of this Sensha-do team."
"Erika-chan…" Leila was rather disagreed but she respected her choice.
"And with her performance today. I doubt that no one would have a second opinion about her decision from here on now…" When her sentence was ended, she turned to the senpais, especially to the two who had caused Erika taking the action, challenging Miho for everyone to see it, Miho's ability.
"Am I right, senpais?"
Everyone who stood within her vision sensed a shiver run down on their back.
"Y-yes! Of course!"
"That's a given."
"Without a doubt…"
What is with this girl? Even though she is just a first-year. But those eyes, they're just like Commander. Or more like, she herself is being a Commander…
"Well, I guess that would be all for today. Dismiss!"
"""Arigatou Gozaimashita! ! (Thank you for the match! !)"""
…
…
When the whole group started to deform itself and went on their own way, a voice called out.
"Itsumi-san." It was belonged to Koume as she approached to Erika. "…Th-Thank you."
"…for what?"
There was a moment of pause, but Koume simply smiled, shaking her head lightly and said this.
"It's nothing…I just feel that I want to say it, Itsumi-san."
"Erika."
"Hm?"
"You can call me Erika." Without a warning, Erika's balled fist made a light touch on Koume's shoulder. "Good work out there."
Soon she walked away, leaving the brown-haired who had a red-pink color painting on her face.
Looking at a distance, Ren, the former Vice-Commander turned to Maho.
"Erika Itsumi...she is rather an interesting first-year we've got."
"Indeed." Maho nodded lightly. "Straight forward…but…"
…
…
"I'm not gonna lie. Erika look really pissed off." Takeko said.
"I guess she is really wanted to win." Megumi agreed, feeling it's so close for them.
"No, I don't think so though…" Takami said, remembering the frustrated face which Erika had made when fighting Miho.
~0~
After a moment, Erika finally returned to the locker room. Inside a room having no one else but her, it soon had her to realize that this was the very room she entered again when the Headmistress announced that she would be the new Commander of Kuromorimine…
This locker room…it does make me feel I've gone back in time…wait. I did. And I've rewrote the whole…damn history…I wonder what sort of impact I would get from now on…
But damn it…Miho, you…
"Ah!" A voice exclaimed soon had Erika shifted her eyes to the door. The girl with a short, orange-brown colored hair was standing there.
"…Vice-Commander."
Even though Erika already assumed that she will meet Miho like this again, but she rather not welcomed it. When her mind was too disturbed by the old memory and this newly formed one as well.
Miho then proceeded walk up to her locker, whether to grab something or changing her clothes, Erika couldn't tell.
"…"
"…"
Erika let out a sigh with a mental prepared mind.
Here we go again…
"I would like to ask you this, Vice-Commander…if you don't mind."
"…uhm…Sure, what is it?"
"You held back, didn't you?"
Miho's troubled expression was good enough for the answer.
There it is again...this moment.
"I'm sorry, Itsumi-san. I…"
There she does it again…
"I think it'd be best that I could show everyone that…you…you might…"
I want to slap her…no, I want to hit her…with my fist!
Miho was too preoccupied with herself that she was late to notice that Erika was already stood right in front of her. Just for a few centimeters away.
"Itsumi…san…?"
Without a warning, Erika slammed her opened palm onto the locker, caught Miho completely off guard. The ringing hollow of lockers and vibration was echoing for a moment before Erika said.
"You're underestimating me, Miho Nishizumi."
"If you love Sensha-do, then you should respect it. Not defile it."
"…I…"
"If you pull off something like that again along with that attitude…I. Will. Punch. You."
Once her line was delivered, Erika immediately moved herself away from Miho and walked straight to the door, slamming it right behind.
Miho's legs were out of strength to support to her body as she was slowly dropped herself down to the floor.
~0~
In the spacious walkway by the school building, the light blond-haired student was appeared to be alone. Seeing no one was in sight, she soon crouched down along with her hands pressing hard onto her temples.
Ahh…SHIIIIITTTTTTT! ! ! I DID IT AGAIN!
Shit. Fuck! Shit! What the hell did I do it back there?! I didn't mean to do that!
"Even though I've figured that Miho would do it but…"
It's like something had taken over me in that slit second…
At the very least…I didn't slap her…but still…
"Guess I really wanted to win, huh?"
Erika laughed dryly for a moment.
"Itsumi-san?"
When she turned her head to the voice, she promptly stood up with full attention, letting the schoolbag slid off of her shoulder.
"Ah?! Mah—I mean. Commander!"
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to startle you there."
"N-no. No! It's alright, Commander."
Erika soon noticed some folders was in Maho's hands.
"Are you...are you still sorting out some documents?"
"Oh? You certainly have a keen eye there." She showed the documents briefly in her hand.
It was very awkward for Erika, she didn't know what else to say as the two started to walk together, side by side.
"…"
"…"
"You know. You surprised me." It's Maho who first spoke up.
"You two had some evenly match. But you have exceeded…quite the expectation. Nice work out there."
"…thank you."
KYYYYAAAAAAA! Maho is congratulating me! This is so good!
I do feel I'm a cheater but this is so awesome! The commander is appreciating me. No. No. No. Calm down, evil me. Calm down. Calm down!
"I'm sure you have noticed it." Her next words then caught Erika by surpassed. Not because it's sounded odd, out of topic. But because it happened again. This event…
"Miho is just that kind of person." Maho continued.
"For better or worse, she is just too kind."
"…"
Damn…this is…surreal…it's more than just a Déjà vu.
"To command them. Sometimes, one is forced to sacrifice a few to save many."
"It is important to be prepared for that."
"Itsumi-san. I want you to support her. Make up for her weak parts. Will you lend her a hand?"
Oh my god. This is where she is asking me to help Miho. And yet, I was…I was…gosh! I'm so stupid!
All the more reason Erika wanted to punch and kill herself afterward…
After letting out one heavy sigh, she answered.
"...yes, I will. It was the reason why I have challenged her in the first place."
"..." Maho, without a doubt, was looking at Erika with an astounded face by her words.
There was a silence between them, as a cold sweat was dropped from Erika's temple.
I said it out loud…
"Ff—Hahaha!"
"Commander…?"
The Commander was having trouble of suppressing her laughter as her hands on placed on her stomach.
"Hahahaha! S-sorry…!"
Holy…is this really happening? Is this really happening? She is laughing, not chuckling nor giggling but laughing like that? Oh my god!
"You're an interesting person." Then, a hand was placed on Erika's shoulder. "I'm counting on you, Itsumi-san."
I think I'm going to faint! No good! I need to say something!
"Erika!" She blurted it out.
"Hmm?"
"You…you can call me as…Er…Erika. Commander…"
"…Thank you, Erika. See you tomorrow."
"Yes! See you tomorrow!"
When the Commander had walked away and disappeared by the corner, Erika screamed mentally as do she thrown in a tantrum dance.
"This is the best! This is restart is so good!"
"Uhm…Erika …what are you doing?"
"Haaa—"
She instantly turned into a stone statue with some cracked marks before her crewmates who stood there.
They saw it, didn't they?
Oh god…Is there a checkpoint in this? I want to redo again…
Praying with both heart and mind, Erika learned that she could not.
…
*look at the astonishing rate of favorite, follow and reviews*
Whaa? Whaaaaaaa? WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA? ? ?
Me: …OK. Continue on with the main series. Till next time. Oh right. Thanks for your support. You guys are awesome.
